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Tarnished leaned back slightly, keeping his hands resting loosely at his sides as Torrent carried them forward. The spectral steed moved at a steady pace, its hooves barely kicking up dust as they passed through the desolation of Caelid.
The sky was a sickly red, clouds of rot-infested fog swirling over the land like a suffocating shroud. The groans of dying creatures echoed in the distance, but neither he nor Melina paid them much mind.
Seated in front of him, Melina sighed before speaking. "Where now, thou reckless fool?" Her tone was even, but there was a distinct note of exasperation beneath it.
Tarnished chuckled, his smirk evident even though she couldn't see it. "There's a Site of Grace just ahead. Let me grab that first, then we'll get started on my checklist."
She nodded in acknowledgment, adjusting her hold on Torrent's reins. She was still somewhat unused to guiding the spectral steed, but she handled it well. He could feel the subtle shifts in her posture as she focused, the slight tension in her back as she concentrated on keeping their course steady.
After a few moments, Tarnished tapped her shoulder lightly. "Hold up."
Melina slowed Torrent to a stop, and Tarnished hopped off, stretching slightly before heading toward the Site of Grace nestled beside a crumbling stone pillar. The familiar warmth of golden light pulsed beneath his fingertips as he activated it, a soft hum resonating through the air.
[Lost Grace Discovered]
He exhaled, turning back toward Torrent—only to find Melina shifting in her seat. She scooted backward slightly, making space for him at the front.
Tarnished raised an eyebrow. "What's this about?"
She looked away, her expression unreadable but with a faint pink tinge dusting her cheeks. "Thou art the one choosing our path, are thou not? It would be most logical for thee to guide Torrent as well."
He blinked, processing her words for a moment before realization dawned on him. A slow, smug grin crept onto his face.
"Oh?" He said as he covered his mouth in mock shock, amusement dripping from his voice. "So you want me in front?"
Melina's blush deepened slightly as she turned her face away. "I… I simply see the practicality of it!"
Tarnished didn't even try to hide his amusement.
"Sure, sure~..." He said teasingly, playing along as he swung himself onto Torrent. As soon as he was settled, he took the reins, flicking them lightly to get Torrent moving again.
Behind him, Melina huffed softly but eventually relented, wrapping her arms around his waist with a small pout. He smirked but chose not to comment, simply enjoying the rare, comfortable silence between them as they rode onward.
They veered left, following the path up a hill. Rotten husks lined the roadside, their feeble, decayed limbs reaching for them as they passed. Tarnished barely gave them a glance, but Melina shifted slightly, casting a wary gaze toward the dying creatures.
Then, at the crest of the hill, a rundown shack came into view. Tarnished's smirk widened.
Melina peered over his shoulder. "What couldst thou possibly want from that forsaken hovel?"
He glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "Many things."
She narrowed her eyes. "Like what?"
His grin widened. "A smart man is also a man of many plans."
She stared at him for a long moment before deadpanning, "…What in the Lands Between dost that even mean?"
Tarnished let out a loud laugh. "Dunno. I just said it to sound cool!" He nudged Torrent forward. "Did it work?"
Melina let out a slow breath, clearly debating whether to respond before ultimately muttering, "I refuse to dignify that with an answer."
And with that, they rode toward the shack, the journey ahead still long, but never dull.
The monstrous dogs prowling just beyond the road snarled low, their twisted, rot-slicked forms watching the spectral steed pass from the shadows of Caelid's dying trees. But they did not chase. Whether out of fear or habit, none dared approach the nearby shack.
Tarnished guided Torrent slowly up the final incline, the ruined wooden hovel rising before them like a forgotten memory. A faint flicker of gold pulsed just inside, and the scent of old smoke and dried herbs clung to the air.
They entered without a word. Melina remained seated, arms loosely around his waist, gaze drifting cautiously to the beasts behind them. Tarnished swung off Torrent with practiced ease, landing in a soft clink of armor. He walked toward the golden shimmer, kneeling slightly as his fingers brushed the cool stone floor.
[Site of Grace Discovered]
The hum of restored energy rolled through him, the fatigue of battle and rot momentarily washed away.
"Ah… it's been an age since I've seen a customer…" a raspy voice drawled, pulling his attention toward the far end of the shack. An old wandering merchant sat cross-legged by a makeshift counter, wrapped in tattered furs and armor that had clearly seen better days.
His pale eyes narrowed in curiosity. "Two at the same time to boot, as well. How can I help, here at the ends of the earth?"
Tarnished flashed him a crooked smile while Melina, still perched on Torrent, gave the merchant a polite nod but said nothing. Her gaze flicked between the two quietly.
The merchant grunted a laugh. "Got a wide spread of wares, I do. Something for the road, perhaps?" His eyes twinkled mischievously. "Or something for your fair maiden?"
Melina's eyes widened slightly, a faint pink blooming on her cheeks as she opened her mouth—no doubt to deliver a cold refutation—but Tarnished beat her to it, laughing loudly.
"Just picking up a few things while we're out and about," he said easily, hand resting on his hip. "Got any ritual pots or a beast-repellent torch? Those mangy dogs outside seem suspiciously well-behaved near your shack."
The merchant grinned, tapping his nose. "Keen mind, lad. I've both in stock. Figured someone sharp'd come by eventually."
"Perfect!" Tarnished nodded. "Let's make a trade."
He focused briefly, and a familiar sensation pulsed through his chest as he let the required runes flow from his soul into the merchant's waiting hand.
[-1,500 Runes]
[Acquired Item: Ritual Pot]
[Acquired Item: Beast-Repellent Torch]
He tucked both items into his pack, flashing a grin. "That's all for today."
The merchant inclined his head, offering a rare smile of his own. "Stay safe, friend. And take care of your maiden—those're hard to come by. Loyal ones as fair as her? Even rarer."
Melina's eye twitched. For a brief, dangerous second, her hand flickered toward the hilt of her blade, and the faintest lick of flame coiled at her fingertip.
Tarnished just laughed, low and amused. "I'll keep it in mind."
He turned, walking back toward Torrent. Melina still looked vaguely murderous, but said nothing as he mounted again, reins in hand.
As Torrent moved into a slow trot, the dogs still keeping their distance, Tarnished leaned slightly to glance back at her with a teasing smirk. "He didn't mean anything by it. Take it as a compliment."
Melina grumbled something unintelligible.
Then his voice dropped slightly, eyes locking with hers for a fleeting heartbeat. "Still… if it makes you feel any better, he was right on one thing."
She blinked. "…And what might that be?"
He grinned. "You are a fair maiden."
Her cheeks flared scarlet but before he could savor the reaction, her fist shot forward and slammed into his side, right between the ribs.
"Gah!"
"Keep thine eyes forward, fool!" She snapped as she crossed her arms and looked away to the side. "And do not ride us into monsters again!"
The breath left his lungs in a sharp cough, but he chuckled through the pain, clutching his side.
"Yes, ma'am!"
Tarnished exhaled sharply, rubbing the spot where Melina had punched him. "Damn, Melina. You've got an arm on you."
She sniffed dismissively but said nothing, still clearly annoyed.
"Speaking of monsters…" he muttered, digging into his satchel. With a flick of his wrist, he produced the newly acquired beast-repellent torch and held it out to her. "Here. Keep this lit and hold it steady. It should keep those oversized mutts off our backs."
Melina glanced at it skeptically, her brows narrowing, but took it with a soft sigh. "If thou insist."
She raised her hand and, without a word, summoned a spark from her fingertips—a small but natural flame dancing at her touch. It leapt to the torch's head with ease, catching immediately and bursting into a steady, earthy flame.
Tarnished blinked, his eyes lingering on her fingers. 'A spell? Or maybe it's from her latent Demigod blood? Who knows… Well, Marika would, but she's currently ignoring me while 'thinking' I guess..'
He decided not to comment on it.
A curious scent drifted from the torch—a mix of herbs and something almost sweet, like wet bark and lavender. The shift was immediate. The massive, grotesque dogs that had lingered near the trees—half-rotted flesh and bone, their teeth slick with red—began to pull back.
Their ears flattened, noses wrinkled in distaste, and one by one, they began to wander away, growling low but retreating nonetheless.
"Good, working just as intended…" Tarnished murmured. He flicked the reins, guiding Torrent down the eastern slope. "We'll head right, toward the Divine Tower."
Melina leaned in slightly, torch raised high. "Is that our destination?"
"Nah." he replied casually. "Just some loot near it. We'll be back to raid its insides later. Way later."
She frowned, but didn't press further.
As they neared the edge of the plateau, the massive silhouette of the Divine Tower of Caelid loomed above them—broken and crooked against the blood-colored sky like a dead god's finger. But Tarnished's attention shifted elsewhere.
A faint twinkle caught his eye. A wandering Teardrop Scarab, rolling its shimmering white ball across the cracked stone path. It glowed ominously, pulsing with barely contained energy.
Tarnished grinned. "Oho~! Found you~!"
Without warning, he kicked off from Torrent's saddle.
Melina barely had time to shout, "Wait, what art thou-!"
Too late.
Tarnished soared through the air with a manic warcry, both Uchigatanas drawn in a blinding flourish of steel.
The scarab looked up just in time to witness its doom: a shirtless madman descending upon it with twin blades and murder in his eyes. It tried to roll away—futile. One blade pierced clean through its shell, the other slicing into the ground as Tarnished landed in a crouch.
"Gotcha!" He cackled, grinning like a goblin as he hacked at the white orb, ichor splashing across his chest.
Melina stared in stunned silence, still atop Torrent, the flaming torch casting eerie shadows across her face. She looked like she was witnessing a man possessed.
The orb began to flicker. A high-pitched whine built in the air.
"'Tis going to explode-!" She shouted.
Tarnished just smirked. "I know."
He grabbed the orb, jumped back, and hurled it into the sky like a discus.
BOOM!
The ball detonated mid-air, showering the area with shrapnel—but somehow, miraculously, none of it struck him. From the glittering fallout, a single object spiraled downward.
[Acquired Item: Somber Smithing Stone (8)]
Tarnished caught it one-handed, raising it above his head like a trophy. "I GOT IT!"
Melina, still slack-jawed, blinked slowly… Then let out a tired sigh and shook her head. "Good for thee, I suppose..."
He turned back with a stupidly wide grin. "Hehe~…"
Tarnished jogged back toward Torrent, dust still clinging to his boots from the scarab ambush. With a quick swing of his leg, he mounted smoothly, giving the reins a subtle tug to guide the spectral steed to the right.
The lowlands ahead opened up into a wide, shallow lake—its waters murky and still, disturbed only by the occasional ripple of shifting scales. Two dragons slumbered across the basin, their grotesquely long necks curled like massive serpents, breath rising in steady clouds of steam.
Melina's voice was quiet but firm, laced with caution. "We should avoid them. I see no value in provoking such ruinous beasts."
"For once," Tarnished replied, "I agree with you. Not worth the headache." He nudged Torrent left, angling away from the beasts' territory.
Without warning, he spurred Torrent forward into a sudden leap off a nearby incline—angled just enough to drop them onto a narrow, hidden side path below. The jolt caught Melina by surprise.
"Warn me next time, fool!" She snapped, gripping his waist tightly to avoid slipping off.
Tarnished laughed under his breath. "My bad. I'll give you a countdown next time."
Melina huffed but said no more as Torrent trotted into the quiet enclave tucked beneath the Divine Tower's shadow. Mist rolled in soft spirals across the ground, and a strange silence hung heavy here.
Before them sat a circle of stone chairs—most broken or tilted, some still upright despite the skeletal remains perched upon them. A scattered arrangement of gleaming objects caught Tarnished's eye.
Melina frowned slightly. "What is this place?"
He dismounted and wandered into the circle.
"A goldmine." He said with a grin, crouching to scoop up the spoils.
[Picked-Up Item: Rune Arc]
[Picked-Up Item: Somber Smithing Stone (9)]
[Picked-Up Item: Dragonwound Grease]
[Picked-Up Item: Arteria Leaf]
He tucked each one away, clearly pleased, then swung himself back onto Torrent. Melina still had a faint crease in her brow, watching him with a flicker of unease in her expression—but she said nothing, and Tarnished, oblivious, rode on.
As they exited the side path, he glanced over his shoulder with a smirk. "Hold on tight. Next stretch, we're gonna need to haul ass."
Melina didn't question him this time. She simply nodded and wrapped her arms more firmly around his waist, her hands, just as one would expect from a fair maiden, they were warm and supple, comforting.
"I am ready." She said softly.
Tarnished's smile deepened—just for a moment—and then he lightly kicked Torrent's side. The spectral steed burst forward in a blur of gold and ash.
The wind roared past them as they raced down into the scarlet haze of the lakebed. The dragons stirred faintly, nostrils twitching, but Tarnished veered sharply right, seizing the tattered map from its resting place in one smooth motion.
[Picked-Up Item: Dragonbarrow Map Fragment]
Neither of the slumbering titans reacted in time. Within seconds, they were gone—Torrent carrying them past claws and teeth and into the next stretch of wild, blighted land.
They tore across the unbeaten path, Torrent's hooves barely making a sound against the cracked earth. A few more dragons lay scattered in the distance, draped across ridges and stone arches like forgotten gods. None stirred.
Melina leaned closer, her voice raised just slightly to be heard over the rush of wind. "Why dost these not notice us? We are near them, and yet…"
Tarnished shrugged. "If I had to guess? Scarlet Rot's gotten so bad, it's robbed them of their senses. Maybe even their sight."
She was quiet for a beat, then murmured, "I suppose… that makes a grim kind of sense."
Then, as the path crested a low rise, the land opened into a hollow. At its heart lay an enormous, unmoving figure—her pale scales dulled by age and rot. It was the Elder Ancient Dragon Greyoll.
She sprawled like a felled monument, wings limp, throat quivering faintly with shallow breath. Around her rested five smaller dragons, curled in close formation, guarding her in perfect silence.
Tarnished's grin returned. Melina couldn't see it, but somehow—somehow—she felt it, crawling down her spine like cold steel.
"Tarnished…" She said slowly. "Surely, that is not why we are here."
He didn't respond.
He only chuckled. A laugh low, dark, and filled with mischief.
And that chuckle made her skin crawl.
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Author's Note:
Have ya'll been playing Nightreign? I have! Why do you think this chapter took so long to come out? I am now 3 trophies away from the Platinum :3
Give me your stones...
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Next Chapter Title: How to Kill a Godbeast via Papercuts.
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