Mysteries of the Festival
Ludenberg Lavante lifted his head and gazed ahead. There, before the enormous brazier blazing fiercely, stood Ashytara Solenute. Just as she had during the joint funeral rite, she faced the flames with a reverent expression, hands clasped in prayer. Soon, the choir gathered around her. Their song echoed through the square, Ashytara's voice blending seamlessly into the chorus.
Ludenberg found himself thinking once again how well she sang. He distinctly remembered her being pretty terrible at it back in the day. Vague memories surfaced of her awkward smiles whenever she tried. That alone spoke volumes about the effort she'd poured into becoming a proper priestess.
He glanced around. The crowd watched the scene with rapt fascination. Even as the choir sang on, the air buzzed with excitement. It's a festival, after all, he thought anew. The Terra rite of supplication had been just weeks ago... but the Salvation Cult had ruined it, so it was no wonder people were thrilled now.
Truth be told, Ludenberg felt the same thrill. Memories of wandering the festival with Ashytara last time flickered in his mind. This should be even better.
The opening ceremony continued. In the meantime, Ashytara finished her role and returned to Ludenberg's side.
"Lud. How was it? I didn't look too shaky, did I?"
"Nah, you were fine. But damn, you sing well now. You used to suck."
"Thanks to my sister's brutal training... I probably couldn't have gotten this good without her."
Ashytara gazed wistfully into the past. Those were hellish days. Her grasp of theology had astonished even Sione, and she'd picked up saint laws quickly enough... but hymns? She was hopeless. It wasn't the lyrics—she just couldn't hit the notes. Anyone else, Sione might have let it slide as cute, but Ashytara was imperial blood, a Solem priestess. Unacceptable. So she'd endured grueling vocal drills.
"...Sounds like you suffered."
"Oh yeah. First time I ever coughed up blood from my throat."
"Blood from your throat?"
"Yep. And Sis still called in a Mare priest to heal me and made me keep singing. Eventually, she was coughing blood too."
"..."
Ludenberg stared at her in disbelief.
"What?"
"Nothing. You really went through it."
"Yeah. So, what now? Dalia said we're done with our duties."
"Festival vibes—let's just wander. We couldn't really enjoy the rite last time."
"Yes! Where to first?"
"Let's check the guide first. Dalia said it'd be near the square... Oh, there it is. They actually set them out."
"Right, she said she slaved over these. And the request to the Lanur church was all for this?"
"Yep."
The two snatched up a festival guide from near the square. The paper, faintly glowing with white light, was blank.
"Nothing on it?"
Ashytara unfolded it—and something magical happened. A three-dimensional map of Solemnute Adem materialized, detailing festival stalls, shop district events, everything.
"Whoa..."
Ashytara examined it in awe. Ludenberg did the same.
"This took serious work."
"Yeah. We helped her a bit and never even saw it then... She must've done this solo."
"No wonder she was stressing about Lanur cooperation lately."
"Pretty much."
Imagining Dalia's ordeal, they felt a pang of sympathy. They'd assisted her before, yet hadn't glimpsed this. Lanur help explained the volume, but it was her creation.
"Shall we tour based on this? Plenty looks fun. Where first, Tara?"
"Hm... here."
Ashytara pointed to a spot with no description. Just the name: Mysterious House.
"Mysterious House?"
"Yeah. No details—makes me curious."
"Starting there, then... route like this? Let's go, Tara."
"Okay!"
They headed straight for Mysterious House. Soon, a smallish purple square building appeared, its sign reading Mysterious House with a moon motif—clearly Lanur priest work. No crowds yet; it was deserted.
"Just go in?"
"Probably."
Ludenberg opened the door. Their eyes widened. The vast interior defied the modest exterior. Fantastical scenery greeted them: twisted trees glowing mysteriously, tiny twinkling stars floating about.
"Whoa..."
Ashytara reached for a large drifting star. It playfully dodged, circling with its fellows. But eventually, it settled atop her head like a crown, smaller stars joining it.
She stroked the starry crown. The stars chimed clear, mystical notes, giggling delightedly.
"Amazing..."
"Yeah."
Even Ludenberg, hard to impress, reached out—but the stars huffed and fled.
"..."
"Pfft!"
Ashytara burst out laughing at his baffled look. As they admired the scene, a voice drawled.
"...Welcome to Mysterious House."
Familiar, languid tone. They turned.
"Priestess Daphnen?"
"Yeees. Welcome, Ludenberg, Ashytara."
"What brings you here...?"
"Festival time? Got bored, wanted to try something."
"Ah..."
"Anyway, simple explanation: just walk straight. Mysterious things will unfold around you."
They nodded and proceeded. The scenery shifted like passing seasons—plants withering, blooming cyclically.
"Even as illusion, it's incredible."
"Totally. First time seeing this. Good choice for starters, right? Step forward for winter, back for autumn. Wild."
Further on, new theme: mirrors. Trees and flowers vanished, mirrors taking over, stars reflecting wondrously. Then the mirrors turned on them—distorted images: Ludenberg stretched sideways, Ashytara elongated upward. They laughed hysterically before moving on.
Next: a starry sky.
"Lud, look!"
"Huh?"
"We're walking on clouds!"
Indeed—soft clouds underfoot, illusion letting them tread the star-filled heavens.
"Classic Lanur saint law. Illusions making impossible real..."
"Look, the Milky Way."
A river of stars stretched across. Their starry companions danced freely, then chased it away. A small door appeared.
They savored the clouds and stars, then opened it—back to the entrance, Daphnen waiting.
"Huh?"
"We're..."
"Enjoy Mysterious House?"
"Yes, so fun. Seasons were magical, mirrors hilarious, clouds and Milky Way awe-inspiring."
"Test run, glad you liked."
"You made it all alone?"
"Yeah. Practicing saint law arrays, festival hit, bored... turned out better than expected, so I pitched it to the student council president."
"Ah..."
"Glad it was fun. See you next time."
"Thanks, Priestess. It was a blast."
Daphnen waved goodbye. They stepped out.
"Where next?"
"Here. Getting hungry?"
Ludenberg pointed to the shop district's heart: food alley, brimming with street eats.
"Yeah, starving."
She nodded.
"Good. Fill up first, then plan. Tons left to enjoy—no rush."
"Right."
They made for the food alley.