5 Melina

As the soldier of God fell to the ground, Max couldn't rejoice because in order to win, he had to pay a huge prize.

His left arm.

Max stared in horror at his former limp. The pain of losing a limp was unbearable, but as he was in a state of shock and denial, he could partly ignore the pain. He then picked his arm from the ground and slowly made his way through the rest of the cave. Due to him losing a lot of blood, his vision slowly became darker and darker, however he kept moving with no goal or destination. He just kept walking, while being in a state of shock. Once he arrived at the edge, Max dropped down and continued walking. Then he entered the room where he found his first site of grace, where he finally collapsed on the ground.

Suddenly, the ray of light enlarged once more toward the direction of the near dead Max. The light of grace entered his body. Max then opened his eyes once more, as he felt a warmth spread through his whole body. His heart started beating excitedly as he notices that his wounds were slowly healing. The golden light of grace surrounded him and shined brightly especially on his wounds. Max then took his left arm and put it where it originally was. Soon the healing light began to shine so brightly that it blinded Max. After a while Max then began feeling the warmth in his left arm. Sometime later he could also move his fingers. Soon his body was fully healed and the light disappeared, alongside with the site of grace like they were never there in the first place. Max felt fresh and was full of energy, like he was reborn.

Melina POV:

I couldn't believe what just happened. I have been watching the tarnished actions since he woke up. All this time I have been doubting torrents decision, now however, seeing that grace actually choose to not only show the tarnished the way, but actually healed his body, I changed my mind.

"I'm sorry torrent for not trusting your decision. Let's go, it's time to meet the tarnished, I hope he will accept my proposal."

General POV:

Max was overjoyed as he found out that if he is near a site of grace while he is injured, grace will heal his body. So, it's like in the game, however, is seems like I can heal myself only once per site of grace and not indefinitely like in the game.

Suddenly, a hooded person appeared before him. Max immediately recognized her but kept a straight face.

"Greetings. Traveller from beyond the fog. I am Melina "

She then sat down and removed her cape revealing her face and most notably the tattoo on her left eye.

"I offer you an accord."

Max couldn't help but smile once he heard this. He signaled her to continue.

"Have you heard of the Finger Maidens? They serve the two Fingers, offering guidance, and aid, to the Tarnished. But you I'm afraid, are maidenless. I can play the role of maiden. Turning runes into strength, to aid you in your search of the Elden Ring."

As Max saw that she didn't continue, he nodded and asked:

"What do you expect in return?"

"You need only take me with you. To the foot of the Erdtree."

After waiting for a few seconds, Max responded affirmatively.

"I accept your accord, my name is Max, nice to meet you, Melina."

Hearing his words, Melina happily continued.

"Then its settled. Ahh, another matter. I bequeath to you this ring. Use it to traverse great distances. It will summon a spectral steed named Torrent. Torrent has chosen you. Treat him with respect."

Max then took the spectral steed whistle, while thanking his new maiden and put it on his finger. He then held the finger on his mouth and blew. All of a sudden Torrent appeared right next to him. He then patted torrent and examined his body. Max also tried to mount him and move towards a certain direction, however this failed miserably, therefore he pushed this topic to the back of his mind. Just when he was about to ask Melina, how he could dismount Torrent, the spectral steed disappeared. Max understood that he just had to think of dismounting him, he then proceeded to ask Melina to turn his runes into strength. Therefore he gave Melina his pathetic number of runes.

"Let my hand rest upon you for but a moment."

Max knelt down on one knee and put his hand on top of Melinas while looking at her nervously.

"Share them with me, your thoughts."

He then felt that his hand started burning, Max grit his teeth and closed his eyes trying to endure the pain. The burning sensation then began to spread through his whole body. With time the pain increased. Seeing her tarnished struggling and in a lot of pain, Melina gave him some advice.

"Focus Tarnished, think of your body or your spirit, decide on one of the two. Which one do you wish to strengthen. Share your decision with me!"

Max didn't have to think long, he quickly decided that hi wants to improve his body.

"My body!" said Max.

"I see, now empty your mind and think only of your body.", instructed Melina.

After a while, the pain disappeared, and Max opened his eyes and inspected his body. He didn't feel any different, but he noticed some minor changes on his body. His muscles became more refined and if you look closely enough and with good lighting you could even see a sixpack. As Max saw the positive results, the pain was definitely worth it and came to the conclusion that needed more runes. Then he remembered that he still didn't collect the runes after killing the soldiers in the tutorial cave. He stood up and gestured Melina to follow him. Before dropping down the edge, he thought about summoning Torrent to get to the talisman, but in the end, he decided against it, as he didn't know how to ride. Soon they arrived at the place where the battle ensued. Max looted the corpses, giving him around 550 runes. He got 400 from Rick and the rest from the other two. Furthermore, he took the spear and tried lifting the shield, but it was way too heavy for him. Sadly, I don't have the stats for it, thought Max. Next, he removed the least bloodied armor from his enemies and put it on, feeling immediately safer.

As he had more runes now, his first impulse was to ask Melina to increase strength, but the thought of something important, he previously overlooked.

"Melina, may I ask you a question? Is there perhaps a gathering place for tarnished guided by grace, like myself? I believe the place is called the Roundtable Hold. Could you take me to it?"

As Melina heard his question, she frowned and initially wanted to refuse. Max already expected her to refuse, so before she could even respond, he continued.

"Isn't it your duty as a maiden to offer guidance to me the tarnished, so please I hereby seek your guidance. Please guide me to the Roundtable Hold. "

Seeing that she still wasn't convinced, Max continued. Melina, however stopped listening, as she asked herself how this tarnished knew about the Roundtable Hold. He just recently arrived and only interacted with the merchant, so how does he know? She firstly intended to further test the tarnished, but it appears that this isn't an option anymore. Melina then looked at the tarnished with her one eye and thought, that from her point of view he isn't fit for the challenge, but remembering the miracle she observed before, its undeniable that his connection to grace is stronger compared to any tarnished and Torrent also chose him. Thinking for a while longer, she then decided to compromise.

"Very well tarnished, I can indeed take you to the Roundtable Hold, however only as a visitor, therefore I cannot guarantee your stay there."

Max nodded implying that he understood and happily accepted.

"Very well. Then let my hand rest upon you, once more, for but a moment."

As he took her hand, his vision suddenly turned dark. Max continued to be in this state for some seconds. Then, he opened his eyes, and all of a sudden he was in a different environment.