Erich was already waiting. Was he really that punctual? The girl doubted it. More likely, M.K. had dragged him out for a walk early—and that sounded way more realistic. The boy confirmed her guess:
Oh, what a dog! Can't sit still for a She's even more hyper than me. Though hey, we'll see about that!
He took off running, chasing after the dog, and M.K.—probably a secret adrenaline junkie— accepted the challenge, joyfully barking and zipping back and forth, leading and chasing.
Nibi's head started to spin from watching them. She snapped her fingers loudly, trying to get their attention, but the goofballs kept at it until Erich suddenly stopped, a thoughtful look washing over his face.
What is it? – The girl asked, surprised at the mood shift. The boy glanced around and said in a conspiratorial whisper: You know… maybe your joke about the dog being not so doggy is actually I think M.K. really was a human in a past life. Or maybe still is. Just hiding inside a dog suit. Riiight… – the girl replied with a – Okay then, genius. If M.K. really was a person, what would his job be? Go on, guess.
Striking a dramatic pose like a character from a show, finger to chin, he finally said:
Definitely a cop! Or better yet—a coach! Ardon told me about those guys, even though I've never actually seen one.
Nibi was about to explain what a coach really was, but Erich remembered they needed to head out. On the way, he spoke like some grandmaster guide:
Don't I'm with you.
And that, folks were her life coaching lesson from the worst guru ever.
At some point, walking got boring, so they decided to race to the event spot.
M.K. won by a mile. Obviously. No competition.
The ceremony site was downright perfect: a collision of the most scenic, untouched natural monuments. Trees twisted into wild shapes, like knotted bat wings—except, you know, made of wood. Their sprawling branches dipped low, almost drinking from a tiny pond below.
Water lilies floated lazily on the surface, and the kids hoped there were fish underneath—so many, you could grab them bare-handed.
Fishing, though, was out of the question today—because instead of carp, the pond was surrounded by humans. Not as cool, no gills or fins, but still—people could make pretty neat things. Like this.
They'd drawn a massive diagram (the kids didn't know the word, but the adults called it that), and beside it was a big, bold drawing of the Sun! Radiating beams burst out from the circle, giving the illusion they might light up any second.
The adults were doing all kinds of weird stuff. Some smoked. Some sang in off-key nasal tones. Others loitered near a tent-turned-dining-hall, with a table stacked with food: loaves of bread, roasted chicken wings, beets, and other Earth-gifted goodies.
No fast food here. All natural. Erich explained this proudly to his companion. First thing they did was hit the table and scarf down a couple cabbage pies—and onion-and-egg ones too, because they were starving. M.K. practically levitated trying to snatch bites, but the kids fed him first, tossing him half the table in chunks.
The pup had a killer appetite.
All the chatter died down, and the relaxed vibe shifted the moment Erich's mom and dad showed up, hand in hand. His dad stepped over to the main group while Gina glided into the center of the -heart- of the Sun diagram, arms outstretched. The heat didn't bother her at all—she didn't even take off her ornate, curtain-like robe.
You've The mystery begins. The Sun has spoken. Juhannus, Līgo, Ivan Kupala, Litha… or as we call it: The Return. The Return to roots. The Sun will burn us down, because we are its leaves. Let us be reborn in its rays!
Monsieur Ardon took the kids by the hand and guided them to their spots as the others began lying down inside the drawn beams. Only now did Nibi realize there were tons of them—and they were all shaped like people.
To be honest—she wasn't scared. Erich looked more nervous, even though he was trying super hard to act cool and not look like a newbie. For Nibi, curiosity always beat fear. That's just how she was wired.
Dozens of grown-ups lay down on their leafy beds, and the kids followed. On either side of them were Erich's dad and a nervous woman with a twitchy eye and a stressed-out expression. She whispered to him:
Pardon, Ardon, but are you sure this is the right place for children? – Her French accent was heavy, and her English clearly struggling through her nerves.
Apparently, Monsieur Ardon tried to respond—he turned his head directly toward her—but the high priestess (either playing the role or being the role), Erich's mother, waved her hand through the air:
Sound must All the weight of sorrow and disappointment shall die with it.
The nervous woman fell silent and even tried to stop breathing. Clearly, Gina's authority here was sacred and absolute. Still, a few rebels whispered through the hush:
Nibi, you okay? Not scared? This is wild, huh? We're like movie heroes right now!
The girl was way too cozy lying on the warm earth to answer. Shuffling gently, she studied a beetle trying to climb onto her knee. The -rays- weren't just lines—they were outlined with some kind of
wiring, like electric cords. Why were they there? She didn't dare ask. Breaking the ritual might ruin the whole vibe.
The priestess raised her hands to the sky, like she was trying to grab whatever she worshipped, and addressed the group:
Light is gifted to you without Find your own, not a borrowed one. Your rebirth is yours alone. Sink into the energy! Become one with it! And think. Think. Forget what burdens you.
Remember what gives you strength.
Her voice was so grand and sad that M.K., curled up next to Erich with his head resting on the boy's leg, let out a long, soulful howl. Right then came the main command:
The fire has fallen from the sky!