Submission (#1165) Approved
User
Prompt
Submitted
1 January 2025, 08:00:33 UTC (1 month ago)
Processed
2 January 2025, 04:47:19 UTC (1 month ago) by impera
Comments
(887 words)
The cold winds of winter blew across the snowy plains of Eternia like the quiet whispers of ancient ancestors. Night shrouded the world in thick, almost palpable darkness, but in this special season, the darkness was only a backdrop for the magic that was about to unfold. Amidst the thick silence and the soft crunch of snow, the two Snugzi moved toward the heart of the holiday - the tree of life.
Florian and Minerva walked side by side, their blankets fluttering softly in the wind, shimmering in the reflections of the bioluminescent lights already flickering in the distance. Florian carried his white violin, fingers stroking the fingerboard impatiently, as if preparing for a performance. Minerva, walking calmly and focusedly beside him, carried a tiny white owl on her shoulders, which occasionally hooted quietly as she watched the scene around her.
As they got closer, the air was filled with the scents of wood smoke and sweet silk. Around the tree of life was already bustling with life as the Snugzi gathered around small fires, singing, laughing and sharing stories. The tradition of donating silk to the fire was in full swing - light golden threads flew around the fires, disappearing into the flames, and the fire flared up for a moment, as if smiling at the grateful givers.
— They seem to have started before us, — Florian said quietly, his voice soft but with a touch of feigned reproach.
Minerva, smiling, nodded slightly, not taking her eyes off the fires.
— Time is not the point here. The point of the holiday is to be together. We'll make it work.
They settled near one of the fires, where the Snugzi were passing each other bowls of warm nectar made from fruits that grew only in season. Florian carefully placed his violin in the case beside him and then sat cross-legged, watching carefully as one of the elders explained to the young Snugzi the meaning of the ritual.
— Each silk knot you give to the fire is a part of the past you are letting go, — the elder spoke, his voice steady but confident. — Give to the flame that which should no longer trouble you. Make room for the new light in your life.
Minerva, listening, reached thoughtfully to the edge of her blanket, lightly pulled out a bundle of green silk, and carefully extended it to the fire. The thread twisted in the air and, as if alive, rushed toward the flames. The fire flared with emerald light, and Minerva, tilting her head slightly, whispered something quiet, barely audible even to the Florian.
— What did you wish for? — he asked with a slight slyness, clutching his own bundle of silk in his fingers.
— It's a secret, — snugzi replied with a smile, and her green eyes gleamed for a moment in the glow of the flames. — What are you going to wish for?
Florian was silent for a moment, looking at the thin white threads in his hands. Then, without a word, he released it into the fire. The threads flashed with a soft white light, leaving a delicate scent of roses in the air.
Meanwhile, nearby, stood Pompi. She watched quietly, sheltered from the wind behind one of the large snags at the base of the tree. Her silent presence, as always, remained almost imperceptible, but her eyes shone with a soft curiosity. When she spotted Florian and Minerva, a faint smile touched her lips, and she turned back to the fire to throw some of herself into the flames as well.
Finally, the main moment of the feast had arrived. All of the Snugzi gathered at the base of the tree of life. The light from the cracks and patterns in the bark spilled over the ground, coloring everything around them with a soft golden glow. The Snugzi stood shoulder to shoulder, some holding hands and others just gazing upward in silence.
Florian picked up his violin and, tuning it, began to play a gentle, touching melody. The sounds filled the air, as if transporting the listeners to another dimension. Minerva, inspired by the music, raised her hands, and thin rays of magical light emerged from her palms and swirled around the tree, adding emerald hues to the overall glow.
As the melody reached its highlight, the Snugzi, one by one, began to release their magical sparks into the sky. Rays of light soared upwards, painting the dark sky with all the colors of the rainbow. Florian, still playing, looked up, watching as their light joined together, creating intricate patterns and dancing lights.
— Every year I think it can't be beat, — he said quietly, barely finished playing. — But the lights only get brighter.
Minerva, standing beside him, put her hand gently on his shoulder.
— That's because we're getting stronger. Together.
At that moment, the sky burst into a dazzling glow, and for a moment it was as if all of Eternia had forgotten its eternal darkness. The light of the holiday illuminated everything around, warming even the coldest corners of the world.
And, like an echo, from somewhere in the crowd came Pompi's named Emmie gentle, barely audible voice:
— There's always light in the dark. You just have to learn to see it.
The cold winds of winter blew across the snowy plains of Eternia like the quiet whispers of ancient ancestors. Night shrouded the world in thick, almost palpable darkness, but in this special season, the darkness was only a backdrop for the magic that was about to unfold. Amidst the thick silence and the soft crunch of snow, the two Snugzi moved toward the heart of the holiday - the tree of life.
Florian and Minerva walked side by side, their blankets fluttering softly in the wind, shimmering in the reflections of the bioluminescent lights already flickering in the distance. Florian carried his white violin, fingers stroking the fingerboard impatiently, as if preparing for a performance. Minerva, walking calmly and focusedly beside him, carried a tiny white owl on her shoulders, which occasionally hooted quietly as she watched the scene around her.
As they got closer, the air was filled with the scents of wood smoke and sweet silk. Around the tree of life was already bustling with life as the Snugzi gathered around small fires, singing, laughing and sharing stories. The tradition of donating silk to the fire was in full swing - light golden threads flew around the fires, disappearing into the flames, and the fire flared up for a moment, as if smiling at the grateful givers.
— They seem to have started before us, — Florian said quietly, his voice soft but with a touch of feigned reproach.
Minerva, smiling, nodded slightly, not taking her eyes off the fires.
— Time is not the point here. The point of the holiday is to be together. We'll make it work.
They settled near one of the fires, where the Snugzi were passing each other bowls of warm nectar made from fruits that grew only in season. Florian carefully placed his violin in the case beside him and then sat cross-legged, watching carefully as one of the elders explained to the young Snugzi the meaning of the ritual.
— Each silk knot you give to the fire is a part of the past you are letting go, — the elder spoke, his voice steady but confident. — Give to the flame that which should no longer trouble you. Make room for the new light in your life.
Minerva, listening, reached thoughtfully to the edge of her blanket, lightly pulled out a bundle of green silk, and carefully extended it to the fire. The thread twisted in the air and, as if alive, rushed toward the flames. The fire flared with emerald light, and Minerva, tilting her head slightly, whispered something quiet, barely audible even to the Florian.
— What did you wish for? — he asked with a slight slyness, clutching his own bundle of silk in his fingers.
— It's a secret, — snugzi replied with a smile, and her green eyes gleamed for a moment in the glow of the flames. — What are you going to wish for?
Florian was silent for a moment, looking at the thin white threads in his hands. Then, without a word, he released it into the fire. The threads flashed with a soft white light, leaving a delicate scent of roses in the air.
Meanwhile, nearby, stood Pompi. She watched quietly, sheltered from the wind behind one of the large snags at the base of the tree. Her silent presence, as always, remained almost imperceptible, but her eyes shone with a soft curiosity. When she spotted Florian and Minerva, a faint smile touched her lips, and she turned back to the fire to throw some of herself into the flames as well.
Finally, the main moment of the feast had arrived. All of the Snugzi gathered at the base of the tree of life. The light from the cracks and patterns in the bark spilled over the ground, coloring everything around them with a soft golden glow. The Snugzi stood shoulder to shoulder, some holding hands and others just gazing upward in silence.
Florian picked up his violin and, tuning it, began to play a gentle, touching melody. The sounds filled the air, as if transporting the listeners to another dimension. Minerva, inspired by the music, raised her hands, and thin rays of magical light emerged from her palms and swirled around the tree, adding emerald hues to the overall glow.
As the melody reached its highlight, the Snugzi, one by one, began to release their magical sparks into the sky. Rays of light soared upwards, painting the dark sky with all the colors of the rainbow. Florian, still playing, looked up, watching as their light joined together, creating intricate patterns and dancing lights.
— Every year I think it can't be beat, — he said quietly, barely finished playing. — But the lights only get brighter.
Minerva, standing beside him, put her hand gently on his shoulder.
— That's because we're getting stronger. Together.
At that moment, the sky burst into a dazzling glow, and for a moment it was as if all of Eternia had forgotten its eternal darkness. The light of the holiday illuminated everything around, warming even the coldest corners of the world.
And, like an echo, from somewhere in the crowd came Pompi's named Emmie gentle, barely audible voice:
— There's always light in the dark. You just have to learn to see it.
Rewards
| Reward | Amount |
|---|---|
| Droplitz | 20 |
| Light in the Dark | 1 |
Characters
