Gumball Warrior
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​​​​​​Artist Comment:

March 3, 2023

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New Character?!!!!!
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YESSSS~~!!  This is Suay-Kui. (Kui for short. )

Kui is the Uncle of Gravel. (He is the older brother of Gravel's mom- Virago)

So, some things to know about the Bukiset clans of North Nova. There are hundreds of clans scattered throughout the land. Kui's clan is just one of the many. Same with Orzon. Because there's a vast number of them, each clan is different. They have different beliefs, customs, attire, values, and live unique lifestyles. As you can see with Kui, he wears his mask differently compared to Orzon’s clan.

Kui and Virago's clan are a special breed of Zoos. They have the ability to create and form crystals. We have seen Mara and Gravel display this ability. This ability is highly sought after due to how powerful said ability is. (As in, they can mine and sell them for profit.)

Orzon's clan holds the special ability to bond with Landia. They still have the ability to connect with one if needed. (Which also means they still retain their high spiritual energy) Many clans have lost this ability generations ago. Though, sadly, this ability is no longer needed since Orzon's clan live underground, and he kinda wiped out most of the Landia population.  

Before Orzon was born, his Great, Great Grandfather waged war with Kui's clan. Orzon's clan still had their connection with Landia, and that alone was enough to overpower Kui's ancestors' crystal ability. Kui's clan unfortunately fell, and as a result- their clan had to integrate with theirs. Many of them had to mate with Orzon's clan so their kin could gain the crystal ability.

The result of mixing clans have given birth to a new type of Zoos. One who has high spiritual energy, and the ability to form crystals. Sadly, Orzon lacks the ability to form Crystals when he was born. He also failed to bond with Landia. (Which, if you’ve read in another illustration, caused Orzon to slaughter most of the Landia) Virgao and Mara is born with only the crystal ability. Kui is born with both. And finally, we have Gravel. Gravel is like his uncle, and retains both abilities.

One would think Kui and Gravel would share a strong bond since they have both abilities, but Kui by no means is a good Uncle to Gravel...in the beginning. He sees Gravel as a bad omen due to the blood ruby curse, and treats him like an outcast like all the others. The first time he talked to Gravel is when he saw the little Zoos hiding in his home. Not fond of having a bad omen in his house, he picked the child by the frills and addressed him as such- "The child with the cursed blood." He threw him aside and told him to never get near him or his belongings again. Scared for his life, Gravel ran out of the house and avoided him ever since....until he hatched a Landia egg containing Path. 

Once Kui saw Gravel bond with the Landia, his views started to slightly change. Kui would shelter, and hide path from Orzon. He doesn’t see Landia as enemies like Orzon does. He also doesn’t like Orzon, so that could be a huge reason why he’s doing this for his nephew. He’d also allow Gravel to visit home often since him and Path are close.

On the day of Path’s death, she escaped one afternoon when she heard Gravel in danger. (Orzon beating him) Kui tried to stop her from leaving, but he was not strong enough to stop her. When he realized it was Orzon she began attacking, he knew there was no way he would be able to save her. Part of Kui felt terrible once he got news of Path’s death. Although he still sees Gravel as a bad omen, he set it aside to comfort his nephew. He allowed Gravel to stay with him for the rest of the night.

Kui is seen as the shaman of their clan, so once Orzon was done with Path, he collected her discarded bones to perform a ritual. Gravel asked what he was going to do with them, and Kui proceeded to burn the bones of the fallen Landia while chanting several incantations to help her pass on to the next life in peace. Once the fire died down, he used the ashes of said bones to make into a thick paint like paste and applied various markings on Gravel. Once he was done, Kui said he and Path will forever be together in spirit. They are now linked, and while her body is no longer bound to the land, she will always be by his side. (Kui is also the one who makes a necklace out of Path's tooth for him. He tells Gravel to keep it close to him, for it may aid him one day.)

​Gravel thanks Kui, and embraces the elder Zoos. Kui is taken aback at first, but hugs the small child in return.

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Currently, Kui is still alive and resides in North Nova. He’s not aware Gravel and Mara are alive, and assumes they passed on during the canyon rockslide many years ago. He often thinks back to that day with Path, and wonders if she and Gravel would still be alive if he showed a bit more hospitality towards him.  Maybe it's for the best, he thinks. At least Gravel is free from a cursed world, and he and Path is able to finally live in peace. 

He’s not as superstitious as he once was, and tries to see things in a different view. For the sake of his fallen nephew.


Species © Nintendo/ HAL Laboratory
Interpreted characters created from said species © Rhylem