Chapter 16: The Floating Lantern Festival
A golden sun peeked through Arcania's cloud-veiled horizon as the royal sky carriage gently hovered over a field of shimmering azure blossoms. It was a rare day—an unscheduled one—where the Empress of Vampires and the young Prince of Dragons slipped free from their duties and titles to indulge in the simple joys of life.
"Are we really going to the floating lake, Mama?" Phoenix's eyes sparkled like stardust as he bounced in his seat, his violet-black hair ruffled by the breeze.
Rose Nightshade, Empress of the Vampires, regarded her son with a smile that would've melted the sternest of generals. Dressed not in regal finery but a lavender travel robe stitched with enchantments, she nodded. "Just the two of us today. No sisters. No guards. No lectures about mana theory."
Phoenix threw his arms up in celebration. "Yes! Boys'—I mean, boy and mama's adventure!"
The carriage curved through the air, guided by shimmering phoenix familiars born from Rose's mana. Below, the Dragon Continent sprawled like a divine painting—lava fields interwoven with magical forests, crystalline cities that glowed even in daylight, and beasts of impossible beauty soaring freely.
They soared over meadows painted with bluebell mana flowers and crystalline rivers that shimmered like glass.
"Look, Mama! A windwhale!" Phoenix pointed excitedly as a translucent creature the size of a small castle drifted lazily through the sky, its long fins trailing mana particles.
Rose chuckled. "Careful not to fall out, young prince. Your flying lessons don't start until next month."
"But what if I'm already good at it?" he grinned.
"Then I'll make sure your teacher gives you extra homework."
"Betrayal!" he cried dramatically, collapsing into her lap.
---
Their journey ended at the floating Sky Lake—an ethereal body of water suspended in the sky between two mountain peaks, surrounded by glowing cherry blossom trees that never withered. It was the heart of the Floating Lantern Festival, a sacred place blessed by ancient dragon and vampire magic.
Phoenix stepped out first, his tiny shoes crunching softly on the glittering grass.
"Whoa... Mama, are we in a dream?"
Rose lifted him in her arms and spun slowly. "No, my sweet moonbeam. This place is real. Just like our day together."
Around them, festival stalls had already opened, run by volunteers from all races. Phoenix pointed at a group of beastkin kids playing "Catch the Flame Sprite," then dragged his mother to try sugar-coated firefruit slices from the fairy chef stand.
Each moment was filled with joy: Phoenix winning a tiny flame phoenix plush from a game stall; Rose making a flower crown with him using talking vines; Phoenix attempting (and failing) to drink hot cocoa without spilling it on his robe. The crowd adored them, bowing respectfully yet smiling fondly at the Empress and her curious little prince.
They participated in the Dragon Bubble Maze, a magical course where participants chased glowing mana bubbles that danced and popped to the rhythm of ancient music. Phoenix laughed uncontrollably when one exploded into confetti right over Rose's head, leaving her momentarily stunned and glitter-covered.
"I look like a disco ball," Rose said, deadpan.
"You look like the prettiest disco ball in the world!" Phoenix giggled, clutching his sides.
---
As dusk fell, lanterns began to light the lake, floating on water and air alike, powered by tiny runes and whispered wishes. Rose handed Phoenix a specially prepared lantern—a heart-shaped one, made of moonlight paper and infused with her mana.
"You have to whisper your wish into it," she told him gently.
Phoenix held the lantern close, eyes shut. "I wish… Mama never gets sad. And we go on adventures forever."
Rose's breath caught. The warm, simple wish of a child—and one so deeply meaningful—nearly brought tears to her eyes. She leaned in, kissing his forehead.
"And I wish," she whispered to her own lantern, "that no matter how strong you become… you'll always come back to me."
Together, they released the lanterns into the sky. Dozens of others followed. The stars above twinkled in harmony as the lake's surface mirrored a second sky, filled with hope, light, and love.
---
Later that night, back in their royal sky suite, Phoenix sat snuggled in bed beside his mother, still clutching his flame phoenix plush.
"Mama?" he murmured sleepily.
"Yes, my darling?"
"Do dreams ever come true?"
Rose brushed his hair back and kissed his temple. "If they're wished upon with love… they always do."
And with that, Phoenix drifted into slumber, his tiny fingers wrapped tightly around hers, as the last lantern disappeared into the stars.
---
Extra Content: Festival Glossary (As Taught by Phoenix)
Windwhales – Giant sky creatures that float peacefully through Arcania's upper atmosphere. Phoenix thinks they "smell like clouds."
Firefruit – A spicy-sweet fruit only eaten during festivals. Can ignite minor flame spells if eaten too fast.
Sky Lake – A sacred floating lake said to reflect one's deepest wishes. Covered in cherry blossoms and starlight.
Mana Bubbles – Bubbles filled with elemental energy. Popping them sometimes causes sneezes, giggles, or in rare cases, surprise dancing.
Floating Lanterns – Wishes written on paper lanterns that rise into the sky using mana. Rose says hers once reached the moon.