The Festival of the Lake
1.1 The Village of Serene Water
The dawn painted the sky with shades of pink and gold as Lia woke up to the sound of the gentle waves of Lake Serene Water lapping against the shore. She stretched, feeling the freshness of the morning and unmistakable aroma of the aquatic breeze. Today was a special day; it was the Festival of the Lake, an annual celebration that brought togheter all the villagers to honor the spirit of Water.
Lia ran down the wooden stairs of her simple house, where her mother, Elara, was already busy preparing breakfast. the kitchen was filled with tempting aromas of freshly baked bread and fresh fruits. Elara smiled upon seeing her daughter.
"Morning, love. Excited for the festival?" Elara asked, as she placed a basket of bread on the table.
Lia nodded eagerly, her green eyes sparkling with excitement. "Absolutely, mom! Can't wait to see the dances and hear the elders' stories." She served herself a slice of bread, still warm.
Elara watched her daughter with affection. Lia had always been a special girl, but there was something about her that made her different from the other young people in the village. while everyone proudly displayed their elemental abilities, Lia had never managed to connect with the element of water. This made her feel like an outsider in her own land.
After breakfast, Lia left the house and headed to the center of the village, where preparations for the festival were in full swing. colorful stalls were popping up everywhere, selling sweets, crafts, and traditional clothes. Children ran around laughing. while adults decorated the main stage with blue and silver ribbons.
As she passed the central fountain, Lia found Maren, her longtime friend. Maren was one of the few people who never judged Lia for her lack of elemental abilities. With blond hair and sparkling blue eyes, Maren exuded the grace and serenity of water.
"Lia!" Maren called, waving excitedly. "You ready for the big play?"
Lia smiled and ran to meet her friend. "Absolutely. Shall we lend a hand with the preparations?"
The two friends spent the morning laughing and working, helping the villagers with the final touches. By noon, the village square had been transformed into a festive scene, ready to welcome the spirit of Water.
Arround midday, the village elders began to gather on the main stage to start the celebrations. Lia and Maren positioned themselves at the front of the crowd, eager to hear the ancestral stories. The chief elder, an old man with a white beard and eyes full of wisdom, stepped onto the stage and raised his hands to silence the audience.
"Welcome , villagers of Serene Water, to our beloved Festival of the Lake," he began, in a strong, resonant voice. "Today, we celebrate the spirit of Water, which gives us life and sustentance. May the stories and dance of this day remind us of our eternal connection to this sacred element."
Lia felt a wave of emotion upon hearing the elder's words, Despite her disconnection from Water, she had always felt deeply connected to the history and traditions of her village, she had no idea that this festival would mark the beginning of a journey that would change her life forever.
The afternoon progressed with dances, music, and enchanting narratives. Lia lost herself in the magic of the festival, forgetting her worries for a moment. but as the sun began to set and the lanterns were lit, a dark presence made itself felt. An unknown creature, formed by a chaotic mix of elements, emerged from the lake, spreading panic among the villagers.
Lia, paralyzed by fear, watched as the creature advanced, destroying everything in its path. In a desesperate impulse to protect Maren and others, Lia extended her hand. To her amazement, an intense flame sprang from the fingers, repelling the creature. silence fell over the village, followed by murmurs of surprise and fear.
Lia looked at her hand, still trembling with the energy of the fire. She didn't know what it mean, but one thing was certain: her life was about to change irreversibly.