Forbidden Festival

Chapter 1

It was that time of the year again, the time when the moon's silver rays were replaced by a blood-red glare. The veil between the spirit and physical worlds would be destroyed. Food was left out for hungry spirits, and crimson red blood for the vampires. Animals were brought inside and not one soul dared to go out at the dead of night. It was the annual "Month of the Dead". The last night of it that is thought Rain as she closed her book and brought her blanket closer. Her elder brother Sam had recently gotten into debt and had sold their family house to get some money. However, he had lost half of their money at gambling. That was why they had to buy this disgrace of a house. Their parents were dead. "Go to sleep Rain" said Sam as he walked past we room. "The festival's about to start".

Chapter 2

Rain sighed. The festival, how could she forget? Every year, on the last night of the Month of the dead, a festival was thrown to celebrate. Females and children were not allowed to see it. Since Rain was both, she was definitely no exception. She put out the candle, her only source of light. She sighed as her brother locked her room door from the outside. Her windows were nothing but large holes in the wall. And those had newspapers taped on to them. Rain went to sleep in her hard, wooden bed, but sleep was a long time coming.

Chapter 3

Rain woke to the beating of drums. Just like last time she thought as she suddenly noticed that the wind had blown the newspapers away from the window. This was her chance. She silently crept over to the window, her family sword gleaming in the red light. She saw men in masks dancing and beating drums on the street. Suddenly, the men stopped and turned to the direction of Rain's house with gleaming daggers in their hands. But they were distracted by the arrival of a tray of glass goblets filled with what looked like blood. Bile rose in Rain's throat as she quickly ran back to bed. But was startled when she found out there was someone else on it.

Chapter 4

Rain gasped as a masked black figure lunged for her throat. It felt strange, the spirit was clearly made of shadow, but it felt so physical and touchable. Rain thrashed and flailed as she grabbed the only thing she could reach, the sword. Holding it tightly, she brought it down on the spirit. It let out a scream that shook the foundation of the house, but the men seemed to have barely heard it. The spirit disappeared in a cloud of black smoke, leaving behind only a heavy, shiny mask.

Chapter 5

The same thing happened for many nights. Rain's brother's friend had found a good house and Sam had to go to the house, which was 2 miles away. Sam did not believe her anyway when she told him what happened. He had been very angry that she had watched the festival. Not to mention that all of Rain's attempts to destroy the mask were failing. When she burned it, it was as cold as ice, when she drove a knife into it, it deflected it as if it were paper. She was close to giving up, until she decided to speak to the town priests. She had no idea what they would do if they found out that she had watched the festival. But she had to take that risk. Taking a deep breath, she walked into the temple.

Chapter 6

She immediately set off to find the priests, she was so focused that her soul nearly jumped out her body when a priest called her. She told him what she had done and he scowled. "That was very foolish of you, watching the Forbidden Festival". He told her that she needed to find wood from a rare rowan tree called the Lunaris Rowana. However, it only sprouted once a year on the Mists of Death Mountain. That too on the full moon. Which was tonight. Rain packed her bag with the essentials, including the sword. Her mother used to say that it contained the spirits of her ancestors and that they would always come to her aid. Well, time to see if it's true. She took a deep breath.That was it- no hesitation, no fear. And she set off into the Mists of Death Mountain.

Chapter 7

Rain slashed at the water djinn as it continously tried to slice and dice her with it's sharp claws. She had been running from the mists of death, which were spirits of dead prisoners of war who tried to steal mortal bodies, when suddenly, she had been pulled into the water. Flailing, she quickly sliced off the ugly hand and swam to the surface and rested next to the lake for a moment. There was a flash of light and Rain saw the tree. Drawing her sword, she cautiously approached the tree. Suddenly, the spirit returned with reinforcements. Rain's heart pounded with fear. She was so close, yet so far. She quickly ran through and tried to get the wood, but was pulled into the water. She tried to swim up but was pushed down, the djinn came to her. Rain knew what she had to do. Then, with a pang on her conscience, she brought the sword down into the djinn's head and swam up, only to be pushed down again. That was it, she had failed. Her mind was drifting into darkness when suddenly, her sword glowed brightly, and she heard a voice through the darkness, Rise Rain Moonshadow, the battle is not over yet.

Chapter 8

Who are you? Rain thought as she almost heard her lungs pounding against her chest for air, I am Jesus Christ, and with me, I have brought you the spirits of the past. Do not give up, the battle has not been lost.

It sure looks like it! Rain shot back as he chuckled. Oh dear sweet Rain, have you already forgotten who you are? That's like me forgetting to watch humanity or forgetting to order pizza for my lunch. Pizza? said Rain as she tried to swim up again. What? Do you mortals really think that I would give up a slice of pizza. Said Jesus as he

continued speaking. What do I do? My lungs are burning out of my chest! Remember who your ancestors are. Rain swam to the other side with burning lungs, however, it was worth the feeling of howling night air on her soaked body. She was so caught up in the moment that she did not notice the black mists come closer with the black spirits.

Chapter 9

All of your family have good deeds to their name, which is why, God chose to gift them with the ability to use his power through the sword. However, your ancestors did not use them much in fear of having to fight the war. Soon, the power was forgotten. You are the first one in 12 generations of Moonshadows to use her powers again. And-look out! Rain felt blind hot pain flash through her, she knew it was the mists trying to take over. She wouldn't give in. The sword flashed again, and Rain was free of the pain. The spirit closed in when suddenly, Rain realised what she had to do. She Swung the sword into the spirit's outstretched hands and heard it howl with pain. She could no longer hear the comforting voice of Jesus, but he was still watching her. She knew it. "What is this sorcery!" asked the furious spirit. "The power of god" answered Rain as she noticed the mist closing in on her. Raising her bright glowing sword into the air, she chanted "Mists of Death, hear my cry! Upon this night I shall not die!" She felt as if she just plunged her hand into ice-cold water as the Mists formed a shield around her. "Oh, so that explains how weak you are. You draw your power from the King of weaklings" said the spirit mockingly. "God is no weakling". Said Rain as she noticed the mist shield crumbling.

"Please, can god summon the forces of the underworld?" asked the spirit as she chanted "Oh Father of lies, Prince of thy merciless, grant me your army of shadows and darkness". Shadows began forming around Rain as she chanted "Oh great Savior, hear my cry. Banish those who cannot die!" The mist shield disappeared. "Wait, what happened to the mist?" asked Rain. "The mist is weak, only they would be affected by that spell. They cannot die, remember" said the spirit as she ordered the others to attack Rain. That was it, Rain thought. She had failed. No, she had come so far, she could not give up. Mustering up the last of her energy, she ran through the cacophony of spirits and using her sword, she chopped off the lowest branch she could find. It dropped with a loud thud next to a piece of flint. Rain dropped the mask onto the wood and took out a box of matches and was about to ignite one when she pulled by the spirits.

Heart pounding in her chest, she did the only thing she could. She threw the sword as far as she could. Now, it all depended on her luck. The sword flew through the air and struck the flint. As steel met stone, sparks flew and ignited the mask. Just as dawn broke, the spirits screamed and disappeared into thin air. Rain had done it. The battle was over.