The few days leading up to Skyfest passed in a blur. The quest had been disappointingly mundane—just a pack of wolves encroaching on the outskirts of the town, likely drawn in by an easy food source. It was nothing that required a party like ours, but we dealt with it quickly, leaving us with time to rest and recover.
The town, however, had transformed. Sundermere, already lively with its constant trade and wandering travelers, had turned into a festival of color and sound. Streamers of deep blue and golden hues stretched between rooftops, lanterns lined the streets, waiting to be set free when night fell, and vendors set up shop with handcrafted trinkets, exotic foods, and festival attire. The air smelled of roasted meats, honeyed fruits, and something faintly floral—like a soft reminder of the rolling plains beyond the town's borders.
As we walked through the crowded streets, music filled the air—harps, flutes, and the steady beat of drums played by street performers. Children wove between legs, laughing as they chased each other, their small wooden dragon kites fluttering behind them. It was a stark contrast to the weight of the journey ahead of us, but for now, it was a welcome distraction.
Alaria had wasted no time dragging Gareth and Rowan into a drinking contest at one of the tavern stalls, while Callen had found himself drawn into a strength challenge—his broad frame putting most of the competition to shame as he lifted massive weighted stones for the cheering crowd.
Lucian, being Lucian, had already disappeared into the throng of people, likely talking his way into free food or coin from some unsuspecting merchant.
Daren wasn't here, and though I wasn't sure if I missed him yet, his absence still felt… strange.
Elaris stood beside me, her lavender eyes shining as she took in the sights. She wore a festival dress today—something she had forced me to help pick out earlier that morning. It was a deep shade of blue, almost like the evening sky just before the sun fully sets, with golden embroidery trailing along the sleeves and hem in swirling celestial patterns.
"You're staring," she mused, her voice laced with amusement.
I blinked, quickly averting my gaze, though she was still smirking. "You look nice," I admitted.
"Only nice?" she teased.
I sighed, shaking my head. "You look beautiful, Elaris."
"Better," she hummed, reaching out to take my hand, intertwining our fingers.
I felt warmth creep up my neck, but before I could respond, a familiar voice cut in.
"Ugh, can you two not?"
Alaria stood beside us now, arms crossed, her emerald eyes rolling dramatically.
"Hello to you too, Alaria," Elaris said dryly.
Alaria scoffed. "Look, I'm all for romance or whatever, but if I have to watch you two make heart-eyes at each other all night, I'm going to start gagging."
"You're just mad because no one's asked you to participate in Lovers' Flight," Elaris shot back smoothly.
Alaria twitched. "As if I care about that stupid lantern thing."
Elaris smirked knowingly, but before she could say anything more, Lucian appeared between them, draping his arms over their shoulders like he had always belonged there.
"Now, now, ladies," he grinned. "Let's not start another fight. Tonight is for fun."
Alaria shoved him off with a growl, and he stumbled back, laughing.
"So, what's next?" I asked, eager to shift the conversation elsewhere.
Elaris glanced toward the central plaza. "I heard there's a contest where you carve wishes into wooden charms, and if yours makes it to the end of the night without breaking, it means your wish will come true."
"Sounds fake," Alaria muttered, but I could see the slight curiosity in her expression.
Lucian nudged me. "There's also a dueling competition happening in the eastern square. Thought you might want to test out that fancy Rift magic of yours."
I tensed slightly. Rift Magic. A reminder of what I had become. What I had lost.
Elaris must have noticed because her grip on my hand tightened slightly. "You don't have to," she said quietly. "Tonight isn't about proving anything."
But was that true?
I took a slow breath. "I'll think about it," I said finally.
Lucian shrugged. "Fair enough. Oh, and there's a sky-drake race at sundown. The betting odds are insane right now."
"I knew you were gambling," Elaris sighed.
"Listen," Lucian said, grinning, "a man has to make a living."
Alaria rolled her eyes. "You cheat at cards, Lucian. That's not making a living."
Lucian placed a hand over his heart, feigning hurt. "How dare you accuse me of such a thing?"
"Because it's true?"
He sighed dramatically. "I am offended."
I shook my head, letting their bickering fade into background noise as my gaze drifted toward the sky. The sun was beginning to set, streaking the clouds in brilliant hues of orange, pink, and purple.
Soon, the lanterns would be lit, floating toward the heavens like tiny stars returning home.
I wondered—if I made a wish tonight, would it matter? Would the gods listen to someone like me?
Or had I already strayed too far into the void for wishes to mean anything at all?
The plaza buzzed with energy, the golden hues of the setting sun painting the town in an ethereal glow. The sounds of laughter, music, and distant cheers from ongoing contests filled the air, but my mind was stuck on Lucian's suggestion. A dueling competition. A chance to test Rift Magic in a controlled environment.
Elaris had told me I didn't need to prove anything, but wasn't that exactly why I had to?
The weight of the power inside me felt suffocating at times. It was unstable, unpredictable. I needed control. I needed to own it before it consumed me.
I exhaled slowly, squeezing Elaris' hand as I made my decision.
"I'll enter the dueling competition," I said finally.
Lucian grinned like he had just won a bet. "I knew you would. We better get moving then—it starts soon."
Elaris frowned slightly, but she didn't argue. Instead, she studied my face carefully, her lavender eyes searching for something. "Are you sure about this?"
"I need this," I admitted. "I need to see how far I can go without… losing myself."
Her expression softened, but concern still lingered in her gaze. "Alright," she said quietly. "But I'm watching. If I think you're pushing yourself too far, I will step in."
I smirked despite myself. "You always do."
With that, we made our way toward the eastern square, where a raised wooden platform had been set up for the tournament. A roaring crowd surrounded it, eager to see combatants clash. The fights were already underway—warriors locked in battle, sparks flying as steel met steel, and bursts of elemental magic crackling through the air.
A man in ornate armor stood near the sign-up booth, his presence commanding respect. He looked me up and down as I approached.
"You here for the competition, boy?" he asked.
I nodded. "Noctis Grevant."
His brows lifted at the name. "Ah, the Voidbane Seraph himself. You're a bit of a legend around here. People will be expecting a show."
I wasn't sure how I felt about that, but I simply nodded again. "Who am I fighting?"
He smirked, handing me a small wooden token with a number carved into it. "Round one—you're up against Torin of Red Hollow. Skilled with a spear. Don't get careless."
I glanced toward the waiting area and spotted my opponent—a broad-shouldered man with close-cropped hair, twirling his spear with practiced ease. His eyes locked onto mine, a smirk pulling at his lips.
"Better not disappoint, 'Voidbane,'" he called over the noise.
I rolled my shoulders, feeling the faint hum of Rift energy thrumming beneath my skin. "Wouldn't dream of it."
The duel was fast. Brutal. Every clash of weapons sent vibrations up my arms, every dodge and counterstrike pushed my limits further. Torin was good, his movements fluid, precise.
But I was faster. Unpredictable.
The moment I used Rift Step, blinking behind him in an instant, the crowd gasped. He barely had time to react before my blade was at his throat.
"Yield," I murmured.
Torin exhaled sharply, then chuckled, lowering his spear. "Shit. Fine. You win."
The announcer boomed my victory, and the crowd roared.
I barely heard it. My heart pounded—not from exertion, but from the surge of power that came with wielding Rift Magic. The way reality bent to my will.
It was intoxicating.
Too intoxicating.
I clenched my fists, forcing the energy to settle, to quiet the whisper of hunger in the back of my mind. I couldn't afford to lose myself to it. Not now. Not ever.
Elaris met me at the edge of the platform, relief evident in her expression. "You pushed yourself," she accused.
I nodded. "But I didn't break."
She sighed, then grabbed my hand, squeezing it tightly. "Come on," she murmured. "It's almost time for the Lovers' Flight."
The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the sky had darkened to a deep indigo. Thousands of lanterns lined the riverbank, their soft golden glow reflecting off the water.
The Lovers' Flight was the highlight of Skyfest—a tradition where couples would write their wishes on lanterns and release them together, watching as they ascended into the heavens. It was said that if two lanterns stayed side by side all the way to the stars, their love would be eternal.
Elaris and I stood at the edge of the river, a lantern between us. It was a simple thing—paper-thin, fragile, yet somehow, it felt heavy in my hands.
"What should we wish for?" she asked softly.
I hesitated. What did I want?
Peace? Redemption? A life without the looming shadow of Rift Magic?
"I don't know," I admitted.
She smiled gently, her lavender eyes gleaming in the lantern's light. "Then we'll make a wish for something good—whatever that means, whatever comes our way."
I nodded, and together, we lifted the lantern. The warm air carried it upward, its golden glow joining the sea of lights drifting into the night sky.
I watched it go, watched how it didn't drift away from the others. It stayed beside them.
Rooted. Connected.
Elaris intertwined her fingers with mine, resting her head against my shoulder. "See?" she murmured. "It's not so fragile after all."
For the first time in a long while, I let myself believe her.
That night, after a whirlwind of laughter and playful moments with Elaris, we finally returned to our room at the inn, the air thick with unspoken tension. The door clicked shut behind us, and in an instant, the atmosphere shifted. I could feel the heat radiating between us, a magnetic pull drawing me closer to her.
As I turned to face her, our eyes locked, and I saw a spark of mischief dance in hers. "You know," she said, her voice low and teasing, "I've been waiting for this all night." My heart raced at her words, anticipation flooding my veins.
Without another moment's hesitation, I leaned in, capturing her lips with mine. The kiss started soft and sweet, but it quickly ignited into something deeper, more urgent. I could feel her warmth against me, her body pressing closer as we melted into each other. Every brush of our lips sent a thrill coursing through me, awakening a hunger I couldn't ignore.
As we kissed, I felt the heat rising between us, and the world outside faded away. Our hands began to explore each other, fingers tracing along curves and contours, igniting sparks of desire with every touch. "I want you," I whispered, my breath coming in quick gasps, the need surging within me.
Elaris pulled back just slightly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Then let's not waste any more time," she replied, a sultry smile playing on her lips. In that moment, we both knew what we wanted, and it was electrifying.
Clothes became a distant memory as we undressed each other, the fabric falling away like barriers between us. I marveled at the softness of her skin under my fingertips, each touch sending waves of pleasure coursing through me. The air was thick with desire and the scent of her, intoxicating and sweet.
Once we were both bare, we climbed into the bed, still entwined in each other's arms, kissing fervently as the sheets enveloped us. The warmth of the bed was contrasting against the cool night air, creating an intimate cocoon where nothing else mattered.
"Are you ready for this?" Elaris breathed, her voice low and filled with promise. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, a mix of excitement and longing. "More than anything," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
As we surrendered to the moment, the world outside ceased to exist. Our bodies moved together, each touch, each kiss, a silent conversation that spoke volumes. The bed creaked softly beneath us, and the room filled with the sounds of our shared breaths and soft gasps, a symphony of newfound passion.
In that space, we lost ourselves completely, the connection between us deepening with every movement, every whisper of affection exchanged. It was a night of exploration, of vulnerability, and of pure, unadulterated desire—a night that I would never forget.
The morning sun barely peeked through the wooden shutters of the inn room, casting warm golden streaks over the tangled sheets. My body ached in ways I'd never felt before—not from battle, not from exhaustion, but from something much more intimate. A slow, deep warmth still lingered in my limbs, like the embers of a dying fire refusing to go out. My mind was hazy, memories of the night before flickering in my head like scenes from a dream.
Elaris stirred beside me, her soft lavender eyes fluttering open. Her golden hair, always so neatly braided or pinned, was now a wild, tousled mess that only made her look even more ethereal. She was still wrapped in the sheets, though barely, her bare shoulders exposed to the morning light. A lazy, contented smile tugged at her lips as she turned toward me, her fingers grazing my chest with slow, delicate movements.
"…Morning," she murmured, her voice husky from sleep.
I exhaled a slow breath, running a hand through my own tangled hair. "Morning…" My voice was softer than usual, my body still adjusting to the strange mix of exhaustion and satisfaction. I turned on my side, propping myself up on my elbow as I looked at her properly. She looked…different. Not in a physical way, but in the way she gazed at me. The usual teasing glint in her eyes had been replaced by something deeper, something softer.
A brief silence stretched between us, the kind that didn't need to be filled with words. But eventually, I found myself chuckling under my breath. "I can't believe we actually…"
Elaris hummed, her fingers tracing absentminded circles on my skin. "Mmm… I know," she admitted, her cheeks warming as she tucked her face into the pillow, but her smile never faded. "I… I always thought my first time would be with another elf—someone closer to my own age. But…" She reached for my hand beneath the sheets, intertwining our fingers. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
I felt a strange sense of relief at her words. I had never really thought about my first time, never even let myself consider what it would be like. With my life constantly in motion, between fighting, running, and dealing with the weight of my Rift powers, I never believed I'd have the luxury of something like this. And yet, here we were.
"I wouldn't either," I admitted, squeezing her hand gently. My thumb brushed over her knuckles, and she let out a pleased hum, shifting closer so that her forehead rested against mine.
The peace was short-lived.
The door slammed open with a BANG, nearly rattling the hinges. Both of us jolted, Elaris immediately pulling the sheets up to cover herself as I snapped my head toward the source of the intrusion.
Alaria stood in the doorway, her crimson hair a mess, her emerald-green eyes bloodshot, and her arms crossed over her chest in absolute fury. She was still half-dressed in the remnants of last night's festival attire, her leather jacket haphazardly draped over her shoulders. She looked hungover as hell.
And pissed.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the entire damned inn. "I KNEW IT! I KNEW YOU TWO WERE UP TO SOMETHING LAST NIGHT!"
Elaris groaned, her head falling back against the pillow as she rubbed her temple. "Alaria, please, not so loud…"
"NOT SO LOUD?" Alaria screeched, stepping inside and slamming the door shut behind her. "Not so loud?! YOU TWO WERE THE LOUDEST DAMN THINGS IN THE ENTIRE INN LAST NIGHT!"
I sat up fully now, still tangled in the sheets, but at this point, modesty was the least of my concerns. "Alaria—"
"DON'T YOU 'ALARIA' ME, NOCTIS!" She pointed an accusatory finger at me, her emerald eyes blazing. "I came back late from drinking, and what do I hear?! Moaning! Beds creaking! WALLS SHAKING! I thought a damn bear had gotten into the inn!" She threw her hands in the air. "I was trying to SLEEP! But NO, YOU TWO HAD TO GO AT IT ALL NIGHT LIKE A COUPLE OF—OF—" She sputtered, her face turning even redder. "Ugh, I don't even have words for you two!"
Elaris groaned again, flopping onto her stomach, pulling a pillow over her head to muffle whatever curse she muttered beneath it. "Gods, I am too hungover for this…"
I exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Look, Alaria, I get that you're mad, but—"
"But nothing!" She stomped over to the side of the bed, jabbing a finger in my chest. "I TOLD you— I CALLED DIBS ON YOU FIRST!**"
At that, Elaris suddenly lifted her head from the pillow, her lavender eyes sharpening. "Excuse me?!"
Alaria whipped around. "Oh, please, don't act all smug! You KNEW how I felt about him first, and you just— you just—took him!" She whirled back to me. "And you just let her!"
I stared at her, dumbfounded. "Alaria. You never—" I ran a hand through my hair, exasperated. "You never actually said anything like that to me. You flirt with everyone. How was I supposed to know you were serious?"
She scowled. "Because you're supposed to be able to tell!"
Elaris let out an exasperated sigh. "Alaria. We're not fighting over him like a damn trophy. We're together. It happened naturally. You can't just 'call dibs' on a person."
Alaria crossed her arms tightly, her jaw clenching. For the first time since she barged in, she looked genuinely hurt.
"…You two are just leaving me behind," she muttered. "Like I don't even matter."
I blinked. That wasn't what I expected to hear. "Alaria…"
She scoffed, throwing her hands up. "Whatever. Just—next time, at least put up a barrier or something!" She turned, marching toward the door. "I need a drink."
The door slammed shut behind her.
Silence.
Elaris let out a long, tired sigh, rubbing her temple. "So. That happened."
I flopped back against the mattress, groaning. "Gods above."
Elaris glanced over at me, a small smirk curling on her lips despite her lingering exhaustion. "So… should we be quieter next time?"
I turned my head to glare at her, deadpan. "Not funny."
She giggled, leaning over to press a teasing kiss to my cheek. "A little funny."
I sighed, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her against me. "She's really upset."
Elaris softened, resting her forehead against my shoulder. "I know."
We stayed like that for a moment, letting the tension settle before we both reluctantly rolled out of bed.
"Let's get dressed," I muttered, rubbing my face. "I have a feeling today is going to be exhausting."
Elaris hummed in agreement, already reaching for her clothes.
And as expected, I was right.