[Champion Concept] Illyana, the Mirror's Edge (Lore)
Hey y'all. Considering how long Illyana's backstory is, I decided to put it in a separate thread. I apologize for the inconvenience! The TL;DR version can be found HERE at the original Champion Concept page.
This is really, really long, so ... yeah. Good luck, if you're gonna do it. xD
"For some, Death is a destination. To me, it's a target."
There was once a famous band of treasure hunters known as the Dancing Daggers. True to their name, they were proficient with knives, and relied on their dexterity and wiles to plunder the trickiest of dungeons. They were famous throughout Grand Gaia as the best of the best, rivalling the Prodigal Explorer himself in terms of conquests, and the current generation was considered their golden age. One girl named Illyana, daughter of a low-ranking member of the group, rose quickly through the ranks, and became the youngest person to ever achieve the title of the Flying Dagger, second only to the White Dagger, Trakkor, himself – the leader of the treasure hunters. Of note was Illyana’s incredible speed and uncanny ability to play with optics, dancing in and out of the vision of her foes.
Eventually, she became old enough to take on the mantle of leadership, the previous White Dagger becoming too old for service. The inaugural ceremony was to be done in proper Dancing Dagger fashion – plundering the most dangerous of dungeons. The next target, the Baron’s Jowl – recently discovered near the Shadow Isles – was notorious for spitting out anyone that dared enter it – usually bloodied, and most of the time dead. Illyana, and two fellow brothers-in-arms that were also coming of age, Illux and Basset, were hired by greedy Demacian nobles that wished to partake in the vast treasures sleeping within – it was rumored that, other than a vast hoard of gold, jewels and tomes, the dungeon housed rare magical artifacts that could grant wishes. Full of confidence, the siblings set out on a journey.
After weeks of travel, they finally arrived at their destination. What greeted the motley crew was a towering ivory-and-indigo colossus, with giant stalactites resembling razor-sharp teeth, cracks on nearly the entirety of its surface, reminiscent of scales, and two large hollows, likely from erosion, that looked like soulless eyes. The mouth of the caverns themselves opened up to a vast sea of untamed darkness, leading into the depths of Grand Gaia.
The trepidation was palpable. Even the usually proud and dauntless Basset looked reluctant to enter the Jowl. Nevertheless, glancing at each other, the trio understood what they all felt the most: excitement. The promise of incredible riches and the glory of returning triumphant trumped any reservations they may have had, and so they immediately descended into the abyss, with the clamoring Demacians in tow.
Not long after they entered, their advance slowed to a crawl. With Illux in the vanguard, checking for traps, and Basset bringing up the rear, Illyana had time to absorb her surroundings, analyzing and memorizing the pathways, creating a mental map of the area. The two nobles were frantic, cowering behind her, though she paid no heed to them as they pushed forward. Visibility was very low, with nothing but the glow of Illux’s torch illuminating them. Its flame flickered, creating shadows that dance on the craggy, barren walls.
Suddenly, something ran (or flew?) past them, followed by a gust of wind that knocked them all down. Illux’s torch went out, and the three siblings instantly took defensive positions. Keen to each other, they noticed that they could no longer hear nor feel the presence of the two Demacian nobles. Apprehensive, they pressed on.
Eventually, the trio emerged into a large, dimly lit room. It smelled of dust and moss, and crude drawings of beasts and demons decorated the walls. However, what caught their attention was a giant, rectangular hole in the ground, filled with rows and rows of statues. They were each distinct, and seemed almost lifelike. Wary, Illyana lead her brothers down the stairs into the pit. In the corner of her eye, she could see Illux and Basset, covering her flanks. This was a formation taught to them by the greatest within the group - whatever came at them, they’d notice; they had all their blind spots covered. Nothing could slip by –
Ding.
The sound was so bizarre, so out of place, that at first, Illyana thought she was hearing things. However, her brothers were also frozen in place, searching for the source of the sound. What was it?
Ding.
It grew closer. Since they were in the pit, the sound reverberated along the walls, the source of the echo impossible to detect.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
It was getting closer and closer. They marched forward, not wanting to stay in one place too long. As they crept along, the sound got clearer and clearer.
Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.
At first, they thought it was the sound of metallic objects softly touching each other. They weren’t too far off either.
Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.
They realized it at the same time. It was the familiar jingle of bells – the circular ones that they’d seen attached to cats back in their homeland. However, they didn’t think any cats would be living down here, so what –
Rruuuuuuuuuuh…
It was soft, almost meek, but a shiver ran through their spines. The low rumble was the eeriest sound they’d ever heard. One step… two steps… three…
Soon enough, they entered through an opening in the wall at the far end of the pit, finding themselves in a circular, gilded chamber, with gold and gems lining the walls. However, their eyes were not on the treasures – propped up on the back wall of the room was an obsidian altar, glowing in the lights of iridescent candles. Atop the pedestal – with its blade submerged within the black marble – sat the finely adorned hilt of a shimmering, translucent dagger. Facing the altar, with its back towards them, was a hooded figure, clothed in pitch black robes. It seemed to be praying to the dagger. At its sides were the two Demacians, kneeling on the floor, holding a gleaming, golden bell above each of their heads.
The siblings, dumbfounded, could only gape at the scene before them. The robed figure then sharply dropped his arms.
Rruuuuuuuuuuh…
Illux was the first to buckle. He shouted, and tried to run, but was repelled by an invisible force, falling backwards. Illyana and Basset stared him, and then turned to look back at the robed figure. It had stopped all movement, but the low grumble continued. The two Demacians then crumbled before their eyes, falling to the floor as a puppet would after having its strings cut, and the golden bells slowly entered their bodies. Their limbs contorted, and their backs bent in an inhuman direction. Their heads turned completely on their hinges, and the three treasure hunters could detect no signs of life in the eyes of the nobles.
The robed figure finally turned towards them. Surprisingly, it was a very young looking man, barely any older than Illyana. The man had jet black hair, pale skin, and three crimson eyes instead of two. When it finally spoke, they could feel his voice in their bones.
“Your hearts – are they as tainted as those of the delicate souls you see before me?” it said, pointing with a black finger towards the Demacians on the floor. “The bells shall judge your sins…”
The nobles shot upright, and walked towards them. As they drew closer, Illyana’s vision started to blur, and she soon fell to the floor.
When she awoke, she was still in the same room – however, she was chained to the ceiling by invisible shackles, along with her brothers, and, to her horror, she saw that, at her sides, the two Demacians had each stabbed Illux and Basset with a dagger; smaller, but similar to the one on the altar. She couldn’t even utter a sound.
“Pity. Illux, the Fox, and Basset, the Wolf. To my third eye, they are naught but a coward and a brute.” His blood-red eyes turned to Illyana. “You, however… are of cut from a different cloth, child. Cunning, but not cowardly… strong, but not brutish… and above all, wise, but not arrogant. Perhaps… perhaps the dagger shall choose you, after all these years.”
He slowly walked towards Illyana. “Are you ready to be judged by fate, child?” The man grinned.
Illyana mustered up the dregs of her courage to squeak out, “Who are you…?” Her feeble voice cracked, fraught with fear.
“Ah, you can speak? Your… brothers, they are not as strong as you, it seems.” He looked at them in turn. “They should be ready soon. The Gods shall test you, child. Do not disappoint them.” He faded into the shadows, and the nobles fell to the floor. They awoke, disoriented, and then screamed when they saw the two brothers. They ran towards the exit, and met with the same barrier Illux did. They were blasted away, knocked unconscious.
Basset stirred awake and raised his head. “Where…?” Illyana fought back the tears. “Basset… Basset! Are you alright?” she croaked.
“I’m… where’s Illux?” he groaned. At the other side, Illux was also waking up from his slumber. “I suppose he seems alright. Where did that man –”
Rruuuuuuuuuuh…
Illyana and Basset looked at Illux, incredulous. Could it have been…?
Illux was released from his invisible shackles and fell to the floor. He rose, and brandished the dagger that was stuck in his chest.
“Illyana! Move! Get free!” Basset was also able to break from the seals, and ran to cover Illyana. She tried to escape from the bindings, but they remained sturdy.
“They aren’t breaking! They aren’t –”
RAAAAH!
Illux lunged at Illyana. She flinched, unable to defend herself. Basset charged, shouldering Illux, who fell to the floor. He tried pulling Illyana down. “Dammit, why are yours so tough?!” he shouted.
“Basset! Watch out!” Illyana watched in horror as Illux’s knife dug into Basset’s back. He howled in pain.
“These chains… if only there weren’t… RGH!” she struggled, but was unable to break free.
“Illux! Get a grip!” Basset landed a powerful right to Illux’s jaw, causing him to topple to the wall. “I’m your brother! Wake up!”
Illux got up, and picked up his dagger. He lunged once more at Illyana, ignoring Basset completely.
“ILLUX!” Basset plowed into him, both toppling to the floor. He got into a mounting position. “Wake up, dammit!” he bellowed, straddling his brother, slapping his face. “Can’t you recognize me?! It’s Basset, BASSET! Get up! Get up, or –”
Basset went silent. Illyana, wide-eyed, watched as Illux rose, a bloodied dagger in hand. Basset slumped to the floor, unmoving. “BASSET!” she shrieked.
Illux blinked twice, and then color returned to his eyes.
“I… uh… what…” he murmured, disoriented. He stared at the floor where Basset lay, and then at the dagger in his hand. “Was that… me?”
Illyana was on the verge of breaking. “Illux! Are you finally awake? Please, check on him, Basset can’t be dead, no…”
Illux slowly walked towards Basset, fell to his knees, and checked for signs of life. Illux then looked up at Illyana.
“Illyana… I… he’s not… breathing,” Illux stammered, “no… no pulse, nothing… I… what… have I done?” his shoulders fell.
Illyana focused her resolve, and tried once more to break the seals that held her. Exerting a gargantuan effort, she finally broke free. “GAH! Dammit, that hurt…” she rubbed her wrists. “Illux, listen… it’s not your fault, it’s that… wizard, or whatever he is… we have to get him, we can’t let Basset die in vain like this…” she was furious, and stood up.
“The Wolf has howled his last breath… and the Fox shall follow, soon.” The hooded man reappeared.
“YOU!” Illyana dashed towards him, using her incredible speed to try and take him down quickly. However, she simply slid through him.
“What is dead cannot be killed again, child. Only Death itself can take me!” he cackled.
Illyana stared at the man in disbelief. Was it impossible? No, he said this was a test. That meant there was a way to get out of here.
Illyana stood up. “Illux! There has to be a way to do this… for Basset! Don’t give up!”
Illux looked at her. “We can’t touch him! What can we do?!” he was about to turn tail again.
The hooded man laughed. “The Fox is no more than a coward. Shameful. I shall do you a service, and part your soul from your body!” He raised his arm, and the two Demacians were pulled up by what seemed like invisible strings. They pulled out daggers.
“No! Illux!” They ran towards him, brandishing their weapons. Illux parried one, dodged the other, kicking him away. However, they were too fast for him, and they were able to draw blood multiple times. Illux fell to his knees.
“How… how are they so fast? I can’t keep up with them!” he cried in disbelief. Illyana rushed towards him to help.
“Get up! We’ll do this together!” she shouted at him. The two possessed bodies turned to her, and charged. Illyana was able to defend for a time, but was unable to find any opportunity for offense.
“This… is impossible! They were so weak, how…?” backing away, she slid through the hooded man once again, and the two stopped chasing.
“Huh? Can’t they… come any closer?” Illyana then realized it. The dagger! It must be repelling them!
She turned and was about to run towards it, when Illux shouted in pain. She looked behind her. He was able to stop one of them, but the other Demacian had planted a dagger deep in his back.
“No!” Illyana exclaimed. Illux fell to the floor, breathing heavily. The Demacians turned to her, but did not move.
“And the Fox falls at last. Child, your test has almost run its course. What shall you do?” the man said.
Holding back the tears, she tore away from the scene, and ran towards the dagger, and pulled.
It didn’t budge.
The hooded man had a dismayed look on his face. “I’m disappointed. I thought you might be the one to finally fulfill this forsaken destiny. It seems I was wrong.” He started walking towards her. “I suppose I shall have to put an end to this dance.”
Illyana looked at him, then at the two Demacians, and finally at her dead brothers. There was no way she could leave them there. Rage welled up within her, and she pulled one last time.
A brilliant flash streamed from the dagger, filling the room with light. She immediately understood how to use the dagger, as if it was a part of her body. The hooded man grinned wickedly. “Yes! Finally, after a century of waiting! The child of prophecy at last!” he exclaimed.
“Destiny? What destiny? You mean my brothers… they were fated to die here? No! I will not believe that! It can't be true!” she held up the dagger. The bodies of Illux and Basset glowed, and millions of little glittering lights rose from them, flying towards the dagger.
“What? No, no, this is not what happens. This is not the story! What have you done, you God-forsaken child?!” he suddenly went livid, and bared his teeth at Illyana. “I cannot allow you to leave here!” he lunged at her neck.
Illyana evaded, and ran towards the exit. The two Demacians blocked her path.
“Out of the way!” she shouted, kicking them away. The hooded man then reappeared, barring the entryway.
“This is the last I’ll see of you, child!” the hooded man bellowed. He once again lunged at Illyana.
She dashed to the side, brandishing the dagger behind her. A shadow in the form of Illux escaped from it, running to the other side. She then turned around, pointing the dagger towards the hooded man. Basset's form appeared from it, and both brothers dashed towards the hooded man, striking him. They then disappeared, and the man fell on his hands.
“Impossible! How could a mere mortal wound me?” he cursed.
“You were the one that said that only death could take on death. It is fitting that the men you killed take you with them!” she roared, fire in her eyes. She raised her weapon, and struck the man one final time.
“This… cannot be!” his voice trailed off, and he disappeared. The two possessed corpses collapsed, staying down for good. She walked over to each of her brothers’ bodies, and took their bags. She then filled them with treasure – not out of greed, but out of necessity, for what was to come – and picked up her brothers. It was time to go home.
Illyana soon returned to the Dancing Daggers. After seeing her return, they were excited, and started celebrating. However, seeing the bodies of Illux and Basset, the merriment died down, and the group went silent. The White Dagger, leader of the band, emerged from his pavilion.
“It was a dangerous journey. We all knew the risks. We shall bury them with honor, as we would bury a White Dagger.” He turned to Illyana. “And you… must rest. I’m sure you need some time alone.”
Illyana looked at him, and then at the rest of the group. She dropped the bags at her feet. She had prepared for this moment for the entire journey back.
“Everyone… I’m sorry. I won’t be staying here.”
The Dancing Daggers buzzed with confusion. Trakkor was the first to question her. “What do you mean? Will you not bury your brothers?”
Illyana steeled herself. “No. I will go on a journey to… fight against destiny. Against death.” She raised the translucent weapon. “This dagger… you know what it is. Am I correct… sir?” she looked gingerly at Trakkor.
He was silent for a time. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally answered, “Yes, I do, Illyana. You should now know why they name the leader of this group the White Dagger.” He looked defeated. “I’m sorry… I thought it had disappeared forever. I didn’t think it would resurface…”
Illyana shook her head. “It seems I was destined to have it, according to its guardian. And then fated to die. I think he wanted it for himself, but could not take it from its pedestal.” She shot Trakkor a dark look. “You know who he was… don’t you?”
The leader of the band raised his head, and walked towards his pavilion. “Come. We have a lot to talk about.” She followed him inside.
“He is an ancestor. The very first White Dagger, in fact. His obsession with the weapon and its power must have caused him to stay in this world. I…” he closed his eyes. “My father told me this story. Long ago, the man, corrupted by the dagger, tried to kill his own children. The Dancing Daggers banded together to slay him, and then buried him along with the cursed weapon. They were unable to break it, I was told.”
He opened his eyes once again. “And that is the story of the White Dagger. I’m sorry I don’t know much more.”
Illyana looked him in the eyes. “I… think I know more.” She took out the dagger, gleaming in the moonlight. “It can… house spirits. And sometimes, you can hear their voices. Most of the time it’s just mumbling, but… I can hear them. Basset and Illux. They told me that I shouldn’t be sad. They’re still here with me.”
She returned the blade to her bag. “I also heard… another voice. A woman. It wasn’t clear at first, but I think… she was the first White Dagger’s wife.” Illyana paused. “Her death must have broken him. And all the other voices probably didn’t help,” she laughed bitterly. “Stuck between life and death, I think that, all he wanted, in the end, was to hear her voice again. That’s probably why he wanted to dagger so badly.”
Illyana went quiet. Neither spoke a word for a long moment. Finally, Trakkor stood up.
“I suppose you’ll want time to prepare for your journey. If I’m guessing right, you’re aiming for the Shadow Isles – the bridge between life and death. You’ll stay safe, I hope. We all trust you. And we believe in you.” He smiled. “Your parents will probably miss you. You should go see them before you depart.” He left the tent.
For a brief moment, she sat there in silence. Stifling back her tears, she, too, left the pavilion, seeking her parents.
Once she found them, they gasped a sigh of relief, and ran to her, smothering her.
“Oh, my dear, my poor Lyana,” her mother sobbed. “You must have been so scared… come, we’ll fix up something to eat, you must be hungry” she said, scurrying off to their own tent. She seemed distraught. Trakkor must have told them about her impending departure.
“It’ll be alright. We’re strong people, too, you know. Ah…” Illyana’s father sighed. “Feels like just yesterday, you were a wee little thing, barely bigger than that bag on your back. Now you’re most likely stronger than us. Stronger than we’ll ever be, I’m sure…” a tear fell down his cheek. “Come visit us sometimes, yeah? We’ll be here. You can tell us about your journeys, you know, and we can eat your favorite things, you know, mom’s rabbit stew… her special salad, you know…” his voice started cracking.
“Dad…” Illyana croaked. She embraced her father, letting the tears fall. They knew she was never going to come back. “I’m sorry, I…” she faltered. Her father squeezed her tight. “It’s okay. We’ll be here if you need us.” It was a cheerless smile, but she could see the fierce pride he held for her. "Well, I guess... that's it then." He looked at her. “You’ve grown so much…” He kissed her forehead, and gave one last hug before walking away. Illyana stared at her father’s back, sobbing quietly.
She had traded in the valuables she had gained from the dungeon in exchange for tools, weapons and food. Her pack filled to the brim, she stood at the gate of the settlement. Soon, her solitary war against death would begin.
No – not solitary. Basset and Illux were there with her, inside the dagger. Although she couldn’t quite speak to them as much as she wanted, she felt their presence, and they comforted her.
The moon was still up, and the stars were still bright, bathing the tents with a soft glow. The beige pavilions, the dusty roads, the barren trees, the misty mountains… they were all so beautiful, she thought. She’d never realized just how much she was going to miss it all. The many simple things she took for granted, like the little corners where the children used to play, the maze-like ruins where they had trained… it all came flooding back to her. Fighting back the tears and biting her lip, she took one last tearful look over the settlement.
“Goodbye,” she muttered, smiling, for the Dancing Daggers, for her parents, but mostly for herself. “Good night.”
As the sun slowly rose from the horizon, a small, lonely child could be seen walking across the barren fields.
Her journey had just begun.
Hey y'all. Thanks for reading (if you did at all - that's a long-ass block of text, so congratulations for getting through it. Must've been rough =P but yeah)
Feedback is appreciated, as usual. Make sure to peep the Champion herself, too! Have a nice day/evening, y'all.