Umaya

> "I will protect them, and I will bring you back. We will be together again, I promise."
>
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Umaya, formerly named Umat, and known as the Mighty Mermaid & Princess of the Two Towers; Sunma & Aatu, Umaya acts as the leader of the Umati in the absence of Tonta and Ekundayo, and has devoted herself to bringing peace to the Underworld and finding her mother. She wields the Silver Sword forged from the dreams of Ekundayo, and is considered to be the most powerful of the Umati because of her divine blood bestowed upon her by her mother in an act of atonement and mercy.

## Appearance

She is a pale and graceful mermaid four hundred and fifty five meters (1,492 ft.) in length; from head to tail. Because of her Umati nature, she can change her shape and size, often becoming a young, white haired girl when interacting with mortals or visiting realms outside of the Underworld. She speaks with a childish voice that lacks any innocence, morosely conversing about the loss of her companions and necessary sacrifices that must be paid in order for the world to survive.

## Personality

Umaya has overcome her instincts as an Uhtenim, but still holds little regard for mortals and their troubles. She has no qaulms with sacrificing them, but seeks to bring joy to her mother and knows that Eku wants to protect all of the souls of the living. She has become pragmatic in the centuries of fighting against the Uhtenim, and does what she must to protect the souls that walk upon the Path of the Dead to Dol Arlessa, as she had promised.

She is quick to anger, and act with violence when challenged, but is fiercely loyal to those that assist her in achieving Eku's dream of peace in the Underworld. Despite her lack of patience, many of the other Umati enjoy teasing her or admire her for her power and persistence. She is considered an enigma to many, as Umaya often retreats into periods of solitude, and rarely sings anymore.

## History

Umaya was once an Uhtenim that wandered the Underworld yearning for the taste of mortal souls. She had consumed many during the Age of Fire, and discovered that she had attained awareness, becoming Impatu, an awakened demon. Umaya did not desire to walk the path of the Impatu though, and sought to find new meaning with the mind she had been given. Such a choice did not exist for her however, as her kindred hunted her as they sought to take her knowledge and intelligence by devouring her.

She could not flee, but found herself in the presence of Ekundayo. Overwhelmed by a sudden hunger for divine flesh, Umaya found herself assailing the goddess. Ekundayo resisted and slayed many of the fiends around her, but after many assualts and endless walking, the goddess had fallen asleep. Umaya approached her in her dreams, and delved into the mind and memories of the goddess. She saw the taint that had spread through her form, and the truth of Ekundayo deep within her being. She heard Ekundayo's voice, and was told she was forgiven for her actions. Umaya was confounded by such words and spoke further with the one she physically feasting upon. Eku's last words were a plea for Umaya to protect the souls of mortals and bring peace.

Umaya refused, and demanded that Eku be the one to do so. She insisted she would save her from this doom, and prayed for a boon. Eku called forth a weapon into existence and gifted it to Umaya. Umaya then soared higher and sought the taint within Eku. She gave the weapon to that monster, and instructed her to survive. Slay those that harmed her.

When Ekundayo awoke, she had rampaged and slaughtered many of the Uhtenim that had feasted on her. In her berserk, she had struck and fatally wounded Umaya. Eku heard the mermaid's voice as she was dying, and then remembered the words they had spoken, the promise they shared. She blessed Umaya and gave her divine ichor transforming the demon into a demigod. Afterwards, the two traveled along the Path of the Dead, defeating many demons and enjoying their time together. Eku was no longer lonely, and Umaya had found new meaning in her existence.

#### The Arrival of Life

Umaya was beside Ekundayo when she encountered Tonta, and the birth of all the other Umati happened. Umaya had slain the first of kindred; Shai the Fire that Illuminates the Abyss, and claimed his head as a trophy. Afterwards, Umaya began to sing and command the remaining Umati and watched as life and death danced with each other. Ekundayo was purged of her taint, and spoke for the first time since her birth. Together Eku and Tonta began their journey towards Dol Arlessa. Umaya was filled with sorrow and joy, dreading what would come.

Upon reaching the end of the Path of the Dead, the promised realm of Dol Arlessa, Ekundayo created a paradise for souls to feel peace and serenity before they passed on. She then asked Tonta to watch as the Festival began, and Eku crossed the threshold into the nothingness, the first to let go of life and seek out rebirth. Umaya cried for the first time on that day, and promised she would find her mother, and bring peace to the Underworld.