Chapter Summaries

Ranni discovered Zhao Si had used her and ordered Blaidd to capture him and extract his research, while Zhao Si’s group traveled through Limgrave. The group continued toward Leyndell, and Zhao Si tried to figure out how to use the Iron Meteorite Blade’s gravity.

• Ranni tore up Zhao Si’s contract and ordered Blaidd to seal his soul in a puppet and force him to restore his blueprints and reveal his ideas.
• Ranni ordered Blaidd to exile Azur, Lusat, and Sellen separately because they had not joined the rebellion.
• Zhao Si’s group left Caelid and slowed down near Summonwater Village, while Vyke went ahead alone toward Leyndell.
• Fortissax continued traveling with Zhao Si’s group, helping Helena and giving Nepheli the Old Lord’s Talisman.
• Zhao Si examined the Iron Meteorite Blade and wondered how to use the gravity contained within it.

Zhao Si brought Malenia and the others to Castle Morne so Malenia could meet and train his apprentice, Irina. Malenia agreed to teach her Waterfowl Dance, and Irina’s training was set to advance.

• Zhao Si proposed visiting Castle Morne so Malenia could give Irina pointers and teach her Waterfowl Dance, and the group agreed to go.
• Zhao Si and his companions arrived at Castle Morne, where Irina was practicing the Flowing Sword with a small Estoc.
• Malenia tested Irina by silently catching her sword and flicking her forehead, then revealed that she was Zhao Si’s senior sister.
• Irina touched Malenia’s face and told her she was beautiful, then happily reunited with Zhao Si.
• Malenia praised Irina’s potential and prepared to work out how to teach her Waterfowl Dance.

Malenia trained Irina to sharpen her perception, and Edgar agreed to let her travel to Leyndell with Zhao Si so she could continue studying. As Irina and Nepheli trained and Zhao Si practiced his blade, Fortissax reflected on the battle and Godfrey he had never faced.

• Malenia struck Irina with a stick to teach her to sense danger, and Irina gradually learned to block some of the blows.
• Edgar recognized Malenia and agreed to let Irina travel with Zhao Si to Leyndell for further training, while Irina confirmed she wanted to go.
• Zhao Si arranged for Godrick to prepare rooms in Leyndell for Irina and a little girl from the Barbarians.
• Nepheli swung battle-axes at a humanoid target, while Zhao Si practiced with the Iron Meteorite Blade and experimented with gravity.
• Fortissax visited the Grafted Greatsword at the Morne Weeping Tomb and lamented that he had never fought Godfrey.

Fortissax explained the Storm King’s history to Nepheli and discussed the ancient dragon age with Zhao Si. He then agreed to tell Zhao Si about Godwyn, leaving the story poised to recount their past.

• Nepheli asked Fortissax to teach her storm fighting, and he described the Storm King, Stormveil’s storms, and the partnership between the human king and the Storm Eagle King.
• Fortissax told Nepheli that Placidusax had withdrawn into a space-time gap after their God disappeared, and that the Storm King later fought Godfrey and lost.
• Zhao Si joined Fortissax and Nepheli, and he and Fortissax argued over whether humans or dragons had made more progress.
• Zhao Si asked Fortissax to tell a story about the Storm King or Godwyn, and Fortissax chose to speak about Godwyn.

While Godfrey was away, Fortissax and Lansseax argued over whether the Ancient Dragons should attack the Golden Dynasty, but Gransax launched an assault on Leyndell before they could decide. Fortissax’s recollection ended as he charged at the Prince who had defeated Gransax, starting the war between dragons and humans.

• Lansseax urged Fortissax to avoid war, while Fortissax argued that the Golden Dynasty was vulnerable during Godfrey’s expedition.
• Gransax took flight with the Bolt of Gransax and attacked Leyndell, forcing Fortissax, Lansseax, and the other Ancient Dragons to pursue him.
• Fortissax saw Gransax fighting a figure surrounded by brilliant golden light, then watched the Prince knock the enormous dragon into the city.
• The Prince stood on Gransax’s corpse with a spear, and Fortissax charged at him, beginning the war between dragons and humans.

Godwyn led Leyndell’s defenses against the Ancient Dragons and confronted their commander, Fortissax, in battle. Though Godwyn’s attacks disrupted the dragons’ assault, Fortissax countered his lightning with fire as the fight continued.

• Godwyn ordered Leyndell’s defenders to drive out the dragons, and the soldiers prepared the city’s walls and weapons.
• Fortissax split the dragons into groups to draw fire and break through Leyndell, but Godwyn leaped over the city walls to intercept him.
• Godwyn struck Fortissax with the Erdtree Spear and a magical Giant-Crusher, knocking the dragon from the air and throwing the dragon host into disarray.
• Fortissax breathed lightning at Godwyn, who diverted the attack with his spear and then fought him at close quarters with magical golden swords.
• Godwyn channeled lightning into the ground and hurled a magical spear barrage, but Fortissax destroyed the spears with lightning and began breathing fire.

Fortissax recounted how his war with Godwyn turned into a friendship and reflected on the Ancient Dragons’ fading age. After Fortissax began teaching Nepheli about storms, a Bird-Kin Marionette delivered Sellen’s recording asking Zhao Si for urgent help because she had been imprisoned and something had happened to the Academy.

• Fortissax described how repeated battles with Godwyn became one-on-one duels and ended with the two making peace.
• Fortissax recalled meeting Marika and praised Godwyn’s loyalty, while Zhao Si reflected on the Ancient Dragons’ likely extinction.
• Fortissax stood in the rain and invited Nepheli to learn about storms, and she eagerly ran out to join him.
• A Bird-Kin Marionette crashed near Zhao Si and played a recording in which Sellen said she had been imprisoned and urgently needed outside help.
• Zhao Si understood that Sellen needed rescuing and immediately set out alone.

Sellen was transported in a Prison Wagon by Cuckoo soldiers, who planned to seal her in a Hidden Cell for her forbidden research. As the escort camped in the fog, Zhao Si arrived and killed the Cuckoo Knight and soldiers, freeing Sellen from immediate danger.

• Sellen worried that Zhao Si would struggle to find her while the Cuckoo escort took her south without revealing her destination.
• The Cuckoo Knight refused Sellen food and water and blamed her research and Glintstone Firearm for provoking the Princess.
• The escort stopped to camp when fog rolled in, and Sellen asked the Cuckoo Knight why the Princess was punishing her.
• A masked rider on a Monster Horse emerged from the fog and attacked the Cuckoo Knight with an Iron Meteorite Blade.
• The rider decapitated the Cuckoo Knight, and five Glintstone Pebbles killed the fleeing soldiers.
• Sellen recognized the Glintstone Firearm and realized Zhao Si had come to help her.

Zhao Si rescued Sellen from a prison wagon after the Academy rebellion and learned she planned to settle in the Mountaintops of the Giants. He agreed to fly her there on Flying Rabbit, while Sellen remained concerned about the two missing masters.

• Zhao Si freed Sellen from her shackles, gave her food and water, and explained how he tracked her down.
• Sellen realized Ranni had used the Academy rebellion to purge the Primeval Current School and decided she could not safely return to the Academy.
• Sellen chose the Mountaintops of the Giants as a place to settle, and she examined Zhao Si’s Iron Meteorite Blade, learning it contained gravity and was Radahn’s championship prize.
• Zhao Si insisted on escorting Sellen to the Mountaintops of the Giants, and they departed on Flying Rabbit while Sellen wondered where the two masters had been taken.

Zhao Si brought Sellen to the Astrologer's Ruins in the Mountaintops of the Giants so she could settle there. After a Zamor Knight confirmed the ruins were abandoned, Zhao Si asked him to watch for two young girls who might come seeking the Stars.

• Zhao Si and Sellen rode Flying Rabbit through the cold skies toward the Mountaintops of the Giants, then continued on foot through the snow.
• Sellen guided Zhao Si to the Astrologer's Ruins, where she reflected on the ancient sages who had studied magic and observed the Stars.
• A Zamor Knight confronted Zhao Si and Sellen, then allowed them to stay and repair the abandoned ruins after Zhao Si identified himself as an envoy of the Two Fingers.
• Zhao Si asked the Zamor Knight to protect Kulala and Kulalis if he encountered them looking for the ruins, and the knight agreed.

Zhao Si and Sellen began renovating the Astrologer's Ruins while experimenting with the Iron Meteorite Blade’s gravity. Zhao Si managed to turn the blade’s pull against itself, and he left believing he had begun to master gravity.

• Zhao Si hired craftsmen from Castle Sol to renovate the Astrologer's Ruins and warned the foreman against poor work or inflated prices.
• Sellen designed an observatory for a telescope, but the craftsmen could not build her proposed magical floating platform.
• Sellen used the Iron Meteorite Blade’s star amber to activate its gravity sorcery and tried to teach Zhao Si to sense it.
• Zhao Si asked Sellen to help him channel the blade’s gravity into his body by pressing its tip into his belly.
• As gravity pulled Zhao Si toward the blade, he let go and made the blade bounce away, then bandaged his wound and said he was starting to get the hang of it.

Malenia, Fortissax, Irina, and Nepheli settled into Godrick’s estate while Fortissax worried about Godwyn and waited for Zhao Si. Zhao Si returned to Leyndell, and Godrick told him Fortissax wanted to confront his father, prompting Zhao Si to propose a gentler visit.

• Godrick welcomed Malenia and her companions to his estate, where Malenia and Godrick helped Irina and Nepheli settle into their rooms.
• Fortissax met Morgott, then told Godrick he was considering confronting Godwyn about his situation.
• Fortissax rested at Godrick’s estate while Godrick wondered when Zhao Si would return.
• Zhao Si arrived in Leyndell with his Caelid champion’s horse and blade, and Godrick showed off the muscles he had gained while Zhao Si was away.
• Godrick told Zhao Si that Fortissax wanted to drag Godwyn out by force, and Zhao Si said he wanted to visit Godwyn more gently.

Godrick told Zhao Si and their companions how Rykard had been confined and investigated after the Volcano Manor incident. Rykard was summoned to the Elden Throne, where Radagon told him he was disappointed.

• Godrick showed Zhao Si a golden-magic lion and later held a private banquet with their companions.
• At the banquet, Godrick recounted how investigators searched Mt. Gelmir and confined Rykard while they gathered evidence for Radagon.
• Rykard was brought to Leyndell and climbed to the Elden Throne, where the Tree Sentinels made him pass beneath their crossed halberds.
• Rykard entered the throne room, knelt before Radagon, and heard his father say he was disappointed in him.

Rykard convinced Radagon to spare his life, though Radagon ordered him to remain in Leyndell and planned to have Maliketh deal with the wounded God-Devouring Serpent. After the banquet, Zhao Si, Godrick, and Fortissax planned how to visit Godwyn by luring away his guards.

• Rykard pleaded with Radagon, claiming he had gathered power to protect his father during the Succession War.
• Radagon spared Rykard but ordered him to stay in Leyndell and said Maliketh would deal with the God-Devouring Serpent.
• Rykard left the Elden Throne relieved, then stood tall as he walked away through the Circular Plaza.
• At the banquet, Godrick acted out Rykard's frightened entrance and swaggering exit, making Fortissax and Lansseax laugh.
• Zhao Si stopped Fortissax from barging into Godwyn's residence and asked Godrick to explain its layout and guards so they could sneak in.

Zhao Si and Fortissax tried to bypass the heavy guard around Godwyn by using Godrick’s banquet as a distraction. Zhao Si entered the house disguised as a knight, carrying Fortissax in a box, and reached the guarded residence without being challenged.

• Zhao Si mapped the guards around Godwyn’s room and asked Godrick to distract them so he and Fortissax could enter through a window.
• Godrick arranged a small banquet for the knights, and Lhutel allowed those off duty to attend as long as they did not drink.
• Zhao Si hid in a wine barrel in the storeroom, then used Ghostflame to unlock its door and leave carrying a box containing Fortissax.
• When Godrick called out, Zhao Si claimed he was bringing Godwyn a gift, and Godrick backed up the explanation.
• The guards let Zhao Si pass without checking him, and he noticed their security had a weakness.

Zhao Si and Fortissax sneaked into Godwyn’s room after Godrick’s gift was blocked, hoping to wake him. They discovered that Godwyn’s soul was trapped in a dream after he drank too much Sacramental Bud, and Fortissax described the legendary realm of the dead.

• Lhutel refused to let Zhao Si bring Godrick’s gift into Godwyn’s room, so Zhao Si and Fortissax abandoned their first plan.
• Zhao Si and Fortissax went around to the courtyard and removed the iron bars from Godwyn’s window.
• Zhao Si and Fortissax entered the dark room and tried to wake Godwyn, but shaking and slapping him had no effect.
• Zhao Si found bottles beside Godwyn’s bed, and Fortissax identified their contents as Sacramental Bud brewed from deep-sleep mist.
• Fortissax explained that Godwyn’s soul was trapped in a dream and that the Erdtree could not call it back.
• Fortissax told Zhao Si of an ancient legend about a realm of the dead woven from dreams, souls, and death.

Zhao Si and Fortissax left Godwyn’s room after realizing they needed help understanding souls and the Land of the Dead. Fortissax explained that the realm was a dangerous mass of living beings’ dreams, leaving them with no safe way to search for Godwyn without a guide.

• Zhao Si and Fortissax escaped through the window, and Zhao Si used the Flame of the Fell God and Ghostflame to disguise the damaged iron bars.
• Zhao Si and Fortissax returned to Godrick’s residence and discussed how the invisible Black Knife Assassins had been able to reach Godwyn and kill his soul with Destined Death.
• Zhao Si reasoned that Godwyn’s soul had entered the Land of the Dead through his dreams, while the Erdtree kept his damaged body alive, leaving him half dead.
• Zhao Si and Fortissax discussed whether drinking themselves unconscious could let them enter the Land of the Dead, but Fortissax warned that the realm was formed from the dreams of countless living beings.
• Fortissax explained that the Twinbird and Deathbirds guided souls to prevent them from becoming lost in tangled dreams, and Zhao Si realized they could not safely enter the realm without guidance.

Zhao Si and Fortissax discussed the Land of the Dead and how to protect Godwyn, deciding to seek Miquella’s help with sleep and dreams. Zhao Si arranged to contact Miquella through Malenia, while Ogha returned from his failed pursuit and began training harder.

• Fortissax told Zhao Si that the Twinbird and Destined Death might have originated in the Land of the Dead, whose queen was said to rival Marika.
• Zhao Si proposed that Miquella might help with Godwyn because his female aspect, Trina, governed sleep and dreams.
• Ogha returned to Jerren after failing to find Zhao Si, then resolved to master Radahn’s gravity and trained with his Greatbow.
• Zhao Si found Malenia training Irina and asked her to contact Miquella about the Godslayer’s Greatsword and Godwyn.
• Malenia agreed to write to Miquella, while Zhao Si considered improving Godwyn’s security with a Concealing Veil Torch.

Zhao Si chaired a meeting with Malenia, Morgott, Godrick, and Fortissax to discuss rescuing the sleeping Godwyn and strengthening his courtyard’s defenses. The meeting ended with Malenia revealing that Radahn might be colluding with the Godskin Nobles.

• Zhao Si explained that Godwyn was trapped in a dream, while Fortissax and Malenia said his soul might be in the Land of the Dead and could potentially be summoned back.
• Malenia revealed that Sacramental Bud could trap a drinker’s soul in a dream and said Miquella had researched dreams and deep sleep.
• Zhao Si and Malenia took responsibility for finding guidance and technical help to retrieve Godwyn’s soul, while the others agreed to reinforce his courtyard.
• Morgott agreed to seal the doors and windows, Godrick promised to find an item that countered invisibility, and Fortissax offered to protect the courtyard with storms and lightning.
• Malenia said she and the others suspected Radahn was colluding with the Godskin Nobles, surprising everyone.

Malenia and her allies concluded that Radahn’s family might benefit from Godwyn’s death and agreed to prepare for the Succession War. As they adjourned to make plans for the Demigods’ meeting and Leyndell’s Combat Festival, a mysterious Beastman arrived in Caelid and announced his return.

• Malenia argued that Radahn might become their enemy and that his family could be plotting to murder Godwyn.
• Fortissax explained that Godwyn’s death would weaken the Golden Lineage, the Haligtree, and the peace pact with the Ancient Dragons, benefiting Radahn and his siblings.
• Malenia ended the meeting so everyone could prepare, including for the Demigods’ gathering and the Combat Festival in Leyndell.
• Godrick said he had persuaded Lhutel to include them in the Combat Festival, whose rules Radagon had personally changed.
• A hunched Beastman disembarked at Caelid’s port, looked toward the Erdtree, and declared that he had returned.