I was reading the lore plaques again.
So, Soh has no name. Yoshiro guides the villagers on their destined paths. Soh guides the Maiden on the path. Yoshiro is not called the Maiden in the plaque lore. Both descended into the human world so Yoshiro is a spirit? Soh bestows the power of the masks...
Yoshiro becomes the next Spirit Stone and is holding Soh's mask when Soh passes on. Cursed Soh is the Spirit Stone that was enshrined previously. Cursed Soh is Defiled Yoshiro.
But who is Yoshiro if she doubles as the Maiden in this cycle?
In the normal ending, Yoshiro absorbs the last defilement which is the previous spirit stone(it turns into Cursed Soh in the true ending), is enshrined, then becomes the next Soh? Soh is a nameless ancestral spirit who works for the goddess alongside Yoshiro...
Yoshiro and Soh are definitely one in some way but I can't figure out what Yoshiro is. She guides villagers, Soh gives them masks. Both of these things we do in gameplay while controlling Soh.
Soh can stand alone against defilement because of her sword...but can't fight without Yoshiro.
Now I understand why Yoshiro might be spooked by Soh. That's the Maiden not 'Yoshiro'.
Is Yoshiro the spirit possessing the Maiden? Is that what The Sacrifice ritual was? I thought it was calling upon the ancestors of the Maiden but Soh is the previously enshrined maiden.
And Soh's face being slightly different from Yoshiro was done on purpose. Phantom Paths precedes Birth of the Goddess scroll. Ascension occurs after defeating Cursed Soh. The Goddess has Yoshiro accessories but Soh's face.
I bet it's really simple but I'm overthinking...