Unravelling Fate

23: Graces and Glory

chapter twenty-three;
graces and glory

—

THE night fell in Elysia.

With the impending doom, you'd think there would be an eerie or unsettling feeling in the air, but it was the exact opposite. There was no ounce of animosity. Instead, it felt lively, magical and wonderous.

The sky was filled with constellations gleaming like a live art—the most beautiful art of all. It felt so alive with its vast presence. Like a song for the eyes, whispering a harmony that ears wouldn't hear.

The breeze of coldness felt like the warmth of spring, a symbol of a new beginning. The sea waves were peaceful, and its reach stretched in an imaginable distance but still managed to connect all the people standing here.

It felt quiet, but you'd hear little peals of laughter and murmurs everywhere. The small and big boats were spread in the sea, but you'd still see it because of the lights from there.

Sobrang daming tao sa lugar pero hindi dikit-dikit. Akala ko kakabahan ako sa mga oras na 'to pero sobrang gaan ng pakiramdam ko sa nakikita ko. Lahat may simpleng ngiti sa labi, at ang mga bata tumatalon sa tuwa.

Everyone was holding their lanterns with a simple wish inside it.

I was holding mine, too, and Kalli was holding his beside me. Willow and Yule's wish were included in our lanterns, too, and they were both invisible but sitting on Kallisto's shoulder and arm.

Those orange-glazed lanterns seemed to be suns that were plucked out of the sky to be held by the hopeful hearts of each people in here.

I closed my eyes silently, feeling the whole atmosphere.

So... peaceful.

It was really extraordinary. To be here. To experience this beautiful festival. To be beside someone whom I never thought that I'd come across.

When I opened my eyes, it darted towards two people who were surrounded by little children. They were talking to each other with smiles on their faces while holding their lanterns.

"Are you okay?" Nawala ako sa iniisip at tinitingnan ko no'ng marinig ang boses ni Kallisto. I looked up at him and smiled. "Yeah," I answered sincerely. I thought I'd be a nervous wreck; on the contrary, I was really feeling at peace and happy.

Tumango lang si Kallisto sa akin, siguro iniisip kung totoo ba talaga na may mga kalaban na susugod ngayon kahit wala kang mararamdaman na kahit anong panganib.

However, I was certain that things would happen, so I just silently prayed. I prayed that no one would get seriously hurt, that I'd still be able to be back inside Kallisto's arms... and that we could still go back to the Seventh Kingdom together with everyone.

I held Kallisto's hand softly, and I felt him squeeze it a little to let me know that he was with me.

Then we all paid our attention to the one who arrived and went to a huge platform here in the port. His graceful and amicable aura penetrated in the air making everyone in awe as he smiled warmly at the crowd.

His pale gold hair fluttered in the air, but he still looked holy as always.

"Good evening to everyone. Thank you for participating in the Lantern Festival and the other activities and mass that were held the past few days..." His voice was so placid and soft it might put you in a sense that you were up high in a cloud.

"Tonight, we would thank heavens for all the glory and grace that they have given us. And to also offer our sincere wishes and prayers..." Saint Elio added and everyone responded in unison.