The Birth of The First Generation

Deep within the mountain's cavernous depths, nestled in the darkness, lay nine cylindrical tanks containing genetically modified embryos. These synthetic uterus tanks, once incubators for their growth, now stood as silent witnesses to their maturation. The wires and sensors that once adorned them had naturally fallen away, leaving only the sturdy breathing tubes intact, vital for sustenance.

Despite their lack of response, Hoshiyo dedicated herself to caring for these beings. She spent countless hours in the lab, reading them children's stories and patiently teaching them to communicate. Ensuring their tanks were replenished with the necessary fluids became her daily routine, a meticulous blend of liquid antibodies, hormones, and water supplemented by their urine.

Above each tank, a network of wires extended, connecting to a placenta that protruded from the cylinder's cap. Hoshiyo administered vital nutrients through this intricate system, ensuring their continued health and development.

Regular maintenance became a ritual for Hoshiyo, who diligently cleaned the tanks' interiors and meticulously checked for any signs of damage. To her, these creations were more than mere experiments—they were her children, and she vowed never to abandon them.

Following the eruption of Mount Fuji, the cylinder tanks flashed red, signaling an anomaly. With a mechanical hiss, the cylinders opened, releasing the bodies like a stream of water. Rising on trembling hands and knees, one figure gingerly extracted the tubes and wires, her ebony hair saturated with sensitive fluids, her face exposed to the biting cold. Gasping and coughing, she struggled against the harshness of the sudden change.

A sign adorned with colorful flowers hung on the wall nearby, bearing the inscription, "Home is not a place; home is a family." Casting a fleeting glance at it, the figure squinted, attempting to decipher the words. "Home," she murmured.

As the others stirred, coughing and disoriented, the black-haired figure turned to them, her voice strained yet determined. "Are you okay?"

A young blonde girl, her confusion evident, questioned, "How is this possible?"

Speaking slowly, the black-haired girl responded, "Hoshiyo read to us every day for 60 years, and we were listening."

Aligned on the wall were nine cubbies, each adorned with a distinct symbol corresponding to the individual tanks they originated from. The black-haired figure pointed towards them, then approached the one marked with a star. Inside, she discovered a dark red Yukata and a weathered leather notebook. Gingerly untying the strings to reveal the pages within, she uncovered a meticulously written story spanning the length of the notebook. 

The first page bore a letter, its words etched with profound purpose:

"I am grateful that you girls are awake. I have awaited this moment my entire lifetime, though I will not live to see it. My name is Hiroshiro Sakamoto, a scientist who brought you into existence so my daughter could remain by my side. Her life story, detailing how she ascended to become the Kami of the stars, is contained in this notebook. You must heed her lessons daily, for they are your key to survival.

Science, however advanced, is not infallible. It took painstaking effort to cultivate the necessary conditions for your birth, including the DNA of numerous Kami who aided Hoshiyo on her journey. While you, Hoshiyo Yasaki Sakamoto, are her identical twin, others have distinct differences. Your purpose is to assume her mantle in the quest to save the world, inheriting her name so she may fulfill her destiny as the reborn Kami she was meant to be.

You stand as Hoshiyo Yasaki Sakamoto, a clone on the brink of existence. Don your new garments, ladies, and carry forth my research. The time has come to continue our mission, for you were born to be the saviors of our world."

Each girl bore a unique purpose in life, though it was far from simple. One with cascading, curly blue hair and sun-kissed brown skin beamed at Hoshiyo, clutching her book with the moon symbol. Her dark sky-blue eyes and a sprinkling of freckles lent her a warm, inviting aura as she introduced herself: "Hiroshiro named me Rei Yukina Mizuki. It's a pleasure to meet all of you finally."

Next stood a blonde with sun-kissed locks, her eyes shining like golden orbs. With the mark of the sun, she addressed the group confidently, "My name is Takeki Saki Asahi."

A girl with flowing dark purple locks emerged from the shadows, the light of a portable oil lamp illuminating her features. As she ignited the lamp with a match, her hair seemed to morph from purple to an enigmatic shade of blue, mirroring the intensity of her mood. With eyes nearly matching the hue of her locks, she spoke with a hint of defiance, "Hiroshiro named me Ceres Kai Tentai. What kind of ridiculous name is that? The old guy's dead, right? Why should we abide by his wishes?"

Hoshiyo's brow furrowed as she inquired, "Do you have anywhere else to be?"

Ceres shrugged, her expression defiant yet tinged with longing. "No, but I want to explore, learn about the world, find a nice man, and settle down."

The girl with vibrant pink hair and matching eyes intervened, gently guiding Ceres back reassuringly. "Hey, don't forget, she told us those were fairy tales. They're not real. Besides, Hiroshiro essentially wants us to explore the world. We're free to pursue our desires, but all he asks is for our help."

Ceres's eyes lit up with curiosity as she inquired, "And what name did he bestow upon you?"

With a serene smile, the pink-haired girl replied, "He named me Motoko Misaki Kaede, and I am grateful for the opportunity to embrace life just as you should be."

A girl with cascading curls of light purple hair crossed her arms, a playful smile gracing her lips. "You two could pass for twins. What symbol did you receive?"

Looking at her distinctive leather-bound book, Ceres replied, "Mine is some kind of circular symbol with intersecting lines at the center."

"That's odd," Motoko mused as she inspected her book. Mine also has a circle, but it's a spiral. And you?"

With a graceful bow, the girl with curly purple hair introduced herself, "My name is Seiko Kimika Hida, and I bear the symbol representing the sky—a circle adorned with celestial patterns."

Hoshiyo nodded, her curiosity piqued. "Okay, who do we have left?"

A girl with curly brown locks quietly stepped forward, offering a respectful bow. "My name is Yoko Satsuki Haruto, and I possess the cloud symbol. And beside me is Rokuko Ayame Motohida." She gestured toward the silent figure beside her. "Her symbol depicts the galaxy. As for the one with ice-light blue hair, she is Utaku Yoriko Hajima, bearing the ice symbol."

Hoshiyo rubbed her temples, pondering its significance. "Interesting. I wonder what this signifies?"

"We'll have to delve into the book to find out," Rei suggested with a knowing smile.

Takeko shivered slightly and said, "I'm sorry if this is too much to ask, but could we at least go outside? It's a bit cold and cramped in here."

Rei's smile widened, "Absolutely, that's a fantastic idea."

The group narrowly evaded captivity within Hiroshiro's laboratory, which he once called home before his passing. As they flung open the doors, a wave of putrid, decaying odor assaulted their senses, causing them to recoil in disgust. The girls instinctively held their breath, the overwhelming stench hitting them like a physical blow. Flies buzzed incessantly around them, their constant buzzing adding to the chaos. With no time to waste, they sprinted towards the exit, their hearts pounding urgently. Finally reaching the forest sanctuary, they collapsed onto the cool grass, gasping for fresh air and relief.

The noxious odor overwhelmed Takeko, forcing her to flee deeper into the forest. There, she sank to her knees and hurled onto the grass. "What in the world was that awful stench?" she cried out, her voice choked with disgust.

Ceres coughed, her brow furrowing in determination. "We need to locate the source of that smell so we can ventilate the room and hopefully uncover more answers."

Motoko wrinkled her nose in distaste. "Count me out," she declared, and the others followed suit, pinching their noses shut, save for Rei and Hoshiyo.

With a resigned sigh, Rei stepped forward. "Real mature, ladies. I'll handle it myself."

"Are you sure about this?" Hoshiyo asked concern etched across her features.

Rei nodded and replied, "Yeah, I'll manage."

Gathering a handful of flowers from the surrounding forest, Rei stuffed them into her nostrils before pushing the makeshift door wide open with a rock. The putrid smell wafted out, causing the others to recoil in disgust.

While the rest of the group made a hasty retreat, Rei steeled herself, ready to confront the source of the foul odor. "I'm going in," she announced, her bravery shining through.

In awe of her courage, the others bowed respectfully, silently rooting for her from a safe distance. Motoko clasped her hands in prayer, murmuring, "May the Kami watch over her."

"Amen," Ceres echoed solemnly, the weight of uncertainty hanging heavy in the air.

As Rei descended into the cavern, the putrid smell intensified, assaulting her senses with its foulness. Some of the swarms of flies, disturbed by her presence, darted out of the darkness and buzzed back into the forest, biding their time until their next meal.

The feeble light filtering in from outside offered little visibility, revealing only the remnants of burnt-out oil lamps scattered across the room. Undeterred, Rei resolved to bring light to the darkness. With determined hands, she ignited each oil lamp, transforming the gloomy space into a vibrant glow reminiscent of Christmas morning.

Amidst the newfound illumination, Rei's eyes fell upon a dark figure lurking in the shadowy corner, untouched by the light's reach. Gripping an oil lamp tightly, she cautiously advanced towards the figure lying motionless on a bed. The buzzing of the flies filled the air, relentless in their feast as if oblivious to Rei's presence.

Drawing nearer, Rei's heart sank as she recognized the bloated form, distorted by the cavern's heat and humidity. Despite the grotesque sight, the face was unmistakable from the photographs. The body lying before her was none other than Hiroshiro Sakamoto.

Emerging from the cavern, Rei was immediately greeted by a rush of fresh air, a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere she had just left behind. Gasping for breath, she collapsed to her hands and knees, her chest heaving with each ragged inhalation. "Just... give me a moment," she managed between coughs, her voice strained from the toxic fumes lingering in her lungs.

"I've been discussing this with the others," Hoshiyo spoke composedly. "Whomever it is, It's best if we lay them to rest up here on the mountain."

Rei drew a deep breath before responding, her voice steady and resolute. "No, trust me, it's better if you don't touch him," she advised. "I'll head back down, gather what we need, and find shelter elsewhere. This place is Sakamoto's tomb now."

Hoshiyo's eyes widened at the mention of the name, and a mix of emotions flickered across her face. However,. Given the contents of the letter they had received, she wasn't entirely surprised by Rei's discovery. Leaving the moon girl to process her thoughts in solitude, Hoshiyo turned her attention to the others. She understood that it was now her responsibility to guide her companions along the path ahead, whatever challenges it may bring.