Magma Wyrm Makar charges toward Gareth, magma spewing from his mouth. The ground quakes in his eagerness to devour Gareth. The Tarnished, of course, panic.
Gareth runs; however, he is hurt in his ribs from the incident at the ladder. Gareth: Urgh...
Unable to run quickly, he throws himself to the side.
Makar, intelligently swerves toward him.
Makar, unable to put Gareth in his jaws, slams his body into Gareth's, throwing Gareth around like a ragdoll.
Yuina: Gareth!
Makar, seeing another wounded Tarnished, swerves toward Yuina.
Godfrey stands in front of Yuina, his axe ready.
Godfrey's axe and Makar clash; in the din of the clash, Godfrey, somehow, has stopped the giant wyrm in his tracks.
Godfrey strains; the struggle is visible on his face.
Blood pours out from the wound on his chest, painting Gareth's cape with fresh blood.
Makar, a mighty creature, pushes through.
The ax-head is broken off the haft, flying across the room.
Makar bites Godfrey; Godfrey tries to keep the monster's mouth open with his arms and legs.
Godfrey struggles, his teeth gritted. More blood leaks out, as the muscles in his abdomen tense up. Godfrey: Hrrrgh!!
Tragoth and Meilyr run to his assistance, keeping Makar's mouth open. Tragoth: Let him go, foul beast!
Millicent, in the sidelines, is readying her weapon, the Flowing Curved Sword.
She thrusts forward - in the same manner as Malenia's famous opening thrust - striking the beast's eye.
It's revealed Makar has closed his eyelid; the blade struggles to pierce through the hard scales. Millicent: T-tough!
With one hand Makar bats Millicent away, and with the other brings himself up.
Makar tries to beat the three into his mouth with his closed fist.
Boggart beats the monster's toes with his Iron Balls, to no avail. Boggart: You're as hard as you're ugly!
Yuina raises her katana high above her head; it is covered in light.
She brings it down on Makar's toes, cutting them but not completely.
Makar cringes, and spits the three Tarnished out.
Makar punches Yuina into the ground.
Yuina is a pulp on the ground, her armor fragmented around her.
Makar with his hand inspects his semi-detached toes, waving on his foot like ribbons.
He pulls the most damaged ones out; the others, he thinks, shall heal later.
Godfrey: Tragoth, you notice it too...? Tragoth: It's intelligent. Tragoth: Like a man.
Godfrey: I think this man was overly fond of Dragon Communion, Godfrey: now a beast stronger than man and dragon.
Makar gropes on his back; on his back is a pattern of scales that look very much like a long curved sword.
Makar pulls the sword out, disturbing the rocks, moss and scales that have grown around his gigantic Scalesword.
Makar waves its sword. Godfrey: Tragoth, your hammer. Tragoth: But, you're wounded.
Godfrey takes the hammer. Godfrey: Mmm. Makar swings his blade against Godfrey.
Godfrey slams the hammer against the Scalesword, causing thunder in the room. Gareth's cape, which was used to dress his wound, falls out in the clash.
In the clash, Godfrey has somehow managed to unbalance Makar.
The Prophet, though bleeding from his wounds earlier, has a great fireball burning his palm.
He throws the fireball into Makar's face, toppling it over.
Makar falls, causing the room to quake.
Boggart and Meilyr are on the same side of Makar's face, staring at his eye. Boggart has given his other Iron Ball to Meilyr. Boggart: Ready, mate? Meilyr: Aye!
Boggart and Meilyr ready their right fists.
Makar closes his eye, but Boggart and Meilyr bash and bash, alternating blows.
No matter how tough Makar's scales are, the eyelid is now bruised. With their left hands Boggart and Meilyr push the weakened eyelid open.
Millicent is in thrusting position.
She punches her blade into Makar's eyeball.
She pulls her blade out, letting loose a torrent of blade. The beast thrashes, and flips himself upward.
With both hands on his blade, he slams the Scalesword repeatedly on the ground, causing great sword impressions on the earth. The cavern quakes.
Boggart, with both balls, steadies himself on Makar's head.
He slams both Balls down on Makar's head, stunning him.
Tragoth balances the Giant Crusher in front of him.
Using the head of the hammer as a pivot, he flips himself into the air and then smashes Makar's other foot.
Makar roars; he lets himself fall backwards, smashing Boggart onto the wall.
Twisting himself, he lands on his belly.
In pain, he uses his two hands to push himself forward.
He tries to propel himself on his feet, but both, at this point, are severely wounded.
In rage he breaks the toes on both of his feet, propelling himself on the soles of his feet.
Makar charges at Tragoth, slamming him into the wall.
He then slams his tail against Millicent and Meilyr, who follow closely behind him.
A burning inferno is to the side of Makar's view.
The Prophet is preparing a raging fire.
Makar, incensed, roars. Magma drips from his mouth.
A torrent of magma is spewed from Makar's mouth in a violent quantity; the Prophet casts Flame, Fall Upon Them. A great hail of fireballs fly from the Prophet's hand, lighting the entire cavern with many suns.
The Prophet is covered in the magma, seemingly melted by it.
The fireballs land on Makar; to his surprise, he is actually scorched by the flames. The heat causes his scales to become soft and gummy.
The wyrm emerges out of the smoke, enraged by his wounds. The Tarnished lay around him, in various states of being crushed by his strength. Only Godfrey is left, succumbing to his wounds.
The magma of Makar, where the Prophet lays.
Inexplicably, the Prophet, completely burnt, stands.
Forged in flame, his skin flayed but his flesh preserved, the Prophet defies Makar.
Makar is shocked and almost offended that anything could survive his fire.
Great fire urges out of the Prophet's hands.
An inferno blooms out of the Prophet, covering the cool, moist cavern with a bright orange-red flame. Godfrey and Makar watch in astonishment.
Godfrey: There's no mistaking it. Godfrey: When the Erdtree sprouted, only the proud giants defied Marika, Godfrey: with an all-consuming flame.
The fires of a sun consume the cavern, rendering everything else as insignificant shadows. The water evaporates into mist. Godfrey: The Flame of the Fell God!
Makar trembles, pressing his body to the ground. He has decided to rely on his strength as his only savior.
Makar charges forward, shaking the ground again; the beast will brave the inferno, relying on the power of his scales as he has always done.
The fires pour around Makar's scales; they melt and turn glassy, but he is not phased. He bares his fangs at the Prophet.
Gareth stops the beast's charge; one can hear bones of his body cracking.
Gareth's ankles bend forward, dug into the ground with such force; meanwhile the armor on his back melts from the heat behind him.
Gareth, yelling to the Prophet: Don't stop!
The Prophet nods.
The inferno rages ever greater.
The Prophet slams his hands on the ground, in the stance of Burn, O Flame!
A giant ring of fire surrounds the Magma Wyrm.
A giant column of fire emerges below the Magma Wyrm, knocking him upwards in surprise. All his scales have become slurry, and the relatively soft underbelly is singed and cooked.
The wyrm is stunned and unable to balance himself on his toeless feet. The flames subside; Millicent emerges from them, walking over fire.
Millicent, as she had for Ekzykes, puts herself in the stance of the Waterfowl Dance.
In a dancing fury, Millicent carves Makar's burning stomach with a great many slashes.
As before, Millicent's sword flies out of her hand, in the frantic nature of her dance. Even after all her slashes, though Makar finally bleeds, his flesh does not give well, as Ekzykes' had before.
Yuina follows closely behind Millicent.
She raises her katana overhead; it is overcome with light.
Godfrey: And there's no mistaking this, either - Godfrey: That's the light of the Erdtree! As awesome and singular as it was, in the time of antiquity! Godfrey: She is the last of the Erdtree's true defenders!
Yuina slashes down, cutting Makar's stomach open; fiery, steaming guts pour from his belly.
Makar, crestfallen, falls on his hands; even in the appearance of a wyrm, he wears the very human emotion of despair on his face.
Makar, in desperation, flings himself against Yuina, his jaws revealing the blackness of his mouth.
Godfrey, who has maneuvered himself behind Makar, pulls on his tail.
Makar struggles, still able to use his great monstrous strength, even in the throes of death. Godfrey strains so much, blood wets his trousers; the entire lower half of his body is slick with his own blood.
Tragoth and Boggart pull back on Makar's right leg.
The Prophet runs to the side of Makar; Yuina and Millicent try to run, but clearly the wyrm's intent is to devour them whole, alive or dead.
The Prophet's burnt, peeling body hears a voice. Voice: My son.
The darkness of the void. Voice: Do not waver. Voice: So long as I am with you, you will not be unaided by me.
Marika's crucified body. Marika: I shall illuminate your mind once more, Marika: with a vision of the future.
An apocalyptic vision. A tall, proud Divine Tower, standing with the solemnity of an august lawmaker, is set ablaze; embers cross its great white form.
Gold graces the Prophet's eyes. Fire crackles in the Prophet's fist. He is in the stance of Flame, Grant Me Strength.
He presses the flame in his heart, illuminating his body with ungodly power.
He pulls the wyrm's left leg back.
Makar falls onto the ground, spilling mud on his face.
Tears fall from his eyes and become vapor on his melting flesh. This proud warrior, now an ugly wyrm, still feels something like dignity.
He presses his hands into the ground, shaking the ground once more; he chases Yuina and Millicent, who have long moved themselves to the cave's mouth.
The Tarnished holding him back, surprised by his sudden strength, are momentarily thrown into the air.
Yuina raises her katana again; however, light does not endow her blade.
Makar roars, lunging to devour her.
Makar stops; his head, by an inch, lowers.
Meilyr, holding the immense Scalesword, has chopped out Makar's head, which now falls onto the ground. Meilyr's hand, feet and belly, notably, are horribly burnt, having climbed the wyrm's burning body.
The wyrm's head tumbles on the ground; Yuina and Millicent collapse in exhaustion.
The arms of the wyrm, frozen mid-animation.
A hand lunges forward, falling right before Yuina's feet. Yuina is, rightfully, frightened.
The body of the wyrm finally falls down, slumping into a pile on the ground.
The Tarnished holding the wyrm back finally let go. They are in near-disbelief.
Gareth, burnt and broken, holds his breath. Yuina is stabbing the fingers of the last moving limb; she is paranoid.
The Tarnished, like ants, gather around Makar's dead body. The aftermath of the battle are around them; the masonry of the ruins is melted into glass, the earth is dry, and the air is hot, like that of a volcano. The corpse of their enemy is a statue, fitting for this ancient place. Godfrey: It's over...
Back in the Ravine-Veiled Village. Corhyn: It's been a few days... Patches: They're dead.
Corhyn: Don't say that! Rya: How ever will I get home, then?
Patches: You're not going home, you idiot! Patches: You're going to be drinking lobster water for the rest of eternity! Rya begins crying.
Diallos: You're right. Patches: I am right!
Diallos: It is time for I, Diallos, scion of House Hoslow, Diallos: to find my own path to vengeance.
Corhyn: Look! That's Meilyr! Corhyn: He's coming down! Diallos: Oh thank Marika.
Meilyr is climbing down. Corhyn: By Marika... Corhyn: his skin! Corhyn: What happened?
Godfrey, following Meilyr: And then, there's him - Godfrey: born of Marika's stock, he has something of the goddess's mischievous nature.
Godfrey: Marika, Godfrey: mighty warriors have arrived to set these lands aright. Godfrey: But will they crumble in the forge of battle?
Corhyn: Godfrey! Godfrey: It's good to see you, fellow. Godfrey: Very good, indeed.
Corhyn: That scar, on your stomach! Corhyn: And all this blood on your clothes... Godfrey: Ha ha ha.
Godfrey: There was a giant wyrm at the top of that precipice. Godfrey: It damn near killed us. Corhyn: You're joking...
Patches, sneering: Heh. Lies. Patches: You just looted everything yourself. Godfrey, smirking: You know, I wouldn't believe it if I told it to myself.
Godfrey: We have a good measure of the place. Godfrey: There are bats and harpies abounding, Godfrey: and mayhaps mercenaries may return.
Godfrey: Prove your worth, Tarnished, Godfrey: and clear them all out for your future fellows. Tarnished: Aye, sir!
Corhyn puts his hand on Godfrey; he casts Heal. Corhyn: Is your wound fully healed? Godfrey: Don't worry, I am fine. Godfrey: I thank your kind heart.
Godfrey: Can someone fetch me a weapon? Tarnished: Aye!
Meilyr has stuffed himself with the camp's provisions. Godfrey: Ah, so that is why you were so eager to come with me...
At Raya Lucaria. The Banished Knights, at dawn, cross the great wooden Gate Town Bridge.
The Banished Knights, through the bridge, enter the horizon; below them are the ruins of the former Gate Town. They now enter Raya Lucaria as was originally intended: into the town proper on the "island" instead of through the staircase Rhys and others had entered from. This view is closer, giving them a broader perspective of Liurnia's ethereal beauty.
A sentry hails the Banished Knights. The sentry is on a turret over the Academy Gate; obviously, without the Glintstone seals, these would hae to be more defended now. Because they are a fairly large armed host, the guards meet them, somewhat nervously as they are quite tall people. Sentry: Halt! State your business!
Banished Knight: We want to speak with Sir Gareth. Banished Knight: If he is not here, then we shall speak with Sir Rhys.
Sentry: I know not where Gareth is. I shall call for Sir Rhys.
Rhys comes out of the opening portcullis, with Reane, Morrowe and Nepheli. Rhys: Sirs. What is on your minds? Rhys, thinking and looking upwards: These men are giants.
Banished Knight: We remember the Tarnished who fought at Stormveil. Banished Knight: You recall us, who fought under Godrick's employ.
Banished Knight: After much deliberation, we wish to fight for Stormveil's new lord, Sir Gareth.
Reane: If I may. Rhys gestures to Reane, permitting her to speak.
Reane: A week ago, Gareth was in Stormveil. Reane: Stormveil fell months ago. Reane: Why the change in perspective?
Banished Knight: We had heard the Tarnished are planning to enter Altus soon. Banished Knight: We also want this.
Reane: Then this is a venture only for profit?
Banished Knight: Yes. We value our independence. Banished Knight: Wherever you fight, we will be first in battle and last to retreat.
Reane: I see nothing disagreeable in this. Reane: However, you should know Gareth is in the Ravine. You should travel there.
Banished Knight: Nay. We will ride on the Lift. Banished Knight: Leyndell makes camp there.
Rhys: What if you run, when we reach the Plateau?
The Banished Knight, insulted, stares at Rhys.
He brings his face close to Rhys's. Banished Knight: "Run". "Retreat". "Flee". Banished Knight: We don't know the meaning of those words.
Banished Knight: No party should misunderstand. Banished Knight: Our sole worth lies in battle. Banished Knight: Our home is on the battlefield. Banished Knight: We are going home.
Reane tries to calm them down. Reane: Hold on, hold on. No one is condescending you. Reane: Clearly, you were the cream of Godrick's crop.
Reane: We know Gareth personally. I think he will find these terms agreeable. Reane: His intent is to ascend the Ravine and attack the rear of Leyndell's encampment.
Reane: He will be much appreciative to have a reliable advance.
Banished Knight: Alright. Banished Knight: Then, relay this to him now. Banished Knight: We will wait.
Reane: ? Banished Knight: We know the Tarnished are connected by grace. Banished Knight: We don't want any delay.
Reane: ! Reane: But not every Tarnished can do so. Banished Knight: Well, you know what I am talking about, so clearly you can.
Banished Knight: We are veterans of the Lands Between. Banished Knight: We know of the Tarnished's quirks.
Reane: Then, if we may, privately? Banished Knight: Please, go.
Reane and Rhys enter the portcullis, and find a quiet spot behind the gate.
They close their eyes and meditate. Reane, thinking: Gareth. Gareth.
Gareth is at the top of the Ruin-Strewn Precipice, where the Tarnished fought Makar. His limbs are in splint; his back, burned, is bandaged; his movement is a little rigid, but by the wacky fantasy rules of the Lands Between his bones are healing well. Gareth: And who will be left in Stormveil? Tarnished: Some dozens of Tarnished. A thin host. Tarnished: But, beyond the Misbegotten, there are no substantial armies in Limgrave. Reane's voice: Gareth. Gareth.
Gareth: Excuse me. The Tarnished bows, and leaves.
Gareth, thinking: Reane. What is it? Reane's voice: Godrick's prior knights want to sign an accord with you.
If the reader prefers, they may imagine Gareth, Reane and Rhys are "projected" in the Roundtable Hold, having the discussion around the eponymous round table marked with swords of champions past. Reane: They want to act the van from the Grand Lift. Gareth: Do you think they are trustworthy?
Rhys: Their motives are quite unclear. Reane: Aye. Gareth: That's not so bad.
Gareth: The Tarnished, by their nature, are chance and convenient friends. Gareth: Most have joined our cause for the flimsy opportunity to see the Erdtree. Gareth: And, Marika's spurious call to arms.
Rhys: But these are not Tarnished. They are ancients. Rhys: They may have more in common with Morgott than us.
Gareth: And yet they fought alongside Godrick, who abandoned Leyndell. Reane: We don't know that. Godrick's absence may have been mutual.
Reane: The Veiled Monarch has protected the Capital, from what we know, for hundreds of years. Reane: This strikes me as a shrewd man - or men.
Gareth: My understanding, from Gostoc, is that they are a proud people. Gareth: For this reason, they serve no one lord.
Gareth: Knights of their caliber, Leyndell would have kept them, no? Gareth: But they were attached to Godrick.
Gareth: Methinks they are, for some ludicrous reason, shunned by the Erdtree. Gareth: I don't mind a pact of opportunity.
Reane: Do you want to know what they will do on Altus? Gareth: Not really. Again, men of their caliber would have long went to the Plateau, if they wanted to.
Gareth: Frankly, I don't know if the Tarnished will hold once they reach Altus. Gareth: I'm keeping as close an eye as the situation as I can.
Rhys: Have you scouted? Gareth: Yes. Meilyr volunteered.
Rhys: Of course. Gareth: I sent with him Corhyn, who has a good analytical eye.
Gareth: Apparently, the area is utterly bereft of civilization. Gareth: Ogres, some species I know not, defend the place.
Gareth: They sulk all day, and dislike negotiating with us. Gareth: We'll run them through. The back of the camp is just beyond them.
Reane: And no one knows? Gareth: Seems to be. Their sentries are pointed east.
Rhys: Have you recovered? Gareth: ...Somewhat.
Gareth: What is the state of the northern bridge? Rhys: A few days or so. We're somewhat concerned as to its full capacity.
Gareth: Then, I will be fully healed then. Gareth: I agree with the covenant.
Gareth: Oh, one more detail. Gareth: Kenneth.
Reane, Rhys, groaning: Oh, Marika. Gareth: He will be arriving by dusk.
Reane: Truthfully speaking, our exploits have attracted Tarnished to our cause. Gareth: Aye.
Gareth: We will speak later. Reane, Rhys: Aye.
Reane and Rhys return to consciousness. Kenneth's voice: Helllllloooo!!
Reane sighs. Kenneth: Where is my vassal?!
Kenneth approaches the Banished Knight. Kenneth: You sir, you're one of Rhys's men? Banished Knight: What?
Kenneth: Don't be so modest. You were drawn by Rhys's luster, and so gave obeisance.
Kenneth: I am Rhys's lord, and every one of his virtues is among my many. Kenneth: Now, kneel to me.
Banished Knight: Who is this kna- Reane: Ah, Lord Kenneth, splendid seeing you.
Reane, to the Banished Knight: We have spoken to Gareth. He agrees. Kenneth: Ah, Gareth, my other vassal!
Kenneth: What has he agreed to? Tell me. Reane: That these should join us adventuring into Altus.
Kenneth: Perfect. Then, you must kneel to me. Banished Knight: Absolutely -
Reane kneels. Reane: My lord, if I may.
Reane gestures to Rhys to kneel.
Rhys, sighing, does so.
Reane: My lord, all who can kneel to you, should kneel. Reane: I agree with you, my heart to your heart.
Reane: But it's very difficult kneeling in plate armor. Reane: You wouldn't ask of something so troublesome of one of your servants? Only tyrants would do so.
Kenneth: Hmm. Well, I am no tyrant. Kenneth: Considering tyrants are known for unjust rule, and I am opposed to that.
Kenneth: Very well. Unarm, and then come to me to kneel. Kenneth: You are dismissed, for now. Kenneth leaves.
Reane: That is our jester. Reane: He is most irascible when far from his sweet lord, Gareth.
Reane: Your quarters will be far from his. Banished Knight: Thank ye. The Knights leave.
Reane: On this subject... Reane: How were the talks with Gideon?
Rhys: Roderick. Rhys: Even if it is not correct, I don't want to say that name in front of him. Reane: Fine, fine.
Rhys: He is hesitant. Rhys: If we camp at the inner gate, he will assist us.
Reane: For someone supposedly concerned with the shardbearers, he doesn't see this as urgent. Reane: The Finger Reader told you, didn't she? "Head to the foot of the Erdtree."
Rhys: ... Rhys: If I had to guess, he's already been to the foot of the Erdtree.
Reane: How do we interpret this? Rhys: I don't know. Rhys: Only, that we do what Marika wants us to do.
Back at the Ruin-Strewn Precipice. Gareth is speaking to the Tarnished prior. Gareth: What is your assessment? Tarnished: I think Stormveil is well-defended.
Tarnished: As for the morale of the Tarnished - well, I myself was a worshipper of the Erdtree in my prior life. Tarnished: Though, it went by a different name.
Tarnished: I think more than curiosity compels the Tarnished. Tarnished: You recall it too? The sweetest voice, when you were reborn?
Gareth, naked at his rebirth. A golden seed falls into his hand, the only light in the darkness. Gareth, in card: Yes. Gareth: "Cross the fog, to the Lands Between, Gareth: "to stand before the Elden Ring."
Tarnished: Who would disobey she who gave us life? Gareth: ...
Godfrey: Gareth. Gareth, bowing to the Tarnished: That is all. Thank you. Tarnished, bowing: No, thank you, sir.
Gareth: What is it? Godfrey: I will join you.
Gareth: Oh. Godfrey: ...Is that all?
Gareth: Well, I never quite understood your motive, to begin with. Gareth: I thought you were a mere adventurer.
Godfrey: I am. But I wish to enter Leyndell. Gareth: So you wish. I am grateful for any help of yours.
Godfrey: ...Do you have any misgivings? Gareth: Many. Gareth: I've never been the hope of so many men before.
Gareth: My brother and I led a small band of knights, in my life prior. Gareth: This is a departure from my humble origins.
Gareth: I don't have much of a grasp on how to keep armies together.
Godfrey: ...I'm an old dog myself. I've been on the frontlines more than in official tents. Godfrey: But, this I know:
Godfrey: Lead your men with heart. Godfrey: Words are less than actions. Godfrey: Answer their beliefs, and they will answer you with courage. Godfrey: All men want, is something to believe in.
Godfrey: Yours is a heavy burden, but it wouldn't be put on you if you couldn't shoulder it. Gareth: Thank you, Gottfried.
The day of departure. The Banished Knights, followed by the knights from Stormveil, then a contingent of Cuckoo Knights (the Academy expended only a fraction of its forces) cross the northern bridge out of Raya Lucaria. (I assume, given the height of the bridge, it has to be made of something stronger than wood, like stone or some such.) The Tarnished enter Bellum Highway as those in antiquity had - they see, in the distance, the rugged cliffs of Liurnia and the formiddable Altus Plateau. Liurnia is laid out before them in mist; one can possibly see Caria Manor and Testu's Rise.
The Tarnished (and the Banished Knights) enter the Bellum Highway; ruins surround them, possibly of towns right across from the Academy. The Cuckoo Knights guarding the Academy hail them. One can see statues of a tutelary deity, possibly a deceased demigod with a relationship with Raya Lucaria, across the highway, with symbols of roots beneath it.
The Tarnished passed by the Sword Monument, commemorating Radagon and the First Liurnian War.
The Tarnished enter the encampment around the Grand Lift of Dectus, held by the Cuckoo Knights. The camp is guarded by Flame Chariots, vehicles with flamethrowers in the visage of the Flame Giants, the famous enemies of the Erdtree.
The Grand Lift of Dectus. Flanking an immense staircase are two elevated statues of Erdtree Sentinels, ancient guardians of the Erdtree. Behind them is a gate, with images of guardians of the Erdtree with spears, who also may be demigods long forgotten.
The Tarnished enter the Grand Lift of Dectus. The interior of the lift is covered in giant roots.
A wider view of the Grand Lift. More imagery: over an arch are three figures, one who may be Dectus. Below the arch are two statues of Erdtree warriors, facing one another, their halberds crossed. Behind the arch is more iconography of the Erdtree, etched into the shaft itself. Notably - though likely not present in the panel - behind the arch and symmetrical to the warriors in front, are two robed statues, who may have been religious or governmental figures within the hierarchy of the Golden Order.
Kenneth: Rhys. The medallion. Rhys hands Kenneth the medallion.
Kenneth enters the dais before the arch. The Tarnished have crammed themselves in every corner of the lift as possible, leaving only a circle around Kenneth.
Kenneth raises the medallion. As boastful as he may be, he is solemn; returning to gold is a great moment to him (perhaps his lineage can be traced back to the Golden Order).
The gem embedded in the medallion glows with a golden light. As is obvious, the warriors depicted on the medallion resemble the warriors of the lift.
The warriors turn, facing Kenneth.
The lift, shaking off its ages-long dust, ascends; the Tarnished are unsteady, even they are surprised such a large stone platform can even move. Perhaps none of them ever believed in the very idea of the lift.
The Tarnished ascends higher and higher, passing through root after root; the light becomes dimmer and dimmer as they enter layers of rock.
In Leyndell. A knight ascends the staircase to the Elden Throne. In the background is the immense Erdtree, whose bark is as white as stone.
The knight kneels before the arch to the throne; the arch is gowned in light mist, preventing the knight from seeing the throne. Knight: My lord Morgott. Knight: The Grand Lift of Dectus is moving. Knight: What are your orders?
Morgott the Grace Given on his throne. Behind him is the gnarled entrance to the Erdtree itself. Whatever the player knows about Morgott via playing the game, here, while he is on his official duties in Leyndell, he is dressed in Vendrick's robes (Dark Souls II), with a mask over his face; a long white braided beard flows down from the mask, so that he resembles Godfrey. A white wig, of course, covers his horns. And yet, even in this disguise, Morgott is covered in a curtain of light, so that his image and voice are distorted even further. It is no insignificant reason that Morgott is called the Veiled Monarch; the lengths he goes to disguise his identity can be called extreme. But these eccentricities are forgiven him by his intensely loyal knights. A long, gnarled staff lays by his left hand; a giant sword, bigger than a man, by his right. Morgott: Attack the Tarnished at first sight. Morgott: Rouse as many men from the camps as possible.
Morgott: I shall attend. Morgott: Prepare me my proxy. Morgott: We shall show them the wrath of the gods.
Darkness.
Darkness.
Light cracks at the top of the panel; the Grand Lift is finally entering daylight.
The Tarnished arise out of darkness. The statues of the lift return to their original position, their halberds crossed. Two Guardian Golems flank the entrance to the Lift. Giant banners loom in the distance. The Altus Highway extends from the Tarnished. The golden-brown trees and grass of Altus is revealed to the Tarnished. One can see the gigantic walls surrounding Leyndell. In the upper-right corner, one can see the Erdtree, immense and glowing.
The Tarnished are in awe. Tarnished: The domain of the gods... One Tarnished looks upward.
The Tarnished stares at the boughs of the Erdtree, shedding grace to everything and everyone in the lands. The sky is streaked with gold, blessed with the providence of the tree.
Gold enters the Tarnished's eyes.
An image from a prior life. The Tarnished, with a congregation, is praying before an image of the Erdtree. Their heads are bowed, their faces are reverent; light quietly falls on the worshippers, who are in the act of praying for grace and meaning.
The Tarnished fall to the ground, their helms placed on their chests. Some have rapt expressions on their faces; some are in tears. Tarnished: Oh Erdtree! Oh Erdtree!
Even Kenneth is stunned; tears fall down his face. Kenneth truly believes in gold. A minor detail in the panel: Rhys and Reane, notably, do not.
Kenneth addresses the Tarnished. Kenneth: Tarnished! Kenneth: Here we are, in the land of prosperity! Kenneth: In the land of the Erdtree, which knows no bounds! Kenneth: Knows no person! Knows no creed! Kenneth: And yet gives_ and _gives! Kenneth: You have fought hard, and believed hard! We are the favorites of the Erdtree!
Kenneth: See Leyndell! Look how it rolls and rolls, in majestic splendor! Kenneth: It is impossible for such walls to be built by men! They were BUILT by the nourishment of the Erdtree! Kenneth: These lush fields and golden skies? All by the Erdtree's beneficence! Kenneth: And who is unworthy of this dole? Who is ungrateful for the Erdtree's magnanimity? Kenneth: THE DEMIGODS!
Kenneth: Tarnished! Know your place! Kenneth: At the foot of the Erdtree, are seats for you all! Kenneth: You will SIT by the Erdtree's side forever more, on the merit of your courage and belief! Kenneth: AND SO, BELIEVE! Have faith in your courage and strength! Kenneth: The Erdtree shall do the remaining work! Kenneth: Tarnished, you who have been given a second life, who have a chance to regain heaven, after so many stumbles - Kenneth: FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!
The Tarnished are in tears, besides themselves with joy. Tarnished: FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
The Tarnished slow down, their chanting slows. They have worried looks on their face. Tarnished: Fight... Fight... Fight...
Kenneth turns around, recognizing their concern.
Giant rocks are slung right at the Tarnished.
The Tarnished flee back. Kenneth is bumped back and forth by the moving mob. Kenneth: Wait, wait - let me through!
The Banished Knights push the Tarnished aside brusquely. These men are accustomed to the changing tides of battle.
The Banished Knights stomp on the ground and wave their halberds over their heads. The winds respond to their dance; the dust stirs around them.
The banners of Altus unfurl; the knights stomp harder and faster. The winds swirl into a storm.
The boulders are deflected by the furious storm kicked up by the Banished Knights.
Banished Knight: MEN! Banished Knight: ADVANCE! Banished Knights: HAH!
Rhys, to Kenneth: Take the medallion and bring up more men. Rhys: Hurry now!
Rhys: You're right, we all have a role to play. Rhys: I have faith in you.
Kenneth nods. Kenneth: Y-yes!
The Tarnished, seeing the example of the Banished Knights, enter a roaring charge; their courage has been restored. Behind them, the Guardian Golems move forward, engaging against the foes of those who have the right to ride the lift.
There are several encampments around the Altus Highway, enclosed with wooden palisades. The Banished Knights enter here and, soaring through the air, smash into the catapults, rendering them into fragments.
In the Ruin-Strewn Precipice. Rhys's voice: Gareth. The battle has begun. Rhys's voice: Much sooner than we anticipated. Gareth: Alright. We are coming.
The Abandoned Coffin site. Heaps and heaps of Abandoned Coffin carriages are piled around the lift from the ruins to Altus. The golden-brown grass has been stained with blood; the Tarnished as we speak are slaughtering the Omen who live here. As a particular detail, we can omit Godfrey from killing any Omen. Gareth: Everyone! Let's move!
The Tarnished ascend the hill, out of the Abandoned Coffins.
Meilyr: Uhh... Chief, something is coming from the sky. Gareth: What? What is it? Meilyr: Well, it's fast and white and -
The white object slams into the ground, kicking up dirt around the Tarnished.
Lansseax the Ancient Dragon presents herself to the Tarnished, in her regal pride.