Chaos at the Festival

Hana spots the girl with the umbrella.In the center of the hall, along with a group of spirits in shimmering clothes,she’s practicing a slow and magical dance.
Guests arrive—witches in extravagant robes,with pride and heaviness,but tired, aged faces.
The spirits serve food with smiles.Dishes steaming,in strange colors and tastes one can only imagine.The witches eat the foodand slowly, become young again.Wrinkles fade,and their faces shine like the early days of magic.
But…
Hana watches everything carefully,and remembers the Crystal Tear.She runs to the grand oven,where the fire is glowing and the food is cooking.
The oven is the heart of the festival.
Her hand trembles,but bravely, she places the Crystal Tear inside.
In a moment,a strange light bursts from the oven.A magical sound echoes from deep within the castle.The spirits stop,the dancers freeze.
The food suddenly changes color,the witches who had eatenbegin to age again…No! Even worse—their faces melt like deformed masks.
And the spirits,one by one,are freed.Bright lights rise from their bodies,they smile,and vanish into the air,as if they’ve just taken their first true breath.
The witches scream,they try to stop the oven,but it’s too late.The sound of the festival’s chaos still echoes in the space,but Hana is not alone in the middle of the uproar.
Suddenly, a hand from within the light and smokegrabs her small hand.
Pino—the same young man—now returned like a hero from the heart of the castle,his eyes full of certainty.
– “Come… it’s time.”
Without another word,they start running.Through the collapsing hall,the square, the corridors, the elevator…
Until they reach the castle’s great door,where a ladder hangs—the very spot where it all began.
Hana is gasping for air.
Pino smiles,steps forward slightly,bends down and says softly:
– “Go. This castle isn’t yours anymore.But you’ll always be part of its heart.”
Tears gather in Hana’s eyes,but she nods.She looks back one last timeand says to Pino:
– “I know you’ll come back.”
Pino’s smile is full of sorrow and hope:
– “I promise. Next festival… I’ll see you.”
They wave goodbye.
Hana climbs down the ladder,the golden morning light spreading,and the castle slowly fades into the mist...
The castle shakes—from within.