Chapter Summaries

After reaching level 21, Xia Tong was attacked at night by a Night's Cavalry and fought back with his spirit summons. He left the enemy's armor and horse corroded by the Crimson Jellyfish's venom, but the battle was still underway.

• Xia Tong reached level 21 and learned from Melina that leveling took longer as his body and soul grew stronger.
• Xia Tong camped by a Site of Grace with Irina and Merchant Moen, but a Night's Cavalry appeared and targeted him as a Tarnished.
• Xia Tong summoned the Stray Wolves, Godrick Soldier, Spirit Jellyfish, and Fanged Imp, then sent Melina to hide Irina with Moen.
• Xia Tong mounted Torrent and charged the Night's Cavalry, dodging a sweeping flail strike by hanging off the side of his horse.
• The Fanged Imp's Magic Pots startled the Funeral Horse, allowing the Crimson Jellyfish to spray venom over the Night's Cavalry and his horse.

Xia Tong and his Spirit Ashes warband battled the Night's Cavalry, wounding his Funeral Horse and forcing him to retreat uphill before he launched a devastating counterattack. The cavalryman's Leaping Strike shattered the Godrick Soldier's shield and sent him flying, leaving Xia Tong's formation in grave danger.

• Kulala sprayed venom at the Night's Cavalry, and a shield-bearing Godrick Soldier protected the Crimson Jellyfish from his first flail strike.
• The Stray Wolves and Fanged Imps wounded the Funeral Horse, while Xia Tong pursued the Night's Cavalry with Torrent and his spear.
• The Night's Cavalry rode uphill to gain the high ground, then charged back downhill toward Xia Tong and the Spirit Ashes warband.
• Xia Tong retreated toward his formation and told Kulala to prepare another venom shot as the Godrick Soldier braced behind his shield.
• The Night's Cavalry leaped into the air and smashed his flail into the Godrick Soldier's shield, shattering it and sending the soldier flying.

Xia Tong and his Spirit Ashes defeated the Night's Cavalry, though Kulala was badly injured in the fight. After collecting the Rune and recalling his wounded spirits, Xia Tong approached the fallen knight to remove his helmet.

• The Night's Cavalry struck Kulala with his flail, tearing part of her bell, and Kulala retaliated by binding him and spraying him and his horse with acid.
• Xia Tong used Torrent's double jump to launch a furious greatsword attack, breaking through the Night's Cavalry's block and knocking him off his horse.
• Xia Tong and his allies overwhelmed the fallen Night's Cavalry, and Xia Tong finished him by stabbing through a gap in his neck armor.
• Xia Tong gained 3400 Runes, found Kulala severely wounded, and recalled her and the injured Godrick Soldier's Spirit Ashes.
• Xia Tong approached the dead Night's Cavalry and reached for his helmet to see his face.

Xia Tong recovered an Ash of War from the Night's Cavalryman and learned the Barricade Shield skill. After reuniting with Irina and Moen, he bought supplies from the merchant and noticed an ash-gray key among his wares.

• Xia Tong removed the Night's Cavalryman's armor, found a gray crystal embedded in his chest, and used the Whetstone Knife to awaken its Ash of War.
• Xia Tong experienced the Ash of War's combat memory and learned the Barricade Shield skill, then examined the Night Cavalry Flail and found it awkward to wield.
• Irina and Moen approached Xia Tong after the battle, and Xia Tong reassured them that he was unharmed.
• Xia Tong thanked Moen by buying Kukri and a Cracked Pot, then spotted an ash-gray key among the merchant's goods.

Xia Tong spent his Runes on a Stonesword Key and Demi-Human Group intelligence, leaving himself penniless, then rested and nurtured his Spirit Ashes while discussing his combat skills with Melina. Melina explained that the Lion Guardians of Redmane Castle in Caelid used the real Lion's Claw.

• Xia Tong tried Moen's Misbegotten Greatsword but felt dizzy because his Faith was too low to meet its requirements.
• Xia Tong negotiated with Moen and bought Demi-Human Group intelligence for 500 Runes after purchasing a Stonesword Key.
• Xia Tong returned to his tent, rested until dawn, and nurtured his Spirit Ashes as they recovered.
• Melina told Xia Tong that his Botched Lion's Claw relied on brute force and had worked against the Night's Cavalry because it was restrained.
• Xia Tong described the combat skills he had used, and Melina recalled seeing Lion Guardians use Lion's Claw at Redmane Castle in Caelid.

Xia Tong decided to delay rescuing Irina’s father at Castle Morne until he had grown stronger, then sold the Night Cavalry Flail to Moen for a light crossbow and bolts. Back at camp, he engraved an Ash of War onto his Brass Shield, forming a subtle bond with it.

• Xia Tong rejected a trip to Castle Morne and the Stormfoot Catacombs, judging the danger too great and the Spirit Ashes there too weak to help him.
• Xia Tong apologized to Irina for postponing the rescue of her father, and she accepted his decision despite her disappointment.
• The next afternoon, Xia Tong sold the Night Cavalry Flail to Moen for two thousand Runes and used the money to buy a light crossbow and bolts.
• Xia Tong used the Whetstone Knife and a gray Ash of War crystal to engrave patterns onto the Brass Shield, which then felt more closely connected to him.

Xia Tong and Irina traveled toward the Demi-Human Ruins, fighting Frenzied Flame Rats as they reached Carl's Baptism Church. After his Spirit Ashes rescued him from a swarm, a frenzied Giant Frenzied Flame Rat charged Xia Tong again, leaving him braced behind his shield.

• Xia Tong and Irina followed the map past Castle Morne, where Xia Tong gathered useful materials and recognized the Frenzied Flame infection in a giant rat.
• Xia Tong summoned Spirit Ashes to kill the rat and collected Yellow Ember from its corpse as Melina warned him about the Frenzied Flame.
• At Carl's Baptism Church, Xia Tong and his Spirit Ashes fought a Giant Frenzied Flame Rat and more than a dozen smaller rats while Irina stayed back with Torrent.
• The Giant Frenzied Flame Rat called more companions to attack Xia Tong, but Kulala sprayed them with acid and Xia Tong stabbed two with his straight sword.
• The giant rat returned with brighter, more frenzied eyes and increased speed, forcing Xia Tong to raise his shield as it and several smaller rats lunged at him.

Xia Tong and his Spirit Ashes defeated the Frenzied Flame Rat swarm inside Carl's Baptism Church. After Melina explained the Flask of Crimson Tears and Golden Runes, Xia Tong found a Sacred Tear by the statue of Queen Marika.

• Xia Tong defended himself from the Giant Frenzied Flame Rat and lesser rats, but one rat bit his ankle and raised his Frenzy Meter.
• A Godrick Soldier, the Fanged Imps, Kulala, and the Stray Wolves joined the fight, helping Xia Tong kill the giant rat and its swarm.
• Xia Tong drank from the Crimson Tear Flask, and Melina explained how killing enemies replenished it and how Golden Runes reflected the blessing once seen in the eyes of the Tarnished.
• Xia Tong collected Golden Rune [3] and learned from Melina that Golden Runes were solidified blessings linked to the Greater Will.
• Xia Tong entered the church and found a golden-red liquid crystal in the basin beneath Queen Marika's statue, which he recognized as a Sacred Tear.

Xia Tong and his companions discovered a village whose people had been driven to madness and burned by the Frenzied Flame. Melina explained the Flame’s nature and demanded that Xia Tong oppose it, but she saw through his promise and accused him of lying.

• Xia Tong placed the Sacred Tear into the Flask of Crimson Tears, enhancing its life energy, and collected the Frenzied Flame incantation book from Carl's Baptism Church.
• Xia Tong entered the ruined Sick Village, killed its Frenzied Flame-infected inhabitants, and found villagers burned together at a post, provoking his anger.
• Melina explained that the villagers had sought healing at the church, but their despair and illness led them to summon the Frenzied Flame, which could spread like a mental plague.
• Melina demonstrated how a crazed villager’s pain erupted as flames from his eyes and asked Xia Tong to promise he would oppose the Frenzied Flame.
• Xia Tong promised, while privately considering whether he might accept the Flame to save Melina, and Melina told him he was lying.

Xia Tong prepared Fire Grease, leveled up his Vigor, and set out from Sick Village with Melina and Irina. When Winged Misbegotten attacked, he and his Spirit Ashes defeated all three and gained more Runes.

• Xia Tong assured Melina he would oppose the Frenzied Flame as long as she did not deceive him, and she promised she would not.
• At the Site of Grace at Sick Village Outskirts, Xia Tong made Fire Grease and used a Golden Rune [3] to raise his Vigor to 17.
• Irina woke Xia Tong at dawn, and he departed the outskirts on Torrent with her and his Spirit Ashes.
• Three Winged Misbegotten attacked the Stray Wolves, so Xia Tong summoned Fanged Imps and shot one Misbegotten out of the air with his crossbow.
• Xia Tong killed the fallen Misbegotten with his sword, and he and his Spirit Ashes brought down the other two, earning over two hundred Runes.

Xia Tong crossed the Spirit Spring into Mistwood and approached the Demi-Human Ruins, where he began a stealthy assault on the Demi-Humans. After a larger Demi-Human exposed him and a mob surrounded him, Xia Tong coated his greatsword with Fire Grease and ignited it, preparing to fight.

• Xia Tong fed Torrent Rowa Fruit, then rode it and Irina down through the Spirit Spring into the valley.
• Xia Tong and his companions crossed Mistwood, avoided Miranda Poison Flowers, and approached the Demi-Human Ruins.
• Xia Tong hid Irina and Torrent with Melina, then summoned three Stray Wolves before scouting ahead.
• Xia Tong summoned two Fanged Imps and silently killed several Demi-Human sentries, hiding their bodies and bloodstains.
• A larger Demi-Human spotted Xia Tong and alerted more than a dozen others, who swarmed him.
• Xia Tong drew his Lordsworn's Greatsword, applied Fire Grease, and set the blade alight.

Xia Tong and his Spirit Ashes fought through the Demi-Human horde and confronted the enormous Demi-Human Queen. After the Queen’s magic injured its own followers, Xia Tong and his allies struck its exposed back, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Xia Tong formed a defensive circle with his Spirit Ashes and cut down the attacking Demi-Humans while Kulala and the Fanged Imps thinned their ranks.
• Xia Tong launched a Stamp upward cut that sent a large Demi-Human flying, then charged toward the Queen’s ruins.
• The Demi-Human Queen emerged from the collapsed building and fired magical crystals at Xia Tong, but its barrage also knocked down many of its own followers.
• The Queen attacked Xia Tong with its staff, but he dodged its smash and Kulala sprayed acid across its body.
• Xia Tong stabbed the Queen from behind, and the two Fanged Imps leaped onto its back and attacked it with their Forked Hatchets.

Xia Tong fought the berserk Demi-Human Queen with help from his summons and Torrent. He tricked the Queen into crushing a cleaver-wielding large Demi-Human, then wounded the Queen’s supporting hind leg with a flaming sword strike.

• The Demi-Human Queen failed to seize Xia Tong, crushed one Fanged Imp, and smashed Xia Tong into a broken wall with its staff.
• The remaining Fanged Imp, the Godrick Soldier, and Kulala protected Xia Tong while he drank from the Crimson Tear Flask and relit his sword with Fire Grease.
• Xia Tong summoned Torrent and charged the Demi-Human Queen, while his allies disrupted it with arrows, acid, and Magic Pots.
• Xia Tong struck the Queen across its waist and abdomen, burning and tearing open its flesh.
• Xia Tong baited the Queen into embracing a pursuing cleaver-wielding large Demi-Human, then slashed deeply into the Queen’s supporting hind leg.

Xia Tong killed the Demi-Human Queen before nightfall, ending the battle at the Demi-Human Ruins and driving the surviving Demi-Humans away. Irina and Melina emerged from the darkness, and Xia Tong recognized the Dagger of Calling in Melina’s hand.

• Xia Tong rode past the wounded Demi-Human Queen, throwing Kukris at attackers and striking her repeatedly as sunset faded.
• Xia Tong jumped onto the queen’s back, anchored himself with a dagger, and drove his Lordsworn's Greatsword into her body.
• After surviving the queen’s point-blank Glintstone blast, Xia Tong drank from the Crimson Tear Flask and stabbed her carotid artery until she died.
• The Demi-Humans dropped their weapons and fled, while Xia Tong received 1013 runes and recovered with another drink from the flask.
• Irina and Melina emerged after night fell, and Xia Tong recognized the Dagger of Calling in Melina’s hand.

After surviving the Demi-Human Queen’s attack, Xia Tong recovered with Melina’s help and searched the ruins, finding powerful equipment and rare materials. He discovered a sealed scroll bearing Raya Lucaria Academy’s emblem and the Carian Royal Family’s crest, then began to unfurl it.

• Melina used Minor Erdtree to heal Xia Tong, who recalled his battered Spirit Ashes after the battle.
• Xia Tong took the Demi-Human Queen’s Staff, recognizing its strength and potential for upgrades.
• Xia Tong found an Arteria Leaf, Golden Runes, and the Shield of the Guilty, then tested the shield’s Shield Bash against a ruined wall.
• Xia Tong spotted a scroll hidden behind the Demi-Human Queen’s nest and recognized the academy and Carian crests on its seal.
• Xia Tong unfurled the scroll, eager to learn what might help him become a stronger mage.

Xia Tong learned Glintstone Sorcery and used Crystal Barrage to devastate the Demi-Human Queen’s ruined home, then traveled with Irina and Melina to camp on a high platform. Melina agreed to keep watch, while Xia Tong pressed her about the power she had spent protecting Irina.

• Xia Tong studied a sorcery scroll with Melina and cast Crystal Barrage, blasting the remaining walls and exhausting his Focus Points.
• Xia Tong and Irina rode Torrent northwest from the ruins and reached a Spirit Spring platform where Xia Tong set up camp and cooked soup.
• Irina told Xia Tong she had hidden during the battle and that Melina had protected her from the Demi-Humans.
• Melina comforted Irina, who went to sleep in the tent, then offered to keep watch while Xia Tong rested.
• Melina explained that her burned body left her only a spirit form and that her power grew stronger near the Royal Capital, but Xia Tong continued asking how much energy she had spent.

Xia Tong gave Melina Runes to recover her strength, then set out with Irina and encountered a Minor Erdtree Guardian. He fought it alongside a Godrick Soldier and found an opening after the guardian struck his summon.

• Melina told Xia Tong she needed about fifteen hundred Runes to recover, and he agreed to give them to her.
• After standing watch through the night, Xia Tong woke Irina, summoned Torrent, and continued uphill with her.
• Xia Tong recognized a Minor Erdtree Guardian blocking the road and sent Torrent and Irina farther away before summoning a Godrick Soldier.
• Xia Tong dodged the guardian's attacks until it released poisonous spores and charged through the green mist.
• The guardian's jumping chop forced the Godrick Soldier to one knee, and Xia Tong thrust his longsword into its exposed gap.

Xia Tong and the Godrick Soldier defeated an Erdtree Guardian by setting its wooden body on fire, then continued toward the Pilgrimage Church. They escaped a slope filled with poisonous Miranda Flowers, but Irina collapsed from poison exposure as they reached safety.

• Xia Tong used the Shield of the Guilty to knock the Erdtree Guardian down, and he and the Godrick Soldier burned and pinned it until it became a charred husk.
• Xia Tong's group climbed toward the Pilgrimage Church and spotted a Faith-Knot Crystal Tear among giant Miranda Poison Flowers, but he chose not to approach it.
• Xia Tong recalled the Godrick Soldier and gave Irina damp strips of cloth to cover their mouths and noses as they rode into poisonous mist.
• The Miranda Poison Flowers attacked with tracking pillars of light that exploded behind Xia Tong, Irina, and Torrent as they raced across the slope.
• Xia Tong fed Torrent Rowa Raisins, and the group escaped the flowers' range, but Irina slumped against Xia Tong and did not respond.

Xia Tong brought the poisoned Irina to Pilgrimage Church, where Melina cured her and recited Queen Marika’s words about the Tarnished. After finding a Sacred Tear and preparing food, Xia Tong shared roasted Rolling Sheep with Irina and Melina, leaving the three of them laughing together in the church.

• Xia Tong reached Pilgrimage Church with the unconscious Irina, and Melina purified the poison from her body using the Site of Grace.
• Melina recited Queen Marika’s words, and Xia Tong reflected on the Tarnished’s return and the possible paths to the Elden Ring.
• Xia Tong found a Sacred Tear beneath Queen Marika’s statue, upgraded his Flasks of Crimson Tears, and raised his Vigor to 17.
• Xia Tong and a Fanged Imp hunted two Rolling Sheep, which Xia Tong butchered, roasted, and cured into jerky.
• Irina woke up, and Xia Tong fed her roasted meat as she and Melina shared a warm moment with him.

After the Demi-Human Queen nearly killed him, Xia Tong decided to seek Lhutel the Headless Knight’s Spirit Ashes and leave Irina and Melina safely at the Pilgrimage Church. Before heading for the Tombsward Catacombs, he cleared the church’s surroundings of nearby threats and gained enough Runes to approach 4,500.

• Xia Tong reconsidered his plans after realizing how close he had come to dying in the fight against the Demi-Human Queen, and chose the Tombsward Catacombs as his next destination.
• He planned to leave Irina and Melina at the Pilgrimage Church while he entered the dangerous catacombs alone to seek Lhutel the Headless Knight.
• Xia Tong killed a reanimated Skeletal Warrior in the nearby graveyard and destroyed the pale light trying to revive it.
• He summoned his Spirit Ashes and cleared the graveyard of more Skeletal Warriors, then killed the Wandering Nobles and Noble Sorcerers nearby.
• Xia Tong and his Godrick Soldiers shot at the Giant Bats, then he used Crystal Barrage to bring most of them down for the Stray Wolves and Fanged Imps to finish off.
• After confirming the area around the Pilgrimage Church was clear, Xia Tong returned with his Runes nearing 4,500.