Chapter 348: Sweet Night

Scenes of Bruce’s battles replayed silently in the sky.

The thirty versus one clash.

The forest battles.

Even the moment Sophie sliced through the Bronze Horned Buffalo herd flashed across the glowing projection.

Crowds filled the sidewalks, some just arriving for later showings while others lingered outside the theater, animatedly discussing what they had just seen.

Street vendors had quickly taken advantage of the gathering crowds.

Small stalls lined the street corners and open spaces, each illuminated by warm lantern light. The smell of roasted meats, sweet pastries, and steaming drinks drifted through the cool night air, weaving together into a comforting blend of scents that made the lively district feel almost like a festival.

Bruce had just opened his mouth to suggest heading home when.

Lily suddenly stopped walking.

Her entire body froze.

Her nose twitched slightly.

Then, very slowly, she turned her head toward the right side of the street.

Bruce noticed the movement immediately and followed her gaze.

Not far away, beneath a softly glowing lantern, a small dessert stall stood near the corner of the street.

Warm steam rose lazily from trays filled with freshly prepared sweets.

Golden pastries glistened with honey glaze.

Fried dough twists were stacked neatly beside bowls of powdered sugar.

Small cakes sat cooling on wooden racks while a pot of thick berry syrup bubbled gently near the back of the stall.

The smell drifting from that direction was almost unfair.

Warm.

Sweet.

Irresistible.

Lily’s eyes widened slowly.

Then she grabbed Bruce’s arm.

“Big brother.”

Bruce already knew that tone.

“Yes?”

She pointed dramatically toward the stall without taking her eyes off it.

“Do you smell that?”

Bruce raised an eyebrow.

“You mean the entire street?”

Lily nodded very seriously.

“Yes.”

Ash suddenly perked up on Bruce’s shoulder and sniffed the air as well. The little dragon tilted his head curiously, then chirped excitedly as his wings fluttered in quick bursts.

Lucy laughed softly the moment she saw the two of them staring toward the stall like treasure hunters who had just discovered a hidden vault.

“Well,” she said warmly, “I suppose the night isn’t over yet.”

Sophie folded her arms casually as she followed Lily’s line of sight.

“I was wondering when she would notice.”

Lily blinked and turned toward her with exaggerated disbelief.

“You noticed too and didn’t say anything?!”

Sophie’s lips curved slightly.

“I was waiting to see how long it would take you.”

Lily puffed her cheeks in protest.

Bruce couldn’t help chuckling.

“Come on then.”

The moment he said the words Lily grabbed his sleeve again and practically dragged him across the street toward the stall.

The dessert vendor looked up as the group approached.

He was a cheerful middle aged man with flour dusted lightly across his apron and sleeves, his hands still busy turning a golden pastry in hot oil.

“Fresh honey cakes!” he called enthusiastically. “Fried dough twists! Warm berry syrup!”

Ash fluttered down from Bruce’s shoulder and hovered curiously above the stall, his small wings beating gently as he inspected the trays below.

The vendor blinked in surprise.

“Well now… that’s a cute little drake.”

Ash puffed out his chest proudly and let out a confident chirp.

Lily leaned forward against the wooden counter, staring at the trays of desserts as though they were priceless treasures laid out before her.

“There are so many…”

Bruce stepped closer beside her.

“So?”

Lily turned toward him slowly.

“We need to try them.”

Bruce pretended to think about it, resting his hand against his chin.

“Hmm.”

Lily squinted suspiciously.

“Big brother.”

“Yes?”

“If you say no I will never forgive you.”

Sophie laughed quietly beside them while Lucy covered her mouth, trying to suppress her laughter.

Bruce sighed dramatically.

“Such pressure.”

Then he turned to the vendor.

“We’ll take a few of everything.”

Lily gasped.

Ash chirped loudly in approval, nearly losing his balance mid air as he flapped excitedly.

Moments later the group stood beside the stall holding small paper trays filled with warm desserts.

Steam drifted upward into the cool night air as the heat from the pastries met the winter breeze.

Lily took a bite of one of the honey glazed cakes.

The moment the sweetness touched her tongue her eyes lit up instantly.

“This is amazing!”

Ash leaned over her tray and snatched a tiny piece before she could react.

The dragon cub chirped happily while chewing, clearly pleased with his theft.

Lucy watched the two of them with a warm smile that softened her entire expression.

“This reminds me of when Bruce was younger.”

Bruce slowly turned toward her with suspicion.

“Do I want to know where this story is going?”

Lucy’s smile widened mischievously.

“You once ate six honey cakes in one sitting.”

Lily’s head snapped toward Bruce.

“Really?”

Sophie raised an eyebrow.

“Six?”

Bruce sighed in defeat without saying a word.

Ash chirped again in enthusiastic agreement.

The four of them remained there for a while beneath the warm lantern light, enjoying the desserts while the lively theater district continued buzzing around them.

People laughed.

Strangers debated the movie’s ending.

Floating projections still played high above the city rooftops.

But within that noisy celebration.

a quiet warmth surrounded their small group.

For once there were no battles.

No Labyrinths.

No looming dangers.

Just a simple night beneath glowing lanterns.

The night air had grown noticeably cooler by the time they left the dessert stall. The warmth of the honey cakes still lingered pleasantly in their hands and stomachs, but the winter breeze drifting through the theater district brushed gently against their cheeks and clothes, carrying with it the layered scents of roasted meat, sugar, smoke, and lantern oil.

Above them, rows of lanterns stretched across the street like glowing constellations suspended between the buildings. Their golden light reflected softly against the cobbled roads, turning the damp stone into a mosaic of shifting amber and shadow.

The district was still very much alive.

***

A/N:

Pls what do you think of the story so far? If there’s something I’m doing wrong feel free to tell me…

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