LOCATION: PLANAX VILLAGE

  The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over Planax Village as the sounds of laughter and music filled the air. The anticipation of the feast brought a palpable energy to the crowd, and Karsus stood alone atop the rooftop, observing the bustling activity below. He felt a bittersweet pang in his heart; memories of loss intertwined with a longing for connection. Though he could not turn back time, he reminded himself that there were still people who depended on him.

  “Aren’t you joining us for the feast?” A voice broke through his reverie. It was Ariadna.

  “I’m having the time of my life, looking at things from a brighter side,” Karsus replied with a grin. “And I thought you’d be hiding and peeking in there forever.”

  “So you noticed… hihhi. Well, I was just thinking you might need a little space,” Ariadna chimed in, stepping closer and wrapping her arms around Karsus from behind.

  “Look at them, honey. They’re everything,” Karsus said, gesturing to the villagers who were busy setting up tables and cooking a feast fit for a king.

  “You seem to be thinking deep lately, huh?” Ariadna observed, her brow slightly furrowed with concern.

  “Yeah, well, the fact that I’m being haunted by bad guys doesn’t help. I might endanger your village,” Karsus admitted, his smile fading momentarily.

  “Now that’s rude! This is our village, and it has been for ages. You are always safe here,” Ariadna reassured him, her eyes sparkling with unwavering faith.

  “I always pray for that… and…” Karsus paused, sensing another presence nearby. “You can come out now, son.”

  “Aaarhggggghhh!” Julius squealed, having been caught off guard.

  “Why do you always do that, Father? Why don’t you let me sneak for a while?” Julius pouted, his face scrunching up in frustration.

  “Not under my nose! You have mountains to climb before you surpass me… heh,” Karsus teased.

  “So it is the nose then? Are you a descendant of a wolf or something?” Julius shot back with a playful grin.

  “It’s a phrase! What I mean is, my skills compared to yours are like heaven and earth. I am a master—M-A-S-T-E-R. Do you copy?” Karsus declared dramatically.

  “Past tense! How about I show you some demonstrations?” Julius challenged, raising his hands in a mock display of power.

  Karsus raised both hands in an exaggerated fashion. “Ahem, is that a new crazed gesture? Wow, that surprised me… harharhar!” he mockingly laughed.

  “Just wait! This is… here we go! I’m coming!” Julius shouted excitedly.

  Karsus watched, feigning confusion as his son’s body began to glow with a bright red light. It crawled from his core to his hands, building into a blinding sphere that shot skyward. With a resounding boom, it burst into a shower of colorful sparks, lighting up the twilight sky like a fireworks display.

  “Shesshhhhh! Booooom! Crackle, crackle, crackle!”

  “Ha! I did it! Did you see that, Mother? I’m invincible, don’t you think? Wohooow!” Julius exclaimed, wiping the sweat from his brow after exerting himself.

  “Congratulations, son! That’s flashy! But you just invited the Empire to come and get you, and then they’ll force you to join their ranks,” Karsus teased, unable to hide the pride in his voice. “You’re ten levels below me, but keep up the good work!” He winked and gave a thumbs-up.

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  “Isn’t that almost nearly at your level, darling? I guess you’re just envious!” Ariadna giggled. “Besides, the whole village is under an illusion cast by your grandpa, so it will look ordinary from the outside. You don’t have to worry, son. He’s just trying to scare you.”

  “Aha! Nearly my level? No, no, no! Mine is like an inferno burning your soul and taking you deep under… bwahahahaha. But that is just a secret, so please don’t tell anyone, okay?” Karsus bragged, pointing a finger playfully at Ariadna and Julius.

  “Ahem, okay, so son, how did you manage to learn to manipulate your magic in just one day? It took me weeks to cast something, and I wasn’t even powerful enough to call it a trump card,” Ariadna inquired, her curiosity piqued.

  “I don’t know; it just comes out naturally,” Julius shrugged, his innocent expression revealing nothing of the power he possessed.

  “What? That’s a cheat, son! What did your grandpa say about your affinity?” Karsus pressed, genuinely intrigued.

  “Everything,” Julius replied, a hint of mischief in his tone.

  “Everything? You mean you… you possess… aa… a… all affinities?” Ariadna stammered, her eyes wide with disbelief.

  “Yes, why?” Julius asked, confused by their reaction.

  “Oh my!” Ariadna fell to her knees, overwhelmed with joy. “It’s you! It’s you! I’m so happy to be your mother!” She rushed to Julius, enveloping him in a tight hug.

  “Um, Father… why is Mother acting so strange? Did she bang her head earlier?” Julius asked, his innocence shining through.

  “We have to celebrate this! We have to celebrate this! ATTENTION!” Karsus’s voice boomed, reverberating through the village.

  “That’s the captain’s voice! Where is he? There from the roof! Everyone, let’s gather there!” someone shouted from the crowd, and the villagers began to congregate below Karsus’s perch.

  “Today is my day!” Karsus announced with a flourish.

  “Happy birthday, sonny!” someone in the crowd cheered.

  “Thank you! Moreover, I thank you for… well… food, and tables, music, and everything else,” Karsus added with a beaming smile.

  “This is nothing compared to your sacrifices,” another voice chimed in from the crowd.

  ‘We are forever indebted to you, sonny!’

  “However…” Karsus continued, sensing the curiosity of the crowd.

  “Huh?” The villagers leaned in, eager to hear more.

  “That is not why I called everyone’s attention. The truth is…” He paused for dramatic effect.

  “……….”

  “I thank you for every smile you shared…” he began, his voice softening.

  ‘Sniff… sniff.’

  “I thank you for the weaknesses and strengths you have shown…” he continued, his heart swelling with emotion.

  ‘Sniff… sniff.’

  “With that, I have learned much from you.” He glanced around, locking eyes with those who had come to mean so much to him.

  ‘Huhuhuhuu…’

  “And in this way, we all move forward and create a livable Planax… a happy place.”

  ‘Huwahhhhh!’

  “I know some of you have lost loved ones…” he said, his voice steady but empathetic.

  ‘Sniff sniff.’

  “Some of you miss the places you came from. Well, I feel that too.” He took a deep breath, preparing to bare his soul. “I also lost loved ones, and I know how it hurts.”

  “We are strangled by senseless wars…” he continued, feeling the weight of the moment.

  “I know some of you are mages who went into hiding and stumbled upon this place,” he acknowledged, sensing the shared experiences in the crowd.

  ‘Huh?’

  “I know how it feels to be haunted by enemies or by fear. But today, weep no more, for we are preparing for these things.”

  “We are united, not because we fear them, but because we ousted them.” His voice rose with conviction, echoing in the hearts of his people.

  “So today, we will celebrate our victory… our victory over fear.”

  “We celebrate because we value each other. Thank you.” He finished with a flourish, his heart racing.

  “…….. Huh?” There was a moment of silence, as if the crowd were collectively processing his words.

  “That’s the captain! Even if his speech always sucks… I feel him! Hwahahahah! Hurray!” one of the elites shouted, breaking the tension.

  “Wohohhhh! Hurray! I agree! Long live the Captain!” the crowd echoed, their spirits lifted.

  “Long live the mages that are hiding here!” another voice rang out, igniting a wave of cheers.

  “…………….”

  “Hurray! Hurray! Awooo… Awoooo!” someone howled, the joyous sound rippling through the crowd like wildfire.

  “Is that a compliment, honey?” Karsus whispered to Ariadna, a playful smirk crossing his face.

  “Of course, darling! Hihihi! That’s the longest speech I’ve heard from you,” Ariadna replied, her eyes sparkling with pride.

  “So I should be happy?” Karsus frowned, playing the part of the mockingly serious captain.

  “You should be!” Ariadna insisted, her laughter infectious.

  “Bwahahahahahahah! Very well then… let the feast begin!” Karsus roared, his spirit buoyed by the joy around him.

  As laughter and music filled the air, the villagers began to celebrate, united in their resilience and hope for the future. Karsus looked around, feeling the warmth of their camaraderie enveloping him. Today was not just a feast; it was a testament to their strength and an affirmation that they would face whatever challenges lay ahead together.