Black Moon

As they walked into the town, balloons and streamers filled the air. A bunch of banners were hung all over. Several different stands were set up with various food and games. Kids rushed through the streets of the town, parading all around.

“Wow, it looks so pretty,” Mira said in awe, clasping her hands together.

“Yeah. Definitely a step up from the other town,” Yusato agreed.

Leo said to simply observe. He still wasn’t sure what exactly that was supposed to mean, but Yusato decided to keep his eyes out all the same.

“Yusato!” Mira grabbed the hem of his shirt and he looked down at her.

“What is it? Also, stop pulling my shirt like that. You’re gonna wrinkle it.”

“I want to go over there.” Mira pointed towards a stand that was selling an assortment of donuts.

He cocked his eyebrow at her. “Seriously? Didn’t you just stuff your face with a bunch of muffins?”

Mira’s cheek puffed out. “That was hours ago.”

“You ate every last one of them.”

“They were tasty!”

Yusato shook his head. He didn’t realize how much trouble it would be taking Mira along with him. “Listen, in case you forgot, we don’t have the money for that. I’m flat broke, remember?”

Putting a finger to her lips, Mira mused over her thoughts for a moment. “Oh…that’s right. Whoops.”

Yusato’s head fell down. “So you really did forget. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. We were told to just observe, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

“Boo…” Mira pouted.

“Whine all you want. We have a job to do.”

They continued to walk through the festival and Yusato made sure to keep a careful eye.

“Free canoe rides here! Free canoe rides!” A man waved around a white banner in front of the town’s lake as he shouted that over and over again.

“Yusato~” With sparkling expectant eyes, Mira tugged on his sleeve.

“Great, now she’s messing up my sleeve instead…”

“It’s free. Please~”

Looking down at her face was a mistake. A massive mistake. Her eyes shone brightly as she looked up at him. Her quivering lips shot right through his heart.

He already wouldn’t have been able to say no to her with a face like that. But the mere fact that it was free defeated him entirely. There was no reason for him to refuse.

“We can go on one ride. Will that make you happy?”

Mira nodded enthusiastically. “Yep!”

“Kay, then let’s go.”

Mira happily skipped along over to the lake with Yusato lagging slightly behind.

“Come on in and enjoy Litsuria Lake!” The man waved his hands around as he hurried them along. “It’s a great day to have a canoe ride before tonight’s main event!”

Mira leaped into the canoe so quickly it rattled in the water.

“See?” Yusato said as he stepped in. “Proof you’ve gotta stop eating so many sweets.”

“That’s not why it did that!” Mira crossed her arms and huffed.

“Might as well get a headstart.”

The canoe started moving in the water. “It’s moving by itself?”

“Listuria’s lake has magic currents,” the man said, rather proudly. So all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the ride.”

As Yusato rode along in the canoe, he noticed some shadows looming in the water. He peered closer and realized those shadows couldn’t possibly belong to any fish.

Those were humanoid shadows.

Leaves rustled in the trees above. Bits and pieces of twigs splashed into the water.

The low hum of breathing. Yusato could just barely hear it.

They were definitely being watched. A knot formed in his throat. Who was it? And why were they following them?

Mira shivered, hugging her shoulders. She must’ve noticed it too. As the canoe got further into the lake, the shadows seemed to close in on them.

“Mira,” Yusato whispered to her. “Someone’s trailing us.”

Her shoulders tensed up and she started rubbing her knees together. “I think it’s them again.”

“You mean those guys who were chasing you before?”

Mira nodded hesitantly.

Tapping his fingers on knees, Yusato leaned back. “Act natural.”

Mira did as he said and watched the scenery of the lake. “It is really pretty.”

“Yeah.” Even though he said it, Yusato was finding it difficult to act natural himself. Mira Luin…Just who is that girl supposed to be? For these people to be chasing for so long and to be this adamant about it. He needed to find out more information about these people.

The canoe ride eventually came to an end and as it did so, brilliant fireworks lit up the night sky. They exploded in an array of gorgeous flashes of colors.

Mira clapped her hands at the spectacle. Yusato thought the fireworks were nice too, but he still had to keep a watchful eyes. Looking down at the ground, he noticed a few shadows connecting to his.

“Still here, huh?” he muttered to himself.

A man dressed in a black suit stood up on a top of a nearby stage with a large red curtain set up behind it. He had thinning hair on both sides and a clean shave on top. He pushed up the bridge of his round black glasses that masked his eyes.

A crowd started to gather around the stage and the people chanted, “Mayor Zagar! Mayor Zagar,” over and over again.

The mayor held his hand behind his back and grinned. “Thank you everyone. Your kindness is always much appreciated. I hope you all have been enjoying the festivities.”

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

“Ah, that’s what I like to hear. But as you all know, it is now time for the main event!”

“There’s that main event thing again.” Yusato had been wondering what exactly that was since he heard it earlier. Yet, for some reason he got this strange feeling of dread.

“Bring them out!” Mayor Zagar called out behind him.

The curtain drew open to reveal dozens of people all chained together in handcuffs. Black spots covered their faces, arms, and legs. Their fingers seemed unnaturally elongated and small horns peeked out from their heads. “It is time for the Sirhix Purging Ceremony!”

Yusato’s face went pale hearing those words. Something crawled up his throat, but he quickly gulped it back down. His heart beat against his chest.

Sirhix Purging Ceremony? That’s the main event they were talking about? But those didn’t like the Sirhix he had seen up until now. They looked more human than anything.

Leo’s words rang in Yusato’s mind. Just observe. That was his mission. He was told if he did that, then Leo would become his Quest Manager.

The chained people’s face were sullen and full of fear. Some even looked they had given up all hope. What kind of messed up ceremony was this?

Why? Why would this town be doing this? What was the point of all.

Those thoughts ran through Yusato’s mind as he clenched his fists and grinded his teeth. It was appalling.

Yusato bit his thumb, drawing some blood. and started to crouch down.

“Mage Freyus!” Zagar strolled over to a man wearing dark blue robes and holding a spellbook in his hands. “If you would be so kind.”

“With pleasure,” the mage said, flipping through his spellbook. Fire spewed forth from his hands as it washed over the chained people.

A wave of water met with the fire and steam billowed all around the stage. A sharp scream pierced the sky within the steam.

Once it all cleared away, the mage known as Freyus was down on the ground with several pins, needles, and daggers sticking out of his back.

Behind him was a group of hooded figures in black cloaks. A women stood front and center holding more daggers in between her fingers. “Mayor Zagar, the Black Moon is onto you.”