The clamor of steel and the cries of battle echoed across the barren landscape as a group of bandits descended upon the merchant caravan. It was supposed to be a simple journey, a quiet passage through the wasteland, but nothing was simple anymore. The merchants, wide-eyed with fear, huddled together, their goods scattered around them. Death seemed imminent. But between them and the bandits stood a single figure.
Junna.
Her polished silver armor gleamed even in the dimming light, reflecting the fading sun. The snow-white tabard draped over her chest bore the unmistakable symbol of the Core Seven, a mark known throughout the remnants of civilization. Her stance was strong, unyielding, the embodiment of purity and righteousness. She was a knight, a paladin, a protector, and she was all that stood between the innocent and the wicked. "Turn back now," her voice rang out, clear and commanding, cutting through the chaos. "These people are under my protection. Harm will not befall them while I stand." The bandits, rough and ragged men, paused at her words. They outnumbered her, but there was something in her presence that made even the most hardened of them hesitate. The leader, a towering brute with a scar that ran down the side of his face, sneered as he stepped forward.
"One woman against all of us?" he growled. "Do you think your fancy armor and that shiny sword will save you?"
Junna's grip on her sword tightened, but her expression remained serene, untouched by the taunts. Her purity, both in mind and body, was unshakable. "I am Junna, Paladin of the Core Seven," she declared. "And I will not allow you to defile these lands with your greed." The bandit leader barked a laugh, motioning for his men to advance. "Let's see how long your purity lasts, knight!" With that, the bandits charged. Junna met them with a fluid, graceful movement that defied the weight of her armor. Her sword gleamed as it cut through the air, precise and powerful. She moved with the strength of a dozen men, her strikes swift and purposeful. The first bandit to reach her fell with a single blow, his weapon clattering uselessly to the ground.
Another came at her from the side, swinging wildly with an axe, but Junna was quicker. Her shield rose, effortlessly blocking the strike before she delivered a counterblow that sent him sprawling. She advanced, her every motion precise, her every step calculated. "Justice is swift," she said softly as she struck down another attacker, her sword slicing cleanly through the air. "And purity cannot be tarnished." The bandits faltered. Though they had numbers on their side, they could not match the paladin's skill. Her sword danced among them, delivering justice with each strike. And yet, despite her power, there was no malice in her movements. Each blow was controlled, each attack designed to subdue rather than kill. She fought not out of anger or vengeance but from a place of righteousness, of unwavering belief in the purity of her cause.
Within moments, half the bandits lay on the ground, groaning in pain, their weapons scattered. The others stood frozen, unsure whether to flee or continue the fight. The bandit leader snarled, raising his sword high. "Cowards!" he shouted at his men. "She's just one woman! Finish her!" But Junna's presence was undeniable. She stood tall, untouched by the filth of battle, her armor still shining, her sword unwavering. She pointed it toward the bandit leader, her voice calm but firm. "Your greed has blinded you," she said. "But I will give you one final chance. Leave now, and I will show mercy." For a moment, the leader hesitated, but his pride wouldn't allow him to back down. With a roar, he charged at her.
Junna stood her ground, waiting for the perfect moment. As he closed the distance, she raised her shield, deflecting his clumsy blow with ease. In a single, fluid motion, she struck with the flat of her blade, sending the leader crashing to the ground. He lay there, gasping for breath, defeated. She turned to the remaining bandits, who had frozen in place. "Go," she commanded. "And never return." Without a word, the bandits scattered, fleeing into the distance. Junna lowered her sword and turned back to the merchants, who were watching her with awe and gratitude. She approached them, her expression serene, her movements graceful even after the battle.
"Thank you, Paladin," one of the merchants stammered, bowing deeply. "You saved us." Junna simply nodded, offering them a gentle smile. "It is my duty," she said. "Go now, and travel safely. The road ahead is clear." The merchants hurried to gather their belongings, casting admiring glances at the paladin as they prepared to continue their journey. Junna stood tall, watching over them until they were safely on their way.
Junna stood silently as the last remnants of the merchant caravan disappeared over the distant hills. The setting sun cast a warm glow over the barren landscape, and for a brief moment, the world felt still, almost peaceful. She allowed herself a small breath of calm before turning her gaze back to the road ahead. Her duty was not yet done. With deliberate steps, Junna continued along the path, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon where the towering walls of Corintopia loomed. The capital city, the heart of the New Renaissance, was unlike any other settlement in the world. While most of the remaining cities and towns had fallen into disrepair, struggling to survive in the harsh conditions, Corintopia stood as a beacon of strength and order.
Its white stone walls were visible even from a great distance, their smooth surfaces gleaming like polished ivory in the dying light. The walls stretched endlessly, towering above the surrounding land, protecting the sprawling fortress-city within. It was said that no enemy had ever breached Corintopia's defenses, and Junna believed it. The city was a symbol of everything the Core Seven had built, a testament to their power and vision for the future. As she approached the gates of the outermost district, her footsteps echoed on the cobblestone road. The massive stone gates stood open, a reminder that the Core Seven were always ready for battle, yet they did not hide from the world they sought to protect. Soldiers patrolled the walls, their armor gleaming like silver beneath the banners of the Seven, each district represented by its own unique color and symbol.
Junna entered the first district, known simply as the Defender's Ring, the first line of defense against any threat that might rise from the wastelands. The buildings here were utilitarian, built for function rather than beauty. Stone barracks, training grounds, and armories filled the streets, while soldiers and guards moved in steady formation, ever vigilant. As Junna walked through the district, heads turned. The paladin was a rare sight, and her presence always commanded respect. She greeted the soldiers with a nod, but her focus remained ahead. Her destination lay deeper within the fortress, toward the heart of Corintopia, but she would rest in the Defender's Ring before proceeding further.
The road ahead would take her to the next wall, the gateway to the Ring of Service, where the minds of the Core Seven planned their defenses and crafted the future of the city. Beyond that, there were five more districts, each one a piece of the intricate puzzle that was Corintopia, all leading toward the innermost circle: the Sanctum, the sacred home of the Core Seven themselves. Junna paused briefly, glancing up at the towering white walls that loomed above her. Corintopia was more than a city, it was the last true bastion of civilization, the core of the New Renaissance. And it was here, within these walls, that the Core Seven ruled.
Junna walked through the towering gates of the Defender's Ring and into the heart of its operations, the Lodge. Unlike the rough, practical buildings that lined the streets outside, the Lodge was a grand structure, its stone walls polished and carved with the intricate sigils of the Core Seven. It served as the command center for the first line of Corintopia's defenses, housing both soldiers and officers tasked with keeping the peace and protecting the city from external threats.
As Junna entered, her presence commanded immediate attention. The guards at the door snapped to attention, and she gave them a brief nod as she passed through the halls. She made her way to the council chamber, where her second-in-command, Sira, awaited her. Sira was a sharp-eyed woman, her dark hair pulled back into a tight braid. She was diligent and meticulous in her work, and it showed in the way she handled the daily reports of the Defender's Ring. As Junna entered, Sira rose from her seat, offering a respectful bow.
"Welcome back, Paladin," Sira said, her voice steady. "I have the reports ready for your review." Junna nodded, her calm expression unchanging. "Proceed." Sira moved to the table in the center of the room, where a series of ledgers and parchments were laid out, each one detailing the current state of affairs within the Defender's Ring. "Firstly," Sira began, "the coming and going of merchants, tradesmen, and visitors has remained steady. Corintopia continues to serve as the hub of commerce for the New Renaissance. We've had over fifty trade caravans arrive in the past week alone, bringing in supplies from the outer settlements. The influx of goods has been beneficial, but we've also had a rise in minor infractions, mostly fines issued for unauthorized trading and a few cases of smuggling."
Junna listened intently, her eyes scanning the reports laid before her. The order and stability of Corintopia were of utmost importance, and she took pride in the fact that the city remained the shining example of the Core Seven's vision for humanity. "And the fines?" Junna asked. Sira nodded. "Fines paid by citizens for breaking the laws have been collected and tallied. Most are minor infractions, but they contribute to the overall balance of the Defender's Ring. The treasury remains well within operational limits."
Junna gave a slight nod of approval. "Good. We must maintain order, especially with so many outsiders entering the city." Sira flipped to the next section of the report, her tone growing more serious. "Now, regarding the current list of wanted individuals…" She pulled out a separate document and handed it to Junna. "There are two notable figures we're keeping an eye on. The first is Delson Snow. He's been on the wanted list for some time, but recently, there's been a new development. He was last seen near the settlement surrounding the scrap yard. The Lee Triplets reported that he stole a device from them, something they identified as a bio-mech device."
Junna's eyes narrowed slightly. "Bio-mech? How did they let such a valuable item slip from their grasp?" Sira shook her head. "They weren't expecting it, it seems. From what they've gathered, Delson managed to bypass their security and make off with the device before they even knew it was missing." "Have they located him?" Junna asked. "Not yet," Sira replied. "But they believe he's still in the vicinity of the scrap yard. I've dispatched a search party to the area, but the settlement around the yard is… difficult to navigate." Junna frowned. "That filthy place. It's a wonder anyone can live there." She paused, her voice taking on a colder edge. "Ensure the search party is thorough. I want him found."
Sira made a note of the command and moved to the final section of the report. "Lastly, we've had a report of a dead man discovered near the outskirts of the settlement. The cause of death is… unusual. No visible wounds, no signs of struggle. The witnesses described it as if the man simply collapsed. There's reason to believe it was the work of the individual we know as Tel-Nu." At the mention of Tel-Nu, Junna's expression remained steady, though the weight of his presence was not lost on her. Tel-Nu was a figure of immense power, and the mere suggestion of his involvement was enough to put everyone on edge. "We still have no solid information on his whereabouts," Sira continued. "But his actions are becoming more erratic. The dead man, whoever he was, had connections to the Core Seven, though his identity is still being confirmed."
Junna stood in silence for a moment, her gaze fixed on the reports. "Tel-Nu is a dangerous entity," she said finally. "He must be monitored closely. If he's targeting those connected to us, we must be prepared for whatever comes next." Sira nodded in agreement. "We'll keep a close watch, Paladin." Junna gave a final glance at the reports before turning toward the door. "Good. Continue with the search for Delson Snow, and ensure the city remains secure. I will take these matters to the next council." With that, Junna strode from the chamber, her mind already turning to the next steps in ensuring the safety and purity of Corintopia.
The corridors of the Defender's Ring Lodge were quiet as Junna made her way toward her chambers. The soft clink of her armor was the only sound that broke the stillness, and the dim light of the torches cast long shadows against the stone walls. The reports from Sira weighed heavily on her mind, particularly the news of Delson Snow and Tel-Nu. Yet, as always, Junna's expression remained calm, unflinching. She reached her chambers, a simple yet meticulously kept room within the Lodge. Her quarters, though modest compared to the grandeur of Corintopia's inner districts, were a sanctuary of order and discipline. Every item had its place, from the polished armor stand by the door to the neatly folded linens on her bed. Junna removed her gauntlets, setting them down on the small wooden table beside the bed. She sat down on the edge of the bed, her posture rigid, her thoughts drifting to the reports she had just heard.
Delson Snow.
The name alone stirred something within her, a conflict that she was not accustomed to feeling. He was wanted for his crimes, and yet, the matter was far more complicated than a simple pursuit of justice. Delson wasn't just another criminal to be hunted down and punished. He was the son of Delson Snow Sr., the leader of the Core Seven, the man who had shaped the very foundation of the New Renaissance. Junna had never questioned Delson Snow Sr.'s leadership. He was a figure of immense power and influence, revered by all who lived within Corintopia's walls. His vision had brought humanity back from the brink of collapse, uniting the remnants of civilization under the banner of the Core Seven. And yet, despite his public persona of strength and unity, there were secrets that needed to be guarded, and the matter of his son was one of the most delicate.
Delson Snow Jr. had always been a troublesome figure, restless and rebellious. His recent actions, stealing a bio-mech device, running from the law, were the culmination of years of defiance. But his transgressions couldn't be treated like any other criminal's. The Core Seven had to handle this situation with care, keeping it as private as possible to avoid undermining the image of strength that Corintopia projected. Junna's duty was clear. Delson had to be brought to justice, but it would be a justice hidden from the public eye. His punishment, whatever it would be, would never reach the ears of the common people. The matter would remain within the walls of Corintopia, resolved quietly to protect the integrity of the Core Seven.
She rose from the bed, moving to the window that overlooked the distant white walls of Corintopia. Her reflection in the glass was as sharp as her blade, pure, untainted by doubt. But even as she stood there, looking out at the city she had sworn to protect, a small voice in the back of her mind reminded her of the difficult decisions that lay ahead. Delson would be found. Of that, she had no doubt. And when he was brought before the Core Seven, it would fall to her and the others to decide his fate. But the knowledge of his lineage made the task heavier. There would be no grand trial, no public reckoning. Delson Snow Sr. would ensure that his son's fate remained hidden, a family matter dealt with behind closed doors. And while Junna had no reason to question the leader's decisions, she couldn't help but feel the weight of the truth: justice, even in Corintopia, had its complications.
With a final glance at the city below, Junna turned away from the window. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new decisions. But for tonight, she would rest, her mind as clear and unshaken as ever. Whatever awaited Delson Snow, it would be handled with the same purity and precision she brought to all things.