deathblightprince

[deathblightprince]

Godwyn wasn't blind to see that Radahn wasn't in his loungewear; in fact, he looked like he was ready to go on an adventure.

"Oh, my apologies, brother, did I interrupt you during something?" A subtle way of asking Radahn what the hell he was doing. Godwyn held a tray with a steaming teapot and cups already lined with teabags that held the precious St. Trina lillies.

Godwyn was already suspicious, but he would hold his tongue for now.

Breaking Point

@deathblightprince

Radahn soon returned, with his army. The trip did not take too long, and everything went smoothly. His men, while surprised, were happy to see him alive, and once he explained them what happened - leaving out the worst details - and how Godwyn, who returned, had saved him, they were eager to help out. They have been fighting a hopeless battle for a long time. Now they would once more have a worthy cause, and their beloved general back.

He reported back to Godwyn when he returned, while his men settled in.

It seemed everything was going well, but inside, he had been falling apart. Seeing the devastation in his old home, and how few were really left, was painful. And while he did not tell anyone, he was filled with dread the whole time. Memories of the rot came back in full force, along with the fear that he might get infected again. He never expected to be afraid.

Being out of there again was a relief, and he made sure to eat the boluses his men offered. They supposedly prevented infection.

On top of that, he also learned his faithful old Jerren was gone. He should have expected it, but the news still broke his heart. They had a deep bond, and Radahn missed him dearly.

After his return, the nightmares got worse. That fragment of Miquella's grace, still embedded in his soul, seemed to gain more and more... sentience. And it tormented him. It knew all his fears, all the memories he'd rather forget.

How weak you really are, Lord Brother... all your strength, all your magic power, and you are still brought down by something as small as an echo of me.

He tried to avoid sleeping, and he still did not seek help. They had much to plan with Godwyn, and he buried himself in work.

But he was breaking apart, slowly, day by day.

[deathblightprince]

"Wait, my darlings." Godwyn halted their trek towards the deathroot by gently pinching the collars on the onesies.

"Mother's Day has yet to be upon us. I believe we shouldst spend our time wrapping this gift and complementing it with flowers." While Nouma can't see the flowers, she might enjoy smelling them.

"Perhaps, we couldst even make a batch of fine sweets for her, like berry tarts or draconian cookies?" He asks that to gain their interest. It wasn't time for Nouma to have the twins back yet, so he's just filling in the time.

"heavy..."

Luna whines to her sister as she attempts to roll the big shiny. For something small on Dada's head. It's big compared to the twins.

"Dada has big head!"

Solis declares, also trying to help roll big shiny. The twins were trying to move Godwyn's crown. The one that their mother had forge as a present for him. But, they forgot about that. Toddlers have simple mind.

"Mama be happy!"

"ye!"

Godwyn thought he could look away for a minute to get a drink. He thought wrong.

Intending to not work today and focus on his children, he decided to put up his crown and don a more comfortable robe. He was approaching the room he left the twins in for possibly no more than 1 minute until he heard the commotion of something metallic thumping and rolling against the wooden floorboards. He paused to listen quietly... and then, he heard the twins' voices along with the metallic clutter. He already knew.

Sighing, he puts his drink on the table and swiftly opens the door to stare at the twins silently. He caught them red-handed as expected, pushing his metal crown across the room towards a deathroot stalk. After locking eyes with them for several moments, he finally speaks.

"What are you both doing with my crown?"

[deathblightprince]

Godwyn carefully inspected the pieces of jewelry they were caught up on. He held up the necklace and observed it. For a necklace that belongs to Godwyn, it's a thin silver chain, but it's incredibly long for an average-sized mortal.

"I have not seen thy mother wear much jewelry, let alone a necklace."

Godwyn could see the necklace looking good on her during nights out, especially if she folded it to make it layered. However, most days she'll be working on things that would make the necklace impractical to wear most of the time. He could imagine her getting into a fight with a bear in mistwood, and it getting caught in the bear's claws, either breaking off or flinging her around.

Godwyn puts down the necklace. "Let us see the earrings now." He says as he picks them up.

The earrings were tarnished; he could tell they were ancient and hadn't been worn in centuries. Why would the babies choose this? Is it the smell? Is it the more coppery look that comes with tarnished silver? Were Nouma's ears even pierced? They would be good if they were hoops, but these are hanging solid shapes of carved silver. Not to mention, there is some old GO symbolism on them.

"This earring may not fit thy mother's ears, dear..." He gives that excuse to pass it up. Finally, he moves on to the hairpiece.

Now this one looked more promising. No GO symbolism? Check. Practical? Check. Something Nouma would actually use? Check. Not to mention, it had texture from the metalwork, wear that one could feel the carved flowers and leaves hammered in. He could see Nouma wearing this daily, as he often saw her with her hair up.

"This one shall suffice as a gift most thoughtful. What does thou say, girls, hmm?" Godwyn asks as he gives the hairpiece to the twins to inspect again.

"heavy..."

Luna whines to her sister as she attempts to roll the big shiny. For something small on Dada's head. It's big compared to the twins.

"Dada has big head!"

Solis declares, also trying to help roll big shiny. The twins were trying to move Godwyn's crown. The one that their mother had forge as a present for him. But, they forgot about that. Toddlers have simple mind.

"Mama be happy!"

"ye!"

Godwyn thought he could look away for a minute to get a drink. He thought wrong.

Intending to not work today and focus on his children, he decided to put up his crown and don a more comfortable robe. He was approaching the room he left the twins in for possibly no more than 1 minute until he heard the commotion of something metallic thumping and rolling against the wooden floorboards. He paused to listen quietly... and then, he heard the twins' voices along with the metallic clutter. He already knew.

Sighing, he puts his drink on the table and swiftly opens the door to stare at the twins silently. He caught them red-handed as expected, pushing his metal crown across the room towards a deathroot stalk. After locking eyes with them for several moments, he finally speaks.

"What are you both doing with my crown?"

[deathblightprince]

Godwyn himself was feeling a tad more anxious than usual. It wasn't because he felt remorse for collaborating with Radahn and his men, but he was more afraid of how they might react to the rituals and practices they might witness.

Godwyn doesn't even let surface-level followers see the ritual of communion. He knows what the rituals and practices of death can easily scare people away. He hopes that isn't the same case for Radahn and his men.... but just in case, he'll postpone any larger-scale rituals and festivals until the redmanes get... acclimated to the new routine.

Godwyn was thankfully walking a little more freely now, continuing his work to the best of his ability. When Radahn reported back to him after returning from Caelid, he sensed that Radahn was on edge. Did something happen at Caelid? He later asked his men to brief him privately, but they confirmed that Radahn didn't leave out crucial information in his report. Godwyn didn't confront Radahn just yet, hoping maybe he'll come out himself. Then again, he knows Radahn can be a stoic, stubborn man (Funnily enough, just like Lord Godfrey). Godwyn can understand being too embarrassed to be upfront with your feelings. He's been there, done that.

In the early hours of the night (or whatever is considered night down there), Godwyn found himself sitting at his desk, drinking a medicated tea, waiting for his other plethora of medications to kick in so he could sleep. A chest filled with bottles, boxes, and bags carries all sorts of medications he takes not only daily, but in emergency situations as well. He had a perfumer in the room to watch over him while they kicked in.

His mind wandered back towards Radahn. Poor bastard has been looking exhausted these past few days. He should pay Radahn a visit in his quarters and offer him some Trina Lily tea.

So that's precisely what he does.

Breaking Point

@deathblightprince

Radahn soon returned, with his army. The trip did not take too long, and everything went smoothly. His men, while surprised, were happy to see him alive, and once he explained them what happened - leaving out the worst details - and how Godwyn, who returned, had saved him, they were eager to help out. They have been fighting a hopeless battle for a long time. Now they would once more have a worthy cause, and their beloved general back.

He reported back to Godwyn when he returned, while his men settled in.

It seemed everything was going well, but inside, he had been falling apart. Seeing the devastation in his old home, and how few were really left, was painful. And while he did not tell anyone, he was filled with dread the whole time. Memories of the rot came back in full force, along with the fear that he might get infected again. He never expected to be afraid.

Being out of there again was a relief, and he made sure to eat the boluses his men offered. They supposedly prevented infection.

On top of that, he also learned his faithful old Jerren was gone. He should have expected it, but the news still broke his heart. They had a deep bond, and Radahn missed him dearly.

After his return, the nightmares got worse. That fragment of Miquella's grace, still embedded in his soul, seemed to gain more and more... sentience. And it tormented him. It knew all his fears, all the memories he'd rather forget.

How weak you really are, Lord Brother... all your strength, all your magic power, and you are still brought down by something as small as an echo of me.

He tried to avoid sleeping, and he still did not seek help. They had much to plan with Godwyn, and he buried himself in work.

But he was breaking apart, slowly, day by day.

[deathblightprince]

Godwyn watched the twins as they babbled away and touched the jewelry. He was very impressed at how coordinated and careful they were in picking a present. He wasn't very impressed with Solis tossing very delicate and expensive jewelry into the drawer with little care, but he found their way of deduction very good for their age.

They had sat the table, sorting and picking jewelry methodically until the twins began to argue.

"What do you need help with, dear? Do you need me to check it too?" Maybe they want his approval?

"heavy..."

Luna whines to her sister as she attempts to roll the big shiny. For something small on Dada's head. It's big compared to the twins.

"Dada has big head!"

Solis declares, also trying to help roll big shiny. The twins were trying to move Godwyn's crown. The one that their mother had forge as a present for him. But, they forgot about that. Toddlers have simple mind.

"Mama be happy!"

"ye!"

Godwyn thought he could look away for a minute to get a drink. He thought wrong.

Intending to not work today and focus on his children, he decided to put up his crown and don a more comfortable robe. He was approaching the room he left the twins in for possibly no more than 1 minute until he heard the commotion of something metallic thumping and rolling against the wooden floorboards. He paused to listen quietly... and then, he heard the twins' voices along with the metallic clutter. He already knew.

Sighing, he puts his drink on the table and swiftly opens the door to stare at the twins silently. He caught them red-handed as expected, pushing his metal crown across the room towards a deathroot stalk. After locking eyes with them for several moments, he finally speaks.

"What are you both doing with my crown?"

[deathblightprince]

"My father has been difficult to keep track of." Godwyn comments, looking in the distance towards a deathroot plant sitting in an elegant clay pot.

"The last time my men had intersected him, he was heading northwest, towards the jagged peaks far in the distance. He was going on about someone named Bayle, someone who is apparently 'terror incarnate'. My men attempted to talk him out of it, but he was determined." Oh, if Godwyn only knew!

Godwyn rubbed his temple. God's he regrets introducing the shadow lands to his father.

"For now, we shall focus on recovery and escorting thou to Caelid. I'm afraid it will take a long time to locate my father there. My deathroot has yet to touch those mountains."

"If that's the case, I shall have my loyal deathknights and Vyke escort thee to Redmane Castle." Who could be more convincing than one of Godwyn the Golden's personal bodyguards and his old dragon cult friend?

"Oi... I forgot about that." He said quietly. Radahn was more involved in the shattering than just his duel with Malenia. Godwyn leaned on his palm, trying to conjure an idea where they all 3 could talk together without it ending in a bloodbath.

"I do not wish to get violent with Morgott. The old man has suffered enough already." He'll never get used to Morgott looking like an old man.

"But if thy testimony can sway Morgott's opinion, it couldst lead us in the right direction. Hmmm, perhaps if we kiss his and The Golden Order's old stubborn arses he'll listen to what we have to say." Frustration lined his voice. It spoke of how long he's been trying to contact Morgott, and how close he's gotten to a response, only to be ignored. Something tells him he's being ignored intentionally.

"I was hoping mine father couldst vouch for me, but he's doing Gods know what in the Land of Shadow..."

[deathblightprince]

Godwyn held back a giggle himself, watching Solis' hand wiggle to the surface. But he knows those jewels can be quite heavy due to being catered to demi-god size.

He quickly ends the fun for Luna by pulling Solis out by the arm. The sea of Gold and Silver shifted to reveal the Gold hair gremlin, stopping when she hovered over the surface. Godwyn plopped her back down next to her sister.

"We shall go slow and carefully choose a piece of jewelry for thy mother. I will take some out, and you must choose which one thoust would like for mama to have."

He explains before he takes a handful of his jewels out of the drawer with his free hand, and lifts it up for the babus to dig around and pick.

"heavy..."

Luna whines to her sister as she attempts to roll the big shiny. For something small on Dada's head. It's big compared to the twins.

"Dada has big head!"

Solis declares, also trying to help roll big shiny. The twins were trying to move Godwyn's crown. The one that their mother had forge as a present for him. But, they forgot about that. Toddlers have simple mind.

"Mama be happy!"

"ye!"

Godwyn thought he could look away for a minute to get a drink. He thought wrong.

Intending to not work today and focus on his children, he decided to put up his crown and don a more comfortable robe. He was approaching the room he left the twins in for possibly no more than 1 minute until he heard the commotion of something metallic thumping and rolling against the wooden floorboards. He paused to listen quietly... and then, he heard the twins' voices along with the metallic clutter. He already knew.

Sighing, he puts his drink on the table and swiftly opens the door to stare at the twins silently. He caught them red-handed as expected, pushing his metal crown across the room towards a deathroot stalk. After locking eyes with them for several moments, he finally speaks.

"What are you both doing with my crown?"

[deathblightprince]

"If that's the case, I shall have my loyal deathknights and Vyke escort thee to Redmane Castle." Who could be more convincing than one of Godwyn the Golden's personal bodyguards and his old dragon cult friend?

"Oi... I forgot about that." He said quietly. Radahn was more involved in the shattering than just his duel with Malenia. Godwyn leaned on his palm, trying to conjure an idea where they all 3 could talk together without it ending in a bloodbath.

"I do not wish to get violent with Morgott. The old man has suffered enough already." He'll never get used to Morgott looking like an old man.

"But if thy testimony can sway Morgott's opinion, it couldst lead us in the right direction. Hmmm, perhaps if we kiss his and The Golden Order's old stubborn arses he'll listen to what we have to say." Frustration lined his voice. It spoke of how long he's been trying to contact Morgott, and how close he's gotten to a response, only to be ignored. Something tells him he's being ignored intentionally.

"I was hoping mine father couldst vouch for me, but he's doing Gods know what in the Land of Shadow..."

@deathblightprince

Radahn wasn't sure how much time has passed. He was drifting in and out of sleep, whatever the perfumers gave him for the pain must have been very strong.

But his dreams were far from peaceful. He remembered all now - and his memories tormented him. All the pain and loss of dignity, as the rot slowly drove him mad, until there was nothing left but a feral beast that attacked anything that came near.

And those dreams were the better ones.

The true dread came whenever he dreamt of Miquella. Trapped in a body that wasn't his, helpless under his god-husband's charm. He was a weapon, a trophy, a prized possession. Miquella, after abandoning his love and much of himself, was cold, serene, unfeeling. Not the kind-hearted little brother Radahn once cherished. He spoke of compassion and love, and his words rang empty. How could a god like him create a better world?

But Radahn couldn't even voice his doubts, couldn't reason with him. He could only obey, and fight whoever dared challenge Miquella.

Deep down, he knew this wasn't real. What he saw were glimpses of a future that never came to be.

None could stand before their combined might. They would be slain, or they would be charmed to forever adore their new god.

When he finally awoke from his nightmares, his wounds were almost completely healed, but he was exhausted, as if he fought endless battles.

He vowed not to sleep again. He refused the perfumers' draughts, claiming he was feeling much better.

Yet, he could feel the presence from his dreams, still lingering. Whispering to him. Lord Brother... I will always be with you.

Was he losing his mind again?

No, no... he just needed someone to talk to. That would bring him back to reality and silence Miquella's voice.

He asked the knights if Godwyn was doing better, and if he could go visit him.

[deathblightprince]

"You may touch what is in this drawer just this once." Godwyn firmly, but still warmly, spoke. In one easy swoop, he opened up the big drawer to reveal a sparkling sea of silver and gold. Shiny galore!

Godwyn didn't have much time to react to Solis before she jumped off into the abyss of silver and gold. He watched her sink inside, quickly disappearing into it, leaving only a dent of where she sunk.

Godwyn watched silently for a moment, trying to figure out what had just happened to his child.

"Solis...?" He calls for her.

"heavy..."

Luna whines to her sister as she attempts to roll the big shiny. For something small on Dada's head. It's big compared to the twins.

"Dada has big head!"

Solis declares, also trying to help roll big shiny. The twins were trying to move Godwyn's crown. The one that their mother had forge as a present for him. But, they forgot about that. Toddlers have simple mind.

"Mama be happy!"

"ye!"

Godwyn thought he could look away for a minute to get a drink. He thought wrong.

Intending to not work today and focus on his children, he decided to put up his crown and don a more comfortable robe. He was approaching the room he left the twins in for possibly no more than 1 minute until he heard the commotion of something metallic thumping and rolling against the wooden floorboards. He paused to listen quietly... and then, he heard the twins' voices along with the metallic clutter. He already knew.

Sighing, he puts his drink on the table and swiftly opens the door to stare at the twins silently. He caught them red-handed as expected, pushing his metal crown across the room towards a deathroot stalk. After locking eyes with them for several moments, he finally speaks.

"What are you both doing with my crown?"

[deathblightprince]

"My men can help escort thou to Caelid if thoust wish." He's sure the big man can make it Caelid himself and fight off the rotten wildlife, but just in case...

It gave Godwyn some hope with this new alignment. It's only been 2 years that he's been trying to get back in touch with his siblings, and rekindle a relationship with them. He's found little to no success, and it's difficult to not feel extremely discouraged by it. He's about to embark the world on a new age, and he has none of his siblings to celebrate with him... until now.

But now the topic of Morgott is in the air. His shoulders slump. "About King Morgott..." He looks towards the window where a desk is sitting. The image of writing letters floods his mind.

"For the past year, I've been attempting to contact Morgott by writing letters and having my men visit Leydendell aplenty, but he has refused to acknowledge me. I know not why he won't respond, but I have an inkling that it may be because he thinks I am a crock, an impersonator... Perhaps thou can vouch for me?"

@deathblightprince

Radahn wasn't sure how much time has passed. He was drifting in and out of sleep, whatever the perfumers gave him for the pain must have been very strong.

But his dreams were far from peaceful. He remembered all now - and his memories tormented him. All the pain and loss of dignity, as the rot slowly drove him mad, until there was nothing left but a feral beast that attacked anything that came near.

And those dreams were the better ones.

The true dread came whenever he dreamt of Miquella. Trapped in a body that wasn't his, helpless under his god-husband's charm. He was a weapon, a trophy, a prized possession. Miquella, after abandoning his love and much of himself, was cold, serene, unfeeling. Not the kind-hearted little brother Radahn once cherished. He spoke of compassion and love, and his words rang empty. How could a god like him create a better world?

But Radahn couldn't even voice his doubts, couldn't reason with him. He could only obey, and fight whoever dared challenge Miquella.

Deep down, he knew this wasn't real. What he saw were glimpses of a future that never came to be.

None could stand before their combined might. They would be slain, or they would be charmed to forever adore their new god.

When he finally awoke from his nightmares, his wounds were almost completely healed, but he was exhausted, as if he fought endless battles.

He vowed not to sleep again. He refused the perfumers' draughts, claiming he was feeling much better.

Yet, he could feel the presence from his dreams, still lingering. Whispering to him. Lord Brother... I will always be with you.

Was he losing his mind again?

No, no... he just needed someone to talk to. That would bring him back to reality and silence Miquella's voice.

He asked the knights if Godwyn was doing better, and if he could go visit him.

[deathblightprince]

"'Big shiny', hmm?" Godwyn can't help but smile at their cute display. How did these little gremlins crawl into his heart?

"Perhaps we shall work together to find thy mother another 'big shiny', hmm? Something to complement her beauty and hard work."

Godwyn lays his crown back down on his desk. Still holding the babus, he whisks them away to his bedroom. Time to dig through his deep jewelry drawer!

"heavy..."

Luna whines to her sister as she attempts to roll the big shiny. For something small on Dada's head. It's big compared to the twins.

"Dada has big head!"

Solis declares, also trying to help roll big shiny. The twins were trying to move Godwyn's crown. The one that their mother had forge as a present for him. But, they forgot about that. Toddlers have simple mind.

"Mama be happy!"

"ye!"

Godwyn thought he could look away for a minute to get a drink. He thought wrong.

Intending to not work today and focus on his children, he decided to put up his crown and don a more comfortable robe. He was approaching the room he left the twins in for possibly no more than 1 minute until he heard the commotion of something metallic thumping and rolling against the wooden floorboards. He paused to listen quietly... and then, he heard the twins' voices along with the metallic clutter. He already knew.

Sighing, he puts his drink on the table and swiftly opens the door to stare at the twins silently. He caught them red-handed as expected, pushing his metal crown across the room towards a deathroot stalk. After locking eyes with them for several moments, he finally speaks.

"What are you both doing with my crown?"

[deathblightprince]

The twins were likely not expecting Godwyn to laugh at their reason to take his crown. He was waiting for a reason to usurp him and his power, but this one took him so off guard it was hilarious!

"Little ones-" He held the babies in one hand, holding the crown in his other to keep it away from them. "This crown was given to me by thy mother. T'was a birthday gift to me. You can't give a gift thy mother a gift she gave to me." He was snickering through his words. At least he wasn't mad.

"heavy..."

Luna whines to her sister as she attempts to roll the big shiny. For something small on Dada's head. It's big compared to the twins.

"Dada has big head!"

Solis declares, also trying to help roll big shiny. The twins were trying to move Godwyn's crown. The one that their mother had forge as a present for him. But, they forgot about that. Toddlers have simple mind.

"Mama be happy!"

"ye!"

Godwyn thought he could look away for a minute to get a drink. He thought wrong.

Intending to not work today and focus on his children, he decided to put up his crown and don a more comfortable robe. He was approaching the room he left the twins in for possibly no more than 1 minute until he heard the commotion of something metallic thumping and rolling against the wooden floorboards. He paused to listen quietly... and then, he heard the twins' voices along with the metallic clutter. He already knew.

Sighing, he puts his drink on the table and swiftly opens the door to stare at the twins silently. He caught them red-handed as expected, pushing his metal crown across the room towards a deathroot stalk. After locking eyes with them for several moments, he finally speaks.

"What are you both doing with my crown?"

[deathblightprince]

It took him only 2 steps to reach them. Before they knew it, he reached down with his large hand and plucked the crown. He didn't stop, even when he felt the weight of the babies hanging onto the metallic crown.

He held up the crown, now eye-level with the twins. He gives them a knowing glare.

"Nothing, you say?" He'll let them slowly rat themselves out with excuses.

"heavy..."

Luna whines to her sister as she attempts to roll the big shiny. For something small on Dada's head. It's big compared to the twins.

"Dada has big head!"

Solis declares, also trying to help roll big shiny. The twins were trying to move Godwyn's crown. The one that their mother had forge as a present for him. But, they forgot about that. Toddlers have simple mind.

"Mama be happy!"

"ye!"

Godwyn thought he could look away for a minute to get a drink. He thought wrong.

Intending to not work today and focus on his children, he decided to put up his crown and don a more comfortable robe. He was approaching the room he left the twins in for possibly no more than 1 minute until he heard the commotion of something metallic thumping and rolling against the wooden floorboards. He paused to listen quietly... and then, he heard the twins' voices along with the metallic clutter. He already knew.

Sighing, he puts his drink on the table and swiftly opens the door to stare at the twins silently. He caught them red-handed as expected, pushing his metal crown across the room towards a deathroot stalk. After locking eyes with them for several moments, he finally speaks.

"What are you both doing with my crown?"

[deathblightprince]

Godwyn blinked, watching his brother almost in disbelief. Never in a million years did he think someone like his step-brother Radahn would agree to aid him in his plans.

And yet, there was something so sweet about it. Delicious even. He managed to get his killer's older brother to join him in his plan for duskborn. Then the thought of he and Radahn's army merging to become one unstoppable army... The thought of taking over Leyendell in one night to secure it ready for duskborn gave Godwyn a huge confidence boost.

If Leyndell's forces can use holy incantations to stave off deathblight, Radahn's army's siege on their capital should overwhelm them.

"I understand thou must feel regretful towards thine part in the shattering... I can feel a guilt similar to that myself." He looked down at the sheets briefly, his hands cupping together. He was carefully contemplating his words.

"Caelid is a rather... hostile place as of now. It amazes me how thy army has survived and fought back against its spread for so long." He thinks back on the brief glimpses of the wasteland he saw before cutting off the deathroot in Caelid from the main deathroot system. The land was rotted from the top of the mountains to deep beneath the soil. It was overrun with vermin and worshippers of the rot. The remnants of the bloom in the middle of the aeonia swamp gave him chills, and it was the straw that broke the camel's back to cut off the caelid deathroot network. He doubts that the network will die anytime soon, but his main concern was to prevent the spread of scarlet rot.

"I believe the only reason why Limgrave is still viable is because of their work to prevent the spread. From what I hear from other tarnished who traveled to Caelid, thy army is still dedicated to fighting off the rot, and protecting Redmane Castle..." He looks back up at his brother, offering him a half smile. "You must have been a fantastic leader if they still follow you in death."

@deathblightprince

Radahn wasn't sure how much time has passed. He was drifting in and out of sleep, whatever the perfumers gave him for the pain must have been very strong.

But his dreams were far from peaceful. He remembered all now - and his memories tormented him. All the pain and loss of dignity, as the rot slowly drove him mad, until there was nothing left but a feral beast that attacked anything that came near.

And those dreams were the better ones.

The true dread came whenever he dreamt of Miquella. Trapped in a body that wasn't his, helpless under his god-husband's charm. He was a weapon, a trophy, a prized possession. Miquella, after abandoning his love and much of himself, was cold, serene, unfeeling. Not the kind-hearted little brother Radahn once cherished. He spoke of compassion and love, and his words rang empty. How could a god like him create a better world?

But Radahn couldn't even voice his doubts, couldn't reason with him. He could only obey, and fight whoever dared challenge Miquella.

Deep down, he knew this wasn't real. What he saw were glimpses of a future that never came to be.

None could stand before their combined might. They would be slain, or they would be charmed to forever adore their new god.

When he finally awoke from his nightmares, his wounds were almost completely healed, but he was exhausted, as if he fought endless battles.

He vowed not to sleep again. He refused the perfumers' draughts, claiming he was feeling much better.

Yet, he could feel the presence from his dreams, still lingering. Whispering to him. Lord Brother... I will always be with you.

Was he losing his mind again?

No, no... he just needed someone to talk to. That would bring him back to reality and silence Miquella's voice.

He asked the knights if Godwyn was doing better, and if he could go visit him.

[deathblightprince]

"heavy..."

Luna whines to her sister as she attempts to roll the big shiny. For something small on Dada's head. It's big compared to the twins.

"Dada has big head!"

Solis declares, also trying to help roll big shiny. The twins were trying to move Godwyn's crown. The one that their mother had forge as a present for him. But, they forgot about that. Toddlers have simple mind.

"Mama be happy!"

"ye!"

Godwyn thought he could look away for a minute to get a drink. He thought wrong.

Intending to not work today and focus on his children, he decided to put up his crown and don a more comfortable robe. He was approaching the room he left the twins in for possibly no more than 1 minute until he heard the commotion of something metallic thumping and rolling against the wooden floorboards. He paused to listen quietly... and then, he heard the twins' voices along with the metallic clutter. He already knew.

Sighing, he puts his drink on the table and swiftly opens the door to stare at the twins silently. He caught them red-handed as expected, pushing his metal crown across the room towards a deathroot stalk. After locking eyes with them for several moments, he finally speaks.

"What are you both doing with my crown?"

[deathblightprince]

[deathblightprince]

Not dead btw. Just bad at keeping up with social media.