Chapter Text
Thirteen years later...
"The Primeval Current would represent a significant opportunity to advance our understanding of not only our current glintstone sorceries but all schools of magic connected to it. Possibly even laying the groundwork to see entirely new concepts within these realms developed. One that can again rise our academy to the respectable place it once enjoyed," said Sellen.
The entire debate parlor was alive with wild enthusiasm for Sellen's words. Her speech generated applause from the audience.
Her opponent, Lazuli came to the podium next and tapped the edge of his paper against the slanted wood panel.
"It seems, Sellen, that you imply that our previous academy had already sunk in the lake," he said.
There were some laughs, which Sellen responded to with a polite nod, though Ranni was certain the old witch was seething on the inside. She was never one to stand for people challenging her theories in her quest to "elevate the status and respect among the academy." In reality, she suggested that the position held by the Carians and their influence over the academy was an outdated concept and should be ruled by the academics responsible for the next generation of practitioners.
Right or wrong, for Sellen's efforts to carry any weight, she hinged on uncovering a discovery of equal or greater significance than Rennala's monumental discovery the powers within the moon itself. Sellen, often considered brilliant by some for her theories on the primeval current, soon revealed that it was her only idea. Incapable of moving past this concept, despite warnings of the academy, caused her to fixate upon it, proving, at least to Ranni, that her brilliance was largely artificial. It was only a matter of time before her ambition overruled common sense, and she preached her theories as though they were already proven.
"Of course, we ought to honor and acknowledge the times when great discoveries were made and our knowledge advanced quickly. But, most progress comes slow and steady, and not with disregard to caution; we can only hope to be lucky enough not to cause a cataclysm. Continuing the branches of study introduced by our Headmistress, Queen Rennala, will keep this academy busy for centuries."
"Ah, yes," said Sellen. "And where is our Headmistress? In fact, when did she last set foot here? Does anyone even recall?"
Sellen's attention turned to Ranni sitting in the back of the debate parlor.
"Luner Princess Ranni! Perhaps you would be so kind as to shed some light on this matter."
The room went quiet as Ranni stood.
"I am under the impression the primeval current and the ethics of its research is the matter of this debate. Being as is, all other subjects are outside the scope of such discussion. But if it pleases you, Sorceresss Sellen, show me why such exploration of the primeval current has captured thy attention so, when all others who sought its power have spoken only in theory with yet to produce their findings," said Ranni.
All eyes were back on Sellen, who quivered at the statement of truth. There were no papers with substantial proof of what Sellen claimed. The two sorcerers who had sought to prove them had long disappeared without publishing their findings.
Satisified, Ranni exited in a round of applause.
Blaidd waited for her out by her personal carriage, which was in the courtyard of the academy. Students rushed back and forth, heading to their lectures and classes. Several scholars were surrounded by their captivated pupils, who were far too starry-eyed with a fascination with the manner of their speech and not the practicality of their hypothesis.
"Well said," said Blaidd as he opened the carriage door. "Of course, it's rather convenient that Azur and Lusat 'disappeared' under your influence."
"As my stepmother would always say, some ideas and methods are reprehensible."
"She should be the one to talk," scoffed Blaidd.
"Maybe a bit hypocritical, yes, but between what Renna told me, things the Golden Order failed to completely cover over, and what Marika had simply let slip, it is apparent to me that she stood no chance to be anything but a tyrant," said Ranni. Her hand rubbed over the leather cover of an old tomb that Renna had carefully documented everything she recalled. The Golden Order didn't intend for anyone to find out much about Marika's life, but they could do nothing to destroy the memories of someone who knew her personally. "I cannot imagine what it was like to have the last truly happy moments of life being when one was a child."
"Did Renna ever reveal why the Hornsent thought Marika was some kind of saint?"
"She doesn't know for sure but speculates that it has something to do with Marika's status as an empyrean. It scares me, Blaidd. This dark path that I must walk. I'm not sure where it might lead me or what I might find myself having to do," said Ranni.
Ranni tried to remain stoic even as their carriage crossed the gates along the road towards Leyndell. She was reluctant to come back here and often looked to avoid it whenever she could find an excuse. She returned more for the sake of her half-siblings, whom she made a concerted effort to remain in contact with. She invited them often to the Carian Manor to have much-welcome company.
Ranni loved their visits, and looked forward to them each time. Even her mother took particular interest in kindly Miquella. The two shared a significant conversation about the movement of the sun and the moon. She introduced the young demigod to the concept of an eclipse and all its implications and powers. Ranni walked in after a walk with Malenia to see Miquella had crafted a makeshift model of the firmanment on the floor. He asked Rennala questions and shifted the position of a plant pot or globe he used to represent the celestial bodies.
It brought Ranni immense joy to catch a glimpse of Rennala's former self, if only for a fleeting moment.
When they passed the Lift of Rolds, Ranni's heart skipped a beat. There was a moment that when the thought came to her mind that she might turn her carriage to the paths into the Forbidden Lands.
Part of Ranni's mind still imagined her little ones as babes, even though they were young women. Every year, she was permitted to travel to the Forbidden Lands during the winter solstice and only for a few hours to bestow her blessing on them. But that hour was a sliver of moonlit happiness that remained all she had left. It became her life! And it had already expired for this year, and she had already bestowed her blessing on her offspring. The tears were wiped away, and Ranni had to pretend that her heart wasn't crushed like this and her brief time with her two daughters was enough.
"It's okay. I was back there not two weeks ago," said Blaidd. "They are doing well."
Ranni closed her eyes with a smile.
"I feel such sense of jealousy to hear thee say such things! I am but a stranger to them. I love them with my entire being, yet they know nothing of me. Tell me about them, Blaidd. Tell me how they are while I am not present," said Ranni.
"Aurelia is a bit shy, even a bit timid. Aureliette? Well, she's the one most like you. The one with all the plans," said Blaidd.
Ranni had to laugh at that. Surely not traits they showed their mother during her brief visits. At that time, they seemed more to play a part in pleasing their mother, not realizing that there was no need to do that. They would wait dressed in their best clothes, and when their mother arrived, bow to her regarding her title. They referred to her as "Mother." Not "Mama" or any other informal speech to indicate familiarity. They asked her questions, and spent the alotted time with her, but had no true attachment.
As the gates of Leyndell came closer, Ranni wiped away that one tear and put on the mask of her proper poise. She tucked the thoughts of her little ones away for a time when she could let those memories free.
Today was special, not for her, but for her half-sister. Malenia was of an age that she could accept her engagement to Radahn, and their courtship formally began. It was why Sellen grew far more aggressive in pushing her theory, knowing that once a Carian married into Marika's family, her goal to overtake the academy would be far more challenging to achieve. And while Ranni knew this arrangement was wrong - not just in that Radahn and Malenia were half-siblings - it would also give Marika additional ability to influence the course of learning.
However, Ranni was well aware of the danger Marika posed, a danger that was far more predictable than Sellen's capriciousness. The graven witch's desires were clear, but her potential actions were a mystery. This forced Ranni to make a strategic decision to delay Sellen's support, despite the threat Marika posed to the academy and its teachings.
Letters between Ranni and Miquella seemed to avoid that topic altogether, maybe because his twin also wanted to avoid that topic. And Ranni couldn't blame Malenia. She was still young and already an accomplished swordswoman. She had other things on her mind and didn't wish to become distracted from her achievements. To much of Ranni's amusement, Miquella often hinted about having a secret crush on Radahn. But that was impossible to act on, as Miquella would never age. It was a fact already suspected, considering he seemed quite a bit younger than his twin, but as the years went by, it was blatantly obvious. As Malenia grew, entered puberty, and was now coming of age, Miquella remained always young.
"It's a puzzle, Blaidd," Ranni mused. "These curses that afflict Marika's children, they seem like fragments of her own being, torn and planted in her offspring. And I can't help but wonder about myself. I often feel anger towards her, yet there's a strange connection t o her.”
Given the occasion, Ranni might have expected that her sister was in her chambers, having a bath and preparing herself for the ceremony, but Ranni knew better. Instead of venturing inside Leyndell palace's maze of corridors and hallways, she instead found her sister out in the courtyard under the canopy of the Erdtree. Her master scolded her as he usually did. Not for her technique, as it wasn't often he saw those, but for her depreciation of herself and her demand for perfection in everything. It could be admirable in other circumstances, but Ranni didn't see it that way. There was nothing that Malenia ought to look to change about herself, and Ranni had told her this many times. Yet, her sister remained fixated on her tormenting disease.
"How can I protect Miquella if I rot away?"
Miquella wrote countless letters to Ranni, seeking specific materials within the Carian and Academy's grand libraries. And all had to do with the rot. He theorized that the ancient cities that once found themselves under the influence of the Scarlet Rot were somewhere under the Academy and promised Ranni a great secret about that path if she merely went to confirm it true. To Ranni's surprise, Miquella's theory was proven accurate. Though she could not stay long in the rot's choking miasma, it raised many questions. In that place, Ranni found not just decaying desolation but also life. Could it be that the Two-Fingers were wrong about the rot? Perhaps it wasn't merely just a vessel of destruction.
There was so much there, and Ranni was all too anxious to speak with her sister about it. But it had to be brought up in the most delicate way. Malenia was sensitive to the topic. Already, it ate away her arm and most of her childhood with it. A lot was riding on Malenia and Radahn's union being successful, and her fear of her disease only made this reluctance worse. And Malenia was the type who would take advantage of the fact she had the right to decline the engagement. While Malenia didn't outright say it, Ranni sensed her fear, not in her ability to be a wife, but in what might happen if "it"- the entity that looked to impose its will on her ever took control. Quite honestly, so did Ranni. Radahn kept saying his reason for choosing Malenia over Miquella was his plans for her, which was easy to discern required the rot. It was why Radahn's first gift to Malenia after she was promised to him was a master who had already shown his ability to control it. Maybe he could, perhaps he couldn't. Either way, Ranni had serious doubt that Radahn had any fundamental understanding of what he wanted to wield.
All Empyreans had their burden to bear. For Ranni, it was walking a path that was already proving itself to require much, and yet she had to walk it as though fully certain, even without full knowledge of where every twist in its road might lead and what more it was bound to ask for. For Malenia, it was her Scarlet Rot and her fear of its uncertainty. And for Miquella, it seemed his brilliance or, more accurately, his own awareness of it.
"Sister!" cried Malenia when Finlay pointed Ranni out to her. She didn't wait for Medjai to finish his lecture and properly dismiss her before she made her way across the yard.
The two embraced, and Ranni was rather impressed with how fine a young woman Malenia had become. Her hair was no longer patchy and tangled but grown out and well-groomed. Her gait showed no weakness; instead, she glided with every step. And her one hand had nails that, though short, were well manicured.
"I can't believe you came," said Malenia.
"Naturally, I wouldn't wish to miss this for the entirety of the stars, dear sister," said Ranni.
"I know you had other matters to attend, so I wasn't sure," said Malenia.
"Those are matters that can wait," said Ranni. She then pointed to Malenia's blade. "Well? Art thou willing to show thy sister a demonstration of thine skill?"
Of course, Malenia was thrilled. Aside from dear Miquella, who would support Malenia no matter what she wished, none of her other siblings seemed so interested in her passion.
As the match commenced between Malenia and Finlay, Ranni was in awe. Of course, she didn't know the first thing about swordsmanship, but she did spot the grace and elegance in Malenia's footing. It was more of a dance than a dual. Each touch of her blade against Finlay's gave Malenia the distance to where it was almost like her eyesight wasn't necessary. And while there was not meant to be one clear winner or loser, it was still obvious that Malenia contained the superior talent.
"Well," said Ranni, taking Malenia into an embrace. "Thou hath truly shown great talent."
Malenia was flattered to hear such a compliment.
Ranni then noted Malenia's blade, which was fashioned after the ones wielded by the albinorics. She pointed it out and asked about it since Marika had much to say about the species, and none of it was good.
"Oh," said Malenia. "Radahn gave it to me. I must say it handles quite well, but I still have so much to learn."
"Learning is not something that ever ends," said Ranni.
Of course, having lived her entire life in the palace, Malenia hardly needed anyone to guide her, but Ranni couldn't help it. As soon as Malenia returned to her, Ranni clasped her hand to lead her little sister to where they might speak in private. Ranni wasn't so keen on letting go of the old habits and memories of when Malenia needed someone to coddle her constantly. She still liked to be hugged, which she showed when Malenia rested her head against Ranni's shoulder as soon as they sat down.
"It is good to see thee doing well," said Ranni. When Malenia didn't respond, she was a bit concerned. "Sister?"
"Huh?" said Malenia.
"Don't say that thine ears are also not working," mused Ranni.
"I'm sorry. Medjai had insisted on a hard workout all morning," said Malenia.
"All morning? Today?" said Ranni.
Malenia wasn't saying everything.
"Malenia," said Ranni. She reached towards Malenia's collar, where she saw a bit of pink skin poking out. Malenia jerked away. "Please... I do want to see."
Malenia gave a heavy sigh as Ranni pulled back the loose cloth. On her shoulder, a rash appeared like a burn, oozing a clear film.
"Please don't tell Miquella," said Malenia. "Or mother."
"And why shouldn't I tell the two people most in the position of helping thee?"
"Because they'll do nothing but worry," replied Malenia, allowing a hint of frustration in her voice. "They can't help me."
Ranni wasn't sure she could disagree with that sentiment. While the prosthetic arm helped considerably improve Malenia's quality of life, the cure was far off. Miquella, too, expressed frustration, and Ranni couldn't imagine he didn't occasionally let that frustration show to his sister, who likely blamed herself.
"Doth anyone know?" Ranni asked.
"I have told Radahn several times. He said that it was fine. He doesn't want this to be a barrier to our union," said Malenia.
"What doth thou feel?" Ranni asked.
"I don't know," said Malenia.
It was hard to see what brought on the hesitation: whether it was a genuine reluctance to settle down or her fear of what the rot might do if she did. It wasn't as though Malenia received any encouragement to take any considerable reflection on the situation. Whatever the reason, Ranni doubted that Radahn had entirely revealed his plan to her. He didn't even disclose the entirity of this plan to his own Carina siblings, and perhaps it was that which Malenia refused to discuss, if she was even offered the chance to hear it at all.
"Well," said Ranni. "I will not pressure thee to speak on matters which thou art not comfortable discussing. I have promised thy brother some time as he advised there is a matter of great importance. And seeing him not here, I inquire where he could be found."
Miquella was under the canopy of the golden tree where, thirteen years earlier, Marika had made her promise of a great miracle. And so it was and a great multitude of people had come to witness it. They filled the pews of the open aired church and surrounded every space to have even a glance at the Empyrean with long gold lochs. They asked him questions and listened intently to his answers, and no one was barred from his presence. Nobles sat along side the commoners. Merchants stopped their mounts to see the commotion but soon found themselves capitvated by his words. Even prisoners, meant for their long exile to the Forbidden Lands managed to convince their wardens to let them stop and listen for a moment.
He spoke about love and how that would one day find itself at the root of the Erdtree as it was the fundamental foundation of the Golden Order. It was never his mother's will to see suffering within her age, but the will of those bereifed of grace who brought it about. And for a moment, Ranni was taken by the words her half-brother spoke so innocently. A world free of death and suffering appealed to the heart of her motherhood as her one desire for her own children.
"Extraordinary, isn't he?"
Ranni was so hypnotized by Miquella's grace and charm that she hadn't noticed Radahn standing behind her. Strangely, when she turned to see him, she couldn't feel that sense of resentment that once enveloped her entire heart. She felt no desire to speak harshly, lash out, or even say anything unkind, not even in jest. In fact, Ranni felt whole seeing her brother again.
"Truly, yes," she said.
"The only way Marika would allow him out of her sight was if myself or Malenia went with him. And Malenia has other duties to attend to right now," said Radahn.
Ranni smirked, "Oh? Well, I'll have thou know she's doing everything but. She's decided to spar with Finlay instead."
Radahn groaned and rubbed the back of his head. For once, he had hoped that Malenia would take something other than her swordsmanship seriously. A lot was counting on this going well, and if either side - the Carians or the Golden Order - sensed that something was off, they might push any excuse to dissolve the engagement.
"Maybe her mother ought to give her a talking to," muttered Radahn.
"Radahn, I care very deeply for my sister. It concerns me that she is still young and—though she does not show it—she is in great need of considerable care and attention," said Ranni.
"Miquella will cure her," said Radahn.
"Cure?" said Ranni, a bit puzzled. "I had thought that thou hath plans specifically for her."
Radahn looked confused and then smacked his forhead, "By Marika! That little scoundral! He charmed me again!"
Both siblings laughed as they were more than aware of their little brother's abilities. Perhaps they should have been more concerned, as such power wasn't a mere trinket. But Miquella meant well, indeed.
Didn't he?
Ranni grabbed Radahn's arm and pulled him away so they could think clearly again. As soon as they were away, Ranni's skepticism returned - as did her anger towards Radahn. But she tucked it aside for a moment.
"That is very concerning," she said.
"What?" said Radahn.
"Hath thou no awareness what just happened there?"
"I just said he took us both in with his charms."
"More so that he caused the both of us to forget ourselves. For a moment, thou were looking for a cure for Malenia. She cannot be cured. If she be cured, she'd cease to be an Empyrean. And then where would be thy plan?"
"As though you care anything about my plans!"
"I..." Ranni hesitated. "I don't. I don't care for thine plans, but that is not to say I do not care for thee. What is within thy plans is dangerous, but at the very least I can respect that thou hath given it some thought. The same cannot be said of Miquella."
"You're right. He's too much like Marika. I've seen what Marika does. Or, at least, can do," said Radahn.
"He cares deeply for his sister," said Ranni.
"He does. That's why he's trying hard to convince me to change my mind."
"That was no mere convincing," Ranni muttered. It was an entire alteration of Radahn's whole reality. He spoke about a cure like the thought came from himself. Radahn, for as long as Ranni knew him, never strayed away from his course of action and she couldn't imagine he would do so here either.
"Brother!"
Miquella came rushing towards them with his long golden lochs waving behind.
"Did you not see how many came? Just to see me! And when I spoke, they all listened," said Miquella, not taking even the slightest notice of Ranni.
"Indeed," said Radahn. "You were fantastic. You gave them hope where there was very little."
"The merchants invited me back to their camp that they could hear more of what I have to teach. Can you imagine it? They are not even from here and yet they are seeking the love of the Erdtree," said Miquella.
"Love of the Erdtree or perhaps looking to make a sale," scoffed Ranni.
"Sister! I didn't know that you were coming back," said Miquella.
"Of course I am. How could I have come to miss such an important moment for our families?" said Ranni.
"Yes," said Miquella, his voice showing a hint of jealousy.
"Come, you little one," laughed Ranni, embracing him. "I was looking forward to this miracle that thou had spoken about in thy letters."
"Look," said Miquella, pointing to the tree growing freely within the church. "I can grow my own tree. I can make my own age. Just as mother always said. And people believe in it. They come to hear my words. I..."
Miquella hesistated, looking back to ensure they were far enough away that Radahn couldn't hear.
"I could make for myself an age far greater than Mother's. One where everyone is so content, that they wouldn't find any reason to quarrel or challenge it. And I think I found even a consort worthy to be Lord over it," said Miquella.
Ranni, of course, knew that Miquella meant Radahn, but didn't dare correct him. His curse, which caused him to remain always a child, stood to reason that his mind too thought in those terms. It would be a bitter pill for the young Empyrean to swallow when he learned that Radahn had no interest in him but had his own plans, which didn't seem to involve anything of Miquella's ideals. But for now, there seemed no harm in letting the boy think whatever he wished.
"Godwyn is coming back, you know," said Miquella.
That name put a pain in Ranni's heart. She wasn't "present" when Godwyn said farewell to her, and she hadn't spoken to him since. She wasnt even sure where he was or what he was up to. She buried herself in her work and Godwyn in his. It left sort of a hole where the seemed no final resolution for Ranni to decide her feelings. There were times she wished to. It was terribly unfair that he hadn't even met their two daughters, and she couldn't imagine they weren't curious about him. Ranni, of course, told them nothing, believing there would be a day when time was plenty and they could discuss these things. But she needed certainty of their safety, that a visit long enough to tell them and truly guide them was possible. For now, they were just two little village girls who fretted over the stars, rather than the children of demigods.
"I suspect he might," said Ranni.
"You two ought to speak."
"I don't know, Miquella."
"No, you should. He still loves you, you know. He's given up being with other women, because he only wants to be with you," said Miquella.
Ranni chuckled, "Art thou attempting to charm me, Little Brother?"
"No, I am not," said Miquella. "I promise."
Ranni raised an eyebrow.
"Perhaps a little. But it would be good for the both of you. And if you don't mind me saying, you have children together. And he's been working just as hard as you to find a way that you can all be together again."
"I'll consider it," said Ranni.
’Twas thus, as ancient fables tell,
Love visited a Grecian maid,
Till she disturbed the sacred spell,
And woke to find her hopes betrayed. - Mary Shelley