Chapter 125: Lights

Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Lights

"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other." — Audrey Hepburn

By the time dusk settled over Mistveil Isle, the stone switchbacks leading down to the Crystal Basin were alive with warm, amber light.

Paper lanterns had been strung between the ancient pines, their delicate frames swaying gently in the autumn breeze. Their light spilled across the cobblestones, turning the winding paths into golden ribbons that led toward the waterfront. The annual Autumn Lantern Festival had begun, drawing people from the academy and the surrounding settlements.

Cadets wandered alongside local artisans, merchants, and fishermen. Families gathered near the piers, while musicians filled the waterfront with the cheerful sounds of lutes, flutes, and hand drums. The smell of roasted chestnuts, spiced fruit, and freshly baked pastries drifted through the streets.

The entire harbor seemed transformed.

Elora stood near the edge of the timber promenade, watching a group of children chase glowing paper boats along the shallow piers.

She wore a simple dark indigo tunic borrowed from the town’s tailor. It fit comfortably around her shoulders, and its loose sleeves moved gently in the breeze. Her silver streaked hair was pinned back neatly with the blue stone comb Riven had bought her.

Without heavy armor or a scabbard hanging at her hip, she looked entirely at ease.

It was a rare sight.

Even after returning to Mistveil Isle, Elora had spent most of her time around the academy. There had been conversations with Kaelen, visits to the administrative hall, and several matters that needed to be settled after their return.

But tonight was different.

There were no responsibilities waiting for her. No lessons to prepare, no monsters to hunt, and no distant destination demanding that she leave before sunrise.

For once, she could simply enjoy herself.

A small smile touched her lips.

"You’re staring."

Elora glanced to her side.

Riven had approached while she was watching the paper boats. He held two wooden skewers, each covered in slices of glazed spiced apple.

He offered one to her.

"What are these?"

"Apples."

"I can see that."

"Then I believe the explanation is complete."

Elora gave him an unimpressed look before taking a bite. The apple was warm and sweet, coated in a thin layer of syrup with a pleasant mixture of cinnamon and other spices.

"Not bad."

"I’ll inform the chef that his approval has been secured."

Riven leaned back against the wooden railing beside her. His dark eyes moved across the lively crowd, but there was none of his usual tactical vigilance in his expression. He wasn’t searching for threats or studying the exits. He was simply observing the festival.

Beneath his sleeve, Nyx poked her small obsidian snout out.

The little wyvern sniffed the air, apparently interested in the sweet smoke drifting from the nearby food stalls.

Riven glanced down.

"No."

Nyx blinked at him.

"Don’t look at me like that."

She continued staring.

Elora noticed and smiled.

"She’s hungry."

"She’s always hungry."

"Perhaps you should buy her something."

"That’s how it starts. First, she wants a little piece of fruit. Then she expects an entire roasted chicken."

Nyx gave a quiet chirp from beneath his sleeve.

Elora laughed.

"You’re a terrible owner."

"I’m a responsible one."

"Those aren’t mutually exclusive."

Riven sighed and reached into his pocket, producing a small piece of dried fish. Nyx immediately snatched it.

Elora shook her head.

"Completely spoiled."

"She learned from someone."

"Are you suggesting that’s my fault?"

"I’m not suggesting anything."

She nudged his side with her elbow.

For a while, they remained by the railing, enjoying the view of the waterfront. Lanterns reflected across the basin, their golden light shifting whenever the water moved. Boats drifted through the harbor, and the distant town square had already begun filling with people.

Eventually, Elora finished her apple and tossed the wooden stick into a nearby collection basket.

"Come on."

"Where?"

"I want to see the stalls."

Riven pushed away from the railing.

"Lead the way."

They wandered through the festival without any particular destination.

Elora stopped at nearly every other stall, examining handmade decorations and asking merchants about their work. She seemed especially interested in the small wooden carvings displayed by an elderly craftsman near the promenade.

Riven followed at a comfortable distance, occasionally offering an opinion when asked.

Most of the carvings were animals native to the island. There were small foxes, mountain goats, seabirds, and several varieties of fish. Each had been shaped from polished wood and painted with careful attention to detail.

Elora picked up a small carved owl.

"What do you think?"

"Looks like an owl."

She gave him a flat look.

"Your insight is invaluable."

"Thank you."

She turned the carving around in her hands, examining the small details around its wings.

"How much?"

The craftsman named a price.

Elora considered it, then returned the owl to its place. Before she could move away, Riven quietly placed several coins on the counter.

The old craftsman looked up.

"Ah, a gift for your lady?"

Riven glanced at Elora.

"Something like that."

Elora’s cheeks warmed.

"Riven."

"What?"

"I can pay for my own things."

"I know."

"Then why did you?"

"Because I wanted to."

The craftsman chuckled as he wrapped the owl in a small piece of cloth. Elora accepted it, giving Riven a look that suggested she intended to argue later.

He seemed entirely unconcerned.

They continued through the stalls, testing their luck at several festival games. Elora proved surprisingly skilled at a small ring toss, landing two rings around the narrow wooden posts before the stall owner adjusted the distance.

Riven watched her attempt the third throw.

The ring struck the edge of a post and bounced away.

She frowned.

"That was close."

"Very."

"Don’t."

"I didn’t say anything."

"You were thinking it."

Riven stepped forward and took one of the remaining rings. He tossed it casually.

It landed perfectly around the farthest post.

The stall owner stared.

Riven picked up another ring.

It landed around the next post.

Then another.

By the time he finished, the man behind the counter looked as though he regretted opening his stall.

Elora covered her mouth, trying to suppress a laugh.

"That was unnecessary."

"You wanted a prize."

"I wanted to win one."

"Would you prefer I miss next time?"

"Yes."

"Understood."

The stall owner handed Riven a small hand carved wooden wolf. Its body had been polished smooth, with dark paint around its eyes and a thin silver line running along its back.

Riven offered it to Elora.

She accepted it, turning the little figure over in her hands.

"Another gift?"

"Consider it compensation for your failed attempt."

She raised an eyebrow.

"You’re becoming very generous."

"Don’t get used to it."

"Too late."

They spent the next few hours wandering between the stalls, sharing roasted chestnuts wrapped in brown paper and sampling different sweets. Elora occasionally stopped to watch performers or listen to musicians playing near the waterfront.

Riven found himself enjoying the evening more than he expected.

He had attended celebrations before, but they had usually been tied to something else. A victory, a public gathering, or an opportunity to collect information.

This was different.

There was nothing to gain. No reward to claim. He didn’t need to impress anyone, and nobody was expecting him to prove his strength.

He could simply walk beside Elora.

And that was enough.

As the night deepened, the music near the central stone plaza changed.

The lively tunes gave way to a slower melody played by a small group of musicians. A lute carried the main rhythm, accompanied by a flute and a soft hand drum.

Couples began gathering on the lantern lit flagstones.

Some were young academy cadets, while others were older residents who had attended the festival for decades. They moved in loose circles beneath the glowing canopy, following the gentle rhythm of the music.

Elora paused near the edge of the square.

She watched the dancers for a moment, her expression thoughtful.

Riven followed her gaze.

"Want to join them?"

She looked at him.

"Do you know how to dance?"

"Not particularly."

"Then why ask?"

"Because neither of us knows what we’re doing."

Elora smiled.

Before she could respond, Riven stepped in front of her and extended a hand.

"Care to test your footwork without a sword?"

She blinked. A faint blush rose to her cheeks, though her smile quickly returned.

"Try not to step on my boots."

She placed her hand in his.

Riven guided her into the circle of dancers.

At first, both of them moved with the measured precision of seasoned martial artists. Every step was deliberate, every turn carefully controlled. Their bodies seemed to anticipate each movement before the music had finished announcing it.

Elora noticed almost immediately.

"You’re treating this like a sparring exercise."

"So are you."

"I’m following the rhythm."

"You’re counting the steps."

She glanced up at him.

"Would you prefer I start stepping randomly?"

"That might make things interesting."

"You’re welcome to try."

He gave a quiet laugh.

As the music continued, Elora gradually relaxed. Her hand rested more comfortably against his shoulder, and the tension in her movements began to disappear.

Riven adjusted his pace to match hers.

He guided her through a slow turn beneath the amber lanterns, then brought her back toward him. Their steps became less precise and more natural, until neither seemed particularly concerned with getting them right.

Elora let out a quiet breath.

For a moment, she rested against his chest.

The noise of the crowd seemed to fade around them.

Up close, Riven could catch the faint scent of pine and spiced apples clinging to her clothes. Her blue eyes reflected the lantern light, and the small stone in her hair glimmered whenever she moved.

"You’re surprisingly good at this," she murmured.

"I pay attention to rhythm."

"That sounds like something you would say about swordsmanship."

"It applies to both."

Elora smiled.

Riven leaned down slightly, lowering his voice so that only she could hear.

"Especially yours."

Her expression softened. She looked at him for a moment before resting her cheek against his shoulder.

"You’re getting better at saying things like that."

"Should I stop?"

"No."

"Good."

They continued moving together until the music finally drew to a close.

When the final notes faded, Elora remained close for another moment before reluctantly stepping away.

"That wasn’t terrible."

"High praise."

"Don’t let it go to your head."

"I’ll try."

They left the central plaza and followed a quieter path toward the sandy shore beyond the main piers.

The crowd was thinner there. Several townsfolk had gathered along the water, each holding a paper sky lantern. Some were preparing to release them, while others were helping children light the small wax wicks inside their frames.

The lanterns were larger than the ones hanging throughout the streets. Their thin paper domes were decorated with painted patterns, wishes, and small symbols representing good fortune.

Elora stopped to watch a family release one.

The lantern rose slowly, its golden light growing smaller as it climbed into the night sky.

"Beautiful," she murmured.

Riven glanced at her.

"Want to try?"

She nodded.

They approached a nearby vendor and purchased a lantern. It was a simple design, with pale gold paper and a thin wooden frame. A small painted pattern of waves ran along its lower edge.

Riven held the frame steady while Elora checked the wick.

"Careful," she said. "You don’t want to burn it before it gets off the ground."

"I’ll do my best."

"That isn’t particularly reassuring."

He lit the small wax wick.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then the flame steadied, and warm air began filling the paper dome.

They held the lantern between them, waiting until it became light enough to rise.

Elora watched its paper walls expand.

"Make a wish," she whispered.

Riven looked at her.

"That’s what they do here, isn’t it?"

"Yes. People write their wishes on the lanterns and release them into the sky. It’s supposed to bring good fortune for the coming year."

She glanced at him.

"Do you have anything in mind?"

Riven looked down at her.

At the peaceful curve of her smile. At the blue stone glinting in her hair. At the quiet, unshakeable trust shining in her eyes.

For most of his life, he had been focused on what he lacked. Freedom, strength, security, and a future that belonged to him.

He had spent years reaching for those things.

And somewhere along the way, he had found something he hadn’t known how to ask for.

"I don’t need a wish," he said softly.

Elora’s expression changed.

"Why not?"

"Everything I went looking for is standing right next to me."

Her breath caught.

For once, she didn’t have a clever reply ready.

She looked at him, her fingers still resting against the lantern’s wooden frame. The warm light illuminated her face, making her eyes appear even brighter.

Then she released the lantern with one