Sounds of Harmonic screams

It is the time when the moon shines brightest, the time when the harmonic lantern fiesta is hosted. I heard only songs being sung, instruments being play and dances being performed. Clothings of various cultures sharing stories upon stories and veil fan dancers being the centre of attention to the people of Dovilia. It is but yet as always a magical sight to see.

"Collie!" I heard a voice calling my name, a tone similar to my dancing partner. She was ecstatic to perform Dovilia's traditional veil fan dance called the spiralling moon which is very popularised and known well amongst many other fan dancers. We talked a bit until our names were called to appear on stage. As we prepared our softly woven fan made of silk that shimmers under the night both my dancing partner and I traded each other's words of affirmation.

" You'll do great, collie!" She said enthusiastically to me

"let's give them a festival they won't forget" replying with the same determination

From above the stage, we stood on rows of beautifully carved wooden swans that can be seen from the floor side of the stage, lights shaped of fuchsia flowers were held by the people to lit the night. We danced to the rhythm of drums, setting waves of music into the peoples' ears. Cloud Cranes circles the sky. Lion dancers roar in fierceness and our veil fans follow the wind being the balance of harmony.

You could hear operas and storytellers' voices.

The final performances of our fan dance have yet to end, and with so, we threw our fans into the air, and they landed in one another's dancing partners' hands. It flew ever so gracefully into the air while loudness of harmonies played in the background. Until the end of our final stage performance, my fan dancing team switched places to where our fans were tossed before ending with an elegant bow accompanied by cloud cranes, opera singers, storytellers and the lions that danced above.

Finally, our performances have concluded, bringing applause to the moonlit night we stood. It was moments before it was time we released our dreaminess lanterns into the softly painted sky and with so the crew departed ways to meet up with friends and families who each had made a wish to their lanterns soon to be set off free and it'll fade away like pure ashes. I stood below the stage admiring the design of my latern for this ceremony, especially as an honor to be back in Dovilia after some time being apart. Though mine didn't shine a flame brighter than the ones that are crafted by the tree of clymitecal calamity, it's mine, and it has many implemented designs that represents the things I truly love.

"Come and release your lanterns! Continue with the prophecy from our dear tree for the blessings it has given us the opportunity to reach for gratitude of this beautifully birth festival" A familiar voice I hear, soft and gentle

I find myself following trails that will lead me to this voice but was blocked by many others. It was fine. at least I'll be able to finally set my very first lantern flying.

As they were released, I stood on top of my house roof to get a better view. As the people of Doviliases lanterns hold wishes, you could make out a sound from it, a symphony-like music played almost ambient.

It was truly a concert-worthy moment.

"Shine bright, my lovely lantern," as I release it last from everyone else. I watch it slowly disperse, joining the psyche above.

"So, what's your wish?"

"Hmm,"...

"AH!-"

I jumped overdramatically

"Luhune?" Calmed down a bit after seeing this mysterious or not so mysterious fella who was my dearest old friend!

"Hehe, yup,"

"WAAAAAHHHH, I MISSED YOU SOOO MUCHHH-" excitedly, I captured him into a securely strong hug. And then we both found ourselves lying down on the roof giggling.

"How did you know I was up here?" I asked

"Well, I saw your performance, and I'll say it was amazing. I was glad to see you back after being gone for like what? A decade?"

"I wanted to talk to you after you were done but you seemed too busy so I just you know, followed you in silence, maybe wanted to do a lil surprise"

"I see well then next time just meet me backstage instead of spooking up to me like that"

We both got down from the roof and went back to the centre park where everyone was during this festival. There were many delicacies, mini-games, and loudness all in the air.

As we walked and chatted, luhune reminded me of his question.

"You haven't answered my question back there, Li"

"Hehe it's a secret obviously" I reply, but to be frank I haven't made a wish yet before letting go of my lantern. I mean, I have everything I wanted and all those never once required a wish.

"Li?"

"Huh" I snapped back to consciousness, man I really gotta work on this sudden blanking-out business.

We arrived at the centre park but only I did, since Luhune had to attend to something, he didn't mention what but did say he'll arrive back soon. Until then, I enjoyed myself with the games nearby and rode a dragon ride. The ride made me feel as if I was so close to the skies I see yet my reach was so far.

Your dreams are what makes reality as it is, the palace that stands before you is a home to unworthiness, that is a dream that'll soon become a reality.

A white tall palace surrounded with withered roses and torns calls for me to enter. The place dark but outside was bright as day, a butterfly flew inside, its appearance is like transparent where you can see the bones of it through. Suddenly the walls began to crumble in my path, doors barricaded by withered torns and windows sharp and unsafe to escape.

There was no way out. The butterfly that entered disappeared and the floor below me cracked an opening. I was unable to speak, yell for help, breathe normally. It was as if I was drowning underwater where screams echoed in silence. A hand reached for me but sadly didn't make it. There soon I drown-fall? Down to wherever leads me. The room was silent and dark again, I didn't feel like I was in my head, my vessel, my consciousness. I wasn't myself at all.

Finally my eyes open to see a figure that wears a mask resembling a fox. The strange part is, we just became stone and stared at each other. The masked figure from what I can make out is no average person but deformed. Its leg shows bones and flesh with blood dripping and echoes in this euthymic place. Eyes so hollow yet still have life, neck long and abnormally crooked. Hair is so soft and delicate despite the eerie facials. A butterfly appears from air and lit the masked figure. They seemed to look normal, could it be a trick of the mind? I could've sworn that what stood before me was a tall entity.

"Nadine"

Hey kid

Kid?

My pupils shrink in shock. It was, a dream?

Kid you shouldn't be sleeping on this ride it's dangerous.

"Ah, I see, I'm still on this ride huh hehe hehe.." awkwardly I got off.

"Maybe I'm too exhausted to continue," I said to myself. I have been unpacking and my family and I have been on a long journey to get here from Eidol. So I texted Luhune that I'll be leaving early. The firework was about to be set off but I'll be able to see it launch when I get home and then I can hit the hay.

"Ma, pa, kak Li dah balik (mom, dad, im home" opening the gate. My parents should be inside watching movies and relaxing, they're not the type to be around loud noises though the house seemed too quiet. Maybe they went to sleep early?

As I walked up the stairs to open the door I saw a butterfly with beautiful patterns on its wings. Moving my gaze I look back at the door before opening it I hear liquid cascading down from the stairs. It wasn't light like water, it was more dense.

I opened the door, fireworks burst behind me, and everything felt slow and dizzy. My hearing went blank for what stood in front of me was the cold flesh of my family. My little sisters' eyes bulged out as black strings. Comes out from her mouth. My parents were unconscious. I looked into their eyes and was met with only darkness. With every breath I take I panic even more.

"NEVE!" I call out for my little brother. But he was nowhere to be seen. I fall to the floor in defeat. The day when we celebrated the birth of something beautiful was the day fate collided with me. As fireworks scream in the sky, I scream with tears in my eyes. Their blood sticks onto my hand like glue leaving residue of memories we had made.