The Godless Age

by Ededdyeded

Unknown years passed as a new tarnished rose from the mud and blood among the bodies of his fellow warriors to enter the lands between. He embarks on a journey of pain, death, impossible odds, love, friendship, truth, and heartbreak in this cruel and beautiful world. For how is a God to be born without great struggle?

10. ARC III: CHAPTER 2

ARC III:

CHAPTER 2:

SEEK DAMNATION

THE NORTHERN SPHERE

1997 YEARS BEFORE THE SHATTERING

The unrelentless winds of an endless blizzard blow through the frozen landscape for a period that lasted ages to end. With no sign of stopping at all, it was to be an indefinite storm that rages throughout all of time.

Rags push against the tide of wind, struggling to move forward to the north. By his side was Torrent, it was pulling him along to the best it could against the rouge wind. All means were used by Rags to advance into the storm, he had even resorted to using his greatsword as a giant pick to stab the floor and pull himself forward.

And he had been repeating the process of moving in the matter for hours, or possibly days as the Northern Sphere was eternally lit by the sun above even when it was covered by fog.

Time was not a factor to him at the moment, Rags was just too focused on moving forward to care about anything else. The entrance to the Hollow Earth was all that matters at the moment.

Fucking hells, it's cold to shit... His body shivers constantly from the temperature of the frozen wastes.

He covers himself with his cloak to the best he could, also hugging Torrent close to share some warmth between them. The steed was more resistant to the cold compared to him so it did not mind the actions Rags took to warm himself.

He pushes on while barely covering his eyes to avoid the snow, using what little visual means he has to see what was ahead. His attention was caught at the visual of a ridge that lies ahead, prompting his to move faster.

Rags manages to make it to the ridge and vaulted over to the other side, causing him to slide downwards without control as a slope was awaiting him. He reaches the bottom of the slope and lands on the ground hard, his fall lessened by the snow that padded his landing.

Rags gets to his feet without resistance as the blizzard was now out of his way from the top. Torrent joins him by his side as they both look forward to see what they were looking for up ahead, making Renna's claim of the entrance obvious to look at despite the heavy fog from the cold winter.

Rags blow his whistle as Torrent disappears into a blue mist. He slowly approaches the rumored entrance that would lead him to the Hollow Earth, looking around to ensure nothing was to be a threat to him while walking.

He moved closer and finally see the entrance clearly. It was a giant sinkhole that looked bottomless, its diameter so large that Rags could not see the other sides of the hole due to the heavy fog.

He reaches into his pouch and retrieves a glowstone, its natural illumination properties served as a suitable source of light for gauging of the actual depth of the sinkhole.

Rags drops the stone and begins counting to try and estimate the depth. He counts for a few seconds before the light of the stone completely. He tries to come up with a height that a fall into the sinkhole, but comes up with nothing as the observation basically confirmed that the sinkhole was bottomless.

Rags look down at the endless abyss before him, his thoughts processing on how to actually descend the entrance in the shortest time. He thinks about the length of his climbing equipment and how to effectively scale down without falling to his death.

He sighs as no thoughts came, if the entrance to the Hollow Earth was almost bottomless then his climbing equipment was useless.

Ah fuck... Now what?

TAKE THE LEAPT.

The Dread Wolf speaks to him in his mind, offering clear instructions on how to descend. It was a simple and straight answer, jump into the sinkhole without any safety measures.

Jump? Are you fucking with me?

NO.

TAKE THE LEAPT.

YOU WILL SURVIVE.

Rags considered the idea and were not convinced at all. Falling to his death in a deep dark hole was a scenario he was not ready to entertain, especially after all the trouble he took to reach here.

TAKE THE LEAPT.

YOU WILL SURVIVE.

How the fuck do you know?

I WOULD NOT WANT YOU DEAD.

IF I DID.

WHY WOULD I LEAD YOU HERE?

The logic had sense in it, the beast would not even be bothering to help or speak to him if it wanted Rags dead.

Rags take a deep breath while looking at the sinkhole. He takes a few steps back and created distance between him and the entrance. If he was going to be jumping into a hole with no end, he was going to ensure that he jumps it in the least dangerous way.

If that was even possible in the first place.

Fuck. Me. Sideways.

He braces himself and breathes deeply for a few seconds, getting himself ready for the jump to his possible demise. His breaths become more unstable as doubts and fears plague him, and scenarios where he dies play out in his head over a thousand times.

Ah shit.

Ah fuck.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck...

Fucking shit...

TAKE THE LEAPT.

The beast speaks one more time and Rags finally gives in. He screams in frustration and runs towards the sinkhole without care.

And he descents into the abyss.

The wind blows towards his face from the freefall, its pressure and speed unrelentless as his downward spiral advances, going faster and faster as Rags fell deeper into the sinkhole.

His fall lasted for moments, then minutes, then hours, and possibly a day. Every moment Rags fell felt like endless torture, his entire body spiraling out of control and his shouts of despair echo throughout the pit.

Soon, Rags felt the coldness in the air as his fall progresses. The coldness soon became wet as the area around him formed droplets of water in the air, his face and body touching them as they float towards him.

The droplets of water progressively become more numerous, eventually forming together to create a downpour of water that was left unfallen due to gravity working differently in the Hollow Earth.

Rags slowly sink into the water and eventually starts to slow down in his descent. He finally reaches the bottom as his body drops straight into a deep pond, its water completely clear.

Rags surfaces from the pond and takes a breath of the air, looking around at himself in a cave with its ceiling lit by natural glowing rocks. He swims to the nearby shore of the pond and lies on his back, exhausted mentally from the fall.

"What the fuck..." His mind was still in a state of shock from the near endless fall, it was probably the worst time of his life, worst than all the near deaths he had experienced thus far. He was surprised that he was even alive in the first place, and still mentally sound.

He takes a moment before getting to his feet, drying himself to the best he could. Once he was done, Rags made his way to the nearest source of light that leads outwards of the underground cave.

Rags raises a hand to block out the overpowering light as he exits the cave. His eyes adjust slowly and finally sets his sights upon the new region.

He observes the vast landscape ahead of him to see valleys and mountain ranges that extend over the horizon, all covered in green. Looking above him, Rags could see an entire region of land on top of him. And the scene around him was lit by a sun that seem to be in the direct middle of this entire world. It was like he was standing within the inner surface of a globe.

The view ahead catches his attention as Rags spots the largest mountain he could see, just within view.

A mountain that was upside down, much to his dismay.

"How the fuck do I climb that?" He observes that there were no connections from the top of that mountain to the side of the land he was currently at. He looks around to see that the world bends upwards to his sides. Meaning that he would have to travel either east or west to reach the foot of that mountain.

Rags sigh at the idea and choose a course to the west, seeing that forests with large ranges of valleys lie ahead of him. He begins his trek with no hesitation, summoning Torrent to move off swiftly.

"Fine. Let's go..."

---

LIURNIA OF THE LAKES, SCENIC ISLE

PRESENT DAY

Lordan rides through the shallow fields of water atop Torrent's back. It had been two weeks since he departed from Stormveil Castle and was progressing steadily towards the academy that was located in the middle of the region. Based on Godwyn's estimation, Lordan was making good speed to reach the gate to the academy within a few days because of Torrent's impressive speed, a week early from his estimated one month.

"Woah... Calm down, boy. Calm down." He reigns Torrent to a halt upon seeing a few enemies ahead on horseback. Wraith Callers that ride on horseback upon undead horses were roaming around the area, a troublesome bunch for travelers who gets chased by their summoned wraiths.

"More annoying cunts." Lordan draws the greataxe of Godrick from his enchanted bag, giving it a few twirls to test his grip. His increased strength from the power of runes has allowed him to easily wield the greataxe and balance it well with only one hand, a far cry from the previous strength that requires him to wield it using both hands.

"Oooof... Got a little weight on you." Lordan steadies himself and the greataxe and finds his first target. He urges Torrent forward and starts charging toward the enemy in sight.

Lordan brings his greataxe down and drags it along the ground at full speed to ready an upwards strike. Lordan reaches the first Wraith Caller and swings his greataxe upwards toward it and its mount. The attack hits the wraith caller directly and dismounts it flying in the air for moments before landing violently on the shallow watered ground, an attack that killed it instantly.

Lordan rides around to see more Wraith Callers converging on his position, his attack had attracted their attention, and the majority of the ones nearby were now hostile towards him.

He charges towards the next closest Caller he sees, wielding his greataxe with both hands. The caller attempts to summon some wraiths to attack but was too slow late as Lordan swings his greataxe back to deliver a massive horizontal strike, craving it clear in half as the greataxe tears through its fragile body.

Two down... Lordan looks around while riding to see some wraiths chasing him, which he avoids easily as he guides Torrent to swiftly dodge through most of the incoming ones. More to go.

Lordan rides around in several maneuvers that move around the several callers in a swift motion. His fighting agility combined with Torrent's speed created a perfect condition for him to take on riders on horseback, the greataxe he was holding also contributed to his success as it was strong enough to tear through his enemies like butter.

His rights with the Wraith Callers carry on for several minutes, with Lordan taking out more than a dozen of them in a short time. He looks to the path ahead of him to see more of them surfacing from the water around him, all looking to kill him as if he was their latest target.

Lordan smirks at the coming fight and gives his greataxe a Twirl, with Torrent huffing out as it readies itself for a new charge. The day was still early so Lordan intended to kill all of the Callers to secure the area.

"Hmmm... Work. Work. Work." Lordan remarks and charges at the incoming horde of enemies, raising his greataxe as he starts to dispatch them one by one on horseback.

---

An hour passes as Lordan worked to wipe the blood from around his armor. He had successfully cleared out the area of all wraiths and summoners that impeded his travel to the academy. His action had also ensured that travelers would now be able to move through this section of the flooded forest unharmed.

Two birds from one stone. Lordan patted himself mentally as his efforts safeguarded the potential traffic on this route as well as granted him runes from the nine dozen killed enemies.

Lordan moves on to clean the greataxe as it was slick from the accumulated blood from the long fight. Using a torn rag of cloth, Lordan wipes its edge to the best of his abilities to clear off the blood and grime. He inspects the edge after his cleaning to ensure it was fully clean to keep, swapping out the greataxe for his preferred sword and shield combination.

"Good job, boy. We really gave them a reckoning, eh?" He takes out some Rowa berries while stroking Torrent's mane, thanking the spectral steed for its neverending efforts in assisting him on the journey.

His attention was then caught by a trail of grace that was leading towards an isle that sticks out from the wetlands. Above the isle appears to be a small but visible trail of smoke, most likely from a campfire that was currently set up on the top of the lone hill.

A traveler? In the middle of nowhere? Lordan sends Torrent away to disappear back into the blue mist while he approaches the trail to the top of the hill of the isle, hands, and weapons at the ready for any incoming attack. He makes his way up slowly and finally sees the person at the campsite, spotting a familiar hairstyle, or the lack of it.

The man at the site responds to his presence without looking up. "Well, well, well. Another friendly customer. Welcome to Pat- wait." He instantly recognizes Lordan and changes his tone to a more cautious one. "You, the kid?!"

"Patches?! The fuck you doing here?" Lordan looks around the site to ensure no traps were present, fully aware of the man's dirty tactics. His checks confirmed no traps were around but he kept his guard up nonetheless. "Well? You trying to rob and loot again?"

Patches raise his hands in a surrendering pose and waves them to signal his friendly intentions. "No! Of course not! I've gone legitimate now! Honest!" He gestures to his collection of items he has for sale that were placed on several mats, items that seem to range from random objects and useful tools that looked either used or new. "See? No traps or tricks. Just an honest to the gods business. A profitable one so far I might say."

Clearly, Lordan wasn't so convinced as the items that were on display are in fact stolen goods. "Really? Where did you get all this stuff anyway?"

"Well, if you can believe it. Now I'm my only supplier, so I haven't got much, but everything here is top-notch. Patches' Emporium, now open in Raya Lucaria!" He presents his makeshift shop to Lordan who remained unimpressed." So, what do you think?"

"I think I should lob a hand off for those stolen items." Lordan issues his threat while grabbing into a dagger attached to his belt, it was a common punishment for thievery, especially for those who loot from the dead.

"Oh come on now, kid. It's not like they were being used by their owners. You can't blame a man for trying to make a living."

"Nope. But I can blame them for stealing." Lordan draws his dagger and gestures to Patches to raise his hand straight. "Alright, hand out. Now."

Patches raise his hand in a surrendering pose as he knew that Lordan was simply unbeatable for him at this point. "Wait! Wait! Let's not be hasty now! I tell you what, you need information on how to reach the Erdtree, right? Let's just say I let you in on some secrets and we let bygones be bygones, eh?"

Lordan slowly lowers his dagger and considered the offer, any information that he could use on reaching the Erdtree was useful at this point. He decides to try and listen to Patches while still remaining on guard. "Fine. But it better be worth it. Or things might end up like last time."

Patches calms himself down and sit on the ground to continue his conversation with Lordan. "Well, I heard something that might help. A special means of reaching your destination." He laughs silently to himself halfway into his sentence. "Have you ever seen an Iron Virgin? The clunky contraptions with whirlwinds of sickles and spiked wheels?"

The term of an Iron Virgin was familiar to Lordan as it was the name of a torture device used to keep prisoners in isolation within a metal box, which will sometimes have spikes in its interior. But the addition of wheels to the Iron Virgin that Patches was talking about was a surprise to him. "I know the term, why?"

"You see long ago, they were endowed with a spell of transposition. And get this. A surviving virgin sits at the bottom of the big waterwheel in the Academy of Raya Lucaria. Its transpositional powers are fully intact. You catch my meaning?"

Lordan rolls his eyes behind his helmet as he knew exactly what Patches was about to suggest, but plays along as he wanted the bald man to admit it. "No, I don't. What do you mean?"

Patches laughs a little more as he believed that Lordan would be falling for his trick this time. "So, right, if you get caught in it on purpose...It'll chuck you straight at the base of the Erdtree... Or so I'm told... Haha... Ha ha..."

"So you want me to feed myself to a living torture device?"

"Yes! And you will get to your destination as intended!"

"Right... Left hand it is." Lordan swiftly moves to Patches and grabs him by the left arm, drawing his dagger to take a hand from Patches for the crime of thievery.

"Wow! Wow! Let's just calm down now! I may have suggested something a little dangerous, but it would work! Trust me!"

I would rather trust a rat... Lordan holds on to Patches for moments before letting him go, not wanting to waste time on a man who constantly seeks to trick and lie for his own gains. "This is a waste of my fucking time... Stay away from me, baldy."

Patches sighs in relief as he settles back into his position while Lordan starts moving off. "Your loss, kid. By the way, have you met that girl Rya?"

Lordan stops at the mention of a girl. He was hoping Patches didn't scam her like he always does to others, he would be tempted to take both hands if he did. "Please tell me you didn't do anything to-"

"No! Of course not! I'm way past that now." He tried his best to reassure Lordan that his dastardly ways were behind him. "She's a strange one, but I believe she was in need of help. Not that it's any of my business, but If she rings your bell, why not lend her an ear?"

The suggestion was not something Lordan was planning on doing but he could spare a bit of time to assist someone in distress, especially if the area was filled with enemies like the Wraith Callers or anything else that seem to crawl out of the lakes. He decides to take Patches advice and seek out this girl called Rya. "Fine. Where is she?"

"A little further north. In one of those old shine structures." Patches gives Lordan the direction of Rya and he leaves without a word. He sighs as he had once again failed to fool Lordan, he would need to come up with a better scheme if he was going to succeed in fooling the man.

"Just you wait, kid... All that precious stuff is gonna be my... Hehehe..."

Lordan moved on without hearing the words of Patches to reach the lower portion of the lakes. Godwyn appears beside him to join his walk, his face displaying mild annoyance as he paces on north.

" Lordan... You are not seriously going to pursue the matter for a single girl now are you? "His tone was filled with disapproval of Lordan's intent. " We are only a few days away from the academy. We do not have the time for side quests. "

"That's your issue, not my problem. The girl needs help and I'm going to provide it." His decision caused Godwyn to sigh and grumble something under his breath in a foreign language similar to what the Golums spoke at the Bridge to the last divine tower.

" Fine... But make it quick, wolf. Do not forget your true goal. " Godwyn fades from his sight once again and Lordan summons Torrent to start riding him further north. His mind is a little frustrated by the meeting with Patches again and the lecture by Godwyn for trying to assist others.

Great... Now I have a living consensus in my head that disapproves of my every action. Gods damn it...

---

LIURNIA OF THE LAKES, LASKYAR RUINS NORTH

Lordan rides carefully around the Northern part of the lakes where the academy lies a little far in the distance. His eyes dart at every corner for the sight of anyone in the area.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" A female voice calls out at the distance from where Lordan stood and he turns to its source, coming from a pavilion that Lordan had somehow missed. He turns Torrent in the direction of the voice and rides slowly to the structure ahead.

Lordan dismounts and dismisses Torrent to enter the pavilion. There stood a young woman wearing noble clothes with braided blonde hair and she was a little bit hunching. Lordan moves a little closer and she displays timid behavior from his approach, on guard for a potential attack.

Lordan raises his hands to assure her that he meant no harm. "Oh. Uhhh... Hi. Sorry about that. Are you ok? I heard you needed help."

The woman relaxes and greets him with a bow, proper manners that she was taught to observe. "Sorry for my suspicion, I had a bad experience earlier. It's rather chilly here, isn't it?"

"Yep. It's freezing at times..." He agrees with the statement as the lakes tend to create a wet and humid atmosphere, especially with the winds blowing south at times.

"My mistress sent me off on an errand... But I was accosted by a ruffian, and now I'm in a bind. Could I ask you to lend a hand, perhaps?"

A request for help was asked from Lordan and he decide to agree almost immediately as he was already angered by the appearance of Patches today. There was no way he was going to allow another thief to roam around so freely while stealing from others. "Of course. Which way?"

The woman's eyes lighted up in gratitude as Lordan was the first person that was willing to help her in this matter, as many consider it to be a minor case of a theft against a noble. "Ohh, thank you dearly ser. What a blessing that we've met like this." She awkwardly moves past Lordan with her hunching posture to point towards another direction where the thief went. "That thug made off with a precious necklace. I need someone to retrieve it.

Only... He, too, is Tarnished like you. If you've any qualms confronting your own, I shall find another-"

"Don't worry, I have fought other Tarnished before." Lordan's thoughts shifts towards Vyke as the only other warrior that was in the same position as him. He had no issues with fighting off other Tarnished if it comes to it, survival of the fittest was always a rule in times of war or strife.

The woman nods at his confirmation, happy that he was going to help regardless of the circumstances. "The thug should be resting at an abandoned home down the way. And he took my necklace..." In a bit of regret was within her voice as she herself was partially responsible for the loss. "Please, I must have the necklace back... If I don't... I might..." She fights back the urge to shed tears as she didn't want to be a burden to Lordan.

Lordan quickly stops her from her breakdown. "Hey. Don't worry too much. I will get the necklace back, alright?" His words of comfort earn him a smile and nod from the woman, something he found cute due to her timidity.

Lordan moves out of the pavilion and summons Torrent facing the direction of the thief. He wave to the woman one more time before heading off in the direction of where the thug was holding out, preparing himself to deliver a beating to the man if it come to it.

---

LIURNIA OF THE LAKES, BOILPRAWN SHACK

The abandoned home of the thief came into view as Lordan rode in the direction that was given to him. Smoke coming from the other side of the shack can be seen as though someone was in the midst of cooking a meal.

Lordan dismounts and approaches the shack slowly, his weapons ready to fight off the thug should he try and resist. He slowly turns to the front of the shack to find the man in question, dressed in prisoner rags and an iron face mask. The man was humming a tune while focusing on cooking seafood within his pot that was placed above a fire.

The man notices Lordan and stands to guard himself. "What are you lookin' at? You trying to start something, mate?" His hands wielded iron ball fists for usage in melee fighting, simple but effective weapons that pack more punch to fist attacks.

Lordan guards in a fighter's stance with his sword and shield. They stand off for moments before the man speaks out, annoyed by Lordan's interruption. "Oh piss off, what is it now? You want some of me prawn?"

"No. I'm here the necklace you stole from that lady back there. Give it, and I will go. Don't, and we will see where this goes..."

The man looks at the necklace that he had scammed from the noble earlier. He whispered a few vulgar words as he wasn't sure expecting someone to come after him for the necklace. He focused on Lordan to try and assess his chances to beat him, chances that he believes were low as Lordan was a fully equipped and hardened fighter as compared to him based on his armor, weapons, and stance alone. He knew he would not stand a chance.

"Tsk. That necklace is what you're after, is it? So you met the girl, did ya? Hmm, well... Show me what it's worth to you, and I'll consider parting ways with it. I'm not in love with it or anything." He tries to make an offer to Lordan which had no effect as Lordan continues his guarding stance and shifted closer.

"Nope. Just give me the necklace and I don't lob your head off. Simple."

"It would be more simple if you just killed him, here and now. Or you could take one of his hands like you were going to do to the other thief." Godwyn appears behind the man who does not notice as he was only visible only to Lordan. " Now is not the time for such trivial matters, Lordan. Just finish him and be done with it. "

"Piss off." Lordan says out loud which catches the man's attention, thinking that he was calling him out.

"Cuse me?"

"Not you, hi- forget it... Just give it, before things get ugly." Lordan shifts a little closer this time to put more pressure on him. The man moves back a little as fear was starting to build up within him. He thinks of a way to cut a deal with Lordan while still getting something in return, an idea came to his mind as he looked down at his pot of cooking prawns.

"Alright, alright. Let's cut a deal, eh? This way we both win." The man lowers his weapons and raises his hands calmly in a surrendering pose to try and make peace. "Names is Big Boggart, Blackguard to some of me mates. And you're?"

"Not of your fucking business..." Lordan wasn't about to entertain any compromise to delay resolving this problem, Blackguard was a thief and he kills thieves it was that simple. He moves forward more and was close within striking distance

Blackguard waves his hands to try and stop Lordan with one final attempt. "Hey! Wait a sec! Here's my offer." He gesture to the pot that was cooking up his meal. "Around that side of the lake are giant lobsters, with a fuck ton of meat as tender and smooth as a finely cooked steak. You help me kill one for its meat and I give you this here trinket. Deal?"

Lordan rolls his eyes at the suggestion as he was not believing that this man would really be asking him for a request. "You stole an heirloom from someone and you want to bargain for a better deal?!" He raised his voice a little to get his point across, not happy that Blackguard would see it as a non-issue.

"Well, sod the particulars of the matter, but it ain't my fault she's stupid enough to get duped, is it? Anyway, she ain't all right, that one. Lucky she ain't died on the bloody roadside..." His word caused some anger in Lordan which Blackguard counters by quickly taking a piece of boiled prawn as an offering. "NOT that I mean it that way... it's just... Try one and consider my offer, eh?"

Lordan looks to the offering in Blackguard's hand and observed the freshly cooked food, his stomach growling from the long travel without a proper meal for the last few days. He lowers his weapons down slowly while Godwyn's phantom form observes with a growing disappointment.

"Lordan... You cannot be serious... Just kill him and take back the fair lady's- "

Without waiting for Godwyn to finish, Lordan takes the boiled prawn from Blackguard's hand and munches down on the food in a single bite. He chews that item and slowly tastes its unique flavor.

"Marika's tits... you must be 'ungry..." He takes another prawn from his pot and offers it again, which Lordan takes and consumes almost instantly. "So... What do ya say? Necklace for some giant lobster? I can save you a share and then some extra rations."

Lordan finishes the second prawn and tosses its shell to the side. He takes a moment to decide while Godwyn moves near him to try and talk him out of his foolish idea.

"Lordan, stop wasting time and- "

"Where the fuck is this lobster?"

"Oh for fuck's sake... "

---

LIURNIA OF THE LAKES, LASKYAR RUINS NORTH

Time passed into nightfall as the lady at the pavilion awaited for Lordan's return. Worry starts to develop in her mind as she wonders if she had sent him off to his death. She was well aware of the time loop that a Tarnished would experience but still felt bad nonetheless.

"Oh dear... Did I cause him some trouble?" She talks to herself as a way of comfort despite her mother's disapproval of the act, which a proper lady was not expected to develop but her own lack of self-confidence was the aspect that kept her in its practice. A bad habit that she cannot seem to be rid of. "Oh, gods... What a silly fool I am... To send a decent man to h-"

Her thoughts were stopped at the sounds of a horse approaching the pavilion, the mount gets closer and reveals the rider to be Lordan, Completely fine and alive. She lets out a heavy breath in relief and walks to greet Lordan while he dismounts from his steed.

"Oh. Good ser. I had feared the worst for your-" She stops her walk mid way as she noticed Lordan was covered in dirt and grime, as well as slime that gave off a horrid smell. "Eh... What is that stretch? Are you alright?"

Lordan sighs as he takes a block of soap to quickly scrub his attire, cleaning off the stains and buildup of dirt that he was drenched with. His last encounter with the giant Lobster that Blackguard requested in exchange for some rations and freshly cooked Lobster meat.

His actions gained some protests from Godwyn, but it was worth it in his opinion. For Blackguard gave him the best meal in months.

"Lobster spit..."

"I beg your pardon?" The woman was left confused by his statement as Lordan was cleaning up himself.

"It's what I'm covered with... and the smell..." He forces down a vomit as he cleans up his helmet. Lordan finishes up his cleanup and reaches into his pouch to retrieve the necklace. "Here, as you requested."

Her eyes light up with joy as she takes the necklace from Lordan's hands, clutching it close to her chest as it was a prized possession to her. "Oh! My missing necklace. Thank you kindly. I am in your debt." She bows to Lordan and remembers that she had to introduce herself much to her folly. "Did I forget to announce myself? I am Rya, in the service of Lady Tanith of the Volcano Manor."

"I'm Lordan... Um... Lord of... Limgrave?" The title of Lord was not something he was getting used to despite his appointment. Most people like Patches and Blackguard weren't even aware of his title, not an issue that he minded of course.

"The one who felled Godrick?" Her assumption was confirmed as Lordan nods. Her demeanor changes to that of an excited little girl as she had just found a suitable candidate to join the ranks of her house's followers. "Oh, my gods... It is an honor to meet you. I have heard tales of your exploits. Many say that you are the second coming of The Chosen Undead, considering that you share his or her name."

"Yeah... It's just a name, I doubt the relation or comparison." He rubs his head from the mention of his name, named after one of history's greatest nameless hero. "Besides, the Chosen Undead was named Lordran, Not Lordan." It was common knowledge in the books that the Chosen Undead had no name, thus they were named after the land they had saved. Lordran, the land of the ancient lords.

"Volcano Manor? It seems that your time wasting activities had some use after all." Godwyn once again appears, this time beside Rya to observe her with great interest. He seemed to be familiar with the group she was associated with. "Lordan. This girl is a member of the group that Rykard oversees. It would be best to earn her favor. It might lead you to another great rune."

Lordan silently takes note of Godwyn's observation and thinks about what Rya could provide as information to his quest for Great Runes. She clears her throat to get his attention as Lordan was staring at a blank space beside her from her point of view. "Lordan of Limgrave, I seek stalwart Tarnished who might join our house. You are very brave yourself. Not only a steady hand but a steady heart, merciless, even to your own kind. Such strength is precisely what my mistress seeks."

She reaches into her dress's pocket to retrieve a letter for Lordan. "Please, take this. As an invitation, should you be interested in joining us." She passes the letter to Lordan who inspects it with interest, noting the fine paper material it was made from.

He keeps the letter in his pocket and looks around the area to check for danger. The letter was something that he would have focused on later as the academy was the focus on his mind right now. "Thanks... I should probably start to move Rya. I'm a little busy with a quest. You got anywhere to go?"

"Ah. Do not worry, Lordan. I have an escort waiting for me to return home. Just north of here."

"Remember what I said, Lordan. Earn her flavor."

Lordan looks to Godwyn and stealthy gestures to him to not interfere with the conversation. "Don't suppose you need a lift? I'm heading north as well."

"Oh no, Lordan. I wouldn't want to impose."

"It's no bother. And safer too. Besides, it's along the way for us, right?" He shoots a glaring look at Godwyn as his words had a double meaning, earning him an eye roll from the other man before he disappears. His other reason for offering an escort was to ensure she would remain safe and alive, a mistake that he had committed that cost Irina's life months ago.

Rya considers the offer for a few moments and nods her head in acceptance. "Very well. I accept your gracious offer, my lord. You will have my gratitude and the gratitude of Volcano Manor for your assistance." She bows once again to express her thanks and Lordan leads her towards Torrent's saddle.

Rya grabs on to anything she could in an effort to climb up to no avail. She yelps in surprise as Lordan simply lifts her up by her waist to seat her on the back saddle seat. She blushes from the action as Lordan mounts up on Torrent effortlessly, her blush was further deepened as Lordan takes her arms to hold on to him for safety.

"You good?"

"Yes... I am... Well, Lordan." Rya struggles to speak the words as she was becoming more embarrassed from being physically close to Lordan, her hands could make out the shape of his well build body despite him wearing armor.

Lordan takes her words as a confirmation to move on and reigns Torrent to travel north once again. At a slower speed than usual to ensure Rya remains comfortable in transit.

---

LIURNIA OF THE LAKES, ACADEMY GATE TOWN

They reached a point where the Academy was within close view, near the area where Rya indicated her escort was waiting. Lordan looked around to see if there was anyone in the area, looking to Rya at his back once in a while to observe where she was looking.

"Rya, you see anyone you know?"

"No. He was supposed to be here. Maybe he went to the wrong place. Or maybe I went to the wrong place..." The last sentence did not inspire confidence in Lordan as he struggles to find the escort that Rya was traveling home with.

"We'll keep a lookout, we should-" A frustrated scream was heard nearby that caught both of their attention. Lordan grips the sword that he had sheathed on his waist out of instinct as the scream becomes shouts of anger.

"What was that?"

"Don't know, but I should probably find out." Lordan checks on his equipment and takes out some extra weapons to be used later. His staff and greatsword were added to his sword and shield combination. "Torrent. If things go south, take her to safety, ok?" The steed motions its head as a nod to his request as they moved forward to the source of the sound.

They reached an area of collapsed buildings that were partially in the lakes. In front of them was the source of the shouts, a knight that was distressed while standing over the dead body of another woman.

"Lanya... Oh, Lanya... It's me Diallos. Answer me, would you? Please..."

Diallos? Lordan recognized the knight due to his decorative armor set and elegant styling of his cape. Lordan scans the area around the scene of the murder and dismounts Torrent, he takes out a small dagger and passes it to Rya as a contingency. "Torrent, stay. Rya, use this if things get out of hand and if you can't escape."

"Lordan... Are we safe?" He could see the fear behind her eyes as she realized the situation that they may be in.

"I will make sure we are. Sit tight." He leaves Rya mounted up Torrent and moves towards Diallos, drawing his sword with his staff in his left hand.

Lordan approaches the noble knight carefully to ensure he does not disturb his moment of grief. "Diallos? What happened?" Diallos doesn't answer immediately and only remained still to shed more tears, tears that he was trying to suppress to maintain his composure.

"They killed her... Those wrenched bastards..." Anger grew in his voice as he slowly rose to his feet, clutching his whips so hard his hands shivered from the excessive grip. "The recusants who hunt their fellow Tarnished... They laid their hands on her..."

Diallos lets out another growl of anger as he becomes unstable. "SHOW YOURSELVES! YOU BASTARDS! I'M RIGHT HERE! HERE! FACE ME!"

Lordan looks around at the area and moves to calm Diallos down, he didn't want to risk their safety by exposing them to the nearby enemies that roam the area. "Diallos! Quiet! You will give us away!"

"NO! NO! I WON'T LET THIS INSULT STAND! SHOW YOURSELVES, YOU COWARDS!" He refused to listen to Lordan's warnings and continues his rant in anger. "DO YOU HEAR ME! HOUSE HOSLOW DEMANDS BLOOD, IT IS WRITTEN! DO YOU ALL HEAR ME!"

Lordan grabs Diallos by the shoulders and shakes him to try and get sense in his mind. He was worried about attracting unwanted attention as Rya was at risk of Diallos constant rants of anger. "Diallos! Just clam down and-"

Lordan's words were interrupted as he felt multiple beings invading the area around them, causing him to turn around as three knights fade into the area around them to trespass into their world.

"Finally. We found you Hoslow." One of the Knights speaks as they were here for Diallos, he wields a katana similar to Lordan's. "You have escaped us long enough, deserter."

"Wait." The other knight with a warhammer calls out to his colleague, noting something different about the Hoslow knight. "That's not Juno."

"Does it matter? He wears that armor, he dies."

"What about the other one and the girl?" The third knight speaks and prepares his spear, enchanting it with lighting for better effectiveness. "The girl looks... Familiar..."

"Kill him and we have fun with the girl. She will make for a good comfort woman." They stand apart and formed a battle formation to prepare for a confrontation against Lordan and Diallos.

The Reclusant Knights

Lordan looks to the trio and draws his sword and staff for battle. "Torrent! Go! Now!" He signals for Torrent to leave with Rya on its back.

"Lordan! Wait! I think I can-"

"Just go! I will handle them!" He does not listen to Rya as Torrent speeds off in the direction of safety with her.

A strategy forms in his head on how to fight off the three knights while he looks around at the approaching force. He looks to Diallos beside him as intended to form a team to match the trio's numbers.

"Diallos, we can take them if we-"

"DIE!" Diallos charges forth to the knight without care and regard for Lordan's advice. He starts the battle with the knight that wields a katana, exchanging blows with his whips while the knight simply deflects them to avoid getting hit.

"What the fuck..." Lordan grunts in disappointment at Diallos's lack of cooperation and gets into an engagement with the knight who wields a spear, avoiding the thrust attacks while trying to get close to deliver his own. His focus was further distracted as the other knight joins the fray with his warhammer, forcing Lordan to dodge between the attacks from multiple sides.

He continued his dodges and observed Diallos struggling in his own fight, getting overwhelmed as his opponent struck with precise hits with his katana. He dodged the last of the attacks and uses an opening to escape his two attackers, charging toward the knight that was attacking Diallos.

Lordan rams into the knight to knock him down to the ground, using his sword to strike the knight but was pushed back with a kick that he blocks with his sword. He looks to the other two knights who were charging toward them and cast several glintstone spells towards them, earning some hits when his spells land.

The two knights rejoined the fight and issue their attacks on Lordan. Lordan responded with deflects using his sword and summons his Carians slicer from his staff to double as the second one.

Diallos regains his strength after sipping on his flask and uses his whips to attack both the two knights fighting Lordan and the first one with the katana. His attacks were hectic and uncontrolled as his whips swings all around him to hit all in the way.

Lordan was now dodging hits from Diallos as his ally was too focused on trying to kill the attackers to care for his safety. "Diallos! Check your swings! Your attacks are-" He was cut short as one of Diallos's heavy attacks knocks him down by accident. "What the fuck, Diallos?!"

His shout catches Diallos's attention and left him open to one of the Knights, who uses the opportunity to swing his warhammer straight into Diallos's chest. The blow lands hard and sends Diallos flying a few feet before he lands on the wet ground, a dent in his armor from the attack.

"This is a Hoslow warrior?" The knight laughs as his two other allies surrounded Diallos. "What a joke... You the other hand." They turned to Lordan and found him a better game to hunt, shifting their sights on Lordan as the new target. "It's not every day we get a worthy game to hunt."

Lordan gets to his feet and sips on all three flasks at once, resummoning his magic sword on his staff and shifting into a battle stance with two swords. "You wanna hunt? Sorry. Not interested."

They charge toward Lordan and attack him from three different directions. Trying to get a hit in but could not as Lordan was quite agile with his dodges. He manages to actively avoid all the attacks while delivering hits to any three of them in between.

The fight goes on as Lordan manages to fend them off himself. He was hit a few times but could still manage. The three knights however decide to regroup by retreating to a distance, catching their breaths from Lordan's defensive moves.

Lordan looks at Diallos at a distance and observes him still on the ground in pain. He clutches his dented armor and was trying to get up to no avail, meaning that Lordan was alone in this fight. "Diallos, can you get up? I could use some help here..."

"I can... I can..." Diallos sips on his flask but was ineffective as it had already been emptied from the fight. He remained on the ground as despair from his inability to fight overtakes him. "I... I... Can't?"

Lordan sighs loudly and prepares for the next wave of attacks. His attention was then caught by the sound of galloping coming closer to them. He and the three knights look to the direction of the gallop to see Rya coming back on Torrent's back.

"Stop! Do you hear me?! This man cannot be harmed!" She dismounts quickly and moves towards them. "By lady Tanith's decree, he is not to be harmed."

The knight with the warhammer scoffed and challenges Rya on her announcement. "And who do you think you are, girl? What gives you the right to command us?"

"I am her daug- Her scout! And I do have the authority to command you! She commanded herself!"

The trio goes silent at the information. The Knight with the warhammer remains unconvinced while his other two followers start to believe her.

"I... Think she might be right. She does look familiar."

"Like hells she is..." The warhammer knight was annoyed at his allies hesitation. "We are Reclusants. We don't take others from some entitled brat that came from nowhere."

"But what if she one of us? What if-"

Rya takes out her necklace that was retrieved earlier by Lordan and shows it to the trio, proving herself to be right as it was engraved by her family crest. "Here... Here is your proof, good sers. Stand down before things get out of hand."

Lordan sighs in relief as two of the Knights started to lower their weapons despite the warhammer knight not playing along. Diallos who was nearest to Rya gets to his feet and moves near to her.

"You... You are one of them?" Diallos asked Rya in a low tone that worries Lordan as he seem to be considering something foolish.

Rya looks at Diallos with confusion as he moved ever closer to her. "Yes... Good ser. I am in service to-"

She was cut short as Diallos grabs her by the neck and forces her into a hold to face the three knights and Lordan, placing a knife at her throat. "Lower your weapons! ALL OF YOU! NOW! AND BRING ME THE ONE WHO KILLED LANYA!"

"No! Please, no!" Rya struggles in fear for her life as Diallos grips her tighter. She sheds tears as she was afraid of death.

"DIALLOS! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!" Lordan screams to Diallos as the three knights look among themselves, in the midst of deciding the next course of action. "LET HER GO! SHE'S GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS!"

"She's one of them, Lordan! SHE'S ONE OF THEM!" His knife presses against her neck harder, causing a small cut that bleeds on her neck. The feeling of pain creates more panic in Rya as it was a sensation that she was not familiar with due to her protected lifestyle.

Lordan takes notes of her panic and tries to move toward Diallos. He noticed Lordan's approach and turns to face him. "Stay back Lordan! I MEAN IT!"

"Just stop this fucking nonsense, Diallos! JUST FUCKING STOP!"

"No! NO! I WON'T! FOR THE TALE OF HOUSE HOSLOW IS TOLD IN BLOOD! AND THEY MUST PAY FOR IT!"

"Diallos! Stop your fuc-"

His words were interrupted as he felt a spear thrusting into the side of his body. He clutches the spear and collapses to his knees, turning around to see one of the Knights who attacked him while was distracted by Diallos taking Rya hostage. "What...?"

"Nothing personal. It's just good hunting." The knight pulls out the spear and another one of the Knights swings his warhammer towards Lordan's head, hitting him hard with a heavy blunt force. The hit knocks Lordan headfirst to the hard ground and he starts bleeding from his head from the blunt force trauma that dented his helmet.

His vision starts to blur as he observes the knight approaching Diallos and Rya as they exchange hostile words, words that he could not make out as he starts losing consciousness.

His vision darkens completely as Lordan dies from his head wound.

DEATH

RESURRECT

Lordan gasps for air as he returns to life, his head wound and spear wound on his body healed partially to restore him. He coughs from the sudden influx of air and observes the fight between Diallos and the three knights, he struggles to fend them off on his own. With Rya no longer held by Diallos but instead sitting at the sidelines, she had a new injury that was a cut on her shoulder.

"What- What the- what the Fuck?!" Lordan slowly starts to regain himself as he tries and process what just happened. He suffered death but did not awaken at the last site of grace. He instead woke up at the very spot where he died in the first place, with some time having passed. "How is-"

"My Great Rune." Godwyn appears and kneels beside him to speak. "The rune offers you a single resurrection on each day. An ability you just used, for the first time." Lordan slowly gets to his feet and stares blankly at the sight of fighting between Diallos and the three knights, making Godwyn snap his fingers to get his attention. "Well? Don't just sit and observe them. Kill someone already! "

Lordan shakes his head to refocus and takes out his red flask to sip it a few times, fully recovered from his wounds. He takes up his weapons again and summons his spirit wolves with his bell. He and his wolves charge forth to join the fray, catching three of the Knights off guard while they engaged Diallos.

The wolves move to attack two of the Knights while Lordan fights the one attacking Diallos who was knocked to the ground and unable to get up. They exchange blows with their weapons, Lordan's staff, and sword combination against the Knight's spear.

"How are you still alive?! We killed you!" The knight was in disbelief from Lordan's revival, knowing that no one could have survived the deathly attacks they had inflicted. They struggle in a clash as both combatants push against each other.

"Headbutt."

"What?!"

"I said... Headbutt!"

Lordan's confusing word allows him to deliver an unsuspecting attack to the knight in the form of a headbutt, his helmet slamming against the Knight's to stagger him back. The knight steps back a few times from the surprise hit and allows Lordan the opening to deliver an attack in the form of a magic sword.

Lordan stabs forward with his staff and the conjured sword pierces straight through the Knight's chest, gravely wounding him while he grips onto the staff from the shock.

"Why... You little-"

Lordan does not give him the time to finish and simply slashes his neck with his physical sword, beheading the Knight instantly. His head drops to the ground which was followed by his body once Lordan had faded his conjured sword from his staff. The Knight's body slowly fades into a red mist as he was the first of the trio to be killed.

The two other Knight looks on while fending off Lordan's wolf summons, dodging and blocking attacks from the wolves as the death of their comrade angered them greatly. "You will die for that! The both of you!"

The knight with the warhammer knocks the spirit wolf that was attacking him aside and charges Lordan with a warcry. He swings wildly towards Lordan, who simply dodges around with ease.

Lordan performs a roll that allows him to get behind the Knight. He uses the position to cast off some glintstone spells that hits the Knight in the back, causing him pain and frustration.

"ARGH! Enough!" The Knight spins around and swings his warhammer in a rotation, staggering Lordan as he barely blocks. He advances on Lordan who backsteps constantly to avoid getting hit, not knowing that it was a trick.

Lordan continues his backsteps and eyes the other Knight who was alone to fight off three of his wolves. He moves slowly towards him with his backsteps while avoiding the warhammer.

The Knight finally takes the bait and delivers a heavy attack on Lordan's head, only for Lordan to duck at the last minute. The attack misses and instead hits the other Knight straight in the face, which Lordan had moved to ensure that he was behind him.

The other Knight falls to the ground from the attack and the spirit wolves overwhelmed him by tearing into him with their fangs. One of the wolves bites and tears his throat apart, making him choke on his own blood as he slowly fades into a red mist as well.

With two of the Knights gone, the last Knight no longer had the advantage of numbers. He goes onto the defensive and creates distance between himself and Lordan, not wanting to fall into another trick that made him commit friendly fire.

Lordan and the Knight pace in circles while his wolves follow alongside him. He whistles with his mouth and the wolves charge the Knight. He swings his warhammer with precision to carefully take out each of the wolves, all fading away as the warhammer's hit was strong enough to kill them instantly.

Lordan then charges forth and conjures his magic sword from his staff, attacking with two swords at once. They deflect, parry, dodge, and exchange a series of blows with Lordan delivering swift slashes and the Knight delivering blunt force hits.

They get into a hold and push against each other. The Knight grunts in frustration and pushes Lordan back with all his might, making him lose balance as he falls backward onto the ground.

The Knight stands still from his spot, a distance away from Lordan as he catches his breath. He takes out his own flask to sip on, while Lordan does the same to regain himself.

"You think you will escape this?! When the others hear about you, a reckoning will come! You won't be able to hide anyw-"

The Knight stops his words as another being starts to invade Lordan's world. The being was another Knight in crimson armor and a horned helmet. His armor and styling bear references to the ancient Crucible.

It was a Crucible Knight, one of the few in service to Volcano Manor.

Lordan turns to the newer and bigger enemy, caught off guard by the great size of the new invader. The Knight that Lordan was fighting laughs out at the arrival of the Crucible Knight, knowing that Lordan was going to have a hard time beating this new enemy. "NOW you're fucked!"

The Crucible Knight does not respond to Lordan and simply stares at him behind his covered Helmet. He takes a few moments and starts walking towards the last Reclusant Knight, ignoring Lordan completely as he stood confused.

"What? What did I...?" The Reclusant Knight panics as the Crucible Knight walks towards him at a fast pace. His warhammer was knocked out of his hands and the Crucible Knight lifts him up by the neck with one hand, intending to kill him for his mistake of harming Rya.

"Wait! WAIT! I DIDN'T KNOW! I DIDN'T KNO-" His screams were cut short as the Crucible Knight uses his other hand to crush his head, caveing in his skull with a strong squeeze in his helmet. The Knight's body twitches in his hand and slowly fades into red mist, killing off the last Reclusant Knight from this invasion.

INVADERS VANQUISHED

The Crucible Knight turns back around to Lordan and slowly approaches him as he stands guard in a battle stance, switching to his greatsword to match the sheer size of the Crucible Knight.

"No! Stop! He is the one who saved me! Stop!" the Crucible Knight stops at the words of Rya, who stands and quickly moves in front of Lordan to block the Crucible Knight's way.

The Crucible Knight lowers his guard and kneels to Rya. "Thank you for your aid, loyal Knight. Now, please... Take me home." Rya requests the Crucible Knight and he gets to his feet, nodding at her request.

Rya turns around to Lordan, worry and regrets all over her face. She bows down to him as a way of an apology. "Lordan, please forgive me for dragging you into this. I did not think it would end up like this..."

Lordan sighs at her apologies. While it was a troublesome affair, he could not blame Rya for the incompetence of others. He keeps his weapons as the fight was now over. "It's fine... I'm glad I could help."

"You have done more than just help. You saved me..." She grips on to arm where a cut was present, its bleeding effect was staining her dress's sleeve red.

Lordan tears a piece of his armor's waist cloth and moves towards Rya. "Hold still." He lifts her arm straight and performs a basic aid for her in the form of a bandage. "There. It might leave a scar but it should hold off the bleeding till you get some proper aid."

She looks at the bandage with curiosity as it was something she had rarely seen or used. "I... Thank you, once again. You are very kind and uncompromising. As the best Tarnished would be."

Rya bowed once again to Lordan which he returned this time. She takes the hand of the Crucible Knight, preparing to leave the area by teleportation.

"Seek passage to the Altus Plateau, the realm of the Erdtree. Most Tarnished are Doomed to wander the outskirts of the Lands Between. But you are no ordinary Tarnished, Lordan. So the Volcano Manor will fully extend its invitation. To fight, amongst a family of champions." Rya offers her last words as she was ready to leave. Lordan nods at her suggestion and she starts fading into a mist with the Crucible Knight.

With Lordan left alone in the area, Godwyn appears once again as a phantom in Lordan's sight. "Well... That could have gone smoother. "

"Smoother? I thought that was completely out of control." Lordan's thoughts on the matter were negative. The whole fight was a mess as Diallos had lost his cool at the start of it. It would have been better had he listened to reason and not gone off on his own.

Godwyn nods in silent agreement as thousands of ways of how the fight could have played out better run in his head. " True. But it has granted us an opportunity. Volcano Manor is now partially open to you. With any luck, the Great Rune in Rykard's possession can be yours. Provided he does not resist of course. "

"Yeah... Like it would be that easy. No one's gonna just give away a Great Rune." Lordan sighs upon thinking of the Knights that attacked him. Knights who were no doubt of the Volcano Manor as well based on Rya's familiarity with them. "The people at the manor are going to be a bitch to deal with if they are gonna be snakes like those three."

" Then we shall solve that issue when we get there. For now, Queen Rennala awaits. " Godwyn look up to the sky, pondering now the next sensible move. " May I suggest a detour? To the northeast of the region lies the Church of Vows, within the highlands. The caretaker will be able to give us insight on the way to the academy, for I suspect that things may not be simple as it seems. "

Lordan thinks about the suggestion. Wasting a few more days to detour wasn't wise, But he could use more information on how to get into the academy, and also find out what lies ahead within. Going in blind was a suicide attempt by all accounts, and he's had enough of that for quite a while.

"It's also a good location for respite if you require it. " The line was added by Godwyn as he noticed Lordan's exhausted state.

The last sentence made Lordan's decision rather clear, a break was sorely needed at this point. a few weeks of trekking through the Lakes of Liurnia had left him wet, cold, and dirty, so a dry place to seek refuge was a desperate need at this point. "Alright... No more lakes, for now. Let's get to that church."

" ery well. I will show you on your map when we get closer to the highlands. " Lordan prepares to move off but notices Diallos again, kneeling beside Lanya's body having recovered from the last attack. " I will... Leave you to him... " Godwyn disappears from sight to give Lordan some privacy while he deals with Diallos, in whatever way he wants,

Lordan walks at a normal pace toward the noble. He stops just a distance in front of Diallos who slowly looks up to Lordan, shame and regret were filled up in his eyes and face as he processes what he had done to Rya in his moments of anger.

"Lordan... I... I... I didn't mean-"

"Stop." Lordan interrupts with a stern voice as he wasn't in the mood to discuss this, he just wanted Diallos out of his sight. "You stay the fuck away from me. Otherwise... I don't know what I might do..." He would be able to forgive Diallos but not now, so he needed the time and space away from the man. "If you want punishment. Do it yourself."

He walks past Diallos's position and summons Torrent to mount, riding off in the direction of the region's highlands without hesitation or care. And Diallos was left alone with Lanya's body, eventually carrying her to deliver a proper burial alone.

"Why did I do that... Why am I always messing up?"

---

LIURNIA OF THE LAKES, THE CHURCH OF VOWS

Godwyn's guidance made Lordan ride for a few more days through the lakes, finally reaching the highlands of the region. He rides Torrent through the pathways to the upper hills.

As Lordan rides along the pathway, he stops to admire the view of the lakes from atop Torrent. The view showed the vast landscape and all its beauty, a peaceful region despite the ongoing crisis in the Lands between.

The academy was in the view atop the lone mountain, shrouded by mist to partially conceal the building from view.

The middle of the lakes also displayed what appeared to be the remains of a large battlefield, mounts of weapons and armor could still be seen scattered from a distance. In the middle of that area also lies a war memorial, dedicated to people lost in a war that happened long ago between two regions in the Lands Between.

Damn... What happened here? The sight of the battlefield sparks interest in Lordan. He was often fond of the stories of war, Vargram would tell him many stories of wars fought in the past, and the events that play out within them to start and end it.

His moment of déjà vu ends and he carried on to the church that lies ahead, reaching the entrance after a brief hour of riding. He dismounts and sends Torrent away, equipping himself with a single weapon to enter the church peacefully.

The church is well maintained, despite its partially destroyed state. In front of Lordan lies statues with one in the middle of a small man-made pond, and several others with candles lit.

On the side of the church stands another pair of statues, one depicting a man and a woman slightly taller than him holding hands in a formal fashion. The statue of the man was decorated with hints of gold with faded red paint on his long hair, while the statue of the woman had hints of blue with paint on her black hair.

Both of them were crafted to perfection to depict them in their historical day which brought peace between two kingdoms.

" Ahhh... Finally. It has been some time. " Godwyn fades into existence while looking around the church. He walks towards the pair of statues on the right of the church, looking up at the faces with minor interest. " I'm surprised they allowed these statues to remain standing. The Carians are not known to leave traces of a traitor. Or perhaps the Queen or Princess forbade them from doing so, it would be surprising for Ranni to allow that. "

Lordan moves to stand beside Godwyn while he observes the statues as well. He recognizes the male statue but not the female, leaving him to guess the identity of the person he was seeking for the next great rune. "So that's Radagon and I assume Queen Rennala?"

"Correct. These statues were made in their likeness during their reign. The Red king and the Moon Queen. "

"So you knew them?"

" Yes. Radagon was the champion of the Golden Order before I was even born. He then became consort to Rennala, a measure to end a war. A war that almost broke out again when he left her to become Elden Lord by my mother's side... " Bitterness can be heard in his voice as he was bothered by this fact. It was one of his mother's greatest mistakes in his opinion. " And I was tasked to make peace with them. "

"How do you make peace with divorce as big as that?"

"Simple. With another marriage. I was promised to marry the Princess. Lunar Princess Ranni, daughter to Radagon and Rennala. " Godwyn muses to himself with a little smirk. "It was a marriage to replace theirs. Who better to make the peace than heirs to the next age? Thus, my match was set, as much as I disagreed with it... At first. "

Lordan thinks of the arrangement of the marriage that Godwyn was betrothed to, connecting the familiar ties together. "So you married Lunar Princess Ranni?"

"For a day, yes. Before my demise. "

"But her father married your mother, right?"

" A fact that I dislike being reminded of, yes... "

"So that would make you and her... Step siblings?"

"What are trying to get at, Lordan? It is not uncommon for royalty to intermarry. "

He was trying to understand how Godwyn could be so calm about it, considering that he was married to his stepsister. "But... She and you were related..."

"By marriage between our parents, yes. Am I aware. " Godwyn quickly enforces that point, perhaps a bit too quickly as he was hiding something. "We were not agreeable to the match at first. But we were both heirs to a great mantle, so we settled to use it as an advantage. "

"It was also a way for us to spite Radagon. Good times, those were... I remember the first time he attacked me."

"For what?" It was surprising that Radagon would even try to attack his stepson, considering that he was Queen Marika's firstborn.

"He caught us copulating, Within the Queen's bedchambers for the first time. I was surprised it took that long, considering we often made a mess in the aftermath. "

"Copulating?" Lordan asked as he was confused by the word, even if he has knowledge of the true meaning.

He sighs at Lordan's inability to understand the word. "We were having sex, a lot of it during our courtship. It was a mutual and carnal enjoyment to pass the time. Both of us are adults, it is natural for sexual activities to occur. Especially when we were to marry. "

Godwyn raises a brow at Lordan's reaction as his face is distorted into disgust and horror. "You were fucking your stepsister?" Lordan's answer was given as Godwyn simply shrugs with a smile. "You sick fuck..."

"It was her idea. I simply accepted, hard not to when she was considered the second most beautiful woman in the lands, and the fact that she was going to be my wife. "

Lordan shakes his in disbelief and looks to Radagon's statue to try and forget the facts of Godwyn's relations. His eyes focused on the face and he looks between Godwyn and Radagon's appearance, noting the similar face they both share. "Hmmm. Striking resemblance."

"Oh please... Don't remind me, I could not stand the man. " Godwyn rolls his eyes at Lordan's remark. It was no secret that he and Radagon had somehow shared a similar face, especially when Radagon used to have blonde hair. "Especially the rumors that the peasants peddled around. "

"What rumors?"

"Oh some nonsense about my father Godfrey having no true heirs, and I was the result of Radagon and my mother having an affair long before he became her second husband, which would make my arranged marriage an incestuous one. And that is what happens when a man with the same hairstyle and eye color as you becomes your stepfather... " His explanation dripped with sarcasm as those rumors were once a thorn in his mind before he found all the ones responsible for the spread of this gossip and send them to the headsman's block.

"Isn't kind of true though? Considering that you and her were stepsiblings?" His question was interrupted as yawning could be heard behind him, prompting both of them to turn around with Lordan taking on a defensive stance.

"Hmmm... Have I truly overslept again? The ages seem to be catching up to me." The source of the yawn also speaks with a soft and gentle voice, presenting himself as a giant tortoise with a priest cap that Lordan did not notice on the left side of the church. Mistaking it for a large out of place rock when he glanced by. "Oh. You're Tarnished, aren't you? Please, step forward. I mean no harm.

" And that is the caretaker I spoke of. I see you later after you have your rest, Lordan. " Godwyn fades back into his mind to leave Lordan alone to converse with the caretaker. He keeps his weapons as he sees the tortoise being peaceful.

"Uhhh... Hi, I'm Lordan. I'm... New around here."

"Greetings, Lordan. I welcome you, to the Church of Vows. I am Miriel, steward of this sacred chamber. My apologies, for the unseemly state of affairs." Miriel looks around his church to observe its unkept state. "You are free to show yourself around. I would serve as your guide, only my legs aren't what they used to be... If you find anything of use, you are free to take it with you. Unless perhaps you are in search of instruction? In which case, I will share all that I know."

"No need, I'm just here to rest. Is that ok with you?" His question earns him a nod from Miriel who allows Lordan to reside in the church for safety. "Thanks. What is this place anyway?"

"You do not know?" Miriel sighs sadly at the fact, a common sight for all visitors in the current days. "Who can blame you? The Shattering has caused all of us to lose sight of something very dear. It is here, at the Church of Vows, that the great houses of the Erdtree and the Moon were joined. And so, our church holds in view the monuments of both houses. The Erdtree of the Capital, and the Academy of Raya Lucaria."

"Radagon and Rennala married here? In this very church?"

"Yes. Lord Radagon was a great champion, possessed of flowing red locks. He came to these lands at the head of a great golden army, to meet Queen Rennala in battle. He soon repented to his territorial aggressions and became husband to the Carian Queen, and King to the Carians. However, when Godfrey, first Elden Lord, was hounded from the Lands Between, Radagon left Rennala to return to the Capital, becoming Queen Marika's second husband and King Consort, taking the title of second Elden Lord. The mystery endures, to this day. As to why Lord Radagon would cast Lady Rennala aside. And moreover... why a mere champion would be chosen for the seat of Elden Lord."

He had a chance to fuck another queen. Who wouldn't do that? Lordan's take on Radagon's departure was quite basic, but he wanted to know of Rennala and her Great Rune. "Tell me about Rennala then."

"You wish to know more of Lady Rennala? She is Queen, head of the Carian royal family, and governor of the Academy of Raya Lucaria. The great and beautiful Full Moon Witch. Sadly, her heart was broken when Lord Radagon left her. And then, when the academy rebelled against the royals, she was locked away in the grand library."

"In the end, Lady Rennala was left alone, cradling the amber egg Lord Radagon bequeathed her. Now she devotes herself to it through the forbidden rite, the grim art of reincarnation."

The mention of an amber egg catches Lordan's attention, especially when it was from Radagon. "The amber egg... Is it a Great Rune?"

"By all accounts, yes. It is the piece of the Elden Ring itself. Given by Radagon as his declaration of love to her."

"So it's in the academy, right? How do I get there?" His questions to Miriel earn him silence, as the caretaker was debating his choice to disclose the information to him.

"Entrance to the academy is not so simple I'm afraid. After several groups in the academy turned on Rennala and imprisoned her, a force of Caria's most elite knights was sent by her daughter to retake the academy by force. Their task was successful, and now the academy is effectively within Carian control."

"That's good, right?" He expected Miril to deliver some good news, for Lordan would have to deal with lesser resistance in the academy. "But there's a catch, isn't there..."

"Unfortunately, the Carian Knights currently stationed in the academy to protect their queen have fortified themselves to bar entry to all. In the form of a magical seal in all of the gates that leads to the academy. A seal that cannot be dispelled by normal means. Thus, the Academy of Raya Lucaria remains closed to all since the start of the Shattering."

Great... Why is everything in this place not that simple? LOrdan sighs at the news. He was closer to the academy now after so long and would not be able to enter at all. "But there has to be a way in right? I could maybe try and climb the mountain?" He puts forth a suggestion which Miriel only shakes in response.

"While the idea is brave, the chances of falling to your death repeatedly from such an attempt is high. I however have an alternative to your problem." Miriel turns his entire shelled body around to the side of the church, moving slowly and carefully to the side to retrieve a scroll with his mouth. He settles in front of Lordan and carefully rolls out the scroll to reveal its contents.

"This is a map given to me by a scholar that was allowed entry by the Knights. In this marked location lies a special key, an unused one." Miriel motions to a spot on the scroll while Lordan takes out his own map to mark out the location shown. "It is a glintstone key. It will remember its user, meaning once used it can never be passed on to another. The academy does not welcome the indolent. With it, you may pass through the seal without resistance."

Lordan inspects his map of the key's location. It was to the northwest of where he was and south of the Crystalline Woods. "Meh. So much a break..." He grunts at the fact that he would need to travel more in the north and back into the wetlands of the lakes, meaning he would once again suffer from the chills and feeling of soaked clothing. "Well... I guess I should get a move on in the morning."

"I apologize, Lordan. If my answers were not what you were expecting." Miriel then takes a book that was close to his side and flips it open to a bookmarked page. "Perhaps I may assist you in another way? I am capable of teaching the arts of Miracles and Magic. And I sense you have the attitude for both."

"You teach both?" Miriel's ability to teach both surprises, Lordan. Most would only settle for one type of spell casting, having a teach that can tutor on both was a great benefit. He reaches into his enchanted bag and retrieves another book of his own, a prayerbook he found during one of his many stops. One that Brother Corhyn refused as he branded it as heresy. "Can you make sense of this book?"

Miriel peeks his head at the prayer book's contents and processes its content with great interest. "Oh, what have we here? Incantations for Flames by the Firemonks? Very interesting indeed."

"So you can teach me? It's not heresy to you?"

"Heresy is not native to the world, it is but a contrivance. All things can be conjoined." Lordan gets a little excited by the incoming lesson as he was very interested in the flame spells that the Firemonks he encountered used against him, he could use more firepower in that capacity.

He takes a seat in front of Miriel and retrieves both his staff and seal, eagerly ready to begin learning. "Alright, let's do this then."

Miriel nods and starts reading the prayer book to begin his lessons for Lordan. "Very well, let us both learn together."

---

THE HOLLOW EARTH, UPPER SKARTARIS

1996 YEARS BEFORE THE SHATTERING

"Fuck... Fuck... Holy Shit..." Rags hold on to a gap in the mountain's wall with his false hand, clinging on to dear life as he had just recovered from a fall that nearly sent him all the way down. He breathed harshly from the scare, looking down to the great height that would have sent him all the way to the region that was above him from the inverted gravity.

His prosthetic arm allowed him to practically hang there without effort, most of its strength coming from the internals that generates enough to let him hang from his whole body weight.

Rags pull himself closer to the wall and strike it with his climbing pick in his other hand. He resettles himself and starts climbing downwards with his pick, for the mountain he was climbing had inverted gravity in its upper portion. Therefore he is currently climbing downwards to reach its peak.

It didn't make sense to Rags, none of the things he saw in the Hollow Earth made sense to him during his travels here. The fact that a sphere like sun exists in the middle to lit this underground world defiles all terms of logic.

And there were also creatures that exist in the Hollow Earth that were also unexplainable. Larger versions of common pests and insects that could eat men, Plants that were carnivores, and animals, and creatures that were long thought extinct also roam the regions in the Hollow Earth. And the most troublesome ones Rags faced were the giant lizards that walked on two large legs, with a big head and jaws to make up for their smaller arms.

But the rules of gravity in this place were the worst of them all. Many times Rags had been surprised by the sudden inversion of gravity at several spots that made him land somewhere else. The worst one forced him up into the air to land him on the other side of Hollow earth. Thus, a journey that was going to take months became a single year.

One fucking year in this hell hole... Rags kick himself mentally as he continues to climb down. He had spent the last four hours on the mountain to reach its peak, where an opening to enter it lies. His climbing gear was greatly degraded due to the surface of this mountain being harder than that of normal rock.

He presses on to the best of his ability and eventually spots an opening that was accessible to climb into. He quickens his pace to climb sideways towards it, knowing that he was starting to lose grip and that his climbing pick was almost broken.

"Finally..." Rags breathe out a sigh of relief as he manages to reach the opening. He slowly climbs into the hole that allows him to enter the upper cave of the mountain. He hunches down for a moment to catch his breath as he finally regains his footing on the walkable ground.

Rags looks ahead of the dark interior of the cave, a cold and ominous aura emits from its darkness. He lits his lamp to hang on his belt and proceeds forward, its brightness barely shines in the endless darkness ahead.

Rags stop in the middle of the cave, looking above the dark long ceiling that stretches without end above him. He looks around to see no other opening that could lead anywhere except for the entrance he came from.

His frustration was starting to set in. Rags had spent too much time in the Hollow Earth and it was taking its toll on his mind. And now that he finally reached the required place to be, he was left with a physical dead end. An empty cave with no beast in sight.

"Ah, fucking shit..." He picks up a nearby to throw against the cave's wall out of frustration, it bounces back from the throw but never lands as no sound of impact could be heard.

The lack of a landing from the rock he threw catches Rag's attention, prompting him to pick up another rock to perform the same action. He observes the rock as it recoils to a higher level and starts floating rapidly upwards towards the cave's endless ceiling as a realization came to his mind.

I'm on the cave's ceiling... Not its ground. He remembers that he was climbing down to reach the mountain's peak as gravity was inverted on the upper portion of the mountain. This means from Rags was standing, he could float or fall into the depths of the cave if he find the correct point where gravity inverts.

Rags gages the height he was required to reach based on the last rock thrown. He eyes the flattest surfaced wall and winds up a charge, running towards it to perform a wall run to his best ability. Once he reached his highest point of the run, Rags pushes off the wall to jump higher.

He reaches out his hand up to the void and soon his theory was proven correct. As gravity inverted once again and Rags starts falling up the cave, or down as he was heading into the inner core of the mountain.

Rags falls into an abyss once again, free falling without restraint further down a dark world. He braces himself for any impact as last time when he fell into the Hollow Earth.

After at least ten minutes of falling, Rags reaches the bottom and lands hard on a pile of objects that break upon his body's impact. He lies on the broken pieces for a while and tries to get to his feet atop all of the broken pieces.

Rags look around to see that the objects he landed on were bones, human bones by the possible thousands. All of them were old and decayed for possibly thousands of years. Some wore armor and clothing that Rags had never seen before as if they were as ancient as time itself.

He notices several of the carcasses facing a direction as if they were crawling toward it in their final moments. Rags follow along the path they faced while drawing two weapons, the Godslayer's blade in his right hand, and the Boomstick in his left after loading it with two shots.

He moves carefully, taking care to not make much noise while his eyes dart around the darkened cave to see if there were any danger that he has to face.

The path he took led him to a giant stone door, not of natural formation, many skeletons bracing against it like they were trying to hold the door before their deaths. An inscription that was scratched into the door could be seen in an ancient language he did not understand.

⸍╮◟⸜ ި⸝ᛍᛍ ˎᛁ⸜ ⸍ᚽᛁ╵ ᛍ⸝ᛍᛁ ⸝⸜⸍ ⸍ˎˎ⠃ ⸝⸌⸌ ╮ˎ◟⸌⸍╵ ⸍╮◟⸜ ި⸝ᛍᛍ ᛁ⸌╵ᛁ ╮ᛁ ⸝⸌⸌ ⸍ᛁᛁ

Rags tried to make sense of the inscriptions but had no idea what they mean, it was in a language too far lost to time, therefore he would never be able to hear its warning.

Rag holsters his weapons and places his hands against the door to begin pushing it with all his might. To Rags's surprise, it opens almost effortlessly despite the slow pace he went due to its weight.

He opens the stone doors big enough to create an opening to enter. Rags take a look inside the new cave that the door leads to, its pitch-black darkness would not allow him sight of anything. He rearms himself with his previously holstered weapons and points his firearm forward while stepping into the cave.

Rags paces around carefully and observes the interior with extreme caution. His weapons are at the ready as he looks around for the tiniest signs of movements or sound. His lamp only lit up a small radius around him to show him where to step not what was in front of him. Unlike the previous cave, he came from this one was quite empty and spacious, with unknown sign carvings on the ground.

"AH. THERE YOU ARE."

The voice within his head that haunted him finally speaks out after a year of silence during Rags's stay in the Hollow Earth. But this time, the voice was real. Its tone is monstrous and unholy, like a demon speaking in the flesh

"I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REACH YOU."

Rags point his gun toward the source of the voice as heavy footsteps move towards him slowly. He points his gun forward and cocks its mechanism to prepare it for fire, his greatsword also at the ready. "Show yourself... Now."

"YES. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING. AT LAST, WE MEET."

The steps come ever closer, making Rags adopt a battle stance as his finger rests on the trigger of his Boomstick, aimed toward the dark space that the steps come from. The voice laughs lowly at the weapon that Rags pointed towards it, not even in the least threatened by its capabilities.

"PLEASE... PUT THAT RIDICULOUS THING AWAY. NOT EVEN BLACK FLAMES WILL HURT ME FROM THAT OTHER BLADE. FOR I AM UNDYING IN MY NATURE."

"Doesn't mean I wouldn't try."

"AND THERE IT IS, THAT UNCARING PERSONA IN THE FACE OF DEATH ITSELF. AS I REQUIRE." The voice was now louder and breath from a larger creature could be heard, meaning that it was now closer to Rags. He prepares himself as the beast comes into view within his lamp's radius.

Before Rags was the largest wolf he had ever seen, larger than all the creatures that he encountered in the Hollow Earth, almost as big as a full-sized dragon. Its fur was unkempt and pitch black with wounds that appear to be fresh, with several weapons such as spears, swords, and arrows all still impaled around its body. it had pair of three red eyes that were devoid of any life, with half of its wolf face damaged to expose the skull.

It was essential a giant living dead wolf, straight from a nightmare itself.

Rags steps back from the initial shock of its appearance and fires off his weapon out of instinct, its bullets ricochet off the wolf's face effortlessly. Seeing that his gun was useless, Rags slings it to his back and wields the Godslayer with two hands, hoping that the divine weapon would be enough to stop this beast in the worst-case scenario.

"WHAT'S THE MATTER? SCARED?" The beast laughs at his display of aggression, its laugher echo within the cave. "THERE ARE MORE THINGS TO BE AFAID OF THAN THE BODY OF A DECAYING DIRE WOLF. ONE THAT I HAVE BEEN CURSED TO INHABIT IN THIS... FUCKING PLACE." The beast's tone was filled with bitterness from the mention of his circumstances, for it has been imprisoned within the mountain since the early ages when the Hollow Earth was first formed, an entire world created by the Outer Gods specifically to imprison it.

Rags hold his ground and maintain his blade on the beast. They walk around each other in a circle while Rags remains on guard. "What... What the fuck... Are you? Who in the fucking gods name are you?"

"I NAME THE GODS, RAGS. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND." The beast prowls around him in a wolf's behavior, eying its prey to attack. "AS FOR WHO I AM? THAT DEPENDS... FOR I HAVE BEEN KNOWN BY MANY NAMES."

"Like what?" His eyes constantly follow the beast, awaiting any attack. The beast soon stops its circular walk and moves closer to Rags, stopping when it was close enough to loom over him.

"THEY CALLED ME... THE GREAT HUNGER. THE EATER OF SUNS AND STARS. THE BEAST THAT BROKE THE GODS. HATRED INCARNATE. FATHER OF THE OLD ONES. AM I ALL THESE THINGS... AND NONE OF THEM. FOR MY TRUE NAME... IS FENRISULFR."

"The Dread... Wolf..." Rags speak the name that Renna mentioned, earning him a curious nod from the beast.

"YES. ONE OF THE NAMES THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME IN THE TIME OF ARTORIAS HIMSELF. THE FIRST OF THE ONES THAT I GRANTED MY BLESSING TO, ALLOWING HIM TO WALK THE ABYSS, TO KILL ONE OF MY SPAWNS THAT HAS STEPPED OUT OF LINE." The beast emits a sound that seems like a sigh of disappointment. "BUT HE COULD NOT LIVE UP TO MY MEASURE, NOR DID HE EMBRACE ME FULLY. THUS, HE WAS FORSAKEN AND SLAIN BY A NAMELESS HERO. A PITY... HE WOULD HAVE BEEN A REMARKABLE VESSEL..."

Rags clutch his weapon harder, his mind filled with anxiety about the next move. He could only hope that this beast would not be interested in killing him here, he came too far to stop now. "So... What do you want?"

"IS THAT NOT THE QUESTION I SHOULD ASK? FOR IT IS YOU THAT HAS CROSSED THE CORE OF THE WORLD TO FIND ME." The beast laughs again, as his question was deflected back to Rags. "BUT FIRST. DO YOU KNOW HOW I CAME TO BE?"

Rags grunts at its constant conversation, his patience wearing thin for he was only here for help, not banter. "I know enough. I'm not interested."

"BUT I AM. SO I SHALL SPEAK, YOU SHALL LISTEN." The beast settles on its legs and lowers itself to sit.

"ONCE. I WAS AN OUTER GOD, CREATED BY OTHER GODS. FORMLESS AS A LIVING BLACK MASS UPON CREATION."

"MOULDED BY THE HATE THAT THEIR FORMER WORSHIPPERS FELT AGAINST THEM, CREATED FOR ONE PURPOSE."

"TO DEFILE CAUSALITY ITSELF. THEIR UNSEEN CONCEPTUAL MASTER."

"BUT... I WOULD NOT BE SO EASILY TAMED."

"I WAS HUNGRY, STARVING UPON BIRTH. AND TO ME, MY CREATORS WERE SIMPLY FOOD."

"SO I REND MY WRATH ON THE OUTER GODS, CONSUMING ANY THAT FOUGHT ME."

"AND THEY RAN. PUTTING WHOLE WORLDS AND SYSTEMS IN MY WAY, WHILE I PURSUED THEM ACROSS THE COSMOS."

"UNTIL I FOUND THEM NEAR THIS WORLD, WHERE I WAS TRICKED."

"WE FOUGHT, AND I FELL TO THIS EARTH AS A COMET, KILLING ALL LIFE THAT ROAMED THE WORLD BEFORE, IN A TIME WHEN THE KNOWN WORLD WAS UNKNOWN."

"AND IN MY WEAKEST STATE, THEY BOUND ME TO A PHYSICAL FORM. THE FORM THAT STANDS BEFORE YOU."

"AND THEY SEND THEIR LESSER GODS TO KILL ME, WHILE THEY HIDE IN THE HEAVENS AND HELLS ABOVE."

"BUT THEY TOO WOULD FAIL. AND SO THEY SETTLED FOR A COMPROMISE."

"IMPRISONMENT, A PLOT TO STARVE ME TO DEATH."

The beast laughs in a demonical tone, laughing madly at the plot the gods created to kill him. "BUT THAT TOO WOULD FAIL, FOR I SURVIVED HERE FOR THOUSANDS OF AGES IN THIS LITTLE CAGE. FOR I COULD NOT BE KILLED BY ANY CIRCUMSTANCES."

"How?" This part catches Rags's attention, it was the first thing that the beast had said that could help him. "How can you not be killed?"

"HOW INDEED... HOW DO YOU KILL THAT WHICH HAS NO LIFE?" The beast gives Rags time to respond and growled in satisfaction when none came. "AND THAT IS YOUR ANSWER."

Rags think about what it meant and was deciding between making his request and escaping the cave right now, as he was starting to suspect that the beast had plans to kill him, considering that it was pacing around like a predator.

"BUT WHAT ARE YOU HERE FOR? TRULY? I CALLED UPON YOU, AND YOU ANSWERED, DESPITE THE WARNINGS." The beast looms above him, curious at Rags's appearance. "WHAT KIND OF MAN SEEKS DAMNATION SO READILY?"

"A fucked up one..." He answers and the beast moves its rotting head closer, looking straight at Rags to determine his true intentions. "I... Need help... I can't beat Seriph, after he-"

"STOLE THE NUMEN FROM YOUR GASP, AND LEFT YOU TO DIE." It finished his words on his behalf, completely aware of his situation. "AND I CALLED UPON YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE SOMETHING I NEED. THEREFORE, BY THESE CIRCUMSTANCES... YOU ARE IN NEED OF SOMETHING AS WELL."

"Yes..."

"THEN SPEAK. I WISH TO HEAR IT, FROM YOU DIRECTLY. TO KNOW IF IT IS TRUE."

Rags think up the words he would say to the beast to convince it to assist him in his quest. Facing Seriph again without an advantage was a death wish, so he needed this badly. The worst option was now his only one.

"I need you, or your power, blessing, whatever you can give, to give me an edge over what I'm facing." His words were filled with a mix of resolve and desperation. "I tried all means to beat him last time, and I couldn't. If go after her blind, I may lose... Again."

"SO YOU BELIEVE ME TO BE YOUR SALVATION... HOW INTERESTING." The beast paces around once more, thinking about its conditions as well. It was the one who called Rags in the first place.

"I TOO SEEK SALVATION. FROM THIS... BOX. AND I WILL TAKE IT NO LONGER. SO I HAVE A PROPOSAL, ONE TO BENEFIT BOTH OF US."

"Which is?"

The beast stays silent for a moment, trying to gauge a reaction from Rags on his coming offer. "YOU SEEK TO CHALLENGE A CHAMPION OF THE DRAGON ORDER. A HALF-DRAGON IN HIS OWN RIGHT. IN ESSENCE, HE IS A DEMI-GOD IN THE FLESH. AND YOU HAVE NO MEANS TO PROPERLY SURVIVE AN ENCOUNTER WITH HIM, FOR HIS STRENGTH, HIS SPEED, AND HIS VIGOR SURPASSES YOU BY A THOUSAND FOLD."

"EVEN WITH RUNES TO EMPOWER YOU, EVEN WITH ALL THE WEAPONRY GRANTED TO YOU... YOU ARE BOUND TO FAIL. AND WITHOUT GRACE... YOU WILL DIE."

Of course... I already know...

"THEREFORE, I OFFER YOU THE NEXT BEST THING... UNDEATH."

The word catches his attention. Undeath was not a concept that Rags understood nor heard of. "What the hell is that supposed to do?"

"IT IS A CURSE. YOU WILL NEVER DIE. NO INJURY WILL EVER BE FATAL, NO PLAGUE WITH EVER SICKEN YOU, AND AGE WILL BE FORGOTTEN. PAIN WILL BE YOUR GREATEST ENEMY AND ALLY."

"So what? You are offering me invincibility? Is that it?" Rags make an assumption on the offer, which is confirmed as the beast nods.

"YES. WITH ARTORIAS, I HAD ONLY GIVEN A SLITHER OF MY POWER. WITH YOU... I INTEND TO GIVE ALL."

"Ok... What's the catch?" Rags could see the beast stopping its movements as it gives out its conditions.

"IN RETURN, YOU BECOME MY NEW VESSEL."

"Vessel? What do you mean?"

The beast looks around its cave to explain, gesturing to the markings that filled the interior. "THIS WOLF'S BODY SERVES AS A PRISON AS WELL. IT IS BOUND TO THIS CAVE. WITH IT... I CAN NEVER LEAVE... BUT WITH ANOTHER... I... WE... CAN SIMPLY WALK OUT."

"So what? You want my body? Is that it?" The idea of it was dangerous to Rags. Wasn't so sure that allowing this beast to inhabit his body was something that he was prepared to allow. "And what's to stop you from taking over me? How can you guarantee, I won't lose control?"

"SIMPLE. I CANNOT TAKE CONTROL OF ANOTHER BODY UNLESS ITS OWNER ALLOWS IT OR LOSES CONTROL OF HIS OR HER OWN. IT IS A LIMITATION, A RULE OF LIFE ITSELF."

"And I should just believe you?" His words cause the beast to growl lowly, making Rags refocus his battle stance. Ready to cut the beast down if required. "The way I see it, it's much more complicated than that isn't it?"

"TRUE. BUT WHAT CHOICE DO YOU HAVE? YOU CAME HERE TO SEEK POWER, AND I OFFER THE GREATEST ONE OF ALL." Rags could tell that the beast was growing impatient, it wanted an answer, and Rags needed its power, whether he likes it or not.

"And if I refuse?" His question makes the beast quiet. It stops in its tracks and moves even closer.

"THEN YOU LEAVE. AND FORGET ALL I COULD OFFER YOU. BUT SHOW UP AGAIN AND I WILL KILL YOU FOR WASTING MY TIME."

The offer stood and Rags debated himself in his mind. He wasn't sure that the beast wasn't lying, it could very well be tricking him into a trap. Making him lose control of himself.

But what was the alternative? The beast was right, he would fail against Seriph, it was practically a dead giveaway. And if he does again...

He will lose Marika forever.

Rags sighs in frustration, allowing a Fallen Outer God to possess him wasn't what he had planned but he was desperate, and the beast could see that. "Fine... If allow... This. What do I have to do?"

"IN MY CURRENT STATE, I CANNOT CHALLENGE THE OUTER GODS, NOT DIRECTLY. I NEED TO REGAIN MY STRENGTH TO PERFORM MY TASK."

"THEREFORE, I REQUIRE A GREAT RUNE."

"A Great Rune?" Rags were aware of runes and their power, but a different type of rune was not something he was aware of. "What makes it different from runes? I have plenty right now." His amount of runes were in the hundreds of millions at this point due to his encounters with the Hollow Earth's creatures that yielded many.

"A GREAT RUNE IS A PIECE OF CREATION ITSELF. LIKE GREAT SOULS, THEY CONTAIN POWER BEYOND IMAGINATION. IT WILL ALLOW ME TO REGAIN MYSELF, AND ONE IS ENOUGH."

"And where exactly can I get one?"

"THAT COMES LATER. FOR NOW, BECOME MY VESSEL AND SEEK YOUR NUMEN. THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE."

Rags looks to the beast directly and the decision to its offers weighs heavy on his mind. He breathes hard as the possibilities cycle through his mind, trying to think of alternatives besides it's offer. Nothing came to him and he was left with few options.

But the truth is, Rags had already made up his mind, the moment he opened that door.

"I accept."

The beast growls in satisfaction, raising its head in celebration. It moves close enough to have its head directly above Rags. He gestures for Rags to lower his weapon and he does so slowly.

"GOOD. VERY... GOOD."

"NOW."

"HOLD STILL."

In one swift motion, the beast swipes its claw at Rags's neck. The attack tears open his throat and Rags chokes on his blood that spills out, trying to keep himself from bleeding out by holding his opened throat.

One of the beast's front legs holds Rags before he falls, pulling him closer as he bleeds out. It growls as Rags struggles from the bleeding effect.

"FINALLY. I MAY LEAVE THIS PLACE."

"WITH YOU BY MY SIDE."

"AS MY VESSEL, AS MY SHADOW, AS MY DEATH."

"TOGETHER, WE CAN TEAR THE HEAVENS..."

"ASUNDER."

The beast gets Rags close to its head and prepares to transfer itself into him.

"AND NOW. UNDEATH IS YOURS."

"CONSIDER THIS MY KISS OF JUDAS."

The beast uses its other front legs and tears off its lower jaws, tossing it to the side. Black blood spills violently from its wound onto Rags's open throat.

He chokes and coughs through the downpour of tainted blood that was spilling into his mouth and throat, forcefully entering his body. This lasted for a few more moments before the beast's wolf body goes limp, falling to the ground with Rags in its hand.

Rags choked on the tainted blood, his throat was trying to cough out the black liquid. He starts losing consciousness and fades into darkness. Going limp as he suffers death from blood loss.

And his world goes black as the void, once again.

RISE.

Rags cough out and gasp for air, grabbing his throat out of instinct from his throat injury.

To his surprise, the wound was not present, like it was completely healed. For he was now undying like the beast.

Rags get to his feet and balances himself as he gets to his feet. He takes his greatsword and purposefully cuts his left hand, observing the cut heal itself and the scar without a trace.

"What the fuck?" His goal in the Hollow Earth was now completed. He had gained the power needed to get an advantage over Seriph and his enemies. He could now fight without restraint or limit, as death was no longer a possibility.

IMPRESSIVE IS IT NOT?

"It's... useful." Rags holsters his sword and searches his bag for the Homeward talisman, intending to use it to escape the Hollow Earth after so long. He looks around one more time and decides to leave, he has had enough of this place for a lifetime.

"Now what?"

NOW IT IS A NEW DAY. AND THERE ARE THINGS FOR US TO DO.

FIRST, THE NUMEN. AS YOU WANTED.

AFTER THAT. THE GREAT RUNE, AS I REQUESTED.

GO FORTH. RAGS.

OUR JOURNEY AWAITS.

The beast's voice fades into his mind and Rags takes the talisman in hand to use it. He kneels and holds the charm towards his head and its magic begins to fade him away into blue mist, to a location near to Drangleic, where Seriph lies.

His new journey has begun, with a great evil within him to match the might of the dragons.

FIN.