Flynn

RL40 - 25 VIG - 13 MND - 17 END - 24 STR - 14 DEX - 9 INT - 10 FTH - 7 ARC

Resa

RL40 - 13 VIG - 15 MND - 10 END - 12 STR - 23 DEX - 9 INT - 28 FTH - 9 ARC

Flynn

We'd rested enough…it was time to make our move. The chamber we were resting in had an elevator shaft, but we didn't bother checking it - after dealing with the previous two elevators in the castle, we just assumed we'd find the platform later. That left us only one path left to go - back out the way we'd entered, towards the other staircase guarded by the black hawk. The creature put up a fight - somehow able to create sparks of flame with a contraption that replaced its beak - but before too long we'd managed to subdue it. A second bird was behind it, blocking other barricades, and we similarly dealt with it as well. There, the pathway opened out into a long leftward bend - but what caught my eye was some noise to our right, within a lit room. The sound of conflict.

I followed it, stepping down a short flight of stairs to find a Stormveil knight dead on the floor, a woman poised above him. She wielded two axes, sparks of electricity leaping off of them in her grasp. I raised my weapons, but she lowered hers, moving to stow the axes on her back. Cautiously but out of a sign of tentative respect, I did the same, stepping closer to the woman.

She looked like an outlander, clad in little more than furs and leathers. Her legs were well covered, but her upper body was protected in only a few locations - a shoulder, her upper chest, and a pair of bracers. Impractical, possibly, but light on one's feet - and judging by the woman's toned physique and tanned skin, I had no doubt she could be incredibly agile.

"Well, what have we here? You're not one of Godricks, by the looks of it, which makes you Tarnished then. You may know me as Nepheli Loux - I'm Tarnished as well. What business do you have in the castle?"

"I'm Flynn, this is my sister Resa. We're here for Godrick…to put an end to him." I was putting our intentions up front plain and simple - if this Nepheli had an issue with them, better to know now rather than later.

"Good…it's about time someone stepped up and did it. My purpose here is similar - I'm here on behalf of my father. We aren't too different then, Flynn and Resa. Godrick's act of grafting is repugnant, ill-fitting for a Lord such as himself."

"Do you know where he is?"

Nepheli nodded. "I can't say for certain - but the throne room of the castle is not far ahead. If he's to be hiding anywhere, it would be there. Come, I will lead you there. I take it you have no qualms with a third joining you momentarily?"

I looked towards Resa, shaking my head. By the looks of things, Nepheli had taken down this knight on her own - something we hadn't managed to do quite yet. "Please, lead the way."

Nepheli took us out of the room, back towards the winding pathway we were just on. To our right, I noticed another small, golden tree with a seed at its base. I walked over and plucked it, moving to stow it away for later. I stopped though, holding it out for Nepheli. "I have to apologize, we're not used to having to share resources. Do you have need of this?"

She shook her head. "No…my father may not provide me with everything, but I am well equipped. If something would serve you well then by all means, take it."

"Your father…" Resa interjected, walking on Nepheli's other side. "Would we know him?"

She shrugged. "It is possible, but he is from a distant land, brought here not of his own volition. I am not kept on much of a leash, though he gives me tasks from time to time which is why I am here."

I noticed she intentionally dodged naming her father…it wasn't in our place to pry, though. "And why are you here, then?"

"Investigating. Father wished to know what Godrick was up to after the Shattering, so he sent me. Seems not much has changed…still the most cowardly of the bunch. Were it not for grafting, I've no doubt he'd have been wiped off the Lands ages ago."

"So then I take it there won't be a problem if you help us defeat him?"

"No." She shook her head. "I did not ask father for such permissions, but I do not believe he will take offense to it."

As we walked, I noticed one large figure up ahead - a troll, standing midway up a flight of stairs, with two guards flanking it. Behind it was a tunnel above a towering gate - that must have been the throne room ahead. I went to draw my blade but Nepheli advanced, unsheathing both axes. "Save your energy - I have not given you much to trust me with yet. I seek to remedy that."

I kept my hand on my blade, but let the battle-hardened woman advance. Both axes sparked with lightning as she engaged the three foes. Immediately, I could tell she knew how to fight - likely receiving training. Her senses were sharp and her aim was true, allowing her to fight with a unique blend of Resa's style, as well as my own. She knew how to dodge as well as Resa, potentially even better - but every attack she made carried a weight behind it, her much smaller axes swinging as if wielded with two hands. Before long, the giant was dead - it wasn't a flawless victory, but it made it very clear Nepheli's level of skill.

We advanced towards her as she cleaned the blood off of both her blades. "Godrick can't be far ahead now - trolls are among the fiercest in his employ."

"Good…very good. You fight well, Nepheli…I worry we may not measure up, if I'm being honest."

"Nonsense. You carry yourself like that of a practiced warrior. I need not see you fight to know that you would do so well. Your sister as well…the two of you have a storied past, I'm sure." As we walked down the tunnel, I noticed a grace in a chamber to our right. Nepheli did as well, the three of us veering over to take a seat. "Now that we have safety, I wouldn't mind knowing a bit about yourselves, if you would."

We did - Resa and I taking turns telling the highlights of our tale - of Lodran, and then Lothric. The story of waking up again, finding the world we knew on the brink of collapse…and how we provided a new future for that world. And then finally, how we arrived here in the Lands Between, and the adventure we'd gotten up to here. I didn't know how long it had been when we finally reached the story's end - perhaps upwards of an hour.

"Hmm…" It was a lot to tell at once, but Nepheli remained attentive throughout. "Then I was correct then - calling you practiced warriors only begins to scratch the surface. You have my respect, Flynn and Resa. For living multiple harsh lifetimes, and always finding the resolve to keep going."

Resa smiled. "Well…we've always had each other's backs. There were points we both thought about giving up but we didn't…and we have the other to thank for that. I imagine the Lands Between won't be so different, so long as we stick together."

Nepheli nodded. "Yes…the tales of this 'Lordran' are eerily reminiscent. Of Gods fighting against the current age, and creating an age of their own. The Golden Order is not infallible - it is not corrupt, but there are many that seek to improve it. My father defends it…but I am not my father. I will not guide your thoughts any more than that, but do keep what I've said in mind."

I nodded. "We will…I think we both are harboring some level of doubt already. Now, let's go…I am glad we got to share our story with someone, but we have a task to do. Godrick can't be far now. I don't want to keep you, Nepheli…let's move."

"Let's." Nepheli stood up, followed by the two of us.

We walked out of the small chamber and towards the end of the corridor, pushing open a set of heavy iron doors. Inside, I expected to see some sort of throne room based on Nepheli's prior description, but instead found some sort of graveyard with tombstones strewn all about the ground. On its left, the first thing I noticed was the corpse of a dragon, impaled on a pillar. Beyond that though, I could see a circular chamber blocked by large doors…I could only assume that that was the throne room.

However, Godrick wasn't there…he was here, staring at the dragon corpse. He was a monstrously large figure, about as large as a troll, but much, much wider. Most of his form was masked by a large cape, but the sight of two axes on his right signaled an abnormal anatomy - especially when two right arms lifted those axes as our quarry turned his attention toward us.

"Oh?" Godrick turned towards us, an unseen hand discarding the cloak - in fact, a plethora of unseen hands. When we'd learned of grafting and recounted the spider from before, I assumed it was a…test. That Godrick himself would craft something better for himself, but the sight before me showed that that was not the case. Along his shoulders were a cluster of six or seven arms pointed at odd angles, all seeming to serve no purpose…there was nothing they could reach. His left arm was uncomfortably bent and angled, and as I'd previously seen he'd attached a second sturdier arm to his right, allowing the wielding of a second axe.

Collectively, the sight before me made my first impression of Godrick one of disgust - that he'd waste the lives of so many people all in a gluttonous attempt at power, and yet the final product looked so pathetic.

"Godrick." Nepheli walked forward, holding an axe aloft. "Your time has come. Make this quick."

"Loux…" Godrick extended an axe in response. "Here to do daddy's bidding?"

She shook her head. "No…this I do for myself. The repugnancy of grafting will come to an end on this day."

I stepped up beside her, Resa as well. I held my blade in front of me, angling it towards Godrick. "You've lived long enough, filth."

"Lowly Tarnished…playing as a lord." Godrick went from holding his axe in front to slamming it into the ground with enough force to shatter the earth. "I command thee, kneel!"

"Bold to claim others are playing as a Lord, Godrick. Were you not so good at licking boots, You'd have died in the Shattering. Your borrowed time is up…enough words." Nepheli advanced and I remained only a step behind her, the three of us ready to do what we'd come here for.

Godrick responded in turn, spinning his axes around him as he commanded the winds of Stormveil, a wall of wind beginning to surround him. He swung his axe forward, that wall turning into a large projectile that he flung towards us, and then another. Nepheli and Resa scattered while I raised my shield, harmlessly dispelling his opening blow. I responded by drinking my crystal flask, Resa doing the same.

Well…time to kill a demigod. I rushed forward, swiping at his leg twice before bringing up my shield. The woman flanked him, Resa circling around back while Nepheli moved to my left, gainint partial cover from my shield. She assaulted Godrick in a flash of lightning and steel, striking rapidly with both axes.

Godrick, however, seemed to have no qualms with all three of us surrounding him. With a single swing of both axes all three of us were forced back, Godrick spinning around to swing at Resa, but she managed to nimbly dodge out of the way.

"Do not give him space. His command of the wind is a problem from afar." Nepheli closed in on him again, continuing to keep up the pressure with a series of aggressive attacks. I followed behind her, planting my foot and raising my blade to the sky. As Godrick's axe swung down I felt the magic blade form. As that axe slammed into my shoulder, that blade grew in power - and I retaliated. The blade slashed at him from shoulder to hip, gouging a harsh line across his entire chest. From the side, Resa laid down lightning, utilizing my distraction as a chance to continue assaulting Godrick.

"Carian magic? I did not have you figured for a sorcerer, Flynn."

"I'm dabbling."

"Well…they are fierce warriors. It is an admirable style to learn."

"I've never been one for an established style." As I said it I held out my seal, spraying shards of rocks at Godrick several times. With all three of us assailing him, I could start to see the cuts and slashes we were dealing begin to leave their mark.

Godrick was growing irate from our assault, and began a violent series of swings at me in retaliation. I raised my shield in an attempt to weather the flurry of powerful attacks, hoping it would be enough. One, two…after the third swing, my guard broke. Godrick reared back, continuing with a fourth that struck me across the chest with surprising force and shoving me back. Somehow still he had the stamina for a fifth strike, stepping forward into a deep lunge as the axe swung overhead towards me, right for my skull.

I felt myself get pushed out of the way as Nepheli barged into me, taking the hit. It was a nasty one, slicing a fresh scar down the length of her back.

As I stood up to give us a moment to collect ourselves, Resa rushed over, seal out. Godrick tried to continue his assault but hadn't recovered his energy from before. Two swipes against my shield, nothing more - and I held my ground. It gave Resa time to tend to our wounds, first mine, and then Nepheli's.

"Thank you - both of you." I pushed forward, keeping Nepheli's warning in mind to not give Godrick space.

"You are well, then?" Nepheli again came up to my flank, striking Godrick.

"Because of you, yes. Are you?"

"I've suffered worse." Now come, let us continue."

And so, we did - our tri-pronged assault on Godrick giving him little room to breath. Resa hung on the wings, striking with lightning whenever she wasn't darting in for quick strikes. Nepheli stayed near me through the entirety of it, using me as cover when I offered it, and striking aggressively when I didn't. Of course, I remained in Godricks' face the entire time, making sure that whatever he did, I was there - and prepared to stop him.

After a particularly aggressive front from our end he again swung his axes around him, forcibly making space as all three of us had to back up. In a surprisingly fluid motion he rolled towards the dragon corpse, raising his axe to the sky…and then proceeding to lop off his own left hand.

"What?" I held my guard, waiting to see just what was going to play out.

"He's desperate."

"For?"

"For survival."

Godrick turned towards the dragon, raising his axe once again as he swung at its neck, the fleshy mass falling to the floor. He set his axe down and grasped the dragon's neck, lifting it up towards his now-handless left arm, shoving the two together.

"Forefathers, bear witness!" Suddenly, that dragon head twitched to life, its maw opening.

"Wait, is he - "

Nepheli nodded. "Yes…this is grafting."

Godrick quickly adapted to the new appendage he'd just constructed, the dragon's neck serving as his new arm, and its head as his hand. He raised it up and over his head before holding it out in front of him as a light began to grow from deep within the dragon's maw…the light of fire.

"Behind me!" As Godrick sweeped his new arm across I pushed in front of Nepheli, raising my shield up and using it to cover most of my body. I took a knee, dropping lower just so that the shield could serve me that much better - but even then, the searing heat of dragon's fire bathed my shield, some of the flames getting past it and licking at my armor.

"Thank you, Flynn. I suppose we're now even."

"No getting even. Just looking out for you."

Nepheli uttered a contented "hm" in response, but said nothing more on the matter. "Well we surely shouldn't let him have room to breathe now with that on his arm. Is your sister okay?"

I couldn't even believe I'd lost sight of her - but Resa was good like that. I caught a glimpse of her ducking behind some of the coffins, avoiding the swathe of fire entirely. She gave me a nod, stowing her seal and drawing her scimitar - it seemed she'd also reasoned we needed to be close.

"She is. Let's go."

"Behind you." The two of us rushed towards Godrick, looking to close the gap once again. Again, he brought the winds to his command - but this time injected them with fire, the wall of wind turning orange from heat. When he launched the air at us they exploded like bombs against my shield, making me struggle to hold our position. All of a sudden, Godrick actually seemed like a threat - I hated to acknowledge it, but he now commanded the strength of a dragon.

Dragons be damned…I've killed plenty. I charged forward to meet Godrick head-on, bashing my shield into him before following up with my blade. I conjured several more shards of rock, hurling them into his exposed chest. Nepheli's axes slashed into him, as did Resa's blades, a veritable whirlwind of steel all around him.

Godrick's response was to let out a screeching roar from the dragon's mouth, unleashing fire on both myself and Nepheli from above us. I raised my shield up, trying to create shelter from the intense heat, but we were far closer than last time. My armor blackened, my skin burned, and promptly I knew I had to retreat. I pulled out my flask, doing what I could to restore my vigor.

I strafed over to Nepheli, keeping a healthy distance from Godrick now - but still enough to threaten a charge if we needed to. "We can't stay on top of him like that. What now?"

"What do you think Flynn? I am your aid, not your commander."

I thought for a moment…Bernhal's advice flitted through my mind. Outwit our opponents…how do we outwit Godrick? A theory came to mind - completely unfounded, but worth trying. "Go for the dragon. Deep cuts along the neck."

Again, just a simple "hm" in response, but I took it as a sign of understanding, or at least acknowledgement.

From there, I strafed towards my sister, holding my guard while Nepheli came in to keep Godrick busy. "How are you holding up?"

"We've been through worse, but…he's part dragon now."

"And we'll use that against him. Aim for the neck, and strike deep. I want his grafting to be his undoing."

Resa nodded. "Alright…but we'll need to pin it somehow if we want a clean strike."

"Leave that to me. I'll think of something…even if it hurts very, very much."

"Flynn…"

"Just go for the strike if you see it. Your katana's perfect for this."

Resa nodded, splintering off to the left to take the occasional pot shot at Godrick. Meanwhile, I ran back into the fray headfirst. Godrick swiped at me, but it bounced off my shield. "Back for more, little Tarnished?"

I held my shield such that it guarded towards the dragon's maw, not him - to signal that I 'feared' it. I swung my blade in more defensive movements, horizontal strikes designed to deter engagement. It was all a ruse - but I hoped Godrick's hubris wouldn't see through it. "You'll have to do much better than some leftover axes to kill me."

"Oh? Well then burn, little Tarnished" Godrick swung at me with the dragon, adamant to prove that he had 'much better'. I continued to defend against it, even taking small gouts of fire across my shield. "Burn!"

Burn…as if. Though he commanded the strength of a dragon, flame was no fear to me. Though the fire hurt, there was a comfort, a familiarity, to them. Did it make me miss my pyromancy flame? Yes…but what's done is done. If I could turn this bastard's flames against him like I planned, it would make the victory even sweeter.

"Your fire is weak." I wanted my own flame to accentuate the goading remark, but instead I swung at him, slightly lowering my guard.

"Weak? I am a mighty Lord!" Godrick unleashed a stronger torrent of flames from the dragon's maw.

"Then why haven't you killed a 'little Tarnished' yet?" I wanted to piss him off - to get him to make stupid attacks, all for the sake of proving his own strength to himself.

"Silence!" Godrick lunged forward, the dragon's maw open as it snapped around me. I felt myself lifted up into the air before slamming me onto my back. He'd thrown me onto the ground, dragon's maw still pinning me from above. There was nowhere I could go.

It wasn't what I planned…but it would have to work.

"Burn!" The dragon's maw began spewing fire all over my chest. The heat was unbearable, the flames intense. In previous lives I'd worn armor to prevent against self-inflicted burns, but I no longer had such a gift…I just hoped I could withstand the attack for long enough.

"Resa!" I barely managed to utter the word as Godrick tightened his grip around me, the intense flames persisting. I couldn't reach my flask, and I needed my sister to fight, not heal me. My vision started to darken…but I just needed to hold out a little bit longer.

From across my vision, Resa flew at the dragon. With one clean thrust of the katana she plunged it through the dragon's neck, and then with a slash widened that puncture to a foot long. As quickly as she attacked she retreated…but at least momentarily, the flames had stopped.

"Whelp!" Godrick's attention turned on Resa for the time being, the dragon finally releasing me from its bindings. I fumbled for my flash, lacking the strength to get up from the ground. My hands couldn't find it, but then only a second later I felt it out my mouth all the same.

"Pray your gambit worked. Else you have suffered for nothing." As my vision returned, Nepheli was kneeled down above me, putting my flask back on my belt. She offered a hand, helping me back to my feet.

"Thank you."

"Just looking out for you." I caught the corner of her mouth upturned in a smile, but we had other matters to attend to.

"Godrick!" My voice echoed across the grounds, his attention turning back to my and away from my sister. "Finish what you started."

"Burn, little Tarnished!" Again, that dragon's maw lit with flame - but not in the way Godrick was hoping. Resa's incision along its neck erupted a gout of flame directly into Godrick's face as well as outwards, the self-proclaimed lord momentarily caught off guard. I used that opportunity to charge forward, extending my greatsword towards the exit wound of the incision currently spewing fire, and thrust forward, perfectly plugging the hole with my own blade. The fire in Godrick's face doubled in intensity, the flames still needing an escape, and now having one less. It seemed he couldn't stop the flames from bellowing forth - or was too stunned to do so.

"Burn for what you've done, Godrick." Resa came in from the side, cutting other, larger incisions into the dragon's neck, as more and more fire torched the lord alive. I looked to Nepheli, standing like a soldier waiting for a command.

"Kill him."

Grimly she nodded, walking around towards Godrick's back. The flames were starting to die down by now, but that hardly mattered - they'd done their job. Nepheli used her axes like climbing picks as she scaled Godrick's back, eventually reaching his head. From there, it was a singular, swift downward chop - and then, Godrick was no more.

As his body faded, a floating sigil was left in its place. A circle with three arcs across it, hovering in the air. I didn't know what it was…but I could only assume it carried power.

"His Great Rune." Nepheli examined it, but kept her distance. "Many of the demigods claimed them in the Shattering, a large portion of the true Elden Ring. His Divine Tower may very well be capable of restoring it to its true potential."

"The Divine Tower? You mean that big tower near the castle?" Resa turned around, trying to spot it from here, but the high walls of the graveyard blocked it from view. "What would this Great Rune do, should we restore it?"

"It grants incredible power…though I don't know more than that, as I've never seen one before. I can help you get there, if you wish."

"I think we would appreciate it…you've proven yourself a capable warrior."

"As have you, both of you." Nepheli looked at the both of us as we walked out of the graveyard, back towards the entrance. "But more importantly you are resourceful, which will get you far. I would have never considered utilizing the dragon's fire against him."

"I had a hunch, but didn't know if it would work. I'm glad it did…otherwise I'm not sure I would have survived." We doubled back through most of the castle - past the troll, past the birds, and even through the courtyard from before. Nepheli knew where she was going, it felt like. From the courtyard we veered off in a direction we hadn't gone earlier. Thankfully, the guards here were defending from the opposite direction, all facing the opposite way, as was their equipment. It made our approach rather easy as we traversed down a winding pathway, until finally we made it to another courtyard. Nepheli continued guiding us to the left, pushing through a final few guards and a large catlike beast until we entered another building off to the left.

Inside were statues of four Stormveil lights, all with shields out and halberds angled towards the center of a carpeted pathway. The entire display was incredibly regal, giving even more weight to the idea that the Divine Tower held great power. Beyond it was a stairway and a grace - we took a short break to tend to the wounds we'd suffered from Godrick, and then advanced.

At the top of the staircase were fallen stone bodies…I recognized them, similar to that of the golem guarding the castle in the peninsula. These were destroyed and ruined though, freshly dead…but no sign of a killer. Large unlit sconces lined the wide bridge ahead of us. At the end, a tower justin into the sky - our target.

As we advanced, three of those golems stood up, some life still resting in their bodies. Two with massive halberds, a third with the greatbow like I'd seen before. The golems were the defenders of the tower…and the fact that three still lived meant that nobody had made it before.

"Aim for their feet." I rushed towards one, striking at its legs. It was there that the stone frayed, revealing a glowing orange underlayer that was quite vulnerable based on my previous encounter. Thankfully, these were no different - and as we found, the greatbow golem in the back was unable to pinpoint our small forms amidst its allies, and several of its arrows ended up striking at the legs of its allies. Soon, one golem fell, and then the other.

As the second golem hit the ground, so too did its halberd. The enormous blade came to rest just a few feet from me, a weapon nearly ten times my height.

Or was it eight?

The blade was dwindling in size next to me. As the golem crumbled to the ground, so too did I assume the halberd would, but that didn't look to be the case. No, it was shrinking, for some god's unknown reason. I extended a hand towards it and grasped the enormous weapon, feeling the circumference of the shaft shrink within my grip.

Soon, the blade's diminution came to rest - though it was still nearly twice my height. I attempted to lift it up, requiring both hands to do so - it was incredibly heavy even then. I'd completely lost track of both women, looking up to the sound of the third golem hitting the ground. I tried to catch up, but found that I was carrying far too much to even move comfortably. I looked at my arsenal - the greataxe could go, I supposed, and I placed the weapon on the ground. Even then...this thing was just too heavy.

"Flynn, you can't be serious. You look ridiculous." Resa approached me, arms folded and an incredibly judgemental expression on her face. "You can't even fit through doorways with that."

Intent to try the strength of this new blade I reared it back over my shoulder, and then swung it in a wide overhead arc. It smashed into the ground, kicking up some of the stone. "Then I'll just make a bigger doorway."

Flynn…I know you have a penchant for this stuff, but let's be practical."

"I am. I'm more at home with this in my hands than I am a smaller blade, at this point…I know what I'm doing with something like this."

"Well…maybe there's some truth to that. Alright…come on."

"That's…that's the problem." Thankfully, my sheepish expression was hidden by my helmet. "It's a bit too heavy to carry around. I'm gonna have to lighten the load."

Nepheli stepped up, something in her hands. "Before you do that, take this." She extended a small medallion. A sword was prominent on its middle, but iconography of several other armaments were in the background. "I meant to give this to you soon, but it seems you have use for it now. You will find that it lightens your burdens. I had surmised given your arsenal that you favor large weapons…Now, I believe there is no mistaking it." Nepheli held back a grin, offering the item. Graciously I took it, unthreading the crimson medallion I'd woken up with from my necklace, putting the new one in its place. The pommel of the sword cleverly was designed as a ring, allowing it to be worn in the same fashion.

I took a few tentative steps, finding them coming much easier than before. Not easier than when I'd picked up the halberd - but that was to be expected while holding such an armament. "That's a powerful trinket, Nepheli…and I think it did the trick. Thank you."

"Do not mention it, Flynn. You both have done the Lands Between a great service today in killing Godrick. I can take your axe back to the Roundtable Hold for you, I do not imagine you will encounter any more adversaries. You have met Hewg, yes?" When I nodded, she continued. "I will leave it with him. Safe journeys…I'm sure we will meet again."

"Thank you again, Nepheli, for all your help."

"Same to you, Flynn." With that she walked off, back towards the start of the bridge, leaving Resa and I to ourselves.

"I still maintain that you look completely ridiculous, but at least you can walk now. Come on." Resa walked forward, towards the end of the bridge. It was collapsed not far ahead, but a portal was conveniently positioned at the end. We both stepped through it, finding ourselves transported to the other side, the Divine Tower now only a couple dozen paces ahead of us. A large stone door blocked our way, perhaps fifty feet tall…but as I walked forward and pushed against it, I found it opened with relative ease.

Inside was an elevator shaft - eight stone braziers alight on the ground in an octagon, a large stone platform in the middle of them with a button at its center. The entire thing was incredibly detailed with intricate stonework. I stepped on the elevator, Resa doing the same…and we began to ascend.

The walls of the tower were speckled with bits of white light. As we climbed, the braziers began to grow darker, and those lights along the walls began to glow a bit brighter. It made the ascent look like traveling through a night sky - soon, we reached the top, and we headed out.

"Woah…talk about a view." As we headed outside, we were now much, much higher up. Far in the distance, I could see Gurranq's sanctum, as well as two other Divine Towers. One looked to be connected to Caelid, while the other was sitting in the middle of the ocean. To our left, I spotted a third and fourth Divine Tower along a massive mountain, flanking either side of the Erdtree. From this viewpoint, we could finally see the Erdtree's base, jutting out of the rock from the ocean below.

"So that's what's ahead of us then…yeah? We have to take Melina there, remember?"

I nodded. "Yup…gonna be a long journey."

"Well, then let's keep going." Resa continued up the winding path of the tower, eventually reaching the top. There, the first thing I noticed was the symbol of Godrick's Great Rune, in much the same manner we'd seen it before. Surrounding it was what looked to be a long-dead creature - a worm coiled around it of some sort.

"Are these…the Two Fingers?" Resa walked forward, looking at the fallen creature. That thought hadn't even entered my mind, though I could see it. From another perspective, the worm looked like two fingers.

"Well…if so, I didn't take their name quite so literally."

"Neither had I. But Godrick is child of Godfrey, the husband of Marika - who brought this land the Golden Order through the Two Fingers. If it is literal, then it would make sense for them to be in places that granted power to Marika's offspring."

"And you're alright taking that power for ourselves?"

Resa looked at me, nodding. "You're the one ready to fight against the Erdtree and the Two Fingers. Nepheli affirmed our suspicions that there's something more going on here that we don't know yet…I say we claim it. We may very well need it one day."

"Alright then." I walked forward, extending a hand towards Godricks' rune. In an instant it shattered, the energy filling the vessel we'd retrieved off his corpse before. I still didn't know what to do with it, but we'd figure that out in time. I sighed, looking back at Resa. "Now what."

"Well…I think we owe it to that woman from before to let her know that Godrick's been defeated - she's at the Hold. I also remember Gideon saying we'd become a true member of the Hold once we defeated a shardbearer and claimed a Great Rune - and not that we intended to do the latter, but we have. I think a visit to the Hold may be in order."

"Right…but after that." When Resa looked confused, I explained. "I know we've been doing a lot of things for me recently…hell, we entered Stormveil because of me. But we haven't done anything for you…and I want to fix that. What's next for Resa is what's next for Flynn. You know I support you."

"I know…but I guess, I don't know." She walked towards the edge of the tower, looking out. "There hasn't been anything yet that's really…grabbed me, you know? There are no Warriors of Sunlight here, no Blades of the Darkmoon. I haven't really found a purpose yet, or a cause to back. And until I do…I'm just happy exploring with you. If anything, we still have a duty to Melina…and looking at the land here, that would take us through Liurnia if we wanted to reach the Erdtree. What's next for Flynn?"

From where we were sitting I could see what I assumed to be Liurnia to the north. It connected to a landmass further in the distance, shrouded by fog - but closer to the Erdtree. "Well…Gurranq has me searching for his Deathroot, but that could be anywhere. Beyond that, I guess I'm passingly interested in Carian magic, which would take me to Liurnia."

"I still can't believe you're thinking of picking up sorceries, especially just after picking up a weapon the size of Torrent. I feel bad for the poor animal having to lug you around like that." Resa teased, nudging me in the side.

"Well…I don't know. I can't be what I used to, not anymore…and I refuse to become a pale imitation. Gurranq's gifts are interesting, but I want to know what else is out there."

"That makes sense. What little I've seen of Carian magic does seem to suit you, I'll admit…it's just funny thinking of you as a mage. I can't get an image out of my head of you in a big floppy hat and some robes."

"Oh, that would never happen, and you know it."

"Alright, maybe not…but it's still funny."

"I strongly disagree."

"Yeah, well that's because you're not funny." Resa smiled, getting up to her feet and leaning back in a big stretch. "Well, enough chit chat. Let's get back to the hold."

I followed her back down the peak of the Divine Tower, taking a seat at the grace there before we were whisked away to the Hold. When we arrived Gideon was not where we'd last seen him, but I noticed a familiar face across the room, the woman we'd met earlier. She stood next to a warm fireplace, looking somewhat forlorn as she gazed off into the distance.

I gave Resa a pat on the shoulder. "Go talk to her…I know she'll recognize you. I'll find Gideon."

"You sure? I know you were intent on being her heroic savior." She gave me a playful jab in the ribs, grinning.

"Well…less of her Savior, more the bane of whatever did that to her…there's a difference. It's fine. I'll catch up with you afterwards."

"Alright then. Talk to you in a bit."

I splintered off, looking around for Gideon. The first thing I noticed was a door in the back of the hold that was now open - I remembered it being closed before, and with Gideon too close by to want to open it.

I noticed a large but odd figure as I approached the partially-closed doors, a figure that grew ever stranger as I drew closer and could see more of it. Two Fingers…but rather than the deceased version we'd seen before, this one was very much alive. It sat upright, its base on the ground while the two fingers were bent in an arch. Next to it was an old woman that looked like the shopkeeper husks I'd met earlier.

"I'm…not sure if I'm supposed to be in here, but I noticed that the door was open. What is…all this?"

"You must be that new Tarnished…greetings. I am Enia, a Finger Reader. I interpret the words of the Two Fingers, sacred envoys of the Greater Will."

I nodded, somewhat skeptical. "A…finger reader. What do they have to say?"

"Enia looked towards the fingers, her expression turning serious. "They welcome you into these holds, shardbearer. The great rune you have now is a sizable chunk of the Elden Ring. You are to seek another such rune."

I squinted, still not sure if I bought it. "Another rune? One of Marika's offspring held the one I now carry…let's assume the next one is as well. Why would the 'Greater Will' want me to hunt down Marika's children?"

"The Greater Will has renounced the demigods…it has extended grace now to Tarnished. If you must slay Marika's children, do so." Enia focused on the fingers, staring intently at them…from what I could see, it felt like she was simply speaking her own mind. The fingers weren't moving, swaying…not even twitching. Whatever sort of 'finger reader' she was, I was skeptical there was any logic to it.

"Right…sure. Well, if the rest of the demigods are as abhorrent as Godrick is, I dare say that may happen anyways. But let me be clear: I will not become a puppet of the Two Fingers, the Greater Will, Marika…or any of it."

"It is understood, Tarnished. Do as you must…but know that the Two Fingers offer you guidance all the same." This I could tell was coming directly from Enia, rather than whatever mock interpretation she'd been serving up previously. "The Two Fingers offer you strength in exchange for Godrick's demise. Power vested within him, granted to you. Should you seek it…the offer is there."

At this, I actually had a bit of interest. Without knowing too much, it sounded similar to a service Ludleth offered to us, back in Lothric…converting the souls of powerful enemies into armaments or magics for our use. However, Godrick had nothing to offer me…and even if he did, I had no intention of letting that be known. "I'll keep it in mind…good to meet you, Enia."

"You as well, Tarnished." The words were spoken to my back as I entered back into the main hall, taking a nearby corridor as I continued to search for Gideon. I soon found him tucked into a room off to the left, a room lined with bookshelves filled with books, and even more stacked in piles on the ground.

"Ah…I take it you've received the wisdom of the Two Fingers then? Welcome back to the Hold." Gideon looked up from a sheaf of papers to glance at me, though I could tell I was hardly his focus.

"Wisdom…sure. Godrick's dead and we have his rune. That's what you were looking for, right? Why?"

Gideon nodded in response. "Aye, it is. I'm Gideon Ofnir of the Roundtable Hold. I'm looking to reach the Elden Throne and become Elden Lord. To do that, I must become All Knowing, but this is not something I can do alone. As a true member of the Hold you're part of a select few. I ask you keep what I say within these walls."

I looked back towards the open door behind me. "Shall I…shut it?"

Gideon just shook his head. "No, nothing quite so serious. I presume you'll be after more Great Runes then, yes? If so, there are favors you could do for me. Not without compensation, of course…I understand you would seek something in return."

"I can't say I'm after more Great Runes, Gideon. Godrick died because he was despicable. I'm not here to murder demigods for the sake of it. Provide me a reason, and I can be persuaded."

All I earned in response was a tilt of his head. "I see you question the Greater Will's guidance…no matter. There are five shardbearers that I know the locations of, and four that I do not. I seek information on the four. Whatever you can provide."

"It sounds like you're seeking Great Runes then, Gideon. Why?"

The man sighed, burying his face in his hand. "Sometimes I question why I bother…the Elden Throne lies at the foot of the Erdtree. To reach it, one must bear the strength of multiple Great Runes. I know I am not alone in seeking the Throne. Knowledge of the hidden shardbearers may become crucial in the times to come."

I looked at him, processing what he'd just said…perhaps that was the strength of Great Runes then…the strength to become Elden Lord. However, something else was far more pressing based on what he'd said. "If what you say is true, then you put me and my sister at risk by having us claim a Great Rune. It makes us a target."

Gideon shook his head. "Once a Great Rune has been claimed, that is that. One can never truly fell a Tarnished - and thus, the Great Runes they hold cannot be so easily reacquired. Those seeking the throne will not turn to you and your sister - rather, they will focus on the few demigods that still walk.

I couldn't read his expression - the mask he wore hid it, perhaps on purpose. "Very well then. I understand then why you seek the whereabouts of the final four. I'm not opposed to helping you, at least at this stage of our relations. What do I need to know?"

"Well…perhaps it best you know of the Demigods I know of. First - Queen Rennala, queen of Carian royals and leader of the Academy of Raya Lucaria. Rennala herself is no Demigod…but she bears a gift from Radagon that bears a Great Rune all the same. Second, General Radahn, a fearsome warrior and scourge of the stars. He suffered grievous injuries during the Shattering while in Caelid - by my reckoning, he still resides there. Third, Praetor Rykard of the Volcano Manor in Mount Gelmir. He committed the sin of blasphemy and is now branded an enemy…if you seek reason for a fight, look no further. And fourth, Morgott the Grace-Griven is lord of Leyndell, the capital. He resides at the foot of the Erdtree - there is no need to speak of him until more of the Elden Ring has been repaired."

"And the fifth?"

Gideon chuckled. "Oh, I suspect you're well familiar with Godrick, but I can elaborate if you wish."

"Fair enough. So any other Demigods I may come across in my travels, you'd wish to know about?"

The man nodded. "Indeed. Give me time to continue my research and I can provide more info. However, I've provided you more than enough for now. By your words, you have no desire for the throne right now, but I understand such things can change. If they do, well…I've provided you ample information as is."

"Indeed you have. I will keep this information silent, as you've asked."

"And for that you have my thanks. Fare thee well, Flynn, and safe journeys."

I nodded, turning my back and walking out. One Demigod slain…and it felt like we'd only just arrived in the Lands Between. The Elden Lord, the Elden Throne, the Two Fingers…all of it sounded like nonsense that I wanted nothing to do with.

But as Gideon said…that could change.