Eleven years away from Jupiter. Eleven years of double lives, double standards, and doing whatever it takes to survive.

  At 29, Princess Sigrun Fjeld has seen much. Some would say too much. Born in Bj?rgvin II, capital of the Nordic Commonwealth, she fled Europa at 18 when the Radi-Mon invasion threatened to turn her into breeding stock for her own mother's twisted ambitions. Her boyfriend Ivar gave her enough money to escape, and a Psytum Sword that would become her most treasured possession...and source of agony.

  The prosperous Martian city of Xing Hong became her new home, but prosperity didn't extend to refugee women. For eleven years, Sigrun has walked two paths: elite Psi Lynx operative by day, Leased Lily by night. She taught herself to find pleasure in survival, to compartmentalize the unpleasant, to build walls as formidable as her arsenal.

  Beneath the goddess beauty and intimidating presence lies a woman yearning for someone who sees beyond her body, even as her actions encourage men to perceive her sexually. Her Lunar psionic affinity grants her innate talents in ice magic and gravity manipulation, while her turbulent emotions allow her to channel rage into every swing of her blades, and every shot of her guns. Unlike the 10mm she'd originally learned to wield in college, Sigrun prefers bigger guns and weapons as of 2295.

  Stats (Year 2295, Chapter 2)

  Power: 7 - Years of weight training and combat have sculpted her into a bruiser who can bench press men

  Resilience: 5 - Endures extended combat and...marathons in the bedchamber

  Intellect: 1 - Trauma shattered her ability to think critically. Cannot detect lies or see through deceptions

  Magnetism: 2 - Goddess beauty undermined by walls. She's gorgeous but terrifying

  Agility: 3 - Decent mobility, nothing exceptional

  Libido: 6 - Sexual needs twisted by trauma and commodification. Recently spiking as stress coping mechanism

  Sigrun's weapons are tools and the history of her survival on Mars. Each acquisition is a story of compromise, determination, and the price of staying alive.

  Type: Psytum Sword (Quantum-Blue Lunar Blade)

  Manufacturer: Champaign Institute of Telepathy, Illinois, Earth

  Rarity: Unique - Echo Sapphire Core

  Ivar's parting gift. This uniquely engineered blade contains an Echo Sapphire that allows Sigrun to summon it across vast distances. The quantum-blue energy blade responds to her emotional state through "Harmonious Resonance": serenity creates calming auras for negotiation, while aggression unleashes disruptive frequencies that disorient enemies.

  The Weight of Memory: Due to the traumatic memories that Sigrun associates with this powerful weapon, she rarely uses it these days. Every activation reminds her of Ivar, of Europa, of the life she lost. It's why Járn has become her preferred weapon, while Baldr sits in her apartment like a painful shrine. Perhaps one day, she will find the courage to ignite it once more.

  Combat Mechanics:

  ? Drains 2 AP/second while active (mental strain tax)

  ? 20% of damage dealt converts to AP restoration (once awakened)

  ? +5 bonus AP when striking psionic enemies

  ? Prolonged use (2+ hours) causes psionic fatigue

  ? Extended combat (3+ hours) risks hypothermia and permanent damage

  Type: One-Handed Thermal Axe

  Manufacturer: Imperium of Dragons (Nordic variant)

  Damascus steel ripples along its double-blade design, gold inlay tracing Norse knotwork and runic blessings. Originally commissioned as diplomatic gifts for Nordic Commonwealth dignitaries, Járn found its way to Mars through Prefect Dilinur Altai's discrete liquidation of "culturally inappropriate" Imperial archives.

  The Honest Weapon: Cost three months of savings during her second year on Mars. Unlike Baldr's emotional burden, Járn asks nothing except strength and will. Its thermal edge cauterizes as it cuts.

  Combat Mechanics:

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  ? +25~100% damage vs organic enemies (instant cauterization at max power)

  ? Enemies killed could bleed or leave trails if the thermal meter level is low

  ? Can activate thermal core mid-swing for burst damage (once Sigrun learns how)

  ? Can be dual-wielded with another off-hand weapon (once Sigrun learns how)

  ? Requires weekly sharpening (maintenance mini-game. The sharpening stone will be featured in a future gallery entry for Sigrun)

  Type: Modified Breacher Shotgun

  Manufacturer: Terra Alliance (Unregistered Variant)

  Modifications: Extended barrel, tightened spread, golden filigree

  Pristine white composite frame bearing elaborate golden filigree that flows like frozen honey. The extended barrel pushes effective range to 25 meters. This is ten meters beyond the standard shotguns in this universe. Collapses into brick configuration for concealment.

  The Price of Power: Sigrun acquired this gun from Emmanuel Boateng, an important Fusion Smith (the 'blacksmith' or weapons/armor vendor in this universe) in the story, during her fourth year on Mars. Initial trade: two months of Leased Lily earnings. Eventually, there would come a "maintenance plan": one night of sex per service, any act except kissing the lips. Especially handy when an expensive mod or de-jamming is required. This hidden option adds layers to their complicated 'professional relationship'.

  Combat Mechanics:

  ? Effective range: 25m (vs standard 15m)

  ? 40% tighter spread pattern than base model

  ? Can fire immediately after melee strike (no weapon swap delay). But reliable execution of this technique requires substantial leveling up

  ? Point-Blank Execution: Heavy damage + knockback cone (with the right mods)

  ? Is classified as two-handed, like most rifles and heavy guns. But Sigrun can makes progress in dual-wielding to eventually use this gun in one-handed operation

  Type: Quantum-Fiber Programmable Hair Clip (PHC)

  Issue: Standard Psi Lynx Cover Identity Kit

  Deceptively simple metallic clip with subtle blue accents. Manipulates hair at molecular level through controlled quantum field compression. Originally developed for deep-cover operatives, now popular among Leased Lilies across the Seven Realms for instant appearance changes.

  Programmed Configurations:

  ? "Valkyrie" - Combat half-up ponytail (Combat operations)

  ? "Freyja" - Sleek shoulder-bob (Leased Lily appointments)

  ? "Shield-maiden" - Full tactical bun (heavy combat or intense workout)

  ? "Civilian" - Loose waves (rare downtime)

  ? [Empty Slot] - She's never selected a fifth

  Features:

  ? Instant hair length/style transformation

  ? Quantum compression (hair remains intact, just temporally compressed)

  ? Optional pheromone modifier (alters body scent)

  Type: Quantum Computing Device

  Operating Temperature: Near absolute zero

  Gift From: Ivar (Year 2284 - Europa Evacuation)

  Operating at near-absolute-zero temperatures, the Nucleus Watch performs billions of operations per second. It's smartphone, combat computer, and memory archive in one package. Quantum Entanglement Communication means distance doesn't matter. Sigrun can call across the Sol System without lag.

  The Device Still Remembers: Ivar fastened this on her wrist eleven years ago. Every memory since that moment lives in its quantum storage. She can relive any experience: training sessions, successful bounties, memorable dates, the sex after, or moments she'd rather forget. The temptation to escape into better times is always there.

  Core Functions:

  ? Real-time HP/AP monitoring and combat analysis

  ? Target identification and bounty value calculation

  ? Quantum Immersion: Relive any memory while wearing device (10min max, 0.166% battery/sec)

  ? QEC communication across the Sol System (might malfuction in Proxima Centauri or Tau Ceti)

  ? Social Worth Level assessment (controversial gamification system)

  Sigrun's fighting style is brutally honest: overwhelming physical power compensating for weak psionic abilities and dangerously low Intellect. She can't outthink opponents, so she overwhelms them. Járn for reliable carnage. Skuld when distance matters. Baldr when she needs to end things decisively—despite the emotional cost.

  Her Lunar psionics manifest as ice and lightning: Silver Moon Lightning chains between targets, Frost Moon Bolt for single-target, freezing damage, and Frost Veil for sustained heavy defense before shattering into freezing novas. Her turbulent emotions serve as fuel for Nordling spells of valor and destruction.

  The Asymmetry: Sigrun is all body but her mind drifts—the inverse of someone else in the story, who possesses genius intellect (I:8) trapped in a weak frame (P:1). She has the strength he lacks; he has the intelligence she desperately needs. Perhaps together, they'll sum to something more complete.

  "Eleven years of being someone else's fantasy while fighting to not get eaten alive. But maybe there's someone out there who sees past it all. Who's okay with the broken woman beneath the fancy exterior."

  Follow Sigrun's journey in Nucleus: Dreams & Desires

  New chapters release weekly here on Royal Road

  So, want to explore more of this universe?

  Visit the official Nucleus lore website for detailed faction breakdowns, technology primers, character codex entries, world-building deep dives, and much more.

  Whether you're curious about the Nordic Commonwealth's military doctrine, the Fenris's rise to power, or how Psytum Swords actually work~~it's all there waiting for you.

  nucleusseries.com