Chapter 2- A Accord
Alden's POV
"What kind of accord?" I asked as I pointed the sword in her direction. "Ever heard of the Finger Maidens? They serve the Two Fingers, offering direction and help to the Tarnished, but I'm afraid you don't have a maiden. I can play that role." A woman I've never seen before offering me a deal, and again this talk of maidens, why are they so important in the end? You know what, it's enough that I've been manipulated by Shanalotte and Nashandra, I won't fall for that trick a third time. "I'm not interested!" I said as I was leaving, I could hear Melina calling me.
"Wait! I can turn rune shards into strength!" No, I'm not falling for that "I'm strong enough! Thanks!" She kept yelling "But I can help you in your search for Elden Ring !" Again this Elden Ring, why is it so important? Varré was not clear. "I have no interest in getting this Elden Ring, all I want is to find my stuff!"
Suddenly Melina disappeared from where she was and appeared in front of me "Just take me to the foot of Erdtree, you're looking for something, aren't you? I can help you, all I ask you to take me along." I thought about it, and I have no doubt that I will end up being put on another impossible journey, full of people with their plans and ambitions and I will probably be a key part of those plans, but on the other hand, having someone help me look for my stolen equipment can be useful, I might end up regretting that decision. "Okay, I'll take your accord," I swear Melina heaved a sigh of relief.
We went back to Grace place and sat down "What's my Tarnished name?" I'm getting tired of being called Tarnished "Alden and I'm not a Tarnished, I'm an Undead" Melina stared at me for a few seconds "Nice to meet you Alden, back to our agreement I need you to take me to the foot of Erdtree " Sounds simple enough "Erdtree is that bright tree in the distance, isn't it?" Melina cocked her head to the side, she is not the first to notice my lack of knowledge of these lands "Yes, and the way to it is surrounded by many dangers" I take back what I said this is going to be hell "But it would be unfair if only I would benefit from this deal, tell me, Alden, what are you looking for?".
Well, time to dictate my terms "Let's put it this way before I arrived in these lands, I went through a little adventure, so to speak, and in that adventure, I amassed a nice collection of equipment and magic items, weapons, armor, that sort of thing", but when I got to the Lands Between some of them were stolen, among them the most important are four crowns, a sword, a shield and a bow, with crowns as a priority" I took a sheet of paper out of the magic bag and a pencil, I drew the mentioned items and handed it to Melina.
"If you see any of these items let me know right away" she stared at the drawings for some time "If I may ask, what is so important about these crowns?" better not tell the absolute truth, just a half truth "These crowns are magic, each of them has a special effect, like increasing your defense, magic, that kind of thing, I like to use them to prepare myself for all kinds of situations, you never know when you're going to need a power boost."
Melina nodded and tucked it away "I intend to honor my end of the bargain if you honor yours", fair enough "Likewise".
"Now extend your hand to me, I will transform your runes into strength." Nothing new, I've done this a lot in Majula, Melina took my hand, her eyes widened and she was silent "Melina is something wrong?" she looked straight into my eyes and spoke slowly " Alden, where did you come from exactly?" I was surprised no one asked this before "I come from Drangleic, why the question?", "You've fought before in your life, haven't you?" where is she going with this "Yes" I replied slowly "And during those fights was there anyone to strengthen you?" hm "Yes".
"I see" Melina became serious "Then it's settled, invoke me with Grace to turn runes into strength, oh another thing. There is a ring in your possession, for a steed" Melina handed me a golden ring, and I placed it on my middle finger on my left hand "Use it to cross great distances, it will summon a spectral steed called Torrent, Torrent has chosen you, treat with respect" a steed, this can be a problem, I've never ridden a horse before, Drangleic's terrain isn't exactly favorable "Any problems Alden?" I think it's better to just say "I've never ridden a horse before".
Melina looked at me strangely "Aren't there horses in Drangleic?" I thought for a moment about what could be considered a horse in Drangleic "A giant skeleton horse with two heads pulling a cart with a skeleton holding a scythe count?" Melina looked at me like I was crazy "And this horse runs around a circular track trying to run you over while necromancers summon skeletons to attack you?" Melina shook her head saying no, hm, "And horses made of ice that comes out of a blizzard to trample you, can fly and shoot lightning at you?" this time she didn't react, she just had a faraway look on her face. "That was weirdly specific," Melina said.
"Then no, there are no horses in Drangleic " I shrugged if there's nothing else to talk about I'll leave "It was nice to meet you Melina, but I need to continue my journey, see you later", "Well done I wish you good luck." Melina disappeared in blue particles. Now as I summon this Torrent, I looked at the ring on my finger, there was a small hole in the ring, it was a kind of whistle, I blew on the ring and out of nowhere Torrent appeared "Very well Torrent, nice to meet you, it seems that we are partners now, let's go back to the church, tomorrow I intend to explore this region".
Let's see? How do get on Torrent? First the left foot, then the right, it wasn't so difficult, I held the reins, Now what do you say to make horse walks? "HA", what I didn't expect was that Torrent would shoot at full speed "Torrent stop!".
Melina's POV
I couldn't help but laugh when I saw Alden and Torrent leave, but what a strange Tarnished, strange, but powerful, so much stronger than all the Tarnished that came before, where did he say he was from? Drangleic? Yep, Drangleic never heard of this place, judging from what I felt he is a veteran fighter and got some help from some maiden, this could be a problem.
Fire, darkness, holiness, and sorcery that use unknown energy, that's what I felt in his being. Not to mention of course its strength, it seems I picked the right Tarnished, or would it be Undead? I don't understand why he prefers to be called that, he doesn't look like he's dead and what is an Undead anyway?
Speaking of appearance, he dresses strangely, his equipment doesn't match each other and each of them has a spell, every piece of clothing on his body and rings in his hands, I could feel it, that staff didn't come from Raya Lucaria, it may be just me, but I feel terrible things were done to build that staff, the chime that Alden hangs on his belt is not of any known religion, Alden doesn't seem to be a worshiper of Marika or any of the other demigods, the chime looked alive as if it had a soul, but can't it be true what kind of monster would use souls to make weapons?
But something worries me, I felt a darkness in these items, trying to consume me, trying to corrupt me, but at the same time, it brought me calm, as if all my problems were going to disappear, then I felt a flame, a violent flame trying to change my being, trying to turn myself into something I'm not.
Who are you, Alden? You carry such terrible things but I feel no malice, time to fulfill my end of the bargain, I looked at the drawings on the paper, a sword, a shield, a bow, and four crowns, let's see what I can find.
Alden's POV
"AHHHH!" I was thrown into the church when Torrent suddenly stopped after running at full speed, I fell flat on my face grass and dirt getting into my mouth, I got up immediately spitting out the dirt I hope Kalé didn't see this, talking about Kalé where he is? There is he, in usual place "Hey Kalé, you didn't see what happened, didn't you?" He didn't answer me "Kalé?" I put my hand on his shoulder and Kalé fell to the side, was he dead? No, I saw his chest rise and fall, he was sleeping "Kalé wake up!" I said as I shook him, Kalé didn't wake up, looking around I realized that something was wrong, he was quiet, very quiet, I prepared my staff and lit my flame, I started to look around.
"Hello" I conjured a Dark Orb towards the voice, the orb flew at high speed hitting the place where the voice came from and ripping part of the church wall, "Why the need for such violence?" the voice came from behind me when I turned around I came face to face with a blue-skinned woman with four arms and wearing a witch outfit, her most notable feature being the ghostly face protruding from the right side of her face.
She was a ghost like Chancellor Wellager. "Sorry, but you didn't exactly make a good first impression, bewitching Kalé, trapping the church in total silence and appearing out of nowhere, where I come from this means a trap" she was silent for a while "I suppose I didn't make a friendly impression" seriously, do you think? "But how about we put that little misunderstanding aside and introduce ourselves properly? What is your name Tarnished?" Again this Tarnished conversation "Alden" said as I walked away from her, I put my staff away but was ready to use my flame "It is a pleasure to meet you, Alden, I am the witch Renna. I had heard of a Tarnished...", "Undead".
Renna kept staring at me "What did you say?", "I'm not a Tarnished, I'm an Undead" Renna was trying to compose herself, it looks like she had rehearsed this speech and I interrupted her, clearing her throat Renna continued " I'd heard of an Undead riding a spectral steed, and on examining the matter, I suppose they're talking about you." Was she watching me the whole time? Because it hasn't even been half an hour since I got Torrent "You have the power, don't you? To summon the spectral steed called Torrent " What should I say? Yes or No? Let's see what happens. "Yes," I prepared myself.
"Oh. As I expected. This was entrusted to me by you. By the old Torrent master. It is a bell to summon spirits, summon them with it, from the ashes not returned to Erdtree. The spirits will obey your command, but briefly, as they recall past battles." Renna gave me a little bell, so it's a kind of summon, but without the sign "Now it's yours. To do what you want." Renna started to walk away. "Forgive my intrusion, Alden. I doubt we'll meet again, but even so, learn a lot about the Lands Between. How long will it take, I wonder... before the Tarnished gets tired of bowing to the Two Fingers?"
Renna disappeared, the silence in the church disappeared and Kalé woke up "What happened?", "Nothing Kalé, nothing" Why would she give me that bell, Renna said it was sent by the Torrent old master, so she knows Melina? And this thing was mentioned again, Two Fingers, at some point I need to research the history of this place.
Alden's POV
It's already morning, time to explore, I blew the ring and called Torrent "Very well Torrent, let's go for a walk" Torrent gave a neigh of affirmation, I mounted it and we continued our exploration.
We were riding for a while until I reached the dilapidated gate from before, and new guards occupied the area.
"Tarnished!"
I stabbed this guard in the eye with the ornate blade, while I was mounted on Torrent, before I could continue riding the camp soldiers surrounded me, let's test a new weapon, I took the Golden Halberd from the magic bag and ran towards the soldiers, in a movement two soldiers had their heads cut off, one tried to attack me from the left, I swung the halberd in my hands and hit him in the chest, there was one more soldier, this one was better equipped, a big shield, a spear and a wolf at his side, we were face to face, the wolf came towards me "HA" Torrent ran towards the wolf, the wolf jumped trying to bite my neck, but ended up being impaled on the sharp point of the halberd, the soldier prepared to impale me with the spear " Torrent jump!" Torrent jumped over the soldier's blow and taking advantage of the fall I impaled the soldier on the ground using the halberd, it looks like it was over.
Exploring the soldiers' camp I found a staircase leading down. How did I not notice this before? Going down the stairs I entered a room with a chest, I approached the chest and gave it a blow with the ornate blade, nothing happened, it was not a mimic, opening the chest I found a knife, and a kind of ash, it sure was magic it formed the shape of a person stomping the ground, I kept it in my bag. Coming out of the underground, looking around, I saw something glowing near a kind of tombstone, getting closer I saw that it was a piece of a map "Limgrave" so that's the name of this region, I took the map and continued towards the south of the camp, in the middle of the way I found another Place of Grace I touched it and went on my way.
TIMESKIP
I've been riding for a while, I think it's time to follow the golden rays of Grace, I stopped in front of the ruined gate and further on I could see the defenses put up by the soldiers, barricades with wooden stakes, archers and ballista, "Are you ready Torrent? We'll have to run" Torrent gave a neigh, that's all I needed to hear "HA" Torrent shot forward.
"TARNISHED!"
I don't have time for this, I felt the wind of the arrows passing over my head, something heavy fell behind me, I didn't turn to look, the ballista fired "Torrent jump!" Torrent jumped over the shots, and the soldiers behind me were hit judging by the screams of pain, Torrent jumped through the second barricade, just one more to go, and a soldier in front of me started blowing a war horn "SHUT UP!" I punched him in the face, Torrent jumped through the third barrier, and we finally left the death rift and came to some kind of hill.
I continued following the golden rays and arrived at a hut, I touched Grace, and inside the hut, there was a man wearing armor "I haven't seen you before. My name is Bernahl. Tarnished, just like you. Let me ask you something. Are you here in the Lands Between to take on the fight? Does your faith in the guidance of Grace hold firm despite the collapse of the Golden Order?" Great, I'm being asked if I believe in Grace. And what is the Golden Order? I think I'd better say yes, it sounds like that's what he wants to hear. "Yes" let's see what happens now "Yes, you are a Tarnished through. It brings back memories, but that's a quality needed now more than ever. Any interest in carrying the torch of my battle arts? All I know is the sword. I also learned some tricks. Now is the time to pass them on. For a good and proper Tarnished One like you."
Bernahl showed me his products for sale, they were ashes like the ones I found in the trunk "Can you tell me what those ashes are?" said while showing him the ashes I found, Bernahl looked at me strangely "Those are the ashes of war, special abilities you can equip on certain types of weapons" interesting "And how do I equip these ashes?", "You found a knife by those ashes, didn't you? Use the knife to equip the ashes into the weapon of your choice, you need to do this in a Grace, another way would be to find a blacksmith who knows how to use the ashes" I think I get it, I don't see the logic behind it, but he is the specialist.
"Let me see your stash" Interesting skills, some of them I can do normally, but others are useful "I'll want the Battlecry and Fast Step", "1600 runes" I handed the runes to Bernahl "There are a plethora of battle arts in these lands I have yet to discover. Memories of all the warriors who raised their arms in battle lost and died. A beautiful tale, all told, of a true romance of chivalry. That's how I fell in love with the sword and the arts of combat. It even gives meaning to the fall in battle, to death itself."
He reminds me of Benhart, always looking for adventure, conversations of honor and chivalry, I hope he's okay "It was nice to meet you Bernahl, but I have to go", "Well, until we meet again".
TIMESKIP
Following Grace I arrived at another hut, there was another place of Grace, I touched it, next to the hut on top of a wooden platform there was a corpse with something in its hand, it was a stone key with something written on it, I jumped from above the platform "Hello? Is anyone there?" the noise caught someone's attention, I entered the hut and on the floor, there was a woman wearing a red hood" Everyone... has been grafted. Everyone who came with me crossed the sea for me and fought for me. Only to have their arms ripped off, their legs ripped off. Even their heads... ripped off. Taken and grafted in the spider. Did you know? If you are grafted by the spider, you become a chrysalis. It's a big joke when you think about it" she is deep in her thoughts as she still hasn't noticed me "Miss, are you alright?" she looked at me with watery eyes.
"You're alone, aren't you? And going to Stormveil Castle? Attracted to the one in the white mask, I suppose. Oh, did you come to be one with the spider? Well, that makes us two peas in a pod. But I don't have your courage. It's scary, you know, having your arms cut off, or legs, or your head. I want to be like everyone else, but I'm too scared. I'm nothing but a coward" I sat down in front of this woman "Yes, I'm going to the castle. Is the man in the white mask called Varré ?" she looked straight at me "Yes! That's his name, I'm a Tarnished like you, Varré guided us to the castle, but the men who came with me were killed, their limbs are taken to the spider" spider and human limbs, it reminds me of the monster I found on the island "What is this spider?"
She shuddered in fear "Godrick the Grafted, he sends his soldiers to get human limbs, and grafts them into his body, a mass of twisted arms and legs" so it's something like The Rotten, having your arms and legs cut off is not a good experience, I say this because I have experienced it first hand "Tell me what's your name? My name is Alden", "Roderika", well, "Roderika I'm heading towards the castle, it looks like I'll have to face Godrick, but I don't think it's a good idea to leave you here, I think you better go to a safe place" Roderika thought for a moment "But where would I go?".
I walked towards grace "Melina are you there?" Melina appeared "Did you call me Alden?", "Yes, that one is Roderika, her friends were taken by Godrick, and she has nowhere to go, could you take her to the church where Kalé is?" I pointed to Roderika, and she got up and came towards us "Roderika, this is Melina, she will take you to a safe place" Riderika introduced herself to Melina "Nice to meet you Miss Melina", "Likewise" Melina replied with a nod "Well Roderika, I need to continue my journey, see you later" as I was going to call Torrent, Roderika called me "It was a pleasure to see you, oh, can you pass a message to me? If you see the little chrysalis in Stormveil Castle? Tell them I love them. I will join them soon. I'm finally getting the hang of this whole "pain" thing, you know." Now I feel bad, for leaving her "Okay, I'll deliver your message."
"Oh, I know. Can you take this little one with you?", "The poor thing deserves someone braver than me... And the spirits look kindly on you, he'll be happy with your company, I think." Roderika gave me ashes, these ashes formed the spirit of jellyfish "Thank you " I called Torrent and started riding again.
"He's a kind person, isn't he?" Roderika said to Melina "Maybe, but a strange Tarnished", "Oh! Are you his maiden?" Roderika asked surprised "Yes, but he doesn't seem to like it very much, leaving that aside, come with me, let's go to a safe place" Melina took a blade from her cloak and Roderika followed her.
Alden's POV
I was riding the road towards the castle a group of soldiers was in front of me, I lit my pyromantic flame and threw a Chaos Fireball at the group of soldiers, they were all burned by fire and lava, on the way Torrent trampled a beetle and I ended up getting a new Ash of War, I could see the gates just ahead, and in front of the gate a soldier with a ballista, he fired, I turned torrent to the left away from the shots jumping from Torrent I took out the ornate blade in my left hand and lit the flame in his right hand, there were two soldiers beside the ballista, the one on the right received a Great Combustion in his face, he dropped dead with his face completely burned, the one on the left had his throat cut before he could react, I drew the ornate blade from the right hand and stabbed the guard who was shooting the ballista in his heart.
It seems that it was over, I entered the stone corridor, there was a Place of Grace on the left and continued, and I reached a stone bridge with several weapons stuck on the ground. A battle happened here? Halfway across the bridge I heard a voice, and the excruciating pain came back, my vision turned red, and my eyes and heart, felt like they were going to jump out of my body, but the voice kept going "Foolish Tarnished" where was the voice coming from? Amidst the blurred vision I saw a golden light form on one of the castle towers, there was someone there, the source of the voice "Looking for Elden Ring, encouraged by the flame of ambition" the person jumped off the tower and landed on the bridge "Someone needs to extinguish your flame" the pain was fading and I could see the man in front of me, he was tall like The Fume Knight, an old man with white hair, horns protruding from the right side of his face and head, he wore a yellow cloak and carried a kind of staff "May that someone be Margit, The Fell Omen! "
I took my staff, the rings whirling with darkness, the ornate blade in my right hand "Hm!" Margit stared with his one visible eye, "You're not Tarnished. What are you?" finally someone realized "I'm an Undead!", Margit was thinking for a few seconds "I've never heard of a creature like you, it doesn't look dead to me, at least not yet" Margit walked towards me, I wasted no time and I launched a dark orb towards Margit, he widened his eye and jumped over the orb, "What dirty sorcery is this!" Oh! What an interesting reaction "Abyss Magic! You've heard of it!" I launched more orbs Margit kept jumping sideways dodging the shots, at the last of them Margit leaped towards me, with his staff ready to crush my head, I rolled back, as Margit recovered from his attack I cast Dark Mist towards him, and then I used Affinity, the orbs of darkness floated above me.
Margit started coughing, the mist took effect poisoning him, "What is this cursed thing?!" apparently he doesn't like Hexes, I ran towards Margit, the orbs of darkness shot towards him, Margit dodged most of them but got hit by two in the chest, "ARGH!" darkness is effective against him, taking advantage of his distraction I cut him with the ornate blade, Margit quickly created a golden knife in his left hand and slashed me in the belly and chest "AAAHH!" this hurt more than it should, is this knife sacred? Wasting no time, I cast Black Hail right in front of Margit, he was pushed back, I took the chance to get away from him, I was going to drink a flask of estus, but a golden knife came towards me piercing my hand and the flask "Don't think I'll give you any chance to heal." "Shit! These flasks are hard to find.
Margit ran with his staff ready to hit me, swinging from left to right, as he finished his streak Margit drew the golden knife again, I received small cuts around my body when he stopped I cast Whispers of Despair, the spell hit Margit, he braced himself for some kind of pain, but nothing happened "Should that done something?" he asked scornfully "Believe me, it did!" I used Dark Greatsword, the blade of darkness made a deep cut in his belly, followed by an explosion of darkness, Margit fell to the ground, but got up again "Well, you have exceptional skill; warrior blood must really run through your veins Living Dead".
Margit created a warhammer and hit me in the chin, flinging me backward towards the gate I entered, my vision was darkening, I think I lost some teeth, I can't die, I don't have the crowns, I risk becoming Hollow with each death. What should I do? I need help! Help that's it! The bell! I took the bell that Renna gave me and rang it, three wolves appeared in front of me and ran towards Margit "Hm! You know how to summon spirits, but that won't help you."
While Margit was fighting the wolves I used my flame to conjure Warmth and took two life gems out of my magic bag, slowly started to be healed, I can't risk breaking another flask, Margit is strong, poisoned, and with his defense reduced, but still fighting nonstop, time to change weapons, I put away my staff and sword and took out the golden halberd, I could feel it, this halberd has a weapon art, come on Alden focus. I got it! I raised the halberd and a golden symbol formed in front of me, I felt stronger, but I didn't stop there, using my flame I conjured Flaming Weapon, enveloping the halberd in flames.
Margit dispatched the last wolf, thanks for your help, "Are you done with your pathetic attempts? Just accept your fate", how rude "Believe me, I'll end this soon!", "You fool!" Margit came running towards me, exactly what I want, I cast the pyromancy Flame Swathe, a small fireball appeared between Margit and me, he tried to stop but it was too late, the fireball started to spin and exploded in his face, I ran towards the smoke of the explosion, with the weapon art and the halberd in flames, I impaled the spot where I thought Margit was, I stopped suddenly, I saw Margit's hand holding the halberd's hilt, for a moment I thought my plan had failed, but when the smoke cleared, I saw that the point of the halberd had pierced Margit through her heart.
Margit began to disappear. "I will remember you, Undead, you and your cursed sorcery. Burning with your scanty flame, cower in fear of the night. The hands of the Fell Omen will not tolerate you." He finally disappeared, I received runes and a bag, but I didn't feel any soul entering my body, Margit still lives, the castle is just ahead, let's see what awaits me.
I lit the Grace on the bridge, and climbed the stairs to the castle, the place was a mess. A battle happened here? There was another Grace at the castle gates, I touched it, and I think I'll get some rest.
END OF CHAPTER
Thanks for reading my story, English is not my first language, leave your comments with opinions and tips for the story.
Until the next chapter.