At first, there was nothing. A never-ending void of pure darkness spreading in all directions. An infinite field mist. Simultaneously a cacophony of shapes and a completely silent sea memories.

His soul floated amid the mist. A vague blob of light, barely unconscious of his surroundings. Guided by feeling rather than mind. Drifting in the dark, all alone.

Then, a single light arrived. A single star, bright in the infinite night. A presence bigger than the world. It felt gentle, warm, secure. His soul drifted towards it. Attracted by the benevolent presence.

It called out. For him. For anything, anyone. The darkness grew oppressive around them. Angry. Hungry. The cries of the light got louder. Desperate.

A single sliver of light detached from the entity. Snaking away. As lost in the darkness as the main body. Wandering. Searching.

He observed with fascinated glee. The fragment danced. Twirling in and around itself. Drawing near. Closer and closer. Almost touching-

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Aaron woke up to loud bangs on the door. His head felt like a dented rock. Pain irradiating from deep inside. Like something was constantly hammering his brain from the inside out to the beat of his heart. Not even his first hungover was that bad. And they got hammered that day.

Aaron didn't answer right away. Sitting upright on the mattress was a labor of its own. Still trying to shake off the remnants of a fading dream. Both his mind and vision were blurry. Maybe from pain, maybe from the restless night.

For a moment, there was also a weirs sensation of heat. A fading, smothering core inside his chest. It vanished before Aaron could really be aware of it. But the heat lingered still.

It took a bit to even remember where on Sharia he was. Right. This is his room, in the Temple of Wayfarers, in Rivercross. Only occupied by him, a simple bed, a side table, a wardrobe and a study table with his books. Mostly holy texts. With a few sorted tales and story books hidden among them, courtesy of Amelia.

And a mirror. He almost forgot about that thing. Its nos his, actually. It belongs to Tina, a fellow disciple. She had asked him to -more declared he would actually- keep it for some time, as she had little space left in her own room.

His reflection was a mess. He was covered in sweat. So much his darker features sparkled under the sun outside. His crispy black hair was all messy and mashed on the side of his head. The darker shadow of untrimmed beard made him look even worse.

In his mind, the heat suddenly made sense. He had pitched a tent in his sleep. Aaron chalked it all up to am embarrassing dream. Nothing important.

"Aaron!" A single word shook him fully awake. Said with equal amounts of amusement and authority. Not loud, but it still made his head sting. "Its no day to oversleep, Sprout. The Spring Festival starts today."

Oh… the Spring- FUCK!

Aaron darted out of the bed like a blur. The Spring Festival. The single most important event of the year. A week of celebration in the name of Lady Spring, Goddess of Life and New Beginning. Among many other aspects. The temple has hosted the celebrations every year for a century now.

He is Aaron, lone member of an unknown family. He has lived in this temple his whole life. Training as a Squire, one day aspiring to be a Paladin and fight the demonic forces that plagued the lands.

The Squire hastily put his clothes and armor. Leather straps holding metallic plates over a modest set of white shirt and brown cloth pants. Squire disciples like him usually don't have much. Only what their respective Paladins gift them.

Celeste Umbra, his Lady and teacher, believes in more minimalist ways of life. Not depriving oneself of joy per se, but indulging in the little things. A silly book before bed, a simple dessert after lunch, a short stroll around the park. Aaron reflects that. He has little, but he values all of it.

But right now, his tired brain has no space for such reflections. He burst out the door. Almost smacking a servant as he dashed out the door. A flurry of panic and half-intelligibly apologies running down the corridor. He would eventually remember his sword leaning beside the door. Way way later.

A stern hand grabbed his shoulder. Rooting him in place with strength Aaron would never dream of overcoming. Aaron froze in place.

"I didn't tell you to bulldoze your way out either, Sprout." Celeste released Aaron, who turned to face her. His teacher was maybe a head taller than him. An elf clad in an impressive set of heavy metallic armor. Freckles dotted the pale skin of her face. Her long ears poked from under long, beautiful dark purple hair. Eyes of the same color reflected his. Gentle and yet firm.

Aaron swallowed dry. Feeling like a kid caught with the hand in the jar of candy. "Sorry, Teach."

Her gaze softened. She pressed a hand in his forehead. "Are you alright? You look exhausted." Celeste may not be his mother, but that never stopped her from basically adopting him from the moment they met.

"I'm alright. Just had a weird dream." Aaron assured her. "Sorry for oversleeping."

She crossed her arms. A stern facade over her features. No doubt troubled between her duty of scolding him for the lack of diligence and her instincts as his caretaker.

"Its alright. For today." She decided. Celeste turned around, gesturing for Aaron to follow. "For now, you are free for the day. Go. Enjoy the Festival."

Aaron nodded. The fact she was geared for battle didn't escape him. "You are not coming?"

Celeste shook her head. She was frustrated. Bitter, maybe? And trying not to show. To her credit, she was doing a good work. But an entire life knowing someone makes the tiny details stand out.

"Patrol duty. Word got around about a few stray demons running amok far northeast. People got scared and Lord Blair ordered the guard to patrol the outskirts during the Festival. It is far from unreasonable, but…"

"You were looking forward for the legendary Lark pastries, I know. I'll try to save one for you." Aaron promised.

She tried to look authoritative still. The sweetness of the gesture made that a lot harder. "Still in trouble." She reinforced. "Now go."

Aaron nodded. Quickly making his way to the staircase. Just as he took the first step down, Celeste called again.

"Aaron?" He looked back. "Take care."

Aaron gave her a thumbs up and down he went. The lodges for the disciples of the Temple are not far from the main building. They had truly gone all out with the festivities. Party tents, banners and music all around. The air smelled of spices meat and sugar. Roasts for dinner, pastries and desserts all around. Aaron spotted many familiar faces in the crowd. People he knew all his life. Fellow disciples, Paladins and workers. The old couple who owned the bakery and their granddaughter a few years from assuming the business. The owner of the armory. Kids fooling around. Even Lord Blair, baron of Rivercross, was there helping carrying a pig to be roasted.

The Temple itself is a big building near the river, still small by most standards. Large in size, yet the altars are simple. A statue of the Wayfarer atop a sculpted platform in the middle, surrounded by many others of many gods. Had to say if it was a man or a woman. The light armor and frivolous clothing could fit anyone. For it was exactly the point. As far as people knew, the Wayfarer always had been an enigmatic figure. A nobody and everyone. A faceless traveler. Its only distinguish feature was the sword the statue held high. Aaron knew little of swords and still could tell it was quality work.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Far from the great cathedral standing in the heart of the royal capital. Their temple is less a place of worship and more a community center. Hosting the Festival, yes. And also weddings, feasts, weekly events and public announcements.

Rivercross is a small place. A resting place between the royal capital and the port towns. A place of commerce. Of many travelers and few citizens. But you better bet those few citizens are as united as flesh and nail.

His wandering gaze came to a stop over a flash o red. It was impossible not to notice Tina strutting through the crowd, bee-lining directly at Aaron. Her sheer presence pushed people aside. Or maybe it was the armor not much unlike Aaron's. But adorned with a skirt frill and pompous red seams. Her pinkish skin had the smoothness of a healthy diet. Shoulder length blonde hair, clean and tied in a short ponytail. Forest green eyes locked on his with the confidence -and the ego- of a true goddess.

"Behold, my dear friend Aaron. The magnificent Spring Festival is here!" His fellow Squire hugged him in a beastly grip. Spinning to the sound of the songs around.

"Good day to you too, Tina- Ouch! You're hurting me!"

"My apologies!" Tina opened his arms and let him free. Gods she's strong. "How shameful. My emotions must had got the better of me for a moment. E-hem. Witness! The fruits of my hard labor."

Tina gestured to the bards performing in stages. Not only the stages, all that part had been neatly decorated for the festivities. Aaron could easily tell which ones she had worked in. Full of flag belts, colorful cloth strips and roses. So many roses. It screamed "Tina" loud and clear.

"At a loss for words, I see. No need to fret. Its hardly a rare reaction." Tina said with pride. Basking in her own glory for a job well done. She didn't even gave him a chance to speak. "Still. Do fell free to praise me to your heart's content."

"Is eye-catching?" He offered. That was the best description he could give.

Tina shook her head, displeased. "You can do better. Sing my praises as they truly are."

Aaron rolled his eyes. He spoke with a flat tone. "Wow. I've never seen such magnificence. A work of art worthy of the very gods. Sure this has to be the work of a lifetime."

Her gaze was as flat and unimpressed as his tone. A expression Aaron also parroted.

"You are no fun." She sneared and looked away. Arms crossed.

He had to crack a smile. "No, I'm not. I do mean it when I say. They are as beautiful as you."

A red shade spread across her face. She was trying to stay mad, he could see. That embarrassed pouting so characteristic betrayed her will.

Aaron allowed himself that bit of satisfaction. Teasing Tina is just so fun. He can't really remember who started that friendly banter of theirs, but he sure was going to win.

A few minutes into the show the bards were joined by exotic dancers. Woman clad in colorful twirling cloths matching the stages. The cloths, lets say, left little to imagination. He won't lie, he was maybe staring a bit.

Tina hummed in agreement. "I wish I had the chance to add the small touches their show deserves. Alas, maybe simple is better. Even I cannot imagine the colors fitting such beauties any better." Tina nodded. Humming in agreement. "Of course, I wished to give the final touch it deserved. I used their beautiful colors as inspiration. How could I not, when they fit such beauties so well."

Aaron agreed wholeheartedly. No wonder Tina was a follower of Belle, Dame of Beauty. She had a natural knack for this kind of thing. And as a self proclaimed appreciator of the male and female body, she went above and beyond when she felt necessary.

Tina also worked in other areas along Paladin Fia. And she was not shy of telling all about all of their other works for what felt like hours. The small details in the river dock, currently hosting a fishing competition. The numerous tables in the common area, full of food to be shared and enjoyed by the community. The stalls scattered around. Some selling more food, some hosting carnival games.

They spent some time together visiting all of them. Well, except the fishing contest. Not really a fan of fish. The sun signaled afternoon fast. Perhaps because he had already woken late. But the day felt too short regardless. The first stars were already making themselves present in the sky. Not like it meant the Festival was ending. Actually, it was truly starting now.

With the kids gone, the elderly going to bed and night still young, the more wilder parts of the festival began. The ones dedicated to other parts of Lady Spring's domain. The maids started pouring ale by the mug. Old soldiers and adventurers had gathered around the pit fires to share stories about their old misadventures, their times in the demonic front and (loudly) remember their spicier escapades. The dancers and, hells, even some attendants ditched their tops to dance free among the crowd.

Aaron was close. Getting his dinner while the newer plates were still hot. Tina was… somewhere, maybe. They had separated at some point. She was probably singing her odes at some topless dancer. It wouldn't be the first time.

In another feat of incredible awareness, Aaron missed a presence approaching until she was literally leaning over right beside him. Aaron turned and almost jumped off his seat. In his defense, he was looking out for a friend. Not his fault another decided to scare him.

"Gods above, don't scare me like this. Marnie." He intended to say. Unfortunately, he was in the middle of a gulp of juice when she appeared. So what came out was a mix of a bark and a choke.

The green-haired woman stiffed a giggle at his expense. Marnie Lark. Granddaughter of the Old Larks, the owners of the bakery. He remembered seeing her earlier. It was impossible to miss her in particular.

Marnie was part Fae. Brethren of the great nymphs, if you believe her notoriously inflated tales. And honestly? Aaron believed it. The nymph part. Not so much the 'great' status. Marnie had dark skin like him. But hers were similar in tone and lightly in texture to oak bark. Her hair was a dark shade of green, like a deep dark forest. Eyes green like grass in a sunny day. Not to mention sharper ears and mischievous features.

"Man. I'm spent." Marnie let herself fall on the seat besides Aaron. He could tell. Her apron, the clothes underneath and her face were white with flour.

Aaron swallowed his food and leaned to pat her on the back in solidarity. "Shame you missed the early festivities."

"Eh. It happens. There's always the night parties." Marnie shrugged him off.

She untied the apron and let it fall on a empty seat. Underneath, she was wearing a simple set of brown pants and an once plain white shirt. Now marked by a hundred stains of stories.

"And you? Figured out you'd be preparing for your pilgrimage or whatever it is."

Indeed. He is of age now. His twentieth birthday was a mere month ago. At his age, Squires are bestowed the rank of knight and send to roam the land. Helping people, killing monsters and spreading the good word of their patron gods. He's been preparing for this day for years.

The reason he is still in Rivercross now is, well, a lack of a god to preach. The Temple of Wayfarers, contrary to the name, does not follow a single god. Rather, is a safe place for all pilgrims and travelers, as the Wayfarer wished. All kinds of different Paladins, preachers, knights and monks come to honor their gods in smaller altars around the Temple grounds.

Celeste, for example, follows the Pale Lady, goddess of dreams, stars and the full moon. Tina, like her teacher Lady Fia, follows Belle, the Dame of All Beauty. Goddess of Love, Romance and Roses. Aaron often felt inclined to the Wayfarer himself. Patron of travelers and lost wanderers. Bit it never felt quite right.

Aaron knows people are expecting him to choose soon. He just don't want to rush things and end up regretting in the end.

"I guess I just need some time." Was what he said instead.

"Humf. Nu pezue." She grunted. Mouth full of fruit. He guessed she said 'no pressure' or something similar. "I was just curious. It's a whole deal, isn't it?"

Aaron nodded.

"Then don't think too much. Follow your heart or whatever. Works for me." She winked at Aaron.

"You are a fae. Not thinking comes naturally for you." He poked at her.

She gasped dramatically. Hand over her chest and the gaze of a wronged princess. A perfect impression of Tina. "What? Rude. I come to give words of support and you spit on them. The audacity."

They laughed. It helped him to be more at ease. Marnie always knew how to deflate tensions. Like her grandparents too. A surprising talent for someone with fae blood.

"I'm serious. Take your time. You won't see me complaining about having you around a bit more."

"Thank you. But… I don't know. I have this weird feeling I'll start my journey soon." Aaron said. What he kept to himself was the knot in his chest when he thinks about it too much.

Oblivious to that last detail, Marnie cocked an eyebrow in amusement.

"Well. If you think so, that offer is still up. Would be a shame if you left without a taste of Rivercross's finest."

Aaron considered it. He actually did. Marnie's fame as a free spirited lover was well known in those parts. Part fae. From a father follower of Lady Luria, Lady Spring's more carnal counterpart, on top of that. To her, sex was a fun thing to do for pleasure. Aaron never held that against her. They had different opinions but that was it.

Thad changed recently. With his departure closer and closer. He realized. It will be months, years perhaps, before he sees some of those people again. If he ever returns. If they are alive then. He knows the Old Larks won't be here much longer.

What about this Lark here? The happy-go-lucky friend of all? A girl who genuinely just wanted to have some fun with friends. Fun that happens to be sex.

Aaron downed the last of his mug. His decision made. "You what. Why not?"