Editing Jolder/Rising

{{Notice/Rising}}
{{Character infobox
|variant= Human
|name=Jolder
|image=[[File:Jolder MIND.jpg|300px]]
|othernames=The Iron Champion
|species=[[Human/Rising|Human]]
|gender=Female
|hair=Dark blonde
|eyes=Blue
|affiliation=
|class=[[Lightbearer/Rising|Lightbearer]] {{C|{{Icon/Rising|Void}} Void}}
|rank=[[Iron Lords/Rising|Iron Champion]]
|notable=
}}
{{Quote|There can be only one Iron Champion.}}
'''Jolder''' is a Lightbearer risen by [[Epyon/Rising|Epyon]], and a member of the [[Iron Lords/Rising|Iron Lords]]. She is a playable character in ''[[Destiny: Rising]]''.

==Biography==
{{Stub|section=yes}}

==Gameplay==
{{Relic infobox
|name= Ursa Major
|image= [[File:Ursa Major Files.jpg|300px]]
|othernames=
|manufacturer=
|style=
|element= {{Icon/Rising|Void}} Void
|core= Ally Overshield<ref name="AllyOver" group="Key Word">'''[Ally Overshield]''': Can grant allies an overshield.</ref><br>Barrier<ref name="Barrier" group="Key Word">'''[Barrier]''': Creates a barrier that blocks incoming attacks.</ref><br>Taunt<ref name="Taunt" group="Key Word">'''[Taunt]''': Forces combatants to attack themselves or a designated unit.</ref><br>Recovery<ref name="Recovery" group="Key Word">'''[Recovery]''': Restores their own health.</ref><br>Knockback<ref name="Knockback" group="Key Word">'''[Knockback]''': Renders combatants unable to attack and knocks them back.</ref><br>Suppression<ref name="Suppression" group="Key Word">'''[Suppression]''': Removes combatants' buffs and decreases their damage dealt.</ref><br>Control Immunity<ref name ="ControlImmune" group="Key Word">'''[Control Immunity]''': Removes and grants immunity to debuffs such as '''Blind''', '''Silence''', '''Corruption''', '''Suppression''', '''Confinement''', and '''Slowdown'''.</ref><br>Mobility<ref name="Mobility" group="Key Word">'''[Mobility]''': Can swiftly move across the battlefield.</ref>
|service= 
|affiliation=
}}
===Overview===
;Traits
*'''Mythic'''
*'''[[Void/Rising|Void]]'''
*'''Defense'''
*'''Close Range Combat'''

;Weapons
*[[Submachine Gun/Rising|Submachine Gun]]
*[[Sword/Rising|Sword]]

===Relic Abilities===
;Passive
*'''Thorns'''
Jolder accumulates '''Rage''' whenever she or the '''Barrier of Starlight''' is attacked. Casting '''Skyfall Slam''' will convert all accumulated '''Rage''' into health regeneration that lasts for '''8'''s.

This effect heals for a base amount of '''78'''<ref name="HealingSkyfall" group="Parameter">This value is affected by '''[Healing Enhancement]''' - This effect scales with '''Skyfall Slam''''s level.</ref> health per second. The more '''Rage''' she has, the faster she will regenerate health. When '''Rage''' is full, Jolder recovers an additional '''211'''<ref name="HealingSkyfall" group="Parameter"/> health per second.

If Jolder has an '''Overshield''', '''100%''' of overflow healing will be converted into '''Overshield'''.

'''Rage''' will begin to gradually fade when '''Recovery'''<ref name="Recovery" group="Key Word"/> is triggered.


;Signatures
*'''Skyfall Slam''' 18.0s
'''Taunt'''<ref name="Taunt" group="Key Word"/> '''Recovery'''<ref name="Recovery" group="Key Word"/> '''Knockback'''<ref name="Knockback" group="Key Word"/> '''Suppression'''<ref name="Suppression" group="Key Word"/> '''Mobility'''<ref name="Mobility" group="Key Word"/>

Jump and smash targets with the shield, inflicting them with '''Taunt''' and '''Suppression'''. Affected targets provide significantly more '''Rage''' upon attacking Jolder.

Jolder jumps up to '''10'''m forward with her shield and slams the ground, dealing '''1360'''<ref name="SkillSigVoidSkyfall" group="Parameter">This value is affected by '''[Skill Strength][Signature Boost][Void Boost]''' - This damage scales with '''Skyfall Slam''''s level.</ref> Void damage to combatants within an '''8'''-meter radius and inflicting '''Knockback'''. Targets in range are also inflicted with '''Suppression''' and '''Taunt''' for '''6'''s.

The amount of '''Rage''' Jolder gains when combatants affected by her own '''Taunt''' attack her is increased to '''600%'''.

If the shield has been thrown when this ability is cast, it will be automatically retrieved. Doing so is seen as a Recall.

*'''Shield of Starlight''' 20.0s
'''Overshield'''<ref name="Overshield" group="Key Word">'''[Overshield]''': Grants themselves an overshield.</ref>

Throws a Shield of Starlight that ricochets between enemies, striking them quickly and accumulating Starlight. Recalling the shield will convert the Starlight it has accumulated into an '''Overshield'''.

Jolder throws the Shield of Starlight, dealing '''2040'''<ref name="SkillSigVoidShield" group="Parameter">This value is affected by '''[Skill Strength][Signature Boost][Void Boost]''' - This damage scales with '''Shield of Starlight''''s level.</ref> Void damage on hit and inflicting '''Knockback'''<ref name="Knockback" group="Key Word"/> on non-Lightbearer combatants. The shield will then ricochet toward other targets within a '''15'''-meter radius up to '''4''' times. Jolder gains '''1'''/'''2'''/'''3'''/'''10''' Starlight stacks whenever the shield hits a base combatant, elite combatant, or a powerful and higher combatants/the '''Barrier of Starlight''' respectively. Each Starlight stack increases the damage of the shield's next hit by '''10%'''.

Casting this ability again within '''6'''s recalls the shield and grants '''30% Acceleration''' for '''5'''s once completed. It also gives Jolder '''2.5% Rage''' per Starlight stack consumed.

Recalling the shield or letting it expire consumes Starlight stacks and grants '''170'''<ref name="OvershieldShield" group="Parameter">This value is affected by '''[Overshield Bonus]''' - This effect scales with '''Shield of Starlight''''s level.</ref> '''Overshield''' per stack consumed, lasting '''8'''s.


;Super
*'''Barrier of Starlight''' 120.0s
'''Ally Overshield'''<ref name="AllyOver" group="Key Word"/> '''Barrier'''<ref name="Barrier" group="Key Word"/>

Creates a spherical shield that can block enemy projectiles and provide a powerful '''Overshield''' to protect allies within.

Jolder unleashes her shield's powerful protective energy, creating a '''Barrier of Starlight''' centered around herself that absorbs up to '''12240'''<ref name="BarrierBarrier" group="Parameter">This value is affected by '''[Barrier Bonus]''' - This effect scales with '''Barrier of Starlight''''s level.</ref> damage. This barrier has a '''4.5'''-meter radius and lasts up to '''20'''s.

The '''Barrier of Starlight''' blocks incoming bullets, absorbing up to '''12240'''<ref name="BarrierBarrier" group="Parameter"/> damage.

When the '''Barrier of Starlight''' is first generated, it provides allies within a '''100%''' overshield and renders them immune to continuous damage effects while inside. If allies are not attacked for '''2'''s, they will recover '''765'''<ref name="OvershieldBarrier" group="Parameter">This value is affected by '''[Overshield Bonus]''' - This effect scales with '''Barrier of Starlight''''s level.</ref> '''Overshield''' per second.

The '''Overshield''' allies gain persists for '''6'''s after they leave the barrier.

While Jolder is inside the '''Barrier of Starlight''', her weapons deal +'''20%''', her '''Sword''' swing speed is increased by '''30%''', and her '''Submachine Gun''' automatically reloads with every shot. This effect persists for '''6'''s after leaving the barrier.


;Relic Traits
*'''Amplify''': Casting '''Skyfall Slam''' recharges all of Jolder's Signature Abilities based on the '''Rage''' spent, providing '''50%''' charge at full '''Rage'''.

*'''Shared Hatred''': '''Rage''' accumulates '''50%''' more efficiently for each surviving ally (excluding Jolder herself) on the field, up to '''100%'''.

*'''Right of Struggle''': '''Skyfall Slam''' gains immunity to '''Silence''',<ref name="Silence" group="Key Word">'''[Silence]''': Renders the target unable to use abilities.</ref> and casting it grants the '''Control Immunity'''<ref name="ControlImmune" group="Key Word"/> effect for '''3'''s.


;Weapon Mastery
*'''Mayhem's Star'''
:*'''LV.1''': When Jolder or the '''Barrier of Starlight''' is attacked, Jolder gains '''1 Retribution'''<ref name="Retribution" group="Key Word">'''[Retribution]''': Weapon hits deal an additional instance of Void damage based on weapon damage, with each Retribution stack providing '''9%''' damage. - '''Submachine Gun''' attacks consume 1 stack per '''10''' hits, while '''Sword''' attacks consume 1 stack per '''1''' hit.</ref> stack that lasts '''10'''s. Stacks '''3'''x.

:*'''LV.2''': The max number of '''Retribution''' stacks is increased to '''5'''.

:*'''LV.3''': The max number of '''Retribution''' stacks is increased to '''7'''.

:*'''LV.4''': Jolder gains '''3 Retribution''' stack whenever she takes damage from combatants she has inflicted with '''Suppression'''.<ref name="Suppression" group="Key Word"/>

:*'''LV.5''': The max number of '''Retribution''' stacks is increased to '''10'''.

===Talent Tree===
*'''Outrage''': Casting '''Skyfall Slam''' when '''Rage''' is greater than '''60%''' grants Jolder the '''Indomitable'''<ref name="Indomitable" group="Key Word">'''[Indomitable]''': Instantly reloads '''100%''' of the equipped '''Submachine Gun''''s magazine and grants max '''Retribution''' stacks. - While this effect is active, '''Retribution''' will be consumed '''50%''' slower, and the countdown will be paused.</ref> effect for '''6'''s.

*'''Side by Side''': Recalling the shield grants an '''Overshield''' equal to '''50%''' of Jolder's to allies within a '''10'''-meter radius for '''8'''s. It also provides '''15%''' charge to '''Shield of Starlight'''.

*'''Season of Bloom''': '''Skyfall Slam''' grants an additional '''60%''' health regeneration.

*'''Abhorrence of Evil''': Increases the max stacks of '''Retribution'''<ref name="Retribution" group="Key Word"/> by '''3'''.

*'''Active Defense''': '''Shield of Starlight''' deals '''30%''' more damage.

*'''Efficiency of Eternity''': '''Shield of Starlight''' can now ricochet up to '''5''' times, and it will gain '''Starlight's Strength''' when a single throw accumulates '''10''' stacks of Starlight. Recalling the shield while it's enhanced with '''Starlight's Strength''' will also grant an additional charge of '''Shield of Starlight''', but doing so prevents the next throw from triggering '''Starlight's Strength'''.

===Ascend===
*'''LV.1''': While Jolder has Rage, all of her damage dealt increases by '''4%''', and she gains an additional '''6%''' damage resistance.

*'''LV.2''': While Jolder has Rage, all of her damage dealt increases by '''5%''', and she gains an additional '''7.5%''' damage resistance.

*'''LV.3''': While Jolder has Rage, all of her damage dealt increases by '''6.5%''', and she gains an additional '''9.75%''' damage resistance.

*'''LV.4''': While Jolder has Rage, all of her damage dealt increases by '''8%''', and she gains an additional '''12%''' damage resistance.

*'''LV.5''': While Jolder has Rage, all of her damage dealt increases by '''10%''', and she gains an additional '''15%''' damage resistance.

==Files==
{{Verbatim}}
===Ursa Major===
{{Quote|A celestial guide that pierces through the obsidian veil of night.}}
;Banish the Darkness
Ursa Major was once the shield of Jolder's cherished comrade, Angelo Raum. Their paths converged in the aftermath of Jolder's liberation from the Tallinn pits. Angelo's influence guided her to the Iron Lords' fold, culminating in her ascension as the Iron Champion. Angelo, an ardent stargazer, christened his shield after the resplendent constellation of Ursa Major.

In a subsequent clash with a Warlord, Angelo perished while shielding Jolder, and so, his shield was salvaged by Lord Saladin from the battlefield and entrusted to Jolder.

===Jolder===
{{Quote|There can be only one Iron Champion.}}
Name: Jolder

Race: Human

Revival Location: Klaipeda, Europe

Ghost: Epyon

Relic: Ursa Major

Soon after becoming a Lightbearer, Jolder was captured in Tallinn by the Warlord Yekaterina and forced to become a gladiator. This dark and brutal chapter honed her will and her combat skills. Together with Epyon, she incited a revolt and escaped. During her flight, she befriended Angelo Raum, and under his influence, Jolder joined the Iron Lords to fight against the tyrannical Lightbearer Warlords.

Except for Radegast and Saladin, almost no Lightbearer could defeat Jolder in a one-on-one duel-be it a gunfight, fistfight, or in using the Light. Her impressive record earned her the title "Iron Champion," allowing her to represent the Iron Lords in duels with Warlords, which help avoid civilian casualties caused by large-scale conflicts.

===Epyon===
The Iron Champion's biggest fan. She and Jolder bonded in the dueling pits. Clinging to each other for survival, their mutual encouragement forged an unbreakable bond. She believes there is no enemy Jolder cannot defeat.

==Audio==
{{Tabcontainer
|title1= Interactive Voice Lines
|content1=
'''Idle Dialogue 1''' <br> Champions never complain, they are too busy getting better.

'''Idle Dialogue 2''' <br> Among all the jewels and gems, sweat is my favorite accessory.

'''Idle Dialogue 3''' <br> Be stronger than your excuses. That's what a champion does.

'''Idle Dialogue 4''' <br> Do you know why hunters hate scissors? Cause they're made of paper.

'''Idle Dialogue 5''' <br> Stop wasting time. Rise and grind.

'''Idle Dialogue 6''' <br> It's a long day. I say let's postpone the anaerobic training.

'''Idle Dialogue 7''' <br> By the way, did you receive this month's catalog from Beauty and Beast?

'''Idle Dialogue 8''' <br> '''Epyon''': Jolder, I think you spent too much on buying these twinkly gadgets…

'''Idle Dialogue 9''' <br> '''Epyon''': That handmade cosmetic shop? Let me check the message.

'''Idle Dialogue 10''' <br> Heyyy, I'm trying to support some hardworking upright artists during difficult times.

'''Touch Interaction 1''' <br> I think I strained my soleus this morning.

'''Touch Interaction 2''' <br> Ugh. That cream sucks. Feels greasy and stifling.

'''Touch Interaction 3''' <br> I still hold the record for javelin and shot put in Iron Games, both men and women.

'''Touch Interaction 4''' <br> [chuckles] Everyone has excuses until they get punched in the mouth.

'''Touch Interaction 5''' <br> This is my day off, but I guess I can do a little punching. You wanna play?

'''Touch Interaction 6''' <br> You may delay, but time will not.

'''Touch Interaction 7''' <br> [sadly] I think I need a new pressed powder.

'''Touch Interaction 8''' <br> '''Epyon''': To be honest I don't think your new blush matches your hair color.

'''Touch Interaction 9''' <br> '''Epyon''': I think you need more vitamins.

'''Touch Interaction 10''' <br> Really? I think it matches perfectly.

'''Common Enhancement 1''' <br> The balance of power and precision. Truly fascinating.

'''Common Enhancement 2''' <br> That's perfect for great warriors, like me.

'''Common Enhancement 3''' <br> Ha, can't wait to try it on the field!

'''Change Appearance 1''' <br> So this is what vintage aesthetics look like.

'''Change Appearance 2''' <br> [laughs] My favorite color.

'''Change Appearance 3''' <br> This one fits my eyeshadow.

'''Key Enhancement 1''' <br> This one looks promising.

'''Key Enhancement 2''' <br> I can almost feel the boost in my arms.

'''Key Enhancement 3''' <br> I like the way it glitters.

'''Prepared for Battle 1''' <br> You are now on the same team with the Iron Champion. Ha!

'''Prepared for Battle 2''' <br> Let's do some tossing and punching, shall we?

'''Prepared for Battle 3''' <br> I bet this time will be much easier than last time.

'''Prepared for Battle 4''' <br> If you are scared, stay behind my shield.

'''Prepared for Battle 5''' <br> It won't take long, my friends.

'''Prepared for Battle 6''' <br> Before we start. How do I look?

|title2= Battle
|content2=

'''Overlord Defeated 1''' <br> Ha! What a fight!

'''Overlord Defeated 2''' <br> We should be proud!

'''Overlord Defeated 3''' <br> We are getting better all the time.

'''Overlord Defeated 4''' <br> Took longer than I thought. Ugh, my makeup is ruined!

'''Celebration 1''' <br> Whoa, look at that sparkle!

'''Celebration 2''' <br> Ah. This will look great with all the others.

'''Celebration 3''' <br> An enviable haul!

'''Battle Complete 1''' <br> Good fight, team. Good fight.

'''Battle Complete 2''' <br> [groans] The fight is ''over''. What a ''mess''.

'''Battle Complete 3''' <br> That was a close match.

'''Elite Defeated 1''' <br> Beautiful finish. Quick and painless.

'''Elite Defeated 2''' <br> The target is down.

'''Elite Defeated 3''' <br> The enemy has been taken care of.

'''Boss Encounter 1''' <br> That's the leader of the enemy.

'''Boss Encounter 2''' <br> I love challenges. Bring it on.

'''Boss Encounter 3''' <br> I saw the target. Nothing to worry about.

'''Boss Encounter 4''' <br> The alpha is on the ground.

'''Activity Failure 1''' <br> Pull yourself together. Let's try again.

'''Activity Failure 2''' <br> That was…unexpected.

'''Activity Failure 3''' <br> We'll do better next time.

'''Activity Failure 4''' <br> Learning from the failure makes us stronger.

'''Greeting 1''' <br> Good day, huh?

'''Greeting 2''' <br> Greetings.

'''Greeting 3''' <br> Hi.

'''Last Survivor 1''' <br> The situation is getting worse. Stay alert.

'''Last Survivor 2''' <br> This looks bad. Be cautious.

'''Last Survivor 3''' <br> I am the only one standing now?

'''Ask for Help 1''' <br> Could use a little help here.

'''Ask for Help 2''' <br> I need support, now!

'''Ask for Help 3''' <br> Ah. The enemy fire is a bit stronger than I thought.

'''Ask for Help 4''' <br> I need a moment, or a hand.

'''Revived 1''' <br> That's very kind of you.

'''Revived 2''' <br> Well that hurt.

'''Revived 3''' <br> Can't thank you enough, my friend.

'''Revived Teammate 1''' <br> I've got you, my friend.

'''Revived Teammate 2''' <br> Come on. Get up.

'''Revived Teammate 3''' <br> Time to bite back.

'''Sorry 1''' <br> Excuse me.

'''Sorry 2''' <br> Okay then. My bad.

'''Elite Encounter 1''' <br> Eyes on the enemy.

'''Elite Encounter 2''' <br> I see that one.

'''Elite Encounter 3''' <br> Leave that one to me.

'''Activity Starts 1''' <br> That's it for the warmup. Let's get started.

'''Activity Starts 2''' <br> Let's roll out.

'''Activity Starts 3''' <br> Look alive.

'''Activity Starts 4''' <br> Thirty seconds. That's all it's gonna take to finish.

'''Activity Starts 5''' <br> Behold, the Iron Champion is here.

'''Activity Victory 1''' <br> Glorious victory!

'''Activity Victory 2''' <br> Be proud of what we've achieved!

'''Activity Victory 3''' <br> Great work!

'''Activity Victory 4''' <br> It was tough, but worth the pain.

'''Casting Super 1''' <br> Face the Iron Champion!

'''Casting Super 2''' <br> [gruffly] This shield will break you!

'''Super Charged 1''' <br> My power is surging!

'''Teammate Down 1''' <br> Teammate down!

'''Teammate Down 2''' <br> Hang in there, my friend!

'''Teammate Down 3''' <br> Somebody help our ally!

'''Thanks 1''' <br> I owe you one, my friend.

'''Thanks 2''' <br> That helps a lot.

|title3= Activity Ready Interactions
|content3=
{{stub|section=yes}}

'''Interaction with Attal''' <br> '''Jolder''': [amazed] What is the secret of your hair? <br> '''Attal''': The softness, right? Papaya extract!

}}

==Diary==
{{Verbatim}}
===Ursa Major and Ursa Minor===

I arrived at Haven this afternoon and enjoyed a delicious albeit late lunch with Skorri—"lunner" as she called it. It seems to be a new trend in Haven, especially popular among the younger crowd. In their opinion, fasting in the evening helps maintain their weight and health. It feels ridiculous, but also a bit…infuriating. It hasn't been long since people were suffering from hunger and cold, yet some spoiled youths refuse to eat of their own will—it's unreasonable! They should be exiled to Tallinn or Brasov up north. A taste of involuntary hunger will make them appreciate the privilege of three square meals a day.

After we finished our "lunner," Radegast sent me a message saying he'd like to meet me at the Archives. There is no prize for guessing what he wanted. "Jolder, you have been reported three times for unauthorized operations just this month." "Jolder, you must follow the Iron Law." "Jolder, being Iron Champion doesn't excuse you from consequences for your reckless behaviors." Will he never tire of these clichés? Were it not for the expanded and redecorated Archives that I hadn't had a chance to see yet, I wouldn't have wasted my time on him.

To get him off my back as fast as possible, I asked Skorri to come with me. She seems even more unwilling than me.

The meeting ended sooner than I'd imagined, likely connected to how uneasy Radegast looked upon seeing us together. After several attempts to change topics with suggestions like "establishing a modern poetry database" courtesy of Skorri, Radegast finally gave up and left in a hurry—she sure knows how to deal with our honored lord.

As we were perusing the Archives through the terminal, I stumbled upon some newly entries on ancient myths in the root directory.

They were added by Angelo Raum, that man with a fondness for Greek myths and constellations.

I still remember that time on the Tisza River, when we were chopping up a stranded boat to make firewood, and he suddenly told me to look up. I tried to ignore him, but he would have none of it and walked over to grab my head and force my gaze upward. I punched him square in the face. Covering his bleeding nose with one hand, he laughed and pointed the other at the sky.

There, hanging above the north celestial pole, shined the brightest star, surrounded by a dozen slightly dimmer ones. Angelo said we'd been following it for the last two weeks or so. It's the North Star, the brightest one in Ursa Minor. And Ursa Major lies just below it.

During the long stretch of time before the Last City was built, the infinite night sky was nothing but a dangerous shadow and a nest housing horrifying enemies. But now, to a rare astronomy enthusiast like Angelo, it holds another meaning. After the fall of Golden Age civilization, we lost most of the advanced technology used to observe the skies, leaving only a few optical telescopes and the most primal tool—one's own eyes. However, the Collapse also took away the light pollution, letting us observe as many stars as we had millennia ago with just the naked eye.

At the time, I had no interest in those celestial bodies, let alone the ancient Greeks' stories surrounding them and the related gods they'd worshiped. But Angelo never stopped trying. Despite my disinterest, he insisted on introducing me to the constellations and the myths behind their names. I don't remember how many times I laughed at him as I asked if he actually knew the locations of those constellations he mentioned. Sometimes I thought he was just pointing at random spots in the sky.


''[A folded copy of record: Entry - Greek Myths/Ursa Major and Ursa Minor]''


That was the first time he told me his shield's namesake. He would go on to repeat it many times, but unfortunately, I never got the whole story. All I remember is that an evil queen turned a mother and her son into bears as punishment, cursing them to orbit the sky all year round, never stopping. Maybe this time, I can finally remember this tragic legend in its entirely.

===Action Figure===

Today, Lesnar showed me a new addition to his collection—a carefully-crafted 6-inch action figure, which I was shocked to find looked just like our comrade, Silimar. Lesnar nodded with pride. The toy's resemblance to the real thing is its greatest selling point.

When I said this, Lesnar corrected me angrily, claiming that it is not a toy, but a "high-end collectible figurine." He alleges they are Iron Lord-authorized products. At first, I couldn't believe Radegast would approve such a thing—Silimar probably would, though. To prove the claim's validity, he then took out a meticulously-designed box containing the action figure's instruction manual (can you believe it?), a letter of thanks from its designer (this McFarlane fellow sure loves to ramble), and a certificate of authenticity with a note saying "Thank you for supporting the righteous deeds of the Iron Lords!", complete with a flawed Iron Lord emblem and an "autograph" that was obviously not Radegast's.

But when he told me its price, I felt a bit more convinced. It clearly includes a considerable licensing fee paid to the Iron Lords. How else would it be so expensive?

Lesnar invited me to play with it with undiminished enthusiasm. I have to admit, its level of detail was quite surprising. The face was a spitting image of Silimar's, though the battle axe it came with was undoubtedly Saladin's—it seems the designer's research was a bit lacking. It also had many movable joints. I couldn't help but chuckle as I contorted its body into several funny poses. The real Silimar would rather die than make such gestures, after all.

Lesnar then told me that the next action figure would be based on our resident pessimist, Lord Gheleon. I'm quite looking forward to it, and Lesnar promised to show it to me once he finally gets his hands on it.

===A Training Accident===

Lesnar tore a pectoral muscle while doing bench presses this morning—a foolish and predictable accident, if you ask me. Every time those seamstresses Magan and Felicity come by the well to fetch water, Lesnar always gets extremely excited, eager to show off how much of a "manly man" he is. When they were still a ways away, the show-off threw his dumbbell aside and tried to lift the nearly 200kg pump nearby. Unfortunately, he miscalculated when the best chance to display his strength would be. Megan and Felicity walked too slow, and by the time they approached, Lesnar couldn't hold on any longer. Then…tragedy struck. Those poor girls witnessed Lesnar's right pec shrivel up a popped balloon, then the pump came crashing down, right into his torso.

Ugh… Men, right?

While Lesnar's Ghost was reviving him, Rhea and I had to stop our training to comfort the screaming girls. Accidents like these may be overwhelming for them, but for Rhea and I? Let's just say it isn't the first time.

After being revived, Lesnar started practicing jujitsu with Rhea. To prevent any further foolishness of his part, I planned to get rid of the two seamstresses. But then Lesnar suddenly came over, saying that the training ground needed a few new rugs (Rugs? What are you, a dancer?) and how he hoped the seamstresses might help. He continued with his chatting, eventually sending the girls into a fit of giggles. It took threatening Lesnar to get him back to training.

At dusk, Megan and Felicity returned with rugs in tow.

Oh, ladies…

At the end of our training, Rhea told us a rather good joke. She said she trained "almost" every day this week. She "almost" worked out on Monday, then again on Tuesday, and Wednesday…

What a hilarious joke! It's funny enough to save her from at least four sets of bench presses next session.

===The Iron Games===

Sangam-13 returned to Haven today. Coherence just finished their latest "team-building activity"—hunting a small Fallen House in Tierra del Fuego. To test their latest rifles, of course.

Hearing that I was giving a routine report in Haven, he immediately came to see me and show off their latest line. He swore that with these new products, he'd be sure to regain the winter duathlon championship in the next Iron Games.

Poor Sangam still struggles to accept having come in second place during the previous winter games. At least he has been the champion once, though—every time I try to stress this fact, he always acts as if I'm mocking him.

It's not that I'm picking on him, but if we're being honest, it wasn't exactly a fair win. I'd say it was a total fluke. During the last stage—standing shooting—my rifle got jammed, while Sangam hit all five of his shots. Though I hit all the remaining targets with a thrown shield, the judges deemed it a miss and penalized me for two more minutes, giving Sangam the slight advantage needed to take home the gold.

Come to think of it, I still feel bitter. My defending record for all events, broken just like that.

But Haven's Iron Games haven't been held for several years now. Last time, Radegast asked the committee to reduce the number of events to fourteen and the duration to one week, and even banned me from competing in solo and team events at the same time. I'll bet that was Gheleon's idea—he may act generous, but he can be incredibly petty, and we both know how being beaten by me in the same even three years in a row wounded his pride.

After dinner, it suddenly started raining. I don't want to travel on a dark, rainy night. Maybe I should talk to Radegast before leaving Haven tomorrow. It's high time we held the Iron Games again.

===An Old Friend from Tallinn===

Gillian fought hard against her pneumonia the entire winter, yet she still didn't make it. I received a package with a letter reporting this tragedy from her daughter Cynthia this morning.

Inside was a gilded vintage pocket watch and a lapis bracelet.

The watch was a reward from Yekaterina to commemorate her excellent management of the Kraav, while the bracelet was awarded to me by Yekaterina. The day after the riot in Tallinn, I bid Gillian farewell and embarked on my journey, and I gave her this bracelet as a memento before we parted. We both thought that would be the last time we saw each other.

Gillian Fran took care of me back when I was Yekaterina's prisoner. In the dark, precarious Kraav, she was one of the few people who really cared about me—a brave and noble mortal. Without her help, I might not have survived Yekaterina's depraved ideas for "entertainment."

Sometimes being a Lightbearer makes you forget how much damage the powerful weapon of time can do to a mortal. In my memories, those days in Tallinn were short yet somehow endless. Gillian always had the same look back then—I remember her small stature, her dry golden hair, the small red bucket she would carry. She was always energetic and ready to argue. She would pray for every soul unfortunate enough to enter the Kraav. And when the defeated fighters were left there to rot, she shed tears for them and buried their remains, ensuring everyone had a proper ending.

While time and death share the same origin, she remained a more tenacious existence. She refused to be numbed, no matter how many deaths she witnessed. She not only won the gladiators' respect, but also became one of the few mortals respected by that lunatic Yekaterina.

Later on, she was sent to Lady Frostmire's territory with the other survivors of Tallinn. We wrote to each other for a while, and I learned she'd married and had a daughter, Cynthia.

The last time I saw Cynthia, she was only four years old. Before setting off, I asked Epyon what should I bring to a kid as…condolences? None of the gifts I can think of seem…appropriate. And Epyon reminded me, she should be about sixteen years now. Maybe what she needs is a set of armor, an accurate firearm, and the courage to keep fighting to survive in this world.

The day of our attack on Samarkand is approaching. I need to complete this journey before the troops leave. I'll depart tonight.

May we reunite in the Light, Gillian.

[Note to self: Remember to buy a bouquet of white roses from Chantal.]

===Shopping Woes===

That cosmetics shop "Oak Garden" in unbelievable. Simply unbelievable! Do they think their customers are idiots?

They sent the wrong products to me TWICE. I ordered the matte series, and both times, they sent me the shimmering series. What's worse, I ordered Twilight Songbird the third time, and you know what they gave me? Caramel Dream! Which part of my orders did their sorters fail to understand?

When I opened the eyeshadow palette, I was completely shocked. The gray I wanted? It was brown. BROWN! And what about my purplish gray? Why are these two slots empty?

I had no choice but to contact customer service. Their clerks claimed it was a chromatic difference caused when the packaging was printed, said such variations are completely acceptable, and refused to offer a refund.

Come on, what kind of printer turns gray into brown? Where did they get them from, the Cabal?

Despite all the drama, the Twilight Songbird palette looks absolutely stunning—in fact, all of Oak Garden's eyeshadow palettes are beautiful! Their designers must have been kissed by a muse. To be fair, Beauty and the Beast has some eyeshadows with a similar texture, but their packaging is just terrible; Swan Song offers some unique products at fair prices, though the House of Devils raided the town they're located in, so it may be several months before they release anything new.

Regardless, Oak Garden's customer service is unacceptable… I shouldn't have to get on my Sparrow and eliminate a whole Cabal legion just to return a palette.

Wait… Come to think of it, when it comes to the Iron Lords… Am I just like that palette? Outstanding, excellent, but also with some unbearable defects?

Epyon's note: Don't be so negative, my Iron Champion. It's not like you!

Epyon's note: But you really should cut back on the Oak Garden purchases!

===A Clip from a Mission Report===

''[The content below is live battlefield footage, recorded by Epyon.]''

(Finnala rushes back behind cover while dodging spraying bullets and reports to Saladin.)

Finnala: Schmeichel has a squad of machine gunners deployed at the breach in the left wall. Their firepower is too strong to break through.

Saladin: Indeed... We can't risk having our soldiers rushing through again.

(Saladin turns to two Lightbearers kneeling on the other side of the cover.)

Saladin: Deblin, Preston, you two follow me to the ridge on the right. We must attack Schmeichel's troops from higher ground.

(The two Lightbearers begin to rise, but Saladin stops them.)

Saladin: Be prepared. Schmeichel himself may be holding that place with his Lightbearer lackeys.

(The camera turns. Jolder fires a hail of bullets toward the breach while approaching Saladin. She seems rather annoyed.)

Jolder: Saladin! You're too slow.

(Saladin looks even more annoyed than her. He lands a loud hit on the wall. A cloud of dust rises, and the entire wall trembles as if ready to crumble.)

Saladin: Where have you been?!

Jolder: They just sent in their grenadiers, trying to flank us. You're welcome, Saladin.

Saladin: This is a battlefield. That means you follow my commands!

(Jolder takes the shield off from her back and exits her cover with it in her hand. The opposing machine gunner notices her immediately and starts firing at her, but she pushes forward steadily, shield raised and bullets ricocheting in all directions. The moment the hail of bullets stops, Jolder throws her shield right at the source. There's a piercing clang of metal on metal, followed by a rising smoke stack. Several pained moans can be heard coming from the breach.)

Saladin: Jolder! Get back here!

(Ignoring Saladin's shouts, Jolder stands in the center of the battlefield.)

Saladin: JOLDER! If you don't come back this instant, this is going in my report!

(Jolder turns around and glares at Saladin with rage in her eyes.)

Jolder: Oh Saladin, for the love of—! Fine! We shall settle this the old fashioned way!

(Before Saladin can answer, Jolder turns to the dark concrete bunker inside the wall and shouts.)

Jolder: Schmeichel, I am the Iron Champion, Lady Jolder. I hereby challenge you to a blood duel. You shall accept it and lose, and I shall emerge victorious!

''[The footage ends here.]''

===Metal Cluster "Worm Nest"===

From: Saoirse

Right, about the research sample you gave us last time. It's most likely a certain type of metal worm that eats and excretes metals—don't worry, it won't eat flesh or clothes. Where did you get them?

Kind Regards,

—Saoirse, Riddle and Trouble-solver Extraordinaire


Above is the original message, forwarded to Lady Jolder and Lord Saladin. —From Radegast



From: Donovan-17

To whom it may concern,

Greetings.

The sample for inspection was sent to us 4 days ago. During the last 60 hours, our team has run a series of experiments on this sample. Our findings are as follows:

1. Preliminary analysis confirms the sample to be a type of metal phage nanobot. According to our research, it is likely a type of industrial robot from the Golden Age capable of efficiently breaking down metal waste in the geosynchronous orbit. Unfortunately, its micro-electronic control system remains a black box for us, thus preventing us form controlling its behaviors. Therefore, we had to take extreme measures to neutralize its following our experiments.

2. [Images - The sample under electron microscope]

3. [Chart - Dating results of the sample]

4. [Links - The electronic tracking code and a list of possible producers of the sample]

5. [Chart - The motion trail of the sample when active/inactive]

6. [Videos - The radical metal phage behavior of the sample when active]

7. [Instructions - Neutralization process and codes]

Our professional advice is to form an emergency task force comprised of specialists in materials science, ecology, and chemical defense to investigate and destroy the substance swiftly and thoroughly.

Regards,

—Donovan, Foresight Laboratories, Haven Armory Confidential Building, B1


Above is the original message, forwarded to Lady Jolder and Lord Saladin. —From Radegast

===Two Jokes===

Since when did I become an "enthusiastic joker with a bad sense of humor"? It sounds…pathetic.

The last time I ran into Wolf in Veridia, I spoke about some embarrassing things Radegast did when I'd first met him. I swear on my shield, beneath that helmet, Wolf must have been grinning from ear to ear, likely just holding back out of respect for a superior and basic manners.

Oh, I learned two new jokes today! I'll share them with Skorri next time I see her.


The first one: I just sprayed some bug repellant at a mosquito. I guess it's forever single now!

The second one: "Do Not Touch" is the scariest phrase in Braille.


Rhea laughed at my taste in jokes tonight. Very well then—starting tomorrow, she will do 40kg hip thrusts until she passes out.

Epyon's note: Poor Rhea…

Epyon's note: Jolder, I don't think that's a joke…

===New Champions?===

I ran into Wolf, who was out delivering a toolbox, when I took shelter from the rain in a shed this afternoon. Wolf's Sparrow had just broken down.

I always get this unique feeling when we chat. Wolf reminds me of Saladin in his younger days, but a bit more wild. That Lightbearer's outlook is a bit idealistic and even romantic, but without being disconnected from reality like Angelo—that "cowboy hero" vibe of Wolf's is more like me, though.

I haven't seen such qualities in Rhea and Lesnar yet, but I'm sure that time will sharpen them like a whetstone to a blade. A true champion must appear imposing and unconstrained. Such self-confidence is the foundation of all things, but it is accumulated only through struggles and frustrations.

In terms of temperance and stability, I might not be a good role model. But I'm at least capable of training these two kids to fight, survive, and rise from Iron Apprentices to potential Iron Champions.

Tomorrow will be the fifth anniversary of Rhea and Lesnar's apprenticeship. I still remember the day I first ran into them in Cancun five years ago. These two brave Lightbearers weren't fighters by any means, but even so, they embraced their fate when chosen by their Ghosts. They watched each other's backs and protected the mortal fishermen out at sea, risked life and limb battling Fallen Marauders on the rocky beaches and in the shallows.

It's not that Lightbearers don't feel pain—we just get used to it.

I saw that they were diamonds in the rough, that they could be shaped into brilliant soldiers. With Radegast's permission, I, as Iron Champion, was allowed to have my own apprentices. I sincerely hope they grow to be warriors more wonderful than the Iron Lords themselves. They will surpass me—I know they have it in them.

Come to think of it, it seems I've never expressed just how proud I am of them. Maybe I should buy a nonfat soy milk cake to celebrate with them? Perhaps I could have the chef write "Future Champions" on it, too!

==Appearance==
*''[[Destiny: Rising]]''

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