Bai Shi gradually woke up, an itch tickling his face for some reason.
As he opened his groggy eyes, he saw a fair face so close it was almost touching his own.
Bai Shi was startled, then suddenly realized it was Irena’s face.
Her head was bobbing up and down like a chick pecking at rice, and a trail of crystal-clear drool hung unceremoniously from the corner of her soft, pink lips.
A few strands of her fine hair had fallen onto Bai Shi’s face, and as her head brushed against him, they were what had caused the tickling sensation.
‘Is she asleep?’
Seeing Irena’s adorable sleeping posture, Bai Shi couldn’t help but look a little longer.
Usually, although the girl would occasionally make small gestures that revealed a liveliness and playfulness befitting her age, Bai Shi knew that the rebellion at Castle Morne had left a deep trauma in her heart. Those moments of cuteness and cheerfulness could only rarely break through the dark clouds over her heart to reveal themselves.
That was why this current, unguarded state was the most captivating, and also the most heart-wrenching.
If it weren’t for the rebellion at Castle Morne, she probably could have lived a carefree life.Bai Shi gazed intently at Irena’s face, so close to his, and committed this defenseless sleeping visage firmly to memory.
You’ll die a miserable death in the game, but not anymore.
Bai Shi lifted his head from Irena’s lap, then rolled away, successfully freeing himself without waking her.
He stood up and patted the dirt and grass from his backside, then suddenly realized something wasn’t quite right.
It was still the dead of night.
The nomadic merchant and his skinny donkey also had their heads bowed, fast asleep.
When he’d met the nomadic merchant the previous evening, the man had already set up his small tent. If he were tired, he wouldn’t just sleep out in the open like this.
Bai Shi drew his greatsword and surveyed his surroundings, only then noticing a thin, pale blue mist blanketing the ground.
It was so faint that one wouldn’t notice it without looking closely.
"O Tarnished, come hither."
"May we speak for a moment?"
A voice as cool and clear as moonlight reached him, and Bai Shi already knew the identity of the newcomer—the ‘Lunar Princess’ Ranni.
What Bai Shi hadn't expected, however, was for Ranni to appear here.
Sheathing his sword, Bai Shi looked in the direction of the voice.
A figure seated on the edge of a large fragment of a ruin came into view.
She wore a massive, snow-white pointed hat adorned with a circle of silver thread, a lavish shawl made from the fur of some unknown creature, and a long, equally snow-white robe and dress that were extremely simple.
Her skin was blue, and she had two pairs of hands resting on her lap.
One physical, one spectral; two faces appeared together beneath the wide brim of her hat.
Yes, it was definitely Ranni.
Bai Shi walked to the front of the ruined fragment. Since Ranni was sitting atop the ruin, she was a good deal taller than him, so he could only look up at her.
"We have not, it seems, been introduced. I am the witch Renna."
"I'd heard tell of a Tarnished riding a spirit steed named Torrent, trying to cross the Bridge of Sacrifice, and I have been searching ever since."
"I take it that is you?"
Bai Shi admitted it freely.
"That's right. I can summon Torrent, and we are traveling together."
Seeing Bai Shi’s admission, Ranni nodded. Her two right hands each retrieved an object from beneath her shawl.
"I have something to give you. It was entrusted to me by Torrent's former master."
An image suddenly surfaced in Bai Shi’s mind: the Grafted Scion stabbing at him with its two right hands simultaneously. The scene was strangely similar to this one.
Ranni took out the items and, noticing Bai Shi’s odd expression, had a feeling he was thinking something impolite—as if he were associating her with some lowly, hideous creature. Ignoring the strange thought that popped into her head, Ranni held up a small, silver bell in one hand. It was the Spirit Calling Bell that Bai Shi had been longing for.
In her other hand, she held a small box, which ought to contain the Lone Wolf Ashes.
Ranni handed the Spirit Calling Bell to Bai Shi first, then explained its function.
"This is a Spirit Calling Bell. It can summon spirits from ashes that have not returned to the Erdtree."
"Those spirits will temporarily recognize you as their master, reappearing as they were in life to fight for you."
"However, there are some spirits that are not so easily summoned."
Ranni stared at Bai Shi's small pouch, and Bai Shi knew she was referring to the Stormhawk Ancient King.
Ranni handed over the small box in her other hand.
"These are the ashes of three lone wolves. I hope you will treat them as well as you do Torrent."
Without waiting for Bai Shi’s reaction, Ranni’s figure began to dissipate like snowflakes as soon as she handed over the items.
"Forgive the intrusion, Tarnished. I doubt we shall meet again. Do savor your time in the Lands Between."
Just before she vanished completely, Ranni glanced, seemingly intentionally, at the nearby Site of Grace, as if something there held her interest.
Ranni came and went so quickly that Bai Shi had little chance to speak. It seemed any further contact would have to wait.
Bai Shi no longer felt like sleeping. He took the items and sat down before the Site of Grace.
Shaking the bell, he produced a crisp ringing sound, and instantly felt a special connection being established with the ashes he carried.
He could faintly sense their consciousness. As long as he supplied them with magic, he could summon them forth.
This was true for both Stormhawk Deenh and the three lone wolves, but the Stormhawk Ancient King remained aloof and unresponsive.
Bai Shi focused his mind, attempting to connect with the Ancient King.
But he ultimately failed. The Ancient King’s will was transmitted from its ashes.
The general meaning was: 'Kid, even though I've acknowledged you, you're not yet worthy of summoning me. Now hurry up and equip the Storm Stomp Ash of War.'
Bai Shi scratched his head. It seemed he wouldn’t be able to summon the Ancient King for now.
He took out the Whetstone Knife and examined it for a long time, unsure how to use it.
"Melina? Are you there?"
Melina’s figure appeared beside him, speaking of her own accord.
"Bai Shi, that person just now… her soul. I feel like I have some connection to her… but I cannot remember what it is."
Bai Shi hadn't expected Melina to say something like that, but he didn't know what connection she and Ranni might have either.
While Bai Shi was still trying to figure out how to respond, Melina shook her head herself.
"No, perhaps it is merely a feeling. Are you wanting to affix an Ash of War to your weapon? I can be of service."
"You even know how to do that?"
Bai Shi was surprised by how versatile Melina was.
If she had this much interaction in the game, he couldn't even imagine how popular she would be.
Melina took the Whetstone Knife, Ash of War, and halberd that Bai Shi handed her and began to work on them.
"It is nothing. I just happen to have such knowledge within my memory."
"Just as you yourself are gradually mastering the arts of combat. It is simply a matter of nature."