Not that impressed with this but the aptly named dude from Shadow of the Ertree was cool enough to make this, in fact one of the few things worth a damn in this mess full of retcons, so...there. Spoilers of course.
Also, wanted to hint/show at what a terror a lore accurate Tarnish would be. The dude/dudette devoured any and all enemies worth a damn within and around the Lands Between.
Much as he might have liked to claim otherwise, the first time Ansbach heard about a new peer joining them on their glorious quest in Kind Miquela's name. A Tarnished, if gentle Leda was to be believed.
Why he didn't think much of it.
Not that he doubted the knight's words. As a tarnished herself, and one bestowed Grace by their Kind Lord himself. Ansbach had little reason to doubt her claims. She would know.
Nonetheless, welcome as the newcomer might be, and if his suspicions as to how the Tarnished managed to arrive at such a late hour and join their small band, suspicions borne out of Leda's clear reluctance to name exactly where she'd found their new comrade…
"New…friend…?"
His lips pulling into a smile and his beard twitching as a result, Ansbach tore his gaze away from the glowing cross, glancing at the lad sitting on the grass a few meters away, both under the shadow of the nearby castle's walls.
"That remains to be seen, lad. But, if Leda's words are to be believed, then, perhaps."
And his words are true. For even if his suspicions are true as to what the newcomer did? He couldn't begrudge his old Lord an honorable warriors death. For after all, such are the risks of those seeking Lordship.
Nay, his recalcitrance to accept their new comrade with open arms has rather more to do with the face Ansbach knows them not and thus has no measure of them.
For comrades all they might be, under the gentle guidance of Kind Miquela but friends to the last all of them were not.
Let Freyja with her innocence think the best even of the Hornsent. But, he knew better. So, until—
"No…"
The lad's voice, strangely filled with strength. Or at least, more strength than usual, makes Ansbach blink underneath his mask and once again turn to face the lad who had raised a heavily armored limb to point down the hill, and turning, Ansbach found his breath catching in his throat.
For trailing up the path towards them, clad in the armor of the Eastern Lands was no doubt their new comrade.
Impossible!
It wasn't the garment or the Tarnished's appearance that had him doubting so.
Nay.
Leda had claimed their new comrade to be surprisingly powerless for where she'd found them.
…and what both he and Leda knew the Tarnished had done.
But.
Much as he didn't like to believe it.
Leda was wrong.
Or rather, he very much hoped that he was.
For the Tarnished coming to a stop in front of Kind Miquella's cross, examining it.
Filled Ansbach's old bones with terror the likes of which he'd only once felt before.
When…
It didn't matter.
But their new comrades' eyes. Eyes all but radiating with the purest gold. And that gentle pressure filling the very air around them and being the very reason he hadn't even sensed their new comrade strolling towards them…
No, surely not, he was just wrong. It happened.
And that sword clutched in the Tarnished's arm…
It couldn't be.
"It shames me to admit this," Leda, helmet removed, sitting across of him and staring at her armored hands filled Ansbach with an apprehension he hadn't felt in many a year. After all, when was the last time he'd seen the kind knight so shook? "But, the fight was terrifying."
Perhaps he was wrong though. And it was merely nerves.
Leda, brave girl that she is, nonetheless was still young by all measures. And so, as a consequence of their quest to follow in the footsteps of their lord and as a result having to fight monstrous enemies.
It very well might have shook the girl.
Much as he found it unlikely.
Still.
"Rellana was as difficult to overcome as we feared then?" he asked before flashing a small smile towards the lass. "Unfortunate but not beyond expectations. She was one of Messmer's most loyal's companions and thus, her strength was to be expected."
Leda's frown as she tore her gaze away from her hands and towards the shack's fireplace, a meager shield against the night's cold, all but dashed his hopes. As did the lass' words.
"The sorceress' prowess was beyond reproach, that is true, but no. That is not what has me shook, Ansbach."
"What then?"
"Monstrous…"
"Leda?"
"Our new comrade. Remember what I told you? About how…"
"The unexpected weakness?"
"Yes, turns out, I was wrong. The moves our friend pulled against the mage, why, much as it burns to admit, half the fight I felt like I was the one being protected and my summoning was one of mere courtesy."
Ansbach's lips were set into a thin line at that.
It was as he feared then.
The Tarnished was not weak, far from it, in fact, exactly like Kind Miquela, their new friend's strength was so great that it filled the very air and ground they walked on. Making it nigh indistinguishable from the background and thus making it hard to gauge someone's might at first glance.
Someone like this…It could spell trouble.
For eyes of such gold hue, no doubt much unlike their original coloration and strength not even his Old Lord could overcome?
If their new friend ever decided to turn on them, or broke their Lord's charm…well, it wouldn't be good.
But that begged the question.
How did Kind Miquella manage to charm someone so strong? And when did he have opportunity to do it?
After all, if such a person, a tarnished off all things had walked the Lands Between back when. Before, or a short while after the Shattering and while Kind Miquella still walked the lands…
It didn't make sense.
Ansbach was missing a piece of the puzzle he was sure of it. Still, if nothing else, he felt glad that their new friend could be called a friend in truth. For even Moore, the normally withdrawn lad had managed to open up some and wonder of wonders, even Thiollier had shown up for a brief time! Drawn from his seclusion kicking and screaming no doubt.
"There's one thing that puzzles me, though."
"Lass?"
The Mage Queen…I don't understand why she grew wroth at the sight of that Blue Blade. Yes, its luster is most beautiful and its moon like beams most potent but…" a cold hand gripped Ansbach's heart. It was as he feared once again then. He'd though he recognized the blade but hoped he'd been wrong. After all, if the texts were to be believed it and its ilk were a wedding gift given by the princesses of the line. And, if rumors were to be believed, Lord Radagon sported one of his own. So that meant… "And then the words."
He blinked.
"What words?"
Leda laughed.
"In the midst of demolishing the tower around and above us, the Mage Queen exchanged words with our comrade, unfortunately an earlier blast had knocked me away and I failed to hear them over the dint of blade and spell but afterwards she fought with a fury of one possessed." Ah, that explained why the Castle was half demolished. "But then, at the end, Rellana, her helmet shattered, she, she…"
"She what. Leda?"
"She died with a smile."
That, more than anything all but confirmed things and he dearly hoped he was wrong.
Forcing a smile on his weathered face, he rose and stepped closer to the worried woman.
"Ansbach?"
Placing a hand on the woman's shoulder he gave the plate an affectionate squeeze. The plate remaining unaffected but the gesture and its meaning clear.
"That is all very curious but, at the end of the day, it remains inconsequential."
"What do you mean? How can you say that?"
"Well, we are all in the service of Kind Miquela are we not? Our friend's strength is thus a most welcome boon. As Freyja can attest, her words mirroring your own as they fought that 'crazy lion' as she put it. We need such strength. For Messmer awaits, does he not?"
At that, and with a blink a relieved sigh escapes Leda's lips and Ansbach's own worries are lessened a little.
The newcomer's monstrous strength was an issue, yes. But far more pressing an issue was their Leader's shaken confidence and it needing to be restored.
No doubt that was why the lass had sought him out in private after all.
Everything else could wait.
Kind Miquela would show them the way.
Terror.
Deep in his old bones that was all he could feel.
Terror enough to make him shudder.
No doubt as a result of the Tarnished carving a bloody path towards Messmer's castle and through his forces, somehow, the spell that monster put on most all of them over time was shattered.
…Not unlike how the Elden Ring was shattered, perhaps.
And now, with his head clear, his thoughts his own for the first time in centuries…
All Ansbach can feel is terror.
That and lost.
For he'd already tried and failed to challenge that monster, Miquella long ago.
And now, with his Lord actual dead.
Probably at the hands of his gold-eyed friend…
"Why are you doing this? What do you hope to achieve?" Deep inside Shadow Keep, perusing ancient and forbidden texts that would have had a younger him salivating, he can't help but keep wondering.
What he should do next, but more importantly than even that, just what that Monster, Miquella wants out of all this.
For with the facts as they are, none of it makes sense!
The sound of footsteps has him tense and look away from the latest tome in his hand and towards the entrance, prepared to reach for his blade if need be.
The denizens of this library, this Castle really. Their hospitality was lacking to say the least.
But then, he relaxes for the pattern of the footsteps, replaces his tension with a tired smile.
He knew that pattern, learned to recognize it quickly. More so due to how artificial it sounded to his ears and according to Freyja, and some of the rest of their comrades, what very well might be a Lord or Lord to be, could only be heard when they wished too.
"Ah, greetings. I hope your day has been more pleasant than my own, so far." A gesture towards the tomes surrounding them on shelfs all around. "Regrettably, my search for purpose and answers both is going poorly so far."
In lieu of a verbal response, his friend merely nods and, manifesting a scroll passes it to Ansbach.
Taking it with a blink and cracking open the seal, his eyes narrow and the tired smile fades.
"I see…yes…I suppose, that makes sense…"
Much as he doesn't like to admit it, Ansbach, supposes he has the answers he needs now thanks to his many time blessed friend.
Chancing a glance at those sharp gold-hued eyes, he wonders for a moment what thoughts pass behind those eyes.
He almost wants to ask at last, to ignore propriety and have answers about this at least.
But he holds back, and as his friend speaks and shares Freyja's troubles, he can't help but chuckle.
"Ah, that girl…"
His answers can wait, he has another friend to help first.
Besides, he now has the first inkling of a purpose again, and, with his friend's help and the revelation of just what that Monster is planning with his Lord's body…
Why, he somehow doubts the Tarnished and Elden Lord to be is as loyal to Miquela as Leda, that poor, mistrustful lass, and the rest seem to think his friend is…
A conclusion, Ansbach notes, if only inside of his head, that the aspiring Lord was never bother to correct the rest of them about.
Smart.
Never help your enemy after all.
For even a Lord ascendant could be felled. Unlikely as it was.
And Ansbach was sure his friend had yet to take that final step courtesy of what his Lord had said once long ago. Before they'd both fallen for Miquella's snaring magic. Lord Mohg had spoken of his father's strength, and how his own, potent as it was still fell short.
How Lord Godfrey's might contained something…more.
And mighty the aspiring Lord in front of Ansbach might be, but the strength he felt now that he knew what to look for felt almost incomplete, as if lacking a final missing piece that would complete the whole and elevate, even a Tarnished, to a Lord.
Still, he keeps the thoughts to himself.
As is proper.
And with his friend's departure and new knowledge in tow goes back to his research. There were still things he needed to make certain off. Preparations to make. And then…
The shaking of the entire Castle and the cracks appearing in some of the nearby walls bother him not. Nor is he worried.
Now, more than ever, he is certain.
Some time later the shaking stops and soon after he departs too. The wailing over some of the Castle's occupants over Sir Messmer's death and the appearance of the previously hidden castle in the sky comes as no surprise.
Well, the previously hidden Castle is an impressive radiant sight if nothing else.
But his friend's victory over a mere demigod.
The thought of any demigod being mere anything is enough to make him chuckle and fill his old bones with mirth.
The realization he'll have to travel all the way back to Belurat Castle ascend it and then further still climb all those steps of the new Castle as well to fulfill his newfound purpose is, by contrast enough to make him groan and wipe the mirth from his lips.
Leda's attempt on his life is not as unexpected as he would have liked to claim.
It is unwelcome.
What is less unwelcome is his friend's arrival to aid him.
Confirming Ansbach's conclusions as to the Lord to be's character.
And making him understand at last what Leda must have felt like when the Moon Knight fell.
The fight is over almost as quickly as it starts.
And even though Ansbach knows this won't be the last of Leda, the lass wise enough to project herself to him in her assassination attempt rather than confront him face on…
This will leave its mark on the lass, he's sure. For even if Leda's grace-given a strong enough blow can harm the person actual…or rather is the lass still grace-given? He prays he's wrong to a god he knows is no longer listening, for the lass' sake if nothing else.
But during the blissfully short battle, underneath Leda's helmet he caught a glimpse and could swear her eyes no longer radiated with the glow of a blessed Tarnished.
Miquella was truly a monster, if his fears were confirmed.
To use and discard now that the ever loyal lass' usage had seemingly come to an end.
And he very much feared for her sake, even if they now, seemingly stood on opposing sides.
For without Grace.
Leda would fall before the aspiring Lord. As would anyone else besides that Monster.
And perhaps, if he was lucky just this once, Miquella would fall too. God or not.
His friend would have his help in ensuring this came to pass. For what little use it would be.
With his spirit answering the call of a summon he knows is not truly needed but is done so out of courtesy, Ansbach waits in the moment between. Not fully appearing but present in spirit nonetheless as his friend strides towards Leda and the rest of those who, despite the spell breaking still choose for their own reasons to stick with that Monster.
The Hornsent comes as no surprise. The Hornsent, whose people earned their fate through the torture of Marika's own people, hating the turn of the wheel brought about by Marika's own ascension and her harsh if just retribution, now seeking justice for their own, just earned rewards.
It came as no surprise the man would hate his friend. For an Elden Lord to be and consort to Marika both? Even if the Hornsent was wrong in that regard if the Blue Sword wielded by said Lord was any indication. Nonetheless, his friend was double Heretical and hated for that.
Or dear, pure, Freyja, whose love of battle and honorable combat would have her strive to face them regardless. As a warrior of Radahn should.
Similar to Dane, who no doubt wished to see if his fist was the match of an Elden Lord.
Moore…Moore though came as a sad, if somewhat expected, surprise.
But it is for the sake of Leda that he hesitates most.
For the girl, before the fighting had the courtesy to remove her helmet and confirm Ansbach's fears.
Her Grace is gone.
And with this fight.
Inevitably.
Her life.
And worse of all, by her words, she knows what she is facing. But her devotion to the Monster is enough to quell her fear.
And so, with a last, sigh, as his friend manifests the Blade of Carrian wedding in one arm and one of gold luster with tiny blood figurines and arms writhing all over, filling him with a deep unconscious disgust at the mere sight of it.
Ansbach manifests just as Thiollier does.
He didn't want this, but his Lord's Honor demanded he fight.
For he refused to let this desecration of Lord Mohg's body further sully the man's honor. Past what Miquella's spell already had.
At the very least.
Freyja's smile as well as Dane's own under the silent man's wide round hat, tells him that at least some of them will enjoy this fight.
And indeed, contrary to the power Leda had described, and the one that exploded the upper section of Shadow Keep and sent cracks running down its walls, his friend is giving Freyja and Dane what they want.
Not ending this.
But, before long, the fight ends. With one fatal swing of the blade glittering like Moonlight.
"Lord Miquella…make the world…a gentler place…"
"General Radahn, a pleasure to see you, but this body does not belong to you."
His words and tone both as he steps past the etheric barrier, earn little more than a sideways glance from the returned god and no doubt rival Lord to his friend.
Some would perhaps have called it rude, but, at long last, Ansbach has the pleasure, or the misfortune, depending on how one looked at it of seeing his friend truly fight.
Pleasure, for judging by the strain on Radahn's face and the speed at which both fighters swing their blades to meet in the middle, neither giving an inch.
Ansbach's heart dares to swell with hope for such strength…just might be enough to fell that Monster.
Misfortune…
For alongside his friend's earlier confession he gets the chance to see firsthand the strength which felled Lord Mohg.
And once again, as he runs towards the fighters, heart hammering, limbs taut and fingers wrapped around his scythe with Thiollier close behind, he can't help but suspect that the both of them are superfluous, only called upon as a courtesy.
After all, Ansbach felt pretty certain that the distant jagged peaks, the top of the mountain did not explode by its lonesome a few days prior.
The answer comes a few scant moments later, confirming his suspicions as a blow from one of Radahn's blades falling towards the startled Thiollier would have the boy join the stone corpses scattered around the gate of Divinity if not for his friend all but teleporting in front and catching the blow.
Standing tall even as Radahn, using both his own strength and that of the stolen reshaped body, does his best to crush the rival Lord and crack the blade of moonlight.
That last bit, Ansbach suspects is what fills those gold-hued eyes with anger at last, even more so than Thiollier's near death.
The blade of blasphemy rises and Radahn howls in pain and then the pitch of the combat shifts into an even higher state with Ansbach and the boy both fighting to survive much less land hits until at last, Radahn, grasping his side with one arm, lets one of the blades fall and sinks the other into the stone corpse ground, driving it deep as support.
And then, behind the resurrected general, a golden light fills the Gate of Divinity as the Monster makes his appearance at last.
There you are, you Monster. Can't have your Consort die after you went through all that trouble to restore him to life now can you?
For a moment worry fills him as Miquella's godly ethereal form hugs Radahn from behind and the two rise.
Worry, for the Monster's words might, perhaps ring as truth to his friend and sway him to put down the blade. Or blades as it were.
But then, the aspiring Lord smiles.
It is not a nice smile.
Rather the opposite.
And as the soon to be Lord unleashes long concealed strength, the blades, both of moonlight and of blasphemy join and glow, humming at a pitch that is almost uncomfortable but which makes the eyeless Monster flinch and recoil Ansbach knows that Lord Mohg's honor will be restored, or at last not further sullied.
For even if his friend's strength lacks that final bit of something, the raw might is more than equal to that of the pressure exerted by Radahn and, more importantly, the newly ascended God.
"I see… that is thy answer then…"
The fight starts anew and Ansbach is forced to once again realize that no, he didn't know what a fight between demigods, or Gods in this case was till now.
He manages to push Thiollier out of the way of a deflected beam of gold light, but it bites deep into his flesh in turn, sending him tumbling through the long dead and transmuted corpses until his back hits a wall and he lays there.
Without the strength to even chuckle.
How arrogant of him, to think he could challenge Miquella back then, or now, for that matter.
Thankfully his friend seems to have matters well in hand, but a fight between such monsters is still a deadly place to be and much to his sadness, from his spot against the wall, Ansbach can do nothing but watch helplessly as Thiollier's luck doesn't hold for a third time and this time, the deflected golden beam finds its mark.
Which seems to be what finally pushes his friend to the limit.
For with a mighty yell and a jump backwards the Lord to be lands a few meters backwards and the hands wrapped tight around both swords glow dark.
Or rather, the shadow coating limbs, flesh, and blade seems to be drinking in the surrounding light.
"Impossible…Death was sealed away!" for the first time and the last time, Ansbach hears a note of fear coating the Monster's tone. And even the famed General seems wary "Brother! Don't get hit!"
But its futile.
With Destined Death at hand and strength surpassing that of Lord Morgott who had almost broken Radahn the outcome is as certain as is inevitable and soon enough God and Consort fall.
And as his friend arrives before his dying form, with fading sight, Ansbach manages a few last words.
"Thank you…my friend…"
His Lord's honor was restored.
"Never thought I'd be fighting side by side with a Mohg follower."
"How about side by side with a friend?"
"...Aye, I can do that."