You stop before the familiar oak door, and take a look around you. Though the setting sun's light is unable to penetrate this deeply, you can see the last of its rays illuminating the end of the stone hallway. You have no idea what the old man does when you are busy elsewhere, but you find it hard to imagine Issar Roon enjoying the day's final moments of natural light. In fact, you wonder if he has been outside at all since he came to this place.

Snapping out of your thoughts, you turn toward the unlocked door and enter.

Welcome back! Are you here for a story? Good, I have the perfect one for you today. In truth, I've wanted to tell it for a time.

You wonder why the old man withheld such a story when he had tried to chase you away previously, but you remain silent knowing it would be unwise to ask such a question.

I have told you of Urza and his millennia long struggle against Phrexia in the past. Today, I will tell you of one who was integral to Urza's success, but remains hidden in the shadows of history.

The old man seems to be absorbed in telling the story already. You wonder if perhaps that bodes well for a good story today before listening intently to what he has to tell you.

Xantcha played a unique part in the war between Urza and Yawgmoth, and her story begins as such. She was born, or perhaps created is a better word, on the fourth sphere of Phrexia. Xantcha started life like many other Phrexians, as a newt. Unlike other Phrexians, she was ordained to become a sleeper agent.

Instead of being "completed" and assuming a horrible and fearsome form, Xantcha was forced to keep her human-like body. All sleeper agents were meant to be spies on other planes, constantly giving Yawgmoth information about his enemies and those who would resist him, and thus, required bodies native to those planes. Yawgmoth even made many of them ignorant of their own allegiance, allowing for easier assimilation. Others were aware of their origins however, and helped to actively further Phrexia's cause. Xantcha, though cognizant of her origins, fit neither category.

It seems the old man's excitement for telling the story hasn't prevented his usual introduction of back story and random information.

Xantcha was the first, and only known, sleeper agent to think for herself. In a strange twist of fate, Xantcha was born outside of Yawgmoth's influence. Realizing the danger of a sleeper agent who thought for herself, Gix, the overseer of all sleeper agents, ordered her to be put to death.

As her executioners came to carry out the order, Urza stumbled upon them. Thinking Xantcha was a human being attacked by Phrexians he intervened and killed the assassins. In return for her life Xantcha revealed who she was, and taught Urza an important piece of information he had been searching for, how to find Phrexia.

Together, they attacked the artificial plane. Though they made it to the fourth sphere, they had taken themselves into the very heart of Yawgmoth's forces, and were quickly overwhelmed. In his last moment of consciousness Urza planeswalked himself and Xantcha to Serra's Realm.

You recall a previous story about a woman named Serra and her plane. You try hard to remember if the old man had mentioned Urza. The old man continues his story, once again giving the impression that he can see into your thoughts.

Yes, he fled to Serra's paradise of white mana. Perhaps he knew nothing else could save his dying body. As it was, it took him five years to fully recover, even with her help!

You're happy that you've remembered at least some of the details of the old man's stories. It would be a shame to forget his fantastical tales.

But this story is about Xantcha. As a creation of Phrexia she had the essence of black mana, and Serra was unable to heal her as she did Urza. Instead, she assigned a Sister to watch after her. Eventually Xantcha recovered, and she left the plane with Urza.

As the years passed Xantcha helped Urza in many ways, but it was the end of her life that would be the equal of Phrexia's location. During a battle with Gix Xantcha sacrificed herself to save Urza. Not only did she save Urza's life, but she left behind a piece of herself as a last gift to Urza, her heartstone.

All Phrexians are given heartstones when they are created on Phrexia, but Xantcha's would become unique. During his studies with time, Urza created a probe that he hoped could pass through the temporal energies. In order to make it sentient and effective, he implanted Xantcha's heartstone within the silver form.

The old man stops talking, and you look up in surprise.

That is all I will tell you today. I have important research that must be completed tonight, but I promise to continue upon your next visit.

Disappointed, you try to leave slowly in hopes that the old man will change his mind. When you get to the door's threshold you turn to find the old man already engrossed in his books. It seems that you will have to wait.

This is a work of fiction based on the stories and entries provided by Wizards about some of the early characters. The author takes some liberty with the story for dramatic purposes. So the story portrayed here may not be the exact story according to Magic Canon. The author has found references and art to use in the following locations: Encyclopedia Phyrexianna and the MTG Salvation Wiki. Written by Brendan Weiskotten.