The warmth of sunlight meets the Hunter as he steps forward. He looks around as if he has never experienced such bliss. Animals run through the grass, trees flail in the wind, and new things wander. Enemies? Some ride on horses, while some sit resting with their weapon. Some seem like imps, while others are clearly low class. While he takes in his surroundings, the tarnished slowly approaches from behind him. His eyes glued to a map, he stops just before passing the hunter. He pauses and takes a good look at the surrounding area. "Something's… Not right…" The tarnished states while looking back at the map. "We should be in the capital right now.. Why are we outside The Grand Lift of Dectus??" The tarnished looks around once more and notices more things are wrong. There are less enemies than the last time he came through here. That can't be right..He didn't kill them. Once more, there are tracks of horses all around. The few people that are in front of them seem more afraid than docile. With so many signals, the tarnished readys his weapon while looking side to side. The hunter, breaking out of his amazement, notices the tarnished sudden caution stance. He draws his pistol while being ready to pull out his saw-cleaver. "What is the matter?" The hunter asks in a low but stern voice. The tarnished, not knowing what could happen next, hesitates to respond. Could he just be overthinking this? Perhaps there's nothing wrong. How much can the enemy truly prepare in 3 days?? Stuck in his thoughts the hunter had no choice. He stands up and halts all movement. He closes his eyes and tilts his head. The tarnished is confused. What is he doing?? And now at all times- The hunter suddenly fires a shot to the far right behind them. The sound of metal hitting metal is heard after the gun fire. "The bullet connected? With what??" The Tarnished thinks turning towards the sound immediately. The hunter was already rushing forward and preparing to swing. Before he does, a figure emerges from the trees and bows his head. It's blaidd! The hunter stops just before making contact and stares with confusion. "I…..I am sorry for testing you…." Blaidd begins. The tarnished runs up to the hunter and instructs him to rest his weapon. This is no enemy. He turns to Blaidd in a rush and commands him to raise his head. "Test us?" The tarnished asks confused. Blaidd raises his head and nods. "Yes… Well less of you, more of the Hunter that stands before us." He turns to face the Hunter, "You are just the warrior Ranni described you to be." The hunter fully rests his weapon and returns his pistol to his hip. He backs away from Blaidd, and begins to look in the surrounding area. After a brief intermission, Blaidd explained that Ranni set it up so that the lifts are swapped. He explained that multiple traps as well as men were being prepared for the arrival of The hunter. Mohg had an audience with Godfrey, as a result they both deemed The hunter as a threat to the world. They intend to gather the remaining demigods as well employ the help of some dragons. Last but not least, they intend to ask Lord Rykard and Maliketh for their assistance in the matter.
The tarnished eyes widen at the amount of names mentioned. As if Rykard wasn't enough, Maliketh as well?! As Blaidd and the Tarnished continue their conversation, the hunter seems to be staring off in the distance. He is staring at the Erdtree and all of its magnificence. But he doesn't stare in awe but in disgust. He points at the tree and states, "Why.. is there a god in the center of that castle?" The tarnished and Blaidd turns to him in confusion. Tarnished approaches him and states, " That right there is the Erdtree. It grants us the blessings of power of wealth no matter what it is, the tree is what grants it." The hunter looks the tarnished in his eyes and states, "Tree? I see no tree. Only a being. A twisted..but holy being. And… it is burning." Both Blaidd and the Tarnished stare at each other with more confusion than before. Suddenly, the tarnished remembers what he showed them before…The great ones… He grabs Blaidd and states, "Listen.. You do NOT want to know what he is seeing. Some things are better left unseen. Let us progress." Blaidd, still a little confused, gives in and agrees. They should get going. The hunter stops pointing and follows the other two. They must get to the Caria Manor before their location is compromised.
Over at the Royal Capital*
Rows of enemies sit in wait, all staring at the lift. In the far back stands Mohg and Godfrey. Both waiting steadily for anything to move. Anything…… Anything…..Anything…… But, nothing happens. No one leaves the lift. No one is seen. And most certainly no one with such ominous aura.. Godfrey leans toward Mohg and states, "You are certain that they are to come through here?" Mohg shakes his head heavily. He was sure this is the only way other than flight to get to the snowfield. There's no other way- The lift must be tampered… Mohg eyes widen with the realization. He informs Godfrey of this realization and they both begin moving. If he will not be appearing here then where? There isn't too many options… It would take a high amount of power just to change the location. Godfrey suggests that it may have been changed to the other lift and everything comes together. Instead of intercepting them there, they decided to gather their forces and instead try to figure out where the hunter is heading. Godfrey turns to Mohg and states, "finding him could take a much longer time… Perhaps it would be better if we go speak to lord Rykard first." Mohg hesitantly nods his head. He believes it would be more efficient to take down the hunter asap. He existence alone taints this world ever so slowly. And if he gets into contact with others of this world- Mohg stops all motion while Godfrey continues to talk. He whispers to himself "If he comes into contact with those who despise the order…. and the gods of this world…" Godfrey takes note of Mohg's muttering and asks what's the matter. Mohg explains to him that the hunter may have come into contact with those that do not appreciate the order. They must take precautions. At first, they had no need to worry about those who did go against them, for they were not powerful enough to be a threat. But, if they team up with someone like the hunter, they could be picked off one…by…one. Their plans are changed and they decide to take out anything that can go against them. No matter who or where they are. While Mohg makes his way to crumbling farum azula, Godfrey decides to venture forth to the Volcano Manor. And perhaps…the roundtable hold.
As Godfrey is making his way, he notices things are wrong. There are…eyes on him. But it's as if they have always been there, he's only just now noticing. Why is it now that he can notice? And…why is the biggest stare coming from the Erdtree? No matter. He trenches along by his lonesome. No back up, no army. Just Godfrey, the First Elden Lord. Upon making his arrival to the audience pathway, it seems he was already expected. Rykard had already felt his energy and was preparing accordingly. He knew the world wouldn't sit still while something of that caliber existed. He even already had a plan prepared…but he refused to serve someone or thing that is beneath him. Godfrey looks up at Rykard and states ,"You believe me beneath you?" Rykard responds with a smirk, All things are beneath me, especially those tied to the Golden Order. While I concur that the hunter must be dealt with, I remain a steadfast foe of the Order. Who's to say I cannot slay him myself?" Godfrey stares at him with animosity. "If this is how you feel, why wouldn't you team up with the hunter? It could bring you closer to bringing us down." Rykard looks down with a frown. He slithers up to Godfrey to look him in the face, circling his body as well. "Your plan confuses me for there cannot be 2 heads to a serpent just as there cannot be 2 kings in a castle. Someone of the hunters caliber would never work under someone. And I can never work under the hunter, so he must die. Now what would stop me from killing you here, First Elden Lord?" Godfrey looks him back in the eye, staring. Then with swift motion, he raises one leg and stomps the ground sending shockwaves throughout the entire arena. Rykard is staggered and shaken by this. He slithers back gaining ground between the 2. "How can he have such raw physical strength?" Rykard asks himself while examining Godfrey once more. He turns his head, awakening the snake from before. The snake fires poison towards Godfrey as a diversion and rushes him from the side. Godfrey ignores the poison and turns to his right to greet the snake. He grabs his top mouth in one hand and bottom in the other while being pushed back. After finally hitting a while, he lifts the serpent's front body and slams it onto the ground sending waves around. The ground and the manor itself rumbles from the battle. Rykard, dazed, turns his head back and faces Godfrey with anger. He pulls out his Blasphemous Blade and points it at Godfrey, but he doesn't attack. He gives in and agrees with Godfrey. While it would have been a glorious battle, he would have certainly lost. If he can't even beat the first elden lord how is he meant to kill a survivor of the nightmare? After the two finally calm down, they begin to plan. Rykard agrees to use his living space as an arena for this battle. It has space, and can support heavy blows. Godfrey agrees and says this may be the greatest battle for us all. After leaving the Manor he decides his next plan is to gather the remaining crucible knights of this world. He cared for them so deeply and was saddened by their departure, but surely they will be rejoiceful to go into battle with him one last time.
going to Mohgs travels*
Mohg touches ground on the bridge outside of the space where Maliketh rests. He is fully aware of how important it is for Maliketh to agree.. Upon walking into the area he is immediately told to leave. Mohg is surprised but understanding about this. Maliketh just wants to rest now, he has no interest in actually fighting. Though he was told to leave, he insisted. "Maliketh of the black blade… We are in need of your help. There is a being that threatens the very existence of all things here!" Mohg starts while walking closer to him. Maliketh turns his head in confusion. "How…can something threaten the world itself, if I hold death here? If you are referring to the tarnished I will handle him when the time comes…" Maliketh states while showing his hand. He believed there was no reason to be afraid for nothing can truly threaten them or the tree. Mohg stops moving and stares up into the air. "Malenia….Has been murdered… not just murdered. Her body mangled and bashed. Defiled and devoid of honor. All done by someone not of this world." Maliketh finally turns to face Mohg. He cannot believe what he has just heard. How can someone kill.. When the concept of death is in his hands? Maybe the tarnished killing people is understandable, but how can someone of another world do so? Nevertheless, he holds his ground and his response doesn't change. "If someone of that caliber truly does exist..just as the tarnished, i will handle him when the time comes." Maliketh states sternly. Mohg grits his teeth with anger. "Handle him when the time comes?? By that time, there will be nothing left! You haven't seen his power up close! You do not know, therefore you do not fear!" He yells. But it seems to fall upon deaf ears as Maliketh once again informs Mohg to leave. Mohg takes flight and prepares to depart but not before saying, " I do hope you come to your senses before the battle arrives." While returning to the royal capital, Mohg hastily thinks. Who else could be of use for this battle? There must be someone! He stops mid-flight as he remembers that Renalla still lives. Surely she realized that hunter is here so why hasn't she made a move? He thinks back to the lift and how it was tampered. Everything clicks and he makes a b-line for the Lake of Liurnia. He quickly approaches the school and crashes through the roof of the library to confront her. Renalla sat in her same chair, holding a larva and chuckling. Mohg begins walking towards her and yelling, "WAS IT YOU?! DID YOU TAMPER WITH THE LIFT??" Renalla's talking stops and she rises. Mohg continues, "HAVE YOU DECIDED TO FORSAKE THE ORDER?? ANSWER ME!" Once again Renalla says nothing at all. She turns to Mohg with tears in his eyes. "My daughter… My daughter lives!" After hearing these words everything goes black for Mohg. When his senses come to he sees.. Stars. Along with a beautiful moon. Renalla stands firm. "You.. have rushed right into a trap.." She states while raising her hand. Before Mohg can ask anymore questions, she fires a comet azur towards Mohg. He tanks the impact of it and begins to rush Renalla. He is angry. He never believed she would turn like this. Before he can reach her, the spirit of a dragon comes from the right and bites him. It drags him back and into the ground with shattering pressure. The dragon fires its blast breath while clenching down onto Mohg dealing severe damage. Mohg grabs at the air and slashes it with haste causing red talons to appear and blow up damaging the dragon enough for its spirit to fade. He rises to his feet, slowly regenerating the burns he received. Before he can regain his senses, he is punched into the ground by a giant. 3 more giants appear around him and they all begin pounding him into the ground. Mohg has no time to respond. He sprouts his wings and takes to the air as a way to gain some ground. Before he can get too high, bloodhound knights climb the giants and leap off them, grabbing Mohg and dragging him back down to ground. Having had enough, Mohg uses Niflheim causing all spirits around him to disappear. He looks at Renalla with hatred and goes straight towards her. She summons a magic longsword and rushes towards him as well. They begin exchanging blows seeming evenly matched but Renalla isn't what she used to be. She is much more fragile than before. But then again, she isn't alone. Wolves rush and bite at Mohg from time to time allowing her to either cast a spell or to rush with her sword. Mohg, still recovering from his battle with the hunter, knows he needs to end this fast. The next time a wolf went to bite him, he let it as a way to bait Renalla. And just as he predicted she prepared to cast a spell. He threw his trident at her while shaking off the wolf. The trident pierced her chest with ease but it did not kill her. Suddenly they were back in the library and bleeding. Mohg, trying to catch his breath, walks over to Renalla. He takes his trident from her chest and starts to speak. But before he can, Renalla starts glowing. She looks up at Mohg and states,"You should have finished me off…" Mohg, at first confused, soon realizes why she says this and begins to fly. Renalla's body reaches a peak and all of her acculated mana turns her into a nuke, blowing up the whole school and leaving a crater in the lake.