The following morning found Kenna beckoning Adara, who was in the process of departing the barracks, crossing Kenna's bunker on her way. Halting her stride, Adara directed her attention towards Kenna, who was signaling her while simultaneously rummaging through her bag in search of her healing kit.

“Your stitches need to be removed,” Kenna announced as Adara approached her.

“Oh,” Adara murmured, reaching up to touch her brow, “I had nearly forgotten about them.”

Astrid, passing by the duo at that moment, tossed over her shoulder, “I'll wait for you two outside.”

Acknowledging Astrid with a nod, Kenna set about the task of removing Adara’s stitches. Once the sutures were successfully extracted, Kenna leaned back, her gaze scrutinising the inflamed skin, which would soon bear the hallmark of a scar.

With a closing squint of her left eye, Kenna raised her hand, indicating the approximate length of the forthcoming scar between her thumb and pointer finger. “Your scar might be about this size.”  

Adara simply shrugged as she rose, her demeanour nonchalant. “Given the punishing training awaiting us, and a potential war on the horizon, we're bound to be adorned with countless scars. This one seems rather insignificant in comparison.”

Kenna nodded in sad agreement, rising to her feet to accompany Adara outside. “I know.”

Their breakfast routine was as predictable as ever, consisting of eggs and bread, complemented by a smattering of fruit. Once their meal was concluded, the group gathered outside the mess hall. It was Atlas who broke the silence, “It appears we might soon be relocated to different barracks. They aim to group all the trainees from our village together. It simplifies the process of disseminating announcements or changes to our unique training regime.”

A note of somberness tinged Astrid's voice as she responded, “So, our encounters will become rare, then.”

Keanu let out a sigh before conceding, “Yes, our paths may cross primarily during mealtimes.”

Soon after, the group dispersed, leaving Astrid, Kenji, Storm, and Adara sighing collectively.

“Any idea where Reign and Phoenix might be?” Adara inquired, squinting against the ascendant sun.

Shrugging, Storm jammed his hands into his pockets. “Perhaps at the resting area.”

“Let's check there, then,” suggested Kenji. They navigated their way past the training grounds, noting the increasing numbers of trainees occupying the space. Upon reaching the resting area, they spotted Phoenix and Reign engaged in conversation with a cluster of fellow trainees. Phoenix’s gaze found them, and she immediately lit up, waving them over before bidding her temporary company farewell.

Meeting them halfway, Phoenix exclaimed excitedly, “There's going to be a bonfire gathering this evening!”

“Bonfire gathering?” the quartet echoed in unison.

Reign provided an explanation, “From what I gathered from a few second-year trainees, a colossal bonfire is set ablaze, people sing around it, and there's even dancing. Apparently, it's an annual event taking place just once before our first year of training commences.”

“It serves as a breather, a night of enjoyment before the rigorous year ahead,” Phoenix added.

“Dancing, you mentioned?” Kenji pondered aloud.

Astrid swivelled to face him, querying, “When was the last time we indulged in a dance-filled evening?”

“Perhaps around six years ago,” Adara conjectured, her mind drifting back to a vibrant village event where they had all collectively engaged in song and dance.

“Six years ago?” Reign echoed incredulously, “Does your village not partake in such festivities from time to time?”

Storm sent a pebble skittering across the ground before replying, “Our village is amongst the most impoverished ones. The people have neither the energy nor the time for such frivolities. Come evening, they are often spent, promptly returning home to seek rest.”

“I see,” Phoenix murmured, her tone tinged with melancholy, “Well then! Tonight, we'll ensure that you all have an unforgettable time!”

Astrid’s eyes sparkled with burgeoning excitement. “I can’t wait!”

Kenji exchanged a fist bump with Astrid, echoing her sentiments, “Me too! We're going to dance till we drop.”

As the day crawled by, anticipation for the bonfire evening reached a fever pitch amongst Phoenix, Astrid, Kenji, and Reign. Storm and Adara, however, chose to remain mere observers of the mounting excitement that was virtually radiating off the four spirited teenagers. They found amusement in witnessing the others’ barely contained impatience.

“Finally!” came the jubilant cries of Astrid and Kenji as they arrived at a sprawling, flat plot of land situated on the other side of the buildings enclosing the marketplace. From their vantage point, they could discern the vastness of the open land beneath the evening sky. At its centre, a mammoth fire blazed brilliantly, holding a few trainees captive with its hypnotic dance. 

A raised platform, positioned a comfortable distance from the roaring fire, drew their attention as a woman and man ascended it. The mellifluous strains of their duet floated above the gentle hum of conversation, immediately silencing the trainees. After a short, sweet song, they picked up the pace, transitioning into a more vibrant number.

Trainees at the forefront, fuelled by the lively song, began shouting and dancing. Before long, the infectious rhythm had engulfed everyone. Phoenix seized Astrid and Kenji by the arm and plunged into the undulating crowd. A smirking Reign followed suit, dragging a resistant Storm and Adara into the throbbing mass of dancing bodies, all the way to where Phoenix had found a spot to dance.

“Come on! Get into the groove,” Kenji urged Storm and Adara.

The cousins shared a resigned glance before tentatively beginning to move to the music. Their movements were somewhat awkward given their lanky frames, provoking laughter from their friends.  

“Come on! I know both of you can dance much better than that! Let loose!” Astrid chided, barely audible over the collective noise.

The cousins shared a brief chuckle before breaking into an energetic dance.

“Yes! That's the spirit!” Phoenix cheered, her fist punching the air in approval.

Several minutes into their energetic display, Adara declared, “I need to catch my breath.” She gestured towards a building cast in shadows a little distance away, and the group nodded their understanding. Before Storm could consider following suit, Astrid seized his arm.

“No,” she admonished, “If both of you leave, we won't see either of you for the rest of the evening.”

Storm shot a glare at Astrid, then towards Adara who could only laugh at his predicament. She waved a casual goodbye before threading her way through the bustling crowd.

© Crimson B