Sukiro walked over to them, a real smile carved across his lips.
It had been a while since that happened. He hadn't smiled like this since he had dreamt of them...
But in this moment, in this very second, he doesn't care about anything. He lets go of everything, because right now, he is with his family.
And that's the most important thing for him.
"Where have you been, Sukiro?!" Sapphire exclaimed, her voice laced with worry like a mother scolding her son.
Sukiro scratched his head, searching for an excuse. "Well, I met a guy and one thing led to another... you know," he said, chuckling awkwardly.
"You better show up on time! You almost missed it!" Sapphire said, her tone less angry now.
"He-y hey, t-ke it eaasy on the ki-d now," Sirius slurred, wobbling dangerously as he almost fell over.
Sirius muttered, voice cracking, "He w-as prob-aly lo-king for s-me beer and th-ngs..."
BANG!!
The mana blasts erupted above them, as if urging everyone to stop bickering and simply look up.
Sapphire sighed and just accepted it.
"The blasts want us to stop bickering," Sebastian said with a gentle smile.
"Seems to be the case," Elijah grunted, arms folded, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Th-t one lo-ks li-e beer," Sirius muttered, still clinging to Klaus.
"Yeah, and that one looks like you need some help," Klaus replied, pointing skyward.
The party chuckled around them.
Sebastian jolted. "Oh! Almost forgot."
"What?" Klaus asked.
Sebastian collected himself. "Those gifts back there? They're for you guys," he said proudly.
"These gifts?! There's like fifty of them!" Sukiro exclaimed in disbelief.
Sebastian smirked. "What can I say now? We're just too good," he taunted, casting a look at Elijah.
"Ohh, so you wanna mess with me now?"
"You did it to yourself, Sebastian..."
Elijah let out a smirk, a dangerous glint in his eye. "Let's hope you both aren't too good for each other, that would really suck for to guys" he said, glancing at Sebastian and Sapphire.
Sapphire gasped, her face turning crimson. "Wha-?!"
Sebastian took a step back, flustered. "What do you mean?!"
"How dare you misuse my information!!" Sebastian regretted his entire life
Klaus let out a sneaky smile, covering his mouth.
Sirius is still there but... well, let's just not start with him.
Sapphire snapped back to herself. "Guys, let's focus on the gifts now, shall we?" she said, smiling at Elijah with mock menace.
"Here Sukiro, this is for you," she handed him ten gifts.
"That's a lot of gifts!.." Sukiro said.
Sapphire chuckled. "You better not ask anything for the next year then!"
Sukiro raised an eyebrow. "Don't count on that. I'm going to ask for more soon enough," he laughed.
Sapphire giggled softly. "Sure, but don't count on us giving it to you."
Sebastian passed the gifts to Elijah, but just as Elijah reached out, they fell to the ground.
"You did that intentionally, didn't you?" Elijah glared.
"No, I think it was the wind," Sebastian grinned. "Anyway, it's your gifts. If you want them, pick them up."
Sebastian stacked the rest of the gifts on the hill, noticing that Klaus and Sirius were too drunk to claim theirs. The two were shadow-boxing the air like it owed them money.
The party turned their eyes skyward. Loud bangs echoed as mana blasts erupted in dazzling colors.
Sebastian looked at Sapphire.
She looked back.
No one between them. Just them.
This time, neither backed down.
Sapphire smiled softly.
Sebastian whispered, "Enjoyed the day today?"
Sapphire whispered back, "More than you know..."
Sebastian's mind raced with thoughts"What's with her eyes today?.."
"Why are they so beautiful.."
Sukiro watched the blasts with starry-eyed wonder, his puppy dog eyes.
Christian giggled. "Aww, so cute. Elijah, don't yo-"
Elijah stood silently, arms folded, watching the sky his face calm, the mana blasts lighting it up .
"Yea?"
Christian smiled. "It's nothing."
Klaus and Sirius started to dance like fools, their antics drawing laughter from everyone.
The night was filled with joy. This time, no one was pretending.
The blasts slowed, but the smiles remained real and unfiltered.
The village chief arrived. "I take it you guys enjoyed the show tonight?"
Sebastian grinned. "All thanks to you, Jules."
"Come now, no need to thank me. You saved us. Eat," he nodded to Klaus and Sirius, "and drink as much as you like. And please come to the Sun Dance."
Sebastian gave a thumbs-up. "We'll be there in no time."
A massive bonfire was lit, logs as large as the semi boss-goblin Sukiro once fought.
The chief handed out sun-shaped fruit.
"This fruit is blessed by the Sun God. It boosts every function in your body."
Everyone bit into theirs.
"The taste is weird," Sukiro muttered. "Tastes like... light?"
Jules smiled. "That's how it's supposed to taste. Do you like it?"
Sukiro smirked. "Yeah... it's good."
Christian handed out water. "This is from a spring that receives sunlight in its purest form. It's said to cure diseases."
Klaus and Sirius sobered up instantly.
"Dammit! Where's all my beer gone?!" Sirius roared annoyed
Christian laughed. "It's still there. The beer's effect is just... lifted."
Klaus returned to nerd mode. "Ohhh, that's quite unique. I wonder how it works?"
Suddenly, a song began an old folk tune sung by elders.
The villagers danced around the bonfire.
Sebastian was in a tug of war between his mind and heart
A decision that he was afraid to make, afraid to ask
Not because he didn't want it, because he needs it
He made up his mind, build up his courage he spoke
"Care for a dance?" Sebastian murmured.
"If you want to, your highness," Sapphire chuckled.
Sapphire extended her hand.
And the dance began.
Sebastian took her hand. The moment their fingers touched, the world slowed.
To everyone's surprise, Sebastian knew how to dance elegantly.
"You know how to dance?" Sapphire asked.
"Might not look like it, but I know a lot," he smiled.
Sapphire laughed softly. "Then show me."
The music swelled.
They stepped into the ring of dancers. The bonfire cast golden arcs across their faces.
Sebastian moved with surprising grace, like waves dancing beneath moonlight. Sapphire followed, her dress twirling, catching sparks of firelight.
They danced like two souls who found peace in the storm.
Villagers clapped in rhythm, around the fire spinning in rings of joy. It felt primal. Eternal.
Each step was a memory.
Each spin, a wish.
Each laugh, freedom.
Sapphire spun, arms out like wings. Sebastian caught her just before she fell.
Their bodies swayed close, then apart, like stars in orbit.
"I didn't know this was in you," she whispered.
Sebastian smiled. "You still don't."
He pulled her in for one last step. Around them, dancers clapped, fire rose high.
For that moment, time halted.
Sukiro watched from afar, smiling."How does Sebastian know how to dance? Was he a dance teacher?"
Even Klaus and Sirius paused, their gazes caught by something brighter than flames.
Jules, Christian, and villagers watched in admiration.
Elijah, arms folded, smiled gently.
"Guess you finally did it..."
The music slowed.
The circle tightened.
The night exhaled.
Sapphire and Sebastian stopped, hands still clasped, hearts pounding.
Sukiro still wondered aloud. "Did Sebastian go to a dance teacher? But why? He's a hunter... and dance teachers are rare."
Klaus and Sirius chugged beer in sync. "Dammit!" They yelled
Sapphire whispered, her voice almost inaudible.
Her face flushed red. "You can let go now..."
Sebastian, realizing, panicked. "My bad," he muttered, helping her up.
Awkward silence.
"That was a fabulous dance!" Jules exclaimed, his grin wide.
"Did you learn to dance somewhere, Sebastian?" he asked.
Sebastian laughed. "No, not at all. I've just always been good at it."
"You could probably teach with that talent," Jules smirked.
Sukiro smirked.
"There it is... A feast. A banquet ready for me..."
A familiar voice called out. "It isn't just for you, Sukiro. It's for everyone but you can eat as much as you like."
Sukiro turned, smiling. "Weston. Guess you made it after all."
Weston roared. "You bet!! Let's do this!"
Christian waded through the crowd, eyes searching.
She spotted Elijah, arms folded.
She approached, voice cracking, heart
pounding.
"Would you care to dance?" she muttered.
Elijah's eyes widened.
He smiled. "If you would."
Klaus and Sirius, one beer and snack in each hand, danced their own tribal chaos.
The night was young.
And slow.
But it was as beautiful as a star.