Miria trudged through the mist-covered valley leading to Pandemonium's hidden lair, her body aching from the remnants of the battle. Her pride stung even more. She had failed—again. The Aegis, the power she sought, had chosen Hagon over her, and she was left humiliated.
As she reached the entrance, the towering black stone gates loomed before her. Guards wearing masks greeted her with a nod, opening the gates without a word. She entered the dark, ominous halls of Pandemonium, the air thick with malice and secrets.
Her heart raced, not from fear of her master but from the weight of her own decision. She had failed him, but more importantly, her mission was no longer aligned with his. A bitter truth gnawed at her mind. She was plotting the unthinkable: betrayal.
Delra, the guild master, would not take failure lightly. And after what she had discovered, he would not take betrayal kindly either. As she moved deeper into the lair, she was greeted by the familiar twisted faces of Pandemonium's elite. They were powerful, ruthless, and loyal only to Delra.
Miria's mind raced as she approached the throne room, flashes of her past surfacing with every step. **Alex**, the one person who had ever meant anything to her, filled her thoughts. His image haunted her.
Years ago, when she was a mere apprentice, Alex had found her wandering alone in a cursed forest, abandoned by her former master. He had taken her under his wing, taught her magic, and showed her the path of light. But once he had ascended to become one of the Five Heroes, he had grown distant—his duties keeping him away. Desperate to gain his attention and respect, she had turned to dark magic and eventually joined Pandemonium.
But deep down, she had never truly given up on him. And now, Pandemonium's next target was the Five Heroes—Alex included. She couldn't let that happen.
As the heavy door to Delra's chamber creaked open, Miria steeled herself. Delra sat atop his throne, a cold smile on his face. His presence dominated the room, his eyes glinting with malice. Beside him stood Zyga, his right-hand man, as sinister and calculating as ever.
"You're late," Delra's voice was sharp, his words biting through the silence.
Miria bowed slightly, hiding her disdain. "I encountered resistance."
"I assume you mean the group from Eryndor," Zyga said with a smirk, his eyes studying her every move. "I heard you had quite the... challenge."
Miria's fists clenched at his taunting tone. "The Aegis... it's more powerful than I anticipated. I couldn't retrieve it."
Delra's smile faded, replaced with a cold glare. "So, you failed me?"
"I faced an unexpected power," she replied, her voice even. "The relic rejected me and chose another—Hagon."
Delra rose from his throne, his gaze turning predatory. "The Aegis is meant for the strong, not for the weak. You were meant to retrieve it, Miria."
"I know," Miria said, her eyes burning with defiance. "But I can still be of use. I've learned more about the group. They are connected to Ray, the outsider who defeated me. They're becoming a threat, but they don't yet realize the true power of the Aegis."
Delra's expression softened slightly, but the suspicion remained. "Go on."
"Let them believe they've won. Their confidence will make them vulnerable. I can still use them to our advantage," she said, carefully crafting her words.
Delra exchanged a glance with Zyga, who nodded in approval. "Fine. You will continue to gather information, but know this—failure again will not be tolerated."
Miria bowed deeply, masking the storm of emotions brewing within her. "As you command."
As she turned to leave, her thoughts began to spiral once more. She could feel the weight of Delra's watchful eyes on her back. She knew what she had to do, but the thought of it twisted her stomach. Betraying the guild, turning against Delra—it would mean death if she failed. But if she succeeded, she could protect Alex from Pandemonium's plans.
She moved swiftly through the halls, her mind still racing. In a hidden chamber, she cast a spell, surrounding herself in a cloak of magic. It was a spell Alex had taught her long ago, one she used to calm her thoughts. But tonight, it wasn't working.
She closed her eyes, memories of Alex flooding her mind. She remembered the warmth in his smile, the kindness in his eyes when he saved her all those years ago. She had admired him, loved him, but he had always kept her at a distance. And now, he was a target.
Her hand trembled as she touched her chest, where her heart pounded relentlessly. "What am I doing?" she whispered to herself. "Am I really willing to betray everything just to save him?"
But deep down, she knew the answer. She had to protect Alex, even if he never returned her feelings. And the only way to do that was to destroy Pandemonium from within.
The Aegis could be the key. If she could somehow convince Hagon—and maybe Ray—to join forces, they might stand a chance against Delra. But approaching Ray and his group wouldn't be easy, not after their last encounter.
"Can I trust them?" she whispered again, staring into the shadows. "Or should I do this alone?"
Her mind flashed back to the battle with Ray and his group. Despite everything, there was something about them that drew her in—their unwavering resolve, their bond. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced with Pandemonium. Perhaps, just perhaps, they could be the allies she needed.
Miria stood, her decision made. She wouldn't act hastily. She would gather more information, watch Ray and his group from the shadows. And when the time was right, she would approach them—on her terms.
But for now, she needed to play her part within Pandemonium, bide her time, and prepare for the inevitable confrontation.
As she left the hidden chamber, her resolve hardened. Delra would never see it coming. The one thing he had never accounted for was her loyalty to Alex. And that, above all, would be his downfall.
Her plan was set. The next move was hers.