95 Lantern Festival

Trier. The City that Never Sleeps.

The night didn't seem to bother the bustling city, which was dotted with lights. It was as if the streets had become veins of light around the heart of the metropolis.,

It was different from St-Millon, even though it shared a similar vibe with it, but it thrived with people and cultures from all over the world.

Trier was the cultural epicentre of the entire world. The city has always been vibrant, regardless of the time of day. It was full of cultures and traditions from all over the world. And, despite the great differences in ethnicity and customs, the city has never had any form of xenophobia, but rather has been hospitable to everyone. This was possible only because of the "Golden Order" of Aucuses, which was subconsciously influencing the minds of citizens.

It was a lively and colourful city, with countless stories and tales.

In the streets of Trier, Aucuses and Lilith headed towards the city centre, where music and light were concentrated.

They passed through monolithic towers and painted structures. Every corner of the street was buzzing with activity, even though it was already half past ten.

Aucuses had a quirky smile as they ran down the sidewalk, rushing through the crowds of people on and off the sidewalk.

Lilith followed, holding his right hand. She smiled and shook her head when she realised he was getting excited by these little things. Her beating heart, however, told her what it was all about, quite clearly.

They weren't invisible. People saw them as they ran around them at an inhuman speed. The eyes on them were filled with surprise, strange and shocked. But she didn't care. All she was concentrating on was Aucuses watching his figure race before her.

"It will take time if we continue like this," Aucuses said without looking back. "Let's speed up."

"Speed up?" Lilith asked dubiously between her runs. She actually wants to suggest that they can just teleport instead of running around like that. But, her surging emotions already got the better of her logic, so she didn't care anymore and let Aucuses spoil and indulge her.

Aucuses smiled and turned to look at her. Then he answered her question with action.

He jumped off the ground, breaking the ground around him. He also released her hand and landed on the roof of a gothic house.

"Come up!" Aucuses said, watching her as he gestured for her to get on the roof.

Lilith came out of her trance and jumped up too, smiling at him. Unlike Aucuces' boisterous actions, she was graceful as ever. Eventually, she landed lightly on the roof, without harming anything.

"Let's go." Aucuses stepped forward and waved his hands. "We don't want to be late for that event."

Lilith nodded, not urging him to explain about the event. Then, she took his hand, widening her smile. Aucuses turned and ran on the roof with his hand in hers.

Under the light of stars, they crossed the city of Trier, jumping from roof to roof, leaving a trail of light. They also attracted a lot of attention by jumping around the city. However, that didn't stop them at all. They had smiles on their faces. They enjoyed the silence as they blazed towards the city centre.

Lilith looked at buildings and people passing by as her heart was filled with surging emotions. She felt the invisible ties that had always bound her loosen every minute she spent with Aucuses.

"We are here." He suddenly yelled and jumped from the roof to the ground,, and she also plummeted with him.

They landed on solid ground, with an arched entrance ahead. It was decorated with sunflowers and tulips. There was also a blazing sun emblem in the centre of the arch.

Lilith stared at the decal as she entered the town square through the ornate archway with Aucuses. She was immediately blown away by what greeted her.

The fumes of cigars and cigarettes fill the air in a hurry to fold with aromas of alcohol and wine. Lanterns and boards filled with the emblem of sun. Blazing music everywhere. The smells of food stalls surrounded by impatient people…It was chaotic with bustling people and a cacophony of sounds, but it made her fell strangely calm and serene.

"What is this festival?" asked Lilith puzzled. She pointed to the celebration in the city square. "Did you introduce it recently?"

"Lantern Festival." replied Aucuses, his moving eyes fixed on the lanterns sold in the stalls. "It's a new festival that I introduced this year."

They walked into the crowded town square while chatting and holding hands.

"What is it for?" Lilith asked, rather intrigued by his festival. "Is it for your birthday?"

"No." Aucuses chuckled at her curious words. "My birthday is September 22nd."

Lilith immediately jotted down the date in her mind.

Aucuses continued, guiding her to the food stall. "I introduced the Lantern Festival to honour the fallen during the War of Seven Nations and the Night of the Blood Moon. It's also a way to let go and start a new life, while the lantern symbolises "illuminating the future." Overall, it's a very complex festival that…" He went on and on about the festival.

Lilith was astounded by the festival introduced by Aucuses. She saw more in this seemingly simple festival.

Her perception expanded and changed, and the people in her vision became little suns, which told of their faith. She soon saw Backlund, Feynapotter, St.Millon, Roburg, Beaux, and....the entire northern continent.

From her vantage point, she was a swarm of suns illuminating the entire continent.

She suddenly realised something. The power that Aucuses wields over the world is steadily growing. His believers outnumber her and other gods' worshippers by a wide margin. This festival is also increasing his followers. In the end, not even the gods will be able to shake his hold on the world.

'I should have paid more attention to the festivals.' She thought, clicking her tongue. She also made a mental note of the Aucuses methods, which she will surely use to strengthen her anchors in the future.

"Hey!" Aucuses waved his hands in front of her face, bringing her back to reality.

"What do you prefer?" After gaining her attention, Aucuses inquired. "Strawberry or vanilla." He directed his finger to the ice cream.

"Vanilla." Lilith answered, after a getting grip on reality.

Aucuses nodded and went to the ice cream shop, leaving her to ponder her own thoughts about festivals, while tapping her hands and looking at lantern shops.

He returned in a few moments, holding two cones of vanilla ice cream and passing one to her.

"Here." He said this as she took a cone from his hand. "What made you like vanilla?" He inquired, his gaze fixed on her.

"It simply tastes better than the other favours." Lilith responded, her brow furrowed. But, when she saw his strange expression for her response, she inquired, pressing the subject of 'Vanilla.'

"Why are you asking this?"

"I just want to know your favourite flavour." Aucuses said, turning away from her with a strange smile.

Aucuses' smile felt so off to Lilith. So, she didn't back down and walked in front of him, blocking his path. She asked again, her gaze fixed on him. "What dirty thoughts are going through your head, Aucuses?"

Aucuses sighed and grabbed her hands. He drew her in the direction of other food stores. "This festival is hosted by my church. There are food specialties from all over the world. Come on, I'll buy you everything." He dodged her question, as he really didn't want to answer that.

She bickered about it, and Aucuses did his best to appease her. Nonetheless, the atmosphere between them became warm and ambiguous...