NYAMBURA “NIYA” ARCTOTIS

History

background

Keanu was raised along with his fraternal twin Kapua by his parents Mariko and Kekoa in Tenshi. When he was eight a stranger came to their home and killed his father. His sister was not seen again, and his mother lost her leg.
The experience installed a strong protective instinct stemming from survivors guilt, inspiring him to seek Xin’s training as a mercenary.

He moved to Affe to learn martial arts from the Bulletfist school, getting into street fights to learn practical experience.
His electrical powers developed quickly, accidentally injuring his childhood friend, Rose. Initially the experience made him want to quit, but after being comforted by Xin and receiving a tongue lashing by Rose he chose to stay, though he left scared of his own power and repressed his more aggressive emotions.

A few weeks before meeting Natsumi and Fuyumi, Keanu’s mentor Xin was mutilated by Zizun, leaving him bedridden.
Needing to earn money for the clan and feeling like Xin’s injury was his fault, Keanu left to travel for a while.

MEETING NATSUMI

Keanu first met Natsumi Yukihana when they competed for a bounty. Afterwards he came across their own wanted poster and engaged them to claim the reward.
After earning of her inexperiecne, Keanu lost interest in the fight until Natsumi got her second wind. Ultimately Keanu won the fight, but gave Natsumi his respect

He took the sisters to the town of Algebra for processing, only to find the bounty office closed and causing them to spend the day in town.
His pressence attracted the attention of the local crime boss, Hyeon Sang-eo, who tried to hire him as a live in mercenary. After insulting him, Keanu was set upon by Hyeon’s other mercenary, Nyambura Arcotis, who he defeated with Natsumi’s help.
In an act of revenge, Hyeon brutalised his own men and strung them up as a warning to turn the town against the mercenaries. Keanu took this as a personal challenge and went to confront Hyeon personally.

Keanu and Natsumi fought Hyeon on the roof of his mansion, but despite scoring a few hits they were defeated by the more experienced former merc.
Niya saved Keanu and was nearly shot for the trouble, causing Keanu to finally use the Bulletfist power he was holding back and pummel Hyeon into unconciousness.

That night while the group celebrated their victory, Natsumi suggested forming their own mercenary clan, calling it Raikiri.

traveling with raikiri

Keanu traveled with Raikiri for a while, joining up with a strange child named Kukui and his old friend Rose.
He also came across the corporate mercenary U-Jin Yuseong, who he took an immediate disliking to.

Fuyumi became the target of the Black Sword clan, who sent multiple agents after Raikiri.
In a fight with Dahlia’s assassin team Natsumi was poisoned, requiring them to work with Lok’s ninja team to find the doctors Lilia and Fio Nevoa before she succumbed.
Despite finding the healers, Keanu was engaged with the swordsman Blanche Nuit. She mortally wounded the ninja Jet, which along with his worry over Natsumi causing Keanu to go into a frenzy. However nearly killing Blanche caused Keanu to hesitate, leading to him taking a serious blow.
Fortunately he was saved by not only Lilia and Fio, but also Lok and the Black Sword defector Jasmine, allowing them to escape and get to Natsumi in time.
Raikiri recovered from the battle and continued their journey, though Keanu’s loss to Blanche was a serious blow to his ego.

defeated by zizun

Raikiri approached the Tenshi border a month later, where they met General Zizun of the Dragolong military. Despite Keanu’s warning the group was overpowered by the dragons fearsome swordsmanship.
Keanu recovered and fought him one-on-one, fuelled by rage over his fallen friends. The change in attitude scared Fuyumi who tried to calm him down, but he only stopped when he found himself nearly killing someone else.
His final attack scared Zizun’s armour and sent Keanu falling off the bridge they were on, with Fuyumi following close behind.
They washed up down river, where Keanu finally broke down over his perceived failure and inability to control his emotions.

While seeking safety the pair were set upon by Zizun’s second in command, Shu Fuyu, who beat Keanu soundly after his demoralisation prevented him from fighting back effectively.
Fuyumi took over and defeated Shu, just in time for Yuseong to come across them and help their escape from Zizun’s pursuit.
He flew them to Keanu’s mothers house were he could finally recover, thanks to Fuyumi and Yuseong’s encouragement.

Keanu decided to seek out the Flame clan swordsmiths, free climbing their mountain home to reach them.
On the way he refected on his conflicted feelings and began to repair the relationship between his agressive and calmer sides.
Saved from the snow by Ember Flame, he asked for a new sword to be forged and prepared for his rematch with Zizun.