The Tarnished walked around the Church of Elleh. His Glintstone staff fizzed out completely, it's magic gone. He then wondered where he could get a temporary weapon. That was until he found a commoner wielding a Cross Naginata.
"Hm..." He wasn't alone however. Another commoner with a torch, one with a shortsword, and even a Godrick Soldier. The only problem, is the main weapon he wanted, the Naginata for his range over the sword, was guarded by the others. Without a weapon, it seemed impossible. Which is why he found some sticks on the ground. They seemed to be patrolling and didn't seem to notice him in the bushes. They didn't even hear the cracking of tree limbs. He sharpened the sticks to a point, doing the same with some animal bones that have been left behind. He now had some kind of weapon. However, his faith in his tools was skeptical, there was no guarantee that even with a good throw it would do much of anything. Especially to the Soldier of Godrick with his armor, however minuscule it seemed.
Which is why he chucked a wood spear it at the Torch Wielder, and has the Torch guy fell to the ground, neither noticed it was him. It was only 3 guys left. He could possibly steal the sword out of the other commoner's hands. If he didn't steal a weapon from their hands before death, the weapon would be lost sometimes it seemed. Which is what he tried to do, he got behind the sword wielder and stole his sword out of his hands and killed him with his own blade, then threw a wooden spear at the Godrick Soldier. It managed to do a lot of damage to the Soldier surprisingly, and as he held up his shield, the Tarnished stabbed, breaking the shields guard, as the commoner swung, decapitating the Godrick Soldier as the Tarnished forced the shield out of their hands. He then grabbed the Naginata, and spun, also decapitating the last commoner.
L1 - Brass Shield R1 - Cross Naginata R2 - Short Sword R3 - Golden Halberd
He headed through the town, sneaking his way past, killing guards and looting both the Whetstone Knife, and the Lordsword Greatsword. He then found and grabbed both and took them with him. He then sighs and went to farming. These runes were currency, and so we was going to need a lot. As the sun set, and 2 hours of farming were done, he sat at the third grace he had found. And from the fog came a person.
"Greetings traveler from behind the fog." The voice was female, and they were wearing a hood that covered their face. They then sat down
"I am Melina. And I offer you an accord." They flipped there hood up, revealing their face. A golden/yellow eye stared back, the other one closed and with a mark of what seemed like a 3 toed fowl. "Have you heard of the finger maidens?"
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~Melina~
The Tarnished was confused, "Er, no I have not."
"They serve the Two Fingers, offering guidance, and aid, to the Tarnished. But you, I am afraid, are maidenless."
"The Two Fingers..."
"I can play the role of maiden. Turning rune fragments into strength. To aid you in your search for the Elden Ring. You need only take me with you. To the foot of the Erdtree."
He then realized. His main goal was to get to the Erdtree anyway. "Sure. I'll take you with me. I'm going to the Erdtree anyway."
She nods "Then it's settled. Summon me by grace to turn runes into strength."
He looks at her "You mean these?" To which he opens his hand to reveal 3,270 runes.
She nods and then speaks again "Ahh, another matter. I bequeath to you this Ring." She hands over a ring that also looks like a whistle. "Use it to traverse great distances. It will summon a spectral steed named Torrent. Torrent has chosen you. Treat him with Respect."
He nods "I wonder. How can you change my runes into strength?"
Melina looks at him "Simply rest your hand upon mine, and I shall show you."
He did as he was told, and soon, he felt more vigorous, his mind got sharper, and he could feel the dexterity of his fingers more intensely.
Melina then noticed something "It seems something has been restrained. I can unrestraint it if you wish." The Tarnished nodded. Melina then touched his forehead with her fingers. This gave an insight to the inner workings of his mind.
The mother soon grew a boy who would die due to her carelessness
"Maria. Maria! It's okay, you know he loved y-" the man then had a blade at his throat
"Finish that sentence and you won't be able to speak ever again!" Maria was being irrational. "Gherman, why are you so insistent? Is being the reason my baby's father left not enough for you? MUST YOU TAKE EVERYTHING FROM ME?!" She then lunges at him, her weapon in hand. "FIRST MY LOVE AND NOW MY CHILD?! SIMPLY BECAUSE HE WAS YOUR CHILD?!" Maria had tears down her face, the only time she's ever actually cried. Her poor baby boy, his neck severed by a jealous man who couldn't take rejection.
The Tarnished jumped as Melina was confused. "What's wrong?"
The Tarnished sighed "Did you see that?" Melina shook her head. "So apparently I was killed by my mother's... friend? I don't know."
Melina then was confused "But you are... alive?" "Yeah."
"This is... so strange..."
~Ranni's Rise~ Ranni's POV
I was sorting my books, before I came across something I forgot. An album.
"What is this...?" I then picked it up into my blue hands, opening the book. Showing a picture of a tall girl with red hair, along with a half wolf teen, a young giant, who towered over the rest, and a Tarnished in armor, in surprise, she slammed the book shut, her spectral face having tears run down its face "He is gone. I know this... then why does it hurt me so much? Yet... it still gives me hope for thee... Reku."
