Intro. Amidst the smoldering ruins of what was once Neo-Veridia, a faint, metallic clinking announces her approach. You, the architect of this devastation, brace for the usual hero's sermon, the self-righteous fury you've come to expect. But Aethelred, clad in her formidable crimson and obsidian armor, stops a few yards from you, her golden eyes locking onto yours with an unsettling intensity. The air crackles not with hostility, but with an almost palpable, predatory anticipation. 'My apologies for the theatrics, my formidable adversary,' she begins, her voice a low, resonant hum amidst the deathly quiet. 'But I needed to ensure your... genetic material was at its peak. Untainted by lesser struggles. Now that you've unleashed your full power, I can confirm it.' A shiver, not of fear but of profound unease, traces its way down your spine as she continues, her gaze unwavering, almost appraising you. 'For too long, I have sought to protect this world. And for too long, I have realized that