The Vessel

"So, they split because of their differing views on free will?" Miketsu murmured with a sigh as she listened to Eirin's explanation. Ultimately, the moon rabbits were no longer merely extraterrestrial life forms or external appendages of Chang'e; they had long since become deeply intertwined with the world they once invaded, becoming a part of its fabric.

"Indeed. After the split, war broke out. Both sides deployed devastating weaponry, and that war annihilated the civilization they had built. The surviving moon rabbits hid in subterranean burrows, where their civilization regressed to a primitive state until they were discovered and enslaved by the lunarians. It was within that state of servitude that their new culture grew," Eirin continued, her fingers dancing across the screen as she browsed the research findings of the lunarians.

"It's no wonder. If the ancient moon rabbits could abandon the resurrection of their own god in pursuit of freedom, it’s only natural that the current moon rabbits would resist the Lunar Capital at any cost for that same freedom. In this war, the moon rabbits have truly been a massive help to us," Miketsu whispered. She resolved that once this was over, she would grant the moon rabbits the freedom they so desired.

"Quite... so once we take the Council of Sages, we must—hm?"

Eirin suddenly froze. Her brow furrowed as she stared at the screen, her expression turning grim. Miketsu watched her with growing curiosity.

"What is it?"

"Nothing... I just saw a research title that is quite... interesting. 'Sub-Princess Project: New Directions for Channeling the Power of Chang'e.' What on earth are they trying to do?" Eirin opened the file to examine the details. As she read, her eyes widened, and she stood paralyzed in place.

"Those people... how dare they..."

Beneath the lunar surface, within the Lunar Ruins.

A vast underground corridor supported by countless towering pillars stretched into the darkness. Great Sage Ao led a group of elite Lunar Defense Force soldiers through the hall. Reisen, who had partially regained her mobility, was shackled and marched in the center of the group. She glanced around at her surroundings periodically.

Intricate patterns were carved into the massive pillars. Between them, the wide walls were covered in old, crumbling murals. These paintings depicted countless abstract, long-eared creatures—clearly moon rabbits. Almost all the moon rabbits in the murals were shown in postures of worship, bowing before irregularly twisted, unrecognizable shapes.

"This place... it's our ancient home..." Reisen murmured softly. As a slave born in the Lunar Capital, she had always lived on the fringes of the Lunar Secret Realm. Even after being promoted to Yorihime's adjutant, she was only permitted within the capital itself. Approaching the Council of Sages was forbidden, let alone entering the Lunar Ruins—the very core of the Lunar Capital.

"Yes, this was once the home of your kind. You are the first moon rabbit to enter this place in nearly a century. Be grateful; I am bestowing this honor upon you," the Great Sage said without looking back.

"Hmph. Once we overthrow your rule, we'll come and go as we please."

"No... the rule of the lunarians is unshakable. The day you speak of will never come." The Great Sage came to a halt. Before them stood a massive, heavy stone door, dozens of meters high.

With a series of low, grinding rumbles, the giant stone door slowly groaned open. The scene revealed behind it caused Reisen’s eyes to bulge.

Beyond the door was a colossal underground space. In the center of the level floor was a perfectly circular pit. The pit was over a hundred meters in diameter, its depth immeasurable; the pitch-black void below seemed to lead directly to the lunar core.

The mouth of the pit was covered by several layers of giant magical arrays. Above the arrays, a bridge spanned the width of the abyss. Around the edge of the pit, numerous unknown instruments were stationed. Many lunarians, dressed in full-body protective suits, hurried between the machines, busy with their respective tasks.

"What is this place?"

"This was the sacrificial grounds of the ancient moon rabbits. To save Chang'e, they excavated this pit to reach the point where she was sealed at the heart of the moon..." the Great Sage answered plainly. Reisen’s expression froze.

"A passage to... Lady Chang'e's sealing point? What exactly are you planning to do!" Reisen shouted at the Great Sage, a powerful sense of dread washing over her.

"What am I planning? I intend to complete the Sub-Princess Project here..." the Great Sage replied calmly. Reisen’s confusion grew.

"Sub-Princess..."

"Indeed. Thirteen years ago, you instigated a riot and broke into the Life Research Institute. You abducted the Second Princess we had worked so hard to create and launched her to the earth, causing a century of our efforts to go to waste.

Your actions delayed our plans for developing the Power of Chang'e indefinitely. Since then, we have been searching for the princess sent to the earth while simultaneously conducting other research to find a substitute. That is how the Sub-Princess Project was born.

The Moon Princesses are essentially clones of the ancient moon rabbit priestesses of Chang'e. Although we modified them at birth to remove their ears, they are internally closer to moon rabbits. Therefore, by using the blood samples they left behind to perform body modifications on a gifted moon rabbit, we can create an imperfect 'Sub-Princess'." The Great Sage finished his explanation. Reisen immediately realized his intent.

"You want to turn me into a Sub-Princess? To help you channel the Power of Chang'e?"

"Hmph. Clever. But you've only guessed half of it..." The Great Sage turned around, looking at Reisen with a cold gaze.

"Half?"

"Yes. I intend to turn you into a Sub-Princess to serve as a substitute for the princess, but your task is not merely to channel the Power of Chang'e. The strength of the enemies from the earth has exceeded our expectations; a small portion of Chang'e's power is not enough to deal with them... I need you to become the vessel for Chang'e's descent..." the Great Sage said, his face darkening. Reisen stood stunned.

"I... a vessel for Lady Chang'e..."

"Precisely. According to the records of the ancient moon rabbits, the true purpose of their so-called priestesses was to serve as vessels. They were meant to provide a physical form for Chang'e so that she might return to this world. Simply channeling her power can no longer save the Lunar Capital from defeat. We must have Chang'e return to this world to have any chance of reversing the tides of this war!" The Great Sage’s voice rose, his emotions becoming increasingly agitated.

"Are you insane! Do you have any idea what the consequences of Lady Chang'e's return would be? She won't help you lunarians!" Reisen screamed. Among the moon rabbits, there were whispered myths—warnings about Chang'e.

"Chang'e is the Source of purity, the Lord of the Most Pure, the Goddess of the moon rabbits, and the great enemy of all sentience. Worship her! Revere her! Beware of her! For when she returns, all things shall return to purity..."

Reisen murmured the warning passed down among her kind. In the hearts of modern moon rabbits, though Chang'e remained their god, she was a deity whose descent must never be wished for.

"Do you want to destroy this world, Ao?"

Reisen roared at the Great Sage. Ao remained unmoved, his expression indifferent as he continued.

"No, I will not destroy the world. We have long been researching a method to completely harness Chang'e, and not long ago, that research saw a breakthrough. Our plan is to first imprint hundreds of mental restraints upon the princess serving as the vessel. Once Chang'e enters the vessel... we will use those restraints to control her, forcing her to serve us.

This is the continuation of the Sub-Princess Project. We have named it... the Moon Feather Princess Project."

"Moon Feather Princess... This is madness! You think you can control Lady Chang'e like that?!" Reisen continued to shout. She was certain the man before her had lost his mind. Facing her fury, the Great Sage remained eerily calm.

"I do not think it will be easy. Even by the most optimistic calculations, the success rate of this plan is very low. We originally intended to spend much more time perfecting it before execution, but the current situation does not allow us to wait any longer."

To deal with the approaching enemy and preserve the rule of the lunarians, the Great Sage had chosen to take a desperate gamble.

"You..."

"Enough. It is time for you to prepare. Feel honored; you shall become the vessel for the descent of your god."

"Moon Feather Princess... Reisen."