Spirit Hunters

Chapter 1: The Chosen

Erika looked up at the blue sky as the birds flew above her head , she laid down onto the shady grass and sighed deeply. Her long hair scattered along the fresh earth, she closed her eyes and listened to the voice of the soft breeze that whispered in the air. Until a subtle voice was heard from afar, she lifted her head and saw a faint figure running towards her, as it came closer she finally noticed it was Leon.

"Hey Erika!, Where have you been?! I've been looking for you!" Leon panted.

" Why? Whats going on?"

" Well its the Moon festival today, how could you forget?" He raised an eyebrow at her.

"I didn't forget and anyway its not starting till 7, so what's there to worry about?" She pointed at her watch and started tapping on it.

"E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G" Leon spelled it out like Erika was dumb. He dragged Erika to her feet and tugged her arm as if saying lets go already.

Erika went along with it as she knows she can't get away now since Leon got hold of her.

The Moon festival was a celebration of the Goddess Luna, she granted people powers to become a spirit hunter and one of them would be chosen as the next in line for the throne of Lunaria. Goddess Luna was said to be the creator of this world and so they named it after her. The spirit beasts are said to be Goddess Luna's loyal guardians, which is why she gave people powers to come in contact with the beasts. This is one of many festivals that Lunaria celebrates but obviously this is most important.

Erika and Leon soon arrived back and the townspeople were already setting up for the festival, as per usual.  The crowds of people carrying bouquets of flowers and hanging a oversized banner across the town gates, it was so big it just about draped people over their foreheads. The stage was set and all ready to go for the big announcement later on.

"Who do you think the lucky eight are going to be tonight then?" Leon smiled to himself cheerfully, Erika knew what he was thinking and smirked as well.

"Well, OBVIOUSLY it's not going to be you, that's for sure!" Erika laughed loudly, while Leon turned his head and glared at her.

"Yeah... But still, wouldn't it be absolutely amazing if we could talk to beasts and make them our guardians? Leon looked off into space.

Leon has always wanted to be a spirit hunter ever since he was young, his dad was one of the chosen but he never succeeded... he told stories about his adventures to Leon and ever since then he has always wanted to be one.

"Of course, but I heard it's a dangerous journey to make a pact with one beast..." Erika answered with thought. " I heard that some hunters have died out there in the wilderness"

Silence passed over the both of them for a while, until one of the townspeople came up and broke the quietness. 

"Have you come to help set up for the festival? We could do with some youngsters helping out, these old bones ain't going to last very long." The old man laughed at himself with squinted eyes.

"Urhhh, sure we''ll help out! We haven't got anything else to do right now anyway!" Erika blurted out carelessly.

The old man turned round and trailed off to the other direction, his back was curved and his walking pace was undeniably slow. As he started to disappear over the crowds Leon looked back at Erika.

"What did you have to say that for? Now we have to do SO much WORK" He grunted loudly towards Erika.

"Oh, stop being so lazy! Time to get busy!" Erika was suddenly motivated with spirit. Leon started dragging his feet on the floor and walked the same pace as the old man they had seen.