The panels on this page depict the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum from a wide view. We have a view of the "temple" that Mohg habituates, the cliffs leading to said-temple, and the Lake of Blood. This is the Mausoleum directly after the War Festival, with pillars of blood falling from the sky into the Lake of Blood.
A view of the Mausoleum.
The ground of the Mausoleum violently shakes. Considering the entire Mausoleum is underground, it's really the entire air and earth shaking.
The God-Devouring Serpent - not a demigod, but the true God-Devouring Serpent - smashes through the floor of the Mausoleum, its eye flashing against the dead stars of the underground. Inside of the Serpent's wounds one can see the Recusants, particularly Bernahl.
Ansbach is on the cliff, watching the Serpent from afar along with other dynasts. Ansbach: The Recusants.
Ansbach, raising his scythe: Everyone, with me! Bloody Fingers: DEFEND THE DYNASTY!
Bernahl and the other Recusants jump off the Serpent.
The Serpent coils in the air, its scales glimmering in the dead sky.
The Serpent brings its mouth into the Lake of Blood.
It begins drinking the blood.
Bloody Fingers are throwing Blood Blades and firing Burred Bolts at the Serpent, however, the Serpent's hide is too thick. The Recusants fire back, with their respective crossbows.
Bernahl sees Ansbach rushing toward him. Bernahl: Bloody Ansbach. Bernahl: If I can't fight Radahn, then you will have to do.
Giant wings and a robe flutter behind Bernahl, as startlingly quiet at Mergo's Wet Nurse's descent in "Bloodborne".
Bernahl is surrounded by Mohg and Ansbach.
Bernahl, to the other Recusants: Hold. Bernahl: Focus on the others.
Mohg: You waited for a great many of our number to depart for the festival, Mohg: so your serpent can sup on our runes.
Bernahl: We didn't have the privilege of building the seat of our empire below the Lion's arena, Bernahl: so, of course, we came to you.
Mohg: I just wonder why you hadn't done it before.
Bernahl: Because we wouldn't have succeeded before.
Ansbach rushes in, his favored weapon, the Obsidian Lamina, in hand.
Bernahl smashes the Devourer's Scepter into the ground, forcing Ansbach to step backwards.
Mohg thrusts the Sacred Spear of his dynasty at Bernahl; Bernahl grapples the prongs of the trident with his other arm.
Bernahl performs the Earthshaker, punching the Spear into the earth.
Ansbach rushes in again, trying to cut Bernahl. Bernahl quickly performs Stamp (Sweep), sweeping the head of the Devourer's Scepter low.
Ansbach nimbly dodges the Devourer's Scepter; his hand is bloody.
He performs the Furious Blade of Ansbach, staining Bernahl's armor with blood.
Bernahl, unfazed, transitions from the spin of Stamp (Sweep) into Repeating Thrust; Ansbach nimbly steps back, but the head of the Devourer's Scepter still strikes his abdomen.
Mohg has unloosed his Spear and looms large over Bernahl. A primal rage seems to come over him, an aspect of his Omen blood.
Mohg smashes the head of the Spear onto the ground, creating a crater; Bernahl dodges, blocking the rocks flying into the air.
With an overhead smash Bernahl strikes Mohg's hand grasping the Spear.
Bernahl looks at Mohg's face, which has become more twisted. Bernahl: Ooh. I struck a nerve.
Mohg smashes the Spear onto the ground again, with somehow even more strength; the ground shakes.
Mohg wildly swings the Spear back and forth, causing trepidation among the Recusants and Bloody Fingers alike. The earth trembles. Bernahl adeptly dodges, while Ansbach is unsure when to step in while Mohg rages.
Mohg flies upward with the wings he grew for this chapter.
He smashes the Spear down; the violence of this blow actually unsteadies Bernahl's legs.
Mohg thrusts forward; Bernahl blocks in time with the Scepter.
Ansbach puts his scythe around Bernahl's neck.
The Serpent stops slurping the blood and grapples Mohg to the ground with its jaws; Ansbach is taken aback by this development, allowing Bernahl to slip away from the scythe.
The Serpent wrestles with Mohg, trying to throw him around, only the bulging muscles in Mohg's arms gives the gigantic Serpent a proper fight.
In fact, it seems that Mohg, with a violence in his eyes, is about to pull the Serpent up, with the famous strength of his forebear Godfrey.
A reversal: the Serpent snaps its jaws tight, piercing into Mohg's flesh.
Mohg tries to grope for his Spear, which has fallen to the ground.
The Serpent slams Mohg into the cliffs, trying to weaken him.
The Serpent drinks from Mohg's cursed blood.
The Serpent, disgusted by Mohg's blood, spits him out.
The Serpent then devours the Giant Crows around the Lake, which have been roused to action. Meanwhile, Bernahl and Ansbach duel one-on-one.
The Bloody Fingers leaving the war festival have now arrived.
War Surgeon (Arthur): Hell. War Surgeon: To arms, Bloody Fingers!
Bernahl: Recusants! Second phase!
The Serpent violently snatches the Bloody Fingers into its jaws, devouring them and their runes and share of grace.
While Bernahl is fending off Ansbach, the Recusants have pulled out a Jar Cannon, pushing a greatbolt into it.
Mohg is storming towards them, possibly with the legs of an animal.
They fire from the cannon, knocking Mohg backwards.
The Serpent crunches, its jaws stained with blood and flinging snapped limbs into the air.
Ansbach beautifully cuts Bernahl with Dynastic Sickleplay.
Bernahl smashes Ansbach's feet with the end of the Devourer's Scepter.
He picks the crippled Ansbach by the armpits.
He intends to throw Ansbach into the Serpent's jaws.
The Recusants fire again, pushing Mohg off again. If Mohg actually draws near, they are prepared to stop him with giant weapons, even if for a moment.
Ansbach: My lord.
The Serpent collects more Bloody Fingers in its mouth, ready to snatch up Ansbach.
Reane jumps off the cliff.
She stabs the Antspur Rapier into the Serpent's eye.
The Serpent's eye becomes red.
The eye pops, releasing pus.
Bernahl tosses Ansbach aside. Bernahl: I know that smell. Bernahl: The Scarlet Rot.
He sees Mohg has become very animalistic, taking on the features of many creatures; he is ready to rampage through the Recusants.
Bernahl: This is about where our ambition ends. Bernahl: We're leaving!
The Recusants leap into the Serpent's wounds, as the Serpent winds back into the hole it carved.
Mohg, bleeding from his wounds, manages to grab the Serpent's lower jaw before it fully escapes.
With all of his bestial strength, he is able to stop the Serpent's escape entirely. A great tug-of-war has started between the Serpent and Mohg.
The Recusants are trying to push Mohg back as best as they can, while the Bloody Fingers quickly gather around the Serpent's escape.
In the Serpent's scars, Bernahl raises the Scepter high into the air.
He swings the Scepter down, performing the Vacuum Slice; a blade of air flies toward Mohg.
The blade hits Mohg back, allowing the Serpent to descend, shaking the earth once more.
The Bloody Fingers watch as the Serpent descends. Bloody Finger: Damnit! Ansbach: EVERYONE!
Ansbach: PUT DISTANCE BETWEEN YOURSELF AND LORD MOHG! Mohg, in his bestial state and bleeding his accursed blood, pummels the Bloody Fingers in a rage.
Arthur is watching, waiting for his time to step in, as Mohg massacres his own knights. Reane enters Arthur's side. Reane: I suppose this is the taming of the accursed blood? Arthur: Yes.
Arthur: If only we had Varre - Arthur: Wait, you're Varre's replacement. Reane: But I don't know the thing.
Penelope steps in. Penelope: Then watch us.
Penelope, Arthur and the other War Surgeon (there are only four at a time) run toward Mohg during the massacre.
They cut their hands, covering them with blood.
They nimbly get near Mohg's sides, while he is distracted in his rage.
With their blood-covered hands, they "push" the accursed blood back into Mohg, as if their blood is somehow diametrically opposed to Mohg's.
Though some of Mohg's wounds have healed, he still swats them away.
Reane uses the lapse to push her bloodied hands against Mohg's chest.
Mohg grips his giant, meaty hands around Reane's shoulders.
Reane continues to push her hands against Mohg, the blood from her hands mixing with his.
Mohg's knees begin to buckle. His wounds are no longer bleeding, and Reane's blood is seeping into his wounds.
Mohg finally falls down, weakened. He is sitting, while Reane continues to hold onto him.
Mohg weakly puts his hands around Reane's. Mohg: That's...enough. Mohg: You've done it.
Mohg reflects on the carnage inflicted on the Mausoleum. Mohg: What a waste.
Ansbach steps in, but Mohg stops him. Mohg: You don't need to speak. Mohg: We didn't lose much blood, but we lost half of our defenders.
Mohg: And the fault is mine. Mohg: I should have anticipated such an attack.
Ansbach: My lord. Ansbach kneels before Mohg, repentant. Ansbach: As your commander, the blame is on me.
Mohg: Despite our secrecy, they knew our weaknesses, and they knew what to steal. Mohg: Men, and our commandeering of grace.
Mohg: This dynasty is worm-eaten, Mohg: and I am its architect.
Arthur: My lord, Arthur: Radahn is defeated. The Fingers who were not at the festival gasp. Ansbach: Truly?
Mohg: Never in a million years would I have thought... Mohg: And yet, we relied on the general's bloodshed for years...
Mohg: ...This should be a moment of great import, but... Mohg: the day is marred by failure...
Reane: If I may: Reane: Your behavior is hardly befitting a sovereign.
Penelope: Reane. Reane: You say such an attack could have been clearly anticipated. Reane: So why are you upset?
Reane: Your enemy will always choose the best plan of action. Reane: Good on them. We're no different; we also act to our greatest advantage.
Reane: You lost much, but not everything. Reane: We can still fight. Tell us so, and we will.
Reane: This is an obscene thing to say TO a personage as great as you, Reane: so forgive it as the opinion OF someone so crippled by stupidity and lack of common sense.
Reane: This is your first empire, so I understand why you would be precious about it. Reane: Today, it is no longer an infant. It will survive.
Mohg: ... Mohg: Heh.
Mohg: I'm a passionate man. Too passionate, in fact. Mohg: You're right.
Arthur: Shall we pursue them? Mohg: No. Cover their entry with stone. If we cannot prevent them from coming, we certainly will not make it easy.
Mohg: Ansbach, I don't think there is anything we can do defensively. We cannot cover the entire Mausoleum. Mohg: Craft a plan for attacks as this, from the Recusants or otherwise, going forward.
Mohg: The temple is sealed with bloodflame. It will be fine. Mohg: My War Surgeons. Our primary advantage over Volcano Manor was our numbers.
Mohg: I don't know how many knights have sworn to the Serpent, Mohg: in any case, they know how to use their numbers well.
Mohg: Reane, you grasp the nuance, now, right? Mohg: The quality of the blood both entices and inspires our knights.
Mohg: The knights find something stirring in the blood, but the blood can dilute their sense of self. Mohg: In other words: you all are responsible for recruitment, in however you see fit.
Mohg: As for Radahn... Leyndell will move. Mohg: Or maybe they won't, if I know the Hunchback well.
Mohg: Nevertheless, we are not in Leyndell's view, because of our location. Mohg: In fact, this recent attack gives us more reason to be quiet.
Mohg: We shall retaliate against Volcano Manor, in due time. Mohg: But not today.
Mohg: When the time is right... Mohg: I will drink the Serpent's blood myself.
Mohg holds the Sacred Spear up solemnly. Mohg: Our dynasty...will be feared, again.
We return to Morrowe, Millicent, Maleigh and the Leonine Misbegotten. It used to be a big party, with Latenna, Elemer, and the Tarnished knight from Stormveil, but no longer. They are at the gate of Stormveil Castle, waiting on their horses to be let in. Maleigh: I am the envoy of Morgott, Lord of Leyndell. I have spoken with your lord, Kenneth. Maleigh: I intend to return to Leyndell, to keep my end of my deal. Sentry: Well...you see, there's something tricky about that...
Maleigh: What is it? Sentry: Erm...it may be better if I bring Kenneth out myself.
The sentry walks off. Maleigh: Hmm. Suspicious.
Misbegotten: So long as I am here, you will be safe. Misbegotten: But, remember our deal.
Maleigh, muttering: Yes, yes. Kenneth approaches them.
Maleigh: Lord Kenneth Haight, what is the matter? Kenneth: I shall be blunt:
Kenneth: I am no longer castellan. Morrowe: What?
Morrowe: Didn't Gareth - Kenneth: That's the thing.
Kenneth: I...heard the shout of the Battlefield's Lion. Kenneth: That seemed to rouse many Tarnished to arise from their graves.
Kenneth: There was already a conspiracy brewing in Limgrave, and they overthrew the castle - mostly peacefully. Kenneth: And so...that's how it is.
Maleigh: Ah. Well, that's not abnormal. Maleigh: The Tarnished sometimes bring about reversals of fortune, even among their own kind.
Morrowe: You idiot. Your only job was to protect the castle Gareth entrusted you with. Kenneth bows his head. Kenneth: ...Aye.
Maleigh: Alright, let us in. Maleigh: Let me talk to the new man.
Kenneth: Sir... Kenneth: He may kill you. He takes Marika's exhortation seriously.
Maleigh: You and all of your kind. Maleigh: Let me in. I will not be impeded here.
Kenneth: I will accompany you. I am the castellan's advisor. Kenneth, to the sentry: Open the gate!
The gate is lifted up.
The Tarnished enter the outer courtyard.
They ascend the stairs, to the inner courtyard.
Inner courtyard.
They walk to the throne of Stormveil.
The graveyard right before the throne.
They are in the throne room of Stormveil. Seated on the throne is some character I don't even want to try to make up, for fear of my pen failing me. The character should convey a conquering type like Ganishka of "Berserk" or Gaiseric. I will just call him Vengarl, referencing "Dark Souls II", the warrior who killed hundreds of people singlehandedly. Vengarl sits majestically, displaying power liberally. Vengarl: You're Maleigh. Maleigh: Correct. Vengarl: The traitor of heaven. Maleigh: Also correct.
Vengarl: I am within reason to have your head. Vengarl: I am, however, impressed by your boldness to speak with me.
Vengarl: So, speak. Maleigh: Do you know the offer I extended to Kenneth?
Vengarl: Yes, a fool's offer. Vengarl: I am not a fool, for I will win.
Maleigh: Seeing as you will triumph, may I serve you? Vengarl: No. I do not trust you.
Maleigh: Do you know of my party? Vengarl: Yes. The man is your servant, and he will die with you.
Morrowe: Oh come on. Vengarl: The woman is a skilled warrior; and I will extend mercy to her if she joins me.
Millicent: I will not. Vengarl: Very well. Vengarl: And the lion is one of ours, though only for the reason I honor Kenneth's covenant.
Maleigh: You have the air of a ruler. Vengarl: Do not flatter me. However, it is true: in my previous life, I ruled one end of the world to the other.
Vengarl: So will I unite the heavens, and become the next Elden Lord. Maleigh: Fantastic.
Maleigh: Frankly, I commend you on your resolve, and your firm thinking. Maleigh: It resembles mine, and Morgott's.
Maleigh: Sovereigns should, to one another, speak only of advantage. Maleigh: So let me make this clear:
Maleigh: You have a traitor in your midst.
Vengarl: I don't indulge in palace intrigue. Maleigh: You do indulge in being a sorry fool, that's for sure.
The guards of the throne room put their swords against Maleigh's throat. Maleigh sighs. Maleigh: Again? Chest-thumping is a constant across regimes. Maleigh: I'm trying to save you a headache, and remove an obstacle from your way to being Elden Lord.
Maleigh: You think I don't know anything? You are so sure in your alliances? Maleigh: I administer to Leyndell, seat of the gods. There are more conspiracies than stones.
Vengarl: Why do I need you for intelligence? Maleigh: Do you even hear yourself?
Maleigh: You either take comfort in your power, or you trust the other man's advantage. Maleigh: I know which I prefer.
Vengarl: Tell me why I should trust you. Maleigh: Finally an easy question.
Morrowe pierces through the Leonine Misbegotten's heart.
In a swift motion, Morrowe returns to Maleigh's side, protecting him from the furious knights in Vengarl's keep. It should be noted that Morrowe is not being manipulated in this case.
Maleigh: That was not the proof. Maleigh pulls out a scroll from his sleeve.
Maleigh throws it to Kenneth. Maleigh: Read it.
Kenneth reads the scroll. Kenneth: ...This is a pact between the Misbegotten and the capital.
Vengarl: What? Kenneth: On the premise that the Misbegotten's blood leads back to royalty, the writer guarantees the loyalty of their species to the Veiled Monarch.
Kenneth: The writer details signs that could be exchanged between the royal soldiers and the Misbegotten, for a future siege against the Castle. Kenneth: The writer in turn asks for a sign within a fortnight affirming the pact.
Kenneth: And this is, indeed, in the Misbegotten's script, when he pledged his own kind to our cause.
Maleigh: Throughout our journey in Caelid and Limgrave, we were never at a loss for provisions. Maleigh: The spies of Leyndell are very skilled in infiltration. When we put our mind to it, anyway.
Maleigh: And yet, my intent was to reveal this document to the former castellan, the great Kenneth Haight - Maleigh: because the capital values the Tarnished, however recalcitrant, over the Misbegotten.
Maleigh: And, because I promised Kenneth to open a channel of communication between the capital and Stormveil.
Maleigh: As I told Kenneth, peace is preferable, if only for the reason we may fight in the future. Maleigh: Now, the General dead, the Tarnished are emboldened and Leyndell is unprepared for a siege.
Vengarl: I don't want peace. Maleigh: In substance, sure.
Maleigh: Why don't I tell Leyndell you want peace, even if it's hardly the truth?
Vengarl: What do you gain from this exchange? Maleigh: A reprieve from a pointless servitude?
Maleigh: The goddess is Marika, but Morgott administers to the capital. Vengarl: And yet you chose to do Morgott's bidding.
Maleigh: Because I want to live. Maleigh: For moments such as this.
Maleigh: You can see my body was born feeble. Maleigh: To survive, I had to make my bed with whomever was willing.
Maleigh: Thousands of years. Maleigh: Thousands of years that hunchbacked idiot promised to unite the Lands Between.
Maleigh: And he dithered and sat on his ass, Maleigh: using the Erdtree's natural blessings to protect himself.
Maleigh: I have no morals. I just think he's a bore. Maleigh: Now Radahn is dead, it's clear whom Marika favors.
Maleigh: Of course, I don't ask for nothing. Maleigh: I will return, to be your advisor, against the capital, for a fee.
Maleigh: Many men will now join your cause. I just want the first reward.
Vengarl: ...Fine then. You may go.
Maleigh, Morrowe and Millicent kneel before Vengarl. Maleigh: My lord.
Maleigh: Before I go, I will tell you the capital's numbers and stratagems.
Some time has passed. Maleigh, Morrowe, and Millicent kneel again, before exiting the throne room.
They pass through the tomb.
Their horses are waiting for them, on the side of Liurnia.
On their horses, they pass Bellum Church.
They finally descend into the lakes.
Morrowe: So, are you really pledging allegiance to that man? Maleigh: Fuck no.
Maleigh: I told him nothing but the truth concerning Leyndell's next moves, Maleigh: but that knowledge won't matter when I tell Leyndell what their move will be.
Millicent: You're incorrigible. Maleigh: That wounds me, m'lady.
Millicent: I sincerely despise you. Maleigh: I wasn't lying to you.
Maleigh: It pains me you don't think I'm a decent man, Maleigh: even though I do what I think is right.
Millicent: Going against your word to another - Maleigh: I can lie to villains all day. I don't think they are worth the truth.
Maleigh: These Tarnished think a day after they are born they will win the war. Maleigh: They will not. They will only cause more bloodshed.
Millicent: And yet the Tarnished believe in their warfare. Maleigh: I've lived many, many years. I don't.
Maleigh: I either have blind faith that, somehow, the end of the capital will be the start of peace, Maleigh: or I use my reason to see that different Tarnished on different days will spend eternity fighting over rubble.
Maleigh: Leyndell is the best insurer of peace. Maleigh: Morgott is the greatest sovereign currently in the Lands Between. Maybe of all time.
Maleigh: It's Marika who keeps bringing up all these damn Tarnished to fight every hour of every day of this miserable existence, Maleigh: and who refuses to tell us what the conditions of peace she believes we should have.
Millicent: ...I apologize. Maleigh: What?
Millicent: I disagree with you entirely concerning the Tarnished, and yet you've convinced me of your passion and your sincerity. Millicent: I furthermore do not think you are a decent man, but I respect your earnestness.
Maleigh: Save it. Maleigh: I will lie and deal to protect my own hide. This will always be true, whether I must cast aside my earnestness or no.
Silence. Maleigh is secretly touched by Millicent's acknowledgement of him, and Millicent isn't so wishy-washy to take her assessment away either.
The trio continue their journey through Liurnia.
The Roundtable Hold. As is expected of Gideon, he is simply waiting around. His long, long existence consists of two things: 1. finding out information and 2. waiting for information. 3. would theoretically be Profit.
Footsteps.
The Prophet has finally entered the Roundtable Hold. Gideon: Ah. I know of you. Gideon: Welcome to the Roundtable Hold.
Gideon: I'm... Gideon realizes he doesn't have to act anymore. Gideon: Sir Gideon Ofnir. A senior Tarnished. Someone who has gone through the knocks and shoves of the Lands Between.
Gideon: I know you. You are a great warrior. Gideon: You certainly will make a name for yourself. Gideon extends his hand.
He and the Prophet shake hands, though the Prophet does so meekly.
Gideon: Your hands...are burnt. Gideon: I know you are fond of fire incantations.
The Prophet looks at his feet, ashamed.
Gideon: ...Do you know why the Greater Will chose the form of a tree?
Prophet: ? Gideon: It's not hard to discern, but you can only know it from observing the Erdtree long.
Gideon: Grace grows. Grace changes. Grace adapts to the seasons. Gideon: Just like a tree, grace is not dull and inanimate. It is molded by adversity.
Gideon: Whoever the Greater Will anointed as its vessel, that individual would have to adapt their reign to the Erdtree's peculiarities. Gideon: It's not easy to appreciate the Greater Will's choice without knowing what preceded the Erdtree.
An image of the giants, as tall as the sprout of the Erdtree. It's up to you if you want to believe the giants were as tall as the Erdtree itself, though I don't think so; I like to believe the giants were themselves preceded by Titans, who were genuinely gigantic, and the giants are their degenerated offspring, furthering the themes of the game itself. Gideon: A race of cruel, vindictive, ill-tempered men. Men who towered over the Erdtree. Gideon: The giants. The first people Marika put to the sword.
Gideon: Contrary to myth, they were not, despite their cruelty, unintelligent people. Gideon: They studied the stars, as we do.
Gideon: But whereas truth for us has warmth and expands, Gideon: their truth was absolute and destructive.
Gideon: Their truth manifested in the form of fire.
The epic battle between the warriors of the Erdtree and the giants. The giants thunder over the earth, throwing their arrows and spears like lightning; priests throw fireballs at the sprouting Erdtree. The warriors of the Erdtree, who hardly come up to their ankles, fight them. Godfrey, in particular, shows his prodigious strength here, putting even these giant beings under his power. Marika can be seen in the background, exhorting her warriors to fight, to protect their fledgling vision. Considering the corpses we see in the Forbidden Lands have roots growing through them, perhaps they were attacked by the thorns of the Erdtree, which we will get to at some point in time. Gideon: And so, Marika exhorted the first men to fight, for a kinder, gentler, wiser future.
The giants are repulsed, slain by the humans. Collars are put upon their necks, reducing them to slaves. In the future, the giants degenerate into the modern-day trolls. I think. Gideon: Empowered by the Greater Will, Marika and her army defeated them and their Fell God, who beheld the truths of the universe equally.
The fire of the giants is confined to the Forge of the Giants up north, in the Forbidden Lands. The corpses of giants are strewn over the land. Gideon: Their fire was confined to the giants' Forge, its ashes pelted by snow.
Gideon: The guardians of the Erdtree did not simply seal an evil magic. Gideon: They sealed an accursed way of life.
The Forbidden Lands, where the Fire Monks have built forts and turn their gaze to the forge, praying for its continued sealing. Gideon: A way of life that cannot be extinguished forever. Gideon: That is why Monks are posted by that forge, to ensure the sin of fire never returns.
The Prophet is reminded of his shame. Gideon: ...
Gideon: And yet, the Erdtree is dimmed, its warmth dissipated, Marika's Order is shattered, and the goddess herself is nowhere to be seen.
Gideon: This is no different than the world the giants lived in. Gideon: Why don't we use their sin?
Gideon: Once upon a time, that flame was a source of revelation. Gideon: The giants used to hold the flame before their eyes, the darkness of the universe illuminated.
Gideon: To us, the stars are dim. Gideon: Only scholars are able to glimpse into the deepest mysteries of glintstone, as puffed-up as they are.
Gideon: Fire and ash embody destruction and creation. Gideon: In the days of fire, all forms of life thrived and suffered.
Gideon: But that kind of fire inspired madness. Gideon: The giants were blinded by its brightness.
Silence. Gideon and the Prophet have arrived at the point Gideon is getting at. There's a palpable awkwardness.
Gideon: ...How long have I been doing this? Gideon: The terror of death. The ecstasy of being reborn. Then the grief of being surrounded by terror and suffering.
Gideon: Then there's understanding, then there's power, and potential. Gideon: Then, the exultation of holding a Great Rune.
Gideon: Then nothing. Loss. Loneliness. Boredom. More death. Stretching to infinity.
Gideon: I will take any weapon. I will accept any sin. Gideon: To end this relentless nightmare.
Gideon: I will lend a useful man my aegis. When you're staring at despair, you don't discriminate.
Gideon: Only...don't let that fire consume you. Gideon: If you consider me a friend at all, then don't.
Gideon: You're only here for a moment? Very well. This respite is owed you. Gideon, looking at the doors to the Two Fingers: But don't go through those doors. Not yet, anyway.
The Prophet bows, fading away. Gideon: Farewell. Gideon: Remember my words.
The Prophet wakes up, in the Church of Pilgrimage. In the Prophet's meditation, time stopped and he entered the Roundtable Hold and met Gideon. He is wearing the Tree Sentinel armor again, after Boc had washed it. Melina is reciting the words of Marika from the Echoes. Melina: "Then, after thy death, I will give back what I once claimed." Melina: "Return to the Lands Between, wage war, and brandish the Elden Ring." Melina: "Grow strong in the face of death. Warriors of my lord." Melina: "Lord Godfrey."
The Prophet stands up. Melina: Are you sure you don't want to rest?
Boc: We're going? But we just arrived. Hyetta: Our lord is a sightseer of churches.
The foursome mount Torrent. This is getting implausible, but I'm going on 1. Torrent is pretty sturdy and 2. Melina is a ghost and doesn't weigh anything and doesn't really need to have a good seat on Torrent to stay "anchored" to him. However, Torrent is not a long horse-goat thing, so I dunno how this work.
Torrent descends the cliffs leading to the Church of Pilgrimage.
He passes the Demi-Human Forest Ruins, with demi-human stragglers glaring at them but not commiting to any action.
They make the U-turn from the forest to the pass leading to the Bridge of Sacrifice.
The pass to the Bridge of Sacrifice.
The Bridge of Sacrifice.
They are now in the Limgrave we most familiar with, passing by the Waypoint Ruins.
They pass the bridge over Lake Agheel.
They step on the hill leading to Stormgate.
The gate to Stormveil castle. The gate is being opened for them.
The Tarnished pass through the castle's courtyard.
They enter the graveyard leading to the throne room.
They are brought before the current castellan of the castle, Vengarl. Vengarl: Tales have been told of you, Vengarl: how you fought for this castle in a great battle,
Vengarl: and that you are a veteran of the battles at Leyndell, Vengarl: and fought Radahn and lived.
Vengarl: You may go. Vengarl: But promise me, when the summoning horns are blown, you come to assist my army against Leyndell.
The three bow, except Melina, because she's a ghost and no one sees her. Hyetta: We shall, Lord.
Squires load provisions on Torrent.
The Tarnished depart.
They finally step foot onto Liurnia, once again.
Melina: The question now, is... Melina: How do we return to Altus Plateau?
Melina: The mines are held by Leyndell, and the castellan of Stormveil keeps the Dectus medallion. Melina: I suppose that may be why he expects us to answer his summons.
Hyetta: Why don't we move eastward, staying on dry land? Hyetta: Perhaps we may discover a route through the Liurnian Highway. Boc is confused by this conversation - again, he doesn't notice Melina at all - but he doesn't care, he's lived a long life of not understanding what anyone is saying.
Melina: Sure. Melina doesn't see Hyetta's logic, since Leyndell is a million miles higher in elevation than Liurnia, but she also has some curiosity as to what that route could discover. The Prophet turns Torrent toward the east.
The Prophet crosses the Laskyar Ruins.
The Prophet sees the Purified Ruins ahead.
They cross the Purified Ruins. Hyetta: This is where I found myself, before I met all of you.
Melina: Here? This is a grave site? Hyetta: I don't think so. I was in a cellar.
Melina, thinking: These ruins have been purified by the Golden Order... Melina: For what purpose?
The Prophet turns right on the fork leading to Gate Town Bridge, whose fate since the attack on Leyndell we haven't seen yet.
The Prophet enters a wooded area with crabs.
The Prophet sees the Divine Tower of Liurnia in the distance.
The Prophet has arrived at the lake where the Tarnished fought the Tibia Mariner. He looks at it nostalgically, as this is when he was friends with Corhyn. (Which relationship I forgot to touch on in the War Festival, but whatever.)
Something catches the Prophet's eye in the east.
He sees something squatting on the cliff overlooking the sea.
It's Patches.
The Prophet maneuvers Torrent to him; his group is puzzled.
Patches notices the Prophet coming toward him. Patches: Hmm?
The Prophet dismounts. Patches: Oh, it's you. Patches: And you've added another ... unique specimen to the cast. Lovely.
Hyetta: What are you doing here? Patches: None of your business.
Hyetta: How rude! Patches: Then tit-for-tat, tell me, what are you doing here? You going back to that Manor?
Hyetta: Of course. Our duty is accomplished, unlike yours. Patches: Is that true?
The Prophet nods.
Patches: I see. Patches: Well, good journey to ye.
Patches: Except... Patches: Right over there, see that?
The Prophet looks to where Patches is directing him to. Patches: Something's shimmering, I swear. Patches: Could be useful to you.
The Prophet is on the edge of the cliff. Hyetta observes (she can't see), puzzled. Patches: You've got to get closer, your eyes aren't as good as mine.
Patches' shadow is looming over the Prophet. Patches: Well, if you're really that gullible...
Patches kicks the Prophet off the cliff. Patches: Ngh!
The Prophet flies down. Patches: Then stay away from Volcano Manor!
Melina immediately commandeers Torrent.
She rushes at Patches. Patches: Woah! Patches: Stupid donkey!
Hyetta does not know what has happened, being blind. Hyetta: M'lord? M'lord? Patches surreptitiously runs off.
Melina looks down the cliff, with a grieving expression.
She sees the Prophet has fallen onto a tombstone, not far but far enough that no one can help him.
Melina: Oh thank goodness... The Prophet recovers, standing up.
He waves hello at Melina, rather innocently. Melina permits herself a little smile.
Something catches the Prophet's eye, below.
The light of grace is at the bottom of the cliff; to his surprise, there is actually a landmass at the bottom.
Melina: Oh, no... The Prophet is preparing himself for a jump.
The Prophet lands on a lower tombstone.
Melina, muttering: Idiot... Melina: Hyetta! Ask Boc to get rope! A lot, too!
The Prophet continues descending on tombstone after tombstone.
The Prophet lands by the grace.
He looks at the area around the grace; around him are houses with jars - the living jars, like Alexander - surrounding him. Flowers bloom plentifully here. The place has an idyllic air.
Voice, offscreen: Hallo coz, what are you doing here?
The Prophet sees Jar-Bairn, a regular-sized jar with hands and legs. Jar-Bairn: I didn't think anyone knew about this place, though we've been getting visitors left and right.
Jar-Bairn: Oh! Are you going to be the new potentate? Jar-Bairn: Show me your hands.
The Prophet, tentatively, approaches Jar-Bairn.
He extends his hands, which have fused with the gold of the Tree Sentinel gauntlets. Jar-Bairn touches them.
Jar-Bairn: Hmm... Jar-Bairn: Your skin isn't smooth, is it...
Jar-Bairn: You need slick, slidey hands to be Potentate.
Jar-Bairn: I'm sorry coz, but I don't think you've got what it takes Jar-Bairn: to be in our elections.
Voice, offscreen: Ah, it's you, is it.
The Prophet is reunited with Diallos. Diallos: What are you doing at this low point?
Prophet: ...
The Prophet smoothes his hand over his helm. Diallos watches with his finger on his chin.
The Prophet makes a kicking gesture. Diallos: Ah, I see.
Diallos: That rogue kicked you down here. The Prophet nods.
Diallos: Isn't this place idyllic?... Diallos: Food grows on the ground, and no pedestrian would find it.
Diallos: Why fight when places such as Jarburg exist?
Diallos: Even if it means abandoning one's house's honor and one's destiny...
Jar-Bairn: Diallos' smooth and silky hands feel nice when he pats us. Jar-Bairn: He gets my vote.
Diallos: Even a fool like me can look after some simple jars.
Diallos: ...Do you think Volcano Manor will find me here?
The Prophet shakes his head no. Diallos: ...Hmm.
Diallos: Do you think I'm a coward? The Prophet shakes his head no.
Diallos: Do you think it's wrong that I'm leaving behind Lanya's vengeance?
Diallos: And that I'm incapable of doing what Marika bids me to?
The Prophet puts his hand on Diallos' shoulder.
He vigorously shakes his head no.
Diallos, his eyes to the ground: Well, I think I am.
A rope falls down beside the Prophet.
The Prophet looks up; a rope from where Melina and the party were has descended.
Diallos: If you're going to use that rope, please cut it at the top. Diallos: So no one can come to this village.
The Prophet agrees, and waves Diallos goodbye.
Diallos: Goodbye, dear friend. Come visit me again. Diallos: Or don't. I don't wish to see any knights again.
Diallos: One more thing. Diallos hands the Prophet Tanith's letter. It clearly shows Rileigh the Idle as a target. Diallos: I don't need the Manor's orders anymore. Return this to Tanith, with my apologies.
The Prophet climbs up. How it works in his heavy armor, don't ask.
The Prophet is at the top of the cliff. Hyetta and Melina help him up. We can see the rope has been tied to the rock structure or a stake, something strong enough to support the Prophet.
The Prophet is now above the cliff. Hyetta: My lord. Melina: I'm glad you are well.
The Prophet orders Boc to cut the rope; he does so.
They mount Torrent again, ready to resume their journey.
Torrent gallops through the lake the Tibia Mariner had once sailed through.
A view of bushes the Prophet had not seen.
A rider on his horse has emerged from the bushes.
Morrowe on Swift has come out, his Scimitar in hand.