Curses! I curse all Gods, new and old, forgotten and remembered! If I ever find the one responsible for my current endeavor, I will rip their soul from their cold, dead body and condemn them to the dark Abyss for a thousand years!
Radahn stood to my left, his defiant pose unbroken, while Malenia sped forward on my right, her great blade in hand.
Momentarily, I considered fleeing, but the clashing armies blocked the passage as far as I could see, so I had no way to force myself to disappear.
Besides, it's not as if my other attempts to escape my memories had worked.
I could also try to kill myself, but I didn't want to waste a life and a Human Effige in such a ridiculous way.
I just sighed in resignation and prepared myself for the suffering that was to come. The sounds of battle intensified, cries of war and death, the clang of steel against steel, all along with the wind blowing across the dunes, kicking up clouds of sand.
I admit, I was worried, especially with the General's gaze threatening to open a crater where I stood.
"Curious, you don't carry the standard of any army, and I don't recognize the heraldry of your armaments. Warrior, what do you wish here?"
His voice was deep and booming like thunder, and as I turned toward him, I couldn't help but study his form before the decay.
He wore the armor I had become familiar with, but now immaculate, retaining its golden sheen. His skin was a bronzed brown, his eyes a piercing yellow, while his scarlet hair blew in the wind.
The image of a true demigod of legend, something that inspires both awe and fear.
Strangely, unlike Malenia, whose words sounded like demands, Radahn spoke in a respectful tone, as if I was not less than him.
"Forgive me if my words offend you, General, but my presence here is nothing more than an accident. I wish to leave unhindered as soon as possible."
"You, bearing artifacts that exude power and ancient magic, dressed as a warrior ready to join the annals of history, found yourself in the middle of a war by pure chance? Do you truly expect me to believe such a lie? Armor blessed by a God of War, a shield covered in powerful sorcery, magic rings on each finger, talismans bound to your body, a chime, a sword and staff shrouded in a bewildering darkness—is this nothing more than an accident?"
But of course he sensed the enchantments; he is the son of Rennala and a master of gravity magic, isn't he?
I grumbled, working my jaw as I considered my next words. I clearly displeased the General, and his previously impassive expression now held a hint of offense.
"Are you here to join me? I'll have to test your skills if that's the case. I won't allow anyone to join the Red Manes without meeting my standards."
"Unfortunately not, General Radahn. I have my own path to follow, but perhaps in a few centuries we'll meet again and I'll accept your proposal."
"Oh, so you're a challenger! You wish to test your strength against the demigods! I can respect that, but you didn't need to engage in conflict; I would have accepted a formal duel!"
I fought the urge to correct him, not wanting to tempt my luck by ruining his good mood, so I simply nodded in acknowledgment.
"May I know your name, warrior?"
Radahn slowly uncrossed his arms, and I felt the earth tremble.
"Alden."
I reached for my chime, preparing to conjure a miracle.
"Very well, Alden, try not to die too soon. It would be a shame if your defiance were nothing more than foolish actions."
Oh, you'd be hard-pressed to imagine the level of foolishness in my actions now!
Malenia finally caught up with us, closing the distance with a leap. Simultaneously, the purple glow of gravity magic filled the air, levitating Radahn's large, curved blades off the ground, trapping them in the grip of his hands.
Metal scraped against metal with a sharp screech, followed by a shower of glittering sparks. Opening his arms, the General unleashed a gravitational wave that flattened the area around us, clearing it of dunes, bloodied weapons, and fresh corpses.
It seemed as if both armies would stop to watch the spectacle, but that was nothing more than a vain hope of stopping this senseless fight.
The demigods' weapons tore through the air, one of the curved blades about to collide with the golden katana, and I found myself in the middle of it.
However, I didn't plan on participating directly in the confrontation. I jumped back, putting as much distance as possible while I conjured a miracle.
A golden glow enveloped my chime, and a sphere of lightning appeared between Radahn and Malenia.
Before either could wonder what the object's purpose was, it exploded in a blinding light, shooting countless bolts of lightning in all directions.
I heard surprised cries followed by insults, but I didn't waste time figuring out whether they were injured or not. I ignited my flame and cast Flame Swathe, creating a ball of fire that floated to the spot where my miracle had previously been.
BOOM!
After spinning, the pyromancy unleashed a fiery explosion, covering the Demigods in fire and smoke, but I didn't stop. I wouldn't give them a chance to recover, not when I was facing something so far above me.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Again, again, and again, explosion after explosion, I bombarded my opponents with boiling fire.
The resulting smoke obscured their forms, but it would be foolish to think it was over. I raised my staff, casting Affinity, and five projectiles of darkness floated above me.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of rapid footsteps, and looking for the source of the noise, I spotted a hole in the cloud of smoke.
I barely had time to raise my shield when a red and gold blur appeared in front of me.
I swung my arm, my equipment releasing a shockwave, knocking Malenia's sword away from my neck and breaking her balance.
The affinities chose that moment to fire, striking the Demigoddess squarely. A dark mist covered half of her body, followed by a pained scream.
I swung my Crypt Blacksword horizontally, planning to split Malenia in two, but to my surprise, her left arm moved as fast as lightning, trapping the edge of my weapon in her grip.
The shockwave from the sudden stop assaulted my ears, and a trail of blood ran from her palm, staining the earth orange-red.
My arm trembled like a leaf; no matter how much force I applied, I couldn't escape her grip.
It's not enough! Even with everything I have, competing strength with a Demigod is a colossal stupidity.
"This vile sorcery... I remember you, you're the man who faced me in Limgrave, Alden, right? I thought you were dead. You're different, stronger. How did this happen in such a short time?"
I initially found her words strange, until I noticed the condition of her body: short hair, recently healed burns, and advancing rot.
Did she chose to face Radahn soon after her confrontation with Godrick?
I never got a chance to respond. I was pulled toward her, my words turning into a scream as her sword pierced my chest.
My feet left the ground, and I soon found myself lifted meters above the ground, with Malenia staring at me from below.
The wet squelches of my wounded flesh and blood staining my enemy's face were nothing compared to the pain I felt as I slid toward the hilt of her blade.
Our faces were inches apart, and there I glimpsed the small, amused smile on her lips.
"Unfortunately, you're far from defeating me."
The world blurred as she swung her weapon, violently tearing me from the blade, sending me flying.
I landed on my back, letting out a gasp as the air briefly left my lungs.
As I tried to reorient myself, I noticed something forming a dark patch in the sun above, shimmering as it approached.
My eyes widened and I rolled to the side, grunting as I provoked the hole in my chest, but I dodged the sword that had pierced the spot where my head had been moments before.
This was the perfect moment to strike, and she seemed to know it, bracing herself for what was coming when I pointed my flame in her direction. However, dodging became a priority for us when a giant shadow covered us.
Radahn tore through the air with his corkscrew attack, hitting the ground with a crash. Before the dust even settled, an absurd force pulled us toward him.
My stomach churned, and I fought the urge to vomit as everything spun. Being the shortest of everyone here proved to be an advantage, as I dodged the curved blade at the last moment, throwing myself to the ground.
The shadow and wind of the large weapon passed above me, and Malenia found herself sliding across the ground as she tried to block the attack aimed at her.
In a surprising display of strength, she managed to briefly knock the General's weapon aside, leaping as high as she could to dodge the subsequent attack before landing on top of the curved blade.
The demigoddess charged forward swiftly, climbing the steel toward the General's face, who used his gravity magic to levitate large rocks toward her.
Malenia, however, cut through all the projectiles in her path, leaping one last time before unleashing another attack.
Had Radahn not thrown his full weight back at the last moment, he would have been blinded, a fatal wound unlike the bloody gash on his forehead that now painted his face crimson.
I raised my staff and chime, casting two spells in quick succession now that the demigods were distracted.
Dark Greatsword and Dark Dance, a powerful blade of darkness accompanied by five large obsidian spheres, closed the distance like living shadows.
Malenia, still in the air, tried to reorient herself in a clumsy movement, shielding herself with her sword seconds before being struck by the blade of darkness.
A deafening explosion hid her in a dark mass that shattered as her body flew away, landing on a nearby ruin with the sound of shattering stone.
Radahn, unbalanced by having to dodge hastily, found his large size a disadvantage as all the night-black spheres collided with his body.
Once again, the power of darkness proved effective against beings with traces of divinity. The General planted his weapons in the ground to avoid falling and glared at me with furious eyes and heavy breathing.
"That hurt more than any other spell I've ever been hit with. Show me what you can do!"
A savage grin appeared on the demigod's face, and I felt a tremor run through my body as he propelled himself toward me.
Rocks left the ground in my path, but I turned them to dust with a crushing shockwave, courtesy of the Wrath of the Gods.
The wall of muscle and metal that was the General leaped, spinning in the air with his blades raised above his head.
I rolled back before they hit the ground, fearing what would happen to me if I hadn't dodged.
However, the thunderous tremor nearly prevented me from rising and dodging the next blow as Radahn pierced through the cloud of sand caused by his attack.
The situation I found myself in was desperate; unlike his future, crazed form, the warrior before me possessed technique and skill.
I remained on the defensive, feeling the General's steel scrape against my armor, each dodged blow nearly cleaving me in two as I retreated.
It was frightening how something so large could move so quickly. Strangely, I felt a certain familiarity as I dodged his blows, as if I knew what was coming.
A diagonal slash from the left followed by another from the right, which I dodged by stepping back, casting Black Hail on the demigod's chest, piercing his armor and receiving an angry click of the tongue in return.
How? How? How? How did I know what to do? The answer was on the tip of my tongue. An image tried to form in the back of my mind, but like sand, it slipped through the cracks of my fragmented memory.
A crushing vertical blow brought the blades together above his head, but I stepped aside quickly, avoiding being turned into a stain on the ground.
I cast Dark Greatsword again, leaving a deep cut on Radahn's left side. Blood gushed from the wound, darkened by abyssal power, but he gritted his teeth and intensified his attacks.
Had I faced the General before the festival? No, but someone with swordsmanship similar to his.
Radahn lifted his left foot, and I leaped immediately, anticipating the tremor that shook the ground. Still in midair, I fired a Dark Orb toward his face, ripping off one of the horns on his helmet.
But where? When? How do I know this?
As soon as I landed, I threw myself to the ground, avoiding a bear hug, and grabbed my chime, conjuring Dark Storm, which, due to the proximity, struck my enemy squarely with a tornado of darkness.
The demigod stepped back, and I glimpsed the changes in his body: dark patches covered the exposed skin, a black liquid leaked from the corner of his mouth, and the gold in his eyes was a shade dimmer.
What will happen to him if I continue?
He wiped his mouth with his wrist, staring at the black liquid before grinning savagely and returning to the attack, his arms crossed in front of him.
Images flashed through my mind, and the world shifted around me: a different battlefield, different armies, and a different adversary.
I could feel magic crossing vast distances, the hot air of flames attacking my face, the screams of the living and the dead.
And instead of Radahn, a new figure challenged me, its red statue-like form melting with every step.
My body screamed for me to move, movements that felt natural, right for the situation, and like a puppet, I acted according to the movements of my invisible strings.
I summoned Dark Weapon, dragging my staff along my sword, covering it in dark energy, and then I ran toward the figure.
Our eyes met, but any unspoken message that might have arisen between us never came. I pointed my staff at his face and summoned Dark Mist, covering his head in poisonous fumes. With that, I thrust my sword forward, aiming for his stomach.
My chest burned as if on fire, my body trembled with constant tremors, and my breathing threatened to stop, but deep down, I felt relief, relief that I had hit my target.
"Surprisingly, you fought well."
My feelings died immediately, as did the smile that had crept across my face. The world returned to normal, and to my horror, my sword remained suspended in the air just inches from the General, covered in a purple glow.
Radahn stepped back, with a serious face and watchful eyes. I, on the other hand, tried to drop my sword or cast a spell, but a crushing force held me in place.
"But I believe this is enough. Warrior, I don't know your story, but you have demonstrated impressive strength and magic power, but this is not the place for you. You flew too high in defying us, and now your downfall has come. I will remember your name, and if my words are of any use to you, I wish this had ended differently."
Then he turned his back to me, and the weight on my shoulders increased. I fell to my knees and then to my hands, the creaking of my armor or my bones—I couldn't tell which—echoed through my now ringing ears.
My head hit the sand, and my organs churned. I felt blood pouring from my eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. My vision went black, and the General's back was the last thing I saw before everything disappeared.
-XXXXXX-
"Get up!"
"Please stop."
What?! Who said that?!
"My name doesn't matter."
"Wake up!"
I can't, I'm so tired…
"Right, then rest, my kindness will reach everyone, including you."
"You can't die here!"
Does it matter? I will return to the last bonfire.
"Your heart has suffered enough, allow my touch to soothe it."
"What if you don't return?! Or worse, what if you become Hollow?!"
The words struck me like lightning, and I tried to get up, but to no avail. I couldn't feel my body; nothing responded to my commands.
I can't, I can't, just leave me alone…
"Peace, that's what I'll bring to the world."
"Will you accept your end like this?! After all the challenges you've faced, you'll die on a battlefield again?"
Again?! It doesn't matter! I'm tired! Tell me, why me?! Of all the undead, why do I have to be the one to go all the way?! Drangleic, the Lands Between, why do I have to solve all the problems caused by others?! Forces beyond my control drag me against my will! Can't someone else do this?! There are more powerful, more intelligent, more charismatic individuals; can't they take my place for once?
"You won't have to suffer on behalf of others when it's all over."
"Many came before you, that's true, many were better than you, that's correct, but there's one detail you're not taking into account: they failed, they gave up, they suffered tragic ends. Few had a happy ending, wouldn't you like one too?"
It's too late now...
"Trina will welcome you with open arms, I promise."
"So this is how it will end, you will simply accept your death?! You fought tooth and nail in the past, each death you suffered teaching you a lesson, after so many achievements, and this is how you want to end?!"
No, I don't want it to end like this! But what can I do?! The Demigods are too powerful! I can't defeat them in a duel!
"Correct, your boldness led you to a deserved fate, but I am merciful, stop fighting and close your eyes."
"That's the problem, you're fighting by their rules! Godwyn's teachings aren't wrong; you shouldn't rely on your magic and artifacts, but there's a right time for that, and this isn't one of them! Drop your sword and show them the sorcerer hiding beneath the armor! The Lands Between follow ideals of honor and glory; show them the individual who survived the dangers of Drangleic, where you can't trust the ground you walk on or the chests you find, where every meter you walk is filled with death and learning!"
Who are you, and why are you helping me?
"I am the Kind One."
"Oh, have you forgotten me? Mother would be sad if she knew, but I can't blame you. I am..."
Light shone in the dark void I found myself in, and a figure stood before me, a tall, thin young man with tanned skin and red hair. I couldn't see his face, though the blinding light shone above him like a sun hiding his face.
Beside him, a second young man appeared, childlike, with long golden hair and dressed in white robes.
They both extended a hand toward me, and I didn't know which to take.
"Come on, take my hand! There's still so much to fight for; it doesn't have to end like this!"
"Accepted my hand, and you'll find peace. In the eternal, deep dream, you'll find what you've lost."
"You can't get back what you've lost, but that doesn't mean you can't do something new. Don't forget the past, but don't let it drag you down."
"If you hold my hand, all your suffering will disappear."
"If you hold my hand, your suffering will continue, but you will have the chance to fill the void in your soul."
Do you guarantee that?
"Yes."
"No, but you'll never know if you don't try."
With monumental effort, I lifted my head and extended my hand to the red-haired young man. I saw the hint of a smile appear on his face. The light shone brighter, transforming the darkness into a white void. When I opened my eyes, I found myself on the battlefield again.
Pain was the first thing I felt. I screamed with all my might, a wet, choking noise.
I saw red; whether it was my blood leaking from my body or the headache I felt, I couldn't tell. I tried to get up, but failed miserably, as if countless swords were piercing my flesh.
I moved my head slowly, hearing something crack along the way, and soon realized the reason for my immobilization: my broken body.
What little I could see was more than enough to reveal the extent of the damage. I scanned my surroundings again, spotting something gleaming nearby: my chime.
Words couldn't explain the effort it took to drag myself to it; only my right arm responded to my commands, albeit barely.
"GASP! GASP! GASP!"
Each breath made my lungs burn; it was as if a heavy stone were pressing me down.
"COUGH!"
I spat a pool of blood onto the ground, and my vision darkened again. It took what little determination I had left to maintain consciousness.
Ignoring the red trail I left in my wake, I closed my hand around my chime, casting Soothing Sunlight.
I felt the holy energies healing my body, enveloping me in a comforting warmth. Gradually, the pain faded, but it wasn't enough. I conjured the miracle repeatedly until I exhausted my reserves.
I rose to my knees and removed my helmet, carelessly tossing it aside, and remained there, savoring every second of rest.
I brushed my hair away from my blood- and sweat-soaked face, brushing away the grains of sand clinging to my skin. But I noticed something different: my mind felt lighter, and my skin felt drier and more wrinkled.
Hollow!
The word came like an arrow, and I felt despair seize my being. I reached for my bottomless bag and nearly screamed with joy when I found it hanging at my waist.
I fumbled for a human effigy inside, spilling other items and artifacts onto the floor, but upon finding the teardrop-shaped wooden figurine, I wasted no time crushing it against my chest, restoring my humanity.
I felt alive, if that made sense for someone like me. My skin took on a healthy appearance and clarity returned to my mind, and with that done, I focused on understanding what was happening.
Caelid, past, war between demigods—it didn't take long for everything to come back as the confusion slowly faded.
How am I still alive? So much time has passed, why hasn't the memory faded yet? And who… Who was that young man?
I felt something running down my face. Removing my right gauntlet, I touched the liquid and realized it was tears; I was crying.
Why? I've never cried for anyone before. Who was he? What person could be so important to me? Why do I feel like something is missing?
I lifted my head and looked toward the heavens, pondering what I should do. The battle was still raging, and as I looked ahead, I saw the outlines of Radahn and Malenia facing off against the setting sun.
I closed my eyes tightly, taking a deep breath, preparing myself for what I was about to do.
I removed my armor, stripped down to my underwear, and took several items from my bag, putting away my sword but keeping my shield nearby.
First, I donned my Northwarder set, each piece of clothing bearing an enchantment that increased the duration of my spells.
I put on a long, yellowish-orange shirt, followed by a long, black trench coat with white embroidery that reached my calves, orange pants with brown belts, brown boots, black fingerless gloves with silver bracelets, and a black hood with embroidery similar to the coat, but with sections that covered my shoulders.
Over the Northwarder set, I donned the Leonine Mage set.
I wrapped my torso in a dark tunic with long, spacious sleeves that covered my entire arms, held together by intricate gold chains.
Around my waist, I fastened a skirt that extended just past my knees, made of a vertical stripe pattern alternating between black and dark yellow, with a set of gold medals at my crotch, giving the appearance of a sun spreading its rays.
Finally, on my arms, I donned a set of gold bracelets a little higher than the silver ones; each piece I added increased the speed at which I could cast spells.
Next, I placed ten more rings on my fingers, in addition to the four I always wore and the six I wore for the festival.
The Lingering Dragoncrest Ring to increase the duration of my spells; the Northern Ritual Band to increase the number of spells I could cast, but in return, reduce my health.
The King's Ring to increase the power of my flame, which now reached my elbow; the Sun Seal to increase the power of my miracles; the First and Second Dragon Rings to increase my health, stamina, and the weight I could carry.
The next four rings I intended to equip would grant me great power but severely reduce my defense.
As the Lightning Clutch Ring slid onto my finger, I heard thunder echo in my ears and my hair stood on end. The Fire Clutch Ring caused my already enhanced flame to burn a brilliant blue, making the air around me to ripple.
The Sorcery Clutch Ring caused an inner change, as if my soul shone like a star. The Dark Clutch Ring had a deeper effect. My humanity, the natural darkness of every human being, pulsed, yearning to be free.
I brought my hand to the curse mark on the back of my neck, feeling it burn. It was nostalgic; the element I had such affinity with was trapped, yet I couldn't help but smile at the sight of its power.
For weapons, I strapped my Blue Dagger to my waist, taking advantage of its enchantment that increases my magical power but reduces my defense.
The Flask of the Wondrous Physique had its tears replaced with those of Faith, and the Magic Shrouding Cracked Tear for more power.
I racked my brains, searching for more artifacts to use. All I had left were consumables, so I did, using all the items that had granted me victory at the end of the festival, restoring my spells and pushing my body to its limit.
Limit, that was a funny word. What determines our limit? Our bodies, our minds? What if it could be removed? What if a sorcerer said ( To hell with it!) and pushed his body to the peak of magical power?
That was exactly what I intended to do. I slammed my staff on the ground and cast Unleash Magic.
"AAAHHH!"
The power that coursed through me was indescribable, an addictive feeling that I could do anything!
A blue aura shimmered around me, accompanied by an unfamiliar wind that blew the sand and bluish crystals that sprouted from the ground.
My veins glowed, and a blue mist leaked from my mouth and nose with every breath. However, I had to lean on my staff to keep from falling. The pressure was excruciating. My heart wasn't beating, yet it felt like it would leap from my chest, if I didn't vomit first.
I had tunnel vision again, but I saw something in the darkness, several white dots floating around me—souls. I could see the souls of the warriors fighting and dying with uncanny clarity, and on the horizon, there were two that shone like the sun.
I'd never considered myself a battle maniac, but at this moment, returning to combat was all I desired. The corners of my mouth lifted, revealing a toothy smile.
The anticipation was thrilling; I wanted to be considered worthy of being here. The demigods will take me seriously, I'll make sure of that. As my opening move, I raised my chime and cast my most powerful and dangerous hex.
High in the sky, a mass of pulsating darkness appeared, consuming the very light around it, and there it would remain until the end of the fight.
Now, I pointed my staff at the Demigods, pondering which of them I would attack first. It would be foolish to face them both at the same time, so I chose Radahn and prepared my next spell.
-XXXXXX-
The Starscourge and The Blade of Miquella faced each other in defiance, both covered in wounds, whether from punctures, cuts, or sorcery.
Blood leaked like red waterfalls, their heavy breathing revealing the exhaustion coursing through their bodies.
However, the red-haired Demigoddess was the worse of the two, the violence her body had to endure greater than the General's.
"I will repeat this once, sister: I will not join Miquella! We have different ideas about the fate of the Lands Between!"
"You promised to help my brother in his quest, and now you go back on your words! Miquella trusted you! Don't you wish to create a better world?!"
"I was willing to abandon my conquest, that is, until I discovered the method he planned to use!"
"Mortals are fools! No matter how perfect their lives are, they will always find reasons to kill each other!"
"And we are above mortals in what capacity other than the obvious?! Gods and demigods are petty, arrogant, spiteful! We bring suffering to the world with our actions just like everyone else!"
"Miquella knows this, and he intends to end these imperfections once and for all! He will become perfect!"
"Miquella is a confused child; his goals are noble, but he's not thinking straight! There's hesitation in his spirit; even he's not sure what he's doing! He's a child who was forced to grow up!"
"How dare you?!"
With a scream of fury, they both swung their weapons, ready to test their steel again, but just as the blades were about to clash, something flashed in the distance.
"GGGAAAHHH!"
The General screamed as something struck his wounded shoulder. Pieces of his armor and flesh fell to the ground, and a cloud of blue smoke blocked his vision.
Gritting his teeth, he dispelled the obstruction with a gravitational wave, only to erect a barrier as a barrage of spells bombarded him.
Fireballs, lightning bolts, bluish and shadowy projectiles—dozens, perhaps hundreds of attacks—hit his barrier, which began to crack.
The display of power ended as quickly as it began, and a figure approached, exuding power.
"DO YOU REMEMBER ME?! I HAVE RETURNED!"
Alden raised his staff high and fired a luminous sphere toward the heavens.
The demigods watched its ascent and narrowed their eyes as it exploded in a flash, only to be surprised when Soul Arrows rained down like a meteor shower.
The countless spells shattered Radahn's barrier, forcing him to use his blades as a shield and withstand the onslaught.
Malenia, on the other hand, parried the spells in a grand display of dexterity, but the number of arrows was so great that neither of them emerged unscathed.
Each acquired a worrying number of cuts and punctures that burned, exuding magical vapor.
"YOU BASTARD, CAN'T YOU STAY DEAD?!"
The demigoddess screamed in barely contained fury, tired of being challenged by the same individual.
"HAHAHA!"
However, a maddened laugh was her response.
Growling at her opponent's carelessness, she abandoned the General and closed the distance in a burst of speed, leaving a cloud of sand in her wake, planning to put an end to this annoying pest once and for all.
Time seemed to slow down due to the speed at which she moved. It was already clear that the sorcerer couldn't keep up with her, so she chose the direct approach, thrusting her sword toward his forehead.
However, to her confusion, her opponent's eyes followed her movements, and an amused smile appeared on his face.
Time returned to normal, and this time it was Alden who moved like a blur, leaning to the side and dodging the attack that split the desert with a gust of wind.
Alden's flaming hand approaching her face was something she noticed too late, only having time to raise her arm before the Great Combustion struck.
The flaming blast inflicted vicious burns on her body, but she didn't allow something so small to knock her down.
Retreating, Malenia disappeared again, circling her enemy, constantly shifting position and leaving an afterimage in her wake.
The sorcerer maintained his fighting stance, moving his head erratically to try to keep up, or so she thought.
Slowly, Alden looked in her direction and waved amiably.
Malenia's eyes would have widened in surprise, but the glow her good eye detected and the heat beside her head proved more important.
A fireball appeared in her path, and already knowing the effect of Pyromancy, the Demigoddess jumped back, avoiding the blast.
However, as soon as her feet touched the ground, she moved again, as a new source of heat touched her back.
A second explosion was avoided, but not the third, nor the fourth, nor the fifth. Miquella's Blade found herself in the middle of a field of floating fireballs, each blast propelling her toward the next.
Suddenly, Alden slammed his staff into the ground, and a dark barrier covered his body, distorting reality itself. Radahn raised an eyebrow in curiosity when the rocks fired by his magic failed to harm the sorcerer upon impact.
Deciding to test the limits of the unknown sorcery, the General erected four stone pillars around Alden, intending to crush him in their center.
The pillars closed with incredible pressure, shattering in a shower of stone and dust, leaving Alden unharmed, raising his bell after conjuring a divine shockwave.
This same shockwave was sent forward in the form of ten white orbs, but they never reached their target, as gravitational forces stopped them midair.
However, this was merely a distraction for the lightning spear that exploded above the General, creating a golden sigil that bombarded him with lightning.
The barrier erected in its path began to crack, and having to shield himself in two different directions, Radahn left himself open to the subsequent spell.
A blue circle appeared in front of Alden's staff, with four smaller ones within it, each firing a concentrated beam of souls toward the Demigod.
The metal of his armor began to melt, severely burning what was beneath, and with the agonizing sensation affecting his concentration, the miracles the General held released themselves, striking him with a wall of shockwaves followed by the final bolts of lightning fired from the sigil into the sky before disappearing.
He used one of his blades as leverage to keep himself upright, breathing heavily to fill his lungs. However, regret came to him as three different poisons covered his head: the Poison Mist and Toxic Mist Pyromancy spells, and the Dark Fog hex.
CLANG!
Alden spun around when he heard a metallic clang, coming face to face with Malenia surprised by the ineffectiveness of her attack. It didn't help that Alden was taunting her.
"IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE?!"
The demigoddess swung her sword again ineffectively; the dark barrier around Alden made him immune to physical attacks. Normally, the spell would last a few moments, but thanks to the preparation before the fight, its duration was extended considerably.
"CONTINUE! DIDN'T YOU TELL ME I WAS FAR FROM DEFEATING YOU?!"
Frustrated, Malenia leaped and began her Water Flow Dance as she dove, sending a flurry of strong, swift slashes that dragged the wind in their wake.
CRACK!
"HAHAHA!"
Something finally broke after many attacks, but not what was expected. The Demigoddess stared at her broken blade, the other half sticking in the ground a few meters away.
"You dare hide from me behind your sorcery?!"
She demanded, throwing a punch to no effect.
"It's not my fault you haven't expanded your arsenal!"
Ignoring a kick to his neck, Alden raised his staff and cast Soul Flash. A pillar of pure magical energy shot upward with its caster at its center.
Though not struck directly, the heat alone seared Malenia, and an invisible force knocked her to the ground.
There was no time for distractions; she rolled to the side immediately as a shadow appeared above her, dodging Radahn, who landed like a rock.
The General slammed both blades into the ground, encasing them in sharp stones, and opened his arms, sending a gravitational wave through the ground toward the sorcerer as he attempted to crush him with his gravity.
Alden began to tremble, slowly drifting toward the ground, but he was prepared this time.
Leaning on his staff, he cast Twisted Barricade, and the dark mass protecting him transformed into a dark whirlwind.
Immediately, every magic that struck him took no effect, but as a drawback, he became susceptible to physical blows again, courtesy of a swing from Malenia that left a cut on his shoulder.
"It seems you're running out of tricks, sorcerer!"
"Oh, believe me, we're not even halfway through my repertoire!" Briefly, his eyes flickered upward toward the sphere of darkness high in the sky, now five times its current size and still growing.
Alden slammed his flame into the ground, and the earth shook. Orange circles appeared in the sand, and flaming pillars shrouded in dark energy erupted violently from the ground.
Outcry, a Pyromancy of the Abyss pushed Malenia away, who moved lightning fast to avoid a fiery death, having had unfortunate experience with these pillars in the past.
Ringing his spirit calling bell, Alden called upon the spirit of the Old Dragonslayer to aid him, ordering her to keep the Demigoddess occupied while he dealt with the General.
Radahn, using his magic, bypassed the pillars in his familiar corkscrew attack. Fireballs and Crystal Soul Spears exploded in his path, but the General held his ground until he approached his target, who rolled back as soon as he landed.
The demigod swung his great blades without wasting time, combining his attacks with floating rocks and gravity shots.
Alden responded in kind, casting Crystal Soul Mass and Affinity in quick succession, intercepting the General's attacks while preparing for the next strike.
Oddly, as they fought, the two struck up a casual conversation like two good friends.
"Poison was a good trick! I didn't expect that from you!" Radahn swung his sword horizontally as he coughed blood onto the ground, his skin taking on a paler hue.
"I'm full of tricks, all thanks to my teachers!" Alden raised his chime and cast Wrath of the Gods, repelling the sword with a shockwave.
"Seriously?! Me too! I studied with my mother in Raya Lucaria before leaving for Sellia, and you?!" The General took a defensive stance, blocking the Soul Greatsword Alden conjured.
"I studied in Melfia, though I don't remember much from that time! I met most of my teachers on my journey!"
Radahn's blades sparked, slowly melting as they faced the spell.
"Melfia?! Never heard of it! Perhaps I'll visit it when our fight is over!" Closing his left eye against the sparks, the General stepped back, allowing the attack to continue, and leaped as he spun in the air, plunging his blades toward the sorcerer.
"Unfortunately, the kingdom fell long ago. Only ruins remain!" Alden took as much distance as possible and did something he rarely did: charge a spell. The rings on his staff spun to the point of becoming invisible, and a blue light emanated from the dark orb at its center.
"A shame, I hope you don't mind telling me more! If you survive!"
An invisible force pulled Alden toward Radahn, and that was exactly what he wished for. As soon as he appeared before the General, he slammed his staff into the Demigod's stomach and cast his supreme soul sorcery.
Soul Geyser, six large, glowing masses, shot through the General's body like ghosts, exiting through his back, but causing serious internal damage.
Radahn screamed, his legs buckling for a moment, putting him at the perfect height to receive a Dragon Claw punch directly to the jaw.
CRACK!
Chunks of teeth fell to the ground, and faster than Alden could react, he trapped him in a crushing bear hug.
This time, Alden was the one who screamed, his nonexistent defenses doing little to protect him. Bones shattered, and organs began to give way.
In a desperate moment, the sorcerer cast Immolation, transforming himself into a bonfire of blue flames, forcing the Demigod to release him.
Alden's outline was burned into his body, and the sorcerer dispelled the Pyromancy before he could inflict further damage, casting the Resplendent Life miracle to gradually heal his wounds.
"You look tired, General. How about we stop?" Alden offered a playful smile.
"I could say the same about you. I've never met an opponent who lasted this long." Radahn returned the smile.
Despite the exchange of words, they both knew the fight couldn't continue for long. Their bodies and minds were reaching their limits.
Radahn could bombard the region with disasters and end the fighting here and now, but what would become of his men?
Alden wasn't in any better condition, despite the extended duration; the spells and consumables he'd used to enhance himself were running out. What would happen to him next?
Suddenly, Radahn noticed something hard to ignore: the massive clump of darkness floating amidst the clouds, the size of a dragon and still growing.
"What is that?" He muttered to himself, frowning in confusion.
It was at that precise moment that Malenia chose to return, finishing the summoned spirit with a final slash, dissipating it into bluish particles.
Her mouth fell open as a shiver ran through her body, the same sensation that made her divinity scream every time she was struck by Alden's dark sorcery.
Looking up, she stared into the darkness, and for a moment, she believed the darkness stared back.
"Oh, it seems you noticed my little hex. I placed it there before the fight even started. Honestly, I didn't even need to face you two again; I could have hidden and let it take effect," Alden replied casually, smiling as he pointed upward.
"What did you do?!" Radahn demanded, any kindness he felt for his opponent instantly disappearing before the unknown element.
"I'll ask both demigods present a question: are you feeling tired? I may have gotten stronger, but that wasn't the only thing I did. Don't you think it's strange that I'm fighting on equal terms despite having lost miserably before?"
Malenia looked at herself, searching for something different, while Radahn, a master of the magical arts, chose a different analysis.
Using a mixture of knowledge and instinct, he realized that the thing in the sky was something akin to a incantation and looking deeper, he made a disturbing discovery.
At first, the darkness seemed alive and bottomless, wanting to consume more and more. The true horror came when he discovered what it was consuming: his life force.
It wasn't just Alden who grew stronger; Malenia and he grew weaker.
Looking around, he realized the darkness's reach was much greater. Warriors fell to the ground like puppets with cut strings, plants withered and dried up, even birds fell from the sky, completely lifeless.
"YOU MADMAN, YOU'LL KILL US ALL!"
"RADAHN, WHAT'S HAPPENING?!"
"THIS BASTARD IS GOING TO KILL EVERYONE IN CAELID, MALENIA!"
"Hm... Killing everyone in Caelid would be overkill. I intend to dispel my hex before it gets out of control. I just want to survive this fight. If I have to kill everyone on this battlefield, then so be it. The rest of Caelid and the Lands Between will stay unharmed..." Alden then looked at his hand, watching it become semi-transparent for a moment. "...But wiping out all life in these lands is a possibility. You see, the abyss is a hungry, bottomless thing. My hex absorbs life to grow, increasing its power and reach, forcing it to absorb more life to sustain itself, consequently becoming more powerful in an endless cycle."
"YOU THINK I'LL BELIEVE YOUR WORDS?! DON'T YOU CARE ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION IT WILL WREATH?!"
"Oh, I'm not the one you should be worried about." Alden chuckled lightly as he glanced at Malenia.
The demigoddess noticed the look, and a flash of surprise crossed her face. The sorcerer knew her purpose here.
"SISTER, HELP ME STOP THIS LUNATIC! LET'S PUT OUR DIFFERENCES ASIDE AND END THIS BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!"
Miquella's Blade remained silent, her gaze shifting between Alden, Radahn, and the gathering darkness.
"Very well…" She nodded, readying her broken blade.
The General returned the gesture, raising both hands toward the spell, enveloping it in a sphere of gravity, intending to crush it.
However, the darkness fought back, pulsing and roaring, increasing its mass to break free.
"Malenia, keep him busy! I need to concentrate!"
Without replying, she shot toward the sorcerer, and in response, her enemy cast the Pyromancy that ended their first confrontation.
Raising his hand above his head, Alden's flame burned a deep blue, drawing the air into a single point, creating a fireball that grew without limit, taking on the appearance of a miniature sun.
With his other hand, Alden cast Affinity and Crystal Soul Mass, preparing for his opponent's advance.
Malenia appeared before him like a ghost from beyond, but the expected attack never came. He held back his spells and returned the Demigoddess's gaze.
"Are you a servant of Miquella?" She asked, sweating profusely from the upcoming Pyromancy, even her prosthetics began to melt.
"Fortunately not. It's pure coincidence that our goals aligned today, and if your brother is who I think he is, we will become enemies in the future."
"Will you stop me from completing my mission today?"
"No, but I will fight to the end to survive."
"Hm... That's good enough to me. Stay out of my way for now, and perhaps we'll meet again."
"I'm not looking forward to it, but I feel it's inevitable."
"Likewise."
Then, Malenia turned her back on Alden and ran toward the General. Her red hair swayed like a scarlet sea against the wind, and her golden prosthesis gleamed in the sunlight.
Determined, she reached into her robes, grasping a long golden needle.
Radahn, struggling to contain the darkness, cried out in pain and surprise as Malenia plunged her sword into his back.
"TRAITOR! HAS YOUR DESIRE TO WIN CONSUMED YOUR MIND?!"
"Winning was never my goal. I will die happy as long as you fall. Miquella is waiting for you, dear brother."
Then, The Blade of Miquella removed the golden needle from her body, and an orange glow erupted from her back.
A shinning mass emerged like butterfly wings, rising toward the clouds, growing and growing until they reached their limit.
The wings converged on a single point, forming a great spiral until they acquired the shape of a flower bud.
The General fell to his knees, bearing the weight of such a massive structure, and in his final moments, he sent the darkness crashing toward the ground.
Like a meteor, the spell struck the land with a roar, creating a crater in its descent. Falling at an absurd speed, kilometer after kilometer, the shadowy mass sank deep into the earth, far from everything and everyone.
Finally, the bud blossomed, unfurling its petals for all to admire. The surviving warriors ended their conflicts to watch the majestic display.
Alden's mouth opened in a silent sound. Words could not describe the beauty he witnessed.
However, all beauty had to end eventually. The petals crumbled into tiny creatures, countless orange butterflies, enough to block out the sun.
This endless swarm spread in all directions, consuming everything in its path, rotting everything it touched. People, animals, plants, the earth itself—everything decayed at his touch, giving way to new life.
Alden found himself disappearing, but not fast enough to escape the swarm, so numerous that the earth shook as their flapping echoed like thunder.
With no other option, he cast his spells and Pyromancy, his Affinities, and Soul Masses exploded against the small creatures, tearing holes in their numbers that were quickly filled by more.
The Forbidden Sun brought the advance to a halt, incinerating the butterflies in its path and splitting their forces in half.
Alden found himself between two orange walls that advanced relentlessly while his Pyromancy held back the attack, but despite its power, the Forbidden Sun slowly retreated, pushed by the nearly infinite number of butterflies.
His body was beginning to disappear completely; he just needed more time. Rekindling its flame, he conjured Pyromancy after Pyromancy, powerful and weak, all in an effort to keep the Forbidden Sun in place.
Eventually, the gigantic fireball reached its limit, and in the sea of flames that incinerated everything around it, Alden saw everything disappear.
The rot continued its advance, and when it was all over, only one person left the battlefield victorious.
-XXXXXX-
"You survived… Why? I promised you peace, but you choose conflict. Isn't that good enough for you? What motivates you? Power? Glory? Money? Women? Or something else? If you continue down this path, your end will come, whether by my hand or another."
"ALDEN!"
"GASP!"
I woke gasping for air, and as soon as my eyes opened, I leaped to my feet, a spell ready on my staff.
"CALM DOWN, THE FIGHT IS OVER!"
An individual in skeleton armor pushed my staff away, and the spell exploded against a wall of sand.
Looking around, I noticed several people and a jar staring at me. Then I remembered where I was: the festival.
Radahn was on the ground, unconscious, with the half-naked woman poking his face with her club.
The General was much smaller, still a giant of a man, but not to the ridiculous degree he'd seen before.
His armor, however, remained the same mountain of metal, so the red cape was wrapped around his body to hide his nakedness.
I don't know how much time passed, but it took me a while to realize what had happened. A smile spread across my face and a small laugh left my throat.
I felt something in my chest, a strange but pleasurable sensation.
I won!
"I won!"
"Yes, you won, we all won!"
Godwyn playfully slapped my shoulder.
"HAHAHA! I WON!" I threw my arms up in celebration.
"I WON TOO!" Godwyn repeated the gesture, adding his own laugh.
Our joy seemed to spread to the other combatants, who also raised their arms, shouting in celebration.
"HEY, I'M GLAD AND ALL TO BE ALIVE, BUT CAN WE GO?! I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE WHEN HE WAKES UP!"
Patches pointed at the General with his thumb, instantly killing our joy.
Grumbling, we nodded and began dragging the General up the crater, his horse waiting for us at the top.
"Hey, Alden, catch!"
I fumbled to catch what Godwyn threw at me—a red katana, clearly cursed, judging by the aura it emanated, and an old man's mask.
"What happened to Okina?"
"You blew him up with an elbow! The mask and sword were all that was left!"
I think he deserved it after he stabbed me in the back.
"And the Great Rune?"
"I have it, but the others know it. The tarnished will want the promised payment after the hell they've been through."
"Fair enough, but only one person will become Elden Lord, right?"
"That's their problem. I suggest we let them kill each other for the rune, and then we steal from whoever's left."
"Hm... That's a good plan."
"I'm serious."
"Me too."
We shared a laugh and continued on our way until we left the crater.
"So, mind telling me what happened? You disappeared into the fog and came back out of nowhere five minutes later. The others are curious, too."
"This isn't the place for that. I'll tell you the truth later, but I'll need to come up with a believable excuse if anyone asks."
"Good luck with that."
I didn't say anything and kept a stony face, but inside I was screaming, because as I reached into my bag, I noticed something missing.
The Ashen Mist Heart had vanished.
-XXXXXX-
In a swamp of rot where The Blade of Miquella unleashed her power and a crystal tower rose, a pulsating darkness awakened deep within the earth.
The life absorbed for centuries took shape, first bones, then organs, veins, muscles and skin soon after. The new being grew to adult size, stirring like a baby in its mother's womb.
Floating in an endless shadow where there was nothing, no cold or heat, no pain or feelings, only a calming void, the humanoid figure reacted more and more, continuing its birth.
A mass of horns sprouted from its head, claws protruded from its hands and feet, fangs emerged from its mouth, and a long tail swung from the base of its spine.
Suddenly, a pair of glowing red eyes opened in the darkness, and the newborn cried, and the darkness, its mother, gave birth to new life.
Whether it was the rumble of the earth splitting or the scream of a colossal being, no one could say. An earthquake shook Caelid, frightening animals and people alike.
A fissure that threatened to split the region in two bisected the swamp, causing the sea of rot to flow down.
And from there, a mass as dark as the void gushed like a geyser. It was as if the night had left the underground; the movement of such power resembled the fury of a giant in the level of destruction it caused.
The fissures in the earth continued to expand, allowing more of the dark matter to leak out. Dark crystals burst from the ground, tear-like beings with a pair of white eyes flew in flocks, and fragments of darkness coalesced and took shape.
In the mausoleum of a new dynasty, a flaming, many-armed woman appeared before the Lord of Blood, and with that, a spell was broken.
Wrapping her incandescent arms around the Demigod's neck, the woman, the Lord, and their many servants touched the withered arm emerging from a cocoon, departing for a distant land while a figure in white and gold armor watched hidden, sighing in horror.
On a sacred tree whose promise of ascension, equality, and a new era was but a distant dream, the Blade of Miquella rested in a deep slumber.
Her statistic form recovering after releasing her rot, but slight tremors ran through her body as snowflakes touched her skin.
Ice covered her feet, climbing up her body until she was trapped in a frozen cocoon. Snow fell into the sealed chamber she was in, and the water in the nearby flower field froze.
A small, feminine being rested beside her, a pale, thin woman with long, dark hair that hid her face and white robes that barely covered her body.
There she prayed, trembling like a leaf, each word struggling to leave her chapped lips, and with it, the ancient cold spread through the tree, freezing its passages and its inhabitants, ushering in an ice age.
In the highlands of Caelid, where the Mother of All Dragons and her children rested, a song echoed through the region, a melodious voice that brought peace and calm.
The many dragons present raised their heads, searching for the source of the noise, but soon staggered and fell, falling into a deep sleep.
The earth beside the Mother of Dragons bubbled, and from it a tall, thin figure emerged, her filthy, decaying dress—or was it her body?—blended with her rotting, diseased skin, making it difficult to tell where one began and the other ended.
Caressing the great dragon's head tenderly, the woman continued her song, gazing at the horizon.
Below the capital, in the deepest regions where the light of the Erdtree refused to touch, the deformed corpse of a demigod remained attached to its roots, motionless, but still with a shred of consciousness.
An extremely tall being marched toward it, deep dark skin, dress fused to its body, adorned with bones and skeletons moving at the end of its skirt, and a crown on its head.
A cursed darkness spread as soon as she touched the corpse, rising through the roots to the surface. Sure enough, but almost imperceptibly, dark spots appeared on the trunk of the great golden tree, and its brightness dimmed.
Back in Caelid, a young, one-armed redhead rose from the ground, coughing violently, a mixture of dirt and the illness that afflicted her body.
Horrified, she surveyed what had once been the swamp she'd wandered through, now filled with abyssal crevices and living darkness.
Out of the corner of her vision, she spotted something crawling out of the depths, clinging to the edge. It was a young man with red hair and tanned skin, several horns on his head and a long tail.
He wore dark, tribal-looking clothes and carried a large, dark stone axe—or was it a staff?
Spitting dark mud, his red eyes scanned his surroundings in confusion and curiosity, focusing on the girl in front of him, who gripped her sword in apprehension.
"*COUGH!* H-Hey, y-you! *COUGH!*"
The young man uttered his first words, revealing his harsh voice. The girl, on the other side, watched with concern.
"I-I have a q-question for y-you!"
She stepped forward, allowing the young man to continue.
"Have you seen my father?"
OMAKE / ALTERNATE SCENE: An undead arrives on Terra.
"GASP!"
I woke gasping for air, and as soon as my eyes opened, I jumped to my feet, a spell ready on my staff.
However, when clarity returned to my mind, I realized the strangeness of my situation. I was in a desert, certainly, but not in Caelid.
The sand was yellow, the sky was blue, and rock formations loomed in the distance. I couldn't find the Redmane Castle or the nearby sea, only an almost endless expanse.
I scratched my head in confusion, calling out the names of my companions, but received no response.
This wasn't a memory, so perhaps I'd been transported to a region I hadn't yet explored.
I conjured a miracle to return, and for a moment I appeared in Caelid, but something pulled me back, and I found myself at my original destination.
I tried using the Homeward Bones and the Aged Feather, but nothing happened; an unknown force prevented me from leaving.
The willpower required to contain my outburst of rage was unimaginable, but it didn't stop me from screaming and stomping the ground in frustration.
Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I sat on the sand, drinking potions and healing myself. My body was as good as new now, but my mind was heavily weary.
I don't know how long I spent with the hot sun burning my head, but when I felt I had had enough rest, I called Torrent, patted his head, and rode away.
Hours later, I found myself with a major problem: boredom. I never imagined I would miss Godwyn whispering nonsense in my ear.
Suddenly, a familiar sensation shattered the silence: I had absorbed a soul. I looked around, praying I hadn't accidentally killed someone, and searching for the source of the disturbance.
A tower of smoke rose in the distance, and from there, several souls were heading toward me.
I jerked Torrent's reins, galloping off, and spotted a village carved into the side of a rock formation, fire and smoke billowing from its doors and windows while every wooden building burned fiercely in the streets.
There were two groups of people fighting: one of them was the locals, judging by their ordinary clothes and the tools they used for combat, while the other must have been mercenaries, judging by their makeshift armor and shoddy weapons.
For a moment, I thought everyone in this village was a Misbegotten or an Omen, as each of them—men, women, and children—had a pair of horns on their heads, each shaped slightly differently. But unlike the beings of the Lands Between, they had human appearances.
I sent Torrent away and approached with a hurried step. One of the mercenaries, in dark leather armor with gray metal plates, pointed in my direction and said something.
"העלא, ס'איז דא נאך איינס!"
I didn't understand a word, so I didn't waste time arguing. The attacker swung his straight sword at me, and though the blow was swift, it was still too slow to reach me.
I stepped to the side and cast Great Combustion, melting his head and half his body. His legs fell to the ground with a thud, drawing the attention of the rest of the group.
"פוי! ווער איז יענער ריז?!"
As they approached, I noticed something else: everyone here was too short compared to me, or was I just too tall?
I was used to being stared down by giant humans like the Ivory King, the Fume Knight, the Old Dragonslayer, and many others, not to mention, of course, the inhabitants of the Lands Between, so this was the first time I'd towered over someone.
Abandoning my musings, I cast Dark Greatsword, splitting three mercenaries in two while others following close behind were blown to pieces.
Crossbow bolts tore through the air, but I easily parried them with a swing of my shield, and with a snap of my fingers, a fireball floated in front of the windows where the mercenaries were.
On the one hand, the explosion destroyed my enemies, on the other, I ended up setting fire to one of the few houses that remained unharmed.
"עלבע! רוף די מאַגישער!"
The surviving mercenaries backed away, trying to slowly surround me, but I could see the trembling in their bodies and the fear in their eyes.
A new type of adversary joined the fray, wearing dark cloths that concealed their appearance and carrying staffs.
The magic they wielded was unknown, but three fireballs flew toward me.
I resisted the urge to cast Forbidden Sun. I didn't want to destroy the village in a Pyromancy duel. So I raised my chime and cast Wrath of the Gods, repelling the three fireballs.
The powerful shockwave stunned the enemy sorcerers, and that was their end. Three swift Lightning Spears, each to their hearts, sent them crashing to the ground.
I spread my arms in defiance, waiting to see who would be next. Fortunately, the mercenaries made the wise choice and fled screaming.
"אַ מאָנסטער, בײַ קאַזדעל, יענער ריז איז אַ מאָנסטער!"
Now that only left the villagers and me. Apprehensive eyes watched me from every corner. I saw men stepping between their wives and children and me.
A horned man stepped forward, gripping the handle of his shovel tightly. I doubt he could hurt me, but I would leave if necessary; these people have suffered enough.
"Listen, I mean no harm; I just need some information, then I'll be on my way."
Unfortunately, they responded in the same, unknown language, so communication would be futile. However, someone shouted from the crowd, and to my relief, it was something I could understand.
"STOP!"
A well-built but elderly-looking man marched toward me, and the people around us obeyed his commands.
Hm… Probably the village chief.
"W-what d-do you want here, s-stranger?"
His stutter seemed to stem more from unfamiliarity with the language than fear, but having to lift his head to look me in the eye didn't give him the bravery he'd hoped for.
"I'm just a traveler hoping to find my way home. I'm lost, so I'd like some directions."
"A-ask whatever you want, but you'll have to leave. We don't want m-more trouble."
"I know this may sound strange, but what language are we speaking right now?"
"Leithanien, b-but mine is rusty."
I've never heard of that language, though I don't know the name of the language I've always spoken and read. More lost memories.
"Right, next question, what is the name of this land and its people?"
Confusion appeared on the man's face as if I'd asked what color the sky was. Hesitating, he answered as if expecting some kind of trick.
"Y-you're in the m-middle of Kazdel, and Sarkaz is h-what my people c-call themselves."
I had a bad feeling, and my next questions would confirm it.
"Have you ever heard of the Kingdom of Drangleic or the Lands Between?"
A negative shake of his head made me scream internally. I was further from my goal than I could have imagined.
"Tell me, would you mind hosting me in your village? I am proficient in the arts of healing and repairing damage. I am willing to work in exchange for more knowledge."
I tried to speak in a gentle tone while offering a forced smile that failed to be friendly. The man took a step back in surprise and deep thought.
Meanwhile, I cursed every God I knew for not letting me rest.
END OF CHAPTER