It was that time of year in the Green Azure Kingdom, a kingdom known for its deep agricultural sector— it was the Harvest Festival. This was a period when farmers from every village gathered in the capital, Thunder City, to get a stand at the central market and sell their best crops.
From crop farmers to animal rearers and even to beast hunters, everyone had something to showcase. The orphanage was no stranger to the event, every year, the kids would be escorted to visit the festival and sample the various crops at the stands.
"Okay, Children, gather in one single file line," the Matron said, as she gestured for the children to start coming forward.
Damian already knew from the orphanage schedule that today was the Harvest Festival. He was no stranger to festivals, in his previous life, he had attended as many as one could, but a harvest festival? That didn't seem interesting to him.
'We will just be looking at some dirt,' he thought.
[Damian.]
Omni called out to him, and he responded, "Omni."
[Damian, don't think like that. See this as an opportunity to explore Thunder City. During these six months, you barely went out, and you're not excited about this?]
'I'm excited, but—'
[But what?]
'I was about to say that before you interrupted,' he continued. 'There's nothing fun in a harvest festival, and I went to one once, and fuck it, I'm not doing that again. Plus, this is an orphanage trip, they won't allow us to wander freely.'
[You do have a point that this is an orphanage trip, but the rest are what I will call 'garbage takes.']
'Garbage takes?'
[Yes. For the most part, what you said has no literal value, other than to be tossed as the trash it is.]
'I see you're becoming more—' Damian thought, but he was interrupted when someone placed a hand on his shoulder.
He turned and saw Agnes, looking pretty as always. Her face lit up even brighter, she looked thrilled about the festival.
"What are you thinking about so early?" she asked.
"Oh, it's nothing, just wondering what I'll do at a harvest festival," he replied.
"There are plenty of things to do," she said. "Plenty of crops to taste, and even the opportunity to try out new grilled meats."
"So just dirt and meat?" Damian countered.
"Okay, you got me on that part," she said. "But you're missing the best part, the opportunity to explore the city! There is so much to see, aren't you excited?"
Damian's expression changed, she was right about exploring the city, it would be a fun experience for him, but that would mean leaving the orphanage group, probably going against the rules.
"Isn't that against the rules or something?" he asked.
"It is, only if they find out," she said.
Damian returned her answer with a smirky laugh. He was excited at the thought of exploring the city with Agnes.
****
Thunder City was a spectacle that immediately silenced Damian. Stepping out of the orphanage carriage and into the bustling central plaza felt less like entering a market and more like stepping onto a vast, theatrical stage.
The capital was like anything in the Green Azure Kingdom, as towering gothic structures of reflective limestone rose into the sky, their spires and arches interwoven with living ivy that seemed to thrive even on the stone. Slate roofs buildings that leaned over narrow, cobblestone streets, and the air was a rich, complex mixture of coal smoke, roasting meat, and the clean, earthy scent of thousands of freshly harvested root vegetables and grains.
'It feels like some European capital,' Damian thought, as he looked at the various towering structures that filled the capital. 'Maybe Budapest?'
The market itself was the city's heart. Booths were erected from rough wood and draped with colorful, woven banners advertising everything from exotic spices and preserved fruits to gleaming, hand-forged tools and weapons.
Farmers in rough linens hawked their prize-winning crops and giant pumpkins, while beast hunters displayed cured hides and preserved claws— trophies of their dangerous trade.
The sheer volume of people—merchants, nobles in fine velvet, soldiers, and commoners, was an indication of the festival's importance to the kingdom.
Cassie herself was amazed. Her first thought was what her father would have felt when he first stepped into the market as a farmer from their village. Herself was a hunter, and she once had a goal of displaying her hunts at one of the booths in the festival.
Agnes wasn't quite as much in awe. Unlike Damian, who wasn't from this world, and Cassie, who was a village girl that barely got the opportunity to see the capital, Agnes had seen much of the city. The thing that truly thrilled her was the thought of exploring the city with Damian.
"Alright then," the Matron said. "Remember what I told you earlier, no one is allowed to leave this group, even the older ones. Every year we find some of you sneaking out. Let's try to make this year different."
The children replied with a nod of understanding and were guided into the central market. Agnes caught up with Damian and whispered something to him.
"Right Now?" Damian replied. "We're breaking out already?"