Messmer's flame burns no longer. The Impaler Lord had died fighting for a war he never wished to commit. Marek understood this like no other in the crusader host, he remembered the day they left the Lands Between to the realm of shadow. He saw through the Honey words that the God of the Golden order spoke to her Crusaders before the slaughter began. She promised a return to grace, to return with the greatest honor for slaying those without the grace of gold.
They waited for her call, a call to never be spoken. She would never call us back, she didn't send her Elden lord or that Redheaded frantic. She sent Messmer, she sent exiles and criminals. She didn't send champions, only those who wouldn't be missed. We were meant to be forgotten. To be discarded. Marek opened his eyes as he noticed how quiet the shadow Keep had become. The common footman to even the elite Fire knights who were brave enough to consume Messmer's fire were silent.
The only noise that could be heard was the sound made by those things in the basement of The Keep. The other crusaders called them Jars but that name hides the truth of their nature. They are horrors. Marek hoped to be given the chance to put them all to the flame, To stop their cries. Messmer would never allow him to do so. He believed he could cure them of their sickness, but Marek knew the only cure for them now is death. He looked up to check on the black knights.
That's why it became quiet, as he looked upon the limp bodies of the former commander of the Black knights, Andreas. Besides him was his son Huw. Marek must have gotten distracted by his thoughts to miss their final breaths. He wondered if death took them at the same time. It is a fitting end for them, impaled next to each other. To be not alone in their final moments together. Marek felt a bit of envy for them.
they were the ones to win in the end, their rebellion was successful even with their deaths. The Foolishness of Marek for leaving the keep for too long, looking for shadows on the burnt fields and ruined castles. He was alone in his hurt, he always hunted alone. Only when Messmer took to the field would he join but otherwise Marek enjoyed his lone Hunt's.
When he returned to the keep with a fruitless hunt, the rebellion was in full force. Merak learned later that the Black knights discovered Messmer's Darkness, the truth of his curse birth. The abyssal serpent. Marek did not know the full Truth of the curse but it didn't matter to him to know or not. Messmer was his lord no matter his nature. He remembered how he was like a comet of doom going through the rebel knights, he remembered how his hammer crashed the skulls of the knights.
Their heads become pies of meat when his hammer meets their steel Helm's. becoming Bloody and raw flesh. He remembered going through the so-called Specimen Storehouse, filled by those things. The fighting had broken some of the jars, the inside of them spilling out on the stone floor. A mass of gore with Liquids Marek did not know what they were but he didn't wish to find out. He entered his lord's throne to see the Twin moon knight fighting the Black knights, using both sword and sorcery in a dance, but he first laid his eyes upon the Impaler lord's body.
He was broken on the floor, his bones shattered, his armour discarded on the floor from fighting, and the blood. Too much blood, in the pools of blood he could see a snake's head inside. It was almost floating in the crimson liquid. He dropped his hammer, splashing in the blood as he held his lord's body close to him.
Never in Merak's life did he feel more despair than when he felt how light his Lord weighed. His was bigger than life itself and here he is, a broken shell. His Lord used to hold him when he was small, he felt uneasy now with the roles reversed. His lord spoke a single word before he took his last breath. Then his body became lifeless, and Marek did not weep. He felt nothing seeing his lord gone, only hate.
Hate for what he chose as his last act, remaining weak in the end. It was Marek who impaled the Black knights, the elder did not cry but the younger wept. Though he didn't think he was crying in pain, Marek thought he wept for Messmer. They were close, not too close, but near enough for him to care about what he did. Marek is taken out of his thoughts when In the corner of his eye spots the twin serpent helm of Kodd, the commander of the fire knights.
"Lord Marek-" he's about to say before he bites back "Marek." He says sharply. "Marek the final rites of Lord Messmer are about to begin, Lady Rellana requested your presence." Kodd said as a stern knight as was expected though Marek could feel the sadness in his voice. His face narrowed "Requested me? She thinks to be the Lord now." He said not holding back his disdain. The lady Carian also thought herself as Messmer's second but Marek thought that she over-valued herself.
Without further words he began to move. His steps are quick yet not in a run, she wouldn't start without his presence and he didn't have the need to get there quickly. The young knight followed close behind him. "I am sorry Marek, you were close to Lord Messmer. You must feel the most hurt by his loss." The knight says. No one was close to Messmer, his thoughts were guarded to all. Even his mother didn't know the true him.
"I give thanks but I am not one to desire such a blessing." He says to get the knight's mouth to remain closed. They walk the halls of the keep still bloody from the rebellion, a few of Marek's pies still remain. He was quite messy going through the keep, Messmer was more precise and would never leave a mess like this without a purpose. He knew the importance of fear when needed, an impaled body could stop any rebellion. Though Marek realized it didn't matter in the end, fear can only last for so long.
Still his Lord was a weapon skillfully made, Marek on the other hand was blunted. Marek was a beast and nothing more. They reach outside the fields of Scadu Altus, the golden hue of the sky shines bright in the horizon even with the dark skies of the Shadowlands. Perhaps this is a message from her, the Queen's light. she must be joyous and in good spirits. Messmer's crusade was in full force, those that live through the fighting so far. Their spears were pointed towards the sky, lined together in perfect fashion.
Marek could see the banners of many noble families sworn to the Enteral Queen, the one highest belonging to the Carian's. They were the newest to join the Queen's Golden order. When the Golden order's greatest champion joined his blood to its queen, the Twin moon Knight's sister, her other moon. He walked towards his place as a loyal champion of Messmer while Kodd took his place with the Fire knights. Marek didn't have warriors of his own, Marek was just Marek.
He came from nothing and was lord to no one. He simply stands next to the imposing figure of the so-called Sword of Messmer, Rellana the Twin moon knight. Wearing her beautifully made silver amour carrying her Twin blades, one of ice and the other Fire. Marek noticed she was not wearing her usual blue cloak, she was wearing Messmer's red cloak. Like Kodd and the dead Black knight Huw she thought herself a close companion of Messmer like so many others though Marek could tell it wasn't just respect that guided her to his Lord. She began her speech, of speaking of their Lord but Marek could barely pay attention.
She told it in her noble speech, "thy, thou," and any other word to make herself sound noble. She couldn't say anything that would move him that Messmer's life hasn't already done so. Marek did not look at the body on the Pyre, he didn't wise to see what remained of his lord. He could see his Lord when his eyes were closed. He was tall though his limbs were too long for his size. His hair was a crimson red like his hair was a fire loose in the wind.
His opened eye was like a snake and the other eye remained closed. That eye was taken from him, by the one to always take from him. Marek didn't wish to see the broken mess of his body, He was a giant throughout Marek's life, he had to stand alone his entire life. Though he wasn't always alone, attached to his body were two snakes. They made people uneasy but through Marek's life he saw how friendly they were. If you were lucky and able to stand next to Messmer the snakes would playfully curved around your limbs and even kiss you with their small tongues. He remembers how even the Twin moon smiled when they blessed her with kisses.
Marek knows that the warriors that stand here today because of their loyalty to Lord Messmer. His appearance was indeed unpleasant to most but his nobility was all the greater despite it. If he wasn't cursed he would have been the greatest champion of the Golden order. He had the spirit to be an Elden lord. Out in the distance he could see the moving giants of the Furnace golems were stopping their search for foes, even those giants made of fire and bodies respected the Impaler. He could see The flames burning brighter as they consumed his Lord's body.
He does not dare to look, he does not wish to break. Marek looked at the golden sky instead, letting himself escape for just a moment. Time seems to escape him as he feels an armored hand on his shoulder. He sees Rellana without her helmet, her dark raven hair flowing in the wind. Her almost perfect face is ruined with grief. "Marek." She said her voice hoarse, "we needeth to reorganise the crusade, with both the rebellion and Lord Messmer's death. Order must come. The loyal black knights are leaderless and thou art the most fitting of command.".
Marek looks confused "order? What is left to do. The crusade is done. It ended with Messmer's death.". Rellana's eyes narrow a little "Messmer may be gone but Queen Marika commanded us to fight." Rellana says sternly. Marek replied with bitterness "She commended us to die and be forgotten. There is no point anymore, the Hornsent are gone. The false temples are burned. There is nothing left for us to do but to die now." Rellana looked shocked, "that is blasphemy." He cuts back "it's the truth, Messmer was too much of a fool to think this will grant us any glory." He walks to the ashes of Messmer's pyre and gathers the ashes into two bags.
The homeless warrior could feel Rellana's cold eyes on him. "What were his last words?" she asks, her voice oddly sounded soft. She sounds like a woman for once. He remembers the Impaler lord's last breath, "he spoke of you Twin moon." Malek lied. He did not speak her name, even Malek would prefer her name then the one he did say. He heard a soft cry behind him. even Malek felt a sense of empathy for her, even if she tried to steal Messmer from him. He stands with the two bags heavy in his hands "I will take him home." Marek promises. Rellana looks confused while she weeps "Take him Home? She hasn't-" he interrupts her "I would be waiting till the end of time for her to commend us to return with grace, I'm taking him home without it" He begins to walk away to gather his things for the coming journey ahead of him.
"Thou art Deserter then." Rellana yells at him though she doesn't stop him. So I am, so I am. Marek the Deserter heads towards his chambers in the keep. A small room with a bed and some storage, Messmer offered to Grant him better quarters but Marek preferred his small chamber's. There were few things to take, his gifts from Messmer, a silver snake bracelet, a ring with brands of gold, and a small stuffed snake doll. The doll was worth the most to Marek. The others he planned to sell for coins.
He had only one gift from the twin moon, a beautiful made dagger of silver. It was magical as all things made by the Carian's. Marek had little else, he carried most things on his person. His Warhammer of dark iron, his plate armor with no engravings seen from the other warriors, last a cloak made of a beast hair. A beast slayed by Marek's hand. Stepping out of his small chambers, Captain Kodd stands before Marek with concern in his eyes. Before any word is spoken Marek begins to walk towards the stables. However Kodd is unwilling to give up "Sir you must not let your despair cloud your judgement. To forsake your oaths is something you can never take back.".
There wasn't much that Marek had, he never did. He had only Messmer and nothing else. He was nothing to the world. Finally Marek replied "I will take your concerns in mind." He says without care. Yet the young knight continues "Then I will come on the journey with you so I can remind you." he promised. That got him to stop walking "No your place is with your knights Kodd, not with me." The fire knight replies sharply "and your place is to continue fighting for Lord Messmer's crusade." It wasn't his crusade Marek thought bitterly.
The young knight stands his ground "I will only stay if you stay, if you go I will be without grace alongside you." Marek realized how foolish it would be to argue, the young knight chose to be an outcast from his noble family to be able to fight in the crusade alongside Lord Messmer. He can't change his way and Marek won't change his. They travel to the stables together, where Kodd got on his horse which was a silver coat mare with a Golden mane. Marek didn't have a horse, his Lord couldn't ride one due to his size so Marek travelled with him by foot.
Though a few horses no longer had riders. Taking one of the Dead black knights black beast the great journey to the lands between could begin. Marek and Kodd ride along with each other. Though Marek was leading the way. At a fork in the road Marek turns to head east, Kodd stops confused "sir you're going the wrong way." Marek replied darkly "I know, we have one stop to make before we can continue.". Kodd thinks on what Marek means to do before the journey but remains silent for a moment before choosing his fate. He follows Marek to wherever he wishes to go.
Travelling the Ashes Fields of the Scadu Altus, caused by the walking pits of fire with legs. Messmer's Furnace golems. Marek and Kodd took great care to avoid them, they may have fought with us but it's best to avoid them. Their flames do not know which were enemies or allies. Marek could feel the young knight's eyes on the two bags attached to his belt. He let his curiosity out of his mouth "why two bags?" Marek thought for a moment "one for salvation, one for home." He replied cryptically. Kodd didn't find the question useful but did not argue for more knowledge.
Marek's mind becomes oddly quiet for once today, no thoughts on Messmer, or Rellana, though the Eternal Queen lingers in his mind like always. Remembering the false promises of return as we left to fight an endless war of death. To escape shadows one must first abandon the promise of light Marek thought. A few hours later travelling north the fields soon spotted with flowers of pink, white, and a few yellows. They were getting close, close to the beginning. He already knew what was up ahead, this wasn't the first time he had been to this area.
Though maybe this might be the last time he will. However, Kodd was new here, he did not know the truth of this location. He could feel his shock when he spots what's up ahead. His voice trembled with fear "Marek, why are they here?" he asked as we both saw two armoured knights with gold plated steel with images of dragon cravings. Each holding a mighty two handed axe, each riding a large steed with similar armor. Marek takes out his hammer, feeling lighter in his hand than ever before as he continues to ride forward. "To guard nothing." Marek says before charging forward to dance with the golden riders.