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?

17. ARC IV: CHAPTER 4

ARC IV:

CHAPTER 4:

WIELDER OF THE SUN

FARUM AZULA, THE FIELDS OF SACRIFICE

1994 YEARS BEFORE THE SHATTERING

Illustrated Version available on AO3

Elden Lord Solras.

The Wielder of the Sun himself.

The air around the area becomes significantly hotter due to his presence, his body emitting heat encased in his armored body. He turns his head in Rags's direction slowly, immediately recognizing the presence within him as well as the sword he wields.

" Εσύ. "

Rags could only stare in awe and dread as Solras turns fully in his direction. He was now in the attention of a living god, one of the most powerful ones in existence. He kept the Godslayer trained on Solras, thinking that it might be the only weapon that may actually harm him.

"Shit... Fuck me..."

THE ELDEN LORD OF THE GOLDEN ORDER.

HERE?

INTERESTING.

VERY INTERESTING.

Solras approaches Rags slowly, his every step burning the ground beneath him. Rags raises his alert and was prepared to fight if required, even if he didn't stand a chance.

" Φοβερός λύκος. Φέρνει το σκοτάδι. "

"What?" Rags could not understand the language of Solras, for it was an ancient tongue only used in the lands of Numen. He could only prepare himself for any Solras would throw at him. "I don't speak your nonsense. Use the common tongue or get the fuck out of my way."

Solras stops halfway and tilted his head at Rags's response, clearly understanding his words despite not speaking it. His eyes slightly glow golden orange but soon disappears, knowing that Rags possesses a weapon that could counter his attacks.

" Το τι έχετε εξαπολύσει στον κόσμο δεν με αφορά. Είμαι εδώ για το δαχτυλίδι των Έλντεν. "

"What the fuck you on about?"

FOR YOUR SAKE, I WILL TRANSLATE.

HE IS HERE FOR THE ELDEN RING.

Rags hears the beast speaking to him with his mind, telling him of Solras's intentions. The Elden Ring was not his concern nor priority at this point, he did not even know what it was. "I'm not here for your damn ring. I'm looking for someone here. Now fucking move."

" Ένα numen, υποθέτω." Solras considers what Rags wanted by guessing his intentions here. No one would be mad enough to travel through the Black Wastes for a single person unless they were truly here. " Δυστυχώς, δεν μπορώ να το επιτρέψω αυτό. "

HE IS REFUSING US PASSAGE.

HE WILL STAND IN OUR WAY.

Rags groans in frustration as the beast translates. He did not want to deal with this now when he was so close to finding Marika. "I don't have the fucking time for this. Now GET."

Solras simply shakes his head slowly in refusal. His wings slowly stretched out as he senses Rags becoming more aggressive in his behavior. Both Rags and Solras were not in alignment with their goals.

" Οι Numens υποχρεούνται να διατηρούν το δαχτυλίδι. Η εύθραυστη κατάστασή του βρίσκεται στο χείλος της καταστροφής. Δεν θα το ρισκάρω αυτό. "

"The fuck is he saying now?" Rags awaited the beast's translation, only to be left hanging for a few moments. "Hey! What did he say?! "

DOES IT MATTER?

HE IS AGAINST US.

WHICH DETERS OUR PATH.

So what the fuck do we do? Rags remains in his attack stance as Solras did not move an inch. His mind debated on a plan of attack. Clearly, Solras was not about to move along and leave him to search in the area to find Marika, so a fight was the next possible scenario.

KILL HIM.

Just like that? The beast suggested making the first move. It was a plan that Rags would be doing if he knew exactly how to fight Solras, an opponent that is basically a God. Are you fucking kidding me? I don't have time for this!

MAKE. TIME.

THE DRAGON GOD IS NOT HERE.

AND I NEED A GREAT RUNE.

AND ONLY ONE LIES BEFORE US.

Rags could understand where the beast was asking. Killing Solras would fulfill the task it wanted. A Great Rune was what it had sought since merging with Rags and the closest one now was from Solras himself since the Dragon God's absence.

HIS GREAT RUNE IS WITHIN REACH.

KILL HIM.

AND YOU WILL BE FREE TO PURSUE YOUR PRECIOUS NUMEN.

AND I WILL HAVE MY PRIZE.

It was true. There was no way Solras would not interfere in his search, considering that he was currently standing in Rags's way. There was only one way forward at this point.

And that was through Solras himself.

With the Godslayer in hand, Rags could actually have a chance to combat Solras. He did not know what exactly he was dealing with when it comes to Solras. The Elden Lord wielded no weapons and had abilities Rags was not familiar with.

Nonetheless, Rags came up with a rough plan in his mind. He peeked into his enchanted bag to see his next weapon within reach, the short-range firearm from Gerhim. Rags only reinforced his battle stance in preparation for a fight.

" Δεν θα γυρίσεις πίσω, λοιπόν? " The body language of Rags was immediately a sign of hostility against Solras. And he understood that well. Solras wings spread out fully to reveal its metallic gold frame, his eyes burning with a glow as he awaited a fight. " Αυτή είναι η τελευταία σας ευκαιρία. Φύγετε. Δεν έχω καμία διαμάχη μαζί σου. "

Rags could not understand Solras's last words but understood their meaning. He does not back down and only tightens his grip on the Godslayer. This was the fight to save his Maiden, and he had come too far to back down now. "No. I'm gonna cut you down. You golden prick. "

Solras let's out a low laugh at his display, amused that Rags would engage in a hopeless battle. His feet lift off the ground slightly with the power of his Great Rune, floating without the use of his wings.

" Πολύ καλά. Τότε ας αφήσουμε τα χέρια μας να συγκρουστούν στη μάχη. Τα δικά μου του ήλιου και τα δικά σου του σκότους. "

" Σε καταριέμαι από τη ζωή. Και σας ευλογώ με το θάνατο. "

" Πέθανε. Αθεοφοβικός"

SOLRAS

WIELDER OF THE SUN

Rags charges at the Sun God in the air, picking up some speed for a jump attack. He leaps into the air with his sword back, hurling a blow toward Solras with all his might.

His attack fails as Solras catches him in mid-air, completely foiling his first attack. Rags was held up by one arm effortlessly by Solras.

"Αυτός είναι ο βρώμικος λύκος? "

Solras performs a throw to hurl Rags away, tossing him entirely to the ground below. The move made Rags crash into several stakes while landing on the ground.

Fuck! Upon stopping his uncontrollable landing, Rags gets to his feet hastily as Solras dives in for downward kick. It misses Rags completely as he rolls to the side, causing Solras to land and create a small crater from the dive kick.

The dust clears and Solras once again came into view. He approached Rags once again while being completely relaxed, the polar opposite of Rags, who instantly defends himself with a guarding stance.

"Αξιολύπητο."

Rags quickly switches his false arm into the Blooming shield attachment. He goes in for the offensive again with a series of attacks ranging from slash to strike and stabs, mixing it up with his retractable shield for bashes. His attack does little to no damage as Solras easily dodges his sword or blocks them with his golden wings.

His attack soon ceased when Solras returned the offensive. Rags was soon driven back as Solras uses his wings as a weapon, performing stabs and waves of slashes with his wings as sharp as blades.

Rags parries and deflects the wings with everything he has using his greatsword, matching the attacks even with its unseen speed. Solras finishes off his assault with a spin, performing a torrent of attacks that stagger Rags while guarding.

It forces Rags retreats from the last attack and prepares for the next assault. He picks on an attack pattern and learns of the opening he could use. With his shield and the Godslayer ready, Rags runs forth again as his wounds heal.

Solras was ready for his assault and deters Rags as he has previously done. In between their exchange of blocks and strikes, Rags sees his window to attack open multiple times but we're too fast to close. He falls back a little and charges again for another attack. This time he changes up his strategy and starts using his fists, focusing on using his false arm.

Come on! Take the bait!

Rags swings his hands against Solras in many attempts to let Solras fall into his trap. Rags eventually succeeds as his Solras grabs his false hand's fist mid punch.

He activated his shield fully to hit Solras in the head and it manages to temporarily stun the God. Rags grab the Godslayer on his back and swings down on Solras with a blow aimed at his shoulder.

PING!

Rags strikes down hard but the Godslayer immediately bounces back due to the redirection of his strength back to him. The greatsword vibrates his hands as the attack was not able to penetrate Solras's armored shell.

"Argh! What the?!" The Godslayer takes a while to stop its vibration from the hit as Solras recovers from the blow. He stands unharmed and swiftly charges at Rags, grabbing him by the neck once again.

" Αρκετά."

Solras deliver a single palm strike on Rags's chest, sending him flying back at great speed. His travel in the air sees him smash through stakes and debris as Solras's strike sends him to the other side of the field.

"Argh... Fuck!" Rags recovers quickly once more and observe the Sun God taking to the air to approach him while up high. Rags scrambled as he searched his enchanted bag once more for his other weapon that would give him an edge.

He retrieved the Gating Gun and took aim at Solras, turning the hand crank furiously to fire off a rapid flow of projectiles. The bullet rained fire upon Solras as he floats, deflecting off him endlessly as it was useless against his armor.

Are you fucking kidding me?!

The Gating Gun soon overheats and Rags had expanded all his rounds on the Golden God. His efforts were in vain, however, as Solras showed no viable damage nor signs of pain from the attempt. He was completely unfazed by Rags's efforts to attack him thus far.

" Πόσο απογοητευτικό. Περίμενα περισσότερα."

Solras hovers slightly lower as he prepares his own attack. His eyes glowed brighter as he taps into the power he received from the sun itself, imbued in his Great Rune.

" Δεν αξίζει τον χρόνο μου. "

His eyes glowed even brighter this time as the power of his Great Rune surfaced.

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

The area lit up in a crimson glow and was polluted by a deafening sound as fire spews out of Solras's eyes in the form of energy beams. The beams came to Rags and he dodges out of the way as it came.

"Ah! Fuck!"

The constant flow from Solras's eyes tracked Rags on the ground as he runs to avoid it. It crosses through stakes to cut them in half, burning every inch of the ground it touches, and follows Rags as he focused on avoiding the beams.

He runs for the sake of his life with the very fiber of his energy. Despite his invincibility by the Beast's powers, Rags did not want to be caught by the beams as it cuts down everything in its path. He runs in circles and intervals in between the endless flow of beams.

Solras continues his attack until his eyes burst out a final blast of rays, leaving it to emit smoke in the aftermath. Solras finally lands as his eyes finally stop its beams. The attack left the area completely decimated, with dozens of stakes cut down.

Rags remain prone on the ground after Solras loses sight of him. He slowly crawls to view Solras at a better angle while still maintaining cover. Dragging his sword to his side, Rags observes the Sun God in a docile state, as if recovering from the usage of his beams.

"Damn it... Gonna get close. " He pulls out his hand cannon to use as a standalone weapon and switches his hand into the sword whip part. He takes a few breaths to recover as more of his wounds heal, slowly reverting Rags to his optimum state. His mind comes out with ideas on how to take on Solras.

BE CAREFUL.

EVEN I CANNOT SAVE YOU FROM DECAPITATION.

You don't say... The threat of a permanent death was more likely now than ever as the beast could not regenerate limbs or body parts that Rags loses. And Solras has the ability to cut Rags in half if he gets a clean hit.

Rags peeks once more as Solras was still idle. He grabs his sword firmly and slowly enters a couch position. His observation of Solras led him to believe that the usage of his beams required a cool down after excessive use. Meaning that Solras was in a vulnerable state at the moment.

OK... OK... Here goes...

Rags musters up and starts a charge to Solras again, raising his sword behind him as he runs at full speed. His approach was noticed as Solras becomes active again, running into a sprint as well.

They meet in close quarters again and swing their offenses at one another to reignite their clash. Rags with the Godslayer and Solras with the sun itself.

Rags lands hits that Solras deflects with his fists and wings. They get into an exchange of blows at a rapid pace, greatsword upon golden wings. Rags makes his swings and slash harder with each proceeding hit, using his built-up momentum to try and overwhelm Solras.

They fight at an almost equal level as Rags dodges and ducks every attack, while Solras remains unharmed due to his impenetrable armor. Both were not able to get a clean hit on the other.

To Rags, this was a nearly impossible battle because Solras never seem to get tired and was effortlessly matching his speed. His window of attack opens a few times but quickly closes as Solras had used his oversized wings to created an effective barrier for all his attacks, moving in sync to match anywhere an attack comes from.

It has to be now! Rags pulls back swiftly and rushes forth for a sweeping strike, attempting to bait Solras into exposing his face. The plan works as Solras places his wings low to open up his head.

"Eat it! " Rags points his cannon straight at Solras's face and pull on the string to fire. The attack fires off at point blank to temporarily stun Solras from the impact of the blast, creating an opening to attack.

Rags back steps to a short distance, and points his sword forward, preparing it for a stab. He runs faster and dives the sword aiming at the armored chest of Solras to pierce it through.

CING!

The attack strikes true and delivers enough force to actually make Solras lose his balance for a moment. Its effect lasted too short as Solras quickly grabs the blade of the Godslayer and does not let go. Rags take to chance to push the sword toward him without restraint. He managed to forcefully make Solras drag his feet backward in an attempt to stop his charge and was soon halted when Solras drove his metal wings into the ground.

" Εντυπωσιακό. Αλλά όχι αρκετά καλό. "

Solras pushes the blade out of his way and grabs Rags by his head to violently slam him to the ground. He then stomps his feet on Rags's head mercilessly in an attempt to finish him off.

Rags returned the attack by grabbing Solras's feet in the last stomp. He pointed his hand cannon again and fires off the second load. The explosion caused knocked Rags out of his pinned position, throwing him over to a distance out of Solras's way.

The smoke created from the blast concealed Solras for a moment as Rags slowly gets to his feet. As the smoke clears, Rags could see the result of his last attacks.

Not a single scratch.

"For. Fuck. Sake." Solras suffered no damage from his assault, even from the blast of his cannon. The Godslayer could not hurt Solras despite its legendary status, for the sun god's armored body was almost invincible.

Almost, invincible. For upon a second look, Rags could make out the signs of minor damage. Small dents that highlighted almost unseen to the naked eye.

Well... Would you look at that? He adjusted his grip on his sword and turns it to the flat side. Knowing that the edge of the sword was not enough to penetrate Solras, Rags devise a different way to use the greatsword.

As Solras slowly turns in his direction, Rags charges yet again without any show of restraint. He drags the Godslayer along the ground to build up his momentum as it craves the dirt, its indestructible material unfazed by the rocky earth.

Solras remains still as Rags comes towards him with his weapon. For he was confident that he would remain unhurt by any of Rags's attacks.

" Ανόητος. Δεν μπορείς να αγγίξεις- "

BING!

Rags swings the Godslayer and strikes Solras in the head with the flat side of its blade. The attack manages to stagger Solras greater than last time due to its increased surface area.

"Ha! You're fucked! " Rags continues the assaults and strikes several more blows on Solras. Using the legendary Greatsword as a blunt weapon rather than its edge. His strength, combined with the Godslayer's dense material, made for a good improvised blunt weapon that hits harder than a usual war hammer.

His attack continues against Solras, who starts to parry with his wings, blocking the attacks while some went through to hit him as the effectiveness of Rags's new strategy was catching him off guard.

The constant vibrations to his armored body were causing Solras distress. As Rags was doing the near impossible for a mere man to do.

He was hurting a God.

" ΑΡΚΕΤΆ! "

Solras retaliates back, casting an incantation that creates a blast of golden shockwave around him, causing Rags to be thrown back due to him being caught in the radius. He lands on his feet from a distance as Solras recovers from his last attacks.

Heh. He definitely hurting now.

Rags does not let up and starts advancing again. He notices that Solras had his eyes glowing in bright orange again and assume that he was about to fire off his beams once again. A risk was taken as he makes a charge straight for Solras before he could fire his beams.

He swings his greatsword once again towards Solras's head, smacking the sun God with the flat side before he could begin his attack. Another strategy was adopted by Rags, who constantly rolls and dodges to stay behind Solras. The plan worked as Solras was struck in a cycle of trying to turn and attack Rags while being hindered by attacks, making his attempt to fire off his eye beams a difficult task as Rags was repeatedly avoiding his gaze.

" Σταματήστε. Το απαιτώ. "

His words were ignored as Rags continues his assault, with the Godslayer living up to its name to harm Solras even if he was still unwounded or uncut by its blades. A strong slam was swung onto his torso and the attack staggers Solras greater, causing him to drop to a knee.

The opportunity came to Rags as Solras was on his knee. He rushes forward and activated his sword whip in its straight form. With good momentum from his charge, he clenched his fist to deliver an uppercut to Solras's chin, intending to drive the sword whip through his head.

CRAK!

The attack fails as the swordwhip shatters upon impact. It's material too weak to cut through Solras's armor.

"Shit!" Rags sees Solras's eyes fully glow as he was within sight of the Sun God's eyes. He knows he was in no position to dodge the beam and raises the Godslayer into a blocking stance, remembering its ability to negate magic. "Fuck!"

Solras eyes begins to sprew out energy as the beams come out from them.

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

The beams shoots out from his eyes at Rags within a close range. The invisible ward of the Godslayer kicks in and begins blocking the beams as they strike him, reflecting them to the sides where it was blocked.

The force from the beam forces Rags to his knees and he was being pushed back by its enormous pressure. He endures with all his might and strength as Solras continues his attack, for a duration that seemed endless.

Come on! Come on! Hold!

He could feel the heat emitting from the beams as they passed him. Heat like a raging fire beside him. The only hope for Rags was for Solras to overuse his ability and be forced to stop like before.

So he just needed to hold on before the beams kill him for real.

The ward of the Godslayer was starting to fade as it was overusing its ability. Panic starts as Rags could see his protection failing. The Sun powered eye beams was about to hit him and Rags was effectively pinned to a spot trying to hold it off.

"Shit! FUCK!"

A blessing in disguise came as Solras's eyes burst out energy, and his beams stop, causing the Sun god to look away in pain. He had overused his attack again in an effort to hurts Rags with the Godslayer's protection.

A window came for Rags to restart his attacks, and he charges Solras once more. Only to be stopped as Solras managed to grab hold of his neck and lift him up. He struggles in Solras's grip as the Sun refused to let go.

Without a care for consequences, Rags makes a bold move. He begins punching Solras in his face with his false arm. His attack do little to no damage as Solras ignored all of it, unfazed underneath his face helm that was emotionless.

"let go! You! FUCK!"

" Τέρμα τα παιχνίδια. Αγωνιζόμαστε στο επίπεδό μου. "

Without any warning or signs. Solras performs a move that Rags did not see coming.

He leaps into the air with Rags in his grip and flies.

Rags could not move in Solras's grip as they slowly ascended into the sky. The sound of wind blowing through his ears at a rapid rate was all he could hear as Solras was flying up at great speed.

He observed the distance of the ground beneath them grew larger and larger. They broke the sky's limit as Solras took them above the red clouds.

Rags stayed completely still as Solras held him by the neck with a single arm. Any form of struggle would see Solras letting fall to a painful uncertain demise or injury. He could only hold on to the Sun god's arm as he increased his grip on Rags's throat.

"Yo... Yo- Fuck...!"

Solras pulled him closer and their faces came close. A part of him was impressed that Rags had managed to survive this long and actually harm him minorly. A plan of how to inflict Rags as much pain as possible came to his mind, for the air was his domain to masterfully use.

" Αγωνιστήκατε καλά. Δυστυχώς, πρέπει να το τελειώσω αυτό. "

Without warning or indication Rags was forcefully thrown away. His entire body spins uncontrollably as he descends into a free fall from the skies once again.

"AH FUCK! YOUR KIDD-"

His words were interrupted as Solras dashes towards him at lightning speed. He throws a punch that sends him flying away, completely uncontrolled in the air.

Rags was helplessly in the air as he flew upwards this time from the last punch. Only to be sent away again as Solras dashes in from behind for another punch.

A series of attacks came his way by Solras as he starts an interval of punches that from each passing dash in the skies. His attacks essentially kept Rags in the sky with no footing or way to defend himself.

"Fuck!"

Another dash and punch sends him upwards, this time harder as he was sent into an upwards ascent. Rags spins in the air from the hit and went further up. He knows that if he continues being hit, he will lose the fight, even with his undying condition.

He had to try something, regardless of the risk.

Realizing that he didn't have time to aim his hand cannon, Rags devised a different method. He reaches into his enchanted bag within the spin and thinks of the ammunition for the cannon, taking out one of the explosives to use. Solras was coming straight for him and his window was limited for his counterattack.

Here goes!

Rags catches sight of Solras and throw the explosive at him. If what Rags predicted was correct, the heat around Solras's body would set it off.

BOOM!

The explosion occurred as Solras almost reached him, and both of them were caught in the blast radius. It sends Rags flying in another direction while Solras becomes stunned by the sudden impact of the blast, causing him to lose sight of Rags, who was now in a free fall once again.

The blast temporarily knocks Rags out due to its sheer force and he falls unconscious. The wind blowing against his ears from the descent eventually wakes him up, and he sees the ground coming closer to him. No doubt, landing from the height he fell from would render him in pieces.

Shit! With no way to actually land safely, the only way to survive the impact of the fall was to absorb it entirely. With that in mind, Rags slings the Godslayer behind him and retrieved his Blooming Shield, activating it to face it down.

The ground comes closer into view, and Rags braces against his shield in front.

AH... FUC-

He lands with the shield facing down and immediately bounces Rags off as the shield shatters from the impact. He lands hard and rolls a few times from breaking the fall.

Rags quickly gets to his feet and discard the shield entirely as absorbing the impact of the fall had rendered it completely unusable. He was once again back on the field of stakes and looked up to Solras, still in his stunned state up at the sky. Knowing that he was soon come face to face with the Sun God again, Rags reaches back and retrieves the Godslayer to-

Wait...

His hand grabs to nothing, which causes him to look behind his shoulder. And he finally realized that the Godslayer was missing from his back.

"What? What?!" The Godslayer was missing, having fallen out of his hands after the fall. Rags looks around where he stood frantically and could not see any signs of where it landed. He takes a few steps to search nearby in a frenzy, but his efforts turn up nothing as it was nowhere in sight.

"Where...?! Where is it?!"

He searches some more and still had no luck. There weren't even any signs to indicate where it landed.

"WHERE THE FUCK IS IT?!"

His search for his Greatsword continues, knowing that he had no real way to fight Solras without it. A sound from above the skies soon makes Rags turn up to see Solras on his way down, floating down like an angel from the heavens.

" Φοβερός λύκος. Η προσπάθειά σας είναι μάταιη. "

Solras raises his hand to the sky and lightning strikes came from it to strike his hand. His hand holds the lightning as it forms into a spear, and he prepares to strike it into the earth.

" Πέθανε. Και απελπισία. "

The lightning spear was thrown towards the ground and strikes the earth, erupting the site of impact to create a large explosion similar to the one Rags saw in Drangleic. Rags knows the blast was incoming and he was going to be caught in its radius, prompting him to run in the opposite direction of where it came from.

He looks back during the run and sees the blast catching up to him. The appearance of a large rock makes Rags think of using it as cover and he quickly runs to get in front of it. He ducks,- and the blast came through without harming him, reducing everything in its path to ashes and bones while leaving the rocks untouched but burned.

Rags peeks over again and see Solras landing at a distance, unaware but alert of his possible survival. Rags get back to cover and think of a plan, as quickly as possible, as he was practically in danger from the fight without an effective weapon.

He reached into his enchanted bag to search for anything he could use. His Boomstick and Gating Gun were useless because of Solras's armored body, his hand cannon was down to a single shot which he needed to save, and the weapons and tools provided by Gerhman were either broken or not usable.

Meaning that Rags was completely unarmed against the Sun God. And fighting with his fists would lead to nowhere.

"Shit... Shit! Fuck!" Rags groans quietly in frustration as he couldn't continue to fight without a weapon that would put him on an equal level. His eyes look around the waste and field in front of him to search for a stray weapon, thinking that one would be around the area as it was a abandoned battlefield after all.

"Come on... Come on. Give me something to use."

His eyes scan all around the lands and found nothing of interest or usable condition. Rags eventually spots a shape of a sword in the far distance. Upon a second look, he sees that it was a sword embedded into the skull of a giant long dead dragon. A possible replacement for the Godslayer if it was still intact.

With no viable options left, Rags makes a run to the sword in the far distance without caring if Solras spots him. He runs with all his effort, breathing hard and heavily as he sprints to the weapon ahead.

The shape of the sword comes closer as the distance between him becomes smaller. As he came nearer, the size of the sword and the dragon's skull came into view. And Rags could only stare in bewilderment at the true size of the weapon.

It was a very dull blade, too clunky to be called a sword, too heavy to be wielded effectively, and too large for a human to balance. A literal slab of rusted iron and steel was used long ago to kill a Dragon hundreds of times larger than humans.

"Damn... It's big..." With no options left, Rags starts climbing the skull. He reaches the top and sees from far ahead that Solras has noticed his presence and was slowly making his way to his location. Rags hasten his movements and grips the giant sword by its grips.

And he begins to pull up.

The giant sword does not respond to his pull, even with his enhanced strength and the usage of his fake hand. His efforts to remove the weapon from the dragon's skull become more desperate as Solras was coming closer. Each second meant Rags was in danger of engagement.

"Come on! Get out!"

Rags pulls even harder, and some minor movement was made on the base of the sword's impalement.

"Get out! Come the...! Fuck on!"

The giant sword moves a little more. This time it actually managed to be pulled out by inches.

"ARGHHHH! FUCK! COME OUT!"

The skull of the dragon begins cracking, as the sword starts to move even more.

"GET! OUT!"

A final pull was made and the giant sword gives way, making Rags pull it out with one swift tug, and he raises the weapon up high from its removal.

And within Rags's hands holds a weapon that was used to slay the many Dragons of this lands. Uncountable years ago.

A Dragonkiller.

Almost immediately, the sheer weight of the colossal sword makes Rags lose balance and drop its tip on the dragon's skull, cracking it upon impact.

"Fucking...! Hells!"

He takes the sword with both hands and hoisted it again, leveraging his false arm to use its greater strength. His entire body shakes as he lifted the sword, resting it on his shoulder as he prepared to return to combat Solras directly.

Rags jumps off the dragon skull and lands sloppily as the weight of the new weapon was causing him to lose balance. His real arm was exhausted from simply holding the colossal sword upright, forcing him to rest the blade on the ground. In front of him, Solras approaches without a hint of worry as the new weapon seemed impossible for Rags to use effectively.

Little did both of them know how wrong he was.

"Arghhhhh! Fuck it!" Some frustration comes to Rags over the inefficient weight of the weapon but he ignores it completely as he didn't have the time to find another usable one. He charges Solras with the colossal sword, dragging its blade on the ground as he winds up an attack aiming for the Sun god's neck.

Solras softly laughed at the sight of Rags approaching with a new weapon, noticing his struggle to even hold it upright. His confidence in his armored body allowed Rags to come in closer, giving Rags the chance for a first strike between their renewed fight.

" Ανόητος. Ένα απλό σπαθί δεν μπορεί να τρυπήσει το- "

CLANK!

The first hit with Rags's new sword lands directly on Solras's neck and it manages to knock him down, hard as he was completely thrown onto the ground. The combined force of Rags's strength, momentum from his charge, and the weight of the sword were enough to stagger even Solras.

" Ορίστε?! "

Rags see the impact of his attack and notices that Solras's armored body remains unbroken. But in place of a hole or cut was a very visible dent. The colossal sword had no edge and could not cut well in its current condition, but it was still a lethal weapon in the right hands.

Solras dashes away to a safe distance and uses his wings to throw sharp fragments of it toward Rags. He responded by simply using his sword's blade as cover, causing the fragments to bounce off upon impact. Rags charges towards Solras's new position while blocking with the oversized blade, creating a moving cover as he was slowly beginning to adjust to the weight of the blade.

" Τολμάς?! Είμαι ο ήλιος! "

Solras created lightning spears in his hands and hurls them at Rags in his charge. The spear impacted the blade by was negated due to its dense material, effectively protecting Rags from harm as he continued unhindered by the lightning. He makes another swing with the sword, this time more precise as he had started to get used to the weight, aiming for Solras's waist.

His attack misses as Solras dodges to the side and avoids it. The Sun God then dashes in and punches Rags in the torso, sending him flying away and crashing through so stakes in the process. He quickly recovers as Solras dashes at him, rolling aside as the hit misses him.

Both combatants returned to their close-quartered fight with renewed bite and exchanged blows with their own offenses. Both of them were almost on equal levels as Rags was slowly making use of the sword's weight and density to match Solras's strength and durability. His untamed weapon effectively making for a match to Solras's godlike armor.

Rags swings the sword with all his might and energy, biting through all the pain and fatigue that came with it. He struggles with the weight of his weapon as his blows land on Solras's body and wings. Each swing demanded his full strength, some pain, and an ungodly amount of stamina. He pushes himself to match Solras's speed, avoiding attacks and delivering them in between.

His attacks struck the armor of Solras hard, creating small dents in intervals that only grew larger as each blow landed.

The battle with Solras rages for some time and reaches a point where both of them get into a hold, with Solras grabbing Rags's sword as he struggles to push him back, getting forced down to a knee. They both pull the sword towards themselves as Solras attempts to disarm Rags, knowing that it was an advantage he cannot have. Rags wrestles for control of his weapon as they tossed around, deep in the struggle to win their fight.

"Let go! You! FUCK!"

Rags then releases his false arm and punches Solras square in the face. The punch temporarily stuns Solras for a window of attack, allowing Rags to pull and launch an attack. He holds his colossal sword low and musters up a ton of strength to lift his sword in one motion, swinging the weapon downwards for a vertical slash with all his might.

CLANK!

His sword strikes true and lands the heavy attack on Solras, craving his shoulder with a loud noise. The attack was the most effective one thus far and Solras was actually hurt for the first time, an open damage on his armor spewing out a glow of light.

" Όχι! "

Solras shakes off the attack and delivers a frontal kick to Rags. It sends him flying away again but he manages to recover quickly by stabbing his sword into the ground, acting as a brake as it drags through the dirt.

Solras grips his damaged shoulder as it emits light from its opening. He attempted to repair the damage with his eye beans but could not angle his head to reach it with his eyes. Rags takes the chance and charges once again, this time with his colossal weapon fully drawn as he manages to get used to the weight of the weapon.

He swings the sword at full speed and managed to get another hit in, striking Solras in one of his wings. He followed up with another sweeping strike that was avoided but quickly responded with another higher sweep, striking Solras on his side.

Solras was slowly becoming overwhelmed as each hit from Rags staggers him greatly. He dodges and blocks each blow as it came but suffered greatly if Rags manages to land a hit, his sword slowly chipping away at bits of Solras and damaging more of his armored body. More cracks on Solras's body appear as Rags lands more blows from each attack.

" Αρκετά! Αρκετά! "

Another attack from Rags came in the form of a downwards slash, and Solras manages to catch his sword by its blade with both hands. They get into a grapple once again as Rags attempts to drive his weapon downwards into the shoulder of Solras, aiming to exploit the open damage on his armor.

A glow came from Solras's eyes as he catches Rags in the grapple, fully opened to an attack. Rags had seen this coming and knew that getting caught by the eye beams would mean his possible death, not being able to survive an attack that might reduce him to ashes or worst.

He makes a bold decision and knocks Solras's grip away from his sword. Knowing that he could not avoid the beams this close, he decides to try a move that may cost him greatly.

He raises his sword in a guarding position and pushes the blade straight into the view of Solras's eyes, attempting to block the eye beams up close.

Solras fires off his attack and it was immediately reflected back onto him at close range. The sudden surge of energy between his eyes and Rags's sword at near point blank causes an explosion to occur between them, sending Rags away to fly a few meters in an uncontrolled pushback from the force generated.

Smoke emits from Rags as he was slightly burned from the last explosion. His wounds healed again and he slowly returns to his feet with the help of his sword. Ahead of him lies Solras behind the smoke from the explosion, slowly clearing out as Rags put up his guard once again to prepare for a new assault.

It cleared completely to show Solras's current state. Damaged and weakened from being hit by his own attack. He takes a few steps towards Rags before falling forward to a single knee.

Making Rags the only person to force a god to their knees after a few hundred thousand years.

A perfect window of opportunity to attack Solras on his weak spot was open to Rags and he bites through the fatigue for his strongest swing yet. He aims for the damaged shoulder with his sword raised, swings it back to catch the momentum of his movement. Rags scream out fury and swings his weapon downwards with near-lightning speed despite its weight.

His action fails as Solras surprised him with a dash towards him at the moment before he could perform his attack. He was grabbed by the neck as Solras started hoisting him into the air again, this time faster than previously, as he could feel the wind blowing past him at furious speed. For Solras was about to take him above the sky and further up into a place without air.

" Θα βάλω τέλος στις ανόητες προθέσεις σας! Φοβερέ λύκε! "

They were going up faster and faster as Rags was left helpless in the grip of Solras, having no leverage to use his oversized weapon in the air. He punches Solras and attempts to remove the hands around his neck to no avail, leaving Rags trapped by the Sun God.

"Let go! LET! FUCKING GO!"

His attacks become useless as Rags could feel himself becoming more lightheaded, the air around him becoming thinner from the constant increase in attitude as they went up higher. Rags slowed his movements from the lack of air and was slowly losing consciousness.

"Let...! GO...! LET... Go..."

His vision blurred as he started to breathe with difficulty as Solras tightened his grip around his neck to choke him out, trying to sedate him with the lack of air.

Being defenseless in the air would allow Solras to finish off Rags with his eye beams once and for all. His eyes glowed the dreaded crimson once again as he prepared to fire off his beams straight through Rags.

" Πέθανε. και απελπισία. "

Rags watches as the eyes of Solras glowed brighter by the second and could only think of one last measure to use. He reached into his enchanted bag once again and picks out the last explosive for his arm cannon to use.

Knowing that he couldn't use the hand cannon in his current state, Rags decide to risk it all for one last attempt to escape Solras's grip.

And shoves the explosion into the opened spot of Solras's armored body.

The explosive sets off instantly and send them apart once again, and Rags was knocked out of Solras's grip. The Sun God screams in pain from the explosion in his shoulder as he was wounded within his armored body, and his wound only glowed brighter, the power of the Sun escaping his body rapidly from the large gaping hole.

" ΤΙ ΚΆΝΕΙΣ?! ΤΙ ΚΆΝΕΙΣ?! "

Solras struggles in pain while in the air as Rags falls to the earth once again. The explosion knocks the wind out of him and he slowly recovers from the shock, once again seeing himself falling to his possible demise.

Only this time, he only had one safety bearing left. He reached into his enchanted bag once more and takes out the Homeward Charm from Renna to use, thinking of transporting himself to safety from a fall.

Another idea comes to his mind, as he sees an opportunity he could use to take out Solras, aware that the Sun God will not rest until he was dead.

So his options were to get to safety and retreat to restore himself for the next fight or try something very risky and stupid.

Fuck it! I gotta take him out! NOW!

AGREED.

He chooses the latter.

With the charm in hand, Rags thinks of the place he wanted to be transported to. His body starts fading into a blue mist and he eventually disappeared into nothing before he hits the ground.

Solras recovers from the last attack and was now more furious and enraged than ever. His eyes burned with gold as he frantically searches for Rags from above, hovering and flying through the sky rapidly.

" ΑΠΟΚΑΛΎΨΤΕ ΤΟΝ ΕΑΥΤΌ ΣΑΣ! ΓΝΏΡΙΣΕ ΜΕ ΛΎΚΟΣ! "

Solras unleashed his beams on the area below, scorching the earth beneath him with all his power. His attack decimates the field below him and he completely overuses the eye beams once again.

Solras's eyes once again were filled with pain as he slowly made a recovery from the attack. He looks to the place below and saw no survivors with his enhanced sight, but still remained alerted.

" ΑΥΤΑ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΟΛΑ?! ΑΥΤΌ ΕΊΝΑΙ ΤΟ ΜΌΝΟ ΠΟΥ ΈΧΕΤΕ ΝΑ ΔΕΊΞΕΤΕ?! "

A faint sound comes from above him as he looks down. It soon catches his attention, and he eventually looks up.

But he was too late. All he saw was Rags screaming while falling above him. For he had used the charm to teleport himself far above Solras's location. Using the gravity of his fall as a means to build up a speed at that he could not move at normally.

With a warcry of rage and desperation. Rags swings the sword, once more. Aiming for Solras's waist.

" ΟΧΙ- "

His weapon strikes true and tears Solras in half. Both them fall to their deaths below them.

Rags braces himself as the ground came ever closer to him, his risk paid off and now the price for victory was coming in the form of a very landing.

And everything fades into black.

---

GOD SLAIN

Ο ΘΕΌΣ ΤΟΥ ΉΛΙΟΥ

---

YES.

YES.

YES!

---

Warm.

That was what Lordan felt as he slowly come to, waking up from his slumber.

"Huuuu... Huh?"

His eyes slowly open to see the faint glow of night around him, a slightly blue and green tint liting the environment. His senses become confused as Lordan feels grass beneath where he laid when he was clearly at the dunes a moment ago before the star collided with the earth.

"What...? Where...? Where is...?" The realisation that he was no longer within the dune where he fought Radahn made him come to attention quickly. He gets up quickly to see himself within a field of reeds, green like the long fields in Limgrave.

And around him were swords, stabbed into the ground with a helmet in its grip. Helmets of Radegan's wolves, grave markers for his fallen men.

A field of swords, for the fallen.

---

LEYNDELL, THE GARDEN OF SWORDS

Where am I? I just took down Radahn, and now what?

A trail of grace floated in the air and led his eyes ahead to an overlook ahead, where a faint figure can be seen facing away from him. Without a weapon in hand, Lordan approaches the figure slowly while passing by the swords with his guard up, careful not to tremble or disturb the graves. As he got closer to the figure, he recognized who it was.

And he would recognize his Maiden anywhere.

"Melina?"

Melina turns to face him as he called out, immediately making Lordan drop his guard and breathe out a sigh of relief. Seeing her and being near her always made him happy these days.

And upon looking at her face again, he could see Melina with both her eyes open for the first time, one with a faded brownish gold, and one with a gloomy blue.

"It is you... How?"

"Lordan. I am... Glad to see you again." She flashes a small smile at his arrival, which Lordan returned with a nod and smile of his own.

"Again, huh?" The use of that word made Melina a little alert. Clearly, she wasn't supposed to say that. "What's going on?"

"Nothing of importance, Lordan. We are safe here."

"Ok..." To Lordan, Melina was acting a little weird. Something about where he was now and why just felt... Off.

Like it wasn't real.

"Is this a dream?"

"What do you think?" Melina's response was once again a non-answer, something that Lordan often did not understand. Nonetheless, he ignored it in an effort to make her not feel uncomfortable.

"Well, if it is... At least I'm not dead?"

"You are most definitely not, Lordan. Trust me on this."

"I see... Are you ok?"

He waited for a response as Melina only looked down while thinking of an answer. Without her being aware, Lordan had noticed some changes in Melina upon a further look.

Somehow she had looked, slightly older, not the young maiden he first met, but a woman now.

"I am well, Lordan. You need not be worried about me. All is well."

"That's... Good to know. But where are we?"

The field they were in was not an area Lordan had traveled to yet. And at the far distance Lordan could spot the Erdtree, in the middle of a great city with walls like towering mountains. The view of the city made Lordan conclude that they were atop a mountain or hill, somewhere high enough to see the place above them.

But what stuck out on the field the most was Radegan's statue, placeed to overlook the swords in the field. A towering figure watching over his fallen men for eternity.

"Another Radegan statue... Queen Marika was really obsessed with the man, huh?"

"Yes. He was... Dear to her. In more ways than many realized." Lordan's focus shifted back to Melina, who was now looking at the statue with sorrow in her eyes. A silence came between as Lordan allowed Melina to have a moment, something that he didn't understand but somehow felt the need to let her have the moment. It was like she was mourning the statue.

"Did you know him?" No response came from Melina, but her expression and behavior gave it all away. She was familiar to the man that Lordan had only met in the form of statues and stories, even as he did wear his visage. "How was he like?"

A moment lasted longer before Melina spoke, letting out a sigh when remembering. "He was... A good man. The best. He gave too much and received nothing in return. Preferring to struggle alone rather than letting anyone suffer with him. And when I was a child, he... He saved me."

"Saved you?"

"Yes. But that was a long time ago." As usual, Melina's answers of her past remains vague, giving a confused Lordan more questions than answers.

"I see... Are you sure you're good? No offense, Mel. But you seem a little upset. Did I do something wrong?"

His self-blame immediately captured Melina's attention and she wanted to speak to alleviate his worries, only to have nothing to say when looking straight into Lordan's eyes. The hidden guilt she had within didn't allow it, for it was not something that Lordan did, which made her upset.

It was something she was going to do to him, even if it didn't happen yet.

She calmed herself and wanted to change a topic, something to distance herself from the guilt in her mind. And something that she wanted to relay to Lordan on the path he needed to take, a course correction before he walks a route of self-destruction.

Because from her point of view now, this may be the last time she sees him. At least this version of her.

"Lordan... When I was a child, I lived in a great forest that was not of this world. Its colors changed every day, and its days were everlasting with endless sun, and its nights were vibrant and without darkness as the moonlight lit the sky. It was... A beautiful home."

"My mother... Was by my side every day. She taught me all I knew with all she had. I was her greatest achievement, an impossibility to her for some time."

"And my father... Was often not home. When he did return, he did not speak very much. All he did was stay beside me, silently, doing all I asked of him, telling me of the world outside when I demanded stories. Being with him was... Peaceful, even if I don't remember what he looks like. But all I know was... I was loved, and I had love."

As Melina speaks her words, Lordan could only remain silent. Thoughts run through his mind about Melina, and her life before all of this. It sounded relatively normal compared to his own, aside from the forest part. He would never understand what having parents was like, but he liked to think that they cared for him, too, even if they had never met.

"Then... I lost them both. All because I was born cursed. And both of them worked to save me, even if the cost of that meant their demise or a fate worst than death."

"I... I'm sorry. I didn't know about that."

She shook her head at his apologies while giving him a small smile at his efforts to cheer her up. Melina looked to the Erdtree and clutches her hands in a form of prayer, speaking a whisper of words for her parents.

"Everyone dies one day. It's inevitable, it's nature. We can't help it or control it. We can only... Accept."

"That the time we have is limited. And when it is finally gone. That's when we want it back the most"

"But even if they are gone... I am happy. Because they were real. And I remembered all of it."

"So every moment we have... Matters."

She ends her prayer and turns to face Lordan again. "Lordan... I..." Melina paused as she fails to speak her intentions once again. The hardest part of talking to Lordan was once again present.

"Every moment matters. Right?" Even if Lordan did not understand why she was speaking this way, he still manages to find the right thing to say, earning him a grateful nod from Melina. "You don't have to say anything, Melina. Sometimes, you just have to enjoy the moment, like right now. Honestly, Simple things are all we need."

It was times like this when Melina was reminded of how blessed and normal Lordan truly was. Coming from the outside world and a time after it meant he was not like anyone else in the Lands Between, far from it, in fact.

"Yes... It matters. Every moment I had with you... Lordan. It mattered. You have made me... Happy. In the short time, we spent together... You have given me so much."

He only shrugs at her thanks, as Lordan often thought that he was doing the bare minimum. Traveling on his quest meant he had very little to time to spend with her, and more time on the road. "I... Did my best. Still not enough to me, though."

"But it was to me. All of it." Melina walked closer to him and stops right in front of where Lordan stood. She faces the ground as the hardest part of her words were coming.

"Lordan. Could you promise me something?"

Her question stands Lordan to attention as he waited to hear her words, not knowing what exactly Melina would want him to promise. But he felt that it was something he could keep at this point, considering Melina had done so much for him at this point.

"Alright... What is it?"

He waited as Melina had second thoughts yet again. A few more moments allowed her to steel herself to continue.

"This world... And the world outside deserves a chance for repair. A chance to decide its own fate. A chance... To start a new without ending. For the world had already ended once, and it should not again, just for the mistakes of the unseen gods that damaged it so much."

"So promise me, that you will fight to give this world a chance. Just a small chance, for life to grow and renew. For another child to live, grow, and be loved like I was. Because that... Is worth it."

It was not a request that seemed feasible to Lordan until now. His journey to become Elden Lord, although a hesitant affair at first, was a task he intends to complete.

It was funny to him in hindsight. Years ago, all he fought for was money to put food on the table, and no ambitions or purpose in life besides Vargram's teachings.

But now?

"Well... You might have to give me a metal pinhead helmet and call me The Penitent One, but... I will try. And I will never stop trying."

The people he met here in the Lands Between are worth fighting for, so that's exactly what he's going to do.

"Good. Good... Of course, you would. I shouldn't have doubted you for a moment. You are already... On the right path."

"I dunno... Sometimes it feels like what I do isn't really enough..."

His insecurity was dashed away the moment Melina rubs his shoulder for encouragement. "Do not think that. You try. That is the first step one must always take. Even that, to some, is difficult."

She moves on to her next set of words, the most difficult one. But Melina needed Lordan to hear it. And she needed to say it. Else they walk the path of misery.

Hurting him now was better than breaking him later.

"And... There is... One more thing... I need your word for this. Your absolute word. And I need you to swear to it before I tell you what it is."

One more? I guess...

"Melina... What is it?"

She spoke no words and only took Lordan's hand, clasping it closed to her own.

"Please, Lordan... I need you to swear to it... For me."

Lordan's mind was between rejection and acceptance. He didn't know what he was swearing to or what it would mean. But he could tell that it was important to Melina and that it should also be important to him as well.

"I... I swear it."

"Do you truly?"

"Yes."

Melina nods and sighs in sadness. She only hoped that he would understand her meanings and advice for him.

"Very well... I need you to promise me... That no matter what happens..."

"You won't fall in love with me."

Wh-what?

The words instantly made Lordan let out a soft groan of shock, not expecting Melina to make him swear on this, especially when she and him were already getting close.

But... But I... I already...

A hand touches his face and he could feel the softness of Melina's hands on his cheek, her burn scars on her palm creating a distinct sensation.

I... But I do lov-

"You can't. Even if you want to. Even if... I allow it. You cannot fall in love with me. Because if you do... All is lost for you."

"And it would be... Wrong. Immoral. Cruel. It... Cannot happen."

Confusion was all he could process about her words. Why was she telling him this? Why couldn't he feel what he wanted for her?

"Melina... I..."

"I know. I know."

Melina lets go and begins walking backward while still facing Lordan, who was now dumbstruck by her new words. His vision started to blur as he felt himself feeling light-headed like he was going to pass out.

"Huh...? Melina... I already..."

"You cannot. Lordan... Please... Don't fall in love with me... Please... Don't..."

"I already... Already..."

He falls to his knees as the world around him became unclear. Lordan attempts to get up but falls forward instead. He was caught by Melina before landing on the ground, lying on her knees as he slowly faints. All Lordan saw was Melina as he starts to drift into a slumber.

"Melina... I do... I will... Always... Love..."

"I know... And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Lordan."

His vision fades and pitch black once again fills his view. A teardrop from Melina was felt on his face as Lordan fully faints in her arms.

"I'm sorry... Lordan. Please forgive me..."

"Please... Don't make the same mistake... Please..."

"Lordan..."

---

"Lordan? Lordan?"

Her voice calls out to him again, which stirs him awake. Lordan opens his eyes to see Melina once more, this time as her usual self with an eye closed.

"What the... Huh?"

Lordan immediately leans back up and looks around where he laid, instantly becoming confused once again.

---

CAELID, WAILING DUNES

PRESENT DAY

"I'm back... Here?" He looks around the spot he and Melina were at, near the site of grace in the aftermath of the battle with Radahn. Around them were Redmanes scattered around to clean up the remains, picking up the fallen to arrange for their proper burials.

"You have been out for some time. The Redmanes... They were worried no one would have survived to claim the Greate Rune. But once again, Lordan... You have proven everyone wrong." Melina nods and smiles at his victory, proud that Lordan has made it this far despite the impossible odds stacked ahead of him. "Torrent was right all along. You are the Elden Lord the realm has been waiting for."

Lordan starts to get to his feet, with Melina giving him a little support to stand fully. He feels the soreness and fatigue from his body upon standing, which was quickly dashed aside when he looks to Melina, remembering the last conversation he had with her in the field of sword graves. He observed her body language that seemed unaware of the last talk they had before he woke up here as if they never had the talk in the first place.

That wasn't real... Right?

"Lordan? Is something the matter?" He was caught staring blankly at Melina as he processes the words she said to him just moments ago, words that seemed to be completely unknown to her. "Are you injured? Are hurt? Lordan, tell if you ne-"

No words were spoken as Lordan pulls her into a hug without warning.

You won't fall in love with me.

Her words echoed on repeat in his mind, and all he had for it was denial.

But I already... Have.

The sudden hug caused Melina to go blank, as she did not expect this embrace. She returned the hug and both of them held one another for a few moments, with Melina allowing Lordan to feel some comfort after his stressful ordeal. He eventually let go and was breathing in an uneven manner. Some panic built up within him from a harrowing feeling in his mind.

A part of him fears losing her. Even if it didn't happen yet.

"Sorry... I uhhhh... Fuck. I'm freaking you aren't I?"

Melina simply shakes her head at his assumption. "No. It's alright. But are you alright? That battle took so much out of you."

"Yeah... It did... Hells, I need a vacation..." He leaned forward to catch his breath while maintaining his eyes on Melina, still trying to see if she was aware of their conversation. "Melina. What was... The last thing we spoke about?"

"Our last conversation?" His question prompts Melina to look up to think of their last encounter. A moment passes for her to remember the details. "Ah. Yes, we had agreed that travel together should only be possible, if a region is safe to do so."

"Yeah... I remember that too." Her answer confirmed that Melina was indeed not aware of the talk she had with him, the warning about not getting close. "I... Dammit. I might be losing it."

"Is something wrong?"

"No... No. I'm just being weird. Sorry." Seeing that Melina was completely unknown to that incident, Lordan keeps it to himself for now. He wasn't going to let a dream hinder anything progressing between them, even if it did feel real.

Its nothing. A dream. It's not real.

"It is no trouble. Come, Lordan. Let us proceed. Radahn's Great Rune awaits." Melina gestures for Lordan to move on to Radahn's direction, where they last fought. The both of them moved on, passing but the Redmanes in the field, all bowing their heads in respect as Lordan passes by.

"They have waited decades for this moment to come, the fall of their general. Freeing him from his body that was a prison. You have done a great service to the Redmanes, Lordan."

"I try my best, with any help I could get. But it didn't seem enough."

"You won. It was enough."

"Not to me..." Some doubts linger in Lordan's tone as they walked, indicating that the battle had a significant impact upon him even if he didn't show it. "What happened to Blaidd? Alexander?"

"All survivors of the festival were taken to the castle for aid. Don't worry, they are well."

"Good. That's really good..." Their survival was a relief to Lordan as their last status on the field was injured and on the verge of death. As they walked through the dunes of battle, the number of Redmane soldiers slowly increased as they were closing in on the site of Radahn's defeat.

Lordan crosses one more dune and reached a small overhead with Melina, looking upon the site of Radahn's body. Soldiers were gathered around him with materials for a pyre, to give their general his final send-off but burning his body.

"They were waiting for you. The Great Rune of Radahn, it is yours to claim, Lordan." The soldiers around Radahn soon cleared the path to Radahn as Lordan approaches while Melina stands to the side, allowing him to go to the general alone.

As Lordan walked and see the expressions of the Redmanes around him, he could not help but feel a sense of remorse as they displayed somber tones. Killing Radahn for the Great Rune was part of his quest but it did not mean that he enjoyed it. Especially with the stories of Radahn that were told to him during his stay at the castle.

Nonetheless, Lordan pushes on. What was done was done. Some comfort was granted to him, knowing that he had helped Radahn fulfill his wish to die in a great battle.

At least he can finally rest...

Lordan comes closer to Radahn and starts feeling a sense of power calling him to the body. And just like Godrick before, a ring of light emerges from Radahn, creating silence throughout the dunes as everyone stares in awe.

Radahn's Great Rune, with power enough to move the very stars, stands before Lordan. The Great Rune burns, to resist the encroachment of the scarlet rot from its infection from another Great Rune.

TAKE IT.

TAKE IT.

An instinct within Lordan calls out to him once again, at the back of his head. He reaches out to the base of the ring, it resonates with his hand's proximity, its flames burning brighter from his presence.

TAKE.

IT.

TAKE.

IT.

Lordan closes his fist sharply, and the ring impoles. Golden dust from the ring flows into his body, and power once again flows through him. Even greater than Godwyn's Great Rune.

Power beyond mortal imagination, for a second time.

---

SHARD ABSORBED

ᚱᚨᛞᚨᚺᚾ ᛊᛏᚨᚱᚲᛁᛚᛚᛁᚾᚷ ᚱᚢᚾᛖ

---

Absorbing the Great Rune overwhelmed Lordan and he was forced to his knees yet again. He clutches his head in pain as voices could once again be heard from within his mind.

The demonic voice talks to him directly again as before, this time clearer. The image of a great black wolf appears once more, this time more rotten and festered, looming behind the man dressed in black armor with a wolf-shaped helmet.

This time the figure was clearer, and Lordan could recognize who it was.

Rad... Radegan?

ANOTHER.

MY EMPYREAN.

WELL DONE.

TEAR THEM.

FROM YOUR KINDRED.

TEAR THE HEAVENS...

ASUNDER.

ASUNDER.

ASUNDER.

NO MORE GODS.

"No more gods..."

"No more..."

"No more..."

"Gods..."

"LORDAN!" He was shaken out of his trance by Melina, causing him to snap back to reality. Lordan holds on to his head as the voices clear completely, leaving his mind in peace.

"What...? I..." His display of weakness causes everyone around him to look on, confused at his behavior. "I... I did something weird, didn't I?"

"Yes... It was... Concerning." Melina helps Lordan to his feet and places a thumb on his forehead. "Be still." An incantation was casted on him, which creates healing effects on his mind, clearing his head of all aches instantly. "There. That should help."

"Wow... Thanks, Melina." They stood together in awkward silence as the Redmanes around them returned to work to prepare the pyre for Radahn. "So... Do you want to talk about it?"

"Do you... Want to talk about it?" Melina throws back the question as she was aware of Lordan's need to keep stressful details to himself, and pushing him too much might shut him off.

Lordan's considers telling Melina of both the voices in his head and the vision of her that he had. His mouth opens and he attempted to speak.

"I have had these... These..."

But no words came. His mind wouldn't allow him to say the two things he wanted. His instinct to protect Melina, even for himself, was preventing him from telling her the truth.

You won't fall in love with me.

The one line loops in his head constantly as Lordan chooses to ignore it. Perhaps he was selfish, perhaps he was not. "Nothing... Just... I'm lucky to have you, that's all."

"You will always have me." She takes his hands and holds them, smiling as Lordan returned the gesture.

"Guess I do, huh?" Another awkward silence ensures between them but was broken as sounds from the Redmanes preparation of Radahn's wake attracted both their attentions. They were trying to flip their fallen general over to his back, proving particularly difficult as his colossal size hinders their attempt.

Lordan lets go of her and walks over to them, nodding to Melina as she understands what he wanted to do. Without asking or hesitating, Lordan joins in on the efforts. He and the Redmanes worked together to prepare Radahn for his pyre. They managed to successfully flip him over and start the work.

Hours went by as they worked around Radahn, placing firewood around him rather than below him as they could not lift him up. A second pyre was made beside him to place his loyal horse, following its master even to the afterlife.

They completed the arrangements of Radahn's pyre and the general was prepared to be laid to rest. The Redmanes gathered around Radahn's body, all lowering their heads in respect with their helmets removed. All giving Radahn the moment of silence to honor his life and his death.

Lordan stood to among them with an awkward feeling, not knowing what to do as he was the one who struck Radahn down in the first place. It wasn't truly his place to be here.

Melina had joined him by his side and took his hand to ease his discomfort. It was times like this when Lordan reaches a low point where she would be there to pull him back up, even if she wasn't present at times.

"You should say a few words."

Lordan simply looks her way with a troubled face, sighing loudly as he didn't know the words that were right for this situation. Some of the Redmanes around the field formed up lines with bows behind the main crowd, prepping to light Radahn's and his horse's pyre with fire arrows from above.

"What... What should I say...?"

"Whatever you want. Someone like you will have the right words. I believe it, Lordan."

Her trust in him spikes up some courage for Lordan to speak. Some words came to his mind but he decided to keep them short and simple. Giving speeches was not his forte, after all.

"I'm uhhhh... I'm sorry you are dead, and that I killed you, ser... You deserved better."

His words were loud enough to be heard by some of the senior Redmanes, responding to him with a small nod of approval and gratefulness. They put their head back down and waited for the next step.

With his words said, Lordan held Melina's hand tighter and sqeezed a silent thank you to her. They both looked down in respect as the ceremony was underway.

"PRRSENT! BREICHIAU!"

A command was given in the native language of the Carians, prompting the archers to draw their bows. They lit their arrows with a tool to spark flames, lighting up the arrowheads.

"GWNEUD! PAROD!"

The archers nock their arrows and aim to the sky, angling their shots to pass over the crowd and descend right atop Radahn's resting place.

The commander raises his hand and prepares to give his next command. He looks to his side and ensure they were ready for the shot, and it needed to be perfect.

"COLLI!"

The Redmane archers all released their arrows in a single command, lighting the sky with a rain of flaming arrows that mimics the visuals of the movements of the stars. The fire arrows land directly on Radahn and his horse, lighting them ablaze instantly as oil was used as fuel to make the fire burn.

The crowd watches as the flames start to devour the body of Radahn, slowly turning the general's remains to ashes. One by one, the Redmanes on the field bend their knees, paying tribute to their leader one last time.

And unlike them, Lordan and Melina remain standing, both simply watching the flames as it burns brighter and brighter.

Soon, a song for the dead was sung among the men.

---

Mae meibion coch yn codi dy faneri'n uchel,

Merch dy loins i gwrdd â'r niwl;

Milwyr, eu smocio'n glun a'u clun

Yn y llwch byddwn yn eu gosod yn isel

Dangosa dy falu a dy nerth,

Yn nhrwch y frwydr,

Dilyna fi. Dilyna fi. Gadewch i'n Rhyfel grio fod,

Bydd Caelid byth yn rhydd, Byddwn yn marw dros ryddid.

---

Their song was finished and Radahn was fully engulfed by the flames, consuming him and his horse. Smoke fills the skies and the Redmanes continue kneeling, not until the fires die down.

And after years since Radahn's downfall, the festival of war has reached its end.

---

CAELID, REDMANE CASTLE

With the funeral for Radahn ended, Lordan with Melina followed the group of Redmanes proceeding back to the castle while the rest stayed behind to finish clearing the desert of the dead. They walked in silence as the mood around them was somber and quiet.

This is too quiet for my taste... The lack of sounds and conversation bothers Lordan, further pushing his guilt forward. Once in a while, he looks to Melina, who nods to him and eases his mindset. Her presence was a godsend at times.

They reached the portal and returned to the beach, taking the elevator up to the castle. Upon entering the chapel, Jerren awaited them by the door as the Redmanes passed by him.

"Ah. There you are, lad, and your maiden as well. A rare sight these days, to see a pair of a Tarnished and Maiden in united travel."

"Yeah... Rare indeed."

"Nonetheless, at last, the war festival has ended. Lord Wolf, you have our gratitude. The Celebration was spectacular. General Radahn is surely pleased. Festering with rot, and crippled by madness, all he wanted was an honorable death."

Lordan shrugs and only felt a sense of relief from finishing the fight. "It's fine. It wasn't really honorable, in my opinion..." He noted that outlandish strategies were employed to combat Radahn due to his overpowered nature, and over two hundred deaths were experienced by him to find the perfect loop, the instance where he actually won. "But, I got it. The Great Rune is secured."

"And I can think of no other that is deserving of that power more than you." Jerren lets out a short laugh and places his weapon aside, standing straight and giving a bow of respect toward Lordan. "On behalf of the Redmanes, the Carian Royals, and myself for the matter. I thank you, Lordan. We have waited too long for one such as you."

Both Lordan and Melina returned the bow, and Jerren steps aside from the chapel's doors. He unlocks the doors and gestures for the both of them to leave.

"So... What happens now?"

"Finally, my work is done. I am no longer bound to this fortress. I have a task in mind. Old business, you could say. You wouldn't understand. May we meet again if the fates deign it. But for now... They are waiting for you, lad."

"They?"

"See for yourself."

The cryptic meaning behind Jerren's words only confused Lordan, and looking to Melina didn't give him any answer as well. He simply shrugs and moves to open the door.

Let me guess... Another fight? Argh... Can't really catch a bre-

"THERE HE IS!"

"THE CHAMPION!"

He was greeted by a crowd that filled in the entire castle space, bursting into a cheer as Lordan appears. The sudden influx of noise confused him at first, but he slowly gets the idea of what this meant.

"Go." Melina pats his back and urges him forward. This celebration was for Lordan, after all. "Embrace your victory, you deserve it."

Lordan looks at her with hesitation at first, for he wanted to celebrate his success with her instead. Melina pushes him gently and the crowd of soldiers and Tarnished alike took him to lead him away. He looks back once more to see Melina smiling in joy, the brightest one he has seen so far.

And Lordan could not help but return it.

The crowd carried him from his back, passing him down and cheering in a frenzy, like a hero that just returned from war. His name and praises were shouted his way.

"Breaker of the stars! The wolf!"

"Well done! Tarnished! Well done!"

"You are the second coming of Radegan!"

"LORD WOLF!"

"LORD WOLF!"

"LORD WOLF!"

"LORD WOLF!"

"LORD WOLF!"

Their cheers only became louder as Lordan was carried to the courtyard, where he manages to spot Blaidd and Alexander in the crowd due to their heights. He waves them to come over and rejoined with his battle companions.

"Blaidd! Alexander! You're both...! Holy fuck!"

"That's right! A little hot wax and my pieces mended back nicely. Well done! Friend!"

"Aye. Well done indeed, Lordan. The glory of the clash is shared, by Radahn and you. And hah! The falling stars! And how you used that fucking sword! You're bloody sick, mate!"

"Thanks. Both of you. And everyone." Lordan was let down and proceeds to join the celebration. Godwyn appears beside him and was invisible to everyone, only showing a smile of his own, happy about Lordan's progress.

"Godwyn?"

"Well done, wolf. Well done. You will be Elden Lord, soon enough."

He gives Lordan a bow and disappears from his sight once again, leaving Lordan alone to enjoy the festivities. He was dragged along by Bliadd in a friendly manner further into the crowd.

"Now! Break out those caskets, mates! Lordan and all of us are thirsty!" His response was cheered and the celebration kicks off in full.

"AND SUMMON THE BITCHES!" Blaidd shouts out a request for the castle that creates more cheers and laughter among the men.

Melina looks from above without joining in the celebration. It was Lordan's day and he would need some time to spend with his friends. She looks at the Erdtree that looks over the region and knew that Lordan's journey was on the right path.

Before her now was not the Tarnished that was weak and powerless more than a year ago. But a great warrior in his own right, the one to set things right.

And Melina knew that Lordan would become something more, something that the lands needed more than the Elden Lord.

"For the Realm... Someone must..."

A hero that puts the world above anything else.

Saviour Of the Realm.

When the time comes.

Lordan must be the one to kill me.

It's the only way, Vargram.

---

FARUM AZULA, THE FIELDS OF SACRIFICE

1994 YEARS BEFORE THE SHATTERING

WAKE UP.

---

CURSED

ᛏᚺᛖ ᛞᚱᛖᚨᛞ ᚹᛟᛚᚠ ᛈᚱᛖᚢᛖᚾᛏᛊ ᛞᛖᚨᛏᚺ

ᚨᛏ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚲᛟᛊᛏ ᛟᚠ ᛟᚾᛖ×ᛊ ᛊᛟᚢᛚ

---

Rags awaken and gasp for air. He was on the ground again, lying on the ash lands from his last fall after the battle with Solras within the skies.

"What... Fucking...! ARGH!"

A pain was felt in his legs as the beast's abilities heal him fully. He had awakened from death once again, for the beast refused to let him die yet.

"Grrghhhh...! FUCCCCCKKKK!"

His body fully heals after reliving the pain from his injuries. Falling from that kind of height would have killed anyone, but for Rags, that was almost impossible.

"Shit... Damnit... That guy... What the fuck..."

YOU CONTINUE TO IMPRESS ME.

FALLING A GOD.

EVEN IN HIS WEAKENED FORM.

Yeah... He was in the fucking way. Rags get to his feet and found the sword he used earlier by the side, still unbroken despite its last usage. He picked the sword up and was once again hindered by its weight. He takes the sword and rests it on his shoulder to carry it easily.

He starts to walk to the site where Solras had landed, preparing for another fight. Rags approaches and felt the area around him becoming warmer with each step, caused by the heat created by Solras's body.

He reaches the site and saw the end results of his battle with Solras. The Sun god lies dead, in two places. His attack had cut Solras in half from his torso. The ground was stained as Solras's blood leaked endlessly from his wounds, melting all it touches like lava due to its heat.

And so falls the last god of the Greater Will's pantheon, by Rags's hands.

THE ELDEN LORD SOLRAS.

STRUCK DOWN BY AN OVERSIZED RUSTY SLAB OF METAL.

WHAT A JOKE.

He was... The most fucked up thing I have fought so far...

NO MATTER.

HIS GREAT RUNE IS MINE.

AND NOW.

SEEK YOUR NUMEN.

The beast reminds Rags of his intention and he leaves Solras's remains to be consumed by the elements. He moves through the fields again and reaches the undestroyed portion of it.

Is that...?

Rags spots an object ahead, with something attached to it. He moves in closer and immediately recognized what it was.

The Godslayer, intact. And with it was his enchanted bag nearby. A small stroke of luck allowed him to find these items quickly.

"Fucking hells... There you are." Rags moves and recovers his items. He places his new sword into the enchanted bag as a means to carry it easier without the weight, immediately compressing the colossal weapon by means of the bag's magic. He grips the Godslayer and slings it on his back, adjusting the straps to make it tighter.

"Stay close, ok?" He lets out a small scoff at his own words, not knowing what he was saying. I'm talking to a weapon... I'm fucking losing it.

Rags ignores all of his previous actions and proceed to search among the stakes again. His eyes scan endlessly at the hanged-up bodies of the Numens sacrificed here. Hoping that each one he searched was her, and hoping that he didn't find her dead like some of the ones around.

Where are you? Marika... Where the hells are you?

His search span for a few hours, and nothing turns up yet. Each moment passes and more frustration builds up in his mind. He wonders if she was even here in the first place.

If she wasn't, this would all be for nothing.

"Damn it all! Where the fuck is she?!"

SEARCH THE CENTER.

The beast gives him a suggestion and he stops in his tracks, wanting more information on what that meant. The center? The fuck does that mean?

IF YOUR NUMEN IS HERE.

SHE MUST BE THE MOST RECENT ONE.

THE CENTER IS WHERE SHE WOULD BE.

IF SHE ISN'T DEAD.

Rags decides to follow its advice and runs towards the center of the ashen fields. As he runs closer, he felt the air becoming more unstable and his head hurting from an ache. Like an invisible presence was affecting his body, making him more tired and weaker as he gets closer.

What's happening to me?

THE ELDEN RING.

ITS POWER IS UNSTABLE.

POISONING THOSE IN ITS PROXIMITY.

DO NOT WORRY.

YOU WILL WITHSTAND ITS EFFECTS.

WITH MY ABILITIES.

OF COURSE.

Rags tolerate the effects and push on despite each step making him feel sicker. He fights through the weakness and starts searching the stakes closer to the center, noting that the Numens placed here seemed more recent due to them being nearly dead.

Come on... Please... Be here...

He searches and searches frantically in the large space. Checking one and moving on to the other quickly upon not finding what he wanted.

Where are you... Where ARE you...

His search bears no fruit, and frustration for his failure to protect her kicks in again. His fears of her not being here were becoming stronger by the second.

No... Fuck... FUCK! SHE HAS TO BE HERE! SHE HAS TO! SH-

"St... Stop... Stop..."

The voice of a woman stops Rags dead in his track, prompting him to turn around to the stake just right beside him.

"Please... Ple... Please... No more... No..."

Rags looks at the stake and slowly moves his eyes up to see who was placed upon it.

"Let me... Go... Just let... Me... Go..."

He finally lays eyes upon the woman placed on the stake and stops everything. At long last, after almost two years.

"Mar... Marika?"

He finds her.

"Just... Make it... Stop... Stop..."

"Kill me... Someone... Please... Kill me..."

---

FIN.