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 mornings light kisses the eyes of Marika, the sheets slip from her skin as young princess awakes in her bedchamber, lined by stone tablets of her studies, and great curtains hang above the bed as her body stirs to meet the day. Marika stands and faces the mirror before her, and within its reflection stands a girl, the reflection of herself. Her youthful form is quite a sight, despite the countless battles she's endured to get to this point, no marks or embellishments adorn her pale flesh, and her eyes remain fresh and clear as the golden hue of the skies above the Altus Plateau.
"Today is the day" the girl in the mirror muses, and a sly smile creeps across her face. Marika paces to her wardrobe and slips on a dress, adorned with golden seams, and made out of the finest black linens that glide over her body, the silky black fabric of the dress caressing her pale skin.
Who are you?
I am Marika.
"Sister, the time has come." A deep and gruff voice calls from behind Marika's bedroom door, perhaps a voice that many would jump in fear at, yet the maiden begins walking towards the door as she knows the voice well, It comes from a figure known well and feared by many, but he is no more than her Shadowbound Beast, her brother, and a gift her lands gave her when she entered them, Maliketh the former High Clergyman of Farum Azula.
"Have thou combed your coat, dear brother?" Marika teases as she places her hand upon the door, a smirk plays on her thin lips as The door opens by the twist of her wrist as she smiles at the white beastman.
"Indeed I have, it is a special day" Maliketh muses, looking down at Marika from his towering height. SHe runs her hand through his white fur to check for knots, which unfortunately Marika discovers quite a few knots, although less than usual, and with her suspicions answered her brow furrows at him to show her 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 thou plan too." Marika's head cocks at an angle as she waits for my Fair-Furred shadow to respond.
Maliketh stays silent, only nodding in agreement before stepping to one side to let Marik through the entrance so they may walk together, Marika steps quietly as she advances down the hallway and into the golden sunlight of the walkway outside her abode.
From a realm veiled in shadow and mist, Marika came 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 her—Maliketh, now known as the Blade of Marika, her 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 her 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 herself, who wedded the Lord of the Ancient Dragons and subsequently vanished from these lands leaving Farum Azula currently in a power imbalance between the Ancient Dragons and their land bound descendants the modern dragons.
"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?" Marika knew of all the scholars of the Golden Order who worshiped her, and knew that whichever scholar crowned her, that scholar would be appointed to lead the order.
"The man who will crown you will be Shabiri, the young scholar, who you met at year's end." There was a tone of annoyance in Malikeths voice. Shabiri the scholar is barely two decades old, and is very much a youth compared to his fellow scholars, Marika often sensed something off with the youngling despite his talent and reverence of the Golden Order's ideals.
"I see, why him of all scholars? He is quite… green." the corners of Marika's lips start to bend upward, but are quickly stifled by a rumble from Maliketh. "Brother thou ought no fun, I ought to send you back to your temple in Farum Azula'' he greets her with another growl as she smirks 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." Malekith's 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?"
"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 the two half-siblings step out into the streets of Leyendel, the buildings are lined with gold, the streets are rather empty as all the citizens and general populace have all gathered near or inside the cathedral. Before long Marika and Maliketh are Flanked by the city's golden knights who walk alongside them, guiding her and her Half-brother on their way to the Great Cathedral. Marika twirls around to take in the surroundings, the yellow brick streets, the marble statues of heroes she cares not know the names of, and the green grass that grows in patches that won't ever know death, due to her presence in this Capital of grace.
Soon enough her feet grace the steps of the cathedral ground, Maliketh retreats behind Marika like an apparition, almost as if he was not even present. The commoners gathered around the cathedral look on as Marika upturns her chin righteously as she walks forwards toward her crown that lies in wait inside.
The gates of the cathedral open and reveal the inner sanctum, and within it stands Shabiri, his golden armor shining brightly contrasting his short brown hair, 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. Marika and Shabiri's eyes meet, his eyes are as deep and as raging as the sea that surrounds these lands, and an upturned smirk plays upon his face. In his hands there lies Marika's crown, the crown as a single golden band that played with the very light that was reflected through the cathedrals stained glass windows.
"Marika, Empyrean of the Shadowlands, Princess of the Numen," Shabiri begins, his words are amplified in sound by an incantation he 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. Marika's breath is bated and measured, she knows her answer, and she knows it true.
"I Marika, Princess of the Numen, renounce all former titles, Ladyships and responsibilities," she says somberly, not betraying her 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" she slowly kneels, and Shabiri places the golden crown upon her head, it feels quite light, like a feather, but it bears a weight, a weight that she is 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?" Marika asks Shabiri who stands at attention beside her.
"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." Marika said sheepishly as the thought of marriage and sharing her power had seemingly her 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."
Marika became thoroughly confused at the need for a war counselor. "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?" Marika's response is worded carefully to gauge his response.
"You are correct, there is peace in the lands as all factions, save for a few unruly factions, most have bowed to our might. I wish to ask for your support in helping bring these factions 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 headed by Rennala's own sister, 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. "Another 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. Currently 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 when the time comes. I myself have proposed that we leave them alone as a war against the giants would be… a much more perilous effort than the Academy of Raya Lucaria."
Shabiri picks up from where Radagon left off without missing a beat, his voice biting like a blade. "We believe their studies to be blasphemous and against the will of theTwo 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?" Marika asks
"I will bring down the Holy Hammer of the Golden Order upon their institution" Shabiri says proudly, Marika's eyebrows raise before preparing to ask if there is any other way other than combat but she is 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."
Marika's eyes twitch in annoyance at Shabiri's arrogance, but deep down she felt that if humored Shabiri will learn his lesson through time. "Enough, Shabiri, as Queen eternal I shall lend the forces of Leyendell to do as you wish with. 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, the deepness resonating inside the now empty cathedral. Upon either hearing his voice or what he said, Marika smiled.
"They don't stand a chance"
