Today was the day Leiya was turning 14, and Xerxes couldn't help but feel somewhat childish. He was still 12, though it wasn't that bad in reality, because his 13th birthday was not too far away.
Xerxes had been going back and forth between Conrad's and Aemon's rooms all morning; he didn't realise how hectic everything was going to be. First, it was the choice of clothing he would be wearing.
Looking in the mirror, he admired the unique but beautiful clothing that he had been given.
A heavy, white cloak of wolven fur draped across his shoulder, the pelt shimmered faintly as if imbued with mana. The fur's texture seemed alive, catching the light with a soft, magical gleam. Beneath the cloak, there was a masterpiece of stitching for a white collared shirt that fit his frame.
Across Xerxes' chest and shoulders, arcane sigils of sapphire and gold flowed like cloth ribbons, runes stitched from pieces of cloth that were around his body. His trousers were simple and black, with professional black shoes, mixing regularity with wildness.
"So Airi, what do you think?" he asked nervously, having never experienced this style of fashion.
Airi flew around Xerxes, examining different pieces of his clothing, trying to critique him, but there was nothing that she could see. "One thing is for sure, the Truth Kingdom makes clothing look exceptional for anyone."
Xerxes looked in the mirror, grinning, "Or maybe I'm the one making the suit look exceptional."
"Oh, how I wish to have your ignorance," she sighed.
"IGNORANCE?!" Xerxes repeated loudly.
"Very unfashionable of you to repeat me. If anything, I should be repeating you—I'm closely related to a parrot, and you are not," she lectured.
Xerxes crossed his arms, anger flaring. Even when she was joking around, she always had more logic for any topic.
"Okay, fine, let's move past that. I think I need to get Aliya to do my face paint." So that is what Xerxes did.
Aliya looked beautiful herself; she was wearing the same clothing, which was unique to the Truth family. Instead, her outfit bore more jewellery.
She looked in awe at Xerxes, "Ah, it was like you were made for it, Xerxes. What a handsome young man you have become."
Xerxes' cheeks were painted red and peach. "Uh… Thank you, THANK YOU!" he said awkwardly. See, Airi, he thought mentally.
Aliya began laughing and roughed up his hair, "Stop being silly, Xerxes. You're becoming a man. Look over the past six months—you've grown taller, more powerful, become more mature. This festival will prove that."
He hadn't really had time to reflect on his accomplishments with the anxiety around today, but for one day, could he relax his mind? Could he applaud himself for all he had done?
Yes, yes, he could, because in these past six months, not only had he become a Tier 5 fire mage at the age of 12, but a Tier 6 wind mage. He had awakened multiple soul shards, and he had become quite excellent with the sword, perhaps even more so than mana. Whether Airi would like to tease him or not, he felt slightly more confident with his appearance.
His lilac hair, which used to be short, had grown slightly longer, slipping over his brow, and he had grown more in height, previously being 4'11", now 5'3". "Thanks, Aliya. I'm going to relax today and just enjoy the night."
"You better, otherwise you'll have to face me in combat!" She grinned, putting a hand on her clenched fist, which Xerxes didn't know the capabilities of, and he wasn't willing to find that out.
So, for the next 30 minutes, Aliya began painting intricate patterns, similar to runic markings that appeared on Aemon's face when activating the Eye of Truth.
After 30 minutes and an extensive conversation on various topics, Xerxes was finally done. Xerxes gazed at the intricate patterns that ran under his right and left eye. "So, what does this even mean?"
Aliya smiled, "It means truth, power, and prosperity, all in the runic language." Xerxes put his finger on the markings, resonating with them slightly, as he stood up fully. "Aliya, thank you for doing the face paint. Where should I go now?"
She put a hand on her head, "Hm, I think Father and Conrad are still going to be another 30 minutes. Leiya's makeup and the rest were done before, so if you'd like, you can meet her. But if you don't, decide to meet us by the entrance of the castle in 30 minutes."
Xerxes nodded and began walking away, waving her goodbye. Xerxes looked at Airi, "Don't you think it's the perfect time to give Leiya her gift, Airi?" he asked, whilst pulling out the earring from his pocket.
"She'll love it, that I can guarantee. Come on now, let us show her!" They both increased their pace and strolled along till eventually they knocked on the door.
Footsteps were approaching as the knob on the door turned. Before Xerxes and Airi, there was her.
The rays of sunlight basked in her presence as her braided sapphire-blue hair was worn back, her skin pale and smooth, with her lips having a light blue gloss over them.
Her eyes were alluring, her long eyelashes beating upwards like wings, her expression a mixture of surprise and contempt.
Her outfit was nothing short of spectacular. She had a wolven robe draped across her shoulders, held with a golden link that passed over her chest. Beneath that was a silky baby-blue and white dress, with golden embroidery running down the side.
She looked at Xerxes with her similar face paint and tilted her head, "Xerxes?" she asked.
Airi almost dropped to the floor, "Now that's what I call making the outfit look better because of your appearance."
Xerxes couldn't even argue—it had felt strange on his chest. He gazed at Leiya's beauty, which seemed so effortless yet so perfect. She was elegant yet wild in nature. She was beautiful, as simple as that, and that is what he conveyed.
He smiled and put his hand on hers, "Happy 14th Birthday, Leiya. You look amazing—your hair is perfect, the dress and the wolven robe are great, and you look beautiful…"
Blush appeared on her face, and trying to play it cool, she crossed her arms, "Keep the compliments coming; it's my special day."
Xerxes blushed even more. Calling a lady roughly his age beautiful wasn't exactly something he was confident in, but Leiya saw Xerxes' expression and couldn't help but laugh.
"Come here, Xerxes; I was just teasing you." Leiya brought Xerxes closer as Xerxes wrapped his arms around her, and they both hugged each other, smiling in relief. Airi chirped at Leiya as she tapped her beak on Xerxes' shoulder.
Xerxes then got the earring from his pocket—the golden and intricately designed earring—and gave it to her.
"What's this?" she asked, inspecting it.
"It's my gift to you, Leiya. I found it from the fallen kingdom. I spent some time polishing it, and I thought it would suit you. So, from me and Airi, this is your earring, that also may potentially, possibly, maybe be? A badass artifact."
Leiya smiled, jumping slightly, "An artifact! You're spoiling me, Xerx. Let me try it on." Leiya placed the earring in her ear as she paused for a moment—it was likely that she was receiving information from it—as she spoke.
"You are the best! It is an artifact—one that enhances my affinity for mana in specific conditions. What it says for water is that it enhances it in storms and naturally increases the power when I'm in turmoil."
Airi complimented Xerxes, "Pretty neat artifact, if you ask me!"
That it was. Leiya spent some time asking Xerxes about the battle he had gone through to obtain this, which made the earring hold more sentiment to her. It was earned through blood and hardship, something she couldn't help but admire.
He wasn't the same person he was before. Looking at him now—his smile, his confidence in battle, and his overall being—it gave Leiya warmth, warmth which she had never felt before. But that was interrupted by knocks on her door.
Xerxes immediately sprang up, "Got it." Opening the door, he was greeted by the entire Truth family: Aemon, Conrad, and Aliya.
Aemon was wearing his traditional white silky robes, which had golden embroidery running across the linings. This robe was different to the others, though; instead of having the painting of runic markings on his face, they were all displayed across the back in a fashionable manner.
Conrad, surprisingly, didn't look like the roughian he was. He had his hair slicked back with a few loose strands hanging down his forehead, his light stubble was maintained and trimmed perfectly, and he was wearing a sleek black suit with a robe similar to Aemon vested on top of the clothing. He also had face paint similar to Xerxes, which made Conrad look even more stylish.
Aemon and the rest of the family immediately ran to Leiya, all exclaiming happy birthday whilst hugging her and giving her compliments. She laughed in joy, and the feeling Xerxes had was pure—he felt pure happiness for her.
Conrad looked back, not wanting to leave Xerxes out, "Come here, you novice," bringing him in, he hugged Xerxes, as they all did.
Then, as a 'family', they all began walking out of the castle, down towards the city that was bustling and already lively, anticipating the long day of partying that was about to commence.