The Lofty Realm was a place of shimmering splendor, its opulent shrines and twisting architecture a stark contrast to the world of Yanato below the clouds. Here, the gods and their subjects lived in luxury and comfort, enjoying the fruits of the laborers below in the Lower Realm.   One such goddess was Kokorowa, a high-ranking young lady of the court known for her intellect and her love of inventing. Kokorowa was currently seated at her desk in her workshop, surrounded by a jumble of gears, cogs, and assorted mechanical parts. She was staring down at several schematics, a quill clutched in her hand and a frown on her face.   She had been struggling with a particularly difficult design all afternoon. A weapon, a defensive patrol puppet that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing. And yet, she could not seem to figure out how to make it work without it endangering the surroundings of the Capital.   Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Kokorowa looked up, her focus broken, and called out, "Come in."   Half-expecting one of her puppets, a fellow god, or even her friend Sakuna, Kokorowa found herself facing a stranger. Surprise and curiosity appeared on her face; humans very rarely made their way into the Lofty Realm from the Lower Realm, let alone into the heart of the Mihashira Capital. She set her quill down and stood up to greet the stranger, her eyes studying them carefully.   "Well, this is unexpected," she said, her voice light and curious. "What brings you here? Are you one of Sakuna's companions from Hinoe?"