8 Moon Festival

"Today we celebrate the annual Moon festival. And now for the countdown." The announcer is scantily dressed much to the ire of a certain white-hair. She is currently matching with the audience in the countdown.

"3!"

"2!"

"1!"

"Happy Moon festival!" After the cheer, the fireworks started. Everyone was full of happiness except for a man who I currently very bewildered.

"What a stupid festival." He thought out loud. Reminiscing the time when people will just celebrate victories in war, in contrast to that, this kind of festival seemed out of place.

"You seem bummed."

Turning his head, he saw an elderly gentleman smiling kindly at him. "What seems to be the problem." He asked.

"Don't mind me, sir." He tried shrugging off the old man.

"Oh my. The young ones, such impulsiveness." Lamented the old man.

'Ha?! I old enough to be called your ancestor, Old Man" be thankful that I am not currently whooping your ass.' The white-haired man fumed inside.

"You seem to hold no sentiments towards this event. Very well, let me tell you the origins of this festival." The white-haired man just nodded his head. Although he might find the session boring he was eager to gather information about the current era.

"The festival originated from a legend." The old man started.

'That's why it was so stupid.' The man thought sarcastically.

***

It was not like this before. The world is everything but peaceful. Various conflicts and battles were fought. It would not be a surprise for 3 kingdoms to fall in just a week. A lot of people were killed. Children orphaned and families with a dead member. It was not an uncommon site to see grieving families everywhere.

A race known as demons caused much of the destruction. Nobody knew where they came from but one thing's certain, they meant bad. Their invasion happened so fast. Villages, towns, cities, kingdoms, and empires were wiped off the face of the world. Nobody knew what hit them until it was too late. When the people had realized it, only a handful of kingdoms were left surviving.

Humans waged war against those demons but the damage they've caused was too irreparable. Slowly but surely those kingdoms were brought to the brink of destruction. The people were lost in despair. Every day was wracked with anxiety and paranoia. It was torture for them. But they held on to a tiny bit of hope. Hope that someday that they can live in peace. The demons eradicated and a future filled with happiness.

And as if their prayers were answered, she came. Someone who brought hope inside the hearts of the people. Someone who waved the banner of victory against all odds. She was called a lot of names, savior, messiah, champion but everyone agreed in the same term, they called her the hero.

The first news of a demon invasion being repelled by a single person resounded throughout the world. Some thought it was a lie but as the tale of her exploits kept on increasing, the people found hope. Like a beacon, she led them to victory.

But it came with a cost. Her final battle against the Demon Lord left her to the brink of death. And in her final moments, she promised to return in the world's greatest time of despair. She will once again take the banner of hope and bring victory to all.

And so, the legend of the hero comes to an end.

***

'Wow, she was just like me.' The white-haired man thought. This time, his previous disdain is replaced by slight admiration. 'Even if she did not exist I'm still proud of her.'

"Nobody knows where her legend came from. A lot of places has her in some legends. I'm also confused about her origins. Her existence is still a debatable topic this day. Truly fascinating." The old man felt proud of his explanation.

"Yeah, fascinating." The man replied absentmindedly not caring about a certain amount of smugness in the old man's tone.

"Come with me." Invited the old man. The white-haired man was also quick to follow. After 1 minute of walking, they came upon a statue of a woman. She held a bow which earned a little scowl from the man. Thankfully the old man did not seem to notice it. He was busy appreciating the beauty of the statue.

It was expertly made. Every detail was meticulously sculpted to perfection giving it a hint of life. If one were to color it the same as an actual human they would not notice the difference.

"She's beautiful, I guess?" Commented the man.

The old man just chuckled. "Of course she would be. Created by a famous sculptor using the finest materials. This could be called his magnum opus. It's also enchanted with various magics and charms making it more enchanting.

The duo took time to appreciate its beauty. "So she uses a bow huh."

"Of course. Her legends state that she also shot down the sun only using an ordinary bow." The old man replied.

"Cool. So what's her name? she should have a name right?"

"Her name's Ye Han."

"?!"

The man was stunned. Never in his imagination that the hero and he were the same people. Now it made sense, the similarities of their stories. They were all the same. Another part that stunned him is the fact that he was turned into a girl. 'What on the actual heck?'

He just stood there wide-eyed and in disbelief, contemplating whether to pulverize the statue right here right now.

"Have you wondered why it was called Moon Festival?" The old man asked off-handed.

This caught him off-guard. Why is it?

"Well in her story, before her last moments using the last of her magic she created the moon. The moon symbolizes hope. The light emitted by the moon serves as the light guiding everyone and thus giving hope. A beacon or banner, whatever you call it. Even in her absence, the hero served as the light of everyone in the darkest times of the night." Said the old man with tears glistening his face.

"Moon?"

"Look." Pointed the old man up above the night sky.

What the white-haired man saw can be considered breathtaking. The moon is in its full form illuminating the night. Although cold, the light emitted gave them warmth. Hope for today and the future to come. As long as the moon shines brightly in the night, no matter how bleak the situation is as long as hope remains deep inside the hearts of everyone victory is at hand.

The man observed the surroundings, the joy, and happiness evident on the face of all people around. 'So this is what I managed to protect huh? Everyone, I have accomplished it.' Tears of joy started to fall from his face. At last, his goal no, their goal are finally realized. An age of peace, filled with hope and peace.

"You finally appreciated the festival huh?"

"Yes." He said wiping the tears away.

"We've been talking for quite some time, what's your name lad?"

"Ye Han."