When I develop a character, I like to start at the end—who they become, their traits, demeanor, and how they respond to the world. Then, I work backward to shape their starting point. How would they react to a situation now? How would they have reacted at the beginning of the story? And what key events changed them along the way?

It helps keep the character arc grounded and meaningful, avoiding a one-dimensional story or the trap of the overused “chosen one” trope. The chosen one is easy to fall into—happenstance isn’t destiny, but when you’re not careful, that simple start can turn into a “fated hero” narrative. Maybe it’s because we all, deep down, want to be needed, to be relied upon, to be someone’s savior. But I try my best to steer clear of it.

This illustration of Teo is a visualization of one of his end points—a transformation from a simple, adventurous Derry bear into a stoic enchanter. But one thing he will never be? The chosen one. His journey into darkness is his own, shaped by choices and events, not fate.