For a moment, the atmosphere was somewhat awkward. Gawain, naturally, could not simply state that he already knew the creature's background.
Asimi, finding herself suddenly confronted by a stranger, felt her mind go blank. Although the man before her didn't seem to have any intention of attacking, she didn't dare just wait around if she wanted to stay alive.
She recalled the humans she had encountered during her long crawl to the surface. If she remembered correctly, the man before her was what they called a Tarnished. Generally speaking, what did they do to signal they had no hostile intent?
After deep consideration, she extended two small tentacles from her globular body, mimicking the shape of hands. She raised them and spoke with extreme caution.
"Tarnished warrior... before you strike, please, hear me out... This will surely be of benefit to you, so please, do not be afraid."
Upon hearing the voice, Gawain confirmed two things. First, this was indeed the Mimic Tear he was looking for. Second, he was surprised to find that the "Big Bro" summon actually spoke with the voice of a cute girl—and it sounded even softer than the audio files leaked from the game.
Her voice, slightly trembling with fear like a startled small animal, made him almost want to reach out and rub her to see what she felt like, though he decided that wouldn't be appropriate.
"A Silver Tear that takes the initiative to communicate? That is rare indeed. Very well, I'm listening. Continue."
Asimi breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the man seemed reasonable. The people she had observed secretly on her way here didn't seem nearly as easy to talk to.
"Thank you for being willing to listen. My name is Asimi. As you can see, my true form is that of a Silver Tear. I can transform into all kinds of creatures and mimic their every move. Normally, a Silver Tear like myself should have no consciousness. However, at some point, I gained wisdom. I became able to speak and think, and naturally... I fear death. So, powerful Tarnished warrior, could you spare me? In exchange, I can give you power—power to help you walk toward a glorious future."
After speaking, Asimi was incredibly nervous. Her spherical body writhed incessantly on the ground, waiting to see what kind of answer the man would give.
Gawain took a step forward, cupping the large mass of Silver Tear in his hands and lifting it slightly. Her spherical body immediately stretched into the shape of a strand of spaghetti. To the touch, she felt like a firm jelly.
"Well, since you're capable of communication, I have no reason to harm you. But is it true that you can give me power? Right now, you look like you're about to turn into a literal puddle of mud."
Finding herself safe, Asimi naturally became less tense. Her body, which had been slumped on the ground, quickly regained its rounded shape as she hurriedly explained.
"I apologize. My power is indeed very weak right now. But if you can help me return to the Eternal City, Nokron, and find the Great Cup—the cradle where we Silver Tears are born... my strength will be restored. At that time, I will surely be of use to you."
"Nokron? That happens to be where I'm heading soon. I can take you with me. Should I find a bag to put you in so I can carry you along?"
Asimi imagined herself being stuffed into a bag like a piece of trash and carried all the way back. She quickly waved her two small arms; that would be far too humiliating.
"There is no need for such trouble. A Silver Tear is a product that exists between matter and spirit. You only need to bring your mouth close, and I can be like those spirits—temporarily residing within your body. However, I am far too weak right now. If I may, I would like to borrow a bit of your strength. Not much, just enough so that I have the ability to assist you in battle."
"Bring my mouth close? You mean I should... inhale you? Uh, well, let me give it a try."
Gawain recalled that this was indeed how it worked in the game's cut content. However, the thought of stuffing such a large mass into his mouth made him hesitate. Still, he'd "eaten" all sorts of strange consumables before; he followed her instructions.
As soon as he brought his head close and parted his lips slightly, the large mass of silver substance on the ground rapidly became narrow and thin, darting directly into his mouth.
"Wait, this is too much! With this much volume, I won't be able to hold it in!"
The process of her entering felt difficult to describe. From the outside, it looked highly improper, as if they were engaging in some strange sort of play.
In reality, there was no sensation of a foreign object entering him. Once the mass of substance that constituted the Mimic Tear entered, it distributed itself evenly through his body, shifting into a form between matter and soul.
Finally, Asimi completed her fusion with his body. It was different from the Spirit Ashes he carried; he could clearly feel a connection to her, similar to the connection he shared with Melina.
The difference was that Melina was currently in a pure spiritual state, whereas Asimi existed between soul and matter, fused with his physical self. If summoning other Spirit Ashes consumed FP to maintain a spiritual manifestation, then summoning Asimi felt like pulling a part of himself out. This was reflected physically as taking actual damage.
Perhaps it was because of this unique nature that the cost of summoning the Mimic Tear in the game was HP rather than FP.
As soon as Asimi entered her host's body, she felt the powerful, scorching energy surrounding her. This was entirely different from the bodies of her creators, the Nightfolk, whose blood ran cold. Can a normal living being truly possess such a burning form?
Before she could grasp the situation, she saw a figure draped in a brown cloak looking at her with curiosity. It gave her a fright. Wait, someone else is here?
Melina slowly lowered her hood, gazing at the newcomer with her single open eye. Asimi, who had begun to take a human shape within the spiritual space, instantly shrank back into a blob.
"Hello, little one," Melina said softly. "Are you a new companion? Hmm... a sentient Silver Tear. That is rare indeed."
"Uh... hello, Sister. My name is Asimi. If there's no misunderstanding... then I suppose we are companions."
Melina smiled and picked up the silver blob, which looked very soft to the touch. The little Tear was quite polite; being called "Sister" put Melina in a great mood. It was a novel experience for her to have a new companion who could actually see her.
"Don't be so nervous. My name is Melina. Like you, I live here. From now on, we are fellow travelers. Rest assured, your new host is a good man. You will be very safe here."
"Oh, okay then..."
Asimi answered in a small voice. Held by Melina and subjected to the rhythmic stroking of her hands, she lost herself in a daze. Unconsciously, she began to mimic the appearance of the woman holding her. A "miniature version" of Melina's template was thus etched into Asimi's memory.
Gawain, as the host, saw all of this. He never would have guessed that the Mimic Tear, which should have taken his shape, had been claimed by Melina first.
For the first time, I have found the "Big Bro" I relied on most in the game, and I have my Maiden Melina by my side. Two joys overlap... and this double joy brings even more joy. I should have attained a dream-like, happy time. However... why did it turn out like this?
He shook his head to clear the strange, melodramatic thoughts from his mind. Now that he had found what he was looking for, it was time to head back and prepare for Nokron.
Gawain teleported back to the gates of Stormveil and strolled through the bustling city. Dressed rather casually, he wasn't recognized by many people.
It seemed he really didn't spend enough time showing his face in the city. He was actually quite happy about this; parading around ostentatiously wasn't his style.
Just as he was considering visiting Master Sellen to check on Thops's progress, an unexpected person appeared before him. It was Nepheli Loux, who had been resting in Stormveil. She was currently wandering about with her good friend Therolina. It was clear that a rare moment of relaxation had made her forget what her primary mission here was.
Upon seeing a familiar face, Nepheli finally remembered that she was supposed to be inviting Gawain back to the Roundtable Hold to have an audience with the Two Fingers. Though momentarily embarrassed, she excused herself from her friend and signaled for Gawain to follow her to a place where they could speak privately.
Before long, they found a quiet corner. Nepheli rubbed her head and laughed sheepishly before getting down to business.
"I apologize. I heard the news of your return yesterday, but I got too carried away having fun and forgot to deliver my adoptive father's message immediately."
Gawain leaned against the wall and said nothing, simply shaking his head to indicate he didn't mind. He knew exactly why she was looking for him.
"It's fine. I've only just found some free time myself. I'm glad you've been enjoying your stay in the city. Sir Gideon sent you because of the two Great Runes I hold, right?"
Nepheli nodded, her gaze carrying a hint of admiration.
"Indeed. I've heard about the Radahn Festival. That must have been a magnificent duel. I regret that I was on a mission elsewhere; otherwise, I would have loved to witness General Radahn's final battle."
"The battle with the General was a pleasure for me as well," Gawain said. "Though I was left to clean up the mess afterward. There were things that happened during the fight that concern me greatly. I might be able to get some answers from your father. It seems I should indeed pay a visit to the Roundtable Hold."
"Excellent. Then let us depart without delay."
"Wait a moment. There is something else I need you to know. Although it may be hard for you to believe, I feel it is necessary to tell you."
Under Nepheli's confused gaze, Gawain produced a fragment of armor that looked like bone. This was what he had taken from Ensha. It was impossible for his total annihilation of Gideon's hit squad to go unnoticed or uninvestigated by Nepheli eventually.
He knew this truth would be painful for her. Warriors like her possessed noble spirits, but for that very reason, they were easily wounded. He didn't intend to keep her in the dark; knowing sooner might allow her some psychological preparation.
"Wait... is that a fragment of Master Ensha's armor? Why is it in your hands? What happened?"
"Sigh. I promise you, what I am about to tell you is the truth. Promise me you won't be too distressed."
Gawain slowly recounted what he had encountered at the Village of the Albinaurics—including how Ensha and the others had acted on Gideon's orders, launching a massacre just to secure a medallion.
Nepheli clenched her fists, her face a mask of disbelief. The image of the noble, perfect father she had held in her heart began to crumble.
Initially, she wanted to believe there was some misunderstanding. But then she thought of the Albinauric refugees she had seen in the city last night. She couldn't find the words to argue. Gawain had no reason to manufacture such a lie—one that could be proven false at any moment—just to deceive her.
Unable to help herself, Nepheli slumped into a crouch in the corner. For a moment, she didn't know how she was supposed to face her father after learning this.
"I'm sorry... can you give me a moment of silence? It's shameful to admit, but my thoughts are in a mess. My adoptive father, Sir Gideon... he has always been my guiding light. I thought that as long as it helped him become Elden Lord, I would do anything."
She recalled the things she had seen as a child, muttering to herself.
"I saw scenes like the one you described when I was young. The weak being trampled, looted, and murdered... a living hell. Just like Stormveil was before you took over. If those men truly acted on Father's orders, plotting a tragedy I can't even imagine... then where is the justice in his cause? He told me long ago that once he became Elden Lord, under his rule, the weak would no longer be bullied. Was it all a lie?"
Gawain sighed. To be honest, he didn't know what was going on in the mind of that "All-Knowing" riddle-monger either. He knew Gideon cared for Nepheli in his own way, yet he still ordered such atrocities.
Perhaps the loss of his old friend, who had been turned into a puppet, had broken something in him. Now, rather than seeking the throne, Gideon seemed focused solely on gathering intelligence and studying Queen Marika's intentions.
"People change. I don't know why your father has become this way. I suspect he was sincere when he spoke those words to you in the past. But I cannot accept what happened before my eyes. I will return with you. This time, we must get a clear answer."
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Elden Ring: In the Name of Ash (189 chapter - Ongoing)
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