New Moon

Chapter 1

"Cherika c'mon! Get over here!" My head instantly shoots up and I hop off the rock I am perched on. I look around for the source of the sound but can't see anyone through the trees. "Cherika over here!" I scan around until I find the source of the sound.

Hestia comes through the trees jumping on me, causing us to collapse on the soft, green grass. "Tia get off me!" I can't help but let out a mini laugh through my words. "Come on buzzkill everyone's at the mouth of the river, and it wouldn't hurt to celebrate". I smile as we get back on our toes. She takes my hand and we brake into a run.

We weave through the trees for about five minutes until we reach the river to greet everyone. "Where have you been?" I look towards Ayten and I can't help but beam. "I was just thinking about possible candidates" I reply , speaking some truth. "You mean possible moon guardians?" Pamuya jumps out of the tree and walks towards me. I simply nod in response. "I think I have a pretty good chance" says Loni, walking over and leaning on a tree close to the river.

Everyone starts discussing the nights celebrations whilst I sit on the riverbank and listen intently. But the question keeps coming up in my head, who will be the next moon guardian? I clearly must've been in a daze because next minute I feel a splash on my back that soaks me freezing cold water. I spin around to see Ayten with a large smirk on his face, which I am determined to get rid of.

Within a few seconds Ayten was drenched and had fallen into the river. I let out a triumphant laugh and turn around ready to walk towards everyone before I feel hands touch my hips and yank me down into the river. I look up at Ayten and I burst out laughing. We stay like that for five minutes until Hestia calls out to us.

"Come on love birds, we have to get cleaned up before nightfall" Ayten gets up and reaches out his hand which i gratefully take. Just as we step out of the stream I glance behind me to see a dark figure looking straight at me. Once he notices his visibility he vanishes, leaving a trail of black mist behind.

My eyes widen and my jaw drops. I stare at the tree in front of me frozen in my own thoughts. Who was that and what are they doing here? I stay glued into place until one of the guys comes up from behind me and hoists me over their shoulder. He runs off and I laugh half-heartedly trying to squirm out of his grasp. We all reach the city centre in no time and disperse, hurrying home to get ready.

As soon as I close the door to our house my mother and a maid come rushing to my side pulling me away. The Lunar Festival only occurs once every one hundred years on the lunar eclipse. Everyone dresses up fancy to celebrate, especially the sixteen year olds. The moon God/Goddess can only be sixteen for reasons I don't truly understand, but as law decreed, I have to go because I am sixteen.

I dress into a beautiful black gown fading into navy blue. It is encrusted with tiny, beautiful diamonds. I can't tell if they are real or not but they are stunning. My makeup is navy blue and black with glitter on top to match my dress. My lips are done a pale pink and my hair is down with the sides pinned at the back.

I look at myself in the mirror and smile. Whilst I can't get used to this I can at least try to embrace the fleeting moment. My mother walks in and engulfs me in her arms. I lean down and place a kiss on her forehead, which she returns afterwards. We stay in the embrace for a little until my brother comes needing her help.

My brother is one year older than me. He can be a pain but he is always there to support me, no matter what. We are all getting ready for the nights festivities, so the house is very busy. I decide to take refuge out near the pool.

My shoes click against the path as I make my way to the black, metal chair. I sit there staring into the forrest beyond our fence for a while, dreaming about venturing off to another town. I knew that the people who ruled over the sun were not too far away. However, as my mother says, I would be a fool to go out there. Only important people like the guardians and fighters can go out there, so I must stay here for it is too dangerous.

Our family maid comes rushing out and clasps my hand in hers. "C'mon miss, the festival awaits."

•••••

Hestia and I are browsing through the many food stalls. Well more Hestia than me, I am just being dragged along. We taste every sample of food they have, and by the end of it I feel as if I will explode. We then gather our group and start dancing around the towns' massive fountain. Eventually everyone joins in with us. The night is blissful to say the least, and the next guardian being crowned no longer fazes me. At least up until the officials start standing on stage asking everyone to gather.

The sixteen year olds stand in a line on a podium, as instructed, and the other age groups stand amongst the crowd. Each of the sixteen year olds hold each other's hands. We all know very well that one of our lives will be changed forever. It is far too dramatic for my liking. I scan my eyes along the stage noticing our mayor and his son on stage. To his left sitting down are people from the many different villages around these parts. I remember the mayor from the town of Asianne, the sun mayor, and the mayor from the town of Kawthar, the water mayor. I have no idea who anyone else is, not even one of the men from our village who is up on stage sitting amongst the foreigners. He does look very important, and very dashing though.

As the mayor begins to speak we all look around at each other. Tia squeezes my hand for reassurance and I do the same. To my right is Pamuya who is trying her best to not start shaking. I focus my eyes on the mayor and take deep breaths. After ages of trying to focus I look at the mayor, finally concentrating on what he is saying.

"As you all know, tonight another moon guardian will be crowned. This position is very important to our people and many others so I advise you not to take it lightheartedly. I wish you all luck and a joyous night. I would now like to invite Luan to the stage, who has been moon God for the last century."

My eyes pop open. Last century? They have to be kidding! He would be so wrinkly and old. How can he still protect us? My thoughts are cut off by the person, Luan walking across the stage. It was the guy I had noticed before, but he doesn't look any older than twenty. We all exchange looks before concentrating on Luan's speech.

He smiles, showing off his dimples before addressing us. "Hello everyone, I hope you're enjoying your night. As Sir Levana said, tonight is the crowning of a new moon guardian. The process is simple, as the Lunar eclipse occurs, the moon will choose its new guardian by illuminating them with moon dust. Good luck to you all." With that he looks at us before stepping away leaving us all staring up at the moon.

Everyone starts to count down as the crowd chants the last numbers, my stomach filling with butterflies. "Five, four, three, two, one!" The moons' light is dimmed as we are surrounded by pitch black. Everyone looks up in awe as a gleaming dust starts flying around the crowd. I stand captivated by the dust along with everyone else. It isn't like anything I've ever seen before. It dances around in the air, making us guess where it is heading next.

Just as the eclipse passes its peak, the moon dust starts to pick up speed whizzing around every body in the crowd. I look over at Loni who is smirking, yet deeply captivated. The moon starts to reappear and at that moment the dust disappears from sight. All of a sudden I feel something plunge into my abdomen and I wince not knowing what it is. It starts to spread around my body and I look around.

I hear gasps throughout the crowd as I try to figure out what has happened. I turn to Hestia who just gapes at me along with everyone else in the line. I look down at myself to try and figure out what I have done, before my jaw drops taking in my skin, it's glowing?! Before I can collect my thoughts I hear a voice come through the speaker.

"Lady's and gentlemen," I look up to see Luan talking. "We have our new moon goddess."

Hey guys!!!! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter!!! There isn't much history behind this but more information will come as I go along. I'll try and update this again soon. See you next chapter ;) x
- Cion