Radiance - The Alight Archives Book #1

Epilogue

For all his many visits, Kliff had only experienced Lakestone at night once. That was primarily due to Glyph Academy's rigid curfew policies, which mandated students to stay indoors after dark. However, after the sun dipped beneath the jagged silhouette of the horizon, the small, lakeside town transformed into a lively spectacle.

To Kliff's surprise, it seemed there were even more people on the streets at this hour than he had ever seen during the clatter of daylight. It felt as if the very essence of the town had shifted, leaving him to navigate his way through the congested throng. Typically, the afternoon hours were bustling with foot traffic, as townsfolk hurried to their favorite shop stalls, competing to secure the freshest produce and unique handmade crafts before long lines formed.

But tonight was different; Kliff found himself elbowing and weaving through the noisy crowd, each step seeing him put his balance and coordination to the test. He was acutely aware of the necessity to maintain his footing while avoiding jostling the people around him, fearing a tumble in the sea of bodies. Fritz! It reminded him of the chaotic pulse of the Capital, a place where anonymity tangled effortlessly with camaraderie in the rush of the evening.

Ahead of him, Kliff spotted Edgar and Rolland. His two classmates walked side by side, their laughter sparkling above the din, as they animatedly exchanged banter, lost in the chorus of merriment soaring around them. The market stalls were ablaze with life, vendors shouting cheerfully about their "bargain" deals while showcasing an array of goods—handwoven baskets, foreign fabrics, enchanted items, or weapons, and aromatic food.

The street lamps flickered to life, casting a warm glow that danced across the cobblestones, illuminating the faces of excited children clutching their parents' hands as they happily tugged at them to explore. Nearby, groups of men reveled in brotherhood, their boisterous laughter ringing out as they clutched bottles of locally brewed liquor, the clinking sound mingling with the upbeat melody of a band hidden somewhere within the festivities. Women twirled with their partners, their skirts swirling around them in joyous celebration.

Yes, Lakestone was unquestionably a nocturnal town, alive with a heartbeat of festivity and warmth. Kliff pondered eagerly whether there was a special occasion that warranted such fervent celebration, wondering what secrets the night might still hold for him under its starlit canopy.

Maneuvering past a family of three, the father looking sternly at him as he did, Kliff managed to catch up with his friends, stumbling into step behind them just in time to hear Edgar laugh and say, "And then she starts acting as if the entire thing was my fault. I'm telling ya, that girl is a real killer."

Rolland chuckled awkwardly at him. "That's just the way Mercedes is. Though she's never been mean to me before."

"Because you're one of the lucky few who've never had the displeasure of meeting her bad side," Edgar grunted, his pointed ears drooping in disappointment. "You should have seen her during the Midterm Exam. It was like she was a surging drill sergeant. Light and shadows, why do the pretty ones always have to be so insane? It's not fair."

"The nuances and complexities of courtship have never ceased to bewilder me," Rolland admitted with a sigh. "I try my best to stay out of that sort of stuff. Focusing on studying and passing my classes is much easier."

"Ha! Quit being so defeatist, man. You're killing the vibe!" Edgar skipped a few paces ahead and spun around to face them, his hands raised to his sides. "Look around, Rolland. What do you see?"

Rolland squinted his eyes, giving the crowded marketplace a focused sweep. "Uh...people having fun?"

"Exactly! And you know who else is having fun right now? Babes! And I mean lots of them!" Edgar glanced left and right with a greedy look in his eyes, and the tips of his pointed ears began to turn red. "Think about it! We were always so busy with assignments or exams that we were never properly given the chance to indulge in our youthful pleasures."