"May the everwatchful eyes guard you, young people. Can I help you?"
His voice sounded young, most likely under 30. Souta quickly hid himself behind the group.
"What does the circle mean…surely it's not a coincidence anymore."
Ryuo stepped up once more acting as a spokesperson for the group.
"Ah, no need sir. We were just looking around and saw your stall. Do you sell something here?"
"Sell? No. We are doing charity work, everything here is free on the day of the festival."
"Free? How generous of you. What do you offer here then?"
"Hmm..let's see…books, lessons…some amulets and other..trinkets."
Miyuki's eyes lit up.
"Amulets? What kind?"
"Young miss, show some patience. On the festival day all will be revealed."
Airi was looking at the banner of the stall, then turned to examine the man.
"I've never heard of such an organization. The Holy Apostles of the Crimson Moon? Sounds ominous if you ask me. And what's with the outfit?"
"If you are interested I can hand you all a pamphlet. It has all the information."
"You know what, I'll have one."
"And you others? I have these prepared just for occasions like these."
"I'm good, I'll just look at Airi's"
"Yeah me too."
"I'll actually take one."
Everyone turned to Kaito, surprised.
"You don't have to, I'll just give you mine to read."
"No no…it's just a…souvenir of sorts. I have a bad memory so this will remind me of this day."
"Oh sure then."
The robed man handed him a pamphlet as well, which Kaito folded and put in his pocket. While handing out the paper he noticed Souta hiding behind everyone.
Crap.
"What about you young man?"
"No thanks. I'm not interested."
"Not interested…but young man, you look like you need guidance. I can see it, something is bothering you greatly."
Yeah your face.
"We can offer…salvation for you."
"I think a glass of water would do more good for me than..salvation, whatever you mean by that."
"I won't force you, but if you change your mind…we are always open."
"Let's go guys, I've had enough of him."
"Don't be so rude, Souta! Charity is always good."
yeah right.
"We'll be going now, but we'll definitely come back on the day of the festival to check the stall out!"
"May the everwatchful eyes guard you."
"Byee!"
"You guys didn't find that weird at all? Robed figures, talking about salvation?"
"You're worrying too much Souta! Just some religious people doing charity work. Let's go see what else is around!"
The five of them walked back to the main alley, but Souta couldn't shake off the feeling that they were being watched the whole way back. He couldn't relax until they were far enoug from the stall.
"Look! They're preparing the fireworks display there!"
"I bet it'll look beautiful against the night sky."
"Everyone remember to dress nicely for the festival! Surely you all have yukatas?"
"Yeah."
"Sure thing."
"I wonder if mine still fits."
I think I have one too, somewhere collecting dust.
"And look everyone! Such beautiful designs in those fans. Miyuki, that one would suite you so well!"
"You know what Airi…you might be right."
"Excuse me, can I buy that one?"
"Of course young miss! We haven't set everything up yet for sale, but that one I can sell."
The fan wasn't too expensive and seemed to really please her.
"Take a look at these hair ornaments as well. You girls like this kind of stuff right?"
"Oh, this one is so beautiful!"
Airi turned to the old woman setting up the stall.
"Excuse me, madam. Could I perhaps buy this?"
"Of course my love. Do you know what it symbolises?"
Souta peeked over Airi's shoulder to see what she was holding. It was a white hair ornament, a kind of a flower. He couldn't recognize it.
"It's a poppy. It symbolises dreams."
"I like it a lot! How much for it?"
Again, money quickly changed hands and soon she had a flower in her hair.
"I think it really suits you."
"Thank you Kaito! You boys should also buy something!"
"I think I'll save my buying for the festival night. It'll be more memorable that way."
"Well of course we'll also buy more then, this is just to start."
They continued on, finally arriving in the central stage.
"I wonder if some kind of performance will be held here?"
"I think it's some dance and a play, but I can't recall. Something traditional for sure."
"Ohh, I think they'll be wearing some traditional masks!"
Now that I think about it, I think going to the festival will be fine if people have masks on, I won't have to think about what's underneath.
"Souta and Kaito, why are you always so silent? Surely you don't feel shy around us?"
"Sorry…this is just all a bit of a shock to me, all of you appearing out of nowhere. And I think that's just the way Souta is. He never was much of a talker right? Don't think that I don't enjoy your company or anything, I'm just not that good at all this socializing"
"Of course we don't think that way Kaito! I was just wondering."
Thankfully that topic got brushed under the rug quickly.
"Hmm…where could we find some town elders to tell us more about the festival? That's the whole reason we came here right?"
"I don't think they'll be here out in the sun, let's go look around the edges where there's more shadows to rest under."
"Good idea!"
After walking around for a while they finally found what seemed like an older couple sitting under a huge oak tree.
"You ask them."
"No, you go. I'm scared."
"Ryuo, you go."
"Why is it always me that has to speak for our group."
"Because you work in customer service."
"Right."
"Excuse me, Mr and Mrs…I..no I mean we was uhh we were wondering if you could tell us about the history of the festival if we're not bothering you."
How did he botch that so badly
Souta could see Airi barely holding her laugh and Miyuki hiding behind her fan in embarrassment.
"The youth rarely nowadays gives any thought to our traditions! And there's five of you, brilliant young minds! Sit down, sit down. I'll tell you what I know."
They sat around in a ring, and the old man began telling them.
"Let's see now…as you all probably know, there used to be prolific moon worship here in the valley. There are no official records but it's said that it dates back two thousand years. Whether that's true or not is up for you to debate. So…uhh…the festival…believe it or not, it's originally a victory feast."
"A victory feast? For whom? And what did they beat?"
"It's only passed down orally…but legends tell of a great battle in this valley. It's unclear what happened, but there's a poem about it I can tell you if you want to hear."
"Tell us!"
"How did it go again…oh right."
For it was neither dawn nor dusk, yet the sky still burnt with red. The crimson moon hung low, bleeding its last light into the mountains.
In the stillness, whispers echoed, white-robed prophets speaking of a dawn untainted, a light without shadow.
The scarlet devotees knelt beneath the dying glow, their chants trembling like fireflies in the dark of the night.
But it was all for naught.
The pale tide came, a silent storm, blades in the dark.
When the night finally broke, the white moon rose, cold and whole, its glow washing the valley in silver.
But in the aftermath, the victors wore crimson robes, the cloth still warm with the last wish of the moon before.
And under the white moon's watchful eye, their new chants sounded strangely familiar.