Themis of the Light

"You were meant for great things. A child such as yourself isn't born just every year." My mother told me yet again, she had said it so often, even at the tender age of 5, I could not remember the number of times. "I was pregnant with you and didn't expect your birth until the next moon but in Heliod's bright light on the day of his feast, there you were. Not a single cry into the world, just peace as you looked at with me with your beautiful eyes. You have his favor child, and you will live up to the gifts he has given you. You will be his champion in these dark times and bring peace to the world. After all, you were destined to it." Mother smiled as she finished her words and I knew in my heart that she was right. We bowed to the dawn and went about our day. My father had died not too long after my birth so it had always been just Mother and I until the day I turned 10. The priests of Heliod's church came and took me away from her. Mother knew I was meant for better things and cried in joy as they placed a golden and white sun robe around my shoulders and hustled me towards the church. It would be many years after that since I would see her again. She was always allowed to visit me but she knew I was now far too important for someone as simple as herself. The last time I saw her was on her deathbed as she reminded me for the last time that I would be the voice of a God. Her name was Rose, I will never forget her name. Over the years I trained to become a paladin of Heliod. I protected the weak, I purged the lands of evil, I helped restore his temples in hopes that he would tell me what it was I was meant to do. Until that day, I await his voice and his instructions. I will uphold his truths for I am his chosen champion and he will bless me with destiny.
It all started those many years ago when I first was taken in by the church. You see I was born over in an Empire known as Mald. During those days we were learning how to become the champions to drive out the evil within Mavaria, the kingdom that bordered ours. The town was small and my birth was not a secret that could be kept, not that mother would have ever wanted it that way. It gave me the opportunities to be who I am today. I learned all I could at that small church, I passed the classes and the training fights at the top of my class. There was no question that I would. The town saved all the money they had and helped to provide me with a set of armor and weapons to send me on the first journey I would ever have. Little did we know the dangers of it.
We heard stories in another town of a banshee that would cry on the blood moon and claim lives. Not the worst you could hear being so close to Maveria but it became critical when the town heard more than half of the town’s worth of people in cries. I joined because it is my righteous path to end such evils. I entered a mansion with a cleric and a lithe rouge. As we searched the prosperity we learned of the truth of that horrible evil. In my last effort to prevent that monster from being let loose, I chose to give myself to hold it in place. I wanted to fight it with the last drops of my essence. But that was not meant to be. As the creature consumed me, I felt my very soul become corrupt. My once pure wings that could only be seen in a holy moment were torn from my body. My golden tears turned red as they became blood. I was righteous but I was not worth the love of the gods I held so dearly. Then in the darkest of hells, I heard the monster growl to me. “My child, you and I are one, you are more special than you could ever understand. I can show you truly what that means. Allow me your body and soul and I shall grant you power beyond even your dreams.” As my soul broke down in that place worse than any hell, I saw it. The sun. Brighter than any star in the sky, breaking through the dark. I felt...anger from the monster but the sun was warm.
When I opened my eyes I was far from my home. In Cervo at the step of the Church of Light. My wings had been restored but I knew there would always be a part of myself that had been tarnished. The priests took me inside and as I explained my story, they too saw my worth and took me to the queen, Eliza my dearest friend. Were it not for her hospitality and kindness, I am certain I would have perished from the remaining wounds.
As the years have passed by since, I am the champion of Heliod. I am righteousness. I serve her holy majesty and together we will bring further glory and honor to the god who has chosen me to restore the world. By Heliod I swear it.
There is a tradition in Cervo, the emperor chooses one person of their court to send to meet with the other nations. That person may declare peace or war or neutrality, therefore they must be someone the emperor trusts with their entire being. Seeing as I am chosen by Heliod it is natural that I train to protect my emperor. I am to go this year on my emperor’s bidding and speak on her behalf. I attend to her needs in and out of court and I am not worried that I will falter here. By his light, I will bring peace.