Kikona

There's a saying in The Teikodian Empire: a thousand golden spires don't warm a single soul. Kikona understood this better than most. As a trainee, they were diligent and patient, their days spent practicing sword forms under the blinding sun reflected off the palace walls. It was a life of precision and duty, but it was cold. Then they met Hiore. Hiore didn't care about perfect footwork or the gleam on armor. They cared about the quiet moments between drills, sharing stories and laughter that felt more real than any imperial decree. The red panda mask was Hiore's idea, a silly, secret rebellion against the capital's stern face. These days, Kikona's determination is stronger than ever, but it's no longer for the Empire. It’s for the person who taught them that the most important thing to protect is the warmth you find in another.