When the radiance of the Erdtree once again shone brightly enough to eclipse the starlight over the skies of Liurnia of the Lakes, Gawain stirred from his slumber. He had slept quite soundly the previous night. Upon waking, he realized he was still clutching the doll in his arms, having never let go. Luckily, he hadn't drooled; otherwise, it would have been quite the embarrassment.
Before he could even offer a morning greeting, the doll he was holding suddenly dissolved into a shimmering light. It was then that he heard a voice coming from his shoulder. Miniature Ranni was looking at him with a huff, her voice laced with a hint of grievance.
"Have you held me long enough? And with such a look on your face... are you truly that fond of my mentor's appearance as the Snow Witch?"
"Hehe, plenty, plenty. You're a bit softer than I imagined, and that cool sensation made sleeping even more comfortable than I expected. It's been a long time since I've held such a perfect, life-sized body pillow."
Ranni was momentarily speechless. She didn't know whether to be annoyed or baffled. He was actually reviewing the experience? And what in the world was a "life-sized body pillow"?
"You... how have you become increasingly flippant in my presence? Sigh, never mind. At this point, I can't be bothered to settle every score with you."
Gawain slowly stood up, feeling a strange sensation within his body. It was likely the Great Rune Ranni had gifted him beginning to take effect.
He couldn't quite describe the feeling. It was vastly different from the straightforward, raw stat boosts provided by Godrick's or General Radahn's Great Runes.
Looking up at the sky, he felt a faint, metaphysical connection to the glintstones surrounding him and even the stars above. Among them was the Sun—a celestial body he had already established a link with, though communication remained difficult for now.
Is this a manifestation of Ranni's long-standing traits as an astrologer reflecting onto me? he wondered.
He drew the Sword of Night and Flame to examine its glintstones. When he channeled his power into them, the efficiency seemed significantly higher than before.
This display led him to wonder: if Ranni's Great Rune had appeared in the game, would its effect have been a boost to sorcery damage or something similar? The specific changes would require more exploration.
"Is my Great Rune so fascinating to you? Have you not felt enough of it yet?"
Gawain snapped back to reality. Hearing the slight edge in Ranni's voice, he realized her attitude toward him had shifted significantly since their conversation the previous night.
In truth, a subtle change had begun after the Radahn Festival, but now it was unmistakable. Before, she was more tsun than dere; now, the dere was clearly winning out. He found it absolutely delightful.
"Far from enough. This is your Great Rune, after all. Now that it's in my hands, I have to savor every bit of it. Besides, I suspect I'll need to exert its full power very soon."
Ranni looked at Gawain. Despite his joking manner, there was a weight of gravity in his tone. She could guess what he was thinking, especially after their long talk.
She started to say something but stopped herself. Memories of ancient secrets she had once uncovered flickered through her mind. she knew that such trials were an inevitable part of the journey.
Without lingering further, the two left the Divine Tower. From their current position, the Ainsel River Well was not far, but Gawain didn't plan on heading straight inside. He caught the direction Ranni was silently gazing in and knew they were thinking of the same place.
"Hmm? Is that a ruined church on the hilltop over there? I'd like to see if there are any Sacred Tears inside, if that's alright?"
"I doubt you will find what you seek there, but an old acquaintance of mine does reside within. No matter. Before we head to Nokstella, take me to see him."
"An old acquaintance? I'd like to meet them too."
The ruined church Gawain saw was situated on the hill closest to the Ainsel River Well, directly overlooking the Academy of Raya Lucaria. It was home to Miriel, the giant turtle who respected Radagon more than anyone in the Lands Between. Not only was he the most versatile teacher of both Incantations and Sorceries in the game, but he was also the best "training dummy" for testing weapon damage.
Treading through the overgrown path, Gawain dismounted and slowly approached the church. The Church of Vows was much larger than he remembered. It truly lived up to its reputation as the place where Queen Rennala and Radagon once exchanged their vows. Even now, he could imagine its prosperous past through the decorations on the crumbling walls.
Relationships in reality could never be mended by "sincerity" alone. Those ancient oaths had long since been discarded. Even if there was a late repentance, things could never return to the way they were at the beginning.
Thus, in such a decaying era, a relationship that had never known betrayal was all the more precious.
He stepped slowly into the interior. A massive turtle wearing a clerical hat sat with its limbs tucked into its shell, resting quietly. The light of the Erdtree filtered through the gaps in the broken walls, casting a golden glow on the shell and adding a touch of warmth to the desolate environment.
Miriel heard the sound of approaching footsteps. It felt a slight sense of comfort; how long had it been since an outsider had visited since the shattering of the Elden Ring? Even for a being with such a long lifespan, the endless vigil could become tedious.
However, just as it prepared to open its eyes to greet the stranger, it froze. It sensed a familiar aura from the visitor.
Hmm, is this the scent of the young girl Rennala? No, that's not right, Miriel corrected itself. It remembered now—this was the youngest daughter born of the union between Rennala and Radagon.
Miriel recalled the distant past when Rennala and Radagon lived happily at the Academy. Back then, the girl would often bring her newborn children here to visit.
Alas, after everything that happened, it never expected a reunion.
"Ranni, is that you who has returned?"
Miriel opened its cloudy eyes. What appeared in its sight was not the girl with the beautiful red hair, but a stranger it had never seen before.
But Miriel was certain it wasn't mistaken. The weapon on the man's back proved his identity was anything but simple.
Sure enough, a blue light manifested in the air, forming the figure of a doll. Though her appearance had changed drastically, Miriel could not mistake the familiar scent and the true face of the soul hidden beneath the wide-brimmed hat.
"Yes, it is I, Master Miriel. It has been a long time."
Looking at her former teacher—or rather, her elder—Ranni had much she wanted to say. In the end, it condensed into the simplest of greetings.
She gazed at him quietly, as if transported back to years long past.
"All these years... have you fared well? I never imagined the little girl who loved riding on my shell would grow into this. Had I not remembered your scent, I fear I would not have recognized you."
Ranni smiled and stepped forward, affectionately embracing Miriel's long, outstretched neck.
"Do not worry. Though much has happened, I am doing well."
After reminiscing for a moment, Ranni remembered she hadn't entered alone. She pulled Gawain over, who had been standing silently to the side.
"Let me introduce you. This is Miriel, one of my childhood magic tutors and the most important witness to the wedding of my mother and Radagon."
Gawain looked at the giant turtle, who stood two heads taller than him even while lying down, and couldn't help but wonder just how long this being had lived.
Miriel had been a renowned sage even when the Liurnian wars broke out. He was qualified to witness the union between Gold and Moon, making him a living fossil of the Lands Between. He might have even watched the Full Moon Queen grow up.
It made sense. After Radagon had charmed Rennala, he likely performed all sorts of romantic gestures, frequently bringing her back to this commemorative site during their brief time living together.
Presumably, the three Carian siblings were often brought along as infants to play and learn with the kind and approachable Miriel, who could teach both Sorcery and Incantations.
Realizing his thoughts were wandering, Gawain pulled himself back and offered a polite self-introduction. He glanced out of the corner of his eye at Ranni, who was clutching his arm, and felt the atmosphere turn slightly... awkward.
He could clearly feel that the kind, grandfatherly face Miriel showed Ranni instantly shifted when it turned to him. It wasn't quite a "get out" look, but it was certainly scrutinizing and full of profound meaning.
"Not a redhead either... what exactly does Ranni see in him?" Miriel muttered under its breath, in a tone only it could hear.
After a moment of whispering to itself, Miriel looked at Ranni, unsure of what to say. The two stared at each other, and the air grew thick with awkwardness.
Ranni sensed the tension. Realizing that her presence here was making things uncomfortable, she coughed twice to give herself an out.
"Master knows everything about these lands. Your people will need his help if they come here in the future. It has been a long time since I was last here, so I shall take a look around. You two should use this chance to get to know one another."
As Ranni drifted away, Miriel retracted its scrutinizing gaze. It sighed, breaking the silence first.
"I can sense the Queen's scent upon you. Given the great upheaval of the Academy's seal a few days ago, I assume you have already met her. How is she faring?"
"Not well. As you know, since Radagon abandoned her, she lost her heart. She is trapped in her memories now, endlessly repeating the rite of rebirth. Even with Ranni returning to her side with me, it changed little. Some things, once done, cannot be undone."
Miriel knew the situation wouldn't have improved much, but hearing it confirmed still brought a wave of melancholy.
"Sigh... so it remains. Since you and Ranni have seen the Queen, I assume the Academy now answers to you? Knowing her personality, Ranni likely has no desire to manage it."
"Exactly. However, Liurnia is still unsettled, and the Academy is undergoing internal restructuring. It will remain closed for a while longer to ensure safety before the students are allowed out."
"Mm, that is for the best. I can hardly remember the days when curious students would flock to this church to see me. Back then, Liurnia was beautiful and harmonious, not the ruin it is today. I am old now, and my limbs are slow. I can only stay in this church and watch this once-vibrant place turn to rubble."
Gawain looked at the lonely "empty-nester" vibe coming off Miriel and decided to extend an invitation.
"Actually, the Academy is in dire need of someone with prestige to oversee things—especially a master such as yourself. If you are willing, you could teach at the Academy for a while. The students would welcome you. If travel is difficult, I can arrange for you to be transported back."
Miriel seemed tempted for a moment. Rennala had once made a similar offer, but in the end, the turtle shook its head.
"I am glad for your invitation, but I am old. Guarding this church is enough for me. If you truly wish to help, send someone to repair this place in the future. Of course, playing the teacher once in a while is fine. Whether it is you or the students of the Academy, if anyone is willing to learn, I shall teach them with all my heart."
Miriel paused, looking Gawain up and down once more. From their brief exchange, its initial impression of him was decent. Its eyes drifted toward the blue figure hiding not far away.
"I can see that Ranni holds you in high regard. I saw a similar look in her mother's eyes once. I have stayed in this church for so long; I have witnessed too many vows and acts of atonement. The hero Radagon once used the Celestial Dew to wash away his sins right here under my gaze, conveying his heart's repentance to the Full Moon Queen. But once betrayal occurs, the wound is carved forever into the heart. No matter how beautiful the atonement, the cracks remain."
Miriel spoke solemnly of the history it had witnessed. To this day, it still didn't understand why Radagon made the choice he did, especially when his heart had seemed so genuine during his repentance.
"I am old. I do not care what story lies between you and Ranni, nor what mission brings you here. I have no intent to intervene in the conflicts of the Lands Between. But remember this: no matter how aloof or strong she appears on the outside, in my eyes, Ranni is still that fragile little girl who needs love. I hope you do not disappoint her."
Gawain smiled. He knew exactly what kind of person Ranni was; Radagon's brand of honeyed words wouldn't work on her.
In the game, even if you gave her the ring, if the player chose to betray and attack her at the final moment, Ranni would only mock herself for having such unrealistic fantasies. She wouldn't waver in her chosen path because of betrayal, nor would she descend into self-delusion like the Full Moon Queen.
"I will never betray her. Though, I suppose no matter how many times I say that to you, you won't truly believe me. After all, when Radagon married the Queen, I'm sure his words were far sweeter than mine, yet things still ended as they did. I don't think I have a silver tongue like his—he could even sway an enemy like the Full Moon Queen. But even if I did, Ranni wouldn't be swayed by words alone."
He continued, "That's why I've been using my actions to help her reach our goals. The bond that maintains our relationship is our shared objective and pursuit. That is far more steadfast than a fleeting vow. I have no means or desire to bind her; she can leave me at any time to pursue the future she wants. I can accept that outcome—that is the aloof Dark Moon I know. Of course, whether she'd actually be willing to leave such an excellent and reliable partner like me... well, that's another matter entirely."
Miriel listened and nodded with satisfaction. Its gaze was no longer scrutinizing. It was pleased with the answer; though it sounded a bit overconfident, the man seemed reliable. It was no wonder that, despite what happened with Radagon, Ranni would favor him so.
Ranni leaned quietly against a pillar nearby. She had heard the entire conversation. At his final words, she couldn't help but tighten her grip on the delicate key in her hand. Using her upper set of hands to pull her hat down low, she whispered to herself:
"You aren't nearly as excellent as you boast... but as a partner, you are barely passable. You're just a bit too greedy sometimes."
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Elden Ring: In the Name of Ash (229 chapter - Ongoing)
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