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The festival was fast approaching. In just a few weeks, the city would come alive with celebrations for the Lunar New Year. Lanterns would illuminate the streets in warm, golden hues, and music would echo through every alley as the people gathered to honor the Bull God. Every year was meant to honor a different god. And every year a different team was put in charge but every year the Lunar celebrations were a big spectacle and an even bigger challenge to organize.
Aphelios was genuinely worried about how the festival would turn out. He knew this year’s team—his team—was serious, and rehearsals were going well. Yet he couldn’t shake his worries about how the festival would unfold. He had heard firsthand about the disasters of previous years and how poorly things had gone for some teams. Knowing the Gods could be merciless, he feared for his teammates and the entire town. It was way too easy for him to imagine the worst.
To reassure himself, he began mentally reviewing everything his team had prepared up to this point. He had already done that process a thousand times but no preparation was ever enough to ease his anxiety completely.
Still, everything looked under control : Fireworks had been diligently prepared by Tristana and promised to be splendid. Teemo had trained cooks on a variety of traditional dumpling recipes and organized everything to ensure food stands would remain stocked all night long. Most importantly, Aphelios had convinced his team to honor the old traditions of worshiping the Bull God, especially through dance. He had incorporated ceremonial movements into their choreography, ensuring the performance would be viewed as respectful by the Gods. Surely, there was no reason to worry—right?
“Phel” his twin voice was gentle “there is no reason to worry, everything will be great, you’ve worked really hard and so has everyone…”
Alune was probably right, but before he could even argue a shout echoed and Teemo’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Aphelios, come here!"
Wondering what Teemo could possibly want, Aphelios descended the stairs to meet him. He noticed Teemo wasn’t alone, but the other voice wasn’t familiar. Moving quietly, the young Lunari approached the room. His gaze quickly found Teemo’s guest—a man whose size dominated the space. Bigger than Aphelios and at least three times Teemo’s height, the stranger was impossible to miss. His outfit screamed for attention: golden pants, a bright red top, white fur everywhere and - was that a green streak in his hair?
A sudden cough from Alune made Aphelios realize he had been staring.
"You wanted to see me?" he asked Teemo, quickly diverting his eyes from the towering stranger and trying to refocus on why he’d been called.
"Yes, my boy!” Teemo exclaimed, brimming with enthusiasm. “Meet Sett, the latest addition to our team!” With a dramatic gesture, the yordle bowed slightly toward Sett.
Aphelios cast another look at Mister Muscles, now introduced as Sett, who flashed him his brightest smile and extended a hand for a handshake.
“Heya! Nice to meet you… Aphelios, right?”
Aphelios nodded politely and accepted the handshake, though confusion flickered in his mind. Why was Teemo introducing someone new at this point? He hesitated, not wanting to seem rude, but the mounting pressure of the festival tugged at him and ultimately he couldn’t help it.
“Latest addition? What does this mean?” he asked directly, turning to Teemo. “Isn’t it a bit late for that?”
“Phel!” Alune’s voice carried a tinge of exasperation. “That sounded a bit rude.” Her reprimand, as always, was meant for his ears alone.
“The festival is in less than a month…” Aphelios tried to object but he realized his sister must have been right as an awkward silence settled for a few seconds. Fortunately, Sett laughed.
“My bad, Aphelios! I know it’s a bit late and you guys have already been preparing but I was the one pestering Teemo for a spot on the team. I’m a Lion Dancer, and I thought this would be a great chance to show off the craft to the entire city! With the Lunar Festival being so huge…”
“Sett has an amazing reputation as a dancer! The mayor loves the Lion Dance and practically begged me to let him join. You have to see his moves, Aphelios!” Teemo was clearly doing his best to convince the lead choreographer to accept.
Trying to assess the situation, Aphelios stayed silent for a few seconds. Even though his first impression of Sett wasn’t great and he highly doubted that the guy would just blend in and follow the rules… he wanted to trust Teemo’s judgment. Aphelios also knew that Alune would curse him if he were to be rude again so soon.
“Have faith, Aphelios”, it was her way to ask him to give the stranger a chance. Respecting his sister’s wish, the Lunari looked at Sett, his gaze a bit softer than before.
“I guess… After all, I have never seen the Lion Dance before…”
Before Aphelios could change his mind, Teemo pulled up a chair and gestured for him to sit. “There you go, prepare for the show! I’ll make sure we have good lighting.”
Teemo hurried across the room, switching off the main lights and adjusting the warm, ambient ones. As the softer glow filled the space, he clapped his hands and called out,
“Come on, Sett, my boy, it’s showtime! Show us your moves!”
Sett didn’t need to be told twice. Spinning on his heel, he dashed into the spotlight where the beams converged. His almost childlike grin lit up his face as he struck a dramatic pose. He looked like a boxer ready to fight, and for a moment, Aphelios couldn’t tell if he was about to witness a fight or a dance performance. Still, he remained silent and waited patiently for Sett to begin.
“He’s so serious—it’s actually kind of cute,” Alune’s voice rang softly in his head, matching Aphelios’ own unspoken thoughts.
Teemo mimicked a drumroll with his voice before switching on a real music track. Dramatic music filled the air; it sounded like traditional music with a twist of something reminiscent of martial arts.
Sett rolled his shoulders, an easy grin tugging at his lips. Perched on his chair, the Lunari watched him carefully. Sett hadn’t even begun to move, yet Aphelios already felt a twinge of wariness. He could feel the atmosphere of the room shifting probably due to how eager Sett was to prove himself.
The drums came first—a steady, commanding beat, like a heartbeat. With precision, Sett began to move. His body swayed in time with the rhythm, broad arms rising and sweeping low. Each step he took landed heavy yet graceful, the deliberate strength of a boxer softened by the fluidity of a dancer. His golden eyes shone with something fiery.
The music shifted, the rhythm intensifying, stringed instruments joining the drums. Sett’s grin faded, replaced by a focused determination. His hands clenched into fists, and he sank into a low stance. His body burst into a flurry of controlled movement—a jab, a duck, a powerful kick—all fluidly synchronized to the shifting tempo. The transitions between dance and combat were seamless. Aphelios realized he was holding his breath. Sett’s performance was nothing short of mesmerizing. He could almost feel the heat emanating from the half-Vastyan’s body even from where he was sitting. All eyes were on the Lion Dancer, and no sound - except the music and the motions of Sett’s body could be heard.
Aphelios couldn’t look away. He had never seen anyone dance like this. Was that the Lion Dance? The intensity in Sett’s every movement was magnetic—each strike, spin or leap matched the flow of the music perfectly.
Finally, came the chant. Sett sprang back to his feet, launching into a dizzying combination of footwork and punches again. His legs swept the floor, low and wide, as if clearing an invisible opponent from his path. Surely this was more fighting than dancing?
Sweat glistened on Sett’s skin as he drove toward the finale. With the music rising to a crescendo, his movements became bolder and faster. When the final crash of drums fell silent, Sett dropped into a low, steady stance, arms outstretched as he caught his breath. His grin returned, wider and brighter now. Slowly, he raised his eyes to Aphelios.
“Well,” he said, brushing a damp strand of hair from his face, “what do you think? Do you like it?”
Aphelios stared at Sett with wide eyes, momentarily at a loss for words. Sett had moved as if touched by something divine—there was no denying that. It had been incredible to watch, and the young man hadn’t expected to enjoy it that much. However, it seemed inappropriate for a ceremony meant for the Bull God.
Aphelios knew how much the God favored the old ways and feared that this Lion Dance might not qualify as something suitable for the Lunar Festival. It was far from bad, but it looked too much like fighting. What if the God misinterpreted it? They couldn’t possibly take that risk.
How could he phrase his concerns? Would he have to reject Sett entirely? Aphelios was struggling to find the right words, while Sett looked at him with hopeful, expectant eyes. He didn’t want to be mean but there was just no way they were going to change the whole choreography now to include this dance.
“Don’t take this the wrong way…” Aphelios began, “but we can’t possibly use that dance for the Lunar Festival.”
“Phel, brother… you make it sound like you didn’t even like it…” Alune sighed, so Aphelios hurried to provide additional explanation.
“I mean, it was very impressive. I think it’s a great dance, but this just isn’t the right event for it.”
“Why the hell not? I gave it my all out there. Everyone loved it, you loved it, didn’t you?” Apparently sensitive to rejection, Sett’s smile faded, and his broad shoulders stiffened. Sett’s golden eyes hadn’t entirely lost their spark yet, though there was a hint of unease now as he waited for the Lunari to explain more.
“I did.” Aphelios met Sett’s eyes, trying to keep a calm but firm tone. “But the festival isn’t just a dance show. It’s a ceremony meant to honor the Bull God. Every step, every gesture in the dance follows traditions. We can’t just dance however we want. The Gods might not like it.”
Sett looked ready to argue, not backing down. “Look, I know it’s not exactly the ‘old ways’ or whatever, but everyone loves the Lion Dance. Even the Gods might like it. Don’t they respect strength and heart?”
Aphelios paused, giving deep thought to the question. He wasn’t sure. He couldn’t exactly say that Alune and he were the God’s children to give more weight to his reasoning, but he knew more about the Bull’s obsession with respect and compliance than his respect for displays of strength. “They might… but the Gods also remember the past, and humans have fought them before. If your dance—the Lion Dance—is seen as a challenge rather than an offering, it could bring trouble to everyone.”
Sett seemed bothered. He scratched his head and glanced between Teemo and Aphelios, saying nothing. He looked like he wanted to argue but was holding back, trying to be mindful of what Aphelios had told him.
“Listen… I get it…” His voice softened unexpectedly, almost as if he were confessing something. The change made Aphelios lean in, curious to hear more.
“The truth is… My Ma, she loves the festival. She’s taken me every year to see the celebrations, and it means a lot to us as a family. So I figured… maybe this year… I could be a part of it, you know? Make her proud…” Sett’s voice wavered, the vulnerability in his tone striking a chord deep within Aphelios.
The festival was meaningful to him, too. He had watched it year after year as a child, dreaming of the day he and Alune could join the festivities. In a way, Sett’s eagerness to contribute reminded him of himself—how excited he once felt at the thought of performing in the main procession.
This year, being a celebration for their father and knowing how he felt about humans and previous years, complicated the whole thing. Aphelios wished he could have kept the same innocent enthusiasm Sett had.
“Aphelios…” Alune’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “Maybe this is exactly what we need. Maybe we’ve spent too much time worrying about making everything perfect that we’ve lost sight of what the festival is really supposed to feel like.”
Aphelios winced. While Alune had a point, this felt like throwing all their previous efforts to the wind. They barely knew Sett—how could they make such a big commitment to him? The weight of expectations pressed down on Aphelios: Sett’s hopefulness, his father’s stern standards, and the entire town’s trust. He had no idea what decision to make or what words to say. His mind raced to find an appropriate solution, considering the ways Alune could be right and he could be wrong.
“Phel, relax. If this turns out to be a mistake, people have got to make their own mistakes. You can’t be responsible for everything.” Alune was trying to ease her brother into accepting the change. “Maybe you can collaborate and find a way to honor both dancing styles. You’re a good choreographer, brother. You’ll find a way.” This perspective made Aphelios smile shyly; he did love a dance challenge.
Sensing that the stakes were high, Sett hadn’t interrupted Aphelios’ thinking or his discussion with Alune, yet the Lunari could feel him becoming impatient. Sett was literally buzzing with anticipation, waiting for Aphelios’ answer. Teemo had also been incredibly silent, though his gaze remained fixed on the choreographer. He hadn’t said a word to sway the choreographer further.
Gathering his thoughts, Aphelios took a slow, steady breath before speaking words he prayed he wouldn’t regret:
“Fine, I’ll find a way to include you in the dance…”
Two weeks had passed since Aphelios agreed to give Sett a chance. The Lion Dancer had almost broken Aphelios’ bones when he went in for a hug to show his gratitude for the choreographer’s acceptance.
Since then, the two had met daily, spending hours together as Sett demonstrated his repertoire of moves and explained the intricacies of the Lion Dance. Aphelios, ever meticulous, absorbed it all with unwavering focus, practicing late into the night after Sett left. Each day, he worked tirelessly to find ways to weave the Lion Dance into the festival’s choreography.
“Phel, you’re a genius!” Sett exclaimed, showering Aphelios with praise every time the choreographer demonstrated how he’d managed to incorporate one of Sett’s moves into the performance. The half-vastayan had started giving Aphelios all kinds of nicknames, and sometimes the Lunari couldn’t help but feel he had adopted an overexcited puppy.
Contrary to what Aphelios had initially feared, Sett hadn’t tried to force anything on him and seemed content with simply sharing the Lion Dance and being included. He had asked many questions about the old ways and proved to be a diligent student when it came to learning the choreography. His diligence and eagerness were slowly earning Aphelios’ respect, and were also easing his anxiety towards the festival.
For some reason, Aphelios felt that with someone like Sett on their team, they had a chance to make the right impact. His strength and dedication commanded respect. It was so obvious that even the Gods would probably feel the same way.
The rest of the team didn’t seem to mind the changes and it didn’t take long to finalize an entire choreography that included some moves from the Lion Dance without straying too far from the old ways.
The final rehearsal had just ended, the spacious hall now quiet except for the soft sound of settling dust and their heavy breathing. Aphelios and Sett stood at the center of the room, their shadows long under the dim lanterns hanging overhead. Both were drenched in sweat, their bodies tired but their spirits high. They had spent weeks together, honing the performance until every step, every motion felt seamless.
“That's it,” Aphelios said softly, nodding toward Sett. “You’re ready.”
Up until the very last day, Aphelios and Sett met to rehearse together while everyone else was quietly home, resting for tomorrow’s performance. The young Lunari was so proud, it was like his old anxiety was just gone. Sett had done such efforts to make sure the show was a success, he basically convinced Aphelios in the process.
Sett grinned, running a hand through his damp hair. “You think so?” He punched the air lightly, his golden eyes bright with excitement. “Because I feel ready to crush it out there!”
Sett shifted on his feet, his grin fading into something softer. “You don’t know what this means to me. The festival’s always been my ma’s favorite thing. Growing up, it was our one big thing every year, and now… now I get to actually be a part of it. It’s all thanks to you, Phel, y’know.”
Aphelios felt too shy to fully embrace Sett’s gratitude, but the sincerity of his words deeply touched him.
“You gave me something, too,” Aphelios said. “A new perspective. I was just so lost in my head… Now I feel like whatever happens tomorrow, we can face it. Thanks for taking this so seriously. It means a lot to me too.”
“Phel, stop,” Sett interrupted with a grin. “You’re gonna make me emotional.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “But seriously, giving up your spot as the lead?” He shook his head, overwhelmed. “That’s something else, man. I hope I don’t mess it up.”
“You won’t,” Aphelios said with quiet conviction. “This role was meant for you. I can feel it.”
Sett paused, then clapped a heavy hand on Aphelios’ shoulder. “You really know how to fire a guy up, don’t you? Damn you, Phel, I could take on the whole world right now, I’m so excited! We need to go and get some air!”
Aphelios blinked, surprised by Sett’s proposition. Before he could even answer, Sett cut him off, already moving toward the door. “C’mon. It’s our last night before the big day. We deserve it! Let’s go look at the stars or somethin’. Clear our heads, y’know?”
Throwing an arm around Aphelios’ shoulders, Sett almost pushed both of them outside into the cool night air.
Once outside, Sett motionned Aphelios to follow him as they weaved through the town. The choreographer was following his lead dancer as if he was his own personal lantern. The quiet hum of life still lingered in the streets around them and the fresh air was brushing Aphelios’ face. The cold breeze felt so intense, he didn’t remember feeling so alive outside of dancing for a while.
“Where are we going?” Aphelios finally asked.
“You’ll see,” Sett replied with a lopsided grin, eyes sparkling even under the dim streetlights. “Trust me.”
Following Sett’s lead, they arrived at a sturdy stone building, its roof accessible by an old but reliable ladder tucked along its side. Sett climbed up first, offering a hand when Aphelios reached the top. The Lunari hesitated before taking it, his fingertips brushing the calloused warmth of Sett’s palm. Once on the roof, Aphelios understood why Sett had brought him here.
The stars were vivid, brighter than he could remember in recent days. The roof offered an unobstructed view of the night sky and the entire city. Sett walked a little to find a sitting spot on the roof, inviting Aphelios to follow. The Lunari sat down next to him, the cool surface of the roof grounding them as they looked up, contemplating the vast starry sky.
"I love that view," Sett whispered. "Ain’t it somethin’?"
Above them, the stars seemed endless, like a reminder of everything beyond their world. Aphelios couldn’t help but wonder if the Gods themselves had such a view. It was breathtaking. For some reason, it reminded him of the first night he met Sett.
"Thanks for coming out here, Phel," Sett said quietly.
Aphelios glanced at Sett, but words eluded him, so he simply tilted his head and smiled, his gaze returning to the stars above. After a few moments of quiet, he felt Sett move closer, and slowly, Sett’s warm, firm hand slid into his own. Without a word, the dancer took his hand—a gesture unspoken yet filled with love and reassurance. His touch wasn’t demanding; it just felt right. Aphelios stiffened a little at first, but Sett’s quiet serenity eased him, and he didn’t pull away. Instead, he let his fingers rest more naturally in Sett’s grasp, a silent acknowledgment of trust between them.
The two remained there, side by side, as the stars silently watched over them. It is said that this year's festival became one of the grandest Ionia had ever witnessed. Sett and Aphelios’ dance captivated the entire city—adults and children alike—and was met with the Gods' approval, bringing prosperity for the year.