Kakimi

Every morning, Kakimi spars with the one chimper in The Heart of the Forest who refuses to yield. Their rival, a pugilist of raw, earthen strength, scoffs at Kakimi’s noble lineage and the delicate makeup they wear. In turn, Kakimi finds their rival’s methods brutish. For years, their duels were a stalemate of frost and fury. This pressure is what triggered Kakimi’s ascension; during one clash, their katana radiated a cold so profound it flash-froze their rival’s attack mid-swing. The sudden surge of power was terrifying and uncontrolled. It was Kenji who taught them discipline, seeing not just a fighter but a teacher. These days, their sparring matches draw a crowd of young chimps. Kakimi and their rival are still trying to win, but now their fight is also a lesson.