By the time I came to a stop, it was because I bumped into a firm surface. Hands gently rested upon my shoulders and prompted me to look up to see the loving pair of ocean eyes that twinkled at me.
They were glassy as they bored into mine, and the narrator's voice escaped his very lips. "The touch of a petal that's filled with love cuts through the crisp surface of burned expectations. When we're tired of being left as ash, that force of hope in the shape of love cuts through the spiraling force within ourselves and allows our true sense of purpose to blossom to the surface," he revealed. "When that happens, everything begins to rise high: our hopes, dreams, and the good memories that were overshadowed by the bad ones. The weight of such burdens are cast away, and we're finally able to rise high into our purpose in life until we, too, are ready to fly high into the sky and receive everlasting peace."
He paused as a single tear escaped to drop onto my left cheek.
"When the world is filled with darkness, allow yourself to feel the pain, the sorrow, the agony, and the anger those emotions deliver, but don't let it blind you from the true force of nature that seeks to bring peace to you. Don't allow it to hide the love that's right in front of you. Let the petal of the rose soak up your tears, and then see its ultimate beauty as you set it free to be one with nature once more."
He smiled then as he whispered, "You never know what a single petal of love can unlock."
His attention moved forward, and I lowered my head to see the spectacular painted image. I was completely stunned as I took in the massive image of me smiling. The background was the same as the pastel sunset we'd experienced with the fluffy clouds, and I stood there with my hand out and a red rose in the palm of my hand.
The painted whole wasn't what really took my breath away, but the smaller images that began to surface the longer you looked at it. Memories through the years began to project outward into the air for the world to see while the black petals that had been lifted rained down in a mesmerizing transition of color.
The music box sound was at its most dramatic part of the entire orchestrated piece, adding the emotional emphasis needed as we admired the various memories and painted images that were projected out like holographic screens.
The years we shared from the moment we first met, the summers and sleepovers we shared, and the challenges throughout the years. Images of Finnick's brother smiling, his mother with a dress in her hand as she seemed to twirl in glee, his father laughing proudly with a paintbrush in his hand. So many memories that he'd kept in the archives of his mind to paint, and together they created a smiling image of me.
He moved to walk to direct me to face the crowd again. My feet were in the middle of the circle once more as Finnick now faced the audience in his white suit and tied hair.
"Presenting the finished concept to my father's ultimate masterpiece. A single image of thousands of painted memories. Each image was painted with threads that can be magically conducted to project out like a holographic image. All it needs is a single drop of magic to let the entire story unfold with the aid of the Universe to tell the story," he revealed as the pastel-colored rose petals fell upon us.
"Through the last four years at Witchling Academy, I've grown into a man who at one point believed that disappearing was my only option. No matter all the love I was receiving, I was losing all those I cherished and didn't see the peace that thrums through this grand world because life was being hard on me. However…" He paused to reach for my hand. His fingers wrapped around mine as he slowly smiled.
"One bright light with orange and golden locks somehow cut through those thoughts again and again. Thanks to her, I was able to see the love I still had left to give to the world, whether it was physical love to my friends and the man I'd been afraid to confess to, or the love I could display upon a single canvas as I poured out my emotions with every stroke of my paintbrush."
Squeezing my hand, he smiled. "This piece was originally supposed to represent my mother, who was the apple of my father's eye. I decided to integrate it with my own life, and share it with you all. Look within yourselves to see how much love you have within to give to those important to you, as well as yourself. The sky may have a limit, but love can't be bound to this world. Love can reach the highest parts of the sky, and that love will reach those that have already flown to the palace of peace in wait for us to share love in this world until our duty is up."
With a bob of his head, he bowed his head.
"This is my entry, Sky High. Thank you for following the journey."
The crowd went wild with cheers, and I finally looked over to the judges to see they were all shedding tears as they rose to clap. It was like having a standing ovation as everyone throughout the festival stopped to cheer and clap.
Seeing a vast group of people being moved by Finnick's creation made my heart overflow with happiness as I looked at him with immense pride. He turned his head to look my way, and he whispered, "I did it, Red."
I couldn't contain my excitement as I hugged him. It made the crowd cheer louder as he hugged me back tightly. I could feel his emotions - the spiraling sadness and happiness that twirled like a ballad dance.
The raw presentation showed the world what he'd endured these last few years and here he stood, in the spotlight for everyone to see his striking success.
It took a long time for the crowd to finally calm as the main judge requested the microphone. The man was tall with short blond hair with purple highlights. He dressed exquisitely and gave off a foreigner vibe as he blinked away the fresh tears that threatened to fall.
"As one who traveled a long way to be a part of this festive competition, I've never been so moved as I have tonight. Art is such a privilege, and with the right tools and strains of magic, it can create a reality one may never expect. To be able to experience an ounce of the pain you've endured through such innovative creations is a blessing, and I think we've all learned a valuable lesson about the purpose of art. It’s to express what a person sees and imagines within their mind and implement it in your own life." He looked to his fellow judges as if to get their confirmation.
Glancing back at us, he smiled widely. "I, Mr. Zoticus, am humbly proud to announce the winner of the Witchling Universal Arts Competition: Finnick Rosedale."
Fireworks went off as we all cheered in victory. Finnick smiled before he began to cry. I crushed him in a hug before Jax, Connor, and Kaito were on stage and smothering him in all directions as we enjoyed the group hug.
Confetti of various colors rained down on us as we cheered, laughed, and cried.
Mr. Zoticus came up to the stage with a dazzling trophy while a group of individuals came out with a massive check.
"Congratulations, Mr. Rosedale. You are the official grand prize winner of one million dollars and a universal scholarship to travel the world. All expenses will be paid. All you have to do is share your creations with us."
"Thank you," Finnick replied as he fought not to sob.
"Whenever you're ready to teach down the line, Mr. Rosedale, I’ll happily aid you on the professional journey," Mr. Zoticus stated with pride.
"I'm honored. Thank you so much."
"Picture! Picture."
We were going to move out of the way, but Finnick shook his head. "Come over here and be in the picture. You guys are my roses. You can't just leave now."