Regis Terre

His origins begin in a small secluded city called Aurelia, an independent civilization from the kingdoms the surrounded it. The people here praise who they call Bennu, a god who appears in the form of a flaming bird.

Bennu is a powerful but benevolent god. It is said he created their home- when their people were attacked by a tribe of northern warriors, Bennu created great walls of flame among the forests, and from the ashes of the wood, the Aurelian people were reborn. Most are gifted with minor forms of magic, but the practice is usually frowned upon as it should be reserved solely for Bennu. The exception being festivals, where the young men of the village would perform great dances among flames, to honor their great god.

Stories told of the return of Bennu- when an outsider would come to destroy their people, he would return in a vessel of human flesh, and when the time was right he would emerge. Because of the threat implied from the outside forces, Aurelia remains heavily isolated from the world outside.

The below sections contain spoilers for Regis’s Identity

“You’re marked for sacrifice, little one...”

The woman was past her years of being considered “little one”, and yet to him, she was so young. Humans lead such short lives, didn’t they... and here he was, cutting hers short. It was sad, and yet, he could feel it. The threat was nearing, with little time to prepare. He needed to act now. So that was what lead to this moment, the god presenting himself before a mortal woman. Perhaps there were other, better choices, and yet he chose this one. Not for her beauty, not for her youth, but for the fire that glimmered in her golden eyes, the way she watched him with no fear.

“Our people will be in peril, and so I ask of you this great favor. You must birth my vessel, so that he may protect what will remain.” Bennu extended a hand to the woman’s cheek, “Will you sacrifice yourself?”

“I will do whatever it takes.” Ah, the tone in her voice- she was a warrior, no doubt. He chuckled, a deep but soothing tumble from the back of his throat.

“Then you will go down in legend, the mother of the savior of our people.”

She lingered in the small temple, bowed before the statue to the best of her ability. Her stomach made it quite difficult, and yet still she prayed. Something was calling her here, waiting for the others to leave, and so she maintained her prayers, diligent.

“It is time you set our child free... and come join me among the stars.”

The voice was behind her, but she didn’t need to look. He had visited her often since that night, watching over her while the child within her grew. Their bond had become something more than a simple god and follower, and he assured her when her time came, though she would die, she would assume a place beside him. The Mother of the Sun, he called her. For a warrior like herself, motherly duties did not seem too enchanting... she intended to be the mother who fiercely protected her people.

He placed a hand on her shoulder, the curtains of the temple ignited in flame. “Endure...I know this is hard, but for me, you must endure... He will be born from the ashes, just like we were in the first days.”


The temple was charred and yet the Aurelian people would not enter until the flames had burned down. To them, a burning temple was a sign. Something was happening, besides simple arson.

As they entered slowly, carefully, there was a loud crying. And far in the room, before the unmarked statue of the Phoenix, a baby lay, wailing as it sat among the ash. Freckles that seemed to shine on his dark skin, wrapped in an enchanting fabric spun of gold.

The Child of Ash was born, and soon, dark days would come.