(Hi, after great demand by everyone…I wrote this o.o Hope this is enough)
Note: The song ‘Only Hope’ by Mandy Moore is used in this chapter

Chapter 4: Festival Trials: Before and After

After a little chat with Artin, Laren had decided to get ready for the festival and just make most of tonight. She slipped into her hotel room, which was empty, as she placed what she bought down onto the bed and watched Tickle crawl from under the bed to look at it’s master. “Hi Tickle”, said Laren as she placed a plushie for the little monster to play with, the Tick wandered over and lightly tapped it with it’s nose and smiled. Laren smiled watching Tickle drag the plushie under the bed and heard the unmistakable squeals of joy from her pet. “Guess you’re happy”, said Laren as she heard a happy squeak from the bed while she organized the outfit she was going to wear. “Hmmm”, mumbled Laren who couldn’t decide, it seemed they all don’t fit…until she stared at the present from Kai that laid along her other store bought belongings. “Maybe I will wear that”, said Laren, as she never thought about what she would wear tonight not expecting much more than her relentless struggle to avoid the festival. ‘I guess there is a change of plan’, thought the fire mage a she changed into the outfit that made her look special…but also made her feel special.

“Look at Jay, he seems happy”, said Tino smugly as he wore a loose white and green kimono while hearing Kai giggle wearing the pure red kimono. “Yeah…but I am not! Why do we have to wear these stupid kimonos in the festival?” asked Nelson as he struggled with wearing the orange and white kimono, it felt as if it was strangling him, his spear rested nearby. “Because…it’s tradition”, said Gin who walked out wearing the blue and white kimono as he placed his wand in the long sleeves. “Well…where did Artin go?” asked Nelson who had both a good and bad impression of the hunter from before when he accidentally shot at the wild boars and…well, let’s not talk about it after that. “I think he went to get a kimono for Jay and himself”, said Gin who watched as the fan girls gathered around Jay, trapping him…but the ice wizard doubt Jay wanted to be rescued in this see of girls. “This just seems wrong…and totally degrades the stature of girls”, said Kai as she saw a few girls bowing at Jay, like they were free willed servants. “Oh…so you were staring at him! Do you like him?” asked Gin as Kai whacked the wizard with her trusty staff. “Shut up and go back to your boy talk, leave me alone or I am going to make you die…screaming”, said Kai who didn’t look fairly happy as the ice wizard backed away in fear of his life becoming nothing more than a memory.

“…And that is how I beat Zakum ladies, it was hard…but I did it and did it so I can meet beautiful ladies like yourselves”, said Jay with an innocent smile as he thought that was a good way to get attention…attention he deserved. “Are you sure you don’t have a girlfriend your Jayness?” asked a blonde haired fire wizard as she smiled in a very intriguing manner to Jay, he liked…he liked a lot. “Yes, I am still a single guy looking for a sweet and beautiful girl for a girlfriend…or more”, said Jay as the girls squealed and began to perform a multi-way tug-a-war while yelling at the top of their lungs, ‘HE’S MINE!’ Jay smirked…this is the life, fans adorning him for his accomplishments and he no longer seemed like a feeble magician among the masses. ‘No one can say…I am a nobody’, thought Jay as he suddenly felt somebody snip his hair…OMG! SOMEBODY IS SNIPPING HIS HAIR! “HEY, STOP THAT!” said Jay with a growl as he picked up his Evil Wings and sent a lowly powered fire arrow to knock back…a guy? ‘OMG it’s a guy, what is wrong with the guy? Did he want to clone me?’ thought Jay as he turned to see a bandit that dressed in all red…scary. “You, why were you snipping my hair?” asked Jay as he watched the bandit bow and beg for mercy…he kind of liked this royal status. “I am sorry, my name is Jey Waren…I couldn’t help it, your hair…it represented your greatness and I thought…maybe if I had some of it, that maybe I could be as great as you”, said the bandit as he bowed again and again, Jay sighed as he realized…it was just a fan boy, scary, but real. “Well…you got what you came for, please leave”, said Jay who watched the fan boy stand up and began to walk away…but turned to hug Jay as the fan girls returned to the ‘Who Gets Jay’ game. “This is pathetic”, Jay heard, as he could make out a beautiful girl in a red kimono walking away. ‘Wow’, thought Jay as his face flushed and reality hit him like a carpet-covered floor…oh wait, that’s the fan girls.

It took a while, but Gin and Tino were able to pry Jay from his fan girls and dragged him back to their room where Artin waited with their Kimonos. As Tino, Gin, and Nelson waited…they had asked Kai to take Laren to the Festival to get ready…they were the first one up and probably needed all the equipment to be recalibrated. “So Tino, you scared?” asked Gin as he was overly nervous, but could tell without asking…that Nelson was worried from his pale face and the twitching eye. “So, what do you think?” asked Jay as they turned to see the fire wizard wearing a red and white kimono while holding the Evil Wings. “Hey, I picked them…of course they are good”, said Artin who walked out wearing a gold and black kimono, a traditional bow held in his hand instead of his regular one. “Well, we better get going…you remember what we are fighting, right?” asked Gin who watched Nelson and Tino nod their heads, Jay and Artin not understanding what they mean. The five walked towards the Lubridium Clock Tower as they prepared for what was ahead…well, two were just out of the loop.

‘I am afraid’, thought Laren, as she felt unsure if she could go through with this, but she held faith in her hands along with the Maple Lama Staff. “I wonder where Zaleb is?” asked Laren pondered as she didn’t see him yet…but there was still a few minute before the festival would get under way and things would be more than, peaceful. “Laren, are you all right?” asked Kai as Laren smiled and gave her new friend a hug. “Of course…thank you for such a beautiful kimono and the accessories inside”, said Laren who twirled in her pure pink kimono…pink wasn’t exactly her favorite, but it was a gift so…it was fine. “I hope you like the color…I wanted it to match the other things”, said Kai who stared at the beautiful ruby earrings, the loose gold bracelet on one hand, and the loose silver bracelet on the other…it was worth the trip to the blacksmith. “Now, here is something really special”, said Kai as she walked over to Laren and placed…a butterfly clip into her hair. “Now this is better”, said Kai who stared at the custom butterfly clip, it of course…was made by her. A yellow ribbon was attached to the clip that bound up the hair nicely while the wings of he butterfly clip moves at the lightest breeze, from where she was…it looked like a real butterfly. “Thanks”, said Laren who couldn’t think of words to express her gratitude as tears fell from her eyes, Kai nodded as she left…she had to be there to see it.

As the four magicians and hunter arrived at the tower, the loud ring of the clock meant the festival had started. “We are late, the mayor is going to have a fit”, said Gin who had agreed to get here on time. “Sorry guys, I guess I am a celebrity now”, said Jay as Artin rolled his eyes thinking, ‘that was one way to look at it’. “Oh well, we have to get going…our teammate should be here to greet you soon”, said Nelson as the three left in a hurry to who knows where. Jay blinked feeling a light tap on his shoulder as he turned around to see her! The girl in the red kimono…wow, she looked…wow. “Hi, you two are Jay and Artin, right? My name is Kai…it’s nice to meet you”, said Kai as she gave a friendly smile and placed a handshake in front of Jay…sadly, he fainted and fell to the ground with the thud. “Sorry, he can’t function properly when girls he likes are around”, said Artin as Kai rolled her eyes. In her mind she knew that his, this was going to be trouble…her cleric intuition is telling her to run as fast as possible…or stuff Jay into a cave with Tauromacis and Jr. Balrogs, then get everyone to go shopping! As the three became preoccupied, they didn’t notice Zaleb slip by and reluctantly waited in front of the Lubridium Clock Tower…where was she? It was going to start soon…

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we are gathered here today to celebrate the power of a strong heart and the force of great virtue that many warriors have brought to Lubridium on The Great Day”, said the mayor as Zaleb scoffed…if it was so great day, why don’t they make the festival last a whole week…or maybe a whole year! And why do you have to wear a kimono! “We will begin the festivities with a presentation by adventurers from Victoria Island who have come through great sacrifice to be who they are today, please enjoy the show”, said the mayor who walked off the stage as it rose up a bit and the lights at the Lubridium Clock Tower aimed downward to a girl…who stood all alone. ‘No way’, thought Zaleb as he noticed the shyness of the girl and realized it was her, but was it? The assassin made his way to the front and was astonished to see it was Laren, she was standing there preparing to sing…so that was why she went to the Lubridium Dance Hall many times during this month. ‘This should be fun’, thought Zaleb who smirked and didn’t notice as a girl scowled and glared at Laren, but left to ensure her task were completed.

“Hi there everyone…I hope you will like our presentation to day by me and my friends who think that today is a special day. A day for you to feel special too”, said Laren as she gave a quick wink to the audience, but inside…she was wondering where that came from…she was just here to sing. “So are you ready?” asked Laren as the crowd cheered and hollered for the beautiful singer in the pink kimono to begin. Gin chuckled as he began to play the piano and heard the crowd slowly begin to silence. ‘Remember…I can do this’, thought Laren as she took a deep breathe while her head hung low. In an instant, she looked to the crowd with a smile and sang…her only hope was that they liked this song.

There’s a song that inside of my soul.
It’s the one that I’ve tried to write over and over again.
I’m awake in the infinite cold,
But you sing to me over and over and over again.

At this moment, Nelson began to play the second piano to create a more effective voice of the melody from the first piano. Laren smiled thinking how much practice Nelson and Gin had to do to perfect a half second synchronized play of music to create this effect. She clasped her hands as she knelt down to pray. Zaleb sighed, this song…it was a very wonderful song…

So I lay my head back down,
And I lift my hands and pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours.
I know now you’re my
Only hope.

Laren jumped from her prayer as she twirled to the center of the stage and didn’t realize it, but the kimono itself…it was special. Under different angles of light, the kimono itself began to change into various bright colors that caught the audience in awe…at the sight of an angel. Zaleb couldn’t help but agree as he never seen something so…amazing, dancing to something so wonderful…while she sang…

Sing to me the song of the stars.
Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again.
When it feels like my dreams are
So far, sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again.

She smiled watching Zaleb seeming to be thrilled by her singing while Tino joined in with the violin play to complete the weeks of work by the three for this presentation. She twirled as she pulled out the Maple Lama Staff and danced with it…like if she was dancing with another person. ‘Wow’, thought Zaleb as his mind began to elude the current situation and replace it with something else, but he blushed as he shook the thought out of his head. “This is insane”, growled Zaleb who continued to elude the fact of what his mind was saying, but concentrated on a more embarrassing matter. ‘”Grrr”, growled Zaleb who tried to hide…and hoped no one realized he was wearing a pink and white kimono…it wasn’t his fault! They ordered it wrong…or…she did it! Zaleb glared feeling the girl’s presence, but not hearing her giggles and growls to Zaleb and Laren respectively. Soon Laren once again clasped her hand…but around her Maple Lama Staff.

So I lay my head back down,
And I lift my hands and pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours.
I know now you’re my
Only hope.

The Maple Lama Staff lit up with flame as Fire Arrows shot into the sky and lit it up with fireworks. Laren smiled as the hard part was only just beginning while she felt the others charged their own attack while continuing to play their instruments. ‘I am glad my brother is here’, thought Laren who giggled seeing Jay trying to talk to Kai, but she seemed distant and trying to be even more distant from Laren’s brother…at least Artin is smiling.
She got up and began to dance, twirl, sing and more as she felt free…free to be herself at last…For that moment, Zaleb didn’t care as people began to notice his kimono and laugh, it seemed he was captivated by the singing that could probably outdo a siren.

I give you my destiny.
I’m giving you all of me.
I want your symphony.
Singing in all that I am.
At the top of my lungs,
I’m giving it back.

She sang the last word with pure emotions as she head the blast of Thunder Bolt and Ice Beam into the air that created sparkling lights that were captive with falling snow. Laren waved her staff and heard the launch of Holy Arrows that lit the snow as she began to perform Fire Arrows to release the sparks, the fireworks continued to dazzle the crowd. Nelson performed Iron Will, as light covering seemed to dazzle the crowd more and more, it seemed as if everything had gone according to plan. Zaleb was a little disoriented as he felt it was terrible to feel happy right now, he had a mission to do…he had to get to work…there was no time…for kiddy stuff…but…but…

So I lay my head back down,
And I lift my hands and pray.
To be only yours I pray.
To be only yours I pray.
To be only yours…
I know now you’re my
Only hope.

As the song ended, the stage lit up with lights as Alishar appeared, scaring Laren…this was not part of the deal. “Uh oh, that is not a Block Golem”, said Gin as he got his wand out and prepared to fight. “No…really?” asked an aggravated Tino who abandoned his violin to help Laren up and to prepare a battle formation. “Well, let’s get to work”, said Nelson who used Hyper Body while Gin used Meditation. “Uh oh…Chronos!” said Gin as he used Ice Beam to freeze a Master Chronos while Tino dealed with the Platoon Chronos. “Hey, wait for me”, said Nelson who used a Slash Strike to attack the Chronos. Zaleb wondered what was going on, but had an idea of what happened as he jumped onto the stage and made his way stealthy to Laren. “Are you alright?” asked Zaleb as he helped the fire wizard up, she was still a little shocked…but she shook it off and nodded. “Let’s go help”, said Laren who ran to help deal with the Chronos, hearing the panic of a worried mayor. “…What a strange girl”, mumbled Zaleb as he ran in to knock away some Master Chronos and Platoon Chronos with his Snowballs.

The battle seemed to have been turning well for them, but that was until Alishar sealed up all their skills. “Uh oh…I didn’t know it could do that”, said Gin who was shocked and unable to use Magic Claw to push the monster back. “We are in trouble”, said Tino as he thought…no, this isn’t trouble…this was being annihilated by a monster from another dimension. “And that is why I am here”, said Jay as he stood between them and Alishar, Laren wondered Jay had been fighting…or hiding all along. ‘Probably fighting’, thought Laren as Kai walked over and used healing to raise their strength. “Now, taste the power of my Evil Wings!” yelled Jay as he fired a single Fire Arrow…and Alishar was destroyed. “Great…it only needed one more attack to have been destroyed”, said Gin who realized if one of them struck the monster again…it would have been destroyed…but then again, Jay was a lot more powerful than all of them. “Thanks Jay”, said Laren who gave her brother a hug, she never felt overjoyed to see him before…it almost makes up for the time when Jay tricked her to do all his chores for him. Zaleb suddenly found a new respect for wizards, maybe not all wizards…maybe they weren’t all so bad. “Now…one question, why is that guy dressed in a pink and white kimono?” asked Jay as Zaleb blushed as he mentally took back his thought…this wizard was like any other wizard…evil!

(No! Wizards aren’t evil! It is all lies! LIES! o.o Any editing…I will do later^^)