Malu was born to two airbending monks and raised in the Easter Air Temple. When the Fire Nation attacked the Air Nomads during the passing of Sozin's Comet, her mother hid her away in a cave in order to keep her save. As such, Malu survived the raid, though her parents were among the first casualties in the war. Afterward, some claimed she eventually made her home in the mountain passes, and villagers paid tribute to the spirit who had protected the forest.