During the Rise of the Shi Empire, Kasumi Takarada’s grandparents fought against the Shi dynasty as a rival state. However, their country lost and was ultimately converted into a vassal state of Shi Guo.
The Takarada family transitioned from warriors into farmers in order to provide for their young children, twins named Kasumi and Hiro. After the death of the Great Emperor in 1013, he was said to die of an illness and had a massive tomb containing a stone army to protect him in the underworld.
Kasumi and Hiro’s parents taught their children how to read and write, and how to protect themselves in battle with weaponry such as a wooden staff. Kasumi trained immensely in combat and dexterous tasks in order to protect her family, especially her brother. He would train with her but she was much more captivated by the art of combat.
Kasumi reluctantly followed her brother as he snuck onto a boat with other Easterners, hoping to keep an eye on him in case something were to happen. The boat was headed for Arcas. However, during a great storm, they were jostled and thrown into the water by the force of the waves.
When she awoke, she noticed that she and her brother woke up in a temple surrounded by mist and clouds.
