A small collective of redmane knights look down from their appropriately named castle on the distant forms of General Radahn and Malenia. The vast beach was the battleground for numerous conflicts, but now it hosted what was undoubtedly the greatest battle Caelid would ever know.

Those shifting sands were precious to every member of the Redmanes, from the lowest to the absolute highest members of their ranks. And pure fury was focused on the valkyrie who dared to trespass on treasured grounds. For some…it was literally their birthplace, mothers having brought in the next generation of Redmanes with Radahn presiding over the birthing process.

Loud booms sound off from the direction of the battle, a trademark of one of the general’s powerful attacks.

“Dammit, Radahn!” An elderly masked man roars out, sitting at the helm of the collection of knights as his gray beard dances in the wind. “We were ready to fight alongside you to the end, but you just had to hog all the fun for yourself, eh, old chum?”

“Sir Jerren.” A female redmane knight called from the rear. “Herald of Radahn, you spoke of possessing something that could help our lord?”

Jerren chuckles as he looks back to the female, who rests a closed hand over her heart in presentation. She was of the higher ranks, evident by the red plume dangling from the top of her helmet. But her red and purple surcoat depicts a red-maned lion raising a sword in the image of Radahn, a trait that all ranks shared equally on their apparel.

“It’s…complicated.” Jerren knew that was a terrible answer, but it was the best he could do…for now. “I’m sorry, Tabi - all of you. But this is something that only I can know about for the time being. Although…” he sighed. “I pray that I won’t have to use it.”

The redmanes share a look with one another, murmuring their thoughts on the subject.

“Forgive me if I’m speaking out of turn, sir,” Tabi began. “But we are Redmanes. We have sworn our allegiance to General Radahn, and we should be down there fighting alongside him.”

“Yeah!”

“Damn right!”

“We didn’t come back here just to watch.”

“Let’s get the lift back up here. Pull the lever!”

“Belay that order!” Jerren barks before rolling back from his sitting position, lifting himself in a hand-stand, and pushing his form up into the air while spinning in an acrobatic fashion. He lands masterfully on a nearby wall, catches a particular satchel that fell off of him, drapes it over his shoulder, turns around, and looks over the sea of redmanes from his elevation.

“Listen up, all of you.” The knights step in unison as they adjust their stance and come to attention. “I understand how you all feel. Believe me; it’s taking all my willpower not to jump off this castle for a quick dip in the sea before swimming over to that beach.”

“Then why, Sir Jerren?!” Tabi asked. “Why aren’t we-”

“Tabitha Ohga Greatbow,” Jerren interjects, causing Tabitha to gasp. “The blood of Ohga, the first redmane to ever serve our lord, courses through your veins. He and Radahn set the foundation for what the Redmanes would eventually become.”

“And I’m proud of it, sir.” Tabitha takes off her helmet and cradles it in the crook of her arm as beautiful black hair falls onto the shoulders of their stunning owner, who looks up to Jerren with emerald eyes. “But what does that have to do with-”

“Out of everyone here, myself included, you should know better than anyone of the Redmane Code. So I ask you: who possesses even more authority than General Radahn?”

Various sounds of realization escape from the redmanes, and Tabitha’s eyes widen as she is momentarily at a loss for words.

“Her majesty… Queen Rennala…”

Jerren nods. “I have been sworn to secrecy by the Queen of the Full Moon.” He turns around and leans against the castle wall, gazing at the distant clash of demigods.

“I need you all to trust me on this one, chums.”

The redmanes take comfort from the revelation as sighs of relief can be heard. However, they were still curious about what exactly Jerren had in his possession that was so secretive yet could assist their lord.

“Of course, sir.” Tabitha bows respectfully before placing her helmet back on.

As for Jerren, he became lost in thoughts and recalled his past conversation with Queen Rennala… And it prompts him to slowly reach down toward the large satchel resting against his waist.

---

---

The Herald of Radahn takes a breath as he stands in front of a duo of large closed doors within the Acadamy of Raya Lucaria. Normally, one would visit the academy to hone their skills and gain an understanding of Glintstone Sorceries, powers that were birthed from the ambers that fell from the stars.

But Jerren was here for a completely different reason. He places a hand on either door and pushes them inward with a grunt, unveiling an enormous room filled with darkness, save for an orange and golden light that dwelled within.

“Jerren…” a feminine voice, filled with sorrow, echoes out from within the blackness. “I thank thee for coming… Here…allow me…”

A series of candles and chandeliers suddenly flares to life by an invisible force, allowing Jerren to gaze upon an enormous library with an unfathomable amount of knowledge just waiting to be deciphered.

And there, within the library’s epicenter, was a mournful and depressive presence that garners sympathy within Jerren’s heart.

“How it pains me to see you like this…milady…” he mutters somberly.

The masked elder proceeds down the elongated carpet, which offers a direct path to Queen Rennala. His steps echo throughout the library, but even as he approaches, the Carian Royal’s eyes remain downcast as she cradles a piece of amber in the shape of an egg.

Jerren finally reaches the end and stands before Queen Rennala. Goodness, he had forgotten how large and incredibly attractive she was... He then takes a knee and pays her the respect she rightfully deserves.

“I, Jerren, old warrior and Herald of Radahn, have answered the call of the Carian Royal family. What would you ask of me, Queen Rennala?”

Rennala slowly raises her head, fixing her blue eyes, which had long since lost any semblance of the fearsome sorceress she once was, on Jerren

“The moon…the stars…they have given me…visions.”

“Visions?” Jerren rose to his full stature. “Of what, your majesty?”

“As thou know…the fate of the Carion Royal family is tied to the stars. Oh, my sweet Radahn…”

“Radahn?!” Jerren cries out in concerned realization. “What’s going to happen to him?”

“Jerren…I failed my little Ranni…and I have not seen nor heard of my Rykard since the Shattering.” Rennala’s lower lip quivers, “It's possible that Radahn is my last remaining child…”

“Nothing shall happen to him so long as I draw breath!” Jerren declares, slamming a fist over his heart. “And the Redmanes would fight at Radahn’s side to the end.”

“They won’t be enough…”

Rennala’s words caused an utter shock to explode within Radahn’s Herald. “N-no… That can’t be…”

“The signs are clear… The Shattering… The war between the demigods… And now, Malenia, Blade of Miquella, marches toward Caelid with her forces as we speak. It is exactly as the stars hath foretold.”

A dead silence takes hold as Jerren begins to plot and strategize. Malenia’s forces were coming, and he needed to get everyone at Castle Redmane ready. He needed to warn Radahn!

“But I hath been preparing…”

Jerren jolts to attention.

“The Amber Egg…” Rennala closes her eyes and hums comfortably at the egg like a newborn babe. “Within it lies a Great Rune…capable of…rebirth.”

“R-rebirth…?” Jerren was stunned by the revelation. “H-how did you…?”

“It was a…parting gift…” Rennala hesitates. “From…Radagon…” She opens her tearful gaze as a sense of urgency dwells beneath her sorrow. “Hear me, Jerren: I hath summoned thee here through subterfuge to bestow upon thee my Amber Egg.”

Jerren was about to speak, but a raised hand from Rennala ceased his actions. “We must be swift. Jerren, take mine egg and keep it hidden until the appropriate time presents itself. None but thou may look upon it. I pray that its use will not be needed, but I can not take any chances… I’ve already made that mistake with Ranni…”

Adhering to her request, Jerren steps forth and extends his arms, “Can it even work within my grasp?”

“I hath ensured that it will.” Rennala bequeaths the Amber Egg to Jerren. It chills his hands at first before it seems to warm up at his touch.

“I… I am honored, my lady. But…” Jerren was unsure of himself. “Why me…? Why entrust me with such a tremendous task?”

“Thou hath proven thineself with thine actions. I hath been watching, mine faithful, and Iji speaks highly of thee, as does mine son, Radahn.” Rennala allows the gravity of the situation to be absorbed by Jerren as she remains silent.

“Thou art the only one, at this time, that I can trust.”

Jerren stares at the Carian royal for a time. He then looks down at the Amber Egg within his grasp, “To think that I’ve earned such renown…” Were it not for his mask, Rennala might’ve seen the vibrant smile that grew on his face.

“Then it looks like I’d better not let you all down!” Jerren shouts proudly as he shoots up his head. “Ahahaha!”

His laughter echoes throughout the library as the edges of Rennala’s lips curl upward. “I thank thee, Jerren…with all my heart…”

Jerren performs a salute gesture. “It’s no problem at all, Queen Rennala. This old geezer’s still got a lot of fight left in him, and I think I’m well prepared for another bout of war.”

Rennala hummed in content. “Very good. Now, allow me to explain the nature of the prowess I hath unlocked under the guidance of the Full Moon. This is a one-time use, and I hath been funneling strength into this project of mine ever since my little Ranni took her own life.” She sighs, "Although I suppose that's not entirely accurate, given Ranni's current...form."

The masked herald awaited with growing anticipation.

“This Great Rune possesses a secret: with enough power, it can enable one to ride the primeval current. Yes, like any current…it, too, can be sailed. This world is cruel, and I will see that one of my offspring is free of its choking coils…”

---

---

Another booming phenomenon roars out from the battle as Jerren runs a hand along the satchel, the Amber Egg held safely within. Due to his moment of recollection, he only now comprehends the nearby Redmanes cheering and praising Radahn’s name.

He, too, could only hope for Radahn’s victory. He wanted to warn Radahn of what was currently transpiring, but before he departed from Raya Lucaria, Rennala had expressed the importance of not allowing her son to know of this plan.

There were many variables, some of which Jerren couldn’t argue against when considering Radahn’s nature. The general even bested the stars in a crushing defeat, halting them in place, but, in doing so…he also affected the fates of the entire Carion Royal family.

No. Jerren was certain that if he had told Radahn of Rennala’s plans, the red-haired demigod would’ve undoubtedly intervened. After all…Radahn had a habit of fighting fate.

There was something else that had always piqued Jerren’s interest, but when he confronted Radahn about it, the general simply dismissed it, ‘I’ve taken care of it, old friend. No need to trouble yourself,’ he’d always say. There were even times when the titan would outright ignore the inquiries altogether. And yet, despite this, the masked elder could see something deep within the demigod’s eyes.

Fear.

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