Miya

The Moon Priestess Guarding the Forests of Azrya Born at the end of the Age of Strife, Miya witnessed the unspeakable tragedies that befell the elves during the Endless War. She saw how the Abyss desecrated the Marsh of Shadows and corrupted many of its inhabitants into Dark Elves. It was not until the Moon Goddess created the Lunar Aegis on Azrya that the Moon Elves were able to prosper again under her protection. Miya became the Priestess of the Moon, and for thousands of years she served faithfully in the Lunar Temple, diligently watching over her people. However, with the continued expansion of the Abyss and its dark legions, the Land of Dawn is once again shrouded in the fog of war. From the moonlit forest, a call to war that has not been heard for thousands of years rings out again. Miya took her silver bow and swore by the light of the moon to fight for her people. === Bio === “What is war, brother?” "When the races of the Land of Dawn have clashed instead of embracing unity and mutual prosperity, it is war. When they have invaded their neighbors and razed cities, it is war. When they choose destruction over peace, cruelty over benevolence, and corruption over purity... that is war." “Peace, kindness and purity... is this your wish for the world?” Estes did not answer. The outstretched branches of the Tree of Life wrapped around him and he fell back into a deep sleep. This time he wouldn't wake up for many years. Long enough for Miya to grow from a little girl, who couldn't even reach the branches of the Tree of Life, to a fearless warrior and protector of the moonlit forest.

Miya stood atop the trees and watched for the enemy incursion. A warband of orcs and demons had just crossed the border, inflicting a wound on the Moon Aegis that caused the Tree of Life to tremble. Drawing his bow, three silver beams of moonlight danced gracefully through the branches before quickly killing the leader and sending the others fleeing in disarray. With the threat gone, the elves channeled the energy of the Tree of Life to repair the breach and restore the Aegis. Peace returned to the forest and all was well. Miya, nestled wearily in the trees, had taken on the responsibility of protecting the moonlit forest after her brother Estes had fallen asleep to preserve the energy of the lunar aegis. At first, Estes spoke to Miya through the Tree of Life, and it was through these conversations that she learned of the peace, kindness, and purity that her brother yearned for. And in Estes' absence, Miya watched over the forest according to the last words he spoke. As she relaxed and put down her bow, Miya noticed that she had injured her hand while dealing with the intruders. She began to remember the days when she practiced archery while her brother studied nearby. As a somewhat stubborn child, Miya would often shoot her bow, constantly trying to hit a leaf or branch, until her fingers bled. His brother would look up from his parchment and, with a wave of his hand, heal his wounds with the magic of the forest. Maybe Miya was too attached to the past. She often longed for a time when she could still hide under her brother's protection. Miya snapped back to attention and clenched her fist. Now was not the time to dwell on the past. She knew that the only direction for her was to move forward, for she had become the hope that her people turned to in their difficult times. But Miya knew deep down that she was only lying to herself. She turned a blind eye to the outside world as evil grew in power and only acted when the enemy encroached on her lands. Although this stopped the elves from waging war, how long would it last? Even a fool could see that she was delaying the inevitable. A war that has never been fought can never be won. But peace, goodwill and purity were his brother's wishes. How could she willingly plunge her people into the horrors of war? She couldn't; she wouldn't do it.

But war comes and goes as it pleases, and it would come suddenly for the Moon Elves, at a bloody dawn. Orc shock troops have destroyed the Aegis. But unlike previous attacks, this time the orcs seemed much more savage, as if they had been driven into an insane bloodlust by dark magic. Black smoke seeped into the forest as the elves awoke to the screams and crackling of burning trees. Large pillars of smoke could be seen from the direction of the Tree of Life. The war was there. "Run! Get out of the forest! Our house is lost, save yourself!" Miya heard the desperate cries, and before she could act, most of her people were already fleeing in panic.

"Brother...give me an answer!" Miya made a final appeal to the Tree of Life as the smoke enveloped her, hoping for salvation, but the tree remained silent amid the scorched Earth. Miya looked around her home, the place where the first oracle emerged from the Tree of Life; the place where elves first took root; the place where their branches grew into a great empire; the place where the last pure Moon Elves resisted the corruption of the Abyss. It was their most sacred land, blessed by the Moon Goddess herself, and Estes' hope for their future.

"What is war..." She finally found her answer. "When we have been pushed to the brink of destruction and finally taken up arms for our survival, it is war. When we must defend our final resting place, the Moonlight Forest, at all costs, it is war." The Moon Elves heard Miya's words and turned back towards their home. "My people! We have suffered for too long...have lived in fear for too long. There is nowhere left for us to escape. If the Moonlight Forest falls, then we truly will have lost everything. Who will support me one last time?" At first, a few dozen elven warriors came out of the trees. Then hundreds more followed, holding swords, spears and bows. As they rushed to Miya's side, their silver hair shimmered like moonlight cascading across the battlefield. The Tree of Life also responded to Miya's call. Using its precious energy, the tree spread its roots in all directions to quell the raging fires and reinvigorated the Moon Elves for a final counterattack. The Moon Elves rushed out of the trees and completely caught the Abyss Legion off guard. They quickly gained the upper hand and continued their attack until all invaders were driven from the moonlit forest. The surviving orcs came to their senses as their bloodlust subsided and gained a new respect for the elves.

“I understand now, brother.” "Peace, goodwill and purity are what you wished for, but if we lose our home, our way of life, then all our efforts will be in vain. If war is already upon us, then we will face it head on. We are ready to sacrifice everything for our home. Give me the strength, courage and faith to protect our people and our homeland!" === Side story ===