Temple Guard Rei
s t o r y & m a p
The sun blazed on top of Rokuro’s head, and as he stood tall and proud, he guarded the Celestial Gates. Being the sixth son of Haoxian he knew it was his duty and while his white scales shimmered in the light, he didn’t see the flash of yellow from the left. Rokuro fell to the ground and immediately doubled over in laughter. “Didn’t think I saw you, eh Ichiro?” Ichiro brushed the dirt of his golden scales and threw a sneer at Rokuro. Rokuro didn’t notice and smiled up at him. Inside the gates of Heaven, supported by mountainous clouds, it was serene and tranquil. Although Rokuro found peace in this, Ichiro had nothing but malice for the place. Shouldn’t he be the Celestial Guard? He was the eldest, and the eldest was the favored. Yet Haoxian had chosen Rokuro, a plain white dragon while Ichiro sported the gold so dear to the ancestors. In spite of himself, Ichiro waved Rokuro’s cheery attitude and proceeded to enter the palace. Here was where he was accepted, this was his territory. Crushing against the promontory the castle stood upon, the East Sea rushed headlong into the mountain and pounded fiercely into the heart of it. The Celestial throne upon which Haoxian sat was gilded gold and cool metals. Haoxian had finished a meeting with the Elders and was pacing above the marble floor in anguish. Ichiro glared at the midnight black dragon with hatred as he floated above the throne. “What is it my son, what angers you so?” Not turning around, Haoxian addressed Ichiro. Caught off guard, Ichiro stood still and replied coldly “Nothing Father, has the meeting gone well?” The Elders and Haoxian meet once a week and when they do so, the business of the realm is discussed. Rokuro did not care for these, but Ichiro had a passion for it and knew that he would make a great Leader of the Celestial Empires. A look of foreboding flashed across Haoxian’s face. “The Northern Kingdom is in turmoil with the West, the Elders and I will be paying them a visit,” Haoxian called a blue and white dragon forward with a note. “Thank you.” Haoxian excused himself and retired to his chambers. As his shadow faded down the hall, Ichiro felt a plan working in his head. He will live up to the legacy, and no one could stop him.
The next evening as the Elders set off, Ichiro watched the black serpent-like tail of Haoxian blended with the midnight sky. Ichiro entered the palace and donned the crimson robe, which officially named him the ruler until Haoxian came back. But with this robe came limitless possibilities. He had the brains, and now, the power. Just as Ichiro made himself comfortable on the velvet throne, Rokuro came in. “Hello Older brother!” Rokuro chirped cheerfully, because Ichiro was now the temporary leader, he had to be more formal. “Welcome little Rokuro.” Ichiro clasped his hands together and hoped to pass off an intellectual expression. A servant came up to collect the Golden Key from Rokuro. The Golden Key that was destined to become Ichiro’s, in the grasp of a sixth son, oh how he envied poor Rokuro! When the night passed and daylight broke, Ichiro stood waiting by the Celestial Gates. He could see Rokuro not too far off in the distance, making his way slowly, and savoring each rose bush or insect. His nonchalant attitude, displeased Ichiro even more, “Hello little Brother.” The dawn shone fiercely on Ichiro’s golden scales. As pleasant as Rokuro’s white shined. “Hello Older Brother!” Glinting from Rokuro’s neck was the golden key, and Ichiro could almost feel the cool weight between his claws. “I purpose that we visit the East Sea today little Rokuro.” Ichiro clapped his hands and an ivory sedan immediately approached them. Rokuro gasped at the splendor of the sedan and stepped back. “But today I must-” He was shushed by Ichiro, “Little brother! That is what the servants are for! I have already arranged your substitute for the day.” As he mounted, Rokuro felt torn between his duty as a Son and as a Brother. “Do you promise to bring me back before noon?” Noon time was the Fox hunt, where the young dragons participated in capturing foxes for trades. “I promise dear brother, anything for you.” The bitter sarcasm in Ichiro’s voice was not caught by Rokuro, and as the sedan started off towards the Sea, the golden key shined in the servant’s hand.
“THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!” Rokuro screamed into the salty air, his scales felt refreshed as the sea breeze burrowed into his very being. Ichiro had hovered near him for the past thirty minutes, but Rokuro shrugged it off as companionship. “Look Rokuro! Starfish! Let us examine them.” Here, Ichiro bent down and let his wings flap gently upon the starfish, stirring them gently from their dreams. “They’re beautiful, much more interesting than the stars in the sky.” Rokuro breathed in awe. But Ichiro had moved on, this time checking out the precarious cliff on which the sedan had been parked. “What is this Ichiro?” Rokuro looked over the edge to see what the fuss was all about. As soon as he peered, two cool hands placed themselves on his back. He glanced briefly and caught the mischievous smirk of Ichiro, Older brother. “Goodbye little Rokuro.” A hard shove sent Rokuro flying across the cliff. He hit rocks on the way down, tearing at his snowy scales until they had all been torn off. Rokuro’s innocent, angelic body was absorbed by the water, and out sprang a magnificent island. Shimmering sand and palm fronds swayed and danced in the warm breeze. One by one, Rokuro’s scales fell delicately onto the sand, but strange enough, they began to morph into foxes. Tiny wings embedded their sides, and they became known as Saichuu...though they are not the only ones on the island...
"Where the darkness of one's heart can be the hope to start over..." Rei whispers into the sunset with Ryota sitting next to her, while she stands on the beach.
