An Evening Where Dreams and Reality Meet

A dark, cold forest filled with the hushed rustling of branches and mournful whispers. Alcyon crouched down when he saw his family members, entangled in a black vortex of light. The dark strangers advanced, extending their hands, and in an instant, destroyed them all.

"Alcyon, save us..." - he heard his mother's voice as the last spark of light faded.

"Nooo..." - he screamed.

Alcyon leapt from his bed, his throat burning like flames. His eyes were wide open, his head heavy, but he realized it was not real. Only the half-dark silence of the room and the moonlight streaming through the window, smothering the terrifying effect of the nightmare.

"It was just a dream..." - he whispered, clutching his head with his hands. But something, instead of comforting him, disturbed him. The dream was not ordinary.

He tried to calm himself, but remembered that he was invited to a banquet hosted by one of Azeron's most prestigious families. He had to hurry.

As he dressed, he thought about how important that evening was. The dark blue shirt gave him a special look, while the black cloak added mystery. At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

"Alcyon, are you not ready yet?" - John, his close friend, entered with his usual half-smile. "The party will start without you if you keep thinking about sleeping."

John, with his wise advice and humor, always supported Alcyon. Alcyon smiled slightly.

"I'd better think about sleeping, but no, I was having a nightmare."

"Maybe you ate too many fried mushrooms last night," joked John, adjusting his clothes with one hand. "You're so tense. And do you know Simon will be there too?"

"Did they invite Simon as well?" - Alcyon asked, pulling on his cloak.

"Of course. Without our group, such a party would just be boring," John laughed.

They left the room and walked down the palace path, where Simon was already waiting. His muscular body and combat armor stood out, but his eyes burned with the same warmth that always inspired them.

"Hey, you two are late. The first drink is mine," Simon joked, greeting them with a wave.

"Good that you're ready, unlike him," John said, hinting at Alcyon's long preparation.

Azeron's grand hall sparkled under the light of thousands of torches. The tables were filled with delicious dishes, and the soft waves of music spread through the hall. People were chatting, some already raising their glasses.

The evening seemed to be starting peacefully. Alcyon, John, and Simon entered the hall, drawing the attention of those around them.

"Here come your friends, always together," smiled a young woman who approached them. It was Lyra, Alcyon's long-time friend, who was also invited.

Lyra was charming, with long wavy hair and bright eyes. Her presence always brought warmth.

"Lyra, you always show up earlier than us," Alcyon said, smiling cautiously.

"That's because you're always late," she replied, with a slightly teasing tone.

They all sat down at the table, discussing the latest events in the city.

The party had already gained momentum. The atmosphere in the hall was so lively that it seemed like danger could never reach this place. However, Alcyon was still tense. His mind kept returning to the nightmare he had woken up from just hours ago.

"Alcyon, you're quieter than usual," Lyra noticed, smiling gently. She tried to lighten the mood by placing her hand on his shoulder.

"Sorry, Lyra. This night feels strange to me," Alcyon said, trying to smile, but something still seemed off in his eyes.

"Remember, it's just a party. None of us are counting on you, so relax and enjoy the evening," she said, handing him a delicate drink.

John, who was standing nearby, also noticed Alcyon's mood.

"How can you be so occupied with heavy thoughts at a party, Alcyon? Look around you. Everyone is happy, and you... you seem like you're not even here."

Alcyon took a deep breath.

"You're right, John. I just can't shake the feeling that tonight is different."

"Maybe it's different in the sense that you'll finally be able to talk to Lyra the way you've wanted to for a while," John smiled, hinting at his relationship with Lyra.

Alcyon glanced at Lyra for a moment. Her eyes sparkled under the light of the torches, and her gentle smile seemed to erase all the nightmares from his mind.

"Maybe you're right, John," he said softly, with a faint smile.

When the music changed, Lyra stood up and gently bowed in front of Alcyon.

"Shall we dance?"

Alcyon hesitated for a moment, but felt it was impossible to refuse. He carefully stood up, extended his hand to her, and led her to the dance floor.

"Have you ever been this tense?" Lyra teased, looking at him as they danced under the soft rhythm.

"I just can't concentrate when you look this beautiful," Alcyon said, then smiled, hoping his words didn't sound too forward.

Lyra laughed.

"Maybe all my efforts were worth it if I managed to make you smile."

Simon, who was standing in the corner of the hall and watching them, chuckled.

"Alcyon's savior has always been Lyra, hasn't it, John?"

"At the center of every great friendship, there's always someone who brings strength to the others with their presence," John replied, looking at the dancing couple.

In the splendor of the hall, as Alcyon, Lyra, John, and Simon sat and chatted, a mysterious woman suddenly appeared at the doors. She was dressed in a flowing green gown, and her dark golden hair cascaded over her shoulders. Her eyes, deep and analytical, seemed to be able to see into the soul of anyone with just one glance.

Everyone's gaze turned toward her. Her smile was faint, yet it carried such confidence that it was impossible to ignore.

"Who could this woman be?" whispered John, slightly bowing his head toward Alcyon.

"I don't know, but people like her don't usually enter places by accident," Alcyon replied, watching her closely.

However, Simon couldn't wait to analyze the situation. His personality didn't allow him to sit idly by.

"Friends, I'm here not just to eat but also to meet people," he said, smiling, taking his wine glass, and without hesitation, walked over to the mysterious woman.

Lyra laughed.

"Nothing will stop him. Simon really thinks he can impress everyone with his boldness."

"Women often don't fall for direct bravery, but that never stopped him," joked John.

Simon glanced at his friends, as if thinking deeply. There was a joke, but mixed with it was a tangle of emotions. The atmosphere couldn't hold him back.

Suddenly, a thought exploded in his mind—a new goal that he could not resist. He quickly leapt up, without warning, took another glass, and turned toward his friends.

"I bet," Simon announced, his eyes burning with determination. "I'll have this woman interested in me by the end of the evening. And if I fail, you all have to forget about me for a week until I can use my diplomacy and persuasion again."

Then, noticing the group at the table, he continued. "If you dare, I'll make this bet with total confidence."

John and Lyra paused for a moment, looking at each other, then smiled in unison in response.

"This is serious now, Simon. You can't act the way you usually do without any fear," John said, not holding back his laughter.

"Alright, if it's a bet, it's a bet. We'll see how soon you can convince her," Lyra responded, and there was a new sense of unity among them, agreeing with Simon's determination.

Thus, Simon made a bet that he could capture the woman's attention. Even though everything was still uncertain for him, now he had only one goal—to win his challenge.