Yamitsubasa (闇翼) - "Wings of Darkness"

Is a legendary creature that haunts the tranquil and enigmatic Lake of Lanterns. Its story is woven into the fabric of the lake's history, with whispers of its presence passing through generations like ghostly ripples across the water's surface.

Origins:

Yamitsubasa was once a simple koi, born in the hidden depths of the Lake of Lanterns, where the waters are darkest and the light of the world above barely penetrates. This koi was unlike any other—its scales were as black as the night sky, absorbing light rather than reflecting it. For years, it swam unnoticed, a shadow among shadows, until a fateful event changed its destiny forever.



Transformation:

Legend speaks of a lunar eclipse that bathed the lake in an eerie red glow, transforming it into a mirror of the blood moon above. It was during this eclipse that the koi, drawn by a force it could not comprehend, swam to the center of the lake where the lanterns floated like spectral will-o'-the-wisps. As the eclipse reached its peak, the koi was enveloped by a dark energy emanating from the very heart of the lake. In a moment of pure magic, it was transformed into Yamitsubasa, a dragon whose wings carried the essence of darkness itself.

Appearance:

In its dragon form, Yamitsubasa is a creature of terrifying beauty. Its scales remain as black as the abyss, but now they shimmer with an otherworldly light, like the reflection of stars on midnight waters. Its wings are vast, stretching across the sky like the veil of night, and they leave a trail of shadow in their wake. These wings are not just for flight; they possess the power to envelop the world in darkness, obscuring all light and hope.

Powers and Abilities:

Yamitsubasa's powers are tied to the cycles of the moon and the phases of night. During a new moon, it is at its most powerful, able to summon storms and command the shadows that dwell in the lake and surrounding forests. It can also manipulate the waters of the Lake of Lanterns, causing them to rise and fall at its will, creating whirlpools or calming the surface with a single thought.

The dragon's breath is a black mist that can consume anything in its path, leaving nothing but silence and darkness behind. It is said that Yamitsubasa can enter the dreams of those who sleep near the lake, turning their sweetest dreams into nightmares. However, the dragon is not purely malevolent; it acts as a guardian of the Lake of Lanterns, punishing those who would defile its sacred waters.

The Curse and the Lanterns:

Some believe that Yamitsubasa is cursed, its transformation tied to an ancient wrong committed by the lake's first inhabitants. The lanterns that float on the lake's surface are said to be offerings made to appease the dragon and keep it from unleashing its full wrath upon the world. Each lantern represents a soul lost to the lake, and the dragon’s sorrowful duty is to ferry these souls to the afterlife on its wings of darkness.

The Prophecy:

There is a prophecy that one day, a hero will emerge from the shadows, carrying a lantern that can pierce even the deepest darkness. This hero will confront Yamitsubasa, not with the intent to slay it, but to break its curse and return it to its original form. Only then will the Lake of Lanterns find peace, and Yamitsubasa will be free to swim once more as a koi, the darkness within it finally lifted.

Until that day, Yamitsubasa remains a fearsome guardian, its wings spreading darkness over the Lake of Lanterns, both feared and revered by those who know of its existence.

Yamitsubasa, known as the "Wings of Darkness," exists in two distinct forms: a giant black koi and a formidable black dragon. Each form is tied to specific circumstances and the ebb and flow of mystical energies surrounding the Lake of Lanterns.

Giant Black Koi Form:

Yamitsubasa remains in its koi form most of the time, swimming in the deepest, darkest parts of the Lake of Lanterns. In this form, Yamitsubasa appears as a colossal black koi, its scales absorbing light and giving off an aura of quiet power. The koi form is peaceful, reflective, and meditative, symbolizing Yamitsubasa’s connection to the lake's natural and spiritual energies.

• Triggers for Koi Form:
  • Daylight Hours: During the day or when the moon is not particularly strong (such as during a waxing or waning moon), Yamitsubasa remains a koi, blending into the shadows of the lake.
  • Tranquil Moments: When the lake is calm, and no immediate threats or disturbances are present, Yamitsubasa prefers to remain in its koi form, quietly guarding the lake’s secrets and the souls represented by the lanterns.
  • Reflection and Solitude: The koi form reflects Yamitsubasa’s introspective nature, a time when it contemplates its curse, the history of the lake, and its role as a guardian.

Black Dragon Form:

Yamitsubasa transforms into its fearsome dragon form when the need arises, either to protect the Lake of Lanterns or when triggered by powerful mystical forces. In this form, Yamitsubasa is a towering, shadowy dragon with wings that stretch across the sky, capable of summoning storms, spreading darkness, and unleashing devastating power. 

• Triggers for Dragon Form:
  • Lunar Influence: The transformation is most often triggered by celestial events, such as a new moon or a lunar eclipse. During these times, the connection between Yamitsubasa and the lake’s dark energies is at its peak, and the koi is compelled to transform into its dragon form.
  • Threats to the Lake: When the Lake of Lanterns is threatened by intruders, defilers, or any force that seeks to disrupt the balance of the area, Yamitsubasa instinctively shifts into its dragon form to defend its home.
  • Intense Emotional States: Yamitsubasa's dragon form can also emerge in response to overwhelming emotions, particularly anger or sorrow. If Yamitsubasa is provoked, its latent rage can trigger the transformation, especially if the koi's peaceful existence is disturbed.

Transition Between Forms:

The transition from koi to dragon is seamless but dramatic. When the transformation occurs, the waters around Yamitsubasa churn violently, and a dark energy emanates from its body, lifting it from the lake as it expands and reshapes into the dragon. Conversely, when Yamitsubasa calms, or when the mystical influences wane, the dragon will gradually descend back into the lake, its body shrinking and reverting to the koi form as it re-enters the water.

In essence, Yamitsubasa's koi form represents its inner peace, connection to the lake, and its role as a contemplative guardian, while the dragon form symbolizes its protective wrath, power, and the darker aspects of its existence. The duality of these forms reflects the complex nature of Yamitsubasa as both a creature of serenity and a formidable force of nature.

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