"Aha! You continue to surprise me, my friend!"

Kenneth Haight grasped Gundrik's right hand with both of his own, vigorously shaking it up and down for a moment before taking a step back, with both his arms spread out to the side. They were within one of the side rooms from the main throne room. Gundrik distinctly remembered the room being disappointingly empty the last time he was there. At that moment, it had a large, makeshift oak table with a few chairs.

"And to think, I, Kenneth Haight, attempted to knight the next Elden Lord! I suppose such a ceremony need not be completed now, not that I hold it against you; you have proven yourself a friend and an ally, and a true crusader of the Order! I could not think of a more worthy candidate than you!"

Gundrik looked from his hand up to Kenneth several times, as if trying to process what the beleaguered noble had said. He opened and closed his hands a few times before letting it fall to his side.

"I… appreciate it, Kenneth," Gundrik replied with a half-grin, trying not to show how uncomfortable he was. "Not that I would have objected to being knighted by you, but I guess I found a higher calling, huh?"

"Indeed, indeed!" Kenneth exclaimed, folding his hands together in front of him. "And you brought back our god: Queen Marika the Eternal, in the flesh!"

"What a funny little man," Marika commented. "I shalt leave thee to discuss strategy with our allies, Lord Gundrik. Be forewarned; mine other half, he is growing far more irritable. I wouldst prepare to hear from him before long."

Gundrik turned his head. "Where are you going?"

"To find some measure of peace within this rotting castle," Marika replied, turning. "If thou hast need of me, thou wilt find me on the battlements."

Without another word, Gundrik heard Marika leave, her footsteps echoing within the stone hall. He snorted before turning back to a bewildered Kenneth.

"Not what you imagined, I take it?" Gundrik asked.

"No, not so much… that is to say, I had never heard Queen Marika speak before, you understand," Kenneth said, running a hand over his forehead. "I suppose a woman of her stature has every reason to be irritated. I assume she has taken kindly to you, a former Tarnished on the throne of Elden Lord?"

Gundrik shook his head. "If anything, the opposite."

"Ah, indeed? That is, er, odd. But I will not prod at the mind of a god such as herself," Kenneth said, waving Gundrik over. "Now, come! I am sure Lady Nepheli will arrive momentarily-!"

The clanking of armor reverberated throughout the stone chamber, and a moment later, Nepheli entered, flanked by two Banished Knights, one with a halberd and one with twin longswords. Gundrik remembered fighting several during his one-man assault on Stormveil Castle, ages ago. He had been one, once, and even then he still wore the armor of one of their number.

"I hope you haven't exhausted the new Elden Lord with your enthusiasm, Kenneth," Nepheli said as she walked in, the two Banished Knights staying and guarding the doorway. "I still need to discuss what our strategy will be."

Kenneth scoffed. "Preposterous. Kenneth Haight has been the most courteous and welcoming of hosts for our new Elden Lord! Queen Marika herself seemed impressed at my hospitality."

"She went to go and sulk on the battlements," Gundrik stated, as Nepheli made her way to the table. Gundrik walked around until he was at the top, adjusting himself as he sat down to make himself seem more presentable. It was difficult to do with such battered and worn armor, but he wouldn't be able to fix that for some time. "I'm expecting another guest will arrive shortly, but until then, let us get down to business."

"Raya Lucaria," Nepheli began, "I heard stories of it. I knew they created the Albinaurics, used them as slaves. It was my father who sent his men after that village, Lord Gundrik, but I will not abide such abhorrent practices."

"And I will not either, but this is bigger than that," Gundrik said, leaning forward and clasping his hands together. "They present the only true force in this land that could threaten this new Order in its infancy. What's more, Queen Rennala remains trapped in the library, at the academy's apex. I do not expect much resistance; most of Liurnia's army are not in much better shape than the others that dot the land. All that remains is a small garrison within the remnants of the gate town. Everyone else within are deadly, but frail, scholars."

"It seems to me that our army will be enough. Much as these low-born exiles and knights are of ill repute, they are hardy and willing," Kenneth said. "I could not convince my demi-human soldiers at my fort to follow, but I am sure-"

"We'll get to that at some other point in time, Kenneth. After this is over," Gundrik cut him off, turning to Nepheli. "How many soldiers do you have?"

Nepheli tilted her head back and pursed her lips. "Well over a hundred within the castle itself and several patrols clearing the roads. Most of them are the Exiles Kenneth so ruthlessly called 'low-born' a moment ago, with a handful of your kinsmen and mercenaries. It is not a force that would have brought much notice before the Shattering, but now it seems the strongest army in the entire Lands Between."

"That tends to happen when a mad Tarnished goes around murdering demigods, yes," Gundrik noted dryly.

"I say 'low-born' with only the fondest of meanings!" Kenneth professed, "Everyone has a place within this new Order, is that not correct, Lord Gundrik?"

"It would seem that way. The Elden Ring is mended, the Erdtree burns bright, and the evil that plagued these lands is far away," Gundrik grumbled. "It may not stay that way forever, but I intend to make sure it lasts for dozens, hundreds of generations before it is fouled again."

Nepheli smiled, nodding her head. "Perhaps that is why we were all brought here, and brought back. To ensure this land does not need to suffer more suffering, more persecution than had always happened. If that is the case, then I am glad you are the new Elden Lord, my friend."

"Singing my praises won't elevate you in the new court I'll be making, Nepheli," Gundrik grunted, leaning back. "But, by all means, keep going."

"Perhaps we have dallied long enough?" Kenneth suggested, and Gundrik knew that if Kenneth Haight was asking them to get to the point, then they must have gone so far off the beaten path, they were in Nokron. "Lady Nepheli is correct in her assertions; our army numbers in the hundreds, but I find myself wary at the prospect of fighting trained Academy scholars, nonetheless."

"You are not wrong to fear it. I do not think we have many spellcasters within our ranks. Or any at all, as a matter of fact," Nepheli concurred, turning to Gundrik. "How do you suggest we deal with potential setbacks?"

"I saw what magical enchantments did to the Knights of the Cuckoo, on the approach to Caria Manor," Gundrik said, placing one hand on the table and rapidly tapping his fingers. "I would suggest we enchant our arms and armor to withstand full blasts, but the Knights of the Cuckoo were incredible at that, and it didn't help them. Our best bet will be to assault it before they have a chance to set up defenses. I cut my way through Raya Lucaria myself to get the second Great Rune; its defenses are formidable, but far from impenetrable."

"Overwhelming force, then, is it?" Nepheli murmured.

Kenneth harrumphed. "A baseborn strategy, but one that can serve us well. A rock can hit as well as a mace in the right hands."

Gundrik was about to say more, to assuage the doubt in his compatriots' minds, but he was interrupted as a metallic rustling came from the doorway. Gundrik spotted red hair as the tall man pushed past the Banished Knights standing guard, his eyes as intense and blazing as they always had been.

"Oh, damnit," Gundrik muttered to himself.

"What-?" Kenneth began, before his eyes promptly widened upon Radagon's entrance. The other half of Queen Marika surveyed them all, his lips barely held back from curling into a sneer.

"Is this to be the war council that will reform our order?" Radagon growled, holding his hand out and gesturing to each of them. "A barbarian, a pompous fool, and the defiler of gold? I would suggest all of you to join a troupe, but I feel none would take you."

"It's nice to see you too, Lord Radagon," Gundrik said, waving. "Would you care to join us as we plan to assault your ex-wife's academy?"

Kenneth looked from Gundrik to Radagon several times, his expression growing more incredulous by the second. Nepheli calmly turned from Radagon to Gundrik, tilting her head.

"Ask me later," Gundrik pleaded.

"I know what you plan to do," Radagon sniffed, moving behind Nepheli and standing above Gundrik. Thankfully, the Second Elden Lord saw fit to repurpose Marika's dress to cover his unmentionables. It still left the red-headed god half-naked. "And you are to assault an academy full of trained mages, with nothing but an army filled with criminals, whoresons, and disgraced knights?"

"Yes," Gundrik replied succinctly, trying not to stare at Radagon's chest and stomach.

Radagon snorted, circling around Gundrik. "Do you not remember the tales, Gundrik? I am certain these other two have as well. I assaulted Liurnia, to bring it into the Golden Order. You know how that ended."

"With a loving marriage?" Gundrik asked.

"E-excuse me but I am a bit-!" Kenneth began, but Radagon drowned him out.

"The Carian Queen, she brought our forces to their knees," Radagon reminisced, "hundreds of men and women met their deaths at the end of her sorcery and scepter. Until I met her in single combat. I had not a single thought within my head before that moment, it feels. We had not subjugated Liurnia like we had planned, but they were brought into the Order all the same."

"You loved her," Gundrik said, tilting his head up.

Radagon went silent.

"I don't know what you intended to accomplish when you so rudely barged into this meeting," Gundrik said, standing up. "I don't intend to kill Queen Rennala, if that is what you are thinking. She could be useful, if she still lives. But – look at me."

Radagon lifted his head, closing his eyes for a moment before turning to look down at Gundrik, though his vision seemed to focus on something farther away.

"I want to ask you a question," Gundrik said, "was it your own will, or the Greater Will's influence, that demanded you separate yourself from Queen Rennala?"

Radagon turned away, releasing a shuddering breath. "I need not-!"

"Answer me, damnit! You are Elden Lord no longer! I am!" Gundrik suddenly shouted. "Tell me, now. I demand an answer!"

"My will had nothing to do with it!" Radagon snarled, his hands clenched so tightly Gundrik could see drops of blood falling from them. "It was required! The Golden Order demanded more Empyrean candidates! Godfrey had provided none, yet my spawn did! Our will was irrelevant!"

"So why continue to follow it?" Gundrik asked, not backing down. "Marika knew, she plotted, and yet you tried to stop it, didn't you? Why swear your loyalty to it, when it treated you like an object? Why? Tell me."

Radagon roared, sending his fist crashing into the table, splintering it without effort. Nepheli barely moved a muscle, simply watching the display, while Kenneth yelped and scuttled away from the broken furniture, his chair tumbling to his side as he scrambled from the angry god.

"Because it is all that I am!"

The room was dead silent after that. Nobody dared to move. After a few moments, though, Gundrik turned to Nepheli.

"Take Kenneth and leave. I'll meet you in the throne room when we're finished," Gundrik said.

Nepheli nodded wordlessly, standing up from her seat before gesturing for Kenneth to follow her. The wayward noble scrambled toward her like a dog who had just been slapped, practically running at her heels. Within seconds, only Gundrik and Radagon were in the room.

"How about you take a seat, big man?" Gundrik suggested, pointing toward one of the chairs that lined the broken table; the one Nepheli had been sitting in a moment before. "Before you hyperventilate, preferably."

Radagon glared at Gundrik, but followed his advice nonetheless. The chair was meant for someone much smaller than the former Elden Lord, but it held him up all the same. Gundrik brought his old chair up to him, sitting down just in front of Radagon.

"The Greater Will gave you purpose," Gundrik surmised, leaning forward and resting his head in his hands. "You think you're nothing without it."

"The Erdtree was borne of it," Radagon breathed out. "We were all borne of it. It granted us godhood, it gave us meaning."

"It turned you into a sword and used you against me," Gundrik pointed out incredulously. "It didn't care about you. Not really. It used you as a vassal, an envoy to spread its message. And I was there, fighting alongside my comrades as we brought down several kingdoms in its name, all for what? So it could have dominion?"

Radagon was silent, his face disturbingly blank.

"It forced you and Marika together, didn't it?" Gundrik asked. "Either it, the Beast, or the Two Fingers forced it upon you. Which came first, Marika or Radagon?"

"She came first. She is of the Numen, from beyond the sea," Radagon answered, his voice low. "I was created to serve as a champion, to fight the Carians while Lord Godfrey destroyed the Fire Giants to the northeast. When I married Rennala, that was to be the end of it. We are the same, Gundrik. I am she and she is I. It matters not who came first anymore. We are inexorably linked, forever."

"And then she shattered the Elden Ring," Gundrik stated.

Radagon pursed his lips together and nodded. "And then she shattered the Elden Ring. We were imprisoned within the Erdtree, tormented and mutilated. And these cracks across my skin, our skin, will forever be a reminder of our ultimate betrayal."

"Marika would see it as an act of defiance, of revolution," Gundrik said, sighing. "You two are very different, huh?"

"From your perspective, perhaps," Radagon conceded. "We are as we always have been. The Greater Will is gone. There is nothing I can do about that. But I will find Rennala again. I never gave her closure."

Gundrik blinked. "You gave her an egg. Surely that was enough."

"Is it within your nature to play the fool, or is it an act?" Radagon growled.

Shrugging, Gundrik said, "An act, most of the time. It helped when I was alone with only myself to talk to."

Radagon stared at Gundrik, unblinking for a few moments before standing up, the chair behind him creaking. "Marika was right about one thing, Lord Gundrik. You are a strange man."

Gundrik snorted. "I'd rather be strange than boring."

"Oddly refreshing though it is, I find myself tiring of it all the same. I have decided: I will join you in your assault on Raya Lucaria."

Gundrik froze before looking up at the former Elden Lord. "Huh?"

"Did I stutter?" Radagon asked, brows furrowing. "I said I will be joining you-"

Gundrik waved a hand as he stood up. "No, I heard you. I'm just wondering why. I haven't even given you a pep talk yet."

Radagon grunted. "If the Greater Will is gone, then I have very little tying me here. Rennala is all that is left. I want to put it to rest while I still can."

"One day, Radagon, you'll see that the Greater Will wasn't exactly all that 'great'," Gundrik replied. "Even then, I won't turn away your help. It'll be nice to see you slamming other people around with that magic of yours, and not me."

"Careful, Lord Gundrik," Radagon warned, looking down on him from the bridge of his nose. "I have a tendency to lose control, as they say. And you know better than some that my magic does not stay in one place."

"Was that a threat? That felt like a threat," Gundrik said. "Go on and get yourself to the battlements and sulk or something. I'll go talk to Nepheli to finalize our plans before we head off in a couple days. Does that sound agreeable?"

"I shall go, but you will not find me there if you seek conversation," Radagon rumbled, "Marika saw fit to stare at the setting sun. I will not deprive her of her freedoms. Not anymore."

"Good man," Gundrik said, watching the former Elden Lord move out of the room, his red hair flowing behind him. "See you soon."

The throne room of Stormveil Castle was still as small as ever. The throne itself was in the middle, and upon it sat Nepheli, watching as Gundrik walked to and fro, one hand held up to his chin in deep thought, or at least a mockery thereof.

"I had expected it, really," Gundrik said, still walking. "He wouldn't be able to keep himself down for this. I just wish I could have told you about it a different way."

"My friend, when a secret such as this is revealed, there is very little one can do to stop it," Nepheli stated. "Lord Radagon did not appear to be distressed. He knew what he was doing. Perhaps this is a secret that need not be kept anymore?"

"I never intended for it to be kept," Gundrik replied. "I wanted them to reveal it, when they were ready. But I suppose Radagon does not like explaining things."

"What is there to explain?" Nepheli asked, "I will not claim to understand it fully. I know that Kenneth will likely be traumatized for the rest of his days, but I do not see what this will change."

"That's because it doesn't change anything, to be honest with you," Gundrik said, continuing his pacing. "It was this way before the Shattering, and it will likely continue to be this way until we are all dust. I don't know why it bothers me so much."

"Nor I. It seems a non-issue," Nepheli stated. "Relax yourself, my friend. Even if it does not remain a secret, as you said, this changes nothing."

Gundrik let out a sigh, but continued to pace nonetheless. "You're right, yes. Like I said, I don't know why this has me so concerned. Pay me no mind."

"Rather hard to do that when you continue to walk back and forth in front of my throne," Nepheli said, a small chuckle leaving her lips. "Although, I do find myself curious."

Gundrik hummed.

"Does this mean that you have a wife and a husband?" Nepheli asked.

Gundrik stopped, his joints groaning as he stood as still as a statue before he turned his head toward Nepheli, his neck creaking as well.

"What?" Gundrik whispered.

"You are Elden Lord, and thus Queen Marika's consort," Nepheli pointed out. "Lord Radagon is Marika, but has shown himself to be his own person. It is rather difficult to wrap my head around, I will admit, but it-"

"Hold for a moment, Nepheli, please. You're throwing too much at me, too fast," Gundrik said, cradling his head in his hands. "I had never given it thought. I suppose maybe I did not want to. Is it bad that I… am not averse to the idea?"

"You are Elden Lord, and they are a god," Nepheli stated. "The only ones above you that could judge you are gone."

Gundrik thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I suppose you are right. I find myself in rather peculiar circumstances, don't I?"

"We all do. I was once a simple warrior, and now I stand as Lady of Limgrave, overseeing an entire fiefdom. I do not think I will ever get used to be called a 'lady' by Kenneth, however. I was never comfortable with titles save one."

"Warrior, I'm guessing?" Gundrik asked.

"Yes. Although it was not unique to me, I wore it with pride," Nepheli slouched in her throne. "I fear it shall become a mere footnote, if there are any more histories to be written."

"Once Leyndell is reborn, and order brought back to these lands, believe me, there will be," Gundrik said, turning away from Nepheli for a moment and looking down. There was one thing that was bothering him – well, 'bothering' may not have been the right word. There were plenty of things that 'bothered' him, but the thing that stood out in his mind was really more of a worry; something he felt he had no control over, yet could see happening if the stars aligned in a particular way.

"Could I ask you something, Nepheli?" Gundrik said, crossing his arms as the warrior sat up in her throne.

"Ask what you will. You have answered all my questions; I see no problem doing so in return."

Gundrik took a deep breath. "This may seem as if it's coming out of nowhere, but it has been worrying me for some time. I just haven't had the chance to acknowledge it. Not with Marika present."

Nepheli waved a hand, urging him to continue.

"If the time comes when I am unwilling or unable to carry out my duty to the land, or I am defiled and corrupted beyond any hope of redemption, would you do me a service, and end my life?" Gundrik said.

Nepheli stared at him for what felt like an age, the torches within the throne room casting large shadows, almost as if they were battling already. After a few more moments, Nepheli stood up and approached Gundrik. Gundrik stood his ground, warily watching the warrior move toward him.

She held out a hand once she was close enough.

"Lord Gundrik," Nepheli said, her voice grave. "I accept."

Gundrik let out a shuddering sigh as he took her hand and shook it.

"Good," he rasped. "Good. I don't expect it to happen any time soon, and I hope it does not happen at all, but I would rather be safe than sorry, right?"

"Certainly," Nepheli murmured. "And I also pray that day never comes, my friend."

When Gundrik finally saw fit to find Marika again, it was well into the evening. The sun had already set, yet the Erdtree glowed just as brilliantly as it always had. Gundrik couldn't tell if its shine had waned yet, but he had no problem navigating the castle with it there.

It couldn't be overly stressed just how strange it was to walk the halls of Stormveil Castle without something firing ballistae or attempting to stab him. The removal of much of the gory décor from Godrick's time as its lord had gone a long way to making the castle seem much more homely than before.

I am the lord of all that is golden, indeed.

Out of all the Shardbearers that Gundrik had killed, Godrick and Rykard were the only ones he held no regrets over. Godrick had been an old, blathering idiot, with what he had heard from Kenneth at the start of his journey. And Rykard saw fit to go even further, forfeiting his own humanity to become an all-devouring serpent. Though, with what he saw in Rykard's chambers after he had slew him was any indication, one day he would need to be dealt with again.

Gundrik would never forget seeing Tanith there, hunched over at Rykard's head, slowly chewing his flesh.

He dispelled such thoughts when he found Marika, upon the battlements just as she had said earlier that day, and as Radagon confirmed before he scarpered off. She had fixed her black dress, and her blonde hair flowed behind her in the gentle nightly wind. She stared up at the Erdtree, transfixed on it. The only acknowledgment that she knew Gundrik was there was an aside glance before looking upon the Erdtree again.

"We'll be marching within the next few days," Gundrik reported, standing beside her. "I doubt Raya Lucaria will be able to give us much trouble. They're too scattered. Leaderless. They'll fold."

"Thou art confident, and not without reason," Marika said, "And perhaps thy predictions will be proven, but I shalt not be there to see it. The leal hound hast taken it upon himself to accompany thee."

"Rennala was his wife. It's probably personal for him," Gundrik supplied.

"And not to I? We share more than he doth realize." Marika scoffed.

Gundrik blinked. "You loved her too?"

"Perhaps. I cannot say for certain," Marika said nonchalantly. "'Tis a strange thing, canst thou see? I can understand it, but no others can."

Gundrik shrugged. "I'd only be able to understand it if I split myself apart and then put myself back together again. And I don't plan on doing that."

"'Tis not something I wouldst curse anyone with. There art things that should be left well alone. But, that is enough. Let us talk of other things. I am impressed with thee, Lord Gundrik."

"This feels like it's going somewhere," Gundrik noted, looking at her.

"Before thee became Elden Lord, thine roots have grown far, yes? This army, though paling in comparison to what camst before, is formidable now. We shalt make an Order out of this yet. I believe it is time to show thee mine gratitude." Marika said, turning to him and walking forward.

"What kind of…" Gundrik began, before he was cut off, feeling her hands cup his cheeks as she moved closer. "Erm, alright?"

"Wouldst thou reject me? Here and now? I wouldst respect thine choice," Marika stated. "All thee need do is say the word, and I wilt be gone. Thou needn't indulge me, not now and not ever."

Gundrik couldn't help but stare at her face. Though it was marred by the scars from the Shattering, the beauty of it was still there, and shone as bright as ever. Truthfully, he didn't mind the closeness. Though she was a few feet taller than him, he found himself not caring in the slightest.

He wouldn't go so far as to call it love yet. He had too many reservations for that. But he would be lying if he said he wasn't intrigued. Or attracted.

"W-what kind of fool would I need to be, to spurn a god?" Gundrik asked.

"A brave fool who respects his autonomy, but I can see the answer in thine words," Marika said.

Gundrik closed his eyes as she leaned her head forward, and a moment later he felt an indescribable softness against his lips. He felt warm, warmer than he had ever felt before, and for the first time in a long while, his mind was mercifully blank.

For a moment, he questioned nothing. For a moment, he let it all sink in, and he felt that he could finally be truly happy, given time.

When they parted, Gundrik wished for nothing more but for it to happen again.

"Thou art a worthy successor to Lord Godfrey," Marika whispered. "Never forget."

Gundrik smiled. "I hope one day that I can believe that."

Oh boy, Gundrik over here got kissed by a god, and also figured out that he has both a wife and a husband. It's a bisexual's dream.

Anyway, yeah, not much to say about this one. Still on track for 14-15 chapters, but here in another chapter or two we'll be seeing the first major shake-up, and the reason why this is called an AU in the tags. One Ao3, at least, those who're reading on FFN have no idea what the fuck I'm talking about. Still gonna be short-ish, but I can't help but have things end a bit better than in canon lol.

Here's a link to our Discord server. Come and chat with fellow authors if it pleases ya: discord .gg/9XG3U7a

See you guys next time!