Chiemi

When the great falls of Waterfall City were but a trickle and its stone fish statue had yet to be carved, an explorer named Chiemi began a pilgrimage. They sought the heart of the river, a place rumored to hold the source of all joy, carrying only a sturdy pack and a single marshmallow on a stick—a memento from a love they had left behind. They climbed until the air grew thin and found a slumbering Water Spirit, its dreams turning sour and choking the river. To save their home, Chiemi made a pact. They offered their own outward happiness, their laughter and their smiles, for the spirit’s tranquility. The moment the deal was sealed, the river surged once more, but Chiemi’s expression settled into a permanent, stoic calm. A radiant heart appeared above their head, the silent testament to the immense love they sacrificed for everyone else.