Light

"Say, wanna look around town before we leave?" Mako asked.

Kite hummed and glanced at Sylvana. Her eyes were downcast.

"I think we should go."

"Aww, I wanted to see more of Valoria." Liliana said, crossing her arms.

Mako snickered. "We can come back here later."

Ludo glanced at the crates in the wagon. "Although you brought stuff to sell. Shouldn't we get rid of it?"

He hummed. "True. What do you think, Sylvana?"

"M-me?" She fidgeted. 

Sylvana felt the weight of their gazes, a mix of curiosity and expectation. She took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. "Well, if there are things to sell, it might be best to do that first," she said, her voice gaining confidence. "It could help fund our travels or… our next adventure."

Mako nodded, pleased with her input. "That's a good point, Sylvana. We'll set up a stall in the market. It's a good way to meet people too."

Liliana's face lit up at the mention of the market. "Ooh, can I help? I'm great at convincing people to buy things!"

Kite chuckled. "I bet you are. Alright, let's give it a shot."

Mako led them towards the bustling heart of Valoria. The market was alive with vendors calling out their wares and shoppers haggling for the best prices.

Ludo began to unload the crates with Kite and Elian's help while the girls helped Mako set up his stall.

Kite noticed Sylvana being drawn to the lively atmosphere. She helped arrange the items on display, her earlier hesitation forgotten amidst the vibrant energy of the town.

He smiled. It was good that she was getting comfy. The poor girl had been through a lot. She probably wanted to leave the town that brought her so much pain as soon as possible.

As the market's energy enveloped them, Kite found himself swept up in the rhythm of Valorian commerce. The air was thick with the scents of exotic spices and the sound of bartering voices. He watched as Mako expertly negotiated with a customer, his hands gesturing animatedly as he extolled the virtues of their goods.

Liliana, true to her word, was a natural. She charmed passersby with her wit and laughter, drawing them in with stories about each item as if they were treasures from distant lands. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and soon a small crowd had gathered, their curiosity piqued by her tales.

Ludo, meanwhile, kept a watchful eye on the proceedings, ensuring that no over-eager shopper took advantage of their inexperience.

While Kite retained his memories of his past life, he felt like Ludo was even more mature than he was.

Sylvana and Skyla watched as people came and went. Kite was surprised by how the two usually shy girls managed to be so good at customer service. Meanwhile, Liliana was arguing with the hagglers.

Things went by well until a guy in a black shirt with a high collar walked up to them. He looked like a merchant.

"Hmm? Well, if it isn't the little thief. Careful, Mako. She might steal all your proceeds."

Sylvana hid under the stall.

Liliana pouted. "Hey, don't bully Sylvana! She is a nice girl. She was just trying to survive."

"Survive? Aren't we all?" the man said, scoffing as he put a hand on his hip. 

"Devin, cut her some slack. She is only a child who lost her family," Mako said, shaking his head at him.

"Rumor has it that girl herself killed her parents with that summoning magic of hers. Her paternal grandparents even disowned her because of that."

"I didn't, it was the bad guys who wanted to kidnap me who did," Sylvana mumbled underneath the stall. Her voice was barely audible, but Kite could hear.

"Enough," Kite said, glaring at the man.

Kite's glare was like a blade, sharp and unyielding. The man, Devin, met his gaze for a moment before a smirk crept onto his face. "Ah, the protector emerges. How noble," he sneered, but there was a hint of unease in his eyes.

"Leave," Kite said, his voice low and steady. "We have no time for baseless accusations and cruelty."

Devin held his gaze a moment longer before turning on his heel and disappearing into the crowd. The tension he left in his wake was palpable, but Mako was quick to dispel it.

"Let's not let one sour apple spoil our day," Mako said, his voice carrying a warmth that seemed to wrap around Sylvana like a comforting blanket. "We're here to make a fresh start, right?"

Sylvana emerged from her hiding spot, her eyes still rimmed with the shadows of her past, but now there was a spark of something else—determination. "Right," she said, nodding firmly.

Kite smiled and held his hand out, helping her stand to her full height.

The rest of the day passed without incident. The market's energy never waned, and their stall continued to attract a steady stream of customers. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with strokes of pink and orange, they packed up their remaining goods.

"We should celebrate," Liliana suggested, her arms laden with unsold wares. "We've earned it after today."

"Yeah," Mako said, smiling. "I know just the place."

The group got back into the wagon. Mako took them to a small tavern where kids could eat.

The tavern was cozy, with a fire crackling in the hearth and the sound of laughter filling the air. They found a table near the window, where they could watch the night settle over Valoria.

As they ate, they shared stories and plans for the future. Sylvana listened, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time.

Kite smiled. She was no longer the girl who had to hide and fend for herself; she was part of a group, a family of sorts.

After the meal, they strolled through the quiet streets of Valoria. The town seemed different at night, more peaceful, and Sylvana felt a sense of peace within herself as well.

"Thank you," Sylvana whispered to Kite as they walked. "For standing up for me."

Kite smiled, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Always," he promised.

She blushed slightly. "You really are like an angel."

His own cheeks grew warm. "I'm not. I just care about others."

The girl turned away and looked down. A small smile crossed her face. "That modesty doesn't help."

He turned away. It didn't? Well, his mom had always told him to be a good person. As a descendant of the Taiyang, he was to be a light to the world. Although, he wasn't sure exactly what that meant.