Lira (Encantadia)

Lira (known as Mila or Milagros in the mortal world) is a major character in the Philippine television series "Encantadia" which was aired in GMA Network from May 2, 2005 to December 9, 2005. Lira is played by Filipina actress and StarStruck Season One Ultimate Female Survivor Jennylyn Mercado.

Lira is the only daughter and sole heiress apparent to Amihan, who became Queen of Lireo and his father was King Ybrahim of Sapiro. She was hailed by her grandmother former queen Mine-a as Encantadia's "luntiae" or savior. She was crowned Queen of Lireo and instantaneously abdicated the throne in favor of a peaceful life in the mortal realm. She is also the mother of Cassandra.

Character background

In the first part of the story, Mira was known as Lira until the discovery of the true Lira, Mila.

Lira was born through a collective dream by her biological parents, Amihan and Ybrahim. Danaya, her aunt, blessed Lira with extraordinary powers and protection against Pirena while her aunt Alena blessed her with a beautiful voice.

Pirena knows that Lira is a hindrance to her plans. She tries to kill Lira but fails because of Danaya's blessing. Instead, she replaces Lira with her own child, Mira, and sends Lira to the human world.

The true Lira is adopted by a poor couple that names her Milagros (or "miracle" in English) because when their hut catches fire, Lira is found unharmed. Lira grows up into a pretty young woman, and comes to works as a maid for a rich family where she falls in love with Anthony, her employer's son.

After being discovered by Danaya, Lira returns to Encantadia with the help of Bagwis. Lira is reunited with her mother, Amihan, after being lost in Encantadia and imprisoned by Pirena.

Lira’s mission as Encantadia’s "luntiae" (savior) finally came into fruition as she has fulfilled to save Encantadia from the clutches of the Hathors when the three kingdoms of Lireo, Sapiro and Adamya triumphed in overthrowing the Hathors from its occupation of the land of the Diwatas. She successfully brought peace and tranquility in Encantadia and served her purpose in the reunification of the four elemental gemstones and their guardians.

After the war, she is crowned the new queen of Lireo but almost immediately steps down, choosing to live in the human world with her soulmate Anthony. Lira and Anthony lived a reserved and idyllic life for many years. Both of them were unfortunate not to be blessed with an offspring, but this did not deter them from their lifelong vow to be together, until the sad reality finally catches up with them: Lira's heritage as a "diwata" meant that her lifespan far outstripped that of a mortal such as Anthony. In the finale of the series, Anthony dies of old age while Lira is physically still at the age she and Anthony first met. Deeply bereaved, Lira returns to Encantadia and asks Cassiopea to also grant her the sleep of mortals. Cassiopea reluctantly accedes to Lira's request, much to the grief of all Encantadia, which mourns the passing of their savior. Cassiopea, however, takes strands of Lira's hair, and from these conjures a baby. Named Cassandra, she is considered Lira's daughter, being the child of her own flesh.

Afterlife

Her existence in Devas was at her own will and choice. She did this in order to be reunited with the only man she had ever loved and be with him eternally. Although this has made Lira feel gratified and contented, her happiness was short-lived and realized that she had left a daughter following her demise. While in Devas, Lira could sense that her daughter was yearning for a mother’s love, one that she herself could only give. Apart from this, Lira has sensed that Encantadia’s peace has once more been threatened by a growing number of adversaries menacing and manipulating the Sang’gres. She felt that Encantadia is in need of her help yet again and decided to ask for Emre’s approval to return to Encantadia. Regrettably, Emre turns down Lira’s appeal. Being initially hardheaded, Lira pleas again and consults Galatea, Emre’s aide in Devas and warden of the portal to Encantadia. Lira and agrees to a compromise and the latter gives the former a test. Lira failed the test however through the help of her "Ilo" (grandfather) Armeo, she victoriously returns to Encantadia.

Lira triumphantly returned to Lireo and was met by her parents and ash’te Danaya alongside Aquil. Her return met diverse reactions and was scolded by her parents for journeying back without Emre’s consent and approval nevertheless Aquil took the benefits of Lira’s presence as she would serve a crucial and indispensable part in their fight against their opponents. Lira assured and guaranteed her full mutual aid in their quest to rid Encantadia from Etherian suppressors. Her arrival was also met with disdain as she had found out that her daughter Cassandra had voyaged towards Devas in an attempt to bring her back. Lira however felt that it would be best if her daughter wouldn’t be around all the more that Encantadia has become a perilous milieu for Cassandra, taking note of the fact that she is safeguarded by Wahid, Wantuk and Apek. Amihan on the other hand has been anxious and fretted that Lira’s return might have something to do with the realization of the prophecy concerning Ybrahim’s demise at the hands of his own child. Amihan’s sister however shoved any truth to her assumption.

Following Cassandra’s failure to disembark in Devas, she returns to Sapiro disappointed and desolated. Lira nonetheless was thrilled upon hearing that Cassandra has arrived and soonafter she reunites with her daughter she has since longed for. Learning of Lira’s return, the Goddess Ether confronted Avria because she has overlooked and undermined Lira’s return from Devas. Ether divulged to Etheria’s Queen how Lira, Encantadia’s luntiae, has liberated the realm from its conquerors and that they shouldn’t forsook the fact that Lira could jeopardize their scheme. Lira who rescued her ash’te Pirena from Ether’s clutches fought the vengeful goddess only to be overpowered by her. Fearing of Lira’s safety, Amihan and her sisters convened and decided to send Lira and their granddaughter Cassandra to the mortal realm to seek refuge away from Encantadia and to protect Lireo's future queen. Her mother stated that Lira’s mission for Encantadia has long been fulfilled and that her duties as mother to Cassandra should be her main concern. Lira arguably declared that she could carry out both duties effortlessly, but later submitted to her mother’s wishes. And so Lira and her daughter where whisked into the mortal realm.

Family affiliations

Sang'gre Lira is a member of royal houses of two kingdoms, being the sole daughter of Amihan of Lireo and the first-born of Ybrahim of Sapiro, not to mention the only one to experience a natural growth. Her other Diwata relations include her "ash'tes" (aunts) Pirena, Alena and Danaya; grandmother Mine-a; and half-cousin Mira. Her Sapirian royal lineage descends from Raquim, Armeo and Meno. She is the half-sister of Kahlil, Armea and Arman, all of whom were fathered by Ybrahim. Lira is the biological mother of Cassandra, who was made from her own flesh and Cassiopea's blood. Her mortal family includes her foster parents, and her husband Anthony.

Personality

When Encantadia becomes her new home, Lira's behavior does not seem to fit to the culture of Encantadia. She sometimes speaks Taglish, which puzzled many Encantandians because they barely understand it. The culture in Encantadia is ancient and Lira, although an Encantadian herself, was raised in the modern human world. Only her mother Amihan, who had lived in the human world during her childhood, understands her modern speech and her post-20th century teen behavior.

Abilities and weapons

Special abilities
*Teleportation — commonly seen among the Sang'gres of Encantadia.
*Flight — like her mother, Amihan, she also uses the wind to levitate herself
* Wind Powers — Being the daughter of the elemental goddess of wind, she has the same powers like her mother. She uses the wind to fence off opponents. She can also control the weather with the powers of wind.
* When Lira was still in Amihan's womb, Alena blessed her to have a very beautiful voice like her own. But the power of the voices of Lira and Alena are very different. Whereas Lira's voice is used for calming others, Alena's is more powerful because she can hypnotize, kill, make anyone love her, and calm everyone. This is due to biosonar, an ability possessed by sea creatures.
*She also has an innate protection against fire which Danaya blessed her with to protect her from Pirena.

Weapons
*Arkrey — the long sword of Amihan's father, Raquim, but later replaced by the Avatar.
*Avatar — the golden sword forged by Cassiopeia.