The SFOTH deities had all gathered in Firebrand's kingdom to celebrate the new year. An assortment of dishes was scattered neatly across the table, a small cake in the middle. Who could have a birthday without cake? It wasn't only New Year's but the deities' birthdays, some brought gifts for close relatives, like Firebrand receiving gifts from his two grandchildren, Valk and Dom, and Ban Hammer giving his mother, Windforce, quite a lot of gifts. The deities with no children either received gifts from each other or simply did not receive one.

Illumina had not received a gift, and he was fine with that, he hadn't gotten anyone a gift either. He didn't need to waste his time on petty little gift-giving ceremonies. He didn't go up to the table for the food, he stood contently at the back, occasionally talking to Ghostwalker about something, before the emotionless deity left to go do whatever it was Ghostwalker did.

He turned, sauntering off to the nearest balcony, escaping the noise that was the chatter of his relatives. The clock struck midnight not too long ago, almost 10 minutes ago. Illumina had no reason to be there any longer, hell, he had no reason to be there in the first place, but alas, like the good brother he was, he joined their stupid ceremony.

He leaned against the balcony railing, looking up into the sky, the mortals were still lighting fireworks. He watched as each went up, popping into a wide array of colours, the pop was distant, almost faint, Firebrands kingdom was far from the city he ruled over, Crossroads, to be exact. He expected no one to come out, and he wasn't sure if he preferred that or not, but, the small peace and quiet he got out here was comforting. He relaxed, having muscles he wasn't aware of tensed, and his single wing unfurled, which was originally pressed tightly against his back.