Elden Ring:After the end

In Liurnia waterlogged land, on one of the highest grounds and which is in perpetual night, a meeting is taking place. 

Just like the previous times, this one takes place in the depths of the cathedral of Manus Celes, meeting place of Ranni "The Lunar Princess" and all her entourage. 

"I've confirmed it... It's Aldrich. He's back."

Speaking quietly as she leans back in her chair with dignity, the young woman who once had brown hair and wore a cloak has now changed beyond recognition. Her hair has become short black, her clothes have changed to something more opulent and in her hands she holds something strange. 

It was like a bag of skins sewn together, strangely it seems that something is moving in there. No, perhaps it would be better to call it an artificial womb, while the being writhing inside is clearly a Sacroderm.

"Did the monstrosity in there tell you that?"

Letting out his words in a distinctly mocking tone, a young man who is easily identified as a Carian gentleman attempts to sneer, though the young woman doesn't seem to mind. 

"Certainly that too, but I'm sure everyone will have received the last message. Though perhaps you were busy with your particular tastes?"

"What did you say!"

"Both of you be quiet!"

Before he can even pull the sword out of its sheath, the entire atmosphere of the room drops a few degrees, while the cold turns the sword into a block of ice. 

This demonstration of power comes from Ranni, who stands at the head of the table and who a few moments ago was silent. Getting everyone's attention, Ranni waves one of his hands and a magical image appears in the center of the table. 

"A bit different, but quite similar to the one I worked with to find the city of Nokrom."

"Yes, her hair was totally blonde and her eyes were a reflection of the dragons themselves."

Breaking the heavy atmosphere, Blaidd the faithful shadow of Ranni makes a comment, while Iji quickly follows, making it totally infallible that that is Aldrich.

The room becomes silent for a few seconds, until someone finally says the stupid question, but one that everyone will find themselves thinking. 

"Does it really change anything that Aldrich is back, he's just a man after all."

"He stopped being just a man a long time ago. He is Aldrich, Lord of the Circle, Champion of the festival, Victor of Malenia, Ruler of Leyndell and many more."

"One of those isn't he also... Ranni's husband?"

All the tension that had disappeared has now returned and multiplied tenfold at Sirris' words. Clearly if she doesn't deliver an immediate answer, she will most likely end up frozen or worse engulfed in black flames. 

"Just think, the latest reports say there are strange movements in Leyndell's troops. He's obviously preparing for an all-out attack when he returns."

"It's only your speculation."

"Iji, perhaps the years have made you senile. A victorious army, professional after their campaign and with high morale. If it is as amazing as they have said, it will use the momentum to initiate an all-out reconquest of Altus."

Expounding her approach to the others, Sirris is contradicted by Iji, faithful war advisor. They had a little mishap, but it seems normal to everyone that their ideas differ from each other.

"If my guesses are correct, they will take the large elevator and the entrance found in the mine, succeeding in opening up another battlefront."

Looking at everyone at the table, his red lips form a smile and he continues speaking. 

"We can't take another front, we are already overextended by sending support troops to Rykard and fighting in the depths of Necrolimbo. Am I right, Iji?"

"Haa... He's right. The puppet production can't keep up, while our troops in Necrolimbo have received several setbacks against Finlay."

Sighing and incredibly agreeing with Sirris, the giant Iji accepts that the situation is quite delicate at the moment. 

"If you've said all this, you must have a plan. One that most likely involves me."

"You have always asked me for victory."

"Even if it's by using me as a pawn?

"Yes."

Sirris and Ranni's gazes remain steady, a sign of how confident the former is, while the latter now seems to be interested in the plan.

"This is Sirris speaking, and I hope it's something worthy of praise."

"This is Leyndell's most tumultuous time, where the old order and the new coexist. We must take advantage of the power vacuum left by Queen Marika and usurp her position, it really wouldn't be, since you are married."

Ignoring the small rise in the temperature in the room when she said Aldrich and Ranni were married, Sirris prepares to continue, but is interrupted by a really curious voice. 

"Is it really worth it? We'd be leaving our queen in the midst of the enemy."

"There is no safer place than that, that I can assure you. In Leyndell, the Queen has equal or more power than The Circle Lord, that power vacuum that hasn't been removed or suppressed is perfect for creating chaos from within."

Responding to the wizard wearing a double-faced stone mask, with a refulgent stone of various colors, Sirris tells the central part of his grand plan of action. 

"Umm... A risky plan, which may have great benefits."

"He won't be thinking of accepting!"

Silencing the negative reactions with a glance, Ranni clasps his four hands in front of his chest and begins to rationalize the situation. It was truly risky, but the benefits are not small and considering the timing, there is a high probability of success. 

"News about Queen Marika?"

"All our spies have seen no one meeting the description, no one fulfilling the role of Queen either."

Opening his mouth even before Sirris, the giant Iji wipes away Ranni's concerns. Thinking about it for a few more seconds, Ranni nods towards him and turns her face towards the lady in black. 

"I see, Iji. Melina, can you perhaps sense Queen Marika?"

"You know I'm here... Yet you ask me that question."

Forming a beautiful smile with her lips, she does not take what she says seriously, and gently brings her hand to her injured eye. The atmosphere around her changes for a few moments, but quickly that change is suppressed. 

"Queen Marika is still trapped inside the Golden Tree. She just confirmed it to me and you should know she's never wrong about that."

"Everything seems to want this to happen... So much for this topic. Give me a report on our situation in Necrolimbo."

Leaving the topic about the infiltration for later, Ranni shifts the direction to another equally important and also urgent topic. 

You never know, maybe the situation will change so much in Necrolimbo that everything is headed for the worse, that would be an unpleasant situation when they seemed to have Nepheli in the bag. 

"Yes!" x5