Everyone exchanged glances, and indeed, that was true.
Although Radahn's stance differed from that of his mother and sister, he was still bound to them by blood. They could not simply let him die in madness.
Niđhöggr considered that Radahn, hailed as the "mightiest demigod" during his sane days, was not undefeated—having lost at least once to Morgott, the "King of Evil Omens."
Combat prowess like that would be a welcome addition to Junction as it stood now.
"I'll try to bring him back. But if all else fails, I will kill him without hesitation," Niđhöggr stated.
Ranni nodded and said, "Your safety is paramount. We would never blame you."
Rennala also spoke, "I'm sorry for even suggesting such a disgraceful idea... Please, do not be troubled. Radahn has been mad for many years now. Death would also be a release for him."
At that moment, Dannan noticed the weariness on Rennala's face. She stood and gently reminded them, "Rennala has only just recovered and needs rest. Why don't you stay here for today?"
Her concern for Rennala was genuine.
Seeing Ranni and Rennala together reminded her of herself and her mother, Sakura, the Shrine Maiden. Seeing Rennala regain her sanity and memories brought her considerable joy and relief.
Ranni said, "Yes, Mother, rest now. Niđhöggr and I will go discuss this journey to the Empire of Yoda."
Rennala nodded. She was indeed somewhat tired. Embracing the amber egg, she resumed the pose of a reclining beauty on the soft mushroom bedding, her cheek resting gently on her palm, her eyes growing hazy.
Niđhöggr, Ranni, and Dannan departed from the Dream Corridor.
Morgam remained faithfully guarding the entrance.
Upon reaching the cherry blossom tree, Dannan had important matters to attend to, so she took her leave first.
Ranni took Niđhöggr's hand. Taking the initiative to hold his hand saved Niđhöggr the trouble of wondering which hand to hold.
In the past, her body had still borne the appearance of a doll, but now it felt no different from touching a real person—perhaps softer, and slightly cooler.
Niđhöggr noticed Ranni had unexpectedly led him to a secluded slope near the golden tree. He asked curiously, "You know that even if you act coy, I won't be able to take you along to the Empire of Yoda, right?"
Ranni didn't refute him, merely rolling her eyes. Then she released Niđhöggr's hand, tilted her head back, and gazed up at the golden tree.
Niđhöggr followed her gaze upward, seeing only the immense branches and the golden, wing-like leaves of the tree.
"What are you looking at?"
"Niđhöggr, while you were away securing Lake Liurnia to reinforce The Seahorse, I did one thing: I went to the Cathedral of Manus Celes."
The Cathedral of Manus Celes?
When Ranni mentioned it, Niđhöggr immediately understood what she was referring to. It was a memorable location.
In the game, Niđhöggr would have defeated Radahn, unsealing the fate of the Carian Royal Family. A star would fall from the sky, crashing down to reveal the path to Nokron, the Eternal City.
He would give Ranni the Fingerslayer Blade obtained from Nokron, and Ranni would separate from Niđhöggr to carry out her mission: to slay the Two Fingers.
Niđhöggr certainly wouldn't stand idly by in that scenario.
He would clear the area, defeat the boss of another Eternal City, Nokstella, the "Darkborn Son," unlock the sealed door using the Dark Moon Ring, and finally arrive at the Cathedral of Manus Celes.
At the Moonlight Altar, he would defeat Adula, the "Glintstone Dragon," and then encounter Ranni, who, having slain the Two Fingers, would be covered in blood.
In that situation, Niđhöggr would place the Dark Moon Ring on Ranni's finger, completing the proposal ceremony.
Ranni would also acknowledge Niđhöggr as her "lord," agreeing to journey together into the night one final time.
It was a place Niđhöggr certainly remembered well.
"What did you intend to do there?"
"I wanted to confirm whether the Two Fingers and the Darkborn Son were still there, just in case," Ranni explained. "As it turns out, they are clearly gone, and I fear it might be connected to the spatial rift."
Niđhöggr nodded and said, "It's still dangerous for you to go alone."
"I wasn't alone. Blaidd and Iji accompanied me to the Cathedral of Manus Celes. Moreover, I encountered another of my loyal 'knights' there, one who could protect my safety."
"Who?" Niđhöggr was intrigued.
Ranni turned her head and smiled at him. "You should remember him... It's Adula, the 'Glintstone Dragon.'"
She raised the Carian Scepter high, and a blue meteor shot from its glintstone crest high into the branches of the golden tree, blooming into beautiful blue fireworks.
Then, Niđhöggr heard a dragon's roar.
Fwoosh—
From within the branches of the golden tree, a massive grey flying dragon emerged.
After circling in the air, it flew towards Niđhöggr and Ranni, landing on the slope before them and roaring at the pair.
"I mentioned earlier that I heard a dragon's roar when I first returned... I was right; I hadn't misheard." Niđhöggr looked at the flying dragon and murmured to himself.
"Glintstone Dragon" Adula. His grey hide was embedded with purple glintstone, hence the name, but his origins were even stranger.
It turned out he was once a man called Adula, a "Dragon-Devouring Sorcerer." However, he became so obsessed with dragon communion that he eventually transformed into a flying dragon, was subsequently defeated by Ranni, and was persuaded to swear fealty to her.
Adula could not only spew icy frostfire but also wield sorcery—"Adula's Moonblade"—biting down on an icy blade to deliver lethal strikes to his enemies.
Niđhöggr was impressed by this as well.
Ranni smiled and said, "You just said, 'It's still dangerous for you to go alone.' I'm returning that phrase to you as is..."
"For this journey to the Empire of Yoda, I won't allow you to go alone. Adula will accompany you. Or rather, from now on, he will be your comrade-in-arms."
"Flying dragons do not easily allow people to ride them, but if it's you, Adula is willing."
"Furthermore, I have another gift for you."
Ranni extended her four hands towards Niđhöggr. Soon, a blue light condensed in her grasp, and a greatsword radiating an icy aura materialized in her hands.
"Upon returning to the Cathedral of Manus Celes, I restored a portion of my power, and at the same time, I reclaimed this Dark Moon Greatsword. Now it is yours, or rather, it has always been yours."
Niđhöggr took the Dark Moon Greatsword.
Dark Moon Greatsword: It is said to be a lunar greatsword bestowed upon their partner by the Carian queen in ages past, one of the "legendary armaments." Ranni's symbol is the cold, dark, full moon, and so the greatsword bestowed is the moonlight of the dark moon.
Skill: Moonlight Greatsword: Raise the sword aloft, suffusing the entire blade with the light of the dark moon. Temporarily increases magic attack power, wreathes the blade in frost, and charged attacks can unleash waves of moonlight.
Niđhöggr looked at the moonlit greatsword in his hand, then at the Dark Moon Ring on his finger, then at the Carian Knight armor he wore, and finally at Adula, the "Glintstone Dragon," nearby.
Now, his entire being was truly a testament to Ranni's affection. And he was perfectly willing to embrace it.