Riko Windrunner

**Riko Windrunner** (full name Rikora Asalirus Windrunner) is a character in Leviathan Lore. Formerly a member of the Windrunner Empire and Leviathan Special Forces, Riko eventually joins up with Task Force 6, serving as their breaching specialist.

## Biography

### Early life

Even in Riko's early years, he was subject to the high expectations of his family and had to be well behaved regardless of where he was. At the age of 9, Riko began having trouble paying attention in school, which resulted in poor grades. He was eventually removed from school and tutored by his mother, Esa. Riko was taught all of the family values and he was given his first sword at the age of 13, which he would trained to use with fellow Windrunner swordsmen everyday. At some point, Riko sustains a minor injury during training and is pulled from it indefinitely until he recovers. He recovered in little than 5 days and was allowed to train again. He then meets Amethystus, another aspiring swordfighter like himself whom is his cousin, and the two form a close bond, though they were frequently separated from each other due to Riko's constant training.

### War against Leviathan

Riko didn't take part in the war against the Leviathan Empire, but outright opposed it and condemned his own family's actions. He was nearly executed due to this but was only stopped by Esa, who allowed him to live as long as he did not try to form a resistance. Eventually, Riko was conscripted against his will into the Windrunner military and fought the Leviathan Empire alongside a 16 man team which consisted entirely of conscripts. His entire team was killed in action with the exception of himself, Amethystus, and Aaron. Aaron convinces the two to rebel against the Windrunners and join forces with Leviathan, though Amethystus is quick to shoot down his idea, as it would be considered treason, much to Aaron's dismay. Despite Riko and Amethystus's opposition to the idea, Aaron surrendered himself to Leviathan forces and allowed himself to be captured, but instead became a prisoner of war instead of a conscript like he thought he would be.

Riko was then forced to rescue Aaron by himself after other Windrunner forces refused to do so. He managed to free Aaron, but was wounded by a Leviathan soldier who in turn was killed by Amethystus. She helps Riko up and asks him if he is alright, to which he says he "could be better". Amethystus then carries him to a nearby medical tent while Aaron provides covering fire with a crossbow he scavenged from the Leviathan soldiers. Eventually they make it to the medical tent, but they find the medic himself wounded and the entire tent robbed of all of its medical supplies. Amethystus attempts to administer aid to the medic but is too late. With his dying breath, the medic urges Amethystus and the others to head back as it is too dangerous in the battlefield before he succumbs to his injuries and dies.

Following the medic's advice, Riko, Amethystus and Aaron manage to get back home, but found their settlement to be entirely vacant. Aaron believes that the Leviathan soldiers killed their families and broke down in tears but Riko reminded Aaron that the majority of the Windrunners were fighting on the battlefield. Aaron scolds Riko for supporting the Windrunners, as they are the reason why ordinary families die every month. Left with no choice, Amethystus and Riko are forced to kill Aaron as he isn't considered an ally anymore, but is stopped by an old hermit, who has lived in the settlement for over 40 years. Riko asks who he is, to which the hermit asks him the same question. The hermit convinces Riko to spare Aaron as he has a life to live and it shouldn't be cut short due to Riko's recklessness. Riko reluctantly lets Aaron live because Esa did the same with him and couldn't live with taking an innocent life. He and the others go entirely off the grid, settling in what would be called Edela Island.

### Life in Edela Island

The majority of the population of Edela Island was made up of cannibals who consistently hunted each other, though Riko and the others were spared because they weren't human. Losing his mental capacity and his sanity, Aaron goes on a rampage and kills nearly 20 of the cannibals until he eventually runs out of arrows and is forced to use his sword, to which he kills 10 more before Amethystus and Riko subdue him. Riko scolds Aaron for his behavior and now the whole island is going to turn against them. Aaron laughs it off and tells him that it's all in his head. They eventually went their separate ways, with Aaron going by himself to hunt animals and make a name for himself, while Amethystus stays with Riko. Eventually, Amethystus too loses her mental stability and tries to convince Riko to kill themselves so they could be free of their anguish and suffering, which Riko declines and stops her from doing so. She is eventually brought back to her senses after Riko reminds her of their relationship. He then confesses his love for Amethystus, but she rejects him, telling Riko that they would both be executed if they engaged in a romantic relationship, as they are both cousins. Riko refuses to take Amethystus's rejection and pleads with her to let it happen, to which she reluctantly agrees as long as he keeps it a secret if they ever go back home.