"Have you heard of the Finger Maidens?" The woman spoke in a soft tone, gentle as a whisper, yet brimming with conviction. The swordsman kept his weapon pointed at its target, but his glare was sharper than the blade could ever be. From the silence, the maiden gathered that he had not, and thus unflinchingly continued.
"They serve the Two Fingers, offering guidance, and aid, to the Tarnished."
Tarnished – the word held no special meaning to the son of Sparda, yet part of him felt irritated at the mere mention of it. Perhaps that was the intent behind it all along.
"But you, I am afraid, are maidenless."
"You mock me." The demons sneered. That her voice never once wavered intrigued him greatly. Unlike the man with the stone mask, this one seemed far more agreeable. He decided to hear her out; at the very least he'd be able to gather more knowledge about his current whereabouts.
"Just what are your intentions?" The half-devil bluntly asserted while his gaze fell back into the soothing light of grace flickering before him.
"I can play the role of maiden. Turning runes into strength. To aid you in your search for the Elden Ring."
"Why do you presume what I seek? What is this Elden Ring that you speak of?"
"It is the source of the Erdtree's golden grace, guiding Tarnished towards it; the oldest artifact in the Lands Between. A blueprint that defines the rules and the order of this world."
"I see. I have no need for such a thing. I only need more power."
"Were you not brought back to answer the call of grace? Surely you can see it else we would not be able to have this conversation."
"I do not know what you are talking about. Let's just say that I am not from this land."
"How intriguing. Torrent has indeed chosen a curious companion."
Vergil stared blankly at the maiden, prompting her to carry on.
"The Elden Ring is a great source of power, perhaps the greatest source of power in these lands. It is a manifestation of the Greater Will's divine plan. With it, you can shape this world as you see fit. It is no mere trinket if that is what you think."
"Interesting…" Vergil trailed off and fully turned towards the woman. "You now have my attention."
"Indeed, but I must ask, how much do you know about the Lands Between?"
"I have only been here for a day. I will let you draw your conclusions."
A stranger to these lands and immune to the Greater Will's influence? Yet he seeks power seemingly at all costs. Surely, he is not after the Frenzied Flame. I must ensure that he comes nowhere near it.
Melina gripped her cloak at the mere thought of the Frenzied Flame, something that Vergil was able to catch immediately as it betrayed the calm demeanour she had shown thus far.
"These fractured lands were once ruled by Queen Marika the Eternal, who I'm sure you've seen effigies of in your travels thus far. Her ascension to the throne was secured once she sealed the Rune of Death, ensuring that those blessed by grace need no longer fear the hands of death. However, the Rune of Death was stolen, and with it, Godwyn, first of the demigods, was slain."
Of all things that were certain, Vergil was convinced that he had met his end at Mallet Island. The pain felt too visceral though the relief was almost instant; nevertheless, it felt real. What did it mean if he was brought back to life in this land specifically? The questions of his apparent resurrection lingered in his mind, but a particular piece of the story drew his interest especially.
The power to restore and slay immortals? Interesting. If I make it out of this place, perhaps I can test out what this Rune of Death does to Dante…
Although the memories of Vergil's time as Nelo Angelo were painful and fragmented, he still remembered that it was Dante who had put an end to the eternity of miserable servitude he was forced into by the demon emperor. Vergil may have been defeated by Dante in their last duel, but the thought of losing to his brother once more while under someone else's control did not sit right with his sense of pride. If nothing else, his soul compelled him to settle the score with his twin.
"Shortly after, the Elden Ring was shattered, though we know not by whose hand. Since then, pestilence and chaos have swallowed these lands, and a great war called the Shattering tore our kingdoms asunder. I have yet to unravel the full story for myself, but I do know that the remaining demigods have inherited the broken shards of the Elden Ring. You will need to take it from them to restore the Elden Ring and secure the Elden Throne as Lord of the Lands Between."
"So I need to kill these Shardbearers and acquire their power for myself?"
"If necessary, yes. Though I do not believe that they will willingly yield their shards without a fight."
"And if I refuse your aid?"
"I understand. I'm asking you to put faith in but a stranger. Yet I'm certain that we can reach an understanding. Summon me by grace if you should reconsider."
She shifted herself to get up when the demon motioned for her to stop.
"What are your terms?"
"You need only take me with you. To the foot of the Erdtree."
"Very well."
"Then it's settled. Summon me by grace to turn runes into strength."
"What are these runes that you speak of?"
Melina was perplexed by the question. The ability to acquire runes from fallen foes was an ability given to all Tarnished. It is why even the most naïve fledglings can eventually gain the strength to challenge the vassals of the very gods with the aid of their maidens. To think this warrior had doubtless slain countless foes yet was never aware of the runes he had gained.
Perhaps he does speak true of not being from these lands.
"Runes are the essence of life in the Lands Between. They are the lingering residues of gold once found in the eyes of the Tarnished, though they may also be found in all manner of creatures you may encounter."
"I do not recall ever acquiring these runes."
"That is indeed strange, but perhaps I can assist you in making use of them."
If he is free from the influence of the Greater Will, then perhaps he also cannot hear the call of the corrupting flame of chaos.
Melina buried the thought in the back of her mind but nevertheless remained cautious of the snowy-haired stranger before her.
"I sense a large amount of runes near you. Are you sure you cannot sense them?"
"I am sure. Do not make me mention it a third time."
"Then allow me this." Melina extended a hand. As she did so, Vergil felt a strange warmth around it, much like the one he felt when staring at the light of grace. Still, he could not help but bristle at the very thought of someone else's touch. Some wounds would doubtless never heal.
"Shall I turn your runes to strength? Let my hand rest upon you, for but a moment."
"Try anything, and I shall rid this world of your existence." He extended a hand while suppressing the urge to immediately defend himself. Melina felt an almost imperceptible quiver in the warrior's voice as he spoke but knew that to draw attention to it may mean certain death.
"Share them with me…your thoughts…"
Vergil closed his eyes, attempting to suppress the all-too-fresh memories of past defeats.
"Your ambitions…"
From the way his body stiffened from her touch to the barely suppressed bloodlust emanating from the warrior, Melina could sense a tremendous amount of pain within her newfound compatriot. She dared not to pry, but instead channeled his runes so that they may ease his burdens.
"The principles you would follow."
The feeling of warmth enveloped the half-demon, who felt a sliver of his corrupted soul being freed from its shadowy prison. It was as though the "strength of runes" that the woman spoke of was exorcising the festering rot within himself. The moment was brief, but Vergil felt his anxiety start to evaporate once Melina took her hand aside.
"Ahh, another matter."
Reaching for something within her cloak, the maiden once again presented her hand.
"I bequeath to you this ring. Use it to traverse great distances."
The half-demon raised an eyebrow but took the ring regardless. Without Yamato, or the ability to surpass time itself through sheer speed, he would need another way to travel through the vastness of the Lands Between.
"It will summon a spectral steed named Torrent. Torrent has chosen you."
Vergil eyed the ring, which seemed to have whistling implements embedded into its features.
"Treat him with respect."
"I will see to it that he has chosen well."
With that, the maiden disappeared back into the blue mist from whence she came, and Vergil took the time to finally rest.