Chapter Summaries

Finger Reader Enia announced that succession would be decided through a war among the Demigods, with the winner choosing who would become God and Lord and having the right to alter the Law. After the council, Godwyn proposed that he and Ranni become partners to prevent the others from dying, but Ranni rejected him and said he was not worthy to be her Lord.

• Finger Reader Enia told Radagon and the six Demigods that a succession war would determine the next God and Lord, and that the future God could change the Law.
• Godwyn objected to the prospect of the siblings killing one another and marrying, but Radagon ended the council and said they were expected to obey the Greater Will.
• Malenia sensed hostility from Radahn, Rykard, and Ranni and hurried Miquella away, while Miquella chose to postpone speaking with Godwyn.
• Godwyn caught up with Ranni and asked to speak privately, despite Rykard and Radahn watching over her.
• Godwyn suggested that he and Ranni become partners so the other Demigods would not have to die, but Ranni rejected the idea and said he was not worthy to be her Lord.

Godrick and Zhao Si read Godwyn’s notebook and learned that Godwyn had foreseen his death in the Land of the Dead, then tried to reach that world first and conquer it. The chapter left Zhao Si and Godrick resolved to enter the Land of the Dead to help Godwyn, after Zhao Si dealt with matters underground.

• Godrick showed Zhao Si the notebook and said Malenia would take Nepheli and Irina to the Haligtree.
• Godrick read that Godwyn had visited Finger Reader Enia to ask whether he had a kingly fate.
• Enia told Godwyn that he would die by Destined Death and be taken to the Land of the Dead.
• Godwyn decided to reach that world first, conquer it, and return, then asked Miquella for help getting there.
• Godrick found Godwyn’s message urging him to forge his own path and wept when he learned it was meant for him.
• Zhao Si promised to help Godwyn in the Land of the Dead and picked up the Rock Blaster Staff before planning to go underground.

As Black Knife Assassins made Leyndell unsafe, Malenia prepared to take Irina and Nepheli to the Haligtree while the girls continued their training. Nepheli defeated Godrick in a sparring match, and Malenia reminded him that he had also lost to Irina.

• Zhao Si and Godrick arranged security measures and began moving vulnerable people out of Leyndell after learning about Fia's prophetic dream.
• Malenia prepared to take Irina and Nepheli to the Haligtree, where Irina could continue learning the Flowing Sword.
• Nepheli challenged Godrick to a sparring match, betting that she could move him with her storm.
• Nepheli used Storm Assault and Storm Blade to knock Godrick off his feet and win the match.
• Nepheli let Godrick postpone giving her his prized axe, and Malenia teased him about losing to both girls.

Malenia brought Irina and Nepheli to the Haligtree, where Nepheli promised to help Irina see the world and suggested asking Miquella for prosthetic eyes. They arrived safely at Elphael, and the people of Haligtree Town welcomed Malenia home.

• Irina and Nepheli wondered why their masters had sent them away, and Nepheli guessed the adults had important business to attend to.
• Nepheli promised to describe the scenery for Irina and suggested asking Miquella to make her prosthetic eyes.
• Malenia led the group through Ordina and across Miquella’s magical bridge to the Haligtree.
• Malenia guided Irina and Nepheli along the branches toward Elphael, the Haligtree’s Main Trunk.
• The people of Haligtree Town welcomed Malenia home.

Malenia returned to the Haligtree with Irina and Nepheli, introducing them to Miquella as students who needed help. Miquella welcomed them and took Malenia aside to discuss their training.

• Haligtree residents gathered to welcome Malenia and whispered about the two girls she had brought with her.
• Malenia showed Irina and Nepheli the Haligtree Grand Stage and described the performances held there.
• Malenia reunited with Miquella at Elphael and introduced Irina and Nepheli as students of the Flowing Sword and Waterfowl Dance, and storm techniques.
• Miquella welcomed the girls and agreed to help them, then sent them with soldiers to their rooms.
• Malenia carried Miquella to the meeting room so they could discuss how to help the girls.

Malenia told Miquella about the Demigods’ schemes, Godwyn’s deathlike state, and the coming assassination, prompting Miquella to prepare the army and plan for their family’s conflicts. They also discussed helping Malenia be reborn and bringing Godwyn back from the Land of the Dead.

• Malenia showed Miquella the Godslayer's Greatsword as evidence that Radahn had colluded with a cult, and they agreed that Radahn, Rykard, and Ranni were pursuing dangerous plans.
• Malenia explained that Godwyn had drunk Sacramental Bud to send his soul to the Land of the Dead, and that Zhao Si was preparing to reach that realm and bring him back.
• Malenia told Miquella that Godwyn’s allies were protecting him from an assassination predicted to happen in winter, and Miquella said prophecies could change when unexpected variables intervened.
• Miquella ordered Malenia to prepare the army for the Demigod council, the family banquet, and possible war with their father, while noting that Godrick’s allies and Fortissax could support them.
• Miquella agreed to research how Zhao Si could travel to the Land of the Dead and return, and Malenia told him that her rebirth might require several Great Runes.
• Miquella said they could use force against Ranni and the Academy of Magic if diplomacy failed, while Malenia trusted him to handle the matter.

Zhao Si, Godrick, and Helena prepared to leave Leyndell and search Mistwood for the Eternal Cities. After setting out, they headed toward Limgrave, with Godrick beginning his first adventure away from home.

• Zhao Si and Godrick packed for the journey, and Zhao Si persuaded Godrick to leave most of his bedding behind.
• Zhao Si asked Hewg to coat a spearhead with Scarlet Rot toxin while Hewg continued working on his weapon.
• Zhao Si met Kristoff on patrol, congratulated him on joining Leyndell's army, and wished him luck.
• Zhao Si, Godrick, and Helena loaded their luggage onto horses and left Leyndell for Mistwood in Limgrave.
• Zhao Si told Godrick that Gideon Ofnir had provided leads about the Eternal Cities, though he had made that up.

Godrick discovered that Gostoc had falsified Stormveil Castle’s accounts while Zhao Si and Helena toured the castle. When Gostoc harassed Helena and broke her flask, Zhao Si beat him and only then learned who he was.

• Zhao Si, Godrick, and their companions arrived at Stormveil Castle, where Godrick began reviewing its affairs and accounts.
• Godrick compared the current ledgers with older records, uncovered falsified accounts, and identified Gostoc as the suspected embezzler.
• Zhao Si and Helena toured the castle, bought pickled bird feet and wine, and sat down to eat and drink.
• Gostoc kicked over a wine stall, then slapped Helena’s flask from her hand as he passed.
• Zhao Si punched Gostoc and his followers, leaving them clutching their injured faces, then asked Gostoc who he was.
• Gostoc identified himself, and Zhao Si awkwardly wondered whether that would cause trouble.

Zhao Si beat Gostoc and his gang after they attacked Helena and disrupted a wine stall, then was brought before Godrick. Godrick punished Gostoc for bullying people, stealing from the family, and targeting Zhao Si, while Zhao Si and Helena watched.

• Zhao Si beat Gostoc and his cronies, took their money to repay the wine seller, and told Gostoc they were even.
• A Banished Knight arrived and, after learning Zhao Si was the Elden Champion, took him and Helena to see Godrick while arresting Gostoc and sending the other thugs to the dungeon.
• Gostoc panicked when he heard Godrick was there, then was carried into Stormveil Castle's throne room.
• Godrick beat Gostoc with his Golden Tachi for bullying people, stealing the family's money, and messing with Zhao Si.
• Zhao Si stood quietly by as Helena ate a bird's foot and watched Godrick punish Gostoc.

Godrick punished Gostoc and explained the Chapel of Anticipation’s purpose before he, Zhao Si, and Helena traveled to Mistwood to search for the Eternal City. The trio split up to investigate local legends, unusual objects, and terrain that might reveal its location.

• Godrick stripped Gostoc of his place in the Golden Lineage, ordered him confined to the castle gate, and had one of his eyes healed.
• Godrick treated Zhao Si and Helena to dinner, where he explained that the Chapel of Anticipation had been built for prayers for Godfrey’s return.
• Zhao Si, Godrick, and Helena set out for Mistwood the next day and learned about its mist-shrouded town and sparse, hunting-based life.
• Zhao Si suggested they search for legends and distinctive objects associated with the Eternal City, and Helena proposed looking for unusual terrain as well.
• Zhao Si, Godrick, and Helena agreed to split up and investigate the three leads.

Zhao Si asked a Tanner in Mistwood about the Eternal City and learned that earlier seekers, including Blaidd, had visited without success. The Tanner also shared a vague account of Nightfolk appearing near Fort Haight, leaving Zhao Si with no clear lead.

• Zhao Si stopped a child from petting his strange horse and asked a Tanner about the Rune Bear hide he was working on.
• The Tanner explained that hunters used techniques taught by Serosh to trap Rune Bears, and Zhao Si bought the hide.
• Zhao Si asked about the Eternal City and learned that Blaidd had come searching for it but could not follow the Tanner's directions.
• The Tanner said legends described stones falling from the sky and life attacking the Eternal City, then recalled an elder seeing Nightfolk.
• The Tanner pointed to a spot near Fort Haight where the Nightfolk had supposedly appeared, but Zhao Si found no passage or useful lead.

Zhao Si, Godrick, and Helena searched Mistwood for the underground people by digging with Sellen’s magical drill. After several fruitless attempts, they struck the roof of the Eternal City and descended toward it.

• Zhao Si questioned the Mistwood residents, but he and his companions learned nothing useful about the underground people.
• Zhao Si used Digger No. 1 to excavate holes while Godrick and Helena helped search for the Eternal City.
• Zhao Si used gravity to clear the excavated earth and sent Digger No. 1 to a spot Helena chose.
• Digger No. 1 struck a roof, and Zhao Si confirmed that it belonged to the Eternal City.
• Zhao Si, Godrick, and Helena descended onto the roof, planning to dig their way inside.

Zhao Si, Godrick, and Helena drilled through the fortified wall and discovered a hidden terrace overlooking Nokron, the Eternal City. They studied the vast city and began considering how to cross to it.

• Zhao Si and Godrick found liquid metal embedded in the unusually sturdy wall bricks, and Zhao Si suggested the underground site held further dangers.
• Zhao Si used Digger No. 1 to bore through the wall while Helena and Godrick followed, and they emerged into a hidden room beneath the cavern ceiling.
• The three passed through a doorway and found themselves on a narrow terrace overlooking Nokron and its star-lit underground expanse.
• Godrick compared Nokron's size to Leyndell, and Zhao Si pointed out a flying buttress that could connect them to the city.
• Zhao Si offered to carry Godrick and Helena across with gravity, while Godrick questioned whether he could manage it.

Zhao Si, Godrick, and Helena crossed the rooftops of the ruined Eternal City and hunted silver Tears for Larval Tears. As Zhao Si and Godrick fought through the creatures, Nox Swordstresses arrived to confront them.

• Zhao Si carried Godrick and Helena across the rooftops until the three reached the ground.
• Godrick attacked a black Tear, and Zhao Si killed it with Black Flame; Helena found a Larval Tear inside its remains.
• Zhao Si and Godrick identified the surrounding silver creatures as Tears and charged into them while Helena collected Larval Tears.
• The Tears mimicked Zhao Si and Godrick, but the two fought them with Flowing Sword, flames, and lightning.
• Nox Swordstresses arrived and blocked Zhao Si and Godrick's blades.

Zhao Si and Godrick fought through the Silver Tears in the Eternal City while Helena searched for intact Larval Tears, then faced Nox Swordstresses who spoke an incomprehensible language. Godrick battled one with a Nox Flowing Sword and struck her with Dragonbolt, while Zhao Si began drawing his blade against another.

• Zhao Si and Godrick easily killed Silver Tears, but their flames and lightning damaged many Larval Tears Helena hoped to collect.
• Nox Swordstresses confronted the group, and Zhao Si and Godrick could not understand their language.
• Zhao Si speculated that the isolated Nox had fallen behind the surface world, then questioned whether they could reproduce.
• The Nox Swordstresses attacked, and Godrick fought one whose hooked Nox Flowing Sword could soften into a whip.
• Godrick dodged the flowing sword, conjured a golden greatshield, and hurled it at the weapon with Thunder and Dragonbolt, leaving the Nox Swordstress smoking.
• Zhao Si drew his blade against the Nox Swordstress facing him.

Zhao Si defeated the Nox Swordstress with a combination of Gravity and flame, then explained the Eternal City's history to Godrick and Helena. Godrick connected the city's lost black moon to Ranni and Rennala, and wondered whether a Goddess of Night still influenced the Lands Between.

• Zhao Si used Gravity to draw the Nox Swordstress close and killed her with Sweeping Black Flame.
• Godrick praised Zhao Si's fighting technique and asked him to teach it.
• Helena wondered whether the Nox sought death and pointed out the petrified residents on the rooftops.
• Zhao Si explained that the Eternal City's people had been driven underground after the meteorite attack and mourned their lost starry sky.
• Godrick connected the Eternal City's black moon to Ranni and Rennala and speculated that a Goddess of Night had chosen them.

Zhao Si, Godrick, and Helena inspected an ancient household in the Eternal City and discussed the city’s history and the Albinaurics’ condition. Helena found a preserved drawing that Zhao Si identified as a map of the Eternal City.

• Zhao Si and Godrick entered a dusty home and examined the mummified remains of a family dressed in silk.
• Zhao Si explained that Miquella wanted to cure the Albinaurics, whose silver blood and failing legs caused them great suffering.
• Godrick found a golden lion among the silver objects, prompting Zhao Si to speculate that different parts of the vast Eternal City had varied contact with the outside world.
• Helena searched the fragile books and papers while Zhao Si and Godrick discussed who might translate the city’s writing.
• Helena found a sheet of paper that had survived intact, and Zhao Si identified its drawing as a map of the Eternal City.

Zhao Si, Godrick, and Helena crossed the ruins of the Eternal City and were attacked by the corrupted Fallen Hawk Legion. After escaping the collapsing tower and temple roof, Zhao Si spotted something glittering in the ruins and believed he had found the cause of the legion's condition.

• Zhao Si and Godrick discussed the pale corpses and the missing viaduct as they explored the Eternal City with Helena.
• Zhao Si and Helena speculated that the Nox had pursued research to create a lord and that the Albinaurics might have been failed results.
• The Fallen Hawk Legion burst through the stained glass and attacked the group, prompting Zhao Si, Godrick, and Helena to flee across the leaning tower.
• Zhao Si ignited his Iron Meteorite Blade to block the pursuing soldiers, but the tower collapsed and the three fell through the temple roof.
• Zhao Si used gravity to cushion their fall, then noticed something glittering deeper in the temple ruins and said he had found the reason.

Zhao Si, Godrick, and Helena explored a temple in the Eternal City and found a great chalice and a soldier’s account of the Fallen Eagle Legion’s underground expedition. Zhao Si stored the chalice and the group set out to search for more records from the lost legion.

• Zhao Si and Helena examined a great chalice filled with thick silver liquid while Godrick deciphered the bloody writing on a nearby stele.
• Godrick read that the Fallen Eagle Legion, a force of slave soldiers, had been sent underground to find an artifact that could help the king defeat Godfrey.
• The legion followed the Siofra River and fought Crimson Giant Ants after reaching a ruined underground city, but the account ended before they found the Eternal City.
• Godrick admitted to Helena that he felt nervous adventuring without his soldiers, and Helena said Zhao Si had seen more than he could imagine.
• Zhao Si put the chalice into his Inventory and led the others onward to search for more records from the Fallen Eagle Legion.

Zhao Si, Helena, and Godrick searched the Eternal City and found a notebook recounting how the Reverse Eagle Legion reached the city, became trapped, and succumbed to starvation and liquid metal. They identified the location of the sacred cup and planned to investigate Night's Sacred Domain, where the Fingerslayer Blade was hidden.

• Zhao Si and Helena explained that the legion's carved kill marks and gnawed corpses could reflect desperate fighting and cannibalism, making Godrick sick.
• Zhao Si, Helena, and Godrick rested, and Helena described Zhao Si's past experience with war and death.
• Zhao Si and Godrick examined a Ghostflame torch and a notebook Helena found inside a corpse, then read the legion commander's account.
• The notebook described the legion's journey to the Eternal City, their battles with underground creatures, and the collapse of their route back to the surface.
• The legion commander recorded that trapped, starving soldiers drank liquid metal that appeared to transform them into monstrous beings.
• Godrick used the notebook's map to locate the sacred cup's temple, and Zhao Si proposed they go to Night's Sacred Domain to seek the Fingerslayer Blade.