Páàlà ọkàn, àyè àjàkálẹ̀ ti o wa ní inú ọrun. Bàlànì ti flares with mild gold light, and the roofs and corridors seem to be sculpted from clouds, with a gentle breeze rising from every window. Every time the morning sun rises, the entire palace is bathed in morning light like gold powder, as if calling adventurers to step into a dreamland. This place has not seen war for three thousand years in the cloud realm, and it is also a paradise for countless immortals to practice and live.
Deep in the cloud palace, there is a small skylight room. Inside, thick books and strange magical tools are placed. The wind outside the window gently brushes against the pages of the book, occasionally turning a few pages of ancient prophecies. Inside, a young boy sits on a soft cloud carpet, lost in thick scrolls. His name is Enfis, a name unheard of even by the elders of the cloud realm. Enfis has a head of silver-grey curls, and his eyes sparkle with sharp yet gentle light. Today, he wears a light blue Western-style robe, embroidered with intricate golden patterns, and draped over his shoulders is a feather-woven shimmering white cape, just like all Western immortals who practice immortal arts.
A gentle sound of palace music comes through, and a young girl jumps into view at the end of the palace corridor. Her name is Lizzy, with long slightly curled hair falling to her shoulders, and her eyes are as clear as lakes. Today, she intentionally tied the ends of her hair in cherry blossom pink, wearing a golden bell white skirt, wrapped in transparent feather gauze, and a blue gemstone water drop on her forehead, presenting a dignified and noble demeanor typical of Western immortals.
"Enfis!" Lizzy gently pushes the door and calls him with a smile, "Guess what method I used today to cast the brilliance dispelling spell?"
Enfis looks up and responds with a smile, "You must have fused morning dew essence with spirit stone, right?" He leans closer, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Lizzy pretends to be mysterious and blinks, lightly pointing at the ceiling, "Wrong! This time, I used radiant star powder paired with white cat bud. The effect is super beautiful; do you want to try?"
After saying that, they gaze at each other, happy smiles dancing under the lamp. Lizzy takes a shiny small bottle from her waist, lightly sprinkles a bit of radiant star powder, and in an instant, the entire room is enveloped in a pure and gentle halo of light—it's a warm light that can illuminate even the heart.
Enfis leans close, feeling the light swirling in his palms, savoring the shimmering magic. Suddenly, a black lightning cuts through the cloud layers in the distant sky, shaking the palace slightly.
"What is that...?" Lizzy’s eyes widen.
"Not good, something is coming," Enfis decisively stands up, putting away his magic staff, and pulls Lizzy out of the skylight room. They run out to the platform at the top of the palace. Standing on the thick clouds, they can already feel the air is unusually murky.
In the distance, dark clouds are gathering, and a giant dragon peeks out from between the clouds. Its entire body is covered in scales as dark as ink, and its eyes burn with a blue eerie light, each breath seemingly carrying destructive power.
"That’s... the Abyss Dragon! How can it appear at the Cloud Palace?" Lizzy’s voice trembles slightly.
"Perhaps it has come to seize the source stone of the palace's light." Enfis tightens his grip on the staff and says with a deep breath, "We need to stop it!"
The dragon flies close, and rain begins to pour from the clouds, the storm roaring as if it wants to swallow the entire palace into the abyss. Enfis and Lizzy stand firm in the storm, their mutual trust and determination shining brighter than the lightning.
"We can't go head-to-head," Lizzy calmly whispers, "the Abyss Dragon can withstand most attacks, but it is most afraid of mental resonance."
"Mental resonance?" Enfis thinks for a moment and nods, "Your musical spells are amazing; I can assist by using magic as a resonating trigger."
The two look at each other, their hearts already in sync. Lizzy uses her left hand to touch her chest, delicate fingers drawing musical notes in the air, and those notes instantly transform into flowing gold lines, drifting toward Enfis on the wind. He swings the staff, directing magic onto the musical notes, each drop of energy like stars in the night sky, gathering into a splendid light of resonance.
The dragon roars as it lunges, its black scales shimmering with a heart-stopping light in the clouds. Enfis and Lizzy stand side by side before the storm, strong winds tousling their hair, and then they look at each other as if the world consists of just the two of them.
"Are you ready?" Enfis asks.
Lizzy’s eyes ignite with an indomitable flame: "We can do it!"
The dragon approaches, opens its massive jaws, and spews searing magical flames towards the palace. Lizzy closes her eyes and gently hums, the melody flowing as gently as water, the notes transforming into golden ripples, intercepting the flames mid-air. Enfis quickly draws a halo on the ground with his staff, connecting the energies of the two. Under their resonance, magical waves crash towards the dragon like waves.
The dragon roars, struggling to break free from the bindings of the waves. However, the golden sound waves grow stronger with the combined force of Enfis and Lizzy, the power of courage and trust. Lizzy's voice becomes high and passionate, her heartfelt emotions transmitted through the melody deep into the dragon’s soul. Enfis steadies his hand, focusing on infusing every bit of magic into Lizzy’s melody, and their powers flow like a golden river, slowly washing over the dragon’s cold heart.
"Look, its gaze is changing!" Enfis exclaims in surprise.
Lizzy slightly opens her mouth, sensing the malice in the dragon's eyes gradually dissipating, revealing a hint of soft gentleness in its blue glow.
The dragon slowly lowers its head, its claws touching the entrance to the Cloud Palace, yet there is no longer any intention of anger or attack. At this moment, lightning streaks across the sky, a beam of light instantly falls from the heavens, enveloping the dragon and the two boys.
The guardian of the Cloud Palace, the elder immortal Elmro, appears. Elmro's beard is like mist, he wears a white cloak, holding a jade staff, and his gentle voice resonates amidst the wind and rain: "Children, you have won the dragon's trust with courage and friendship." He reaches out to stroke the dragon's forehead, calming it to lie down.
Lizzy puts away her magical tool and turns to Enfis with a smile, "Without you, I couldn't have done it alone."
"Likewise." Enfis wipes the sweat from his brow, "It was our synergy that drove away the darkness."
Elmro gently says, "Enfis, Lizzy, the light of your hearts surpasses that of a thousand armies. True strength always comes from mutual trust and friendship."
The dragon emits a deep rumble, its mouth curling slightly upward, even bowing its head in salute to the two. It slowly spreads its wings, shimmering with unprecedented brilliance, illuminating the night sky of the entire Cloud Palace.
Enfis still feels the warmth of Lizzy's notes in his palms. He looks at his friend beside him, a wave of warmth washes over his heart.
"Lizzy, no matter what difficulties we encounter in the future, we must face them together."
"Enfis, I promise you. We will protect the palace with laughter and courage."
Above the palace, dawn reappears. After experiencing storms and challenges, the two bring a new calm through their mental resonance. Their friendship elevates in this battle, their encouragement and companionship worth more than a thousand words.
As night approaches, the two stand on the highest terrace, enjoying the gentle evening breeze. Lizzy plays gentle waves of light with her fingertips, while Enfis softly hums beside her, once again filling the Cloud Palace with warm, peaceful brilliance. The dragon lies quietly in the clouds beneath the palace, guarding this hall that can gently wrap dreams with its thunderous but soft breathing.
In this world of brilliance and friendship, Enfis and Lizzy know that no matter how many difficulties and challenges await in the future, as long as they hold hands, they can turn darkness into hope—turn the ordinary into miracles. Even as night falls, there will always be a flashlight in their hearts, accompanying them, illuminating every unknown adventure.