I sincerely apologize ahead of time for the sheer level of exposition, but I wanted to stay as loyal to the game as possible, so I copied that word for word until I got fed up. Sakuya and her monologing belongs to Capcom and everyone else who made the game - only Iris is mine.
Chapter 2: Of Spirits, Wolves, and Sparkly Magic
Iris stared for a moment before willing herself to get onto her hands and knees, unable to quite comprehend what she was seeing – or, rather, believe that it could possibly be real.
The woman who stood before the stone figure of a wolf was the most beautiful creature Iris had ever seen, with flawless skin and ebony hair that flowed around her, untouched by the whirling storm that continued to swirl around the area. She was the source of the breathable air – she radiated life.
"How troublesome!" The woman said, and Iris realized as her head cleared that it was the wolf statue being addressed. "This is just like the ancient prophecy of doom. What has transpired to bring about such calamity?"
Iris said nothing as she slowly stood up, unable to do anything but stare at the strange scene before her.
""We must act quickly!" The woman continued, "There is no time to lose! My powers have diminished over the years I've spent protecting this area… I don't have much time left in this world." She turned her back to the statue, and began to wave her hand in a circle. A stone shield of sorts appeared in her hands. "Amaterasu, now is the time. We have never needed your power more."
Iris took a step backwards as the woman turned to the wolf. "Shine your divine light upon this broken and polluted world. Let your heavenly rays become our hope as you guide us all!"
She tossed the shield in the air, and it flew. It flew, and left a trail of energy, circling in the air and soaring right past Iris, who fell backwards from the unexpected gust. She quickly recovered, and saw it hit the wolf's back and snap in place.
When Iris was old and senile and forgot her own name on a regular basis, she would remember what happened with an unfading clarity. The shield burned, and the flames became white and enveloped the wolf's body. The glow was blinding and fast, and gone as soon as it had arrived. Iris had closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she caught her breath.
The wolf was incredible – the woman before it paled in comparison. With white fur that seemed more like fire than snow and a matching burning in its eyes, and elegant red markings on its sleek form, the creature was godlike – no, it wasn't like a god, it was a god. The shield floated above its back and spewed small flames as it took its first breaths and crouched to the ground, ready for battle. The wolf howled its first breaths, and the shield radiated more light that forced Iris to shut her eyes.
She looked again as the wolf shook off the remaining magic, looking at the woman. "Ah!" The woman cried, "Such divine white light! Such grace and beauty! The only one capable of such a wondrous spectacle is none other than our mother and the origin of all that is, Amaterasu!" She clasped her hands together, and Iris found herself wondering how much this strange, ethereal woman was going to talk. "How delightful to see that the savior whose brave sacrifice sealed away the evil demon so many years ago has not changed one bit. Seeing you emerge after so many years spent as a statue brings happiness to my heart!"
The woman sniffed, and Iris glanced at the storm, wondering how long the woman thought she could monologue before it killed all three – two, considering the wolf seemed to be a deity. The wolf howled in protest, and flopped onto the ground.
"… Amaterasu… Gaze above you and take in the condition of the sky."
Yes! The storm! Iris dodged a rock flung at her by a stray gust. Thank you for noticing! And people complain that I'm spacey!
"Since your untimely departure from our midst, the world has succumbed to devious and vicious beasts. They have ravaged our fine and bountiful country of Nippon..."
Wait, Nippon? Isn't that Japan? How did I get here? Iris ducked again. I have to get out of here… but I can't breathe in that storm…
"… But never have the circumstances been worse than they are at this very moment. Please use your powers to banish the darkness and punish those who would do us harm. Hm?"
Iris had to take a few steps forward to see what had distracted the woman – was her chest moving weirdly?
"Eh? What is this? Has something stolen its way into my robe?"
Oh, gross, she's got a bug in her shirt… Iris frowned in mild disgust. The woman giggled as the bug crawled around, when, to Iris's disbelief and mild horror, it jumped out of her bust.
"Phew! What on earth…? You again?" Iris looked down at the small, glowing creature that rested on the ground. It took Iris a moment to realize that the "bug" shell was a hat – that was a tiny person. She had to slap a hand over her mouth as it began jumping up and down.
"Ow ow ow ow ow! Are you nuts?" It yelled in a voice that was far too big for anything that size. "Boy, for a little thing, you sure make a big fuss!" The wolf sprung up and went into an aggressive stance, growling at… him. "I was just trying to make the conversation a bit more interesting, that's all."
"Were you napping in my clothes again, bug?"
"Bug?" The, er, fairy demanded, "I told you a thousand times not to call me that! I'm a wandering artist. The name's Issun! I'll show you just how great I am and it won't be long till you're bowing before my great brush!" The bug then proceeded to fling a scroll at the wolf's face.
…I'm gonna be here a while, aren't I? Iris thought as Issun kept talking. …Yep.
Iris stood there, unsure of what to do about the three of them or call attention to herself as Issun gloated about his work while bouncing on Amaterasu's nose…
And then the wolf ate him.
Iris wanted to applaud until the wolf spit him back out. He quickly got up and yelling unimpressive threats at the wolf, and Iris saw the glint of an incredibly small sword. Iris was about to try and find another place with clean air when the roar shot through the sky, shaking the ground and forcing her to cover her ears.
"What the – what was that growling sound? And why is it so dark, anyway?" Issun demanded when the growling stopped, and Sakuya began to glow with white light.
"Oh great god Amaterasu… I've used all the power I have to protect Kamiki Village." The light circled around her as she continued. "The village lives on. Their spirits lie encased in my fruit."
Wait, what?
"Cut it free, and the village will be reborn!" A burst of light flew from Sakuya to the large tree that towered above them – Iris hadn't even noticed it until now – and on one of the branches appeared a very large peach.
So she's a tree spirit… that explains the petals that were flying around her, Iris thought to herself as Issun started talking. Iris looked at the fruit which seemed to quiver with energy. I wonder…
Iris glanced down just in time to see Amaterasu and Issun run into a glowing door in the base of the tree. She quickly dashed after them as the door began to close.
"Hey, wait for me! I sat through all of that too!"