Ruinbeam had always been haunted by nightmares. Her abusive past didn’t help. She always leaned into her shadowstrike for calm, her safety found in the darkness and protection found in the sharp blade. Not that she couldn’t protect her self, but it once gave her her freedom, in which she desperately needed...

Ruinbeam crawled out of the hewn city, breathing hard. She had to get to festive favors. She had waited months, checking the post every festival, hoping they had something, anything to help. She stalked, trying to stay unnoticed as she approached the elemental festival shop, and the crowd surrounding it. That was when she saw it. The shadowstrike. Her mouth dropped as she thought,I have to get one. I have to. Only 60 pinecones, I can do that easy. With a look of determination in her yellow eyes she turned and headed home.

She snuck into her dark home lair of the hewn city. She was quietly sneaking into her lair slot when— “Where have you been?” the voice of her mother made her jump, fear immediately installed in her eyes, and her body began shivering with fear. “I- I went to the- the festival shop,” she stuttered.
“Shame on you! It is shadow’s festival. I am disappointed. And she stuck her with claws across the face. Ruinbeam fell to the floor, still shaking. I have to get one, she thought, I have to.

Ruinbeam was digging, digging for pinecones. Only 60, only 60. Then, she found strange purple chest. Wonder if I could trade this for more pinecones. Might as well try. In item sales, she fought for topic attention in the massive crowd. “Chest for pinecones! Chest for pinecones! You know you have too many!” She didn’t notice the dragon behind her until she spoke “ What are you using pinecones for? My lair already bought everything.” She said kindly. “Oh, I want a shadowstrike.” She replied shyly. The dragon, a nocturne smiled. “Ah, it’s a pretty one. Here, I have an extra. I’ll take it for your chest.” Ruinbeam tried to hide her excitement. “Okay, thank you! Also, do you happen to have an.. an open lair slot? Mine’s... kinda tough.” The nocturne gave an understanding look. “Of course, we can take you in just meet me at the marketplace before sundown.” Ruinbeam perked up. “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means.”

She came into the lair, with more confidence then she could ever remember having. “ Out again I see. Do rules mean nothing to you? Did I not punish you enough” Her mother hissed bitterly. “Don’t come near me, or you will pay! I have had enough of your abuse!” Ruinbeam replied as the shadowstrike revealed itself, it’s deep purple beauty, soft comfort, and sharp deadliness. “ A weapon of Shadow!? you have betrayed the light, the element of your own two eyes!” Mother shrieked, and began charging her daughter. “Last warning, don’t come near me!” Her warning did nothing. Her mother prevailed. The shadowstrike weaves around Ruinbeam reading her thoughts and posing to strike. And it delivered. It struck right below her mother’s eyelids, swelling her eyes shut. “ MY EYES!! MY EYES!! THE SHADOW HAS TAKEN MY EYES!” Ruinbeam didn’t even wince. “You will hold me back no longer! You are dead to me, and I am leaving.” She flew out still hearing her mother screams. Serves her right, she thought as she flew over to the marketplace. It was a beautiful day, just before sundown, and she was free. She landed at the marketplace, meeting the nocturne. She addressed her, “ Hi again. Thank you so much, I really needed to get out of there. I’m Ruinbeam, by the way.” The nocturne responded “Of course, we always like to take in those who need good homes. I’m Arrodia!” And so the went, first of to the Viridian Labyrinth, then to the Shifting Expanse. And she could do as she pleased. She was free.