Flynn

RL74 - 30 VIG - 14 MND - 30 END - 31 STR - 14 DEX - 18 INT - 9 FTH - 7 ARC

Resa

RL74 - 25 VIG - 19 MND - 12 END - 12 STR - 33 DEX - 9 INT - 34 FTH - 9 ARC

Flynn

The celebration and revelry lasted for several hours - though it felt like but a fraction of that. I was nervous, nervous about what was awaiting us. We'd fought two shardbearers now in Godrick and Rennala, and yet Radahn just seemed…different. More imposing. Beyond that, he was more…celebrated. His men still revered him. We were fighting in a festival in his name. Compared to the other two shardbearers, it seemed like Radahn had left more of an impact on the world, and perhaps it was that at the core of my doubts. When Radahn was gone from this world, the Lands Between would feel that absence…and we'd be responsible.

That didn't mean I doubted our path. As we'd heard, Radahn needed an end. He wasn't himself, just a mere husk to the scarlet rot. It would further Ranni's agenda, sure, but moreso to me it would help Blaidd. From his tactical calls and leadership from before, I knew that he had one singular focus, and that was reaching Nokron. Anything I could do to keep him from falling too deep into that pit and…well, 'hollowing' wasn't the term, but it was an analogous one.

We'd gotten to know our companions a bit better as time went on, enough to know who I felt I could count on and who simply got dragged along. Tragoth seemed quite capable, though perhaps that was simply my admiration for his equipment getting the better of me. Okina seemed like a proficient fighter - a little too focused and hardcore for my tastes, but this was a short term agreement. Alexander and Lionel both seemed upbeat, though I did have to question if they were truly up for the task. Patches…well, I had my doubts that he would make it.

I hadn't spoken much to the others since we all sat down to rest, and that was because of the last of our group…Therolina. Seeing her - a mute Finger Maiden in dingy white robes, hunched over and zoned out…it reminded me so, so much of Anastacia that my mind went fuzzy and my core felt raw. It was almost impossible for me to try and separate the two individuals, but I had to. Anastacia wasn't here - she was in Lordran, where we'd parted ways. Therolina…I had to push the thoughts from my mind. Of all times, now wasn't when I should be reminiscing or longing for a past life. It was the end of a war…I needed to be prepared. I continued to sit silently, lost in my own thoughts, trying to focus on the battle ahead but slipping into memories so, so many times.

"Alright everyone…time to look sharp. We've rested, we've recovered, but we're not done. Radahn awaits…let's give the great general the rest that he deserves." Blaidd stood up, swinging his greatsword around to rest on his shoulder. "I won't force any of you, though. We've come this way, but if you aren't prepared for what's to come, the way back is clear."

"I…I think I'll be going then. Th - the Volcano Manor's got other business for me I'm sure, yeah."

Blaidd nodded. "Very well Patches. Your assistance up until now has been appreciated. Anyone else is free to follow him as well, no judgment will be passed. For everyone else…let us go."

I stood up along with the others - it was time…enough waiting. As we all funneled out of the room I felt Resa grab my shoulder, slowing her walk until the two of us were trailing the group. "Hey…you've been quiet for a bit. Everything alright?"

"Yeah, just…been lost in thought for a bit…that's all."

"Is it…" Her voice dropped to barely a whisper, almost lost to the sound of the footsteps we were making. "Lionel?"

"I - " I thought for a moment. I didn't know what Resa was angling towards…but even moreso, I wasn't sure I wanted to bring up my inner conflict between Therolina and Anastacia. "Yeah…you too?"

"Yeah. We'll work with him for now…but let's not get too close. For today, his ties to Fia don't matter. We'll figure it out soon enough." She gave me a pat on the shoulder before picking up the pace, the two of us moving to catch up with the others. Fia…I hadn't even stopped to internalize that connection, but now that Resa had brought it up it was just one more thing that was storming my mind. I shook my head…I needed to get a hold of myself.

Back out in the courtyard, the eccentric figure from before was still on a raised wooden platform, arms outstretched as he shouted towards the lot of us. "Brave warriors! Are you ready to initiate the Radahn Festival? To finally give our warrior-general the rest that he deserves? To rid him of the vile scarlet rot that claimed him from us? Then join me! Step forward and reach the Wailing Dunes where he awaits, and engage in a battle unlike any others you have fought!"

Despite the over-the-top theatrics, Blaidd's tone remained level, perhaps even a bit perturbed. "We are here, Jerren, and we are ready. Let us not waste any more time with these antics." Blaidd stepped forward, walking up a small staircase towards a building in the back. The rest of us slowly filtered in, following in his footsteps. As we went, I noticed another semi-spherical, altar-like object off to the right, nigh identical to one that we'd seen within Caria Manor. They had to have some significance…I just wasn't sure what it was.

Atop the staircase Jerren led the way forward, walking towards the innermost chamber of Redmane Castle and opening the door to grant us entry. Inside was a small worship room, a row of small pews on either side with a carpeted walkway down the center. Near the back was a statue, depicting someone I didn't recognize. It showed the image of someone clothed almost entirely in robes, holding an urn that was being emptied. It certainly wasn't Marika, Radagon, or Godfrey - and it also wasn't the figure we saw underground. Who it was didn't matter to me, at least not at the moment. There was a doorway off to the right side that led out to little more than a wooden lift. It barely managed to fit all of our troop on it, Alexander, Lionel, and Tragoth shuffling to the corners to make room for more of our smaller comrades. Once we were on, Blaidd activated the button to send us down.

Ahead of us were the Wailing Dunes…at least I assumed so. From up here I couldn't quite see Radahn himself, but what I could see were numerous fallen warriors. Spears, swords, and all manner of weapons littered the battlefield, as well as sets of armor of varying types. What struck out even more though were more…illusory battle standards, ten in total. They hovered over the field, each one likely several stories tall in height.

From somewhere behind me, I heard Tragoth speak up. "What are those? I've never seen a flag that resembles a ghost."

"I'm not sure, but let us treat them as rallying points." Blaidd looked towards Therolina and Resa. "If you are too injured to continue the fight, retreat to one of the standards. Resa, Therolina, I'll leave it to the two of you to find people that need your aid and attend to them."

Resa nodded. "Should make it easier than searching for people within the dunes. If someone's too injured to reach a standard, we'll be on the lookout."

At this point the lift reached the ground, depositing us on the sandy shores. The sand went for a short ways before it was cut off by a river, beyond which were the Wailing Dunes proper. Once again Blaidd led the charge, marching on towards battle. He located an isthmus within the river, shallow enough for us to cross without needing to swim. Once we crossed, there would be no going back…if Radahn was as fearsome as he'd been made out to be, trying to retreat across this would be a death sentence. And so, one by one, we crossed into the Dunes. I slogged through the water behind Blaidd and the others, eventually breaking through to the other side and back onto solid ground.

"There he is! The general approaches!" I heard a call out from ahead, my eyes shifting upwards to look ahead. There he was…general Radahn. The general had positioned himself at the top of the sands, and though I couldn't tell much from this far away…I could tell he was massive. The sand blowing through the air obscured his features and left only a silhouette, but from that I could see weapons protruding from him - likely spears or halberds. Not like a quiver, where he intended to have them, but rather that they were embedded in him…and if I had to guess, they had been since the Shattering.

We all charged forward, our eyes on our target. From where Radahn was, I saw a small bead of purple light that pierced through the sands. It looked like the same sort of power from the sword that we'd found off the Crucible knight, which only meant that foul power was afoot. Soon, that bead began to move - rapidly. Radahn had readied an arrow imbued with that power, now sent hurtling towards our group, aimed directly at Tragoth. The immense warrior took the blow head-on, and even he was sent hurtling through the air, slamming into the sands close to Resa and myself.

I helped the warrior to his feet. "You alright?"

"Aye lad, this is a feisty one. Best not to take another of those head on."

Ahead, a call out from Blaidd - "Scatter!" Another bead of purple was forming at the tip of his bow and arrow, which I now realized was nearly as large as the general himself. Our group fanned out, preparing for whomever the arrow would fly at.

Resa was the target. The bead of purple rapidly accelerated as it hurtled towards her. She began sprinting to her left in an effort to get out of the way…but I watched as the arrow began to curve…tracking her. My sister noticed it as well, and mere moments before it would have impaled her she dove forward, throwing herself to the side and into the sand as the arrow - no, as the spear hurtled past her head. It stuck into the sands a few feet back, a towering spear easily twice my height…and Radahn treated it like an arrow.

"Push forward, we're closing the gap!" Blaidd willed us forward, all of us complying. A third arrow was loaded and launched, this time at Blaidd himself. In an incredible display of dexterity the wolfman launched himself high into the air, leaping over the arrows as it sailed under him, landing back on the ground in an explosion of ice. "We need to force him off that damned bow!"

We drew closer and closer…but the onslaught never ended. Radahn readied another spear into his bow, but this time there was no magic involved - yet. At the last moment Radahn turned the bow skyward, launching the arrow far, far into the distance. I expected one arrow to descend…not hundreds. A veritable storm of arrows started raining down, thick enough to obscure the sky. Even worse, they seemed to know where we were, racing and curving towards us faster than any of us could outrun. I quickly assessed who they were going for - Therolina.

"Therolina, to me!" I called out as she was trying to run from the spears - her head snapped in my direction in a sign of recognition. The spears were closing in fast, but so was I as I sprinted towards her, struggling to keep my footing in the dry sands. I nearly slipped but managed to steady myself at the last second, my calves burning as I did everything I could to get to her.

I reached her mere moments before the spears did. I wrapped one arm around her and raised my shield arm up to the sky. The shield barely had enough surface area to cover the both of us and as the first spear hit my arm nearly buckled from the impact - these hit hard. One spear turned into two, three, five, ten…what felt like dozens all in the span of a couple seconds. Nearly a hundred more rained down all around us, obscuring everything around us…everything was spears.

As the onslaught continued, my arm began to burn, trying to hold out against a tidal wave of attacks. I brought my other arm up, holding the shield with both hands as I tried to weather the storm, but the spears just…kept…coming. My arm buckled another time, and then a third…and finally, gave out. As my strength gave out I did the only thing that came naturally to me - pull Therolina in even closer and arch my body over hers in a last-ditch effort to ensure that she survived. Was I protecting Therolina, or Anastacia? In that moment, I didn't know.

The spears came - multiple. My shoulders, my back, and my legs were all struck multiple times each, piercing thick holes in my armor and lodging deep into my skin. It seemed that I'd weather most of the storm though, as only a second or two more of spears poured down before there was finally silence - but that time was enough to nearly cripple me. My strength gave out as I slumped forward, knees hitting the soft ground followed by my chest. I faintly heard Resa call out my name as I danced on the edge of lifelessness.

I blacked out for a little bit - how long, I couldn't quite tell. When I came to, there were two faces kneeling down beside me - my sister's, and Therolina. Resa's mouth was moving…but I couldn't hear anything. I felt ephemeral, nonexistent, my thoughts aimless and unfocused as I sat there confused on the ground, a splitting headache drowning out my own thoughts. My ears were ringing, a pinching whine that slowly began to subside over the next couple of seconds.

"Flynn,"

I snapped, finally regaining my senses. When Resa spoke, the words lined up. I shook my head and flung myself forward, looking around. The others were ahead of us, fighting Radahn - and from here, I could truly see the great general in all his glory.

Massive. Towering. Gargantuan…all suitable words. As far as humanoids went he was one of the largest we'd ever come across, a muscular hulking figure that dwarfed everything around him. His armor was a gleaming gold, collared more red in the grim Caelid sky, adorned with the imagery of lions across the face, shoulders, waist, and knees. Heavy armor - not unlike something I would have found myself in in the past. From behind his helm was a wild tuft of vibrantly red hair, almost looking like the plume of a helmet but far more thick. In each hand he wielded a sword that, comparatively, outclassed my cleaver, and would have been more comparable to Blaidd's greatsword. Each one was a curved blade that swept back to a point, the blades made of a black metal adorned with an elaborate golden engraving along the side. It took me a second to notice it, but beneath him was a horse. Compared to the monolithic, hulking man, the horse was scrawny and bedraggled and in fact looked to be a normal sized horse - not one that could possibly bear the weight of its rider. It was then that I noticed the final feature - his legs. Where Radahn should have had feet, instead there was nothing…his legs seemed to simply dissolve and fade away along the lower calf. Where his feet should have been was instead a faint, purple glow. I could only assume that that was part of the mechanism used to 'ride' the horse…if that was truly happening.

In that brief moment of looking at Radahn, I understood why we were doing all of this - giving him a warrior's death. His mere presence commanded respect, and if he hadn't been utterly consumed by the scarlet rot, I had no doubt that he would be a proud and strong leader. As it was, his face was contorted into a permanent, wild-eyed snarl, and he swung his swords with reckless abandon, far from the movements of a trained fighter.

"Flynn!"

I snapped again - I couldn't sit here and simply stare. Resa was holding out a hand that I promptly grabbed, my sister helping me back to my feet.

"Are you alright?"

I was still regaining my bearings, a sense of dizziness washing over me. "I…am now. What's the status?"

"Your maneuver kept Therolina alive and gave the others time to close in. Good job…I was worried that you were going to die." Resa looked over her shoulder, finding Therolina. She gave a nod and a thumbs-up, the other healer acknowledging before running from the two of us and moving closer to the fight.

"Well…at least it worked then. Enough for now…we've got work to do."

"Right."

Back on my feet, I gathered my weapons…no time to waste. As the two of us ran up to Radahn I watched as he made two broad sweeps with his blades, cutting off any advance from Blaidd and Lionel while catching Okina and sending the swordsman backwards. The blade only stopped when it reached Tragoth, the hulking warrior slamming his hammer into the blade, both weapons coming to an abrupt stop.

That was our opportunity, and I took it. Resa lobbed a lightning spear from behind me as we closed in, but I kept to my shield for the time being - as useful as the range on a sorcerer's staff might be, I needed that extra layer of defense to survive in the middle of the fight. I surged forward through the opening Tragoth had created, bringing my sword up and towards Radahn's chest. I managed to pierce through his armor, rending a hole as my blade sunk in - and when it did, blood wasn't all that poured out. Scarlet rot came with it, creating a coagulated mess that ran thick down his armor, an orange-red hue that looked sickening. This was what Radahn had been depleted to…so suffused with scarlet rot that it was a part of his very being.

Radahn's retaliation was swift, his horse leaping backwards while he spun in a wild circle, both swords held out to catch everyone nearby. I was knocked backwards as a deep gash ripped through my armor. Blaidd was the only one to stay close, once again leaping into the air and over the sword, only to come crashing down with an explosion of icy frost.

I rushed back in, Radahn slamming both swords down in a chop that kicked up sand and separated our group. I sliced upwards, catching an arm before spinning around, momentum carrying me to slice at his knee - both grazing slashes, but better than nothing. A sword came down on top of me and I brought my shield up, the massive blade bearing down on me - but I held my own. When the sword retreated I looked at my shield, seeing a dented crease along its length…it could only take so many hits like that before it'd be as good as ruined. Still, it bought me time to take a step forward and slash even closer, once again drawing rotted blood from Radahn.

All around me, everyone else kept doing their part. Tragoth's thunderous hammer blows rang out each and every time he struck, Blaidd, Lionel, Alexander, and Okina's weapons all striking out at various parts of Radahn. Further back, Resa and Therolina kept up support, my sister throwing lightning while Therolina hurled pots brimming with holy energy.

After taking a brutal strike, Radahn stamped his feet into the ground - or he would have, if there were feet to stomp. Then, he smashed his two swords together - and when he did, a brief pulse of purple energy echoed. A sense akin to falling over washed over me, but that wasn't quite it - I'd been pulled closer to him. Not just me…everyone else. I looked up, seeing Radahn lift both his swords overhead, preparing to slam them both down on our entire group.

"Out of the way, I've got this!" As I raised my shield up to try and trap one of them I felt the careening body of Alexander bash into me, knocking me on my feet. As I fell into the sand I saw him lift his hands up over his head, one pointed at each blade. As the twin swords crashed down, he caught them both - somehow. Alexander buckled, his entire legs promptly buried into the sand from the sheer force of the blow alone. Even worse, a crack formed along his ceramic exterior - not enough to cause worry, but much like my shield…he couldn't do that forever.

"Everyone, counterattack." Blaidd saw the opening and called for it, being the tip of the spear as he darted forward and left a wild, sweeping strike against Radahn's flank that sent blood trailing through the air. I and the others followed, making as much as we could with the opening Alexander had provided us. Tragoth lifted his hammer up, swinging and somehow somersaulting through the air, bringing the hammer down on the sickly horse with such force I thought it might crumple. Okina slashed his blade at seemingly nothing, sending sweeping arcs of blood whipping through the air that lacerated Radahn from afar. Lionel stepped in with a flurry of piercing strikes with his rapier that bore a hole through Radhan's armor. Resa and Therolina supported from the rear, more jars of holy power flying alongside sheets of crackling lightning.

Radahn had had enough. With a guttural roar he slammed his blades together once more, slamming them at the ground - no, into the ground. Both blades sunk into the sand as his horse dragged him backwards, safely out of our range. A second later and he brought the weapons up…they'd been changed. Hard shards of rock now coated both blades, creating jagged edges where there'd one been a smooth cut, and increasing the weight considerably. A purple aura emanated from them similar to the glow around his feet.

When the general came back to the fight, he did so with a vengeance. Large sweeping chops aimed at nobody in particular, and yet they still carved a destructive path in their wake. His new enhanced blades were more than even Tragoth could stop, a resounding deflecting from the hammer only sending the warrior skidding backwards. Those of us that weren't caught in the crossfire were sent fleeing, no way to approach without getting cleaved in two. Okina and Blaidd were the ones that couldn't get out in time, both of them spinning through the air. Okina didn't get up…at least not yet. Blaidd managed to, crawling across the ground towards one of the banners that he'd previously designated.

I stayed back, reassessing the situation. Whatever he'd done to his weapon had made them even more of a threat than they already were…getting close just didn't seem like the right option. I sheathed my cleaver and pulled out my staff, sending various shards of glintstone towards him while I figured out a way forward.

Soon, with Therolina's help, Blaidd was back in the game. He came up to me as I sent another trio of shards towards Radahn, desperately trying to stay out of the general's way as he mindlessly chased from person to person. Nobody was drawing close. Even Tragoth had pulled out a heavy crossbow and was firing at him from afar, while others like Alexander and Lionel with no other option simply remained on the sidelines. Of all of us Resa was the one doing the most, though I could only imagine the toll this was having on her reserves. "Someone's got to get in there, Flynn. We aren't going to get anywhere at this rate."

I stopped casting, keeping an eye on Radahn. "And I suppose you think that should be me."

"I have faith that you'd be the one to survive, yes. You're the only one here that thought to bring a shield…that preparation will serve you quite well."

I looked down at my shield, seeing the one dent in it. With the weight these new weapons had…I had my doubts. "It won't hold up forever."

Blaidd shook his head. "No. But it will hold up enough. Do you trust me?"

I nodded. "You know I do."

He gave me a slap on the shoulder, withdrawing his sword and baring his fangs. "For Lady Ranni."

"For - " I choked on the next word for a moment " - for Lady Ranni."

I took one step forward, and then another, willing myself to initiate an attack I knew I was not ready for. I raised my shield up and charged, holding it close to my shoulder. Radahn loomed closer and closer as his mindless, frantic thrashing sent the rocky blades flailing about, each erratic swipe deadly enough to cleave me in half. As I got closer he spun around, his wild eyes locking in on me and narrowing slightly.

I gulped.

A swing came slamming down upon me with thunderous force, clanging against my shield in a sound that reverberated across the battlefield. I felt the shield bend and warp as it withstood the blow, holding firm. Another slash came down and I juked to the side, again letting the blade ring out against my shield. By the time a third hit I could feel the shield starting to cave in, a deep seam forming along its center. It wouldn't withstand much more. I looked around - others were coming, but they needed to get here faster. A fourth and fifth strike rang down, each one making my legs quake and sending a reverberation of metal-on-metal across the sands.

A sixth strike came down - and that was it. As the curved blade struck my shield my armament shattered, splitting in two down the middle. His blade continued down towards my shoulder, digging in and ripping away with a spray of my own blood. I didn't want to look at the wound, but I did anyways…it was a miracle I still had my arm. Radahn had struck me to the bone and shattered it, my entire left arm going limp. The shield fell to the ground in halves, my arm hanging loosely by my side.

A seventh strike swung at me, and I saw my life flash before my eyes. If the sixth had done that much through my shield…I didn't want to know what it would do when I wasn't guarding it.

"Hold fast friend!" A massive hammer clouded my vision as Tragoth leaped into the fray, planting his hammer above himself. Radahn's blade slammed against it, and came to a screeching halt. Much like me Tragoth buckled from the impact…but it was thanks to him that I was alive. He turned his head to the side, looking at me through his helm. "Get yourself patched up. You've cleared the way."

I nodded, retreating. "Resa! Therolina!" I walked towards one of the banners, losing blood fast. Sparks and flashes started to dance across my vision as a sense of lightheadedness started to overtake me. By the time I reached the banner I went to a knee, too dizzy to try to keep on my feet. I saw Resa running towards me, a hazy veil of black garb that contrasted the shimmering dusty sands. Behind her was Therolina, garbed fully in white. The latter took stock of the situation and turned back to the rest of the group, trusting in my sister to take care of me.

"Gods Flynn, it's like you're trying to get yourself killed." She knelt down with seal in hand, starting to cast her restorative magic on me.

"Only at Blaidd's request…he needed someone to clear the way."

"And he didn't pick Tragoth? No offense to you Flynn, but - "

"Tragoth doesn't have a shield…I do. Or at least I used to, before Radahn destroyed it." I started to get my sense of composure back, my shoulder knitting itself back together as bones, musculature, and skin all reformed. The armor was still sundered, my shoulder still bare from where the strike had landed. Hewg would have quite the task mending it back when we next visited.

"Yeah…I saw that. Alright I think you're as good as I can get you. Ready to get back into - " The sentence trailed off, no closure to be found. Resa and I had both been watching the fight when Radahn, in a growing eruption of purple magic, launched himself into the sky. My eyes tried to follow him but it was no use - the general vanished into the cloud cover, all but disappearing.

Resa helped me back to my feet, looking around. The others had stopped fighting, but the situation still felt…tense. Inconclusive. "Blaidd!" I signaled for the wolfman, hoping that someone closer to the action knew what had really happened. He came over, taking heavy breaths that moved his entire frame. "What was that?"

"Can't say I know, but it's got people pretty shook. The general isn't slain. The festival isn't completed…but we've no way to complete it at the present."

"Do we…wait?"

Blaidd nodded. "There's nothing else we can do at present. Perhaps the general will return. If he does not, we report to Jerren back in the castle."

Wait…I could do that. I took the brief reprieve we had to empower my cleaver with magic, should the situation change. I looked up to respond to Blaidd, but instead my eyes caught something in the distance, up in the sky. "What…what is that?"

The three of us turned to look, confirming that I wasn't alone in seeing it. A flickering bead of orange-red light, growing larger by the moment. As it did, the clouds in the sky all began to illuminate and swell with light, rivaling the light of the Erdtree. The bead grew even closer, quickly piercing the cloud cover.

"Meteor! Scatter!" Blaidd called out from afar, everyone immediately fanning out. As I ran I looked up, watching it. Was it a meteor? That felt…convenient. As the shape got closer and closer, I noticed distinct features on it - the features of Radahn. Two blades. A bow. The motif of a lion upon the side. Radahn had retreated only to come surging back into the fray with all the terrifying force and might that he was known for.

He crashed into the dunes, kicking up a spray of sand in all directions that clouded the air and choked my throat. The only two people I had eyes on were Resa and Blaidd from where we'd pulled away from the others. Everyone else…I didn't know, and based on the sheer heat and force of Radahn's reentry, I wasn't sure I wanted to know.

But I had to, whether it be because of morbid curiosity or out of a protective instinct. I sprinted forward, Resa and Blaidd not far behind me and gaining fast as we approached the crater in the dunes. As the sands cleared…it was as I'd imagined. The mangled bodies of Okina, Tragoth, Lionel, and Therolina were all scattered about, and I could see a piece of the jar that was Alexander buried in the ground. They had to have all died from the impact…at least it had been quick.

"Blaidd. What do we do next?"

The wolfman looked down at his allies, and then up at Radahn. The general was still recovering from the impact himself, but recovering fast - we only had a few seconds by the looks of things. "They'll be back. You Tarnished are wicked hard to kill. We stall, we survive, and we give them time. If they come back, then we fight as a whole unit. If they don't - well, then we fight as this unit."

Words I could get behind - and words I would follow. "To battle, then."

The reprieve was over - Radahn punctuated it by another crashing wave of purple energy, this time coalescing as four boulders that hovered behind his shoulders, each one with that some purple hue. They did nothing as of yet, but after what had just occurred, they made me nervous - everything did, frankly.

My shield was still sundered - I opted to keep my staff in my left hand, firing a bead of glintstone at him from afar. As Blaidd had said, our only goal was to survive, at least for now - survive, and hope that the others returned. I had no intention of closing in on Radahn - especially not with the new arsenal of attacks he was employing.

The purple energy that Radahn had occasionally employed in his attacks now seemed to permeate them, sending his already awe-inspiring power that much higher. He thrust his swords into the ground, conjuring forth an array of smaller purple orbs that seemed to hang in the air - before rapidly accelerating at the three of us. Blaidd and Resa dodged to the side but I was too slow, the orbs catching me squarely in the chest. It felt like magic - that same cold burn I'd become all-too-familiar with, but it was different from what we'd felt in the academy. There was a pull, a tug, that came along with it - as if drawing me in closer. As the orbs rocketed through me, the pull nearly knocked me off my feet - I took a drink from my flask, continuing on.

Resa and I continued to pepper Radahn with what little we had left in our reserves. I could tell that Resa was being more and more conservative with her lightning, recognizing that she might need it to heal someone later on. I still had energy to spare - I hadn't used much earlier in the fight - but I was chewing through it fast. Blaidd's focus seemed solely on survival. He didn't engage, he didn't fight…he simply watched.

With nobody to approach Radahn up close, it gave the general ample room to do as he pleased with us. He pointed his swords up in the air and launched himself skywards once more - but rather than simply vanishing above the clouds he hung low. Slowly his body began to spin and twist, purple energy suffusing and crackling around him. His ascent changed direction as the spiraling blades spun around, pointing straight at me. The general started to draw closer, rocketing through the air towards me - I ran. I couldn't outrun this, not with Radahn having full control over what he was doing - but I could try to avoid it. I saw a dune behind me that I sprinted towards, throwing myself behind it mere moments before Radahn came whirling by. I felt the wind whip past me along with the faint smell of ozone - but I'd managed to avoid it.

Then, still in midair, he turned around.

There was nowhere to go - I'd already found cover, and he had maneuvered past it. I got back to my feet and started to run, feeling a sense of hopeless dread wash over me as I knew I had little chance of outrunning this. Radahn drew closer and fast - with only a second to spare I simply spun around and stood my ground…if I was to die, it would be with dignity.

"I said survive damnit!" Blaidd came screaming in from my peripheral vision, moving like a blur across the sands. I felt him tackle me a hair's breadth before Radahn would have crashed into me with all the might and force the general could muster. I was thrown to the ground, feeling the wind whip past me again. When I looked around, Blaidd was nowhere nearby.

I scrambled to my feet in search of our ally, Resa coming up next to me. "Are you alright?"

"I think Blaidd took the hit for me…I'm fine, but he probably isn't."

The two of us bolted in the direction that Radahn had sent him flying, finding him thrown into the crater where everyone else was - or at least, had been. By the looks of things he was still alive, shallow breaths moving his chest up and down, if only just. Resa was the first to make it to him, holding out her seal as she spent even more of her dwindling reserves to heal him. Within a few seconds the breathing smoothed out, his head shifting to look at her.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm a shadow…I protect."

Resa rolled her eyes, helping him back to his feet. "I suppose you do. Get up, we're still in danger."

Radahn came swooping in, a chopping slash from one blade forcing the two to separate. We were back on the defensive, all three of us retreating as the terrifying general continued his inexorable advance. At this point, fighting back wasn't even much of an option - I could tell that Resa was all but drained, and I knew that if I kept burning through my reserves at the rate that I was, I'd have nothing left by the time everyone else got back. If they got back. I took a brief look behind me towards Castle Redmane, hoping for some sort of sign…a sign that we weren't alone.

"They're - !" I squinted, making sure that my hopes weren't playing tricks on me. "The lift is moving! They're coming!" I was sure of it - it was barely visible through the choking sands, but I could see movement. We weren't alone.

"Hold out just a bit longer!" The sentence would have carried more weight if Blaidd wasn't midway through retreating from Radahn's advance, but it rang true all the same. One minute, maybe two…and then we'd have fresh reinforcements that could continue the fight.

Radahn saw fit that that minute would be a taxing one. After his volley of slashes he retreated, steed carrying him deeper into the sands and away from us…though that only served to make me more nervous, not less. Resa, Blaidd and I fanned out, unsure of what was coming, but not wanting to take any chances. He curved back around, setting just the tip of one blade in the sand that kicked it up into the air, serving as a smokescreen for what was truly coming - the boulders. It was hard to tell at first but I saw the two over his left shoulder start to move closer and closer, piercing through the veil and rapidly accelerating towards both Blaidd and myself.

I couldn't afford to get hit again…not when we were so close to weathering the storm. I raised my cleaver up as blue power surged through it, empowering my Carian blade once, twice, three times - and then slammed it into the ground. The boulder was cleaved in half, both halves flying past me and burying themselves in the sand behind me.

I looked up…two more boulders. There was no dodging this one, at least not successfully. I tried to roll out of the way but it still managed to clip my shoulder, all while Blaidd and Resa nimbly avoided the strikes coming their way. The pain hurt, but it wasn't unbearable…even when compared to other blows Radahn himself had delivered.

He wasn't done though…not even close. All the effort we'd spent avoiding the barrage gave time for Radahn to close the gap between him and the three of us, purple magic starting to thrum along his blades that built with each passing second. As soon as the second wave of boulders passed by us he leaped into the air, raising both weapons over his head in what I knew was going to be a true display of might.

A rippling wave of purple magic blasted out of the impact, arcing across the sand faster than any of us could hope to outrun. The three of us were caught in its wake, launching us into the air and sending us flying backwards, crashing back down into the sand and continuing to roll downhill.

Simply put, everything hurt…it was impossible to narrow it down any further than that. The strain of battle was growing too much…I tried to get back up, but couldn't find the strength to do so…at least, not until I felt a hand rest upon my exposed shoulder. I craned my head around, seeing a white-garbed figure near me, a seal in one hand. In the span of a few seconds, the pain began to subside…and in its wake, determination.

"Thank you, Therolina." I got back up, seeing that she wasn't alone. Okina, Tragoth, Lionel, Alexander…every single one of them had come back, the four of them rushing in to engage Radahn head-on. We'd held out long enough…and while we weren't done, I felt more confident now that we would see this through to the end.

Therolina simply nodded, helping me to my feet. She ran to Blaidd next while I ran to Resa, pulling out my flask and upending it into her mouth. She coughed and sputtered as the rejuvenating liquid ran through her, but soon she too was back. "Come on…it's time to finish this."

"Right…let's not get too reckless. I'm running out of energy and you've had it worse than I have. I mean it this time Flynn…do try to survive."

"I will…I don't have the stamina left to do much of my usual foolishness." The two of us began making our way back towards the fight, watching as the four warriors fought against him. Compared to us they were bursting with energy, and it showed. Okina continued sending wave after wave of lacerating blood at the general while Tragoth served to stonewall any advance that he could. Lionel fought with pinpoint accuracy, targeting each seam and crease in Radahn's armor with his rapier, while Alexander simply used his bulk and heft to crash into Radahn. For the first time since Radahn had launched himself skyward, it felt like the fight was leaning in our favor…I only hoped that would last.

With Therolina bringing Blaidd back from the brink as well, we made one final rallying push against the general. I ran in with cleaver and staff drawn, weaving the two together with many of the techniques that I'd practiced under Sellen's tutelage. A slash from my cleaver followed by a swing from my carian blade, carrying the momentum around to jam my staff into the ground and shatter the sand at my feet in a pulse of magic. Resa continued to stay along the fringes of the fight, the space around Radahn too crowded for her to make much use of her katana. She was fighting even more conservatively now, opting to mainly fight by sending needles with her rapier that lanced towards Radahn. Time and time again she managed to weave them through the maelstrom of swords and armor, slipping into the cracks to strike Radahn in the flesh.

Radahn, of course, continued his merciless onslaught, a blinding array of sword swings and magic making his mere presence a force to be reckoned with. If he hadn't been going all out before he certainly was now, every swing of his blades causing an eruption of force or a fracture along the ground. Trying to avoid it was simply out of the question, it turned into a matter of survival - could we strike him down before he struck down us. We were all battered left and right, our armor denting, our skin bleeding, our throats choking on the sand - all while we pushed for the victory.

In one final defense Radahn dropped his swords to his sides, making a whirling spin all around him that forced most of us back - all except Blaidd, that is. In a maneuver that we'd seen several times before the wolfman launched himself into the air, seemingly carried by the strength of his sword. Time seemed to slow down as he reached the apex of his leap, the length of his blade frosting over with ice - and then, his descent began. Usually Blaidd opted to return back to the ground, but this time he was throwing himself more forward, hurling himself directly at the general himself. He reversed his grip on the weapon, pommel up and blade down as his momentum shifted, sending him directly towards Radahn. The greatsword plunged directly into the general's chest armor, the weight of the wolfman behind it forcing it through the metal and into the flesh beneath. A moment later, and an eruption of cold reverberated across the battlefield - and Radahn went limp.

The general's movements came to a sluggish halt as he dropped his swords, continuing to spin for a half-second longer until that too came to an end. He slipped from his steed, Blaidd's weight toppling Radahn over as he fell onto his back. Blaidd simply stood atop the now-slain body with his greatsword still embedded in his armor. His chest heaved, his fur matted and wild, a clear sign of the trials and struggles he'd gone through - we'd all gone through - to make it this far. As Radahn's body began to disapparate he descended back down to the sands, still catching his breath.

Several things happened in the seconds that followed. Much like what happened to Godrick, all that remained of Radahn was soon his Great Rune. It was a different shape than Godrick's, a singular circle with a line offset from its center, and tinged a faint rotted orange as well. I looked at it for several seconds, marveling at the simplicity of it - but then my attention went skywards.

The stars began to…move, a vision made all the more clear by the sand that had now settled back to the ground, paving the way for an unbroken look at the night sky. The movements were slow at first, almost imperceptible, but then began to accelerate rapidly. Within seconds, the sky was a blur of white trails, the stars streaking across the sky so fast that they nearly blotted out the dark sky behind them. And then, in an even brighter flash, one actually descended. The trail streaked across the horizon as my neck inadvertently snapped to follow it, watching as it hurtled off somewhere to our west. Far, far in the distance I saw rocks get sent flying into the air, followed by a shockwave and boom that hit us several seconds later.

When I looked back up at the night sky, everything was back to normal…as if nothing had happened in the first place. I knew I wasn't the only one to have seen it though, hushed chatter and conversations springing up between everyone that had stood to witness it.

Blaidd's voice pierced the low din, standing above the rest. It wasn't the cool, confident voice that we'd heard up until now, but the voice of someone that had weathered this battle and survived. "Everyone…we survived. The general is slain, and the Radahn Festival has reached its conclusion. We can rest now…after our fight today, we've earned that much. We still need to allocate spoils, I haven't forgotten. But for now…a reprieve is in order." With those final words Blaidd's posture broke, his shoulders slumping while he held himself up with his sword. I noticed I'd been doing the same with my halberd, not even cognizant of it until this point…it seemed we'd both pushed ourselves to the brink.

"For Blaidd!" It was Tragoth that initiated the cheer with a raise of his hammer, but the cry soon rang out amongst those that were gathered. I raised one hand and joined the cheer as well…he'd earned it.

The wolfman shook his head. "No…no. I may have claimed the general's life, but it was not without everyone here doing their part. This was a group victory, make no mistake."

"Blaidd…I don't think that's what he meant." Resa came up beside him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You gathered us all here. You led this charge. Without you, this wouldn't have been possible…because it never would have happened in the first place. This is our victory, yes, but because of your leadership."

I couldn't have said it better myself. As another round of cheers rang out, Blaidd tried to put up a hand in protest, but he was quickly shot down. "I…very well then, I won't argue. Let us rest up, gather our breath, and then we will reconvene within Redmane Castle to sort out what little is left."

As the crowd began to disperse, Blaidd quickly swooped in to grab Resa and myself. "Before that…there is one spoil that I'd rather not even be put up for claim." Blaidd eyed the Great Rune still hovering in the air, still awaiting someone to claim it. "I know you all seek to enter the capital, and I know you need this. Please, take it…if I'm being honest, you've more than earned it. If anyone puts up a fuss as to where it went I can say that I took hold of it, and I doubt anyone would put up much of a fight after the speech you gave Resa. Now please…go on and take it."

"Blaidd…are you sure?" Resa looked at him, a questioning look in her eyes. "This is…of everything we've found, this is the spoil. You don't want it for yourself?"

The wolfman shook his head. "Not at all. Ranni's fate guides me elsewhere, towards Nokron. The star that crashed leads the way, of that I'm certain. Based on where it landed, I surmise that'll be somewhere in east Limgrave. I know I've asked much of you all already, but if you'd be so willing, then - "

"Blaidd." I cut him off, knowing exactly where his line of questioning was leading. "We came all this way. We're not done yet. We'll join you in Nokron, as well as wherever we might be led after that. Always remember that."

"Then even more reason for you to claim the Great Rune for yourselves…it'll be a boon in the battles to come. Now go on, enough deliberating. I'll see you back at the castle."

"Thank you, Blaidd. I mean it."

"Thank you, Flynn." With that, Blaidd turned his back, walking back down the sands and towards the castle. I turned my focus back on the Great Rune…with Resa and I being the only ones left on the battlefield, if we didn't claim it, nobody would. I scooped up the floating sigil and collected it…so unceremonious for such an important artifact, doubly so given the grueling battle that'd waged to get there.

That made three Shardbearers now…and each time, we weren't alone. Whether with the helpful hand of Nepheli, the unwilling hand of Moongrum, or the commanding hand of Blaidd, we'd endured three great battles, and emerged victorious. My eyes drifted off into the distance, looking at the now-floating rocks that had erupted from the comet's impact. We weren't done…we never were.

Radahn's fight lasted a while…way longer than I initially had thought, but there's so many great moments in his battle that I wanted to touch on. I'd initially planned on this being the final chapter of the Caelid arc of this story, but there's still a few story beats left so I plan on wrapping that up next time. After that, the twins will be heading back underground…hopefully they find what they're looking for this time.