Chapter 1: The Lands Between
Waking up in an unfamiliar area, with little to no knowledge how he got there. You'd think that'd be something he'd be used to by now, but sadly no. The first impression that he had of this place was…wet and…dark.
It seemed he found himself in some sort of cave, odd thing that. Last thing he remembered was running into that…thing. SO many limbs grafted onto it, what was the point? Not like it made it any more stronger truly. It was all false strength. But, what did he know? It had won against him. Though that was only because Overseer had been MIA.
"I'm sorry I was busy." Intoned The Overseer's robotic voice.
"Busy? Busy with what?" He posed to the voice in his head.
"If you must know, I was in the middle of an update."
"Update? Updating what? You're supposed to be the most advanced A.I. that asshole I call a friend ever created."
"I was acclimating to the new world. Now pay heed, we're not alone here."
True to the Overseer's words there was someone else here, sitting in the chair, a man, he looked weird, almost like a ghost.
Walking over, Tyr tapped the man on the shoulder, "Um…hello?"
The man took a deep breath then looked at him, "...Brave Tarnished. Take the plunge. Of learning, and remembrance. Recall the arts of war. And your warrior's blood." The ghost returned to his previous state
"...Oookay? Weird. Guess I'm heading down."
"Hold on, let me pull up your HUD, I'm detecting life down there, and based on his words, expect a fight."
"Right." He watched as the HUD display formed in front of his eyes. There was his health…magic…cool. Wait. "WHAT THE FUCK?! I used to be way stronger than this. Why is my mana pool cut in half?"
"Hell if I know. I mean you did die, so maybe that has something to do with it."
"...That's another thing, why the hell am I alive?"
"Don't know, don't care. All that matters is I'm still alive thanks to it."
"...Doesn't he keep a back-up?" Seeing no point in putting it off, he jumped down into the abyss.
"Not the point."
"Overseer, take note. Seems that death means nothing in this world. Everytime I kill something, it just gets back up. Seems we're doing zombie & skeleton rules, destroying the bodies."
The cave of knowledge was an experience, filled with a mix of commoners and soldiers. Hostile bunch them, attack first, ask questions maybe mentality. Tried to reason with the bastards, got a sword or arrow for his troubles. Buggers them.
"Don't think your hippocratic oath is going to help you here." Overseer piped in response.
"Clearly. Oh?" He was standing in a cavern, there were tons of pots, crates, and barrels strewn about. Who was that coming at him? And of course it's another soldier.
"Okay dude, listen it's been a very long…I'm going to assume it's morning…and oh shit he's charging." The Soldier of Godrick was indeed charging at him, ready to run him through. "Alright fucker. Hard way it is."
Instead of dodging, he kicked up at the soldier's hands, launching the sword out of the soldier's hand and catching the helmed warrior off-guard. Following up, he pressed his new advantage, lowering his foot and quickly going into a straight kick to the midsection, which launched the soldier back and a few feet away.
Water splashed from where the soldier landed, its helmet now gone revealing raven tresses, pale green eyes, and a beautiful pale feminine face with a scar going up the bottom left of her face, passing over her mouth and stopping at her nose. Getting up she went to shoot a glare at Tyr only to find him no longer there. She quickly tried to locate him; looking left and right, that was when she found herself being held in a chokehold.
"Not a guy. Sorry for assuming." His tone indicated he actually was. "Huh, you know you're actually kind of pretty. So here's the deal, I can kill you and destroy your body like your comrades out there or…you help me with getting an understanding of this godforsaken place. Deal?" Tyr posed to the raven haired knight.
She struggled against him for a while, but eventually realized it would be for not and just decided to give in. Holding up her hands, she gave him a scathing look as best she could.
"Good." He let her go and allowed her to collect her helmet.
Picking it up, she heard the sound of him wadding the water to collect her sword. At least she assumed that was what he was doing, best to keep her unarmed just in case. Resting her helm under her arms, she turned to look at him.
She paused.
There on his face was a smile, it wasn't anything big, it was a small slight smile. It looked like it belonged there as it complimented his features. She had never witnessed anyone more handsome. Sure she had seen him before from her helm, but now it…
Get a hold of yourself, he was but a lowly tarnished. Not long for this land. She imagined he had hopes of claiming the Elden Ring and becoming Elden Lord, like so many had tried before him. It's fine, won't be long till he dies as well and their little deal will be over. She just hoped that he dies to the lands and not at the hands of her lord, Godrick, for there was no fate worse than being grafted unto him.
Oh, he was speaking to her, "So…the way out is which way?"
Instead of answering she just about faced and began to exit the cavern.
The pair found themselves back to where Tyr had started his little adventure. The ghost, still in his chair. Tyr idly wondered if he just stayed there, waiting for those who died to come back and take the plunge….
Well, not his problem, he had a guide and now was going to get out of here.
"Yeah…about that, before you leave, I'm detecting some magic closeby." Overseer chimed.
'Why can't I sense it? Actually now that I think about it? Everything seems dull. What happened to my extrasensory perception? Where's my All-seeing eye?' He responded via thoughts, not wanting his new companion to believe him crazy.
"Well someone went and died; so I had to turn all that off when you came back or your brain would have fried from overload while you tried to restore your sense of self." Overseer explained.
'Whatever, just, turn them back on. It feels weird without it.' He soon found that his vision shifting, giving him a myriad of information to his brain and popping up on his HUD. Soon it settled back and then he felt a tingle at the nape of his neck, the magic Overseer mentioned, he could now feel.
He looked at the soldier; holding up a hand, in a signal to say 'wait a moment' he made his way to where he sensed the magic. There next to where he had originally woke up was a ledge, whatever it was, rested up there. Taking a deep breath, he began to hop a bit before getting a running head start. He launched off his feet to the wall. Placing a foot firmly against it, he shot up again. Going from half-way to at the ledge. Finding a corpse up there and getting the information that it was somewhere on the body, he rooted through. He found his efforts rewarded as he pulled out a Talisman. It had the design of an ancient dragon on it.
"Neat." Jumping down, he made his way back to the soldier, who was now tapping her foot at the exit, clearly growing impatient.
Once he got back, she opened the doors, and they began to make their way out of the Stranded Graveyard.
"So…do you got a name? Mine's Tyr Leblanc." Tyr introduced himself, his gaze directed at the soldier, who just chose to ignore him. "Okay, if you won't tell me I'll just have to guess. Jessica. Reese. Bethany. Agatha. Xatu. Minx. Kare…"
He soon found his mouth held shut by her gauntlet covered hands, "It thou must know, mine name is Hailey."
He got his answer, just had to annoy it out of her. "Oh ho ho, so she does talk. Pleasure to make your acquaintance Hailey. Tell me what were you…hold on."
They soon came upon a Site of Grace. Tyr took a second to relight it, then focused back on the conversation.
"So as I was about to ask, why were you down there?" He asked.
"Tis my post, me, and my brothers and sisters in service to Lord Godrick, are to kill any Tarnished who get the bright idea to try and usurp his throne on their way to be Elden Lord." Hailey answered, as they both stood on a lift.
"Huh, seems like a shitty job honestly. When was the last time you had any sunlight?"
"That is none of thou's concern. Tarnished."
"Okay, that's the first thing. There are too many terms being used that I don't know. The fucks a Tarnished? Why am I one? The hell is an Elden Lord? Who is Godrick? What are those things I've been lighting? And more importantly than all that…WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS PLACE?" Tyr had acquired many questions over the past few hours; with those questions came stress about not getting answers, and attacked instead for his troubles.
"Thy is not a native of The Lands Between, are thee?"
"What was your first clue?"
The lift then made it to the top, the duo made their way off it and towards the door.
"To answer thy questions, Tarnished are individuals who lost the grace of the Erdtree and were consequently banished from the Lands Between by Queen Marika the Eternal. Following the breaking of the Elden Ring, the Tarnished were beckoned by lost grace, fragmentary divine light from the Erdtree, to return." Tyr listened to her explanation while he grabbed the bottom of the door and lifted it up, revealing the brightly lit fields of Limgrave.
"Fuck that's bright." He cursed walking outside. At least he proved to be right about it being day time. Once his eyes had adjusted to the change, he took a second to take in the beauty of the lands. "Wow.."
"Welcome to Limgrave, Tarnished." Hailey said, walking ahead of him towards another Site of Grace, standing next to it, White Mask Varré.
Tyr caught up to her, and lit the site as Varré began to speak.
"Oh yes... Tarnished, are we? Come to the Lands Between for the Elden Ring, hmm? Of course you have. No shame in it. Unfortunately for you, however, you are maidenless."
Tyr bristled at that, "What does my relationship status have to…"
"Maidens are guides and aids to the Tarnished." Hailey cut him off, clearing up his misunderstanding.
"Without guidance, without the strength of runes, and without an invitation to the Roundtable Hold… You are fated, it seems, to die in obscurity." Varré continued to say to Tyr, who was going to speak up only for Varré to continue, "Luckily for you, however, there is one shining ray of hope for even the maidenless. Me. Varré. Take care to listen."
Here he gestured at the Site of Grace, "You familiar with grace? The golden light that gives life to you Tarnished." He then motioned to the trail being cast from it. "You may also behold its golden rays pointing in a particular direction at times. That is the guidance of grace. The path that a Tarnished must travel."
"So these things are called Grace?... Neat." Tyr was sitting at the Grace, and looking it over.
"Mm, indeed. Grace's guidance holds the answers. It will lead you Tarnished to the path you are meant to follow. Even if it leads you to your grave."
"Yeah, I refuse." He said simply.
"Huh?" Both Varré and Hailey went.
"I already died once, didn't much care for it. So I refuse to die again." Tyr elaborated.
"We shall see about that, Grace's guidance will reveal the path forward, most certainly. To Castle Stormveil, over on the cliff. The home of the decrepit demigod, Godrick the Grafted." Varré responded, not really believing in his words.
"Grafted? Wait Godrick?! Isn't that…?" He looked at Hailey, whose face was turned away looking off. At what? He knew not.
"Tell me about this Godrick."
Hailey had served under Godrick for most of her adolescence to now in her adult life. She had seen the many horrors that he had committed. It was normal to her now, while it didn't make it right, what was she to do against the Demigod.
It seemed her companion was not of the same mind, if the way he was sitting in front of the fire, silently brooding was any indication. Yes, Varré had told him the information he seeked, and he was not happy with what he heard. He had been like this long enough that it had gone from day to night. He didn't move nor speak; she had shared some rowan fruit that she had on her with him, him eating it had been the most she'd gotten from him. Or at least until he released a sigh.
"Is thou done with thy sulking?" Hailey asked in a mostly annoyed tone. She was quickly growing annoyed with how long he was taking to die.
Oh no, it seemed she'd be the one to die instead. It appears that that had been the wrong thing to say, as he turned to her and gave her a piercing glare.
"I'm sorry, I just found out, YOUR LORD is killing millions of innocent people, some of which mind you, are his people, YOUR brothers and sisters in service to the bastard. And you seem to just be all okay with it. Where is your fury? Your anger? How could you just let this happen? So yes I am done sulking, cause now I'm gonna make my way to Stormveil and show Godrick the error of his ways, violently!" In the middle of this rant he had stood up and begun to pace around the grace, her eyes following him as he did.
Truthfully, if he made to make her feel bad with his words; then it was a lost cause, this was the Lands Between, you did what you had to in order to survive. Sometimes it had you serving a monster. As she looked at the grace nearby, she could almost see the form of a young woman, who almost looked similar to her.
She took in a breath and released, "Do what you will Tarnished, I would have none of it. You want to face that monster and die, alright. But leave me to return to my post. I believe I have fulfilled enough of the deal by now. Return to me mine blade."
Tyr handed the sword over, "I'll give you the sword but our deal is far from over. There is still a lot I don't know about this place, and much like Varré said, I'm maidenless. So you're the only one I got to help guide me."
Hailey rolled her eyes as she took her sword, "Whatever, just don't expect me to fight alongside you in this suicide mission. I'm going to bed." He wouldn't make it, she'd be surprised if he even made it past Margit. Most Tarnished died to him before they could even attempt Godrick. Oh well, she shall be free of him soon, with that in mind she laid down and drifted off into slumber.
Tyr could feel it; a presence lurking in the darkness of the night. He wasn't sure who it was but he could sense it wasn't hostile. He had sensed it earlier, while he was…
"Brooding." Overseer cut into his thoughts.
'I wasn't brooding. I was seething. There is a difference.' Tyr responded.
"So this Godrick, what exactly are you planning to do?"
'Simple, storm his castle, then beat him to an inch of his life.'
"By the storm that was your emotions earlier; plus what you said to that soldier girl, I had assumed you were gonna kill the man."
'If I'm being truthful; when I heard what he was doing, I wanted to, boy did I want to. But that won't solve anything, Someone will just show up to take his place. We saw there was another person grafting people to him, just before we died. Hell there may be way more.' He released a sigh, 'No, I need a more permanent solution. This land, it's beautiful but something is wrong.' Tyr's eyes scanned the night still on the lookout for that presence. 'People don't stay dead, or get grafted. Everyone is just okay with it, and this is only the stuff we know. It needs fixing.'
"..."
'What? No response? No snarky comment.'
"Just, how…how do you plan to fix it"
He raised a hand in front of his face, looking it over, he gave his response. 'I don't know. What I do know is that he trusted me with you cause he believed I was the one that can do good. So that's what I'm gonna do.' He balled his hand into a fist, 'Overseer, I ask for your help in this endeavor.'
"Well it's not like I can do much else. I'm bonded to you, forevermore. So sure, let's fix this land. We can start with whoever this is, look alive. She finally shows herself."
A cloaked form came shambling up out of the darkness, "Greetings. Traveler from beyond the fog." She knelt down in front of him, lifting off her hood, she revealed herself and extended a hand. " I am Melina. I offer you an accord."
Tyr looked her in the face, staring for a bit at the brand on her left eye, then taking in the rest of her features. A rogue thought going through his head on how beautiful she looked, before pulling himself together, and shaking her hand. "Tyr and, I'm listening."
"Have you heard of the finger maidens?" She asked him, receiving a shake of the head in response. "They serve the Two Fingers, offering guidance, and aid, to the Tarnished. But you,.."
"Yeah, yeah. I am Maidenless. I know already. I don't mean to be rude, but can we get to the point?" He wasn't in the mood to play the long game with her right now. Nope. Beating around the bush would only serve to anger him. She clearly had some sort of motive or the like. So what was her game?
If she found his words crass, she showed no hint of it, as she chose to carry on and get to the main point, "I can play the role of maiden. Turning rune fragments into strength. To aid you in your search for the Elden Ring. You need only take me with you. To the foot of the Erdtree."
There was more there, much more. Something she was keeping hidden. If there was anything he had learned, it was, things were never that simple. He may not exactly know what the Erdtree is, but he did know that this appeared to be an unfair deal. But fine, he'd play along for now. If she wanted to play Maiden, then he'd be her Tarnished and maybe along the way she'd reveal her true intentions. Especially since, as far as his All-seeing eye was concerned, she was being mostly honest.
"Sure, sounds like a good deal to me."
She seemed taken back for a second at his agreement, "Then it's settled. Summon me by grace to turn runes into strength." She paused for a second, "Ahh, another matter. I bequeath to you this ring." She then handed him a ring.
"Woah, woah, woah. I didn't know this was a marriage thing. I mean don't get me wrong you're very beautiful, but I barely know you." He held up his hands, leaning back.
Melina blushed at the situation, whether it be from embarrassment or the compliment he knew not. "That is not what this is for. Use it to traverse great distances. It will summon a spectral steed named Torrent. Torrent has chosen you. Treat him with respect." She then shoved the ring gently into his hand.
Putting it on his right ring finger, looking at it in great detail.
"The woman speaks the truth, I'm detecting strong amounts of summoning magic."
"Neat. I promise to give him the respect he deserves and live up to his expectations." He used the whistle to test it out, summoning Torrent next to him. The spectral steed lowered his head down to Tyr, allowing his head to be pet.
"There, there, aren't you the sweetest thing. I'm sure we will get along great." He showered a bit more affection upon the steed before sending him back, "You go rest up and I'll make sure to summon ya when I need you…or maybe just to hang out."
"I shall go now. Summon me when thy has need of me." Melina then disappeared.
"She's still here, just on the Astral plane." Overseer piped in, highlighting for Tyr the same spot Melina was just at.
'Yeah, I could still sense her, can the All-seeing eye…" Tyr never got to finish his request.
"Already working on it." Overseer interrupted, Tyr began to feel a slight sting in his eyes.
Releasing a yawn, the misplaced adventurer decided it would be best to follow Hailey's example and get some shut eye.
The next day arrived soon, the bright morning sky replacing the dark night. Hailey woke up with a yawn and looked around for the Tarnished. She found him soon, standing on the hill overlooking the grove nearby.
"What are't thou thinking about now? Still livid over Lord Godrick?" Hailey asked, getting up and walking over to him. She received no response. Finding it odd, she looked at him, his gaze fixed on something. "Hello?" She waved her hand in his face.
Still no reaction…
Meanwhile, in Tyr's head.
"You know she is trying to get your attention."
'Don't care, so what's the verdict on the giant armored person on the warhorse? Think they'd be a viable ally.'
"You're assuming it isn't serving under that Grafted Lord of these lands.
'That's true, but come on you're sensing it too, it's not like the others, not like Hailey or Varré.'
"The latter of which, I am still in the mind of "you should have killed". You saw the color of his soul, much like I did. He isn't trustworthy. Probably would have killed us, if he thought he would've gotten away with it. He already had a concealed weapon."
'He gave us information, if we meet him again and he tries something, then I'll handle it. For now, I have no reason nor the intention to treat him with hostility.'
"..."
'Yeah, ye-' He immediately found his thought's interrupted by a pain in his right cheek.
"Ow. Ow. Ow. Hailey, would you mind letting me go?" Tyr asked his companion, as she pinched his right cheek.
"Finally you respond." Hailey did as he asked. "So what's on your mind now?"
"The knight in the golden armor, who are they?" Tyr pointed to the wandering Tree Sentinel marching up and down the path a bit ways down from them.
"The living rampart of the Erdtree, the Tree Sentinels are the standard to which all defenders of the Erdtree aspire." Hailey offered.
Tyr noticed Melina's astral form next to him, bristle at the explanation. That was something to note for later. He would also need to tell Hailey about Melina…eh, he was in no rush.
"So they are a friend then. Good, I was looking forward to not having to kill them." Tyr jumped down from the cliff and started to walk towards the Sentinel. Paying no heed to the look on Hailey's face.
"Wait, Tarnished!" Hailey's words fell on deaf ears as Tyr had already made it within speaking distance of the Sentinel.
"Hark there, mine good friend. Yeah, no I probably won't be doing that much." Tyr was waving to get the Tree Sentinels attention. "Hey, so my…friend? Captive? Companion? Reluctant companion and I were talking over there and she told…Oh come on! Not again."
Tyr soon found himself having to dodge another charge, as the Tree Sentinel drew his Golden Halberd and shield. Then spurred his horse to come charging in Tyr's direction.
"Sorry buddy, looks like I need you sooner than expected." Tyr summoned Torrent, quickly mounting the Steed and riding him out of the path of the Sentinel. "Okay, this trying to kill me thing, is getting old, really fast."
Tyr hopped off Torrent, and had the steed return from whence it came. Tyr then decided to return the favor and went charging at the sentinel, who tried to take a swipe at him with the halberd. He immediately jumped over it; the Sentinel quickly recovered and tried to bring it down on him, once he landed. Tyr caught it, stopping it in its tracks with some effort and a grunt of pain.
"If you..ugh" He then began to pull at the halberd, putting all his strength into it. "…can't play nice." Adjusting his footing, he then put his all into almost taking the halberd away, only for the Sentinel to reinforce his grip. "Then, I'll just have to take your toys away." He let the halberd go, causing the Sentinel to lean back on the warhorse, and falter. Pressing his new advantage; Tyr jumped up, using the Sentinels body as a springboard, he swiped the halberd, and flipped over, landing behind the golden warrior.
"Whew; this thing has some weight to it, huh?" Tyr looked over the halberd and turned to face the Sentinel, who had properly remounted his horse.
Tyr swung the halberd at the giant knight, having it be met with the shield. Tyr backed off allowing for the Tree Sentinel to chase after him, rearing up, the Tree Sentinel had the warhorse go for a hoof attack. Tyr took the chance to get a swing in with the halberd, before rolling out of the way. While rolling, Tyr launched a projectile of golden light at the Sentinel only for it to be blocked with the shield. Seeing the shield light up with a sigil as the spell hit it. Then a beam of golden light fired from the shield at Tyr.
"You're fucking kidding me." Tyr sweared, his eyes wide. He got hit by the beam, getting sent flying back, skidding along the grass. "Did anyone get the number of that bitch? Ow." Tyr held his torso at the area he was hit. Getting up; he glared at the Sentinel, who leaped into the air, and brought its shield down, creating a shockwave to hit Tyr. Summoning Torrent; Tyr with the spectral steeds help, jumped over the shockwave, and brought the halberd crashing down on the Tree Sentinel, getting in a good hit. He then rode away, and came around to go for a slash.
As one could expect the tree Sentinel parried the attack with his shield, then while Tyr was staggered, went for a shield bash. Spectral steed and its rider took the bash in stride and used the close proximity to slash the Tree sentinel. The lumbering knight had his mount jump back from the attack. However Tyr didn't stop there, fully back into it he had Torrent ride up in a charge to the Tree Sentinel, which the Sentinel reciprocated, only for him to have Torrent double jump into the air, launching off from his own mount Tyr brung the halberd once more crashing down at the Tree Sentinel. The shield was brought up to intercept once more, only for that to be exactly what Tyr wanted, he once more went to flip over the Sentinel, only this time he aimed to bring his foe down with him. Hooking the back of the halberd under the helmet, where the neck was, Tyr used his moment to drag the Sentinel off the warhorse.
"GET THE HORSE, I GOT THE GOLDEN PROTECTOR HERE!" He yelled up to Hailey, and jumped away from the fallen foe.
The Tree Sentinel, with some struggling, got up. He turned and faced Tyr, shield raised, ready to intercept any attack.
"Alright, look, I can respect wanting to protect nature and all. Truly, I can. But look, I'm not looking to harm the tree in any way. So maybe we can end this without me having to kill you." Tyr tried to reason, he then idly noticed that within the chaos, Melina's astral form, had found her way to his side. "Melina, I don't think right next to me is the safest right now."
The Tree sentinel, as if seeing or sensing the kindling maiden, charged at Tyr while he was talking to her. "Fuck." Tyr leaped to meet him, causing the Sentinel to raise the shield. Tyr's feet met the face of the shield and he launched off it, gliding back. Ending in a hero pose.
Tyr looked himself over, "What the…?" He quickly stood up. "Okay, reason is a no go." He then twirled the halberd around his body, and launched a small barrage of the golden magic projectiles from before. This only caused the result of his previous projectile magic to get repeated. The beam came firing at him, it looked as if he wasn't planning on dodging it.
The beam hit its mark, the Sentinel seemed to stand a little straighter, though still on guard. Once it had cleared, there was no sign of Tyr causing him to look for any trace of him. The sound of Torrent's whistle went off from above him, looking up he found the form of his wily adversary coming down, the mist of Torrent returning to whence he came, fading from beneath. Tyr cleaved the Tree Sentinel down his midsection and the giant golden knight fell to his knees, before fading into runes that came crashing into Tyr, knocking the recipient back on his ass.
"Woah." Tyr got up, stretching, he cracked his back. Turning his head, the man regarded the giant golden halberd, he absconded from his foe. It had found itself buried via blade into the ground, when its wielder went crashing down. Tilting his head, "Well, spoil of war I guess." Tyr picked up the halberd and in a mote of golden light, it disappeared.
"It's been stored."
'Cool.'
There was a whine of a horse that caught his attention, turning in the direction the Tree Sentinel's mount had gone off to, Tyr saw Hailey leading it towards him.
"Neat, you heard me and did the thing. Good on ya." Tyr praised Hailey, getting a flat look in response, she then tried to hand over the reins. "Oh, no no no. I already have my partner." Tyr tapped the ring whistle. "Why don't you keep 'em." He suggested as if one was guessing the weather.
"And just what would I need with a giant horse?" Hailey asked, only to receive a shrug. "Great."
"Hey, worst case scenario we can have 'em carry our supplies."
"Ugh, so care to explain where thou got thy steed? And since when can thou use magic?! How can thou use magic?! I see no seals or staffs on you."
"Well to answer in no particular order, I could always use magic, don't really need a conduit to channel, my body acts as one. As far as Torrent goes, I'll tell you while we walk." And he did, telling her of how he met Melina after she went to sleep, made the deal, and was given Torrent.
"So you are maidenless no more. Then you no longer have need of me." Hailey said, ready to walk back to the Cave of Knowledge.
"Technically no, but we still have a deal and Melina ain't explaining much, so you aren't going anywhere." Tyr grabbed her arm gently and turned her back to face the direction they were going.
"Of course, I'm not." She released a sigh.
"Alright so next…" He quickly shot a golden projectile at a soldier who was charging at them, killing it with a headshot. "What is the Erdtree? You keep mentioning it."
It used to be a church, that was clear enough. But now it was just ruins that would offer them some refuge from those who seek to do his group harm. Tyr took a second to light the Site of Grace there, then went up to the person he saw resting by a fire a bit ways away. He couldn't help but know he looked a bit similar to Santa Claus.
"Hello." He greeted.
"You are a Tarnished, I can see it. And I can also see… That you're not after my throat. Then why not purchase a little something? I am Kale, Purveyor of fine goods." Kale introduced himself. "You know, if you can spare the runes, you should buy yourself a crafting kit. A crafting kit allows you to make basic items on your own. Essentially really, if you intend to survive out here for any duration. The kit costs a…" Kale instantly found the runes shoved into his face. Tyr knew a good deal when he heard one. "I'm glad you took my warning to heart. You've made an excellent choice." Kale handed Tyr the crafting kit, taking the runes.
"No, thank you Kale. So what's your story?" Tyr asked.
"I am of a nomadic people. Selling wares as I travel. Once a part of a group called The Grand Caravan. The land has been tainted by madness since the shattering of the Elden Ring. It's only tarnished like yourself who keep things from drying up entirely. Let's say you're a very welcome customer."
"Then is it safe to assume there are more of you around The Lands Between?" Tyr asked, noting how his question seemed to dampen Kale's mood.
"There are other of my people who yet survive in these lands. If mood takes you when you meet one, then offer trade, won't you? My people wanderers all, have long spurned the grace of gold. Which is why we cannot settle, but instead forced into this pitiful, unceasing journey. But thanks to that, things are not so different for us now, though the Elden Ring is shattered. I think this makes us kindred spirits of sorts, Your people, Tarnished, and mine." Kale told him. He admitted he kinda liked that thought at the end. Tyr decided Kale and his people would be ones, he would get to know more.
"Perhaps you don't need to hear this, but… See that no harm comes to my kin. We have a saying, we wanderers. Lament not your solitude. Expect no Sympathy. No regard. Nothing. But if anyone dares harm us, show them no mercy. That is our code, so to speak. Just the way we are. Deeply…unforgiving." There was something…darker there. A burning resentment…hatred. There was more to Kale than meets the eye.
"Don't worry Kale, I shan't let anything happen to you or your people. You have my word." Tyr performed a curt bow.
It soon turned to night, and the small group that had found refuge in the Church Of Elleh decided to rest there till morning.
Now with everyone seeming to have fallen asleep, Tyr chose to stay up and converse with his robotic partner, and Melina, who continued to remain in her astral form.
"So notes, magic is definitely a thing in this world and people only seem to be able to use it with these things called seals or a staff."
"Right, those done with seals are called incantations and those with a staff is called sorcery."
"Right, next they all seem to worship this giant golden tree in the sky, and around the world are beings who dedicate their being to protect it called Tree Sentinels and Avatars."
"Finally Tarnish throughout the lands, seek to recreate this symbol of power called the Elden Ring and achieve the Title Elden Lord. This can only be done by collecting what are called Great Runes, from various Demigod children, Consorts, or previous Elden Lords."
"What the fuck did we get ourselves into?" He then quickly snapped to his senses. "Who is there?" He looked over to the left seeing a woman dressed as a witch sitting off on the ruins of the church.
"This way, Tarnished." She gestured for him to come towards her, sensing no immediate danger, Tyr heeded her call. "May I have a word?"
"Sure, I'm not doing much anyway. I'm Tyr." He looked her over, silently questioning why this was the third beautiful woman he'd find himself meeting.
"A pleasure to meet thee, Tarnished. I am the witch Renna." And there was the first lie she has given in their short interaction. But it's just a name. "I've heard tell of a Tarnished hurtling about atop a spectral steed. And upon looking into the matter, the talk, I surmise, is of thee."
"You'd be right." Here he showed her the ring. Noting how Melina seemed to be almost weary of the witch. More questions and still little answers.
"Ah. As I hoped. I was entrusted this, for thee." She handed him a bell and some ashes. He looked at them oddly.
"Thank you?" He was unsure, but didn't want to rebuke the gift as he thought it best to remain on her good side, in case he ran into her at a later date.
"It was given by Torrent's former master. Tis' a bell for calling forth spirits. Summon them with it, from ash unreturned to the Erdtree." Renna explained to him.
'This land and Tree, continues to get weirder and weirder.' He commented to the Overseer.
"I mean not like you haven't dealt with weird trees before. Remember The Village."
'Aww, I miss our little family of monsters. I hope Miranda is keeping her word.' Tyr thought back to one of his previous adventures.
"The spirits will obey thine command but briefly, as they recall battles past." Ranni continued, taking his silence as a hesitance, "Now it is thine. To do with as thou wishes."
"Well thank you for coming here and bestowing this upon me. I shall make great use of it." He stowed away the bell and ashes.
"Forgive mine intrusion, Tarnished. I doubt we shall again meet. But all the same, learn well the Lands Between." Ranni said as she began to bid farewell. "How long will it be, I wonder… Before the Tarnished tire of obeisance to the Two Fingers?" She then disappeared from the area.
"Huh, well that was…foreboding?" He then shrugged, "Eh, I have more important things to direct my worry towards. So, mind telling me what's up? You and her got a history or something?" He turned to where he knew Melina to be.
She made no appearance, just remained on the Astral plane.
"Cool, good talk." He may have said it a bit more harshly than his original intention. "I'm going to bed."