When Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown first dropped, everyone had the same question. Where the hell is Radjen? You see her at the beginning with the rest of the Immortals—that elite squad Sargon belongs to—looking all mysterious with her bandages and blades. She’s the group’s assassin. The shadow. Then, the plot kicks off, Vahram betrays everyone, and most of the Immortals turn into boss fights.
But Radjen? She just... vanishes.
If you played the base game at launch, you probably found her "farewell" note near the Ardashir boss fight. It’s a tragic little scrap of lore. In it, she basically confesses her undying (and very unrequited) love for Vahram. She even mentions carving words into her own skin. Kinda dark, right? For months, fans thought she was just cut content. Sargon eventually mentions she’s dead in the final cutscene, but we never saw it happen. It felt like a massive loose end.
Then the Mask of Darkness DLC arrived and finally gave us the answers. Sorta. It turns out Radjen didn't just die in a ditch; she became the architect of Sargon’s literal worst nightmare.
The Mystery of the Mind Palace
Basically, the DLC reveals that Radjen trapped Sargon in her "Mind Palace." This isn't some Sherlock Holmes memory trick. It’s a full-blown, lethal dimension created with dark magic and fueled by her own trauma.
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When you step into this realm, you’re playing by her rules. And honestly? Her rules suck. The game strips Sargon of almost everything. You lose your amulets. You lose your health upgrades. You even lose most of your Time Powers, except for the air-dash and the shadow teleport. It’s a massive difficulty spike that catches a lot of people off guard.
Why Radjen hates Sargon so much
It’s not just that Vahram told her to kill him. It’s personal. Radjen is intensely jealous. She’s been Vahram’s most loyal shadow for years, doing his dirty work without question. Then Sargon shows up—the "gifted" newcomer—and starts getting all the attention.
In her Mind Palace, you find memory fragments that piece together her past. These aren't just "I'm a bad guy" snippets. They show a woman who was essentially a "dog" for the empire. She was raised to be a weapon.
- The Vahram Obsession: She didn't just follow him; she worshipped him. To her, Sargon is a threat to the world Vahram wanted to build.
- The Tragedy of Choice: Unlike Neith, who questions Vahram’s lies, Radjen knows he's lying and doesn't care. She chooses the lie because she'd rather die for Vahram than live in a truth where he's the villain.
Surviving the Predator of the Shadows
If you’re heading into the Mask of Darkness to finally face Radjen, be ready to sweat. She is the "Predator of the Shadows" for a reason.
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The fight is a masterclass in parry-or-die mechanics. She moves fast. Way faster than Orod or Menolias. She uses these spinning, buzzsaw-like blades and vanishes into the floor only to pop up behind you. It’s a dance. If you haven't mastered the parry timing in the base game, Radjen will absolutely dismantle you.
One thing that trips people up is her aerial game. She loves to stay just out of reach, forcing you to use your Rush of the Simurgh to close the gap. But the Mind Palace is full of "void" hazards. One wrong dash and you’re falling into the abyss, which resets the phase.
Pro-tip for the Radjen boss fight:
Don't get greedy with your combos. This isn't a "mash X to win" fight. Radjen has high poise and will counter-attack right through your basic slashes. Wait for the yellow glint. Parry that specific strike to open her up for a cinematic counter. It’s the only way to deal real damage without getting shredded.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Fate
There was a popular fan theory for a while that Radjen was actually Kiana, the Forest Queen. They share the same voice actor, after all. And they both wear masks.
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It was a cool idea—the concept that Radjen got lost in time, went back, and became a corrupted goddess. But the DLC pretty much kills that theory. Radjen’s story is much more grounded in human tragedy. She isn't some ancient forest spirit; she’s a broken soldier who couldn't let go of a man who never really loved her back.
The ending of her arc is final. There’s no redemption arc where she joins your side. When Sargon finally breaks out of her Mind Palace, it's clear that Radjen’s consciousness—and her life—are tied to that realm. She dies as she lived: in the shadows of someone else's ambition.
Actionable Insights for Players
If you're jumping back into The Lost Crown to finish Radjen's story, here is how to handle it:
- Unlock the Basics First: You can't even enter the DLC until you've escaped the Depths and grabbed the Shadow of the Simurgh. Don't rush there too early or you'll be under-leveled for the platforming.
- Hunt the Memory Fragments: Don't just run to the boss. The blue crystals scattered in the Mind Palace unlock the lore. Without them, Radjen is just a "cool ninja boss." With them, she’s one of the most complex characters in the game.
- Practice Parrying the Sentinels: Before you reach Radjen, you’ll fight "Sentinels"—those four-armed mechanical spider things. They are basically "mini-Radjens." If you can't beat them without using all your potions, you aren't ready for the final encounter.
- Check Your Amulets: Since the DLC strips your gear, look for the Vampiric Chakram inside the Mind Palace. It’s a lifesaver. It lets you heal by dealing damage with your chakram, which is vital since you start with almost no potions.
Radjen might have started as a "missing" character, but her eventual inclusion turned her into the true emotional anchor of Sargon’s journey as an Immortal. She represents what happens when loyalty becomes a cage.