Keiko
Keiko was born when Nine Skies empresses persecuted each tsukaite. Her tsukaite mother Moriko was killed shortly after giving birth to Saeko. “Home” was a foreign word as the family fled from Sky to Sky.
One fateful day, Keiko saw a green-winged woman speak to Rabizu. After the encounter, her father was ecstatic and ensured the sisters he’d keep them safe. Keiko watched Rabizu’s bahhraym-white hair and eyes turn black as he forged his blade. He became distant, mumbling and speaking to someone.
One day, Keiko touched Rabizu’s shoulder and suggested he take a rest. The father screeched, his face morphing into a monstrous visage. Terrified, Keiko fled together with Saeko.
Twenty years later, the sisters confronted Rabizu. Their father shrieked and spoke in numerous tongues at once. The battle waged on and upon Saeko inflicting the fatal wound, Rabizu was put to rest.
Upon return, the sisters presented Rabizu’s hair as proof of their victory. Empress Kulawai acknowledged their worth and stepped down from the throne, allowing Keiko to ascend.
Keiko uses Saeko's potions and ointments to prolong her lifespan.
The eight exceptional and most trusted tsukaites become the Eight Hands of the Empress. Each Hand governs their respective Sky and those below it, while only Keiko controls the Ninth Sky.
One fateful day, Keiko saw a green-winged woman speak to Rabizu. After the encounter, her father was ecstatic and ensured the sisters he’d keep them safe. Keiko watched Rabizu’s bahhraym-white hair and eyes turn black as he forged his blade. He became distant, mumbling and speaking to someone.
One day, Keiko touched Rabizu’s shoulder and suggested he take a rest. The father screeched, his face morphing into a monstrous visage. Terrified, Keiko fled together with Saeko.
Twenty years later, the sisters confronted Rabizu. Their father shrieked and spoke in numerous tongues at once. The battle waged on and upon Saeko inflicting the fatal wound, Rabizu was put to rest.
Upon return, the sisters presented Rabizu’s hair as proof of their victory. Empress Kulawai acknowledged their worth and stepped down from the throne, allowing Keiko to ascend.
Magic
Keiko telekinetically moves her two grand swords with ease. She can liquify and shape the swords to her liking and wears them as armour when not in use.Keiko uses Saeko's potions and ointments to prolong her lifespan.
The Tsukaite Reform
Empress Keiko viewed the old system as wasteful. She registers each tsukaite and, together with their families, grants them high nobility status. She founded the Tsukaite Academy, educating goddess-blessed bahhrayms in warfare, astronomy, medicine, history and other valuable subjects. The graduates attain influential positions depending on their area of interest.The eight exceptional and most trusted tsukaites become the Eight Hands of the Empress. Each Hand governs their respective Sky and those below it, while only Keiko controls the Ninth Sky.
The Black Hair
The black hair became Empress Keiko’s symbol. Only the two sisters dye their hair completely black, while the Eight Hands of the Empress stain one-eighth. To Keiko, black embodies her father’s love and sacrifice.Law reforms
Keiko firmly believes in bahhraym supremacy and tsukaites can’t be born of mixed parentage. Thus, she forbade bahhrayms from marrying and having children with other races. Breaking the law is punishable with death, while the bahhraym’s partner and child are exiled from the Nine Skies.Conflict with the Northern Dividing Archipelago
The Northern Dividing Archipelago’s ruler Guran’Dukht waged war on the Nine Skies and occupied part of the Land. During their battle, Guran’Dukht touched Keiko’s waist and, using body control magic, broke her spine. Keiko retorted by slicing the queen into three chunks.Following the battle, Keiko is always seen levitating above everyone else. The exception is the Dayani Khelmtiphe Malkisaidek, as Keiko hovers precisely at his height level.
The Black-tailed Asteroid
When a black-tailed asteroid fell in the Nine Skies, Keiko sent soldiers to investigate the area. But none came back. Chiraki sightings soon spread through the mountains. The empress dispatched several tsukaites and when neither returned, she forbade anyone to enter the impact region.
The creature’s presence ceased as Sugiramun announced his victory over the abomination. Impressed by the bahhraym man’s deed, Keiko granted him high nobility status and blessed his marriage to Saeko.
When Saeko became pregnant, Keiko eagerly awaited the child’s birth. Yet, the empress felt only disgust upon seeing the newborn niece. Moriko's long, worm-like white eyelashes squirmed, while the body was dotted with sharp, black scales, cutting the midwife’s skin upon touch. Keiko stepped forward to end the monstrosity. But Sugiramun snatched the child from the midwife’s hands, flew towards the goddess Dekabura’s temple, cut through the guards and stole the Sacred Sword.
The empress sent a hundred soldiers and three Hands after Sugiramun, and charged towards the perpetrator. She saw Sugiramun’s arm tear off after he tried unsheathing Dekabura’s sword. Despite the injury, the one-armed man parried Keiko's onslaught. Briefly, the mongrel stepped on her sword and looked down at the empress.
Keiko's face twisted in anger and she answered the insult by slicing Sugiramun's left leg off. The man blocked swing after swing, but he staggered, allowing Keiko to pierce his stomach. The empress was ready to pass judgment. Yet, witnessing the fallen father clutching his daughter reminded her of Rabizu.
Several days later, Keiko received Chief Qaitlen's gift – a black gem holding the black Cosmic Amaar. The empress placed it inside her crown, where it rests to this day.
The creature’s presence ceased as Sugiramun announced his victory over the abomination. Impressed by the bahhraym man’s deed, Keiko granted him high nobility status and blessed his marriage to Saeko.
When Saeko became pregnant, Keiko eagerly awaited the child’s birth. Yet, the empress felt only disgust upon seeing the newborn niece. Moriko's long, worm-like white eyelashes squirmed, while the body was dotted with sharp, black scales, cutting the midwife’s skin upon touch. Keiko stepped forward to end the monstrosity. But Sugiramun snatched the child from the midwife’s hands, flew towards the goddess Dekabura’s temple, cut through the guards and stole the Sacred Sword.
The empress sent a hundred soldiers and three Hands after Sugiramun, and charged towards the perpetrator. She saw Sugiramun’s arm tear off after he tried unsheathing Dekabura’s sword. Despite the injury, the one-armed man parried Keiko's onslaught. Briefly, the mongrel stepped on her sword and looked down at the empress.
Keiko's face twisted in anger and she answered the insult by slicing Sugiramun's left leg off. The man blocked swing after swing, but he staggered, allowing Keiko to pierce his stomach. The empress was ready to pass judgment. Yet, witnessing the fallen father clutching his daughter reminded her of Rabizu.
“I better never see you anywhere anymore.’’
Several days later, Keiko received Chief Qaitlen's gift – a black gem holding the black Cosmic Amaar. The empress placed it inside her crown, where it rests to this day.
Notable relationships
Saeko
Keiko feels lonely following her sister’s departure to the Chiraki Abyss. She didn’t approve of Saeko’s choice, deeming the wish to cure Moriko a useless endeavour. Yet, Keiko helped Saeko fake her death and venture to the monster-filled chasm.
Rabizu
Eight Hands of the Empress
She respects Akkara’s perseverance, Tsuna’s persuasion skills and Maki’s medical knowledge.
The empress enjoys Tulao’s indecent humour and sparring with Aimi.
Keiko commends Ru’s sense of responsibility, Karui’s love for history and Suzume’s diligence and curiosity.
Sugiramun
She doesn’t regret letting Sugiramun go, but will murder him on sight if he ever steps in the Nine Skies.
all according to keiko
Indeed