Fallen statue

A huge statue of a female warrior wearing a Templar Armor stands in the Arid Sea in Crystal Desert. However it's only an illusion, after approaching the statue it disapears revealing its body toppled down bridging a gap beneath. How is this illusion being maintained? And why?

The statue viewed from the north (travelling from Skyward Reach). The left leg is visibly chipped.

As you approach the statue the illusion is dispelled and we can see the statue toppled.

The statue viewed from the southwest (travelling from Vulture Drifts). From this side we can see the left arm is also missing

Crossing this derelict once-statue bridge grants the adventurer a priviledged view of the surroundings:

The toppled body serving as bridge.

West view.

South view. Somewhere beyond lie the Elonian wastes.

North view.

This illusion can be seen from further south in Elona, in the Desolation:

The statue viewed from the Crystal Overlook.

There are also remains of at least another statue, this time a male:

A male face and a right arm are near the statue site.

 Near the statue, Yannel Brunn a spirit from the ancient people says:

"Long ago, my people lived in a city near here. We came to ascend and succumbed to our own petty squabbles. We fought day and night, brother against brother, until one of our number created weapons that would lay low the mightiest warriors and shake the very earth. Such was their power that they brought our great city down, and my people have become nothing more than a memory. (...) "