One-Two Millennia Isn't Very Different than Before

Chapter 26: Festivities; Day 3 ~ Ryokuryuu

Jessica's POV

The next day, I ran into Jae-ha bright and early, about the time I was going to go wake him up. He was trying to combat his 'horrific' fortune by shamelessly flirting with the shrine maidens.

I stood there with my arms crossed looking at the scene, "You have no shame, do you, Jae-ha?"

Said man ran over to me as the girls scurried away, "Jessie-dear! What does today entail?"

I began walking towards the front of the shrine; Jae-ha followed me, "Well, about this time each year, it's usually something different. Although I believe this year it's more of things like archery competitions, throwing knives, and battles."

A sweat drop formed on Jae-ha's head, "I wouldn't expect that type of event would suit the holiness of the shrine."

I laughed sheepishly, "We actually host many battle type events throughout the year so that the guards get some action. We don't really get attacked here."

Jae-ha nodded while playing with one of his knives, "Am I to participate or watch over the competitions?"

A small smirk adorned my face, "Whatever you want, but I'm definitely taking part."

"You?" Jae-ha said mockingly.

I smiled taking out my small dagger and placing it in front of him challengingly, "Why, didn't you know? I'm totally boss with a sword and a bow. My aim's precise, but I must admit I'm not the best when it comes to throwing knives."

As I pulled away my dagger, he questioned, "Can't you just manipulate the wind?"

"Jae-ha," I said as I resumed walking, "That's not fair at all." He grunted as I reached the armory, "Come on. I need a sword and a bow. If you're going to participate in anything, you'll need something from here."

We walked in and I went to grab a sword I'd been given from my old friend. Jae-ha took notice and addressed me, "Sentimental piece?"

"Yeah," I said softly, "an old friend taught me everything I know about self defense and gave this to me as a gift for finishing training." I slightly ran my hand over the gold hilt to the black sheath.

I jumped when a hand placed itself upon my shoulder. Jae-ha softly smiled at me getting the hint, "I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sure he was a great person."

I nodded before breaking the moment, "Did you get what you needed?" I attached the sword to the left side of my obi and slung a bow and quiver onto my right shoulder.

Jae-ha looked at me before letting the subject go and grabbing his own sword, "I'm horrendous with a bow, but I could probably rival you with a sword."

"Let's see if you can prove it then," I said with a smirk. As we left the armory, I called out, "You know what else you're horrendous at, Jae-ha?"

He sighed before saying, "I'm probably not going to like this, but what do you find I'm horrendous at?"

I giggled before chiming, "Picking up women!"

"Oi!" He yelled chasing me to the entrance to the courtyard.

~~~~~~~

We stood side by side as I addressed the candidates for the events, "I hope you don't mind, but we've decided to join in some of the competitions."

Jun-ji stepped forward after I spoke, "I hope ya don't expect us to take it easy on ya!"

Jae-ha and I answered simultaneously, "Wouldn't expect anything but your best."

~~~~~~~~
Archery:

All the competitors lined up in front of their respective targets. Although I did not inform them of the competitions, both Yona and Hak stood on either side of me ready to shoot.

The competition worked by seeing who could get the most points in three shots. We were welcome to shoot anytime but could only shoot our own target. Simple, right?

Although there were about ten of us competing, only three won. Hak, Yona and I all had perfect scores, so we won. Needless to say, Yona was so happy she grabbed both Hak and I into a group hug.

Throwing knives:

This was a little bit more dangerous, so the competitors were further apart than the archers were.

Not that there were that many, but the only one from our group competing was Jae-ha.

They had five knives and they used similar targets to the ones the archers used, so the point system stayed the same.

It was bad. Jae-ha was the only one to hit the target more than three times. (He hit it five times in the bullseye, if you were wondering)

So, Jae-ha won that round.

Sword Fighting:

It was more of a bracket type competition. Both Jae-ha and I won first round; I recently just won my second (meaning is be fighting for first).

Jae-ha unfortunately was on the part of the bracket where Shin-ah was competing. They were fighting and Jae-ha was actually doing fairly well.

There was such a slim chance I'd thought he'd win that when I was preparing myself to fight, I jumped when a sword, Shin-ah's sword, embedded itself into the ground about a yard away from me.

"Looks like we'll really see who's better, eh, Jessie-dear?" Jae-ha said redrawing his sword.

"So it would seem."

We didn't do much more talking. We focused hard on the match. By the end, we were both tired, but the match ended with me flinging his sword away from him.

I sheathed my sword and walked over to Jae-ha offering my hand, "Hate to admit it, but you have a little bit more respect from me now. I thought you were just trying to pick a fight."

Jae-ha wore a tired smile as I pulled him up, "You impressed me as well. I wasn't expecting that skill."

I shrugged, "Don't think you know everything about me, playboy. Trust me, there's so much more you don't know." I could see my words unnerved him, but I turned to the crowd and waved as they cheered.

~~~~~~~

I spent the rest of the night around Zeno. Simply because Yona was attached to Yoon, and I may or may not be ignoring Jae-ha's pestering.

Zeno and I were sitting on the floor of the hall with our legs dangling over the edge. We sat quietly until I muttered, "I miss them so much."

Zeno placed his hand on mine and whispered, "I seen you used his sword today." I nodded numbly. He continued, "It's okay to cry. I've got you. No one will know."

I blinked trying to hold my tears back. It was useless though, so I dropped my head and let the tears flow quietly.

An arm draped itself over my shoulder and pulled me close, "It's okay, Jess-chan." Then, he softly whispered, "I miss them too."

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Yay! Update!

Glad you've been liking the Dragon Festival chapters. They're fun to write, but I think I'll go back to the regular storyline once I'm done.

I never really liked Tae-jun though, so I probably won't include too much about him.

I may send them back to Ik-su's then to get the plant for the fire tribe. Yeah, that's probably what'll be after the next two chapters.

Next chapter will be Zeno's day, then Yona's!

Thanks for reading,
~Ashley