They have descended into this distant realm, far away from the Lands Between. From the vastness of space, it sparkled like a diamond, signaling the meddlings of gods. Unlike lands inhabited solely by barbarians and cavemen, this world boasted a flourishing civilization.
They had sought to land near a small settlement to gain access to some supplies, but not too close that it would disrupt the locals' daily lives. Having set up camp in the crater where they landed, Ranni and the Tarnished gaze upon the night skies. Skies of strange stars and constellations, how they will affect her journey, Ranni has yet to learn.
The following day, fueled by a modest breakfast with some cured meat, boiled prawn, and some raisin from the Tarnished stock, they donned their armor and headed to the nearby village. The Tarnished wore Blaidd's armor without a helm. Blaidd, once Ranni's shadow and his former mentor, has given him guidance aplenty, and now his legacy lives on through the Tarnished, Ranni's steadfast companion and protector. Ranni wore her usual Snow Witch set, unbothered by any dangers, for the Tarnished is by her side, and her golden barrier maintains its full power.
As they headed towards the village on Torrent, Ranni observed her vibrant surroundings - shining sunlight, lush grasses swaying in the wind, towering trees full of life. The world unfolded in bright colors, reminiscent of her childhood in the Carian Manor, of childish games with Blaidd and Iji before The Shattering and the subsequent wars.
Around noon, the Tarnished forewarned her of oncoming riders from the direction of the village they were heading to. Soon, they will meet up, and it will be their first interaction with the inhabitants of this new world. As Torrents gradually slowed down, the newcomers did the same and shouted to them as soon as they were in earshot.
"Ho there! Hold a moment."
As the rider approaches, Ranni gazes up and looks at the newcomers. Looking back at her is a middle-aged man, probably in his late forties, face stern and scarred. His gaze wandered from her to the Tarnished, his armor and the greatsword on his back. On the second horse trailing behind him was a small girl, no older than twelve, her short blue hair swayed by the wind, her face shocked as she saw Ranni's bluish skin and her four doll's arms. The man beckoned the small girl to his side and spoke to Ranni.
"Goddess, I bid you welcome. I am Lucan, chief of the nearby village. Might I inquire about your name?"
"Well met, Sir Lucan. I am Ranni, and this fellow goes by Magnus. What dost thou seek with us?"
"We have witnessed your descent the prior eve and wish to provide you with some assistance, meager it may be, before you depart on your journey."
"May I inquire why wouldst thy render me aid? What dost thou seek to gain in return?"
"It's only a matter of courtesy, and Maris here wanted to see a god. Should you refuse, I will bother you no longer."
"Hmm... Very well then, thou can lead the way."
As they continue towards the village, the little girl keeps turning her head around for a bit of a peek, seemingly fascinated by them. After a while, Ranni decided to call her over.
"Little one, what is dost thou seek?"
The little girl, startled by the call, slowed her horse down to wait for Torrent. The older man looked back but otherwise remained silent.
"Umm... I'm Maris. Nice to meet you, Lady Ranni."
"Speak thy mind, little one. I know thou has questions."
"Ummm...Why is your skin blue, lady Ranni? And why do you have 2 faces? "
"Of mine many peculiars that piqued thine interest? Very well. I am the witch Ranni. I stole Death long ago and now walk the dark path. I have slain the body I was born into and cast it away. Tis's body is merely a doll modeled after my former mentor. The second face thine see is my spirit, for tis doll is not a perfect vessel."
"What about your companion, lady Ranni. Is he an adventurer? Is he in your familia?"
"I know not of the adventurer or familia thou speak of. He is Magnus, my dear consort, eternal."
"But isn't he a mortal? I thought a relationship between gods and mortals is forbidden?"
"Even if thou canst not sense it, he is a demigod, a champion worthy of the title of Elden Lord, for a crown is warranted with strength. I am aware of no such decree prohibiting our relationship."
"Oh! Is he a swordsman, then? I want to be a swordsman, too! Can he train me to be a swordsman?"
"Maris, that's enough. Your questions can wait. We're back at the village."
"Okayyy. I'll talk to you later, Lady Ranni."
As they passed through the small wooden gate, Lucan and Maris disembarked while the Tarnished gently put Ranni down from her position. He then whistles for Torrent to go away, shocking Lucan, Maris, and a few villagers. It took them a few seconds before their brain began to function again. Lucan chuckles and tells them to follow him. He guided them into a house at the center of the village, slightly larger and more decorative than the others.
"This is my house and also the village guesthouse. Please make yourself comfortable. I am going to prepare dinner."
"A question for thee. Does your village have a library? Some records about the world would be helpful."
"There should be some books and maps in the reading room. It's on the second floor, the room at the end of the hallway. I only ask that you put them back at their place after you finish."
"Very well, thou have mine thanks for thou hospitality."
As Luca and Ranni leave to do their own thing, only Maris and the Tarnished remain. Magnus eventually gave in and sighed as the little girl kept moving around and staring at him.
"Okay, kid, I can see that you have many questions. Shoot it out."
"You're not particularly talkative, are you?"
"As if you don't know that already. Now, what do you want?"
"You're a swordsman, right? Lady Ranni said you're one."
"I am a swordman, yes. Am I the kind you're imagining? Probably not. I usually blend my swordfight with magic, a spell-blade, or a magic swordsman for you."
"That's awesome! You can use magic and swordfight at the same time. Can you show me please!"
The Tarnished pondered for a bit and thought nothing of harm would come, so he agreed to the girl's request.
"Alright, I can show you a little bit. Do you have a practice field or somewhere empty ?"
As the little girl leads him to the village hunter's practice field, the Tarnished contemplate what to show her. Should he bring out the Dark Moon greatsword? Or just stick with the Banished Knight greatsword by his side. Ultimately, he decided against the Dark Moon Greatsword. The little girl doesn't need to know about it.
As the pair enter the practice field, an empty piece of land with a few hay bales and wooden planks is used for target practice. The tarnished materialized the Carian Regal staff in his offhand, which garnered a look of interest from Maris.
"I'll show you just a little bit, okay?"
As the little girl nodded and moved to the sideline, he brandished the Banished Knight greatsword from the scabbard on his back. It was a beautiful blade, finely crafted with intricate engravings on the sword's fuller. He wielded it with both hands and took a stance, his mind focused. A downward slash from the right, pull back to stance, then an upward slash to the left, followed immediately by a wide horizontal swing and back to stance with the sword upwards, and then a final diagonal slash upward and back into stance.
"That looks so cool! Did you create that move by yourself? Can you teach me how to do it?"
"No, I didn't create this move. I mimicked it from enemies I used to fight. I also claimed this sword after I defeated them in combat. This one belongs to a Banished Knight I fought in a place known as Stormveil Castle."
"So you killed him and took his sword? That's a bit barbaric, isn't it?"
"It's a rough place. I did what I could to get stronger. Now, let me show you some magic."
As the girl moved to the side again, the Tarnished focused his mind and swung his staff. A bluish spectral blade comes to life as he does four slashes back and forth, the Carian Slicer. After the fourth slash, he pulled the staff back to his side and pushed forth. The Carian Piercer helps keep the enemy at a distance. While its usage is limited, it is still potent. The magical greatsword pushed forth and pierced the hay bale like a hot knight through butter. As he pulled his staff close by, he took a stance. The Carian Greatsword materialized and slashed through the hay bale and the supporting wood plank behind it. It was one of his favorite spells to fight a group of enemies while on Torrent before he discovered and mastered Adula's Moonblade, a much more powerful version of this spell.
"You're so cool, being a mage and a swordsman simultaneously! I want to be like you someday."
"You want to be a swordsman? Why would you want that?"
"I want to be strong and protect people from monsters, just like the hero Albert and Argonaut. And maybe go on adventures too!"
He had already guessed, but the girl's word confirmed it. There are monsters out there. Or maybe some kind of wild animals, dangerous enough that a small village sees the need to build a wall.
"A childish dream, yet not unreasonable. Is monster attack common here?"
"It's usually once a month, maybe twice. We are close to the Alf and Wishe forest and Karuna city. The elves inside the forest usually kill any monster they find, but some still escape to the plains. The trade routes around Karuna city are safe, too. Those that escaped gather and attack any village they find, so we have to build a wall around the village."
"So, do you have guards here? Or is it just the chief?"
"We don't have that kind of thing here. The chief just trains some older boys some basics in their free time, but I can't join because I'm a little girl. Can you teach me how to fight, Sir Magnus?"
"We can talk about that over dinner. Come, Chief Lucan is calling."
As the pair entered the guesthouse, the smell of a stew hit their nostrils from the cast iron pot on the fireplace. The chief motioned them to join the dining table, with Ranni already waiting.
It was a simple yet hearty stew, one made with some mushroom, potatoes, and carrots, cooked in some kind of bone broth, Chief Lucan told them. The three of them enjoyed their meal while Ranni used her magic to turn the soup into some sort of spiritual essence, inciting the look of Lucan and Maris. As they finish, the Tarnished compliment the chief's cooking before bringing up Maris's matter.
"Chief Lucan, may I have a word?"
"What is it, Sir Magnus? Did Maris bother you? I can tell her to stay away if you wish to."
"Oh! None of the sort. Little Maris here wished to learn the way of the sword, and I have some free time right now, so why not teach her for a bit? "
"This eccentric girl. She has always bugged me to let her join the boy's practice. Very well then, I will leave her in your hands. I only ask that you keep her safe, and should the boys wish to join, you'll also guide them."
"Consider it done, Chief Lucan"
"Thou never cease to pique mine interest, Magnus. Very well. Do as you please."
—
For two weeks straight, the Tarnished taught Maris, and sometimes the village boys, how to handle and maintain a sword and keep the correct stance,... He fixed their erratic footwork and taught them how and when to swing the sword, to dodge in or out of an attack. He showed them the way to guard with a sword or shield and how to guard counter. But the hardest of all is parrying. If one can parry an oncoming attack, they would put their opponent into a vulnerable state, giving them a chance to finish the weaker foes and slow the advances of powerful ones.
"Maris, don't just block the attack and counter. You cannot hold your guard forever. Your strength will falter very soon. Watch the attack. If it's too dangerous, move out. Only parry the non-lethal attack, so even if you misjudge it, you won't die."
"But Sir Magnus, I can never time it right. It's too difficult."
"Nonsense, practice makes perfect, and you will practice a lot. Time your move. Your hand needs time to build up the force to parry, so be patient but not slow."
As he moved to strike her again, a downward swing with a cane, Maris's hand moved, and her shield met his weapon at the midpoint. Time seemed to freeze momentarily and continued as Maris's shield knocked his arm backward, and he instinctively jumped back. Surprise colored the little girl's face, her mind not processing what she just did. A small smile adorned his face as he gave her a nod, received one back from her, and their training continued.
At the end of the second week, Maris is satisfactory. She wouldn't be able to fight a skillful swordsman anytime soon. However, Maris could certainly hold herself when fighting a novice. He would say she was much better than him when he had just received grace guidance.
Alas, their time together will soon come to an end. Ranni has finished her studies, and they managed to procure a map from a passing trader. They'll set out in a few days to the city of Karuna. They plan to tell Lucan and Maris after tonight's dinner. The Tarnished have prepared some boluses, warming stones, and weapons to repay the chief favors. A longsword and a set of armor for Maris, for she earned it. But alas, nothing prepared him to face the wrath of a child.
"You guys are leaving? Nooo! Please don't leave. I want to spend more time with you."
"Maris, calm down, kid. We have always known that they'll leave someday. They're traveler, after all."
As Ranni stayed and consoled the crying child, Magnus brought the chief outside to discuss their payment. He initially refused, saying it was too much, but Magnus knew better. Providing sustenance for them for two weeks must have taken a bit out of the village reserve. After a while, the chief finally agrees, and they go back inside. A now silent child stared at him with a slight smirk on Ranni's face. Nothing good for him will come of this, he thought.
"You can't leave, sir Magnus. I'm not allowing you to leave."
"And what are you going to do about it, Maris?"
"If you're leaving, I'm going to leave this village and follow you too!"
"What nonsense are you talking Maris?" Lucan interjected
"I'm going to join Lady Ranni's familia and go on an adventure with them! Mom and Dad are gone, so I have no reason to stay, and I want to see the world."
As the Tarnished watched on in surprise, the chief relented and sighed.
"If you insist on leaving, I will not stop you. Remember, should you change your mind, you can always call this village home."
—
As the chief retreated to his room for the night, Ranni brought the Tarnished and Maris up to the library, A quiet place with a few bookshelves here and there, sketches of previous chiefs, and a map of the surrounding area pinned to the wall.
"I have conducted some inquiry regarding this realm and shall now impart it unto thee. This realm is known as Genkai, where gods descended in pursuit of diversion. They bestow might upon mortals through the bestowal of falna, a benediction. Thou wouldst liken it to grace, Tarnished. It endows them with bodily prowess and the capacity to amass excelia to elevate their standing. Not unlike the power Melina hath conferred upon thee, Magnus."
So he would have to fight others similar to him, not that he had never done that before. He did fight Gideon and Varre, after all.
Ranni pointed to a spot on the map and continued.
"Tis locale is hailed as Orario, the labyrinthine city. It stands amongst the three great uncharted realms in the world, housing the enigmatic dungeon. Another, known as Dragon Valley, is situated due north. Many deities assembled in Orario, aspiring to forge a familia worthy of becoming legends."
"We stand present, a mere distance to the west of Karuna city, northward of Alf's Royal Forest and the Wishe Forest. Mine plan is that we venture to Karuna and then deliberate upon our subsequent course. Unless thou have something in thy mind, Magnus."
"Hmm, I will leave the planning to you. However, I would like to visit Alf's Royal or Wishe Forest. I would like to try something there."
"What is that thou seek in that locale?"
"I want to try and plant a minor Erdtree there as a mark of our journey in this realm and maybe harvesting crystal tears from it."
"Very well, I shall keep thine request in mind. Now the critical part, granting thine and Maris a falna. Tis usually accomplished with the blood of a deity, but being a mere doll, I shall require some other medium. Tarnished, can thou prepare the glintstone whetblade, magic shrouding cracked tear, a rimmed crystal bud and set them within in a bowl. Bring it to our chamber when thou art finished."
As the Tarnished prepared the bowl, Ranni guided Maris to her bedroom and made her lay face down on the bed. She pushed a piece of paper closer for Maris to see. It depicted the moon with a deep semicircle scar carved upon it.
"Tis shall be the emblem of mine familia. 'Tis the moon, for the dark moon guides my path, and the cursemark of Death adorns it, for I have stolen Death away long ago. Tis shall also serve as the medium to bestow upon thee a falna. Now pull off thine shirt, Maris."
As Ranni prepares for the ritual, Maris lies in wait, her breathing abated in anticipation. Ranni crushed the rimmed crystal bud, mixed in some magic shrouding cracked tear. She gave the glintstone whetblade to the Tarnished.
"A bit of thine blood, Magnus. Just enough to coat the blade."
As the Tarnished returns the bloodied blade, Ranni pours a small amount of magic into it. Some of the blood froze over, while others crystallized and fell into the bowl. Ranni dipped her fingertip into it and hovered over Maris's back.
"Hold thyself still. Thou desirest not to mar this endeavor."
As she finished drawing the symbol over Maris's back, Ranni poured her magic into it and manipulated the falna. Soon, she finalized it and pushed a piece of paper onto her back, copying her status and setting it aside. After making the Tarnished turn away for Maris to get dressed again, she called him back.
"Tis is thine turn, Magnus, laid down and undress thyself."
As Ranni repeated the procedure, she commented on his status.
"Thy kind is always interesting, Magnus. Thine rune level is two hundred. Expect nothing less of a champion. I will convert thy rune level to tis world equivalent, which would put thine at...a level ten. Marvelous"
She also copied his status onto a piece of paper and set it aside. After waiting for him to dress, Ranni stood up and positioned herself before Maris and Magnus. And they remain silent. Waiting for her words.
"I bid thee both a hearty welcome to the Ranni familia."
#####
Author notes
MK again. This is a long chapter for me. So, if I miss something, please let me know. This chapter covers their meeting with Maris and her joining the familia. I will post their status sheet (and everyone else's) as a separate chapter.
The name of the Tarnished in this story is Magnus Sköllsson.
Magnus means "the greatest," and "Sköllsson" means the wolf son's, for Blaidd gave him training aplenty.
Also, is the current spacing enough for you guys? Or should I double space between paragraphs? The current year in Genkai would also be helpful, the wiki doesn't have that.