"This won't be long." Radagon says to his steward. He ushers the man away with a slight wave of his hand.
"You've been a nuisance for nth time."
Vaughn stays his blade. But he can already tell that the Elden Lord has made up his mind.
"Lord Radagon, I don't see the point in this."
There's a golden outline that could be seen glowing through Radagon's clothing. A symbol that makes him reminisce of his visits at Marika's churches in her behest.
"You will." Two voices overlap at the same time, Radagon and Marika's. Vaughn shakes his head willing the sound to be a figment of imagination.
His hand made purchase of the handle of the hammer before its head could connect to his chest. Marika's hammer, imbued with the power of the Erdtree.
"Your Highness," he says but not without effort. The concrete beneath his feet groans with small hairline cracks. "Don't do this."
"The rat speaks!" An influx of energy surges from within the Lord. The force lashes out, almost burning through Vaughn's gauntlets that he had to let go of the hammer, "You dare!"
He was met with a painful hit of the pommel to his abdomen. It knocked the air out of him momentarily.
Vaughn weaves through the succession of strikes Radagon rains upon him with a burst of energy.
He puts both his arms up to shield himself but he knew that he cannot win against someone who wields the Elden Ring.
Deep inside him, his blood sings to match and conquer the ferocity his opponent is showing. It drums aggressively at his heart, the call of battle. A wakened consciousness whispers a refusal to be beaten and only be the victor.
Red lightning crackles on his hands, and with renewed vigor he meets the Lord's challenge.
"Mother." Ranni greets Rennala, kissing her cheek, "How does thou fare?"
Her mother hums, "I have been well." She pours tea for her and for herself. The smell of fresh Rowa fruit wafts through the air. Biscuits and cream, her favorites, lay ready on the plates.
It is a relief, Ranni thinks as she sees no signs of the amber egg that her father gifted her mother before leaving them.
The princess would visit her mother in her free time, telling her stories of magic Ranni has mastered, encouraging her mother to come and spend time with her but was often met with a silent refusal. She wanted to share her day. She wants her mother back.
She tries to speak first but she finds so little words, "Mother, I've a matter to-"
Rennala beams at her child, infected with joy, "What's this talk I hear in the Academy about thou and a knight?"
There's no judgement in her tone. Just sheer happiness. A clear shine that takes squeezes at her heart strings.
"I've found my intended!" she replies immediately. The flush on her cheek reflects her embarrassment at the loud admission.
The Queen walks to her daughter and raises her chin so she can look at her.
"And what is the lucky person's name?"
"Vaughn!"
Radagon shouts as another one of his incantations have been thwarted with heretical practices.
Like the man's ilk, he has lost himself in the throes of battle. Covered in cuts and bruises, the man soldiers on. Only Godfrey was able to withstand beatings such as these, and win despite unfavorable circumstances.
The Elden Ring within him heals and numbs whatever Vaughn responds at him. But at some point the numbness is wearing off and he can feel his bones fracture at the force Vaughn answers him.
Marika can't stay asleep forever. This fight can no longer go on.
In an inspiration of treachery, Radagon utters the name of his beloved daughter.
"Ranni."
And as easily as that, Vaughn stops his assaults.
"What would my daughter think?"
Clarity comes back to the Tarnished's eyes, unclenching his fists and letting his guard down.
"What would she even think of you when she discovers that you almost killed her father?"
Queen Rennala's gift passes through Vaughn's abdomen easily without any hindrance.