Chapter 41 VOL II: The Trip to Calma (8) The Luminous Festival (2)
Chapter 41 VOL II: The Trip to Calma (8) The Luminous Festival (2)
VOL II: The Trip to Calma (8)
The Luminous Festival (2)
I was bleeding? How so?
I touched my forehead and looked at my hand. Indeed, there was blood.
But how did I get injured? It must have been when I collided with that tall man.
"This won't do. Come, I'll get you cleaned up," she said, dragging me away.
"So, what's your name?" I asked.
"Kyla." She smiled.
I nodded.
"I'm really sorry I can't remember you," I said, feeling guilty.
"It's alright. But you have a lot of explaining to do."
We stopped in front of a medium-sized house.
"Come on," Kyla said, dragging me inside.
"Mama! Look who I brought home!"
A slightly chubby woman emerged from the kitchen, holding a tray of freshly baked tarts.
"Oh my! Luana, dear—is that you?" she cried.
She dropped her tray and rushed over to me.
"Hello, ma'am," I said nervously.
"Dearest, you're bleeding! Quick, get the first aid kit."
Kyla rushed off to get it.
In no time, my wound was cleaned and bandaged.
After that, I told Kyla and her mother everything while enjoying the delicious tarts.
Apparently, I used to know them and visited their house from time to time.
"That's a lot, Lua," Kyla said.
"Yes, child. You've been through so much, and you're still so young," Kyla's mother said, reaching out to touch my cheek. "Rest now, dear. I'll leave you two to catch up."
She gave us a gentle smile and returned to the kitchen.
Kyla placed a hand on mine, her eyes filled with worry.
"Your mom is going to be fine, okay?"
I nodded.
"Yeah."
I noticed something while looking at her and her mother. They looked different, almost as if they weren't related.
Kyla had bright purple hair and red eyes, while her mother had auburn hair and soft blue eyes.
She took me to her room, and it was filled with posters of her and a man performing stunts.
"Is that your dad?" I asked, pointing to one poster where they were holding a trophy together.
"Yeah. He's the owner of the Giocoso Circus, the biggest circus in town. We're going to perform at the carnival tonight. You should come," she said.
"Yeah, I will. I was actually at the market trying to buy a mask," I said. "Shit, I forgot to get it."
"You mean this one?" she asked, pulling out the white mask I had picked earlier.
"Yes, that one," I said.
She smiled, then got up and put it on.
"It suits you."
"Thanks," I said, giving her a gentle smile.
"I'll get you a dress. Don't worry. Mama is a very good tailor, and she has some dresses she's tucked away."
"Just lie down and rest, because tonight is going to be a big night!"
It was finally time for the festival.
I stood in front of the mirror in Kyla's room, examining myself. My silver mask, my sky-blue gown, and the several pins decorating my short hair, which was now styled into a loose bun, with a few strands still falling free.
"Are you ready?" Kyla asked, walking in.
She was wearing a performer's outfit. I remembered she had said she was going to perform tonight.
"You look beautiful, Lua," she said as she approached me.
"Thank you. Go knock 'em dead," I said.
She chuckled.
"I will. Now let's go. Papa is waiting for us downstairs."
Kyla's father had returned in the evening, and her mother had told him everything I had said.
He promised to help in any way he could and even offered to let me stay at their house for the night.
But I politely declined.
I didn't want to inconvenience them, and besides, I had already booked a room.
He seemed very fond of me and kept insisting. He said I was like a daughter to him. He even called me "Lua Lua" and said it had been his nickname for me back then.
The carriage stopped in front of the carnival venue.
Beautiful lights and lanterns decorated the pathway, while people in colorful masks crowded through the entrance.
The sky lit up with bright fireworks, and the sweet aroma of food from the nearby stalls filled the air.
Everything was beautiful.
Kyla found a seat for us, and after everyone had settled down, she left with her father to prepare for their performance.
They were doing the opening ceremony.
I sat with her mother, both of us eager to see the show.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer began, "creatures and beings of all kinds, allow me to welcome you to the Luminous Festival!"
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers.
"And now, for the opening act, allow me to introduce our very own ringmaster, Klein the Great, leader and owner of Giocoso Circus!"
The crowd erupted once more.
"Go, Klein!"
"We love you, Klein!"
"And," the announcer continued, "his daughter, Kyla the Unpredictable!"
The applause grew even louder, and excited cheers filled the air.
The curtain was drawn back, revealing Kyla and Mr. Klein standing atop a thin rope.
Kyla looked amazing.
Her long purple hair glittered under the lights and flowed freely behind her.
They both waved at the audience.
I clapped harder, and so did Kyla’s mother.
Beneath them was a small wooden pool of water.
At first, it looked empty, but then sparks began to dance across the surface, and a giant electric eel emerged.
The crowd gasped.
It was so enormous that the pool began to crack beneath its weight.
The next second, its mouth opened wide, as though waiting for food to fall from above.
Kyla smiled.
Then, in the blink of an eye, she did the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the unpredictable.
She jumped into the eel's mouth.