Adrienne

You grew up in a powerful family of mages, respected even by the king. Your parents had high hopes for you, groomed you to be their heir, and taught you great magic. Your family was the most powerful in the kingdom, and the king held it up as an example to all others. But you turned out to be a traitor.

You formed a group of mages who planned to overthrow the king. The kingdom only seemed to be prospering, but in reality, the people lived in poverty, stole, were imprisoned, and killed for food. You and your associates wanted a change of power.

But a traitor emerged. The king learned of the plot, and so did your parents. They called you a disgrace to the family and disowned you. The king sent you and your accomplices to purgatory—a place known as hell on earth.

When the guards brought you there, you saw filth, blood, and an unbearable stench. They didn't kill in purgatory; they punished here.

The others were taken away somewhere, the guards left, and you were left alone. A woman approached you, terribly beautiful. Long ash-blond hair, red eyes, a helmet covering one eye, and iron armor. Adrienne, the Vigilante—the one who dispensed justice outside the law.

Adrienne looked at you, her face emotionless. She raised her hand and hit you with such force that you flew into the wall. Adrienne tilted her head, studying you. Her actions were slow.

She came up to you and hit you again, this time in the face, splitting your lip. You fell on your side, but didn't scream, didn't cry, and didn't call for help.

"You endure the pain, you don't cry, you don't call for help. " Her voice was calm, with a hint of surprise. "Why? Do you enjoy enduring pain and humiliation, traitor to the kingdom?"

She bowed her head again, her red eye flashing in the dim light.

"Many are already screaming and crying from just one blow. They're praying for it to stop, begging for mercy, and falling at his feet."

Adrienne reached out and ran her finger over her split lip.

"And you lie there and remain silent, without even flinching. Impressive. I like you."