Renna the Witch

Thick mist filled every corner of the ruined Church of Elleh, utterly at odds with the clear, peaceful surroundings.

I dismounted, gave Torrent a pat, and let the steed vanish.

Pulling my ragged cloak tight, I took a deep breath and strode resolutely into the mist-

"...Tarnished, come over here. Might we speak for a moment?"

She's here! She's here! She's finally here!

The number-one wife of countless Elden Ring Lords of the Stars, my destined princess-Ranni! She's finally here!

For Ranni, I'd turn into a wolf~ For Ranni, I'd succumb to madness~

I eagerly followed her voice.

After just a few steps, the thick mist parted completely, leaving everything before me clear and calm.

Unlike before, night shrouded the entire sky. Even the radiant Erdtree had vanished from view.

Beneath the vast, fathomless night sky, a Dark Moon stood out with particular brilliance.

Ranni the Witch sat serenely on a broken wall of the church, wearing a white, pointed witch's hat and a thick wolf-fur cloak, her four hands resting gracefully on her white dress.

But why did you avert your gaze when you saw me?! Don't tell me you've mistaken me for a creep again!

"...What are you doing, Tarnished?"

"I'm looking for my telesco...pe?!" Oh, right! I hadn't bought a telescope from Kale yet! Now I couldn't properly admire Ranni's exquisite beauty. What a loss!

"What do you need a telescope for?" A trace of puzzlement flickered through the Dark Moon Princess's azure eyes.

All I could do was give a wry smile. "N-nothing."

Ranni regained her ladylike composure and spoke again in a gentle voice. "A pleasure to meet you, Tarnished. I am Renna the Witch."

Ah, the real world of Elden Ring really was better~

Even without a telescope, I could admire every detail of Ranni's appearance.

Her carved doll body was a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Her face was small and adorable, while its blue hue brought out a princess's pride and refinement.

Her lone open eye on the left seemed to hold an entire starry sky.

Beneath her closed right eye, blue runes linked her face to a hazy, enchanting spirit visage, ethereal as drifting snow.

That was exactly the opposite of Melina. Mel's unique power lay in her left eye, which was why she always kept it closed.

That was also why, when the first Elden Ring trailer came out, everyone had thought Melina and Ranni were two souls sharing one body.

"...Tarnished, are you listening to me?"

Uh, déjà vu!

Having learned my lesson last time, I hurriedly scratched my head and apologized sheepishly. "Ah, sorry. You're so captivating that I couldn't help getting distracted. Could you say that again, Ran...Renna the Witch?"

"...Is that so?" Ranni's expression showed no change, but her little hands began moving despite themselves. One pair folded neatly together, while the other tucked away with a hint of awkwardness.

She composed herself and asked again, "Then let me ask once more, Tarnished. You can summon that spectral steed-Torrent, yes?"

"No, I certainly can't~" I waved a hand.

"..." Ranni gave a distinct sigh. "Why tell such a pointless lie? Are you claiming you've forgotten? Forgotten the spectral steed's name?"

"Oh, I do know that. It's Torrent, right~?"

"See? You were lying after all."

"No, you just told me yourself, Renna the Witch," I said with a mischievous grin.

For a moment, my retort left Ranni speechless... Hey, hey, hey! Don't start fading away already! Didn't you have to refuse twice in the game before triggering her departure?

I could only call out hastily, "Sorry, sorry! I really am the one who can summon Torrent! Please don't go!"

"Oh my~" A hint of triumph crept into Ranni's voice. "Why did you deceive me, Tarnished? Not that I mind. The Lands Between are full of lies, after all..."

"Because I wanted to talk to you a little longer."

"Huh?" My earnest response left Ranni speechless once again. Even the eye on her spirit face widened.

I casually grumbled, "Today, I got chased all over the place, ambushed by Those Who Live in Death Skeletons, and even ran into a Fire-Breathing Dragon. It feels like bad luck just won't leave me alone. So when I met you, I couldn't help wanting to chat a little longer. You don't mind, do you?"

"Well..." An indescribable glimmer flickered through Ranni's eyes before she changed tack. "I'm sorry, but truthfully, I cannot stay here long, Tarnished."

"I came to deliver something to you." As she spoke, Ranni drew a silver bell from behind her. "Torrent's former master entrusted it to me."

-Oh, the most powerful item in Elden Ring! You could practically call it an officially sanctioned cheat!

"This item is called the Spirit Calling Bell. It can summon spirits from ashes that have yet to return to the Erdtree. Those spirits will temporarily acknowledge you as their master and fight as they did in life...Now, use it as you see fit."

"Thank you." I accepted the Spirit Calling Bell. At the same time, three pale-blue spirits emerged from Ranni and slipped into the bell.

"Those three little ones seem quite fond of you as well," Ranni said softly. "Tarnished, forgive the intrusion. I doubt we shall meet again. Savor..."

Before she could finish her ominous parting words, I interrupted her. "No, we'll definitely meet again. I'll come find you. I promise."

"..."

"But next time we meet, let's both be a little more honest with each other, all right? Renna the Witch." I smiled and waved to her.

Ranni seemed to chuckle softly. Then she turned into motes of blue light and gradually disappeared.

Looking at the bell in my hand, I couldn't help smiling.

-She must have left in such a hurry because she was being watched. After all, in the history of the Lands Between, Ranni-or Miss Renna-was a child of a god who had committed a grave crime. Plenty of people meant her harm, and plenty more hoped to obtain the power to become a lord from her.

Yet even so, she had risked asking after my whereabouts and personally delivered such an important item to me.

I didn't know whether to call her stubborn or conclude that Torrent's former master had truly done so much for Ranni that it was worth going to these lengths.

The mist enveloping the church gradually dispersed. Suddenly, I felt someone watching me.

I turned my head and saw Melina standing beside the candlelike flame of the Site of Grace.

She seemed relieved to see me, then gave me a slight bow in greeting.

"Melina, what brings you here?" Unable to contain my curiosity, I walked over to ask her. After all, nothing like this had ever happened in the game.

Melina shook her head, took a step back, and vanished just as Ranni had.

Hmm? Could there really be some connection between Melina and Ranni? Was that why she'd come out to take a look? Or perhaps...

"Ah, a customer! You're back. Care to browse my wares today?" A familiar voice rang out behind me.

So she'd been avoiding you, you damned crafty old merchant!