Somali

* Manga
* Anime

**Somali** (ソマリ *Somari*) is the main protagonist along with her father, Golem in **Somali and the Forest Spirit**. She is a small and playful child found sheltering under a tree by the forest guardian, Golem. When Golem finds her, she calls Golem her father, thus starting a long and difficult journey to find Somali's parents in a world of creatures preying on humans.

## Appearance

Somali is a short, young girl with a fair complexion, large amber-colored eyes and medium length black hair that is turning light green at the ends. She also has loose bangs.

**Clothing**

Her clothing consists of a black cape with a red on the inside, and a hood featuring horns as part of her disguise as a Minotaur. The hood is being held together by two black straps with studs in the front. Somali also wears brown boots with dark brown ribbons in the front. When she is indoors and hidden from other monsters, Somali wears a black sweater and grey leggings.

## Personality

Somali is playful, affectionate and sometimes carelessly optimistic child. She enjoys being around and playing with the animals she meets, especially fluffy ones. Somali's childlike joy extends to her curiosity of new and colorful things, often escaping from Golem's sight. She has a forgiving nature to those she considers her friends. Somali can become upset at the prospect that her father will leave her after they finish their journey, which can lead her to take matters into her own hands sometimes. She has also been described as brave.

## History

Somali's origin is unknown. She escaped from a toppled cart holding other human prisoners after the hunters and human prisoners were killed after losing control and falling off a cliff. After walking in chains through a forest in the rain, she finds shelter under a tree. One day, Golem finds the remains of the toppled cart, and is alerted to a human child. Upon finding Somali, she calls him "Father".

## Story

### The Forest and the Traveler's Village

Somali is sheltering under a tree when Golem finds her. Upon seeing Golem, she calls him her father.

Somali follows Golem as he walks in the forest, but Golem tells Somali to leave the forest, sighting the dangers of the forest to outsiders. Somali refuses and continues to trail Golem, even when she encounters obstacles that make it difficult to follow. When Somali eventually catches up to Golem, she is hungry and Golem decides to feed her, telling her to depart the forest after.

Somali continues to refuse and follows Golem until she becomes too tired to continue. Golem watches over Somali as she sleeps, making her happy. When they arrive at a waterfall, Golem destroys the chains on Somali and catches food. When Somali sees Golem's outer arm shatter in the water, she jumps into the flowing river, trying to stop the shattered parts from flowing away. Golem pulls her out, prompting her to reflect on her actions, almost drowning in the water.

Golem realizes that his time remaining in the world is dwindling, and decides to embark on a journey to return Somali to her parents and other humans. When Somali is approached by a creature with the appearance similar to a cat, Golem decides on the name, "Somali," derived from the creature's name, "Komidori-Somali, Steeped-in-Viridian."
Somali and Golem continue their travels to find other humans and travel towards the next city. Somali frequently leaves Golem's vision chasing different types of animals. Golem finds Somali and tells her to remain in his sight. They arrive at the Traveler's Village and Somali is amazed at the size of the city. Somali is hungry and they go to a restaurant to eat. After Somali finishes eating, they stay at an inn for the night.

The next day, they go shopping for supplies while Somali views all the things going on in the city. Somali sees many parents and their kids having fun, making her sad. While Golem negotiates with a trader over the price of his goods, Somali sees a cat and begins to tail it. She follows the cat into an alley, but loses the cat. When Somali realizes that she is lost, she gets scared by the sudden flock of crows and the laugh of the cat, which was not an actual cat. The False Cat speaks with Somali and she decides to pet the cat. When she pets the cat, the cat catches the scent of Somali, telling her that she smells delicious.

Before the False Cat could figure out that Somali is a human, Golem finds Somali and picks her up, ordering the cat to leave immediately. Somali is grateful that Golem came to rescue her.

Somali and Golem leave the city after stocking on supplies and continue on their travels. Golem tells Somali that she is not to leave his side without permission, but Somali does not agree. Golem is left with no choice and tells Somali to hold his hand. Although Golem thinks that it will limit their activity, Somali is happy to hold hands.

### The River and the Oni's Dwelling

Somali and Golem camp on the riverside for the night. After Somali wakes up, she catches fish from the river for breakfast. She is curious by the fire Golem creates using Starmaker rocks and wants to try it herself, to which Golem says no. While Somali eats breakfast, some rabbits are drawn out from the smell of the fish. Golem invites them for breakfast and Somali hugs one of the rabbits. Golem asks the rabbits for a nearby city which surprises Somali, amazed that he can talk with animals.

When one of the rabbits takes part of Somali's food, she begins to chase the rabbit, but trips and falls over, causing an injury on her leg. When the pain of the wound causes Somali to tear up, Shizuno comes out from the bushes offering medicine to heal Somali's wound. Shizuno invites Somali and Golem to his house to finish healing Somali's wound.

When they enter Shizuno's home, Yabashira throws a tomato at Shizuno, to which he dodges, and it hits Golem and Somali. Once Shizuno finishes healing Somali's injury, she is surprised when she finds out that Shizuno is not a kid. Somali smells food being made by Yabashira and begins eating, telling him that his sweets are amazing. When Golem asks Shizuno to teach him to create medicines, Shizuno asks for a sample of Golem's body in return, which worries Somali. When Golem agrees and breaks a piece of his body for Shizuno, Somali is sad when Golem says that he does not feel pain.

While Golem learns to make medicine from Shizuno, Somali helps Yabashira do the house chores. After eating dinner, Somali sleeps in Shizuno's home for the night. The next day, Somali and Golem say their goodbyes to Shizuno and Yabashira and set off towards the next city.

### Anthole City

As they make their way towards the next city, Somali and Golem take a rest at an outpost. They eventually arrive at Anthole City, a traveler's marketplace. While Golem is selling to a merchant, Somali explores the city, but is scared off by Muthrica, an animal resembling a wolf. When Somali meets back up with Golem, they decide to go to restaurant to eat after her stomach starts growling, but upon entering the empty restaurant, Somali notices a box moving on its own. Somali tosses the box aside to find Kikila hiding inside. When Kikila tries to run from his father, Kokilila, Somali leaps onto him.

While Golem is talking to Kokilila inside the restaurant, he is offered a job at the restaurant as a waiter. Somali plays with Kikila while Golem works. Kikila wishes that Somali would play with him once they finish their journey, which makes Somali think of what would happen to Golem when their journey is over. When Kikila asks Somali to play outside, they are stopped by Golem, telling her that she is not allowed to play outside the restaurant. After the restaurant closes, Somali sees Golem counting the earnings from the day, and is sad when Golem does not notice her.

The next day, Kokilila asks Kikila and Somali to run errands, but Golem does not allow her to go. Kikila ensures Golem that he will protect Somali and Golem agrees to let them go outside, which surprises Somali. After running their errands, they share food, but when Somali takes a bite, she begins to cry, believing that Golem will leave her once they finish their journey. Kikila cheers Somali up by telling her to find and ask the Yozame flowers, which is believed to grant a wish to the one that bring the flower to the surface.

Somali and Kikila enter the underground realm to find the Yozame flower. When Kikila asks about Somali's relationship to Golem, she says that Golem is his dad, protecting, caring, and helping her when needed. Kikila sees a Starry Butterfly swarm leading to the Yozame flowers and they quickly follow and arrive find a garden with glowing Yozame flowers. Somali frantically digs up a flower, unaware of a monster mushroom about to attack her. Kikila warns Somali of the threat, but as the mushroom readies to attack, Muthrica shoots an arrow at the mushroom, scaring it away.

Kikila introduces Somali to Muthrica, part of the Tsuchinoko Team that oversees the underground area in Anthole City. Muthrica takes Somali and Kikila to a large Tsuchiami tree after her flower starts to wilt, determined to find the flower to grant her wish. They reach a forest of mushroom trees and jump down, arriving at the large Tsuchiami tree. When Somali picks up a flower, Muthrica alerts them of a Tsuchilizard approaching them. Somali tells the animal her wish to stay with Golem and the lizard leaves. Muthrica tells Somali that because the lizard allowed Somali to keep the flower, her wish may be granted.

Somali returns to the restaurant and shows the flower to Golem, but Golem is concerned with Somali's failure to return before nightfall, telling her that he would be unable to travel together if she continued to act reckless. This makes Somali drop the flower and run away crying. Kikila checks on Somali a while later and alerts Golem when she is found on the floor, breathing heavily. Golem attempts to feed Somali food, but she is not hungry, spitting out the food fed by him. Golem then runs out to buy medicine and gives it to Somali. After a nap, Somali feels a little better and Golem tells Somali to tell him if things are too draining on her.

The next day, Somali's fever goes away and Golem tells Somali that he will be working at the restaurant for a little longer before continuing on their journey. Somali is concerned that it was her fault that they do not have enough money to continue their journey, but Golem reassures Somali that she is more important that anything else. Somali asks Golem to promise to stay with her after their journey is over, to which Golem promises to.

After Golem earns enough money to continue their journey, they set off into the desert, saying their goodbyes to Kikila, Kokilila, and Muthrica.

### Winecup Village and the Osuna Desert

Somali and Golem travel through the Osuna Desert in a wagon in the baking sun. They arrive at Winecup Village, a way point for travelers to rest and eat. While they are at a restaurant, Somali is offered corn ice cream by a waiter, but when they are told that only have one serving left, Uzoi, sitting beside them also requesting corn ice cream fights with Somali over the last serving. When Uzoi suddenly becomes quiet, Haitora walks in, apologizing for Uzoi's actions. After speaking with Haitora and Uzoi over ice cream, Uzoi invites Somali and Golem to come with them across the desert, to which they accept the offer to.

The next day, they prepare to leave and begin the journey across the desert. While in the desert, they run into a sandstorm and Somali almost falls out of the wagon, being caught by Uzoi. A Sandshark then appears and chases the wagon and Haitora shoots a flash grenade, scaring it away. Once the sun begins to set, they choose to spend the night in a desert cave, using a Caller Stone to find one. As they prepare their camp, Somali and Uzoi are tasked to find light sources. By using cages, they capture Torchflies to use for light. After collecting the light sources, they come back to the camp and fetch water at a spring.

While Somali is carrying the water from the spring and following Uzoi, she stops and pushes Somali to the ground, telling Somali that her blood could cure Haitora and that she would kill Somali to do so.

### The Witches' Village

After the events of the Osuna Desert, Somali notices that Uzoi is crying once again. She teases Uzoi, calling her a crybaby. After Haitora promises Uzoi to never make her cry again, Somali tells Uzoi that Golem also made a promise that they'd be together forever, which Golem hesitantly seconds. The group continues their travels, and we can see Somali and Uzoi in the back of the wagon. Somali is delightfully drinking canestalk before she's being called out by Uzoi for drinking too much of it. The latter then confiscates the rest to spare some for herself and the others. Somali and Uzoi start fighting while Golem and Haitora are talking about how they each want to proceed with their goals.

Later at night, Somali and Uzoi are sharing a bed. Somali, unable to sleep, asks Uzoi how it comes that all the humans went away. Uzoi replies that it's probably because of the way and "other stuff." Uzoi wants to know why she asks, to which Somali replies that she doesn't know anything, even though she is human. Uzoi doesn't know how to reply to that and the two try to get some sleep.

The next day, in the back of the wagon, Somali tells Uzoi that she wishes she could stay with them for longer, to which Uzoi replies that they'll meet again someday, after they cured Haitora's illness. They have a conversation about Uzoi's feelings towards Haitora before the wagon stops and Haitora tells them that the end of the desert is now in sight. Golem tells Somali that they'll go to a village that possibly acquired knowledge about human beings, to which Haitora wishes them best of luck.

After finishing their desert crossing, Somali and Golem say their farewells to Haitora and Uzoi, Golem and Somali head to the witches' village. As they're wandering along a river, they stop to catch some fish and eat before proceeding with their journey. They cross bridges, and wander through forests, before Golen pays a ferryman to transport him and Somali across another river. After going through a small tunnel, they finally arrive at the witches'village - a colourful, bright place with witches flying through the air.

A witch with green hair approaches Somali, calling her a little traveler and offering some special wicca wine. Another witch with brown hair approaches, offering roseberry jam. A third witch with light green hair continues offering herb-stuffed wursts the second Somali turns around. Another witch on a broom offers pickles. Full and satisfied, Somali can then be seen sitting on some stairs, talking to Golem, who reminds her that they are searching for information. A witch overhears their conversation and offers to take them to the city's large infamous library.

The witch accompanies them. At the library, Somali looks around and is amazed by the amount of books. She grabs a book about food and starts running around with it. The witch introduces Golem and Somali to another witch with long orange hair in two pigtails and glasses called Hazel, a librarian thats supposed to help them find the book they are looking for. The first witch then excuses herself and leaves.

Golen explains that they are looking for clues about the whereabouts of the human race. That reminds Hazel of a biography that's currently in the library and that could be of interest for the two. Excited, Somali raises her hand and declares that she wants to read it, to which the librarian replies that the book might be too advanced for her. Somali sags that she wants to learn all about humans, to which Hazel only smiles and calls her a funny little one.

Hazel then guides the two through the library while telling them about the species of witches and how their devotion is to the world itself. That is also why they collect books to begin with. But when they arrive at the shelf, the book they're looking for turns out to be missing. Suspecting a mischievous bookworm to have stolen it from the shelf, Hazel takes Golem and Somali downstairs into another room. They meet Praline, Hazel's older sister, who is reading in-between a pile of books. After a short introduction, the group starts looking for the book on human history, called The Chronicle of Haraiso.

Somali starts wandering up and down the shelves while whispering to herself. After having heard a more detailed description of the book, she then seems to have found the Chronicles, but some sort of green goo flys out of the space it leaves after Somali pulled it out of its shelf. The goo turns into some kind of skeleton fish, also known as Pescafish, which then start destroying the books in the room. Hazel and Praline manage to fight of most of the fish, but then a much larger Pescafish appears and specifically targets the Chronicles of Haraiso. Somali tries to protect the book, but the fish manages to destroy it regardless, and then also goes after Somali herself. Golem steps in and manages to protect Somali, using some kind of skeleton arms emerging from his back to fight off and eventually destroy the Pescafish.

Still in shock, Somali is devastated and cries about loosing the book and having Golem get injured in the process. Hazel gets the idea that they could look up the last person that has read the book, who turns out to be the head librarian Isolde Nebsolv. With the help of Praline's special book, Somali and Golem head off to talk to Isolde, using a shortcut through the library.

On their way to the lower floors, Golem and Somali are caught by security monsters and branded as intruders. Golem grabs Somali and they manage to escape, arriving in the heart of the library where the aging head librarian resides. Isolde reveals that she wrote The Chronicles of Haraiso due to her ancestor's experiences with humans as a young girl. She explains that as a child, Feodora Nebsolv crash landed due to a storm in a village of humans who were governed by a golem called Haraiso. Feodora quickly grew accustomed to the culture of the village, but her feelings instantly changed when the villagers mob together to kill a peaceful neighboring monster. She is forced to reveal her inhuman nature to save a villager, and is consequently branded as a "Grotesque", the human term for monster, forcing her to leave. Isolde finishes the story and tells of humans residing "at the end of the world". She also reveals that she knows Somali is human, but is proud to have met one who loves their world before she suddenly passes away.