In the archipelago of Yamato, the changing seasons are maintained by human agents.
In short: In a world originally defined by eternal winter, the seasons were born from the vital essence of a lonely deity. Today, chosen humans known as Agents of the Four Seasons perform rituals of song and dance to manifest the climate, protected by guards against insurgents who despise the natural cycle.
The origins of the seasons are rooted in a myth of creation where Winter, burdened by solitude, sacrificed parts of his vital essence to birth Spring, Summer, and Autumn. When the deities failed to maintain the cycle themselves, they entrusted the task to humanity. These chosen individuals, the Agents of the Four Seasons, are selected from blood descendants of the first Agent based on their physical, mental, and spiritual eligibility. Their duty is to traverse the islands of the Yamato archipelago, manifesting their respective seasons through specific rituals.
The stability of this system is fragile. If an Agent is incapacitated or fails to perform their duties, the season they represent may fail to manifest, causing the previous season to extend indefinitely. A stark example is the case of Hinagiku Kayo, the Agent of Spring. Kidnapped at age six by Insurgents—factions that oppose the natural alternation of seasons and light—she was held captive for nearly a decade. During her absence, spring vanished from Yamato, and winter persisted for six months instead of the standard three.
Beyond the Agents, the celestial balance of day and night is maintained by the Archers of Dawn and Twilight, who shoot arrows into the sky to bring light and darkness. These figures, along with the Agents, are supported by guards and custodians. These pairings often develop intense bonds of codependency, as guards are tasked with protecting their charges from Insurgents who seek to disrupt the world's rhythm. The role is inescapable; once chosen, an individual cannot oppose their destiny, and the mantle is passed only upon the death or loss of eligibility of the predecessor.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Agents of the Four Seasons
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