The hill overlooking the village of Eryndor was quiet, save for the sounds of battle echoing from below. Amidst the chaos, Miria stood in silence, her cold gaze fixed on the unfolding conflict. The soldiers of Pandemonium clashed with the warriors of Eryndor, steel ringing against steel, magic lighting up the darkening sky. And yet, Miria remained distant, her mind focused not on the battle, but on the deeper war she had been fighting for years.
Pandemonium.
The very name made her blood boil. It wasn't just the dark guild's ambition to control the world that angered her—it was their relentless hunt for the heroes, especially Alex, the Wizard King. The man who once saved her, who taught her magic, and then distanced himself when he became one of the legendary heroes. The thought of them targeting him filled her with rage.
"They'll come for him," she whispered to herself, her voice cold and low. "They'll come for Alex. And I won't let them."
Her fingers twitched slightly as she recalled the many times Pandemonium had sent assassins after the heroes. They wanted to rid the world of those who opposed them, and Alex, with his immense power, was high on their list. Miria knew that Delra, the guild master of Pandemonium, saw the heroes as threats to his rise to power. But for Miria, it wasn't just about power—it was personal.
Alex. The man who once meant everything to her. The man who had saved her when she was young, lost, and powerless. The man who had taught her how to harness her magic, to control it. The man who had walked away from her when he became a hero, leaving her behind.
Even after all this time, her feelings for him had not faded. She knew he no longer cared for her—perhaps he never had. But that didn't matter. She still cared for him. And she would protect him, even if he didn't want it. Even if it meant destroying everything that stood in her way, including Pandemonium.
Delra had made a grave mistake when he decided to target the heroes. Miria had joined Pandemonium not because she believed in their cause, but because it gave her the perfect cover to protect Alex from within. She had risen through their ranks, gaining Delra's trust just enough to stay in his inner circle. But the truth was, she despised him. She despised everything Pandemonium stood for.
"I will not let Delra have the Aegis," she muttered, her eyes narrowing as she watched the battle below. "I will not let him destroy the heroes."
She could feel the weight of the ancient relic's presence in the village below. The Aegis of the Gentle Titan, a powerful relic that had chosen Hagon as its bearer. Miria had once desired that power for herself, thinking it would be the key to surpassing Alex, to becoming someone he could not ignore. But now, she saw its true value—it was a weapon against Pandemonium. In Hagon's hands, it could be used to protect the village, to protect the heroes.
To protect Alex.
The sounds of the battle grew louder as she watched. Ray, Rhyuji, Amy, Hagon, Dylan, and even Ramon had joined the fray. They fought valiantly, pushing back against Pandemonium's forces. Gideon, the iron-bodied general, Maxine, the little giant, and Rocky, the cyborg, led the charge for Pandemonium, their power evident as they clashed with the defenders of Eryndor. But despite their strength, the warriors of Eryndor held their ground.
Miria's eyes narrowed as she spotted Hagon in the midst of the fight. The Aegis glowed faintly, its power protecting him and those around him. He was a gentle soul, too innocent for the harsh world of battle, but the relic had chosen him for a reason. It wasn't just about strength—it was about heart. And Hagon's heart, pure and kind, was what made the Aegis so powerful in his hands.
"He doesn't even know the full extent of its power," Miria murmured. "But he will learn. He must."
Her heart hardened as she recalled her true purpose. Delra would not stop until the heroes were eliminated. He had already set his sights on Eryndor, and after this battle, his next target would likely be Alex. She couldn't let that happen. She had to stop Pandemonium, no matter the cost.
Miria knew she couldn't stay in the shadows forever. Eventually, she would have to reveal her true intentions, to betray Pandemonium and stand against them. But not yet. For now, she would continue to play her role, biding her time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When that time came, she would ensure that Delra and his generals would fall, and that Alex would be safe.
But for now, she watched, observing the battlefield with cold precision. Her magic was ready, her resolve unshaken. She would destroy Pandemonium from the inside, protect the heroes from their relentless pursuit, and most of all, she would keep Alex safe.
Even if it meant sacrificing everything.