Patience pays the price. The world shall never forget the stubborn hearts.
~Saurabh, The sorcerer.
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In the season of Xitho, at the month of Zeuta-7, in Gezareal Hivar.

The portions of the dezae had passed in a glide along with the wheel of time, which always revolves in a steadfast loyalty to its supreme lord. Moments were spent idolising the revitalising love and joy that had embraced them. Though the sky portrayed the absurd shifts of the cloaks it wore on specific hasoih, the shades of darkness were colonised by the shades of scintillating serenity in the minds of Hivarians.

No one had ever imagined that their fortune would turn so swift and smooth in revealing so many amusing shades of life. This change was indeed welcomed without any smoky thoughts, and it felt more like justice for the prickling sufferings that had been jingling them in the past.

Adding to this joy, they were all busy getting ready for their very first celebration as a family, the Naamekaran Utsav of the princess of Hivar.

As the lights beamed from the glorious morning gleams, Walor couldn't keep him controlled. He checked, rechecked, and revised all the preparation. His new changes left people perplexed with every piece of news they got for him. Almost everyone were already reporting him nearly ten times more than the usual.

"Ahhh, brother! Stay calm. You will need more energy for the rest of the day as well. Stop worrying our men so much! Everything is checked and we are good. I have taken care of them." Zwisk made his chiding remark as he patted his arms.

"Let me be at ease then. That's alright. How do you look handsome today? I never knew you would fancy a purple tunic with an emerald mantle. But they do suit you well." Walor expressed his joyful appreciation with a wink.

Zwisk nodded his head and bent his body slightly forward with his right palm swaying in front as a note of gratitude for his brother's words.

"You know me well. I couldn't control my overwhelming thoughts today. I can't wait anymore for the celebrations to start." Walor marked his overwhelming joy.

"Haahaa, well understood. Celebrations always lighten the mind. Being with you for these many boring yorveh, will I not know this? So before your impatience starts to reprimand, let us begin the journey without any further delays. Blazhen is not a nearby spot." Those factual words from Zwisk vibrated in Walor's ears.

"My dear brother! Nowadays, your words make sense! Let me go and fetch out my lady and the princess. These women never learn to save time, you know." Walor delicately patted his brother. When he was about to turn, a voice caught their attention.

"Are the things laid out ready for the pride ride?" Her authoritative voice and the white musk sniff that teased their nostrils made them know they were ready.

He turned around in his peachy silver mantle, which complimented well with his opulent blue tunic attire, to see her walking towards them. On her peaceful palms, she was carrying their cherished daughter.

She was dressed in an olive-emerald pelisse with golden threads running in a musky-patterned design. Her honey-drenched pelerine blended well with her honey-emerald tiara. Her musk-stitched golden brown curls hit the knees in an interlaced pattern. Even without many jewels, even in that sultry weather, a slight glance at her energetic self can bring any lost soul back to life.

So beautiful she is, Walor thought to himself. He had almost forgotten what was happening around him when a known voice interrupted his strict stare of love.

"Yes, of course. Thoughtfully arranged by me. Only he was rechecking them again and again to discover all were done perfectly." Zwisk replied in a mischievous tone while his raven irises were pointing at Walor.

"Ah... Sometimes even the hawk misses the target. That's why I was just making sure about the arrangements. I was about to come and fetch you. Gladly, you people have come at the right time. So we can start now."

Walor went near her and their tiny daughter, who was to be named soon. He curved his head in an arch and looked at the turquoise, golden frilled floral cloth that was comforting her tender skin. Her gentle smiles brought a shine on his eyes.

"Oh! My little bee, you look very sweet." He then looked straight into her electric blue eyes and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Soon we can call you with the name that was decided long before but not yet revealed," he whispered in her ears. She chuckled and twiddled in response to her dear father.

Indeed, it is their stern custom that the name shall only be announced at the Saurabh Stupa in front of their ancestors and their dynamic lord Hegal. This was the very reason for their excitement because, after the Utsav, they could address her with that enticing name forever.

Without halting their wheels any more in the air, they started their journey towards the summit. Over that long, exhausting journey through a path that was never new to any of them, the ride filled them with new hope and enlightening thoughts. Everyone was enjoying this travel that they awaited for long. But, for some reason, a common fear was clenching them.

Sometimes, when they were in these familiar places, a very similar sort of happiness overwhelmed them. Before they could embrace it, it turned out to be a disciple of the fading field. Now the very same emotions were holding them once more. As a warning, their minds pleaded with fate not to rob them of their happiness this time. When the waves of wee and glee were taking turns, they had set their feet on those chocolaty clogs of mud. Nearly two payorah of the day went by when they reached the mountain peak.

From there, they had to board the theurgic chariots that had been waiting for them and also for the other people who were supposed to be present to share their festivity.

Rominia and Walor greeted everyone with an enthusiastic smile. Together, all the people of the Lumas and the Solas dynasty reached the Stupa that was waiting to welcome them for this delightful event.

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At Stupa:

Rominia went near Zwisk and handed the infant to him, the one who would precede the function. With his arms wrapping her, he went to the front and took his position as the herald. A vibrant, gusty blow of breath had filled his lungs with serene pride. Though he had held her for many moments in the past few dezaeh, this moment felt magical to him.

Letting his pride sway through his radiating smile, Zwisk marched towards the Infinia stage where the ceremony was planned to be happening. Everyone from the Lumas clan followed him without any commotion, and that added more to his reflecting pride. With every move, his heart started to pound at a rhythmic yet regular pace. But the depth of joy that owned him from within was nothing explainable. After a very long time, his thirst felt quenched, totally by the heart and the soul. He never have imagined that this honouring victory would ever find him over a terrible loss at the battle, for which his nights were kept at wait.

On reaching the doorway, Saurabh, along with the Solas clan, was waiting for them with a tranquil smile to welcome them. Their leader Volker was standing to his right, and Taminaz was standing to his left, with their son cradling in her arms.

"Patience pays the price. The world shall never forget the stubborn hearts."

"Thank you for helping us, Saurabh." Rominia bowed.

Saurabh smiled as held the protective fire that was lit on a golden torch, which was to be passed on to the herald. Knowing his successive duties, Zwisk handed over the baby to Rominia. He received the torch and went near the solicitous beacon.

He lit the beacon that was emitting a paradisaical flame. The vague white fumes of smoke erupted from the sacred herbs that were added as an integral element. When the smoulders were replaced with blazing jolts of flame, the elegant vapours had imbibed a colourless hue that covered the arena as the guarding shield.

Once the protection was laid as a part of the ritual, Saurabh turned his gaze to Taminaz, who then stepped forward. She went near Rominia and gave a gentle glance at her daughter. The holistic glow in her electric blue eyes caught her attention. For some moments, she gasped, and then, without any consciousness, she uttered, "Beautiful angel! I'm glad to see you today. And all of us will witness your shine within some time here."

Her words added a shivering thrill to Rominia's spine. She couldn't understand what her words meant. She kept it fine with a nod. Taminaz, in turn, took out a sparkling rose made of ruby crystal, which was as small as a pendant, and lent it to her as a token of welcome. The cuts and the shine that were incorporated would reflect its shimmering glint even in thick abyss of darkness. It was such a fine piece of art.

Neither it's shine nor delicate carvings could be appreciated by Rominia. Those last words were still holding her in a grip, and she couldn't respond correctly.

Taminaz understood her state of mind and then took out her boy's palm. She made him hold the sanguine, sleek ruby rose and extend it to her. In no time, their princess accepted this offering from their enthralling prince, and an evident giggle escaped out of both of their lips that bloomed into a contagious smile on the faces of people who surrounded them.

"So shall we begin? It seems like they are already friends. At times, the innocence and acceptance of these infants make the elders bow in reverence." Saurabh stated.

Volker let out a slight, rough sigh, but it went unnoticed. Others silently nodded to his words due to the peculiar bliss that had drenched them. When the people parted to the sides, Zwisk and the others of the Lumas dynasty entered the enticingly decorated hallways.

The blue and golden flask-flowers were stringed intricately together. Few dotted blooms were twisted with the bundle of ferns in the form of stocks, phlox, and gladiolus. The little dews of single petal were let to hang in the air over the cliffs. Few climbers were placed to decorate the pillars. The golden hues of lamps and the spiritual wooden incense filled an imperturbable air all around them.

Though there were so many reasons to be calm and happy, her words kept ringing in Rominia's ears. Taminaz had the power to protect the soul, even if it had departed, and she can always see some visions from the future.

She said that everyone will witness their daughter's power here, but it is almost her null dezae, according to the Lune-lure loop.

How's that even possible? Does this mean that we're going to witness something bad?

The very thought of it had assaulted her mood. She started panicking, yet she cemented a forced-out smile on her lips. When she was drowning in those straining thoughts, she felt a warm grip on her clavicle. Walor had already held her swiftly while she was trembling and rumbling in her floating thoughts. She gave a smirking smile to make him sure that she was fine, only to realise that his grip was tightening on her as-needed support.

Within moments, all had settled in the respective seats that were arranged for them. Zwisk and his family had occupied the central royal armchairs. Saurabh reached for the golden torch that was still held by Zwisk and carried it to the tomb of Hegal.

He lit the lamps, which were sharply tuned to catch the flame in an instant. He offered his verses in the form of prayer, which spread the glow all over the tall tree of the clan. The complete tree was glowing with a golden element of radiance that filled the hall. Everyone bowed their heads to this vision and offered their respect and prayers to it. Saurabh then called for them to do their duties for the day.

Rominia and Walor stood up with brimming dignity and cheer. They walked forward with contentment, gripping them tightly with each step. Within some fractions of time, they stood in front of their symbol of glorious regality, the Stupa of Hegal.

Walor took out the name card that was made of bronze from his tunic pocket and looked at Rominia, who was reciprocating the same feelings for him. He then winked at her and took one more step forward.

When he was about to take the final step, an overpowering, tumultuous noise was heard that almost deafened the entire gathering. The noise kept echoing in a loop, and the shrills had maddened the silence as the chaos intervened.

For a moment, Rominia thought that it was nothing but a hallucination.

Maybe those words and thoughts were making me paranoid.

She closed her eyes with a brief sigh and made her mind strong with some joyful words. But the moment she opened her eyes, the happenings in front had almost bombarded her.

Their little faith that was ready to bloom into a beautiful flower was now caught in the clutches of vanity. Slowly she felt her beliefs shatter into the threads that were set in flame. Those beliefs that they had fortified to seek as their strong faith. Those beliefs that they wished to never let fade. Maybe this time, too, things were not right. Or could there be any other possibility?