Ziya

Ziya is a Mage hero in Honor of Kings.

Background[]

For the good of all humanity, Ziya set out with his best friend, Fuzi, on the Journey of Divinity, and became the first of the Enforcers in the process. In the years that followed, he served as their secret leader, selecting new members at the superbeings' behest. But the good times did not last. To defeat the Dark Master, he sacrificed the greater part of his divine power, and later on, his willful nature led his disciple Wu Zetian to seal him away. However, during his captivity, he achieved enlightenment and recovered his divine power. Now, the Dark Master Diqun seeks to once more invade the mortal world. Hearing this, Ziya could not sit idly by. The ancient Sanctifier broke out of his imprisonment, determined to protect the world in his own way.

Lore[]

"Those who shoulder the burden of fate keep going even when alone."

In ancient times, humans lived in brutal and barren lands. Savage feralis roamed everywhere, forcing humanity to retreat into impossible places. Two great sages, Ziya and Fuzi, left their tribe behind in their 50s and set out to find a better way for humans to survive, embarking on a pilgrimage called the "Journey of Divinity".

After thirty long years of arduous ordeals, they finally arrived at the destination appointed by the superbeings, haggard and worn out by the journey. Nuwa granted them the title of "Enforcers"—the first of their kind.

When Nuwa inquired as to why they wished to become Enforcers, they only replied, "For our people." When they returned to their tribe, however, they discovered that most of the people who had seen them off had already passed away. The ones who remained had been children, still learning to speak, at the time of the sages' departure.

The sages delivered the knowledge of the superbeings to humanity, leading them out of barbarity so that they might stand on their own. Next, the sages endured the Ferali War together, during which the Enforcers suffered heavy losses. By then, years had passed, and humanity had grown strong. So, Nuwa ordered Ziya to select outstanding humans to take over the mantle as new Enforcers. Meanwhile, Fuzi had displayed the greatest martial skill of all Enforcers during the war, so he was gifted the Ferule of Superbeings, also known as "Vigilance." As the Enforcer of Precepts and on behalf of the superbeings, Fuzi guarded the mortal code of conduct and ensured peace in the human world.

Later on, during a great war known as the Fall of the Superbeings, the two sages fought as Enforcers under Nuwa. Though both sides paid a heavy price in lives, when the dust settled, the Dark Master Diqun had been defeated. After the Fall, the remaining Enforcers and superbeings dispersed. Nuwa entrusted Fuzi and Ziya with the duties of guarding humanity and guiding its path, but over time, it became evident that the two sages had differing views on how the human race should progress—differences that eventually caused them to part ways.

Many years yet later, the Enforcers' War broke out. As a guardian of humanity, Ziya took it upon himself to organize forces and defeat King Zhou, sacrificing most of his divine power in the process. Ziya's army was victorious, and the Dark Master's plans had been crushed once again. At that time, Fuzi's vision for humanity's future had taken shape. He hoped that one day, humans would be able to protect themselves. As it turned out, the latest defeat was only a small setback for the Dark Master, who gathered his forces again for the next attack. In his secluded residence at Ba, Ziya began to consider how to eliminate the threat once and for all. During this process, he repelled the Dark Master's forces once more.

When Ziya finally made it to Chang'an in search of answers, Wu Zetian, his own disciple, confined him inside another dimension for his beliefs and divisive actions. Ziya took advantage of this rare "retreat" to meditate deeply, fully recovering his divine power.

In the present day, the Dark Master's underling Haya has already made the first move. Having broken free of his confinement, Ziya vows that this time, he will resolve the thorny problem of the Dark Master for good.

"The superbeings took their leave. I shall stand guard in their stead!"

Best Friends[]

"Why are you not asleep yet, old man Fuzi? What are you doing?" The young woman yawned as she sauntered over toward the white-haired figure, who was staring into the distant skies.

"Bah! I'm mourning an old friend!" Fuzi waved her off irritably.

"Oh, some poor fellow who's no longer with us, I see. Maybe they lived a life full of misfortune."

"His body is probably rotting in some field. He was not the nicest person. As for misfortune... Well, he did make a lot of people's lives miserable."

"Oh? You've successfully piqued my interest. What did he do?"

"Nothing too spectacular... But he did lead troops to defeat a certain King Zhou, gathering some powerful forces along the way. Then he hid himself away to train some exceptional and interesting disciples, like the eloquent strategist Liang, and that fearsome Wu Zetian..."

"So he loves taking on students, just like you! Ah, wait... This friend... You mean Ziya, the legendary Sanctifier?!"

"He wasn't much of a friend... We had a disagreement, and then he got all self-righteous, and we parted ways. Stubborn as a mule, that one." "What was the fight about?"

"Every human has things that are important to them, things they're willing to die for. Such insistence can even lead one to be cruel to one's friends, lovers, or even family. Well, that man, he insisted on guarding the mortal world himself. He created Daji, defeated King Zhou, drove away the feralis, and eliminated the Dark Master... He never thought of himself, of course. He shouldered that heavy burden for one sole purpose: to bring peace to the human world.

I, however, harbored some doubts. How do you define a peaceful world for humans? Is it one with only humans and no others? A place where some must die so that others can live, where only the strong can survive? That fool may have devoted his life to defeating the Dark Master, but he also stood by idly during other wars, barely lifting a finger while humans slaughtered each other... Is that really the peace that we wished for?

Neither of us could persuade the other. We disagreed, argued, and then parted ways."

"So who won in the end?"

"Don't be foolish! There can never be a winner in such things! He manipulated his disciples into fighting one another to wipe out the Dark Master's minions—until his cunning caught up with him! He was betrayed by Wu Zetian, his own disciple, who sealed him away who-knows-where..."

"Then you won! You're still here, and he's not!"

"Don't be foolish! He had always straddled the border with the unknown, and while he was hard on others, he was even harder on himself! If I know him right, he's taking his confinement as an opportunity to chart out a new course for himself, one with a new mission, a new struggle. It seems that the ill-fated bond between us will not be disentangled any time soon..."

"Well then, why don't you just roll up your sleeves and prepare for a fight? Why are you just sitting here mourning someone who's not even dead?"

"Bah! You youngsters don't understand! I'm not mourning a person. I'm mourning the loss of an old friendship... and the old time!"

Below them, calm curls of smoke rose from Jixia and dissipated into the air. But somewhere far across the mountains and clouds, an old man who couldn't seem to stay down was gradually breaking free of his confinement.

"No mercy!"

A Feeble Spark[]

"As the fire dims, who will pick up the torch and trudge on?"

Thousands of years ago, the cold of night descended on the human inhabitants of a vast forest. The children of the tribe slept peacefully in their humble huts, while the adults gathered silently around the campfire.

As the winter grew harsher, the ferali beasts seemed to grow in number. Humanity, which was still in its infancy, could no longer survive in these cruel lands.

They had to find a new way to evade the creeping danger.

There were two sages in the tribe. One was optimistic and cheerful, with a ready smile for all to adore. For as long as anyone could remember, he'd wielded his iron rod to dispel any invading creatures.

The other never smiled. Instead, he wore a perpetually furrowed brow as he oversaw all of the tribe's daily chores and duties, making sure that everyone did their fair share in an orderly manner.

The sages had toiled for the tribe for most of their lives, and their hair had long gone white as they left their youthful years behind.

A new scroll had arrived from Celestia, and the unsmiling sage handed it to a young man.

"The superbeings, who reside in the far north, have announced a 'Journey of Divinity' to select the most gifted humans," the youth began to read.

"Those who reach the end of the Journey will become divine emissaries!"

"If we could become emissaries, that would fix all of our problems!" The young man exclaimed excitedly.

The crowd was already humming with chatter. A faint sense of hope seemed to be spreading among them, and they prompted the speaker to continue reading.

"However, according to the records, no one has ever reached the end of the journey. Legend has it that the path is long and treacherous.

Those who try might walk it for decades or even spend their entire lives on it without ever reaching the destination."

"Oh..."

The crowd let out disappointed sighs and fell silent once again.

"But it's the only way!" Someone shouted.

Another retorted, "Then who should we pick to send off on this 'Journey' that is so likely to fail?"

Though early humans were frail, they were also pure of heart. Several youths raised their hands, volunteering their lives for the good of the tribe. Yet the crowd's gaze gathered instead upon the stern sage holding his cane.

The sage had arranged the tribe's operations for decades, so the tribespeople were accustomed to accepting his wisdom. He had always delegated the right duties to the right people.

The youths all wore determined faces, hoping the sage would choose them. The sage's wizened eyes scrutinized them all, but he shook his head at each and every one.

Withdrawing their raised hands, the youths drooped their heads in disappointment. The mood dropped drastically, as a glowing ember plunged into frigid snow.

Yet there was still a spark in the darkness—a single hand that remained raised high. The man's easygoing smile went unnoticed by the stern sage with the cane, as he stood behind him.

As the crowd focused on that smile, its spark rekindled the embers of hope in their hearts. He was the most skilled warrior among them, the merry sage who had always guided them through darkness.

His brow furrowed as always, the sage with the cane turned to face the one with the smile. The two regarded each other for a long moment, sensing the persistence and determination in each other's eyes. Finally, the stern sage gave a faint nod.

With his brow still furrowed, the stern sage announced that both himself and the smiling sage, Fuzi, would set out on the Journey of Divinity together. Perhaps he thought that the only way to survive such a trial would be for the two to accompany one another through it. The astonished crowd tried to dissuade the two elders. After all, such a perilous ordeal should only be attempted by the young. And should something befall the two sages on their journey, who would be left to lead the tribe through any future quandaries?

The two sages said not a word but only nodded resolutely to one another. Each took up a nearby torch and raised it high, and then they turned toward the murky forest.

Before the stunned tribespeople could rise from their places around the fire, the sages began walking.

If the road ahead is destined to be dangerous, what use is there in fearing the dark? Why wait for tomorrow?

Upon reaching the first line of trees, the sages halted and turned back toward the still-unmoving crowd. As the two old men waved their goodbyes, a member of the crowd finally stood up. It was the young man who had read the scroll earlier. He didn't speak, but gave a deep bow to the sages. Soon after, the remaining tribespeople joined in the solemn send-off.

The tribe would have to learn quickly how to stand on their own, without the guidance of the sages, as they awaited their return.

The sages smiled at one another, then turned and set out into the darkness.

In this vast land full of dangers and unknowns, the newborn human race was but a feeble spark. Even the two sages, though glowing brighter than most, were mere embers in the darkness.

Now, that feeble spark would search for a way out of the benighted forest, out of the rugged mountains and treacherous cliffside paths, and out toward the faraway unknown.

However, while the tribespeople looked forward to the return of their sages, they all knew in their hearts that it might never come to pass.

Skills[]

Sanctification

Type: Passive

When Ziya deals damage to a target and they are defeated within 4s, he gains EXP. When reaching level, he gains Sanctify, and increases his level cap to 25. Sanctify allows him to increase a teammate's level cap, and potentially earn EXP.

Divine Seal

Type: Skill

Seals enemies within range, dealing magical damage while reducing their Movement Speed, Physical and Magical Defense for 3.5s. If the skill hits an enemy, he gains a Movement Speed boost.

Divine Punishment

Type: Skill

Conjures a magic circle that deals 3 strikes of damage to nearby enemies. After a short delay, the magic circle explodes, dealing extra magical damage and launching enemies for 0.8s.

Universal Law

Type: Ultimate

Unleashes 3 shockwaves to deal magical damage. Reaching level 15 increases the Ultimate's charging speed by 10% and grants a chance to allow him to move after initiating the charge.

Skins[]

Strategies[]

Know a nice synergy? Recommended items? Loadouts? Click here to add your strategy!

Ziya's most common skill combo is 1-2-Ult. This slows enemies and launches them, before using his Ultimate to deal a great burst of damage.
Ziya levels up very fast and goes beyond Level 15, so take good advantage of that and gank more oftenly! But be careful, Ziya has low defense and Health stats. Position matters.
Ziya gains Sanctify at Level 15. Use it very wisely on a valuable teammate as it may change the course of the game.