Tarnished Beast (Male OC x Elden Ring harem)

Attending to Final Matters (Path A)

A/n: Since this is the canon ending, all the side stuff will be in the Path A chapters so Blaidd, Gurranq's stuff (that being said, this'll probably the only chapter on that) 

Mutasim P.O.V

With the Frenzied Flame in my body and my comrades leaving me, I decided that there were two things I could do. I could just go on ahead to the Forge of the Giants or I could finish off any business before I departed. As much as I wanted to just push on, I felt maybe some distractions would help put my mind at some sort of ease. 

I made my way to the Carian Manor, wondering if Blaidd would be there. After a thorough search and no sign of her, I asked Iji about her whereabouts. Though he seemed hesitant to answer, he ultimately told me that Blaidd was occupied with another matter. One that had nothing to do with Nokron as Ranni wished. But I felt there was something wrong, that Iji was lying. 

When I was walking down a road, I heard familiar howling and followed it to an evergaol. The same evergaol where Blaidd and I fought Darriwil. 

Mutasim: Blaidd? 

Blaidd: Mate? Is that you? 

Mutasim: Why are you trapped in the evergaol? 

Blaidd: Old Iji trapped me in here. Told me, I'd bring nought but bale to Ranni. But there's no chance that could happen. I'm part of her being, her very shadow. I thought old Iji knew as much. Honestly, I don't know what's going on anymore...

Her tone sounded resigned, upset at Iji's actions. A low sigh leaves my lips and I open the gaol, allowing her to climb out. She takes a deep breath of air. 

Blaidd: My thanks, friend. I'm going to see mistress R...anni...

Her eyes widen as she stares at my body. 

Blaidd: Mate? What happened to you? Your body... Y-Your eyes...?

I sigh. 

Mutasim: To become Elden Lord, I... I had to burn Melina and burn the Erdtree. But I refused. So instead, I-

Blaidd: Inherited the Frenzied Flame... Mate... 

Mutasim: I don't regret my choice. So long as Melina lives, that's all I care about. And... I'm already looking for a cure or at the very least, a suppressant against the Frenzied Flame. 

Blaidd: Is that so? Hmm... Well, I do recall learning that Miquella often was able to tamper with Outer Gods' afflictions. Most famously, his sister's Scarlet Rot. If you were to find a Golden Needle, perhaps you could subdue the Frenzied Flame's influence? 

Mutasim: Like the needle, I gave to Millicent... I'll ask around. Thank you for the information. 

Blaidd: Of course. It's the least I could do. Now then, I'm off to see Mistress Ranni. Good luck, Mutasim. Gods know you deserve it and need it. 

I shake my head as I turn away. 

Mutasim: Luck and Gods have never been with me. And I won't beg for them to help. I'll deal with this like I've done my whole life. Alone and through suffering. 

I walk away, heading towards Caleid to find Gowry. If he knew that Commander in the swamps of Aeonia held a Golden Needle, I had to hope that he knew where there might be a second one. 

When I arrived, he was sat down in his chair as usual. 

Gowry: Hello. I assume that Millicent is proceeding well on her journey? 

Mutasim: Yes. But I need your help. 

Gowry: I'd be happy to help. What do you require? 

Mutasim: What do you know about the Golden Needles, like the one I gave to Millicent?

Gowry: Hm... Well, they were originally made my Miquella the Kind, Malenia's brother, to deter the doings of the Outer Gods. Or at least, that is what he wished. In truth, all the Golden Needles do is subdue Outer Gods' afflictions, including the Scarlet Rot that both Millicent and Malenia hold within them. 

Mutasim: Can it subdue the Frenzied Flame? 

Gowry: The Frenzied Flame? My... A Golden Needle alone wouldn't be enough for that. You would require something stronger. You would need the touch of a God themselves to enhance the Needle's bounds. A God's touch who is also afflicted by an Outer God. 

Mutasim: And the only God in the Lands Between who suffers such a fate is Malenia... 

Gowry: Precisely. If you wish to subdue the Frenzied Flame, you must find Malenia. As to where you find another Golden Needle, I believe I can make one for you. But I require instructions. If you can find your way to Miquella's Haligtree, I have no doubt he kept notes of some sort. If you can bring them to me, I can craft a Golden Needle and then the rest will be up to you. 

Mutasim: I see. I'll let you know if I do find it then. 

Gowry: Good luck. 

Hearing that really got on my nerves. While I appreciated the good will people intended for me, luck has never been a factor into my chances of survival. Since I knew Miquella's Haligtree would still be a long way away, I decide to feed Gurranq some more Deathroot. Let's just say, I spent a long time exploring caves and dungeons. 

Finally, I returned to Gurranq and held out the Deathroot to her. She snarled and devoured all of the Deathroot in an instant. After eating, she looks at me. 

Gurranq: It... It is all... consumed. Still, I am not sated... Not nearly... Sated...!

She roars and slams her fists down on the ground, cracking it. I don't flinch and just wait out her tantrum. 

Gurranq: Marika... Is this... What it is... to sin? Will things... never be... the same again?!

She tries to calm her breathing down. I hold my hand out to her and pet her head which seemed to help. Her head nuzzles into my hand as she calms herself. 

Gurranq: Tarnished... My thanks... for thy long... labour. But I have done... All I can... in this land... Henceforth, mine appetite shall be my sole companion. 

Mutasim: I understand. Sometimes, with people like us, all we have is suffering. It's something that forces us to be alone, to protect everyone else. 

Gurranq: You... suffer the same? 

Mutasim: Not quite the same in your case. But it's pain nonetheless. I wish you well, Gurranq. 

Gurranq: And I... You, Tarnished. 

Ending our conversation, she vanishes. Alone, I begin contemplating if there was anything else left for me to do. As intriguing as Nokron was, if it aided Ranni, I refused to explore. Which meant all that was left was for me to carry out the Volcano Manor's hunts. Since there was nothing else for me to do, I decided to go through with it. 

Perhaps the bloodshed would keep me further distracted...