River Ponds

## Ezra Hyland

**River Ponds** (川の池, *Kawa no Ike*?), born as **Ezra Hyland** (エズラハイランド, *Ezura Hairando*?) was the human female Grand Princess of the High Lands, the only descendent of one of the Eight Greed Kings, and regarded as one of the Five Northern Kings upon her ascension to the throne as king as well one of the few true demigods in existence. She was given the title of Grand Princess after the formal monarchs of the High Lands passed, granting her rulership of the entire country hence forth, and was proven as one of the New World's most powerful individuals. She exerted vast political and military power in the Northern Peninsula until the arrival of Alessia, igniting the Blood War that resulted in her kingdom's downfall and her eventual defeat by Alessia herself with Longinus. However despite the existence removal effect on Longinus, Ezra was unaffected by the weapon due to possessing Brísingamen, an *Artifact*-class Item of Lady Freya before giving it to Yggdrasil and granted total immunity to all *World*-class Items. Despite her survival, it's been lead to believe she perished at the battle and the bloodline of one of the Queen-Gods came to a end. However she survived and was taken in her father's friend to which she stayed for untold years, then one of Alessia's generals appeared and destroyed the farm. She was then found by Samuel and by talk-to-talk and finding friends upon becoming an adventurer, now desires not death on Alessia but to live, now choosing the name River Ponds.

River then became an adventurer after talking to Samuel and escorted him to E-Rantel, where she took in part multiple events from defending Carne Village, assisting Neferia with the Swords of Darkness to stopping an cult from resurrecting the dead, fighting alongside Samuel, Merlinus Ambrosius and Morgana le Fay and earned her the rank of *Mithril* and formed an party with the surviving Ninya, carrying on the Swords of Darkness passion and goal.

## Biography

### Background

#### Heritage

River followed an direct lineage back to the Nine Goddesses where she's an member of the High Land royal family and thus is an descendent of Týr, the Aesir god of justice and Yggdrasil, one of the Queen-Gods of War. On her mother side, it was said she holds some distant blood relations from the Carne Village, however it was later revealed that she was also an descendent of one of the Eight Greed Kings.

#### Early Life

River was born as Ezra Hyland, the youngest daughter of Seraiah and Junia Hyland born in the High Land capital city where she was both raised as an princess and trained in the Martial Arts and customs of her kingdom. She was also taught economics, geography, leadership as well gaining tactical experience on the field with the High Land Royal Guard. As she grew up in her early life as an teen, Ezra became known as an cunning prankster on her parents and those that dwell in the capital, often being small jokes on the people which many got a laugh out off. Due to her aspiring smile and laughable integrity at this age, many considered her the brightest heir to the throne who became adored by many of the people. As the youngest of the four princesses born in the Hyland family, she more often insecure in her position as youngest. Due to this, she is often seen as the "rebellious" in order to gain the upper hand in activities, as well to prove herself to her elder sisters and to her mother and father. However more often, she is seen walking around the Castle Hyland Garden to reflect on herself and what she can do. At some point one of her elder sisters began to talk to her about the insecurities, having been aware of them for sometime. The elder sister told Ezra to not worry and simply do what she does and in time can she show her worth to the kingdom of the High Lands. The talk with her sister had since boosted her self-esteem and confidence, where she's less arrogant and rebellious, though still often goes against the wishes of the king and queen on many occasions.

#### Vision

After going to sleep in Castle Hyland, Ezra began to have an lucid dream in her dreamscape, found herself in an open field of grasslands surrounded by forests of trees. As she inspected, she noticed many different animals has their eye on her, from deers, wolves, and other small animals such as squirrels and one horse. What shocked her the most was seeing two very special animals; the Nemean Lion whose hide was considered almost indestructible, and only ever found in legends and myths, next to the Lion was Eikþyrnir, an legendary creature that stood above the gates of the afterlife. Awestricken by the two, she didn't realized she was approached by a man from behind, causing her to turn to face him. The man backed away, apologising for frightening her as he introduced himself as Godric Gryffindor. The name itself sounded familiar to her but was not sure on where before asking what is happening. Godric informed her that she is an type of vision of sorts that represents an future of some kind, with him watching from an distance. Confused by his statements, she asked if he's the creation of her own mind, or an actual figure. Godric said it'll be clear in due time as the time is not right for him to appear just yet.

Godric explained for Ezra is to pay attention to this particular visionary dream as it will reveal details for the coming future. Before she answered, Godric pointed next to her, revealing an majestic sword embedded in the stone, shining brightly under the sun's light. She'd approached the sword, wandering on what it's meant to represent until she saw the stone itself, which her family's emblem is on it where the sword is embedded, cracked and making her worried and confused on what this may entail. She'd then heard someone approach and saw another girl who looks similar to her as Godric seemed to had spoken to her. The girl looked towards her, who seemed confused as well before approaching the sword and pulling it out. Godric voice broke the silence that followed, and that their future is for the two meet before vanishing and the vision ended with her awakening in her room, the sun rising with a feeling of dread and worried in her stomach.

#### Becoming an Warrior

Due to the vision she has and the belief that it represents the downfall and destruction of the Hyland family and the kingdom as a whole, Ezra came to her father to train her in the arts after she told him on the vision she had. Seraiah noted the clairvoyant ability of the Vanir from Vanaheimr though though stopped when he heard the name "Godric Gryffindor". She asked her father on the individual and he explained that Godric was an figure in the legends of Northern Peninsula, being an legend long before the Queen-Gods and the Aesir forming the Nine Kingdoms, an prophet of supposedly limitless power that grants visions to those he believes are worthy.

Due to having understood her position, Seraiah began to train Ezra in the art of the sword, tactics and strategy along with her three sisters for an conflict Seraiah believes will come at their doorsteps. For the past five months, she was trained to use an longsword by Seraiah, citing its use and the fact it be more useful to her due to her body size. While she was trained to use an dagger for primarily self-defense on non-soldier individuals such as bandits and offenders, Seraiah told her the training in the sword is much harder. Regardless she pushed through the regime and physical fitness and slowly build her body to the level of her elder sisters, becoming an capable swordswoman in her own right. She would then be taken to the capital's training school for the elite soliders and be taught the Royal Swordsmanship.

#### Defense of Fort Burgoyne

On the fifth year of the war, the Alessian Faction launched an attack on Fort Burgoyne, which was an strategic fortress in the High Lands that supports supply chains from the capital to locations across the border to towns and other fortifications. Ezra was sent to becomes its general and lead the the units of Fort Burgoyne against the incoming Alessian attack. She sent battalions of soldiers armed with long spears and shields to form the phalanx formation at the critical points around the fortress gate, intending to deliver the full force of the enemy's strength back at them and lead her soldiers personally into the battle. While many called this reckless staying inside the fortress would protect then, she disagrees as it'll only be a matter of time before it allies, an melee confrontation would resolve the conflict quicker then with bows and arrow. The defence lasted roughly an week before the Alessian forces was overwhelmed due to Hyland reinforcements that emerged and had flanked them, and thus this battle was High Lands victorious and

#### The Battle of Babylon

Ezra along with her father was in the war room of the High Lands capital were Hylandian Rangers, an scout regiment of the Hylandian Knight Guard informed them that one of the most strategically critical locations shall be overwhelmed by an massive force of the Alessian Faction, lead by Alessia herself. In order to not have the crucial location taken, both she and Seraiah Hyland began to command some of their largest corps in their military. At this point, Seraiah decided to utilizer his strongest weapon his family has, the *World*-class Item Tyrfing. She asked her father if such a weapon is needed, noting its powerful can easily break political perceived power in the world just by using its weakest spells, but Seraiah told her that Alessia is something that requires the strongest arsenals to take on, believing Alessia is the same as their ancestor Yggdrasil. Before leaving however, Seraiah told her that he is very proud and her sisters would be too, which he would show her an secret room containing the Hyland family most valuable artifacts from their Queen-God ancestor. Seraiah showed her two items that is said to be *Divine*-class Class; the Armour of Yggdrasil believed to be worn by Yggdrasil herself, and Balmung, an incredible magical sword. Seraiah gifted the two to her in order to prepare for the coming fight as some of the important battles in their history. She smiled and thanked him before giving him a hug of compassion before the twos set their sights on the City of Babylon.

Ezra lead the 4th, 5th and 6th Battalion in Babylon while her father lead the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions against the incoming Alessian Faction assault. As she waited for the incoming assault, the rangers informed her that an approaching army was coming in front of them, confirming the assault as they also stated Alessia is seen at the front of the army. She told the rangers to send work to her father, which already did as the ranger also stated that he's confronting Alessia personally in hopes to gain diplomacy and not have any bloodshed. Shocked by her father's actions, she hoped that he'll be fine against an strong opposition as she waited on the Walls of Babylon. From an distance, it seems until an Hylandian mage produced an signal flare with magic, being red that negotiations failed and an fight is going to commence. She ordered all soldiers on the walls and ground to prepare for battle, as her father appeared on his horse, stating it's going to happen in 5 minutes. She asked her father if they can win, with him explaining they outnumber the Alessian Faction ten to one, but he was surprised that Alessia's follows possess remarkable equipment and should expect them to be stronger then a common Hylandian infantry.

The battle of Babylon soon commenced as both sides engaged in open warfare, where Seraiah was lead his battalions against the Alessian Faction while Ezra commanded the archers and soldiers at the walls to take out anyone that gets pass her father's battalions. However the battle having for for three days, she decided to enter the battlefield and engaged the enemy personally. As she engaged, an brilliant light stopped everyone in their tracks, having their attention to the esteemed Hylandian king himself. An brilliant light radiated from Tyrfing as the Hylandian king had fought Alessia who wielded an elegant weapon that is identical to the one in her vision, now believing the woman she met in the vision was Alessia. She witness her father's super-tier spell in astounded awe, as did everyone else has it brighten the dawning sky and released an powerful wave of mana onto Alessia, an shockwave causing everyone to fall down, and actually knocking everyone out.

Ezra soon awakened as did everyone else and stood, having woken into an land of sombre silence as both factions stood, confused on what transpired between the Hylandian king and Alessia. One of the Alessian Faction infantry broke the silence, pointing towards the Hylandian King and Alessia, to which the latter was on her knees in front of the king. Ezra simply smiled, telling the Faction to surrender and no one until they heard a cough. Looking towards them, Seraiah soon collapsed, having been instantly killed by Alessia with Reality Slash. Disturbed and horrified by the fact her father instantly died, was in shock and frozen in place as the High Lands began to lose ground and morality as the Alessian Faction pushed against the Hyland forces, that is until an unexpected development occurred with Ezra, leading to the first confrontation between her and Alessia.

After witnessing the death of her father, Ezra's power became to overflow with intense emotions after dashing towards Alessia, much to the protest of the Hylandian Rangers. What surprised the rangers and all Hylandian battalions is how she cut down massive soldiers of the Alessian Faction in seconds, surprising Alessia herself Alessia was knocked down by the brute power of Balmung. Picking up Tyrfing and stood infront of the body of Seraiah, it was no doubt that she fully awakened an innate racial power, the power of an demigod which shocked Alessia as she sensed or believed she was an player. Ezra raised both the weapons of Balmung and Tyrfing against Alessia as her actions increased the morality of the Hylandian military, and thus reignited the battle of Babylon once again.

Ezra then began to engage against Alessia for the first time since the war has began over five years ago, utilizing both the swords of Balmung and Tyrfing against the female player, who was at shock losing advantage against the New Worlder Grand Princess, wandering how she's losing ground to someone not an player. At some point during the battle, Ezra began to realize her power stemmed from the two items she held and believed that she can use them to its fullest potential. As she began to increase her cutting power, Alessia ordered for reinforcements has it was revealed they are Divine Items from YGGDRASIL and Ezra is able to utilize them as if she was an player also, suspecting the armour is also of YGGDRASIL origin. The two then had their swords crossed as they faced each other in the eye, Ezra showing pain and regret in being unable to save her father, while Alessia an stoic but confidence face as the two engaged in battle. Eventually Ezra realized her forces was being overwhelmed as Alessia intentionally left another army behind. Due to this, Ezra ordered to fall back to the City of Babylon and to defend its walls and not let it fall.

Ezra then sheathed Balmung and grabbed her father with her right arm as she wielded Tyrfing on the left and fled from Alessia who did not move but watched. As she run to the City, Ezra cut down any Alessian Faction soldiers that got in her way, and leaped high into the sky as she reached the walled city, surprised that she can do that along with the rangers as she landed on Babylon's wall. With the king dead however, it's became apparent that Ezra is to become the new established queen, though she prefers the title of "King" as it gives off more power then queen. She then ordered the evacuation of all citizens, to which has already been done thanks to Seraiah, which she smiled and thanked her father once again as they prepare to defend against the large Alessian Faction army.

However despite her various of efforts and countermeasures against the Faction, Ezra realized due to their small numbers compared to the now dramatically increased Alessian Faction at the Gate of Babylon and had been breached, she ordered all her forces to retreat after witnessing the Faction are more skilled then she thought, underestimating them. She was only able to save three of the six battalions each containing 40 soldiers (many wounded) as they returned back to their capital of Castle Hyland.

#### Ascension to King

Ezrz returned back to the capital of the High Lands and now as the sole living member of one of the nine royal families, she is to be crowned as king of the High Lands. However before such ceremony to take place, she wish to honour all of the fallen that fell during the war, including her own father. Located at the Gardens of Hyland, she oversaw the preparations for the remembrance of the dead. During this time, she was conveyed with the generals of the Hyland Military to go to the various theaters of war and to try to hold off the impending Alessian invasion on their capital. Soon after the preparations was done for the remembrance of the dead and began to honour the dead on the next day, attended by many from all over the kingdom, including giving eulogies and returned items of each soldier she was able to collect back to their families.

Soon after the honouring of the fallen, the Hylandian Council began to prepare for the ascension ceremony of Ezra as the reigning monarch and to lead the High Lands into victory against the Alessian Faction. As she was getting dressed in her attire, she confessed her concern and anxiety to the handmaiden that was preparing her for the ceremony. The handmasiden told her that she'll do fine, as she was one of the princesses she looked up to the most, compassionate and able to connect to the people as if she was one of them. Ezra's thumb caressed her cheek, stating that they're the same and all are equals to the crown. She was then walked into the royal hall with her court advisor to the throne as the people inside stood in respect and was crowned the monarch of the High Lands, the last living member of the Hyland family.

After being crowned as the monarch, Ezra began to re-organize the entire military with the advisement from her advisor to create an fortified military against the Alessian threat that is in their kingdom. The restructuring involved new training regime as well appointed more commanders to the various of units that is inside the capital as well the outside to more more effective coordination. At some point, an ranger confirmed one of the theaters was breached and defeated, to which an army of the Alessian Faction is going to at Northern Heights. Understanding this may very well be the decisive turn on who shall be the victor, she would personally lead every unit as their monarch against the threat and halt the attack. At the same time, she wish for evacuation, but it was cited the citizens refused to leave the capital and their ruler and decided to stay within the walls for her.

#### The Battle of the Northern Heights

Ezra along with thousands of Hylandian soldiers awaited at the Northern Heights for the impending and final confrontation by the Alessian Faction, dubbed the "Final Army" as the Alessian Faction emerged but Alessia is not leading it. Raising their blades, she lead the Hylandian military against the Faction and began the Battle of the Northern Heights. Having awakened her demigod nature, she was able to effortrlessly strike down every Alessian supporter with ease, with her own gri[ strength capable of crushing the throats of anyone she grabbed. Her continuous efforts against them has boosted morale of the Hylandian soldiers and was at the advantage. She was then confronted by an armoured man, who explained that Alessia will have victory of the High Lands and all shall fall under her rule of the High Bureaucracy, to which was mocked by Erza and informed him that no one shall bypass her or her border defences and engaged in battle against the man. Despite the man's efforts, the Alessian commander was struck down and the Final Army had lost morality, retreating as the victor goes to the High Lands.

At an military camp in the Northern Heights however, an ranger revealed that the army they fought was only the first stage, as reports shown the other theatres had the Faction retreating, but in truth was actually regrouping as they began to penetrate all sides of the kingdom. This development shocked Ezra and stated how did they bypass their defences, to which an ranger conluded an traitor among their ranks, since the enemy understood their strategic goals and plans to make their defence successful. She asked them if there is an way to turn the war to their favour if they caught the traitor, but they loomed their heads stating it's unlikely.

### Adventurer Life

#### New Life

Heavily wounded by the sudden assault on the farm, survived the attack lead by one of Alessia's Homunculi generals. Limping from the destroyed farm and having lost a great friend, she walked an almost two week hike from the farm before collapsing on the side of a dirt road due to her severe injuries.

Ezra then awakened, having realized she's now on an carriage that is moving, she attempted to get up before a shot of intense pain surged throughout her and she exclaimed. A voice called out for her to be careful and she finds the man driving the carriage, a young blonde hair man in what appears to a wizards outfit. He introduced himself as Samuel E. Colt from E-Rantel. Not wanting to use her true name, she decided to change her name to that of River Ponds. The both shared a greeting and Samuel told her that he found her on the road near to death with a pouch of many coin, expensive quality gold that was placed next to her. Samuel then said that he's taking her to Lazuli because she has been out for almost a month and that is his destination. River asked on the town he'll drop her off, and Samuel answered as Uradori, an place where she can rest up and even become an Adventurer. The idea of being an proper adventurer has always been a goal of hers but was never and agreed to this.

At some point, River realized she was in ragged clothing that covered her naked and Samuel told her that her outfit was torn apart and he had fixed using an low-tier spell that reconstructed the outfit but didn't want to dress her out of dignity so had an long cloak to cover herself. She thanked and Samuel closed the carriage, to which held an oval canvas roof thing that makes it private for the outside eyes. Not two minutes later, she revealed herself in an exposing blood red outfit to which Samuel commented on how good it looks and what it even is. She explained it's suppose to some sort of combat dress that is more on free mobility and speed then being an protective gear. Shrugging, Samuel told her they're coming to an town known for their dwarven smithers, which caused her to smile. Samuel asked if the smith is where she wish to go, and she nodded and so they entered the town and towards the blacksmith.

They arrived to the blacksmith where a dwarf introduced himself as Brokkr and asked what they look to do business. River wanted him to create an weapon she once had made from the rarest and hardest metal across the land. Brokkr informed her of the metal adamantite and was incredibly expensive. However the price was of no concern as she dropped her bag load of incredible rare gold, which was sufficient for Brokkr. However while he knows where the metal is located to be gathered, an issue arose that there is an ancient and powerful Hecatoncheires named Aegaeon. With the monster there, it was impossible to gather the metal, but she offered herself to defeat, shocking both the dwarf and Samuel who questioned even attempting at fighting. River ignored him and is ready out set out, impressed by her audacity to face such, if she succeeded he'll include his brother's rare mineral which he called "Prismatic Ore". She agreed to which Samuel voted to come so she and Brokkr wouldn't die to an forest to challenge the Aegaeon the Hecatoncheires.

According to Brokkr, the location of the metal was believed to be located within an small fortress known simply as Fort Santiago and was believed to be surrounded by undead of its soldiers. Hearing this River asked if the undead should be considered dangerous, which Brokkr absolutely confirms but aren't an serious threat unless ya get overwhelmed in numbers.

The group dubbed Vivaria arrived to Fortress Santiago where Brokkr noticed at least 5 undead called Draugr, undead more considered to being revenant. Due to this, Samuel believed the fortress soon became an tomb to fallen individuals and taken here to be at peace. Ezra wanting the sword, decided to move forward with the plan and the three sprang into action, charging at the five Draugr. To the surprise of Samuel and Brokkr, her fist connected on one of the undead's head and effortlessly took one down. She then watch Samuel project her magic spells, revealing to to being an Priest and utilized spells that effectively harms and destroys undead. As for Brokkr, he utilized his raw dwarven strength with his war hammer to defeat the remaining undead, the strength of an dwarf is unmatched by most humans. Taking the undead, the three walked inside the fortress, with it just being an building made on the side of an large mountain.

As they walked inside, they entered an circular room containing four doors on each side to which Brokkr remembered that the location to the mineral was deep inside the mountain, where apparently the Hecatoncheires had created an massive chamber containing the vein of the Hecatoncheires. However to which door was not certain and River decided to split up, to which she dashed off before Samuel protested and Brokkr shrugged as they simply accepted it since she was gone.

River walked in an long stone corridor to which holds many left and right turns before entering an crypt to which on the walls contains skeletal remains of people. Rather intrigued, she realized one of them was an Draugr and went for the killing blow by twisting its head with her demigod strength. But this act began to disturb the other Draugr as they stood from their crypt and held ancient weaponry of their past. Needing an weapon for herself, she dashed and elbowed one in the chest, causing it tumble down as she took the ancient sword and decapitated it. While not her ideal weapon, she used the sword to confront and decapitate any of the undead for got in her way, including using it set off straps. The traps she encountered were basic, an thin line on the ground to which is attached to a long-lived fire jug which when triggered, will fall and cause an fiery explosion that can last for five minutes due to the oil.

River eventually reached to an massive dark door of some sort, inside an long corridor to which the walls contains murals of an figure at the centre with an sword and box in both hands. She'd realized an dragon depiction is seen in some of the murals and at the door's centre was an dragon claw carving. Down to her feet was an golden dragon claw containing three symbols on its palm. Looking at the door again she saw three circular pieces that can be rotated containing the symbols. Figuring it out, she unlocked the gate by matching the pattern of the symbols and using the claw as an type of key to open it, the door going underground to reveal an large chamber. The chamber as she walked was filled with flora and at the centre was an tree but next to it, was an large entity containing only 10 heads and 50 arms. She believed it to be the Hecatoncheires, but surprised the fact it's actually an automaton construct.

River walked closer to the tree and the Hecatoncheires to see the valued metal, adamantite but it was already in ingot form to which she was surprised to be sure, but a welcomed one. However before she could touch it, she just barely evaded an strike from the no-operating Aegaeon the Hecatoncheires. However despite is revered legend, Aegaeon was an slow automaton to which visible weaknesses and joints was shown across its body, the crackling of its cogs and machinery made apparent that it was in disrepair. Taking the advantage, she dashed at Aegaeon and delivered an powerful blow to the joint of its right leg, instantly causing an cascade of malfunction as the cogs fell out of alignment, revealing an magical core at the knee. Using her superhuman strength, she torn the core out to see what shall, to which its leg stopped operating and powered down. Leaping back, she took note of removing the glowing cores dubbed "power core" and began to target its weaknesses again, having taken out 3 more cores. However when its chest opened to reveal an "master core", she was unable to get near it as it suddenly gained more power, becoming faster as she was hit by one of its 50 remaining arms and into the walls of the chamber. Soon after Brokkr and Samuel emerged from the door to see the fight, and instantly assisted her. Samuel quickly used his healing spells to heal her and the three engaged the Aegaeon. They're combined might enabled them to destroy the master core, and finally bring the end to Aegaeon.

After Aegaeon's defeat, River gathered the adamantite ingots and the group began to leave the fortress and return back to town. At the town, Brokkr thanked the two and as an reward for gathering more ingots then he expected, would use his brother's Prismatic Ore in the forging of her personal weapon. River showed him a diagram of the original weapon she wielded and Brokkr began to forge it to it exact specifications, however it took more then a week due to the metal and the Prismatic Ore. Ultimately finished, the sword is revealed to which many onlookers was in awe as it was shown to be elegant. Brokkr then asked for a name of the beautiful sword, which she answered it as Nothung, meaning "Child of Need". After the sword got forged, River and Samuel bid their farewell to the blacksmith dwarf, and left town to their destination of Uradori.

#### Arriving at Uradori

River and Samuel finally arrived to the northern town of Uradori of the kingdom of Lazuli. She noticed it was almost rundown as Samuel was granted entry and she questions the town's condition. Samuel simply stated it's one of the more "independent" towns in the kingdom, being allowed to do as it please thanks to the adventurer's guild and its fishing industry. Speaking of adventurer's guild, she asked Samuel on where it is so she can sign up. Samuel told her it's located in the centre of town and he'll take her there since he needs to by pass it to reach the town's port, however she asked him to not as she was not feeling for it but will consaider it later which he was fine with. She did ask Samuel if he ever wanted to become an adventurer also, having grown fond of his presence since his rescue. She with Samuel headed to the port where a statue of a woman was waiting to be picked up. She asked if that was the statue and Samuel said yes.

As River waited, she noticed they were having trouble lifting the statue being heavier then they thought. Moving from the carriage, she gladly helped them move the statue onto the carriage using her own physical strength that made it seem like it was lighter. The two workers and the woman there was shocked at her superhuman strength and asked if she was an adventure but said no. As she tied the statue into place, Samuel truly believed she is fit to become and will see if she does once they got going to E-Rantel.

#### Carne Village

River and Samuel Colt began to head to E-Rantel, something that surprised her was she is now going to see the world outside of her own homeland, the Northern Peninsula and asked Samuel on what's been happening. Samuel explained nothing has been made besides the fact the Re-Estize kingdom is causing internal political issues with each of the nobles, with it not being in complete harmonic unity. Samuel went to explain there is two main political factions; Royal and Noble Factions and there is the Independent or Neutral nobles and she asked where is Samuel which he said Royal, but not of his choosing.

However they drawn where River began to hear clashing of weapons and asked Samuel to stop. She reached out to grab her weapon and leapt before before running ahead and telling Samuel to stay put. As she ran forward, she saw one women, an young girl with an child surrounded by armoured men, with one raised their sword at the two unnamed. Before the men realized, she had decapitated one of the men and quickly slash at the other two, slicing the last two in half. The unnamed girls looked up at her with shock when Samuel arrived. She angrily told Samuel to not follow but accepted the fact he's staying when he performed an healing spell, surrounded the two girls in an bubble. She told Samuel to place protection barriers as she ran towards the village and Samuel did so.

River arrived to Carne Village and instantly engaged into battle, quickly protecting an a woman from an incoming slash strike from one of the armoured men and proceeded to cut him down. She then voiced her position between the attacking assailants and the villagers, proclaiming they are now under the protection of the adventurer River Ponds. One of the armoured emerged and stated his name as Belius and upon seeing her skill attempted to bribe her with money due to his family being wealthy and being an adventurer Belius assumed she only cared for the money. However much Belius' shock, she denied and if he thinks she was stepping to protect others for money is dead wrong. Having inspected the area and his prone of anger she noticed in him as well his act to bribe, she then asked Belius if he killed anyone in this village. Belius said he has as per commanded, including having kill a girl's father who ran off, to which before Belius could react was impaled by her sword before she grabbed his head and made it turn 360º and instantly killed him. The armoured men lost all morale ground as another, Londes Di Clamp who seem to value his men lives said if she lets them leave, no harm will continue. Just wanting the bloodshed to end, she agreed and the armoured departed and the villagers spared, least those that survived. The villagers chief then gracefully thanked when the two girls she saved arrived with Samuel.

They both entered an building and began to talk with the village's chief, which River explained that she is not from the area or the kingdom in fact, though is quite aware that Samuel originated from here. The chief then went to explain the territories such as the Baharuth Empire to which is where she came from upon arriving at Re-Estize Kingdom's borders, along with the Slane Theocracy. The chief then went to explain the surroundings such as goblins and explain on the Adventurer's Guild, though she stopped him as she's an member of the guild. She then went attend the funerals for the fallen villagers, having also witness the two girls crying who are now named as Enri Emmot and her younger sister Nemu Emmot.

After concluding, Samuel suggest they head to E-Rantel to inform the Warrior Chief on the situation, however speaking of the man in-question, however an whisper caught River's ears and she went to question the chief who so happens to notify her of incoming soldiers from the east at great speeds. An possible enemy, she and Samuel told the chief to get everyone to safety and stood guard to the east of the village along with the chief, to which Samuel believes is not the enemy but likely the Chief Warrior himself. In truth to Samuel's words, Gazef the Chief Warrior appeared along with his band of warriors and declared the village sage due to knights attacking surrounding villages. However the village chief then explained how River single-handily defended their village to which Gazef and thanked her with gratitude in doing so. She simply told him to not worry as she will not back away from an defenceless town no matter the enemy. However one of Gazef's warriors then informed them on another band of army of yet identified origin surrounding the village, to which they decided to go inside for safety.

Inside, River, Samuel along with Gazef and the chief spoke on the possibilities on the unidentified army. Gazef along with Samuel agree it's the Theocracy due to the amount of magic casters is surrounding them as well the fact they are one of the only two nations to utilize angels on the battlefield. River then question on how powerful is the Theocracy, which Samuel explains they're one of the few nations capable of 7th-tier magic or potentially higher, built by the Six Great Gods. As they spoke, Samuel stated he had to do something and walked off to do so and Gazef said that he'll make an break in the Theocracy's formation to allow the villagers to escape. Agreeing to the plan, Samuel returned and gave an item to him, stating it as an "good luck charm" as he also had one. Gazef thanked him as he and his warriors moved out, and the villagers prepare to move from the village.

After ten minutes, River was suddenly surprised when Samuel vanished suddenly and was replace with Gazef, who seem to be perplexed also before he pulled the item Samuel gave him out and it vanishes. Gazef smiled, seemingly understanding what he has done. Soon after Samuel returned to town with an elderly man and they told him they wiped out thanks to the old man, Merlinus Ambrosius. The village thanked them as they were saved from an disaster. She then asked on Merlin who simply stated that he'll just teleport to E-Rantel since he was in a middle of something before doing so.

#### E-Rantel

Soon after saving Carne Village from the Theocracy and helping Gazef with the others, River and Samuel along with Gazef arrived to E-Rantel which she was rather impressed, an fortress city. Samuel explained that it was thanks to the Architectural Guild which he was the guildmaster of, shocking her to see an young man barely in his twenties to be an leader of an large organization. Samuel explained he's more known as Daedalus the Artisan then his name of Samuel, but enjoys being called Daedalus. Gazef bid his farewells to them both and thanked for coming to the village's aid.

They eventually reached the residence of the Coly family and they departed, before River says her farewells, she was taken aback when Samuel invited her in for rest upon leaving his carriage. She decided to take in the offer and walked inside to only be greeted by two very well dressed dark elves. Samuel introduced the two dark elves as Aura Bella Fiora and Mare Bello Fiore and whispered that Mare is a boy who cross-dresses and Aura is a girl more comfortable in the dressing of an man. She was not at all shocked nor surprised, believing the world is large and is not aware on elven customs or culture, but will not have the two dark elves define it. She greeted the two and ask if they're twins, and they said yes to it having been made by Bukubukuchagama. Before she even questioned what Aura and Mare even meant by that, Samuel told her the dining room is here and will have one his chefs to prepare a meal for dinner, since it was almost nightfall.

In the next day, River informed Samuel that she'll be heading to the guild for work, which Samuel having decided last night to also become one despite being an guild master of the Architectural Guild and the two walked towards E-Rantel local Architectural Guild. Upon entering many looked their way, with checking our River due to her exposing outfit before two of them walked up to her. Samuel went to say something but stopped as she wish to "check these guys out". One of them offers to give her a good time in exchange of valuable one platinum coin, equalling to 10 gold coins. However instead of accepting, she kick the guy's shin who dropped to his knees before being flung towards an table, causing the other guy back off not wanting to deal with someone who effortlessly took down an *Platinum*-ranked Adventurer despite being *Copper* at the time. Before anything continued, an scream was heard as an red hair girl walked up to her and demanded compensation as that act destroyed an valuable health potion. Samuel quickly intervened and handed her an red potion hoping to make it all clear, which the red hair agreed before walking off and exiting the guild.

After Samuel registration to the guild, they both returned back to Samuel's residence and plan to get jobs tomorrow where they'll be more prepared. At some point however Aura voiced her opinion in also becoming an Adventurer as well her younger brother Mare, being an opportunity to tame beasts thanks to her Beast and High Tamer classes she has. River overheard that he'll allow them to join as soon as possible.

The next day, River and Samuel attempted to locate an job offering, but Samuel wanted an challenge and refused to take jobs on his level or lower, causing the administration lady to sigh, even know she is quite aware on who Samuel is as an high-ranking wizard. In that moment, an man appeared and offered them to join of the group. They went upstairs to be introduced to Peter Mauk, the leader of the Swords of Darkness consisting of Dyne Woodwonder, Ninya and Lukrut Volve and offered to tag them on the *silver* quests. They both agreed, satisfying Samuel while River did not mind the rankings. Ninya then voiced her admiration to Samuel as an high-ranking High Wizard in E-Rantel and someday wish to become his apprentice, Samuel then kindly stated that is a possibility but he's unable to take one at the current time. However this did not let Ninya down as there is still chances of that happening in the near future.

As soon they began to depart, they were stopped by an guild's frontdesk lady on the fact he was requested famous alchemist named Nfirea Bareare and requested Samuel E. Colt directly for an job, to which Samuel asked why him in particular, while he is known as E-Rantel as an incredibly high wizard, he only been in the guild for less then a hour and asked how he know to make an request from him. However Samuel declined, having already accepted an position in the Swords of Darkness with River Ponds and will hear the alchemist out soon the job is finished. Ninya however along with Peter voiced her objection for him to accept, being an opportunity for him in the long run. Samuel then decided to hear the alchemist out to ultimately make his choice, however River sighed and agreed to also hear him out.

Introducing himself as an alchemist Nfirea Bareare, Nfirea requested Samuel as well as proposing to River to be his escorts, protecting him while he collect herbs as well help collect medicinal herbs. Samuel then proposed another idea to allow Swords of Darkness to join, as their uniformed sets of skills such as Dyne's druidic abilities and Lukrut's ranger classes to provide further security. Nfirea agrees and to have more to prect will make him more safer and less anxious. Peter agrees to the proposal and they all prepare to leave E-Rantel and set their eyes on Carne Village.

#### Nfirea Bareare Escort Quest

As they travel to Carne Village, Peter take note that the area is to become more dangerous as they leave further away from the city, to which River is well awarded. Lukrut's then attempted to flirt with River to not look so worried and stated the has the sharpest eyes in this part of the king. Rive responded with an flirty remake on how sharp his eyes truly is and wont mind an "private eye exam", to which Lukrut was not actually expecting and became flustered. Everyone laughed as no one as flirted Lukrut. Ninya then informed that they entered the territory belonging to the Wise King of the Forest, to which Samuel remembered such an creature. River asked on who is this "Wise King" and Samuel explained that the Wise King is also known as one of the Four Beasts, specifically the Beast of the South and possess incredibly magic and strengths, he also stated he to someday have Aura tame the beast. River was curious on the Wise King and wish to encounter it in the near future.

They continued their trip where they stopped to which Lukrut commented that River is incredibly calm, suggesting that he be the that is causing her calmness and that he's able to keep her safe. She simply retorted that the enemy will get to Lukrut first before anyone else which his large ego being the one drawing attention. Lukrut then retorted back and stated she is calm because she and Samuel an couple, to which somewhat angered her to which Samuel quickly stopped her and told her to calm down. Samuel then proceeded to tell Lukrut to no longer tease her encase something bad where to occur if he said the wrong words. Peter then apologized on Lukrut's behalf before telling him to quiet doing that. However Lukrut raised his hand and notified the group of ogres and goblins coming their way from the forest. Peter said there is no way to evade and them attack them, to which River thanked the gods as she walked towards the monsters as well with Samuel. Before Peter says anything, River informed the Swords of Darkness to protect Nfirea Bareare, to which if anything gets pass them for Ninya to utilize her more defense support spells on Peter and for Dyne to use his druidic abilities on goblins that got separated, and then finally Lukrut to use his bow to take them out long distance. Peter agrees with the plan and all proceeded.

River simply walked towards the rushing ogres and goblins with Samuel trailing back, causing Ninya to got slightly worried. River remarked that she had never fought such beasts in her homeland and with an precise strike, instantly killed an ogre that dropped dead. Everyone, even Samuel was taken aback by her physical strength, with Peter even commenting that she might be in the leagues of *Adamantine* due to how quickly it was dealt with. After killing more with an single slash, they all began to retreat which Samuel casted the 5th-tier spell Dragon Lightning which ended up killing the rest. Looking back, she saw the Swords of Darkness were dealing with those that got past pretty easily, smiling at their cooperation and commending their teamwork to herself.

After the battle, while Samuel was helping Dyne heal those that got hit, she asked Ninya on why she's collecting their ears, to which the guild can exchange for awards. Later that night, they were sitting around an camp fire as they ate, to which River looked up and began to remember her past and wasn't eating her fill which besides her Samuel was practically filling his mouth with food. Lukrut notices and asked if the food is too hot, but she simply glared at Lukrut and he backed off. After five minutes of silence, Samuel then asked where their group name came from, to which shocked the group on how he wouldn't know. They all point to Ninya and despite the fact she's embarrassed, explained it comes from the swords of the Black Knight, one of the legendary Thirteen Heroes. Peter told the swords were powerful magical items and they all hope to someday collect the Swords of Darkness itself from the old legends, showing custom black daggers that represents their group, which Dyne commented on Lukrut's words being the only smart thing and they all have a playful banter. Lukrut then mentions how the group is full of men, and stated having an girl would cause internal issues they rather not have, which piqued River's curiosity and soon praised their friendship. Ninya looked at River and asked if she had friends, which she replied they had and were family to her. However when Ninya said that she'll find more friends much them, River snapped as she slammed her fist to the dirt, causing it to crack and causing everyone to jump at the sudden outrage. She'd then looked at her hand before excusing her self and walked away to which Ninya looked down in regret. As she sat on the rock, River then remembered the conflict between her nation and the Alessian Faction, fighting the urge to shed a single tear.

In the next morning where everyone began to continue towards Carne Village, Ninya went to apologise to River for her words last night, to which with an hand on Ninya's shoulder, accepted and also apologised for lashing out like she did last night and two make amends as they set forth to Carne Village.

With the village in sight however River noticed there is a huge wooden fence that surrounds Carne village, remembering that none of that existed when she first arrived, but she believed it to be made by the villages as defence which she smart on their part. However as they got to the entrancem goblins suddenly emerged and began to surround them. The Swords of Darkness raise their weapons, with one of the goblins to put their weapons down. However to their shock, one of them voiced an opinion of non-violence and hope to not fight at all as the goblin felt uneased by River's aura that shouts "trouble" along with the more sophisticated dressing of Samuel Colt and understands his an wizard. Tensions however lowered when Enri appeared, and seems to be the leader of the goblins as they were allowed inside.

While Nfirea and Enri spoke, River took the time to explore the "new' Carne Village as she saw the goblins helping the humans with bowmanship as well with swordsmanship. Awe-strucked by this, the goblin from before introduced himself to her Jugem and asked if she was susprised. To Jugem's understanding, she was due to the past that goblins use to raid towns for supplies and vile acts on humans, to which Jugem assured her that nothing will occur with them as they follow Enri's orders. Soon after their talk, River went to help Jugem train the villagers, even showing them various swordsmanship techniques and Martial Arts in order to prepare themselves for any upcoming battles.

At some point at sunset, River stood on an hill overlooking the village and smiled, knowing the people are learning to defend themselves. Nfirea then ran to her, out of breath as Enri told him about the attack some days ago and thanked her profusely. She quickly also to say that Samuel helped as well as he protected Enri and her little sister, which Nfirea was aware and had thanked Samuel before coming to her. However she also regrets to not arriving later to save Enri's parents, though Nfirea quickly told her it wasn't her fault since she at least saved their children.

#### The Wise King of the Forest

As the group now began what they came for, Nfirea however wished for them to scare the Wise King instead of simply killing it as according to the alchemist, the Wise King has been the reasons for the village to been raided by monsters. River understood that but Samuel interjected and explained he shall scare it off, voicing that magic has a more "fear factor" behind it and usually cause even people to flee. She agreed and shall stick with the Swords of Darkness in protecting Nfirea as he does what he needs. Nfirea then told Samuel to quickly return and not be gone for too long.

River along with the Swords of Darkness escorted and defended Nfirea from any potential dangers, though most if any are often too timid due to River's who shown to give out an aura that causes low-level monsters to not directly attack. After collecting the herbs, she and the rest await Samuel's return only to be shocked at the fact the Wise King is some kind of giant hamster being ridden by none-other then Aura Bella Fiora, which Samuel introduced the dark elf to the others, informing them of her Tamer capabilities. However Nfirea became fearful that monsters may attack without the Wise King and voiced himself to join Samuel's party. However while Samuel does not need another apprentice as he already has four, he promised to assist Carne Village whenever possible, which Nfirea was thankful for.

#### Zurrernorn

With the job quest done, they returned back to E-Rantel where Swords of Darkness, River decides to help them unload the cargo as Samuel returned to the guild with Aura to register the Wise King. As she went with the group, another individual in brown robes wish to speak to her, and told Peter to go on without her and will catch up later. Being pulled aside, the woman spoke to her on River's true nature as one of the North's esteemed Five Northern Kings and one of the few demigods in existence. Now guard and went to grab her sword, the woman quickly conveyed she is not with Alessia and came barring an message from Anaheim. The kingdoms of Purity as well as Vanaheimr were crushed by Alessian military, to which both royal families were subsequently wiped out, causing River to be horrified and demanded on the status of king Njord. The woman express uncertainty as the king was left alive, most likely to be used by Alessia. The woman also warns of an danger to the Swords of Darkness and told her to quickly head there before it's too late. Before she can be questioned, the woman suddenly vanish as if it was an illusion.

River adhered to the warning and quickly went to Nfirea residence and barged inside, to which she instinctively used her blade to attack the blonde assailant who was about to torture Ninya. She looked back to Ninya who had an expressed of being traumatized and her breathing erratic. The blonde woman introduced herself as Clementine and voiced her gratitude in appearing so another undead can be added. Then an man walked in and told off Clementine on wasting his time but saw River and smiled, who already know who she is exactly. The man expresses great luck in finding River Ponds and suddenly three undead emerged. She then realized it was all of the Swords of Darkness and she was prepared to engage. However she was stopped by Clementine who was extremely agile which shocked as Clementine struck against her throat almost cutting as. Hand to her throat she fell to her knees, shocked at the agile Clementine possess and believed an outside force is making her that fast. However before the two did anything, Morgan le Fay as well as Merlinus Ambrosius came rushing inside, to which the man expresses that they must leave and used an teleportation crystal and the two vanished. Morgan damned herself for not making it in, as Merlin expresses concern on the actions to which identified as Khajiit Dale Badantel. Without hesitation however, Merlin utilized his priestly spells and instantly destroyed the turned undead members of the Swords of Darkness, which River expressed anger over, but Morgan calmed her and stated nothing would be able to save them and Rive backed as she knew it before turning to Ninya.

Soon after Nfirea grandmother Lizzie appeared and expressed shock, concern and fear for her grandson and all three vow to safe him from Khajiit, however Morgan then told they'll be compensated for their efforts, though that is to come after. Before the three began to plan, River asked Lizzie to look after Ninya for her while she's good and she would owe nothing, which she accepts and leave with the now passed out Ninya as River discuss plans with Morgan and Merlin. After the three came with an plan of action against the kidnappers, Merlin informed them all on the individuals as they travelled to the cemetery. Merlin told Morgan and River that he'll handle Khajiit and they'll handle Clementine, the blonde girl that tortured the male members of the Swords of Darkness, and the made it to the gate of the cemetery. One guard stopped them informing of undead as others battle them over the walls. River told them to stand back she, Merlin and Morgan leapt from the ground and into the cemetery as they hear clashing of weapons as well casting of spells.

River quickly bladed through the undead as Merlin and Morgan taking out the more higher-tier ones with relative ease as they got closer towards their target. They soon arrived to the main point of interests where Clemetine and Khajiit stood there, quite obvious aware they were arriving. Before Merlin acted, River demanded Clementine to follow her so they can do battle without the interruptions form Merlin, Morgan or even her leader which she agreed and the two departed, leaving Merlin and Morgan with Khajiit.

## Appearance

Ezra was a fair-skinned woman with blonde hair and emerald green eyes. She has am hour glass with a small chest with little muscular definition but does shows she has if she flexes her muscles to reveal them.

## Personality

During her early childhood, River was an shy and closed girl as one of the youngest princesses in the High Lands. Believing she wont be any greater based on her own age and position in the family tree, she was reclusive to her own emotions and rarely talks about them. At some points, her insecurities in her abilities will often shown through her expression of concern and doubt. Despite being an female, at the time male and female were legally equals and thus she was trained to use an sword at an early age. However her self-esteem in this regard was lore due to her envy over her elder sisters, who had control and prowess in the swordsman art and she has yet to understand that basics. This has taken an blow to her mental fatigue and she believed that she herself will be nothing by an glorified figurehead of the family

However despite her insecurities, thanks to her sister's support through and through, she became to be described as an eccentric Grand Princess and later ruler of the High Lands and often considered the "rebel" of the family after gaining confidence after winning the Grand C Selection. While she acted as an semi-degenerate and often goes against the wishes of her father, going to explore the world and encounter new people, she cared for Hylanders and often will go out of her way to confront and defend them no matter who the enemy is. An princess of the High Lands, she is often seen with a warm smile on her face and rarely shows emotions of anger or seriousness. She holds a friendly relationship to the Hylanders, and they too adore her due to her often communicating to them and engaging them in idle talk on daily life, and rarely bring her rank or position to gain a advantage over anything in the High Lands. She holds high confidence in her combat capabilities and awakening as an Demigod and never seems to falter in the line of combative duties to the High Lands, even showcasing no fear when she's outnumbered, going against what many considered impossible odds. Even against her fight with Alessia, she often never lashed out in anger or rage against her and even upon Longinus impaling her, she never insulted Alessia, only giving a fair game before disappearing from existence.

However despite her supposedly calmed and "joyfully confident" demeanour she carried in her life, Ezra is not a perfect being has had her emotions taken over in anger or rage, typically directed at the harm of non-combat units and innocent individuals who can't defend themselves. She once did in fact lashed out against Alessia for even thinking of killing innocent individuals for unreasonable stances of power or to showcase authority. She even killed enemy troopers in anger during the war due to them slaughtering everyone in it, including children, newborns and women which she did not take too kindly and brutally killed any enemy she came across, not caring who they are but as hostile parasites killing Hylanders. She as shown her dedication to the Hylanders and that her anger and rage is fuelled by their love and admiration to her, showing that she controls her emotions and doesn't let it manifest physically for all to see.

However witnessing her own rage and how she wasn't able to control it, River soon learnt that controlling her emotions and putting it into her actions and combat would enhance her ways of strength and attack power. While she still shows visible anger, she controls her anger into her body and soul and use it to attack the oppositions. She only wish to avenge her family's deaths and the deaths of many innocents by using their rage, their sadness and despair into her sword and take out the one responsible. Soon after she became more committed to protecting innocent people and has created escape routes for the citizens to enter, and during any confrontations she now shows them her undying scowl at them before ending their lives. After the Blood War and surviving the conflict, River decided to follow the ideals her sister's wanted her to have, an happy life where she wont be lonely. Since the war, she became more open to the world around her and as befriended more people then she has at her kingdom. Due to the fact this as helped her cope with the lose of her entire family and kingdom, she is thankful to take her sister's advice to follow this path. However even though she may appear to be happy, neutral and overall ok with the life she found herself in, the war itself still stings a sharp blade into her heart in knowing her family was killed as well potentially her own cousins and distant relatives. Internally she is still grieving and mourning over the innumerable loses she has saw to those under her leadership, blaming herself and her actions for the countless deaths by her own blade or those caused by others. She did found having friends such as Gladstone and even Brokkr helped, it does not mean the pain she feels has gone away, only suppressed and dragged down, bottled up in hopes she does not look vulnerable to others.

## Powers & Abilities

**Demigod Physiology**: As one of the few living demigods in the New World, River possess incredible, comparatively to the average human, superhuman levels of raw physical strength and power, marking her one of the few strongest living humans in the New World, surpassing almost every human there is. While not as strong as the Nine Demigods, she possess enough power to rise as the most powerful individual in the High Lands, the strongest princess and later King of the High Lands. In in her younger years after she gained confidence, she was able to overpower trained soldiers of the Hyland Royal Guard, combining her speed and strength to do so. Trained in the art of combat and war, she can use her demigod capabilities to overwhelm her trainers easily, and even hostile encounters through the Blood War. While wearing the Armour of Yggdrasil she can express higher levels of power that allowed her to be almost evenly match to even Alessia, one of the strongest players in YGGDRASIL. As an adventure, she can easily decimate any adventure that crosses her path, even knocking out a high-rank Orichalcum adventure with little effort.

* **Superhuman Strength**: As an demigod, specifically an demigod descendent of Týr and Yggdrasil, River is one of the most physically strongest individuals of the North, being counted as the strongest of the Five Northern Kings. She is able to exert her strength to effortlessly overpower the average human, with her able to grab and hold them in place with no signs of budging of the held down individual. In almost all cases, her single punch to the stomach is more then enough to knock down any man that gets in her way, at times even causing internally bleeding. On many occasions she can be seen carrying otherwise heavy supplies as if they're lightweight objects where it would quickly more effort from another individual. In the height of battle, she can exercise her strength in how use of weaponry, allowing her to knock down multiple people with a swing of her blade. She explained in simple brawls, she has to very much hold herself back as she can easily break and fracture human bones if she punched hard enough, demonstrating by snapping a brick like it was bread. Her strength in her fist is shown when she at full, unhinged strength connected her fist with a Draugr's head, which proceed to shatter into pieces leaving the Draugr headless. She was able to even take one an weakened Automaton Hecatoncheires named Aegaeon, where she was able to take out its joint to the right, causing it to malfunction. Her strength alone allows her to break though individual's blocking stance and knocking them down to the ground, staggering anyone with a heavy swing. With armours such as the Armour of Midgard allows her to achieve even higher levels of strength to the point only a few can equally match her.
* **Superhuman Speed**: By using her strength onto her legs and with her stamina, River is capable of reaching superhuman speeds by small leaps with her feet allowing her to go from point A to point B quickly. Due to her reflexes and acrobatic bodily form, she is capable of maximizing her speed and use her momentum to deliver crushing blows to anything she hits. However this act of gaining such speeds is the most taxing on her body as she requires much more concentration and focus on her surroundings as well using more stamina to push herself from the ground to quickly acceleration.
	+ **Superhuman Leaping**: By using her own speed as the momentum, River is able to achieve great leaping across gaps between herself and another piece of land. She has demonstrated to leap over 10 ft in a single leap while running and even further at her maximum sprinting speed.
* **Superhuman Durability**: River's is naturally more durable the average human, her muscular structure and bone tissue is more denser then the average human, allowing her to take a very rough beating to the point comparatively she seems almost impervious to most physical trauma. She has been to survive situations where it would've fatally killed most from blocking a sword with her own arm to being hit by an powerful-but-weakened Hecatoncheires, she was able to continue with little damage to her body. Even when fighting someone like Alessia, augmented by her Armour of Yggdrasil allowed her to become an almost equal to the powerful otherworlder.
* **Superhuman Agility**: River possess heightened, comparatively to other humans, superhuman levels of bodily coordination, balance and dexterity, allowing her much more bodily manoeuvrability. She is capable combined with her reflexes perform acrobatic feats to evade or counter incoming attacks to her person. Even wearing heavy body armour did not impede her movements, still able to move with grace throughout a battle.
* **Superhuman Reflexes**: River comparatively to the New World humans, possesses outstanding superhuman levels of reflexes and increased reaction time. She is capable of reacting with accelerated speeds to any danger or shifting conditions to her environment when the need arises. As an demigod she was able to not only reflect two incoming high-speed arrows, she was even able to catch one of them mid-air, demonstrating her accelerated perception and her hand coordination.
* **Superhuman Stamina**: River possess comparatively superhuman levels of stamina that she can perform physical activities for prolonged period of time without getting tired, enduring high-intense physical stress that would've made a normal individual tire or gain fatigue. According eye witness accounts, it was said during the Final Battle she fought for seven days straight against 1000 armed Alessian soldiers and not once tire out until her fight with Alessia which then she began to finally show fatigue.
* **Regenerative Healing Factor**: River showcased resistance and an healing factor to her wounds and bruising. This is more evident after her heavy wounds after the farm attack had almost entirely healed up by the time she awakened in Samuel's carriage. In fact Samuel stated her healing is much more effectively and greater then the average human, able to recovery from dire situations quickly if left alone.
	+ **Enhanced Immune System**: River possess an enhanced immune system that allows her body to combat almost all forms of earthly diseases and viruses, making her practically immune to infections. This alone allows her to a very healthy body and be at her prime. This also means she is unable to get intoxicated, at least she has yet to be despite she has drank alcohol in her life but shown no signs of intoxication.
* **Decelerated Aging**: As an fully awakened demigod, River acquired an extensive lifespan that is believed to exceed well over a hundred years, which in turn had allowed her to age at a decelerated rate then the normal human and even most creatures keeping a youthful appearance. This in turn had also increased her overall longevity beyond the normal expectancy much like the original Nine Demigods had where it is likely she will reach 100 and still appear to be in their late 20s.
* **Prime Health**: River's demigod nature allows her to possess a extremely, unnaturally heightened levels of health. In comparison to every other human in the New World, she is devoid of any genetic complications that often comes with them at birth, disorders, deformities, imperfections and even scarring is also never nullified. Their health is considered the peak of what is humanly possible or even beyond the limitations of man. Her fertility has never dropped, allowing her to always be capable of producing an offspring no matter her chronological or even physical age is.

**Master Swordsmanship**: River possess high levels, masterful skill in the way of the sword, having taught by her father then building herself up to excel in the art to become on of the North's most skilled swordswoman among the Nine Kingdoms. Thanks to her physical strength and reflexes which only adds on to her skill, she is able to swiftly strike at her opponents with a perfect stance and form, delivering otherwise lethal strikes to those she believes to be a threat. No matter the weapon from weight, height or size, in little time she is capable of utilizing any swords to her advantage to perform her combative duties.

* **Expert Jar'Kai** (二刀流, *Nitōryū*?, Lit. "Two-Sword Style"): River after obtaining the Blades of Surtr showcased some level of expertise in the form of Jar'Kai, the refined style of dual-wielding. In most situations in the New World, she is considered an expert in Jar'Kai, capable of wielding two weapons in both hands simultaneously more often going on speed and agility then raw slicing power and brute force. If anything, Jar'Kai is an form that she uses strategically and precise jabs at her foes.

**Keen Intellect**: River is an intelligent woman with war experiences, leadership and strategies. She is able to deduce quick judgements to her advantage and quickly understand most things if given time. As an former military general, she possess amazingly puzzle solving intuition as she deduce an connection with any given information, as well quickly use her knowledge to figure out certain puzzles.

### Martial Arts

River Martial Arts are unique to herself as she developed these throughout her lifetime, more often conceding with the two weapons she gained, which allows her to create unique styles to her desires, granting her unique abilities as of the result.

#### Blades of Surtr

**Swift Striker**: By entering into an offensive stance conceding with her agility, the Blades of Surtr ignites as she swiftly strikes forward, performing quick precise strikes to anyone she targets, also granting burn damage to anyone she hits.

**Chains of Surtr**: Thanks to Brokkr upgrading the Blades, River can perform unique styles with the chains, as she can fling the blades from the chains themselves to do greater damage and greater reach. This results in a new array of Martial Arts in her arsenal that further enhances her damage prowess.

* **Acrobatic Slingshot**: By throwing down the Blades from the chains, she can then leapt into the air and perform a downward heavy strike at her target with the goal of dealing critical or fatal direct damage to the target's head.

## Paraphernalia

### Weapons

**Nothung** (必要の子, *Hitsuyōnoko*?, Lit. "Child of Need")

**Blades of Surtr** (スルトの刃, *Suruto no Ha*?): The Blades of Surtr is one of the three primary weapons River uses, being created by Brokkr from Smoldering Embers which is gathered only in Muspelheim. An contrast to the weapon Frostmourne, the Blade of Surtr are twin blades that releases the fires of Muspelheim, granting River an powerful weaponn of fire in the New World. It's a *Legendary*-class Item only Brokkr can craft, being a special recipe given to him by Surtr himself.

**Frostmourne** (フロストモーン, *Furosutomōn*?): Frostmourne is an contrast of the Blades of Surtr, made from Frozen Embers only found mostly in Helheim and rarely in Niflheim. It's a powerful ice-based war axe capable of bringing down the blizzards of Helheim onto her enemies, freezing anything it touches. It's a *Legendary*-class Item only Brokkr can craft, being a special recipe given to him by a unknown jötunn.

### Armours

**Armour of Midgard** (ミズガルズの鎧, *Mizugaruzu no Yoroi*?): The Armour of Midgard is a identical full body armour of the Armour of Yggdrasil, instead being made from the "residual leaf of Midgard" whereas the Armour of Yggdrasil was made from the World Tree YGGDRASIL directly. Considerably Weaker being it's a *High*-class Item, the Armour of Midgard howeer brings almost the same capabilities to Armour of Yggdrasil but focus solely on an tank. It protects her from all manner of damage and allows her to survive from much more blunt damage. However it's heavier and makes her more slower then the Armour of Yggdrasil but she can use it effectively due to her superhuman strength.

**Crimson Uniform** (真紅制服(クリムゾンユニフォーム), *Kurimuzon Yunifōmu*?)

#### Former Weapons & Equipment

**Balmung** (バルムン, *Barumun*?)

**Armour of Yggdrasil** (世界樹の鎧(ユグドラシルの鎧), *Yugudorashiru no Yoroi*?, Lit. "Armour of the World Tree")

## Trivia & Notes

* Physically represented by Mordred.
* At first, Lionheart was initially the author's main character, however upon creating and filling River Pond, she became the author's main character.