The Moon Rabbits

In the cosmic expanse between the Earth and the Moon, a vast number of unmanned ships, detached from the Purification Fleet, were surging forward. Their destination: the distant Moon. Amidst this fleet of automated vessels was a single manned ship. This was the very craft Watatsuki no Yorihime had used to travel from the Moon to Earth. Abandoned near Heian-kyo after her mission failed, it was now being used by Miketsu as her transport to the lunar surface.

Inside the ship, Miketsu slid open the cockpit door. She found Eirin sitting comfortably in a chair, sipping tea while elegantly operating the silver screens before her. Taking in the scene, Miketsu asked with a hint of confusion, "Why are you the only one here? Where are the rabbits?"

"Ah, I needed to use some of the equipment here for a few things, so I told them to go rest once they finished setting the flight path," Eirin replied, tilting her head slightly to look at Miketsu.

"Using the equipment... is it something important?"

"Not particularly. I'm just using the virus Yorihime implanted to further infiltrate the Lunar Capital. I want to see if they've had any noteworthy research breakthroughs lately—especially regarding powerful weaponry. It's best to be prepared for our eventual assault on the Lunar Capital, just in case..." Eirin said calmly. Miketsu nodded, a trace of admiration in her voice.

"You've thought this through. So, how is it going? Have you found anything?"

"Nothing particularly noteworthy in terms of weapons. Most of their development plans are still in the conceptual stage. However, their research in another field caught my attention." Eirin continued to manipulate the screens as she spoke, her words piquing Miketsu's curiosity.

"Other research? Specifically what?"

"Archaeology."

"Archaeology?" Miketsu was momentarily stunned, then realized what she meant. "You mean archaeology regarding the Lunar Ruins?"

"Precisely. More specifically, archaeology focused on the ancient moon rabbit civilization within those ruins. I used to lead those efforts back when I was still the Great Sage of the Lunar Capital. Since I left, those fellows have made significant progress. They've uncovered some very interesting results." Eirin took a sip of tea and glanced at Miketsu, her eyes asking, 'Do you want to hear it?'

"Hoo... well, we have nothing better to do for the moment. Tell me the highlights."

"The highlights, then. Certainly... One of the most significant points is the mystery behind the extinction of the ancient moon rabbit civilization."

"The extinction of the ancient moon rabbits..."

"Yes. Do you remember what I told you? When Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto led the lunarians to the lunar surface and first encountered the moon rabbits, their civilization was primitive. Even though the Lunar Ruins indicate they once possessed advanced civilization and technology, the reason they regressed to that state has remained a mystery."

'They were blasted into that state by the counterattack of the Ancient Gods...' Miketsu thought to herself. But she immediately felt something was off. According to Eirin's previous explanation, the moon rabbits under Chang'e's rule were merely appendages without self-awareness. This meant that before Chang'e was sealed, a moon rabbit civilization shouldn't have existed. The destruction wrought by the Ancient Gods couldn't have destroyed a civilization that wasn't there yet.

Chang'e being sealed should have been the beginning of the ancient moon rabbit civilization.

"So, have the lunarians finally solved the mystery of how that civilization vanished?"

"More or less. The arguments they've put forward now are backed by ample evidence. I can't find any flaws in them; it's likely the truth..." Eirin held up a finger and began to recount the tale of the ancient moon rabbits.

"As I mentioned before, for reasons unknown, Chang'e was sealed. This caused the moon rabbits to be influenced by my planet, leading to the awakening of their self-awareness. That was the dawn of their civilization.

"According to various records, the first generation of moon rabbits to awaken retained the technologies inherited from Chang'e. Although they possessed self-awareness, they felt an infinite sense of adoration for Chang'e. They viewed the sealed Chang'e as a god and attempted to use their mastery of technology to liberate Her."

"The ancient moon rabbit civilization... attempted to liberate Chang'e..." Miketsu swallowed hard as she listened.

"Yes. That was their ultimate goal. The ancient moon rabbits created Secret Realms on the lunar surface, built cities, and conducted endless research and development—all so that one day they could welcome their god back. They spent ages studying the essence of Chang'e and searching for a way to break the seal and rescue Her. Eventually, they found the method they sought. The Priestess of Chang'e... was the result of that research." Eirin continued, causing Miketsu's brow to furrow.

"The Priestess of Chang'e can liberate Chang'e?" Miketsu asked seriously. The Kaguya on Earth and Princess Kaguya were both clones of the Priestess of Chang'e.

"Yes. Actually... calling her a 'Priestess' isn't entirely accurate. Strictly speaking, what they created wasn't a priestess for Chang'e, but a vessel..."

"A vessel..."

"Correct. Through their research, the ancient moon rabbits discovered that the sealed Chang'e is actually a spiritual entity without a physical form, and She desperately craves a new body. As long as there is a body capable of containing Her spirit, Chang'e can use Her own power to break the seal and return. The Priestess of Chang'e was a perfect vessel specifically crafted by the ancient moon rabbits for Her. It is precisely because of this perfect affinity that the Priestess of Chang'e can tap into a portion of Chang'e's power."

Listening to Eirin, Miketsu fell into silence. She recalled the words of Suwako... a powerful Ancient God of the highest caliber had destroyed Chang'e's body and cursed matter to forever reject Her, ensuring She could never revive through Her own strength.

"Hoo... so that's the truth behind the Priestess of Chang'e? But if they already created the perfect body, why hasn't Chang'e been resurrected yet?" Miketsu asked, looking at Eirin.

"That's simple. It's because a serious problem arose among the ancient moon rabbits themselves."

"A serious problem?"

"Indeed. Have you ever considered what Chang'e's resurrection would mean? It would mean that all moon rabbits would once again be enveloped by Chang'e's power. They would lose their self-awareness once more, becoming mere external appendages—mindless puppets.

"The ancient moon rabbits had already established a high civilization. Over a sufficiently long period, they developed emotions, culture, and history... They could enjoy the happiness brought by self-awareness. Now, if they were asked to lose all of that and return their consciousness to Chang'e, would they really be willing?" Eirin said, spreading her hands. Miketsu could already guess what happened next.

"So... the ancient moon rabbits split into factions..."

"Spot on. According to the latest documents, the moon rabbits of that era split into two factions over the 'Chang'e issue.'

"There was the Returnist Faction, which advocated for Chang'e's resurrection and the reunification of all moon rabbit spirits back into Her. And then there was the Liberationist Faction, which advocated for maintaining the status quo—worshipping Chang'e only as a deity without letting Her revive, thereby preserving the free will of all moon rabbits.

"Both factions had many supporters, and the conflict between them was irreconcilable. Thus, war broke out..."