Magdahlia's unit, led by Captain Johan Anderson, was stationed at the border between Siofia and the Numen Kingdom.
The air around the Alliance's camp was tense, the calm before the storm. Soldiers moved about, preparing weapons and fortifications for the inevitable battle. Magdahlia sat on a supply crate, scanning maps and devising strategies, when she heard footsteps approach.
"You seem deep in thought," a familiar voice said.
Magdahlia looked up to see Captain Johan Anderson, his imposing figure silhouetted against the campfires. She quickly stood and saluted.
"Captain," she said formally.
"At ease," Johan replied, motioning for her to sit. He pulled up a nearby crate and sat across from her, lighting a cigarette. The smoke curled in the air as he studied her with sharp eyes.
"You're young, but you've made a name for yourself in the Stars Knights. Quite the feat," Johan began, his tone measured.
Magdahlia nodded, unsure of where the conversation was heading.
"I've also heard… things," Johan continued, exhaling smoke. "Rumors, really. About a certain… vigilante cleaning up Starsbough's streets in ways that border on lawlessness."
Magdahlia's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her expression neutral.
"Rumors are just that, Captain. Stories spread by those who thrive on gossip," she replied calmly.
Johan smirked, but there was no humor in it.
"Perhaps. But these 'rumors' paint a picture of someone who doesn't just fight criminals—they eliminate them. Brutally. Efficiently. Someone who doesn't care much for due process," Johan said, his tone growing sharper.
Magdahlia met his gaze, her own unflinching.
"Starsbough deserves protection, Captain. From criminals, from corruption, from anything that threatens its people," she said firmly.
Johan leaned back, taking another drag of his cigarette.
"And who decides what's a threat, Sherwood? Who decides when the law can be bent or broken? Because if those rumors are true, whoever this vigilante is, they're treading a dangerous line," Johan said, his voice heavy with warning.
Magdahlia's gaze faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered.
"The law exists to serve the people, not to shackle them in bureaucracy while criminals run free," she argued.
Johan studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
"You're clever, I'll give you that. And I can't prove anything—yet. But let me give you a piece of advice: those who play in the shadows often become what they seek to destroy," Johan said, standing and brushing off his coat.
Before leaving, he paused and looked back at her.
"Be careful, Sherwood. There are eyes everywhere, and not all of them are friendly. If you're hiding something, it won't stay hidden forever," he said, his tone laced with both caution and suspicion.
Magdahlia watched him walk away, her jaw tightening. His words lingered in her mind, but she pushed them aside.
"The law might not agree with my methods, Captain, but the people will," she muttered under her breath, returning to her maps.
After her conversation with Johan, Magdahlia felt the weight of his words but chose to focus on the task at hand. The camp buzzed with activity as soldiers reinforced barricades and mages prepared defensive wards. Magdahlia reviewed the battlefield maps one last time, ensuring her strategy could adapt to the unpredictable assault from the Balrog Empire.
As she walked through the camp, Merida intercepted her, her spear slung casually over her shoulder.
"You look like you've been lectured," Merida teased, noticing the furrow in Magdahlia's brow.
"Captain Anderson has… concerns," Magdahlia replied, her tone clipped.
"Let me guess. It's about your 'methods,' isn't it?" Merida said knowingly.
Magdahlia gave a slight nod, her gaze distant.
"He can't prove anything, but it's clear he suspects me," she admitted.
Merida smirked.
"Let him stew. You're getting results, and that's what matters," she said confidently, patting Magdahlia on the shoulder.
"Results come at a cost, Meri. One I'm not sure he's willing to pay," Magdahlia replied softly, before shaking off her doubts. "But right now, we have a battle to win."
Merida grinned.
"Now that's the Magdahlia I know. Let's show these monsters what Starsbough is made of," she said.
Defending the Alliance Stronghold
The Alliance stronghold at the border of Siofia faced its darkest hour. The Balrog Empire, empowered by blessings from the Outer God, unleashed its full might. Waves of Tremor Knights and monstrous False Evolved Ones (FEOs) surged forward, breaking through the defensive lines with relentless ferocity.
Magdahlia's unit was caught in the chaos. Soldiers scrambled for cover as magical artillery rained down, and screams filled the air as the monstrous FEOs tore through the ranks. Amid the turmoil, Magdahlia assessed the battlefield with her sharp, calculating gaze.
"We can't hold this position much longer," Merida said, gripping her spear tightly as sweat dripped down her face.
"We don't need to hold—we need to outthink them," Magdahlia replied. She quickly devised a plan, knowing the FEOs' weaknesses lay in their lack of maneuverability.
"Merida, draw them into the trees! Use their size against them!" Magdahlia commanded.
Merida nodded and sprang into action, her agility unmatched as she baited the lumbering beasts into the dense woodland. Using her spear, she weaved through the trees, dodging their devastating strikes and keeping them distracted.
Meanwhile, Magdahlia spotted an abandoned artillery cannon amidst the rubble. Her mind raced as she calculated the distance and adjusted the weapon's aim toward the forest.
"Merida, get clear!" she shouted.
Merida, sensing the timing, leapt to safety just as Magdahlia fired the cannon. The enchanted shell tore through the air before erupting in a fiery explosion, obliterating the FEOs in an instant. The ground trembled, and the battlefield fell silent for a brief moment as the Alliance forces processed what had just happened.
"Good shot, Dahlia," Merida said, panting as she rejoined her friend.
However, their respite was short-lived. A Tremor Knight, one of the Balrog Empire's elite warriors, emerged from the smoke, its cursed armor glowing ominously. Captain Johan Anderson stepped forward, engaging the formidable enemy in a brutal duel.
The clash between Johan and the Tremor Knight was fierce, their blades ringing out amidst the chaos. Johan's skill and experience allowed him to hold his ground, but the sheer strength of the Tremor Knight began to overwhelm him.
"We can't lose him!" Magdahlia exclaimed.
Realizing the cannon could turn the tide, Magdahlia sprinted to gather enchanted scrolls from a nearby supply depot. She quickly loaded the cannon with the volatile magic, transforming it into a makeshift superweapon.
"Hold the line, Merida!" Magdahlia called out.
Merida rallied the remaining soldiers, fending off waves of advancing enemies while Magdahlia prepared the cannon. Sweat dripped down her brow as she adjusted the weapon's aim, her hands trembling with both urgency and determination.
The battle reached a critical moment as a Tremor Knight tore through the ranks of the Alliance. Captain Johan Anderson, despite his injuries, engaged the monstrous foe, his sword clashing against the cursed armor in a desperate attempt to protect his comrades.
Magdahlia, seeing Johan outmatched, scrambled to prepare the artillery cannon she had rigged with a volatile combination of enchanted scrolls and explosive charges.
"Hold on, Captain!" she muttered under her breath, her hands trembling as she worked.
Johan's movements slowed as the Tremor Knight landed a devastating blow, pinning him against a crumbling wall. Blood poured from his wounds as the Knight raised its weapon for a final strike.
"Firing now!" Magdahlia shouted, igniting the cannon's fuse.
The cannon roared, releasing a massive explosion of fire and magic that engulfed the Tremor Knight. The blast shattered its cursed armor and obliterated its form, leaving only scorched remains behind.
But the blast's force also sent Johan hurtling into the rubble, his body battered and broken. As the dust settled, Magdahlia approached cautiously, her sword drawn.
Johan's Final Moments
Johan lay amidst the ruins, his breathing shallow and labored. Blood pooled around him as he struggled to lift his head.
"Sherwood… you… you saved us," he rasped, his voice barely audible. His eyes, filled with pain, sought hers as he reached out a trembling hand.
Magdahlia froze, her gaze locking with his. She took a step back, her expression unreadable.
"Help me… please," Johan pleaded, his voice cracking.
For a fleeting moment, Magdahlia hesitated. She could see the suspicion lingering in his eyes, the unspoken accusations he had voiced only hours earlier.
"You were always a man of principle, Captain," Magdahlia said softly, kneeling just out of reach. Her voice carried no malice, only a cold finality.
Johan's eyes widened as realization dawned.
"You… You're…" he began, but his words were cut off by a coughing fit, blood spilling from his lips.
"Starsbough needs fewer eyes watching and more hands working. Your principles were admirable, but this is where they end," Magdahlia said, rising to her feet.
She turned and walked away, her boots crunching on the debris. Behind her, Johan's outstretched hand slowly fell to the ground as his life slipped away.