The music and voices surrounded Avi from every direction. She quickly noticed a shooting game, with rewards in the form of snail-like plushies, so she grabbed Luna's hand, pulling her, and hurried to the stall.

“Can you pay?” - Avi asked.

Luna examined the booth. - “You won't win anything here.”

“Oh, don't doubt me again!” - Avi replied. - “My lack of shooting experience doesn't mean I will do poorly. I already trained in video games and that's good enough to know how to aim.”

“That's not what I meant.” - Luna stated.

“Don't complain and pay up!” - Avi demanded.

“You're treating me like your personal piggy bank.” - Luna sighed.

“Luuuuuuuuuna!!!” - Avi complained.

“I'll do as you wish, but you'll quickly learn it would be better to listen to my advice.” - Luna said, then transferred the credits.

“Here.” - The fair attendant passed the rifle to Avi, grinning slyly. - “All you have to do is knock the jar off the shelf, and the prize is yours.”

Avi put the rifle stock to her shoulder, closed her left eye, and stuck out her tongue, focusing. She made her first shot, then a second one, a third one... and so on.

“Seven misses in a row, nice job!” - Luna commented.

“That's because the barrel is crooked!” - Avi complained.

“I told you, you won't win anything here.” - Luna added.

“No! I just have to adjust my aim!” - Avi stated. - “Be quiet. I'll show you right away.”

The eight bullet finally hit the jar, but it bounced off.

“Hey! It was a clear hit!” - Avi protested.

“It was a ricochet. You failed to knock down the jar.” - The attendant explained. - “The rules are rules.”

“I'll show you a ricochet!” - Avi turned, making sure that the crooked barrel aimed right at the jar. She shot, hitting almost right in the middle, but it still ricocheted. - “What!? You're cheating!!”

Luna rolled her eyes. - “At least you were able to realize it.”

Avi slammed her hands on the counter. - “That's not fair! We want our credits back!”

“You don't know how to shoot, deal with it. If you don't like the game, you can leave. Other people are waiting.” - The attendant tried to get rid of them.

Luna rolled her eyes again. - “Avi, give me the rifle.”

“How do you plan to win? He must have glued the jars to the shelf.” - Avi guessed.

“No, not really. There are simply metal plates behind them.” - Luna explained.

“I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.” - The attendant denied.

Luna aimed at the wall on the side and shot. The bullet ricocheted at a right angle, hitting the back of the stall, then hit the jar from behind, easily knocking it down and revealing a barely visible steel support.

“We are talking about this...” - Luna stated. - “...now, my prize, please.”

The attendant was dead silent. He approached Luna without a word, offering her one of the plush snails.

Avi laughed right at the attendant's face. - “Haha! Well? You never expected you would run into elite markswomen like us? This trophy will be a fine addition to my collection!” - She then turned to Luna. - “Thank you for winning it for me.”

“Huh?” - Luna raised her eyebrow.

“Uhm...” - Avi extended her hands to the snail, but Luna kept it away from her. - “Luna?”

“I've paid and I've won. I'll keep it.” - Luna smiled roguishly.

“Luna!” - Avi whined. - “Pleeeease.”

“Try to win your own one.” - Luna said. - “I'll pay if you want.”

Avi pouted. - “Fine!”

The attendant looked at the girls. - “You already won one... I can't allow you to continue playing.”

“I won, not her.” - Luna stated. - “Let her try, and I'll be sure to keep your scam to myself.”

“Eh... a blackmail? Just take another toy and leave.” - The attendant spoke, almost giving another snail to Avi, but Luna quickly stopped him.

“It's a misunderstanding. She HAS to win it.” - Luna explained slyly and shot the shopkeeper a conspiratorial wink.

“Oh... right, I got carried away.” - The attendant would recognize that kind of smile anywhere. He knew there would be a good day's profit and a lot of fun.

After thirty shots, Avi was still not giving up, while Luna and the attendant mocked her together.

“I've never seen a worse marksman! You already know where to aim!” - The attendant added fuel to the fire.

“If it continues, maybe he'll offer you a discount for being exceptionally inept!” - Luna laughed.

“SHUT UP!” - Avi shouted, red from annoyance and embarrassment. She blindly shot at the ceiling, and the rubber bullet ricocheted, hitting right at attendant's skull.

The man shouted in pain and grabbed the rifle away from her. - “Are you even looking where you shoot!?”

“Ugh. Sorry...” - Avi uttered, her hands extended to the rifle, eager to try again.

“No. That's enough.” - The attendant replied and pushed the plush snail into her hands. - “You won't win even if you stand her all day, and there is already a line behind you.”

“Hmpf.” - Avi pouted and glanced behind her. She was a bit of a joke. - “Hey! Why are you laughing!?” - She yelled. - “You won't win anything either!”

Luna rolled her eyes. - “Avi, you were so focused on trying to copy my feat that you didn't realize that he disabled the plates halfway through.”

“..and I've made enough money to let a few kids win for free.” - The attendant added.

Avi's face turned even redder with shame. Her fingers clutched the snail plush tightly, and she turned away. - “LUNA! WE'RE LEAVING!”

The festival continued, but Avi wasn't in a good mood anymore. When Luna noticed it, she approached one of the booths and ordered a few fruits in caramel to lift her spirits.

Avi initially ignored Luna's offer. - “Do you really think you can bribe me with sweets?”

“All things considered, yes.” - Luna answered.

“I'm still upset.” - Avi said, reaching for a stick with fruits, but Luna withdrew her hand.

“I won't give it to you, not for free.” - Luna bargained.

“Grrrrrr.” - Avi growled like an angry wolf. - “Don't make me mad! What do you want!?”

“We're going to the holographic statue house, and afterward we'll ride a giant snail.” - Luna suggested.

“Fine! Fine! Now give it to me!” - Avi agreed and grabbed her sweets.

Both girls sat next to each other, at the fountain, where small robots with painted faces played. Avi looked at the festival with contentment.

“It's a nice event, don't you think?” - Luna asked.

“It is.” - Avi confirmed. - “It reminds me of all the creatures and people that we have befriended. I would love to meet them all again when everything is over. To celebrate the new day together.”

“Can you imagine it? If that time comes, it would be one huge, joyful occasion shared by all. In memory of a day, when the universe was saved.” - Luna added.

“...and our heroes would be remembered forever...” - Avi replied. - “...and adored.”

“You are thinking about the Astronauts, aren't you?” - Luna asked.

“Yes.” - Avi sighed.

“And what about you? Do you want to become a hero too?” - Luna noticed.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Who wouldn't want that...” - Avi was in a dreamy mood. - “...but I might be too stupid and clumsy to become one.”

“Greatness isn't meant for everyone. Sometimes it's better to enjoy the simple things and appreciate what we have.” - Luna summed up.

“Huh?” - Avi turned to Luna. - “You were supposed to tell me I was wrong!!!”

“Wrong?” - Luna gazed at Avi. - “How?”

Avi was fuming mad. - “You know what?”

“What?” - Luna asked.

“I'll become someone great, even greater than you, just to spite all of you.” - Avi uttered.

Luna, this one time, didn't tease her. - “That's good to have that kind of ambition. I... I think I would be content with normal life, with spending my days with those dear to me.”

Hearing this, Avi quickly calmed down. She didn't really pay attention to it before. - “Luna? Do you want to be like an average person? You are capable of anything!”

“Maybe, yet I don't desire everything. I think I'm already tired of the effort everyone expects from me... and the fact that it often doesn't bring the result they hope for.”

“...but you're doing great.” - Avi protested.

“Because I have you.” - Luna stated. - “I feel that if I were by myself, I would be missing something important, like I missed what Virka noticed today.”

“Virka...” - Avi became gloomy.

“Is anything wrong?” - Luna asked.

Avi explained.- “...don't you feel like she's isolating herself from us more and more? I try to help her as much as I can, but I don't think I can reach her.”

“If you're correct, then I don't think I will be able to help.” - Luna stated. - “I'll support you, but I feel that her current problem could be best solved by someone similar to her.”

“It would be good to find someone like that.” - Avi said.

Luna held her stick with half-eaten fruits, not really interested in them. She gazed at Goliath's lamps and extended her right hand to them, as if she tried to grab their light.

“Luna?” - Avi clearly noticed it.

“I feel that far away, among the stars, lie the answers to all our problems, yet we stumble blindly, trying to grasp only their shadows.” - Luna uttered. - “This is the unfortunate destiny the world has sent us.”

“By chasing these shadows, we'll finally reach the light of truth.” - Avi said, extending her left hand to the Goliath's lamps.

“Do you believe it?” - Luna asked, gazing at Avi's eyes.

“Wholeheartedly.” - Avi stared back with confidence.

“I love how you shine.” - Luna muttered. - “With each day, you give colors to my life... but even so, I keep asking myself every day – can you really take me where I would want to be?”

“I'll do my best.” - Avi said with a kind smile.

Luna moved her other hand to Avi's and grabbed her pinky with her own, and Avi reciprocated by squeezing lightly.

Only that, I ask for nothing more. - Luna thought to herself, wanting to make this moment last forever in her memory.

---

While the festival continued, Virka was leaning against the railings alone and staring blankly at the scene with jugglers. When she overheard Avi's jokes and laughter, followed by Luna's calculated replies, she decided to get out of their view, yet Avi was far quicker than her discreet escape.

“Virka! Virka!!!” - Avi was shouting from afar, while Virka pretended not to hear it.

The Khazan woman gracefully moved through the crowd, yet Avi kept pursuing. She ran between the robots, ruthlessly squeezing through and showing no respect for their steel bodies, constantly repeating – excuse me.

“Virka, stop!!” - Avi called. She was too close for Virka to keep ignoring her without raising suspicion.

“Avi?” - Virka replied, her body language didn't give anything away about the nature of her previous actions.

“Uff... I caught up with you.” - Avi replied. - “You are not staying with my parents?”

“I wanted to give them a moment of privacy...” - Virka explained while brushing her hair aside. - “...and what about you, are you having fun?”

“Oh, come on, without you?” - Avi responded. - “Luna doesn't do anything but tease me.”

Virka giggled. - “So, all is well.”

Avi looked around, and her eyes stopped to check the scene out. - “Do they have any cool performances here?”

“You missed a few. There were jugglers, acrobats, and a dance of lights.” - Virka listed. - “Next up, are ballad readings.”

“Mmm...” - Avi kept staring at the scene. - “...ballads? Don't you want to try something more exciting?”

“What do you suggest?” - Virka asked.

Avi grinned with enthusiasm. - “Kitesurfing. We'll race across the dunes a little.”

“Ohh... do they have that kind of thing here?” - Virka faked being surprised.

“Yes, and that's not everything! That's just the beginning of the fun!” - Avi exclaimed.

“If you insist like that, I feel like I won't be allowed to refuse.” - Virka tried to read Avi's intentions.

“Not at all.” - Avi stated. - “You already avoided us for too long.”

Virka felt a bit worried about this statement, feeling that Avi isn't fully honest. - “I don't avoid you... It's just...” - She avoided Avi's sight, but the girl's big eyes seemed to catch every, even the slightest, change in Virka's expression. - “...respect your and Luna's bond, and know that it needs time to bloom into something more wonderful.”

“Bloom into something more wonderful?” - Avi asked, quite oblivious to Virka's implications.

“The lights of your hearts, united, will sing in harmony together.” - Virka answered enigmatically.

Avi stared at Virka, saying nothing. She couldn't comprehend her.

Virka felt awkward, but just then Luna joined them, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

“Luna.” - Virka spoke quietly. - “I have heard that you plan a small kitesurfing trip.”

“I already have the tickets. Avi hadn't considered the possibility of a refusal...” - Luna declared. - “...so, are you coming?”

Virka laughed. - “Of course. It seems Avi is a good planner...” - She twirled her tails around, then added. - “...but I choose the next stop, okay?”

Avi hopped in joy. - “Let's go, let's go, let's go!!” - She repeated.

The girls squeezed through the crowd once more and walked between the stalls, talking about everyday things and stopping only to try the local cotton candy. When they arrived at their destination, the event hosts were already expecting them. The girls dressed in the kitesurfing suits, then were instructed on how to safely use the equipment. Avi initially required a bit more assistance, but after an hour of training, she was able to catch up with Luna and Virka, though only if they let her.

When the girls were done with racing, it was already late afternoon.

“Phew... I'm exhausted...” - Avi said after leaving the showers. - “...but it was fun.”

Virka grabbed a bottle of water and took a few large sips, then passed it to Avi, who also hydrated herself. Luna was already finished and just waited with their bags to leave.

“So, what's next?” - Luna asked.

“I think you forgot something important.” - Avi answered.

Luna raised her eyebrow.

“I think I understand what Avi is trying to say.” - Virka laughed. - “It's time for dinner.”

“Exactly! I dream of nothing else but finding a restaurant and restoring my strength with a satisfying meal!” - Avi added.

“Eh, right. You and your biological needs.” - Luna sighed, then grabbed Avi's still unequipped wrist guard and contacted Caleb. - “Hi, Caleb. Where are you?”

“Hello, Luna. I'm sending you the coordinates.” - Caleb said.

Avi ran up to them, adding. - “Also, tell my parents to look for a restaurant.”

“Acknowledged.” - Caleb replied, then disconnected.

The girls left the dressing room and returned to the colorful tents and stalls. The soft rumble of Goliath's machinery was drowned out by loud music.

“A concert?” - Avi uttered. - “No way, we definitely shouldn't miss that!” - Then she began to hurry onward.

“Wait! What about the dinner!?” - Luna called and ran after her.

Virka only shook her head, hiding her melancholic smile.

---

“I forgot what it's like to dance among the grasses... I forgot that our days will pass. I would like to return to the times when things were easier, yet nothing is left for me but silence.” - The words resounded from afar. Avi stopped in a crowd right in front of a scene.

On it swayed, to the rhythm of music, the singer in crystal dress. She wore a belt with strips from which golden rings hung, and was a robot with a face covered by a mask of blue glass, behind which shone a single yellow eye.

Luna barely caught up to Avi and, panting, added. - “Avi! Don't disappear like this!”

“Luna... I've never participated in anything like that!” - Avi said with her jaw dropped. - “There are so many people here, and it's so loud.”

“We still have time. Your parents must be waiting.” - Luna tried to hurry her friend.

“You can go to them. I want to stay here for a bit longer.” - Avi requested.

“That's absurd.” - Luna shook her head, annoyed.

“Luna, please.” - Avi insisted again.

“Eh.” - Luna sighed and scanned the place. - “Fine... fine... I'll find some places to sit. Tell Caleb to pick up some takeout. I'll pay remotely.”

“Right, right.” - Avi listened and, without taking her eyes off the stage, she spoke to the glove. - “Caleb, can you hear the music?”

“Yes.” - Caleb confirmed.

“Please, pick something for us, we'll be waiting here.” - Avi replied.

“Every sitting spot is taken.” - Luna whispered to herself. - “Well, looks like I've to improvise.”

Without a warning, Luna surrounded Avi with her white light and lifted her up, above the crowd.

“Luna... aaa...?” - Avi spoke, feeling how a chair forms underneath her and noticing a protective umbrella that stopped Goliath's blinding lights. Luna, in a flash, teleported to the platform made of her own light, right next to her friend.

“That's probably more comfortable, and you'll be able to see everything clearly now.” - Luna stated.

“You can... create things like this?” - Avi uttered, examining the platform. - “It's quite big... and well, very high above the ground.”

“Couldn't be easier.” - Luna added. - “I don't want to brag, but you should already know that I'm capable of many things.”

Before the next song started, Virka had already joined them, and after a few minutes, also Avi's parents. Luna surrounded them with the same light and transported them up. Charlotte gave everyone their sealed meals, and Avi quickly unwrapped the meal, preparing to judge it.

It was a three-part lunch consisting of sweet and sour bamboo shoots, gluey balls similar to white dumplings dipped in a savory sauce, and falafels.

“I see you did very well.” - Avi commented as she submerged her spoon in the sauce. - “I was a bit worried you would get lost.”

“This place might be extraordinary, but it's still a city like many others.” - Nicolas said. - “All it took was to ask around.”

Charlotte laughed, adding. - “That doesn't change the fact that you were excited like a kid when talking to all the machines.”

A smug smile appeared on Nicolas's face. - “Interacting with beings so much like us, yet so different, is not something to be feared without reason.”

“Did you learn anything useful or interesting, too?” - Avi asked before she put the spoon with steaming food into her mouth.

Nicolas's smile was even more evident. - “I did.”

“Proud as a peacock.” - Charlotte commented.

“Do tell us.” - Avi requested, putting the dumpling in her mouth. The sauce was quite strong and clearly based on alcohol, which contrasted with the fairly neutral taste, similar to rice in warm milk.

“I know where to look for our void hermit.” - Nicolas confessed.

Avi hurriedly barely managed to swallow her meal and speak. - “W-what!?”

Nicolas quietly celebrated his success.

“Speak!!” - Avi exclaimed.

“He visited this city to spread, I quote – prophecies echoing in the core...” - Nicolas explained. - “...but he left to follow migratory Axshirri.”

“It's a type of levitating, black jellyfish-machines living in the tunnels underground. At night, they emerge to continue their journey, and can be recognized by their beautiful, pink-glowing patterns and tentacles.” - Charlotte added. - “Apparently, they have their nests to the north-west, so all we need to do is to follow.”

“Alright! That means all that's left is to hit the road!” - Avi declared with a smile.

“There is still some time until night.” - Luna noticed. - “We will have some time to listen to the concert, and even have a short rest afterwards.”

“Mmm...” - Avi happily shifted her gaze to the scene. - “We didn't visit Basalt Baths yet, I think it's a good place to relax.”

“A nice, long bath after a whole day of walking. That's all I could wish for.” - Charlotte added, unwrapping her meal.

Nicolas gently smiled and joined the meal.

A calm melody accompanied them in the background. - “In my search for answers beyond the boundaries of the universe, I lost who I was. I thought that I didn't need you... And now, we are separated by a distance that cannot be crossed. All the memories blur into one, a truth that was always nearby...”