Ken yo, kaku katariki – 109
#17 – Twin Moon Festival, Begins
The start of the festival was long ago.
In the holy texts, it says that in the beginning, there was only sea and moon.
Water, sky and a silver sphere .
But there was a goddess on the moon. But as she was the only one there, she was lonely.
After many years of solitude, a single tear fell, and it turned the sea’s reflection of the moon blue.
What kind of miracle was it?
And from that blue moon, another goddess was born.
The two goddesses were exactly alike.
Only, the blue moon goddess was not a complete god. And so she was bound to the sea, and cut off.
They could not talk to each other, or touch each other.
Some time later, a white whale came swimming by.
It said to her. ‘Once every ten days, I shall deliver words between you two.’
And like this, the white whale was allowed to swim in the seas as a friend of the goddess.
But one day, a red moon visited from an outside sky.
The god of the red moon spoke to the goddess of the silver moon. Let us pledge ourselves together, and go beyond the endless sky.
However, she did not want to part with the goddess of the blue moon, and so she refused.
And so the god of the red moon killed the white whale with a spear.
The sea was filled with blood, and the goddess’s anger covered the heavens.
Upon seeing this, the goddess of the blue moon broke the law of the gods, and left the sea and rose into the sky. In order to put an end to the loneliness of the silver moon goddess.
But the penalty for this was too great.
The blue moon was only able to appear for a few days a year, while the silver moon hit.
And so people would send words to both goddesses in place of the white whale…such was the beginning of the festival.
“In fact, for a few days during this season, the moon will change color.”
“I see…”
The place in front of the imperial castle.
I nodded while Ms. Iria explained to me the myth of the twin moons.
It was a rather sad, hopeless story.
In Norse mythology, there was Ragnorak and the end of the world, where everyone goes to hell, with the exception of a few good people. Though, the idea behind it was to encourage people to live righteously.
This myth didn’t seem to teach any lesson… Who made up this story, and what were they thinking?
As I mused on such things, I suddenly noticed the voices of those around us.
“It will be starting soon.”
Said Ms. Aize. And I looked ahead.
The plaza was filled with a sea of people for as far as the eye could see. And though it was autumn, the air seemed to be abnormally hot.
Around me, there were the students of the officer academy… Though we could not line up properly, and I could only see a few of them at the moment.
“Having the students from all the schools gather here. It’s ridiculous…”
“It would be even more ridiculous to miss this ceremony.”
“…But it’s being broadcast at the nearby cinema. To be honest, I would have preferred that…”
“Well… You are right!”
We were being squashed together, and then someone pushed me forward.
And then I practically crashed into Ms. Iria.
“So-sorry.”
“No-not at all…”
I was close enough to feel her breath. She blushed.
I apologized while feeling her softness against my chest. And just as I managed to pull away, the crowds exploded with cheers.
I looked up.
But there were too many people to see directly… However, on the giant screen projected in the air, a man was rising to the stage.
“It’s the prime minister. Melzes Rovel.”
He seemed to be in his sixties. But he climbed steadily up the stage, and with his hands behind his back, he stood in front of the microphone.
“The opening ceremony for the twin moons festival will now begin. Today, at the gracious request of Her Majesty, we are privileged to receive her royal words. To all citizens of the empire, I humbly request your quiet reverence now.”
He said calmly. It was shocking how quickly the crowds fell completely silent.
The prime minister nodded, and moved to the back of the stage.
The sounds of trumpet. And then the prime minister and subjects bowed. And then a single woman took to the stage.
She had jade hair and wore a crown. And she held a staff with rings at the top.
The ruler of the Astar Empire.
She had no name. There was only one emperor. And so when one ascended the throne, they lost their name and became simply the emperor.
She looked like she was in her twenties, but that was impossible.
It had been twenty years since her ascension. And she had been twenty back then. In other words, she should be in her forties.
“Beloved citizens of the Empire, I am truly delighted to be able to spend this wonderful day under the same sky as all of you.”
Her clear voice echoed. There was something about it that sunk into your very core.
“The Twin Moon Festival has always been a continuous part of the Empire’s journey. It has never been missed, no matter how challenging the times.
I believe this festival is the very essence of our Empire.
Your unwavering strength, always ready to support friends and share laughter, regardless of the situation. This is what defines our Empire and fills me with pride.”
The crowds cheered.
It continued for some time. The emperor smiled. And then the crowds fell silent again, and she opened her mouth.
“I hereby declare the commencement of the Twin Moon Festival!
Starting today and lasting for seven days, this is our one in a year celebration! Eat, drink, dance, laugh, and enjoy yourselves to the fullest. Your happiness is the cornerstone of our Empire!”
She raised her staff and the crowds erupted once again.
I had never experienced such passion. It completely filled the plaza.
No, that wasn’t the only thing. The broadcasts all over the place were causing the entire city to shake.
As she climbed down from the stage, I thought that our eyes met.
Well, an illusion, surely.
(It was as if she had winked…)
“Teacher?”
Ms. Iria called from behind me. I shook my head and said that it was nothing.
As the cheering continued around us.
The Twin Moon festival began.
This bodes…