The Guardian of Alola

Chapter 3: To Akala's Festival

The following week was a flurry of activities. Akala was buzzing with excitement as decorations were adorned the streets and booths were set up on the path to the Ruins of Life. Bushels of colorful and fragrant flowers garlanded the Ruins and offerings of food were piled up on the wooden platform of the inner chamber. A wooden stage was set up near the Ruins overlooking the vast sea. Dancers swayed and glided with the heart-thrumming traditional Alolan music. People, both locals and visitors, from other regions crowded the path to partake in the festivities.

"I got to say," A man spoke up amidst the beating of drums. "Alolan festivals is more lively than Kantonian ones."

"It seemed you have already taken a liking of our region, Professor Elio." The kahuna of Akala said as she led them through the crowd. Olivia has met up with Gladion and Lillie at the entrance of Konikoni City. Gladion was attending in his mother's steed and Lillie decided to tag along. At the President's request, Moon's father went with them so that he could experience Alola more.

"What's not to love?" Elio said and gestured at their surroundings. "You could see an important piece of the culture and history of Alola in this festival alone. Unlike in Kanto, the historical and traditional significance of the festivals has started to dull. It is an unfortunate effect of the continuous modernization."

Olivia laughed heartily. "Now, we know where Moon got her wits from."

Elio paused in front of a booth selling wooden carvings with familiar symbols that he has read from the historical books. He picked an odd crescent-shaped carving with a circular extension at the inner part that seemed to be punched from one side.

Olivia looked at what caught the attention of the researcher. A smile quirked on her lips at the familiar symbol. "Read about it in a book, Professor?"

"Ah, yes!" His eyes glittering in academic excitement. "This is the symbol of the Moone and its emissary. I haven't done an extensive research about it yet, but I will do so once I get to visit the Altar of the Moone." He inspected the carving. "Incredible, noh? A simple image that holds a region's worth of history. Truly fantastic."

"It is." Olivia agreed. "It is." And it is even more fantastic to know that your own daughter once wielded the power of the beast of the Moone. She glanced to the Aether siblings who was checking out a food booth across them. From where she was standing, she could see a glimpse of a purple tucked in the folds of the younger Aether's skirt.

She turned back to the professor. "Are you going to buy it, Professor?"

Elio placed the carving reverently back on the table. "No. As wonderful as it is, I am looking for something better for the two most wonderful women of my life."

Olivia smiled. "Whatever it is, I'm sure they will love it."

"Come. The Ruins of Life is this way." She called out to the siblings and led them toward the Ruins.

__________

"Big Brother? Is something the matter?"

Gladion relunctantly peeled his eyes off at the gathered crowd and to his sister's worried green eyes. Moon's father was standing beside them. Olivia has to separate ways to oversee the final preparations for the last event. People flocked the sides of the wooden stage as they watched the fire dancing led by the Fire Trial Captain, Kiawe. Torches were already lit at both sides of the path leading to the Ruins before the sun set earlier. The day was drawing to a close, and so does the festival.

"No. It's nothing."

A lie. Since arriving Akala Island, he felt eyes watching him. It come and go but whenever he looked behind his shoulder, no one seemed to be seeking him. Yes, the press is present but they seemed to be more intent on covering the whole festival than him. The only time they approached him was for a short interview. Where his mother is and what he thought of the festival. His answers were short yet clear, and they did not ask for anything more.