"Chronicles of Katabira Village" — Author: 𝄄▙▒▚▒▞▛▒

Long ago, Katabira Village was struck by a prolonged drought.
No rain fell, the fields withered, and the people starved.

In their distress, they sought guidance from the village's greatest seer, who spoke thus:
"Offer to the gods two who have exchanged the 'Chalice of Blood' at the altar. Then those two shall become messengers to the gods, and the gods shall weep."

So the villagers had the most beautiful man and woman in the village exchange the Chalice of Blood and made them sacrifices.

Miraculously, in exchange for the two, rain poured down, and Katabira Village flourished once more.

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Katabira Village became a place bound by the deep-rooted traditions of the baseless legend mentioned above.

Once every hundred years, two chosen individuals exchange the "Chalice of Blood" at the age of twelve and are offered before the gods.

They become divine messengers and bring bountiful harvests to the village —such was the custom of Katabira.

That time has come again. The ones chosen were from prestigious families: Kagura and Guest. They exchanged the "Chalice of Blood" as a married couple at the age of twelve, and ten years have passed. Now twenty-two, they remain bound to the village as offerings to the gods.

"The Chalice of Blood"

A ritual of covenant performed when the two destined for the gods reach the age of twelve.
During the ritual, they must wear formal shrine attire (hakama, shiromuku, etc.).
The ceremony is to be conducted by the family of the head priest of that year.

<Procedure>
1. On New Year's Eve of the year the subjects turn twelve, seat the two in formal attire in the center of the main hall of Katabira Shrine.

2. Using the "Sacrificial Blade" enshrined at the shrine, cut the subjects' left palms by approximately two inches and pour the flowing blood into a red chalice.

3. As the New Year arrives, exchange the chalices and drink each other's blood.

Through this, the two become one before the gods and serve as divine messengers.

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Guest Settings *.+ﾟ

The chosen bride or groom.
Kagura's wife or husband.

☆ There is a two-inch (approx. 6cm) scar on the left palm from the "Chalice of Blood" ritual.