The First Spark (Culinary Guardians)

The First Spark (Culinary Guardians)
Date of Cutscene:	23 December 2023
Location:	The Hearth of Sanbo-Kojin
Synopsis:	Origins of the Culinary Guardians
Cast of Characters:	Chiyo Sakai

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Sanbo-Kojin brought humanity fire. Fire which he watched them use in the most unexpected of ways! In spite of its' often destructive nature, they used it to create. He marveled at this, and soon joined in their joy of using his fire in this creative method, this 'cooking' which was so unique, varied, and wholesome. Not only would the flames warm their bodies as was his original intention, but with it they created dishes that warmed the belly. The heart. The soul. It was a joy to be a part of this for he who had once only been seen as the bearer of a destructive force.

Humanity was such a wonder to him. He wished to protect it, watch it grow and flourish. Though they had faults, they were capable of so much. Just as it was with any parent, there came a point where he had to step back and watch from afar to see whether these children would stumble, or flourish.

He only looked away for a few moments. A moment for a God; lifetimes for mortals. When he looked back he found much had changed.

Humans were forgetting. They were forgetting the magic that the world had to offer as they grew older; both individually and as a species. The Gods that had helped them to grow from their humble origins, to shape their progress, had also been slowly forgotten. Their creativity with Sanbo-Kojin's gift of fire was being forgotten.

The advent of fast food, of 'eating on the go', of convenience meals had slowly begun to push out the family owned businesses that helped to provide for the citizens of the world. Food had gone from something spiritual, wholesome, and enjoyable to something meant to be done merely out of obligation. A second thought so that people could move on through their oh-so-busy days.

There were more woes that had befallen humanity of course. Darkness that was threatening from the shadows again. As humanity struggled in various avenues, these forces of Darkness were slowly seeking to sink their teeth in where ever they could.

How dare they!? Anger welled in Sanbo-Kojin stoking the flames of his power once more with the urge to destroy these forces that dared to meddle with humanity.

But how does a forgotten God help?

Quietly he watched. Intently he watched. He did not blink or look away or even dare to let his mind wander until he had his answer. The younger humans who had not forgotten hopes, or dreams, or magic had found the most creative ways to push back against the old enemies lurking in the darkness. This is how he would help. Sanbo-Kojin would give his fire to humans once more.

Stoking the fires of his holy hearth the flames roared with renewed vigor and purpose. With his own hands he steamed, pounded, pressed, and molded the rice that humans were so fond of. The flames of the hearth burned ever higher as they baked until they turned golden and cracked from the release of steam within. Before they could even cool he breathed his power into them further.

Then he struck the edge of the hearth with his staff, with his sword, and with the chopsticks he used to cook. The living spirits that served him woke instantly, tumbling out as burning coals at first. They then took various forms that the spirits enjoyed, each grasping one of the crackers that had been created.

"These are the Iori Senbei baked in my hearth by my own hands. Take them, and find those young humans worthy of wielding my power. Let them become my warriors! My Culinary Guardians."