Aikoro

tl;dr: Aikoro twice survived the genocide of her people and went on to cause destruction and bring her revenge.

Please note that even this is a relatively brief synposis and doesn't capture a lot of the nuance, so if you want to know more just ask me and I'll be happy to infodump :]

Aikoro grew up in Tainsrik, a small mountain village, surrounded by a large family and loving community, who made a blissful living in the mountains. They were hardy people, steadfast, and cared deeply for each other, although they kept mostly to themselves.

However, the Kialians believed that the mountains were theirs, because it was the place where they were closest to the gods and their place of origin. There were very few actual resources in the mountains, and a small population, so the Kialians had nothing to gain from ruling them. They thought the mountain tribes were desecrating sacred land, and so sought to completely wipe them out, and had done so for hundreds of years.

Tainsrik knew the Kialians would come eventually, but they thought they'd have more time. They thought if they kept their heads down, the Kialians would ignore them. But the Kialians came anyways, with superior technology and manpower. Tainsrik put up a good fight for several years, shaping 9-year-old Aikoro's experiences and views. It didn't matter; the Kialians won. They completely razed Tainsrik, murdering every last person in a span of several days, often in cruel ways. Aikoro witnessed much of it. She was only saved when some of the Kialians threw Aikoro and a few of her cousins into the wilderness, believing they would quickly die from the harsh winter.

Aikoros and her cousins struggled for months, surviving from their knowledge of the landscape and what little scraps they could use. Starving, exhausted, broken, they continued on until at long last they found a village that had yet to be conquered. Only Aikoro and one other cousin, Manso, made it there alive.

They were welcomed to the new village and made a home there, even finding a distant relative. A few years passed, where Aikoro and Manso tried to ready the village for the Kialians. It wasn't enough. It would never be enough. The Kialians came, but this time, at least Aikoro was able to fight, and did so bravely. Manso did as well, and lost his life doing so. Yet again, though, the Kialians won, and yet again, they massacred the village. Aikoro would have gone down with them, but that would be letting the Kialians win. Someone had to bring them justice. Someone had to make them pay.

She travelled on for some time. She survived off of stolen wares and the skills she'd gained in those winter months. She was all alone. Yet, in a way, wasn’t that freeing? There was no one left for her to worry about, no one left to die. She had nothing left to lose.

She joined some criminal organizations, but none of them really satisfied her. They were all too focused on petty things like wealth and power, not on taking down their oppressors. She still kept in good favor.

She started attacking Reah’Kiali. Bombing buildings, temples, seats of power. Not too effective, but they spread a message. She started killing officials, mainly those involved in the murder of her people. She made a name for herself, someone who thrived on chaos and destruction.

Someone started to counter her. An unseen shadow, throwing wrenches into her plans, reducing her damage, even foiling some of her ploys. Aikoro caught her; it was Zasekira, employed by Reah'Kiali. Their interactions turned into a sort of game, action and reaction, as Aikoro sought to destroy and Zasekira sought to protect. Aikoro constantly flirted and played with Zasekira, yet gained some respect for someone who came even halfway to besting her.

Time went on, the two gained feelings for each other. Yet, despite her constant flirtations, Aikoro would never let Zasekira in. Zasekira, on the other hand, was falling fast, and much more open to a relationship despite her more reserved exterior.

At the same time, they both encouraged the worst in each other. Of course, Zasekira’s involvement meant Aikoro had to get more creative and more destructive with her plans. Meanwhile, Aikoro’s recklessness led Zasekira down an increasingly destructive path herself in her attempts to stop her, often leaving just as much collateral damage as Aikoro. Zasekira's thin veil of loyalty slipped away, and after Reah'Kiali threatened imprisonment, she finally joined Aikoro.

Aikoro warned Zasekira that she would only ever hurt her, that she could never love Zaseira because she wouldn't give anythign else to Reah'Kiali, that she will burn down the world and Zasekira will go down with it, no matter how much she loves her. Yet Zasekira loves her, and the two lesbians go on to destroy the world together, leaving nothing but destruction in their wake.

Aikoro hunts down each and every Kialian who was involved in the genocide and finally brings justice, killing them in ways just as cruel as the ones they used against her family. She can't stop, won't stop, because this is all she has. When she finds the last commander, what will she do then? It doesn't matter. She will tear this whole world down. The flames will engulf her.