The Sacred Journey of the Nine

Long ago, in the early days of Reizu, the first emperor of the Tabaxi was faced with a difficult task. He needed to decide the order of the animals that would make up the Rongian zodiac, but he was unsure of which animal should take the coveted first position. To solve this problem, he decided to hold a grand race that would involve all nine animals of the zodiac, with the order in which they finished determining their place in the zodiac.
The emperor announced the race to his subjects, and soon, word had spread across the entire island of Reizu. The people of the Tabaxi community were thrilled at the prospect of the race, and the many animals began training for the big day.
On the day of the race, the contestants gathered at the northern coast of Reizu, where the emperor and his advisors awaited them. The nine animals stood poised and ready, their owners eager for the competition to begin.
The race began with a loud horn blast, and the contestants took off towards their destination: the palace on Mount Renshin. The first leg of the race took the competitors through the bamboo forests, where the tiger and the crane quickly took the lead. The tiger's powerful muscles propelled it forward, while the crane's graceful wings allowed it to navigate the dense bamboo groves with ease.
As the animals emerged from the bamboo forest, they entered the rolling hills, where the monkey and the butterfly began to gain ground. The monkey was nimble and quick, leaping from rock to rock, while the butterfly's delicate wings carried it effortlessly over the fields of wildflowers.
The third leg of the race took the contestants through the coastal fishing villages, where the snake and the rooster began to close in on the leaders. The snake slithered along the ground, making quick progress, while the rooster's sharp eyes spotted shortcuts through the village alleys.
As the animals entered the final stretch of the race, the otter and the phoenix made their move. The otter was a skilled swimmer, and it glided effortlessly through the streams and rivers that dotted the landscape. Meanwhile, the phoenix used its mystical powers to soar high above the competition, quickly closing in on the leaders.
In the end, it was the crane who emerged victorious, crossing the finish line first and claiming the coveted first position in the Rongian zodiac. The tiger came in a close second, with the monkey, butterfly, and snake following closely behind. The rooster and otter crossed the finish line next, with the phoenix and dragon bringing up the rear.
Although their abilities and strength were impressive, the dragon and phoenix came in last place in the race. This was not because they were slow or weak, but rather because they were too focused on helping the other animals along the way.
The dragon, being a symbol of power and good fortune, felt a strong sense of responsibility towards the other animals in the race. Whenever he saw one of them struggling or falling behind, he would pause to offer words of encouragement or assistance. This selflessness slowed him down significantly, causing him to fall behind the rest of the pack.
The phoenix, on the other hand, had a similar mindset but approached it in a different way. As a symbol of rebirth and renewal, the phoenix was deeply attuned to the needs and emotions of the other animals in the race. Whenever she saw one of them struggling or feeling discouraged, she would swoop down and offer words of wisdom and comfort. While this helped the other animals immensely, it also caused her to lose ground in the race.
Despite not winning the race, the dragon and phoenix were celebrated for their kindness and compassion towards the other animals. Their actions were seen as a true representation of the Rongian spirit, which values selflessness and helping others above personal gain. In the end, the order of the animals for the Rongian zodiac was decided based on their overall performance and character, rather than their placement in the race alone.
The emperor was pleased with the results of the race, and he declared that the order of the animals would be enshrined in the Rongian zodiac for generations to come. The Tabaxi community celebrated the victory of the crane, with festivals and ceremonies held in honor of the great bird.
And so, the race became a beloved tradition in Reizu, a testament to the spirit of competition and the importance of working together. For the Tabaxi, the race was more than just a contest - it was a symbol of their culture and a reminder of the power of unity and determination.

The Race Today

Today, the race held by the First Emperor of Reizu is celebrated by the modern Tabaxi people in a different way. Instead of actual animals racing, people representing each animal participate in a relay race that spans the same distance as the original race, from the northern coast to the palace on Mount Renshin.
The relay race is held every year and is a major cultural event for the Tabaxi people. The participants are chosen based on their physical abilities and their connection to the animal they represent. For example, a person representing the tiger might be chosen for their strength and agility, while a person representing the crane might be chosen for their grace and balance.
The race is divided into nine legs, each representing one of the animals in the original race. The participants carry a symbolic item representing their animal, such as a tiger claw or a feather for the crane. The relay baton is also decorated with symbols of all the animals in the race.
The race begins at the northern coast, where the first runner, representing the tiger, starts the race. Each participant runs their leg of the race before passing the baton to the next runner at the designated exchange point. Along the way, crowds of spectators gather to cheer on the runners and celebrate their culture.
As the race progresses, the excitement builds, and the runners push themselves to the limit, inspired by the legacy of the original race. The relay culminates in a final leg, where the runner representing the otter carries the baton up the steep slopes of Mount Renshin to the palace at the summit.
At the finish line, the runners are greeted with cheers and applause from the crowd, and a grand ceremony is held to honor the winners. The first-place team is awarded a prize, such as a trophy or a symbolic item representing the spirit of the race.
Through this annual relay race, the modern Tabaxi people continue to honor the legacy of their ancestors and celebrate the diversity and beauty of their culture.