As the sunlight dwindles on the seventh of February, everyone steps out of their homes and gazes at the bright moon for the yearly celebration of the Yue’Guxiang. What had once been a practice done by settlers in commemoration of their late home planet, was now an event that honors the concepts of homeliness and camaraderie. While the festivities only last for a night, its traditions and practices had been said to bind relationships and partnerships for the coming year ahead. After all, as the saying goes, “Only when you feel most at home, do you see the moon shine its brightest.”

History and Origins

February 7th.

It was the longest night on the Lustre. At least, it had felt like it. It was the first night when many of the colonists were left to ruminate and mourn for the decisions that had divided their families, friends, and partners. While they had traversed successfully across the stars and reached a planet that could carry them for generations, they could not help but think of the home that they had left behind–Earth. Silence overwhelmed the ship that night until one brave soul named Yun Shan spoke out.

“Today should be a day marking humanity’s greatest achievement, yet the night feels as lifeless as our surroundings. I can hear the shallow breathing of those around me and can’t even feel the shaking in my own body. Why do we feel so lonely in the night Captain Gallos had claimed to be our ‘great step forward’? I’m scared…so, so scared…

The man behind me spoke out. His name was Yun Shan, one of the older passengers that had been selected to be aboard the ship. He was a good man–quite eccentric, with his love for adventure despite his age, but a good man nonetheless. He noticed my shaking frame and clasped my shoulder, his warm hand providing the safety I needed, and whispered, “If you’re so afraid, look out the window. All of you…”

I did not know then what he was saying, or why he said it. But I looked. We all looked. And there it was.

A moon–a moon so luminous and bright that it reminded us of all the peaceful nights back on Earth. Somehow, I can hear the laughter of my lost sister, see the smiles of my late parents, and feel the pressing touch of my husband. It felt like home, no…I was home.

We all held hands that night. Some prayed. Others sang. A few laughed. I cried. But we all held hands. All because one old man told us to look out the window.”

- One of the many journal entries recorded in Lustre’s database

The moon was later given it’s official name Shan’Yue and it became the symbol of unity for the people in the Lustre ship. This tradition extended to hundreds of years after, evolving and transforming through the lengths of time. In time, when the wall surrounding them during the Age of Ignorance had broken down, the people would slowly and cautiously gather in open fields to remember the times of their ancestors and to honor the friends and families they’ve formed in the last year. Soon enough, this gathering became more frequent every February, with many people bringing their own sweet delicacies to honor such a lovely celebration. This celebration eventually became known as Yue’Guxiang and became a staple tradition in communities throughout all of Caerras. One of these celebrations, however, soon invited quite an unexpected visitor–the Jin’Hu.

While the Jin’Hu had already been discovered during one of Gallos’s expeditions, there was no research expedited on its existence. After all, aerial shots of its sharp claws and crushing paws had been enough to steer anyone away. The Jin’Hu was an apex predator–feared by all, and when it had appeared behind the trees during the Yue’Guxiang festivities, screams immediately erupted throughout the fields. People ran, shrieked, even cried. The place was quickly emptied as the chaos disappated, leaving the Jin’Hu behind…and a young teen, later known to be the Legendary Collector.

“I saw the Jin’Hu today, during the Yue’Guxiang celebration. From the notes reported in the database, I understand the Jin’Hu to be an apex predator–prowling through the night with its bared teeth and sharp claws. Its appearance prompted me to believe that there would be an attack of some sort, which is why I’ve hidden at the top of the tree. Instead, it surprised me by taking a ration (only a ration!) of the Ayena Roast Lurken and leaving something glittery behind. Upon coming back to it, I found it was a tuft of its fur. Was this some sort of payment for the food he had taken? Would such violent paws be responsible for such…civility? I was intrigued.

I followed the Jin’Hu into the forest, watching as it continues to gather more carcasses on its way. I could have sworn it had looked in my direction, yet it didn’t seem to mind–as if I was neither prey nor predator to it.

My interest in the Venari, however, led me to a very…conflicted situation. I remember standing right behind the tree, peering right ahead when the Jin’Hu crossed against another of its kind. I expected a bloody confrontation, not that I was unused to it with the number of Leolis fights that I have paid witness to across the years. Yet, the Jin’Hu surprised me yet again by biting off a piece from its carcass and dropping it by the other’s side. The other Jin’Hu did the same. They stood down and exchanged meat as if they were men forging an alliance.

I can tell that the Jin’Hu were not the violent creatures that past leaders had made it seem. They hunt for survival, never for pleasure. They fight when threatened, and never for the fun of it. They are individualistic creatures, yet share certain respect for those who have earned it. With this, perhaps, humanity had already found its way to have earned it from the decades of development and suffering we’ve experienced. Either way, I look forward to encountering this Venari again.”

Excerpt from the Legendary Collector’s research journal

The Legendary Collector’s entries on the Jin’Hu would later spread across the nation, becoming one of the most popular stories that it had been replicated in songs, storybooks, and art. More and more people had begun to admire the Jin’Hu, even encouraging its presence by always offering the Ayena Roast Lurken on the table. The fearless Venari would become a constant guest in the Yue’Guxiang festival, later also becoming a part of the event’s traditions and practices.

Notable Customs and Traditions

• Kaishi — As Yue’Guxiang comes to an end, citizens of Caerras would look up at the skies in commemoration of their ancestor’s practices. They hold the hands of those beside them–wherever they are in the world–and whisper their wishes, hoping that the moon would grant every single one of them. The Kaishi represents newly regained hope, in times where such remains empty. It symbolizes the concept of “coming home”, that home does not have to be a bricked house of who you were born with, but rather who you spend the rest of your days with.
• Chiro — The notes of the Legendary Collector had been popularized in all the regions of Caerras, so much so, that the Jin’Hu had become one of their honorary guests during the Yue’Guxiang Festival. In respect to the Jin’Hu, people would prepare their own versions of the Ayena Roast Lurken and Steamed Morax for their enjoyment. Whoever’s plate was picked was said to be prosperous for the entirety of the year.
• Jia’ren — The Samaha circulates around the concept of giving and taking. It consists of introducing oneself to someone they do not know and offering them a piece of their meal and vice versa. It emphasizes the respect shared within peers. This tradition was meant to bring the entire community together and was said to strengthen many friendships and relationships along the line.

Yue’Guxiang was originally published in Legends of Venari on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

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