Rhys's staff brims with dark-blue magic; a greatsword is projected from it. He cuts the head off the helmless Night's Cavalry. Rhys: Ha!
The head rolls, near a slain horse. Rhys: I pray to Marika that head doesn't float and come back on...
Reane: You believe in Marika? Rhys: No. But an expression.
Morrowe plunges his scimitar into the other rider's heart. Morrowe: Hrrgh! Meilyr can be seen riding his horse in the background.
The rider holds onto the wound over his heart, his legs buckling.
The rider falls. His horse comes into frame.
The horse sniffs its rider's body. Meilyr is simply happy to be on a horse.
The horse slumps over and dies, its master dead. Meilyr is dispirited. Meilyr: Ah... Ah...
Meilyr: My new horse! Rhys: Wonderful.
Dawn. Rhys: The dawn is breaking.
Nepheli arrives, walking down the stairs leading from the courtyard. Rhys: Nepheli, where were you? We fended some brutes, without you.
Nepheli's face is hardened, as she faces the Tarnished. She is about to speak.
The view of the graveyard. Godrick's slain body. Blood stains.
The door behind the graveyard opens.
The throne room, behind the doors. A statue of Godfrey behind the throne.
Down the stairs, into the catacombs.
At the lowest floor of the catacombs. An ascent, leading to an exit of cerulean skies.
Toward the light.
A view of Liurnia of the Lakes, in all its majesty.
Morrowe whistles. Morrowe: What a beautiful sight! Reane: Look at how the mist wraps around the cliffs...
Reane, pointing at Raya Lucaria: That there, is where you got your Great Rune. Rhys: Yes.
Bernahl: I'm off. This has been fun. D: Indeed.
Nepheli: I have my own business to attend to... I can't watch over Gareth. Rogier: Miss, I will. I have a task to keep him occupied.
Meilyr: I smell...lobster. Corhyn, to the Prophet: You, my friend. You evoked the flames of ruin.
Prophet: ! Corhyn: Oh come on, you can't tell?
Corhyn: I saw flames, too. Corhyn: In my visions.
Corhyn: Though I'm no fan of fire...
Corhyn: Under the Golden Order, all can be conjoined. It is a firmament, upon which all phenomena is explicable.
Corhyn: I want to see the ever-brilliant Goldmask. Corhyn: A fellow Tarnished. Do you want to join me?
The Prophet nods eagerly. Corhyn smiles.
Corhyn and the Prophet depart. Reane frets. Reane: ...
Morrowe: You're looking to get around, aren't you?
Morrowe whistles.
A gallant white horse comes by. Morrowe: His name is Swift. A beaut, ain't he?
Reane: ...You had a horse, the whole time, at your beck and call? Morrowe: I found him in Godrick's stable.
Morrowe: Is there anywhere in mind? Reane: Nowhere. Nor you?
Morrowe: Not at all! Reane: ...
Reane holds her hand up. Reane: Fine, let's go.
Reane and Morrowe on the horse, Reane behind him, her arms around his stomach. Morrowe is beaming. Reane: Hmm, this seems off.
Reane is now in front, handling the horse's reins, Morrowe behind, holding her. Reane: Not good either.
Morrowe is off the horse. Reane: This is perfect.
Reane rides forward. Reane: Let's off!
Morrowe chases after her. Morrowe: Why, you...!
Alexander: Eastward I go, then... I hear a war festival is brewing... Rhys, Rogier, and the Samurai are left.
Samurai: Is it usual for you all to be so callous? Rogier, Rhys: !!
Rogier: You can speak our tongue? Samurai: I never had anything to add, and this proves why.
Samurai: Gareth was your comrade in arms; he lost his brother. Samurai: You're leaving him to rot.
Rhys: We acknowledged one another as warriors. Rhys: Wouldn't it be more dishonorable to deny his wishes?
Samurai: Why do we fight? Rhys: ... Rhys: I don't understand.
Samurai: I have no more to say to you.
Rhys: And you're going to attend him? Samurai: Of course. We're brothers, in spirit, now.
Samurai: Besides, do you take the mercenaries at their word? Samurai: I'm not dim. I know petty vengeances.
Samurai: Notwithstanding the knights from Castle Morne...
Rhys: M'lady. Rhys: I see I am not wanted by Gareth, because you will be attending him.
Rhys: I would trust myself less. Samurai: Hum.
Rhys: What is your name? Samurai: Yuina.
Rhys: Why did you tell it me so easily? Samurai: Because we are brothers too. Samurai: Bonds are not easily broken.
Rhys extends his hand out. Rhys: Yuina.
They shake. Rhys: Thank you. Yuina: My pleasure.
Rhys descends the stairs leading to the graveyard.
Blaidd stops him, by the stairs. He's squatting. Blaidd: Hey, fellow. Let's chat. Blaidd: You're looking for Ranni? Rhys: !
Rhys: Yes...you're her...dog?
Blaidd: Hmmm... Blaidd's tail visibly wags, behind his cape.
Blaidd: About. Rhys: I see...
Blaidd: I'm her shadow. Fancy word for her guarantor. Blaidd: But dog works too.
Blaidd: Thing is, she's had me playing fetch all over Limgrave...
Rhys: And then you...joined a war?
Blaidd: What else was there to do? I'm more a hunting dog, than a search.
Blaidd: Let's go meet Ranni together. Blaidd: Haven't seen her in forever, anyway.
Rhys: ...What constitutes forever?
Blaidd: Years. I think. Time is convoluted when one lives forever.
Rhys: I sense I will have to deal with the ambiguity of "forever" while I'm here... Blaidd: Aye.
The pair move through Stormgate; in the past, it was a milestone in their march; now, it is defended by several Godrick Knights.
Down the path to Stormveil, where the Bridge to the Divine Tower looms. This is also the path where Roderika died.
Through the valley leading up to Stormveil, which hitherto had not been seen in the march. This is defended by Godrick soldiers.
The Gatefront, where in the game players usually meet Melina. From here, the wind is less harsh and the warm green grass is even inviting, enough to lull one's sense of danger.
Rhys: Seeing there is some semblance of peace, I suppose that blowhard was right.
Blaidd: Blowhard?... Blaidd: Ah, Kenneth. Rhys: I wouldn't dislike wandering through these plains for a bit.
Blaidd: Yea. Blaidd: For now. Rhys: How do you mean?
Blaidd: ...Nothing. Nevermind. Rhys: ...
Through the ruins of the Gatefront.
In the woods leading to the Church of Elleh.
The Church of Elleh.
Blaidd: See these hoofprints? Four hoofprints deep in the mud are seen. Rhys: That's... Blaidd: Aye.
Blaidd: Never left his post, day and night. Blaidd: Not sure what he was defending.
Blaidd: Would've snapped you like a twig. Rhys: ... Blaidd: Heh, heh, heh.
Blaidd: Hey! Kalé! Merchant Kalé sits, beside his horse and a fire.
Kalé: Ahh... Blaidd. Blaidd: What are you doing here?
Kalé: I scavenged this place when the brute left. Kalé: Who's your friend?
Blaidd: Rhys is also looking for Ranni. Kalé: Oh. Poor soul.
Kalé: Say, spare any runes? Rhys: Runes?...
Kalé: Blaidd, what bumpkin did you bring by? Kalé: Runes. Grace given shape, and thereby purpose.
Kalé: You eat, yes? Rhys: Yea. Kalé: You shit, yes? Rhys: Yea...
Kalé: Why is that so? Rhys: I don't... For the sake of nutrition.
Kalé: Your stomach gurgles and you eat the fats and like, right? And then, sated. Kalé: What guarantees that?
Rhys: ...I know not. Kalé: Easy, mate: the laws of nature.
Picture of the Erdtree. Kalé: And what is our covenant with nature? Kalé: The Erdtree.
Kalé: The Erdtree is grace itself, tree or no tree. Kalé: It is a symbol that our creator is pleased with us. Kalé: Runes are that pleasure given shape.
Rhys: So when I eat?... Kalé: Runes. Rhys: And when I...? Kalé: Runes.
Kalé: Every right allowed you is writ in runes. Kalé: Now, no tears, fellow... Kalé opens his shirt.
Kalé's body, withered, shriveled, to the thickness of a flower. Rhys: Good lord, man! Your body...! Kalé: Yea. Withered.
Kalé: My kind have been denied grace. Kalé: And so, we have been denied nature.
Kalé: If I have runes, I can eat. Rhys: And yet how do you...
Kalé: I don't live. I scrape by.
A statue of Marika. Kalé: It's complicated, but...through the Golden Order, fate, mind and body are united. Kalé: Therefore, no one can truly die, unless all three die. Kalé: Even heretics like myself are given this "blessing"...or rather, curse.
Blaidd: This is what I meant earlier. Blaidd: It never ends.
Kalé: There used to be a city, where Lake Agheel stands.
Kalé: Then the river came down...or the dragon. Something came first.
Kalé: So, you'll buy something? Kalé: I never ask anything for free.
Rhys: How do I... Kalé: You're a strong lad. Come here.
Kalé touches Rhys's palm. Kalé: Huh. You're quite warm. Blaidd: He's a Shardbearer.
Kalé: You don't say!... Well, now I feel quite rude. Kalé: I would've brought my finery, had I known.
Kalé: You're straight off the boat, so I'll show you a trick.
Kalé's finger is pointed to Rhys's palm. Kalé: In all my heart and my soul, I aspire to you, great Erdtree, and bestow grace as you would, Lord.
A single shining rune falls from Kalé's finger to Rhys's palm.
Rhys: ! Kalé: There, a measly rune. Kalé: Something I gnaw on in dear times.
Kalé: You don't need the prayer. But runes come from grace and mercy. Kalé: The prayer is good for novices or ingrates.
Kalé: You're chock full of runes. Give me some. Rhys: Sure...
Rhys: Is it possible?... Kalé: No, not at all.
Kalé: Great Runes are seared in the bearer's flesh. Kalé: They're marks of the Erdtree's favor.
Kalé: And the Erdtree is clingy. Rhys: ... Rhys: All you have is junk.
Kalé: Blaidd! Return this ingrate! Blaidd: Hah hah hah!
Blaidd: Kalé, we're not here only to chat. Blaidd: Have you seen Ranni?
Kalé: Once on her throne in Leyndell, yes, but not recently.
Blaidd: I was afraid you would say that... Kalé: Why? Kalé: Isn't it better if Ranni isn't seen?
Blaidd: It has been said that Ranni was seen here. Kalé: Why? Blaidd: I trow not.
Kalé: Well...I'll tell you if I see her. Blaidd: Thank you.
Rhys: I'll take the torch, I suppose. Kalé: Two hundred runes.
Rhys: Two hundred for wood?! Kalé: Knave, you didn't know what a rune was!
Kalé: And it's really one hundred nine and ninety runes. Rhys: ...
Rhys and Blaidd are leaving. Blaidd: Well, that was a bust. I suspected it wouldn't be so easy. Rhys: Blaidd... Rhys: ...What is Ranni?
Blaidd: How do you mean? Rhys: She certainly doesn't act like you or I.
Blaidd: That's because she's moody! Rhys: I've never met anyone like her.
Blaidd: I glimmer what you mean. Blaidd: Ranni is a bit spoiled, because she is royalty. Blaidd: Above royalty, even.
The Carian lineage, with symbols of the moon and the stars. Blaidd: Ranni is a descendant of the Carian royal family, a venerable line who unlocked the secrets of the moon. Blaidd: You've met...what was left of Rennala, current queen of Caria. Blaidd: I suppose, given the current state of the clan, she's the remaining true heir.
The lineage of the Golden Order, with symbols of the sun and trees. Blaidd: But Ranni, through Radagon, is also related to the Golden Order. Blaidd: She, therefore, has first claim to the Erdtree's grace. Blaidd: Well, once. And Ranni is lucky for this, because...
Images of godhood and Marika herself. Blaidd: Ranni is also an Empyrean, one who is able to become a god, through the Fingers. Rhys: A god?... Blaidd: She can rewrite the laws of nature. Blaidd: So she's very, very important. Blaidd: And very whimsical.
Rhys: You know a god?... Blaidd: Hmph! Now you know how important I am! Blaidd is puffed up with pride.
Rhys: I can't comprehend that... Blaidd: That's because you're thinking normally.
Blaidd: Where you came from, gods were distant; grace, remote.
Blaidd: Here, grace is plentiful...well, once was.
Blaidd: And it would do you well to understand, grace is indiscriminate. Blaidd: It blesseth good and ill equally.
Blaidd: Speaking of which...you don't mind coming with me?
A view of the Dragon-Burnt Ruins where Agheel once lived. As had been mentioned by Kalé, this was once the home of many people, before nature erased all memory of them.
South of Lake Agheel, with rolling plains where the Kaiden Sellswords roam.
The Evergaol, with its pillars of Abnormal Stone Clusters staring into the stars.
Rhys: What is this? Blaidd: An evergaol. A severer of fate and therefore causality.
Blaidd: As Kalé explained, everyone has a "fate". Blaidd: But things have "fates" too.
Blaidd: Everything has a place within the universe. Blaidd: And the universe, in turn, has patterns.
Blaidd: Let's say, I were put into these gaols one day.
Blaidd: I'm not the most pure of fellows, anyway... Blaidd: It may be my destiny to one day escape the gaol.
Blaidd: A gaol is but a place; the Lands Between, too. Blaidd: So, if I, a heinous criminal, were to escape punishment, what justice is that?
Blaidd: Thus the evergaol was designed, to ensure I am locked away. Blaidd: It pauses the machination of the stars.
Rhys: And we are patterned by the stars... Blaidd: Yes. Maybe. So some say.
Blaidd: The Greater Will, creator of the Erdtree, is said to be a mover of such stars.
Blaidd: Now, while I was idling here, I heard Darriwil was in Limgrave.
Blaidd: He was once a knight in Ranni's employ, but he ratted her out.
Blaidd: I know not why, but I swore my life to Ranni. Blaidd, growling. Blaidd: I, therefore, swore my life against her enemies.
Blaidd: My nose is not as good as Darriwil's, but it tells me he is here.
Rhys: And?... Blaidd: That's it: it makes no sense.
Blaidd: Who hated Darriwil enough to pause his very fate?
Rhys: And yet, you hate him enough to kill him. Blaidd: And release him into the Erdtree, yes.
Blaidd: Comparatively, that's a blessing. Blaidd: But it's easier to poke a man with holes than trap him.
Blaidd: I mean, look. Blaidd: Who could work this thing?
Rhys: So...what now? Blaidd: Help me search around. He's here somewhere.
Rhys: ...But he's here. Blaidd: Ah, dunce, have you heard a thing I said? Blaidd: 'Tis no sense in it.
Rhys: How long have you combed this area? Blaidd: Years. I dunno. Blaidd: Time, convoluted.
Rhys: If your nose always points you here, then...? Blaidd: But it makes no sense!
Rhys: But isn't the simpler explanation, likelier? Blaidd: ...
Blaidd: Do you hear thyself? Blaidd: Fool. Rhys: ...
Blaidd: Very well, check the evergaol. Blaidd: But you shan't find a soul.
Rhys: Why don't you check? Blaidd: You don't understand.
Blaidd: Here, come. Rhys: ?
Blaidd raises his hand to the Erdtree's light.
Blaidd's hand is filmy and hazy in the light. Blaidd: I did not speak figuratively, when I said I was a shadow.
Blaidd: I have no usual fate; I only walk on the fate the Fingers prescribe.
Blaidd: However, if you go in, you are a light strong enough for me to thread to...
Blaidd: Do you glimmer what I mean? Rhys: Aye. Somewhat.
Rhys, crouching: Well, alright then.
Rhys inspects the seal at the center of the Evergaol.
Rhys touches it.
The world around Rhys becomes purple.
Rhys looks around him; he is in the dimension of the evergaol, a realm separated from the causality of the Golden Order.
Rhys sees before him a crack on the ground of the evergaol, representing a rift within the evergaol's lack of causality; for, as Blaidd said, all things have causality, therefore Darriwil's causality is an anomaly within the evergaol.
A hand gropes out of the evergaol.
Another hand.
Darriwil pushes himself out.
Darriwil emerges entirely out of the crack.
Rhys takes his staff from his side.
He points the staff forward.
Darriwil is already behind him, in a gust of wind.
Darriwil swings with his curved greatsword, the Bloodhound's Fang. Rhys dodges backwards.
Darriwil is already behind him, his claw ready.
Rhys, however, is already prepared; he lunges his staff forward, a dark-blue sword emitted. And yet, Darriwil is already gone.
Darriwil and Rhys lock arms.
Rhys: Fast fellow...
Rhys steps backwards, casting a spell. Darriwil is behind him.
The magic sigils above Rhys's head coalesce into swords; the swords fly toward Darriwil.
Rhys, his staff projecting a dark-blue greatsword, sweeps. The sword cuts through Darriwil's cloak.
Darriwil, behind Rhys, runs to him with his claw.
A delayed flying sword pierces through Darriwil's chest, reeling him back.
Rhys and Darriwil square off, having sized the other up.
Blaidd's feet. Blaidd: Darriwil... Rotting in a cell is no true justice.
Blaidd, furious. Blaidd: This is where it ends for you.
Darriwil: Blaidd.
Darriwil appears behind Blaidd.
Darriwil cuts Blaidd, with a slash that would have cut Rhys in half.
Darriwil draws blood, but Blaidd is not mortally injured.
Blaidd's eyes are bloodshot and foam falls from his mouth.
Blaidd leaps at Darriwil.
With one powerful lunge, Darriwil is crushed underneath Blaidd's colossal sword, the Royal Greatsword Ranni had armed him with. His helmet and his armor are cracked.
Blaidd, a raging beast, continues to smash his sword against Darriwil's body; Blaidd has no use for grace, a sword in his hand is but a hammer.
The Royal Greatsword is high above Blaidd's head.
Blaidd gives one more blow, reducing the Bloodhound Knight to a pulp.
Rhys: ...I would not want him to be my enemy.
Blaidd plunges his sword into Darriwil's prone body.
Blaidd recovers from his rage. Blaidd: Tarnished... I mean, Rhys... I said before you are a light?
Blaidd: Here, hold my hand.
Rhys, reluctant, reaches out to Blaidd.
He and Blaidd hold hands.
Rhys, Blaidd, and Darriwil's corpse are released from the evergaol.
Darriwil's body is reduced into ashes.
The ashes are swept by the wind, moving in the direction of the Erdtree.
Blaidd: Darriwil... you betrayed Ranni, but you, be free...
Blaidd: Thank you, Rhys. Rhys: Well...
Rhys: He wasn't there, as you said, hmm? Blaidd: Shut it.
Rhys: Then, do you know anyone able to work such a gaol? Blaidd: ...Few can work the stars.
Blaidd: Let's not discuss it, now. Rhys: Stars...
Rhys: Oh. I just remembered. Rhys: Why I am here, from the beginning.
Rhys: Sellen. Blaidd: Oh. Ohhh.
Rhys: I knew something was on the tip of my tongue... Blaidd: You're in luck. She's here.
Rhys: ! Rhys: Really? Blaidd: In a sense, yea.
Up the winding path to the Waypoint Ruins.
Giant Miranda flowers tower over the staircase to the cellar of the ruins. Blaidd: Ugh, Miranda sprouts. Rhys: Poisonous, aren't they? Blaidd: Smell like shit, too.
In the cellar staircase. Blaidd: Gaer wanted to recruit Sellen for his cause, but she declined...for reasons you'll know.
Blaidd: And yet, after the meeting, a big oaf guards him.
Rhys: Look in.
Through the portal of the cellar, one can see the gigantic Pumpkin Head resting, next to his hammer.
Blaidd: Someone is mighty displeased with Sellen.
Rhys: Blaidd, will you...? Blaidd: Of course. Never ask.
Rhys: Ready? Blaidd: Aye.
The two charge toward the Pumpkin Head.
The aftermath of the fight, the Pumpkin Head defeated. Blaidd pulls his blade out of the corpse. Blaidd: Hmph. Strong enough, cleverer than I thought. Rhys is pulling up the door behind the cellar. Rhys: Hngh!
Sorceress Sellen is revealed, thinking deeply on the mystery of the stars. She stands in the modest yet colorful and prideful robes of the academy at Raya Lucaria, and her own unique glintstone crown reserved for heretics; and yet Sellen is pleased to be a heretic.
Rhys and Blaidd stare at Sellen. They are hoping Sellen speaks up first. Rhys: ... Blaidd: ... Sellen: ...
Rhys: ... Blaidd: ... Sellen: ...
Rhys: Sorceress Sellen? Sellen: Hrm? Yes?
Sellen: Tarnished, are we? Sellen: And... Rhys: A dog.
Sellen: Dog? Blaidd: ...Aye.
Sellen: Welcome, Tarnished, welcome, dog. Sellen: I am Sellen, a sorcerer, plainly. Why are you here?
Rhys: I heard you witnessed the primeval current. Sellen: ! Sellen: You study the stars?
Rhys: No...I am a hopeful. Rhys: I have been to Raya Lucaria.
Sellen: Ah, Raya Lucaria. Sellen: Its storied halls know all of glintstone. Sellen: And yet, that is not enough, too.
The universe. Sellen, in card: Glintstone is the amber of the cosmos, containing the remnants of ancient life, and housing its vitality. Sellen: The vitality of the stars. Sellen: It should not be forgotten glintstone sorcery is the study of the stars and the life therein. Sellen: A fact lost on most sorcerors, these days...
Sellen: You have a yen for glintstone sorceries? Rhys: Aye.
Sellen: Your aptitude appears...passable. Sellen: But heed me:
Sellen: I was exiled from the academy, as a reviled, apostate witch.
Rhys: I know. And I care not.
Rhys: The whispers of the idle and ignoble interest me not. Rhys: Shine is shine.
Sellen: Well, you are a piece of work. Sellen: Very well.
Sellen: You are now my protégé in glintstone sorcery.
Sellen: But I refuse to coddle. Sellen: And I, cast kind words? Never.
Rhys: ... Sellen: ...
Sellen: Well? Rhys: Why do you remain in this cellar?
Sellen: I am...a projection. Sellen: I'm afraid I'm too clever for my own good.
Sellen: I am bound up elsewhere. Sellen: But you shouldn't worry: glintstone needs comprehension only.
Rhys: Should I free you? Sellen: No. No.
Blaidd: Same as said to Gaer. Sellen: My situation is delicate. Let's not speak further on it.
Rhys: This is all so strange to me... Sellen: Then you're as good as a bluntstone.
Sellen: You will step on nothing solid if you seek the stars. Sellen: You must reason, with your mind, and your mind only.
Sellen: Student and teacher should speak only in glintstone. Sellen: Let me determine your worth.
Rhys and Sellen train, learning glintstone sorceries. Blaidd rests, watching.
Dusk in the Lands Between. The Erdtree looms in the background.
Sellen: Your appetite for learning is impressive. Sellen: You must have a fabulous teacher.
Blaidd: Dusk has arrived. Come, I want to show you something.
Rhys: Take care, teacher. Sellen: See you soon.
Rhys: Where are we going? Blaidd: It's a surprise.
Mistwood, where the Tarnished had marched before. It is getting dark.
Blaidd: Quiet, now. Rhys: Hold on, it's getting dark... Rhys handles the torch he bought from Kalé. He lights it on fire.
The torch's light shines on a Runebear's face. Rhys: !
A larger view of the slumbering Runebear. It is many, many times bigger than they are.
Blaidd hides the torch's light with his cloak.
Blaidd: Luckily, that's not enough to waken them...
Blaidd: Come on, quickly now.
The pair move through the slumbering Runebears.
The Minor Erdtree, beneath the true Erdtree.
Rhys: Another Erdtree...?
Blaidd: In a sense. Rhys: How is that possible?
Blaidd: To protect grace, the Erdtree divided itself. Blaidd: The Erdtree is no longer one.
Blaidd: I won't explain more. Blaidd: The witch gave me a headache.
The entrance to the Siofra River Well. The entrance resembles a tomb.
Blaidd: Hush, now. No more questions. Blaidd: Only observe.
Blaidd: Step on the platform with me.
Rhys and Blaidd step on the elevator. It descends.
In the darkness of the shaft. Rhys: It's dark in here... lucky I bought this torch.
Rhys: ...how long does this descend?
The darkness opens up and they see elaborate architecture around them. Rhys: What...
The elevator continues descending, showing structures far more advanced than anything seen in the Lands Between yet.
The elevator descending. Windows reveal the endless night sky.
The uncertainty of darkness, once more.
Revealed to Rhys and Blaidd, is a full view of the ancient city, of a civilization far, far more advanced than any they've seen before. Its columns are immense and stretch to the stars; its aqueducts run through stardust; and the city is lighted by eternal torches.
The elevator descends into the ruins, finally stopping.
Blaidd: Well, what do you think? Blaidd is rapidly wagging his tail.
Blaidd: Come on, fellow, say something. Blaidd: Are you dull?
Rhys: I don't know what to say. I'm observing.
Blaidd: But...but...it's pretty nice, isn't it? Rhys: ...
The two enter the ruins.
Claymen stumble about.
Blaidd: Be careful around them. Rhys: Who are these?
Blaidd: I'm not sure, but they certainly clamor for the grace of gold.
They ascend from the ruins, with a full view of the floodgate and another staircase to an elevator.
Ascending another elevator, silent in the darkness.
The elevator stops. Paradoxically, in spite of the advanced technology, the elevator opens up to a world of untamed wilderness.
The pair pass through the valley.
The Siofra River, proper. A massive aqueduct looms in the eternal night sky; below is untamed wilderness, with towering trees growing where the river trickles. The Ancestral Worshippers wander about.
The pair walk over the waters, where deer caper. Blaidd: Look up there.
A longer view of the aqueduct. Blaidd: You see that up there? Blaidd: That leads to Nokron, the Eternal City. Blaidd: Ranni wants me to get there.
Blaidd: Don't worry, I'm not asking you to help me. Blaidd: I mean, I'm no climber.
Rhys: ...What an absurd task to give one.
Blaidd: Aye. But Ranni's destiny lies there.
Another view of the Siofra River. Blaidd: This is an ancient civilization, forgotten by the Lands Between... Blaidd: They once worshipped different gods, and had a different way of seeing things. Blaidd: Their time ended, when the Golden Order was established.
Blaidd: Some say the earth swallowed them up... some say the sky fell on them...
Blaidd: I don't know... gods devise strange means.
Rhys: Marika destroyed them? Blaidd: More than that. Blaidd: She created them.
Rhys: ! Blaidd: Nothing else is likelier.
Blaidd: These fellows lay here all day, with no vinegar for taking the Lands Between.
Blaidd: They have renounced their claim to the Erdtree. Blaidd: Sad, really.
Blaidd: So they remain in this giant tomb...worshipping false stars, that Marika painted...
Blaidd: A curiosity the goddess made ever for her failed creations. Rhys: ...
Blaidd: And that's why Ranni sent me here. Blaidd: Even false stars, when made by a goddess, are stars.
Blaidd: This place has its own fate...it is suspended in a kind of amber...
Blaidd: And hidden somewhere here...is a tool wrapped in fate, and wrapped out of it.
Blaidd: And so, I wait. Blaidd: Hoping the way appears to me.
Rhys: How long have you been at this post? Blaidd: Years.
Blaidd: I catalogue the changing of the stars. Blaidd: The movement of the night.
Blaidd: Some stars grow brighter, some dimmer.
Blaidd: And I have discovered one thing...
Blaidd: Not a damn thing changes. Rhys: ...
Blaidd: 'Tis a shame. Blaidd: I want Ranni's happiness, more than anything.
Blaidd: Let us gaze at the stars, a litte longer.
Rhys and Blaidd are walking through Lake Agheel. Blaidd: Well, that was fun. What will you do now?
Rhys: Sellen said I should find an Azur, said to be exiled in Mt. Gelmir.
Blaidd: Ah, hell. That witch said that? Blaidd: You'll have to get through Leyndell.
Leyndell, Royal Capital, in its golden glory. Blaidd: Home of the meanest bastards I've ever met. Rhys: Aye.
Rhys: But I'm sure some other Tarnished are marching through Liurnia now, to break through.
Rhys: I intend to catch them. Blaidd: Hmm. Good luck.
Rhys sees, at the Church of Elleh, a blue mist.
Rhys: Blaidd, do you... Blaidd brushes by him violently. Rhys: Oof!
Blaid: RANNNNNNNNNNNNIIII! Rhys: ...
Blaidd arrives at the Church of Elleh. Blaidd: Kalé, did you see Ranni?!
Kalé wakes up. Kalé: ...Hrm? Blaidd: Nevermind.
Blaidd: It must be a trick of the eye, then. Rhys searches in the area, where the mist was found.
Rhys finds a pouch, left in the spot.
He picks it up, and opens it.
Inside are ashes.
Inside are memories of wolves, running in the light of the moon.
Shrouded in the moon's shadow, is a mysterious female figure.
Rhys holds the ashes close to his chest. Rhys: ...Princess...