Within the mysterious and ominous Lands Between, a blanket of scarlet encompassed the skies over Caelid, one of the many great regions that comprised the land and housed great legends, wonders, and dangers.

Waves crashed against Caelid’s south-eastern coast and reached inland before retreating to their oceanic origins, which seemed to stretch on infinitely.

A constant breeze staked its claim on this day as it fluttered the crimson hairs of two combatants, both warriors reaching a pause in their duel that had ensued within the epicenter of the beach-face battlefield.

Various weaponry, erected banners, and the fallen corpses of historical bouts littered their surroundings. The largest of the combatants, a titan of a man clodded in golden armor with the motif of the courageous lion, drives his dual blades into the sand as his prosthetically limbed valkyrie opponent has fallen to the sandy terrain in exhaustion, said prosthetic having been severed from the rest of her body as it lies nearby with a flesh-rendering blade attachment.

“That was but a taste of my strength, Malenia.” The titanic warrior’s deep and powerful voice escapes from his helmed yet uncovered features as he crosses his powerful arms.

With bated breaths, the valkyrie, Malenia, managed to rise, picking up her prosthetic right arm along the way before reattaching it, checking the blade, and looking up to meet the behemoth’s gaze.

“Surrender now, and upon my honor, I, General Radahn, Conqueror of the Stars, shall allow you and your forces to leave Caelid peacefully. I’ll even throw in a bonus: you can keep your piece of the Elden Ring.”

Malenia scoffed, her mind working overtime. She couldn’t afford to lose here; she needed his Great Rune. It was easily the most sought-after fragment of the once whole Elden Ring for the valkyrie and her…condition. With it, she could help to establish Miquella’s order more efficiently.

How cruel fate was to her. She was born with the Scarlet Rot, a curse that has done away with various portions of her body, having been replaced by prosthetics. Still, with great discipline and tutelage from a particular blind swordsman and the efforts of her dearest brother, Miquella, she had risen above the influence of the eternally-damned rot.

For Malenia, no one else within the Lands Between, with some exceptions like her teacher and brother, could ever know what it was like to hold back an indescribable monster.

None could ever know what the rot, her curse, truly was.

Alas, hope for the cursed valkyrie presented itself when an event called the Shattering transpired. Demigods throughout the land scrambled to claim their own fragments, Great Runes, of the once-whole Elden Ring. And through thorough investigations with the help of Miquella, she had found the perfect Great Rune, one that could even fight off her infectious curse or, if luck was on her side, be rid of it completely. Not to mention the added benefit of wielding three Great Runes, hers and Miquella’s included.

Unfortunately, that same sought-after fragment was wielded by a man she saw as one of the most fearsome opponents she’d ever had to cross blades with: General Radahn. And so…here she is.

Now that she has finally traded blows with him and is currently suffering the results, fearsome doesn’t even begin to describe his might. And she could definitely see some truth to his renown as the mightiest demigod.

The unmistakable whinny of a horse suddenly made itself known, prompting Radahn to tear away his yellow-orange pupils within a black sclera from Malenia, lowering them and resting them upon a scrawny dark-brown steed, chuckling while doing so.

If Malenia were to be honest, it looked more like Radahn was standing over his horse rather than actually mounting it, given the ridiculous size difference between them. She had heard of how comically the duo looked together, but to see it for herself…

“Easy, Leonard,” the general said, laughing boisterously as he ran a gargantuan hand through Leonard’s crimson mane. “Easy.”

Malenia couldn’t believe it… This comedic duo would be the ones to beat her if things didn’t turn in her favor soon. By Miquella’s grace, she was so close!

Her forces had managed to push back and defeat the Redmanes - General Radahn’s elite force comprised of masterful warriors who knew no weakness. And yet her precious Cleanrot Knights, those who swore allegiance to her, knowing that they could also succumb to her accursed rot, persevered and soon overtook Castle Redmane even with lesser numbers. It brought a smile to Malenia’s face at the time, and she proceeded onward.

But her victory would be short-lived. As she and her remaining faithful charged into battle on this very beach against the general himself, who motionlessly observed their approach, he barked an order to the remaining Redmanes stationed all around him, despite their protests as they were ready to die for their beloved lord.

She should’ve seen it coming right then and there. Radahn wielded his gravity-defying prowess with such mastery that he floated his remaining forces away and safely planted them upon an overlooking cliff face, free from Malenia and her Cleanrot Knights’ grasp.

But the real battle began once those Redmanes were out of the picture…

Malenia had learned firsthand why Radahn was, indeed, the Conquerer of the Stars. His power was immense, fitting for a man of his girth, and he swept through her Cleanrot Knights like the very force of nature he bent to his will. It was such a shocking sight that it froze the valkyrie right where she stood.

Even Finlay, her closest confidant and greatest of her knights, was cast aside as easily as a flower does to a hurricane.

The giant before Malenia suddenly shifted his gaze away from his horse and back to her, tearing the valkyrie out of her thoughts as she clenched her muscles in anticipation.

“You are a mighty foe, Malenia. My heart beats with joy at having competed with such a renowned warrior like yourself. You honor me with this battle, but I think we can both agree that the outcome of this bout is clear,” he grinned, “I win.”

Malenia takes several recuperative breaths. There was no other choice. Radahn had overcome any and all efforts she had made, and even her revered Waterfowl Dance sword technique had failed to bring down the titan.

Thus, she resigned herself to a decision, one that she could only pray for forgiveness… Her absolute last resort.

“Miquella…forgive me.” Her muttered voice was sweet like honey yet laced with sadness and regret.

“Pardon?” the general asked with a raised crimson brow.

“Let me ask you this, Radahn: what is it that drives you? What is it that you fight for?” The general was taken aback by the inquiry, but due to just how absurd it was. “Do you fight for the ones you love? Or are you just like some of the other demigods, a power-hungry fool who bends to a false order? Surrender your Great Rune immediately, and I shall show you mercy.”

“...If this is supposed to be some kind of trick, woman,” Radahn spat, insulted by the numerous implications, “you’d best try it on Godrick. It might actually work on him.”

A snort is let loose from Leonard as the horse shakes his head, his mane dancing in tandem.

“See?” Radahn gestures towards his faithful steed, “Even the horse sees past your tricks. I must say, Malenia, I never pegged you for a jester. But by my father’s crimson locks and Godfrey the mighty jock, you surprised me.”

Malenia was about to retort but was abruptly cut off by the giant.

“And for the record, my loyalty has been and always will be to the Redmanes. We fight for our homes, these lands, and everyone who breathes in the gift of life. We shall unify the Lands Between through blood, sweat, tears, and our fiery warrior’s resolve.”

Radahn raises a closed fist high into the air.

“We shall repair these shattered lands through our might and turn the Lands Between into a beacon of prosperity, harmony, and hope. This, I, General Radahn, vow by oath and honor!”

Leonard repeatedly nods as he whinnies loud and proudly.

“Yes, Leonard! Let us ride forth together and meet our destinies! Ahahahahah!”

“And what of the Golden Order?” Malenia asks of the giant during his joyous laughter. “Are you not in line with them?”

Radahn’s laughter slowly died down, followed by a shake of his head. “Didn’t you hear what I just said? Granted, the order has my respect, Malenia, but it doesn’t have my allegiance. We cooperated once before, but that’s the full extent of our past partnership. I even tried to lay claim to the capital, Leyndell, and I’m certain that would end any future relations with the Golden Order, but that’s a story for another time. Just know that I lost that fight, and leave it at that.”

“I see.” The valkyrie stared at the duo momentarily, followed by a chuckle. “So be it, then. Since you brought up Godrick, I visited him before coming here. He was quite the jester himself.”

A surge of wind suddenly kicks up during her sudden moment of silence.

“But I wasn’t in the mood for his jokes.” Death accompanied the cadence of Malenia’s voice. “And I am not in the mood for any of yours.”

“Hahah!” Radahn cackled with his head held up high, crossing his arms again and setting his sights on the valkyrie. “Ominous, aren’t we?”

“I tire of this foolishness,” Malenia retorts with some bite and traces of desperation. “Give me your Great Rune, Radahn. Now. I must have it to bring my brother’s dreams to fruition. I insist that you let me have it!”

“You forgot to say ‘please.’” Radahn cracks his neck as Leonard rears up and stomps in place, letting out a fearsome whinny. “If you want it, then you’ll have to take it.” The general smirked, “But you already knew that.”

“Very well. Then you have forced my hand.” Malenia breathes in deeply and sharply. “Heed my words. I am Malenia. Blade of Miquella.” She adjusts her stance and swipes her prosthetic-bladed arm to the right, holding her new combative posture, ready to charge forth.

“And I have never known defeat.”

Radahn grins as he steps forward, grasps his blades’ hilts with ever-crossing arms, and pries them out of the ground, adding some dramatic effects via his gravity magic. Dust and debris blew away from him and Leonard as the duo rested at the epicenter.

“Never known defeat, huh? That’s funny because last I checked…”

His blades scrape against one another as he raises them in unison, creating sparks as the weaponry slowly blocks out his grinning features. Another shockwave pulse is let loose as Radahn suddenly spreads his arms and weaponry apart with a mighty battle cry echoing across the beach-centered battlefield.

“Was it not you who fell before me just moments ago?! Ahahaha!”

A growl escapes from Malenia’s delicate lips as she charges without hesitation. Radahn smiles as he greets Malenia’s challenge equally, taking titanic steps forward with his faithful companion, Leonard.

“For Miquella!”

“For the Redmanes!”

The combatants swiftly closed the distance between them, although Malenia was clearly the faster and more agile adversary. They swung their blades in unison with undeterred measure, Radahn swinging downward and Malenia slashing upward, resulting in a ringing clash that signaled the next phase of their showdown.

These two were the mightiest to remain, and locked horns in combat.

In another world… Beyond the fog… And through the barriers that divides all...

Hear me, sweet moon. Shine thine light upon me and hear my prayer.

My alicorn brethren’s foalish ways hath ended their reign.

My dearest brother, Solaris, the sun to our moon, is…gone.

And unity has been forever lost to our precious little ponies, now eternally against one another.

This world tears itself asunder through wars fueled by petty indifferences, although that’s only one of many reasons. The strong prey upon the weak, and those who rise to defend the helpless are struck down or lose themselves before turning against those they swore to protect.

I…I don’t know who else I can turn to. Thou hath been my guide for as long as I can remember, along with so many others.

Pray…deliver onto me an ally - a champion, one who can aid me and those I love through these troubling times. I do this for them, you see—my loved ones. I would pay any price to see them inherit a world where they can live their lives to their fullest.

One might see this as a foalish notion, but my faith in thee is unwavering, and thou hath never led me astray under thine guidance.

So I beg of thee, help me in my time of need.

Thine ever-grateful friend, Selene Sol Invictus. Last of the alicorns, Equus demigod of Night and Day. Inheritor of my brother’s fiery will.

Shine bright amongst the night sky, mine confidant.

__________

A prayer had been made, but its recipient was more than just listening, and their plan has long been set into motion.

After all, the Lands Between was already filled with the influence of many of its otherworldly brethren, so what's the harm in having one more player in this cosmic game?

The pieces were moving, and the time drew near to make good on a promise made to a unique yet lonely equine of one world and the mournful Carian mother of another.

Author's Note

My personal headcanon for Radahn's voice:

Due to his wits having been long lost to the Scarlet Rot, we never got to hear his official voice in-game. He just roars at us. Of course, the beauty of this is that you're all free to apply your own choice of voice for the big guy.

That being said, thank you all so very much!