Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Dancing

Chapter 8:

Dancing

The Choosing Day consists of two distinct events that unfold over the course of the afternoon and stretch late into the evening. First is the ceremony, where young men and women like myself take their first step into adulthood and are given the opportunity to choose their path. After that comes the Festival of the Path, a celebration filled with dancing, games, food, and time spent with family and friends.

The Festival of the path is probably one of the most anticipated events of the year. It gives the normally reserved communities across The Belt a rare chance to cut loose. In the past, Seth and I would have been right in the thick of it, darting between stalls, daring each other to try questionable festival treats, or vying for the attention of girls from neighboring towns.

But tonight, I sat alone, watching from a distance as the festival carried on without me. My family was nowhere to be found and after an hour of searching I decided it was best to just take some time for myself as I did my best to gather my thoughts.

As I mulled over how I might approach my family, a large pint of ale suddenly appeared in front of me. Surprised, I glanced up to find a pretty face smiling down at me; Grace’s golden hair still somehow shined even with the absence of sunlight.

“Well, you don’t look like you’re enjoying yourself Mr Divine, here I thought I was special, and then you just have to one up me by picking a domain rarer than my own,” she said teasingly, as she settled down beside me.

“Yeah, well..” I said, looking into the frothy ale.. “Choices are what they are. I don’t regret mine… just hurts a bit, you know?”

“I do.” She said solemnly, “You probably don’t want to hear about all my problems, but lets just say both our families seem to have had similar reactions.”

I looked at her, noticing the tension that seemed to be lurking beneath her otherwise carefree demeanor. Her usual bright expression was dimmed, the corners of her mouth twitching slightly as if she were holding back words she wasn’t ready to share.

“I take it your folks weren’t thrilled about you choosing Dancer?” I said, taking a sip of the ale she’d brought me.

She let out a dry laugh. “That’s putting it mildly. My father wanted me to take something respectable, like merchant, or seamstress like my mother.” She shook her head, “Dancer wasn’t even on their list of his acceptable options. But it was my choice.”

I nodded absently in understanding. “And now they’re treating you like you threw your future away?”

She huffed irritably. “My father is still ranting to my mother, says he’s too embarrassed to be seen with me right now. So I came out here to be alone and found you’d already beaten me to it.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Smiling, I raised the mug of ale she’d brought me in a toast. “Here’s to us making choices and disappointing our families.”

Our mugs clinked together, and we each took a long, deep drink, draining the golden ale in one go. I set my mug down with a satisfied sigh, feeling the warmth of the alcohol settle in my chest.

“Thanks for that,” I said, turning to face the girl, no, the woman, I had been companion to all these years. I felt myself lean closer as I looked into her eyes.

Grace held my gaze, as if weighing something in her mind. Then, without warning, she took my hand and sprang to her feet, tugging me along with her.

“Come, dance with me,” she said, her voice giddy with excitement.

Before I could protest, she was already pulling me toward the music and laughter of the crowd, her grip firm and determined.

The music was loud and all encompassing as we worked our way into the heart of the crowd. The strings of the fiddles and the whistling of the flutes filled the air, creating a fervent, almost intoxicating atmosphere. It was the kind of music that wrapped around you, pulling you into its rhythm whether you wanted to dance or not.

Grace didn’t hesitate, her feet moving in time with the music as she pulled me along. The crowd seemed to part around us, everyone else swept up in the same infectious energy, leaving us free to get lost in the dance.

As I watched Grace dance, I couldn’t help but notice a strange, almost palpable energy radiating from her. At first, I thought it was just the music, the heat of the festival, and the alcohol, but …then I realized it wasn’t any of those things.

The power within her began to manifest, as a faint glow of light shimmered just underneath her exposed skin. It wasn't bright, but soft, like the leftover embers in a fireplace, the energy flickered across her limbs and face. It moved with her, pulsing in time with her graceful steps. The glow seemed to intensify with each beat, as though the very act of dancing was drawing more energy into her, making it flare up in vivid waves.

I watched, transfixed by the spectacle unfolding before me. The Arcane class Grace had chosen came to life in full view of the entire festival, her magic manifesting with each movement, each step a ripple of energy that pulsed outward like ripples in a pond. The crowd, once lost in their own revelry, turned as one, drawn in by the sheer beauty of the display.

The music surged toward its crescendo, the rhythm thrumming through the air, carrying her with it. Threads of golden light shimmered across her skin, swirling like fireflies caught in an unseen breeze. It wasn’t just a performance; it was art, magic and movement woven seamlessly together into something greater than the sum of its parts.

Then, as the final notes rang through the night, she struck her finishing pose, arms raised, one foot barely touching the ground, as if gravity itself had loosened its hold on her. A wave of energy rippled outward, passing over the gathered crowd. It wasn’t just light or warmth…it was inspiration.

And then, just as suddenly as it had come, the light faded, and the music died down. The festival square fell into stunned silence.

Suddenly, a roar of applause and cheering erupted through the gathered crowd, shattering the stunned silence. Excitement rippled through the festival like wildfire, and before I could react, Grace was swept away by the current of jubilation surrounding her. Hands reached for her, clapping her on the back, guiding her toward the stage as if she had become the heart of the celebration itself.

I realized my time alone with Grace had come to an end. She was now swept up in the joy surrounding her, fully embraced by the crowd that celebrated her newfound power. I smiled to myself, watching for just a moment longer as she moved with effortless grace, her magic illuminating the festival like a flickering flame in the night.

Filled with an unexplainable resolve, I turned away and slipped through the crowd as I made my way back to the outskirts of the festival. The music and laughter faded behind me, replaced by the cool hush of the evening. Though I was alone once again, I could still feel the lingering inspiration of Grace’s magic.

It was time to go and speak with my family.