Ki Song/History

She asked Orum to help her reach her mother's Citadel, Jade Palace.^[1]

Broken Sword, Anvil, the Dreamspawn, and Ki Song were once humanity's strongest champions. However, their unity fractured after Smile of Heaven’s death. Ki Song describes how Broken Sword's refusal to slow down in his pursuit of power widened the gap between him and the others. Anvil, in particular, harbored resentment, leading to his eventual betrayal.^[3]

Anvil and the Dreamspawn plotted to kill Broken Sword, fearing his growing power. Ki Song was given a choice—join them or be killed next. She acknowledges that betrayal always favors the traitors and admits that, as an outsider to their cohort, she knew Anvil wouldn't spare her out of loyalty. Though she had once been accepted into their circle after proving her worth, she was never fully part of the inner group formed by Broken Sword, Smile of Heaven, and Anvil.^[3]

Ki Song reflects on her decision to betray Broken Sword, acknowledging that Anvil would not have hesitated to kill her if she refused to side with him. While she could have fought alongside Broken Sword, she saw no reason to do so, as Anvil's decision, however cruel, was rooted in cold logic.^[4]

Ki Song, Anvil, the Dreamspawn and Broken Sword secretly attempted the Fourth Nightmare a year after becoming Saints. They entered the Underworld where Broken Sword found the Seed of Nightmare. Even as Supremes, all they can do was escape. Unfamiliar with their power, they used the chance to stab Broken Sword in the back. Even facing all three of them, he remained a formidable opponent, and though they shattered his body and soul, they could not break his Will. Mortally wounded, Broken Sword fled into the darkness, never to be seen again.^[4]

Ki Song insists that they killed him, as the Nightmare Spell eventually confirmed his death. In doing so, they believed they had prevented a dire threat that Broken Sword's existence represented before it doom them all.^[4]

Over several years, Ki Song transformed her Citadel into a major human stronghold in the East, connecting Citadels across the Dream Realm and establishing herself as a cornerstone of human forces, comparable to Warden of Valor in the West. She joined Broken Sword's cohort, defeated the Second Nightmare to become a Master, and vanquished the Corrupted Terror at the River of Tears, opening access to the Stormsea and reinforcing East-West ties. While Anvil led northern conquests, Ki expanded human influence around the River of Tears, elevating Clan Song’s prominence. During this time, she also claimed the divine lineage of the Beast God.^[5]

Unlike Smile of Heaven and Anvil, who exhibited inherited divine lineage from a young age, Ki Song initially lacked such powers. Early in the Nightmare Spell era, Ki Song showed no signs of superhuman abilities, unlike her peers who had inherited powerful Lineage Memories—Immortal Flame with the Sun God, Warden of Valor with the War God, and Nightwalker with the Storm God. Ki eventually earned the Beast God’s Lineage Memory on her own after Awakening, not through inheritance. She later attained Sainthood by following Broken Sword into the Third Nightmare and ultimately rose to power after the Fourth Nightmare, becoming the Raven Queen.^[6]

The King of Swords declared war on the Song Domain, causing shock and outrage among the Awakened warriors. Queen Song appeared in public for the first time in years. Her speech was rousing and ignited the hearts of the people of Song. Awakened warriors and the vassals of the Queen responded to the call to arms, gathering armies to defend the Song Domain against the King's tyranny.^[7]