CHAPTER 4: Untwined
Long and hard didst thou fight.
Tarnished warrior.
Spurned by the grace of gold. - Godrick the Grafted
The Shaded Castle. An abandoned and Decrepit castle found in the northern region between (Full of Rock Formation) and the Altus Plateau regions. The castle is half sunken into a poisonous bog, with the air tinged yellow by the fumes. You and Millicent could see the view of the castle, Riding torrent slowly around the castle searching for a safe way in. Whatever happened here, only war knows what happened to such a place like this.
"There!" Millicent pointed to one of the walls quite destroyed, By jumping there we could get inside the castle wall at least." Millicent points into the crumbled wall. "Hold tight." You said to her, She held you tight as she closed her eyes. You spurred Torrent into a gallop towards the crumbled wall, leaping inside the castle grounds and landing safely. As soon as the steed torrent landed suddenly attacked by a monster inside the castle. You Jump safely in the other direction while you hold Millicent tight not letting her go or get hurt. "Are you okay?" You look at her. "Yes, I'm fine thanks but first we need to kill this monster." When you look at the monster it's a Wraith Caller. Wraith Callers are strange, hunched-over humanoids. They are much less aggressive than the Revenants, but most can call forth wraiths to chase down the player using their bell.
"I'll distract him, you find an opening." Then you run towards the Wraith caller, and the moment it rings the bell it summons a Wraith to chase you. Millicent then runs around and backstab the Wraith Caller. Killing it fairly easy. "We could use the roof to get into the inner wall." She said. "This is quite a thrill." She added. Mostly the monsters you encounter during your finding way into the inner wall are putrid corpses, they are undead. It's easy to deal with them but if they can grab you it's harder to let go. It's easy but at the same time, you and Millicent are cautious. After jumping and moving roof by roof carefully so as not to fall into the poison of mud below. You two manage to reach and enter the inner wall. Upon entering you two were spot by page. Pages are servants of the nobility and are mindful to keep them out of harm's way. The unassuming sack-like appearance befits their unseen and unknown stature. They are holding Crossbow and Rapier. Two of the pages aim their crossbow and fire at your Direction. You push Millicent in the other direction and you two run towards a cover, you jump in into broken windows on a rundown building part of the castle.
While looking around to find your way to deal with those pages there is only one stair away inside the castle.
Millicent is nowhere to be seen. You had no choice you grabbed your shield and ran toward the pages, you managed to block their crossbow arrows and you used your staff to cast Glinstone star and shoot at the two pages, they managed to dodge but also, you managed to go upstairs, and face them. You ready your sword as they ready their Rapier. They are fast and agile as they attack and moving back and forth as they are switching they attack together. You cannot hold for long, If you keep blocking their attack sooner or later your shield will break. You focus on yourself and at the same time you concentrate. You're waiting for a moment one of them will attack you as soon as they switch. You parried the attack and the page staggered. You find an opening swing your sword manage it cut its head. But as soon the page falls you didn't manage to react quickly when the other page shot a crossbow at you and got hit on your shoulder. Then out of nowhere, Millicent appeared and slit its throat. "Where had you been?" you asked. "Searching my way around, manage to find a hidden ladder at the side," she said. "Then shall we?" You give her a signal to head inside but she manages to notice a crossbow arrow on your shoulder. "Don't move, she said." She tears down a small part of her dress. "Wait, You don't ha-" Before you finished your words, She put her finger on your lips "Just let me please." She said. "I know you had that flask that could heal you but it takes some time to heal your wounds so don't pretend you're alright." While she's tending your wound on your shoulder. Then she looks at you and she gives out a sigh. "Off we go inside then."
Inside the castle was full of papers and books but also, full of statues. "Noble in this castle quite a sculpture," Millicent said as she admired the sculptures. You moved slowly from room to room till you found a stair into the 2nd floor. "I wonder why they hoard a lot of statues inside?" She wondered. She's not alone including you were confused also but you two never find out why. Upon entering the 2nd floor there is a long hall leading into the other room, Maybe a library section from the castle since you spot a lot of book collections through the windows.
The two of you entered the Library Room There suddenly out of nowhere a person emerged. "Elemer of the Briar." He said. Then He slammed his shield and you grabbed Millicent and stepped back. Then his sword emits with red aura and he throws it towards you. You dodge it then the sword floats back to its owner and then he rushes towards you. It seems he ignored Millicent. Millicent tries to flank him but then he catches his hand and he throws her into the bookshelves. "Argh!" "Millicent!" You shout. "Pay your attention to me." He said then. Elemer Swing his sword at you and you dock down and roll at the side. Then he leaps toward you and tries to hit you with his sword swinging toward you, you manage to block it but you've been thrown into the shelves and hit your back. You decide to use Radahn's Great Rune. As you feel a rush of adrenaline running through your body you don't feel the pain you feel before and you rush towards him. "That's It, Give your all!" Elemer Shout. You throw your sword into him he blocks it and you grab your Great sword. He tried to block your attack but you managed to break his shield. Millicent slowly got up, grabbed her blade, and then ran towards Elemer, She tried to stab Elemer's head but it seemed as soon as she hit him the blade just kinda stab the air. "Huh, Wait. He- He had no head!" Millicent shouted trembling at her words when she realized it. Elemer Grabs her from behind, Then he throws her to you, and you manage to catch Millicent, Then you use Bloodhound step(A skill that allows the user to become temporarily invisible while dodging at high speed. Moves faster and travels farther than a regular quickstep.) to distance yourself and Elemer then you put down Millicent. And you Bloodhound step once again to stab Elemer but he blocks it, You put a force on your stabbing, and his weapon breaks. Your Great sword Directly stabs him in his chest. "Long and hard didst thou fight. Tarnished warrior. Spurned by the grace of gold." Elemer said before he turned into ashes and faded away.
It reminds you of Godrick, the very first strong enemy you defeated as soon as you woke up on Limgrave. Hearing those words reminds you how far you come. You are without a maiden but only guidance through grace, you didn't even expect you to come this far without one. They even said without one you die sooner or lose your way, but no it makes you even stronger. You put back your Great sword at your back. "Are you okay?" You help Millicent stand. "I manage." She said. "How was he still alive? He doesn't even have a head in the first place."
"Everything is possible now." You said. "Undead, Spirits, and other creatures. I'm not surprised anymore." You said to her. "Surely you had a lot of adventures, do you? Hope you can tell me someday." She said.
She begins to look around as you follow your gaze on what she's doing. Then she stops and looks at the picture on the wall. "She's quite familiar." She said. "She's Malenia if I'm correct, She's the one who fought against General Radahn. Whatever happened afterwards no one knows what happened to her." You said. Then suddenly she holds her head. "Argh." As she endures the feeling of pain in her head. You quickly walk to her. "H- hey what's happening to you." You said in panic. You try to hold her to calm her down. Then suddenly she stands and collapses. You catch her before she hits the ground. "Mill, Mill!?" You shake her head lightly trying to wake her up. "Oh don't worry she's fine maybe got overwhelmed by something, maybe she's just tired from fighting." As soon as you heard those words you grabbed Millicent's blade. "Calm down tarnished it's just me." Gowry steps inside the building. "How did you know we're here?" You said. "Oh, don't worry. Maybe it's just a coincidence we meet again." He bends down to check on Millicent. "She's sleeping," He said. Then he looks into the picture.
"Ah, Malenia, goddess of scarlet rot. Queen Marika and her King Consort Radagon
were blessed with twin demigods, and Malenia was one of them. She was born an Empyrean,
carrying the scarlet rot. An Empyrean...is no mere demigod. In the age of the Elden Ring, and Queen Marika,
the precious Empyrean was born. A new god to forge a new Order. Since Malenia fought Radahn,
and the great scarlet flower blossomed in Aeonia, I have dedicated myself to her. And to the resplendence of the Order of Rot. The cycle of decay and rebirth. I don't really pay attention if it a cursed, Only I know it happened and nothing we can do." He then stands and grabs a Valkyrie's Prosthesis. "Thank you for guiding her. Now Millicent may fully realise her true warrior's potential. Like her beautiful mother." He attaches the Prosthesis to her missing arm. "Green and undeveloped, waiting to flower into a wondrous day that will be. In truth, before her, I'd never seen a bud of such superior quality. She might very well outshine her sisters even how fragile she was before." Gowry touches Millicent's face. You don't know why he said those words but it gives you a bad feeling then you said. "Don't tell me her mother is." You said in surprise. "Shh, Soon my daughter will wake up. Don't mention that I was here. Oh before I go yes, but please let her be, she's the one to discover it." He stands and walks away outside.
After a few hours, Millicent woke up. She looked around and noticed you leaning on one of the bookshelves, asleep.
She noticed that a prosthesis was attached to her missing arm and she was able to move it. She smiled knowing that she could fully use her right arm again and fight properly. She looks at the picture on the wall one more time, she remembers something. "I am Malenia, Blade of Mequilla." Then she's suddenly back to her senses when she notices you moved. She stands and walks closer to you. She admires you and she touches your lips then she blushes, she looks away and then you open your eyes, you just woke up. "You're finally awake." You said as you slowly stood. "Y- yes I'm awake now" she tried to hide her face. You notice it but you just smile and ignore it. "By the way." She said. "I thank you. I am in your debt, yet again."
"Oh don't worry." You said. "Then once again, I thank you and I can now aid you in battle properly." As she stands touching her chest smiling. "Shall we?" she happily said. Along the way to the capital, you spotted people dancing at Domonula windmill village. Celebration? Upon galloping closer to the village you realize these people are cannibals. They are dancing while burning a corpse. You and Millicent were quickly surrounded by these people, but by combining your strengths with hers, you had a higher chance of surviving together, particularly after defeating one of their toughest leaders, known as the Godskin Apostle. "The arm you gave me truly is a thing of wonder. It feels just like my own, even handling my blade!" She said happily to you. Then You and her ride your steed torrent and straight head to the capital outskirts. You pass the giant towering walls by dodging the attacks from the catapult and other arrows from enemies, You two had no match for them since you and Millicent were outnumbered and then you two are finally able to get inside and stop at the shack as soon you notice a merchant resting inside. "Perhaps a short break." You said to her. You and Millicent resting, then talking about a random topic along with the merchant. After 30 minutes, You look at Millicent and she's staring blankly as if her mind is wandering somewhere. You wave your hands in front of her. "Oh, I'm sorry." She said. "I think we depart from her I'd just remember I had to go somewhere. I'm sorry I even asked you before we joined hands and you in battle but now I'm leaving you again." She said as she stood up preparing herself to depart. "Oh don't worry. I can handle myself from here, Be careful whenever you go." You said. "I will be." She said and she hugged you, and you hugged her back. "If fate and destiny align once again then we meet soon and I'm certainly going to join you for real on your travels." She smiled happily and then she headed out as you watched her walk away. You wonder if it's connected to what happened to her earlier at Shaded Castle.
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While riding and moving at the side of the capital outskirts because going by the entrance surely will kill you on the spot. Galloping down the road you noticed a person near the river cooking something. You decided to ride down to the river, and as soon as you arrived, you saw Boggart cooking one of its favorite delicacies: crabs. "Ahoy! Mate." As he waved his hand. "We meet again, Got any crabs on you?" "Sadly, no." You said. "Ah bagger, But don't worry, why not take a short break and eat some but of course you have to pay mate." He grabs one of the pawn crabs and hands it to you. "Thanks." You said, you grab the prawn and enjoy eating it. Wish Millicent could eat this, you said in your mind. "I bet you wanna get into capital mate?" He asked. "Yes, I need to into the ErdTree." You answered. "Aren't we all mate? But hear me, I'm gonna tell you, It's dangerous inside there are a lot of soldiers surrounding the Capital. Believed me I've been there before." He said to you. "But if you insist. My advice. Just use the roof, It's easier to cross around the area without notifying the soldiers patrolling the areas but of course, Don't get spotted."
You said your farewell to Boggart, Riding your steed torrent going into the side of the gate, you spot a soldier in gold-plated armor and riding a gold-plated horse. Draconic Tree Sentinel. Knowing this is one of the higher rank of soldiers guarding the gate but this is better than heading to the main entrance. You jump down from riding your steed torrent, Grab the bell, and summon your trusted spirit, Aurelia. The jelly spews poison on the commander and it rides in the direction of Aurelia. You grab your staff and cast a Glintstone star and fire at Draconic Tree Sentinel. It suddenly shifts its attention to you and lungs into you and he smashes his hammer down, you dodge it and you grab your Great sword. With Radahn's Rune, you feel light on your movement. You run towards the Sentinel while getting poisoned by your spirit summon. You swing your sword to the horse and it loses its balance and rolls down into the dirt including the sentinel. You lung your blade into the sentinel beheading the sentinel's blood splattered all over your armor. You put your Great Sword at your back and then you opened the giant gate proceeding inside the Leyndell's, Royal capital.
The city boasts grand architecture, with towering spires, intricate bridges, and fortified walls that speak of its historical significance and defensive prowess. The buildings blend elements with intricate detailing, showcasing the craftsmanship of the one who designed such a place. Upon entering one of the buildings. You were surprised these nobles were not attacking you, they just ignored you instead, they just sat as if they waiting for their dooms. You ride one of the contraptions down below, You see from every street and corner. Soldiers are roaming around, they are everywhere. You take Boggart's advice and use the roof as your way, you jump down and run towards the giant tree branch to get into one of the main buildings. Upon entering you were thrown at the side of the building. You look at who is attacking you, none other than the spectral spirit of Godfrey the first Elden Lord. Another Defensive spell like Ranni's did to her mother. Godfrey, a familiar figure. As if like you meet him somewhere but you cannot quite place your mind where. She roared and then Jumped slamming his axe towards you, You used BloodHound step to dodge his attack and you swung at him he managed to swing his axe at the same time clashing with you.
You kick him on his stomach and he steps back. This Spectral spirit is almost par with the actual first Elden Lord. He stomped the ground and you almost lost balance, He jumped and threw his axe towards you, you dodge it then he leaped into his axe, grabbed it, and swung it to you, you almost managed not to dodge him because of how fast he moved as if the axe he was holding is not heavy. You had no choice but to use Radahn's Great runes, Along with Bloodhound steps, and swing your Great Sword to him. The Spirit fairly easily manages to dodge your attack. Then you cast Glinstone Star and combining with Bloodhound step the spirit didn't manage to dodge you as you swung your great sword and were able to kill the spectral shade. Knowing that his spectral shade is strong the original one will be much stronger, you need more than Glintstone, Bloodhound, and better equipment. You take this time to take a short break, Fast travel to the Round Table, Upgrade your weapon, get better armor, Tuning summoning spirits, and learn some new sorcery spells and incantations. Wearing Black armor with fur. Equipping your mimic tears ashes. (This spirit takes the form of the summoner to fight alongside them, but its mimicry does not extend to imitating the summoner's will.) Preparing your incantations and spells. You are ready that's said to yourself. As you fast travel back to the balcony where you beat the spectral shade of Godfrey you run through to roof to reach the other side room.
This must be the queen's chamber, You run into the other side through the window, and run down through the roof to reach the courtyard to get into the ErdTree. You saw a man standing at the entrance of the Erdtree. As he walks slowly down the stairs. "Graceless Tarnished. What is thy business with these thrones? I get it now." Then he looks at the empty chairs in front of him. "Ahh... Godrick the Golden. The twin prodigies, Miquella and Malenia. General Radahn. Praetor Rykard. Lunar Princess Ranni." His voice slowly shows his anger. "Wilful traitors, all!" As he swings his cane. Then he looks at you. "Thy kind are all of a piece. Pillagers. Emboldened by the flame of ambition." He slowly rubs his hand into the cane turning into a sword. "Have it writ upon thy meagre grave: Felled by King Morgott! Last of all kings." He then dashes towards you and he slash his sword. You managed to dodge then he jumped into your side cast a holy sword enchantment and slashed at you. You got hit by this magic on your side as you kneel enduring the pain while catching your breath blood dripping down your arm. "Oh, tarnished. Put these foolish ambitions to rest." You cast a Bestial Vitality(slowly heals your wound) and summon your mimic tear ashes spirit. The mimic formed to be a copy of yourself, You slowly look at King's Morgott eyes, and you show your determination not to go down easily. Then you use Rune's relic to activate Radahn's Rune. You watch your mimic ashes take its moves first to Morgott, you start casting Hurls a lightning spear on your hands as you keep holding it it gets bigger and bigger till it forms into the same length as the spear and you throw it at him. As he grinned his teeth enduring the pain from the lightning. He cast a hammer and jump slammed it at you, you use Bloodhound step to dodge it. Your mimic tear keeps attacking him from behind and you cast Glintstone star and you run towards him and Swing your Great sword along with the mimic tear. When it almost hit him, He cast a shockwave, knocking you away and your mimic tear spirit.
"Hrghraah! The thrones... stained by my curse... Such shame I cannot bear. Thy part in this shall not be forgiven. May the curse seep to thy very soul." He slowly raised his sword into the air, infusing it with blood flame before doing a heavy slam on the ground creating an exploding trail where the sword hit the ground. Then he looked at you, and he dashed instantly towards you trying to slash you. You didn't evade on time and it hit you, it would sliced you in half if it was not for your armor still you sustained a wound from his attack. "Turned your back now foolish tarnished." He said to you. You Drink your flask, "Not yet." You said. "I'd rather die than turn my back away. Such a way is not ours. We may been outcasts from the lands between but we are still warriors in the badlands." "So be it," he said." You cast a unique Lightning Volt, a glaive. As your mimic distracts Morgott, they fight each other. It slowly formed into a red-lightning glaive… They said the dragon you defeated was one of the ancient. And the dragons named Lannseax, "King Morgott, The Omen king." You said. You look at him and red lighting volt forms Lannseax's Glave. You slowly levitate into the air. Morgott succeeding killing your Mimic tear but it's enough time for you to cast the Lannseax's Glave, he slowly looks in your direction as you sweep it down to Morgott.
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You walk closer to Morgott. Then He grabs your foot, "Tarnished, thou'rt but a fool. The Erdtree wards off all who deign approach. We are... we are all forsaken. None may claim the title of Elden Lord." Then he coughed blood. "Thy deeds shall be met with failure, just as I." Then his grab slowly letting go. Till no more. You walk towards the entrance at the Erdtree but you cannot open it since the thorns and vines from the tree block the door from opening.
"Hello again, old friend." You heard a familiar woman's voice. "Allow me a moment to converse with you. You were unable to enter the Erdtree, no?" You look in the direction of a woman standing near the King's Morgott body, it's Melina. "Prevented by the mantle of barbs. The thorns are impenetrable. A husk of the Erdtree's being; that spurns all that exists without. The only way to stand before the Elden Ring...and become the Elden Lord...is to pass the thorns."
She slowly walks towards you and then she kneels. "My purpose serves to aid in that very act. So I'd like you to undertake a new journey. To the flame of ruin, far above the clouds, upon the snow mountaintops of the giants. Then I can set the Erdtree aflame. And guide you. Down the path to becoming Elden Lord." Then she slowly showed you the Rold Medallion while she kneeled. "Please, Melina don't do that." You said. "Oh? You will become lord soon and no one will ever stop you from doing so. I could feel it" Then she stands. You received the Rold Medallion from her hand. "You need to head into the east wall, you will find there the Grand Lift of Rold. The path connecting Leyndell to the Mountaintops of the Giants." She said. "Till we meet again. Good luck on your journey." As she holds your hand and walks away. You go back to the path from where you come in. You ride your steed torrent and head into the east wall. Upon arriving you see a finger reader she tells you something. "I know what you're planning, heavens forbid... That is not the domain of mere men. The burning of the Erdtree is the first cardinal sin. And you say you seek power of the Rune of Death, too? The Rune of Death goes by two names; the other is Destined Death. The forbidden shadow, plucked from the Golden Order upon its creation... Unleashing the rune now would be unthinkable... The Fingers would never permit it. Nor would the Greater Will... But here we are... The Fingers, dormant, severing our link to the Greater Will. The realm, and all life, in ruins. Impossible events transpire, beyond the ken of the Fingers. Who is to say that the cardinal sin must be cardinal forever? Go on. Finish the job. Take the course you deem most worthy." You step into the platform, you show the Rod Medallion and the platform ascends you to above ground to the Mountaintops of the Giants. Whenever she is right now, hoping along the way you will encounter Millicent again.
TO BE CONTINUED.