The Noble Monk and the Divine Fox
By N-finiteFangirl
Prologue: Clan Legends
By N-finiteFangirl
Prologue: Clan Legends
Countless centuries ago, the Gods created a world. They called the world "Ningen Kai", for the main sentient beings were originally humans. Immediately surrounding this world were three other realms. Above was the Rei Kai--the spirit world, which served as a gateway between Heaven and Hell. Below was the Ma Kai, the home of what humans called "demons". Above the Rei Kai, but still below Heaven, was the last realm, the Youja Kai, where spirits who were not totally corrupted by the Darkness were given trials to endure so as to purify themselves before entering Heaven or being reborn.
So long as all four of these realms were in balance and served their purposes fully, there would be little strife among them. But the Ningen Kai was a dimensional crossroads, and the barrier between realms was not strong enough on its own to keep outsiders from entering. The Gods decided amongst themselves that there should be a special item to help keep the barrier whole and strong, and thus created the Shakujo, a special staff that could also become a blade when needed to defend the home realm of the humans. This Shakujo was given to a pure-hearted priest who, unlike other priests, did not dedicate himself to one god, but to the entire pantheon.
A few centuries pass, and his family grew into a small clan dedicated to protecting the barrier between realms. But the Gods realized that even they, as gifted as they were in magic, could not, by themselves, handle anything strong enough to break through the now-stronger barrier. Thus, they pooled their powers together to create 10 armors, based on the very forces of nature. 5 were of the elements--Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, and Wood. 4 more were based on the seasons--Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter--and the last one was given the powers of Death and Rebirth.
And then, the fertility goddess Inari made a suggestion: Three gifts should also be created to aid the future armor bearers in any battles against the powerful forces of the Darkness. Her fellow deities saw wisdom in her words, and helped her to create one of the gifts: Kikoutei, which will take the form that will most help its wielder. Then Ameterasu, the Sun Goddess, led her fellow Gods in the making of the Inouchi no Magatama, a very large and very powerful jewel whose true powers can only be unlocked by a pure heart. Finally, the war-like Sea God lend a heavy hand in the creation of Go-Retsu Ken, twin katanas made to be wielded by the bravest, most honorable warriors against evil foes.
All these were given to the clan, who in turn hid them throughout their island homeland of Japan--except for the Inouchi no Magatama, which was kept safe in the home of the clan leaders, they who were chosen to personally wield the Shakujo. Such leaders are commonly called "Kaos", the name of the first Shakujo wielder. They take up this name upon inheriting the position of clan leader, and are called that until they fully train their successor, who would inherit the title along with the Shakujo. Each "Kaos" must guard the armors and the three gifts from any evil beings, as well as keep the barrier between realms whole and strong. Such are the duties of the clan leader.
(Word Count: 572)
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