Hope was deep in a dream about something ridiculous—probably fighting an evil talking chair—when suddenly—


    BANG! BANG! BANG!


    Hope groaned. “Five more minutes.”


    The door slammed open.


    Daisy clapped her hands. “Rise and shine, bitch!!”


    Hope buried her face in her pillow. “No.”


    Sierra yanked the covers off. “Yes.”


    Hope shivered. “I will literally kill both of you.”


    Sierra laughed. “Okay, but can you do it after you get dressed? We’ve got a festival to attend.”


    Daisy tossed Hope’s new floral dress onto the bed. “Shower, put this on, throw on some makeup, and for the love of god, please do something with your hair.”


    Hope peeked at them with one eye open. “Are you calling me ugly?”


    Daisy smirked. “I’m calling you not-festival-ready.”


    Sierra crossed her arms. “And if we left you to get up on your own, we wouldn’t see you until the fireworks.”


    Hope groaned again, but reluctantly sat up. “Fine, fine. How much time do we have?”


    Daisy snorted. “An hour and a half.”


    Hope jumped out of bed. “What?!”


    _________________________________________


    Getting ready was like a sanctuary of feminine energy. The makeup and rejected outfits scattered on the floor, the smell of curling irons and perfume- Hope missed this.


    Hope stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her little pink dress. She had to admit—it looked good.


    Daisy twirled in her lilac-colored floral sundress. “Okay, but we actually look amazing.”


    Sierra ran a finger through her new curls. “Good. Now let’s go before the food is gone.”


    Hope laughed. “That’s your priority?”


    Sierra nodded. “Today it is.”


    The moment they walked off campus, it was like stepping into another world. Haven had transformed overnight. Banners, streamers, and red lanterns were hung up all over the campus. All kinds of people were laughing, eating, and playing games.


    The scent of grilled meat, sweets, and fresh flowers filled the air. Taiko drums were creating an adrenaline-racing beat in the distance.


    Hope’s eyes widened. “Whoa.”


    Daisy grinned. “Told you.”


    Sierra nudged her. “Welcome to Haven’s best holiday.”


    The festival was already buzzing with energy, but all Hope could notice was one person.


    Chase.


    He was standing near one of the food stalls, laughing with Drew and Hunter, looking annoyingly perfect. He wore a blue button-up shirt which was rolled at the sleeves, his tie was gone, and the top two buttons were undone, giving him an effortlessly casual but stupidly attractive look.


    Hope internally cursed. Not fair.


    Gabby and Bella were nearby, examining a vendor’s jewelry display. Bella was, of course, dressed flawlessly in a sleek red dress that hugged her figure perfectly. Hope was not in the mood to deal with her today.


    “Whoa, look at how pretty those necklaces are!” Daisy giddily yells.


    “Shhhh-“ Hope covers her lips with her index finger. “The wicked bitches of the east are over there.”


    Daisy jokingly smacks Hope’s finger away. “I don’t give a shit, they can fight me for all I care.”


    Hope rolls her eyes, and the girls head over to the jewelry stand-


    But as they start walking over, they bump into the boys.


    Rather than endure a stream of witty insults from both ends- it felt different this time. They all just sort of… stared at each other. The silence might have been louder than the taiko drums.


    Chase was the first to break the silence. He opened his mouth, paused, and—before he could stop himself—


    “You’re beautiful.”


    Looking directly at Hope. Silence.


    She froze.


    Chase’s eyes widened like he wanted to physically grab the words and shove them back down his throat.


    Bella turned to him slowly, dangerously. “What was that?”


    Chase coughed. “Uh—nothing.”


    Drew’s grin was immediate. “Nah, man. That was a confession.”


    Hunter smirked. “Down bad.”


    Gabby was unphased. “Tragic.”


    Hope was trying not to combust. All she could do was look down- her face was as red as Bella’s dress .


    Bella linked her arm through Chase’s. “You were talking about me, right?”


    Chase nodded comically. “Yep. Obviously.”


    Daisy and Sierra exchanged looks. This was way too good.


    Drew laughed, slapping Chase on the back. “Bro, you’re fumbling so bad right now.”


    Bella looked Hope up and down, then gave her a dirty look. “Whatever. Let’s go. Chase, aren’t you coming?”


    Chase glanced at Hope for half a second too long. “Uh… yeah.”


    Hope felt the butterflies explode.


    Bella noticed. Oh, she noticed.


    Gabby, as usual, just enjoyed the drama. “This is already my favorite day of the year.”


    Hope was still recovering from the interaction, barely processing when Drew waved at Daisy and Sierra.


    Drew smirked. “By the way, we’re gonna kick your asses at the games today.”


    Sierra raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Big talk for someone who can’t beat me in combat class.”


    Drew scoffed. “That was one time.”


    Daisy smirked. “You almost cried.”


    Drew pointed dramatically. “Slander!”


    Hope was still stuck in a daze, but Daisy nudged her, grinning. “Wanna put these guys in their place?”


    Hope, finally snapping out of her trance, grinned. “Oh, absolutely.”


    The festival was packed with stalls and attractions—everything from food vendors to fortune tellers to carnival-style games.


    Drew cracked his knuckles. “Alright, let’s get this competition going. What’s first?”


    Hunter grinned mischievously. “I say we start with the hardest game here.”


    Hope raised an eyebrow. “You mean the one where you throw a ball into a cup?”


    Hunter smirked. “No, I mean the one where you have to hit the bell with the hammer.”


    Sierra deadpanned. “The one specifically meant for muscleheads like you?”


    Hunter pointed at her. “Exactly.”


    The group gathered around the game, where contestants swung a hammer to try and ring the bell at the top of a tower. A few students were already struggling to even lift the thing.


    Hunter cracked his neck. “Watch and learn.”


    He grabbed the mallet, swung it like he was on steroids, and sent the meter flying up—smacking the bell so hard it nearly broke the frame.


    The vendor looked terrified. “Uh… congratulations?”


    Hunter grinned. “New record?”


    The vendor hesitated. “…Let’s go with ‘close enough.’”


    Drew clapped. “Alright, alright. Who’s next?”


    Bella leaned against Chase. “Ugh, this is boring. Let’s find something actually fun.”


    Gabby shrugged. “I wanna see Daisy and Sierra try it.”


    Sierra looked down at her frail arms. “Pass.”


    Daisy smirked. “Oh, I got this.”


    She lifted the mallet—barely managing to swing it. The puck went up… halfway.


    Daisy blinked. “Damn. Thought I had that.”


    Hope laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll avenge you.”


    She stepped up, grabbed the mallet… struggled to lift it up.. and completely missed.


    Silence.


    Gabby laughed. “Bro, did you just swing at air?”


    Hope scowled. “I tried!”


    Chase crossed his arms, smirking. “You sure you’re not just weak?”


    Hope whipped around. “Give me another shot.”


    She swung again. The puck moved maybe four inches.


    Hunter doubled over laughing. “That’s the weakest thing I’ve ever seen.”


    Drew was wheezing. “Bro, she barely—”


    Hope grabbed a cup off a vendor’s table and threw it at his head.


    Drew dodged, barely. “UNPROVOKED ATTACK!”


    Bella rolled her eyes. “Can we move on now? This is so stupid.”


    Gabby grinned. “Let’s do archery.”


    Daisy wiggled her eyebrows. “Hope, redemption era?”


    Hope sighed. “Fine. But if I miss, I’m setting the stand on fire.”


    Absolutely! Let’s tweak the last part to reflect these pairings and crush dynamics while keeping all the fun tension.


    Scene: Archery (New Pairings, Same Chaos)


    The group arrived at the archery booth, where the vendor greeted them.


    Before anyone could line up, Sierra’s eyes locked onto a nearby stall selling colorful potions and spell jars.


    “Oh my gods,” she gasped. Then, without another word, she sprinted toward it.


    Hope watched her go. “Well, there she goes.”


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Daisy shrugged. “We’ll get her back later.”


    The vendor clapped his hands. “Pairs of two! One person shoots, the other guides their aim.”


    Drew didn’t hesitate. He grabbed Daisy’s wrist. “Me and her. Let’s go.”


    Daisy blinked. “Who said I—”


    Drew smirked. “You wanna win, don’t you?”


    Hope narrowed her eyes. Was Daisy… blushing?!


    Hunter casually threw an arm around Gabby. “Guess we’re a team.”


    Gabby rolled her eyes. “You better not make me lose.”


    Which left—


    Hope and Chase.


    Bella froze.


    The vendor smiled. “Alright! Grab your bows and take your positions.”


    Hope glanced at Chase. He was already watching her.


    Bella looped her arm through Chase’s. “You don’t have to be with her, you know.”


    Chase, to Bella’s absolute horror, simply shrugged her off. “It’s just archery, Bella. Relax.”


    Daisy and Sierra exchanged a look. This is gold.


    Hope and Chase stepped into position. Hope picked up her bow, gripping it too tightly.


    Chase leaned in behind her. Too close.


    His voice was low. “Relax. You’re too stiff.”


    Hope was not relaxed.


    Bella was losing her mind in real time.


    Chase placed a hand lightly on her arm. “Pull back.”


    Hope swallowed. Pulled the arrow back.


    “A little higher,” he murmured.


    Daisy nudged Sierra. “Oh, this is way too much fun.”


    Bella was fuming.


    Hope took a breath. Chase’s hand barely brushed hers.


    “Let go,” he said.


    She did.


    The arrow soared through the air—


    —and hit dead center.


    The vendor clapped. “Bullseye!”


    Chase smirked. “Told you.”


    Hope tried to act normal, but her entire nervous system was screaming.


    Bella looked like she was about to explode.


    Daisy clapped. “Alright, this was fun, but I’m ready for the next move.”


    Chase glanced at Hope. “Temples?”


    Hope hesitated. She felt an odd pull. Like she was supposed to go.


    She nodded. “Yeah. I really wanna go.”


    The festival was alive with energy.


    Music roared from every direction—deep, rhythmic beats of drums, flutes weaving through the melody, and the occasional burst of cheers and laughter.


    Paper dragons danced through the streets, carried by performers moving in sync. People twirled with silk fans, their intricate movements mesmerizing.


    Vendors called out to passing festival-goers, selling everything from sweet cakes to glowing charms.


    Hope had never seen anything like it.


    Daisy grabbed her arm excitedly. “Isn’t this amazing?”


    Hope nodded, wide-eyed. “It’s unreal.”


    Sierra pointed ahead. “Look at that.”


    A small shrine sat at the edge of the path, its base overflowing with offerings—coins, candles, fruit, even little trinkets. A group of people gathered around, bowing their heads in prayer.


    Next to it, a stand displayed tiny silk pouches, each embroidered with symbols.


    Gabby picked one up. “Oh, it’s a fortune charm.”


    Drew snorted. “What’s it say?”


    Gabby opened it, scanned the paper inside, and burst out laughing.


    Bella leaned in. “What?”


    Gabby grinned. “‘Love will flow in your life like water.’”


    Hunter shot her a cheesy look, then rolled his eyes.


    Gabby tilted her head. “What did yours say?”


    Hunter shrugged. “Didn’t read it.”


    Gabby sighed. “Why do I ask?”


    After walking for what felt like forever, they reached the bottom of the temple path.


    A winding red staircase stretched up high, leading to a massive bridge.


    The Hashi Bridge.


    It stood tall and ancient over a slow-moving river, the stones worn smooth with age. At the entrance of the bridge, two statues of winged dogs stood guard.


    Sierra’s eyes lit up. “They’re sort of fascinating.”


    Gabby shivered. “They give me the creeps.”


    Drew tilted his head. “They do look kinda.. lifeless.”


    Hope studied them closely. There was something about their piercing stone eyes that made her feel like they were… watching.


    Chase spoke up. “You guys remember what Mr. Waltz said about this place?”


    Daisy nodded. “Yeah. It’s believed that souls have to cross this bridge after death, where Hekali judges them.”


    Bella scoffed. “You don’t actually believe that, do you?”


    Hope frowned. “You don’t? Isn’t this part of the culture?”


    Hunter crossed his arms. “What would you know about culture? Didn’t you just get here, like, yesterday?”


    Bella rolled her eyes. “Who cares. It’s a myth. No one actually believes this crap anymore.”


    That’s when Chase stopped walking.


    Hope noticed he was still holding Bella’s hand. Or rather—he had been. Because he let go.


    Chase’s voice was sharper than usual. “You could at least have some respect.”


    Bella looked at him in surprise. “Are you serious?”


    Chase didn’t say anything else. He just started walking again, crossing the bridge.


    The rest of the group followed—though they couldn’t ignore the eerie chill that crept up their spines as they stepped onto the ancient stone path.


    By the time they reached the other side, the Hashi Bridge was behind them, and in front of them—


    Hekali’s Temple. It was massive, boasting, breathtaking.


    Its towering red pillars stretched into the sky, golden bells chiming gently in the wind. At the base of the stairs, worshippers knelt in prayer, burning incense and making offerings.


    Hope felt a pull in her chest.


    The moment they stepped inside Hekali’s Temple, it felt like entering a different world.


    The scent of incense and aged wood lingered, and whispers of prayer echoed through the grand hall.


    But what captured Hope’s attention first were the murals. The walls were covered in faded paintings. The group slowly walked through the temple, taking it all in.


    Sierra pointed at one of the murals. “Look at this one.”


    They turned to a massive painting spanning the entire wall.


    It depicted a colossal, shadowy figure looming over Haven, its form monstrous, like it was made of chaos and fire.


    In front of it—stood a warrior bathed in light, wielding magic unlike anything they had ever seen.


    Hope’s breath caught in her throat.


    The magic looked like hers.


    She wasn’t imagining it. The swirling, kaleidoscopic light, the bursts of fire and energy—it was uncanny.


    Chase furrowed his brows. “That looks… familiar.”


    Bella scoffed. “It’s just old art. Probably exaggerated.”


    Hope couldn’t take her eyes off of it. “Who… is this?”


    Sierra scanned the inscription beneath the painting. “It says: ‘The Hikari.’”


    Gabby tilted her head. “What does that mean?”


    Sierra reads from the mural inscription:


    “It talks about a time when humans and spirits began to dominate Haven, and began losing faith in the Gods. As punishment, the Gods unleashed corruption, twisting many humans and spirits. But it got out of control.


    Haven became a battleground of war, overrun with chaos.


    So to restore order, the Gods created the Hikari—a rare few chosen to control the Light and bring balance back to the world.”


    All eyes fell on Hope.


    Daisy raised an eyebrow. “Well, that was oddly specific.”


    Hope’s heart pounded.


    Drew crossed his arms. “Huh. Wonder what happened to them?”


    Sierra kept reading. “It says the ability was ‘lost to time.’”


    Bella walked away. “I’m so bored now. Should we head back to the festival and do shots?”


    Drew ignored her, too focused on a shadowy figure in the mural. “What’s that?”


    Sierra hesitated, then read. “The Darkness.”


    Gabby rolled her eyes. “This temple is the frickin’ darkness. Bella, I’m with you on the shots.”


    As they started to head outside, Hope got a weird feeling in her stomach.


    This wasn’t just some old myth. This was a warning.


    The group exited the temple, stepping back into the festival’s vibrant chaos. The sounds of laughter, music, and distant firecrackers filled the air, but Hope barely registered it.


    Daisy stretched her arms. “I need a drink.”


    Drew winked at her. “I’m so ready for shots.”


    Sierra raised a brow. “What is going on between those two?”


    Hunter raised his arms, “Not sure, but they’re speaking my language.”


    Chase laughed under his breath. But then he noticed Hope wasn’t following.


    She had stopped at the temple steps, staring back inside.


    Drew raised an eyebrow. “Uh… you good?”


    Hope hesitated, her chest feeling oddly tight. There was something pulling at her—a feeling deep in her gut, like she wasn’t supposed to leave.


    She swallowed. “You guys go ahead. I’ll catch up.”


    Bella groaned. “Ugh, she’s trying to have her main character moment again.”


    Gabby laughed under her breath. “Attention-whore much?”


    Daisy and Sierra exchanged a look.


    Sierra lowered her voice. “You sure?”


    Hope nodded. “Yeah. I just… I won’t be long.”


    They hesitated before following the others, leaving Hope alone on the temple steps.


    The laughter and festival sounds faded into the distance as she turned back toward the massive, towering doors.


    She stepped inside. The moment she re-entered the temple, the atmosphere was completely different- heavier, almost.


    Her eyes were drawn immediately to the mural.


    The Hikari. The darkness swallowing Haven..


    She stepped forward, feeling a sudden urge to kneel.


    Hope was never that religious. Yes, her family was Christian, but they stopped bringing her to church when she was young because of her “devilish sorcery”.


    But in this moment, Hope felt like praying was the right thing to do.


    She knelt in front of the mural, folding her hands together, closing her eyes.


    She let out a shaky breath.


    And she prayed.


    And even after she was done, Hope stayed in her kneeled position. Silent, with her eyes still closed.


    Because for the first time in days,  she felt truly at peace.


    Hope let her thoughts come and go, tuning out all the noise around her. All she could hear was a ringing in her ear.


    She focused on her breathing. Each inhale felt like a wave crashing onto a sandy shore, and each exhale felt like the tides being drawn back in.


    She stopped focusing on her breathing, in fact she didn’t really focus on anything. All she felt was a sudden sense of nothingness that she could never explain.


    The ground beneath her disappeared. Then, her breath hitched as she felt herself falling.


    A vortex of colors in her mind''s eye, drawing her in.


    Colors exploded in every direction—fractal patterns twisting. A never-ending abyss of kaleidoscopic light, expanding like it was alive.


    She felt connected. Like she was everything and everything was her.


    And then she saw a raised hand. Colors swirling blues and pinks, dawning patterns and imagery she could never describe.


    It reached toward her—not touching, but guiding.


    And suddenly, she saw the imagery in the hand change.


    The sky was black. No sun. No warmth. Just an endless darkness. The vibes were horrible.


    Demons—twisted, monstrous forms—running through the streets. Buildings burned, people being brutalized.


    The world she was growing to love was destroyed —replaced by something she could only describe as hellish.


    She tried to move, to pull away—but the vision held her there. Flashes of chaos.And then— Blackness.


    Everything snapped. The vision shattered.


    Hope gasped, eyes flying open.


    She was still in the temple. The mural was still there. The incense still burned.


    But the feeling in her chest—the cold, lingering dread— was palpable.


    She sat there for a moment, staring at her trembling hands.


    _________________________________________


    Hope stepped out of the temple, back into the vibrant chaos of the festival.


    But it didn’t feel the same. She felt… different .


    She swallowed hard, forcing herself to snap out of it. Just some weird hallucination.


    She inhaled deeply, and made her way down the temple’s staircase.


    When Hope finally found the others again, they were gathered around a stall filled with bottles of sake.


    Hunter was already drunk.


    Daisy rolled her eyes. “Hunter, you have, like, zero tolerance.”


    Hunter grinned. “Which makes me cheaper to party with. You’re welcome.”


    Gabby laughed, taking a sip from her drink. “This is actually kind of nice. No one fighting for once.”


    Hope forced a smile. She could do this. She could have fun. She could forget.


    Daisy handed her a small sake cup. “Come on, let loose a little.”


    Hope hesitated—then took it. “Why not?”


    She took a shot. Then another.


    Drew put a hand on Daisy’s shoulder, caressing it. “How you feelin’?”


    Daisy looked up into his eyes and tipsily smiled. “I’m feeling gooddd.”


    Drew smoothly put his hands around Daisy’s waist, as Hope went for her third shot.


    The tension in her chest eased, drowned out by the warmth of alcohol and the infectious energy of the crowd.


    At some point, someone passed her a glass of wine, and she didn’t even question it.


    Hunter was resting his chin on the top of Gabby’s head, and interlocked both of their hands.


    Honestly, this just made Hope wanna drink more.


    Hope giggled, leaning into Sierra. “Okay, I’m officially wasted.”


    Sierra raised an eyebrow. “No shit.”


    Hope pointed at the paper lanterns overhead. “Look at them, Sierra. They’re beautiful.”


    Sierra sighed. “We need to get you some food.”


    Before they could, the first fireworks exploded overhead.


    A massive burst of gold lit up the sky, followed by another, then another—each brighter than the last.


    The festival paused as everyone turned their eyes to the sky, entranced.


    Hope stumbled slightly, the alcohol in her system making everything feel lighter.


    That’s when Chase walked up to her. He chucked at  her, like her tipsy stumbling was cute in a stupid way.


    Then, before she could react, He grabbed her hand.


    Hope blinked. “What are you—”


    Then he leaned in, his voice just loud enough over the fireworks. “All day I couldn’t stop looking at you.”


    Hope froze. The warmth in his voice. The way his fingers lingered on hers.


    He was making a move. And for a second, she felt something—something real, something thrilling.


    But then, out of nowhere, everything snapped.


    The vision. The stress. The alcohol. Bella.


    Bella and Chase.


    In his dorm room.


    Hope had a vivid flashback of the night.


    The rush of sneaking out.


    Bella, laughing as she pulled Chase into his room, locking the door behind them.


    Hope’s stomach twisted.


    And before she could stop herself, she pulled her hand away— aggressively. “You wanna know what’s crazy?”


    Chase’s eyes widened. “…What?”


    Hope gestured wildly. “You, standing here, hating me one day then flirting with me the next–like nothing happened.”


    Daisy and Sierra exchanged panicked glances.


    Bella crossed her arms. “Oh, here we go.”


    Hope spun toward her. “No, seriously, Bella. Should I be flattered? Or should I be confused?”


    Chase stiffened. “Hope. Stop.”


    Hope laughed bitterly. “No, let’s talk about it. Because last time I checked, Chase, you were a little busy. Like, oh I don’t know, sneaking Bella into your dorm in the middle of the night?”


    Daisy’s hand flew over her mouth to hide her shock.


    An array of fireworks exploded overhead, sparkling beautifully, yet they remained in silence.


    Complete. Utter. Silence.


    Then, Drew—drunk, and unable to stop himself— whispered loudly, “Oh shit.”


    Bella’s expression darkened. “Go home, Hope, you’re drunk.”


    Hope laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, I’m drunk? Then why does Chase look like he wants to die right now?”


    Chase’s jaw tensed, but he didn’t say a word.


    Bella, relentless, stepped forward. “Besides, Hope, why does it even matter to you? It’s not like you’re dating him.” She smiled sweetly. “I don’t even think he likes you that much.”


    Hope got right in Bella’s face. “Bitch, I’ve had it with your-“


    “We’re leaving, NOW.” Daisy tightly gripped Hope’s arm.


    Hope stumbled, but Daisy’s grip was firm.


    As Daisy and Sierra dragged Hope away, she yelled over her shoulder. “You know what? You guys enjoy your night. I’m done.”


    And then,


    the fireworks stopped.