Undra Origins: The First Champion Part I
A Pilgrimage
Drown in the blessed light.
Before the First Crusade, the world of Undra was a paradise of unknown wonders. The bountiful lands were still young, filled with mystery and marvel waiting to be discovered.
In the realm of Ovan, a child by the name of Lysande grew up in a small village by Serpant's Bay. Her parents were devoted followers of Aura and raised her to believe in the sanctity of the Light. They were simple people who found peace in their daily routine and tranquil lifestyle, but Lysande had much grander ambitions. She adored the nurturing and benevolent deity, who gave her family such a wonderful life, but she had this unexplainable longing to journey beyond the black sand coast of her home.
As a child, Lysande had a knack for befriending animals. During the day, she would play in the Sandshore Grove, running into wild beasts and dangerous creatures only to turn them into her companions. The other villagers would often find her playing with dangerous reptiles like the Opal Boros, a small but venomous flying serpent. Although she seemed fearless, one thing always struck terror into her heart, the dark. When dusk rose and the forest was shrouded in shadows by the two lunar moons, Lysande wouldn’t step foot near it. She would stand by her cottage staring into the abyss listening to the unnerving sounds of the night.
Beyond her connection to the natural world, she also trained in the arts of the blade. Her father was a retired commander of Dagerdom, the shining capital of Juvelier, and knew all too well the threats that loomed in the depths of Undra. When Lysande turned five, the sages from the Sanctum of Dawn came down to visit after hearing rumors of a young girl taming the native wildlife. They studied her and noticed that her Pulse resembled rays of starlight, which might have explained why animals were so docile towards her. Before they left, the sages advised Lysande’s parents that she should make a pilgrimage to the temple when she came of age.
Years passed and by the time Lysande turned sixteen, she was considered old enough to go on her first voyage across the Lantern Sea into the realm of Enligt.
“Lys!” The captain hollered, “We leavin in a few days when yer get back, right befer dawn.”
The captain and his crew were at the docks prepping a large wooden sailboat, getting it ready for the long journey ahead. The morning was dim, the grass surrounding Lysande’s home was still covered in dew, and the sun had yet to rise. The ocean breeze that brushed against the sailors’ neck felt like a breath from the Ice Majesty herself.
Lysande stood in front of her cottage, waved at the captain, and yelled back, “Okay, see you in a few days!”
She turned back facing her home where her parents were waiting patiently on the porch.
“I’ll be back soon,” she said.
Her father had a bittersweet smile, “Not soon enough, darling.” He pointed down at her blade, “Be safe.”
“And, make sure you always have this Oxol fur coat I made you.” Her mother added, tying the leather straps around her waist, “You can make it to the temple in a day’s time and be back to go on your trip with Uncle Cilas. The ocean is cruel, you know. And, you’ll need it to keep warm in Enligt too. Oh, I also packed a small torch for you.”
Lysande took a step forward and hugged them, “Thanks, Mom. Don’t worry, I promise I’ll be safe.”
Her parents closed their eyes, reached down to interlock their hands with hers, and began to pray. “May danger purge itself in the presence of Aura’s light.”
“And may her divinity guide me through the darkness and the night,” whispered Lysande.
She drifted her fingers away and walked down the pebble-paved road until she reached the entrance of the Sandshore Grove. It was filled with a dense mist, but the sun’s rays were beginning to pierce through revealing a thicket of vibrant leaves and blooming flowers.
Walk straight through until you reach the ivory path, she recalled.
Lysande took a large breath, adjusted her pack, and marched in.
By midday, the heat was starting to take its toll.
If it wasn't for the forest shade, I would‘ve been a dried-up skytrout right about now.
Harewicks and candlemoths ran and flew in abundance. A few feet ahead was a large flat boulder protruding through the earth.
Time to take a break, she thought.
Lysande brought out her water pouch and popped open the lid before taking a sip. It was cold to the touch, and she could feel every inch of it pass through her body revitalizing her will to continue on.
After catching her breath, she threw her pack back over her shoulder and realized that the grove had grown silent. The air grew thick and she felt a crushing force pushing her down to her knees. Lysande managed to pull herself behind a nearby tree. She leaned against the trunk and surveyed the area with her hand on the hilt of the blade. Then, a strange humming appeared.
Mmm Mmm — Mmm Mmm
Lysande slowly peered over to her left and saw what seemed like a wine-colored haze floating through the woods. The creature looked as though it was made of smoke, the body warped and twisted as it moved around with a pair of floating white eyes surrounded by a cloud of gas. It had titanic claws that could crush a barrel of ale, and its waist slimmed down into a ghostly tail. The creature hovered above the ground, moving through objects like some sort of spirit.
I think that’s a violet mauler. I should try to avoid it. Hm, let’s see…
Lysande examined her surroundings looking for another route to elude the monster, but her blade clashed against the boulder alerting the beast to her presence. The mauler turned towards the noise. From its ghastly face, a black serrated mouth appeared, and it thundered a piercing screech. The beast vaulted towards her swinging one of its claws. Lysande pushed herself away from the tree avoiding the assault and drew her weapon. The attack destroyed a large portion of the trunk, sending hundreds of shattered pieces of wood into the air. She had her blade facing the creature now, watching its every move. As she stared into its lucent white eyes, the beast’s heavy breath gradually turned into a low rumble. As she continued to hold her ground against the monster, her Pulse grew brighter and brighter until the monster fell silent. She noticed that the beast’s own Pulse, which was a raging flame earlier, had settled into a calm flutter. Lysande carefully reached out her hand, and the mauler looked down at it. The beast cautiously hovered closer and placed two claws into her palm. She could feel the warmth of the smoke circling her fingertips. The overwhelming air lifted, the creature pulled back, and slowly glided away.
Lysande watched the mauler as it disappeared into the depths of the grove. She slumped over letting out a sigh of relief.
“By the Hallowed, that was close.” She said.
Lysande continued on for another few hours before the woods began to shift without warning. She jerked up only to stay perfectly still, worried that she’ll get lost or even worse, get slugged by the roaming trees. They moved in every direction and came to an abrupt halt before her. The forest had separated revealing the ivory path immersed in a garden of glintshrubs and wispoak.
“Thank you?” She said, with a puzzled look.
Lysande followed the wide winding trail that curved up a mountainside. Looking over to the horizon, she caught glimpses of the Lantern Sea and the sun beginning to set. Dusk was approaching.
As the light faded away, Lysande couldn’t shake this feeling of unease.
It’s just in my head, she told herself. There’s nothing out here I can’t handle.
She grabbed the hilt of her blade and muttered a quick prayer. The temple was still nowhere in sight, she pulled out the torch from her pack and used two pieces of stone to spark it. The sounds of the night emerged sending chills down her spine.
Roars, shrills, and cries echoed around her. The flame swayed in the wind making it difficult to see the path. The noises grew louder forcing her to rush ahead. Something was behind her, she could sense it. Lysande huffed and heaved, squeezing the torch tight, whispering under her breath. Then, a hook latched onto her shoulder and an aching wail ruptured. She jumped up and the torch slipped from her fingertips. She watched in shock as it fell down the cliff out of sight. Her face paled with every bone in her body petrified.
What just grabbed me, Lysande asked herself.
It was impossible to see now, the lunar moons had yet to rise. There was only one thing she could do, run.
Lysande sprinted into the night, praying for something, anything, to help her. She didn’t care that she couldn’t see, that she could fall off the trail at any second now. How could she possibly fight whatever was behind her, she would only be swinging her blade wildly into the darkness.
Just keep going, she told herself. Don’t stop.
As she ran, her foot caught onto a raised tree root causing her to slam head-first into the ground. She tumbled and rolled through a glintshrub coughing up spit and throwing dirt into the air. Her head rattled. As she laid on the floor in a daze, white blurs began to appear surrounding her.
“Aura?” She whispered, losing consciousness.
