– Half an Hour Ago, Behind the Carian Manor, Lake of Liurnia, The Lands Between, Elden Ring Universe - Day Time –
Three towers, collectively known as Rise, stood behind the grand Carian Manor, home to the esteemed Carian family. Blaidd approached the Seluvis rise, entering to find Seluvis absorbed in his studies of ancient scrolls.
Seluvis spoke abruptly, "What is it now? I'm deep in my research to figure out how to manipulate the stars once again or at least find their origins."
"First of all, rude. Second, there's unusual activity at Stormveil Castle from troops of a gray color and undead-like creatures have been spotted moving through Limgrave."
Pausing his activity, Seluvis set his scroll aside and faced Blaidd. "That's new to hear. Are they friend or foe?"
"I observed them from a distance while hidden, and judging by how they look, I highly doubt they are friendly," Blaidd answered.
"So basically you have no clue?"
"I'm not saying I don't, I suspect they look more foe than friend, and they aren't tarnished because their time to rise has yet to come. But I know they are definitely not from these parts, Seluvis. And that concerns Mistress Ranni."
"What sort of concern?"
"That Godrick might be collaborating with them and could be planning an assault against the other demigods, and their activity in stormveil castle is proof of that."
"And?"
"She wants you to join me in gathering information about them, since you're the most knowledgeable in sorcery and the arcane among us."
Seluvis sighed, "Fine. If it's what Mistress Ranni wants, I'll get my staff and miracles ready. Give me a minute, and is there any other reason I'm being called in this mission?"
"Yeah, you barely move from your rise."
"...Fair enough."
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In the outskirts of Stormveil castle, Seluvis and Blaidd were observing the structure's perimeter from a hilltop overlooking the castle by using telescopes. Soon, they spotted the familiar Exile knights, Banished Knights and trolls, but they also spotted Manglers and Reich soldiers along with Panzer and Laserhunds units patrolling the walls.
"You weren't wrong, Blaidd," Seluvis said, his gaze fixed on the castle.
"Do you know what they are?" Blaidd asked.
"Believe me, I'm just as perplexed as you are about who they might be."
"Are we going to make a move?"
"I have spells that can make us invisible, but they only last five minutes before needing a reset. We must make the most of that time to enter, gather intel, and leave to report back to Mistress Ranni."
"Then let's proceed."
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The courtyard and other inner areas of the castle were being patrolled by Banished, Exile knights and trolls that were recruited by Godrick after his army was cut in half during the shattering and demigod wars. The once-majestic fortress bore scars to the result of the wars, but this time, with its walls cracked and some of its structures reduced to ruin. Now, the castle was filled with a mix of dark aether and Reich forces after Godrick's deal with the Forsaken to collaborate, and in return Godrick will be given a chance to stand up against the other demigods.
Blaidd and Seluvis were able to stealthily enter the courtyard of Stormveil Castle, using an invisibility spell to shield their approach through a hole in the castle walls. Inside the courtyard, they observed Banished Knights, Exile Knights, and trolls patrolling the area, alongside barracks, towers, and other small houses, although most of them were in bad shape.
"This place has certainly seen better days," Blaidd whispered to Seluvis.
"True, but keep your voice down," Seluvis cautioned his wolf companion. "Though we are invisible, they can still hear us."
"Understood."
Blaidd and Seluvis moved cautiously through the courtyard and took cover when needed. As they advanced, they observed the gray soldiers speaking in an unfamiliar language and these metal beasts seemed to be following their command. The undead soldiers, on the other hand, seem to be wielding unusual weapons that struck Seluvis as far too sophisticated for an undead.
"These things are beyond my understanding, but they clearly seem to be built... for war." Seluvis said through his whisper.
"That's concerning." Blaidd responded.
"It's always concerning." Seluvis muttered.
But at that moment, their attention shifted when they spotted a dark aether Tempest floating ominously nearby. What struck them as particularly odd was that the Tempest seemed to be staring directly at them.
"Can it see us?" Blaidd whispered with concern in his voice.
"Nonsense, this invisibility spell is fool proof, and-" Seluvis assured.
But before Seluvis could finish, the Tempest unleashed an electrical shock wave from its body, disrupting the invisibility spell and revealing them.
"..."
"Foolproof, huh?" Blaidd deadpanned at his sorcerer partner.
"Oh shut it you-" Seluvis was about to retort in annoyance, but his expression shifted to one of caution and unease when he felt something. "Um, I feel like we're being watched."
Upon looking around themselves, Seluvis and Blaidd found themselves the focus of attention from every Reich soldier, machine, Banished Knight, Exile Knight, troll, and dark aether creature in the courtyard.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...Morning to ya," Blaidd said with a nervous smile.
"ATTTTTTAAAAAACKKKK!!" came the loud shout from the enemy ranks, followed by a chaotic charge from every single one of them toward the two.
"Okay! Time to leave!" Blaidd shouted.
Acting fast, Seluvis cast forth a powerful frost mist spell, which spread over a half-kilometer radius. The mist blinded the advancing forces and chilled their movements.
"Let's move!" Seluvis shouted as he and Blaidd sprinted away from the mist, aiming for the castle exit.
"This was not part of the plan!" Blaidd shouted in frustration.
"I know!" Seluvis replied as they raced towards the exit.
However, their escape was abruptly halted by a group of Exile Knights and Panzerhunds blocking their path.
"Stop right there!" an Exile Knight commanded with his sword raised, as the enemies closed in on them.
The two Panzerhunds beside the knights lunged at Blaidd, but the wolfman swiftly swung his Greatsword and cleaved through both of their metal bodies in two with a single strike. Meanwhile, Seluvis used his staff to fire primeval Glintstone soul spears at the Exile knights, which pierced right through them.
As the enemies fell, their path was blocked by a large gate, its mechanism located elsewhere which they didn't have time to reach with the sheer number of enemies bearing down on them.
"Hold on to my back! We'll take the road through the castle throne room!" Blaidd called to Seluvis.
As Seluvis clung to his back, Blaidd began sprinting ahead on all fours while dodging arrows and gunfire from the knights and soldiers.
"They're bloody everywhere!" Blaidd shouted as he continued charging forward.
Soon, their escape route took them through the courtyard and towards the throne room, but the way was blocked by a dark aether portal, and dozens of more Reich soldiers emerged.
Seluvis dismounted from Blaidd's back and assessed the situation. "Damn it, we are surrounded."
As Seluvis and Blaidd turned to face the growing threat, they found themselves surrounded on all sides. At least thirty Banished and Exiled Knights, fifty Reich soldiers, seven Panzerhunds and Laserhunds, and four trolls advanced toward them with weapons drawn. The walls surrounding the courtyard were swarming with more Reich gunmen and Exile Knight archers, all with their sights set on the duo.
"This is quite a complete mess," Seluvis remarked dryly.
"Tell me about it," Blaidd responded.
"It's over Big Bad Wolf and Chinese Yellow Man, you are completely surrounded!" the Reich commander shouted triumphantly. "Limgrave is now under Reich, dark aether, and Godrick's forces, and soon the rest of the Lands Between will follow. The glory of the Reich will shine bright! But pests like you must be exterminated for trying to interfere with our objectives!" He declared as he signaled his forces to advance on the two.
"So, this is how it ends," Seluvis said.
Blaidd tightened his grip on his weapon and nodded, "At least we'll meet our end with our honor and dignity intact."
Seluvis nodded and prepared his staff to face the enemy forces, but his attention was diverted when a portal suddenly formed between the two sides, and a Reich soldier emerged from the portal carrying a crate.
"Hm? Did I miss something?" the soldier asked, seemingly unaware of the standoff.
Seluvis smiled beneath his helmet. "It seems death is not our fate just yet, Blaidd. Listen closely, we need to jump into that purple light."
"What?!"
"Just trust me, you buffoon!"
"What are you two blabbering about?" the Reich commander shouted, growing increasingly agitated.
"I have one last thing to say," Seluvis said to the commander.
"Oh! Go ahead then," the commander replied with disdain.
"THIS!"
An instant after he shouted, Seluvis cast a miracle that flashed an intense golden light on their eyes, temporarily blinding all the enemy forces.
"I CAN'T SEE!" the Reich commander cried out in frustration.
"Run now!" Seluvis commanded as he and Blaidd quickly leaped into the portal, disappearing into the unknown.
As the Reich commander and the rest of his troops regained their vision, they realized the two intruders had vanished.
"GOD DAMN IT!"
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– London, England, SCP Universe –
A portal opened abruptly in an alleyway, and Seluvis and Blaidd were thrown out of it, crashing into trash bins with a loud clatter.
"Not the cleanest landing, am I right?" Blaidd remarked, pulling himself out of the mess.
"Shut up," Seluvis groaned as he regained his bearings.
As they stood up and made their way out of the alley, they found themselves in unfamiliar streets. Overhead, they watched Reich Horten Ho jets flying in formation alongside Class-B Zeppelins.
"We're not in the Lands Between anymore, are we?" Blaidd asked, bewildered.
Seluvis shook his head. "I'm afraid so."
Their confusion quickly turned to alarm as they noticed a dark aether horde advancing toward them in the distance, accompanied by Zitadelles, a group of powerful war machines of the Reich.
"We bolt out of here, fast!" Blaidd shouted.
"Agreed," Seluvis responded.
Without hesitation, the two turned and make a run for it, leaving the ominous horde and war machines behind in search of safety.
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– Present Day, Hotel Building, London, England - 2:42 PM –
"And then we kept dodging enemies and fighting when necessary After twenty minutes of exploring and losing our way, we found you in the river, alive but unconscious." Blaidd finished their explanation.
"So we got you patched and waited for you to regain consciousness, and well now we're here." Seluvis added.
Alcina sighed, "Great, even your universe now has to deal with the Forsaken's crap."
Blaidd leaned forward. "Now it's your turn to explain what's happening here and who these undead and gray soldiers are."
"Fine," Alcina nodded and began explaining the situation. She detailed the events that had transpired and the origins of the enemies they faced. As she spoke, Seluvis and Blaidd listened intently, marveling at the complexity of the tale.
"Wow, you literally pissed off a being from another dimension by defeating him twice," Blaidd said, shaking his head. "Now he's pulling every string, tricking to bringing forces from other worlds to see this place torn apart."
Seluvis considered Alcina's explanation thoughtfully. "At least we understand the conflict now, Blaidd. That's a good starting point as these dark aether portals are our only known way back to the Lands Between. But as Miss Dimicrescu mentioned, the problem is their unpredictability when it comes to the location. They could take us somewhere else entirely rather than where we want to, which leaves us..."
"Basically stuck here."
"Like me, yes, for now at least." Alcina agreed, adding, "But I need to reach Essex and the Foundation site there to assess the damage whether it's minimal or worse. You two are welcome enough to tag along with me, unless you have other ideas."
"One moment." Seluvis said, and he and Blaidd moved to a corner of the room to deliberate their next move.
"I think we should follow Alcina," Blaidd said. "Her people are the only ones who know this enemy and the world we were in. They might be able to find us a way home, if they discover it that is."
Seluvis was more skeptical, "Which is why it is more of a risk to trust them. And this Foundation she mentioned, we don't know much about their motives at all."
"So what do we do? Dance around these roads and demand the enemy to give us the way home? Because I don't think they will. Instead, we'd likely end up dead."
"War brings death. Getting killed is a common theme, but yes, asking the enemy is not the wise choice and we are lost."
"So what do you say?"
Seluvis sighed, "Fine. We don't have many options anyway. Let's go with her"
After finishing their quiet discussion, the two approached Alcina and agreed to her.
"We'll join you," Blaidd said, "It might help us learn more about the problems of this world and our situation. And so, we will accompany you."
"Until we find another way back to the Lands Between, I hope you people are trustworthy enough." Seluvis added, still cautious.
Alcina smirked. "Rude one you are, but you made the right choice. Let's go."
As they set off, Blaidd voiced his concerns. "Let's hope Ranni and Iji don't come searching for us if we're gone for too long."
"Better they don't," Seluvis agreed. "As her allies, it's our job to handle the difficult work. Not her. She will only get harmed and that's not her fate."
Blaidd gave him a contemplative look. "Well fate always has a way of surprising everyone." he mused.
Seluvis nodded, considering the thought. "Hmm... Perhaps, but we should focus on the task at hand for now."