Michael
It looks like the festival has begun! The giant bonfire has been lit, and it seems like the food is almost done for the feast. I can smell all the sweets they're cooking. Man, I'm getting hungry. I think it would be fine if I ate as much as I could. I would get to eat fantasy sweets. Who wouldn't want to eat as much as they could? Well, this should be a nice break from the crazy. These past few days have been the most hectic and memorable in my entire life. I was reborn in a different world! The first day of me being reborn felt like a dream. I remember feeling dazed by my strange circumstances. I mean, who wouldn't be confused by being reborn in a new world? I had to act like I was someone else so that my new parents wouldn't suspect that I wasn't their son. Which, I'm not going to lie, sounds pretty bad, but I had to! Who knows what they would do with me if they figured out who I really am? They would probably burn me at the stake. I don't want to die! Thank God I already know how to speak their language. If I didn't, I would most definitely be burning alive right now. I still can't believe I have been reborn in a fantasy world. I mean, this kind of stuff only happens to people in stories. Does that mean that I'm a character in a story? This situation is a little concerning to think about, but I'm just going to pretend that I'm not a fictional character. I mean, I don't think there could be any way to prove that I'm not one, but I would like to believe that I'm not.
"Hey, Abel!"
"Yes, Father?"
"It looks like the festival is beginning. Why don't you go and enjoy it?"
"I will, but I want to wait a little bit." I am really excited to participate in the festival. It looks like there are many different games to play and other things to participate in. I do want to play some of those games, but I would need to learn the rules of the different games.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, I'm hoping that things will eventually calm down."
"Hhhmmmm, strange."
"What's so strange?"
"You are, hahaha!"
"Hahaha!" Obviously, this is my new father; he seems like a nice guy. He likes to joke around a lot, but he is really nice. Speaking of strange, this world's moon looks different from my previous world's moon! You might be wondering what I mean, so let me elaborate. It does look similar but with at least one notable difference. There is a giant crater that makes the moon look like an eye. It looks very cool, I must say!
"Honey, don't be mean to Abel!"
"I was just kidding around."
"Yeah, Mother, we were just kidding around. No harm done." Something that I've noticed is that she is very protective of me and only me. She seems to not really care about her other sons.
"See."
"Well, I still don't like it!"
"You spoil the boy. He can handle it."
"And how do you know what he can and can't handle?!"
Ignoring them, there is something strange with the sun as well. I can't explain what it is, but it just looks different. Oh, wait, it kind of looks like the stars in the Starry Night painting. That's the best way I can describe it.
"Hey, Abel!"
"Ubel? What does he want?" Well, it looks like my older brother wants to talk to me. I'm still not used to my new name. It feels so strange hearing people use a different name than Michael for me. I think my family is getting suspicious of me because sometimes I slip up with that.
"Hey Abel, what are you doing way over here?"
"?"
"You're away from everyone, and you're not participating in the festival."
"I just wanted to be somewhere less noisy."
"Why?"
"Because it was too noisy." For an older sibling, he is surprisingly nice. I never had any siblings in my previous life, but I had friends who had them, and they would always tell me horror stories about their siblings.
"Oh, okay, well, everyone is about to dance soon. Want to join?"
"No." Why would I want to dance? I can say with confidence that I can dance for the life of me. It's just something I'm not good at. To be fair, I'm not good at a lot of things. And I'm pretty sure that this dance is a ritual dance. So, it would be best that I don't join in because I would mess it up.
"Come on, it will be a lot of fun, and plus, everyone else is doing it."
"No!"
"Mother, Father, can Abel dance with me?"
"Yes, Abel, go dance with your brother. It will be fun."
"Yes, Father." I take back everything nice I said about you, Ubel.
"Also, Abel, don't go too far. I don't want you getting lost or stolen, and please be careful."
"Yes, Mother."
"Oh, Abel, before you go, you will be participating in a ritual. I just wanted to let you know."
"Wha?!?"
"Oh look, it's about to start. Come on!"
Wait, no, I don't want to go! Please, Ubel, I don't want to do this! Please, I'm not a good dancer!
"Stop struggling!"
"Never!" Oh no, we're at the bonfire!
"Don't worry, little Abel, all you have to do is follow our movement!"
"What?"
"Alright, everyone, we're about to start the dance, so get in your positions!"
"Okay, Abel, we need to go over here."
"Wait, no!"
"Abel, stop! Come on!"
"No! Stop pulling me!" Goddammit, Ubel! I don't want to do this! Wait, the music has started! No, the dance is about to start!
"Remember, Abel, just follow my movement."
"Okay." This is going to suck. It looks like everyone from the town is here! It's been a while since I've been around this many people. I'm a little scared. Well, at least the music sounds nice. Oh no, it looks like they're going to start! Okay, all I have to do is follow everyone else's movements! Should be easy! Wait, they're starting! Okay, just follow their movement. They're spinning! Okay, spin! Oh God, I'm getting dizzy… Wait, they are hopping around the bonfire. I really suck at this. Oops, I just bumped into someone! "Sorry." Oh no, everyone is moving faster, spinning around the bonfire. I feel sick. Okay, it looks like everyone is slowing down… Yes, it's finally over! That was a struggle!
"Not bad, Abel. You did very well for your first time."
"Really?"
"Yes, a lot better than me."
Well, that's good. I thought that I sucked, but it seems like I did okay. That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
"Haha!"
"?" Who's laughing?
"Haha, you looked like a headless Bolg!"
First, rude, and second, what is a Bolg? It sounds like the saying of a headless chicken. Is a Bolg similar to a chicken?
"Luna, stop making fun of him! Can't you see that you're upsetting him?"
"No, it's fine, Ubel; I'm okay." Her name is Luna. I think she's the person I bumped into when I was dancing.
"Don't listen to her, Abel! She's just a bully!"
"Oh, come on, I'm not that bad. I was just having a bit of fun with little Abel. No harm done."
"You always take things too far, Luna!"
"Really, don't worry, Ubel, I'm fine." He seems to really dislike her. I wonder if she bullies him. If she does bully him, then I will make sure she will be punished for bullying my older brother!
"Come on, Abel, let's go!"
"Oh, okay?"
"Hahaha, yeah, you better run!"
"... It looks like the food is almost done! Let's go sit down at the table!"
"Okay." Man, it smells great. It smells so sweet; I wonder if there's going to be a lot of sweet foods. I hope so because I'm a big fan of sweets… This table is really large; I bet it can fit fifty people. For a little context, there are about twenty-seven people, not including my family. A few people are already sitting down at the table. I don't see Mother or Father; I wonder where they are.
"Let's sit right here… It looks like there is some apple cider. Hey Abel, do you want some cider?"
"Sure." It's been a while since I've had apple cider.
"Okay, get your cup."
"Okay…" It honestly tastes very good. I can't wait to eat all the yummy food! Wow, what are those? There are these bowls placed all around the table. It looks like there are six of the bowls, and it looks like fruit is inside of the bowl. The fruit looks like an apple or has an apple shape, but instead of being red, it is white. "Hey Ubel, what's that?"
"That is an apple."
Oh, I guess it's just an apple, but it's white. "Can I have one?"
"Sure, here."
"Thank you…" Wow, the inside is red; it kind of looks like blood. It does taste like an apple but with different colors.
"How is it?"
"It's good." Some people are bringing out food. Is the food down already? That was fast; I thought it would take a much longer time for them. It looks like there are pies, cakes, candy, more apples, and candy apples. The pies look to be burnt; the crust is as black as charcoal. But there is no way that they would burn the pie and would serve it. Anyways, the cakes that they brought out vary, with one cake being simplistic and another being complex. There seem to be eight different types of cakes. Ooh, it looks like there are even turnovers and Danishes. Man, I'm getting hungry with all these delicious sweets. It doesn't look like there are any savory foods, only sweets. Don't get me wrong, I love sweets, but I also love other foods.
"Okay, everyone, the food is done!"
"Finally!"
"Haha, you must be hungry."
"Father!"
"What, surprised to see me?"
"I just didn't realize you were behind me."
"Yeah, you were too focused on the food to notice me, haha!"
"Well, the food does look really yummy."
"Hey Father, where's Mother?"
Oh yeah, I didn't even notice she wasn't here.
"She's getting your brother. Oh, don't forget, Abel; very soon you will have to complete a ritual."
"What ritual, and why do I need to complete this ritual?"
"Don't worry, little Abel, everyone has to do it once they turn three years old."
"Yeah, you have nothing to worry about. I did it, Finn did it, Ubel did it, and now you."
"Okay, but this doesn't make me feel any better."
"Well, I know what will: food! Here, let me help you with that. Here, take some cake, pie, and some pastries. I myself will be having a candy apple… Go on, boy, eat."
"Everyone, I would like to pray before we all eat!"
"Oops, Able spit that food out."
Goddammit, Father, you set me up.
"Dear Lord Nangar, thank you for providing this nourishment. May you bless this food as you bless our lives every day. Keep us mindful of those who go without. We are forever grateful for your love. In your name, Amen."
"Amen."
"Alright, let's eat!"
Finally, I can dig into all these sweets. Let's try some of the pastries that I didn't get to try… Hmm, this is an apple turnover. What about the Danish, is it also apple… It is? Is everything apple-flavored? Why is everything apple-flavored? What about the burnt pie? Is it an apple pie?… Well, this is very interesting. First of all, it is an apple pie, but this pie isn't burnt, or at least it doesn't taste like it. The black crust tastes very salty, giving it a savory flavor with the sweet apple filling.
"Oh shit, hey Abel, you need to prepare for the upcoming ritual."
"Okay? How do I do that?"
"Do you see that woman over there?"
"Yes."
"Go over to her, and she will tell you what to do."
"Okay." I don't want to do this, but it doesn't look like I have much of a choice.
"Don't worry, Abel, you got this."
"Thanks!" Is this her?
"Hello, what's your name?"
"Abel."
"... Your name is Abel? Are you Henry's son?"
"Yes?"
"My name is Anna."
"Nice to meet you, Anna. I'm here for the ritual."
"Aw, yes, go over to that table, to Luna. She will help you put on the ritual clothing and paint your face. Do you understand?"
"Yes." Wait, Luna will be helping me! This is going to suck, but at least I will get my face painted. I love having my face painted. It's like getting a haircut. It feels great having the brush painting your face. It just feels nice, and I get to look cool…
"Hello, Abel, Long time no see. You must be shocked to see me."
"Yeah, what are you doing here?"
"Isn't it obvious I work for the church?"
"You do?"
"Yes, and this is one of the duties I have."
"I'm just shocked you work for the church."
"Well, I do, so deal with it! Anyway, we need to hurry! First, put this coat on!"
"Oh, okay… What next?"
"Sit down! I need to paint your face. Please don't speak and close your eyes!"
"..." It's been a while since I had my face painted. The last time I had my face painted was during a fair, and I had a lion painted on my face. Those were good times. I wonder what my friends are doing right now. This still doesn't feel real, that I've been reborn in a fantasy world and my friends and family are somewhere living their lives while I go on grand adventures. It's just crazy to think about…
"Hey, don't fall asleep!"
"Oh, sorry!"
"Don't speak!"
"..."
"Okay, I'm done! Whatever you do, don't touch your face! Now when the ritual starts, you will be at the bonfire, and you will kneel and pray. Now listen to me carefully because I'm only going to say this once. This is the prayer that you will say: Lord Nangar, forgive me, for I have been ungrateful for your love. The love that you have shown by giving summer to us and breaking the eternal winter. Please forgive me, for I am only mortal, and you are something more. Something more beautiful than just us mere mortals. Please forgive me; please forgive me; please forgive me. Amen. Did you get all that?"
"Um."
"Good, now go over where all the other kids are."
"..." How can I remember that long of a prayer while only hearing it once? God, what was it again? Lord Nangar, forgive me… Ah, I don't remember! It looks like there are five other kids that will be a part of this ritual.
"Okay everyone, the ritual is about to begin. Lady Anna will be the one who will be conducting this ritual and will lead you to prayer. After you finish the prayer, she will give you the apple snake. Okay, did you get all of that… Good, now follow me to the bonfire!"
Well, it looks like the ritual is going to begin soon. I better get ready to embarrass myself… And what is this apple snake? Does the snake look like an apple, or does it taste like an apple? Well, it looks like we're here!
"Hello everyone! This is a ritual that everyone goes through, and now it is your turn to go through this ritual. Begin the prayer!"
Okay, let's see if I can remember this! "Lord Nangar, forgive me, for I have been ungrateful for your love. The love that you have shown by giving summer to us and breaking the eternal winter. Please forgive me, for I am only mortal, and you are something more. Something more beautiful than just us mere mortals. Please forgive me, please forgive me, please forgive me. Amen." I think I did well; I don't know if I remembered everything, but again, I think I did well.
"Now arise… Congratulations!"
"Woooo!"
"Yeah!"
"Congratulations!"
"Good job, you guys!"
Was that really it? Wait, wasn't there something about a snake?
"You guys did well, but you aren't done! You have one more task! We will give each of you an apple snake. Your job is to take care of it for one year! If the snake dies, you've failed! Don't be alarmed; almost everyone fails. So don't freak out if your snake dies!"
Wait, what do we need to take care of the snake? It's squirming around in my hands! It's so disgusting! I'm still scared that it's going to bite me!
"Good luck to you all, and may Lord Nangar be on your side!"
"Great job, Abel!"
"Thank you, Ubel." Well, that was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Hey, where is Anna going? It looks like she's heading towards town. Why? "It was pretty easy."
"See, I told you, you had nothing to worry about."
"Oh, hello, Father, Mother."
"Congratulations, Abel."
"Thank you, Mother."
"Hey Abel, what's your snake's name?"
"His name?"
"Yeah, my snake's name was Jerry."
"What happened to Jerry?"
"He died."
"Oh. What about you, Father?"
"Hhmm?"
"What happened to your snake?"
"He also died."
"Really?"
"Yes! None of our snakes survived. Not mine, not your mother's, and not your brother's. I don't think anyone in this town's snakes survived!"
"Why is that?"
"I don't know. Why are you so curious?"
"It just seems strange that no one's snake survived. What happens if your snake survives?"
"I heard that the church tries to get you to join."
"Oh?" Why is that? Why would the church want you to join if your snake survives? Wait, I know how to answer all my questions!
"Hey Abel, where are you going?!"
"Don't worry, I will be right back!"
"Wait, Abel, don't go! Henry, please go get him!"
I know who could have all the answers to my questions, Anna! Last I saw, she was heading towards town. So, I will head there. The snake is trying to crawl up my arm. It feels really weird. So what am I going to call you, snake… Oh wait, I got it! You're an apple snake; why don't I call you, Adam? Yeah, Adam, that's a good name. Okay, I made it to town now where Anna would be. Let's start at the church… Wow, look at the tree; it's glowing! Wait, there's Anna!
"Oh, Mich… I mean Abel. I didn't see you there! How long have you been standing there?"
"Not long."
"Oh, okay? Hey, is that your snake?"
"Yes."
"What's his name?"
"I call him Adam."
"Adam, that's a great name for your snake."
"Thanks."
"So why are you here?"
"...What about you? Why are you out here?"
"Just to look at the apple tree. Are you going to tell me why you are here?"
"I have a few questions for you."
"Oh, what are your questions?"
"What is the purpose of the snakes?"
"I can't tell you."
"Why?"
"Because the church forbids it."
"That sucks."
"I have a question for you. Do you know why we celebrate this festival?"
"No?"
"This festival is called the burning light of Nangar. Do you know why we call it that?"
"No?"
"It's said that a long time ago there were no summers, only winter. It was endless, unchanging cold, but Nangar came and breathed fire and lit our second moon, turning it to the sun, causing the snow to melt and the first summer to begin. So, every beginning of summer, we celebrate Nangar's kindness."
"That's beautiful."
"Isn't it! That's why I became a priest. Hearing that story and many others made me eternally grateful. Made me want to learn more about Lord Nangar!"
That sounds amazing! I would like to learn more as well. "May I ask you something?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Can you teach me more?!"
"No, sorry."
"Why not?"
"Because you need to be a part of the church."
"Then I would like to join!"
"Abel, you don't know what you're saying."
"Yes, I do! I want to join the church."
"Abel, if you join, you can't ever marry. You must take an oath of celibacy. And you can't own any items!"
"Okay, I'm fine with that."
"You're a child; you don't know what you're saying."
"Yes, I do. I can never marry, can't have a family, and can't own anything. That sounds pretty simple."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes!"
"...Well, okay then."
"Yes!"
"But we need to tell your parents about this and get their permission as well."
"Oh yeah, do you think they will allow it?"
"That's a hard question to answer, but they probably would say yes to it."
"Really!"
"But don't get too excited; there is a very likely chance that they will say no. And if they do agree to you joining the church, the way will still be long and difficult."
"I understand!"
"Well, then you will be a priest in training."
"A priest in training?"
"Yes, I will train you starting tomorrow!"