Side Story 4.104 - Final Feast

Johanis’ POV

The next morning rose bright and golden, like the sun itself had decided the final day of Family Week should be wrapped in soft light and the smell of something sweet and savory.

By the time I made it down from the sleeping lodges, the field had already transformed. Long tables stood under the trees, lined with mismatched quilts and steaming trays of food. Cocoa with marshmallows floated beside roasted tubers, berry cakes, garlic bread, and some kind of blue pudding that was definitely Uncle Rio’s doing. Colorful banners with family names flapped overhead, and the scent of baked apple pies drifted over everything like some kind of festive curse.

Lily was already barefoot, running in loose circles with leaves stuck in her hair and glitter on her nose. “WAKE UP, WAKE UP, THE FEAST AWAITS! THE FINAL TRIAL APPROACHES!”