A soft shiver moved through the gathered villagers. Even Karl stopped his quiet muttering about Soulstream for once, staring wide-eyed.
"Yes," the old priest continued, his voice a low rumble beneath the crackle of holy flames. Sparks danced up into the night sky like tiny stars, as if carrying prayers to the heavens.
Villagers, young and old, huddled closer, faces lit with an orange glow, eyes reflecting the flickering fire.
"The rain," he went on, raising his wrinkled hand toward the cloudy sky, "once fell upon our lands like fire itself — hissing, boiling, turning our fields to ash, our rivers to steam. The soil grew bitter. Families wandered, searching for shelter that did not scorch their feet. But our ancestors were brave, and stubborn in their hope. They gathered together under a single flame when all seemed lost."
The old man paused, letting the wind carry his words. "They offered one pure promise to the Divine Flame: that they would live with open hearts. They would share what little they had, protect each other from greed and envy, and keep kindness alive even when the world was cruel. In return, the Divine Flame vowed to stand guard over our fields and homes during the rain."
He stepped aside, revealing the Great Flame behind him, now roaring high and bright against the dark sky. "This fire we light tonight, my children, is that very same promise made anew. A covenant passed from grandmother to mother, from father to son, from the first cry of a newborn to the final breath of the old. It is our bond with the Divine Flame — proof that when we stand together, no storm can break us."
A hush fell over the gathering as the wind shifted, carrying sparks across the gathered woods.
"That is why," the priest’s voice grew softer now, yet no less strong, "we gather for the Flame Blessing Ceremony to remind the Divine Flame that we remember. We honor it, we live by its promise. And so long as we hold this kindness in our hearts, the rain that falls shall not scorch but nourish. The flame that burns shall not devour but protect."
He spread his arms wide, the firelight dancing on his pale robes. "So stand together, my dear ones. Feed the flame with your hopes and good deeds. Pass the promise on to the little ones beside you. Let the Divine Flame know that this village — all of us are still brave enough to keep the promise alive."
The fire crackled louder, as if answering him.
Everyone was now enjoying the ceremony. The village centre was lively and full of soft laughter and chatter as people lined up near the food stalls. There were ten stalls in total, each stall smelled amazing—soups, warm bread, sweet steamed cakes. But the lines were so long they almost curved around the fire pit.
Karl was pouting badly as he stood in line, holding two empty plates stacked together. He looked so dramatic with his hair a bit messy and his robe sleeves half-rolled up. He kept sighing loudly every two seconds.
He was holding a plate for Milo too, who had felt uncomfortable waiting in line for so long. So Milo was sitting near the edge, swinging his legs and smiling sweetly at him from afar, giving him a little wave.
Behind Karl was Julian, standing calm and straight, hands tucked behind his back was no trouble at all. And Adrian stood just behind Julian, his dark eyes watching Karl’s sulking with that tiny half-smirk on his lips.
When it was finally Karl’s turn to get food, he stepped forward quickly. His eyes sparkled when he saw the big pot of stew bubbling and fresh flatbread stacked neatly on the side.
"I’ll have two plates, please!" Karl said proudly, holding out both plates like he was showing gold.
The ghost who was ladling out the stew raised one brow slowly. "One plate per person."
Karl blinked. "What?"
"One plate per person. Can’t take two."
Karl’s jaw dropped so hard he almost dropped the plates too. He looked back at Julian and Adrian, eyes wide like a kicked puppy.
"Did you hear that?!" he said loudly, his voice cracking a little. "I’m not getting food for the whole village! It’s for Milo! He’s uncomfortable in lines! He trusted me with it!"
The ghost server just shook their head. "Rules. Next."
Karl puffed up his cheeks, face turning red. "This is injustice! This is cruelty!!"
Julian covered his mouth to hide his laugh, shoulders shaking. "Brother Karl, just take your plate."
"No!" Karl hissed but he took the single plate anyway. He looked back at Milo sitting far behind the stalls and shouted, "Milo! They refused your plate! Your poor big brother suffered for you! Wife will hear about this!"
Adrian just stepped forward calmly, took his own plate without a word, and gave Karl a tiny pat on the back as they walked away.
Karl muttered the whole way back, clutching his lone plate like it was the saddest thing in the world. "Hmph. Next time wife will get me three plates. Watch. She loves me more than these stingy food ghosts..."
And it turned out—poor Karl had no idea that Ruby had already gotten food for Milo earlier. She had asked one of the ghost at the food stall to refuse if Karl showed up demanding double.
When they got back to where everyone was sitting on straw mats under the glowing lanterns, Karl finally found Milo sitting happily with a full plate already in his lap. Milo waved his spoon at him with his usual sweet grin.
"Brother karl, want some?" Milo asked, giggling when Karl’s jaw dropped.
Karl looked around. Everyone was laughing. Julian was hiding his face, shoulders shaking. Adrian actually cracked a tiny smile and looked away before Karl could glare at him. Even Angeline and her husbands, sitting a little to the side, were chuckling quietly behind their palms.
Karl’s heart broke on the spot. He plopped down next to the mat with his single plate, big fat tears welling up in his eyes. "Nobody takes me seriously... wife tricked me... the world is cruel..."
He stabbed his spoon into his stew, a single tear sliding down his cheek as he chewed with loud sniffles.
—To be continued...🪄