Several days after Ashvattha shared stories from her ancient past, the Veyris Empire announced something special.
A celebration.
Not a small celebration.
Not a large celebration.
The largest celebration in Imperial history.
Across the Empire.
cities decorated their streets with banners.
Floating lanterns filled the skies.
Crystal bridges shimmered with golden light.
Music echoed from every district.
Even distant worlds connected to the Empire joined the festivities.
The event became known as:
The Grand Imperial Festival
At the center of it all stood Kael Veyris.
Unfortunately for him.
he had been chosen as the head judge.
Wukong immediately laughed.
Good luck.
Kael looked at him.
I already regret this.
Event One: Dragon Races
The first competition took place above the capital.
Thousands gathered to watch.
Dragons soared through the skies.
Golden dragons.
Silver dragons.
Black dragons.
Fire dragons.
Storm dragons.
Shadow dragons.
Marigold entered.
Ignisia entered.
Umbryssia entered.
Several Imperial Dragon Knights entered.
The starting signal sounded.
BOOM.
Dragons shot across the sky like living comets.
The audience erupted into cheers.
Ignisia immediately accelerated.
Nobody is beating me.
Umbryssia smirked.
We'll see about that.
Marigold laughed.
Golden light exploded from her wings.
The race became absolute chaos.
At one point Wukong somehow appeared riding a dragon-shaped firework.
THAT IS NOT PART OF THE RACE!
someone yelled.
Wukong disappeared before anyone could stop him.
After an intense finish.
Marigold barely claimed victory.
The crowd erupted into applause.
Event Two: The Great Cooking Contest
The moment Wukong saw the cooking contest.
he tried to leave.
No.
Everyone grabbed him.
Not again.
Yes again.
Wukong's soul nearly left his body.
Competitors included:
Ignisia.
Lilith.
Ashvattha.
Universe Tree.
Noctyra.
Luxryth.
Anemone.
Ashenback.
And dozens of others.
Ashvattha created beautiful nature-inspired dishes.
Universe Tree created glowing desserts shaped like miniature forests.
Luxryth somehow made solar crystal cake.
It sparkled like stars.
Then Ignisia presented her food.
The plate was smoking.
Kael stared.
Is it safe?
Probably.
Ignisia answered.
Probably?!
Wukong immediately attempted to escape through a window.
They caught him.
Again.
Several minutes later.
Ashvattha won first place.
Wukong collapsed in relief.
Event Three: Magic Fireworks
As night approached.
the Empire gathered around the capital.
Thousands looked toward the sky.
Then the fireworks began.
Golden dragons formed from light.
Silver stars exploded into flowers.
Cosmic galaxies appeared above the city.
Crystal birds flew through the air.
Ashvattha created enormous glowing trees stretching across the heavens.
Universe Tree filled the sky with emerald leaves.
Xihe Drakonara created eclipse-shaped fireworks.
Marigold created golden dragon constellations.
The audience watched in awe.
Even Kael looked impressed.
Beautiful.
Event Four: The Imperial Dance
Inside the Grand Palace.
music filled the ballroom.
Nobles.
Knights.
Citizens.
Heroes.
Queens.
Everyone participated.
Kael had hoped to avoid dancing.
He failed.
Several of his wives immediately found him.
Marigold smiled.
You are dancing.
That sounds less like a request.
Correct.
Nearby.
Ignisia laughed.
You have no escape.
Kael sighed dramatically.
This Empire is a prison.
Wukong instantly appeared.
I have been saying that for years.
The ballroom exploded into laughter.
By midnight.
Wukong had somehow:
Entered three competitions.
Been disqualified from four competitions.
Started an eating contest.
Accidentally released enchanted chickens.
Convinced several children he was an Imperial General.
None of these were approved.
The Imperial Guards gave up trying to stop him.
The Final Competition
At the end of the festival.
Kael sat upon the Imperial Throne.
Before him stood dozens of finalists from every event.
Citizens watched eagerly.
Kael looked at the results.
Dragon races.
Cooking contests.
Fireworks.
Art.
Craftsmanship.
Magic.
Heroism.
The competition had become far greater than anyone expected.
Finally.
Kael stood.
The winner of this year's Grand Imperial Festival is...
Silence filled the plaza.
Ashvattha.
The crowd erupted.
Ashvattha blinked.
Me?
Kael nodded.
You participated in nearly every event.
Helped everyone.
And somehow improved the festival itself.
Ashvattha laughed softly.
That wasn't my intention.
The Imperial Crown
An Imperial Knight stepped forward carrying a beautiful crown.
The Imperial Crown of Celebration.
The crown was forged from celestial crystal, world-tree gold, and dragon gemstones.
It glowed softly beneath the stars.
Kael placed the crown upon Ashvattha's head.
The crowd cheered.
Above them.
magic fireworks exploded once more.
Ashvattha smiled.
The daughters cheered.
Marigold applauded.
Universe Tree looked proud.
Ignisia laughed.
Umbryssia smiled.
Wukong somehow started another competition in the background.
And for one glorious night.
the Veyris Empire celebrated not power.
Not war.
Not conquest.
But the people who called it home.