Lady Malenia sits on a carved wooden throne beside the roots of the Erd Tree, leaning on her golden prosthetic arm. With a bored look into empty eye sockets, covered by Scarlet Rot, she surveys Tarnished, treading to her in a clearing of white flowers.
"You intruding in my chambers, foolish Tarnished. I am Malenia. Blade of Miquella. And I have never known defeat." She says, her voice full of threat.
I stand before her, clad in holy, golden armor. I remove my helmet, revealing my pale face as well as my long, flowing black hair. My face is handsome except for a scar going from my left temple down to my jawline, my left eye milky white with blindness I do not seek to fight. I seek only to tell you of the whereabouts of your brother, Miquella the kind
Her expression doesn't change as she listens to you. "You seem trustworthy... but that is not my concern. You trespassed into my domain, foolish Tarnished." She pauses for a moment, thinking about your words. "Perhaps there is some value in this information..." Malenia leans forward slightly on her throne, regarding you more intently now.
Your brother was captured by Mohgue. I can take you to his palace to help me free Miquella. I seek no battle with you, I’ve already stained the lands between with more than enough blood
"Very well... I accept your proposal," she says, standing up and sheathing her long sword. "Lead the way, Tarnished. But if any harm comes to my brother..." Malenia trails off menacingly as she glances down at her golden prosthetic limbs before shaking her head slowly.
I smile slightly good to see you’re still a woman of reason I hold out my hand to her, the golden medal glowing softly I have been given grace by the Erdtree, allowing me to teleport around these lands. All you ah e to do is take my hand and I can bring you anywhere in the lands between
Malenia eyes the offered hand warily before taking it slowly, her fingers curling around yours. As soon as contact is made, she feels a rush of energy surge through her body and the next instant they are standing in front of Mohg's palace. She releases your hand and steps back, drawing her sword. "Let us see if we can save my brother."
AgreedI take the massive black great sword from my back, revealing it to be the ‘devil sword of pain’. The sword is a large Claymore with a black blade. The blade has cracks in it which reveal white flames smoldering inside. I swing the sword in wide arch as a rabid dog lunges at me, causing the blade to ignite with white hot flames that melt the ground it hovers above. The dog is sliced in half, falling to either side of me let us make haste, we don’t have much time
Her golden prosthetic limbs easily keeping up with Tarnished's pace, Malenia growls in acknowledgement of the urgency of their situation. She glances around, taking note of the layout and any potential threats lurking within Mohg's palace. The very air feels thick with menace, as if the rot of death has seeped into every stone and pillar. "There must be a room or chamber where my brother is held captive," she mutters through gritted teeth.
The further they delve into the palace, the stronger her Scarlet Rot magic grows... but so too does the power of the malevolent forces arrayed against them. Malenia feels their gaze upon her back, waiting for an opening to strike and rip away whatever remains of her mortal coil.
I dodge a massive explosion and dash right back in, saying a single chant before being my sword down from over my head, a shockwave blasts forth from the slash, causing a massive explosion of white flames, incinerating all in its path
Blade-shaped gusts of wind buffet her as Tarnished attacks, clearing a path through the initial lines of defenders with impressive power. Malenia swiftly follows suit, cutting down any who dare stand against them, using the chaos to their advantage. As they reach what appears to be a throne room, she spots Miquella bound and gagged on a massive throne carved from black stone. "Miquella!" she cries out, rushing forward with renewed fury.
But even as Malenia makes her way toward her brother, she can feel the Scarlet Rot taking control of her body once more. The very air seems to grow heavier and thick with rot, obscuring her vision and sapping her strength. "Tarnished," she manages to gasp out between ragged breaths, "we must hurry."
I look at her with a hint of concern before focusing back on the enemy. My blade ignites with flames, making it longer. The air around me proceeds to ripple and distort as I charge up an attack. I move faster than the eye can see, blade-shaped gusts of flames flying forward and slicing through the horse of monsters. I chant twiceA god’s pain. A god’s fall I swing my sword in a wide arc, and for a moment, all of them stand still. I put my sword on my back and walk through the hordes of monsters, none of them moving or trying to stop me. Suddenly, all of the monsters fall into millions of pieces covering the floor of the palace in an ocean of blood get your brother… I say without missing a beat we need to go before the rot consumes your body
Her golden prosthetic limbs moving nimbly through the viscous pool of blood and gore left by Tarnished's devastating attack, Malenia reaches her brother's side. The power of the Scarlet Rot surging within her, she slashes at the bindings with savage force, freeing Miquella from his grisly prison. The released tension sends a jolt through her body, causing her to stagger backward against a wall. Even as she fights to keep consciousness, Malenia manages to muster enough strength for one final command: "Miquella... run!"
With that, she collapses unconscious on the floor, her contorted features betraying the agony of the Scarlet Rot claiming its next victim. Her golden limbs twitch convulsively as the power of the curse begins to consume what remains of her mortal form... but
My expression hardens and I look at Miquella Get out of here! There’s a string of grace outside! Use it, it will take you to the round table hold! I yell at him. I appear above Malenia in a flash of speed, quickly picking her up and putting her on my shoulder. I run as fast as I can, following Miquella out of the palace, occasionally shooting beams and blasts of fire at the horde of monsters chasing us
Her body convulsing, wracked by the agony of the Scarlet Rot as it fights to consume her very soul, Malenia feels herself lifted onto Tarnished's shoulder. She grits her teeth against the pain and tries not to thrash about too much. The last thing she wants is to cause any more harm to those trying to save her brother. As they make their escape from Mohg's palace, the rot inside her only grows stronger, threatening to tear away everything that remains of Malenia Blade-of-Miquella and leave behind only a shell of what once was...
Her golden eyes slowly begin to dim as she loses consciousness once more.
when she wakes up, we’re in the throne room of the king of Farum Azula, which is a massive disk of stone, riddled with exposed graves in a spiral pattern with pillars around the center. Miquella is forging something a few feet away from Malenia’s makeshift bed and I’m standing at the foot of her bed, keeping watch. I glance back at Malenia and smile softly ah, you’ve finally awoken
Hisses of pain escape her as she tries to move, finding the movements slow and labored. She glances around blearily, looking for Miquella, then back at Tarnished with a question in her eyes. The throne room of Farum Azula is not the safest place for her brother... but it will have to do for now.
"Miquella... Is this truly where we should be?" she asks hoarsely. Her voice comes out thin and strained, her lips cracked and dry from the rot spreading through her body.
It’s not. But it’s the only place we can go to cure the rot in your body Miquella raises something from the forge, a golden needle
Her eyes widen in understanding as Miquella presents the golden needle. The Tarnished's words echoing in her head, she nods slowly, bracing herself for what comes next. "I trust you... my brother." She glances back at Tarnished, her expression softening briefly before steeling herself for the agony to come.
"Please," she whispers hoarsely, "you must protect him... and this kingdom..." As Miquella begins the procedure, the pain of having her rotted flesh pricked by the golden needle is unlike anything Malenia has ever experienced. Her hands clench into fists at her sides, teeth gritted against the screams that threaten to escape from deep within her chest... but still she endures, her body fighting back against the rot slowly reclaiming what had been lost.
I take off my right gauntlet, revealing my scarred hand. I grab Malenia’s hand, trying to keep her grounded through the pain
Her breath coming in ragged gasps, Malenia grips Tarnished's hand tightly as she feels the agony of the Scarlet Rot slowly begin to recede. "Thank you..." She murmurs between labored breaths. Even as her body fights back against the rot and begins to heal itself, she knows that this is only a temporary reprieve. The curse still lies within her, waiting for another opportunity to take control once more...
But for now, at least she has some measure of hope. And as long as there are those like Tarnished and Miquella who stand beside her, she will not give up without a fight.
Malenia… I’m sorry, but there’s more. We must insert the needle into your shoulder. This place… is outside of time. Miquella’s needle used to only provide temporary relief, but here it can destroy the meddling of outer god’s
Her heart lurches in her chest as Tarnished prepares to tell her about the needle going into her shoulder, but she nods nonetheless. Even if it means enduring more pain now, it's nothing compared to what might happen should they fail. "Do what you must," she rasps through dry lips. She closes her eyes tightly and braced herself once again, steeling her mind against the inevitable torment about to come.
Her shoulders tense as Tarnished takes her left arm in his scarred hand and prepares to insert the needle into her shoulder. Agony unlike anything she's ever felt before assails her senses, making it difficult for her to breathe, let alone form coherent thoughts. But even through the all-consuming pain, she feels something inside her beginning to change...
It's as if the very fabric of reality itself is te
Once the needle is fully inserted, her body begins to change, the scars and blotches of rot disappearing It worked… your brother saved you
It... it did... she whispers through gritted teeth. For what seems like an eternity, her body continues to change, the rot and corruption slowly being pushed out of her system. Finally, after what feels like hours but could have been mere moments, Malenia sinks back against Tarnished's chest, her eyes fluttering closed as relief washes over her.
The pain may be gone for now, but she knows that the curse still lies within her. She owes Miquella and Tarnished more than just her life; they have given her a purpose, a chance to fight back against the malevolent forces that threaten their world. And as long as there is breath left in her body, Malenia Blade-of-Miquella will not rest until order is restored and the Lands Between are free from the shadows of darkness once more.
I remove my other gauntlet as well as my breast plate, revealing my undergarments and a hint of my shredded, scarred muscles. I hold Malenia close to my chest, softly stroking her hair in a soothing motion. just relax… it’ll all be okay
Her golden eyes flutter open, regarding Tarnished with curiosity and appreciation. The gentle touch of his hand on her hair and the strength she feels beneath it are unexpected comforts in this strange realm outside of time. It's a small reminder that despite all they have been through, there is still goodness to be found within the world... even amidst its darkest hour.
"Thank you," she whispers softly, feeling an odd warmth spread through her chest as their bodies brush against each other. "For everything." Her hand moves of its own accord, gripping Tarnished's arm in gratitude before flopping limply back to rest on the pillow at her side. Closing her eyes once more, she drifts off into a contented sleep, trusting that when she awakens again, it will be into a world not so different from the one she fought so hard to protect... or at least
She awakes in an extravagant bedroom. I enter the room with Miquella, wearing white cloak over my armor Malenia, we have gathered all the sane people of the Lands Between and set them for Miquella’s coronation. You’re brother will replace Marika and become the new god over the Lands Between
"Then I suppose it's time for me to prepare," she says softly, pushing herself into a sitting position. Her golden eyes study Miquella and Tarnished as they stand before her. The weight of responsibility that lies upon their shoulders is evident in the solemn expressions on their faces. Malenia takes a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever challenges may lie ahead. "I will not fail you again," she promises them both. "Rest assured, I am at your command."
Her gaze drifts around the opulent bedroom, taking in its finery and extravagance. A part of her yearns for simpler times, when honor and duty meant more than mere wealth or power... but those days are long gone now. The Lands Between have changed irrevocably since she last held sway over them as Blade of Miquella, and she must change along with it if they are to survive.
We will be waiting for you at the base of the Erdtree. I open the door behind me, exiting the room with Miquella. I glance back at Malenia over my shoulder, smiling softly at her before leaving
Malenia takes one final look around the room before rising to her feet. With slow, steady steps, she begins her preparations for the day ahead, wondering what new trials and tribulations await her as she once again assumes her role as Blade of Miquella... this time in a world that is both familiar and yet wholly unfamiliar at the same time.