“The Solstices and Equinoxes are, perhaps, the most important festivities in the forest of Lyah'thien, representing a time of remembrance, change, and prayers for a bountiful season. Lasting three whole days and as many nights, these holy days are the ones in which new fairies are spawned or travel for the first time from their Courts into our realm.

We’re unsure, but it seems that this time is also a moment of peaceful coexistence among monsters and hunters, during which no one slays the other. Conjectures aside, I suggest you all be there at least once in your lifetime.

-Researcher Khan in ‘Festivities of a continent: a complete guide on the most not-to-be-missed sacred days’.

Dan pov

“The Equinox sure is a big deal.” Dorel commented, watching the laughing elves decorating the whole village.

Despite the lingering cold, everyone affixed flowery crowns on their doors, hoping to get the newly born fairies to visit their house. Dan noticed that the villagers considered it a competition, as the more days passed, the more extravagant and exotic those flowers got.

“Yep. I think it’s their version of our Sacred Anthem.”

“Or Medical awareness day.”

“What about the Harbor shanties?”

“Of course, but also…” Dorel stood still mid-gesture.

The humans remained quiet for a moment.

“We sure do have lots of festivities, uh?”

“Indeed.”

Veliel landed near them, flashing a happy smile. “The air is lovely today! No more snow in my feathers!” She chuckled, surrounded by cheering motes of light.

Dan snorted. “Let’s not talk about the lacking of frozen soil, then. How’s the party going?” I could do without the mud, though.

Apparently, even young fairies found Veliel's songs to be enchanting. They pestered her and the group until she sang them a lullaby.

Veliel watched as a mote dropped on her head. The light started to pulse softly, indicating that the fae had gone to sleep. I think my heart is about to melt.

“They’re so cute! We have just finished building the patio. News from the Boss? The Equinox starts tomorrow.”

Dan shrugged. “Nope. I bet that she’s beating something, though. Or getting beaten by it. Honestly? Both at the same time sounds right to me.”

“Taking easy shots, I see.” Dorel smirked.

“I hope that she won’t be late. We’re working very hard!”

“Nah, she wouldn’t miss a party. And then, Astill’s willing, we’ll be cozying up in the Bastion before next week. Guaranteed.”

Veliel glared. “You had to say it, didn’t you?”

“C’mon, you still believe that saying? I’m sure that…” The chair Dan was sitting on, broke, letting the inquisitor’s butt get to know the ground. “On a second thought…”

His friends bursted laughing. Even the fairies. Even the sleeping one.

Astill, even demigods are making fun of me! Dan pretended that nothing had happened, dusting off his armor. “I did that on purpose.” He laid his arm over a still-standing leg of the chair, feigning nonchalance. Dan narrowed his eyes at a fae suspiciously whistling between her teeth. What a scoundrel!

“Of course.”

Veliel simply stared smugly at him.

A ripple in space caught their attention.

The boss and the Omen of Winter came out, the former looking quite ragged.

“’Sup, guys?” Nashariel asked, stretching. Her bones popped quite loudly.

The Astillians and the people nearby stared, while the pixies assaulted Fel with a cascade of questions, but Dan couldn’t catch even a single word.

The dragokin was letting out intense waves of power, probably without noticing, judging by her attitude.

“Have you Evolved, by any chance?” Dan asked. It feels much like Veliel’s Tier up.

“What? No, I’ll evolve in a few years.” The boss frowned, then she facepalmed. “Right, I did a lot of shopping for my racial skills. Is it really that noticeable?”

“Boss, it feels like that time when you forgot about your real form’s size and dropped your ass on me.” Astill bless the healers nearby.

“Dang it. Sorry, I’ll work on it!”

Dan smirked. “On your ass or your power?”

“You look hurt. Are you well?” Asked Veliel, giving him a solid bonk on the head. Worth it.

Fel chuckled, shifting in her elven form. “We have practiced for a week. We might have gone a bit… overboard.”

“Yeah, not looking forward to rebuilding a peak anytime soon. At least it looks better."

“We agree. The essence permeating it will be useful to create some auroras, we hope.”

Dorel raised an eyebrow. “Did you just punch a demigoddess, Boss?”

“…I guess? Yeah, I guess I did. Repeatedly.”

The Templars facepalmed. Astill, have mercy on us all.

Finally, just a bit before midnight, everyone gathered outside the village, just beyond the gate.

The elves kept a respectful distance from the Winter fae, who stood near Nashariel in turn. The dragokin seemed oblivious of the fairy’s aura of command, but Dan could feel it prickling against his skin.

The Inquisitor wondered just how powerful his friend just got, especially considering for how long she had cleared Dangers by herself. He internally shook his head. To think that we considered such actions a suicide just a few months ago. How much we’ve grown…He and the rest of the gang had helped tackle one nearby, and it had become quite easy.

Dan opened and closed his fist, marveling at its brief moment of invisibility. She was right, Illusion was the right choice. He had fun at vanishing from sight, but Shadow just wasn’t for him since it specialized in lethal blows.

Dan’s focus went to the druid, who was just now starting his speech.

“Children of Lyah’thien,” he nodded toward the villagers, bowing deeply to Fel and the motes surrounding Veliel, “and estimated guests,” he respectfully nodded at the Templars. “We are here reunited to bid a temporary farewell to the Last Season, and this… troubled year.” The druid paused for a long moment.

“With the early waking of Ice monsters, we have faced an equally early coming of Winter’s bite. And yet, we still stand strong, despite the fall of some of our brave hunters.” He gave a sad smile to seemingly random persons in the crowd, but Dan clearly heard some sobs. “The forest remembers, and so do we. But, during this time of renewal, let us celebrate the coming of a new Spring! May it bless us with warmth, life, and renewal!!!” The last part was shouted, causing an uproar from all the elves.

As if that had been the signal, lights of all colors blazed within the village. Innumerable motes of all sizes appeared from Shortcuts, zipping and zapping from house to house.

The villagers hurried back in, eager to show off in front of their demigods.

"Well, it would be rude not to participate in a party." Commented Dan.

Nashariel snorted. “Shall we go in?”

Nashariel pov

Inside, there was only chaos.

Fairies chased one another and the elves unfortunate enough to have some sweet foods on their person. Most of the beautiful flowery crowns were either gone or worn by humanoid-kinds of fae, who smugly walked with their noses tilted upwards.

A group of satyrs was challenging a few Rangers to a drinking contest, letting a pile of empty and broken mugs grow under and around the table. Some Sylphs made a game of picking those up as fast as possible, thanks to the shameless bartender who propose it.

“Damn, they know how to party.” Dan exclaimed.

Dorel nodded. “It’s almost inspiring. Wanna join?”

Dan grinned widely, running behind his best friend. “I’ll try my luck with…”

“No, you won’t do a demigoddess.”

“But…” The rest of the conversation was covered by the crowd’s noise.

“Aaaaand, off they go.” Nashariel chuckled.

/I’m not sure if I should wish him luck or not/

Me neither.

Veliel shook her head, smiling. “I think I’ll look around, before singing my part.”

The dragokin rolled her eyes. “There’s a singing competition too?”

“Yes! One per night, and on the third one there’s the final. But I’ll do my best to practice around!”

“Ooooh, I’ll come to cheer for you then! Central plaza?”

“At midnight, yes. Thank you, boss, and see you there!” The siren darted off, directly crashing into a group of nymphs trying out some melodies by themselves.

“Do you have any plans, Nashariel?” Fel asked.

Nashariel shook her head. “I’ll look around and see what catches my attention, unless you point me somewhere. Gods, my head is killing me…”

For a moment, the world doubled. A giant cathedral made of thick stone replaced the village, one that Nashariel instinctively knew had been hidden deep below the earth. It held a secret, so terrible that the Her of the past decided to...

She gritted her teeth, suppressing any other show of pain. “And what are yours?”

“We shall enjoy everything from a distance. We are an Omen of Winter, after all, and our presence here may be… unsettling. Unless you wish for us to stay…?”

“I wouldn’t be worried about being seen.” Or smelled. “There’s quite a bit of alcohol going around. But yes, I’d like you to stay, **-”

A gentle freezing hand closed her mouth for a moment.

“Dang it, it happened again.” Nashariel’s spacing out moments hadn’t stopped, despite two weeks from the upgrade of her skill. Her sleep had become a long series of dreams about her lives, even if most of them weren’t the violent kind anymore. Most. “Sorry.”

“It is not your fault, Nashariel. Part of us is happy that our memory still lives within you.”

“And the other?”

“It would like to freeze your lips until you regain control of your present life.”

Nashariel chuckled. “Understandable. So, what do fairies do to have fun during Equinoxes?”

“It depends on our Court. Spring likes to dance, sing, and eat, as you may very well see, Nashariel. And drink, obviously, even if that doesn’t seem to be limited to Equinoxes.”

Can’t argue with that. Elves sure do drink a lot. “And what about the others?”

"Summer," Fel started with a hiss, "celebrates by organizing every possible kind of contest, usually making a fool of themselves. Autumn enjoys hunting everything that catches their attention, uncaring if this causes a species to go extinct. We of the Winter court take time to enjoy what we have accomplished during the year, and plan for the next one.”

“And what do you usually do?”

Demigods and mortals mixed without care, letting the talking duo walk undisturbed. Nashariel saw a group of kids surrounding an old Dryad that was growing a bunch of herbs and flowers on the ground in front of them.

“We come before the Equinox, trying to get a glimpse of the last hunts of our children. This year… we found you instead. A welcome surprise, although it came with a hefty price.”

That’s why she was near a village, then. “I’m sorry, Fel. Did you think that I killed them? You didn’t seem particularly friendly, back then.”

“That was our first thought, yes. We didn’t expect a test to be put upon you. We were mistaken.”

Nashariel scowled. “Yeah, let’s not think about that. The test, I mean.” The duo passed in front of an improvised acting stage, where elves and fairies played the roles of princes and evil-doers. It looked like a noble thing, judging from their clothes. “And neither of your mentor. No offense.”

“None taken. To put it in mortal’s terms, she’s a ‘little bit of an asshole’ for everyone who’s not herself.”

Nashariel snorted, suppressing further bursts of laughter. “In-indeed. Ahem, do you know the tale?” She asked, nodding towards the play. Been a while since I went to one with mom and dad. I wonder how are they doing.

“Once, long, long ago, a princess from far away traveled into Lyah'thien, searching for riches and power," Felassiah whispered, assuming a narrating voice. "It is said that a powerful fairy prince fell in love with her at first glance, and so he kidnapped her. He brought his beloved to a fantastical castle, where rugs were made from rare monster hides and plants once thought extinct abounded. She was smitten by such riches, but her heart already belonged to her prince, back in the mortal realm. The fairy, hurt and angered, cursed the poor girl to forever appear as a stunning doe with an auburn mantle and golden horns, for even in his anger he couldn’t find in himself to mar her beauty.

Weeping, she ran away from the fairy realm, only to live as a monster in the same forest where she yearned for riches and power.”

“And… is this the end?”

“We know many versions of this story. In some, the prince finds her, breaks the curse, and the two of them go home, protected by their love. In others, the prince kills the monster, recognizing the pendant she wore, and thinking her the murderer of her beloved, only to cry when the truth is revealed by the sadistic fairy prince. One of our sisters has told us that this story has been made to explain how satyrs came into being.”

Nashariel frowned in confusion.

Fel gestured to the satyr’s lower halves, then the upper ones.

“Oh… OH!”

/Eh, Kins have to come from somewhere/ Laughed the secondary mind.

Soon, the play ended with the two humans killing the fae and living forever inside the castle, in love and submerged by riches. Fel snorted loudly.

“Is this story true?” Nashariel asked, whispering.

“Yes, in a sense. To this day, they both live within the Summer Court, but we do know not the story. We had never visited both of them. However, we hardly believe that a couple of mortals was able to slay a fourth Tier demigod.”

Me neither, but what do I know? Memories started to leak into Nashariel's mind. It was a rhetorical question!

The duo walked to the plaza.

A large patio had been built there, one where larger plays were being held. Singers, actors, and poets sang their songs, opening their hearts in front of their spectators with mixed results.

At the moment, a trio of drunk satyrs sang a shanty, one that Nashariel had sometimes heard in Andriel. She had grown enough that it didn’t set her ears on fire anymore. Barely.

The Templar easily saw the towering Veliel. She was next, together with some nymphs she had rushed to. She fidgeted with her wings, checking her clothes every few seconds.

Nashariel raised her fist at her. Vel replied with a nervous smile, waving her hand. “It’s been a while since I saw her this nervous.”

“Nymphs are skittish creatures, but also incarnate beauty in their own ways. Perhaps she wishes to impress them? It won’t be an easy task.”

“Uh, you’re probably right, actually.” A flash of memories pulsed in Nashariel’s head. She remembered that wannabe famous artists searched for those fae’s favor, as a small lock of their hair could magnify a talent tenfold.

In one life, Nashariel’s main chosen form was that of a Curse dragon. She had searched for such a fae to improve her paintings, and she had received the lock in question after a gruesome favor. Her talent had shown significant improvements, much to her joy. She also remembered that a Curse dragon had murdered her in jealousy.

That asshole! I should rip his head, burn his…! The Astillian shook her head. “Damn, this is getting annoying.”

“We’re sure that it is only a matter of time before it ends, Nashariel.”

"Any idea for how long?"

“… We encourage you to be patient.”

Nashariel deflated. She quickly recomposed herself, as her feathered friend had climbed atop the stage with the other fairies. She noted Dan and Dorel rushing in the plaza, and she caught their attention.

They walked to her, nodding to Fel. “Have we missed anything?”

“She’s just about to get started. What have you done in the meantime?”

“Let’s not talk about that.”

“He tried his luck with a fae. She wasn’t interested.” Dorel said, ignoring the other’s protests. He looked then at the nymphs. “Quite the chorus we have here.”

Surprisingly, Felassiah replied. “Indeed. A siren and three nymphs performing together are a first for us too. We’re eager to see how is it going to feel.”

A cloud of darkness hid the patio.

The plaza fell into pure, excited silence.

Then, the dark cloud fell like ash, and colored lights took its place. Each woman was silent and knelt on the ground.

Slowly, Veliel rose, accompanying the movement with the first, wordless note. Her voice echoed in the village, so deep that the sound rattled Nashariel’s organs.

The siren’s wings suddenly opened wide, four gray banners that got things started.

The fairy in the center rose too, her little stature unable to cover Veliel from the watchers’ eyes. “Children and fellow kin, listen to our tale…” She started, as Veliel lowered her tone.

Her two sisters stood, echoing the last words each with a different tonality.

“For this is the tale of an ancient past, where Kings and Queens roamed this land free, unbound by the laws of Gods and Emperors…” Veliel and the two other faes took each other's hands, muttering a spell acting as ambiance noises.

The lights went off, and images started to appear on the patio’s wall. Massive monsters stomped on the world, some larger than mountains. Others were smaller than hummingbirds, but they somehow looked no less imposing than the surrounding megafauna.

“During that time,” the stunning fairy resumed, echoed by her sisters. “Gods and us, their chosen children, were much more involved in this world’s affairs. Our progenitors each wanted their share, and waged war against one another…”

The megafauna trashed the place, devouring entire forests and setting aflame the very skies. Many-limbed Humanoid-like tribes assaulted them, dying and resurrecting by the dozens, but some of those titans fell with an earth-shattering crash, played perfectly by Veliel.

In the same haze of a dream, many figures shouted against each other, gesturing towards the chaos beneath. Nashariel recognized a pair of winged figures, and she suspected that the most defined one, a huntress, was meant to represent Lyah’thien herself.

The girl’s head pulsed, and she found herself steadied by Fel and Dorel. “Thanks…” She muttered.

“Do you need some rest?” Whispered Dorel.

“No, thanks. I’ll explain later.”

The Defender nodded.

The nymph kept narrating. “The world was brought to ruins. Our progenitors soon realized that should this conflict last for even a moment longer, they would only look upon a sad remnant of the beauty that attracted them here.

In their wisdom, they molded the heavens to their domains and swore a solemn oath to never repeat their mistakes once more. And so, the world was finally allowed to heal.”

The beings that had waged war until now slowly retreated beyond the main scenery. The more of them vanished, the more the world became an Eden where thousands of small critters prospered. Some creature wandered the land, wrapped in an aura of majesty and power, but refrained from intervening. They looked… dejected.

“But then, as the ages went on, we experienced loneliness, the pain of the soul. We had one another, but… few of us remained in this empty realm. Our Kings and Queens had been barred to be with us, and we felt lost and alone. Then, someone whose name has been lost in time proposed to… create our own children, much like our forefathers did with us…”

The Eden was filled with small monsters, mortals… many of the races familiar to everyone populated every angle of this world. They lived, multiplied, and prospered. Soon, they started to clash against each other, fighting for a thousand different reasons.

“Our dearest children were our mirrors, in bad and good. Before another bloody war could exact its toll, the Gods decided to split this world into six parts, one per attunement. In those lands, they sealed the most powerful remaining beings, monsters and mortals alike together with most of their element’s energy, ensuring your survival.”

The scenery split into six parts, just like a mirror would've done.

“The Infernal Lands, home to those touched by the deepest and purest of flames, those of a star.

The Depths, home to the Abyssal creatures, where the light of the sun is a simple legend among its inhabitants.

Gaia, the abundant land, covered by forest and held up by untold riches living underground.

There, above the clouds, lies the realm of those who never saw the ground, the Empyreum.

The ever bright Celestia, home to the selfless and righteous, is said to host the mortal’s Gods and their servants.

Almost like flipping a coin, we drown in the darkest of the realms, the Hells. Those living in this fragmented shard of the world are tormented by their perennial hunger, incapable of finding peace.

Lastly, the Gods left a single, undivided land, Nortanis, saying that once we could find a way to live in harmony, the world would become whole once more.”

The broken mirror expanded whenever each attunement was explained, showing brief moments of life.

Veliel started to sweat visibly under the strain, both to her mana and her voice.

Meanwhile, Nashariel’s head was pounding, worse than it had ever done. She clenched her fists, showing nothing that could distress the priestess in her moment.

The illusion faded, leaving the trio of fairies smiling at the crowd. “It is said that our Mother welcomes to her realm the most valorous people. Do well, children, as she will welcome you within her embrace.”

With that, the lights vanished. The elves' ovation rumbled to the ground.

Nashariel’s worsening headache wasn’t pleased. “Liars… Deceivers… It wasn’t like this… I… Was I… there? Why they don’t remember what it was!? Why… why can’t I!? It’s there, I know…!”

“Boss, you’re bleeding!” Dan shouted, unheard by the crowd.

The dragokin shook herself, her head spinning. "Y-yeah, new thing. I need some time to adjust. Say to Vel that did awesome with the illusions from me, okay?"

“Boss… can we do anything?” Asked Dorel.

“No, just… enjoy the rest of the festival, okay?”

The Templar made to walk away, but a worried priestess landed nearby. "Nashariel, why are you bleeding?"

The interested sighed deeply. “It’s a skill. Basically, I remember all my other… times. My spirit is against that, and my head suffers.”

“Perhaps I can do something…” Veliel’s gaze grew absent for a moment. She started to sing softly, shining a soft gray.

Nashariel’s agony largely faded. “Astill’s mercy, Vel, thank you.”

The siren smiled, stopping her song. “Healing souls seemed important, don’t you think?”

The group chuckled.

Fel cocked her head. “What were you saying? We didn’t catch the language.”

Nashariel frowned. “Something was wrong with the story, but… I don’t know what. A piece was… missing, but I was there. Fel, is it possible?”

“We think so. Dragons are ancient monsters, and your legends live since forever ago.”

“Dang.” Echoed the Astillians.

“I’m wondering if you punched a God too.” Murmured Dan. The others looked at him. He shrugged. “What? She just punched a demigoddess, mine isn’t too big of a stretch, isn’t it?”

Nashariel couldn’t bring herself to object. Her memory spiked again, but nothing came out of it. Have I really done something like that?

After that night, the festivities continued without end.

No one seemed willing to hunt, but somehow the food and alcohol reserves seemed to be bottomless.

Veliel exhibited four more times with the nymphs, but she was relegated to the backstage. After having had enough of it, she organized her own concerts, occupying the second-best place in the village. Much to the fae's dismay, most of their kin flocked to the Priestess, pushing them to try to sabotage her performances out of jealousy.

They stopped after one of them had their hair entirely frozen. In the end, after listening to her singing, one of them begrudgingly gave her a lock of hair.

Dan, having found no luck with any kind of lady, mortal or not, resigned himself to quietly enjoy the various games. He actually made a pretty solid friendship with a satyr named Yan, who gifted the human his pan flute. They got drunk together a few times as well.

Nashariel enjoyed Veliel’s concerts and participated in a dancing contest, invited by Fel. The fae was impeccable, while Nashariel had to thank her awareness for not crashing into anyone at all.

Dorel had fun by showing off his newfound Metal affinity and pairing it with Lava. More than one smith looked interested enough to ask him about some tips and tricks.

In the end, the group met in front of the gates, throwing a few glances at the forest that had hosted them for half a year.

The last festivities kept on going, but most of the people were already preparing for the next day, probably in dire need to restock their supplies.

"Thank you for everything, Fel. I and my friends wouldn't be here without your help." Nashariel smiled at the ethereal fairy, gripping her hand.

Felassiah smiled back. “It was our pleasure to see you again. May this life of yours be longer than the First Winter.”

Nashariel nodded. “Shall we go?” Her friends gave her a grin each.

The omnidragon transformed just outside the gate, letting the full gang mount upon her. They rose, roaring one last time to say goodbye to the Omen of Winter.

“To Valkas and beyond!”

“To Home!”

Various povs

“Are you really letting her go just like that? After all this time waiting for her?” A nymph asked Fel.

She nodded. “My mentor wasn’t a bird to keep in a cage, and neither she is in this life.”

“Amusing. Hopefully, she’ll remember you.” Mocked the other, vanishing to her Court.

Felassiah, the Omen of Winter, brought out the Core that Nashariel had gifted her, then opened her evolution choices. Her oldest one there stood, changed but not largely. "The answer to that question… you said yes, didn’t you?" The fae said, pressing the only option she had ever considered picking up.

A Templar team sailed to Valkas, cutting as much sea as possible to save a child from untold dangers. They barely noticed all the Seamonsters that they had to cut down since they set sail in the truly dangerous areas of the Deepsea.

“Thal, do you think she misses us?” Lianna asked, uncaring of all the hate she had accrued against her in that corrupted city.

"I'm sure we're in her thoughts, love." Thalom hugged her, somewhat uneasy about going back to the nation he was born into.

“I hope she’s safe…”

“She is, I’m sure. Karda trained her well.” Thomas declared.

“And her team is pretty good in itself, if I may add.” Added Nicholas with a smirk.

The couple smiled gratefully.

We’re coming, Little Light.

The heat of a star bathed His form. He gazed upon the distant land, the one where the Empress always choose to reincarnate in.

Many of His children had been defeated in combat, but she had taken their strength and cut off some weak blood from His line.

The Dragon Emperor of Flames smiled, anticipating. Something was telling Him that this life had something special to it. Still, He tried to not enjoy it too much, for other times too He had been disappointed.

“A millennium never passes too quickly…” He muttered, causing massive eruptions around Him in His excitement. His mates grumbled, retaliating with various Flares on His scales.

He didn’t care.

His creator was awake once more.