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CHAPTER 1: THORN IN THY SIGHT

Cold.

That was all Lordan could feel for the longest time in what felt like hours or days. His body was still on the ground from exhaustion.

Cold... and wet? He thinks again. A new sensation of water hits the side of his face, his helmet getting more soaked in the process. This triggers his awakening

He begins the process of moving by attempting to move his fingers. Then he followed with his arms to push himself up. He succeeds, without a hint of pain from his injuries, to his surprise.

"I'm alive... I'm alive..." He says to himself, a hint of reliving within the tone of his voice as he slowly gets on his feet to check his injuries.

Lordan looks down at his body to all the points of injury that he sustained during his encounter with the Eater. He felt the wounds with his hands to find that all of them had been healed, not a single scar from them aside from his usual ones still present.

He then tried some movements of his arms and legs; both were freed from soreness and seemed healthy. His thoughts were interrupted when his hand bumped into flasks attached to the side of his belt due to him testing his healed arms.

Strange... I never had these items before. He took both flasks to examine them to be of red and blue colored liquid. A small note was attached to the base of each flask to indicate its use and name, Crimson Tears and Cerulean Tears.

Red to heal and blue to focus? He thinks to himself based on the detailed description written on the note. It also mentions the usage of seeds and tears to improve its use, a mental note he makes to himself to find these items if possible.

He sees a stairway leading out of the cave he currently resides in with a glowing tree on its side. He approaches the tree to find a Golden Seed on its base that seems to match the description of the seeds required by flasks to increase its capacity.

After keeping the seed in one of his pouches on his belt, he approaches the stairway but stops upon reaching the entryway to the exit due to a thought that came up to his mind.

Now what? He realized he didn't have a plan on how to proceed. He thinks of the current situation and how he got here.

An unknown party hired him as a freelance mercenary and other mercenaries to travel to this region for a battle. The details were pretty vague from the start, where and when the fight would take place against who was missing from the dossier given to him. It only said that he would be paid generously, and the party had specifically picked him for this job.

Lordan had never been to the lands between. He had often heard tales of living gods and mystical creatures that roam this land under the guidance of the largest religion in the middle regions of the known world. Not that he cared, the idea of gods had always seemed like nonsense to him.

But now here he is, the very lands he seems to downplay as fantasy decided to give him a reality check by introducing him to a nightmare-based monster the moment he wakes up from a coma among piles of dead bodies.

But how did he even end up there in the valley? He tries to recall. With only vague recollections, he remembers an attack from a band of black-cloaked horse riders against him and the group he traveled with.

Honestly, he should have just stayed in Verdite in the far west. It was peaceful there and with plenty of jobs from monster hunting to bandit bounties under the new kingdom that was formed.

Forget it. Worry later, act now. He continues going up the exit of the cave. He passes a catacomb and a light that floats just above the ground along the way. He reaches out to it and feels a warm sense of comfort from its glow, unaware of what that action causes.

Lordan continues to exit the catacomb by taking an elevator that brings him up to the surface. He encounters a door after reaching the top and pushes it open to reveal the surface. Sunlight greets his eyes, causing him to cover them.

LIMGRAVE, THE FIRST STEP

The sight in front of him was lush green and bright. He sees a cliff's edge right in front of him, one of those floating lights was near a man wearing a white human-faced mask. Over the ridge was a field leading to woods and hills to the north. A church was on the path to the woods, abandoned and half destroyed.

On the horizon, he sees a golden lighted tree of great height, its size and scale reaching for the heavens above. A truly godly view.

Lordan approaches the floating light that was near the cliff's edge. He reaches his hand out and feels the warm sensation again, still unclear of its purpose.

"You there. come here a moment would you." A voice calls to Lordan. He turns to the white-masked man, gesturing for him to come over for conversion.

Moving to the man, Lordan notices his attire as that of a war surgeon. Neutral healers that were sent to scout battlefields after the fighting has been completed. Their main purpose was simply to save those that can be saved or to mercy kill any left alive but beyond saving, usually the latter happens.

"Can I help you?" Lordan asks, his right hand hovered near the broken sword holstered on his in case of trouble.

"Oh yes... Tarnished, are we? Hmmm... been a while since I've seen one of your kind coming from that tomb." He looks at Lordan from top to bottom to assess his appearance. "Come to the Lands Between for the Elden Ring, Yes?"

"The what? What do you mean by Tarnished?" Lordan asks, clearly confused by the man's description of him and the mention of finding a ring.

"Of course you have. No shame in it... Denial is a smart move. Considering that we just met." The surgeon continues with small chuckles along with his words. "Unfortunately for you, however, you are maidenless."

"Seriously, what are you on about?" Lordan asked the white mask man again, clearly annoyed by his confusing words.

"I speak of your current state of course. Without guidance, without the strength of runes, and without an invitation to the Roundtable Hold... You are fated, it seems, to die in obscurity." He finishes with a smug tone to his voice.

"Listen, you better start speaking sense you fool. Why are you calling me Tarnished and what is that light on the ground for?" Lordan points to the ground behind where the light was located. He moved closer to the surgeon to pressure him but he displayed no reaction to the action and merely laughs it off.

"A fierce one are you? Luckily for you, I am a patient man and the one shining ray of hope for even the maidenless. " He laughs again with the statement. "I am Varré. Take care to listen."

"The light you see is grace. A golden light that gives life to you Tarnished." He points to the light known as grace. "You may also behold its golden rays pointing in a particular direction at times. That is the guidance of grace. The path that a Tarnished must travel." He continues, leading Lordan to look back to the site to notice swirls of light that point north.

"Mm, indeed. Grace's guidance holds the answers. It will lead you Tarnished to the path you are meant to follow. Even if it leads you to your grave." Varre's words continue to antagonize Lordan, he considers leaving before he gives in to the urge of punching him.

"Grace's guidance will reveal the path forward, most certainly. To Castle Stormveil, over on the cliff. The home of the decrepit demigod, Godrick the Grafted." Varre points northwards to a castle over the horizon that sits on a cliff.

"It's time you set off, I should think. To Castle Stormveil, on the cliff, where grace would guide you. If you seek the Elden Ring, maidenless as you are." He finishes as his fingers gesture Lordan away.

"You still haven't explained why you called me Tarnished." Lordan presses Varre for an answer. Determine to understand this term.

"A bit slow are you? Tsk Tsk Tsk. A Tarnished is a warrior who has returned from death to claim the Elden Ring. The power of the Gods themselves." Varre explains the term to Lordan. "With the Elden Ring, one can dictate the very fate of the region and possibly the world. Your kind is its last resort to fix what has been broken or die in an unending curse should you fail."

Lordan has had enough, clearly this man was speaking in circles and not providing him with practical answers to his problems. He would follow his advice of going to Stormveil Castle to find out what was going on and whether he can find a ship out of the lands between. "Alright... I'm leaving. Any more words of wisdom before I go?" Lordan asked with an annoyed voice.

"Clearly you are not in the mood for conversion. So I suggest we speak again once you learned some manners." Varre speaks to Lordan as if uncaring to the hostile tone. "If not, feel free to go off and die in a ditch somewhere."

Lordan turns away and walks out, heading to the church below the cliffs near the woods entrance as he sees smoke coming out of it, indicating a campsite within the church's ruins. He utters a word to Varre as a parting gift.

"Cunt."

"What was that?"

"You heard me." Lordan continues walking down the cliff with a smirk on his mouth. Satisfied that the insult went over Varre's head. He walks through the field passing some staked-up bodies and nears the church's entrance.

LIMGRAVE, CHURCH OF ELLEH

Lordan enters the half-destroyed church to discover a man sitting in front of a campfire. He held an instrument in his hands and was relaxing to the warm aura of the flames. Behind him a mule stands stabled to the ground, its saddlebags holding items and supplies.

Lordan approaches the man slowly, hoping he wasn't an enemy or a fool like Varre was. The man notices Lordan and tenses up, looking for any intention of attack. Once Lordan stands closer to the man without making a move he sighs in relief and speaks.

"You are a Tarnished, I can see it. And I can also see... That you're not after my throat. I am Kale, Purveyor of fine goods." He offers a hand to shake.

"I'm Lordan." Lordan takes the offer of friendship with a handshake.

"Are you in need of some supplies? I offer weapons, tools, herbs, and apparel for your travels." He makes an offer to Lordan with some items out on display on a nearby mat.

Lordan checks his pockets and pouches on his armor for any form of payment with no luck. He had packed all his items and gold on a horse he was provided that was now probably lost or dead in the valley he came from.

"Sorry. Got no gold on me. Maybe we can trade for something else?" He suggests thinking about the golden seed he picked up earlier as an offering.

"Gold? You must be new here. The currency used around these lands at the moment is runes."

"Runes? What's that?" Lordan asked confused about the form of payment.

"Runes. The essence of life that forms living things, you gain runes by killing creatures and opponents in these lands. And based on what I see, you currently have a lot on you." Kale mentions to Lordan.

"A lot on me? Where?" He looks around and checks himself for runes that Kale mentioned.

"It is not something you can see but only feel within your mind. You killed something big recently, did you? Did you feel a rush of power after that?" Kale asked.

Lordan remembers the fight with the Eater that resulted in its dead body emitting white particles, perhaps those are the runes that kale is speaking of. "Alright then, how many runes do I have on me now?"

"You could check for yourself, simply think about it and the answer will echo in your mind." Kale suggests a method to find Lordan's answer.

Lordan frowns as the suggestion perplexes him. Think about the runes for the amount? Is this a joke? He rolled his eyes and tried the method, not hoping for an answer. His own voice echoes back to him with a number.

20000 Runes

He opens his eyes in a mild shock as he hears the number. Kale's suggestion had worked. If 20000 runes were equivalent in value to gold, he could purchase enough supplies to last for a few months, if he could carry it all of course.

"Alright, I'm going to need some weapons. A shortsword, medium shield, 2 daggers as a backup, and a bow with some arrows." Lordan makes known his request to Kale. The merchant nods and reaches for his mule's saddlebags to pull out items that he requested from a single opening.

Lordan is a bit confused by Kale's action as the weapons did not fit the size of the saddlebag on Kale's mule. He decides not to question it and takes the items he purchased, examining the blades and bow for their usability. They were of decent quantity, not great nor terrible but entirely usable. "These are fine weapons." Lordan complements Kale.

"Glad you think so. May I also recommend the crafting kit? It allows you to make basic items on your own. Essential really, if you intend to survive out here for any duration." Kale recommends while bringing out the kit to show Lordan. "The kit costs a bundle, and I admit, I do take my cut. But the important thing is that you survive. Every customer counts, after all."

"Sure, why not." He accepts the recommended kit as it would be helpful to create improvised items for usage.

"Good, now let's shake hands to exchange the runes." Kale offers his hand to Lordan, who then grabs it with his own. He feels a rush of power leaving his body with the exact amount of runes he was to give Kale.

They release their hands and Kale takes out something new from his saddlebag. "Oh, some small parting gifts for your journey. Free of charge." He passes Lordan 4 bags that can be attached to his waist, back and thighs.

"They are enchanted with magic. The smallest one allows you to store quick-use items. The two medium-sized bags can store three weapons each for quick access. And the largest one allows you to store an indefinite amount of items, provided that it can be carried by hand." Kale explains.

"Really? Then how do I get the item I need if there is an indefinite amount of things inside?"

"Good question. And I'm happy to say it's been solved. Just reach in the opening with your hand while thinking of the item you want. You should be able to retrieve it with no issues." Kale demonstrates to Lordan by reaching into his saddlebag and pulling out a longsword that does not physically fit the bag's size.

Deciding to trust Kale due to his help with the usage of runes, Lordan takes the largest bag and starts lowering his shortsword into the opening. The sword slowly goes inside the bag and he checks the opening to realize that he visually cannot see the sword he just stored, the underside of the bag also remains unbroken.

He reaches into the bag's opening while thinking of the shortsword. To his surprise he manages to grab the hilt of the sword and pulls it out, the blade completely unaltered and in its original state.

"Amazing..." He exclaimed with a tone of wonder. He was now able to store tons of items for usage without being bothered by the weight or space taken with these bags. The medium-sized ones will also be useful for six weapons that he needs at any time.

"Yes, useful storage space for us travelers who need more items on the go. But remember the rule of "It can be held by hand.". Don't expect to store a living horse in there." Kale continues to pack the items on his mat for show, putting more out items for display. "Anything else?"

Lordan considers the items he could purchase now with the enchanted storage bags and runes he currently has. While doing that, he notices an anvil behind him with a full smiting kit for use. An idea turns up in his head as he looks down at his currently broken armor set.

"Got any salvaged armor parts I could buy?"

Kale smiles behind his facemask indicating that he has exactly what Lordan needs. "Plenty. You might be my best customer in a long time."

Lordan adjusts the new bags he was given on his armor set. The two medium bags were strapped to his thighs for weapons used on his left and right hands. The smallest one is on his right waist for quick items such as the flasks. And the largest one on his lower back for the rest of the items to store.

He had used the anvil to make improvised repairs to his armor with the parts Kale had sold him. It would need to be taken an actual smith to be properly mended and reinforced from its current state, but it will have to do for now.

After making the repairs Lordan brought some additional items from Kale in the form of throwing knives, firebombs, and a blade whetstone before leaving the church. He bids farewell to Kale and proceeds to the woods ahead.

Along the way, he observes siege equipment and defensive setups by a local army. The army's soldiers had the colors green and orange, their banner depicts the distant Erdtree and the beast regent, an emblem of the golden lineage. Most of them attack Lordan on sight but were quickly dispatched by him with not much resistance.

He continues along the main route while scanning around for more danger. A faint galloping noise can be heard behind that was getting louder with each second.

The noise becomes louder to indicate the source was closing in fast. Lordan turns around to see a horse that was three times bigger than the average one with a rider that held a halberd and greatshield charging towards him, both were chad in golden armor and spotting the symbol of the sacred Erdtree.

He dodges the charging horse and the rider who swings his weapon upwards along the way. Both of them face each other with a battle stance, Indicating a fight that is to take place.

Tree Sentinel

"Really!? Now of all times!?" He grunts in frustration as he was now going to have to fight another battle with another great opponent, this one more dangerous than the last one due to it being an actual fighter on horseback. And he just got started with his new journey.

"Fine! Let's dance you big bastard!" He charges the sentinel on foot with sword and shield in hand. The sentinel charges as well with his horse and halberd dragging across the ground.

The Sentinel swings his weapon upwards to deliver an upper slash that Lordan easily dodges. Lordan then delivers a thrusting attack with his sword that the sentinel blocks with his shield, causing Lordan to finch as the sword bounces back from the attack.

The Sentinel's horse then attempts to stamp Lordan with its hooves but he sidesteps in time to avoid it and delivers three slashes to the horse. It neighs in pain and performs a jump backward to stop Lordan's attack.

The Sentinel charges again, performing wild strikes with his halberd to attack Lordan. Most of the attacks from the sentinel were either blocked or dodged by Lordan as it had a lag time that he could read.

Their exchange of blows continues, with the sentinel delivering many hits that miss and Lordan not being able to land many hits as the sentinel and his horse would use their speed to their advantage. Each time Lordan closes the distance to attack they would open it to avoid him.

Can't hit them. Not at this rate or speed. He notes his disadvantage of being on foot and decides to switch to a bow. Firing arrows that miss and find their mark on the sentinel and his horse despite being armored.

The Sentinel becomes more aggressive as realized Lordan was now capable of hurting them even while on horseback. He charges again with more speed and his halberd dragging across the ground. Lordan times his dodge again and avoids the horse but the sentinel predicted it and swings his halberd up after Lordan moves to the side.

"Shit!" The move surprises him as he was hit hard, causing him to stagger. The Sentinel's horse then delivers a swift kick with its back legs to Lordan's chest, Knocking him over a small distance.

Lordan feels the pain in his ribs as if it was just broken again. He dodges another charge with a roll to his feet and takes out his red flask for a sip. When he downs the substance within it and the feeling of pain in his body subsides, indicating its effectiveness. Lordan takes out his sword and shield while keeping the bow to switch strategies.

With renewed vigor, he doges the next attack and delivers a thrust after the dodge that hits the sentinel in an exposed part of his armor to hurt him. The sentinel cries in pain and retreats again to a distance.

Lordan pursues him unrelentlessly to keep up the pressure. He lets out a battle cry as he sprints faster to perform a jump attack in order to hit the Sentinel on his horse. He raises his sword during his time midair intending to perform a slash downwards.

The horse swiftly turns its armored head to slam Lordan while he was in the air. He falls back and gets up quickly only to be knocked down again with another kick for its back legs. The Sentinel quickly creates more distance by riding away from Lordan once again for his next charge

The second slam on the ground had caused a strain in Lordan's left hand and he feels his grip on his shield failing due to a sharp pain. He attempts another sip from his red flask but was interrupted after he fails to notice the charging Sentinel's next upwards slash.

The hit sends him upwards into the air due to its strong force from the speed and momentum of charging, making Lordan's body flip two times before landing again.

He attempts to get up but feels a sharp pain in his right foot while trying. He sees that his foot has been bent out of place and quickly tries to take a sip from his flask to heal it but it accidentally slips from his hand due to his quick and panicked movements.

The Sentinel charges with his horse again while Lordan was on the ground with an even greater speed, intending to end the fight. The sound of stamping grows greater and more violent as he moves to Lordan.

Lordan attempts to crawl to the flask with his broken foot while clenching his teeth, the foot causing pain with each minor movement. He reaches the flask but looks up to see the Sentinel's horse upon him, his fate was sealed.

"Oh... for fuck sa-" He could not finish his sentence as the horse trambled violently over him, breaking the majority of the bones in his body that allows him to move. He screams in pain from his injuries and starts feeling weak, the pain numbed his body to the point of no return.

The Sentinel dismounts from his steed and moves towards Lordan's broken body with his halberd in hand. He flips the halberd and uses its pointed spear downward by delivering a thrust to Lordan's neck. Blood gushes out as the Sentinel removes the spear, a final act of mercy and insult.

Lordan helplessly chokes on his own blood and begins losing consciousness. He coughs a final time with blood spilling from his mouth before going limp, dying from this encounter.

DEATH

LIMGRAVE, THE FIRST STEP

Cold.

That was what Lordan felt again as darkness surrounded his vision. He opens his eyes and gasps for air while clutching his throat that had just been cut open from a tip of a halberd.

He breaths hard with sweat dripping down his head as he recounts the death he experienced at the hands of the Sentinel. It felt real and painful... He thought to himself as he comes to his senses and looks around. He was at the site of grace near the tomb he came to the surface from.

Wait... What? He was confused about why he woke up to be sitting around the site of grace at the first step of his journey, all of his equipment and items he brought from Kale intact. Just a dream then? He thinks as an explanation for why he woke up here after experiencing a violent death.

"You there. come here a moment would you." A voice calls to Lordan. He turns to see Varre, gesturing for him to come over for conversion as before.

"You again? what do you want?" Lordan asks impatiently.

"Oh yes... Tarnished, are we? Hmmm... been a while since I've seen one of your kind coming from that tomb." He looks at Lordan from top to bottom to assess his appearance. "Come to the Lands Between for the Elden Ring, Yes?"

"But you said that already..." Lordan finds Varre repeating the same words from when they first met.

"Of course you have. No shame in it..." Varre continues with small chuckles along with his words. "Unfortunately for you, however, you are maidenless."

Really? Do I have to hear this fool again?

"Without guidance, without the strength of runes, and without an invitation to the Roundtable Hold... You are fated, it seems, to die in obscurity." Varre continues his words with small chuckles in between. "Luckily for you, however, there is one shining ray of hope for even the maidenless.

Me. Varré. Take care to lis-"

"Enough out of you. I'm leaving." Lordan refuses to let Varre finish his words and starts to walk away, leaving him flabbergasted by the rudeness.

"What? Wait, where do you think you ar-"

"Going? Away from you arrogant prick. Besides... where are YOUR Maidens?" Lordan turns around pointing his finger at Varre while delivering his aggressive question. "Cunt." He delivers his insult again before moving down the hill.

Varre watches with his mouth left hanging open from the exchange. Clearly not expecting to be outtalked by a maidenless Tarnished.

"What. A. Runt." He speaks slowly with anger in his tone.

LIMGRAVE, GATEFRONT

He met Kale again at the church with Kale believing he was a customer that he had met long ago but forgotten due to the usage of the enchanted bags he was wearing on him. Their previous conversion and business were completely forgotten by Kale which left Lordan more confused.

He purchases more items from Kale before continuing through the woods he was previously at, avoiding the main path due to not wanting to reencounter the Tree Sentinel. The Sentinel passes him peacefully as he did not notice Lordan crouching in the bushes.

Along the way, Lordan sees a small patch of golden transparent reeds that was near the spot where he died recently. He reaches to touch them and it disappears, golden orbs float into his body as he feels his runes returning.

He reaches another site of grace near a stone gate that leads upwards to Stormveil Castle. Near the site was a temporary patrol encampment made by the soldiers he encounter earlier. They attacked him on sight but he manages to take down the entire encampment with some time and careful maneuvers to isolate the soldiers into smaller groups for him to handle. It took a while, especially with the full-plated knights. He sits at the site of grace until nightfall to rest.

"So the path leads here and in the south is another castle at weeping peninsula..." Lordan mutters to himself while reading a map that he found at a pedestal nearby the encampment. The map was a magical visual layout of the entire region with some parts missing color and names of locations, markers on the map indicate more map parts to find. It also came with a compass that shows the time of day on a circular painting that moves.

"Stormveil is the priority. But it couldn't hurt to explore east..." The map was missing the eastern portion of Limgrave. He looks at the map with great focus but soon felt a strange presence around him.

He was then interrupted by a woman that appears out of thin air with a blue hue around her. She was wearing a traveler's attire with a coat and hood that covered her face as the blue hue around her starts to fade.

"Greetings." She speaks out with a soft voice. "Struggler who defied death. I Am Melina."

She moves closer to Lordan as he tenses, with his hands ready to draw weapons from his enchanted bags. Not knowing if she is another enemy to face, he's had enough surprises for one day.

"Please... calm down. I am not here to harm nor trick you." Melina reassures Lordan by raising her hands to show herself not holding any weapons, a small dagger was holstered on at her belt for her own safety.

Lordan calms himself and slowly lowers his hands from his weapon bags. He places them to the side and introduces himself. "I'm Lordan."

She nods in acknowledgment of his name with a hint of familiarity. Melina moves closer to the site of grace while keeping a respectable distance from Lordan's seated spot.

She kneels down to a resting position and slowly removes her hood, revealing her face and reddish-brown hair that was of medium length.

She's pretty... Lordan thinks to himself while observing her face, comparing her looks to other women he had met before. Her left eye was closed and tattooed with a symbol that looked similar to a crow's claw. Have I seen her before?

"I offer you an accord." Melina speaks to him with a proposal. "Have you heard of the finger maidens? They serve the Two Fingers, offering guidance, and aid, to the Tarnished."

"Nope. I'm really new to this whole Tarnished thing..." He confessed, not knowing much about his title of tarnished and the two fingers that Melina mentioned. He was truly lost on the purpose that has been forced on him.

"All Tarnished are to be guided by a finger maiden on their quest for the Elden Ring." She pauses mid-sentence with hesitation before continuing. "But you, I am afraid, are maidenless."

Lordan sighs having heard these words before from another man that irritated him to no end. "Why does everyone keep telling me that?" He wondered to himself as the latest person to tell him that was a woman that he found to be attractive. It was like being teased by his fellow warriors again for being the only one without a woman to keep around.

"I can play the role of maiden. Turning rune fragments into strength. To aid you in your search for the Elden Ring." The offer catches Lordan's attention, causing him to sit straighter and listen. "You need only take me with you. To the foot of the Erdtree."

"The foot of the Erdtree? You mean that big glowing tree in the north?" Melina nods at his assumption. "Sorry... but I'm not really going that way. I'm heading to Stormveil Castle to seek a way out of this region. Maybe by a ship if possible." He answers honestly, not being interested in the quest a Tarnished has to complete.

"I understand that. But escape from the lands between is impossible at this time. There are... Measures in place to ensure that nothing leaves the region." She explains the situation further. "As long as the Elden Ring remains broken. Nothing and no one can leave."

"Wow, great. So I'm stuck here with everything trying to kill on sight. Fucking perfect..." Lordan remarks with impatience and frustration in his voice. He realizes that his tone may have been a bit unfair to Melina, considering that she only explained the situation to him. He shouldn't be taking it out on her.

"Sorry, I'm acting like a fool am I..." He apologizes to Melina for his unkind words that came out due to his stressful thoughts. Melina moves nearer to Lordan and reaches out to place a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. The gesture makes him turn towards Melina, their faces close together for Lordan to admire her unique facial features.

"I understand your frustrations and uncertainties about your current situation. Truly, I do." Melina observes Lordan's eyes while they stared at each other. It showed signs of a man that was tired and beaten with no options. "But you must remain strong and not lose hope. This path that has been presented to you is a path of pain and misery, one where many have failed or chosen to give up." She mentions, knowing that majority of the Tarnished have either abandoned the path to brandish the Elden Ring or chosen to hunt their own for the power of runes.

"But you will be different, you must be different. Struggle and prepare to die a thousand times, a million times if necessary before you succeed." Melina lets go of his shoulder and return to her original spot. "So please. Allow me to ease your burdens and assist you on this endeavor."

Lordan considers the offer. He could use some help, any help really to get out of this mess he into. His options were either continue his lone wolf act and risk not making any progress or accept help from someone who has knowledge about the region and the quest a Tarnished is to complete, regardless of her true intentions with the Erdtree.

Why not? I'm going in circles anyway. He thinks to himself and accepts the offer. "Alright, I'm in. I will take you to the Erdtree in exchange for your help as my maiden." He will need to take her to see Varre sometime to rub it in his face.

Melina smiles at his acceptance and stands to her feet. "Then it's settled. Summon me by grace to turn runes into strength."

"Maybe you could do that now? I could use some strength." Lordan requests due to his inability to beat the Tree Sentinel earlier.

"Of course." Melina kneels near him and offers her hand to Lordan. "Think of an aspect to improve and Let my hand rest upon you, for but a moment."

Lordan takes her hand as she begins to recite a prayer. "O, Worthy struggler. Share them with me, your thoughts, your ambitions, the principles you would follow."

Not knowing the meaning of the words, Lordan focuses on the aspects he wanted to improve. He thought of gaining more strength, being faster, taking more hits and having more stamina. In an instant, he feels a rush of power that circulates his body and enhances his senses, all the aspects that he wanted were improved without the need for training or time. The runes that he had become a permanent part of his body.

Wow... That feels good. He thought of the advantages this ability Melina provides him could do, a lifetime of skills without the time taken to train at his fingertips.

"Is there anything else?" Melina inquires, indicating her intent to leave.

"Yeah... I kind of... died recently. But I came back. Only, some things weren't the same as before when I woke up." He explained the event of his death to Melina to get an answer on this experience. "I talked to some people before I died and they forgot that we even had the conversion. Why?"

"This is due to the sites of grace." Melina points to the one currently near them. "The light of grace prevents you from dying permanently by reviving you to a point in time before your death, to the last site of grace you touched."

"So it just sends me back to a time before I died?"

She nods at his assumption. "Correct. Grace preserves your memories and equipment upon death while the world around you reverts to the time before your demise." She elaborates on the workings of grace further. "It is a time loop. Unique to each Tarnished as they all follow the same journey as you."

"Same as me?" He inquires about the explanation of a Tarnished's journey.

"Same as you. Timelines that follow the same flow but in different ways or variations for each Tarnished."

The explanation was not something that Lordan could understand nor comprehend at the moment so decides to leave it for now. His path was clear. Brandish the Elden Ring and leave the lands between once his pact with Melina was completed. He would honor it due to the mercenaries code that requires him to finish a job once taken as Vagram had taught him.

Don't break the code, you dumb fuck.

A memory of Vagram's words echoes in Lordan's mind on the first time he failed to complete a contract, the punch Vagram delivered to his face being the main point of those words.

"Alright. I should get going." He stands and prepares to enter the Gatefront towards Stormveil Castle. "Unless you are coming with?"

"No, I can appear before you at any moment. Just call for me when required at sites of grace or anywhere you within safety." Melina joined him in standing and takes out something from her own enchanted bag. "Ahh, another matter. I bequeath to you this ring."

Lordan takes the ring from her and inspects it. It was a delicate goldwork ring that can be used as a finger whistle. "A ring? I'm flattered, really. But we just met my dear maiden." He remarks with hints of flirtation in his words.

Melina smiles and develops a small blush from the comment, clearly finding it amusing and adorable. "What can I say? I intend to claim you before a real maiden shows up." She jokes along to make Lordan chuckle.

"But its true purpose is to help you traverse great distances. It will summon a spectral steed named Torrent. Torrent has chosen you. Treat him with respect." She explains the use of the ring.

"A steed? Well, what do you know? I CAN put a horse in this bag." He remarks about Kale's advice on the limitations of his enchanted bags. "Kale my friend, prepare to eat some crow."

They prepare to leave others' company as Melina offers more words. "This tiny golden aura is the grace of the Erdtree. It once shone in the eyes of your Tarnished brethren. But now it is all that guides you through your burden." She points towards the castle to warn Lordan of the impending danger.

"Upon the cliff, in Castle Stormveil, is a shard bearer. A demigod who inherited a fragment of the shattered Elden Ring. If the rays of grace signal the castle, then the Elden Ring beckons you. As an ally by pact... I pray that you are fit... To face the challenge presented by the Ring." She has a hint of worry in her voice.

"A demigod? For real?" Lordan asks. The idea of fighting a demigod is preposterous yet seemed possible in this land of gods and monsters. "Well, god or not. If he bleeds I can kill him." He answers with resolve.

"Good. Then I wish you luck on your path Lordan." Melina performs a small bow before disappearing with blue mist and particles around her.

Lordan takes a look at the ring again and wears it on the fourth finger of his right hand. He notices small holes in the ring and indicates that it can be blown as a whistle.

He moves his hand to his mouth and blows upon the ring. Blue mist and particles appear before him and a steed shows up. It was a horse that had horns and ears of a goat with saddlebags that has signs of wear and tear. An inscription on one of the bags reads " Do Not Loot - R".

"Oh... Um... Hi there horse... goat thing... Gorse or Goat horse?" He mentions a few terms that caused torrent to huff in annoyance, indicating it clearly understood Lordan's words and disapproves of those terms. "Ok... you don't like those names. Torrent, am I right?"

Torrent stops huffing and looks at Lordan to move its head up and down like a nod. It then bends itself down to a shorter height for Lordan to mount. He mounts up on Torrent and adjusts himself to the saddle's seat.

"Ok boy. Let us test you out." He commands Torrent forward to the open field south to test his riding skills. Torrent surprises him as he charges off immediately as if mimicking the speed of winds.

"WOAH! Definitely a Torrent!" Lordan holds on tight as he attempts to ride Torrent properly. His thoughts were interrupted when Torrent approaches a broken bridge at full speed without any signs of stopping. "Holy fuck! Torrent! Stop! STOP!"

Torrent then performs a leap into the air at the end of the bridge with a magical aura around it that causes Lordan to hang on for dear life. It then performs a second leap while still in the air to clear the distance between the two broken sides of the bridge. Torrent lands and stops on the other side effortlessly with no force from the impact, it was as if they had landed on a giant pillow.

Lordan breathes loudly from the initial rush, his heart pounding from the sense of panic when jumping the bridge. He then starts laughing loudly and pets Torrent's mane. "Ok, you just ruined horses for me. How about another spin then?" He asked Torrent and receives a happy huff as a reply.

"Hyah! Fly boy! Fly!" He rides Torrent forward with great speed towards the southern fields. Stormveil Castle and the Elden Ring could wait as Lordan was enjoying some time to himself in this new region he roams. Alongside Torrent, his loyal and trusty steed that raced the winds.

From a distance atop a ridge, Melina looks on to the sight of Lordan taking a ride with Torrent without his knowledge. The display causes her to smile endearingly as she was glad that Torrent's newfound master was spending time with it despite his quest for the Elden Ring.

Torrent had not been the same since departing its former master. It had been lifeless and depressed for many centuries due to the close connection it had with him. Based on what Melina was told, its former master had commanded it to leave him for death as his final request.

I hope that he brings you joy dear Torrent. You deserve it. She thinks to herself as another woman appears beside her within a blue mist and particles similar to her own.

"So this is the Tarnished causality foretold? he seemeth interesting..." The woman speaks with a regal and gentle voice. She was wearing a Witch's pointed hat with robes that were white as snow. The woman looks on with a smile of her own as well, her fingers touching each other between her four arms.

"Yes, he is the one. The one that cannot fail. Else, we are all lost." Melina replies, her eyes still watching the sight.

"Indeed. and so it begins."

"And so it begins..." Both women are aware of the path of struggle Lordan is to take.

STORMHILL, STORMHILL SHACK

Lordan had rode around the south for some time before continuing through the Gateway, avoiding the soldiers and giant that stand guard with Torrent's speed. His need for fun was satisfied and he decides to proceed with his quest at Stormveil Castle. His main objective was to kill the demigod that resides within it to claim a great rune for the Elden Ring.

What exactly is the Elden Ring? He thought about the concept of this ring that everyone seem to mention. Perhaps he could ask Melina about it when he is done with the first demigod. How many great runes do I need in the first place?

He traveled to the top of the cliff that leads to the castle's entrance before taking a look at his map again. It indicates a small shack to the east.

He decides to travel to the shack as a temporary shelter, to reassess his gear and intentions before entering the castle. Upon reaching the shack, he notices a person seated inside one of the houses. It was a woman that was dressed in noble traveling attire with a red hood, it appears she had been crying for some time.

Lordan approaches carefully without his weapons drawn as he did not want to scare her. "Miss? Are you Ok?" He makes his presence known to the woman. She looks up to him with tears and distress.

"Everyone's...been grafted. Everyone who came with me. They crossed the sea for me. They fought, for me. Only to have their arms taken. Their legs taken. Even their heads... taken. Taken and stuck to the spider." she spoke with an accent, still crying along the lines of her words. "Did you know? If you're grafted by the spider, you become a chrysalid. It's quite the lark, when you think about it."

"Are you hurt?" Lordan enquires about her condition. Clearly, she was not an abled fighter and had no place in this hostile landscape.

"No... No... I'm fine. Protected by a ward that I'm too scared to come out of." She continues with a hint of shame and regrets in her words. "You're all on your own, are you? And heading to Stormveil Castle? Enticed by the one in the white mask, I suppose."

"You mean Varre? The man at the first step?" She nods at his answer. Lordan felt angry at this fact, what lies has he been telling her to reduce her to this state? I am going to punch that man... HARD.

"It's scary, you know. Having your arms cut off. Or legs. Or your head. I want to be like everyone else, but I'm just too scared. I'm nothing but a craven." She breaks more tears and sobs over her own words. Lordan kneels on one leg and places his hand on her back, rubbing in circles to soothe her.

"Not your fault. Normal people don't willingly let spiders take their arms and legs." He understands her position. He had once wanted to be like the majority of the heroes in legends that were told to him as a child, just like his fellow warriors in training. As he grew older however he chose his own path as a sellsword, food and gold being more important than appearing in a storyteller's tale.

"Listen, you need to get to a safe place. Is there one you know of?"

"There is... a haven for the Tarnished to stay... I could make my way there..." She answers Lordan, having calmed down from her grief.

"Ok, make your way there and do nothing else. I will find this spider and your men." Lordan stands and reaches out to the site of grace near the shack to activate it. He walks back to her and offers his hand to help her stand up, she takes the offer and stands with him.

"Thank you... My name is Roderika." She rubs her eyes with the sleeves of her attire to clear her tears. "Can you... Pass on a message for me, if you see the little chrysalids in Stormveil Castle? Tell them I love them. And that, despite my craven heart, I'm sure I'll be joining their club soon enough." She requests while taking out a letter. "I'm finally getting the hang of this whole "pain" thing, you know."

Lordan accepts the letter and her request, it was along the way to his objective after all. "Alright, go to this haven and stay there. Don't think about anything else. Especially the "Joining them" part." He didn't want the woman to throw her life away for nothing. "I'm Lordan." He introduces himself as he forgot to do so earlier.

Roderika so begins to depart to the haven she mentioned. Lordan observes her on her way and worries about the danger along her route. He decides to call Melina for assistance.

"Melina? You there?" He speaks to the air around him and sure enough, she appears in a blue mist.

"How may I help you, Lordan?"

"Could you make sure Roderika gets to safely? She's not very... capable of defending herself." He asks, hoping she would understand.

"Of course Lordan. I know the haven she speaks of. I will ensure she reaches it. You have my word."

"Thanks, Melina." She nods before disappearing again, leaving Lordan alone at the shack's site of grace. He takes a seat and pulls out the whetstone from his large enchanted bag, sharpening his weapons for the next battle.

STORMHILL, CASTLEWARD TUNNEL

Lordan reaches a tunnel that leads to the castle's main gate and was currently sitting near the site of grace that resides there. He passed by some soldiers guarding the entrance with their siege equipment set up to repel invaders to the castle.

Lordan had managed to dispatch all of them with ease due to Torrent's speed, which allowed him to maneuver between the sights of the arrows fired by the soldier's ballista and the ground Abatis set up to deter cavalry, with Torrent simply doing the attacks or jumping over any obstacles.

At the site of grace, he inspects his current equipment one last time before approaching the castle's main gate as he was expecting an unfriendly welcome based on the number of times its defenders attacked him.

He currently had a short sword, two daggers, a parrying, and medium shield, a light bow, and two new lordbound's longsword and greatsword. The new weapons were found at the encampment where he met Melina.

Not exactly god slaying ready, but it will do the job. He thinks to himself about the weapons he will use to fight the demigod that resides within the castle, not knowing if he requires a special weapon for the job.

Lordan stands up and approaches the tunnel's exit towards the castle. Its entrance was littered with discarded weapons and armor that formed piles of rusted metal. The road to the main gate was narrow, with cliff edges on both sides that would lead to death should one fall over.

He proceeds slowly while observing the castle's battlements for any activity that indicates archers or more ballistas. After confirming that there was no danger ahead, he picks up speed to continue.

"Foul Tarnished."

A voice booms loudly, causing Lordan to stop in the middle of the pathway, his eyes scanning the castle again to find the source.

"In search of the Elden Ring."

He sees a glowing gold light on a tower of the castle, a tall figure wearing rags holding a stone cane appears from the light with his arms folded.

"Emboldened by the flame of ambition."

The figure performs a leap from the tower towards Lordan. He lands directly in front of Lordan on the pathway, creating a small crater from the impact that kicks up dust and debris from the ground.

The figure was a white-haired, grey-skinned humanoid with horns on his head. His height towered over Lordan as he made a declaration for battle.

"Someone must extinguish thy flame." He draws his cane to be used as a blunt sword, getting into his battle stance. "Let it be Margit the Fell!"

Margit, The Fell Omen

It happened again...

Just as Lordan was making progress on his endeavor, another obstacle appears. This one appears more brutal and deadly than the Tree Sentinel, which could be avoided. But not Margit, for he was directly in his way to Stormveil Castle, preventing him from claiming the great rune required.

"Why am I even surprised... Of course, it would not be this easy..." Lordan truly thought he could catch a break as his luck seemed to be turning with the appearance of Melina, but the appearance of Margit truly started to affect his morale.

He sighs in defeat and prepared for battle, dual-wielding his long and short swords while taking a battle stance. "Come on then!"

"Prepareth yourself Tarnished. Expect nay mercy!" Margit declares and charges Lordan, he follows the move with a battle cry.

Margit delivers a downwards strike with his cane that Lordan ducks to the side to avoid the swipe, he continued the assault with a combination and slashes and strikes that aim low to reach Lordan.

Lordan dodges the majority of the attacks Margit used against him with slashes and stabs to Margit's lower body in between using his swords. Most of his attacks hit Margit successfully but seem to have little effect as if they only scratched the omen.

Margit performs a rotating swipe low to trip over Lordan and prepares to strike downwards against him but was interrupted when Lordan throws a knife towards his face which he blocks with his free hand, the knife piercing through his hand with the tip nearly reaching his face. He removes the knife from his hand with an annoyed grunt.

Lordan then rolls backward to create some distance between them and charges while keeping low. He jumps up when below Margit to deliver an upwards vertical slash that hits Margit on his horns and the left side of his face. Margit grabs Lordan with his free hand by his arm and throws him to the ground, following up with a kick that sends Lordan towards the Tunnel gate.

Lordan gets to his feet and sips on both of his flasks to recover. He keeps one of his swords to change to a sword and shield combo instead. Both warriors soon re-engage their fight, their weapons clashing with sparks between contact.

Lordan blocks several frontal attacks from Margit with his shield multiple times, each impact bucks him hard and forces him to take steps back to compensate for his balance. Seeing an opening on Margit's left side, Lordan's side steps to Margit's left and delivers a thrust towards his neck.

His thrusting attack fails as Margit conjures a golden sword from his left hand to defect it. He then performs several fast slashes with the golden sword that hits Lordan's upper body, each hit staggers him as he attempts to block with his shield.

Margit kicks Lordan again with his shield raised and breaks his guarding stance. He performs a sideways strike with his cane that knocks over Lordan to the ground before he looms over him with a leg that steps on one of Lordan's shoulders to pin him down.

He raises his cane and thrusts it down to Lordan's torso while he was laying on the ground. To Margit's surprise, Lordan manages to catch the upper part of his cane's tip to stop the attack. Lordan struggles to keep the cane from thrusting into his chest as Margit continues to push down with inhuman strength.

"Enough Tarnished. Thy fate is sealed." Margit responds to Lordan's resistance by pulling the cane up, the sudden move makes Lordan release his grip, allowing Margit to deliver his thrust downwards successfully. The cane shatters Lordan's armor and stabs into the left side of his chest, crushing his left lung internally.

Lordan gasps in pain from the stab as his left lung collapses, and his breathing becomes painful and difficult. He spits out blood toward Margit's face and attempts to remove the giant cane lounged in his chest.

Margit then conjures a golden sword again and stabs downward into Lordan's heart. He stares in shock as he feels both the sword and cane within his chest. Lordan's vision fates, his hands start to let go of the cane as he slowly dies.

"Put these foolish ambitions to rest."

DEATH

He wakes up screaming with his hands clutching his chest. Phantom pain from the two death blows he received earlier from Margit remained in his body for a moment before fading completely with his wounds absent.

Lordan woke up at the tunnel's site of grace just before the castle's main gate, returning to his last point of refuge before death at Margit's hands.

His breaths were hard from the death he had just experienced a moment ago, and the feeling of being stabbed in the chest burned in his mind. Taking a moment of slow down his breathing, Lordan begins to calm down.

He returns to his feet and checks on his equipment again, finding them all to be intact with the exception of some consumable items being lost. Might need to re-supply after this. He makes a mental note to return to Kale for more items once he acquires more runes from defeating Margit.

He walks toward the tunnel's exit and stops just at the doorway, taking a deep breath to compose himself before continuing. A familiar voice booms at the castle's battlements again.

"Foul Tarnished."

Lordan deflects several attacks from Margit's golden sword that performs slashes, their blades parry and bounce off each other in rapid succession. Margit would use his cane on occasion for large sweeping attacks that Lordan dodges or ducks to avoid. Their exchange of blows lasts longer than the first encounter.

After a sweep from Margit's cane forces Lordan to retreat, he switches to his light greatsword and wields it with two hands. The sword offered him more reach and causes more damage to Margit due to its larger size. He manages to get a few good hits into Margit's lower body, causing the Omen to slightly stagger from each hit that lands.

Frustrated, Margit performs a leap backward to create distance between both of them to cease Lordan's assault. He conjures what Lordan thinks to be his golden sword but turns out to be something new, a golden spear.

That's new... Lordan observed as the new weapon allows Margit to attack from a larger distance. He charges while avoiding swipes and thrusts from Margit's two weapons which he delivers with intense speed despite his greater size.

"Holdeth still thee little pest." Margit remarks, annoyed by Lordan's constant dodges that avoid his hits. Lordan manages to get in front of Margit and delivers a huge slash from his greatsword that hurts Margit's waist.

He sees Margit's spear disappear and was prepared to dodge backward, anticipating the usage of his golden sword. He was caught by surprise as Margit conjures a large golden Warhammer instead, slamming it to the ground to stagger Lordan with the impact as it lands.

Margit then swings his arm back and performs a swipe with his hammer. Lordan attempts to block the attack by bracing his greatsword with both hands for the impact. The hammer lands and it knocks Lordan back hard, breaking his guard and forcing him to one kneel.

Of course, he has a fucki- Lordan's thoughts were interrupted when Margit performs a second strike with his hammer that sends Lordan flying back. He slams towards the wall behind him with force so great, that it snaps his neck upon impact, killing him instantly. His body falls to the ground, limp and lifeless.

"Put these foolish ambitions to rest."

DEATH

After sipping on his flasks to recover his strength and stamina, Lordan dodges to his right to avoid Margit's hammer, its impact kicks up dust and debris. He gets in some stabs and slashes before retreating to create distance.

He brings out his bow to launch some arrows towards Margit which he deflects with his golden sword, some arrows had managed to land but their effectiveness was not noticeable.

Margit's sword disappears and he conjures a golden dagger which he throws towards Lordan, the action catching Lordan completely off guard as he did not anticipate a ranged attack.

The dagger lands and sticks to Lordan's lower body near his stomach, causing him pain in his abdomen and forcing him to a single knee. He tries to pull it out but another dagger strikes his chest and interrupts his attempt to remove it.

"GAH! You fuckin-" Another dagger fly towards him, this one strikes through his helmet and into his forehead. His mind could not process the damage as it was currently in the midst of dying. Lordan goes limp and falls back to the ground, his eyes still open in death.

"Put these foolish ambitions to rest."

DEATH

Lordan was hit by Margit's cane and falls to the ground. A second strike from the cane came while Lordan was on the ground, he shifts to the left before it lands and rolls out of the way to get on his feet.

He retrieves his swords from his enchanted weapon bags to dual wield again and charges Margit, delivering a flurry of stabs that hits Margit's legs, making him lose some balance.

He swipes his golden sword towards Lordan to stop the assault before conjuring his spear to follow up with a thrust, the thrust strikes Lordan's shoulder and pushes him back as he lets out a pained cry.

Lordan retreats to the left to create a safe distance to sip on his red flask. He starts to lose his balance as he takes a step back, looking back to realize that he was at the edge of the pathway's side which leads to a fall to the depths below.

While he was distracted, Margit delivers a trust with his cane. The impact knocks Lordan back and sends him off the edge, screaming as he falls to his death below.

"Put these foolish ambitions to rest."

DEATH

Lordan thinks of a method to bait Margit to the edge of the cliff, thinking of pushing him off to kill him with the height of the fall.

He proceeds with his plan by making Margit advance by letting him attack and dodging backward before it hit lands, each movement inching towards the edge.

When he was finally at a spot where the abyss lies behind him, he prepared to execute his plan. Margit delivers a thrust which Lordan sidesteps and quickly moves to his back, using his greatsword to push against Margit with all the strength he can muster. Both men struggle as they push back each other in a hold.

"Fall! Damn You!"

"Thee first Tarnished." Margit breaks their hold and grabs Lordan by his neck before throwing him back off the edge. Lordan falls to his death again as his plan to kill Margit by height backfires against him. His screams echo on the way down before slowly fading to silence.

"Put these foolish ambitions to rest." Margit remarks while looking down to the abyss.

This was his 17th fight against Margit.

DEATH

Pain and fatigue were taking over his body as Lordan finishes the last sip from his red flask to heal. He charges forward again with a downwards slash with his greatsword which Margit blocks with his cane.

Margit conjures his golden sword and delivers multiple swipes that overwhelm Lordan due to the speed and timing of each attack, multiple hits land causing more damage to his injuries.

Lordan retreats and sips on his red flask before realizing it was empty, kicking himself internally for such an amateur mistake. The distraction allows Margit to thrust twice with his spear, both hits land on his chest and injure him more.

Lordan rolls to the side to recover but his incorrect timing due to fatigue allows Margit's cane to hit him mid-roll. The attack sends him tumbling to the side of the edge again.

He could not get up on his feet as his body was now on its last legs. With no healing or focus to regain from his flasks, Lordan knew that death was now but a certainty.

"Tis over tarnished, accepteth thy dea-"

"Yeah... Fuck you too..." Lordan weakly says before crawling off the edge to fall off the cliff, another death by falling awaits, choosing to die by his own hand.

Margit looks down to the abyss at the sight he just witnessed, confusion displayed all over his face.

"Has't the Tarnished truly lost their minds?"

This was his 30th fight against Margit.

DEATH

"Put these foolish ambitions to rest."

"Put these foolish ambitions to rest."

"Put these foolish ambitions to rest."

"Put these foolish ambitions to rest."

"Put these foolish ambitions to rest."

"Put these foolish ambitions to rest."

"Put these foolish ambitions to rest."

"Put these foolish ambitions to rest."

"Put these foolish ambitions to rest."

"Put these foolish ambitions to rest."

DEATH

DEATH

DEATH

DEATH

DEATH

DEATH

DEATH

DEATH

DEATH

DEATH

The last words of Margit before his own death constantly echo in Lordan's mind. It terrorized him to his core with how often he hears it before waking up to the site of grace. He felt his hands shaking as he approaches the tunnel's exit, his breath quickens to fog up the inner parts of his helmet as uncertain thoughts plagued his mind.

What if I'm not fast enough? What if I'm not able to dodge in time? What if- He shakes his head to clear those thoughts. He needed to complete this quest if he is going to get out of this accursed place, the thought of a peaceful place to lay low after this is what keeps him going.

Get a ship to cross the ocean to Boletaria. And stay there forever. Done Deal. He thought to himself, intending to put an ocean between himself and the lands between.

He walks through the tunnel's exit. A familiar voice booms from the castle's battlements again.

"Foul Tarnished."

This would be his 47th fight against Margit.

Put...

Lordan is impaled by a golden spear thrown by Margit and he dies.

these...

Lordan's head was smashed in by Margit's hammer and he dies.

Foolish...

Lordan jumps to perform a downwards slash but Margit grabs him mid-air and delivers multiple stabs with his golden sword and he dies.

Ambitions...

Lordan's body was hit with five daggers and he dies.

To...

Lordan was hit by Margit into the air with his hammer which sends him flying to the castle's battlements above. His body tumbles down to the abyss and he dies.

Rest.

"FOR FUCK'S SAKE!"

Lordan screams out after waking up at the tunnel's site of grace again after his latest death. His breath was heavy and his hands shakes to no end, the memories of each death and the pain he suffered lingered fresh in his mind.

That was his 92nd fight against Margit.

He could not think clearly at this time and only wanted to lash out against anything that was in sight. Drawing his shortsword, Lordan proceeds to hit the nearby wall repeatedly, each hit causes sparks and small parts of brick to fall out.

"DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! WHAT THE FUCK! WHY ME! WHY ME!" He screams to the tunnel's ceiling and continues hitting the wall. His shortsword soon breaks in half from the repeated strikes but Lordan continues with the broken sword, switching to stabbing the wall with the damaged tip.

"GODS! IF YOU FUCKING EXIST! SHOVE IT UP YOUR FUCKING ARSES FOR PUTTING PEOPLE THROUGH THIS... SHIT!"

Lordan's assault on the wall continues until he starts feeling his arm burning, his sword reduced to a quarter of its original length with pieces of it scattered on the floor.

He kneels in the front damaged wall in an exhausted state, dropping the broken sword on his side. His breaths were labored and sweat drips down his head as he removes his helmet.

"What's it going to take... To end this..." Lordan rests his head on the wall, a thought of slamming his head against it comes to his mind.

Blue mist appears behind him to reveal Melina, worry forms on her face as she moves to Lordan's side.

"Lordan? Are you alright?" She kneels beside him and places a hand on his back, she feels him shivering as no answer would come out of his mouth.

"No..." He finally answers. "I'm not ok... I... Can't do this Melina." His tone was full of defeat as he continues his labored breathing. "I'm not a great hero or warrior like the rest of the Tarnished. I'm just a mercenary... An average one at best."

It was true. He wasn't a warrior of great renown or fame. He was just a sword for hire, paid to fight for the person who pays the most. Even under the teachings of Vagram, he was still considered the weakest among all of the other children that trained to become sellswords, the "Runt of the litter" as others used to call him.

"I can't kill a demigod... I mean... look at me. I couldn't even reach the castle. I'm just... not strong enough..." He hangs his head low from the admission, the truth that he avoided his whole life.

He is just too weak.

"Then become stronger." Melina takes his hand to get his attention. "With the power of runes, through me. Gain the strength you need to overcome this setback Lordan." She continues, her other hand tracing circles on his back to comfort him. "Travel throughout Limgrave and seek other lesser opponents to face, defeat them and claim their runes, making their strength your own."

"For how is a hero to be born without great struggle?"

Lordan listened carefully to the advice Melina gives and starts considering his options. The idea to spend more time collecting runes to turn into strength was not appealing as spending more in the region time was not something he wanted to do.

But what were his options? Truly? Die a thousand more times to Margit and despair at defeat? or try something else first to get stronger? He was at a complete loss.

"You are very brave Lordan. Not many will admit to weakness, especially the other Tarnished warriors and heroes." She continues to observe Lordan while he thinks about her words. "It is alright to be weak. But it is never right to stay weak."

He starts calming down from his panic and destress and returns to breathing normally. Taking a stand, Lordan stretches his neck, causing some cracking sounds to be made.

"Ok, Margit and the demigod can wait. I will... travel around first to see if I can find anything that can help me." Deciding on a plan, Lordan begins to leave the tunnel back to Limgrave. He stops midway to speak to Melina.

"Melina, Thank you... I... I don't deserve you." He remarks, considering that she could have chosen another Tarnished that would be stronger and more capable.

"Don't worry Lordan. Call me again should you need anything." Melina steps away from the site of grace and prepares to leave. "And if there is any doubt in your mind. You do deserve me." She speaks her final words before disappearing into a blue mist again.

Now at the tunnel's entrance, Lordan puts his helmet back on and takes out his map to plan out his next routes. He makes markers on the castle to the south, any ruins and catacombs, Mistwood forest and a nearby fort, and finally the beach and lake near the first step.

He calls upon Torrent with his ring and mounts it upon appearing, his next destination was to resupply and replace the shortsword with Kale before progressing his quest. A pent-up frustration lingers in his mind as he prepares to move.

"Ok, Torrent. I got to ride fast... and... kill something along the way." Torrent acts out a gesture similar to a nod and rides off as fast as possible to comfort its current master.

LIMGRAVE, CHURCH OF ELLEH

Lordan had ridden for hours on Torrent to burn out all the stress he had from fighting Margit. Along the way, he had taken out some enemies to recoup the runes he lost from his last fight. Once he was satisfied with the amount of runes collected he decides to visit Kale again at the church, it was nightfall and he hoped Kale would still be awake.

He reaches the Church's entrance and discounts Torrent; it fades away with a blue mist as Lordan walks into the church.

He spots Kale and calls out to him. "Kale! You awake?" He receives no response and moves closer to the campfire where he sits.

He inspects Kale to find both him and his mule asleep. He gives Kale a gentle shake on the shoulder to try to awake him but it would not work, it was as if he was in a coma. Lordan also notices the air around the church being colder than usual, so cold he could visibly see his own breath.

"This way, Tarnished. May I have a word?" A voice speaks to Lordan from behind him, he turns to see a woman dressed in white sitting upon the church's collapsed wall. She was blue-skinned and had blue hair that matches the blueish hue of the moonlight.

Lordan moves closer to the woman, observing her for any signs of hostile intent. He reaches a spot within that was close to her and lets his guard once he considered her safe.

"Can I help you?" Lordan asks while looking at the projection of her face that floats beside her real one. He also notices that her skin was not entirely natural, it matches the surface of a doll's skin rather than a human one.

She... Looks a bit like Melina, doesn't she? He notes the facial features of the woman that seem to resemble Melina.

"A pleasure to meet thee, Tarnished. I am the witch Renna. " She introduces herself. As Renna speaks, the projection of her face follows its movements flawlessly.

"I'm Lordan." He gives her his name and she nods in acknowledgment with a smile.

"I'd heard tell of a Tarnished hurtling about atop a spectral steed. And upon looking into the matter, the talk, I surmise, is of thee." Renna speaks while placing her fingers together to reveal herself as having two pairs of arms. "Thou'rt possessed of the power, no? To call forth the spectral steed named Torrent*."*

Lordan considered denying the claim but reconsider his decision as it was highly likely that she already knows that her assumption is correct.

"Yes. It's me." Lordan then blows the ring to summon Torrent, It appears immediately from a blue mist. It sees Renna and begins to move closer to her. Renna smiles with joy as the steed brings its head close for her to touch, her four hands rubbing its mane with affection.

"Ah... Torrent. I have missed thee dear old friend." She rubs circles around its neck while placing her head on Torrent's with her eyes closed. "It pleaseth me to see Torrent hale and hearty. I thanketh thee, Lordan. For taking careth of Torrent."

"Yeah, It... Took care of me too." He admits, noting that Torrent has helped him maintain his sanity from the most recent death cycle he suffered, all without question or hesitation as Lordan rode for hours and end.

Renna gives Torrent a final pat before turning her attention back to Lordan, her hands move to her robes to retrieve an item. "I was entrusted this, for thee. By Torrent's former master. 'Tis a bell for calling forth spirits." She reveals the item and passes it to Lordan.

"I also grant thee this. The ashes of three Loyal wolves." She takes out another item, a small hollow transparent gem that contains a tiny amount of ashes in its space. "Summon them with it, from ash unreturned to the Erdtree. The spirits will obey thine command but briefly, as they recall battles past. Now it is thine. To do with as thou wishest."

"Three wolves? Do they have names?" He asks as he takes the gem.

"No. Tis is up to thee to giveth they names." She comments a smile from her indicates that she was pleased with Lordan's question as not many would bother with naming spirits.

"Ok... Um... Thank you, Renna." Lordan keeps the items given into his enchanted bag and refocuses on Renna. "I don't suppose I need to give anything for this?"

"No Lordan. Nothing is required. This is m'rely a gentle gesture." She responds and prepares to leave. "Forgive mine intrusion, Lordan. I doubt we shall again meet. But all the same, learn well the Lands Between."

"How long will it be, I wonder... Before you tire of obeisance to the Two Fingers?" She comments to Lordan, earning her a confused look as he did not know what she had meant by "The Two Fingers".

"I don't follow any higher power or god Renna. I... trust my own hands." He answers truthfully as Renna nods in agreement, clearly sharing the share sentiments of Lordan.

"Indeed. One must trusteth their owneth sight over the words of unseen beings." Blue mist starts to emit from her as Renna prepares to leave. "Thou art an int'resting and handsome fellow, Lordan. I desire to collab'rate, Shouldst we meeteth again. Heir to nothing and everything."

Renna disappears from sight, leaving Lordan alone in the church to process the meeting. It was clear that there are people in the region that seem to be guiding him to success. A small part of him questions the true intent of Melina and Renna's assistance and what they want in return.

Heir to nothing and everything? What does that mean? He ponders Renna's last words. Was a Tarnished supposed to inherit something in their quest? While he walks back to the campsite to think about the words, Kale begins to awaken at his campsite.

"Huh... What? Oh! Lordan! Sorry, I must have dozed off. Are you here to Trade?"

1999 YEARS BEFORE THE SHATTERING

Voices and music can be heard throughout the early night as the citizens of Azalin prepare for another night of celebrations and festivities.

The main sources of these celebrations would come from the many inns and taverns that welcome travelers from all around the known world. People like bards who travel with their songs and stories, traders with their goods who look for food and shelter for the night, sellswords who are just passing by, and travelers who stay for the night, hiring the working women and men for their "Services".

Within one of the taverns, Rags and Marika sit together on the corner side of the building. She looks to the menu provided to decide on the food she wanted to try while Rags looks on with his arms folded, regularly scanning around their surroundings for danger.

"Are you done, Maiden?"

"A moment Rags. I am still thinking." Marika speaks without looking up to Rags, her focus still on the menu.

"It's been ten minutes... And you asked for a moment for the last five times."

She looks up at him with a frown. "I need to understand my choices for a meal before ordering, yes? So naturally, it will take some time."

"Well, now it's taking too much time. Just pick something simple..." Rags suggested but was ignored as Marika looks back to the menu without a care for his suggestion.

He lets out a groan after seeing Marika flip the menu back to its first page, clearly intending to read the whole menu again. Rags decide to hasten the process by calling the barmaid.

"Barmaid! Order! Here!" He shouts while banging the table to attract attention. Marika looks up at him with an annoyed look before sighing as the barmaid comes over.

"What can I get you Handsome?"

"Ale and Chicken Stew. More Salt." Rags give his order immediately, Clearly deciding long ago upon giving the menu a glace.

"And your lady friend?" The barmaid asks while looking over to Marika.

"Um... The same as what he is having." She orders with a hint of unwillingness in her voice. "With less salt, if possible."

The barmaid nods and returns to the counter where the cooks reside to give their orders.

"See? Was that so hard Maiden?"

"If we are going to travel for 5 more months together and this keeps happening? Then, yes. It is going to be that hard." Marika replies to Rags's question with a passive-aggressive tone, unhappy with Rags for forcing her to make a decision too quickly.

"Yeah, I figured." They sit together in an uncomfortable silence after their exchange. Marika decides to break the tension by finding out more about Rags.

"So... would you be willing to tell me more about yourself Rags?" The question causes Rags to look at Marika with a frown. The stare from his gloomy brown eyes indicates this was a sensitive subject to disclose. The staring from Rags begins to cause a bit of discomfort to Marika as she shifts in her seat.

Rags can be frightening at times... She thinks to herself upon remembering the way Rags fights with his claymore, most of his enemies dead from being cut in half or worse.

"Not much to tell..." Rags say with an uncaring voice. "I'm a mercenary who kills and fights for gold. I trained with the sword after my father died. I'm 17 years old and I am currently taking the longest job in my career." He finishes with a vague answer to her question.

"You are 17 years old? Then why do you look so..."

"Old?" Rags answers Marika's inquiry before she finishes, aware of his age that does not match his current look. For he had the appearance of a grown man rather than a boy on the verge of manhood.

"Not all of us are as blessed as you Maiden." Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of their meals.

Rags start his meal by first drinking his cup of ale with no restraint, finishing it with a single gulp. Marika picks up her own cup to observe the liquid that Rags had just drunk, not knowing how it would taste. She decides to take a sip of the ale, her face frowns upon tasting the drink.

She forces the liquid down her throat and coughs. "It's quite... Strong... Isn't it?"

"First time?" Rags smirk at the sight of her struggle and give out a small laugh. "This is what happens when you nobles drink that piss you call wine your whole lives."

"Wine isn't pi-" Marika stops her sentence to avoid a vulgar word. "Wine is a fine drink. and when we get to Leydell, I intend to enjoy an endless supply of it rather than... Whatever this is."

"Whatever you say, Maiden. You gonna finish that?" He points to the ale that Marika drank. She shakes her head before Rags takes the cup, finishing it on her behalf.

"What about you then? What's your deal?" Rags asked the question to Marika while he starts eating his stew. She sits straighter while placing her hands on the table.

"I am traveling to Leydell to stand before the Erdtree, as required by the Greater Will. I and many other men and women of my people have been selected as an Empyrean for the mantle of leadership."

"Leadership for what?" The mention of leadership gets Rags's attention.

"The one to lead the new age as the vessel for the Greater Will. All of the Empyrean candidates are born from the undying lands of Numen. The homeland of my people. where many are long-lived and seldom born." Marika describes a brief description of her homeland.

"Where is this place? Never heard of it."

"In all intends and purposes. Numen does not exist in this world. It is... Within its own plane of existence." The explanation confuses Rags, the concept of a place that does exist in the world does not make sense to him.

"How many candidates are there then?"

"There aren't many of us left outside Numen. Many have been captured or killed by enemies of the golden order. Based on what I last heard, there are only a few dozen candidates left. Myself included." The situation was explained to Rags, making him understand why they are constantly in danger.

"I see..." He stops eating the stew for a moment after a question comes to his mind. "Still... you as a candidate for leadership? Aren't you a bit young for that?" He mentions Marika's appearance as a 17-year-old woman on the verge of womanhood, the same age as him.

"I am 500 years old Rags."

The answer makes Rags stop completely and he looks up slowly at Marika, his eyes focusing on her to spot any signs of age. "Bullshit."

"It's true. Time in my homeland works differently and our lifespan can be up to 8000 years on average." The higher number makes Rags even more stunned.

"So a few thousand years later you will still look... like a girl?"

"Not necessarily, My people have the ability to change our appearance at will. We can change our faces, hair length, color, body shape, and size." She describes the unique ability of her people while consuming her stew. "There have also been cases of our alchemists creating newborns and duplicates of a Numen with the use of mimics tears they learned to mold from teachings of the eternal cities. Thus the saying of long-lived and seldom born."

"So you can change into a different person? Why not do it now? Might help us travel easier." The suggestion Rags makes earns him a stare from Marika who dislikes the idea.

"This appearance is the last gift my mother bestowed upon me. It is one I am proud of and don't intend to change. I will only alter it with minor changes to my body and appearance of my age, nothing else." She declares with a hint of anger in her voice.

"Fine. I understand. Sorry." He offers an apology which Marika accepts with a nod and returns to consuming her stew. "So you say you can alter your body as well?" Rags ask as a curious thought comes to his mind.

"Yes, I can. I have done it before."

"Does that mean you can make your tits big-" Rags stops himself upon realizing what he just spoke out. Both of them stare at each other with minor shock for a while before Rags clears his throat from embarrassment and Marika blushes greatly from the statement, hiding her face by looking down at her bowl.

"Ahhh... S-sorry." He places a palm on his face while kicking himself internally. Why the FUCK did I say that...

"Y-y-you are... a sick man Rags..." She attempts to speak while being distracted by the statement. "I-i-if you are curious about that. You should know... that I... CAN do that. B-but I won't." She finishes her sentence with studders in between.

Rags notice the hesitation from the answer and realize something that threatens to make him die from laughter.

Oh, Fucking Gods, Heavens, and Hells... She has done it before. The theory forms in his head as he starts to realize that Marika's current upper body and rear were much more "Robust" compared to an average woman.

He starts holding back his laughter with great effort to earn a confused look from Marika.

"W-Whats so funny?" She asked with a confused tone.

"Nothing." He answers with a smirk as he finally controls himself.

They continued with their bowls of stew in relative silence, with some small talk in between. When they finished their meals, they proceeded to the tavern's counter to pay for the meal.

"And you require a room for the night, yes?" The tavern owner asks while Rags takes out the payment from his pouch.

"Yes, just one for the night."

"Of course. Does your lady require moon tea for the both of you to... be careful?" The question was asked by the owner while he looks at Marika, Making her confused by what he meant.

"No. We are not here for that. Besides, I'm not her type." Rags respond to the question with no emotion or hesitation, Indicating that he understands the owner's meaning. A small part of Marika felt disappointed by Rags's statement despite her not knowing the context of the conversation.

"Ah... I see. Very well. Second floor, last door on the right. Enjoy." He hands Rags the key and both he and Marika proceed upstairs.

They reach the door and Rags unlocks the room they would be staying for the night. It was rather plain looking with a single two-person bed, a mirror drawer and chair, a room divider for changing clothes, and a window to see outside.

"There's only one bed..." Marika mentions as Rags moves over to the dresser without pause.

"You don't say..."

"Alright, you can take the right and I will have-" Her suggestion was interrupted when Rags starts dragging the chair to the room's door. He braces it against the door and takes a seat, his weight as leverage to prevent it from opening.

"The bed is yours. I got the chair." He speaks while taking out his claymore to place it near him for use.

"What? Don't be foolish... There is enough space for both of us. Besides, I do not require any sleep." She mentions her Numen aspect again of not needing sleep at all.

"So what if you don't need it? Numens can sleep, right?" She nods at his assumption. "Then get some. It helps make time go faster." He starts to lean back in the chair and close his eyes.

"But-"

"Go to sleep Marika." He adopts a resting position on the chair with his head leaning against the door, eyes closed to rest as grace did not stop him from being hungry or tired.

Marika stops her protest and retrieves clothing and a cloak from her enchanted bag, it was a white thin nightdress that was partially see-through. She moves behind the divider to undress, while nude she observes herself through the mirror.

She ponders her current form. She had spent a great time creating her current body to resemble that of a true goddess as her people depicted in their great paintings. Her breasts were fairly robust and roundly shaped, her waist was shaped flawlessly like an hourglass, her limbs and legs were toned and firm and her rear was nicely sized and round.

This was the form she was to present to the Elden Lord of Leydell should she be the Greater Will's chosen when she stands before the Erdtree. Where she would marry him and continue the Golden Order's great reign. Serving as the direct vessel to the Greater Will.

Marika starts touching her body starting from her shoulders. She starts moving down and feels her breasts, belly, waist, thighs, and rear. Ensuring she was currently in her perfect form she worked so hard to sculpt.

A part of her soon begins to realize her purpose as a candidate. What would she actually do for the Golden Order if chosen? Would she be responsible for remaking the world into the Greater Will's required design? Lead the armies of gold to dominate the known world? Make peace with the Dragon Order for the good of the world? Or simply be used by the Elden Lord as a brood for demigod heirs?

She was greatly bothered by the last possibility. To be chosen by an outer god for nothing more than breeding and sexual comfort. Like the many mimic tears, her people used to create duplicates of themselves or others to satisfy their lustful needs. Living Pleasure Dolls they were nicknamed.

A part of her felt shame as she too had once used a mimic tear to create a male version of herself for sex. She was young when she did this back in Numen almost two hundred years ago. But that did not justify the creation of another being for such a depraved purpose.

She stops her pointless thoughts and decides to get dressed, with an extra cloak to hide the view of her naked form exposed by the transparent properties of her nightdress from Rags. Upon moving to the bed, she observes Rags as he was still sitting with his eyes closed at the door, completely oblivious to what she had been doing behind the divider.

She lies down on the bed and covers herself with the blanket. Her mind starts debating the previous thoughts she had which cause her more distress. She decides to distract herself by trying to speak to Rags, his presence giving her an unusual sense of comfort.

"Rags? Are you awake?" She asked while staring at the ceiling in her laying position, hoping he would answer.

"Hrm?" Rags respond with a grunt.

"Why didn't we go to the town's church for the night instead?" Marika asked as it was a suggestion she gave when they arrived in this town.

"Because they would have announced your presence and we would be in danger." He answers with his eyes closed.

"Then... Why didn't we ask the local lord for refuge?" She turns on her side to face him.

"Because he would have announced your presence and we would be in danger." He answers again with his eyes closed. "Also, he might have tried to make you fuck him."

Marika considers her next question to be about another suggestion she gave but instead she wanted to know more about his mindset, so she asked a different type of question.

"Rags... Why... Why do you always see the worst in people?"

Upon hearing the question, Rags opens his eyes. His gloomy eyes stare at Marika with a blank expression on his face. It scares her again, how frightening Rags can look at times.

"That's because people are the worst. They just can't help it. It's their nature." He answers with a monotone voice, completely devoid of emotion. "I learned that the hard way."

"How do you know?"

"Ask my father." Rags respond, his tone was unchanging.

Marika knew she should stop with her questions but wanted to know more about his cynicism and what caused it. She chooses her next words carefully, not wanting to antagonize him.

"Do you think... People can change? If a god were to... Teach them?"

His eyes close on the question, clearly knowing his answer. "No. If a god were to do that, that would make gods far worst than people." He starts to shift from his seat to return to his previous resting position.

"No one should be forced to think or do things they don't believe in."

Rags finish his answer and return to his rest, picking up and hugging his claymore in the process. Marika soon lies back on the bed to see back at the ceiling, her mind pondering Rags's opinions of the world.

"If I were a god... or chosen to become one... I could make things better. I would-"

Marika looks back to Rags during her words to realize he had fallen asleep, his claymore was still being hugged in his slumber. She gets up from bed to check on him. "Rags?"

He provides no response to her, prompting Marika to kneel down to observe his face to check on him. His face was fatigued and strained as if he never had a peaceful night of sleep before. An unseen weight was shackling him from inner peace.

She removes a cloak and covers his shoulders with it as a way to make him comfortable. Marika observes him for a few more moments before reaching out with her hand to caress his face, her thumb brushing it with affection.

"If I were chosen... I swear that no one will be hurt like you ever again. I promise Rags."

"I promise to fix you."

FIN