Hilda

Nestled between the tundras of the North Valley and the Moniyan Plain lies a unique land with a massive, ancient stone formation that has earned it the name Megalith Wasteland. The Megalith Desert must be crossed if one wants to reach Northern Vale. It was also Hilda’s homeland.

In the resource-scarce North Valley, tribal conflict was as constant as year-round ice and snow. The strongest tribes would gain the right to own the largest and easiest hunting grounds. This was even more true for the Garland tribe of the Megalith Wasteland. The perilous geography and barren soil of the Jad Wasteland made it incredibly inhospitable to human habitation. Yet, thanks to the protection of the Power of the Megaliths, this tribe tenaciously survived for many years.

The ancient megalith stood here for many centuries. Its creators hoped to use its magical powers to confine the Golems of Iceland to the north of the continent, thus preventing them from coming south. As time passed and the Golems disappeared, the magic of the megalith also lost its original purpose. All that remained were ancient ruins, brimming with the power of the megalith passed down through the centuries.

Legend has it that only he who leads the purest lineage of the Garland clan can lift the stone disc plate, located in the center of the megalith, and inherit its power. So, when each successor as head of the tribe was 20 years old, they went to the Megalith and received its incredible power, becoming the Power of the Megalith. They would then be ready to lead their tribe against foreign incursions.

Since she was a child, Hilda had been the subject of great expectations, since her mother, the former Megalith Power, had been killed in battle while defending the tribe ten years ago. Having lost the protection of the Megalith, the tribe had fallen into deep crisis, enduring constant pillaging and harassment. Therefore, the tribesmen pinned all their hopes on Hilda, praying that she would become strong and take on the important task of protecting the tribe.

Hilda did not disappoint them. From a young age, she demonstrated exceptional talent for combat and strength far beyond her years. Over time, she became the tribe's most powerful warrior.

Eventually, Hilda was to turn 20, and the languid Garland tribe held a grand ceremony for the event. They prayed day and night for the power of the megalith to be reborn and hoped that it would restore the tribe to its former glory.

Yet while many watched with bated breath, Hilda was unable to lift the stone disk even with all her strength. There was stunned silence until a tribe elder stepped forward to tell the truth: Hilda was not the biological daughter of the previous Megalith Power, but was adopted after being found as an abandoned baby in the wild.

The tribesmen, so full of hope and anticipation before, now fell into despair. The faith that had sustained them over the years collapsed in an instant. Their immense, simmering disappointment quickly led to rage and prejudice, and they began to shove and curse Hilda, declaring that she was worthless. Hearing this, Hilda found it difficult to remain stable.

As disappointed as the others, Hilda suddenly remembered her adoptive mother's last words to her: "The power of the megalith is not simply inherited. One must truly understand its inner meaning. The power of the megalith of each generation has had its own unique meaning. To me, the power of the megalith is a heart, as resilient and indomitable as a giant rock."

Hilda, filled with frustration, left the Megalith Desert, which had been her home for many years, and began a long period of wandering life. During these years, she became a wandering mercenary and traveled throughout the Moniyan Empire and most of the Land of Dawn.

Her mother's words never left her during these times. However, she never backed down, no matter what danger she faced. The constant trials and tribulations she endured greatly strengthened her, making her a warrior as fearsome as stone.

And even though she had left the Megalith Desert behind, Hilda knew that this was where her heart belonged. Years later, Hilda saved a slave girl from torture and recognized her as a member of the Garland tribe. From her, Hilda learned of the current state of the tribe: after Hilda left, the Garland tribe chose a new megalith power, who was truly from the line of leaders. However, this new power of the megalith was not leadership material. His foolish and childish ways caused the Garland tribe to decline even further, until it was completely subjugated by another tribe and all its inhabitants reduced to slavery.

Despite her tribe's treatment of her, Hilda returned to the Megalith Desert without hesitation, freeing her people from brutal enemies, fighting them with her bare fists, and leading them to rebuild their home. It was only then that the tribesmen finally understood that true leadership has nothing to do with a person's ancestry. Coming to their senses, they accepted Hilda as their leader and hoped that she would stay with them and continue to pass on the glorious power of the megalith.

This time, however, Hilda refused their invitation, deciding to return to a foreign country. His mother's words weighed constantly on his mind: the power of each generation's megaliths had its own meaning. She had received an indomitable heart from her mother, but she still had not found her own meaning. But one day, she thought, she would.