The Outer Lord
Chapter 8: That Which is Broken
Something... someone approached. Who? It didn't matter, of course, not when she was busy tending to the egg and her Sweetings. If they behaved, they could stay. Perhaps they wanted her books. They could have them. Not her Sweetings' favourites, but the other books in her immense collection. She wasn't much for reading these days, not when she was so terribly busy nurturing the egg. That was all she needed, really. Even if her books were gone, the roof and walls blown away, if the egg was with her and remained safe, she could make new Sweetings if anything regrettable happened. As long as she had the egg. As long as she had the egg...
Ah, what was that? The someone had disturbed her Sweetings. She looked up only slightly from the egg in her grasp. Her Sweetings were scared, backing away from the man coming her way. One of them clambered over her sisters and knocked over a few stacks of books in her retreat. Queen Rennala stared at the man, her dark blue eyes locked on and boring into him. Her grip on the egg tightened, pulling it closer to her chest as she kept watching.
It had been... oh, she didn't know how long. When had someone sought her counsel last? Visitors were so infrequent these days. Still, it didn't matter. What mattered was that someone had come, but she wasn't particularly happy about that. This man was a stranger to the academy, and she knew every student by name. Or she thought she did. Was he a hopeful? Perhaps he had come to enrol. She could certainly see the man's potential as she could feel the currents of magic shifting and wrapping around him. If he wanted to learn at her academy, then she wanted to nurture that natural talent. Nurture it... like the amber egg. The egg... a Sweeting, maybe? Yes, that must have been it! A new Sweeting!
The man stopped a short distance away. Oh, the poor dear looked so tired, so worn down. The lines of his face were deep, his lips were a thin line, his brow an eternal frown, and his eyes... his eyes... so filled with anger, though not at her, it seemed. What was he angry at? The wrinkles at the edges of his eyes softened as they became fixed on her.
''Mother?'' a voice she didn't quite recognise said, ''thy guests hath arrived.'' Was that little Ranni? It couldn't have been. She hadn't seen her little girl in so long, and she didn't remember why or when she'd left. There was a blur at the edge of her vision. That seemed to be the source of the voice, but she couldn't see who or what it was. Still, the voice sounded like little Ranni, so she would trust it. What compelled her to trust it was unknown to her, but it felt like the right thing to do.
''This man is a friend, mother. He would like to ask for thy ear,'' the thing that was like Ranni said.
''I see...'' Rennala paused, her eyes locked onto Ranni, yet not quite seeing her, ''I will always listen to a Sweeting,'' she turned her gaze to Talos, ''tell me thy worries, dear.''
Talos was uncertain. What was this? He understood that Rennala wasn't exactly... whole. Her mind was still shattered, having retreated into a state of arrest. Could she really not see what he was? Was everyone a so-called 'Sweeting' to her? Perhaps that was the case.
''Greetings,'' Talos bowed, and Lanya mimicked the gesture beside him. To his surprise, the queen laughed.
''Thou needst not bow to me, dear. Please, tell me what troubles thee,'' Rennala said softly. Talos bit the inside of his cheek, puzzled by this. She wasn't seeing him. He didn't know what she saw, but it wasn't someone with important matters to discuss.
''Mother,'' Ranni interjected, ''Talos is an important man. He comes to thee for matters of great import.''
''Ah, I see,'' Rennala muttered, ''thou art an emissary, then?''
''In a matter of speaking, your grace,'' Talos said. He was struggling to think of a strategy to tackle this issue. He knew he needed to tread carefully, but he'd never dealt with someone like this. Being direct would be the quickest way of throwing this opportunity away. He'd need to convince her to hand over the Great Rune peacefully, but how?
''Are you well, your grace?'' a probing question, one to ease the queen into speaking with him. In all possibility, it had been ages since she'd spoken to anyone. He had to make himself approachable.
''Happy as can be, dear. I hath my Sweetings with me, and my books,'' Rennala smiled as she looked around at her collection, ''wouldst thou like to read one, dear? They're very good, and I can tell thou'rt a clever lad.''
Ranni exchanged a glance with Talos, both agreeing that they were getting nowhere. The Queen of the Full Moon's mental state would immediately revert back to that of a mother. It was made stark here that everything he'd heard was true. This wasn't a queen, a sorceress or anything of the sort. This was a broken woman, clinging to the last thing that gave her life any semblance of purpose.
''I thank you, your grace. I pride myself on being learned, 'tis true. I would very much like to peruse your library, but I'm afraid that will have to wait. I must speak with you, and it is of utmost importance that you listen to what I have to say.''
Rennala smiled beatifically with a patient nod, distractedly stroking the amber egg in her grasp. ''Of course, dear. I believe I already told thee to speak thy troubles. I will listen.''
''I worry for you, your grace. Many forces in this world move while you remain here. Tarnished seek to become Elden Lord, and so they will come here, seeking you. Your egg. Your... Sweetings. They would care nothing for these things. I come to warn you and to make an offer,'' Talos said carefully.
Laughing gently, Rennala replied. ''Oh, my. Thou'rt sweet to worry thyself for my sake. But how can anyone become Elden Lord, when the Elden Lord is... is...'' her face changed. Like a sudden realisation had dawned, her face paled and tears came to her eyes. ''Oh dear. I... I am upset, but I do not know why. Why is that, I wonder...''
''Mother?'' Ranni asked in concern, but the Queen of Sorcerers didn't respond, let alone look at her daughter. She looked at Talos, uncertainty clear on her face. She knew what was happening. Radagon's departure from her side was the fulcrum upon which all of her anguish was built. In her breaking, she shut out that painful event, choosing to shove it into the deepest depths of her memory. Like a curious child near fire, her mind would stray too close and would flinch away when burned.
Talos sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly. He was at a juncture. There was a solution, but he didn't like it at all. To do it would be to admit to himself just how inhuman he'd become, and the very thought tasted like bile on his tongue. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he was a god. Or god-like at the very least, and that came with some abilities that were disturbing to contemplate.
''Ranni? A private word, if you would,'' Talos stepped over to the sitting doll, knelt down and leaned in.
'''Tis more difficult than I had anticipated. I... hadn't quite realised the extent of mother's degradation,'' the Lunar Princess said, her normally serene face looking troubled.
''Agreed. Radagon's departure from her has done... well, something to her. Whatever the case may be, I still believe that your mother is in there somewhere. Bringing her back to her right mind is the difficult part,'' he paused, ''with normal means.''
Ranni eyed him for a few quiet moments, assessing the way his face morphed into one of trepidation. ''Thou hast a method?''
''I do. But it is... esoteric, to say the least. And untested. It is one of many abilities I have acquired across my lifetime, but I've never had cause to use it.''
''Then tarry not. What is it thou intend to do?'' she asked insistently.
''A melding of mind and soul, for lack of a better definition. What we see here is a mask that hides the true Rennala. She has retreated into the depths of herself as a means to escape her pain. But she has been like this for too long, and she will never lower this defence willingly. Talking simply will not work,'' Talos said gravely.
For a few long moments, Ranni scrutinised him and his words, her mind working over the implications of what he'd said. A melding of mind and soul? Could such a thing even be possible? Possibly, but what Talos had said seemed so outlandish, especially since he definitely did not have the look of a sorcerer about him. But still, as she'd seen before, the tides of magic ebbed and flowed around him in a way she'd only seen a handful of times, and of those times, those individuals had been singularly gifted masters of their mystical crafts, each with a lifetime of study and practice.
So what secret had he uncovered that allowed him to do such a thing? To bind oneself with another, mind and soul, was practically unheard of. But then, it was also an intimate thing, breaking the barriers between individuals, laying themselves bare and unvarnished. Ranni was uncomfortable with it, but even so, her mother's mind was still strong, though it was unfortunately showcased through the fortress-cum-prison she'd built within herself. Those who tapped into the Primordial Current and channelled the stars had to have minds of steel to even take a single step into the world of sorcery. Queen Rennala happened to have a mind stronger than most, despite appearances. At least, that's what Ranni hoped.
''Then... do what thou must,'' Ranni said, but her one eye narrowed dangerously, ''but be warned, Tarnished. Do not hurt her. In my service or not, I will not forgive thee.''
Talos merely nodded, then moved back to where he stood before the queen. The air shifted, taking on a new quality. It was heavier, and it felt like some etheric force was pulling the focus of every living thing in the room towards Talos. Ranni could scarcely keep her eye from him as something commanded her attention, demanded that she listen to his next words, intended for her or not.
He raised one arm above his head, then stretched the other to the side, one palm to the ceiling and the other facing forward.
''Rennala. Meet my eyes, if you please,'' Talos said, his baritone voice was smooth and commanding, resonating within the skulls of everyone present. As if spoken by a king, the words were akin to a royal decree. One that all obeyed. Lanya stared in a mesmerised daze at the back of the man's head as if stuck in a trance, the weight of his regal presence too much for her to resist. The Lunar Princess maintained a semblance of resistance, but while she watched him for any sudden movements against her mother, her one eye would keep seeking his own.
Quickly, Rennala's eyes met those of the Tarnished. Staring into them, she found herself studying the amber-ringed orbs of darkness. The rings around his irises looked like the corona of a sun during an eclipse, a union of the sun and moon. She watched them carefully, seeing the small undulations like flames trapped in a bubble of slowed time. So deep. So incredibly deep. The burning rings seemed to suck her in as she became lost in the patterns and ripples of them.
Talos' arms moved like those of a clock. His arms swapped position, slowly and steadily. One lowered, the other rose, palms reversing their positions.
''Open your mind to me, Rennala. Allow yourself... to make contact.''
Alone amidst an endless plane of still water, with the moon shining with its ghostly glow, large in a star-speckled sky, Queen Rennala stood and gazed up at the pale sphere above here. It was quiet here. Tranquil and isolated. However, here is where the truest reflection of Rennala hid from the real world.
The hat of office the queen wore was gone. Her coal-black hair cascaded down her back in a wild, tangled waterfall like a curtain of night. Her pale face was streaked with her black makeup, long since dried and crusted onto the skin of her cheeks. Glassy blue eyes stared up at the moon, half-lidded and apathetic. This was her retreat, where she would stay until the end of her days. Just her, the moon and her grief.
Or so she thought.
''Of all the people who would think to enter here, thou art indeed a surprising intruder. Dost thou have business with me that my addled self cannot entertain, your majesty?'' Rennala's voice was calm, yet those two last words were wickedly, yet subtly barbed, almost imperceptible through her monotone.
Marika swallowed the lump in her throat. This was sudden. Much too sudden, and Talos was nowhere to be seen. Where was he? Why had he left her alone with Rennala, knowing the scars she'd unwillingly dealt her? Her golden eyes flitted from one place to the next, and even though the Full Moon Queen had her back towards Marika, and the Eternal Queen could feel the palpable force of disdain pressing down on her. This was Rennala's world, so perhaps there was more to that than mere guilt.
''Ah, I... yes. There is a matter of great import that... we must discuss, Queen Rennala,'' Marika said, doing her best to keep her voice level and her tone cool. She refused to be seen as weak here. But she didn't want to be seen as making demands either. Marika knew how bad this was. She'd inadvertently taken this woman's husband from her, destroyed her mind and family, and caused the fall of her kingdom. Whether she liked it or not, Marika had destroyed this woman's life without so much as a glance. This was the first time Marika had seen the Queen of the Full Moon with her own eyes.
''Oh? Is there, now? I can't imagine what that might be. Thou'st taken my husband and kingdom, so I'm afraid I've little else to offer,'' Rennala said without turning, the venom in her words making Marika wince. Were it anyone else, she would never accept this impudence. But in this case, the Eternal Queen knew she deserved every bit of it.
''I do not wish-'' Marika stopped short. She was about to say she wanted nothing from her, but that was a lie. A grievous lie. Her heart sank. The two had never met, and now that they finally had, Talos, and by extension, herself had come to take the Great Rune from her. The last gift from Radagon to her, and Marika had come to take it. Fate... fate was a vile and cruel trickster, it seemed.
In a rather un-queenly fashion, Rennala snorted a laugh. ''Thou think I do not know what thee and the creature thou'st latched onto want from me? Where is he, by the by?''
''I apologise for my tardiness,'' a voice boomed from all around, ''I beg your forgiveness, your majesty, but Marika speaks true. This visit is for reasons of great import, and the shell outside was... uncooperative.''
A shadow shifted on the moon and caught Rennala's eye. The craters that pockmarked its surface began to vanish, as from the celestial body's centre, a black mass expanded, engulfing every feature in a lightless void. Like embers of a dying fire, the edges of the moon ignited with orange light. The darkness that engulfed the moon then began to seep beyond its borders, leaking out until it met the still mirror surface of the water and pooled like oil.
Marika was sure she had some grasp of Talos' character by now. She was learning more about him all the time just by being bound to him, and she'd witnessed the good he could perform and the righteousness within his truest of hearts. But here, despite all of that, this manifestation still appeared like an ill omen, an envoy of the end of days. An eclipse ringed with fire... it was unsettling in the extreme.
''What...'' Rennala said quietly as she took in the sight. Who was this? Was this the man that had spoken to her? She watched as the black substance staining the waters of her realm began to pull together and rise, forming a shape. It grew to her knees, then her chest, then equal to her, and went on until the shape stood head and shoulders above her. Finally, the man who had invaded her mind manifested in full, the shadows retreating from his form. He was a giant, taller than herself and Marika. His face was aged and grim, locked in a mix of disgust and irritation.
''Again, I ask your forgiveness, Queen Rennala, for this most unorthodox of intrusions. In truth, I had not wanted this,'' Talos bowed his head, and when he raised it, he tried to smile. ''I must look hideous like this.''
''Thine appearance is irrelevant, Talos of Boletaria. Don't look so shocked. My mind may be frayed, but I am still the sorcerer queen of Raya Lucaria, as much as some would like to believe otherwise. I am not so far gone as to not learn of you from this meeting,'' Rennala said coolly. ''However, if it is assurance thou seek, then very well. Thine soul is an ugly thing, it must be said. But the same cannot be said of thee. Does that please you?''
''I... hadn't expected that. I must be wide open to you,'' Talos said with the good grace to appear embarrassed. He hadn't been lying when he'd told Ranni he'd never done this before, and with no teacher or instinctual predisposition, he was having to learn the very basics all by himself. On a lesser note, he supposed it was good he hadn't spontaneously grown tendrils from his face. He was grateful there hadn't been drastic physical changes like that. His greater height, towering over both Marika and Rennala, was merely a truer reflection of himself that he kept hidden in the physical world. After all, his journeys were easier when doorways weren't an issue.
''Indeed, thou art utterly undefended from my mind-sight,'' the words were coy, like a teacher pointing out a flaw in a student's work, but her tone then shifted, ''the Great Rune given to me by Radagon. That is what thou want, no?'' though it was spoken as a question, it wasn't. Rennala had heard everything already.
''Yes. And I would guess you know why,'' Talos said. Rennala nodded slowly.
''To become Elden Lord. Why else would thy interest fall unto me? 'Tis all I have to offer these days,'' she said, her pride hiding the tone of dejection that threatened to bleed into her words.
''You sell yourself short, but grief still shackles your thoughts. I, too, have lost a family, Rennala. My own battle with grief was arduous. But you still have a sharp mind, and I can feel your power far more keenly in here than out there. Why do you hide?'' the Tarnished asked. Rennala laughed bitterly.
''The world does not need me anymore. What good is a queen without a kingdom or a family line? My subjects are scattered to the wind. The Academy has turned against me. Any respect I once commanded died with those who had it. 'Tis better for me to stay here, while the stricken woman outside continues making her own happy delusion. The Sweetings need her. They do not need me.''
''The world has moved on, and not for the best. I would say that the Lands Between need you, the real you, more than ever. Your intellect is beyond compare, and you could reclaim Liurnia in totality. I would even help you in this endeavour. But I need the Rune you keep,'' Talos said. Rennala's pale features barely shifted as her lips curled with the ghost of a smile.
''Flattery will aid thee not, Talos. I've no desire to rule anyone. If thou art so inclined, then bringing order to my old kingdom shall be thy duty,'' the Queen of the Full Moon said dismissively.
Marika watched her Consort and the fallen queen of Raya Lucaria converse for several minutes, largely ignoring their conversation as she contemplated what to say. She had to at least try and make amends, maybe explain what really happened to Radagon. But when she compared her words to the consequences of those events, they barely held any worth. The sheer amount of ruin that had followed in the wake of Radagon's departure wasn't something that could be rectified with an explanation and an apology. No. No, Rennala needed closure.
The Eternal Queen wondered if the fall of Raya Lucaria had been preventable. If Rennala had time to prepare, had known what was coming, would she have steeled herself and endured it? Perhaps, but why would she tolerate the events that followed if she was aware of their course? It could very well be that had Rennala known, she'd have rallied her armies against Leyndell, sparking a war across the Lands Between as wartime oaths would come into effect, forcing people to take sides. The results, no matter what the outcome, would have been devastating.
''I am curious, Talos,'' Rennala began as she looked at what had once been the moon, ''what art thou? Truly? Human in shape, yet that aspect of thy being is so small. Lost in the morass of other existences that comprise thy soul. I ask this only because I wish to know what kind of creature asks to take my former husband's final gift from me.''
''Thy disrespect is-'' Marika found herself speaking without even realising it, incensed that she had referred to Talos as a mere 'creature' twice. Not a man, not anything remotely human, but a creature. He deserved more respect than that. She'd have continued, but Talos held up a hand.
''Oh my,'' Rennala looked over her shoulder at the Eternal Queen, ''so quick to his defence and so quick to obey. I wonder if Godfrey or Radagon enjoyed such servility. But I don't believe 'twas to thee I was speaking,'' she turned her gaze back to Talos, ''now, thy answer.''
''You ask a complicated question,'' Talos said, ''but if you are as sharp as I am led to believe, then need I say anything? Surely, you've gleaned enough from even this brief encounter.''
''I have. Which is why I have not already cast thee from this place. Make no mistake, what I see is... terrifying, but I would have thee give voice to the truth. What art thou, and what is thy intent?'' for a moment, Talos could see a flicker of the formidable woman who had once ruled Raya Lucaria. Her eyes glinted against the dull light of the eclipse, like twin moons all of their own. What he saw in them was flinty and hard, nothing like the kindly, broken mother outside. Talos sighed, the burning rings around his irises dimming slightly.
''Fine. I feel like I've explained myself far too often recently, so I will keep it brief. In essence, Rennala, I am human. I was born of humans and was shaped by humans, but over my lifetime, I have become more. My soul, once a solitary thing, is now an amalgam of all of the entities I have slain. Finally came the apotheosis of the being that is Talos of House Vastoran. My mortal constraints fell away, and I became something other than myself. I struggled, but finally, the god without a name became Talos Vastoran once more.'' Talos swallowed thickly, his eyes narrowing as he held his disgust at the admission at bay. He remembered the writhing, slimy thing he'd become after slaying the Moon Presence and cannibalised its corpus, supping on its tainted blood. He'd lost himself in his transformation. The ascension to a nascent Old One had put him into a fugue state that took all of his ancient-yet-infantile willpower to break free from, to remember who he was and his purpose. The Doll had helped greatly. Her soft, gentle tones had helped to dredge his identity up from the inky quagmire of his newly undying mind.
''I wish to become Elden Lord. Not to rule over the Lands Between, no. That is merely the beginning. You see... I wish to venture to the void beyond this world. I am to become death, scouring the Outer Gods from the cosmos. Only then will my work be done. After that... I can finally bring peace to this world. With that done, well... I'm not sure. It would be rather hypocritical of me to remain after expelling all other gods.''
''Talos?'' Marika said, her mind buzzing with a sudden influx of questions. He was to be Elden Lord, and she, if he honoured their agreement, was to be his queen. As any royal union should, they would have heirs, creating a family. Was he seriously implying that he would leave one his work was done? A feeling of dread wormed its way into her gut. Suddenly, all of her plans felt under threat. Marika had envisioned Talos as the all-destroying, all-defending sword and shield of the Lands Between, who would burn away the Outer Gods poisonous influence and cast them into the dark. More than that, she was beginning to see him as a genuinely good option, beyond his martial prowess. He was kind. A rarity in the Lands Between, even during the height of her reign.
Godfrey had served his purpose, and while she held some lingering affection for the old Warrior, he wasn't what the Lands Between needed anymore. The external threats were gone. The dragons were of little concern, and the Fire Giants were all but extinct. The spreading taint of madness brought by those vagabonds of the Great Caravan was sealed away. The people needed a king of order, not a rampaging warlord. With the children he'd sired from her remaining at Leyndell, Godfrey's time was done. His part in the grand tapestry had been rendered and could now fade into the past. She'd remember him, of course. She owed him that much at the very least.
Radagon was... well, the less said about that, the better. She was still convinced within her heart of hearts that he was a control mechanism born from the Greater Will, all in an effort to exercise total control over Marika's movements. She didn't hate him. If anything, she pitied him. He'd enjoyed his own life, as evidenced by his marriage to Rennala and the children they'd had together. All of it had been stolen from him, and Marika was partly to blame.
Talos, though... the stranger from beyond the void was free of such things. He wasn't bound by the Greater Will, and his usefulness was infinite so long as he sought to remain in the Lands Between. She had felt the bone-deep yearning he had to just lay down his arms and rest, to stop fighting and killing in his seemingly endless journey. Assuming he succeeded in his task, which Marika was more than happy to assist with, what then? He'd just, what, leave? Did he think that there was always another enemy to fight? She supposed she could see that.
Once upon a time, she had been a warrior of the Numen. This was in her youth, where she strode the battlefield with her comrades, spear in hand at the height of the Numen Empire's power. For centuries, she fought, bled and killed, never considering anything beyond the next battle. So many lifetimes ago, and her world had become so much bigger. Her duty had been all-encompassing. She went from a mere footsoldier, to the mistress of the clandestine Black Knives, enacting the will of the Numen Empress from the shadows. And then her life changed for a third time when she found herself in the Lands Between, and that's when her life truly began.
But Talos seemed blind to anything but his personal crusade. How did he see himself, then? That question had been on Marika's mind for some time. Some of the things that Talos had said and done had led her to believe he thought very little of himself. Of course, she felt it from time to time, but she didn't understand the full breadth of his self loathing. Perhaps that was it. He didn't see himself as a worthy Elden Lord, seeing himself more as a destroyer than a guardian. If so, then perhaps she could change that.
The Eternal Queen had tamed Godfrey, steering his singular, barbarous might towards their shared goals. She had maintained her independence from Radagon despite the Greater Will's best efforts, all while keeping up appearances before an entire kingdom while plotting her own schemes. Surely, then, she could teach a man to value himself.
''I see,'' Rennala said, her sharp eyes still boring into Talos', ''then 'tis as I suspected. Thou speaketh true, but I cannot abide thy lack of commitment should your taken mission succeed. It is thy intent to rule, is it not?''
''I...'' he hesitated, ''...I would not presume. There is still much to be done, and my final death could find me at any time between then and now. When I am Elden Lord, this world will be a fortress to weather the storm of the war I am to wage. But whether I live to see it achieve peace and become a true kingdom is not something I would contemplate now,'' Talos said grimly.
''Unacceptable!'' Marika suddenly spoke out, her golden orbs blazing. Talos' gaze snapped to her, surprised at her reaction, while Rennala merely spared a curious glance over her shoulder.
''Marika?'' Talos said, confused.
''Hath thou forgotten so quickly? Thine oath sworn the night we met? To become Elden Lord, I am needed. Thy promise was to restore me, and we would rule together!'' Marika's usual cool face of calm was almost twisted into a snarl. Talos frowned, his features darkening.
''My oath, Marika, was to pledge everything to our goal of destroying the Outer Gods and freeing the Lands Between. At no point did I swear to be king for any length of time. My plan, should I finally slay my hated enemies, is to restore order to the world. I never said I would stay.''
''Talos...'' Marika struggled to find words. Why was he doing this? Neither of them had failing memory, so why was he lying to her? When they'd first met, he'd even said he'd consider it. Did that count for nothing? Now he was acting as if the words never passed his lips.
''Drama of this nature, especially in my presence, Queen Marika? One might consider that distasteful given past events,'' the Queen of the Full Moon had turned fully, her pale, black-streaked face in full view while her great curtain of black hair brushed the rippling surface of the water at their feet. Talos spoke.
''Please, do not antagonise her further, your gra-''
''Be silent a moment,'' as polite as she made it sound, Rennala wasn't asking. As Rennala made eye contact with Marika, the Eternal Queen had to muster all of her willpower to hold the silvered gaze. ''I had thought thee more shrewd, Queen Marika. This is quite the poor position thou'st found thyself in, to be clinging on to this creature as tightly as thou do,'' there was no scorn in her words, but that only made them harder to endure. Marika could discern nothing from the Lunar Queen, and that put her ill at ease.
''I take it thou knowest not of events beyond thy internment into thy library?'' Marika replied, ''the Greater Will, that which hath destroyed and stolen so much from us is finally in a position to be removed. And he,'' she pointed an elegant finger at the looming Dark Lord, ''is the key to its demise.'' Marika gave a slight shake of her head as she lowered her hand. ''Our positions art not so different. Mine corporeal flesh is still locked within the Erdtree. 'Tis little more than a petrified husk now, with Radagon ready to take control should a Tarnished intrude. Talos will be the fulcrum upon which everything can be made right.''
''Made right, thou say? Thy rule restored, thy power invigorated and thy dynasty secured. Tell me, what is happening now that hath not happened before? Godfrey was thy sword with which an ocean of blood was spilled. And Radagon... well, I know now,'' the Lunar Queen's gaze was piercing. Briefly, Talos wondered if he'd miscalculated in this endeavour, and racked his brain considering the consequences of this encounter with Rennala. Was her mind such a mighty edifice that the minds of gods were like open books to her? That was a terrifying thing to contemplate.
''Thy presence within my domain telleth much. Both thee and he are naked as newborns here, divested of all masks and misdirection,'' Rennala continued, ''the moment thou set foot here, all was revealed to me. I know now that Radagon's departure was not thy doing. At least, not by choice. But he was still a tool used for thine ends,'' her eyes drifted briefly to Talos, ''and he will be much the same. 'Tis thy nature.''
Marika stood in stunned silence. What could she say to that? As much as she wanted to defend herself, Rennala's words were the truth. Her pursuit of following the Greater Will and enforcing the Golden Order as Marika the Eternal had led her to taking husbands who would bring order to the world and then maintain it in perpetuity. Godfrey was the conqueror, while Radagon was the preserver. So then, what would Talos be? Of course, she intended that he be both. The perfect blend of destroyer and guardian. They were tools, fundamentally, as distasteful as it was to admit. While she was venerated as the eternal God-Queen, worshipped by all, her past lords were just weapons for her to wield.
Her golden eyes, dim when meeting Talos' burning orbs, cast downward. ''That is not my wish for thee, Talos. Please understand. I did what was ordained, necessary for the people of the Lands Between. I am not so unfeeling as to not regret my decisions, so please... do not think poorly of me.''
The Dark Lord was silent for several agonisingly long moments, his face still grim and inscrutable. He was having serious doubts that coming here was a good idea, but what was done was done.
''We will discuss this later. For now,'' he looked again at Rennala, ''we still have to resolve the reason I came here.''
''Indeed. I will say it plain, then. I know thy intent. I knew it upon the moment of thy intrusion. What other reason couldst there be? And I can say that I may be persuaded to part with the Rune of Rebirth. But I need something from thee,'' Rennala said coolly.
''And that would be?'' Talos asked, his arms folding across his chest.
''If you know anything, then please tell me of my children. I know not what hath become of them,'' her voice was the softest he'd yet heard.
''Is that it? You could ask me for anything, given what I demand of you. Also, wouldn't you already know that? You said you had learned of us the moment we came here,'' Talos said curiously. While he wasn't surprised by her request, he still had to ask. Then again, he had been a father once, so he understood. Of course she'd be curious about her children. A sudden trepidation wormed its way through him. What could he say? Her daughter was an animated doll, her eldest son was missing and her younger son was a Rot-maddened husk in Caelid. Not stellar news, but he had no right to deny her.
Rennala shook her head.
''Thou misunderstand. I know every detail of who thou art. Thy deeds, thy dreams, fears and most bitter hatreds. Things deeply ingrained into the very fabric of thine existence. However, thy knowledge is not a part of it. 'Tis why I know the truth now. That Radagon and Marika are one and the same, their union guided by the Greater Will, while mine was riven. That... is a bitter revelation, one I am not sure how to feel about. Should I be angry? Or should I pity them? Only in time will I decide.''
Marika shifted her weight from one leg to the other, uncomfortable with this particular topic, but otherwise said nothing.
''And if I know nothing of them? For someone of your intellect, that seems like an unwise request.''
Oddly, Rennala merely chuckled humourlessly. ''Call it a mother's intuition. Some of thy recent exploits lead me to believe that thou'rt unusually well connected,'' the she gave a small, wry smile, ''Does Greyoll the Elder sound familiar?''
It was Talos' turn to squirm as he looked away awkwardly, not realising that his 'betrothal' to Greyoll was an existence-altering event. ''I see your point.'' Talos understood and took a deep breath as he prepared to deliver what he knew.
''Very well, though I would suggest you steel yourself,'' he took a moment to study her face, but seeing it was unmoved, he continued, ''Firstly, you should know that I know nothing of Rykard. I only know bits and pieces regarding him, so forgive me if that does not satisfy. But Ranni is... doing well, relatively speaking.''
''Little Ranni? Please, tell me what you know,'' the Lunar Queen implored, ignoring his familiar way of addressing the Lunar Princess.
''How should I say this... your daughter is alive and active. But perhaps not in the form you remember. Simply put, her soul inhabits a doll. How she achieved this is a mystery to me, but that is the truth. She and I have entered an alliance. We both seek the destruction of the gods.''
''Oh... Ranni... what hath thou done this time?'' Rennala said, mostly to herself as her stained face twisted with worry.
''She came with me to see you. Your guardian, Moongrum, he refused me entry, and it took Ranni's personal intervention to allow me passage.''
Rennala placed a hand to her chest and smiled earnestly. ''It relieves me that my Ranni is well, whatever her state. And that Sir Moongrum, my loyal knight yet lives... a good soul like him is rare indeed,'' then her eyes locked onto his questioningly, ''thou spoke of an alliance?''
''Yes. I had met with Ranni in Limgrave, where I was then invited to the Carian Manor. I told her I intended to attain the Great Rune of the Unborn, but by peaceful means, as I had already heard what had become of you. After hearing what I aim to do once I become Elden Lord, we agreed to cooperate. We both want the Outer Gods gone.''
''I see,'' she said thoughtfully, ''and what of Blaidd and Iji? Has little Ranni been alone all this time?''
''Fortunately not. In fact, it was Blaidd I met first. He's a good lad,'' he replied with a fond smile.
''That he is. I am glad to hear they are all still together. My Ranni was never the best at making friends. Took after her mother, I suppose,'' she chuckled airily, ''and what about Radahn?'' as soon as she asked, she watched the smile die on Talos' face. ''Talos?''
''Radahn... he is gone,'' he said gravely.
''Gone? Thou'rt... thou'rt saying my Radahn is dead?'' Rennala's face fell, her already pale face becoming even more ghostly.
''In the final battle of The Shattering, he faced off against Malenia the Severed. Neither won, but Radahn succumbed to the Scarlet Rot soon after. He wanders Caelid now, a shell of what he was.''
Again, Marika felt a stab of guilt. Another member of Rennala's family taken because of her.
The Queen of the Full Moon took a shuddering breath and nodded. ''I... I see. Thank you, Talos. Then, may I ask one more thing of you?''
Talos had a feeling he already knew what she wanted to ask, but he didn't dare interrupt. What Rennala would ask was something no parent should ever think to say.
''Of course,'' he said softly.
''Couldst thou put him to rest? Promise me... bring my dear boy peace, and I will grant thee whatever is in my power to give,'' she pleaded, the black stains on her cheeks now creeping further down her face as tears flowed.
''I will. I wish there were an alternative, trust me when I say this. I, too, know that feeling of loss, Rennala,'' Talos closed his eyes and sighed deeply, ''my three children were taken from me. I will end his misery.''
''My thanks, Talos. 'Tis a heavy burden I place upon you, but I cannot allow my son to suffer more than he hast already,'' she bowed her head in gratitude, though her heart remained heavy.
''I will not accept your thanks for this. It must be done, but gratitude for the act feels... wrong, you understand,'' Talos said solemnly. Rennala raised her head and looked Talos in the eyes, smiling sadly.
''I do,'' she wiped her tears away with a sleeve of her regal robes, ''thou'rt kinder than I had first imagined.''
''Perhaps not, Rennala, after all, I want recompense.'' At his words, Rennala closed her eyes and her shoulders sagged.
''Thou wishest me to return. That is what thou want. But to what end? What is left for me?''
''Weren't you listening?'' Talos' tone was harsher than he'd intended, but continued, ''your daughter lives and wishes to see you. She is in the library right this moment. It is clear that you love her deeply, as any parent should love their child. Haven't you missed her, also?''
''I... I do, but-''
''What is the alternative? To languish here for eternity or until Moongrum fails in his duty? Were I not so merciful, killing him to reach you would have been trivial. And then, what of your Sweetings? They're terrified of me. Would they defend you whilst they fled? Could you have stopped me yourself?'' He didn't like pressing her like this, but she needed to understand that what she was doing amounted to a slow death. Running away and wallowing in her anguish was of little worth to anyone, much less herself.
The Queen of the Full Moon didn't answer. She knew that a fight against this nigh incomprehensible being would be futile. Since arriving, his presence had felt like the weight of a mountain on her mind, pressing in from all sides. Yet she knew he was keeping as much of himself from truly manifesting into this space as he could. If he didn't, what would happen? Would she go mad? Would she simply die?
''So, 'tis for my safety, is it?'' Rennala said, unconvinced. She almost flinched away when Talos took a step towards her and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. Even through the thick padding, meant to emphasise her stature and exude authority, she felt the strength of those hands as if they were against her bare skin. This close to him, there was nowhere to look but his orange-ringed eyes. It was here that she learned, as much as Talos attempted to observe courtly protocol by using her title and maintaining distance, he truly cared little for it. Nobody got this close to her, save her family, much less touched her in such a direct manner.
''Because it is the right thing to do,'' Talos stressed, ''you have slumbered long enough. Return to the Lands Between. Return as the Queen of the Full Moon, the unparalleled weaver of sorceries. But most importantly, return as Ranni's mother.''
For a time, there was only the quiet lapping of the watery expanse around them. Talos removed his hands from Rennala's shoulders and stood back, awaiting her reply. It was clear to him that the Queen of the Full Moon placed immense value on family, so with the knowledge that she could be with her daughter again, the choice should be obvious. But he also knew that this cage she'd made for herself had been her retreat for centuries. A place where she could meditate on her pain in solitude, while her physical body could enjoy its delusion.
''I hath been a fool, haven't I?'' Rennala asked quietly. Her gaze was focused solely on the depthless ocean around them, seeing only her pitiable reflection staring back.
''You were in pain. And it is only human to run away from it. But the time has come to stand and reclaim your life. There is still somebody who needs you, and who you need in return,'' Rennala looked up and saw Talos giving her a melancholy smile, ''I will not tell you to move on, but I will tell you to take your time, and finally allow yourself to heal. Your life, like mine, is too long to spend dwelling on the past.''
'Hypocrite,'' he chastised himself. Who was he to be lecturing anyone about that? His entire existence at this point was coloured by avenging the past. There was no future for him and he knew it. And, if he were honest, he wasn't sure he wanted a future. Once the Outer Gods were dead, he would soon follow. That was the best outcome he could see for himself, and one he'd be satisfied with.
''I hath lived with this pain for so long. When Radagon left, 'twas like my world fell away. I tried, Talos. I tried so hard to continue without him, to give my love to my children and my kingdom. But I could not. Then the academy turned against me, killed my supporters and routed my vassals from Lirunia. I could not do it. It was all too much,'' her voice was shaky, but their was a hint of relief there, like it was the first time she'd ever been able to give voice to everything that had caused this.
''Much has changed. And I will help you. The traitorous snakes within the academy are gone, and the Knights of the Cuckoo have been all but destroyed. I made sure of that. And there's Ranni, Blaidd and Iji, the latter of which I'm sure would be overjoyed at your return. You're not alone, Rennala.''
Slowly, Rennala nodded and looked up at the eclipse. ''Very well. What prompts me to trust thee like this is a mystery even to me. No stars I studied and charted predicted this meeting, but I feel that something new hath been written in the night sky. Perhaps... perhaps 'tis a chapter that couldst not be penned without thine arrival. Whole worlds hath seen their stories shaped by thee. Thou lulled a poisonous god to slumber. Thou snuffed out a primordial flame. Thou rejected a throne and transcended thy undying curse. Thou returned to a world of ash to quell the flame once again. Thou traversed a city of blood and finally became a god. Thou'rt a singular entity, anomalous by nature and elusive to definition. What hadst once been a mortal man hath done the impossible time and again. Like a prime mover, the world and fate bend in thy wake. Perhaps 'tis time my fate is moved by thee.''
Talos said nothing. He simply stared out at the eclipse as well.
''I hath much I must consider, going forth. My aid, shouldst thou need it, will be thine, though I do not know how much I can do,'' the two faced each other, ''my deepest thanks, Talos. I will admit, I fear what may come once I return to reality, but I must face it. And I believe 'tis as thou said. I am not alone.'' Rennala took a deep breath. ''Come. Let us greet Ranni proper.''
''Yes,'' Talos replied. He looked back to see Marika standing some distance away, her arms folded under her bust and eyes cast down in contemplation. Feeling his eyes on her, she looked up, her face unreadable. She just nodded before looking elsewhere.
With what seemed like a single blink, they left the still world of the moon behind.
When Talos came to, Lanya was in front of him, waving her hand in his face.
''Boo!'' he bellowed, and his companion stumbled back with a shrill cry. He couldn't help but laugh as she glowered at him, pouting mightily.
''Arse!'' was the rather appropriate response. ''What was that, anyway?''
''The girl asketh a good question,'' Ranni intoned, watching closely. She sat with her hand steepled, though she fidgeted with the ring on one of her many fingers.
''I am sure he will answer soon, little Ranni,'' all eyes turned to the Queen of the Full Moon, who looked down at the small figure of her daughter, smiling beatifically. Everyone noticed the change. The queen's eyes, once dull and lifeless, had their shine returned to them, like the moon reflected in deep blue pools.
''M-mother...?'' Ranni gasped, ''thou... recognise me?'' her thoughts raced as a myriad of emotions bubbled within her. Rennala had spoken to and addressed her before since she'd been shut away, but never by name. Could this be a fluke? A one-off surfacing of an old memory? She whipped her head towards Talos, curious about what he'd done, only to see him smiling at her softly.
''Of course I do. Thine visage is different from what I once knew, but thy voice and presence art things I couldst never forget,'' for the first time in what could have been forever, Rennala descended from where she hung in the air and gently placed the amber egg against a small stack of tomes. Kneeling, she towered over everybody, and so ducked even lower so she could meet her daughter's eye.
If Ranni were capable of crying, she would have. If her doll body didn't prevent it, then her regal poise would have. However, neither could keep her voice from shaking.
''Thou'rt back. Truly, thou'st returned. I can scarcely believe-'' she gave a very undignified shriek as she was scooped up and held against Rennala's chest like a newborn, ''mother! Please, not in front of thy guests!''
''Oh, don't mind us,'' Talos grinned as Ranni narrowed her eye at him, ''take your time.''
Several minutes passed. Rennala simply cradled Ranni, while the Lunar Princess tried her best to hide her face behind the great brim of her hat. She had to salvage her dignity somehow. Neither exchanged words. That could come later, and for as much a it embarrassed Ranni, she was secretly content to just soak up her mother's love after so, so long. Finally, she was lowered back to the where she'd been sat, and Rennala addressed Talos.
''I believe I hath already expressed mine thanks to thee, but allow me to do so once more,'' she inclined her head, and her tall hat of office came very close to hitting him in the face, ''thou have mine gratitude, deeply and sincerely. Prithee, take thy Great Rune. And I pray that thy journey concludes with thy victory. Now,'' the Queen of the Full Moon smiled, ''I believe little Ranni and I have much to discuss.''
''Mother...'' Ranni grumbled at her nickname as Talos approached the amber egg and extracted the Great Rune of the Unborn.
''I doubt this will be the last time we meet, so until then, be well. Now that your tale begins anew, I wait with bated breath to see where it takes you. Farewell, your grace,'' Talos turned and beckoned Lanya to follow. She offered a quick bow before following. Halfway towards the door, Ranni called out.
''Talos,'' he stopped and looked over his shoulder, ''we will speaketh soon,'' in so few words, a great weight of meaning was conveyed.
''Indeed we shall. Until then, little Ranni,'' he chuckled to himself as she spluttered and cursed at him, resulting in Rennala tutting at her disapprovingly.
Once outside, Talos and Lanya stopped and looked at each other.
''S'pose that's it then,'' she said, though she seemed reluctant to say more.
''Yes. We have put off taking you back to Hoslow for long enough. I hope you got all of the excitement you wanted.''
''A bit too much, I think,'' Lanya laughed, ''but yeah, time to be headin' back.''
Moments passed, and the two had returned to the Roundtable Hold.
This took a fair bit longer than I'd wanted, but adult life got in the way. So, I know I said other things were meant to happen this chapter, but as I wrote it, I felt as though Rennala's section needed more time dedicated to it. I wanted to portray Rennala in a way that she's quite different to the way we see her in game. There, she's as we all know her. Despondent, quiet and solely focused on her Sweetings. I wanted the true her to be different. She's sharp, regal and you can clearly see that she was once formidable, while still retaining her motherly characteristics. That's what I wanted to get across, so hopefully that worked.
Rennala will play a much larger role further on, but for now, her good ending is in the making. I have decided that meeting Sellen can wait, so I apologise to anyone expecting that, but it will happen. With this chapter, I think that some tension between Talos and Marika has risen up, so they'll be dealing with that. Also, Talos will take some time to rest, leading to a surprising encounter.
I'm a bit 50/50 for how I feel this chapter came out. It has the general thing I was going for, but the execution could be better, I think. It's going out now, but in the future I'll edit it when I've had more time to think about it.
If you enjoyed this chapter, then feel free to fav, follow and even review if you want, as I always look forward to reading those. Until next time.