The sky was starting to get dark when Koran and Diva came back from the park. The light from the lamps shone on their faces, and the sound of their laughter filled the quiet street.
Under the blue moonlight, there were many sounds because people were still preparing to celebrate the new king. But the most important sound was the laughter of Koran and his mother, Diva.
Koran was holding a small doll tied to a string in his hand. It swung with his steps as they walked through an alley in the famous city of Kiana – the eastern city of the First Kingdom. The Five Kingdoms were very large, with each kingdom on a different planet. But even so, in each kingdom, only a few places were inhabited by people because monsters and unidentified creatures were everywhere.
"Mom, was my dad here when I was born?" asked Koran, holding the doll with both hands.
Diva was quiet for a moment before she answered.
"Yes, and he was very happy that day. In fact, I had never seen him that happy, not even on our wedding day."
Koran smiled at his mother and said,
"You know? I don't hate Dad. It's just that I'm sad I only see him once a year. While everyone else celebrates with their fathers, my dad is always away."
Diva didn't answer until Koran added,
"Sometimes, many kids said that Dad left us."
"Don't listen to them. They are just jealous of you. Your father went to work and left us here because he knows there is a man to take his place, while they are just children," replied Diva as she picked up some litter from the ground to throw in the trash can.
"Am I a man?" asked Koran, watching her throw the trash.
"Didn't you say you would marry Mira? I don't think just any child could take her from her husband," answered Diva, laughing.
Koran saw several pieces of litter on the ground. He picked them all up and threw them in the trash can. Then he looked at his mother with a beautiful smile, like a lamp in a beautiful garden full of flowers.
"I think I am."
After that, they continued on their way home. Their house was now in front of them. Even though it was the house of a single mother with a young child not yet old enough to work, it was not bad. Or even that description would not do it justice. It was an elegant, three-story house. Its balconies were arranged in harmony, like rising melodies. Its walls were a soft ivory color that shone in the sunlight, and its windows had dark wooden frames that added a touch of warmth. It was topped with a roof of bright red tiles, with green plants hanging gently from the balconies. A large wooden door stood at the entrance like a grand greeting for anyone who approached.
The reason they had a house like this was that Diva was from a forgotten royal family and had inherited a little money after her brothers took everything. The house expenses were paid from the amount their father sent every month.
They entered the house and took off their shoes, placing them on the shoe rack. Unlike the luxurious exterior, the inside of the house was ordinary. Diva turned and headed towards her room.
"I'm going to rest for a while. Tell me when you want to go out."
Koran nodded and waited in the living room until he heard Timo calling him. He went up to his mother's bedroom.
"Mom, I'm leaving."
No one answered, so Koran entered the room and saw his mother sleeping there. He approached her and saw an expression of comfort on her face. If he had to describe it, it was the expression of a child who has no worries in the world, feeling only happiness and peace.
Koran covered her with her blanket, kissed her forehead, and whispered in her ear:
"Sweet dreams."
Koran then went out and met Timo. Timo was the first to speak.
"You took a long time. How was your day with your mom?"
Koran looked at the ground, just like in the morning, but this time he was smiling.
"It was good. I think life isn't that bad after all."
Timo didn't add any words, he just smiled, and they headed towards the festival.
The festival square stretched over a wide area, lit by lanterns hanging on long ropes between poles and carts. Children were running in every direction; some carried colorful balloons, others waved candy sticks. Folk music played from small stages set up in the corners, with musicians playing drums and flutes in a continuous rhythm. The smell of fried cakes and grilled meat mixed in the air, along with the steam from hot corn and the scent of burnt sugar.
Koran and Timo walked between the stalls, each looking at different games.
They stopped at a small stall with a sign that said "Test Your Aim." Inside was a row of colorful balloons hanging on the wall. Timo picked up the bow and pulled the arrow back.
"If I hit it, you'll give me 10 merals!"
But he didn't hit anything.
"Hahaha! You really have no skills. Here, let me show you!" laughed Koran as he took the arrow.
He hit the center balloon. It popped with a soft sound, followed by a short tune from a machine behind the vendor. Koran laughed, and Timo clapped for him.
Then Timo pulled him towards the Wheel of Fortune, a large circle spinning behind colored glass. Koran put in a metal coin and pulled the lever. The wheel spun quickly and then stopped on the golden symbol. The vendor clapped and handed him a small rabbit doll.
"Bro, are you a glitch for money?" Timo asked in surprise.
"It's easy. You just have to be me," Koran answered proudly.
They continued walking through the crowd until they reached an area with small wooden horses moving on a circular track. Timo rode one while Koran sat next to him. The ride turned slowly, and they laughed as the faces lit up with colors passed by them.
"This is a game for little kids. Why are we riding it?" asked Koran, laughing.
"What are you talking about? We're still kids, and may we always stay that way," answered Timo, also laughing.
After that, they headed to the area with small electric cars, where the sounds of collisions were loud and laughter filled every corner. They got into two different cars and began racing. Timo tried to bump into Koran, but Koran skillfully moved away. Both laughed loudly as the cars zipped around them.
During these happy moments, Koran saw people gathering in one area. He and Timo hurried over and were surprised to see that the sky in that direction had turned red.
Everyone was confused. Some people even took out their phones and started recording. Then, in a single moment...
A flash of light!