The Light Scorned in Darkness: An Elden Ring Story

Hestia had had a good night, despite all the situations of the previous day. Sleeping in a closed room, without having to be rolled up in a wet blanket in the bushes was a luxury. When she got up, Mitranis was not there. She went to the large courtyard where all the warriors were. There was Mitranis, talking to Jerren.

She walked to meet the boy and the old man who was organizing this festival with the goal of giving their final battle to General Radahn. As she walked through the courtyard, Hestia saw the people who were there with the same goal. There was a woman dressed just like the Finger Maidens. There was a guy who looked like he was from the land of the Reeds. There was a warrior in an armor with large ram horns. There was a guy in bulky, black armor. There was a guy kneeling like a toad in a corner, bald and dressed like a bandit as well.

However, the most peculiar subjects there, or those that caught Hestia's attention the most, were that giant jar with thin arms and legs, followed by a huge subject with a wolf's head. It was rare to come across that type of circus attractions in general. But, as the girl was used to, the Lands Between were plagued by the strangest existences possible.

Mitranis, meanwhile, was keeping his attention to a group of warriors who had arrived at Red Mane Castle just a few minutes ago. It seemed to be a group of bandits, Kaiden 's mercenaries, a few mages, spearmen, and, as a leader, a guy in Leyndell knight armor. Mitranis watched them while chatting with Jerren. It was inevitable, then, to want to know about these guys.

They had already imposed themselves on the guards, soldiers and knights of the castle. They had already previously threatened all the other warriors who were there yesterday not to get involved. And they even threatened to kill Jerren. It was better to let them go to Radahn. They had no idea what awaited them.

"Hey, geezer," the man in the Leyndell knight's attire approached. "I am Constantine, descendant of ancient Leyndell nobles, exiled with Godfrey long ago, in the times of the Long March. I come here as Tarnished to challenge the decrepit Radahn and claim his Great Rune."

"Well…" Jerren said, not seeming too alarmed by the Lightless One 's presence. "Go and fight with the decrepit Radahn. I hope you can give him the rest he deserves, boy."

"Don't make fun of me, you trash!" Constantine replied, pushing Jerren away with one hand and walking past.

After that, the Tarnished and his group of mercenaries, bandits and sorcerers made their way through and went straight to the elevator that led to the battlefield. Mitranis stared at Jerren, who seemed to be indifferent to everything. Indifferent to those people, and indifferent to their arrogant and disrespectful actions towards someone who seemed to be a skilled warrior like that former companion of Radahn.

"Those people don't have much idea of what they're doing," Mitranis said to Jerren, keeping his gaze on the old man. "I assume they never cared about the festival, since the rest of the Tarnished are aware of it, I imagine."

"No way," Jerren replied, watching Hestia approach. "But I don't feel like banning guys like that anymore. Besides…"

"They don't seem to have had a single major battle, do they?" Hestia commented, already joining in on the conversation.

"Indeed, girl," Jerren replied formally. "This is more common than you think. I appreciate that you and the rest of you who were present yesterday are rather more sensible and can understand my warning, I suppose."

Mitranis nodded and glanced briefly at Hestia. She offered him a smile in greeting. He found the woman's sleepy expression endearing. She rubbed one eye, and fixed her single red braid. It was hard to tell if Hestia was descended from the giants or something, Mitranis suddenly thought. She probably wasn't. Maybe it was just that outside of the Lands Between hair colors didn't denote the kind of bloodlines or lineages known in these parts.

"Will they have any chance against Radahn, sir?" Hestia asked, looking at the old man.

"Uhm… None, certainly," he replied, busy looking at the group. "There is an old story about a sick lion… Do you know it?"

"Yes, I know that story. It's about the sick lion and the foxes. My mother told it to me to be careful of those who are not trustworthy."

"Well… These men are going to the sick lion's den. They think that because General Radahn has lost his reason, they will be able to take advantage of him. They will die in two or three minutes, I estimate."

Mitranis approached the castle's lookout point. The entrenched group of mercenaries, mages, assassins, and spearmen were already advancing, taking that teleportation point that led directly to Wailing Dunes. Hestia reached out to Mitranis almost instinctively. She didn't want to miss anything.

At the same time, the girl wanted to know if this guy was trustworthy. Maybe he was also planning to do something risky, threaten someone… It was hard to know. After all, almost everyone who was gathered for the festival was Tarnished, just like her. And Mitranis was recusant, and although he seemed friendly, that gentle character could be a facade to carry out his attacks.

"Are you here to see the great General Radahn?" Mitranis asked Hestia. "You'll see something quite compelling: the death of those idiots, and that we are no match for him."

"I've seen this so many times that it almost makes me feel sorry for them," Jerren said, appearing beside the two young men.

Sure enough, the group was falling one by one like flies before Radahn's power. The first ones were torn apart by the gravity-imbued arrows. Then, the sorcerers were crushed to death by gravity magic, through a crushing meteor spell. Kaiden's mercenaries fell receiving the first blows of Radahn's giant swords. By this time, the spearmen were dead as well from the gravity impacts of the blows.

The distinguished Tarnished who had bought all those people was still hanging on Radahn's right sword. Unfortunately, his hard armor could not prevent his death, but it could prevent him from being cut in half. Thus, Constantine was left as if he were something like a skewer on Radahn's sword. Finally, it was the great Starscourge himself who took the guy's body, ripped open his armor with one hand, and began to devour him.

In the distance, the scene was partially visible, but clear enough to discern the main events. And yes, it was visible that Radahn was devouring the corpses of those poor rats that he had as rivals. Mitranis looked worried. Something caught his attention about some of General Radahn's gestures and attitude. Hestia was disgusted. A couple of months ago she would have vomited without stopping, but now she was more accustomed to these situations, typical in the Lands Between.

"Well… And this is how another group of Tarnished ends up when they don't heed my warning," Jerren said, looking at Mitranis.

"It's no problem for you that Radahn kills these men," Mitranis said, looking at the great Lion. "The problem is that he may want to leave the Wailing Dunes. A battle that doesn't satisfy him may prompt him to do so. Now I understand why you let this group go. They were weak, stupid, but there were several of them. They were a good meal for Radahn."

Jerren let out an awkward laugh. What Mitranis said was true. The old man leaned on the rock railing that bordered the castle's viewing platform. It was hard to estimate how long things had been like this. Not dying no matter how badly one was damaged. More than once Jerren himself had wanted to die and nothing more; not from old age, but by hanging himself.

But he had given his word to Radahn: he would give him a dignified death. With that certainty burning in Jerren's chest and blood, he turned and walked towards the small but elevated stage on which the old man usually spoke to visitors to the castle.

"This festival will be postponed for a month," Jerren said to the warriors arrayed in the courtyard. "You would not be able to defeat Radahn right now. You might even motivate him to escape these dunes. Left the castle and grow stronger. If you want to organize yourselves, you can do so. If you want to go on your own, you can do that too. I don't care about that."

After those words, the old man raised a sword: an old Flamberge, a sword that didn't attract much attention from anyone in that place, except Mitranis. It was one of those swords that he trained with Bernahl. He used the Flamberge, and Bernahl used a huge Zweihander. It was hell to fight with Bernahl. The young man couldn't help but remember that pain that reached every bone every time he blocked his superior's powerful sword attacks.

After holding the sword raised for a few moments, Jerren lowered it and rested it with the tip of the blade against the ground. Then, he spoke again with a solemn air, giving another piece of advice, perhaps the most important.

"And above all, those who believe themselves capable of recovering the Great Rune of Godrick, the Grafted, and Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, then do so. It will certainly increase your chances of winning. I hope you will return throughout the next month. And I hope that, being stronger, you can give the Starscourge a dignified death. That is all… Now leave this castle."

After this strange speech, between an order and a harangue, Jerren went to lock himself in his chambers, located in a tower adjacent to the castle's great viewing platform. The Tarnished and the other beings present there began to complain. The warrior with the appearance of a lord of the of the Reeds drank from a pint of beer that he had on the table. Lionel, the one in black armor, got up from his chair and left immediately, without saying a word. The woman dressed as a finger maiden did the same.

"Damn it!" said the man in heavy horned armor, as he hit the ground with his huge hammer.

"Stop complaining and let's go, Tragoth ," said the man from the land of the Reeds.

"But this really drives me crazy, Okina, " Tragoth replied, resting his big hammer on his shoulder again.

Okina didn't seem like the kindest guy in the world. In fact, his presence was aggressive, despite how calm he was in his posture and mannerisms. It was impossible for that mask he wore, basically something like the skin of another warrior's face and hair, not to scare people, or even read to his intentions.

In any case, Okina wasn't going to go overboard with Tragoth, even if he was also really frustrated and upset. He noticed the curious glances of Hestia and Mitranis. He looked at the boy, knowing that he was a recusant. Everyone there already knew that.

"Who have you come to kill, recusant?" Okina asked , looking directly at Mitranis.

"I didn't come here to kill anyone. I think I explained to Jerren and a couple of other people here that my target was far north of here, at Fort Faroth."

"Or maybe you didn't have to do your job at all, because Radahn did it for you a few minutes ago, didn't he?"

"How perceptive you were… Was it that noticeable?" Mitranis replied. "I suppose you noticed when I took the hilt of my dagger. I gave myself away."

"It's funny that you even know what your mistake was. It would be fun to face you in battle. Send my regards to Bernahl."

After those words, Okina left, followed by Tragoth. Mitranis was surprised by the words of the warrior from the land of the Reeds. Now only the two strange subjects remained: the giant jar and the half-wolf. They were a very peculiar pair of subjects. Mitranis glanced at the jar, which seemed to move as if it were angry, but at the same time optimistic and excited. There was no way to know, since it had no face. That made the individual more curious in Mitranis' eyes.

While Mitranis was thinking about such nonsense, Hestia was lost in thought: she was thinking about Jerren's words. To be worthy of facing Radahn, the Tarnished had to take possession of two Great Runes: that of Godrick, the Grafted, and that of the Queen of the Full Moon, Rennala.

The first one was in Limgrave, the region where the girl began her adventures, and which she accidentally left when she used a teleporter that sent her to the northern end of Caelid. And the second objective was in Lurnia, specifically in the great Raya Lucaria Academy.

Hestia had already heard of the origin of these Runes, fragments of the Elden Ring, which was shattered by Marika, the Eternal long ago. This sacrilegious act eventually gave way to the horrible war that had lasted until the present day. The possessors of the Great Runes had the power derived from the Elden Ring: those beings, now known as Shard bearers, were considered demigods, so they were far superior to what a mortal could achieve, even if this was their mission as Tarnished. 

It was difficult, then, to hope to overcome that difficult quest, Hestia thought. She kept thinking, subtly holding her chin with her right hand and looking down. Her long reddish braid rested on her right shoulder, and her breathing was slow but deep, which always happened when she controlled herself a lot. Those precious sapphires she wore as eyes shone, despite the seriousness of her expression.

There was no point in staying in the castle anymore. So the two remaining warriors were about to leave. The walking jar approached Mitranis. He placed his arm on the boy's shoulder.

"Hey, kiddo!" the Jar exclaimed in an excited voice. "I hope to see you in a month. I heard of your skills, and surviving Radahn on your own already makes you a great warrior. I want us to fight side by side in a month."

"Okay… Mr. Jar." said Mitranis.

"Bah, I haven't introduced myself," answered the talking Jar, shaking Mitranis' hand firmly. "Alexander, at your service."

"Mitranis; a pleasure."

"Well, now is the time for me to go," Alexander said, bowing. "See you soon, Mitranis. I want to see you here in a month!"

After that lively farewell, Alexander turned around and left. Now only that big, wolf-like man remained. Mitranis didn't care much about him. He didn't look aggressive, despite how imposing and serious he looked. However, for Hestia, he turned out to be something more threatening. Especially since that huge man approached the girl.

"Hey, friend, "the man said, his voice deep. "You're wearing some Carian-origin stuff. Your Carian Knight armor and your sword… You're like a fan of the Carian family, aren't you?

"I think so," Hestia replied, a little warily. "I think Lurnia was a great and prosperous land. I would have loved to defend and honor the Carian family ."

"If that's so, then drop that fucking shield right now," he replied, without even moving a muscle, thus imposing himself even more.

"Eh… I will. I don't quite understand the reason, but I will." Hestia replied, with a trembling voice.

The man scratched the back of his neck, as if he was now uncomfortable. It seemed that he felt sorry for having been perhaps aggressive towards the girl. He let out a laugh, and then his posture seemed to relax. The half-wolf tilted his head slightly to look at Hestia better.

"My name is Blaidd. I was raised in Lurnia. I just wanted to tell you that that shield belongs to the knights who besieged Raya Lucaria to overthrow Rennala and the rest of the Carian family.

"Nice to meet you, Blaidd," Hestia replied, impulsively bowing in greeting. I am Hestia, a Tarnished… And I appreciate your words. I don't know all about what happened in Lurnia, even though I am really passionate about its weapons and spells. I still have so much to learn…"

Blaidd was touched to see Hestia display humility, curiosity, and, on top of that, that nervousness. She was a lovely woman. But he already had to return to his faithful one, whom he would protect until the end of his days. But, at the same time… That was what was particular about Hestia.

That was her red hair. There weren't many other people with that hair color other than the Carian family and part of Marika's offspring. And the common denominator was the progenitor of those people: Radagon of the Golden Order. The one who married Rennala and then became the second consort of Marika and Elden Lord, consequently, during the Age of the Erdtree.

This was a peculiar fact. The half-wolf remembered fully the past of that woman whom he still protected and to whom he swore blind loyalty. But now it was time to leave. He had to return to that woman.

"Well, girl," Blaidd said, straightening pompous cape. "See you in a month. Survive until then."

"Likewise, Blaidd," Hestia replied, seeing the half-wolf leave immediately.

Hestia sighed after seeing Blaidd leave. She was still scared, overwhelmed… Confused. She had to fight against two Demigods, two beings with fragments of the Elden Ring shattered by Marika in their possession. While the girl was thinking, Mitranis was looking at her. He should leave already, but at the same time, she couldn't understand why he was standing there like an idiot watching the woman.

"Hey," Mitranis finally said, as he approached Hestia. "I guess this is goodbye. It's time to go now."

Hestia wasn't too worried about what would happen to Mitranis. He was just another mercenary or something like that, after all. And Hestia hated those people. They were traitors, who would sell themselves to the highest bidder, first swearing loyalty to a person, then killing them if the rival paid more than the other unfortunate guy. In Mitrani's case, he sold his loyalty to a monster.

"Whatever," Hestia said disinterestedly.

To the surprise of both of them, Melina appeared at that moment. She walked calmly towards Mitranis and looked him in the eyes. Then, she placed her hand on his forearm. Even though she was incorporeal, the boy could feel a slight, strange touch.

"Can you show me your dagger, Mitranis?" the woman asked, smiling subtly at the boy.

Mitranis didn't answer. Something struck him as odd. It wasn't that he didn't want to show Melina his dagger. But hearing about her weapon reminded the boy of what had happened yesterday with Radahn. Perhaps Melina knew something about that strange attack he had caused on Starscourge yesterday.

"Okay…" Mitranis finally said, unsheathing his dagger.

Melina stared for a few seconds at the black-handled weapon, with a black blade on the sides and scarlet in the middle, sharp teeth like a serrated weapon, and a sting that could be subtly seen at the lower end of the hilt. However, the incorporeal woman was not interested in the details of the dagger. She simply placed her hand on the blade of the weapon. After a couple of seconds, she opened her right eye wider in surprise, apparently.

"This is certainly something… outstanding, Mitranis," Melina said, looking only at the dagger. "Why you have this power?"

"Power?" Mitranis replied, trying to play dumb. "It is only the power of the fire of Mount Gelmir. It is magma fire bestowed by Praetor Rykard and infused in my dagger…"

"I'm not talking about that power, and you know it," Melina asserted herself, now serious. "This is not the power you speak of it is not that of that blasphemous monstrosity. This is the power that was sealed by Marika."

"You're talking about... Shit." Mitranis already knew what Melina was talking about.

Hestia listened to the conversation. She knew something about the power that Marika sealed. That happened a long time ago. The Eternal faced a tough fight against a Queen, who had a group of apostles. She had the power to slay the Gods. The black flame she possessed and was expelled from her Greatsword made that Queen fearsome, overwhelming. She was the Gloam-Eyed Queen. Melina had told her about that story and others, in order that the woman was ready to face her destiny as Tarnished.

After that, and the defeat of the Queen by Maliketh, the Black Blade, word had spread that a fragment of the Rune sealed by Marika had been stolen. The power of death remained in the possession of a group of assassins ever since.

"Melina, you're not assuming Mitranis has the power of the Gloam-Eyed Queen, are you?" Hestia said, approaching Melina.

"Uhm… Something like that, Hestia. It's not like you'll find a guy out there who can use the power of the Rune of Destined Death without being tied to those who stole that power from the Black Blade, who defeated the Queen." the woman said.

Hearing those words, Mitranis gasped. It was just as Melina said: the black and scarlet flames, the effect of those flames on Radahn, the pain that had come from performing that attack… And at the same time, that strange euphoria. All of those things were peculiar to Mitranis, and had gone unnoticed until now. And of course, they were nothing that Mitranis had used in battle.

"I see you have a very complete understanding of these things, Melina, and you too, Hestia," Mitranis said, crossing his arms. "Fine. I know what you want, and that is fine. I will accompany you, and in exchange you will give me your knowledge and guidance on this power, the power of the Rune of Destined Death.

"You are sensible," Melina replied, smiling. "This deal will surely be beneficial for everyone. Besides… You don't know what effect it will have if your allies find out about this."

"I suppose, plus you'll be able to keep an eye on me, so I don't cause any more disasters in these chaotic lands," Mitranis said, not meaning to mock Melina.

Hestia watched Mitranis and Melina talk and felt the same anger as the night before. She hated being left out. But one thing was undeniable: Mitranis would be a great help if she wanted to defeat two demigods. Intelligence, strength, strategy, and a forbidden power combined well as the things she and Mitranis had to offer.

"You're not consulting me for a change, Melina," Hestia said, annoyed. "But that's okay. Welcome to the group, Mitranis. Now, we must leave this castle and travel to Limgrave."

After those words, Hestia turned around and started walking towards the castle exit. It was time to move forward. She walked with determination among the furious but still soldiers and knights. The woman could be thinking about her mission, about how to carry it out, about a plan. But she also couldn't help but think about what awaited her, being so close to that recusant. There was resentment, suspicion, and even distrust inside Hestia.

But there was also that curiosity that made the woman's heart beat faster. Hestia preferred not to pay attention to those reactions and attributed them to the stress of knowing the quest she had to fulfill. But the truth is that soon the woman would be tempted to enter a territory that she should not to, just like the lion's den in the story. But... Maybe it was not only her who felt that incipient and almost unconscious curiosity. At least, Mitranis' gaze was beginning to give it away too.