11 Blaidd

Max woke up with an unusual calm state of mind. This was the first time ever since he transmigrated to the Lands Between. The first thing he did, was to inspect his body. He took a look at his scars. Every morning the scar on his left arm reminds him on how ruthless this world was. His arm may have healed but the big scar remained and it reminds him of the pain he felt back then.

Then he sensed his spirit. A satisfied smile could be seen on his face, because Max felt that his mana flow was way faster than before and furthermore his mana capacity also grew a lot larger. Then, he stood up and tried to perform the quickstep to the side and just like he expected, he managed to do it very smoothly. Besides, Max noticed that he also consumed way less mana than before. Could it be that, since my mana flows faster now, that it also reduces the expenditure?, thought Max. Thats why he immediately started performing some test to confirm his theory.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the case. It appeared that this was just an illusion and wishful thinking from Max. However, the mana consumed when he casts spells might have stayed the same, but since he can channel mana faster now, it takes a little bit less time to cast. In addition, when he infused a body part with mana, it does indeed deplete less, because now he has better control over it. In other words, before when he wanted to temporarily strengthen a body part, some parts of his channeled mana would strengthen something else along the way. Consequently, he would stiffen a little bit, that was also the reason why he lost balance when performing the quickstep. Now this action is much smoother.

Max then met with Melina, and they returned to the church. Initially he wanted to get the Green Turtle Talisman, since its nearby, however he doesn't have a stonesword key in his possession at the moment, therefore it will have to wait. For now, his current goal, would be to start Blaidds questline. In order to get to him safely and Max needed to avoid the runebears in the forest. Therefore, he decided to travel on the edge of the forest. Additionally, he wanted to visit the underground area since the elevator is on the way. Soon he arrived at the Siofra River Well. There he dismounted Torrent and rode the elevator down.

As he was going down, his mouth was left agape on how beautiful the view was. Simply astonishing. Once he was down, Max started looting the surrounding area. He got one Golden Rune [3], one Ghost Glovewort [1] and one Golden Rune [2]. Not much but better than nothing, thought Max while he took the elevator back up. Then, he still stayed away from the main path as he rode Torrent to the Erdtree to collect another two tears. The Greenspill Crystal Tear, which temporarily boosts stamina and the Spiked Cracked Tear which enhances charged attacks for some time. Afterwards, he continued riding southwest towards the ruins. When he got closer, he could start hearing the howl of a wolf. He could also see Blaidd on top of the ruins. Max then carefully walked towards the ruins and when he close, he made the signal.

Silence ensued and then, after a moment huge humanlike wolf jumped down.

"Who goes there?"

"Hello there, my name is Max. Kalé sent me."

"Kalé sent you, did he?"

"Yes. May I know your name?" Max tried to break the ice.

" Ever the bloody busybody. Hmm. Maybe to him, you don't seem so strange. The name's Blaidd. I'm looking for a man who goes by "Darriwil." He fled somewhere nearby. Or so I've heard. Come tell me if you find him before I do. I can offer you ample reward. Darriwil is nothing but a traitor. And in need of a fitting end to his tale."

"Well, that's why I'm here.",

answered Max and added:

"I heard that currently he is imprisoned in an Evergaol. Specifically, the Forlorn Hound Evergaol"

"Is that so? If the information is correct, I have to thank you and of course I will reward you. However, I need to confirm it first."

Max panicked a little bit as he realized that if Blaidd defeats Darriwil alone, he will miss out on the Bloodhounds Fang.

"I see. But may I propose something? Why don't we fight Darriwil there together? This way you can confirm the information I gave you and on top I will help you deal with him. As for why I want to fight, well I really hate traitors of all kinds."

Blaidd looked at the tarnished strangely. He didn't expect the tarnished proposal to be like this. He thought that Max was going to try to convince him to reward him in advance, however he didn't even expect that he proposed to fight with him. Blaidd remained skeptical and was sure that the tarnished in front of him had an ulterior motive, but he didn't know which one.

There is only one way to find out thought Blaidd, furthermore he didn't really worry as what harm can be done... to a shadow.

"Very well. Let's get there together, shall we?"

So, they made their way to the evergaol, while travelling they met multiple enemies who just ignored them as Blaidds presence was just something else. And those foolish soldiers who did target us, were mercilessly cut down by Blaidd. Unfortunately, Max didn't have the chance to collect their runes. After a while, they finnaly arrived.

"We are here. So, I hope your information is true. Now come here and stand in this circle, then I will open the evergaol"

Max did as he was told. Then Blaidd did something with his hand on the ground, however Max couldn't clearly see it. Suddenly the environment changed, and they entered the evergaol.

"Darriwil… Rotting in a cell is no true justice. No, this is where it ends for you. Let's go little Tarnished."

"Damn you Blaidd" shouted Darriwil and moved towards them.

Max was ready for battle, the Finger Seal in his left hand glowed and the Dismounter Greatsword was in his right. The fight began, Darriwil opened the battle with his signature teleport attack towards Blaidd, who ate the damage and counterattacked. He successfully hit him. Meanwhile Max charged Flame Sling and threw it at Darriwil. The fireball also hit him. Darriwil groaned quietly and retreated. This time his focus shifted on Max. He repeated the same attack sequence again, this time teleporting to Max and he swung his sword. As Max saw the incoming attack he quickstepped back and casted the Catch Flame incantation. Then he quickstepped again to dodge the follow up attack from Darriwil and retreated even further in order to build some distance from between then.

In the meantime, Blaidd closed the distance and attacked. Unfortunately, he missed as Darriwil teleported in the direction Max retreaded. In response the tarnished and had to quickstep 3 more times in order to evade the incoming 3 hit combo. In doing so Max cleverly dodged into the direction where Blaidd was. After the attack series's from Darriwil, Max quickly casted a Catch Flame. This time the fire enveloped Darriwil almost completely. This stunned him for 2 second as he groaned in pain. Blaidd used this opportunity to deal a strong hit with his greatsword. Max also swung his sword and hit Darriwil arm. He then retreaded in pain. The situation was very grim for the poor Bloodhound Knight, Blaidd was still in top form and Max still had a lot of mana left. If I want to have any hopes of surviving, I need to get rid of the tarnished. He doesn't seem as sturdy as Blaidd, so I think one clean hit should be enough, though the Bloodhound Knight.

Therefore, Darriwil teleported once more. This time however, he didn't attack after he appeared before Max, but instead watched in which direction Max quickstepped and then teleported behind Max, completely catching him off guard.

Max panicked and quickly infused more mana then usual into his legs, trying to evade the incoming attack. He managed to avoid the blade, but in return lost his balance and fell. Luckily for him, Blaidd was there to intercept the incoming attack. He hit Darriwil with his sword on the head as the Bloodhound Knight tried to finish of Max. The hit to the head completely immobilized Darriwil, allowing Blaidd to kill him with a follow up attack. His head was sent flying and his blood splattered onto Max and Blaidd.

Max then got up and then took the Bloodhounds Fang from the corpse. Furthermore, he found 1,900 runes on him. Initially he wanted to take all of it, but then remembered that Blaidd was also here, so he gave him 950 runes. Unexpectedly Blaidd told him, that he could keep it, as he doesnt have any need for it. Then they left the evergaol.

Once outside, Blaidd spoke once more.

"<sigh> ...Right. There you are. Had to work for it, but it's done. Don't say I'm not a man of my word. Here's your prize for giving me the information."

He then proceeded to hand him a somber stone.

"Thank you!"

"Oh yes, I should say - If you venture north to Raya Lucaria, and come across a venerable blacksmith who's a little on the large side… Tell him I sent you. And he'll be sure to treat you right. I owe you one, I reckon."

"Thank you once more. To me it seems like I owe you one too..."

Max tried to continue the conversation but was instead cut short by Blaidd.

"That's enough chit-chat for now. It's time we parted ways"

So, Max had no other choice but say goodbye. He mounted Torrent and had his next goal already in mind. To get a stonesword key in order to access the Green Turtle Talisman.

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