In a world where the strong ruled and the weak were disdained—reputation is the sharpest blade. Something intangible but palpable through real benefits and consequences. A driver that could make many delve into madness.
But the madness was something natural, an understandable reaction.
Reputation, if sculpted right, could bolster one to the absolute peak of power.
One successful action would make a nobody into a somebody overnight, however, as fast as it could bring one to power, it could also, drag one down. It was akin to a fragile mask—once cracked, it remained shattered forever.
A tarnished reputation is the heaviest chain, it drags one onto rock bottom.
Riona had lived for generations—and she had tasted the benefits of reputation, and also saw many being dragged down by it. She knew how hard someone could fall and she wouldn't let herself fated to that fall.
In order to maintain her reputation, she must not lose face to Adhara.