The brothers say goodbye to the guardian and head towards the capital. It was a pleasant autumn day, perfect for the Gaia’s festival, just a few fluffy clouds decorated the crystal blue sky.

“The sun is rather pleasant today.” Lilla comments as they ride, looking directly at Rox. “It's the perfect climate for a festival in honor of the goddess of life.”

“You're right, Lilla.” Replies Rox, aware of the provocation. "Even someone with pale and sensitive skin like mine will not have problems."

Since the sun was the ruler of the light element, Rox would often burn to the exposure, which for most people would be normal.

“Blame your dominant element's genetics for being so sensitive to light.” Replied Lilla, mocking her brother even more.

Aglia remained silent, it was not her characteristic to speak, even with her siblings, yet she was always attentive to the conversation, amused by Lilla's occasional immaturity, unlike the silence of that day, her eyes stared blankly and her mind raced between dreams and reality analyzing the possible meanings of such a recurring dream.

“It was scary to see you pissed off like that.” Lilla comments, noticing the eldest's trance.

“It's unusual for you to get angry, Aglia. That is Lilla's job.” She shoots Rox a pointed look. “Didn’t I say?” Laughed victoriously.

“Sorry, the sleep deprivation doesn't allow me to ration properly.” She answers, without paying much attention to her twins.

“What happened? You are too distant today.”

“It's nothing, I'm just thinking.”

“Are you sure?” Lilla insists.

"I already said I'm fine!" Aglia startles herself and her siblings by screaming once more. “I…I'm sorry.”Answers crestfallen.

Lilla and Rox give her a tender look in response.

“This dream has been very frequent this last year, every night I dream about it.” Starts Aglia. “Before, it was just during our birthday and the festival, but now…”

“During the last year the conflicts between the mage kingdoms have increased, perhaps there is a relationship between your dreams and the conflicts. The energy of all Gaia is out of balance, I can feel it, even the trees are losing their gleam.”

“Today marks 15 years since the World Eater's attack at the Capital. It makes one more reason for your dreams. “Lilla continues.

“I believe you are right, the energy imbalance must be affecting my sleep, as well as the fact that the festival starts today.”

“With so many wars we are getting very similar to humans.” Comments Rox melancholy.

“You're right. But today is a day of festivities, we shouldn't be so focused on such sordid subjects.” Lilla puts herself in front of the brothers with Luma “How about a run to the wall?” She shouts already Sprinting meters ahead.

"Is not fair! You got ahead!” Rox yells following Lilla.

Aglia also sprints up with Pars feeling her mood renewed.

In the end, even though she came out ahead, Rox won the race, followed by Lilla and Aglia tied.

“I can’t go against Rox, Luxon is much faster.” Snort Lilla dismounting from Luma.

The horse neighs proudly waving its mane, Rox pets him.

"Or maybe, even though you’re a fauna, Rox is a better rider?" Taunts Aglia by taking Pars' reins, Lilla crosses her arms indignant.

"There are fewer knights today, what happened?" Lilla asks, looking around.

"A retinue left in the morning to attempt a truce between some kingdoms."

“Oh right, I remember. By the way, shouldn't you be with them, Rox?”

"Captain Sirius dismissed me on account of the festival, he said he should enjoy the festival but still act like a knight." He explains as they headed towards the central square where the festival took place.

“Madame Noir also dismissed me from the healers for the festival with the same orders.” Lilla played with a small air phoenix she had summoned.

While walking along the main street, chatting animatedly, the triplets are surprised by two figures in black approaching.

Maia and Hadar walked confidently, both wore black outfits with small details in red and purple, like twins, both had ruby ​​red eyes and dark purple hair, like the night. They talked to each other, ignoring everyone else on the street, some they passed, from time to time, giving them a look of contempt. Their attention was held back when they noticed the three figures walking in their opposite direction, anger made Maia's blood boil and her eyes turned even redder.

The three brothers slowed down when they realized they had been spotted and could no longer flee, trying their best to postpone the meeting, however, as soon as they saw them, Maia and Hadar fired, nullifying the triplets' attempts.

‘Two dark mages looking for trouble, that would be troublesome.’ thought Rox.

‘We couldn't go unnoticed by them, could we?’ Lilla says, irritated, by telepathy, her eyes growing grayer and darker.

While Lilla was irritated, Rox and Aglia looked sad when they saw the two mages.

“Look brother, it seems the forest rats have decided to come out of their lair.” Maia had one hand on her hip, tapping her long nails, cut like claws, on the red leather belt that hung only on the left side, while with her right hand she adjusted the choker with her magic jewel. The disdain in Maia's voice was so deep it could be touched.

Aglia and Rox remained silent, while Hadar looked uncomfortable with what his sister had to say.

"What do you want now?" Lilla answers crossing her arms. “Nothing good I assume.”

"Since you asked dear Lilla," the mage adjusts her black leather fingerless gloves "we do want something from you." An almost evil smile invades Maia's face, Rox felt Hadar even more uneasy, which made him cast a curious look at the black mage.

Aglia noticed her brother's reaction promptly. ‘They're up to something.’ She thought.

“We want to challenge you to a duel, tomorrow, in the arena, it will be a beautiful show for Gaia's day, don't you think?” The mage was enjoying the situation more and more.

"No." Rox replied dryly.

“Afraid of your own magic?” Maia challenged him with her gaze. “Forest rat?”

Lilla takes a step forward. “What would we gain from this?”

“All those baby magical beings would be spared as moving targets for our training.“ Maia puffs out her chest.

“You would not!” exclaim Aglia and Lilla.

“They would.” Rox mutters, Aglia and Lilla take a step back.

“Very well,” Lilla replies. “We will duel with you.”

-”Excellent!” Maia looked like a child getting candy. “It will be the two of us against the three of you, we will wait in the arena at ten.” Hadar was a little more relieved, but it was still possible to feel the tension emanating from him.

They do a quick greeting, bringing their left hand to their heart and minimally lowering their head, and leaving the triplets, who repeat the gesture just out of politeness.

“I don’t believe this!” Lilla was screaming, her hair was a light shade of gray, while her eyes were still gray and dark. "Using cubs to force us to duel! This is a human thing!”

"Rox, are you sure they would actually use this device? We know those two, even Maia wouldn't be so cruel.”

“Whether they would actually use the cubs I'm not sure, you know how I've always had a hard time reading Maia and Hadar, but there are indeed some cages in the arena.” He adjusts his coat. “Still I believe they set this up just to make sure we'd duel, Maia knew we wouldn't accept it.”

“They have something up on their sleeve for this duel.” comments Aglia.

“They just want to show up, as they always do. Being the regent's children is not enough for their ego.” Lilla's hair and eyes beginning to return to their original colors.

“Lilla is right, Maia always liked attention, but I can't judge her, many repel them because of the Regent's actions, without really knowing them.”

Aglia nods in confirmation “Anyway, it's a festival, as Li said, 'we shouldn't focus on that kind of thing'.”

 Lilla and Rox nod. "So... What do you think of those berry scones now?" Lilla darts in front of her brothers like a kid at an amusement park. Aglia and Rox just exchange an amused look before following the fauna.