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.

As the new morning's light kissed the eyes of Marika, the sheets slipped from her skin as the young queen awoke in her bedchamber, lined by stone tablets of her studies, and great curtains hung above the bed as her body stirred to meet the day. Marika stood and faced the mirror before her, and within its reflection stood a girl, the reflection of herself. Her youthful form was 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.

"The day is nigh." The girl in the mirror mused, and a sly smile creeped across her face. Marika paced to her wardrobe and slipped on a dress, adorned with golden seams, and made out of the finest black linens that slid over her body, the silky black fabric of the dress caressing her pale skin as Marika stood uncontested in beauty and ambition.

"Sister, the time has come." A deep and gruff voice called from behind Marika's bedroom door, perhaps a voice that many would jump in fear at, yet Marika began walking towards the voice as she knew it well, It came from a figure known well and feared by many, he was 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 teased as she placed her hand upon the door, a smirk played on her thin lips as the door opened by the twist of her wrist as she smiled at the white beastman adorned in his black armor.

"Indeed I have, it is a special day" Maliketh mused, his yellow eyes looking down at Marika from his towering height. She ran her hand through his white fur to check for knots, which, unfortunately she discovered quite a few, although less than usual, and with her suspicions answered she furrowed her brow 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 cocked at an angle as she waited for her fair-furred shadow to respond.

Maliketh stayed silent, only nodding in agreement, before stepping to one side to let Marika through the entrance so they would walk together. Marika stepped quietly as she advanced down the hallway and into the golden sunlight of the walkway outside her abode. Marika felt something watching her, a singular eye bore into her back even as she walked.

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 was steeped in the lore of the ancient city of Farum Azula, where he once presided as a high priest, worshiping and serving the dragonlord 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 deemed divine.

Legend whispers of a former feminine power that governed The Lands Between, a daughter of the Greater Will akin to Marika, who wedded the Lord of the Ancient Dragons and subsequently vanished from these lands. The land of Caelid which is governed by these dragons, ancient or modern, the drakes keep a stressed peace over the greenlands alongside the Beast Regent Serosh who acts as an informant for Marika and Maliketh.

"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 crowned her, the scholar would be appointed to lead the order.

"The man who will crown you will be Shabiri, who you met at year's end." There was a tone of annoyance in Malikeths voice, Shabiri was barely two decades old, at the age of nineteen, and was 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 started to bend upward, but were quickly stifled by a growl from Maliketh. "Brother thou ought no fun, I ought to send you back to your temple in Farum Azula to don your priesthood again.'' he met her with a soft growl as she smirked 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 a herald of the new coming age. He may be young, but potential lies within him." Maliketh's claws clicked against the floor as they walked

"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 Leyndell, watched over by her Erdtree above, the buildings were lined with gold, the streets were rather empty as all the citizens and general populace had all gathered near or inside the great cathedral. Before long Marika and Maliketh are Flanked by the city's golden knights who walk alongside them, guiding them on their way. Marika twirled around to take in the surroundings, the yellow brick below her, the marble statues of heroes she cared 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 and her removal of the rune of death that lay encased in her brothers sword.

Soon enough Marika's bare feet grace the steps of the cathedral grounds, as her toes touched the first step Maliketh retreats behind her like an apparition, almost as if he was not even present. The commoners gathered around the cathedral look on silently as Marika upturns her chin righteously as she walks forwards toward her crown that lies in wait inside.

The gates of the cathedral opened and revealed the inner sanctum, and within it stood Shabiri, his golden armor shone brightly contrasting his short brown hair, behind him stood a young red-haired man, who wore a similar guise, his striking golden eyes met Marika's own, the man seemed to have a kind face that contrasted the look of righteousness that his counterpart wore. Marika and Shabiri's eyes met, his eyes were as deep and as raging as the sea that surrounded these lands, and an upturned smirk was worn upon his face. In his hands lay Marika's crown, the crown 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 was quite fond of.

"Queen Eternal, Please stand" Marika stood following the young scholars directives. She then waved to her audience who erupted in cheers and screams, the Tree Sentinels atop their great steeds raised their torches creating pillars of flaming celebration as nobles, and commoners screamed and cried for her ascension. Perhaps this is in fact too loud for Marika, but either way, the people must celebrate their new queen and god, she smiled at all of them, letting their light fill her.

Eventually the massive doors to the cathedral scrape to a close slowly as twenty soldiers manage to close them separating Marika from her people and a sigh of relief passes through Marika's lips. "There is no more to this ceremony young scholar, is there?" Marika asked Shabiri who stood 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."

"Ah.. That." Marika said sheepishly as the thought of marriage and sharing her power had not crossed her 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 paused 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, per your request when you formed our order." 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, she only hoped that his response mentioned the extinction of any of the horned animals that roamed this land before she came into it.

"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?" Her inquiry is sparked by Shabiri's words

It was not Shabiri who answered Marika's question but Radagon, his tender voice rang out from behind her, his voice somehow irritated Marika 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 and adopted sister, 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 my queen, 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 the Two Fingers we serve. 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 some of 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?" Maliketh'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.