Elden Ring Rise of the Black Swordsman

22 - Beasts from Beyond the Stars

"..." : Speech

'...' : Thoughts

**** :Scene Change

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The sound of (Y/n)'s steps on the water resounded throughout the cavern as he marched forward towards the remains of the Magma Wyrm. The corpse now filled the air with a rotten stench as the corpse decomposed in the depths of the mountain. The stalactite still embedded on its head. (Y/n) thought of his own lost limb, now decomposing as well inside the Wyrm. A loss which for many would have been the end of their fighting days but for him it was nothing more but another obstacle to overcome.

He called Torrent and waited for the magic stead to materialize out of the blue mist it normally rode into existence. (Y/n) grabbed Boc and placed the seamster behind him on the magical steed. Once Boc was ready, Torrent took off as fast as he could with the weight of his master upon his back. They followed a path through the caverns until they were able to see a light at the end of the tunnel. (Y/n) covered his eyes as he rode outside, blinded by the sunlight he hadn't seen it what felt like ages.

When his eyes finally adjusted, he spotted Melina standing a few meters in their path, looking down at a piece of parchment. (Y/n) reached into one of his pouches and upon not finding the map of deathroots, he quickly understood Melina planned in getting another one.

He looked around the Altus Plateau as he slowly rode towards Melina. The valley they were in was littered with the remains of war. War machines and broken barricades laid as far as the eye could see. A reminder of the terrible battle which had once ensued here between Radahn's army and the forces of Leyndell led by Morgott, son of Godfrey.

Torrent halted by Melina, gently rubbing his muzzle against her fondly. She faced them and held the map out for (Y/n) to see. He unmounted and leaned over her shoulder to study the map, indeed there was a Tibia Mariner close to them. They shared a look and nodded, agreeing to take a short detour before heading for the Volcano Manor.

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The Tibia Mariner battle had been uneventful. It had only served to make all of them wonder who exactly these mysterious inept guardians of the deathroot were. (Y/n) watched as his foe vanished from the Wyndham Ruins. He kneeled and collected the deathroot, examining it briefly before placing it in one of his pouches along the other four. He looked into his pouch to see the deathroots had become conjoined, intertwining with each other to create one big deathroot. The Tarnished thought nothing of it and made his way down the hill to join Boc and Melina. It was now time to reach the Volcano Manor.

Melina led them through the eastern mountain pass, avoiding the large canyon path which since the vanishing of the Tarnished had become filled with monsters, war machines and other vile creatures. They rode for hours upon hours, taking risky jumps across canyons to get ever closer to their objective. They now approached the northern face of the mountain, after having climbed at large rope ladder. Riding up the mountain they came across another large jump between two rock formations with sharp ends pointing at each other, like two fingers attempting to reach each other.

They decided it was best to rest for but a few minutes before heading on. Boc used this opportunity to eat peacefully, he wondered around curiously exploring the odd volcanic terrain. It was a land he had never seen and should have frightened him, at least it would have not so long ago. He thought proudly how much he had grown and how far he had gone from a mere outcast to a trusted companion of the great black swordsman the most notorious Tarnished in this day and age.

Boc then spotted a shimmering stone. It was pretty and it drew him near it, he then spotted another, and yet another. All making a sort of path to the edge of the canyon. It made him wonder just what would be at the end of the path, so without either Melina or (Y/n) noticing he wondered off towards the edge of the canyon from where he leaned over to peak.