Hours seemed to pass in moments until the crowd began to gather at the festival's central plaza. Lanterns floated upward, carried by magic into the night sky. The group found a place among the throng. Adam and Azalea were still bickering, though now their voices were lower, almost playful. Blake collapsed against a bench, arms folded, looking as though he could fall asleep standing. Elreth kept her distance, watching Nero and Khione, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Then the first firework split the night.
A streak of gold shot upward, exploding into a cascade of glittering feathers that rained down like angel wings. The crowd gasped, children pointing as more followed—bursts of crimson fire-dragons, silver phoenixes, and great blue blossoms that painted the sky. The air vibrated with each resounding boom.
