As stated last chapter, Elemer looms over Meilyr. Gareth is kicking his head back to drink from Meilyr's water.
Gareth sees Elemer, raising a sword (not the Executioner's Sword, mind).
Gareth pushes Meilyr aside, as Elemer swings, breaking the planks of the shack.
Meilyr, Gareth: What in...
Meilyr: How are you alive?! I saw your head come off your shoulders!
Elemer swings again.
Gareth catches it with his greatshield.
Gareth struggles against the strength of Elemer's blow; this is the same man who took Radahn's blow.
Meilyr raises the Treespear into the air.
The lightning bolt pierces through the shack's roof and strikes the blade of the Treespear.
Meilyr thrusts forward, punching the spearhead through Elemer's armor.
Elemer absorbs the spear, and brings his greatshield up (somehow, it was repaired by Marika magickery).
Elemer's greatshield meets Gareth's greatshield; an awful din booms from the shack.
Meilyr pulls the spear out, and is ready to thrust again.
Elemer swings his sword again.
Meilyr quickly puts the spear in a blocking stance, possibly something he learned from Godfrey.
Meilyr deflects the blade, such that it falls on the ground. The blade snaps from Elemer's strength.
Elemer looks at the broken blade.
He flees. Gareth: Where is he going?...
Elemer is looking desperately on the ground for something. Meilyr and Gareth pursue him with their weapons. Meilyr: That's right! Run!
Elemer finds a sword. Gareth: So you're eager to fight it out to the end...
To their surprise, Elemer is pulling out the barbs from his greatshield.
He is wrapping the barbs around the sword, trying to make the weapon fit his appearance.
Meilyr raises his Treespear.
He snaps this blade also in half.
Elemer looks at the broken blade in his hands.
With a forlorn look, he looks for another weapon. Gareth: ...
Elemer finds another sword, and proceeds to wrap it in barbed wire. Gareth: This man is insane.
The merchant returns to the shack. Merchant: Customers? Merchant: It's been ages since I've seen a customer.
Elemer, agitated all of a sudden, throws his gaze at the Merchant.
With his naked sword he runs towards the Merchant. Gareth: Woah!
Gareth and Meilyr pull him back. Meilyr: Hey hey hey! Meilyr: Take care of these hearty fellows in front of you, first!
Gareth and Meilyr bring Elemer to his knees; however, in his haste, he is trying to crawl toward the Merchant. The Merchant is frightened, but it's not like his life has been exactly great under the Golden Order, as has been established in prior chapters.
Elemer's face is at the Merchant's knees. Gareth is pushing the entire weight of his body on Elemer's upper body, trying to restrain his muscles.
Elemer, finally, gives up.
Meilyr snaps this blade in half too. Meilyr: Hahh!
Meilyr: As lord of this realm, I hereby decree: Meilyr: NO MURDER!!!
The Merchant kneels before Meilyr. Merchant: Ohh, thank you blessed king! Gareth is the only one pinning Elemer down; Elemer, notably, is struggling under the restraints. Gareth: Meilyr - wait -
Elemer throws Gareth off, and with the broken sword he tries to cut the Merchant's head off.
Elemer's other hand holding the greatshield, Gareth grasps at its "briars", unloosening them.
The "briars" around the greatshield are undone, and drop into the dirt. Gareth's hands are bleeding. Elemer is alarmed the thorns on his shield are undone.
He drops the broken sword, and wraps his greatshield again.
Gareth bashes his greatshield into Elemer, pushing him onto the ground.
Gareth, grunting: Well, Meilyr? What do we do with him? Meilyr walks to the fallen Elemer.
He points his spear over Elemer's head. Gareth: Go on.
Meilyr: ...I won't. Meilyr pulls his spear away.
Gareth: I can't...keep him...pinned forever, you know! Meilyr bends down to Elemer.
Meilyr: Why do you want to kill that man? He's done nothing to you.
Elemer says nothing; only the cold stare of his helm returns an answer to Meilyr.
Meilyr: I suppose there's no bargaining with someone like you. Meilyr points the head of his spear over Elemer's head again.
Suddenly, Meilyr bends down and begins to remove the briars from Elemer's armor. His hands begin to bleed as a result.
Elemer, feeling naked, throws Gareth off him and tries to retrieve the barbs from Meilyr.
Elemer gives chase, but Meilyr is too fleet of foot.
Gareth: Hey. Gareth is holding onto the Briar Greatshield.
Elemer runs towards Gareth, but Meilyr continues to take off more barbed wires from him.
When Elemer tries to chase Meilyr, Gareth pushes him on his face with his own greatshield.
Gareth presses the whole weight of his body through his foot on Elemer's back. Meilyr continues to remove wires. Meilyr: I don't understand you, and that's why I don't want to kill you. Yet.
Meilyr takes the wire, which is stained by his blood, and walks over to the cliff.
He extends the wire over the edge of the cliff, while Elemer watches.
Meilyr: Do you get my intent? Meilyr: Come now, let's be civil.
Elemer stops struggling.
Meilyr throws the wire a distance away (not off the cliff, to be clear).
He returns to Elemer, squatting over him. Meilyr: Do you speak at all?
He can only hear breathing behind the mask.
Meilyr: If you understand my words, then nod.
Elemer nods.
Meilyr: I want you to come with me to my castle. I have a friend I want to inspect you. Meilyr: Then, we'll decide what to do with you.
Meilyr: But... Meilyr: I can't really rely on your better nature, can I?
Meilyr picks up the wire again, and heads to the edge of the cliff.
Meilyr: Gareth. Strip him of his armor.
Gareth: Can we even carry so much armor with us? Meilyr: I don't know, can you?
Merchant: I can watch over it.
Meilyr: Man, if he bolts, he will take it and your head.
Merchant: Many men have been after my head. I'm not afraid. Merchant: And I'm also not so stupid as to be caught unawares by the same man twice.
Merchant: I owe you my life. Paltry thing it is. Merchant: And, you're the boss of these lands. So you tell me.
Meilyr: ...Alright.
Meilyr, to Elemer: Do you hear that? I'm making a promise to you, and a promise from me is a guarantee. Meilyr: This man will hold your effects. You come with us, and when we return to the castle you'll be given them back.
Meilyr: Then, come with me to Redmane Castle. I'll make it worth your while. Meilyr: But I won't let you a yard in sight of this man.
Meilyr: If you don't like this deal... Meilyr: Then...
Meilyr: Well, I'll have to kill you. And heavens know I absolutely, certainly, positively would refrain from doing that, if justice permits me. Meilyr: What say you?
Elemer, wearily, nods.
Meilyr: ...Alright. Meilyr: Gareth, strip him. He hands the wires to the merchant.
Meilyr points his spear at Elemer's head. His spear is covered in blood, as his hands are bloody from handling the wire. Meilyr: But, so you know I'm not a fool... Meilyr: Gareth, go on.
Meilyr, thinking: Goldmask. Goldmask.
Meilyr is waiting in the Roundtable Hold.
Goldmask appears. Goldmask: What is it?
Meilyr: You know the armored man, that that man from Leyndell kept and killed? Meilyr: I found him.
Goldmask: Oh. Interesting. Goldmask: I assume Marika brought him back to life.
Meilyr: ...Hum. Goldmask: I can't answer more than that. The goddess is fickle.
Meilyr: I intend to return him back to the castle, so you can check on him. Goldmask: Good idea. Meilyr: Should I know anything, for this journey?
Goldmask: Well... Goldmask: He was a knight under Leyndell... He wears the armor of Eochaid, a realm of dancing warriors...
Goldmask: I didn't perceive the man as having much agency... And he wore the mask of a criminal who would be executed...
Goldmask: With the other man, it's clear Leyndell's command was compulsory... Goldmask: But I don't get the impression he was enchanted.
Goldmask: I surmise this man entered Leyndell's service voluntarily. Goldmask: He has the bearing of a warrior, clearly.
Goldmask: Why do men pick up arms and fight? Goldmask: Who knows? Perhaps he enjoys bloodshed, and service gave him the opportunity.
Goldmask: And, that would explain why Marika brought him to life: Goldmask: She sought a machine for killing, to bring these lands to peace.
Goldmask: But these are speculations. I would need to inspect his threads of causality close. Goldmask: Is he dumb? Meilyr: No.
Goldmask: Then my leading assumption is that his austerity comes from a creed or a passion. Not unlike myself, frankly. Goldmask: But I cannot say more.
Goldmask: Are you sure you won't take any knights with you? Meilyr: No - Gareth and I are enough, I think.
Meilyr: One more thing: he was particularly keen to kill a bum here. Goldmask: Who was he?
Meilyr: Some man with a funny hat. Skinny as you. Goldmask: Oh. One of the Great Caravan.
Meilyr: Come again? Goldmask: That's for another time. In brief: it's not an unreasonable inclination.
Meilyr: But the bum didn't do anything. Goldmask: I didn't say it was justified, just reasonable.
Goldmask: It was Marika's choice to make certain classes of people. Goldmask: Perhaps this executioner was, in fact, designed to be a pure vessel for the gods.
Goldmask: I have no more to say on the subject. Be safe. Meilyr: Thank you.
Elemer is now stripped naked. He has no human model in the games, so imagine whatever you will. I myself can't think of anything symbolic in his appearance. Gareth: ...And, that's it. Gareth: Let us hurry. I don't want to wait another day. Meilyr: Thank you for indulging in my whims. Gareth: No, I like your thinking.
Gareth: I'm not happy in killing either. Gareth gets back on Stalwart. Gareth: I've done it, but I don't love it.
Gareth, pointing to Elemer: Sit with me, giant. Elemer bows. Meilyr: I've never killed. Only chickens.
Gareth: That's not an issue. Gareth, to the Merchant: You're a good man. The Merchant waves farewell to them.
The trio ride down the hill from the shack. It is twilight.
They enter the crossroads between Greater Dragonbarrow, Caelid and the Shack. The Divine Tower of Caelid is in the background.
They slow to a crawl as they enter the Dragonbarrow.
The Dragonbarrow, as we had seen it before. The dragons are sleeping.
The Tarnished navigate around the pond, trying to avoid splashing in the water.
They pass by the sleeping dragons while gazing at them.
They look up, seeing in the distance Greyoll, the mountain of a dragon. Around Greyoll are many younger dragons sleeping.
Gareth, whispering: That's the giant dragon Rhys told me about. Gareth: She's much larger than I thought.
Gareth: He told me she woke and roused the other dragons.
They re-enter the road past the pond, trying to sneak by Greyoll.
Greyoll's slumbering, tired, pained face.
A single eyelid begins to flicker.
The eyelid rolls up, with Greyoll staring at them.
Gareth: Oh. Gareth: Oh hell. Gareth: Move faster.
Meilyr stands deathly still, on Worth. Gareth: Meilyr.
Zoom in to Meilyr's face. Gareth: Meilyr, come on.
Greyoll's worn face.
Meilyr looks upon her with sympathy.
Greyoll closes her eye, resting again.
Meilyr continues onward. Gareth: What happened?
Meilyr: ...I don't know. Meilyr: But those dragons aren't our enemies.
As they continue down the road, they see a fork, one leading downward below the Farum Greatbridge and to Lenne's Rise, and one leading to the bridge. The Tarnished take the ascending road.
The Tarnished pass beneath tree roots.
They see the Minor Erdtree. Gareth: Another great tree... Gareth: Just like in Mistwood.
Meilyr: Hmm. No one told me this tree was here. Gareth: These trees are all over the Lands Between. Meilyr: Yes, but this one is my tree.
Meilyr: What are they? Gareth: I don't know. Don't ask me.
Gareth: Hmm? What is it? Elemer is pointing to a hollow in the tree.
They see a man-sized hollow in the trunk of the tree. Gareth: A...human-shaped impression? Gareth: Are you saying you came from this tree?
Elemer: Yeah.
Gareth, Meilyr: You can talk?!
Gareth: You were resurrected in armor? Meilyr: What does it feel like to die?
Elemer is silent. Gareth, Meilyr: ...
Gareth: D. told me souls are recycled through these trees. Gareth: I didn't think they were also renewed by them.
Gareth: Is this where we came from? A view of the tree high up.
Meilyr: I came from a tomb. Gareth: I don't recall. I only remember Gaer calling me. A wooden hand emerges out of the tree.
Gareth: But these aren't the Erdtree, correct? So how do they work? The Erdtree Avatar, with both hands, emerges out of the Minor Erdtree.
The Tarnished see the shadow of the Erdtree Avatar cast over them. Gareth: Ah.
The Erdtree Avatar falls; Gareth, Meilyr and Elemer run.
The Erdtree Avatar crashes down, falling on his bottom and shaking the ground (this is an actual move in the game).
As the Tarnished gather themselves, the Erdtree Avatar pulls out the bark of the Minor Erdtree.
The bark is transformed into the Staff of the Avatar.
Gareth: Meilyr - Meilyr: I know, cover me!
Gareth: No, there's no need to fight! Gareth: Run!
The Tarnished return to their steeds; the Avatar swings its staff.
The staff misses them; the ground quakes underneath Stalwart and Worth's hooves.
The Tarnished escape, moving towards the Farum Greatbridge. The Avatar scans them.
It raises its staff high above its head, with a golden magic imbuing its head.
It slams the head of the staff onto the ground, creating a golden explosion beneath its body.
The flush of gold coalesces into tiny golden stars, twinkling in the air.
The stars fire at Gareth, Meilyr and Elemer, piercing through them. Meilyr: Ah! Gareth: Keep going!
The Tarnished see the Farum Greatbridge before them.
As they enter the greatbridge, a shadow falls over them. Gareth: Please, gods, no.
Flying high over the Tarnished is Flying Dragon Greyll, the informal guardian of the Greatbridge. Gareth: Stalwart, please. Meilyr: Worth.
Gareth: Go!! Both Stalwart and Worth charge down the bridge as quickly as they can.
Greyll breathes fire from the sky.
The Tarnished race across the Greatbridge. The bridge is completely consumed by fire. One can see the sea flowing beneath the bridge.
The Tarnished arrive at the other end of the bridge; Greyll has paused their attack, for a while.
Gareth: Stalwart, don't stop.
The Tarnished ascend, seeing the Bestial Sanctum over a hill. Gareth, thinking: What is this elaborate temple doing in this remote place?
As they progress, Vulgar Militiaman attack them, equipped with scythes, halberds and smoke bombs.
Greyll resumes their aerial bombardment, setting the Vulgar Militia in flames; the Tarnished narrowly escape on their steeds.
Greyll swoops down, dancing over the Bestial Sanctum.
Greyll slams down before the Tarnished. With the flames behind them, the Tarnished are cut off.
Greyll roars, attempting to intimidate the Tarnished into submission.
Gareth and Meilyr are ready to fight. Gareth, to Elemer and the animals: Go, take cover.
Above the Bestial Sanctums are the thin feet and arms of a giant creature. The limbs are a patchwork of flesh, glued together by black wax. The creature gives off a decayed appearance.
The creature leaps.
The creature, the Black Blade Kindred, a gargoyle made of the flesh of champions Tarnished and Numen alike, wrestles Greyll to the ground. Greyll shrieks in surprise.
With a fist, the Kindred brutalizes one of Greyll's eyes.
The Kindred pulls out the halberd on its back.
Greyll, summoning great strength, shoves the Kindred away.
Greyll flies into the sky, retreating from the battle.
The Kindred inspects the Tarnished.
Gareth stops Meilyr. Gareth: Wait.
Gareth digs into his pockets.
Gareth pulls out the Deathroot.
The Kindred inspects the Deathroot.
The Kindred resumes its post as sentry, straightening its back with its sword in its hand, the blade pointed to the sky.
Meilyr and Gareth move forward. Meilyr: Did D. mention this? Gareth: Nope.
Gareth pushes open the doors of the Bestial Sanctum. Meilyr: I don't think my army can fight a giant warrior-angel. Meilyr: Please tell D. I am evicting his friend.
Gareth opens the doors of the Bestial Sanctum.
The hall of the Bestial Sanctum. In the background is a robed, hunched figure, twice as large as Gareth.
It is Gurranq, Beast Clergyman. He is entirely silent, reserving his energy to the utmost. There is a weight in the air, as if this immense man can snap at any time.
Gareth: Are you Gurranq? Gurranq: ...
Gurranq: I smell it... Death... Gurranq: Feed it me...
Gareth: ... Gareth: Meilyr, do you want to give me privacy?
Meilyr: I do want to interrogate this man, but... Meilyr: Sure.
Meilyr leads Elemer, leaving.
Gurranq: Please... Tarnished... Gareth lays the Deathroot on the ground.
The Deathroots, one from Limgrave, the second from Liurnia, and the third from Altus Plateau.
Gurranq drools uncontrollably, showing some of his bestial nature.
He snatches all of the Deathroot in his arms.
He brings them to his mouth, swallowing them in one bite.
Gurranq chews and chews.
There is no more Deathroot left.
Gurranq: That's...all?
Gareth nods.
Gurranq: More... I am not sated...
Gurranq: More... There has to be more...
Gurranq leaps at Gareth. Gareth, of course, is startled. Gurranq: MORE!
Though Gareth has brought his shield up, with one swipe of his paws Gareth is pushed backwards.
Gareth slams into the wall of the temple.
Gareth collects himself. Gurranq wants to pounce at Gareth, but one can see him digging his claws deeper into his flesh. Gurranq: Tarnished... you have more... Gurranq: You're not telling me the truth...are you? Gurranq: You have more...you do...
Unable to control himself, Gurranq leaps at Gareth. Gurranq: TARNISHED! DO NOT HIDE DEATH FROM ME!
Gareth throws aside his greatshield.
He accepts Gurranq's fangs and claws into his flesh. Gurranq's claws near tear off his arms, and Gurranq bites into his shoulder.
Severely weakened, Gareth feebly tries to move his arms up.
He embraces Gurranq. Gareth: I know what you are... Gareth: Broken creature...
Tears are streaming from Gareth's helmet. Gareth: You're just another victim in this cruel world. Gareth: Just like D. Just like me.
Gareth: I don't want to die, but... Gareth: I don't have any more on my person. I'm so sorry.
Gurranq's jaws and grip on Gareth weaken.
Gurranq retreats, realizing how much wrong he has just done to Gareth because of his weakness.
Gurranq, a distance away from Gareth, brings his head to the ground, and begins to whimper like a hurt dog.
Tears stain the ground. Gurranq: Tarnished. Forgive me. Gurranq: I won't forget...again...
Gareth looks at Gurranq with emotion. Gurranq: mine appetite... My sin... Gurranq: I won't forget... Forgive me...
Meilyr enters. Meilyr: What's going on? I heard feral noises.
Meilyr: Those wounds! Did they come from that monster?! Indeed, Gareth is very hurt, moreso than his previous adventures.
Gareth: No, it's not - Meilyr, baring his spear: Where is he?! Where is that mongrel?!
Gareth: He's right - Gurranq is gone.
Gareth: ...What? He vanished into thin air. Meilyr: That sneak! Tries to murder an innocent man, and then flees!
Gareth tries to stop Meilyr from getting riled up, but he is too weak to actually move. Gareth: No, it's not his fault - Gareth: Uhhh. Meilyr tries to hold Gareth up. Meilyr: You're in no condition to move. You need to lie down.
Gareth: I'll... I'll heal, as I always have... Meilyr: Yes, but it's still not wise to leave you alone.
Gareth: He didn't... Rather, I allowed him to... Meilyr: Though, how will we get out of here, with that dragon?...
Gareth is lying down. Gareth, thinking: D. D.
Voice: Gareth? Gareth: D! You're able to hear me?
Voice: Yes. You...had access to the Hold, this whole time? Gareth: And you as well?
Voice: ...No. I had lost the grace of gold a long time ago. Voice: This is a strange feeling to me... Gareth: D. I met Gurranq.
Gareth: I did not leave the encounter unscathed. Can you come to the Bestial Sanctum, and escort me from here? Gareth: I have Stalwart with me.
Voice: Yes, I can. Gareth: Thank you. I only need to leave Caelid.
Gareth: Meilyr. I have contacted D through the Roundtable Hold. Gareth: He will come and tend to my wounds.
Gareth: If you leave on Worth, you'll easily escape the dragon. Gareth: However, I see a path leading below the bridge, though it may be guarded by assassins.
Meilyr: ... Meilyr: I dislike leaving you on your own. Gareth: I dislike holding you back.
Gareth: I will meet Rhys at Limgrave. You are not going there. Gareth: In any case, I think I will be protected by the guardian of this temple.
Gareth: There's no reason for you to stay. Meilyr: ...
Meilyr: Let me tend to your wounds at least.
Meilyr rides off without looking back; somehow, he has found cloth to bandage Gareth's wounds. He leaves as the moon descends into the horizon, with Elemer behind him (I guess Worth can support him). Gareth is left to himself, in silence.
Gareth closes his eyes, trying to get some rest; Stalwart is nearby, resting after the race across the bridge.
Gareth opens his eyes; he hears a loud howling.
Gurranq is outside of the Sanctum, howling at the Erdtree; his tone is forlorn and desperate, the music of a creature who has no hope left.
Gareth closes his eyes again, somehow soothed by Gurranq's sad song. Gareth: Fia...
Darkness. Gareth: Why were creatures like we made incomplete? Gareth: Why does this world despise us? Gareth: ...Who will fix it?