"Rellana, contact that witch from the other world," Messmer called out to the Knight of the Twin Moons, issuing his command. "Something is wrong with the Shadow Tree. Only the shadow of the Erdtree could affect the Erdtree itself here!"
"Your Highness, we may not need to do that," Rellana replied. "Look over there..."
From atop the royal capital on the Altus Plateau, apart from the Erdtree itself and the snow-capped mountains, one could overlook nearly the entire Lands Between—even the sea to the east of the capital was partially visible.
The sight before them undoubtedly widened Messmer's eyes—in fact, it brought back memories from a thousand years ago...
Back when he and the holy war expedition under the demigod had yet to be sealed away by his mother in the Land of Shadow.
Yes, that's right—the veil that once shrouded the Land of Shadow had been burned away along with the Shadow Tree. The Lands Between, once shaped like a large "C", had become whole once more. A vast sea region southeast of the capital had vanished, replaced by the long-lost Land of Shadow.
The Land of Shadow, once a part of the Lands Between, had now reappeared because someone had destroyed the Shadow Tree, the shadow of the Erdtree. The barrier that had concealed that ancient land was incinerated as well and the missing land was restored.
"...Inform Crucible Knight, to hold the capital. No outsiders are to enter until I return," Messmer said. "Rellana, you're coming with me. We're heading to the Tower Settlement—something must have gone wrong with Enir-Ilim."
"...We're coming too," Melina said. "The Erdtree was burned by the Flame of the Godslayer. Even though the destined death remains sealed, I still bear responsibility."
The Tarnished beside her gave a firm nod, clearly expressing: "Where Melina goes, I go." Messmer merely snorted coldly and did not object.
"Suit yourself," Messmer said stiffly. "If you can keep up, then follow."
...
...
"...You will awaken soon, my Lord Brother, my Promised Consort. Just a little longer."
Miquella knelt beside the reformed giant body. The once grotesque appearance had been reshaped by his power into the youthful visage of Radahn that he remembered from his boyhood.
At this moment, Radahn lay with his eyes closed, his expression peaceful. He appeared slightly smaller than he had been in Caelid, but whether it was his armor or the details of his face, he now matched the image the young Empyrean had longed for.
"This is the perfect vessel—the flesh of the Mixed-Blood Horn can contain the power granted to us by the Gate of the Gods to the fullest," Miquella murmured. Just nearby, the Golden Needle Knight, Leda, stood silently.
"As long as I can return with your soul from the far side of the Gate of the Gods, the gentle era that belongs to us will come—no more strife, no more hatred, no more confusion in these lands..."
Leda watched her sovereign quietly. She pondered the approaching era of gentleness—was her mission about to end? For in such a world, her only skill—killing—would no longer have meaning...
One of Miquella's knights approached Leda and whispered a few words before standing by, awaiting further orders.
Leda's expression changed slightly, her thoughts interrupted. The knight reported that the Impaler had likely deduced something had gone wrong with Enir-Ilim from the re-emergence of the Land of Shadow. Messmer now led his best warriors—alongside the Tarnished who had slain the Lord of Blood—toward the Divine Tower.
"Go now, my loyal knights," Miquella gently caressed Radahn's cheek, speaking in the softest voice, "Remove the final obstacles before the new world arrives... I, who have been abandoned by the Great Runes, can no longer gently dissuade them..."
Without a word, Leda donned her helmet once again, hiding her beautiful face. She knelt before Miquella once more, pledging her eternal loyalty.
She knew that with only herself and the remaining Miquella Knights, they could not defeat the powerful demigod and the Tarnished who had slain the Lord of Blood. Still, she would stop them by any means necessary—sacrificing herself and her men if needed—to buy time for Miquella to return from beyond the Gate of the Gods.
In the Lands Between, death was never rare. So long as gods existed, every death was merely the beginning of another cycle. Loyal knights would always receive their lord's reward.
No... I'm being greedy, thought Leda, leading the Miquella Knights into action. How could I desire Lord Miquella's reward?
Loyalty itself was the reward. The Golden Needle Knight did not require Miquella's thanks.
...
"Lady Rennala," the Carian knight Moongrum hurried into the grand library of Raya Lucaria. After bowing, he whispered to the Full Moon Queen, "A knight seeks an audience with you."
"Who is it?" Rennala asked, placing little Rena into the cradle. "What does this knight want?"
"...He calls himself Ansbach, once a knight loyal to the demigod Mohg," Moongrum replied. "He says he brings intelligence regarding events in the Land of Shadow and wishes to share it with you, ruler of Caria."
"Mother," Ranni, nearby, put down her book and advised, "I suggest you ignore the Golden Dynasty's nonsense. They no longer have the power to force Caria into submission. The stars and moon will no longer bow to the Erdtree."
"My dear Ranni... you know of this demigod, Mohg?" Reina pondered for a moment before asking. "Whose child is he?"
"Hmph," Ranni scoffed at the name but patiently explained to her mother, "He and that 'Blessed King' are both children of Godfrey and Marika, but they were born with the omen curse... So they were hidden beneath the royal capital in the sewers. Now, with Marika's fate uncertain, they've crawled back out and begun seeking allies."
Queen Rennala thought seriously for a moment and did not ask further.
"Bring the knight in, Moongrum," Queen Rennala said. "With the Erdtree in flames, the Lands Between are bound for upheaval. Any shred of intelligence is precious now."
Although Ranni wasn't thrilled to meet any knight associated with the likes of Mohg, she didn't stop her mother's decision. She knew Rennala was right—even if the Carian royal family didn't ally with this knight's faction, gathering intelligence was still necessary.