5 The Star Light Festival

In the end, Nea couldn't stick to her plan. Brianna didn't let her squirm away and dragged her out of the Sanctum. Liana smirked at Nea who was pouting as Brianna manhandled her.

"See you tomorrow at the festival," Liana shouted.

"Yeah!"

Liana returned to her room with light steps. She threw herself to the bed and laughed. This was the first time something this exciting happened to her. She felt that she could run around the Sanctum and not felt tired. It took a long time for her to fall asleep.

When the dawn came the people on the island began to stir. Unlike the usual slow days, tonight would be the Start Light Festival. The people had begun the preparation a long time ago. However today everyone was especially invigorated. They added extra decorations to an already festive environment. The children boasted the lantern that they created. Some adults set up their stalls. Some climbed up on the roofs and trees to hung ropes where the small lanterns would be set.

Liana also woke up early. She visited the archive, however, the artifact remained dormant. She gave up and passed the day by reading books in the library. She picked up ancient scrolls about the ancient wars, trying to glean more information so she wouldn't be too embarrassing when conversing with White.

When the night approached, the lanterns burned bright like stars on earth. Liana waited for Nea in the garden. Although the main event would be held in the middle of the night, there would be plenty of games and other activities that could be enjoyed.

Brianna visited her during her wait. She put on a thick cloak on Liana. "Be careful not to get cold."

Liana smiled and accepted gratefully. The weather on the island was always welcoming but Liana had always unable to stand a bit of cold.

Nea appeared from the distance. Her smile dampened a little when she saw Brianna beside Liana. "Are you ready?" Nea looked at Liana.

Liana nodded and turned to Brianna. "I'll be sure to quickly return."

They boarded a boat that Nea had used to reach the sanctum. Nea pressed her hand on the navigation seal and stirred the boat to reach the city. Small fishes swam in the clear water. Sometimes big fishes would flash past their boat. Liana put her hands into the water and teased the ones who passed by.

The people lived throughout the island, however, most preferred to stay on the eastern side. The members of the immortal clan tended to have a liking to the sun. Thus they wanted to be bathed in light as early as possible.

The main square where the festival would be held was in a middle of a lake. There were four big bridges connecting it to the city. Nea parked the boat at the assigned space and helped Liana to get up. Stalls were laid out around the square. While the middle area where many contests would be held was left clear. When the people saw Liana they all beamed at her. Some gave warm greetings while others tried to talk to her.

"Shoo! Shoo!" Nea scowled. "Don't you see we're trying to enjoy ourselves here?" She turned to Liana. "Next time you should wear a mask. Your face is too well known."

"That will just make me more conspicuous," Liana said.

Nea said, "I heard there's this human face mask from Da Yue that can make you look like another person! If you wear that one no one will notice."

"Oh, where can I get it then?"

"This… I heard it's a secret art."

"Well, I guess we're out of luck then. Maybe you should learn illusion instead."

Nea cringed, "No way. Just you wait, I'll go to Da Yue when I set off with the scouts and get that secret art."

"I'll be waiting."

Nea led her to the food stalls. Delicious smells wafted through the air, compelling them closer. Liana took a seat at a table near the water channel while Nea ordered some food. She observed the joyous atmosphere surrounding her. She couldn't help but wonder what festivals would look like in other parts of the world. There was the Dragon Festival in the northern continent. The cultivation world hosted the Grand Conference where many sects and schools gathered to exchange their knowledge. She also wanted to join auctions that were often held on the continent.

Liana's musing was broken with Nea's return. She bought steaming fried snacks with meat and vegetables filling and two glasses of cold sugary beverages. She grinned as she put the meal on the table.

Fragrance exploded as Liana bit into the crispy outer layer. The fillings melt into her mouth and warming her inside. The sauce was thick and creamy, leaving a strong aftertaste. She tried to savor the taste but couldn't stop herself from taking more bites.

Nea laughed. "Slow down, don't choke yourself."

Liana didn't pay her any mind and gulped down the sweet drink. It was rare for her to eat something like this. Her meal was well regulated and almost all of them were boiled vegetables. She could either drink water or herbal tea. Only at a festival, Brianna would pretend not to know her eating this type of meal. She would most likely have a cough tomorrow but she couldn't make herself regret it.

After they finished eating, they played the games offered in the stalls. There were simple games where they could try to catch small fish using a poorly made net that would break easily. There were more complicated ones where they had to use their skill such as lighting up lanterns hanged up high on the trees using their fire.

"I'll get the highest one," Nea said as she twirled her forefinger while a small flame was circling it. With a sharp and quick move, she shot out an arrow of flame and light up the highest lantern. Several onlookers clapped at her skill.

Nea smirked as she jumped up. She moved from branch to branch like the wind and took down her small lantern.

"For you," she said as she offered it to Liana.

Liana smiled. "If this keeps going my room will be filled with lanterns."

When the moon hung high in the sky, the crowd began to gather at the center of the square. Liana and Nea each had a star fire crystal. It gave slight warmth in Liana's grasp. She climbed the platform at the eastern side of the square under everyone's attention.

With a calm gaze, she looked at her people. "Today we shall commemorate the union of our clan and the sacred phoenix. May we always remember her sacrifice for our clan and may we also continue to be the flame of light."

When the moon reached its peak, Liana began to channel her qi into her crystal. A bright red light sparked inside the crystal. The energy spread outward and formed into small firebirds. With one mighty flap of its wings, it soared up into the sky.

Nea who stood near the platform also sent her firebird not long after. One by one small firebirds flew up. They circle the square and gathered into one and formed a giant phoenix. Its wings span covered the square. It flew higher and higher, reaching into the moon. Not long after it disintegrated into small shards and fell back like thousands of shooting stars.