Elements: Age of Creation

An Unwilling Arrangement

The festival was alive with the sounds of laughter, music, and fireworks illuminating the evening sky. Lanterns hung across the pathways, casting a warm glow over the sea of festivalgoers.

Hikaru, however, was not enjoying himself.

He walked with his hands stuffed in his pockets, his expression sour, glaring at Teshii, who was strolling way too casually beside him.

"I still can't believe she invited you," Hikaru muttered.

Teshii grinned. "And yet, here we are."

Mei, walking beside Hikaru, giggled. "Come on, Hikaru, don't be such a grump. It's a double date, isn't it?"

Hikari, who was walking beside Teshii, smirked. "Yeah, Hikaru. Lighten up."

Hikaru groaned. "This is not a double date."

Teshii snickered. "Sure, Sunshine. Keep telling yourself that."

Splitting Up

After wandering through the festival, Mei excitedly pointed at a game stall.

"Hikaru! Let's try that one!"

Hikaru sighed but nodded. "Alright, let's go."

Mei grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the stall, leaving Teshii and Hikari alone.

Hikari smirked. "Guess it's just us."

Teshii stretched his arms. "Looks that way. So, where to?"

Hikari thought for a moment, then grinned. "I bet I can beat you at the ring toss."

Teshii raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You wanna bet on that?"

Hikari crossed her arms. "What? You scared?"

Teshii chuckled. "Not at all. But don't when I win.

And with that, the two split off to compete in festival games, while Hikaru and Mei continued their own little adventure.

For a while, things were normal.

Then, suddenly–

A Strange Presence

Hikaru and Mei were walking past the festival's main stage when Hikaru felt it.

An odd energy in the air.

He stopped mid-step, his body tensing.

Mei noticed and frowned. "Hikaru? What's wrong?"

At the same tie, Teshii, elsewhere in the festival, also felt it.

He froze mid-conversation with Hikari, his usual smirk vanishing.

Hikari blinkded. "Teshii?"

Neither Hikari nor Teshii responded.

Their eyes were locked on the stage, where a performer stood, manipulating water with incredible precision–creating dancing waves, floating spheres, and shimmering streams of liquid in midair.

Hikaru and Teshii slowly turned to look at each other from across the festival.

Neither of them spoke.

The didn't need to.

They both knew exactly what this meant.

The next Element had appeared.