Elden Ring: My Ending

Recently, Melina found herself increasingly envious of the Tarnished's peculiar ability to pull items seemingly out of thin air. This envy peaked as she lugged a large sack, brimming with clothes and armor, over her shoulder.

To an outsider, the sight was comical, at best—a delicate young woman hauling a sack nearly her own size. Despite managing the burden well enough, Melina couldn't deny that she might have gone overboard.

The contrast was becoming too stark: the half-naked madman she accompanied was slowly being transformed into a poised warrior.

Even so, a nagging voice in her mind suggested she might have overdone it.

Sure, an aristocrat's garb might suit her chosen Tarnished. But why had she thrown in rags from the imprisoned or the robes of sorcerers? Clearly, it was because she thought the robes were stylish and offered excellent magic resistance, but what would the Tarnished think of them?

Melina nearly tripped over a stone.

No matter.

She'd deal with the consequences later. While her Tarnished, Konstantine, wasn't the most adept at conversation, she could persuade him to wear armor—or at least some sort of outfit. The man obviously held her in high regard, though in his own peculiar way.

Someday, the Tarnished would need a personal tailor, someone to craft the finest attire in the Lands Between. Until then, though, the fact that she'd managed to get him dressed at all was a victory in itself.

One step at a time.

Adjusting the enormous sack on her back, she envisioned her Tarnished—dashing, fully clothed, and a future Lord of the Lands Between—trying on his new wardrobe.

Melina's trip back was uneventful, but her mood shifted when she noticed the night sky. The full moon had risen, casting an eerie glow. This was no ordinary moon; its light felt… different, in an intangible way that tugged at her instincts.

She frowned.

'She's noticed him,' Melina thought grimly.

It made sense. Her Tarnished's presence was unforgettable. While Torrent, the spectral steed, certainly contributed to his unique image, the half-naked lunatic himself was a far more prominent factor.

And then there was his… particular interest.

Melina narrowed her single visible eye, her spiritual form sharpening in focus.

'Of course,' she realized. 'He knew all along. He wasn't looking for Blaidd the Half-Wolf but for his mistress.'

The thought should have been obvious, yet it felt so absurd she hadn't entertained it seriously until now.

Still, there was no denying the situation.

Hiding behind the ruins, clutching her sack of clothes, Melina watched.

A campfire illuminated the scene. Blaidd, the merchant Kale, and Konstantine were gathered around it. Though the Tarnished said little, sitting with a sternness that could shame a demigod, the others were slowly succumbing to drowsiness.

Little did they know, the demigoddess's spell was lulling them into sleep.

Konstantine alone remained alert, unfazed by the thickening mist surrounding the camp. Once the others were fully under the spell's thrall, he rose to his feet, a knowing expression on his face. His gaze was so intense Melina half-expected him to challenge the Elden Beast itself right then and there. (1)

Though, strangely, she couldn't shake the feeling that he'd look at the Elden Beast differently—almost fondly.

She shook off the thought. She'd spent too much time with her Tarnished.

The demigoddess awaited him. Perched atop the ruins, she was as striking as she was dangerous.

Swathed in blue, her doll-like body, complete with four arms and two faces—one physical, one spectral—created an image both otherworldly and innocent.

But it was a lie.

Melina knew the truth. This witch in the grand hat was as cunning as they came. It was her schemes that had sparked the madness of the gods and the war of the demigods.

Melina's single visible eye narrowed.

To be fair, her Tarnished was free to form alliances as he wished. But how could she remain calm knowing her mad, half-dressed Tarnished was willingly walking into the clutches of such a dangerous being?

And with such enthusiasm!

Melina nearly huffed, tightening her grip on the sack of clothing.

"This way, Tarnished. May I have a word?"

Without hesitation, Konstantine approached the doll-like figure, stopping before her. Though she sat on the ruins' ledge, her tiny, delicate form was evident.

Ranni's spectral face softened into a faint smile.

"A pleasure to meet thee, Tarnished."

At the sound of the demigoddess's calm, melodic voice, the stoic mask of Konstantine cracked. His eyes fluttered shut, a look of bliss overtaking his features.

Such was the power of one of the Lands Between's finest waifus.

Ranni tilted her doll-like head, studying the man with curiosity as his oddities continued to reveal themselves.

"I am Ranni the Witch," she said at last. "I'd heard tell of a Tarnished hurtling abou atop a spectral steed."

She paused, as though awaiting a response.

Fortunately, the ever-resourceful Konstantine understood the situation. He knew he wouldn't leave without answering. He had learned to socialize.

To a degree.

Though, as memories of Sellen's questline flashed in his mind, his resolve wavered.

On one hand, Sellen was undeniably a waifu. And waifus were rare in the Lands Between. Ignoring her had never been an option.

On the other hand, her quest had required him to study sorcery—and it ended horribly. (2)

It had been a trap, one that had forced him into becoming a mage.

The shame of that casual playthrough was something he'd rather forget.

"Konstantine," he said at last. "You can call me Kosta."

Ranni nodded, seemingly pleased.

"Konstantine of the Tarnished. Aye, then it must be thee of whom I've heard. Thou art bonded with Torrent, the spectral steed, art thou not?"

Melina, still observing from the shadows, instinctively reached for her blade. The witch's spectral form briefly turned her gaze toward the spirit maiden, locking eyes with her.

Ranni's smile grew sly, almost teasing.

'Thou hast led me to him,' it seemed to say.

'Witch!' Melina bit her lip.

The foolish demigoddess had yet to witness her Tarnished's rolls! Let her try something, and he'd dodge… oh, how he'd dodge!

Melina clutched the sack of… completely practical garments for her Tarnished, her ghostly knuckles whitening.

Konstantine, ever truthful to waifus (especially the best ones), saw no reason to lie.

After all, a true Tarnished would never lie to a waifu.

The man gave a firm nod.

Ranni, noting the straightforward honesty in the Tarnished's reply, crossed her four arms one over the other, suddenly more intrigued.

She had no idea how deeply mistaken she was.

"Ah. As I had hoped. I was entrusted this, for thee. By Torrent's former master."

In the demigoddess's hands appeared a spectral bell, instantly recognizable to Melina. The young woman was shocked to see the artifact in the witch's possession, certain she'd lost it long ago.

Even if this conniving witch hadn't outright stolen it, the bell was still hers!

Melina huffed indignantly.

Not that it mattered. She would have handed it to the Tarnished herself eventually. As long as it helped her chosen one, she could overlook this slight.

Ranni, oblivious to the lack of surprise on Kosta's face, continued speaking in her calm, deep voice:

"'Tis a bell for calling forth spirits. Summon them with it, from ash unreturned to the Erdt-"

"I can't accept it."

The unexpected words, spoken with unmistakable anguish, silenced Ranni mid-sentence.

"You can't? You must not understand its true—"

"I do," Kosta replied firmly, lowering his gaze as though wrestling with inner demons. "This is a tool for filthy casuals. If it came with the Mimic Tear (3) instead of wolves, I might…"

Ranni's spiritual visage faltered slightly.

How does he know I was about to give him the wolves?

Ranni's gaze flicked briefly to Melina, who stood in the shadows with a venomous smirk on her lips. The look all but said: 'You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into.'

And truly, the demigoddess didn't. This was only the beginning.

"I am so sorry, Ranni…"

Kosta realized the situation had spiraled out of control when he saw the shock—and even faint fear—in the witch's expression.

Still, Ranni was not a demigoddess for nothing. She quickly composed herself.

"Very well," she said with a faint smile. "So, you know who I am, Tarnished?"

Kosta, sensing the script had gone completely off the rails, almost groaned aloud.

The shame of having betrayed the honor of a fair duel had been too much to bear. He couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Even forum dwelling lore masters would break their brain in half trying to remember your names! Seriously, why are they all so similar? Ranni, Rennala, Renna—who thought this was a good idea? And don't get me started on Radahn, Radagon, Melina, Malenia, Millicent, Marika, Morgott, Margit… You trying to play 'spot the difference'?! Surely there must be a bett—" (4)

Kosta abruptly cut himself off as he met the frozen witch's gaze.

From her hiding spot, Melina hadn't felt this much vindictive joy in ages.

'Take that, you scheming witch!'

Kosta shifted uncomfortably under Ranni's stare. Then, to everyone's shock—including his own—he dropped to one knee.

"I never meant to offend you, my beautiful waifu. Please forgive me."

Ranni blinked once, then twice, then a third time.

Her spectral form took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Beautiful?"

Both Melina, who could not fathom how a "blue, four-armed puppet" could be called beautiful, and Ranni herself shared the same incredulous thought.

The last time someone had called her beautiful was before her body had been consumed by a terrible flame. And now, this bizarre Tarnished—fully aware of her origins—was kneeling before her?

What an enigma.

"You have surprised me," Ranni murmured softly, lost in thought. "Truly surprised me. I will forgive you if you accept my gift. Torrent's former master entrusted it to me."

Melina's eyebrow twitched.

'I didn't ask you, you vile witch.' (5)

Ranni offered the summoning bell to Kosta, who, with a heavy sigh of defeat, took it. As the bell vanished into his inventory, it resonated with a spiritual ash, bonding to it.

At the edge of his consciousness, the mournful howls of spectral wolves echoed, ready for battle.

Something inside Kosta died a little. Then again, in the Lands Between, such losses were common.

As the bell disappeared, Ranni visibly relaxed.

"An impressive magic, Kosta of the Tarnished. I would like to study it someday. For now, heed this advice: learn all you can about the Lands Between."

Ranni suspected this encounter would not be their last. The Tarnished knew too much—far more than she had initially thought. That made him dangerous, but also… intriguing.

'Torrent has chosen him, and she has accepted that.'

Her ghostly eyes scanned the man still kneeling before her, and her lips curved into another faint smile.

She hadn't intended to involve herself further with him. This could have been their final meeting. Yet, his actions and words made her reconsider.

'He knelt before me and called me beautiful. Befriended Blaidd intentionally. Does he wish to be my vassal? How unexpected.'

It was a promising prospect. Ranni had not taken a new servant in some time.

She still didn't quite understand what "waifu" meant, but it probably wasn't something bad. Maybe she could look it up later if she had a free moment. It didn't seem urgent. After all, the Tarnished clearly had a few screws loose.

But would he survive the demigods?

They would test him for her. If he prevailed, he would prove himself worthy of serving her. If not, his dangerous knowledge would die with him.

'Fate will decide,' she thought.

Looking up at the stars, Ranni adjusted her wide-brimmed hat.

"I am Ranni the Witch. Forgive me for my earlier deception. This will not be our last meeting. I wonder if you will rise against the Two Fingers…"

She didn't expect a reply. Her words were more directed at the one watching from the shadows. Her sly smile returned as she prepared to leave—but then…

The great warrior wouldn't let her go so easily.

Kosta, noticing her gaze drawn to the night sky, nodded solemnly. He knew how crucial it was for her to defeat the strongest demigod and set her destiny—or something like that—in motion, along with the stars above.

How it worked and why—who the hell knew? Konstantin wasn't some accursed sorcerer to figure all that out. Heck, he wasn't even much of a lore master. If it had to be done, it had to be done.

"I will do everything in my power to set your feet… er, your fate in motion once more," he said, stumbling over his words.

He really needed to practice speaking more; he talked far too little.

In a burst of starlight, the demigoddess vanished, her spectral eye bulging at Kosta as if to judge him one last time. The mist dispersed, and the full moon in the sky lost its mystical allure, as though it had never been there at all. An eerie silence descended.

"Magic?" muttered the Tarnished, confused. "No, this isn't magic—it's just in-game mechanics…"

Normally, this kind of thing would at least provoke some frustration in him, but not this time. For one, it had come from his waifu. That changed a lot.

Secondly, there was another, far more immediate problem.

Kosta cautiously stood up, glancing around. As a seasoned Soulslike player, he had an instinctive sense for when a roll was needed—a skill so deeply ingrained it worked even in his dreams.

For some reason, that feeling was especially strong now. Not sharp, but…

Oppressive. As if with each passing second, the danger grew exponentially.

The Tarnished slowly turned around, only to find himself face-to-face with an unusually furious Melina. Behind her hung a sack nearly as large as she was.

Under normal circumstances, the sight would've been almost comical, but…

"I bring you news, Konstantin."

"Meli… Meli?"

For some reason, he wasn't particularly thrilled that she'd decided to call him by name for the first time.

Meanwhile, Blaidd and Kale, blissfully unaware, continued to dream as if nothing had happened.

(1) (AN:) The Elden Beast, the game's final boss, was clearly meant to be terrifying. In reality, the cosmic worm floating through space mostly leaves players scratching their heads rather than instilling the awe of an epic final battle.

(2) The sorceress Sellen's quest assumes the player actually wants to learn magic from her.

(3) One of the most powerful Spirit Ash summons in the game, the Mimic Tear allows players to summon a full copy of themselves, including weapons and armor.

(4) (AN:) Original names didn't seem to be a big thing in the Lands Between.

(5) (AN:) This is me taking creative liberty. The original story leaves the relationship between these characters ambiguous at this point in the game. Considering their vastly different goals, however, it's unlikely they'd cooperate. Worst case, call this an AU. This setting is full of vague or debatable elements, so take this as a heads-up for anyone who disagrees. ಠ_ಠ)