Nathaniel and Roderika returned to the Roundtable Hold, the once-vibrant energy of their victory tempered by the gravity of what they had witnessed and done. The familiar, dimly lit halls of the Hold felt like a sanctuary after the horrors of Stormveil Castle, and as they stepped through the doors, the sense of relief was palpable.

Corhyn, Nepheli, Rogier, and Melina were waiting for them in the main chamber. The air was thick with anticipation; news had already spread of their confrontation with Godrick.

Nepheli, who had returned ahead of them after receiving healing, was the first to speak. "You did it," she said. "You really took down Godrick."

Nathaniel nodded, the weight of the Great Rune in his possession still fresh in his mind. "We did. But it wasn't easy."

Roderika, still visibly shaken from the ordeal, stepped forward. "Godrick was... a monster. Not just in strength, but in what he did to others. The grafting, the cruelty... it was horrifying."

Rogier, who had been leaning against a wall, straightened up. "I've heard tales of what goes on in Stormveil, but hearing it firsthand... It's a dark reminder of what power can do to a man. Well done, both of you, for stopping him."

Corhyn approached, his expression one of concern. "Are you both alright? Facing a Demi-God is no small feat."

Nathaniel gave a weary smile. "We're alive. That's what matters. But there's something else." He reached into his pouch and carefully pulled out the Great Rune, holding it up for the others to see. "This... this is what Godrick was after. The source of his power."

Melina, who had been watching quietly from the side, stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she studied the rune. "Aye, 'tis a Great Rune. A fragment of the Elden Ring itself, woven with the might of the Golden Order. Heed me, Tarnished, for such power is not to be wielded without care. Great is its strength, but greater still is the danger thou mayest unleash if thou art not cautious."

Nepheli, who had been listening intently, added, "That kind of power can be both a blessing and a curse. It's not something to be taken lightly."

Nathaniel nodded, understanding the gravity of their words. "I know. But we'll use it for good. For all those who suffered under Godrick and those like him."

Roderika, finding her voice again, looked at Melina. "We saw things, Melina. Things I'll never forget. But I believe we're on the right path. We have to be."

Melina met her gaze, her expression softening. "Thou speakest truly, Roderika. Thy heart hath been tested by fire, and yet thou hast not faltered. Strength doth not lie solely in the arm, but in the spirit. The both of ye have shown strength greater than any lord."

The group stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their experiences shared in the quiet understanding between them. Despite the darkness they had faced, there was a sense of hope—a belief that they were making a difference, one victory at a time.

Rogier finally broke the silence, a small smile playing on his lips. "Well, it seems we have something to celebrate. But don't get too comfortable. There are still many more battles ahead."

Nathaniel chuckled, though it was tinged with exhaustion. "Yeah, I figured as much."

Corhyn placed a reassuring hand on Nathaniel's shoulder. "Rest while you can. The journey ahead will only get more difficult."

Nathaniel nodded in agreement, but there was a fire in his eyes—a determination that hadn't been there before. "We're ready. Whatever comes next, we'll face it together."

As the group dispersed to tend to their own thoughts and preparations, Nathaniel and Roderika shared a glance. They had been through hell, but they had come out the other side stronger. And now, with their allies by their side, they were ready to take on whatever the Lands Between would throw at them next.

As the group began to disperse, the heavy wooden doors of the Roundtable Hold creaked open, and Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing, strode into the chamber. His eyes, sharp and discerning, scanned the room before settling on Nathaniel. There was a flicker of disbelief in his gaze, a hint that he had not expected to see the young Tarnished return from his confrontation with Godrick.

Gideon approached with measured steps. "So, it's true then?" he said. "You actually felled Godrick the Grafted?"

Nathaniel, still holding the Great Rune, looked up at Gideon, sensing the doubt in the older man's tone. "Yeah, I did. With Roderika's help. We took him down."

Gideon's eyes narrowed slightly. "I must admit, I had little faith in you, boy. Godrick may have been the weakest of the Demi-Gods, but he was still a force to be reckoned with. Many before you have tried and failed."

Roderika, standing beside Nathaniel, bristled at Gideon's condescension. "We didn't just fight Godrick. We fought through his men, through grafted monstrosities, and we came out alive. That should count for something."

Gideon gave her a measured glance before returning his gaze to Nathaniel. "Indeed. But survival alone does not guarantee success in the Lands Between. Many Tarnished survive, but few truly thrive. Power in this land is fleeting, and even a Great Rune will not secure your place for long."

Nathaniel met Gideon's gaze steadily. "I didn't do this to secure power or a place. I did it because it was right. Godrick was a tyrant, and he had to be stopped."

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Gideon's lips. "Righteousness, in this world, is often a luxury that few can afford. But perhaps there's more to you than I initially believed. Perhaps."

There was a moment of silence, the tension in the air thick as Gideon and Nathaniel regarded one another.

Finally, Gideon stepped back, his expression settling into something more neutral. "Very well. You've proven yourself, for now. But remember, boy, the path ahead only grows more treacherous. Don't let this victory cloud your judgment."

Nathaniel nodded,. "I won't. There's still a long way to go."

Gideon turned and he began to walk away. "See that you remember that."

As the door closed behind Gideon, Nathaniel let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He glanced at Roderika, who gave him a reassuring nod.

"Don't let him get to you," she said. "We know what we accomplished."

Nathaniel smiled. "Yeah, we do. And whatever comes next, we'll face it together."

With that, the two of them, along with their allies, began to prepare for the next chapter in their journey, knowing that the challenges ahead would be even greater—but so would their resolve.

Nathaniel, trying to shake off the tension that still hung in the air after Gideon's visit, looked around at the group gathered in the Roundtable Hold. There was an unspoken sense of camaraderie among them, a shared relief at having survived another day in the Lands Between.

"Why don't we have a celebration?" Nathaniel suggested, a grin spreading across his face.

The idea of a brief respite, a moment to breathe and enjoy their victory, seemed more than deserved.

Corhyn looked at Nathaniel with a raised eyebrow. "What about Gideon? Would he allow such a thing?"

Nathaniel's grin only widened. "We'd do it behind his back."

The room fell silent for a moment, the idea of defying the ever-watchful Gideon lingering in the air. But then, one by one, the others began to smile. Rogier chuckled softly, and even Nepheli, still nursing her wounds, nodded in approval.

Melina, standing quietly by the fire, glanced at Nathaniel with a mixture of amusement and caution. "Thou art playing a dangerous game, Tarnished."

"Maybe," Nathaniel admitted, "but we all deserve a break, don't we? Besides, what's the point of surviving all this if we can't enjoy a moment of peace once in a while?"

Roderika, who had been quiet since their return, finally spoke up. "I think it's a good idea. We've been through a lot. We should take a moment to acknowledge that."

Corhyn, still hesitant, sighed but eventually relented. "Indeed, but we must be careful. If Gideon catches wind of this, there could be consequences."

Nathaniel clapped him on the back. "Then we'll make sure he doesn't find out."

As the group began to plan their impromptu celebration, the mood in the Hold lifted. They scrounged up what little they had—some old wine, a few meagre provisions, and whatever comforts they could muster. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

The fire crackled warmly, casting a soft glow over their faces as they sat together, sharing stories of their adventures and laughing in a way that felt almost foreign in the harsh world they lived in. For a brief moment, the horrors outside the Hold's walls seemed distant, and the group found solace in each other's company.

After the fight, the mood at Roundtable Hold was one of celebration, but Roderika couldn't take her eyes off Nathaniel's bandaged stump where his arm once was. The excitement of their victory against Godrick had been tainted for her by the gruesome memory of watching Nathaniel's arm being severed. She couldn't shake the image from her mind.

Finally, when the noise of the celebration had died down a bit, Roderika approached Nathaniel, who was laughing with Corhyn over a drink.

"Nathaniel," she said softly, drawing his attention. Her face was tight with concern. "How are you holding up?"

He gave her a lopsided grin and raised his glass. "Never better! I mean, sure, Godrick chopped my arm off, but hey—still alive!"

Roderika frowned. "That's not something to shrug off. You… you lost an arm."

Nathaniel's smile faltered for a moment. He looked down at the bandaged stump, his expression turning more serious. "Yeah, I know. It's… it's a lot to take in. But I'll manage."

Roderika's concern deepened. "It's not just about managing, Nathaniel. This could have ended so much worse. You could've—"

"I didn't," Nathaniel interrupted, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm still here, and we won. That's what matters, right?"

Roderika sighed. "You're too reckless. This isn't just some game. I thought… I thought after everything we've been through, you'd take this more seriously. What if next time…?"

Nathaniel looked at her, his grin fading. He saw the fear in her eyes, the weight of what they had faced together. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to make light of it. I know it's serious."

Roderika nodded, though the worry didn't leave her. "Just… promise me you'll be more careful. We need you, Nathaniel."

He gave her a small, sincere smile. "I'll try. I promise."

Nathaniel raised his makeshift cup. "To us—survivors, fighters, and friends. May we see many more victories together."

The others raised their cups in response, their voices mingling in a shared toast. "To us."

And for that night, at least, they allowed themselves to forget the dangers that awaited them, basking in the fleeting joy of companionship and the hard-earned satisfaction of having overcome another trial.

The Roundtable Hold was alive with the sound of celebration. The normally somber, stone-walled space was filled with laughter, the clinking of cups, and the occasional cheer as Nathaniel and the others revelled in their hard-won victory over Godrick. The fire crackled merrily in the hearth, and the atmosphere was one of rare, well-earned joy.

Nathaniel, having enjoyed a few drinks, noticed Melina wasn't among them. Frowning slightly, he made his way outside, pushing through the heavy wooden door into the cool night air. He found Melina standing by herself, leaning against the stone wall, her gaze lost in the distance.

"Melina, what are you doing out here?" Nathaniel asked.

She turned her head slightly, not meeting his eyes. "Why dost thou squander thy strength on such trifles?" Her tone was sharp, yet beneath it, a subtle sadness lingered. "Thy destiny is to ascend as Elden Lord. All else is but a fleeting distraction, unworthy of thy focus."

Nathaniel paused, surprised by her words. He stepped closer, his face serious. "Distractions? Really? These aren't just distractions—they're what make life worth it. We're not just fighting for power. We're fighting for something bigger—meaning, connection, and the little things that remind us we're still alive, no matter how bad things get."

Melina's expression softened, though she remained silent. Nathaniel watched her for a moment before giving her a reassuring smile. "Come on. You don't have to be alone out here."

Reluctantly, Melina followed Nathaniel back into the Roundtable Hold. The warmth and light from within spilled out into the night, inviting her back into the fold. As they re-entered, the atmosphere was still lively. The others greeted Melina with genuine smiles and cheers, welcoming her back into the celebration.

Roderika waved her over enthusiastically. "Melina! Join us!"

For the first time, Melina allowed herself to be pulled into the circle. Nathaniel handed her a cup of wine, and she hesitated before taking it. The rich, dark liquid was a stark contrast to the grim determination that usually marked her days.

As the evening wore on, Melina found herself slowly letting go of her reservations. She sipped the wine, her eyes wandering over the faces of her companions. Their laughter, their stories, their shared moments of joy were unlike anything she had ever known.

A small, genuine smile began to form on her lips. She raised her cup, a gesture she had seen so many times but never participated in. "To… to us," she said softly.

The group raised their cups in return, their voices mingling in a cheerful chorus. "To us!"

The night continued with stories, songs, and laughter. Melina found herself drawn into the warmth of the moment, her guarded demeanour slowly melting away. As she looked around, she realized this was something she had never allowed herself to fully experience before.

In the midst of the celebration, her smile grew more natural, more confident. For the first time, she felt a part of something greater, a part of a family forged in the crucible of their trials and victories. And in that fleeting, precious moment, Melina allowed herself to truly enjoy it.