The Gleaming sand festival(22)
ANGELS AMONG US :BOUNDED BY FATE
Chapter 22
"The gleaming sand festival"
At long last, the creaky cart rolled to a stop at the edge of Mirage Glen Village, marking the end of their journey.
"We have arrived," announced the driver with a hint of relief in his voice. With swift movements, Oliver and Caleb collected their gear, anticipation mingling with the dust in the air as they stepped into the village.
"So, this is Mirage Glen Village, where the vessel is possibly located," Caleb mused aloud, his eyes scanning the surroundings with the precision of a scholar.
"Yep, and it's quite bustling. Wonder what's up. Let's go check it out," Oliver replied, a spark of curiosity lighting his eyes. Despite his adventurous spirit, he couldn't help but show a flicker of annoyance at Caleb's penchant for long-winded explanations. Oliver valued Caleb's intellect, but sometimes, the torrent of knowledge felt like trying to drink from a firehose.
Caleb, ever the cautious one, added, "We should stay alert and be very careful, too."
"Yeah, yeah, let's just go," Oliver said, his eagerness to explore overriding his patience for caution.
As they approached the heart of the village, a vibrant spectacle unfolded before them. A large ribbon stretched across the entrance, emblazoned with the words "Gleaming Sand Festival." The revelation sparked a light of understanding in Oliver's eyes.
"Gleaming Sand Festival? That must be why it's so crowded here," he deduced, his gaze drifting over the throng of villagers and visitors alike, each one contributing to the cacophony of excitement and chatter.
It was then that Oliver spotted a young boy, his face adorned with the remnants of festival treats, a living testament to the day's joy and indulgence. Oliver, driven by an innate sense of camaraderie and curiosity, approached the child with a friendly demeanor, ready to dive into the heart of the village's festivities through the innocent eyes of its youngest participants.
"Hey there, kiddo," Oliver began, his voice warm and inviting, "can you tell us about this Gleaming Sand Festival? It looks like a lot of fun."
The boy, momentarily startled by the attention, quickly warmed up to Oliver's friendly smile. His eyes sparkled with the excitement that only a village festival could bring to a child.
"Oh, yes! The Gleaming Sand Festival is the best thing ever! It's when our whole village comes to life with music, games, and lots of food! We celebrate the legend of the Mirage, the guardian spirit of our sands that protects us all year. And at night, the entire desert lights up with glowing sands. It's magical!"
Oliver and Caleb exchanged intrigued glances. The festival was not only a significant event for the village but perhaps a serendipitous backdrop for their quest in finding the vessel.
"Sounds amazing," Caleb remarked, his researcher's mind ticking over the legend of the Mirage.
"Thanks kiddo, you can go and play with your friends now" Oliver said
"Okie dokie" the child said,hoping his way to the festival with laughter and joy.
"How are we supposed to find the celestial vessel in this throng?" Oliver inquired, his gaze sweeping over the bustling crowd that filled Mirage Glen Village, each face a new mystery, each corner alive with the Gleaming Sand Festival's vibrancy.
Caleb, ever the strategist, responded with a plan. "The most effective approach is to divide our efforts. You'll blend into the crowd, sift through the sea of people for any hint or clue of our target. Meanwhile, I'll explore the village perimeter, its less crowded nooks and crannies. There might be something we're overlooking."
Oliver's expression soured at the suggestion.
"Wait, why do I have to wade through the crowd?" His voice carried a hint of distress, betraying his discomfort with dense gatherings, a trait that lingered from his previous life.
Caleb offered a reasoned explanation, his voice calm and persuasive. "There's a seventy percent likelihood that our quarry is among the festival-goers, perhaps even participating in the festivities. Suppose, in this scenario, I encountered the vessel amidst this chaos. How could I, lacking any hunter's prowess, hope to engage or even approach a being of such significance? You, Oliver, with your skills and hunter's intuition, are far better suited for this task."
Conceded by Caleb's logic, Oliver let out a resigned sigh. "Alright, alright. I see your point." With a nod, he prepared himself to plunge into the festival's heart. Each step he took was driven by the chance, however slim, that amongst the laughter and music, he would find the key to their quest.
As Oliver disappeared into the crowd, Caleb turned his attention to the village's quieter edges. Each had their part to play in this intricate dance of fate, their paths diverging yet bound by the singular goal of finding the celestial vessel hidden within Mirage Glen's festive embrace.
Caleb wandered through the streets of Mirage Glen Village, the vibrant energy of the festival igniting a spark of curiosity within him. As dusk began to paint the sky in hues of orange and purple, he found himself drawn to the inviting glow of a local inn. The sound of laughter and chatter spilled out from a small group gathered outside, their faces alight with the joy of the festival.
Approaching them with a respectful nod, Caleb was met with warm smiles and hearty greetings, a testament to the village's hospitality.
"I've never seen you here before, are you perhaps a traveler?" one of the men inquired, his voice laced with genuine interest.
"Indeed," Caleb replied, finding comfort in the group's friendly demeanor.
"Oh, you're more than welcome to our humble village. We work at this inn," the man gestured towards the inviting structure behind them. "Our boss let us knock off early today to enjoy the festival," he added with a smile.
Seizing the opportunity to learn more about the village and its customs, Caleb asked, "What's the history behind the Gleaming Sand Festival, if I may ask?"
The man's eyes lit up with pride as he began to recount the tale. "The Gleaming Sand Festival is an annual celebration that marks the founding of Mirage Glen Village. It's a story of resilience, really. Decades ago, the village faced abandonment due to a severe drought. But then, a mysterious traveler led our people to a hidden spring, saving the village from certain doom. The festival commemorates this event, celebrating our village's continued prosperity and survival against the odds."
Caleb listened intently, nodding in appreciation as the man shared the story. The narrative of the festival, a symbol of the village's endurance and community spirit, resonated with him. It was a reminder of the strength found in unity and the miracles that could arise from the most unexpected places.
"I see, but what might had caused the drought from the first place" Caleb inquired
Caleb's inquiry into the cause of the drought seemed to cast a shadow over the lively spirits of the group. Their exchanged glances, laden with a mix of reluctance and resignation, hinted at a story far more complex than Caleb had anticipated. Finally, one of them, a man with weathered features and eyes that had seen much, exhaled deeply before delving into the past.
"Well, this is how it went...." he began, his voice carrying the weight of history. Caleb leaned in, eager to uncover the veiled truths of Mirage Glen Village.
---
Meanwhile, Oliver navigated through the throngs of festival-goers, his senses on high alert for anything out of the ordinary. Children laughed as they darted between stalls, their joy infectious yet unable to penetrate Oliver's focused demeanor. He paused, closing his eyes to better concentrate, allowing the noise and chaos of the festival to fade into a muted background.
"Nothing out of the ordinary for now. I'm not sensing any unusual or extraordinary energy either," he murmured to himself.
As he reopened his eyes, resigning himself to the seeming futility of his search, a sudden, ear-splitting roar shattered the festive atmosphere.
The entire village seemed to freeze, the sound resonating through every corner and alley, vibrating through the very ground beneath their feet. Oliver's hands flew to his ears, his eyes scanning the surroundings for the source of the terrifying noise.
"What the hell was that?" he exclaimed, his voice barely audible over the ringing in his ears. The festival's joyful cacophony had been replaced by a stunned silence, followed by a rising tide of panic as villagers and visitors alike searched for answers.
As fear began to spread, Oliver knew that this was no ordinary disturbance. The roar, so powerful and ominous, hinted at a danger that could unravel the very fabric of the peaceful village. His mission to find the celestial vessel momentarily forgotten, Oliver prepared to face whatever threat had just announced its presence with such ferocity.