Ariqa's quest: Origins of Maria

Secret chapter 10

Northstar's point of view

It was New Year's Eve in Maria. Here's what I know that the people are doing.

The Lowland royal family and the Lowland kingdom are having a celebration of not only the 14th New Year's Eve but also the 69th anniversary of the Lowland kingdom.

The people of Steamburg were traditionally hanging copper cogs in the hope of bringing new innovations not just from themselves but also from Psychic City.

Speaking of Psychic City, the prime minister, Boris Jension, made another New Year's Eve speech as well as appearing for the New Year's Eve animation special as a special guest alongside the Enforcer.

I know that the Enforcer doesn't usually like being in New Year's Eve Specials, but given the fact that despite his intimidating presence, he didn't mind being in the Special.

The Beehive village were taking up the morning in getting the pollen, but they then started a 36-hour holiday break to celebrate New Year's Eve.

The plains Nations were getting out banners, tables, fireworks set up, and in the restaurants, cafés and takeaway places, they were making executive food and drink items and putting up decorations both inside and outside.

In the jungle island, however...

... We don't talk about the jungle island, at least until a future chapter or sequel comes.

And then there is the Wastelands, with many villages, towns, kingdoms, empires, and even small cities.

Many of them were celebrating in different ways.

But for many people in the dark kingdom, they didn't just celebrate their end of the year. They also prayed for good luck to hopefully be finally brought to the dark kingdom. They prayed that democracy, freedom, and light taxes would finally come and save them.

It was not just the homeless and the poor either. The working class and even some high-ranking officials prayed for that to happen, too.

One of the high-ranking officials was Mystia, who she is finishing off her prayers for the new year to be better than the previous years before.

Mystia: "... One day... We will have the heavy taxes on the poor to be light and our heavy taxes to be medium taxes, but enough for us to either enjoy our lavish lifestyles or to donate more to charity. Under the light of the Phoenix."

With that, she finally opened her eyes and could see that I was watching.

Mystia: "Hi, Northstar. So you know about the citizens here praying for better things for the next upcoming year?"

I nodded.

Mystia: "I see. You must be curious about why we would pray to this. Well... It was started by a homeless Phoenix order member who was evicted from her home a day before New Year's Eve 10 years ago.

And in the first New Year's Eve, when the heavy taxes were causing many poor people, some working class people and even a few high-ranking officials to become homeless, the homeless Phoenix order member prayed that good luck will come to her.

Unfortunately, she was arrested the next day and sent to the dungeon where 13 days later, she died and the church of the dark kingdom made a memorial to remember that cruel fate that the homeless people are facing right now."

I started to have sad tears come out from my own ears just hearing about the origins of the tradition from the dark kingdom, but because it was the evening in London and there were many people there, I got out my pack of tissues and wiped my tears off.

"I'm sorry, Mystia. I didn't know at the time."

Mystia sighed. "I can understand that. Also, we have another five minutes before we celebrate, so what is it like with your life? It's just because I didn't have time to ask you whenever you were around."

So I told Mystia about my life. About what I do daily, why I am now at a college to help with my personal skills and what hobbies I do at home.

Mystia was surprised at a few of my hobbies. This includes playing board games weekly with my family, watching some films, TV shows and YouTube videos, and anime drawing.

This conversation lasted for nearly five minutes. By then, we both had 25 seconds before the new year began.

As I sat down in a chair at a hotel balcony overlooking the London landscape which included the London Eye, Mystia was standing at the top balcony of her castle home, egger for the fireworks to go off to mark the start of the new year.

Mystia asked, "What year is it for you, Northstar?"

Me: "2024 right now."

Mystia: "Mine for me would be year 14 right now."

10...

The countdown began.

9...

Mystia: "Here we go."

8...

7...

6...

5...

4...

3...

2...

1...

That was when I heard and seen two things at once from two different worlds, which is where I am and where Mystia was.

As Big Ben made the first bang from its bell, the citizens of the dark kingdom set off the fireworks happily, screaming,

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! :D"

The second bong went off from Big ben.

The fireworks from the dark kingdom launched into the air, visible from Maria as with every other firework in Maria.

The third bong happened from Big Ben as all the fireworks from Maria go off whilst the light display from Psychic City continues.

Mystia: "Happy New Year, Northstar."

The four bong from Big Ben happened.

I said out loud, "Happy New Year, Mystia."

And so whilst Mystia turned to watch the lights display that was happening near Psychic City, I was watching the celebration happening in London...