The night felt too quiet, like it was hiding something in the dark. Coker and Sera kept walking for hours. The trees around them was thick and tall, and the moon above was hiding behind clouds. Only few stars blink in the sky, like they was scared to shine. Even the wind wasn't moving much. Just that dry silence, and their footsteps on the dirt path.
Coker didn't say a word since they left the village. His eyes always watching the sides of the road, like he expect something to jump out. Sera also was quiet, but her face didn't look scared. She just walk behind him like always, hands inside her dirty coat, silver hair flowing like soft fire behind her.
They was both tired, but they didn't stop. Because stopping was dangerous. Coker knew it too well. Sometimes, when you stop, things find you. Things that live in shadow. Things that know your name even when you never said it.
After a while, they see lights in the far distance. A town.
"Another village?" Sera ask, voice soft.
Coker nod. "Bigger one."
"You sure we go in?"
He didn't answer. Just walk forward. That was his answer.
The town had walls. Not big, but enough to make it feel like a cage. The gates was still open. Two sleepy guards stand there, not paying much attention. Coker lower his head and walk past. Sera follow like she belong there. The guards didn't stop them. Didn't ask anything.
Inside, the town was... awake.
Even though it was late, many people still walking around. Shops open. Stalls selling food. Kids playing. Music playing from far end. It was strange. Too many people. Too many lights. Like the town never sleeps.
Coker frown. "Something not right."
Sera feel it too. "Too alive for night."
They walk through the crowd. Some people laugh too loud. Some just stare. A man bump into Coker and didn't say sorry. Coker grip his cloak tight, holding his temper. Sera grab his hand softly. Just a touch, but it calm him. They keep walking.
Then they see it.
A big banner hanging between two buildings. It says:
"Festival of the Sleeping Flame – Welcome, Strangers!"
Coker read it, then whisper, "Sleeping Flame?"
Sera look at him. "You know it?"
He shake his head slow. "Only heard. It's old magic."
They keep moving, but now more careful. The festival not normal. The air feel thick with energy. Like magic hiding in every candle and every smile. People wear masks. Some dance. Some hold hands and chant songs in a language Coker never heard. He didn't like it.
Sera stop at a small fire circle. Children was dancing around it, singing softly.
"The fire doesn't sleep," the children say, again and again.
"The fire doesn't sleep. The fire doesn't sleep…"
Coker pull Sera away. "We need to leave. Now."
But before they can move, a woman in red cloak stand in front of them. She tall, older, but her skin glow like firelight. Her eyes sharp.
"You two are not from here," she said.
Coker nod. "We're leaving."
She smile too big. "But the flame called you. You can't leave until it sleep."
Sera step close. "We're just passing. Please let us go."
The woman look at Sera long. Then at Coker.
"You carry fire inside you," she whisper.
Coker freeze. "You don't know nothing about me."
"I know enough," she say, turning away. "The curse burns loud in your soul."
Sera grab Coker's arm. "Let's go."
They run.
Behind them, the music stop. The drums silence. The dancing stop. People begin turning their heads, watching them. All at once.
Eyes glowing red.
Faces still smiling.
Coker and Sera push through the crowd. No one grab them, but it feel like the whole town was watching with one single breath. Like the town itself was alive.
They reach the gate. Still open.
They run past it, not looking back.
Out in the forest again, they stop, both breathing heavy.
Sera fall to the ground, laughing a little. "That was insane."
Coker shake his head. "That was cursed."
"Maybe more cursed than you?"
He smirk a little, but then his smile fade. "They knew. About me. About fire."
"Then we can't go near any festival again."
"No." He sit beside her, back against a tree. "We sleep here."
Sera nod. She curl up beside him, using her coat like a blanket.
Coker didn't sleep. He just stare at the sky.
He was thinking. Not about the town. Not about the curse.
He was thinking about what the woman said.
"The curse burns loud in your soul."
How did she know? And if she knew…
How many others out there… are watching?