As Raven's boots touched the ground, every Blackflame Monk lowered their head, daring not to look at him directly.
"Stand up. There is no need for such formality in the future." Raven looked around. "Is Fort Laiedd under control?"
"Yes," the Godskin Noble said, clumsily rising to his feet. "The prisoners have already begun their journey to Liurnia. The Monks will escort them through the Ruin-Strewn Precipice."
"Very well," Raven said. "Have all the monks present decided to abandon their roles as Fire Guardians?"
Blackflame Monk Armor Black iron armor paired with a grey surcoat. Attire of the Blackflame Monks.
Enthralled by the god-slaying Blackflame, they abandoned their roles as guardians of the fire to become traitors.
That which is forbidden is a temptation difficult to resist.
"All monks who do not follow the path of the Blackflame have been disarmed and locked in the dungeons," a Blackflame Monk spoke up. Raven recognized him—he was the Order's priest who had greeted him at the fort's gates. "We were captivated by the god-slaying Blackflame long ago."
"Ah, it's you," Raven noted. "Even though the Blackflame lost its power to hunt gods once Destined Death was sealed?"
"It is a regret that we never had the chance to behold the Gloam-Eyed Queen ourselves," the priest said with a bow. "But the Blackflame of today is enough for us to remain entranced. We seek nothing else."
A faint stir went through the ranks of the Blackflame Monks. The priest's words were a clear hint that they didn't feel they needed the guidance of a Law of Death. This sentiment wasn't unique to him; many monks had been immersed in the forbidden path for so long that they didn't believe the flame needed to change.
"Impudence!" the Godskin Noble growled, his large hand reaching for the hilt of his stitcher.
Raven shook his head slightly, stopping the Noble. He turned his palm upward and lifted his arm, like a conductor signaling an orchestra to begin.
The priest's expression changed drastically. He felt the Blackflame he had cultivated with such hardship suddenly spiral out of control. Sparks erupted from every inch of his body, and in a heartbeat, he was transformed into a human torch.
The surrounding monks scrambled away in terror, assuming Raven was punishing the irreverent priest. To their horror, they found themselves igniting with black flames as well.
"Mercy!" someone screamed, only to realize that the rampant black fire wasn't actually harming them.
"From this day forth, the god-slaying fire returns to the world," Raven declared.
After igniting hundreds of thousands of souls within the serpent and the Erdtree and bestowing Destined Death upon the Great Serpent, the shard of the Rune of Death could no longer be called a mere shard. Though his power still paled in comparison to the Gloam-Eyed Queen at her peak, what Raven had manifested was a genuine, albeit simulated, Law of Death.
Whoosh!
The black-and-white flames surged again, the white parts gradually staining blood-red until the inferno became a swirling red-and-black russet fire.
Over a hundred pillars of russet flame shot into the sky, flanking Raven at the center. Compared to this, the burning manor nearby looked like a mere firefly beside the sun.
Enveloped in the russet flame, the priest felt a power he had never imagined. All doubt vanished. Trembling, he pressed his forehead to the ground. "May all things enjoy true death."
"Enjoy true death," the Blackflame Monks chanted in unison.
"Ahem, ahem." Lansseax cleared her throat, crowding close to Raven. She arched her neck and spread her wings, looking as though she shared in the glory.
The corner of Raven's mouth twitched. He slowly lowered his hand, and the russet flames retreated back into the bodies of the monks and the Godskin Noble.
"Impossible... how could Destined Death appear here..." Tanith struggled to her feet. Even in her most desperate moments, her regal face hadn't faltered. Now, however, her voice shook and her frame swayed as if she might collapse.
"Lady Tanith!" Hotspur cried out. He tried to brace himself with his right leg to stop her, but he fell back to the ground.
Tanith ignored the knight, staggering toward Raven. "Where is the Serpent King? Has he... encountered Destined Death?"
"If the Serpent King you speak of is Rykard," Raven turned around, "then yes. I have brought him Destined Death."
"Is that so? Hehe... haha..." Tanith's strength vanished, and she slumped onto the ground.
"I have a question for you. The Tonic of Forgetfulness Rykard gave you—you didn't drink it, did you?"
Tanith didn't answer. she just lay on the ground with a low laugh, her shoulders shaking.
"My Lord asked you a question." The Godskin Noble hauled her up, pressing his stitcher against her chest. Beads of bright red blood rolled down her snow-white skin.
"Rykard is devouring the Minor Erdtree," Raven said, shaking his head at the Godskin Noble before looking at the manor's now-unstable mistress. "I brought him Destined Death, but it will be a long time before he truly perishes."
Tanith's laughter finally subsided. She lowered her head, her black hair falling over her face. "But He is no longer perfect. The Serpent is eternal and undying. His perfection has been ruined..."
"Give me the Tonic of Forgetfulness and I will leave. I won't interfere with your affairs further," Raven said. "It seems you have no desire to forget anything anyway."
"I can give you the tonic, but only on one condition," Tanith said.
Seeing that she was indifferent to life and death, Raven frowned. "Speak."
"I want you to look after Rykard's child."
"Rykard has a child?" Raven asked in surprise.
"The child was born of a sacred ritual," Tanith said. "But she is indeed our daughter. Lord Rykard was unable to produce heirs, so I took his bloodline and mixed it with my own eggs, bringing the child into existence through the ritual. It was a miracle that the rite succeeded at all; her birth is unique."
"...Fine. I promise you. Where is the child?"
"Inside the manor. This Crucible Knight will take you to her." Tanith pulled out a small metal vial. "This is the Tonic of Forgetfulness."
"Is this it?" Raven asked the Godskin Noble as he took the vial. "Is this tiny bottle enough?"
"That's the one. Dilute it into three portions and let them drink," the Noble replied.
"Good. Go and give it to them," Raven said, looking toward the three first-generation Albinaurics who had been used as "wombs." "I hope that once they forget the past, they can return to how they were."
Tonic of Forgetfulness A potion contained in a small copper vial. A concoction meant to wipe away all pain and sorrow.
A gift from Rykard, he who swore the oath of blasphemy, yet Tanith could not bring herself to use it.
"My King, what sorrow could possibly compare to the act of forgetting you?"
Raven quickly cast two Quick Recoveries on Hotspur, healing the stab wound on his left knee. "The manor is on fire. We cannot delay."
Hotspur nodded silently. Even though his wounded kneecap was barely held together, he forced himself into a sprint.
"Her name is Zorayas," Tanith's voice drifted from behind them. "You may call her Rya."
The main entrance was blocked by the collapsed balcony, so Hotspur threw his weight into a wall, shattering it. A massive tongue of fire erupted outward as the influx of fresh air triggered a backdraft.
Raven raised his arm to shield his face and charged into the flames.
"We have to find Rya quickly!" Raven shouted, casting Flame Protect on himself and Hotspur. These mundane fires couldn't threaten him or the Crucible Knight, but they were lethal to a child.
Hotspur's arms were still useless, but his movements were not slow. He took the stairs three at a time with Raven following close behind.
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Elden Ring: The Unborn One's Journey Through Elden Ring(161 Chapter - Ongoing)
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