It was approximately 19 years ago when Fia's entire life was rewritten with one single introduction. An introduction that seemed so small and yet acted as the flame that extinguished everything she once believed in. Fia, the Deathbed Companion, they called her. They called her, although she may have been one before; she did not think of herself as one now. Fia had a new duty, a new reason for living on, and it was all because of that simple meeting.
19 years ago, a meeting had taken place right here in this very room. The room where the Ten Great Tarnished held a council. It was a huge meeting, a rare gathering, and in some cases, the last time someone would be seen. Ten Great Tarnished sat around this table, and more than a dozen others filled the room. Yet Fia could not remember the content of the meeting anymore; all she did recall was the fact that many of those who originally participated were now all gone, and the Ten Great Tarnished were no exception.
When the meeting ended, Fia was quick to fade into the background, but fortunately, someone had stopped her. An old friend who had noticed her slipping away into the shadows. Thinking back, Fia was happy they did, as it was that day when everything changed. There were no words exchanged between them for Fia's eyes had landed on her dear friend's arm. There was a bundle of sorts which was covered in a blue blanket. However, it was when Fia leaned over that she saw him; saw the little bundle of joy cradled in her dear friend's arms.
Till now, Fia could still remember that innocent smile of joy, the youthful sea-green eyes that stared back at her, and the soft cooing that echoed around the chamber. Regardless of the scattered voices and loud conversations, Fia could only hear that indecipherable baby language that made her smile. When she had reached out to let the tiny babe hold her hand, she had caught herself before it was too late. She did not want her cold flesh to hurt the little boy, and yet he had grabbed her finger just as quickly as her and held it tightly in his pudgy hand without showing any signs of discomfort.
Fia knew right then and there that he was hers and she was his. He was her saviour, her little blessing, her light in the dark. Now, 19 years later, she watches him leave once more. Yet this time it was different, but no matter what, he will always be her blessing, her beacon of light, her little boy whom she loves with all her heart.
"Good luck, Perseus, my strong little boy."
Elden Ring
The Journey Begins
"It hasn't rained in Limgrave for months now, hasn't Torrent?"
Percy looked up at the cloudy sky that rumbled, and yet there was no lightning, no thunder. All there was was pouring rain that got soaked into Torrent's fur coat. Percy himself was doing a bit better as the rain droplets raced down his armour, although the droplets were cold and so not even five minutes later Percy felt his body shiver.
"It's best if we get out of the rain." Percy grabbed Torrent's reins and urged him to gallop forward. They raced past the first site of grace known as the First Step. They ran past sheep and large squirrels and barreled into the treeline where Percy, without even a hint of uncertainty, drew his blade and beheaded three Godrick footmen that rushed towards him.
Stopping right outside the opposite side of the forest at the edge of the treeline, Percy and Torrent watched the Godrick soldiers who once again occupied the abandoned set of ruins outside Gatefront.
"Great Marika, when will these damn soldiers learn that they're not welcome in that area anymore?" Percy groaned, to which Torrent neighed in agreement.
It was frustrating, as no matter how many times Percy purged that camp, there would be reinforcements from Stormveil or from other camps to occupy it once more. There wasn't even a clear goal from what Percy could think of on why they would continuously send soldiers to their deaths.
Percy unsheathed his claymore once again. "Let's just get this over with, Torrent." Percy patted his companion's neck and nudged his sides.
The rider and his steed raced down the hill, the wind making Percy's fur cloak fly. With a mighty yell, Percy beheaded the first militia soldier, his blade cutting right through as if they were nothing but butter.
"Hweg was right, this cuts like a knife through butter!" Percy laughed.
Torrent maneuvered itself towards another footman who had yet to notice. That would prove their downfall once their body slumped forward with their head bouncing a few feet away. The next soldier, however, did notice but before they could knock Percy off Torrent, Percy had already parried the incoming spear.
"Surprise," Percy smirked under his helm.
The footman tilted their head in confusion before seconds later they were sent flying at a wall, with a sickening crack—courtesy of Torrent kicking them with his back legs.
"Good job, Torrent." Percy praised before jumping off and tapping the spectral bell hanging on his belt. "I'll take it from here." Moments later, Torrent disappeared into thin air.
"Up here, bud!" Percy yelled.
The Godrick footman didn't even notice him until Percy brought his claymore down; cutting into the footman's left shoulder and driving it deep down diagonally to their stomach and exiting by their pelvis. Not a moment later, Percy jumped out of the way of a bastard sword coming his way from another soldier in similar garb but with a torch in their offhand.
"Why the hell do you have a torch in this kind of weather?" Percy arched a brow as he blocked the blade with relative ease and took a step back to dodge the burning stick.
The answer he received was a grunt followed by the footman's comrade, who sent a kick at Percy. Percy rolled out of the way and jumped back when another soldier appeared. This one was different as it wielded a long spear with a red tassel.
"Guess you Godrick soldiers finally learned from your past mistakes, huh?" Percy leaned out of the way of the spear. "Care to introduce yourself?" he asked as he jumped out of the way of the mighty shield that came his way.
Unlike the footman, this one stopped in its place and watched him. Percy noticed that it hid all its weak points as it held its shield resolute in front of him, and the spear clutched and pointed at him, ready to impale him if he hesitated.
"I know you're not a regular cannon fodder. You seem to be a knight, I take it?" Percy asked. The knight nodded slightly and readied themself. "I haven't come across any Godrick knights, surprisingly. Unless you're all dressed differently. Regardless, you'll still die by my blade-"
Percy rushed forward, his thighs propelling him forward, and the digits of his foot providing him extra speed. Percy moved first, a rightward slash aimed at the gold shield, too fast for even the knight to react. But the results he got were not what he expected, as his sword bounced off with a loud booming clang.
"Hard shield-"
The knight, without pause, slammed its shield at Percy, sending him flying. Then, with a nod of its head, the footman who had waited at its beck and call rushed forward to end him.
Percy's head throbbed. "Damn, it's like the time I got smacked by that bear in Mistwood forest," he groaned. However, it was cut short as he saw the approaching crowd.
With an intake of breath, he jumped to his feet and readied his sword. The footmen yet again proved their idiocy as they stopped in their frontal charge and made a circle around him. They should have attacked, in Percy's opinion, yet it did not matter as he was still surrounded by soldiers wielding swords, spears, and daggers.
"What are you waiting for!?" Percy yelled in anger in hopes of making the enemy hesitate in fear while at the same time scanning for any weaknesses in their position, and there was, fortunately, an ideal opportunity.
So acting upon their hesitation, Percy threw a hidden knife at the lightly armoured soldier who wielded twin daggers. His accuracy, although as horrible as always, hit home, causing the soldier to slump forward as they instantly died from the knife to the heart.
Percy took that as his cue to rush out of the circle and, at the same time, swiftly execute a horizontal slash directed at the exposed ribcage of a bastard sword-wielding footman. The effect was instantaneous when his sword went through the footman, cutting him in half. The two separate body parts fell opposite each other while exposing the still pulsing intestines inside.
Percy tightened his grip on his blade and, in the blink of an eye, blocked and disarmed the third footman. What came next was a blur as the final three charged forward like they should have done moments ago, instead of giving him a chance to recover.
The fight was a blur as Percy rolled, dodged, blocked, and parried the incoming attacks. His blade found their marks multiple times, but due to the three footman who had suddenly found their rhythm and began to work with each other, the wounds he inflicted were shallow. However, that didn't stop Percy from attacking with all his might.
He used everything at his disposal, from his arms and legs, punching and kicking, to his shoulders and knees, delivering hard blunt blows against his opponents. One fell after he headbutted him, followed by a hard strike to their neck using the pommel of his blade, instantly destroying their windpipes.
Their comrade followed after when Percy used the crossguard of his claymore to lock the sword in place, and with quick precision, grabbed a knife from his belt and stabbed it straight through the footman's jaw. Percy pushed the soldier aside and walked up to the last footman. Percy spared a glance to his right at the footman with the knife protruding from their jaw and watched in satisfaction as blood seeped out in waves. He scoffed and smirked before refocusing his attention on the last footman.
"You're the last one apart from him." Percy motioned to the still-silent knight behind him.
Seeing that the knight wasn't going to help, the Godrick soldier took a step backward and promptly tripped, falling onto their backside. They brought their hands up to surrender, only for them to fall back down when Percy thrust his blade deep into their skull.
"It's just us now." Percy turned and walked to the silent knight. "Shall we end this?"
The knight nodded and got into a stance. Percy got into his own, and within seconds, they charged at each other. Percy ducked as the knight thrust his spear at his head. At the same time, Percy shoved the shield away using his shoulder. His shoulder ached from the hard impact, but still, Percy mentally praised the knight for his strength.
This time, Percy took the first move by feinting a dash to the right. The knight followed his movement and went to shift his shield. That's where they proved to have miscalculated his real move, as Percy had a clear path to the knight's exposed right side. Percy quickly thrust his blade forward, but he underestimated his opponent's reflexes, thinking that they would be far slower due to the giant shield.
Percy winced and clutched his side, fingers pressing against the sharp sting. Pulling his hand back, he saw the fresh blood smeared against his leather gloves. The spear had gotten lucky and had penetrated through his chainmail. "I thought you would be slow with that giant shield of yours."
As if the knight was mocking him, they brought their shield down fast, creating a loud thud. Then, with their spear levelled at him, they burst forward. Percy was caught off guard and was forced to bring his claymore up as a makeshift shield. The spear smacked right into it, but the pressure behind the thrust was hard. Percy felt his feet slip under him as the knight pushed him back, and then a second later drew back the spear before delivering a thrust that Percy knew was ten times stronger.
The moment Percy blocked the spear, his sword arm was flung back, and his stance shattered. His poise was broken, and it only took a second before the knight followed up with another thrust. The spear no doubt would've pierced through Percy's stomach, but in a turn of events, Percy let his body fall back, falling into a backward roll.
The spear hit the air and stunned the knight, so Percy took that moment to grab the spear shaft and pull with all his might. The knight, caught off guard, could only watch as he fell forward right as Percy picked up his fallen sword and held it in front of him.
'Squelch'
The sword cut right into the knight's chest, bypassing the chainmail and exiting through their back. The knight lost its strength and the spear fell from its grasp. Similarly, the shield gave way and fell with a thud at its side.
Percy took a deep breath before pulling the blade back and standing up. The knight stayed up on its feet before falling promptly onto its knees and then face as it let out their final breath.
"Great Marika, that was a workout," Percy gasped.
He looked around at the now-abandoned camp. The bodies of the Godrick soldiers littered the ground. All of them had streams of light swirling around the body in the shape of a dozen minuscule flower petals.
What came next was Percy going around collecting the runes. Runes made you stronger, and being stronger made your life easier—it helped you stay alive. It didn't take long for Percy to collect the runes and then rest at the closest grace site. He was tired but not too tired. Yet it was always best to rest up when you're already close to a grace site.
Elden Ring
They rode as fast as they could through the Gatefront, as Percy was already well aware of what would happen. A giant pale troll would jump down from atop, and you would be doomed if you weren't ready. Percy knew that he wouldn't stand a chance with a troll, much less a troll with a ton of Godrick soldiers fighting alongside it.
"That shack Torrent! We can escape from this annoying fucking rain that never STOPS!"
Torrent grunted in agreement and galloped to the shack. Percy got off and patted the spectral horse before guiding him inside. The shack wasn't much of a… shack. It was run down and hardly provided any protection from the rain. Nevertheless, it was better than nothing.
"I shall name this Stormhill shack!" Percy proudly presented, to which Torrent grunted. "Give me a break, ok? We just fought off those Godrick soldiers in the rain and then rested at a grace site in the rain. So excuse me for not having the patience to think of a better one."
Percy rolled his eyes and sat on the floor as broke apart a few boxes in the corner of the room to use as firewood. When he had enough he walked to the fireplace of the shack and got to work lighting it up.
"What do you want, Torrent?" Percy nudged his partner's snout with his shoulder. "I'm trying to get a fire working, so stop playing around, will ya?"
Percy grew frustrated and stopped what he was doing to berate Torrent. But when he looked at his partner, Torrent motioned with his head to the right. Percy frowned and followed the gaze-
"Whoa! Who?!"
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you!" the person cried. They were wearing a red cloak with a hood covering their features and were sitting against the wall.
"No, it's fine…" Percy shook his head. "Have you been there all this time?"
"Yes." The figure nodded.
"Gave me quite the scare there," Percy laughed.
"Yes, I apologize for that and for not mentioning my presence sooner," they mumbled sadly. "I was so very tired, you see. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me."
"That's ok. So what are you doing here? Are you hurt?"
"Oh, no, I'm fine. Perhaps a bit hungry, but otherwise, I'm mostly fine."
"I'm going to cook up lunch if you're alright with waiting a bit. I also have some bread in my satchel if you want something to eat now," Percy proposed.
"N-No, no, it's fine, I can't ask that of you."
"Nonsense! My mom always taught me to help those in need, and no offence but you look like you've been through quite a lot."
"O-Ok then."
"Glad to hear! My name is Perseus, what's yours?"
"Roderika... I'm Roderika," they said as they pulled back their hood, revealing a mop of blonde hair with short bangs on the side and a pair of dark teal eyes.
Percy smiled, "Roderika, nice name."
"Thank you."
"What are you doing all alone out here, Roderika? This place is not exactly forgiving. Are you alone or do you have some other companions who would like to have something to eat?"
Roderika bit her lower lip as she shivered. "N-No, I don't... W-Well, I... I used to, but they are all gone now."
Percy frowned at the solemn look Roderika had. "Did they leave you out here? By yourself?"
Roderika shook her head and looked down sadly. "No... It's much worse." Roderika lifted her gaze and stared at Percy pitifully. "Everyone's...been grafted. Everyone who came with me. They crossed the sea for me. They fought for me." Roderika scoffed ruefully. "Heh... Only to have their arms taken. Their legs taken. Even their heads...taken."
Percy shared a confused expression with Torrent.
"Taken and stuck to the spider. Did you know? If you're grafted by the spider, you become a chrysalid. It's quite the lark, when you think about it." Roderika twiddled with her thumbs, a forlorn expression visible on her face.
Percy lit up the fireplace with the help of a match. "You saw it happen?" he asked as he dusted his hands.
"No, I was ordered to run so I didn't witness it. But I will never forget the screams of my companions as they were mercilessly butchered. It was only after the screams had faded that I saw it... a large, monstrous creature clothed in a black, tattered cloak with the head of a little girl." Roderika stared into the flames of the fireplace with a haunted look.
"It was something you would only find in the deepest parts of hell. A creature akin to a spider but with humanoid limbs," she whispered.
Percy clenched his fist. It wasn't only Margit and Godrick he was going to purge. That spider would be on his list next. "I'll avenge them for you, Roderika. I'll release your men from their soulless torment."
"You're heading to Stormveil Castle?" Roderika asked with wide eyes.
Percy poked at the fireplace with a long stick. "That's been my plan all along."
"I would say we're two peas in a pod 'cause I too wanted to head there but only briefly. I lost my courage you see. Even though I told myself I had to avenge my people, I still couldn't bring myself to do it. It just scares me so much, you know. I can't fathom having your arms cut off. Or legs, or your head. I want to be like you, but I'm just too scared."
Roderika sighed. "I'm nothing but a craven."
"Hey, there's no use bringing yourself down. It doesn't matter that you didn't have the courage to; what does matter is that you wanted to. You didn't merely dismiss those men's lives."
"Thank you, Perseus." Roderika crawled over and grabbed his hand with her petite hands. "You don't even have to do this, yet you are…"
"I told you, Roderika. I don't mind, and I want to avenge your people. That spider creature hybrid needs to pay for the suffering it caused you and your men and what other unfortunate victims it had met."
Roderika nibbled on her bottom lip. "...I feel guilty that I cannot do anything for you- Oh, I know." Roderika withdrew her hand and grabbed something from the pouch hanging on her left hip. "Could you take this little one with you? It will fight in my place, so that the guilt-gnawing at might ease, even if just a bit."
"A jellyfish summon?" Percy's eyes widened. "How did you know I can summon ashes?"
Roderika's eyes twinkled, her face showing an expression other than melancholy. "I can feel the spirits look fondly upon you. I can't really explain how but I just do."
Percy smiled and stored the ash away in the pouch dedicated to his summons. "My wolves and hawk will be glad to meet a new friend who will fight alongside them in battle."
"I am glad to hear that."
The two individuals and a sleeping Torrent basked under the crackling of the fireplace. It was still raining hard but they were protected and with the fireplace, the chill in the air disappeared.
"Shall we eat then? The soup is ready."
Roderika sniffed the air. "It smells delicious."
Percy chuckled when he saw Roderika's mouth water. "I was taught by the best. Oh and Roderika?"
The blonde girl looked back up. "Yes?"
"Just call me Percy from now on. All my friends do and right now I think we can both agree that we're friends."
For once, all the sadness that surrounded Roderika disappeared entirely. "I'm glad to be your friend, Percy," she smiled.
Elden Ring
Percy dispatched the last soldier from the group that was guarding the tunnel into Stormveil. There were a lot of them, just like the camp outside Gatefront. Albeit this was a bit trickier due to a giant crossbow that seemed to auto-lock onto him. In the end, though, Percy made his way up the path, killing any of the soldiers who were stupid enough to charge him.
"And that marks the last one." Percy wiped his blade using the surcoat of the soldier manning the crossbow. When it was clean, he put it back into its sheath and entered the tunnel. It didn't take long for him to find a grace site at an alcove on the left.
"Finally, a place to rest!" he cheered.
Percy hovered his hand over the grace and watched as the streams of light swirled around his body and entered through his chest. A warm, comforting feeling washed over him as all the aches and pains he felt vanished. He stretched for a bit and removed his helmet before proceeding to sit down with a satisfied sigh.
"Time to refill my flask and get some much-needed sleep."
Percy took his flask of crimson tears and cerulean tears from his belt. He only had two of the four crimson tear flasks left, so he gently laid them down by the grace and watched as the vials filled up. He did the same for the cerulean tears, except he had only used up one. After the flasks filled up, Percy stored them away and withdrew a sleeping bag made of cotton, linen and leather. It served as his trusty bed for the past three years, and although it wasn't a be,d it was enough to provide him comfort and rest.
So with that done, he undressed himself, laying out his equipment by the wall with his claymore kept right beside him. "Goodnight to me."
The night went by quickly, and soon Percy found himself awake. He took a glance at the entrance of the tunnel to see the sun shining down at the… new Godrick soldiers. Percy sighed and got dressed, not wanting to dwell on it. After five minutes, Percy checked his gear once more and proceeded to the exit, where he was met with an open patch of land.
Weapons were sticking out from the ground on either side of the stone path, from swords, spears, axes, and a dozen more of all different varieties, not one being the same as the other. It was a rough patch of terrain that was uneven with ledges on either side that would send you down into the abyss if you accidentally fell off.
On the other side of the path, however, was the second gate that led to a bridge and on the other side was the third and final gate to Stormveil. Through those gates would be where the throne room of Godrick would be located. But before Percy would get to Godrick, he would have to face Margit the Fell Omen. The first guard of the castle, and if the stories Percy heard were right, then he would appear right here.
But he didn't which confused Percy a lot. The path was unprotected, the gate at the end wasn't even closed, and there weren't even any obstacles stopping anyone from crossing the bridge. It was a clear path and one which Percy was cautious to tread through. Yet if he wanted to purge this castle Percy needed to cross onto the other side.
So slowly he walked, leaving the safety of the tunnel and stepping onto the broken stone path. It felt ominous as there was no sound except for the ruffling of the tree on the other side and the howling of the wind.
"This seems way too quiet-"
"Foul tarnished..."
| Notes |
Godrick soldier: These soldiers are found throughout Limgrave and are distinguishable by their green and orange surcoats bearing the sigils of a roaring lion and a leafless tree.
Spirit Jellyfish Ashes: The owner can summon a jellyfish to fight alongside them. This particular spirit ash was given to Percy by Roderika.
Flask of Crimson Tears: Replenishes a person's life force and heals them of their physical ailments.
Flask of Cerulean Tears: Replenishes a person's mana reservoirs when depleted.
| End |