Chapter XIX

Before she could respond, a figure stepped forward from the shadows—a short, ethereal woman, her face partially hidden beneath a wide-brimmed hat.

"I see thou hath returned, Tarnished," she said. "But thou doth seek to repair what is shattered? What manner of mortal presume to mend such as the Lands Between?"

Nathaniel blinked, taken aback. "Renna?"

The woman smiled slightly, her eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light. "Renna, thou dost call me. But nay, I am Ranni, the witch, the one who hath cast aside her royal name to forge a path of her own making."

Nathaniel took a step back, his mind racing. "Wait—Ranni? You've been playin' a part this whole time?"

Ranni nodded. "It was necessary. I sought mine own purpose, far from the hands of men and gods. I hath watched thee, Tarnished. A curious soul, thou art—full of contradictions, yet unwavering in thy desire to heal what lies broken."

Nathaniel frowned, the pieces falling into place slowly. "If you're Ranni, then… why didn't Melina ever tell me who she really was? Why the mystery?"

Ranni's gaze darkened slightly, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "Mine sister, Melina, sought to protect thee, as I did. Her purpose is her own, and she, too, bears the weight of a past thou dost not fully comprehend."

Nathaniel shook his head, trying to absorb all the revelations. "Man, y'all talk in riddles. I get it, you've got your reasons for keepin' secrets, but you gotta understand—I'm not lookin' to play games. I want to help. The Great Rune… I need it, not for me, but for everyone. The Lands Between are falling apart, and I ain't gonna sit around and watch it burn."

Rennala, silent until now, finally spoke. "Thou speaketh of hope, yet I see no ambition in thy heart for the Elden Throne. A curious thing. Few come here without greed or lust for power."

Nathaniel shrugged. "Yeah, well, maybe I'm not like the rest. I've seen enough bloodshed to last a lifetime. If I can use the Great Rune to stop the chaos, to help folks get their lives back… that's enough for me."

Ranni watched him closely, her piercing blue eyes unreadable. "Thou art an enigma, Tarnished. Mayhap there is more to thee than meets the eye. But know this—Rennala's Great Rune is no simple trinket. It is bound to the sorcery of the Full Moon, a power that reflects the depths of her sorrow."

Nathaniel met her gaze, unflinching. "I don't care about the power. I just want to set things right."

"Very well, Tarnished. If it be truth thou speaketh, then the Great Rune shall be thine. But know that it will not be enough to heal this broken land. There are other forces—stronger than any Rune—that will stand in thy way."

"Yeah, I figured. It's never easy, is it?"

Ranni allowed a small smile. "Nay, it is not. But for now, I shall grant thee this boon. Go, Tarnished, and seek thy fate. The road ahead will test thee in ways thou hath not yet imagined."

Nathaniel nodded, turning to leave, but before he did, he glanced back at Ranni. "Thanks, Ranni. And tell Melina… thanks for watching out for me, even if I didn't get the whole picture."

Ranni gave him a soft nod. "She doth care for thee more than thou knowest. Do not forsake her guidance, Tarnished."

With those words hanging in the air, Nathaniel stepped away, the weight of the Great Rune now in his hands—and the burden of what lay ahead resting heavily on his shoulders.

Nathaniel left the Grand Library, his thoughts still tangled in the revelations from Ranni and the burden of the Great Rune weighing on him. The quiet of the academy felt suffocating, its ancient halls a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions inside him. He made his way back to the courtyard, where Melina and Roderika waited.

Roderika spotted him first. "Nathaniel! You got it, didn't you?"

Nathaniel nodded, holding up the Great Rune for a moment before tucking it away. "Yeah, I got it. But... it wasn't as simple as just takin' it."

Melina stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "Thou hast crossed paths with Ranni, hast thou not?"

Nathaniel turned to her, his brow furrowed. "Yeah, I did. She was keepin' tabs on me, just like you."

Melina's face softened slightly. "Ranni has her own path, as do I. But thou must understand, Nathaniel, everything we do is for a reason. Even if it's not clear to thee yet."

"Yeah, I get that. Everyone's got their own secrets. But what I don't get is why you didn't tell me. I trusted you, Melina."

"It was not a matter of trust. There are things about this world—and about us—that thou art not ready to face. My name, my past... they are only pieces of a larger puzzle. One that thou wilt have to put together in time."

Roderika stepped closer to Nathaniel. "But you're still with us, right? We're all in this together."

Nathaniel sighed, letting go of some of the frustration he had been holding onto. "Yeah, I'm still with you. It's just… this whole thing is getting way more complicated than I thought." He turned back to Melina. "I don't care about the secrets. I don't care about the throne or the power. I just want to make things better. That's why I'm here."

"And that is why I chose to stay by thy side, Nathaniel. thou seekest not the glory of the Elden Lord but the peace of the land. That is what makes thee different."

Roderika smiled warmly. "That's why we believe in you."

Nathaniel, feeling the weight of their words, nodded slowly. "Alright, then. What's next?"

"The journey continues, and with the Great Rune in hand, the road ahead will grow more perilous. But we will face it together."

Nathaniel gave them both a small smile. "Yeah. Together."

With that, they set their sights on the next leg of their journey, their bond strengthened by the trials they had endured—and the secrets they had yet to uncover.

After their conversation with Ranni, Nathaniel and Melina walked in silence through the misty ruins outside academy. The night was quiet, save for the distant howling of wolves and the soft rustling of wind through the trees. The glow of the two Great Runes they carried pulsed faintly, casting long shadows across the ancient stone path.

Melina glanced at Nathaniel from the corner of her eye. He had been quieter than usual, his normally sharp wit dulled by something heavier—something that lingered after his talk with Rennala. She had noticed it before, moments when his bravado slipped, revealing something deeper beneath.

Now, she had a name to that ghost in his past.

"Back in the Academy," Melina said, "thou spake of one—Dianne."

Nathaniel didn't respond right away. His stride slowed just a little, his fingers absently brushing the hilt of his sword.

Melina pressed on, her voice gentle, yet steadfast. "Thou didst tell Rennala that thou left her—that it was a choice thou dost rue." She tilted her head, her gaze searching his. "I would know… wherefore?"

Nathaniel let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "Why do you wanna know?"

Melina met his gaze, unwavering. "For thou bearest her still, even now. Thou dost shroud it in jests and heedless daring, yet when thou spake of her, 'twas the first I did glimpse what lies beneath." She paused before adding, "And for that I think thou wouldst rather one should ask, than feign it doth not weigh upon thee."

Nathaniel exhaled through his nose, a humorless smirk playing at his lips. "Damn. Didn't think you'd start psychoanalyzing me."

Melina just waited.

Nathaniel sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Dianne…" He hesitated, then finally spoke. "She was my everything. We grew up together, fought together, dreamed of something bigger. But when the time came, I left. Told myself it was for her own good—that I had to get stronger, had to carve a path forward. But really…" His voice dropped, quieter now. "I think I was just scared of what would happen if I stayed."

Melina listened intently, her expression unreadable.

Nathaniel let out a bitter chuckle. "And when I finally came back, hoping to make things right… she was gone."

Melina tilted her head slightly. "Gone?"

Nathaniel swallowed hard, shaking his head. "I don't know what happened to her. Whether she left, whether she… didn't make it." His voice faltered for a brief moment, before he forced himself to shrug. "All I know is I never saw her again."

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The wind whistled through the ruins, carrying the scent of damp earth and old stone.

Then, Melina finally said, "That grief—'tis not a thing thou canst flee, Nathaniel."

Nathaniel scoffed. "Yeah, well, I've been doing a damn good job trying."

Melina shook her head. "You have been carrying it instead. Dragging it with you, step after step."

Nathaniel frowned but said nothing.

Melina hesitated for a brief moment, then added, "Perhaps it is not too late. If she lives, she may still be out there."

Nathaniel exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "Maybe," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "But I wouldn't even know where to start."

Melina considered him for a moment before turning her gaze back to the path ahead. "Then perhaps, one day, we will find the answer together."

Nathaniel glanced at her, caught off guard by the quiet certainty in her voice. He opened his mouth as if to say something—then closed it again. Instead, he simply nodded, and together, they kept walking beneath the moonlit sky.

As they walked beneath the quiet night sky, Melina's voice broke the silence once more.

"Nathaniel," she said softly, almost hesitantly.

He glanced at her. "Yeah?"

Melina's golden eyes were fixed ahead, thoughtful. "Didst thou love her?"

Nathaniel blinked. The question caught him off guard—not because he hadn't thought about it, but because of the way Melina asked. There was no judgment in her voice, no assumption. Just pure curiosity.

He let out a slow breath, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah," he admitted. "I did."

Melina nodded slightly but didn't respond right away. The firelight from the distant torches flickered in her gaze as she seemed to mull over his words. Then, after a moment, she asked, "What does that mean?"

Nathaniel furrowed his brow. "What does… what mean?"

"Love."

Nathaniel blinked again. He turned to her fully now, as if expecting her to be joking, but there was only quiet sincerity in her expression.

"You… don't know what love is?" he asked carefully.

Melina shook her head. "I have read about it. I have seen how others speak of it, act because of it. But I do not understand it." She turned her head to meet his gaze. "Tell me… what is it like to love someone?"

Nathaniel opened his mouth—then closed it. He had never been asked that before. Never really thought about it in words.

After a long pause, he exhaled, shaking his head. "It's… complicated."

Melina arched a brow. "Then explain."

Nathaniel let out a dry chuckle. "Damn, you don't make things easy, do you?"

Melina simply waited.

He ran a hand through his hair, thinking. "Love is… wanting someone to be safe, even if it means you have to suffer. It's looking at someone and knowing you'd do anything for them, even if it hurts. It's—" He hesitated, his voice quieter now. "It's knowing that, no matter what, a part of you belongs to them. And maybe it always will."

Melina studied him for a long moment. "That sounds painful."

Nathaniel let out a bitter chuckle. "Yeah. It can be."

Melina tilted her head. "Then why do people seek it?"

Nathaniel thought about that for a moment. Then, with a small, wistful smile, he said, "Because when it's real… it's worth it."

Melina fell silent at that, her expression unreadable.

After a few more steps, she finally spoke again, her voice quieter than before. "I see."

Nathaniel glanced at her, watching as she seemed lost in thought. He had no idea what she was thinking—but something told him that, for Melina, this conversation wasn't over yet.

"What truly happened with Dianne couldst thou explain everything to me." Melina asked.
"Well..."

The sound of laughter drifted down the hall as Nathaniel approached Dianne's locker, his heart racing. He'd been thinking about this moment for days, the words forming in his mind as he rehearsed. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, he caught sight of Chuck leaning against the wall, a smirk plastered across his face. Nathaniel's stomach twisted; Chuck was everything Nathaniel loathed.

"Hey, Dianne!" Chuck called out. "You ready to hang out later?"

Dianne's eyes sparkled as she turned to him. "Yeah! Can't wait to see that new movie."

Nathaniel felt a sinking feeling in his chest, his resolve wavering. He took a breath, forcing himself to move forward. "Uh, Dianne," he said, his voice shaky, "I wanted to—"

Before he could finish, she looked at him with a bright smile. "Nathaniel! What's up?"

He swallowed hard. "I was thinking maybe we could, you know, hang out sometime? Just the two of us?"

Dianne hesitated, glancing back at Chuck. "Oh, um…"

The hesitation felt like a punch to his gut. "I mean, it doesn't have to be anything serious," he stammered. "Just friends hanging out."

"Actually, I'm dating Chuck now," Dianne said. "I'm sorry, Nate. I didn't know you were interested."

"Right," Nathaniel replied, forcing a smile. "No big deal. Just thought it would be fun."

Chuck stepped closer, an arrogant grin on his face. "You sure you want to hang out with her? I mean, it's not like you're her type or anything."

Dianne frowned, but Nathaniel could see her loyalty to Chuck. "I've got to go," she said, her tone apologetic as she turned back to her locker.

As she walked away, Nathaniel's heart sank deeper. He thought about how nice it would be to have someone—someone who could make the weight of his grief feel a little lighter, someone who could pull him from the darkness that threatened to swallow him whole.

A few weeks later, after his father's death, Nathaniel found himself sitting on a bench outside school, staring at the ground. The world felt heavy, too full of memories and loss. When Dianne approached, her expression soft and concerned, he didn't know what to say.

"Hey," she said gently, sitting down next to him. "How are you holding up?"

"Not great," he admitted, his voice quiet. "It's hard, you know? Just… everything."

She nodded, her gaze sincere. "I can't even imagine what you're going through. I'm really sorry about your dad."

Nathaniel took a breath, grateful for her presence. "Thanks. I just feel… lost, I guess. Like I'm stuck."

Dianne shifted closer, her warmth a small comfort. "You're not alone, Nate. I'm here. We can talk about it if you want."

As they talked, Nathaniel felt a flicker of connection igniting between them, a bond forming in the midst of his grief. It was different from the longing he'd felt before; this was a comfort, a reminder that he wasn't entirely alone in his pain.

And as their conversation flowed, Nathaniel couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, this bond could help him navigate the darkness that had enveloped him since his father's passing.

The last bell rang, echoing through the emptying hallways as students poured out of classrooms. Nathaniel lingered by the entrance, his backpack slung over one shoulder. The weight of the day clung to him, but he felt a spark of anticipation as he spotted Dianne walking toward him, her expression brightening when she caught sight of him.

"Hey, Nathaniel!" she called, her voice cutting through the chatter of departing students. "You waiting for someone?"

"Just you," he replied, a shy smile breaking through the gloom that had settled over him. "Thought we could walk home together."

"Sounds great!" Dianne grinned, falling into step beside him as they stepped outside. The crisp air was refreshing, a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere inside the school. They walked in comfortable silence for a moment, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows on the pavement.

"Have you thought about what you want to do over the weekend?" Dianne asked, glancing sideways at him.

"Not really," Nathaniel admitted. "I'm still trying to figure things out. It's been a lot since… you know."

Dianne nodded, her gaze softening. "I get that. If you want, we could go see a movie or something. Just to take your mind off things."

The suggestion caught him off guard. "You really want to hang out with me? I thought you'd be busy with Chuck."

Her expression shifted slightly, a flicker of something—frustration, maybe?—passing over her features. "I'm not with Chuck as much as you might think. He's… complicated."

Nathaniel looked at her, curiosity piqued. "Complicated how?"

She sighed, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. "He can be sweet, but he's also pretty controlling sometimes. It's confusing."

"Sounds like a nightmare," Nathaniel said, shaking his head. "You deserve better than that."

"Thanks," she replied, a hint of warmth in her smile. "I guess I just wanted to keep things light. But it's hard."

Nathaniel felt a pang of sympathy, realizing that they were both navigating their own complicated feelings. "I get it," he said softly. "Sometimes I think having someone—like a girlfriend—would help with everything I'm feeling. Like it could make the pain go away."

Dianne turned to him, her expression earnest. "I'm not sure it works that way, Nate. It's great to have someone to lean on, but it can't be the only solution. You've got to take care of yourself first."

Nathaniel nodded slowly, letting her words sink in. "Yeah, I know. It's just hard to see that sometimes."

They walked a bit further, the conversation flowing easily between them, laughter bubbling up at shared memories and jokes from class. For a moment, the heaviness of Nathaniel's grief felt a little lighter, the bond between them growing stronger with each word exchanged.

As they reached the corner where their paths would split, Dianne hesitated. "You know, if you ever need someone to talk to—or just hang out with—I'm here. You don't have to face everything alone."

Nathaniel smiled, gratitude filling him. "Thanks, Dianne. That means a lot. Really."

"Anytime," she said, returning his smile before turning to head in the opposite direction. As Nathaniel watched her walk away, he felt a glimmer of hope stir within him—a reminder that even amidst the darkness, connections could form and friendships could flourish.

The school day dragged on, each minute stretching into eternity for Nathaniel. He couldn't shake the anger and humiliation from the confrontation with Chuck, whose words echoed in his mind like a cruel taunt. But when the final bell rang, a glimmer of hope sparked within him—Dianne would be waiting.

As he stepped outside, Nathaniel spotted her leaning against the wall, her expression a mix of determination and concern. She approached him, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made his heart race.

"Nate, I need to talk to you," she said, her voice steady.

"About what?" he asked, dreading what might come next.

"About Chuck." She hesitated, her brow furrowing. "He… he shouldn't have hit you. That's not okay, and I can't just stand by and let that happen."

Nathaniel clenched his fists, the memory of the punch still raw. "Yeah, well, it's not surprising. He's always been a jerk."

Dianne's gaze softened, and she stepped closer. "I'm sorry I didn't do anything before. I was caught up in my own feelings, and I let him treat you like that. It's not right."

"Thanks for saying that, but it doesn't change anything," Nathaniel replied, his voice quiet. "He still hurt me, and he didn't even care about my dad. He just kept pushing me."

"I know," Dianne said, frustration bubbling in her tone. "And that's why I broke up with him. I can't be with someone who doesn't respect people, especially not you. You deserve better than that."

Nathaniel blinked, taken aback by her words. "You… broke up with him?"

"Yeah," she said, her voice firmer now. "I can't be with someone who thinks violence is the answer. It's not cool, and I won't tolerate it. You're my friend, Nate, and I care about you. You need to know that."

For a moment, the air hung heavy between them. Nathaniel felt a rush of emotions—relief, anger, and a flicker of something deeper. "Dianne, I appreciate it. Really. But you didn't have to do that for me."

"Maybe not, but I wanted to," she replied, her eyes searching his. "You shouldn't have to deal with this alone. If Chuck can't see that what he did was wrong, then he's not worth your time or mine."

Nathaniel swallowed, a knot in his throat loosening as her words resonated within him. "I just… I thought I'd never be able to escape the way he makes me feel. Like I'm not enough."

Dianne stepped closer, her expression softening. "You are enough, Nate. You're strong, and you've been through so much. I can't imagine what you're feeling after losing your dad, but I'm here for you. You don't have to put on a brave face all the time."

He met her gaze, feeling a surge of gratitude. "Thank you, Dianne. You really mean that?"

"Absolutely," she said, offering him a small smile. "We can face this together. No more hiding or pretending."