It had been several days since they had returned from the Archipelago, they had finally returned after a couple of days to Arcaic City.

Nito watched from the great royal balcony of his palace the city below him.

He could see from a distance the decorations for the Rite of Illumination but he had other more important matters to discuss.

TAP TAP TAP TAP

A couple of footsteps could be heard behind the blond until he stopped in front of some feet and a voice interrupted the silence "Your Excellency, everyone is in the meeting room." Nito turned as he nodded "I see. Thank you, I'm on my way there now." The golden armored knight nodded as he retreated from the place.

Nito turned around as he entered the halls of the royal palace.

Throne Room

Nito was seated as he looked at the representatives "Kreist." The rabbit-eared and rabbit-tailed boy looked serious "We have been studying it, your excellency. Just as you said, that machine plans to simulate the powers of Lord Lesser Kusanali. But it is too unstable."

Hearing that Nito had a grim look on his face but Ansel flapped his wings "My lord, we should keep it. You know." The blond settled back on the throne "I understand.... Shiang. You sense some corruption in that machine?"

"No your excellency." The Yaksha replied seriously "But we can't let anyone have access to this weapon, I support Ansel's idea." The blond nodded seriously "Leon, Sighart, Enciodis." The three also nodded in agreement.

Nito's Chamber

Two guards stood at the entrance as the doors opened while both bowed their heads in respect to Nito who walked towards the center.

His footsteps echoed as both sides of the hallway revealed weapons, crystals and trophy-like objects. Many of them from the Archon War, swords, catalysts, bows, spears, claymores.

At that moment he stopped in front of the Fatui machine. "..."

Nito looked serious "... What the hell are you doing... Zarina. Trying to copy the power of a God...." He turned around as he left the treasure chamber.

Royal Palace/Dining room.

Nito and the rest ate breakfast while Yuuki looked on curiously "This, Nito-kun."

"Yes, Mako-chin?"

"In what is based on the Rite of Illumination?." Nito hearing that smiled as he looked at the bespectacled boy and then at the three of them "A long, long time ago, Luminaris was never always a place full of forests, lakes and snowy mountains. When I reincarnated, the entire continent had nothing, just a vast desert and dry mountains.

"The four races at first fought over food, hunger and disease reigned everywhere. My first contact with the race was the half snow leopard races."

"As an Archon I began to imbue the land with my power and it spread across the continent sprouting forests and springs. But... There were creatures that only cared about devouring anything. The Abysmal Vishaps, Vishapes of earth that could walk in daylight. Seeing that they did not comply and did not want to communicate with me, I started a war. Releasing one by one the races."

Mika looked curious "What happened?" Nito sighed as he looked out the window "With my army the Vishap race was defeated and those that survived I expelled them from the continent."

Anzu swallowed saliva "Are they still alive?" Hearing that he sighed as he denied "I don't know.... But that happened 4,600 years ago. But the price was great, in the end we rose victorious. This festival honors the battles against the Vishaps in the great beginning. Hence they call it the beginning of Enlightenment. We drink and eat for a week and sing festive songs to honor our fallen heroes. And... Well, to honor me too as an Archon."

Shinobu looked up in amazement "You're amazing, Nito-kun." Hearing that the blond smiled "Truth be told I'd rather forget it.... Those battles showed me the cruelty and truth of this world. Luminaris may have achieved the peace but I can never forget those dark times. The Vishaps... The Archon War." He quickly realized he was starting to turn negative as he quickly shook his head "Sorry, today should be one of happiness and celebration. You see, today the festival has begun."

"The 5 days will be a festival and feast in the city and inside on the second to last day a skill tournament will be held and the next day I will recognize the winner as this year's champions at the royal palace."

The group looked at each other excitedly before being interrupted "And.... You will need to wear traditional Luminaris clothing." Anzu and the rest looked on curiously as he smiled in amusement.

Anzu came out of her room while wearing a beautiful traditional Luminaris dress.

Yuuki, Shinobu and Mika also looked at their outfits.

Nito smiled as he clasped both hands together admiring the outfits he had given them "You guys look great!" Anzu looked at her dress "So this is traditional festival attire."

The blond nodded as he looked out the window "I'm afraid I won't be able to join you, I have some business to oversee at the Festival as Archon."

The four nodded as they bid farewell to Nito finally leaving the palace.

Arcaic City

Anzu and the rest looked at the food stalls and food typical of Luminaris. Shinobu ran to a restaurant display decorated with gold ruffles and white ribbons.

Anzu and the rest arrived behind him as they stared in amazement at how cute this food looked.

Somewhere in the training grounds of the Valyrie palace. The sound of clashing swords echoed through the training grounds as hundreds of Celest Knights trained.

Nito stood on a secluded side of the field observing his legion of knights.

"..."

A pair of flapping wings echoed behind him as he heard something land, Nito did not avert his gaze to his knights "Ansel."

"My lord."

Everything is going smoothly your excellency, there are hardly any incidents or fights between Arcaic City and the four capitals of Luminaris.

Hearing the blond smiled satisfied "Fantastic, now that all is well. I can rest easy." Ansel stood up and looked curious "You're not going with Anzu and his friends?" Hearing that he denied "No, I'd rather they enjoy the Festival on their own."

Nito turned to look at him "And speaking of the Festival. I invited Aether and Paimon, even as goodwill to the Raiden Shogun, Barbatos and Zhongli."

Ansel frowned "Is it safe? I mean, I have respect for them as Archons but my worry is that Barbatos is going to screw up. You know."

"Don't worry, I'm prepared this time."

Porte Di Lux

At that moment in the vault portal emerged a blond and certain emergency food. Aether greeted with a smile "Hello again, Sieghart."

Paimon also greeted with a smile "Hello again." Sieghart deactivated the Porte Di Lux by withdrawing his sword "Welcome to Arcaic. Tabibito, Paimon."

Paimon nodded excitedly "We are excited to see the Rite of Illumination festival." The blue and white attired boy laughed "Hahaha. Of course, and right now we just started the Festival." He pointed to the bridge where he could hear chatter coming from the city louder than usual.

Sieghart nodded to him "What are you waiting for? Go and have a fun, and by the way. If you meet Anzu and the group in the city, why don't you walk together?" hearing that Paimon nodded excitedly "Come on, Aether. I want to try the food too." Aether put his hand on his forehead "The only all you care about is the food..."

Sieghart laughed in amusement as they both said goodbye to him starting to walk the glowing bridge.

Arcaic City

Anzu and the rest were sitting at one of the outside tables until a couple of voices caught their attention.

"Anzu! Guys!" The four looked to where the voice came from while Mika smiled happily "Paimon! Aether!" The group greeted the two who joined them sitting in the two empty chairs at the table.

Aether looked around where there were more people than usual and the city filled with festive decorations. "I had been to many Teyvat festivals, Rite Lantern, Windblume Festival, Iorodori Festival but this is my fourth time at another nation's festival. Especially here in Luminaris."

The waitress arrived to collect their orders while everyone ordered what they wanted. After a few minutes everyone received their dishes. Mika, Anzu took the fairy tale style, Makoto and Aether took the combination of Japanese and Oriental where there was a cute doll while Paimon took what seemed to be a heart theme.

They all ate and talked animatedly until they finished and then continued exploring the city.

Paimon watched in amazement "Woah! As expected, those gold statues are amazing." Mika nodded as he looked down to see the tents set up and people talking animatedly. A few items based on the Festival season could be seen.

The day went on and everyone enjoyed the first day of the Festival. The street filled with music and lively chatter.

Vault of the Porte di Lux.

Nito entered being greeted by the guardian.

"Yahoo~* Nito-kun.... Aren't you with Anzu and the others?" Hearing that from the dark violet haired boy he denied "Actually I prefer to be out of sight of the Festival. You know, this Rite is also dedicated to me as an Archon. It would cause a stir. Tell me... How are the repairs to the Porte Di Lux coming along?"

Sieghart looked out the window at the sea "Almost complete. According to Kreist... After some day the Festival ended it will possibly already be repaired."

Nito was silent "..." Sieghart knew that look "Your Excellency..."

"I'm fine." Nito turned with a smile "Nothing lasts forever and you know it."

Night fell on Luminaris.

Nito was sitting on his throne in the Valyrie Palace watching the group in front "I see you had a good time."
Paimon nodded happily "Yes, it's a lot of fun, the decorations, the festival establishments. The music and dance events."

Nito laughed amused as he looked curious "Tell me Tabibito. We will soon be holding an Olympic tournament that consists of an obstacle course to find out who is the best. Obviously anyone can participate."

Aether curious "Is there a reward?"

The blond crossed his arms "A weapon created by me, and also a box of gold bars. In Moras they would be worth 700,000 Moras each ingot." Hearing that Paimon looked at Aether "Come on! It's a good time to stuff our pockets. Because of that old Geo Archon."

"Oh no... Don't tell me you too." Nito sighed in exhaustion. "..." Aether laughed uncomfortably as he nodded "Yeah.... I'm afraid." Nito noticed the look of confusion from Anzu and the others as he explained about Zhongli and his shopping decontrol.

They all looked somewhat apologetic at the two of them. Yuuki fixed his glasses "I never thought that the God who created the Mora wouldn't.... Have Mora..." Nito smiled uncomfortably "You see..."

Aether nodded "I'd like to sign up." Hearing Nito smiled amused "Tomorrow you can head to the coliseum and sign up." Aether nodded as they ate dinner and rested. The days passed and Aether signed up for the competition.

The days went on and everyone enjoyed the first day of the Festival. The street filled with music and lively chatter.

Days passed

And on the penultimate day...

On the eastern outskirts of Arcaic City a huge golden coliseum is crowded with people and hundreds of cheers and applause.

Anzu and the rest were on the royal platform sitting in VIP seats while Nito was sitting on his golden throne watching seriously. Venti, Zhongli and Ei were sitting in VIP affairs.

A human with black feathered wings flapped his wings as he flew to the center speaking with a microphone in hand "Ladies and Gentlemen, children and adults! Welcome to Nito Coliseum, the Coliseum our Archon himself founded with his hands and his power as Archon!"

He pointed to the platform where he pointed to Nito "And also the presence of his majesty just like every year at the Festival of Enlightenment. Lord Nito, our Archon."

The crowd cheered as Nito watched clutching in his right hand the Ra*bits Vanquisher his golden spear, the audience cheered. He nodded to the presenter who understood and looked at the audience "Ladies and Gentlemen. Allow me to introduce... To the participants of this year's tournament. At that moment 30 people, young Yaksha's, young Half Snow Leopards, human and young human half rabbits and winged humans entered the stage. Among them, Nito noticed Aether as they all turned their attention to the idol while the audience cheered in encouragement.

The blond stood up as he raised his spear and hit the ground.

CLANK!

The audience fell into stony silence, all now paying attention to their Archon. "Like every year... I have been watching over Luminaris.... Since the time of the Great Beginning. Today, this year... We once again honor those who lost their lives in battle against the Vishaps. It is time to choose a champion! Warriors! Prove yourselves to me!" Nito banged the baton loudly as once again the Coliseum was