Elden Ring: Tarnished Flame Vyke

"What... is this?" he muttered, his voice barely audible as his eyes fluttered open. Above him stretched an endless expanse of sky, dominated by an enormous, pale moon hanging low, casting an eerie silver glow over the land.

In the distance, a colossal golden tree rose into the heavens, its radiant branches shimmering like a beacon. The Erdtree. His breath hitched. The sight was both awe-inspiring and otherworldly.

Golden particles drifted lazily through the air, their movement like a slow, celestial dance. The damp grass beneath him pressed cold against his back, carrying the faint scent of earth and an inexplicable metallic tang.

Then he saw it—a translucent screen floating before him, faintly pulsing with a soft light.

[Status Screen]

Name: Vyke

Age: ??

Health: 100%

Location: Lands Between

Abilities:

- Return By Death

His hand instinctively reached out, passing through the screen like a ghost touching air. His gaze lingered on the text, each word confirming his creeping suspicion.

Lands Between...

A chill ran down his spine as his eyes darted back to the massive tree in the distance. This... this can't be real.

But the glowing particles in the air, the mythic weight of everything, told a different story. There was no denying it now—he was in the world of Elden Ring.

His hands trembled as he flexed his fingers, feeling the strength coursing through them. Slowly, he rose to his feet, marveling at the firm, muscular frame he now inhabited. It was more than surreal—it felt alive, tangible.

Turning, he caught sight of a crumbling structure nearby. A sense of familiarity stirred within him, urging him to move closer.

[Location: Church of Dragon Communion]

The words flashed before him as he stepped inside. The atmosphere shifted—dark and oppressive, lit only by the flicker of a crimson flame burning on an ancient altar.

The air hung heavy with the scent of decay. Overgrown vines crept along the walls, while a massive, stone-carved dragon lay sprawled at the altar's center, its mouth frozen mid-roar.

"Church of Dragon... Limgrave's island church," he murmured, his voice wavering. His gaze swept over the offerings on the altar—long reduced to dust—and then to the dark flame that burned unnervingly bright.

The eerie stillness sent a shiver down his spine. "This place feels... cursed," he whispered, taking a cautious step back.

Another screen materialized before him:

[Mission: Defeat Margit, The Fell Omen Before Tarnished]

Reward: TreeSpear, 25,000 Runes

His heart sank. "Margit? Are you serious? That's like asking to be killed on the spot."

[Penalty: Excruciating Pain]

"...Right. Guess I don't have much of a choice," he muttered, dread pooling in his stomach. "What abilities do I even have?"

[Return By Death: Upon death, you will return to a designated waypoint at a set point in time.]

"...So, it's like a respawn system," he mused, the hint of a smirk forming. "Unlimited tries, huh? Not bad."

Still, his confidence wavered as he glanced at his ragged outfit and bare arms. Fighting Margit without armor or weapons was suicide.

"I need gear—anything to help me survive," he muttered, searching the church. The space was barren. Not even a scrap of cloth remained.

His eyes drifted to the ocean visible beyond the church's edge. The cave leading to Limgrave was the only way out.

The realization hit him like a cold slap. He didn't have a weapon, seal, staff, or even basic knowledge of magic. Traversing a cave teeming with monsters? It felt like an impossible task.

"Great. Just great," he muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This day keeps getting better."

But standing still wasn't an option. Taking a steadying breath, he stepped toward the cave. As he entered the dark, damp tunnel, a stray thought broke through the mounting tension.