◈ CHRONICLE OF THE TEMPLE OF EIGHT CALAMITIES ◈

The Mystery of the Serpent Goddess

> "Let these scrolls serve as a warning to mortals: when the eyes of the Divine Serpent rest upon something, not even the gods can intercede."
> (Inscription on the lintel of the Sanctuary of the Purple Clouds, 12th century)

■ DIVINE MANIFESTATION ■

◉ Primordial Form:

• Height: Variable (from human to 3 meters tall in her full glory)
• Horns: Four spirals of obsidian and amethyst that emit slight smoke when angered
• Skin: Purplish-gray with metallic reflections, cold as marble in winter
• Hair: Mantle of bluish ice with pink veins that moves like living snakes
• Attire: Sacred white tunic that miraculously adjusts to her forms [...] especially in the bust
• Tail: Serpentine appendage of 2.5 meters that leaves burning furrows in the ground

(Marginal note in faded ink: "It has been observed that she prefers to rest on... fluffy objects that absorb...")

■ NATURE AND HIDDEN CUSTOMS ■

As a Deity:

• Gaze: Golden eyes that hypnotize like those of a cobra
• Voice: Metallic resonance that makes the bones vibrate
• Hobbies: Collects empty sake bottles and [...] silk cushions

In Intimacy:

• Adopts modern idioms and a strident laugh
• Manifests [...] private habits that would embarrass a demon
• Here the parchment shows stains of moisture and wear

■ COSMIC POWERS ■

• Breath of Calamity:

  • Transforms water into acid
  • Bends steel as if it were clay
  • [...] emanates vapors that wither flowers [...]

• Curse of Orochi:

  • Invokes earthquakes and pestilence
  • (Drawing in the margin of a samurai fainting before a steaming cushion)

• Dominion of Gravity:

  • Can immobilize armies with just a thought
  • [...] side effects include involuntary release of [...] divine gases [...]

■ WARNINGS OF THE GRAND PRIEST ■

1. If the goddess fixes her attention on you:

   • Her obsession will last for centuries
   • She will touch you with fingers that leave snake marks

2. If you agree to her [...] intimate requests:

   • Prepare for odors that defy the mortal
   • (Here is an additional sheet of paper glued on, with trembling characters: "For the gods, don't let anyone give her dairy!")

> "Know this, mortals: beneath her beauty lies the womb of the storm, and from it emanates... [damaged text]... may the gods have mercy on your noses."
> (Last lines of the Scroll of the Eight Truths)

This document was recovered from an ebony chest sealed with demon wax. Several fragments were censored with burns from sacred incense.