Elden Ring: Putrefaction of Gold

An Unalloyed Scion

"Papa?"

Aside from some wrestling leaves, the room was empty. It scared little Miquella, who was used to his siblings surrounding him and each encouraging him in their own unique ways.

Ranni would hold and assure him it were all written within the stars. If he could learn to listen and read them, he would see his destiny marked within. Radahn would encourage him to face things with a chin up and stand tall. That courage and strength could see the little boy through his sadness and pain. Godwyn would listen to him before making him laugh, even in dire situations, followed by words of kindness and hope. And Rykard? He was just Rykard. He tended to make outlandish suggestions that were overall unhelpful, but Miquella appreciated the effort.

Every moment, Miquella felt his twin's absence. He tried to take his mind and bury himself in his work. He invented a few spells that he had gifted his father, and Radagon had given him one in return. But the concentration soon waned, and Miquella could focus no more.

Without Malenia, he felt nothing was complete. The games to amuse himself were dull, and he needed more inspiration for his creations.

Miquella climbed on the Elden Lord's throne and rested his head against the arm. He closed his eyes and dreamed of a day when he and his sister reunited. It was a beautiful field with a great tree whose two mighty trunks twisted in a double helix. The ground below was fertile, so all life could spring and not be choked away. And the tree itself bore a great deal of fruit that rained down upon the starving masses.

The masses feasted and yet still were not filled.

"Miquella?"

Miquella woke from his dream.

"What are you doing here?" Radagon asked. He descended the staircase from the entrance of the Erdtree and, presumably, the Elden Ring itself.

Of course, no one could say what the Elden Ring was as an object. The philosophers considered it more symbolic. A force that both existed everywhere and nowhere at all and yet governed all natural laws in the Lands-Between. Others insisted it was genuine and physical. It could be seen, interacted with, and used like any other material thing.

Whatever it was, Radagon worshipped it and everything it represented.

"Rykard said he knows where Malenia is, but he wouldn't tell me," said Miquella.

"You needn't worry about Malenia. She's where she needs to be," said Radagon.

"But I want her here," said Miquella.

Radagon bit his lip.

"Please, papa. She's my best friend. At least tell me where she is," said Miquella. "Maybe I can go and visit her?"

"Son, your mother and I have high hopes for you and what you will become. Your sister was born in a way that she would help you become that," said Radagon. "I know it's been hard to watch, but she suffers because of what is a better purpose, and we ought not to tamper with that further."

"I don't understand what you mean. I want my sister back," said Miquella.

"For something to become perfect, it must merge with its opposite. And when it does, it creates a balance. You are the hope of this land. A gift to everyone who inhabits here. A god of eternal abundance..."

"I don't care!" shouted Miquella. "Where is Malenia? What's going to happen to her?"

Radagon's face said everything.

"No," said Miquella. Tears began to roll down his cheeks. "No, you can't. I promised her that nothing bad would happen anymore. No, you can't let this happen."