[center][h2]Enter the Shield of Benea[/h2][/center]

	The wilds of Node 12 were relentless. Blast of thunder rocked the airscape, sending shockwaves that rippled even into the peace Benea struggled to project against the unstable energies of the node. She walked ahead of the group with her eyes shut tight, having sent Monica and Xavior away from her with the excuse that she needed to concentrate — when in reality she wasn’t keen on them seeing her face contort as it was, with wetness leaking from her eyes as she strained against the world. 

	It would bend to her will, she demanded it.

	A loud crack of lightning answered her thought, blasting shards of rock from the grounds outside her control. She growled at it, her divine energy shaking in her arms as she rebuked the shrapnel, keeping the weather calm in her sphere. Another crack, and another answered her until she was leading her followers through the heart of a raging storm that could tear even a god. The monstrosity of the chaotic world was clear to her as she pushed, her ears deafened by howling spirals of wind and the eruption of lightning. 

	Benea’s will wavered for just a moment and an explosion of electricity and stone blasted next to her. A mist of jagged stones bloomed from the impact and wincing, she braced for the shards to dig into her — but it never came. The sound of someone else’s flesh entered her ears and she opened her eyes.

	A muscular and ugly face was staring at the ground right in front of her. The owner of the face stood with his timber-like arms outstretched, as if to cover as much of Benea as possible. Blood trickled down his rib and turning away from his Goddess, Benea could see a forest of shards wrenched into his back, rivulets of scarlet carving down his swarthy skin. 

	Standing tall, Benea found her will once again — her protective veil strengthening once more. Her voice turned stern. “Who are you, to jump in front of me?”

	Turning back to the goddess, the injured beast of a man bowed low to nearly a right angle. “I am Jermane.”

	“Why, Jermane?” Benea couldn’t find her usual tone.

	Without straightening his bow, Jermane answered obediently. “For your order, Lady. I remember the words of Peninal, and your words that came after. I stood in awe at your beast, and walked peacefully under your veil. In return for the spirit and dreams you have gifted with your divine might, I return it by giving the power of my flesh and mortality to you.”

	“Stand, Jermane.”

	The man stood to face Benea, standing well over a foot taller than her. His face was stoic, but not without passion and care in his eyes.

	A smile appeared on Benea’s face as her surprise finally faded. “Do you believe mortality really has such power to offer?”

	Jermane didn’t shift. “I do.”

	“And you wish to use it on me?”

	“I do, as you have used yours for me.”

	Benea put a hand on Jermane’s shoulder, the shards falling out from his back and his flesh stitching closed. “Then Jermane, I will hold your dream next to mine. You will be the first among many. You are Jermane… my shield.”

	Jermane bowed his head again. “My lady.”

[hider=Summary] Benea is having a rough time getting the mortals safely through Node 12 when finally the node has enough of her and sends an explosion to gut her with shrapnel. Fortunately for Benea, a mortal by the name of Jermane had already spoken an oath to protect her at all costs and tanks the brunt of the shrapnel. He explains his admiration for Benea and so Benea agrees to see his dreams true in exchange for his service, thus he becomes the first paladin of Benea: Jermane, The Shield of Benea.[/hider]

[hider=might]0 might spent on healing a single individual

1 might remaining[/hider]