After leaving the dim-witted Darriwil in the care of Iji and the slumbering Ranni, the Tarnished returned to the Roundtable Hold. He needed information on Caelid, and there was no better source than Gideon Ofnir. He also wanted to check on Rogier, but the sorcerer was nowhere to be found.
In the main hall, only Roderika and Master Hewg remained. Hewg handed the Tarnished a letter left by Rogier.
The letter revealed that Rogier had identified Ranni as the one who stole the Rune of Death. However, Rogier had departed the Hold. The "Death-Prince's Pustule" on his body was reacting violently to a presence far away—not the mere "face" beneath Stormveil, but the true body of Godwyn the Golden. To protect the others and pursue his research, Rogier had set out on a final journey.
He mentioned the Cursemark of Death (Centipede Mark). When the first demigods died, the mark was split in two: one half carved into the soul-slain Godwyn, and the other into the flesh-slain Ranni. Rogier tasked the Tarnished with finding Ranni's half, believing it the key to a new future for those who live in death. He added that D had given him a Golden Order Seal to suppress the corruption, so he was safe for now.
The Tarnished entered Gideon's study. The "All-Knowing" looked up, his eyes narrowing behind his helm. (He has grown stronger again... in such a short time?)
"Seeking knowledge of Caelid, I presume?" Gideon asked, his voice rasping.
"Specifically, the current state of that hellscape," the Tarnished replied, sitting across from him.
Gideon leaned on his scepter. "Caelid was once a high plateau, not unlike Altus. But it has become the womb of the Scarlet Rot. Long ago, the Rot Goddess, Malenia's source of affliction, was sealed there. The central swamp is the site of an ancient, festering tree of decay."
He explained that General Radahn and his Redmane Knights were the last line of defense, staying behind to suppress the rot and keep it from swallowing the rest of the continent. But Caelid held deeper secrets.
"Legend says that before the Erdtree, Caelid was the bedrock of Farum Azula. When the Ancient Dragons and their King, Placidusax, took to the skies using the power of the storm, the city was torn from the earth, leaving Caelid behind. That is why the Mother of Dragons, Greyoll, remains there—she was left behind in the ascent."
Gideon's tone turned serious. "I have two requests for you in Caelid. First, the Radahn Festival. The castellan, Jerren, is gathering the world's greatest warriors at Redmane Castle to grant the General an honorable death. Participate, and then investigate the War-Dead Catacombs on the battlefield. The spirits of the Cleanrot and Redmane knights have fought there for decades without rest. I wish to know why."
"And the second?"
"Something stirs deep beneath Caelid's soil. Not even my eyes can reach it. I suspect Radahn's sealing of the stars has caused a ripple effect in the underground. Find out what is being hidden."
"A festival, eh? I haven't received an invitation."
"The invitation is the strength to survive the journey to Redmane Castle," Gideon chuckled grimly. "By the time you leave this Hold, the heralds will already be announcing it."
The Tarnished left Gideon and, as per his routine, visited Fia's room.
Across the hall, Roderika watched him enter. "Master Hewg... what are they doing in there?"
"Don't ask questions, girl," Hewg grunted, his hammer rhythmically striking an anvil.
"I'm not a child!"
"Anyone younger than me is a child. Now hush."
Inside the room, Fia smiled as the "White Wolf" entered. She reached out to embrace him, but suddenly froze. She felt a second presence within his body—a strange, shimmering life force.
"My apologies, Lady..." A feminine voice echoed from the Tarnished's chest. A silver mist drifted out, coalescing into the female form of the Tarnished.
"This is Asimi," the Tarnished introduced. "A Silver Tear living within me."
Fia composed herself quickly, though she was internally stunned. "A new companion... I see. You are full of surprises, my Lord."
Asimi bowed. "I shall return to the host. Call me if you have need of my blade." She dissolved back into silver light and vanished into his shadow.
Once they were alone, the Tarnished sat on the bed. He pulled out Rogier's letter and mentioned the Cursemark of Death. Fia's eyes lit up with a peculiar, intense light. As a Deathbed Companion, she was an expert on the transition between life and death.
"The Centipede Mark... the Hallowbrand," Fia whispered. "It is the holy grail for those of us who seek to give the dead a proper place in the world. If you can find Ranni's half, you hold the power to change the very nature of the Elden Ring."