Sisters of Night and Flame: an Elden Ring Prelude
By PhenolicHawk
As the lands descend into war, heed my call, O children of the moon and sun, my heirs of dominion. Claim what once was mine—I entreat thee, seek thine own paths with unwavering resolve. Unto you, a potent gift I bestow; a boon of power and fortune. Guard it well, for it harbors the strength to either uplift or utterly consume. Awaken, my progeny, and embrace your desires and destinies.
Prelude Chapter One: Grace Of Gold
Marika I
I came from beyond the fog, from shadow into light. As a emperyean, Granted a protector, a clergybeast turned warrior, a shadow to call my own.
Who am I?
I am God
As the new dawn's light kisses my eyes, my sheets slip from my skin as I awake in my bedchamber, lined by stone tablets of my studies, and great curtains hang above my bed as my body stirs to meet the day. I stand and face the mirror before me, and within its reflection stands a girl, the reflection of myself. I have gotten quite used to my youthful form and its appearance, despite the countless battles I've endured to get to this point, no marks or embellishments adorn my pale flesh, and my eyes remain fresh and clear as the golden hue of the skies above.
"Today is the day" the girl in the mirror muses, and a smile creeps across her face. I walk to my wardrobe and slip on my dress, adorned with golden seams, and made out of the finest black linens that slip over my body and drape behind me as I don the gown as the morning sets in.
Who are you?
I am Marika.
"Sister, the time has come." A deep and gruff voice calls from behind my bedroom door, perhaps a voice that many would jump in fear at, yet I begin walking towards the door as I know the voice well, It comes from a figure known well and feared by many, but he is no more than my Shadowbound Beast, my brother, a gift my lands gave me when I entered them, Maliketh the former High Clergyman of Farum Azula. I know he is waiting patiently behind the door to my chambers.
"Have thou combed your coat, dear brother?" I tease him as I place my hand upon the door, a smirk plays on my lips as The door opens by my own hand as I smile at the white Beastman who I call my blood.
"Indeed I have, it is a special day" he muses, looking down at me from his massive height. I run my hand through his white fur to check for knots, which I discover quite a few knots although less than usual, and with my suspicions answered my brow furrows at him to show my annoyance at his dishonesty.
"You have, brother, but not well, on the day of my coronation you should at least look presentable, even if you hide in the background like I'm sure you plan too." My head cocks at an angle as I wait for my Fair-Furred shadow to respond.
"You are correct.'' He steps forward in front of me signaling that it is time to walk, as we are in a hurry to get to the grand Cathedral of Leyndell for the coronation.
From a realm veiled in shadow and mist, I was summoned to these lands. Chosen as an Empyrean, destined to serve as the vessel for the Elden Ring and to reign as Sovereign over this domain. The Greater Will, in its infinite wisdom, appointed a protector for me—Maliketh, now known as the Blade of Marika. My faithful guardian, his past is steeped in the lore of the ancient city of Farum Azula, where he once presided as a high priest, worshiping and serving the long-departed dragon lord alongside his beastman disciples, now tragically few in number.
Maliketh was chosen to stand by my side not merely for his formidable strength but for his loyalty to those he deems divine. Legend whispers of a former vessel of the Elden Ring, a female Beastman akin to myself, who wedded the Lord of the Ancient Dragons and subsequently vanished from these lands, most likely succumbing to the passage of time. Maliketh, believes in his heart that I am the reincarnation of his lost sister. Though I retain no memories of such a past life, his devotion shapes our bond, casting a long shadow over my reign and the turbulent paths we must navigate together.
As we walk I place my index finger to the corner of my mouth to signify my innate curiosity "Maliketh, do you know who will crown me? Surely the Golden Order has sent one of their own to preside over the ceremony, would you enlighten me on which scholar shall crown me?" The Golden Order worships me, I should know all the top scholars, I just figured it would be that old Enia, the finger reader, as she's the only one who can decipher what the Two Fingers proclaim, other than myself.
"The man who will crown you will be Shabiri, the young scholar, who you met at year's end." I sense a tone of annoyance in Malikeths voice. Shabiri is barely two decades old, and is very much a youth compared to his fellow scholars, although I do sense something 'off' about the young boy, a sense of foreboding perhaps.
"I see, why him of all scholars? He is quite… green." I sense the corners of my lips start to bend upward, but quickly stifled by a rumble from Maliketh. "Brother ought no fun, I ought to send you back to your temple in Farum Azula'' he greets my jest with another growl as I smirk at him.
"Marika, cease your jests, Shabiri's destiny has been foretold by Enia and The Two Fingers that he will crown the next lord, as a scholar and as a herald of the new coming age. He may be young but potential lies within him." I look at Maliketh as I hear his claws click against the floor as we walk
"So, he wasn't purely chosen on a whim, I take it they expect him to take a leadership role within the Golden Order?" I ask probing for more details that I may have missed.
"Indeed, Shabiri will head the Order alongside another scholar by the name of Radagon, he shares the same inexperience but is quite talented with his words, as he is with his blade."
Radagon…
Before long we step out into the streets of my city, the buildings are lined with gold, but there are none of my citizens and subjects on the streets as they have all gathered near or inside the cathedral. Before long we are Flanked by the city's golden knights who walk alongside us, guiding me and my Half-brother on our way to the Great Cathedral. I twirl around to take in the surroundings, the yellow brick streets, the marble statues of heroes I care not know the name of, and the green grass that grows in patches that won't ever know death, due to my presence in this Capital of grace.
Soon enough our feet grace the steps of the cathedral grand as its Queen to be and expansive as my rule will be over these lands, and the crowd of commoners, my people, part like the sea that surrounds my lands. Malekith retreats behind me more so than before, his vow binding him as my protector and shadow, as he walks silently behind me blending with the shadows casted by my ornate dress.
The gates open and reveal the inner sanctum, and within it stands Shabiri, his golden armor shining brightly, behind him stands a young red haired man, who wears a similar guise, with striking golden eyes and a kind demeanor which opposes the air of righteousness that surrounds Shabiri. My eyes meet Shabiri's, his eyes are as deep and as raging as the sea that surrounds these lands. In his hands I catch a glimpse of what is soon to be mine, my golden crown. I feel my lips curve into a smirk as I feel the power within my body swirl in anticipation of being crowned sovereign. I step forward toward the two scholars and within a few moments I am standing directly in front of them.
"Marika, Empyrean of the Shadowlands, Princess of the Numen," Shabiri begins, his words are amplified in sound by an incantation he himself has casted. "Do you accept this crown, and title, as the guiding light, the sun in the darkness of the night, the chosen sovereign of the Golden Order and the Lands Between as Queen Eternal?" His words echo across the cathedral, seemingly shaking the ancient stone pillars and paintings that adorn the walls. My breath is bated and measured as I know my answer is truer than any words I've ever spoken before.
"I Marika, Princess of the Numen, renounce all former titles, Ladyships and responsibilities," I say somberly, not betraying my inner thoughts "To become not just Queen Eternal, but to become the guiding mother of these lands and its people, and all they stand for" I make sure to end on a sweet note, manipulating my voice so I brand my words into not just the memories of Shabiri, but to everyone who hears them. I slowly kneel, Shabiri places the golden crown upon my head, it feels quite light, like a feather, but it bears a weight, a weight that I am quite fond of.
"Queen Eternal, Please stand" I stand following the young scholars directives. I wave to my audience who erupt in cheers and screams, perhaps this is in fact too loud for me, but either way, the people must celebrate their new queen and god.
The massive doors to the cathedral close separating me from my people, a sigh of relief passes through my lips "There is no more to this ceremony young scholar, is there?" I ask Shabiri who stands at attention beside me
"There are no more rites for you to go through, at the moment Queen Eternal" his voice now undimmed by the spell from earlier "Although you must choose a king consort, you can do this at a later date of course."
"Oh.. That." I say sheepishly as the thought of marriage and sharing my power had seemingly slipped my mind. "Well, young Shabiri, I shall choose a strong warrior to be my consort, although I know not who. Is there anything the Golden Order plans to do now since I have been Crowned?"
"Indeed Queen Marika, The Golden Order and myself have further plans, as your ascension to Queenhood now allows us to act," he pauses and motions to the red haired man nearby "This is Radagon, my dear friend, and war counselor."
I am thoroughly confused at the need for any large-scale combat. "What need does the Golden Order have for a war counselor, do you intend to go into battle?"
"Indeed my Queen, ever since before your ascendance and my own rise to leadership within the order, we have striven to bring any and all factions under heel, with the exception of few. We also seek the control over any educational institutions, and the ridding of unholy beasts across the lands" Shabiri states proudly like a trumpet blasting a repeated tune.
"To my knowledge there is peace in the lands and no need for conflict, do I presume wrong?" My response is worded carefully to gauge his response.
"You are correct, there is peace in the lands as all factions, save for two, have bowed to our might. I wish to ask for your support in helping bring this final institution under the Golden Order's control and by proxy your own rule as well."
"Well what are these Factions?" My inquiry is sparked by Shabiri's words
It was not Shabiri who answered my question but Radagon, his tender voice rang out from behind me, his voice somehow irritated me as it held the opposite tone of his counterpart.
"The Academy Of Raya Lucaria, and by extent the Carian Queen, Rennala Of The Full Moon, who serves as it's headmaster, the Academy is formidable, having its own defense of talented knights, and even magical prodigies such as Rennala's own apprentice, Renna The Snow Witch, and many others who hold teaching and faculty positions at the academy." Radagon slightly pauses before continuing. "The other faction is the Fire Giants in the northmost part of the continent, and the Fell God they worship who, like you, has recently come to the lands to live amongst his followers. Our biggest concern is the Academy as many within our order find their teachings to be quite heretical and in direct opposition to their own values. Whereas the Fire Giants are more or less peaceful, we do expect much opposition from them. I myself have proposed that we leave them alone as a war against the giants would be… a harder effort than the Academy of Raya Lucaria."
Shabiri picks up from where Radagon left off without missing a beat. "We believe their studies to be blasphemous and against the will of the two fingers we serve." He pauses to let his words sink in. "Radagon and I have penned them many requests to let us inside and clear the academy of blasphemy, but no responses have been answered signaling their rebellion, tonight myself and Radagon will visit the gates and request personally that they surrender."
"And what do you plan to do if they reject your offer?"
"I will bring down the Holy Hammer of the Golden Order upon their institution" Shabiri says proudly, I raise my eyebrows before preparing to ask if there is any other way other than combat but I am interrupted by Radagon
"Well… this whole ordeal could be solved peacefully if a member of the golden order was to marry into the Carian Royal Family"
Shabiri's response was swift and dismissive, his glare at Radagon sharp enough to cut through the tension that had built up in the cathedral. "A marriage? To that wretch, Rennala?" he scoffed, the disdain dripping from every word. "The Golden Order will not dilute its purity with such base alliances. We shall bring Raya Lucaria to heel with the might vested in us, not through concessions to those who defy the natural order."
I feel my eyes twitch in annoyance at Shabiri's arrogance, but deep down I feel that if humored he will learn his lesson through time. "Enough, Shabiri, as Queen eternal I shall lend you some of the forces of Leyendell to do as you wish with." I pause "Although, if you bring failure I myself shall find a way to settle this matter on my own."
Shabiri nods his head, and behind him Radagon bows "Thank you, Queen Eternal, may your reign continue long and may you prosper."
"We will be off, Thank You for your time Queen Eternal." Shabiri says as his golden robes shimmer as he and Radagon dissipate in a golden light.
"What do you think will happen sister?" Malekith's voice growls from the shadows behind me, the deepness resonating inside my very soul.
"They don't stand a chance