From Dawn to Dusk
Read through the origins of Faye:
An Elven knight of the Lynwell Kingdom with dreams and aspirations, but fate seemed to have other plans...
Chapter 1: Strength
Our story begins in the Elven Kingdom of Lynwell, the sun is high in the sky and where the nobles are holding a banquet in their most extravagant ballroom in the Lynwell Castle to celebrate the achievements of a particular elf with raven colored hair, dressed in a very flattering, extravagant dress.Though she may exude elegance, the elf is being honored at this event for her unwavering tenacity as a knight on the battlefield.
With the odds stacked against her, even with no weapon in hand, she charged head on into battle leading her fellow knights, standing her ground as her fists guided her to ultimately end the tense conflict in their latest war.The Elven knight was named Faye and her path leading to this moment was a journey filled with momentous experiences...At a young age, despite being from a family of haute couture, she dreamed of becoming a knight.
Her family's lineage are well known for their cloth and leathercraft, and were the Lynwell Kingdom's finest artisan of said crafts.
When her family came to the decision to support her in pursuing knighthood, she became ecstatic. Within her early years of knighthood, she caught the particular interest of the Commander of the Lynwell Knights.Commander Lynwell Vylla, princess knight of the Lynwell Kingdom and heir to the throne, would take Faye along on missions to test her mettle constantly. Faye proved to be extremely efficient, which earned her even higher praise and respect among the Lynwell Knights.
Faye earned the title of Knight Sergeant and would carry it with her until this very banquet...Back in the present time, Commander Lynwell requested the attention of all elves present. She stood with a high demeanor along with Faye, wearing her family's finest dress.
It was made specifically for this occasion as Faye soon knelt on one knee in the middle of the ballroom with her head down and arms crossed over said knee.As the Commander garnered attention, she looked upon her Sergeant... and began, "For outstanding courage on the field of battle, it is my pleasure to present you, Faye, with these mythril gauntlets: with metals forged by our Kingdom's finest blacksmiths and leather procured from the finest tanners to house those precious metals." She looked to Faye's family with a smile as they bowed courteously to the Commander in thanks.She took out the gauntlets wrapped in fine black cloth and looked towards Faye. Lynwell lifted the folds of the cloth to reveal the item for all to see and share their amazement at such craftsmanship unique to the Kingdom.
Commander Lynwell then ceremoniously bowed her head as she presented Faye with this pair of combat gauntlets, her family crest engraved onto them as a surprise addition.Faye raised her head and carefully took the gauntlets, her eyes locked on to them, before finding her family's crest engraved onto the bottom plate.
An extremely heartfelt smile took over her expression and she hastily replied, "Thank you, Commander Lynwell. I will be sure--"
"I've more to say, Faye..." the Commander said cutting off the Knight Sergeant. She smiled as Faye held the gauntlets in her hands while looking slightly embarrassed... "I've also another reward for your efforts."The crowds began to murmur as Faye herself looked puzzled at this surprise announcement, "I couldn't accept more than this, Commander, truly, I am thankful," she responded.
The king chuckled knowingly, promptly being shushed by the queen to give the Commander the floor.Commander Lynwell walked a step closer to the celebrated knight with a pleased look on her face, then leaned forward towards her slightly, eyes locking onto hers.
In a lower volume she stated, "Ever eager to move on to celebrate as always... but I'm sure you'll enjoy the subsequent reward. So please, allow me to continue."
Faye looked away, slightly flushed, and gave a small nod for the Commander to resume her speech.The Commander then turned away from Faye, walked a few steps toward the audience with her hands folded behind her back, looking to the many in attendance.
Commander Lynwell started to explain, "Now, as you all know, my family are all capable knights. And with this in mind, when we have seen a knight performing to the best of their abilities in an exceedingly impressive manner, credit must be due."In a loud and presiding manner, the Commander exclaimed, "Join me, in congratulating the Lynwell Knights' Sergeant... Faye... for her new title... as Captain... of the Lynwell Knights!"
She then immediately started clapping and faced Faye once more. Eager for her new Captain's reactions to this updated title.The newly appointed Captain looked towards her Commander in shock, then to her family who was clapping and cheering for her as she was processing everything. Faye held up the gauntlets laid in the extravagant cloth to hide behind, smiling as her eyes became teary eyed at the news. The Commander quickly walked up to Faye and placed her hand on the Captain's shoulder, making sure Faye could hear her as she stated, "I am looking forward to our future together now more than ever... Captain."Faye looked to her Commander and smiled brightly, replying, "I will do my best for the Kingdom!"When suddenly... darkness filled the room, puzzling everyone in attendance as it was during the middle of a sunny day with the windows' curtains aside...
Chapter 2: The Devil - Reversed
Within this unexplained darkness, horrid cries rang out from different directions almost immediately... sudden flashes of light in various colors illuminated the room for seconds at a time.
One after another, the people of the Lynwell Kingdom were taken down by strange magicks, cloaked figures clocked by the two individuals who were in the middle of the room for the ceremony.The Commander and her newly appointed Captain stood back to back, as the cries and magicks were continuing to run their course, the positions of the cloaked mages being more apparent to the two.
"Are you ready?" Commander Lynwell asked. Faye stuffed the black cloth within her dress and promptly put on the gauntlets, "Yes, Commander!" the Captain replied as she smashed her fists together.And as Faye's words concluded, the two of them shot off in different directions, taking out each mage with ease.
Within mere moments, the cries and magicks finally ceased.Faye panted heavily, gaining her composure as she had enough air to finally shout and ask, "Is that all of them? ... Commander?!"
When suddenly, the room lit back up, and in the center of the room were two figures once more. Another cloaked figure with a much bigger stature than the mages, held up the injured Commander by the neck.A rage-filled Faye yelled in anger as she ran towards the remaining cloaked figure, throwing a momentum-driven punch towards them. The entity caught Faye's fist with their free hand without having to look.
The mysterious foe tossed Commander Lynwell aggressively towards the outer wall before turning their attention to Faye.The cloaked figure started accumulating a thunderous magic energy within their vacant palm and struck the right side of Faye, wounding her eye and arm heavily.
Faye yelled in pain and agony and was promptly thrown on the floor viciously. The Lynwell Kingdom nobles' and knights' bodies littered the floor... victims of the surprise attack.Faye laid on the floor, struggling to remain conscious, when she noticed more cloaked figures enter the room and promptly surrounded her.
They began to chant an indiscernible set of words until a glowing glyph appeared under her. Soon, the Captain lost consciousness, falling into a deep slumber.As Faye woke up, she quickly sat upright, feeling all the pain at once from her lightning inflicted wounds and two seemingly new sources of pain on her head.
She brought her left hand up to grasp her head when suddenly, she felt smoothened texture on what appeared to be something solid.
Faye shook her head to get this off but it still wouldn't fall out, and tried to grab it. She realized it was not something she could take out easily at all."Faye...!" She heard the Commander shout out in a pained exclamation. Without thinking, the Captain ran towards her, the pain subsiding more as she neared the Commander.
As she ran closer to the heavily injured Commander, she spotted an opening created clearly for the hooded figures to escape into the now present nighttime..."Commander Lynwell!" Faye cried out as she tried to lean her against the wall, "Hang in there, please..." she said with severe worry carrying her words.
The Commander looked up at Faye's head, realizing her Captain has yet to see them herself. With the little strength she had, Lynwell talked softly to her knight, "Faye, you must look into the closest mirror you can find and promise me that you will be understanding that you may never be the same after everything that had just transpired here. You need to keep yourself together." She grasped at the Captain's left arm, waiting for her response."Y-Yes, Commander! I promise." Faye replied in surprise. The Commander then released her arm.
Faye helped the Commander settle in a more comfortable position then got up and looked around for a mirror, a glass: any way to see her reflection.She then came face to face with what she had become on a somewhat crackled mirror after some brief searching. Curved horns that were black on the outside yet lighter on the inside extended out towards the back of her head. Faye closed her eyes, knowing that she promised Commander Lynwell to keep it together, and opened them once more to stare at them some more, understanding more of why she felt what she felt when she awoke from her deep slumber.
Her hair also shifted to a wild hue of purple along with strands of pink hair that framed the left side of her face.The captain had read about this in tomes back at the academy during her studies.
With these horns and non-neutral hair tones, she had become what was known as a Demonborn.
Chapter 3: The Devil - Upright
As soon as Faye had seen what she had become, she turned to the Commander, but as promised, stayed composed."It seemed they tried to turn you into a Demonborn to make you become rampant, but I'm happy to know your training has made you strong not just in body, but in mind. Listen to me once more, Faye... You do not have to let this define you, you can carry on as you always have... You can--" Commander Lynwell then shrieked in pain and when she had done so, Faye came closer towards her to see if she could help.The Captain looked around, trying to map out if she could take her to the infirmary close by when the Commander pointed outside towards the port."Do you think you could get us there...?" the injured Commander inquired.
"Towards the shipyard...?" asked the Demonborn Captain.
Commander Lynwell nodded and Faye nodded back.As she tried to help the Commander up, Faye realized that it was extremely easy to assist her, even if the Commander was nearly twice her size in height and in muscle, yet Faye didn't bring attention to it and merely did her best to make sure the Commander would be fine enough to make it over to the shipyard comfortably.Faye then asked, "Commander... about the king and queen... and... my family... are they?"
As they walked onwards towards the port, the Commander let Faye know what had happened to her in the fray.
During the fight, the Commander shot off in the direction with the intentions to keep them all safe, and after a path was cleared by the Commander, the king would lead as many as he could to a safehouse, escaping near the port.
As Commander Lynwell bought time for them to reach safety, it was during that time where she let her guard down, being caught off guard by the bigger cloaked figure who was aggressive in trying to take out the Commander and nearly succeeded.The two walked over to a nearby sanctuary near the port, where King Lynwell the Seventh, Queen Lynwell, and Faye's family had all taken refuge along with other survivors.
"It's probably best if I go inside first." the Commander stated as she tapped Faye's horns gently.
"Ah... That definitely would make sense. I'll wait out here..." Faye replied as the Commander limped into the sanctuary.After explaining the situation, and receiving first aid, Commander Lynwell went back outside to fetch Faye, telling her to come in.
As she entered, Faye's mother promptly embraced her, not caring that her daughter's hair was a drastically different color nor that she became a Demonborn. "My sweet Faye! Oh, thank the Gods you're alright.""You gave your mother quite the scare... just like my own daughter did." the queen chimed in, continuing to tend to the wounded Commander, tightening up a bandage.
"I'm just glad you're all safe, your highnesses. Mother, father... Cyne, Lana... Oh thank the gods indeed..." Faye replied as her mother released her."Do we happen to know who those robed magicians were by any chance?" asked the Commander.
The king was standing near a large map on the wall with Faye's father and replied, "No, but we do have a lead if you're keen to follow it."
Faye's younger sister, Cyne, gave her a smaller map, already marked knowing that Faye would most definitely pursue them.
Faye's older sister, Lana, then handed her a tattered cloth from the mages' robes, feeling it would serve as a clue. "From the lands to the West, sister..." Faye nodded towards Lana, taking the cloth."We all know you are more than capable of pursuing these cowards and bringing them to their knees, but for now, it would be wise for you to rest." Faye's father insisted.
"I agree, and we should probably see the things you're capable of as a Demonborn who is still very much under control of herself." The Commander added.
The king then spoke, "We must scout to see if there are any other survivors within the Kingdom and also... to let them know what has come to pass. I will begin pursuing such efforts in the days ahead."
"You are not to go out there without me, my love," the Queen said, steadfast in her words to her husband. The king nodded, surprising no one as the two of them were more than capable to be out and about in such a manner due to their own reputation as knights."I suppose that leaves me to oversee your training, Captain, but... father, since Faye is most likely to soon be heading to the West, would you give me permission to grant her full ownership of the Odyssey? I'll be certain to make sure she treats her well."
"The Obsidian Odyssey?!" the king replied with a bit of shock. He closed his eyes momentarily then nodding yes as he opened his eyes, "I suppose the Captain will need the best we have to offer... Yes, tell her of everything you see fit during her training."
"Thank you, father." the Commander replied.The queen then handed Faye a unique candle, nestled within a very luxurious chamber stick, "This should also help you on your journey... Be sure to treat it with care."
"Glim Ignis?! This truly existed?! I thought this item was stated to be myth?" Faye exclaimed, taking it from the queen cautiously and thinking of tomes she read about Ignis when she was just a student at the academy.
The queen smiled and replied, "No, it very much exists as you can see and once you light it, Ignis will be bound to you."
"I'll be sure to add it to your training regimen, Captain." the Commander added."While much more complicated in terms of the inner workings, the short of it is, once you have lit the Ignis candle, you may burn anything upon the flames of Ignis. By doing so, you will absorb information kept within any item and its knowledge will become yours. Whether it be tomes, artifacts containing moving images or information, you will take in technique and knowledge where applicable."Faye nodded and replied with her own fire growing brighter in her heart, "Looks like the days ahead will be quite busy."
Chapter 4: Temperance
In the dark cover of night with nothing but the moon to illuminate where she stood, Faye smiled as she wiped the bit of blood from the slightest cut on her cheek.
She was face to face with the bigger cloaked mage that had previously injured the Commander heavily, standing menacingly after throwing a lightning strike towards Faye.
However, this time, she had dodged it with ease, with only her lower garments taking damage.She was going to end this in one final attack... She knew she would... she closed her eyes and composed herself...Faye started to remember her training, how she arrived to this point, and thought back to her time back home before departing to where she now stands on the islands of the West...~Return to a recent time where a somewhat healthier Commander Lynwell stood in the ruins of their kingdom's training grounds. She faced a sweaty Faye, who had both hands bound to giant boulders.
Faye continued to catch her breath but still in good shape, overall, looking towards the Commander as she held herself up in the sands of the training grounds."I think it'd best to see how much strength you have but first and foremost, I'd like to see how well you can take a hit... or various hits," the Commander stated. "As we've learned recently... you and I are the only knights to have survived in this Kingdom and suffice to say, I am no longer your Commander nor you... my Captain... So once you are out there on the sea... or the many lands you come across, I would like to make sure you're ready!"She then suddenly threw a heavy punch towards Faye's face and upon landing, caused a ripple through their surroundings; shaking trees and causing the sand in the pit they stood upon to rise and fall.Faye looked into the eyes of her former Commander with ferocity in her eyes, even smirking as not even a scratch was visible anywhere on her.
"I've seen you hit harder... Vylla," she stated, attempting to show how much more she could take from her former senior, very much taunting her.
"Oh, how delightful to hear... Faye..." Vylla stated sarcastically. She then wound up her fist and gave her former Captain another strike, this time with everything she had after such a statement from Faye.
The tied up Demonborn held her smile and kept her eyes locked onto the other's eyes, her usual softness and gentleness returning as she knew that was Vylla's strongest.
Vylla asked, slightly concerned, "A-Are you all right, Faye...? You seem almost... happy after I just... well..."
An excited Faye responded, "I guess it is surprising but knowing how hard you hit... and while that was much more powerful... I... don't feel anything. I'm... I'm fine!" She shifted the extremely large rocks, catching her former Commander's attention.
"Have those boulders even been holding you down at all...?" Vylla asked, curious.
"I thought you were going to ask me to move them around or something, like this!" Faye exclaimed before pulling the ropes bound to her, eventually grabbing the boulders in each hand then throwing them up and whirling them with ease as Vylla watched in both amazement and fear at the Demonborn's capability.
"I-I feel we'll have to put you through much more... training if this is something you can handle with ease," the former Commander stated.The following days were filled with testing Faye's new limits as a Demonborn, while also bringing the Kingdom of Lynwell to its former glory alongside its survivors.
One evening, closer to her departure date, an event occurred that changed the Faye's life forever...During her usual patrol, the former Captain received word that a faulty building nearby was collapsing and that many inhabitants were in danger under the rubble, including her former Commander who was still recovering.
She ran quickly towards the area at a speed unlike any she's known before with her eyes fixed on the road ahead of her. Faye witnessed how unstable the building was, seeing people trapped below debris, with a precarious tower about to fall towards them.Faye scanned around quickly, seeing countless inhabitants suffering from the collapsing building but suddenly, when her eyes met Vylla's... "I need to save her," was all Faye could think about. In what seemed like an instant, she grasped the collapsing building and pushed as hard as she could. Yet... she was failing.
Her heartbeat became louder, her body ached, but with all her might she pushed.She was not to going to let more people be taken away from the Kingdom, from her. Faye closed her eyes, trying to keep the building at bay, when suddenly, the thought of Vylla being lost to her caused her to snap. With a harrowing yell, a ruby light surrounded her. Faye's hair became a stunning silver and the concentration of the light became focused within her eyes... shining brilliantly. Within a single moment, the falling tower crumbled to dust within her hands... making certain everyone was safe.She immediately came to the realization that the building was no more and turned around swiftly to free the inhabitants and Vylla out of the debris with ease."Vylla! Are you alright? A-Are you hurt?" a very concerned Faye nervously asked her former Commander. Vylla was simply shocked at seeing her former Captain attain such strength.
"I am... Thanks to you... but... are you alright, Faye...?" Vylla responded.
"I feel fine... great even, knowing that you're all safe but why do you look... surprised?" replied a puzzled Faye.
Vylla then pointed to a nearby window that reflected her appearance. "Please look..."
Faye's eyes narrowed at her own reflection, seeing her hair and eyes change once more, even after already becoming a Demonborn.
She faced her former Commander, very much completely in control and tried to reverse what had happened to her, doing so successfully, but then collapsing soon after due to the strain on her body from such newfound power.Faye woke up and found herself in a bed where Vylla sat closeby, asleep in a chair, looking much more hale and hearty.
"Vylla...?" Faye softly called out as Vylla opened her eyes and smiled towards Faye.
"Welcome back... to the land of the living." Vylla chuckled. "You gave us quite a scare but... many of us are quite grateful to you for saving us."
"How much time has passed since I fainted...?" Faye inquired.
"About three days time." Vylla quickly responded, looking away then immediately smiling and looking towards Faye. "I feel you deserved the rest after what you've done for us."Faye looked down and fidgeted slightly, "Please, Commander... you know it was merely me abiding by my duty as I always have."
Vylla sighed, "You have no duty to uphold anymore and I am no longer your Commander... but I will make sure that before you depart, you will have a better grasp of that inner strength many of us had witnessed... whatever it may be. I will not allow you to venture out in the world until you have understood everything about your new self."
Faye looked into Vylla's eyes and nodded in agreement, "Then I will continue to be in your care."In just a few weeks' time, Faye had mastered her newer Demonborn form, even going so far as to allowing her silver hair and ruby eyes to remain for a whole week to be used to it.
A few more days and nights passed when finally, it was time for Faye to depart on the Obsidian Odyssey.Many significant individuals were gathered at the dock to see Faye off, and one by one, they each assisted Faye for the final preparations.Queen Lynwell held the Glim Ignis, and the king held a tinder box ready for Faye to light and be bound to the aforementioned candle.
After lighting it, Faye crushed the remainder of the match, ensuring Ignis was totally bound to her and only her.The king and queen then took the candle up to the Obisdian Odyssey and placed it where it should be within the helm. The candle was also capable of serving as Faye's navigator, casting lights that would light the way for wherever Faye decided to venture towards.Her mother then held her customized garments to change into when she needed to be battle ready, as her father held a hat, along with the gauntlets laid in the black cloth the Lynwell royalty bequeathed her.
Cyne and Lana then held a basket of various goods they knew Faye adored during their whole lives spent together up to this point.
Faye's family stepped onto the Odyssey and found appropriate places to leave each of the items they brought.As Faye and Vylla stood by and watched everyone move forward with final preparations, Vylla realized it was her chance to give Faye her departing gift.
Vylla produced a customized card case connected to a fine leather belt. "You may not want to forget these..." Vylla stated as she opened the box to reveal Faye's prized tarot cards. "To pass the time or for desired divinations, of course."
A surprised Faye beamed as she took the gift, thinking that her cards had been lost after all this time. Faye lifted her eyes to meet the former Commander's, "Thank you, Vylla! I--" She suddenly paused as she witnessed Vylla's somber expression.The two stood in front of each other, until Vylla broke the silence, "You had better come back to us, you hear?" she clumsily pleaded, unable to fathom someone she had spent so much time in her life was now leaving her for an open-ended journey.
"I will. You know I will, but please, take care of my family in my absence. I already feel terrible about going on this voyage." Faye trembled as she spoke, all of a sudden feeling as if she no longer wished to depart for a moment as the two stared at one another.Lana screamed confidently as she and Cyne walked down from the Odyssey, snapping the two out from their moment, "We'll be fine without you sister, you just do what you must, as you always have."
"She's right! We'll be sure to do what we can so when you come back, you'll be so surprised to see what we've accomplished!" Cyne added with bright determination in her tone.The queen was next to follow behind Faye's sisters along with the King as she stated, "Glim Ignis is now where it should be at the helm, Captain. Just be warned that it can be quite the chatterbox every now and then... I suppose you will not be too lonely with this in mind."
The king then spoke, "You will also have to choose a sigil for you both to bear as proof of your connection." With some thought, Faye already had the shape of a heart in mind to serve as the said sigil.
He then added, "Faye... be certain to also take good care of the Odyssey, yes?"
Faye promptly replied, "Of course, your Majesty, thank you once more." A formal salute then followed from the Captain.Then came Faye's parents from the Odyssey.
"You just keep your promise and be safe out there, alright?" Faye's father wished to confirm as he walked down the ship with his wife after the king and queen.
"Oh, stop hounding her dear... but do rest when you must. No exceptions." Faye's mother amended, knowing full well that her daughter's nocturnal tendencies will probably cause her to disobey most of the time away from home.Faye said in such a somber tone... "Thank you, everyone... I suppose it finally is time for me to leave."
Suddenly, Vylla placed her hands on Faye's shoulders and made direct eye contact with her, "We will see each other again. I know this of you." Faye nodded as she slipped from Vylla's loose grasp slowly.Faye then went up towards the ship, and faced everyone as her final preparations were done and eventually, weighed anchor then waved goodbye to everyone, sending her love to all who could see her until she disappeared into the horizon.~Back to the present. after recalling all her memories from the recent past, Faye opened her eyes slowly... "This villain will not be allowed to escape this time..." She set sights once more on the mage, her hair flowed up lightly then changed gradually to silver, her eyes glowing and shifting to a ruby hue.The mage drew their hood back in shock and gasped, "Th-The Demonborn learned how to access the Rouge Luster?!"
"So that's what it's called... that must mean you know exactly what I can do like this and how it would be wise for you to tell me what I need to know." Faye stated, preparing to bring ruin to their night and life altogether.
"I have all that information and more but you'll have to pry it from my cold, dead fingers..." the mage responded as he pulled out some parchment before charging another of his lightning magicks.
"Fair enough..." Faye replied, taking a more ready stance.In the same time as his thunderous magicks shot off, Faye breathed in deep, easily avoiding the mage's lightning. She dashed towards him with an impact from her fist so fast and strong, it sent the mage flying directly into a boulder, where he then slowly dropped onto the ground. The impact had caused the boulder to fall on top of him with a bloodcurdling yell following upon its landing.
Only a few more moments were granted to him before meeting the reaper soon enough...Faye breathed out slowly then walked over to pick up the tattered sheets the mage held, they were pages from a work of fiction about a mythical place which most would dismiss merely as legend, but Faye knew better from all her reading and studying at the academy.The mage, with what strength remained within him, laughed as his spilt blood began to take over the hue of his entire body.
"You will... NEVER find our league... your journey... ends here you pathetic... knight!" The mage spat, blood spurting from his lips with all his might as he remained stuck, each breath soon to lead to his last.However, whether or not the myth was real did not matter to Faye as this was still a potential clue. She summoned Ignis to come out from the ship and burned the tattered sheets on her flame to record its contents.Faye then kneeled in front of the mage knocking at death's door and merely stated, "Knight...? I'm a seafarer and truth be told... my journey has only just begun..."Silence followed soon after. Faye stood up as Ignis made sure to follow, walking back with a greater fire growing even brighter and stronger within her soul, towards the Obsidian Odyssey.
Tarot Card Artwork by:
Proofreading and Editing by:
dninja
ProjekHoi
Orbis Shidou
Ailuc