ARC III:
CHAPTER 1: RESURRECTIONS
1997 YEARS BEFORE THE SHATTERING
Cold.
That was all Rags felt when the darkness took him. No feeling or thoughts on the matter, only darkness, and silence.
It was all he has left now. Death was a cruel concept, no place truly exist after it. It was just deafening silence and lack of light that was obvious.
Time passed as the darkness remains.
And then he felt something, a familiar foreign presence that invaded his mind. Something or someone that seemed to hold on to him from death by a single thread, refusing to let him go that easily.
RAGS.
HEAR ME NOW.
SURVIVE.
FOR THE BOTH OF US.
I STILL NEED YOU.
SHE STILL NEEDS YOU.
SO I WILL GRANT YOU THIS.
ONLY FOR THIS TIME.
A TINY PART OF MY STRENGTH.
TO HOLD YOU ON.
UNTIL YOU FIND ME.
IN THE HOLLOW EARTH.
The voice that haunts him starts to fade, willingly leaving Rags behind.
THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE.
FIND ME IN THE HOLLOW EARTH.
OR LOSE HER FOREVER.
MAKE.
YOUR.
CHOICE.
The voice disappeared, and some senses and life begin to return to Rags causing him to cough out for air. His body was numb to almost all feelings, but Rags could make out what was happening to a certain degree.
He barely feels the movement that was beneath him, motions that mimic the riding of a horse. Slowly, Rags open his eyes weakly, seeing himself sitting atop Torrent's back. His vision is blurry and dark, constantly fading between awareness and the lack of it.
What... How...
His thoughts start to come back, trying to make sense of his current location. He was on a pathway he did not recognize, trees and greenery can be observed around him with the area being bright to suggest it was daytime.
Rags trust to move in his current position the best he could, shifting his eyes and head to look around him. He sees his wounds, still bloody and fresh from probably a few days ago.
He then shifts slowly to see his right arm, now completely gone with a phantom pain present.
My arm... My... Fucking... Arm...
His body becomes weaker and he feels himself slipping from Torrent's saddle. He starts falling from the side and hits the ground hard. Once again meeting the dirt.
Gods… Damn it…
Rags attempt to muster any available strength he has for an attempt at getting up. To no avail as he simply falls back hard again.
Torrent moves to his side and gives him a nudge. The steed then takes a loose strap of his attire and starts dragging him along slowly, making sure that it would inflict no pain on its injured master.
The dragging went on for a while, before halting at a spot. Torrent nudges him once more, trying to keep him awake.
Rags started fading in between consciousness, his eyes just could not stay open. He had not enough strength left in him for anything else. All he could do was lay there and wait for help or death.
Soon he hears footsteps approaching his laying position. He angles his head to the best of his ability, trying to see the blurry figure that came closer.
"Well done, Torrent. Well done, you were right to bring him to us." A voice of a woman speaks out, a voice he recognized. The woman kneels closer to him while Torrent flips Rags to his back, allowing him to face upwards as the woman draws closer.
It was Renna, dressed in black traveling attire with a hood. Beside her was also Gehrman, carrying a large scythe which he places on his back after looking around the area for threats.
"Rags... Are you... Can you hear me?" Renna carefully places a hand on his cheek, trying to get his attention to see the severity of his state. Her question was only met with grunts and moans as Rags tries to get out a word.
"The... Took he... They... I-I"
"Shhh. Hush, Rags. I know. I am aware. Just relax for now, alright?" Renna looks to Gehrman, motioning him to come closer. "Gehrman, come here now. Help me."
Gehrman steps closer, taking a single kneel to observe Rags's injuries. His face was focused on the three different fatal wounds that Rags sustained, thinking of the damage that they caused to his body.
"How bad is it?"
"He looks terrible. And he's missing an arm." Gehrman looks at the stump of Rags's severed arm, inspecting the wound as ideas of a remedy form within his mind. "He's lucky to be alive. I see the signs of blood loss and fever that will usually kill a man. But... His chances are currently quite slim I'm afraid."
Renna shakes her head at the assessment of Rags's condition from Gehrman, knowing full well that Rags was on the verge of death and could falter at any moment. "Can anything be done for him?"
Gehrman inspects the wounds closer, forming his ideas for aid and medical assistance that will save him. "Difficult, but doable. I have blood vials in my workshop's inventory that will heal the wounds, but it must be administered at a careful rate. Lest his condition becomes worst."
"And his arm? Will he be able to fight again?" She expresses a concern for his missing arm, noting that he was effectively crippled by the lack of his sword arm.
"I have a design planned for that. It will be the most advanced prosthetic from my period, one that I had in mind for a while. But I need time and your assistance."
Renna considers his words for a moment and decides to follow his plan. "Then do it. Spare no expense and no limits to all you can do for him. Ensure he is back to his prime fighting condition."
Gehrman nods and proceeds to carry Rags to place him upon Torrent's back. He takes the reigns of Torrent to lead him while Renna walks beside Torrent, keeping Rags company.
Rags grunts more attempt at words while Renna comforts him to the best of her ability, casting a healing spell to try and ease his pain.
"You must hold on, Rags. You must survive this. Else we are all lost."
Rags hears the last of her words and starts to pass out, all his energy spend. His vision fades once again, and darkness takes his mind.
FIND ME IN THE HOLLOW EARTH.
DIVINE TOWER OF LIMGRAVE
PRESENT DAY
"What. The. Fuck."
Lordan stares down the man in front of him who claims to be Godwyn. The demi-god that was reportedly killed during the Night Of The Black Knives as Gideon said.
But here he was. Talking to Lordan face to face, completely fine. An idea Lordan couldn't wrap his head around.
"How? Why? Where did you..."
"Come from? From my understanding, you just activated my great rune. And thus, here I stand." Godwyn provides a small explanation of his presence. "For within each great rune lies a piece of the demi-god that it came from. A replica of their consciousnesses, based on a theory Rykard explained to me long ago. Turns out he was right, one can live within another's mind."
Lordan tries to form some level of understanding of Godwyn's explanation, failing to do so as he had no clue as to what he means. "So you were alive? The whole time? Within the great rune, I took from Godrick?"
"Alive?" Godwyn lets out a short laugh at his assumption. "No, I'm quite dead I'm afraid. The version of me you see is one that has experienced my demise, rather a painful experience I might add." A small smile can be observed on Godwyn's face as he mentioned pain. "I wonder if Ranni's plan with the death rune actually worked, it would be awkward if it didn't... "
Lordan then picks up a rock, throwing it at Godwyn. The rock phrases through him, earning Lordan an annoyed look from Godwyn.
He sighs at Lordan as another rock was thrown, phrasing through him again. "And what was the point of doing that? Twice?"
"To see if you are real, And you are not! I must be losing my mind..." Lordan clutches his head, shaking it and blinking to try and get this illusion out of his mind. "This is one of Vyke's tricks... It has to be... It has to be..."
Lordan closes his eyes hard for a moment and opens them again while facing down. He looks up to see Godwyn once again, this time standing closer to him which causes him to jump back. "Argh!"
"This is real, whether you like it or not. We are stuck together." Godwyn then moves closer to inspect Lordan closely, taking in the details of his armor that he recognizes. "I have only seen the design of a Raging Wolf armour in the books, and yet yours is of a different make altogether."
Lordan takes a step back from Godwyn, still trying to process the event. "Its uhhhh... My own take on it... I... used my master's armor as reference."
Godwyn stops his inspection and wonders about another aspect of Lordan, noting that his armor design and vocal accent was not common in these lands. "It comes to me that I know not one thing about you. Tell me, what is your name, wolf?"
"I'm Lordan... I'm a... Tarnished here to be Elden Lord."
"Tarnished?" The term catches Godwyn's attention. "I thought most of you left the lands long ago. Like my... Father." His tone goes a bit soft at the mention of his parent, a look of bitterness can be heard in between the words. "But where are you from?"
Lordan rubs his head, trying to think of a location or place that has some form of connection to where he comes from. "Around, I guess? I... Travel, a lot. I don't really have a permanent home to go home to."
Godwyn strokes his chin and thinks of the next question that will help him make sense of the current state of his country. " I... See. Perhaps a more important question would be, when did you come from?"
"When?"
"Yes. From where you come from, what is the current year?"
"The year? It was 1507. Why?"
Godwyn raises a brow at the year Lordan gave. "1507? What kind of year is that?"
"It's just how the years are counted. You... Don't know that?"
Godwyn turns away from Lordan, trying to make sense of the year that was given. He begins trying to make out the possible amount of time that has passed since death. Numbers came to his head, but all of them were vague and unclear. He sighs and gives up the counting for now. "I suppose a long time has passed since... whatever happened here. Perhaps she did finally do it... Defy the Greater Will, as she intended and plotted to do after all those years."
"Mother... Why did you have to force my hand? Was my death the only way for you to stop listening to f-... Radagon's attempts at peace with the god that enslaved us all?"
He stands still for a moment while looking out to the lands between, the tower provided him the view to see almost every region. He sighs again, knowing that the outcome had already been decided. His home was effectively left to solve its own problems, isolated from the rest of the known world within its own time and place.
Lordan clears his throat to get Godwyn's attention. "So... I think... I'm done here. I will be leaving. With us? I guess?" He doesn't truly know what the concept of having Godwyn living within his head would bring.
Was he an ally or a foe? These questions spiral within his mind. He hoped Godwyn wasn't able to hear his thoughts, he doesn't need another voice in his head judging every single action he takes.
Godwyn does not respond for a moment and eventually shakes his head to clear his mind. "Yes... We should move. Though, I don't think I will be able to travel with you physically. Considering I'm only a specter in your mind."
"So you are staying here?"
"No, I think I will reside in your mind for the time being while you travel."
"Ok? How does that work?"
Godwyn was surprised by the question as he himself wasn't sure. "Yes, how does it work indeed... Maybe if I just-" His words stop as he disappears on the spot.
"Godwyn? Where are you-"
Lordan gets shocked as Godwyn suddenly appears in front of him out of thin air, closer than before. He backsteps out of instinct while Godwyn looks around himself, appearing just as surprised as Lordan from his appearance.
"What the-?! How did you do that?!"
"Interesting. It seems that I only appear when I want to or when I think it."
"When you want to? So where do you go when you disappear?"
"In a place of my choosing, it seems. Your mind is able to create a... Space that I can reside in." Godwyn notes a worried look on Lordan's face. "Don't worry, I'm not able to hear your thoughts."
Lordan lets out a sigh of relief and prepares to head off. "Alright, fine... We are going to Stormveil Castle. I got business there with a noble."
The mention of Godwyn's vassal castle catches his attention. "Stormveil? Interesting. I would like to see it's current state as well."
Lordan shrugs and moves off to the exit of the tower's roof. "Suit yourself. Just... Piggyback in my head I guess."
With their conversation over, Godwyn nods and disappeared from his sight. Lordan made his way back to the platform to step on the floor panel, causing the platform to start descending from the tower.
His mind thinks about the event that just occurred, him accidentally allowing the spirit of a Demi-god to reside in his mind. He wonders about the effects of such a action, also wondering if the other great runes will have a similar effect.
This is too fucking weird for one day...
STORMVEIL CASTLE, MAIN COURTYARD
Lordan rode atop Torrent's back at a moderate speed, using the time riding on the bridge to clear his head. The events that occurred today alone created a new form of stress within his mind.
Worries about Vyke's appearance made him uneasy, and Godwyn's resurrection within his mind made him uncertain of things. There was also the matter of the word Empyrean, and the significance behind the constant mentions that all pointed towards him several times.
And the fact that his master may have been keeping secrets from him for his whole life.
All these issues combined were becoming a concern. He knows too much but understands too little to have a sense of the world around him. It made him feel powerless to control his own journey.
Forgot it. Kenneth first, everything else later. He settles his thoughts on the matters, pushing them to the back of his head. His only goal now was to gather more great runes, and Gideon would be the one to provide him directions once his business at Stormveil was done.
The gate of the castle connected to the bridge comes into view, allowing the castle's guards to spot him from their watch tower. A signal horn was blown as the men prepares to welcome him.
"Open the gates! The Wolf Lord has returned! Open the gates!"
The gates that seal the castle opens for Lordan to enter. He eases Torrent to walk in slowly as a crowd at the castle look to his arrival.
"The Lord Wolf is back!"
"Gods save you, Lordan!"
"Hey! Lordan's come to see us!"
"Praise the sun and the stars! Lord wolf has returned to us!"
Cheers and greetings were echoed by soldiers of the castle as Lordan passes through the gate on top Torrent's back, it was an entrance befitting of a war hero who returned from battle.
Ugh... More attention to worry about. The audience that Lordan attracted made him feel uneasy. He wasn't a fan of being the center of any form of attention, he preferred the low-profile way of an unknown.
He dismounts Torrent and it disappears into the air, leaving him on foot to walk through the castle. Several more people came to greet him, soldiers under Kenneth and formerly Godrick, members of the Roundtable Hold, Nepheli's warriors, Kaiden Mercenaries, and citizens and peasants freed from Godrick's imprisonment all offered him praise and cheers as he moved along.
While making his way to the throne room of Stormveil, a gathering of smallfolk could be seen. He moves closer to the crowd as they were all shouting jeers and anger towards the direction they were facing.
Upon nearing the crowd he looked up to see the sight that caused the commotion. It was Godrick, or at least what was left of him that was hanging by the neck on a tree. The crowd was throwing stones and dirt at his remains, as retribution for his cruelty against the people he ruled over. Guards were at the ready to deter anyone who tried to remove the body but did nothing to stop their throeing of objects.
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
A sigh can be heard as Godwyn reappears beside Lordan, invisible to the crowd by completely seen to him. Lordan jumps a little from the sudden appearance of the demi-god. "I had expected better from my father's bloodline. It seems I was mistaken, severely."
"Your father's bloodline? So Godrick was related to you?" Lordan asks with a brow raised, wondering how someone like Godrick would even be remotely connected by blood to Godwyn. Their resemblance was not at all present.
"Partially. Godrick is an heir to one of my father's many bastards. One that he had granted legitimacy to after my brief exile to the badlands..." He once again displayed a minor hint of bitterness on his face, his tone also sounded more jaded at the mention of his father, who send him away before being exiled himself. "His great grandfather was the one that was recognized. Godford, he was named. I had hoped they would achieve the same measure expected of Godfrey, when he was Elden Lord. But alas, It seems the apple has fallen too far from the tree."
"You don't say. The man was a fucking abomination. Grafting shit all over his body to make up for strength." He points out the body of Godrick which was now a rotten body of a limp old man.
" Yes... Grafting was a technique that my father used for a different purpose. It seems they had gotten the wrong idea. " Godwyn shakes his head and looks away, disappointed at the outcome of one of his father's efforts many years ago. " I suggest we move on. I don't want to see this charade anymore... "
"Same." Lordan was in agreement with Godwyn and decides to move on to the throne room while he disappears into his mind. He moves off through the crowd and encounters some children taking part in the defilement of Godrick's corpse.
One of the kids lands a straight shot onto the head of Godrick, earning her cheers from her other friends. Lordan looks on and smiles underneath his helmet, remembering the times when he was a child himself.
"Nice shot, kid." He remarks and leaves the children bewildered, for the hero who saved their home from Godrick had just spoken to them. They cheer and talk among themselves during the encounter while Lordan walks away to the throne room.
STORMVEIL CASTLE, THE WAR ROOM
He crosses the area where he and Godrick fought for the great rune to reach the throne room of Stormveil Castle, nothing that several soldiers and volunteers have started the cleanup process for the area. They worked to remove all traces of Godrick's crimes and legacy regarding his bloodline, for Godrick and his line would be erased from all sources of history.
Several of the men greet Lordan silently while performing their duties as he walks by. He reaches the throne room of the castle and looks around its interior, noticing that new decorations and banners were being placed to replace the former ruler's colors.
The new banner was of a design depicting three wolves. Two wolves wielded a greatsword with black and white visages with their matching fur colour, surrounding a golden tree that Lordan presumes to be the Erdtree itself. Below the tree lies another wolf, a grey one with a wreath beneath its feet.
Interesting design. Lordan observes the banner's design, liking it for its connection with wolves. He turns to look to the throne in the middle of the room, nothing that its size was too big for a normal person to seat on. He wonders if the size of the throne was a way for Godrick to overcompensate for his weakness. As if his arse could fit the chair... Gods, Heavens, and Hells. What an egotistical prick.
His attention shifts to the statue that was directly behind the throne, a statue of the First Elden Lord Godfrey, which Lordan recognizes from the painting in the Roundtable Hold. The statue sees him in a noble pose with a greataxe and lion resting on his back.
His attention was interrupted by a guard that approaches to salute him as a greeting. "My Lord. Welcome to the main chamber."
Lordan bows as a greeting and takes note of the man's address to him. "My Lord?"
"Yes, My lord. We have been instructed to address you as such. Lord Heigh is awaiting you in the war room, alongside the warrior, Nepheli Loux."
"Nepheli is still around?" He had thought she would already move on from the castle to the next region. Maybe Kenneth is giving her one of his many speeches. His eyes roll at the prospect of him lecturing a warrior like Nepheil on the matters of warfare. "Alright, which way?"
"Down that hallway, just after the stairway to the noble quarters. You can't miss it." Lordan nods to the guard's information and moves through the hallway. Guards stationed and patrolling the path all greet him as lord like the first guard which left him a bit uncomfortable.
He nears a large door in front of him that was partially closed, an opening peers light through from the room where the voices of Nepheli and Kenneth can be heard in conversation.
"My lady, I respect your opinion and value your input. But the northern border of Limgrave is to take priority. We cannot afford to risk an invasion from the Carians, the region simply does not have the manpower nor talent to fend off soldiers adept in magic."
"And I am telling you, that the rot that spreads from the east is the real problem at the moment. Every day, the men stationed there are getting sick from that plague, it doesn't help with all the increased number of rotten creatures that are slowly migrating west to further spread the rot."
"I understand that my lady, truly I do. But in terms of importance, an invasion from the north is of higher danger! You cannot imagine the damage that Liurnia was I'll cause should the county decide to seek retribution for Queen Rennala's honor. The death toll will be countless!"
"So will it be if the rot goes unchecked? We cannot hold off a plague the same way we hold off armies. The Carians are just not as big of a threat right now, it's the rot that will be a problem when it spreads inland through Limgrave's backyard."
"Again, I disagree. An army at our doorstep takes precedence! We must-"
Lordan clears his throat after listening in on their debate for some time. "Uhhh… you wanted to see me?"
Kenneth and Nepheli stop their argument and look to the doorway where Lordan came in from, surprised by his return this soon.
"Ah! Lordan, dear boy! You have returned to us. How was your journey to the tower? Did you find what you were looking for?"
He shrugs at Kenneth's question. "I did, and then some. It's been a weird day, really."
"Weirder than a noble trying to argue with a warrior about battle plans?" Nepheli's comment makes Kenneth annoyed as she moves away from the war table to offer Lordan a handshake. "Good to see you, wolf."
Lordan takes her hand by the forearm and shakes off with a firm grip. "And you, Loux. Find what you were looking for?"
"Yes, actually. Took a while but I got what I came for. I don't expect to leave that soon, as Father still has tasks for me in this region."
"Of course he does…" Lordan moves his attention to Kenneth who was waiting nearby the room's war table in his usual noble behavior. "So, what's going on?"
"Yes, before we continue. I must offer congratulations on the victory with Godrick. You have done a great service to the people of Limgrave. I thank you on their behalf, Lordan. You have saved us from a tyrant." Kenneth offers a bow of thanks which Lordan returns with his own. "And now we require an opinion on the matter that Lady Nepheil and I were discussing earlier."
"About the north and east of Limgrave?"
"Yes, we are currently trying to secure the region from all the external threats that seek to possibly invade. In the north, we have the Carians. And in the east, we have the rotten beings and putrid creatures and corpses that spread the scarlet rot."
"and they are a bigger problem at the moment. Reports say that they starting to move west from Caelid, After years of being pushed back by the remaining Redmanes who defend their castle from the spread of the rot." Nepheli jumps into the conversation to make her point across. "The Carians are not the big problem now, Lordan. This incoming plague is. We need to take it seriously."
"Which brings us to an impasse of decisions, Lordan." Kenneth marks out two points on the map of the war table which was a map of Limgrave in its entirety. "The Carian threat comes from the north and the rot from the east. Lady Nepheli and I are split on the decision to send a large detachment of reinforcements to the east or have them remain here to guard the northern border towards liurnia. I am in favor of the latter, she is in favor of the east."
"Which is a better idea. This castle is near the northern border and can be held by a lesser amount of men. The rot requires more manpower to curb." Nepheli makes a final point and folds her arms, clearly unhappy that Kenneth was still trying to push for the north to be defended more.
"Alright. Alright. I hear you both. I suppose you want me to be the tiebreaker huh?" He looks at both of them and sees them want his approval for their respective plans. Lordan sighs and moves to study the map of Limgrave on the two marked locations.
He takes a while to consider the options. Both were right to a certain extent on the threats that each border was facing, and both cannot be ignored for long. He thinks about the problem a little more and comes up with a solution that both can work with.
"We send for both." His opinion causes confusion for both of them as they did not expect him to give this answer.
"Lordan... I do not believe it is possible for us to support both at the same time. We don't have the manpower to do it."
"Then we work with what we have. Here's the plan." Lordan takes the models of men that were made for the map and places them in locations near the northern and eastern borders of Limgraves, choosing the different variants of models to highlight the plan he has.
"For the north, we have the castle itself. Which is effectively an advantage on its own, with the high walls and towers. We can station archers and siege equipment operators to stay here and defend the border from attacks."
"With the east, we will need to cover more ground considering that there is no fort or wall to defend it. So we will need more foot soldiers with-"
"Spears, torches, and barrels of pitch." Nepheli cuts in as she was starting to see the reasoning behind his plan, slowly becoming impressed by his creative idea.
"Exactly. We can deal with the rotten things with fire, lots of fire. We could also ask the Kaiden Mercs to join in as their horseback fighting style would be more useful there."
"And we can deal with those magic users from the north with arrows and siege weapons from behind our walls. As all the magic in the world can't save anyone from an arrow to the face or a boulder from the sky."
"This way, both of your choices can be made. With lesser manpower on both sides. But least we can do both before they become a problem."
Kenneth was speechless at Lordan's plan, it was the solution that both of them did not think about when they were debating about their side of the matter. "That... Might work very well. Good strategy, young man! It seems I was right to choose you as our next lord." His words then reminded him about another matter which he summoned Lordan for. "Ah! That reminds me! Lordan, wait here a moment." He moves to the table and reads a scroll to prepare his speech to Lordan.
Nepheli holds back a small laugh as she knew what happens next would be a pain for Lordan in a funny way. "Here we go..."
"What? What do you mean?" Lordan notices Nepheli's laugh and turns to eye her.
"It's alright, Lordan. We all don't choose our circumstances or roles in the world." Her remarks leave him confused as to what Kenneth was doing.
Kenneth finally finishes his practice and turns to Lordan to deliver a speech. "Now. As the current regent of the region of Limgrave, it is my responsibility to choose the new ruler that will inherit the lands of the region. And I have decided and found the right candidate to do so."
"Ok...? Who is he? Or her?" He looks to Nepheli who shakes her head with a smile that indicates it wasn't her.
"The person that will inherit the lordship of Limgrave is you, my boy!" Kenneth takes the scroll he was reading into his hands and recites the contents out loud. "By the power vested in me and the greater will, I name you the new lord of Stormveil, Limgrave, and the Weeping Peninsula. All of the armies are under your command and all the assets and resources that were of the estate of Godrick are now yours." He finished his speech and offers Lordan a hand to skate. "Congratulations! My Lord! We are now under your service and command."
"What?"
Lordan responds to his announcement with a blank and confused expression as he processes the information that was just passed to him. Beside him was Nepheli who was holding herself back from bursting into laughter.
"And there it is..." She doesn't hold back her laughter anymore as Lordan's face turns from confusion to realization and finally horrified seriousness all in the span of a minute.
"The person I have chosen for Lordship in the region is you, Lordan. I have the utmost confidence in your abilities as the ruler of the lands."
"You are serious? Like seriously serious? I'm the new lord of Limgrave?"
"Yes! Absolutely! This decree is in support of it, and is effective immediately." He raises the scroll where Lordan's name was written and stamped with a royal seal to indicate his status as the new Lord.
Is he fucking high? Me as the lord of Limgrave? Now?
A thousand reasons why he was not ready came up in his mind. He knew that the issue of Elden Lord would come up eventually but he didn't expect to be hindered by the news of Lordship this soon.
"Kenneth... Do you have any idea how bad of an idea this is? Right now? I'm trying to claim right as Elden Lord at the moment, and now I'm supposed to rule as Lord of Limgrave?" Lordan starts getting a bit frustrated at the prospect of the title. He didn't have the mental capacity to deal with this now with all the new things that were coming his way.
"I am aware of that, my lord. But we are at a most desperate hour. The people need a lord who is willing to fight for them and has fought for them, unconditionally. And only you have shown that promise. I truly believe that this will be the first appropriate step towards your ascension towards the mantle of Elden Lord."
"As amusing it is to see your reaction to this... Reward. Kenneth is right, Lordan. I would rather see someone like you in the lead over most of the other nobles." Nepheli adds her opinion in support of his appointment, knowing that in the current circumstances and choices, Lordan seemed like the best and most logical choice.
Lordan sighs loudly, placing both palms on his face as he tries to think about the coming role as a Lord. "Look. I'm just a sellsword. I don't have any skills in ruling, governing, politics, economy, or leading armies. I'm just-GAH!"
He yelps loudly in surprise as Godwyn appears beside him just as he turned around to his side. His outburst makes Nepheli and Kenneth confused as they could not see Godwyn as Lordan does.
"So that's what it takes to become lord these days. Just kill the current one and take the title? Perhaps I should have tried it on Radagon..." Godwyn makes a remark on the current conversation as he makes it over to the war table to study its map, phrasing through Kenneth's body as if he was just an unseen phantom hidden from their view. "Hmmmm... Interesting plans."
"Lordan? You good?" Nepheli moves over to him while he eyes Godwyn near the table.
Lordan shakes his head from the initial shock and refocused on the two real people currently in the room. "I um... I'm fine. Just... Saw a spider, that's all." An excuse was made about his outburst while his annoyance with Godwyn was growing.
"A spider?" She raises a brow at his excuse and decides not to push any further, for everyone had their shortfalls.
"As we were... You need not worry about the ruling or business of lordship at the moment, Lordan. I will serve as your regent in your stead while you pursue your quest at hand. I will also appoint a Warmaster to train and manage the army for you, I have a few candidates in mind for the comman-"
"I think Nepheli should do it, she is my choice for Warmaster." Lordan makes a decision on one of Kenneth's plans, earning him a surprised look from both of them.
"Me?"
"I beg your pardon? Lady Nepheli as Warmaster? Isn't she under the service of Ser Gideon Ofnir?"
"A good choice, Lordan. A warrior who comes from the badlands will inspire great prowess among the men. And a woman commander will definitely get their attention, for the good and bad reasons." Godwyn comments from the war table without looking back to Lordan, it was a comment only he could hear.
Lordan shrugs at facts while he explains his choice. "Well, you said it yourself Kenneth, we need people that the citizens can, right? She was with me in the fight against Godrick, so she has earned that right." He turns to Nepheli who was unsure of his choice but was grateful for his recognition. "So... What do you say? You wanna lead and train the men for me?"
Nepheli looks down while debating the choice in mind, she considers her current service to her foster father and whether or not she would have the time to fulfill the role. She sighs with a smirk as she folds her arms. "Well, Lordan. If you wanted an excuse to see me more often, you could have just asked."
"Well, there is no fun in that now is there?"
"True. Besides, we haven't even had sex yet."
"I uhhhhhhh... Am not asking you for that reason... I just... Need someone I can trust and work with. So I'm asking as a friend." He awkwardly rubs his head at her bluntness and suggestive tone.
"Hmmm... You have a weird way of pleasing women, wolf." She laughs quietly at his growing blush and lets out another sigh. "Alright. I will take the job, as a part-timer. My main service is still to father, and I will only fulfill my duties when I completed any of his."
"Then it is settled! Lady Nepheil will be the Warmaster and I the Head Advisor in your service. Long may you reign, Lord Wolf." Kenneth bows once again towards Lordan who rolls his eyes at the noble's constant attempts to push his lordship. "I will also seek candidates for the positions of High priest, Grand enchanter, master of Travel, Master of coin, and Commander of the lord's guard. And I will present the list of names and their feats for your consideration when ready, my Lord wolf."
"Uhhhh… sure… I guess." The mention of the word wolf triggers a thought in Lordan as he remembered the new banner that was being placed around. "Oh. By the way. What's with the new banner? The one with the wolves?"
"The new banner is of your visage, My Lord. It is the original ensign of Radegan the Black. Seeing as you wear the visage of the Raging Wolves, I felt it appropriate to use it as your banner."
"Also, I think it suits you. With the whole… Wolf get-up you are going for." Nepheli shrugs as Lordan raises a brow at her opinion of the banner in his name.
"Ok... Fine... I'm lord now I guess..." He sighs once again, one of the many that he did alone today. Lordan prepares to move out of the war room, intending to return to the Roundtable hold to seek Gideon's advice for the next Great Rune. "Well, I'm going off then. Send me a raven if you have a message for me at any time."
"Finally..." Godwyn lets out a sigh of relief as he had been waiting for some time to depart while looking at the map of the war table. He disappears back into Lordan's mind while remaining unseen by Nepheil and Kenneth.
"Of course, my Lord. May the Golden Order shine through you in these dark times." Kenneth bows deeply at the departure of Lordan while Nepheil follows him along to move on to her next task.
"So. Where are you headed, Loux?"
"East to the border of Caelid, of course. I'm your Warmaster now. And father has allowed me to plan out my own tasks when he doesn't have any for me. So this will be my first job under you, to secure the border from the incoming rot."
"Yeah, I guess it is." They reached the exit of the throne room and starts to separate. "Well, we part ways here. Take care... Warmaster."
"And you... My Lord." She says in a sarcastic tone. Nepheli then remembers something that she wanted him to know. "Oh. And one more thing Lordan. Rogier is currently in the infirmary. He got injured, badly."
The news of Rogier catches Lordan's attention as he had wondered what happened to Rogier after the battle with Godrick. "How bad?"
"Bad. He will probably never walk again." She shakes her head upon remembering the damaged state that she found him in, right beside a rotting tree monster that he slew. "His legs were maimed, and the healers and doctors couldn't help him. Thankfully, he's still alive."
"Damn... I shouldn't have left him alone." Lordan decides he would visit Rogier before leaving. "I will go see him before I leave."
Nepheil nods and offers a handshake to Lordan. "Farewell, wolf. I hope to fight alongside you again. As Warmaster and companion."
"Yeah, burn those rotting shits for me, would you?"
"Of course. You could join us you know? The men would love to see their new lord in action."
"I would love to but uhhh... last I checked. I'm way behind schedule, on the whole, collecting the great runes to repair the Elden Ring thing."
She laughs at his obvious statement and walks away in the direction of the stables. "Suit yourself, you know where to find me." She turns her head and gives Lordan a wink before continuing on.
Lordan rubs his head on her teasing and returns to his next intention, to visit Rogier at the infirmary. He walks along while Godwyn reappears to his side to walk along.
"That woman is trying to make you bed her. If you were smart, you would propose a relationship with her as a casual lover without any attachments. You could use sexual activity as a way to relieve the stress you are currently facing."
"Oh, Fuck off Godwyn..." He rolls his eyes at Godwyn's suggestion who disappears once again to let him move alone. Several guards in the station greet him as he moves past them, all addressing him as Lord.
I'm never gonna get used to this...
STORMVEIL CASTLE, THE CHAPEL OF MARIKA
With the help of the guards stationed around the Castle, Lordan was able to make his way to be makeshift infirmary located at the Chapel of Marika. Healers in both the ways of medicine and healing incantations or spells were stationed here to care for the injured and sick.
Lordan made his way through the dozens of bedrolls and cots that laid the injured or sick people of the castle. Many were men who fought in battle or were citizens imprisoned by Godrick who suffered from torture, sickness, or malnutrition.
He carefully walks past them while looking for Rogier, greeting each of the patients who recognized him with a handshake or bow along the way. Many of them were in disbelief that the new lord of Limgrave himself was around the area to visit them, even if that was not his original intention.
"Lordan! Over here! Here!" A voice calls out to him from the other end of the area. He looks over to see Rogier waving to him while sitting up on a cot.
Lordan moves over after greeting the previous patients and kneels on one leg to Rogier's side. "Rogier, your legs... Are they-"
"Gone? I'm afraid so... The creature I fought slammed me hard against the wall, and broke my spine instantly. I will probably never walk again."
"Damn... I'm sorry, Rogier. We shouldn't have left yo-"
"It's fine, Lordan. Or should I say, my Lord?" Rogier raises a brow at Lordan as he knew of the change in status that he recently received. "I apologize for any offense given by my bearing, but I'm quite unable to move, you see."
Lordan shakes his head at his apology. "Please don't. It's my fault that you are in this state. We should have followed you to wherever you went, as least you would have backup."
"Considering what I went through, It was best if you weren't there Lordan. Trust me, It would have ended badly." Rogier then reached into his enchanted bag placed on the side of the cot where lies to reach for a blade. "So you defeated Godrick and claimed yourself a Great Rune. Mm, looks like we both got what we wanted out of Stormveil, didn't we? Congratulations by the way. You have saved the people from further danger."
Lordan shrugs once again, he had done it many times today alone due to all the praises that were coming his way. "I had help... Honestly."
"Humble and strong-willed? It looks like we have been blessed with a worthy ruler." He takes the blade from the bag and presents it to Lordan, It was his personal magic Rapier. "Here, My gift to the new Lord of Limgrave and Stormveil. Go on, take it."
"Rogier... I can't take this..."
"My fighting days may be behind me, Lordan. No need to be polite, I've no use for it anymore for the moment."
Lordan looks down at the Rapier and takes it with a sense of hesitation, taking it after some time to keep in his own enchanted bag. "Alright, I will hold on to it for you until you get better. And you better do get well soon. I might have a job for you." He thinks about the position of Grand Enchanter that Rogier might fill, once he recovers of course.
"Of course, I will, Lordan. My work and research aren't finished just yet." Rogier settles down back to his resting position. "Well, thank you for your visit, Lordan. Perhaps you could visit me next time? Preferably at the Roundtable Hold? There's something about what I found under the castle that I would like assistance on. If you have the time."
Lordan accepts and nods at his request. "Sure. Maybe after I get the next great rune? I'm a little behind on my schedule right now."
"Of course. Please, don't let me stop you." They offer their farewells to each other and Lordan begins moving off.
As he walks, he notices a group of people who were all unconscious while healers attend to them. Closer inspection revealed that this group of people were actually uninjured, they were only in a slumbering state.
Lordan moves close to one of the doctors wearing a plague mask and he gestures to Lordan to stay back. "Keep clear, My Lord. I would not want this new plague to infect you as well."
"New plague? What's wrong with them?" He observes a few of the people including several children as they lay motionless on their cots like they were sleeping and could not wake up.
"A new form of sleeping sickness. They are alive but unable to awaken. We found them all laying motionless in front of Prince Miquella's statue near one of the smaller shrines dedicated to him." The doctor signs as he checks on one of the men for signs of life. "We are not able to cure them at the moment. Spells, incantations, and medical herbs and elixirs are unable to alleviate the symptoms. Honestly... We are at a loss, my Lord."
Lordan listens in on the doctor's explanation and observes the man that was being treated by the doctor. He sees the man start whispering a few words that were soft and a little hard to hear, he barely makes out a few of the words.
"Saint... Trina... Oh... Saint Trina... Spare... Us... The pain..."
Saint Trina? Who's that? He observes closer while keeping a hand over his mouth to avoid catching the plague. His thoughts were once again interrupted as he turns to the side and sees Godwyn's form right beside him, jumping in surprise once more. "ARGH!"
"Interesting. They are alive but in a state in between life and death that they cannot awaken from." Godwyn points out his observation and sees Lordan staring at him with a look of annoyance. "What?"
"Just because you can appear out of thin air whenever you want, doesn't mean you should do it all the fucking time!" Lordan raises his voice and causes all the people nearby to look at him as he shouted at a blank space from their point of view.
"My Lord? Are you alright?" The doctor asked as he was the nearest to Lordan physically.
"I... I'm fine. Just... Talking to myself."
"Are you sure? We can have a healer tak-"
"I'm fine. I just need to talk to someone." He looks to where Godwyn was and silently and angrily gestures for him to follow. "NOW."
Godwyn relents while rolling his eyes and follows Lordan along to a secluded room in the chapel, the door was locked to give them both privacy from any eyes outside. For no one was aware of Godwyn's return but Lordan himself. Godwyn's phantom form takes a seat at the nearby bench while Lordan remains standing.
"And what is it you want to discuss about, Lordan? I believe we have wasted enough time here with all your minor visits and meetings. Honestly, Do you even know where you are going at this point in time?"
"I know enough. And we need to talk about you, and the appearing out of nowhere shunts." His expression gets serious as he folded his arms. "That stops, now. If you wanna appear for a talk, do it in an obvious fashion. NO scaring the piss out of me all the time. Got it?"
Godwyn raised both hands in a surrendering gesture, indicating his acceptance of the request. "Very well, I had hoped that you would appreciate the jest from time to time, But it seems you are incapable of fun. It would make our journey a little more difficult together it seems."
"Our journey together? Seriously... I gonna deal with this?" Lordan sighs, the idea of another person thinking and talking within his mind was troublesome, it was like having a nagging parent who sleeps in the back of his mind. "Fine. But I wanna make some ground rules first. You appear if you need or want to but in an obvious way like I previously stated."
"Fair enough. Next?"
"Also, if I want you gone from my sight, you piss off. No objections or appearances unless I want or need it."
"A bit unreasonable, but fine."
"Next, no lies or secrets. I don't need that kind of thing in my head."
Godwyn shakes his head at the request. "Now, now, Lordan. I am not asking for your secrets as well, am I? I have the right to keep information that I do not want public to myself now do I? It's the least you could respect from anyone."
Lordan rolls his eyes from the response, he begrudgingly admits the point and comes up with a half measure. "That's... Fair. Keep your secrets. But I want you to tell me anything important that concerns our quest, got it?" Godwyn responds with an uncaring nod while Lordan paces around at his final condition.
"Lastly, no trying to plot against me."
The last request leaves Godwyn confused as if that was an option in the first place. "And why in the heavens or hells would I do that? It benefits me with nothing, considering that I inhabit your mind. Me doing that would only endanger myself."
"I don't know, honestly. I'm just warning you about the idea if you get any funny ones. Don't. Try. It." Lordan makes his point across. The two of them stare at each other silently before Godwyn stands to his feet.
"I accept your terms. Now, I prove my goodwill we should shake on it." He offers a hand to Lordan which he accepts.
Only for his hand to phrase right through Godwyn's, as Lordan forgot that Godwyn had no actual physical body at the moment. He looks up at Godwyn annoyed as he could see the forming of a grin on the demigod's face.
"You... You did that on purpose, didn't you?" His question gets no response as Godwyn simply displays his smug face. "Blonde fucker..." Lordan swears under his breath.
"Now why would I do that?" Godwyn's tone drips with sarcasm as Lordan grunts in frustration. He decided to ignore this possible annoyance for now and move on to the Roundtable Hold for more information on the next great rune to seek.
"Whatever... We going to the Roundtable Hold if you know where that is... We gonna speak to Gideon on where to find the next rune."
The name catches the attention of Godwyn, who knows the identity of the Roundtable Hold's current leader. "Gideon Ofnir? The all-knowing fanatic? He is still alive?"
"You know him?"
"Only too well..." Godwyn's expression darkens from the thought of Gideon, aware of the crimes that the man has committed. "What are your intentions with the man, Lordan? It's best if we do not interact with him unless necessary..."
Lordan silently agrees, knowing that if there were a way to avoid help from Gideon he would do so very eagerly. "We need his help to find the next great rune. Honestly... I have no idea where that would be... Without him, I would be running us around in circles."
"Luckily for you, we have the next best thing." Godwyn gestures to himself. "Myself, of course. I am aware of the next nearest rune's location. We would not need his help for the time being."
"Oh?" A brow was raised at Godwyn's assistance. Perhaps a demigod as a guide was useful after all. "Alright, where is it then? I gonna mark it on my map." He reaches into his enchanted bag to pull out the map of the region.
Godwyn shakes his head at the attempt as Lordan had not yet collected the map of the next region, making his effort count as nothing for the most part. "The next rune is not within Limgrave. It is up north, in the mystical region of Liurnia of the Lakes, the homeland of the Carians. You can find a suitable map along the way. The rune is in the possession of Queen Rennala, she is supposed to be still residing within The Academy of Raya Lucaria, if my knowledge isn't outdated..."
"Right... North, huh?" Lordan keeps his map and marks out some notes on his own journal, keeping it once done to continue his journey for the next rune. "Well, then. off we go. I gonna get a move on."
"Before you continue Lordan. There is something I must enquire about. I have many questions about the current state of my homeland but this one takes precedence." Godwyn was serious this time, it was a question that related to their safety. "Does anyone else know about me? Or the fact that I exist within your body and mind?" His question was answered quietly with a head shake from Lordan, which in turn caused him to sigh in relief. "Good. It is in your best interest to keep your current status confidential, even to your friends and companions. Especially from Gideon Ofnir."
"Why? Is he after you or something?"
"Not particularly. But there are two scenarios that would play out if he were to be made known of my existence within you."
Lordan tilts his head and shifts around on his feet as he was curious about another person's opinion about Gideon. "Which is?"
"The best case scenario. He thinks you're insane and ceases his assistance."
That possibility was not ideal as he still needed Gideon's help to understand parts of the lands. "And the worst case?"
"He believes you, and captures you alive for study and research."
That's a very Gideon thing to do... Lordan remembered the fact that Gideon still had the Frenzied Flame in his possession for study. The idea that he could potentially become one of Gideon's test subjects was not appealing in any way. "Then we keep it among us, for now." He had the intention to reveal this fact to some within his inner circle, and Melina came to mind.
"Good. Then we are fully agreed to our own terms." Godwyn gestures to the door to exit the room as their conversion was now. "I suggest we proceed then. The road to the academy is long. A month of riding at least, if we manage not to encounter any problems along the way. I would also expect resistance from any of Liurnia's protectors, they are a reclusive group that does not take too kindly to outsiders."
"Of course, they aren't..." It was obvious that Liurnia was going to be a potential problem for Limgrave based on the report from Kenneth earlier. Him traveling through that region would also be seen as an act of aggression, considering that he was the new Lord of Limgrave and all. Lordan's best choice now was to travel alone into the region without revealing his new title, hopefully, it was enough. "Let's get a move on then, to North for that rune. You better be right about this..."
"Oh, I am. You will see." With his final words, Godwyn fades away back into Lordan's mind, leaving him alone in the room.
And so Lordan moves on, exiting the room to make his way to the northern gate of the castle, receiving greetings from more guards along the way to his next destination.
STORMVEIL CASTLE, THE NORTHERN GATE
The guards stationed at the northern gate stand at attention upon Lordan's arrival, showing him respect as their new lord. Lordan nods at their greetings and eases them to stand easy.
"Greetings, my lord. What may we assist you with?" The captain stationed there approaches to ask for orders.
"Open the gate, I'm traveling to Liurnia."
The captain nods and signals to his men above, they move to raise the gates. They slowly hoist the heavy metal gates, creating loud noises of chains working to lift it up fully.
Lordan blows on his whistle and Torrent appears for him to mount by jumping out in a swift fashion. He pets Torrent by its mane and slowly moves towards the exit.
"Shall I prepare a party of riders to travel alongside you, my lord?" The captain suggests an option for an escort. It was an option that was risky as he didn't want to spark a potential war between two regions this early.
"Nope. I got this alone. Close the gate behind me and keep your guard up." The captain nods and steps back from Lordan to leave the castle. The group of guards that attention once more to his departure.
"HAIL LORD WOLF!" The captain shouts out to bid Lordan farewell, and the rest of the men soon followed in his wake to shout out as well.
"HAIL LORD WOLF!" "HAIL LORD WOLF!" "HAIL LORD WOLF!" "HAIL LORD WOLF!" "HAIL LORD WOLF!"
They chant their war cry for Lordan as he rides out of the gate. He raises his fist while looking back at the castle as a form of acknowledgment for their chants.
Lordan looks forward to the region ahead of him, seeing vast lakes and fields of grass on the horizon with the academy at a far distance atop a lone mountain.
"Alright, boy. Off we go. You good?" Torrent moves his head to mimic a nodding motion at his question. And the two of them proceed to the lakes of Liurnia to seek the next great rune, continuing Lordan's quest for the Elden Ring.
1997 YEARS BEFORE THE SHATTERING
Darkness.
That was all Rags sees, feels, and knows at this point. He was constantly fading in between waking and slumber, waking up for moments to weakly see the space around him before he falls to deep sleep again.
Between his visions were Renna, Gehrman, and others who he did not recognize. They work around him to carry out their work for his care, not stopping to try and communicate with him.
He could barely make out the works that they carry out, nor feel the effects of the actions they took to heal him. He could sometimes see Renna looking over him to help him drink poppy milk, a remedy to numb any pain he could feel.
"Is his condition improving?"
"Yes, but slowly. He is beginning to get his senses and strength back."
"Good... That is good. And your replacement for his arm? It's ready?"
"It is functional, but still requires some tests. I will run a few trials before I perform the process to attach it. And I am already working on the second version."
"Very well. Inform me when you are ready. I wish to see the prototype and the surgery outline before you proceed."
"As you wish, Lady Renna."
"The procedure is rather complicated. It involves cutting into his shoulder to attach his nerves to the artifical ones in the shoulder portion of the prostatic. Once the shoulder piece is in place, we can fit in the arm. We can even change the arm entirely in the future, once I have developed the next version of it."
"But it is safe? He will be safe from the process?"
"It is as safe as I can make it. This is a prototype that is fairly experimental. It is nothing like the Shinobi Prosthetic as it is of a more... functional use."
"...Do it. Prepare him for the procedure."
"I already have. We can begin immediately."
"Good. Do not fail, Gehrman. We need him."
"The process is successful, despite the setbacks. The arm is in place and is fully functional."
"Can you test it?"
"Of course. Let me demonstrate. See?"
"And he can move it fully on his own? Like his regular arm as before?"
"With the help of your magics and runes, yes. It will take some getting used to, as the arm does not replicate the sense of touch. So he will need to learn how to use a sword with it."
"Nonetheless, you have done an excellent job."
"I hope so, my lady. I have new plans for a second arm. Once he has used the current one greatly."
"So now... We wait."
More time passed as Rags continues his weakened slumber. The days turned to weeks, and the weeks turned to a few months. His condition slowly improves and he was on the verge of a full recovery.
And on the seventh day of the seventh month, it occurs.
Rags wakes up.
THE REALM BETWEEN THE REALMS, RENNA'S RISE
"Ughhh... Nghhh... Huh?"
Rags whispers in his awakening, feeling the soft sheets beneath his body. He was currently half dressed with only his lower body dressed in pants, his upper body was heavily covered with bandages over the wounds of the stab on his chest and left shoulder.
"Argh... Wha-..."
Rags slowly sit up from his laying position, his body aches from the wounds he sustained. He grabs his chest from a sharp and realized that his right hand was the one holding it, even when he clearly remembered losing it in his fight against Seriph.
He looks down to see how that was possible and sees his shoulder fitted with a new arm, it was fully black metal and had fully functional joints and fingers. It unnaturally moves based on his thoughts, responding to his intended movements for his severed right arm, with the sense of presence and feeling missing.
"What the... Fuck..." The attached arm moves as if it was his real arm. Rags did not know how that was even possible, it was an inanimate object.
"Ah. You have finally awakened. Lady Renna will be pleased." The voice of Gehrman speaks out from the other end of the room they currently reside in. Around the bed where Rags lays were cutters of equipment for both magical and scientific methods of medication.
"How do you feel? Any... Pain from the prosthetic?"
Rags look down at the false arm again as he moves its fingers according to his intended movements. "What is this? How can I-"
"Move it like a real arm? I call it the Gotz prosthetic, a fitting name from the man who inspired it. It is a replacement for your missing arm and is fully functional like a real one. With some variations of course..." He stands and walks over to where Rags was lying, taking the arm to inspect it. "Move your fingers into a fist, if you can."
Rags look down at his new hand and think of making a fist. The arm responds and closes its grip as a normal hand would.
"Good. Now think of a gesture that you can create with your hand."
His hand moves to perform an offensive gesture, with one finger raise apart from the rest. Gehrman ignores the meaning behind it and simply studies the arm.
"Good. Very good. You have adapted to the arm successfully. It seems our work has paid off." Gehrman releases the arm and takes out a notebook from one of his pockets to record a new note.
Rags rub his head with his real hand and look down at his wounds, his major ones being the stab wound on the chest and the slash wound that is vertical on his left shoulder. He could feel the soreness behind the bandages as he moves around his body from his sitting position.
"Where.. what is... Where is-"
A thought suddenly came to his mind. Something, no someone was missing.
Marika.
He grabs Gehrman by his collar with his new arm, the man does not resist and simply allows Rags to vent a little. "What happened to Marika?! WHAT HAPPENED TO MARIKA?!"
"She is gone." Another voice speaks out from the entrance of the room, revealing herself as Renna who just came in. "She has been taken by the Dragon Order, by their prophet. And she is now far beyond your reach."
The words of Renna created despair in Rags, this was the absolute worst-case scenario that he had played out in his mind. All because he didn't follow her wishes to kill her to avoid capture.
He lets Gehrman go, slowly moving up to his feet by pushing himself off the bed. "I have to find her... I gonna-" He grunts out in pain and clutches his shoulder wound, as it created a sharp pain that courses all over his body. Rags fall to the ground to both knees, breathing heavily from the sensation.
Both Renna and Gehrman move to his kneeling position and helps him to his feet once again. They allow him to have a moment to adjust to standing and he slowly calms down slightly to ease himself.
"You must remain calm, Rags. There is nothing you can do at this point. Your encounter with the Prophet was almost four months ago." She explained while observing Rags carefully, gauging his response to her words. She could see his despair sink deeper as the during of his slumber came to light. "There is no doubt that Marika is not able to be rescued now."
Rags continue to ignore her words and try to leave the room, intending to find his equipment to chase after Marika. "I have to her... I NEED to find her."
He once again falls to his knees as his panicked state was causing distress to his still healing wounds. Gehrman attempts to help him up but was stopped by Renna, intending to let him process some of the actions he was taking at the moment.
"I got to... I... I... Fuck." Rags start to break apart from his pitiful state, remembering the moment when he lost her. It was all preventable in the first place, but he was just too weak to make the difficult choice when it really came.
And now Marika was captured, most likely suffering a fate worst than death. She could even be dead right now and Rags was just too late to save her.
"Fuck... Fuck. FUCK. FUCK FUCK FUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKK!" He punches the floor in a fit of rage, his real hand sustained injuries from the punching while his false arm damages the floor with dents and small fragments of debris.
He screams towards the floor in frustration, not knowing how to fix this situation. Renna slowly kneels alongside him and tries her best to comfort him with Gehrman standing aside to give them some space.
"Rags... Listen to me. All is not lost. You must endure this setback." She tries to ease him, to no avail as Rags was too distressed. "I know that you are blaming yourself for this failure, but you must stop immediately. She still needs you, now more than ever."
Rags slowly calms himself down, Renna's words were starting to have an effect. He stops his punches and gets to his feet slowly, avoiding another possibility of falling to his knees from overwhelming pain.
Rags stands fully and shivers from his previous breakdown. He takes a few moments to resettle his thoughts, trying to come up with a plan on what to do next. Nothing came to his mind for the longest time, he truly did not know what to do now.
"I don't know... What to do, Renna. What... What the fuck should I do?" He looks at her with pleading eyes, trying to get an option that would help him. Renna's face remains neutral as she thinks of a response.
"You do the only thing you can." She lifts her hands to cup Rags's face, forcing his eyes to look at hers. "You fight. Rest and recover, for now, Rags. And once you are fully restored..."
"You will have your revenge. And I will help you deliver it."
Her word sinks into Rags as he remains silent, considering her words of encouragement. He knew that he was going to face Seriph again to find Marika. And he knows that he was not in the same league as the man who nearly killed him in battle.
He was at a loss now, impossible odds were stacked against him. How on earth was he going to beat Seriph in a fair fight? And was he too late at this point?
"I... Don't know if... I can beat them. I lost the last time, and I might again." Seriph's words ring true in his mind. He wasn't a good, demon, or special in any regard. He was just an ordinary man given the short end of fate's favor.
Renna shakes her at his admission, she understands perfectly about his doubts and knows exactly what he must do to eliminate them.
"Then do whatever you must to win. Use everything that you know, every unfair and dirty advantage. Everything that is considered immoral must be employed to win this battle against beings above you."
"For how is a legend to be born without great struggle?"
Renna's final words sink in as Rags slowly formulated a plan to fight. Renna was right, he had no choice on the matter if he wants Marika back.
No more half measures. He needs to use all ways and means to win.
The good. The bad.
FIND ME IN THE HOLLOW EARTH.
And the worst.
Renna lets him go as he was now fully calm. She allows him a few more moments before he sits back on his bed of his own accord.
"Ok... Ok. I do what you ask. But I need your help. I don't know if I can do this alone."
"Then you shall have it. I will send my ravens to search the known world for Seriph's location." Renna commits to his new quest with assistance.
"And I shall provide you the armory and weaponry to even to odds." Gehrman pitches in from the side as well to offer his help. "Magics are not something you seem keen on using, so you must embrace the next best thing."
"Which is?"
"Technology, of course."
Rags settle back down to his bed as both of his new allies start to leave, with Gehrman going first to return to his works. Renna stays for a few more moments before leaving as well, offering him some parting advice to sleep on.
"Rest Rags. For when you depart on your next journey, you will be expected to face great perils. And so you must restore yourself to be stronger than last time. But for now... Rest. You will need it."
She leaves the room to leave Rags alone. He lays back down and raises his fake hand to ceiling, watching it with wonder on how it works. His hand forms a fist as new resolve fills him, the very strength and will he lost was beginning to return.
"I will find you... I promise... I will." He swears a promise to Marika, even as she was possibly millions of miles away. He slowly ease himself to a restful slumber while thinking of his next goal, and the steps he would need to take to get there.
The line from the unknown voice rings in his head, urging him to seek it out. And for the first time since he heard it.
Rags was intending to find it.
FIND ME IN THE HOLLOW EARTH.
Two weeks pass since his awakening and Rags was currently equipping himself with new gear, a lighter armor that exposed his fake arm and allowed him even more mobility.
He takes up a new greatsword to swing and twirl it around with his new arm, it was similar in size and make to his old claymore. It had taken him a while to get used to the usage of the arm, but he had settled into it perfectly. It was like he never even lost his right arm in the first place.
After placing his new sword upon his back, Rags moves to the nearby table of weapons that he had been practicing for usage, weapons that were made by Gehrman. They included three changeable hands for his false arm and two ranged weapons that Gehrman called firearms, weapons that replaced bows from his time.
Rags takes each weapon and carefully inspects them, starting with the fake hands.
The Swordwhip.
The Blooming Shield.
And The Hand Cannon.
He keeps the extra fake hands fitted with weapons into his enchanted bag and moves to take one of the firearms. It was a slightly lightweight weapon with two tubes that was effective at close range, firing off mini ball-bearings of metal upon pulling a trigger.
Rags had nicknamed it The Boomstick, much to Gehrman's disapproval.
He keeps the weapon on his back holster and inspects the heavier one, a prototype that Gehrman was developing that allows one to fire projectiles in rapid succession without constant loading. It was fitted with three long tubes with a back section to store its ammunition and was light enough to be wielded with one hand.
Gehrman had called it The Gating Gun, a smaller version of his final design that was meant to be portable.
Carefully keeping the gun into his enchanted bag, Rags made his way out of his room. He walks along the tower's hallway to Renna's study as she had instructed him to do so. Her search for Seriph was successful and she was waiting for him to deliver news of his location.
Rags approach the door and open it slightly, seeing Renna looking over a world map on her table. She turns around and gestures for him to move closer, intending to show him the results of her search.
"Good morning, Rags. Are you well?"
"Fine. Just peachy." He tilts his head on both sides to create cracking sounds to stretch his neck.
"That is good. Fortunately, I have news of the Prophet's whereabouts." She looks back at the map and points to one of the marked locations. "He is leading a force in the region of Drangleic, to put down a rebellion started by a kingdom of Dragon Riders, who have grown disillusioned with the Dragon Order's ways. It is there where you can meet him, and possibly rescue Marika."
Rags look at the map and marks out his own. He wastes no time to try and depart before remembering a question he has for Renna, about the Hollow Earth.
"You are set then? All the equipment and gears we have provided is to your liking?"
"Yeah, it's fine, I guess..." Rags adjust himself to the new armor, moving around to show Renna that it was functional.
"Good. Then there are two- No, three more things I shall provide for your journey ahead." Renna moves to a section in her study to retrieve her own enchanted bag. She moves over to the front of Rags and reaches into her bag, grabbing onto a hilt of a greatsword. "You are about to face the most powerful being that currently exists in this world, beings that have lived and fought for possibly thousands of years. Therefore, you will require a weapon to match their measure, to make up for your lack of great power."
"And shall bestow upon you my heirloom. Temporary."
Renna pulls out her weapon in one swift motion, revealing a colossal greatsword that was made from an otherworldly material. It was the vessel for her black flames.
The Godslayer's Blade.
"This is the sword that was used in the great god hunt, over a thousand years ago. I am aware of your hesitation to use magic, so I have only imbued it with black flame enchantment. You will be able to use it as a normal sword, like your usual style."
Rags eyes the sword and its colossal size, it was bigger and longer than what he was used to. He takes the sword from Renna and tests its weight and balance, twirling it around in a circular motion. He discards his greatsword into his enchanted bag and replaces it with the Godslayer in place, securing it in the sword holster on his back.
"Thank you, Renna... I... I don't deserve this."
"You are welcome, but that is not all. I also have this." She reaches into her coat to recover an item to pass to Rags, placing it on his hand and closing it with her own. "This is a Homeward talisman. Use it when you require to return to safety at any place you can think of. But it can only be used once per day, so use it sparingly."
Rags nods and keeps the items into a pouch on his belt for quick usage, knowing that it will be useful in the coming days. "Ok, and the last thing?"
Renna nods and simply gestures to herself. "In Marika's absence, you are in need of a guide. Someone to travel alongside you for this period until her return. Therefore, I shall play the role of maiden in her stead."
Rags raises a brow at her offer. He wasn't expecting Renna to offer herself as assistance in this regard. "Are you sure? It might be a rough trip. And I'm not able exactly good company to travel with."
Renna nods and commits to helping. "Of course. I will provide the power to turn runes into strength, as well as assist you in regard to matters regarding magics, something that you lack by choice. You need not take me with you physically, simply call upon me at any time and I shall appear."
Rags considers for a while of her proposal, but his hesitation was lowered as Renna explained that she would not be present for the actual travel. He wasn't keen on putting her in danger after what she did for him in the past few times. "Alright. I accept."
Renna smiles at his acceptance and delivers a small bow to him and was ready to send him to his next destination. "Then it is a pleasure to be by your side, Rags. Now, let my hands rest upon yours, for but a mom-"
"I need to get to the Hollow Earth."
Her words were interrupted as Rags speaks of a place that many the not know about, for the existence of the Hollow Earth was considered an urban legend by almost everyone. But only a few individuals know of its existence and how to go there.
"The Hollow Earth? Rags, why would you want to go there? There is nothing but-" She stops her words halfway and her expression becomes serious as she suspected the reason Rags was asking for passage to the world within the world. "It has spoken to you, hasn't it?"
Her suspicions were confirmed as Rags nodded at her answer. "Yes."
"When?"
"Almost a year ago, but I think I might have heard it before that." Rags revealed more information and wanted to know more about this voice in his head. "You know what it is. Don't you?"
Renna moves to turn away from Rags, pondering the explanation that she could give to this voice that was haunting Rags. She sighs as she starts to recall the dark story of the entity that was speaking to him.
"It... Is known by many names across different cultures and regions throughout all of the time. But the most common name we have for it is... The Dread Wolf."
"The Dread Wolf?" She nods at his answer and continues her explanation.
"It is said that long ago, the Outer Gods banded together in an effort to subvert the will of casualty and decide the fate of the world in their own grand design. But could not do so, because every outcome throughout all of existence and time had already been predetermined by their unseen conceptual creator."
"With their combined effort, they decided to create a new Outer God from that specific purpose. One born and molded with all the hate and resentment that exist against fate itself."
"They would use this... Beast. To wage a war against their master, to change their fates. Or so they thought."
"For the beast... Did not come out as intended. Upon creation, it turned against all of the Outer Gods. Killing off a majority of their population, leaving only a few left in existence."
"In their final effort at survival, the Outer God fled to stars and heavens above. Creating lesser gods to do battle in their stead. A thousand years passed before they could finally subdue the beast, and imprisoned it within the world itself. Thus the Hollow Earth was created for this purpose"
"And that is the voice in your head, Rags. It is a fallen Outer God, created and tainted by all of mankind's worst aspects." She finished her words for Rags to process.
He takes the explanation to heart and considers what to do. He needed an advantage that could help him get ahead of his enemies. And Renna's own words ring true in his head, every unfair and dirty advantage must come into play for him to succeed.
For him to get Marika back.
"Ok, I understand. I need to find this beast, Renna. I need it."
Renna shakes her head at his request as she found it to be a dangerous idea. "Rags... This beast... Is not so easily fooled nor tamed. If you attempt to-"
"Renna. I need this. I don't have a chance without it. And you know that."
She silences herself at his words as she knew that he was right. Even with all the help Renna and Gehrman provided, Rags would never stand a chance against the enemies that lie ahead in his way. She sighs and relents her hesitation, she would help him tread the dark path.
"I understand. But remember Rags, there is always a price to be paid for a great power to be gained."
"I will deal with it, Renna. I always have." She sighs at his words and offers her hand to send him away.
"I will bring you to another location near the Hollow Earth's entrance. Once you are there, travel north into the frozen lands of the Northern Sphere. And then, you will see it. Drop into the entrance and travel to the largest mountain within sight, it should be in the middle of the world. It is there, you will find the beast in the mountain."
Rags nods and takes Renna's hand. She waits for a moment as she starts to regret her decision to bring him there. Rags snaps her out of the trance with a pat on her shoulder. "Renna. I got this. Please, send me there."
She nods and respects his choice. She recites a spell and Rags slowly fades into a blue mist, transporting him away from Renna's domain. Leaving her behind in her study to ponder if she had sent him to his doom.
"I hope I don't regret this..."
THE NORTHERN SPHERE
Rags opens his eyes and begins to look around him as cold fills every part of his body. He sees himself in a snowed landscape, vast ranges of mountains and fields of ice lie ahead of him.
He looks to the sight ahead and prepares himself for a long, cold, and bitter march ahead. Blowing his whistle to summon Torrent by his side, stroking the man of the steed.
"Torrent. Listen to me. We going somewhere that is deep underground. You may not like it, but we don't have a choice." He speaks to the steed and it displays a sense of understanding of his words despite not being able to speak.
"We gonna get her back. Can you help me?"
Torrent motions its head to nod and Rags mounts up on the steed. He reigns it to ride forward, to find the entrance to the Hollow Earth.
And gain power, beyond mortal imagination.
"Marika, please hold on. I'm coming for you."
FIN