Forever Destined To The Silver Shadow

Celestia's POV: 

After I took a sip from the goblet, the Mages cheered for me. "All hail the Dawn," the crowd shouted in unison. I was overwhelmed by their appreciation. 

Then it was Lord Magnus's turn to drink the firewater. The Mages now applauded the Lord of the Northern region. "Long live Lord Magnus," they all cried out. 

Only after that, the rest of the Mages drank from their goblets. This one seems like a ritual! So in this ritual, the commoners drink from their cups only after their leaders drank. It is fascinating to realize how the different regions of the realms have various customs. 

I am glad that the ritual didn't involve emptying the goblet. I was still uncertain about this firewater. It tasted very sweet and sour at the same time.

And I was so mad at Theo. He told me that there were ruby berries in it, but I could taste only grapes! I frowned at Theo, who was now watching the Mages dance. 

"Theo, why did you trick me?" I asked in a low tone so that no one around us could hear it. "There are no ruby berries in this drink!"

Theo then glanced at me and smirked a little. "My lie made you sip the drink. Or else would you have drunk it?" 

He was right! If he had not tricked me, then I would have never tasted the drink, and the ritual would have been incomplete forever. 

At that moment, a couple of mage warriors came to us. Their attention was entirely on Theo. 

"Silver Shadow," one of them said. "Please come and join us!"

Theo looked at me and then fixed his eyes on them. "Okay! I appreciate your kindness. But-"

He didn't even get to finish his sentence. The Mages dragged him away from me in a swift motion. Well, I wasn't able to do much about it. Everyone loves Theo, and I should deal with it. 

He doesn't belong to me alone anymore. He belongs to the whole lowland region. All the mages and the wizards love and idolize him. And Theo totally deserves it! 

I leaned on the wooden cottage door while I saw Theo and the Mage warriors engaging in a drinking competition. I did not understand the game as I wasn't able to hear them clearly. But every few minutes once, they all shouted and took a sip from their goblets. 

I have never seen this fun side of Theo! He is always determined and ambitious about his goals. But today, he was wild and energetic. I adored the way Theo emptied the firewater from the goblets until Ember showed up. 

"Celestia, my friend," Ember squealed. By the way she walked and talked, I understood that she was intoxicated. 

"How many goblets did you drink?" I asked her. 

Ember began to crack up. "I don't remember," she laughed. "But I want more! I want more of this!!! I just don't want to stop drinking. I want firewater ...."

Ember then sprinted in the direction of the cauldron. She took the ladle and filled her goblet with firewater from the cauldron. It took her very few seconds to swallow the wine from her cup. After that, she began to move her body slowly and danced to the music of the flute, which a mage warrior played. 

Holy Aiden! Is this what will happen when someone consumes this drink? It is good that I didn't drink more than a sip from the goblet. I don't want to sway around on the ground and act like a lunatic! 

The only one who seemed to be sane on the ground was Marilyn. She was neither drinking nor enjoying the celebration. But her father, on the other hand, seemed to be so high on the firewater. 

I don't understand why Marilyn is always so stiff. Ever since I got here, I have never seen her smile at all. She is always anxious. Even now, she seems to be tensed. 

Marilyn was looking around her as if she was searching for someone or something. I have not been around the mages much, but I don't think her behavior is normal.

I immediately walked in her direction. But I wasn't able to reach her as a lot of drunk mages were blocking my way. It was hard to push past them because no one was in their right mind. 

Now I totally get why Father Oberon forbids everyone from drinking wine. This drink makes people stupid and mad! And it gives them false happiness. Perhaps it is the droplets of hell after all!

Something doesn't feel right here. Darius told me that one needs to take so many glasses of firewater to reach the lunatic stage. But these people got mad just after drinking a little. Even Theo didn't seem to be on his feet! 

Finally, I reached the spot where I saw Marilyn, but she wasn't even there! Where did she go?!! The last time I saw her, she was standing right next to this big rock.

I turned around and surveyed my surroundings. She is definitely not in this area. Perhaps she got sick of these frantic people and went away from here. Good for her! I should go back to the cottage too. 

Just then, I spotted a silhouette disappearing in the distance, far away from me. I got skeptical because the silhouette resembled a female to me. I ran in that direction. 

I tried to get there as fast as I could, but the drunk Mages were giving me a hard time. It took me a while to even come out of that area. I am going to request Lord Magnus to ban the firewater in Valley regions too. 

Finally, I was close enough to see the silhouette a bit clearer. The female was wearing a long green gown. Her hair was dark and curled. It is Marilyn! It is definitely her. 

Why is she running away? And the pathway she is going on leads to the waterfalls! Is she going there to take a bath? But there are still four hours until sunset. Who would take a bath in the cold water at the nighttime? 

She is up to something. I should follow her and find out what is wrong with her!