There was a man crying out for help atop a piece of a ruin lodged into the side of a cliff. I was taking a walk in the Mistwood Outskirts until I heard a scream for help. It was a blond man dressed in fair purple and he was calling out to nobody in the middle of the woods with his hands emphasizing every word as if he was in some sort of theater production.
"Hello? Is anybody there?" he asked, "Is there someone interested in rescuing the great Kenneth Haight, servant to the true Order, and celebrated repudiator of the false?! O Erdtree, grant me succour!"
Should I just sneak past him? I don't think he would want my help but I guess I could at least ask him.
"Hello," I said, waving to him, "You need some assistance?"
His eyes immediately brightened up and he said, "Ah, you've come to lend me your aid, have you?" Then I saw his eyes flash up and down as he looked at me over again. The light and joy I felt from him instantly left.
"Well, that's very kind, but, um…"
"But what?"
"Uh, no, no. Th-the help is very much appreciated. Even from a Tarnished."
"Excuse me?"
"Forget I said a word," he told me, "Despite appearances, nobility is no prerequisite to serving the true Order. You might have heard of me. Kenneth Haight. Next in line as the rightful ruler of Limgrave."
I have never heard of you.
"If you were to help me, I would have a boon for you," he said "I want you to take back my fort. It lies to the south, beyond the Mistwood. A knight commander from Stormveil took it. A fool, and plumb mad to boot. Simply obsessed with blood!"
"With blood?"
"He practicies a repugnant art. He's like a butcher who thought his true vocation was painting. His sword governs the flow of blood and he uses it in combat."
"What?"
"My fort must be drenched in gore! How horrible!" he cried.
"You want me to go against that?" I asked disbelievingly.
"Are you saying you are not capable, Tarnished? Can you not do for me one favor?"
"You're asking me to reclaim a fort, Mr. Kenneth Haight."
"Everyone at Fort Haight is under the command from that one knight. Slay him and they will all scatter. At least, I believe so"
I suppose if I back down from this challenge, it'll look bad especially after defeating Margit, the Fell Omen. I guess I could help this guy out.
"I would help you out, Kenneth," I said, "But you say that you're next in line to be ruler of Limgrave. Are you in any way related to Godrick the Grafted?"
"Godrick? That atrocity? Oh heavens no. Honestly, Godrick's nothing more than a jumped up country bumpkin. Lord? Don't make me laugh."
"Those are bold words against someone who seems to have total control over Limgrave," I replied.
"Hah, let me tell you something, friend. He once hid himself amongst the womenfolk to flee the capital, then hid from Radahn in that castle. He also insulted Malenia, lost to her in battle, only to lick her boots rather than die like a man."
So it seems even tyrants can have their mortifying moments.
"And to think he's the blood of Godfrey! Last of the Golden Lineage, though you wouldn't know it looking at him. I almost feel sorry for the chap the more I think of it."
Those names have been thrown around by many of the Roundtable Hold members. Radahn, Malenia, Godfrey, Marika, and many more. These were names that held power and the true respect and fear of the people. I wonder who they are. Gideon would know.
"Well," I said, "That is certainly enlightening."
"That grafted fool does not deserve to sit upon the throne of Stormveil. Limgrave deserves better than him."
"Have you seen him?" I asked, "What is he like?"
"One word: revolting. He is nothing like how a lord should present himself," Kenneth told me, "Anyway, what are you waiting for? A kiss goodbye? Go forth and take back my fort."
"So, Tarnished, what is thy business here in the Mistwood?" Melina asked. I was pacing back and forth trying to think up a game plan. I saw Fort Haight in the distance with banners holding Godrick's colors. Wooden spike barricades were placed tactically on the path that led up to the castle. Soldiers stood dutifully at their posts and when I looked to the top of the fort, I saw a soldier who stood out above all the rest. He's definitely the commander.
"I'm here to take back that fort for someone," I said to Melina, "A someone by the name of Kenneth Haight. Know of him?"
"The nobleman?"
"Yeah, probably," I said, "I was told to take back his fort from its usurpers."
"Did you ask what you would get in return?"
"Not… really."
"Foolish," she quipped.
"Hey! Don't people like it when you do things out of the kindness of your heart? Cut me some slack."
"It is a waste of time, time better spent hunting down Godrick."
"Well, maybe I'm just not ready."
"Thou hast slain the Fell Omen. Godrick, by comparison, will be but vermin."
"I heard the same thing from Haight."
"So I can only conclude that you are waiting on something else. Someone else perhaps? Is this true?"
I sighed. Roderika. I promised her that when I went into Stormveil, I would bring her along with me to finally free her of her metaphorical shackles. It seems Master Hewg and Roderika have something in common; they're both prisoners in their own way. I see Roderika sitting at her station for spirit tuning and see joy. She reads books, she experiments, and she learns each and every day. However, I can tell that she thinks she's not yet ready to do spirit tuning full time. She has work left unfinished and she won't go on until it's done. The symbol to that is Godrick and he's still alive.
"It's Roderika." Melina nodded in acknowledgement. "I don't know if I should bring her to Stormveil yet. She's still mourning and I'm not exactly the strongest pillar to lean against in times of tragedy."
"Roderika holds thee in high regard," she said, "Perhaps you will be what she needs to gain her strength."
"I'm pretty weak though."
"Hmm? We've been training up your body for months. Thy strength has exponentially increased from the power of runes-"
"I'm not talking about that," I said, "I'm weak at talking to people. I doubt I would provide any sort of comfort to Roderika. How am I supposed to help? Her close friends died; that's not something I'm equipped to help her through. Besides, she has Master Hewg as her mentor now. She doesn't need me in any way."
I went back to surveying the castle, trying to find the least stupid thing that I could do. That commander at the top was drenched in blood and red droplets leaked from his hands. Eugh, gross. He shouted at his men. I don't think he was giving orders but rather threats.
"I do not believe that to be the case and I do not think Roderika does either. You became one of her companions at exactly the right time. When she was at her lowest, darkest point, you and I found her in that broken down shack and you lifted her up. Who says that she must cast you aside for Master Hewg?"
"I see your point but sometimes, I make things worse trying to help." It reminded me of high school. Those years were fun but dotted with moments of utter embarrassment and despair. There was once a guy who was much smarter than me that got his first B on a test. He was devastated and I tried speaking to him telling him that it wasn't a big deal. However, I did not sense that my attempts at compassion were irritating him. Eventually, he blew up at me saying things like "What would you know? You're just an idiot who can't get higher than a B!" and "Do you know how hard it is for me to see my GPA plummet because of his?!" and more. Of course, I don't think he meant all of what he said to me though I think we avoided each other after that.
"We shall see," Melina said, "But I think it wise to speak with Roderika soon."
"I'll think about it. Right now, I have a fort to take."
"Then allow me to aid in this endeavor. What have you thought of so far?"
"To be honest… absolutely nothing. I'm completely blanking."
"We shall wait till nightfall. Meanwhile, we will scheme and plan our attack," she said, revealing a unique dagger she hid in her cloak. It had a distinct curve and there were scratches on it telling me it was quite old.
Melina would be fighting alongside me tonight! I better make sure I'm at my best.
Fort Haight held no peace. Screams could be heard from private rooms and the guards were quivering out of fear. There was a giant corpse of some monstrous quadruped splayed across the floor drained of its blood.
On the upper level, I saw Melina look down at where I was hiding. I gave her a thumbs up and she titled her head to the side quizzically. Right, I never told her what that meant.
"Listen up!" I heard. Quickly, I rushed into the obscurity of shadows and watched as the knight commander walked down the stairs of the fort with lofty and heavy steps. His body was completely covered in golden armor and a massive shield was held on his back. The sword he carried was dripping, slathered in red. "I need some volunteers to donate blood to me. I've run out and I'm getting tired of substituting human blood with the blood of rats. So would any of you be so kind as to step up?"
The soldiers stiffened and no noise was heard except the sound of crickets. So he uses blood for fighting? That's horrific. I looked up to where Melina was previously standing to see that she had disappeared from that spot.
They were all so close to me. It seemed as if I made so much as a squeak, I could be found out. The eerie grayness and smell of blood did not help either. That knight commander trudged back and forth impatiently waiting for an answer.
I needed to take them all out one by one. Melina was taking care of the upper level and I needed to pick off the ground level. It was not going to be so easy.
"Well?!" the commander interrogated, "Don't be so scared. I would only need a little cut." Discussion between the soldiers began. A tiny cut didn't sound so bad but it was honestly a bit creepy.
Eventually, one brave soldier raised his arm and announced, "I'll offer up my hand."
"Good, good, thank you," the commander said, "Come here." The imposing brute took his large sword and gently made an incision in the grunts hand. "A brilliant crimson flow," he said, "It has a bright luster in the light of flame. Your lifeblood soaks into your skin in such a pleasing way. Oh, how great it is."
"Is that all you need, sir?" the soldier asked hesitantly.
"The stream that flows from this small cut cannot satiate my curiosity and… hunger. It is merely a small creek." A sharp shriek cut through the air. The knight commander had sliced off the poor man's hand. "I need a lake of blood. Ah, yes, look how much more is coming out of you now like a dam broken through."
"AH! AH! AHHHHH! AHHHHHH!"
"Hush. Do you not see the beautiful sight that you have contributed to." I hid there terrified by what I just witnessed. The blood was spurting everywhere and all over the commander's armor. A sense of dread overtook all of the other soldiers including me. "Now, come with me."
The knight took the agonized man into a chamber and the door locked. I felt bad for these men having a leader such as that.
"So, what do we do now?" one of the soldiers said.
"What else can we do but get back to work," another replied.
"We could always just run."
"Shhhh! Don't say that. Do you know what Lord Godrick would do to us if he found out we deserted?! Do you wanna be grafted?!"
"No, ew! Don't even say that. That's disgusting."
"He might not even graft you to himself. He might sow you onto those repulsive scions."
"I get it, I get it! I don't wanna hear more about it. Let's just get back-" A bright, orange light bloomed and then turned to smoke. "What was that?!" Someone must have thrown a firebomb.
"We got an enemy in the fort!" a guy shouted, alerting everyone, "From the looks of it, it's a woman in a dark cloak! She's fast! Come help!"
Every man took up arms and dashed upstairs to go assist their comrades. Well, Melina just gave me the opportunity to go pay a little visit to the commander.
So I emerged from my hiding spot and ran to the room where I saw the knight enter. Before I entered, I stopped after hearing desperate begging and pleads from the inside.
"No, please! Why are you doing this?!"
"Lord Godrick gave me the authority to do as I wish with blood so long as I keep this fort. My discoveries so far have been fascinating. Your suffering is not in vain."
"Let me out!"
"You're just delirious. Once you see what I will be able to do, you will be glad that I've done this for you."
"You're insane." A howl of extreme pain erupted from within the room. It made me wince.
I couldn't stand listening to it so I kicked in the door and I was met with a disturbing torture room covered in crimson. Rusty, metal utensils were carefully lined up on trays and in the middle of the chamber was a wooden table where the man was bound to, splayed out like an animal. Large cutting devices were hung up on the walls next to him.
"An intruder? Well, you're just another source of blood," the commander said, gripping his sword. I leapt at him and tackled him to the ground. Aiming my blade directly at his neck, I prepared to end his life and his sick practice along with him.
The knight clasped my blade and in the process cut himself; the blood began flowing unnaturally out of his palm and fingers. The fluid floated in the air and then fell upon the commander's sword covering it in a thin layer.
I felt a cold line trail across my body; his sword had slashed my armor right open cutting into my chest. He kicked me off and stood back up. I gripped at my chest feeling my own warm blood seep out of the crack.
"Oh, blessing, blessing," he said, "I serve two lords yet answer to a lady. She will be pleased to be supplied with your blood."
I couldn't focus on his words as I felt my muscles lock up and every little movement I made would send a sudden shock of pain through me.
I looked up and saw the small, black eyeholes of the man's helmet as he towered above me. He stared at me and I at him. I looked to the poor man on the table and I saw the fear in his eyes. How was Melina doing by herself? I did not know.
The commander knight inched closer and said, "Fine blood. Luminary Mohg would be delighted."
"Mohg?" I asked.
"Yes, Mohg. A faithful lord he is. He was the one who gave me power over life. Power over blood."
"You're twisted," I said, using the wall to get back up. I could feel more blood exiting my wound. How much of it could I lose before blacking out?
"There's a thin line between twisted and enlightened. That line is understanding. You must see how brilliant having control over blood is to feel its flow and power. The red color that sustains life can be controlled and changed if only you have the ambition to use it."
"You would do it even if you cause others to suffer?"
"To see myself live, I have to see them bleed. The world provides a great many monsters. The only way to survive is to rise above."
"And become a monster yourself?"
"Monsters only answer to force," he said. Blood swirled around his blade in a helix shape. My judgment was severely impaired; every time I tried to think it would be interrupted by a short burst of sharp pain. "You are but a lamb terrified of power. You are too afraid of what it takes to become powerful. This blood will show you the light."
I reached into my pouch and threw a small dagger at him which dug into his leg. Then I rushed out the door. I heard him let out a primal roar as he chased after me. I didn't want to look back at him so I just kept running forward towards the stairs that led up.
"Come here, little lamb!" he shouted, "You do not step into my slaughterhouse and get away with it." This guy was crazy!
I climbed the stairs and to the ground of the second level. The commander was not far behind and followed me onto a flat open space. My heart sunk in my chest as I felt a cold sense of despair. My open cut was gushing red and my sword arm felt numb.
"You're hurt!" That voice was not the commander's; it was Melina's. She had, through unnatural forces, appeared right next to me.
"Always right on time, aren't you?" I said.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner."
"No, no," I said, failing to massage my aching gash, "Don't worry about that." Now that she was next to me, the knight commander didn't look so scary.
"A Tarnished and his maiden?" he said, "Such a precious sight."
"Ready yourself, Tarnished," Melina urged me. My chest was still searing but, nonetheless, I brought up my sword and awaited the commander's first move.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure to hang up both of your bodies next to each other once I deal with you two. Oh, I can already see it!"
"Oh, yeah, forgot to tell you, this guys a bit out of his mind," I told Melina.
"I have already deduced that," she said, "We shall take him together." Melina's curved dagger glowed with a bright gold radiance. What was she up to. It didn't take long before I saw what she was doing as she launched a magic arc!
"What kinda dagger is that?!" I asked.
"Focus, Nathaniel," she scolded.
"Right." Unfortunately, the knight blocked the golden arc with his hefty shield. Okay, me and Melina need to just sync up, I guess. Is that how fighting with others works? It worked with Roderika so it could probably work again.
There was no time to think about how I was going to fight as the commander charged at us. It was do or die.
I ducked under his sword and grappled him as I tried to use my weight to bring him to the ground. This backfired as he was much more sturdy than I thought and he shook me off and pushed me right into Melina.
"Ugh!" I heard her groan.
"You all right?" I asked.
"Just fine," she replied. Melina jumped up into the air and in a flurry of deadly grace, sliced the knight with her dagger. Most cuts deflected off his armor but some penetrated through. I went in for stab with my sword; I was slower than usual allowing him to dodge and bash me with his shield. Melina was extremely agile as she leapt into the air with swan-like elegance and attacked him with experienced precision. I recovered from maybe the minor concussion he gave me and sliced upward at him. I managed to make a small incision in him but then someone bumped into me and shoved me. Melina had accidentally ran into me. My balance was a little shot due to the gaping slice in my chest.
The knight commander drew blood onto his blade and, with a maniacal cry, slashed at us; the blood shot forward in a wave. I put my arms up to block but it didn't matter. The blood was sharp? It was also unbearably hot and scorching. I gritted my teeth. My eyes darted to Melina to check up on her. She had thankfully evaded the blood.
"Wonderful, isn't it?" he said, "Greatness is held within us all. The very liquid that gives us the ability to live can give us the power to make it easier to live in this dark world."
"You use the blood of others," I told him, "You take away their futures, their lives. Do you seriously think that this power is good?"
"It's either red or black," he said, "Pick whichever you fancy."
"You say that this control over blood is so great because it makes it easier to gain power. Is a power that takes more lives than it saves so great?"
"Not everyone can be powerful," he said, "Not all are destined for throneship."
"Not everyone should be killed for your sake either," I argued.
"I don't see why not," he said, "Survival of the fittest-" Melina had grown impatient with his talk and launched a golden arc at him, cutting through his shield this time.
"ARGHHH!" he bellowed. Then she pounced on him about to drive her dagger into his head. Before she could do that, he threw her off. He then decided to focus on me. That feeling of being targeted was something that was distinct. Like a small calf being singled out from the herd by an apex predator. That primal fear clutched me in its cold grip.
The knight planted his feet on the ground in a firm posture, blood cocooning his sword once more. He was fast; I was not. There was no way that I was gonna get out of the way in time. Grh, that cut was starting to have a cold, dry feel to it.
I braced myself to meet another wave of cutting blood; the commander sent an arc. I closed my eyes and looked away, waiting. However, an attack never came. Once I opened my eyes, I saw Melina in front of me.
Not stopping to think, I thrust forward at the knight and landed a solid stab into his abdomen. His blood was spilt for his crimes against his fellow humans.
"No," he said, "This cannot be. Mohg, my lord, please forgive me. Even with your power, I was felled." After that, I saw him drop onto the ground.
"Oh, man," I said, "Tough fight, don't you think?" I turned to see Melina drenched in blood; her own blood. His attack had cut through her cloak and garments.
"Melina?" I said, concerned.
"I'm all right," she replied, lowering herself onto the ground, "A simple flesh wound will not end me."
My eyes zeroed in on her and I saw that it was much more than that.
"Melina, it's much more serious than that," I told her, first checking her hands and arms, then taking a look at the cuts on her stomach. There was vicious bleeding and Melina was beginning to look a little dazed. "Can you bring us to the Roundtable Hold?"
"It's all right, Tarnished-"
"Melina!"
She was suddenly quiet until she then nodded and held onto my hand.
I'm so sorry that I let this happen to you.
"Corhyn, where are you?!" I shouted as soon as we arrived, "Roderika, can you bring a large piece of cloth to lay on the ground?!"
"What's going on?" I heard from Roderika in the other room. She came in and saw the bleeding Melina in my arms. Roderika gasped and hurried to bring a mat for Melina to lie on. Corhyn was sitting at the Roundtable studying his mystic incantations.
He said, "What happened?"
"Do you have any healing magic or something?!"
"Calm down, Nathaniel. Yes, I do have healing magic. It seems you're also in need of it."
"Just heal her!"
"What's all this noise about?" the familiar, gruff voice of Gideon Ofnir said, "Stone the crows, the maiden's dead."
"She's not dead!" I reprimanded, "I'm having Corhyn heal her."
"Someone cut her up truely like and animal. What were you doing, Tarnished?" he asked.
"It doesn't matter now," I said, "My enemy had magic control over blood and this was the result."
"Blood magic is not mere child's play."
"I know that!" I told him.
"No, you don't. Mark well and listen, do not play with blood magic. You would surely catch the attention of the Lord of Blood, Mohg." Corhyn used his seal to summon the holy magic of the Golden Order. A bright, yellow light bursted from his hand as small gold particles began circling around Melina in the air.
"I don't know who this Lord of Blood is," I said, "I'm not going to touch his dominion."
"Golden Order, prithee shine upon us today," Corhyn whispered, "Heal this Tarnished's maiden; let not their bond be broken." His seal glowed even brighter and I could see his power being placed on Melina's wounds. The blood slowly began receding back into her body and the cuts began sealing up. Soon enough, the only blood that could be seen was the dried blood on her clothes.
I let out my held breath as I saw one of Melina's eyes open. Roderika gripped her hand and squeezed it.
"You needed not to heal me," she said, "It would have been fine."
"Do not dismiss our deed to you," Gideon told her, "You would have died from shock if Nathaniel had not brung you here."
"Yeah, Melina, take care of yourself," I said.
"He's also a hypocrite," Ofnir chastised, "Not only does he have great lacerations on him, he also has burns. If you want to preserve your lifespan, Tarnished, I recommend Corhyn do some healing on you." Sir Ofnir then exited the room while Corhyn placed his hand on my shoulder and began healing me.
Melina said, "Nathaniel, I'm sorry you got hurt."
"Stop it," I said, "We were both trying to look out for each other out there. I sort of failed at that."
"I did too," she said.
We both nodded.
"Thank you for healing her, Corhyn," I said to him, making sure not to let Melina hear.
"You're always welcome," he said. I felt his magic begin stitching me up from the inside and I felt my weakness fade away. "It would have been tragic for any one of you to have perished. I know the importance of a maiden to a Tarnished especially you two. There is a special connection between the two of you."
"What is that supposed to mean."
"I can see in your behaviour that you trust her immensely."
"What about Melina?"
"She's harder to read so I do not know her thoughts about you," he said, "But I do know that if she's willing to go out and fight with you and get cut up, there has to be some semblance of respect and trust."
"I see," I said. Corhyn had just finished up and I did a few stretches to test his healing out. It was amazing how I felt renewed and fresh.
"Be more careful out there," Corhyn advised.
"Hey, I didn't go out wanting to get this beat up by some psycho."
"'Tis the way of the Lands Between," he chuckled.
"You know it," I said. Corhyn left to return to his studies and I looked at Roderika and Melina having a conversation. Melina had a very confused look as Roderika was trying to explain something to her.
"Roderika," I said, "Can you and I have a private conversation." I had thought a lot about what Melina said. Roderika may never have peace until justice is brought down on Godrick. I would be heading to Stormveil after I report back to Kenneth Haight.
I need to bring her along. Godrick is not mine to kill. Roderika has lost much more to him than me. I could never take that justice away from her.
Melina's POV
Nathaniel had just asked Roderika to speak in private. I knew what he was doing and I was glad that he was talking with her. I touched my chest where all my previous cuts were. I would not regret what I did. Nathaniel is the Tarnished that I have made an accord with. Even though he has the power of grace, he could lose it at any time. The Greater Will and the Two Fingers are quite unpredictable.
It is my duty as a maiden to be his guidance and protector to help him become Elden Lord. However, he will leave back to his own world he says. My Tarnished will not remain as the new lord of the Lands Between. It made me somewhat sad knowing this fact. After all, what was I helping him for if he was just going to leave? And I guess it is… fun… to be around him. I suppose I will miss that too.
Goodness, what was I thinking?
