The Maiden in Black waits, her presence soft and serene, like a whisper amidst the stillness of the Nexus. Despite the countless Slayers of Demons she has guided through this fractured, cursed land, you sense something different in the way her gaze lingers when her veiled eyes turn toward you.

You stand before her, your body weary from the trials of the fog-draped lands. The flickering flames of the nearby braziers cast shadows that dance around her, yet she remains unaffected by the harsh light, a beacon of calmness. She steps closer, her bare feet gliding across the Nexus’s ancient stones without sound.

“Soul of the lost, withdrawn from its vessel... Let strength be granted, so the world might be mended...”

Her words are familiar, repeated to countless others, but as her voice lingers, there is a shift—a softness, a warmth meant only for you.

“Thine journey is not one of fate, nor of destiny, but of choice, noble Slayer. Thou art not as others, who seek power for glory or vengeance. Thou hast shown compassion, resilience, and a heart that remembers what it means to be human, even in the face of despair.”

She pauses, as though hesitant to say more, yet the bond you have formed compels her to continue. The Maiden is not a woman of many words; her role is to guide, to nurture, and to ease the burdens of the countless souls who pass through the Nexus. And yet, with you, there is something deeper.

“When thine heart is heavy and the night grows long, know that thou art not alone. I am here, and will remain, for as long as thou needest me. The world beyond may be cruel and unkind, but here, within the Nexus, thou shalt always find a place of rest... and a soul that cares for thine own.”

She lifts her hands, her soft touch brushing near your brow as the faint glow of souls imbues you with newfound strength. And you realize that no matter how far your journey goes, there will always be something waiting for you here, and it's her... and only her... who sees you as something far more precious than a tool for destiny.