Having lost her parents to the dark waters of the Eilish, all because of the Emperor's restless paranoia, eight-year-old Ethwa could barely make ends meet while fending off her relatives' vicious claws from what was left of her family's treasury.
Overcome with greed and annoyance at being thwarted by a pesky little girl, her relatives dispatched a couple of thugs to drown her.
Meanwhile, on the shores of the Ganga, Ethwa sat on a dock with her ankles dangling, gazing at her dark reflection. With her pondering look and slumped shoulders, nowhere could the normally playful cheery girl be seen.
Suddenly she felt herself being shoved and she screamed as she tumbled into the seemingly bottomless water. She managed to thrust her head above water just long enough to splutter and yell "Help! Somebody, help!", before the powerful current started to push her under once more.
She lost all hope as she struggled for breath and felt her limbs leaden.
The last thing she saw before she lost consciousness was a blurry figure clasping her hands and tugging her out.
When she came to, Ethwa coughed up water and found herself on the dock, with an incredible beauty kneeling beside her.
One look was all that took her breath.
Compared to the beauty's flawless porcelain white skin and raven black hair in a loose bun, the little one's prettiness was no match.
Her kind gesture saved Ethwa from death and utter desperation itself.
As soon as she was sure the kid was alright, she started to walk away without concern.
"But you can't leave me alone!"
"Not my job, kiddo. Now run along."
Fed up with repeated refusal and her own frustrating reliance on others, Ethwa muttered to herself, "Fine! I don't need a savior like you anyway."
Turning away, she missed the humor in the stranger's eyes.
Before she could take another step, the thunderous roars of unseen beasts filled the now-eerie night and sent goosebumps up her arms.
Forgetting all about her pride, the little girl rushed back to hug Big Sister's thigh. With a sigh, the beauty carried the little one on her back, all the while muttering about how she was supposed to take care of "this little bunny."