In Lucian's eyes, Ranni saw neither hesitation nor pretense.
She understood—he truly meant what he said.
Whether or not he possessed the "fate" to walk alongside her on this long road remained uncertain. Yet, at the very least, Ranni was willing to give him a chance to voice his idea of cooperation.
"Very well," she said softly. "Then, prithee, make thy way to the rear tower of Caria Manor. There shall I await thee. In that place, we may speak more freely."
As she turned to leave, Lucian called out to her.
Ranni paused, faintly surprised. Was there something so urgent it could not wait until the tower?
Lucian smiled ruefully.
"Before you go, I owe you an apology. With no herald to announce me, I was forced to enter Caria Manor uninvited. I even destroyed the phantom knight guarding this place. I fear I may have caused you some loss."
To his surprise, Ranni chuckled.
"I scarce thought the Lord of Storms would deign to concern himself with such trifles. Caria Manor is the royal family's ancestral home, yet long has it stood deserted, bereft of kin or guest. None remain who might give thee due notice."
"Besides, I keep mine abode in secret, within the tower's shade. Save for a scant few retainers, and the Troll Knights who guard in silence, none know of my presence. To all others, Caria Manor is but a hollow husk."
Her tone softened. "If anything, it is I who should apologize—for the discourtesy of meeting you in such a desolate hall. As for your so-called 'loss'…"
She gestured toward the pool behind him.
Lucian turned, just in time to see Loretta's phantom reappear upon the shimmering water.
The Carian royal family's stargazing sorcery mirrored the moon upon the lake. As long as Loretta lived, her phantom could be summoned forth again and again.
"How curious…" Lucian murmured, admiration slipping into his voice. "Truly wondrous magic."
Ranni smiled faintly, then let mist coil once more around her form.
"I shall await thee within the tower. On the road that leads thither, take time to weigh thy thoughts and choose with care. For the path that walks beside me is of shadow and solitude… and fated to end in ruin."
With that, her figure dissolved into mist.
Lucian shook his head. Ranni, for all her cold words, was still somewhat contradictory. A truly ruthless witch would never give a willing ally time to reconsider. She would have dragged him onto her ship of thieves at once.
For all her insistence on walking a solitary road, she had not refused his hand.
Perhaps that was why so many were drawn to her.
Descending from the platform, Lucian approached the Black Knife Assassin lying bound upon the ground. He intended to return her to the jar, but this time she resisted—shaking her head, then glancing down at the ropes, as if to signal him.
Lucian considered, then untied her bonds and removed the gag.
She had already seen Ranni. Surely she would not attempt to flee now, not with the witch and Lucian so plainly in accord.
Indeed, she made no move to resist. Freed, she straightened her gear and stood quietly behind him. Silent still, but obedient.
Lucian found himself wondering if all the Black Knife Assassins had been dosed with some secret drug to poison their voices mute. The thought was almost comical.
Leaving her be, he summoned Torrent and rode from the rear gate of Caria Manor's Moonlight Altar.
Outside stretched a misty expanse of hills, great clusters of glintstone crystals jutting like jagged teeth from the earth.
Lucian gazed ahead. Three towers rose in the distance, near identical in form. Across the wilderness before him, a pale-blue stream of mist extended in a straight path, pointing to one of them before vanishing.
Ranni's guidance.
He spurred Torrent to follow.
Glancing back, he saw the Black Knife Assassin keeping pace. Each time she leapt, her body glided through the air, clearing several meters with ease. Though trailing, she did not fall far behind.
Glintstone Dragon and wolf packs watched them pass in silence. Ranni's allies all. Since he carried her guidance, none moved to attack.
Before long, Lucian and his companion arrived at the base of Ranni's tower.
He dismounted, kindled the Site of Grace, then drew from it a strange blade—the Shadow of the Stars katana.
The assassin lingered by the gate, making no move to ascend. Lucian left her there and stepped onto the elevator, weapon in hand.
The lift carried him upward, after which he climbed the spiral stair outside the tower to reach the highest chamber.
Ranni awaited him within.
Though Lucian had not seen her slip books beneath the chair, he knew she had. Her seat was simply too tall otherwise. The long folds of her robe concealed the trick well, but the height betrayed it.
Ranni looked upon him with a touch of exasperation, but her voice carried warmth. "So, even the road here did not dissuade you? It seems you truly are resolved."
Lucian smiled. "Of course."
"Then let us speak of cooperation."
He lifted the blade in his hand.
"This is the weapon I acquired in Sellia. After some study, I found its origin to be strangely entwined with the Fingerslayer Blade. Yet, this blade seems bound by a seal."
Ranni extended her hand. A gentle pull tugged at the weapon, and Lucian released it.
The katana floated into her grasp. Lower hands supported it while her upper hands traced the length of the blade.
"Indeed. It shares its source with the Fingerslayer Blade. As for the seal… belike, it may be undone only within the Eternal City."
She released it, letting it drift back into his hands.
"Thou wouldst have me take this blade in place of the Fingerslayer? Forgive me, but such a scheme holds little promise."
Lucian shook his head. "No, only as a contingency. More than anything, I wished to show that I possess the means to contribute to our pact. And… I have learned a way to reach Nokron, where the Fingerslayer itself lies."
Ranni's gaze sharpened.
"Then speak, how wouldst thou acquire the Fingerslayer Blade?"
Lucian chose his words carefully. This touched upon her brother, General Radahn.
"As I understand it, the fate of the Carian royals is bound to the stars. Yet now, the stars themselves are sealed—by General Radahn. If he could be made to release them, the path to Nokron would surely open."
Ranni nodded, unsurprised.
"You already knew?" Lucian asked.
"Ever so. Iji hath grown forgetful in his twilight years. Yet I, a Carian princess, could never forget."
Lucian frowned. "Then why would your own brother seal the stars? Do you share such bitter strife?"
Ranni turned her gaze outward, to the motionless firmament above the Lands Between.
"The bond 'twixt us as siblings was strong. Yet the sealing of the stars was needful. Beyond their light lie waning constellations… what we name the Outer Gods."
Her voice lowered.
"Most care naught for this land. Yet some—too puissant, and too willing—would bend it to their design. Chief among them, the shrouded 'Greater Will,' master of the Two Fingers. 'Twas the Greater Will that cast down a star from the void, and laid waste to the Eternal City and the line of Nokron."
"When Radahn bound the stars, he stilled that peril—if but for a time.
"Had we triumphed in the Shattering, I would ne'er have needed the Fingerslayer Blade. Yet we lost… and worse still, my brother fell to the rot, and madness claimed him."
Her lips parted as if to sigh, but she stilled herself. "Thus must I bear witness to his end. 'Tis for that cause Blaidd, whom thou hast seen, was sent unto Caelid."
Lucian pressed on. "If the seal is broken and the stars move once more, what will that bring?"
"Then may Their power descend upon us yet again. What may come of it… I cannot foretell. At the least, the Greater Will could well cast down another star."
She shook her head, ending the subject.
"But come, let us return to our pact. What is it thou dost seek? For much of this burden; Radahn's festival, the Fingerslayer Blade, Nokron itself—shall rest upon thy shoulders. My own forces are but few; Blaidd, Iji, and one other… a sorcerer named Seluvis. A distasteful creature, yet of some use."
"So consider well. I shall not accept a pact born of charity. We must needs stand as equals."
Lucian nodded. Her pride would not permit otherwise.
"I do not seek the Fingerslayer for myself. The Two Fingers still see me as ally. What I do need… is Iji's guidance. Training smiths, forging arms for soldiers. And one other matter—concerning your mother."
At that, Ranni's expression shifted.
"I have heard that Queen Rennala holds the secret of rebirth," Lucian said.
Few knew such a thing.
Ranni's eyes narrowed. "…It is true. Yet her art is but half-formed. Each rebirth doth warp body, will, and soul alike. Moreover, Raya Lucaria's seals yield not, save to a glintstone key. My siblings and I sought many paths within, all for naught. If thou camest seeking this secret, thou wilt be disappointed."
Lucian shook his head. "Not so. I already know of a key's location. I asked because the matter concerns someone dear to me."
Ranni studied him closely, startled by his knowledge. "And tell me, what purpose hast thou for rebirth?"
Lucian answered with care. "I have a companion who exists only as spirit. I wish to shape for her a vessel of flesh, then seek another way to bind her soul within it. For that… I will need your art."
At his side, Melina froze. Shock widened her eyes. Everything he had done… all this trouble, all this risk—was for her?
She stared at him, stunned. She was but a spirit, lingering for a purpose even she did not yet know. And yet Lucian would go so far for her?
Ranni too was surprised. Of course she had seen Melina. From the moment they met, she had glimpsed the maiden by his side, though she had never spoken of it.
"A rare sentiment indeed," she murmured. "That thou wouldst bargain so dearly, not for power nor relic, but for her. I cannot deem the worth equal to thy sacrifice… yet thy heart ringeth true."
Lucian smiled faintly. What choice did he have? He had fallen for a ghost.
Ranni fell silent for a time, then spoke. "What thou askest is not beyond reach. Indeed, the likelihood of success is most high."
Relief softened Lucian's features.
"Then, you accept the pact?"
Ranni rose from her chair, a smile touching her lips. "I have no cause to refuse. Upon this cold and shadowed path, let us share what warmth we may—until the snows melt, and each must tread their separate way."
Lucian understood. She did not yet believe he would follow her to the end. To walk together for a while was already rare fortune.
That was enough—for now. Someday, he would prove to her that her fate held a place for him.
"Then it is settled. Whatever requires strength or force of arms, leave to me. In return, I ask Iji's aid with smiths and soldiers—and above all, your aid in soulcraft."
Ranni inclined her head gracefully. "Then I look forward to our work together, my fellow conspirator."
Beneath the endless night, Lucian found himself, for a time, walking beside the Dark Moon.
—
[T/N: I was wondering, would you prefer if I tried to match Ranni's way of speaking, or would it be better to make it a bit more 'normal' to make it easier to read and follow? ]