The Inner Odyssey

That was all the confirmation he needed. Alden struggled to control his expression, a tremor racking his body.

He took a deep breath and closed his good eye, composing himself.

'Of course the Asterons were involved…'

It was completely in line with their behaviour - Alden didn't know why he had expected something else. Why he had held out a small hope they weren't involved.

Grinding his teeth, the young man tried not to buckle under the immense pressure. An immeasurable distance separated him and the nebulous beings, both physical and metaphorical. Alden wanted to bridge that gap, but it was much too early for him to even think about such things.

The Keeper's Apprentice sighed.

He shook off the unwanted thoughts, and bade his master farewell, his feet instinctively tracing the way back home. The cold environment surrounding him turned indistinct, as Alden tuned it out, his attention focused inward as the relatively short journey came to an end.

The discussion with the Keeper had taken some time - in that time, most of the decorations had been completed, a sea of scarlet banners stretching across the Territory of Flame like a crimson labyrinth.

He stood in front of his home, ignoring the black-clad guards, his thoughts revolving around all he had learned, and all that he would have to do after the Festival. There was so much. Alden just wanted to rest, the weariness in his bones becoming deeper… and much, much heavier.

Releasing a weary sigh, Alden summoned the energy to put one foot in front of the other and stepped inside his home, his haggard appearance obvious for all to see.

'Let's just get this stupid Festival out of the way first…'

***

Night fell upon the Territory of Flame.

Usually, at this time the streets would be deserted, people retiring to the relative safety and warmth of their homes. The lampposts would be on, faintly illuminating the ghostly paths.

However, tonight there was only darkness, and a busyness rarely seen.

…A special occasion.

A night of celebration, and a night where the inhabitants of the Sanctuary could afford to stop thinking about how they would survive in this ravaged world, and instead, focus on what truly mattered.

…Having fun with the people they loved.

Those that still lived, of course.

Alden stood alongside his family in the dark, a bored expression on his face as he waited for the show to begin. Ignia rested on his shoulder, gazing at the mass of humans around her with an innocent curiosity that amused Alden - her little, excited cries causing his lips to curl into a gentle smile.

Unfortunately, his cute familiar only provided a momentary distraction. Alden's leg twitched, wanting to be done with the festivities as soon as possible. He had better things to do than frolic like a wild goat… although, he supposed that was the whole point of the Festival, to give him a chance to relax.

The young man just wished there weren't so many people.

He sighed.

Alistair, Elara and Celeste were to his left, the latter separated from him by the hulking form of the Guildmaster and his elegant wife.

Alden didn't get a chance to see his precious love getting ready like previous years, opting to leave early to prevent any awkwardness. He wished he hadn't. Releasing another sigh, this one much more despondent, he sensed the crowd swell.

A ripple seemed to run through them, before Alden discovered his wish… had finally been answered.

It came in the form of multiple explosions, vast streams of fire shooting up towards the heavens. Alden squinted at the sudden light, his ears detecting the sound of energetic, fast-paced music. The children squealed, a mixture of awe, excitement and wonder bleeding through their juvenile ranks.

Alden's lips unconsciously curled, taken back to the earliest memory he had of his biological parents - him sitting on his father's shoulders as he watched the fire bloom across the night sky like the wings of a magical bird.

"WELCOME TO THE 31st ANNUAL FESTIVAL, EVERYONE! WE HAVE A LOT OF PLANNED, SO IT IS OUR WISH THAT YOU RELINQUISH YOUR WORRIES, AND HAVE THE BEST NIGHT POSSIBLE! WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET'S BEGIN!"

Suddenly, the Territory of Flame lit up like a flare, all at once. Mana hummed in the air as bulbs affixed with luminous Mana Crystals brightened at the same time. Alden let his eyes adjust, sensing the music slow, before exploding into a frantic, hurried pace, like the beating of countless drums.

More screams pierced the slightly frigid air, and the white-haired young man shifted his gaze, peering at the performers sailing through the air in wild arcs, shooting fire from their mouths.

Once, the acrobatics had excited him. Once, they had caused his heart to race and his imagination to soar. Now, all it did was stir the tiny ember left over from simpler, more peaceful days.

That ember now slowly faded, the magic employed no longer impressive.

Alden remained where he was, letting the show finish. A thunderous applause rumbled all around like a deep cry of an enormous beast, before the vast crowd slowly died, each family splitting off to do their own thing.

"I will celebrate myself. You guys go have fun."

Alden informed those he loved, pretending not to notice the worried glance his parents shared. He tried to make eye contact with Celeste, but she had her gaze fixed on a bunch of kids playing together, the delighted peal of their laughter resounding far and wide.

The little children had assumed the roles of different extinct creatures, a popular mock battle the toddlers of the Sanctuary liked to enact. He tried to suppress the trembling of his heart, and turned around, walking in the opposite direction.

Ignia cried sadly through their bond.

Excited shouts and cheers rang out all around him; a variety of stands offering different activities, from using slingshots to knock down targets to win a prize, to stands that sold tantalizing skewers of grilled meat, and even ventriloquists.

Alden stopped paying attention to the bustle of his surroundings, until he reached a large, open area cleared to make way for the great bonfire which crackled loudly in its midst. Trails of smoke wafted through the sky, combining with the shadows and mist to form an ethereal atmosphere.

The white-haired young man made a beeline for an empty bench and sat down as the first of many couples stepped up to dance.