Niko

"But at this point, I’ve accepted my death"

-- Niko

A runaway human teenager/firefly hybrid that escaped his lonely and chaotic home with his one friend Rikka to find a new home to build a new life.   Though Rikka wishes to use the wish to save him from the curse that’s killing him, he wishes to guarantee the two of them will have a new, safe home far, far away from the mages that cursed him to spend his last days in peace with her.

Backstory

Niko grew up the third youngest of seven kids in a cramped and generally unstable home with irresponsible parents.   He always had a sense of curiosity, but having to constantly take on some of his often absent parent’s responsibilities - especially once a couple of his older siblings noticed he’d comply when they bullied him into doing things for them.   On top of that, the general chaos of the house with five siblings, (sixth born in his teens) and frequent shouting matches and violent arguments would made him unable to do anything in peace.   He was surrounded by people at home but was lonely.   Even if most kids hated it, he found school a refuge.   At least, until bullies realised he was an easy target.   He didn’t have any friends, until he noticed a classmate left her science textbook on her desk after class in middle school.   Long story short, this action led to him gaining the first real friend that was willing to listen to him and would want to do things with him.   He never realised how lonely he was until he befriended the girl he learned was named Rikka.

Overtime, their home lives started to get even worse.   For Niko, the birth of his youngest sibling caused tensions between his parents and siblings to reach a boiling point.   His parents would become outright controlling, not being able to get away with being absent anymore as he and his siblings would refuse to take on what should’ve always been their responsibility.   For Niko especially, after he’d been spending more time with Rikka.   His parents would threaten and someitmes act locking him in his room or the car or depriving him of food.   Thanks to his friendship, Niko began to understand what it felt like to actually have his kindness appreciated but he wasn’t sure what to do about his predicament until he came up with a drastic solution:   Run away with Rikka.   At first, despite being able to plan the logistics out he was afriad of doing it and hesitantily proposed the idea.   Eventually her own escalating situation made her willing to agree to it, despite their mutual fears, they knew all they really wanted in was to one day build a life that better and more peaceful than the hells they knew.

They left in the middle of the night and fled to a nearby town.   They conserved every penny and piece of food they had and could get.   Having to steal at times.   Even with how difficult their new lives were, they still had hope that one day, they’d be able to start their new lives living somewhere they could consider a true home.  

At some point, Rikka was approached by a woman whilst Niko was in a shop buying food.   He sensed something was off and ran outside only to find that Rikka was gone.   She'd gone with the woman who told her she could get her and Niko some food and supplies if she followed her which she agreed to out of on impulse out of desperation.   Turns out, the woman manipulated her and was a disguised member of a mysterious, deadly cult that used humans as an energy source for their machinery and as test subjects.   Targeting especially those they perceived as helpless and whom almost no one would care about if they died.

Rikka was seconds away from being cursed to have a substance to grow in her body eventually turning her into an energy source for the cult shortly after her death when Niko intervened at the last second.   Using a Flashbang spell, he caused the cult leader to drop his staff on the ground, landing pointed straight in his direction and firing, cursing him instead.   They quickly escaped the cult and began looking desperately for any cure/way to lift Niko’s curse after moving between several different towns to both avoid the cult and those who’d recognise them from home.   Rikka’s desperation and fear of losing her only friend worsening overtime, especially given the possibility brought up by Niko the cult still may want their original target (he's right.)

After learning the prize for victory in the Cross Tournament is a wish, Niko, having grown accepting of his fate and fearful of the possibility the cult may still be chasing them, wishes Rikka to use it to save herself.   However despite their conflicting motives, he does hope (outside of fights) Crossroads could maybe be somewhere he can enjoy the semblance of peace he’s always craved.

Personality

Observant and curious, Niko tends to pick up details in his surroundings most don’t.   This extends to his ability to read people, with his perceptions of them usually being accurate.   He's shy and soft spoken, so it's hard for him to express himself but he does try to speak up when his knowledge and input could be useful.   Niko has always had an interest in learning about various places and subjects (though Rikka’s the only one he’s ever gotten close to and been able to share his interests and curiosity with) which despite his acceptance of his fate he hopes to use some of his remaining time to do while in Crossroads.

Despite his background, he's empathetic and and can understand the majority of motives.   He generally doesn’t like to fight but will if needed.   In general, Niko is a good planner, support and strategist and feels like he shines best in those roles.   Even when he’s scared, he’ll manage to keep a cool enough head to think somewhat clearly.    

Around Rikka, Niko can be talkative and sometimes a little more immature.   She is someone he can work with as an equal.   Since she is actually interested in him and his views, receptive to his kind acts and would give him the chance to explore new interests.   At least, until recently, where Niko has reverted to being more passive.   As Rikka’s desperation has grown and his body has weakened, he’s found it harder to have the sort of equal bond he once had or to not feel like a burden to her.