Warriors of the Wind
This is about the Canine Warriors, how the eight you meet in the game were formed.
Prologue
Two dogs sat facing each other. They lived in the same hut, but were very different. The first was a stocky dog, with lots of muscle and strength. His fur was snowy white, with brown over his ears and muzzle. His back was dotted with black spots, and scars from old battles. He had a wolfish face, with ears that stuck out to the side and down slightly, one higher than the other. His thin furred tail hardly ever stopped wagging, and his amber-brown eyes shone happily. But his seemingly cheerful personality hid a life of fighting and a brave heart.
The other was sleek furred, a tall, graceful dog. He was slim, behind his thick glossly fur. It was black, with splashes of white on his chest and paws. He carried his elegent flowing tail high above him when he ran, but now it lay close to his side. In his youth, he had been the fstest dog in all of Nippon, but now gray hairs covered his muzzle and his joints creaked painfully in the cold. He got up stiffly and padded around the room, the other dog's eyes following him. The black dog was in fact younger than the other, who showed no outward sign of age. He growled grumpily, thinking and staring at the door. A wind blew through the gap underneath it, and both canines shivered, not just from cold.
"The divine wind." The white began. "The breath of the wind god and protector of Taka Pass. Our protector."
"And yet we should be protecting it, Jeni." The other growled angrily.
Jeni looked at him. "No, Kuya, we are both too old now. We were right to leave when we did. Besides, the others shall protect the Village."
"The Satomi Canine Warriors. Honour, faith and loyalty remain. But where is knowledge, justice, duty? Where is wisdom?" he growled, remembering when he had been the Warrior of Wisdom.
"I know, Kuya. And you forgot something, brotherhood. They need a leader."
"Yes. The Warrior of Honour should never be leader, power coropts them. "
Jeni nodded sadly, remembering the years before, when there had been eight warriors of the wind. Three wasn't enough. The evil grew stronger every year.
"But what can we do?" he asked sadly. "We are old now, our time of fighting is over."
Kuya looked thoughtful. "I shall tell Rei that they need more warriors."
Jeni snorted. "He won't listen."
"I was once the Warrior of Wisdom. He must respect me." The black dog said slightly arrogantly, and strode out.
Jeni stood undecided for a moment, then followed him, growling slightly.
"No. "
That was all that he would say about it. Kuya stood in front of the Warrior of Honour, who sat on a throne like structure in the middle of the first room of the Gale Shrine. Both canines wore stubborn expressions. Beside Kuya stood Jeni, who looked like he was ready to fight. Shin, the green Warrior of Faith, stood behind the throne, looking nervously between them. Hayabusa sighed from his place at the edge of the room. He was a powerfully built large brown dog, with darker stripes along his flanks. A purple scarf circled his neck, with a blue orb attached, marked with the kanji of loyalty. He was loyal to the wind god Kazegami, and was trying not to get involved in the arguement. He agreed with Kuya, they needed eight Warriors again, but rei would listen to no one.
"Rei, we need more warriors! If not-"
Rei cut off Kuya's plea. "I am the leader! If we add more Warriors, they may take over!"
Jeni growled. "You have become too obsessed with power. This is why the Warrior of Honour should never be leader."
Rei's fur bristled, and haya got up slowly, ready to defend him. rei was his leader, and he would always be loyal to him. but before any of the canines began to snarl at each other, a cold wind blew through the room, stopping them all. They gathered in a circle and looked uupwards in anticipation. The faded scrolls hanging on the wall, showing a painting of the wind god, began to rise and fall in the wind that was now rushing around, getting faster. A shrill neigh rang out, and the loops of wind gathered into a shape.
The horse god, Kazegami, neighed again and cantered a few circles around them before stopping to face them, floating in the air on a current of divine wind. The flag on his back showed a swirl of green wind, and red markings covered his face and body. He stamped his hoof angrily, sending a burst of wind into their faces.
"Why do you fight?" he demanded.
"Oh most noble Kazegami of the wind." Rei said, with a touch of sarcasm but fear as well. "This old warrior says that myself and the other two are not enough to defend your land."
Kuya trembled slightly, fearing that he would be punished.
But Kazegami snorted and shook his head. "No, the old warrior speaks the truth."
"But I am the leader! I shall give my life to defend Kusa Villiage!"
Kaze frowned. "I speak through the Warrior of Wisdom. The Warrior of Brotherhood leads. Duty guides. Justice gives you a reason. Knowledge helps. Faith supports and gives hope. Loyalty unties you all, and Honour fights. All eight are needed, none can stand alone."
Rei dropped his gaze to the floor, fearing the god too much to contradict him. "Fine. We shall begin searching for dogs to become the remaining five warriors."
The horse nodded. "Make you that you do. Thank you Kuya, Jeni, for reminding me. Now, I have work to do." He faded back into the wind.
Rei snapped his head up. "Well, you heard the horse." He snarled. "Go on, Shin, Hayabusa, go and find another five."
Haya dipped his head and gladly left, slightly alarmed by the madness in Rei's eyes.
