Godmund the Golden Guardian Ch.5

— Godmund (A Few Weeks Later) —

“Tis thy limit, Lord Godmund.” The red-haired man in front of me declared with a serious frown. 

“Not yet; this battle shall end when I fall!” I roared and rushed forward with my giant greatsword in hand. The man easily blocked my attack with the metal of his blade and maneuvered it around, parrying my attack with graceful ease. He gave a kick to my exposed side and looked down at me with a proud smile. 

“At ease, Young Lord. Thy might is of no question. Alas, this battle ends hither.” The man declared before he reached down and offered me a hand. I looked at it for a moment, then looked over to the sidelines wh ere my brother was sitting in a throne. In his eyes, I saw amusement and pride, which made me frown at him before I took the red-haired man’s hand. 

There was a round of cheers and applause for both me and the chosen knight to face me, but I drowned them out. I had lost, so laughably easy. I realized from the very beginning of this spar just how much Father and Uncle held back when it came to our own spars. 

This knight, Radagon, had utterly overwhelmed me, and he had also been holding back. Even if he seemed to be one of the strongest knights in the castle fortress, I still considered losing to anyone outside of our family as a great disgrace. I am a Demi-God, son of the Elden Lord, Godfrey, and Queen Marika the Eternal for Mother’s sake! 

“Let not this defeat wear heavy in thy heart, Young Godmund.” Godwyn smiled warmly as he approached me. “Thou’rt powerful, and Radagon has seen war. Indeed, thou’rt of passing skill.” 

“Agreed, My Lords.” Radagon smiled and dropped to a knee. 

I frowned because their words weren’t enough. I was weak, and this defeat just meant I needed to work harder. 

Not for Godwyn’s sake, or Mother’s or Father’s, but for mine own. 

I wanted to be strong because I wanted to be know, loved, and feared, just like Godwyn, just like Godfrey and Maliketh. 

I just needed to work harder.

“Arise, Radagon,” my older brother ordered. The man's powerful form rose, and again, my frown grew. 

Radagon wasn’t even as tall as my brother; in fact, he was about a good foot shorter, around the same height as Mother, a bit above nine feet tall. 

Hell, even I was only a few feet shorter than him now! Thanks to the blood that courses through our veins, at the young age of twelve, I stand quite a bit over six feet tall, closing in on seven.

I knew I was just pouting over my defeat, but I couldn’t help it. 

Losing sucked. 

I flinched at the sudden feeling of a large hand on my head and looked up to see Godwyn smiling down at me. 

“In time, brother.” 

He didn’t need to expand, I knew what he meant. I nodded and he moved toward the men that had been watching and held out his arms in front of them. 

I moved beside him, as he commanded. I did so that his soldiers would know that I was not here as a knight of his—but an equal. 

Radagon moved over to the lot but not before sending me an encouraging nod, which I returned as I pushed down my frustration. 

When everyone seemed ready, Godwyn spoke. 

“We have known rest for far too long. I know deep within mine bones Queen Marika will call upon the might of Stormveil. Leave behind thy petty fears and leech off mine strength and make it thy own so that when our Goddess calls upon her servants, we will fight with no needless fear of death!” He finished with his fist thrust into the air, and a chorus of cheers flooded the castle.

Godwyn gave me a side-eye, a silent request, and I stepped forward and pumped my lean arm up to the light of the Erdtree.

“Praise Queen Marika!” I roared.

““Praise the Eternal Goddess”” Everyone else shouted back, and cheers continued to permeate through the castle walls. 

Today, we would celebrate, for it was only a matter of time before Mother called for our might in a battle. 

What battle that may be, and when? We had no idea. Father was currently laying siege on the Fire Giants up north, and his army was strong. There was a chance Mother could send us with them to aid their crusade against the vile giants, but there was an equal chance that she would send us toward some of the smaller pests that opposed Mother’s rule. 

As long as we weren’t sent toward the Academy, I was content with just helping out. 

After all, I had something worth fighting for. 

— A Few Days Later —

I sat down atop the large wall that protected the castle from any brave or stupid entities that decided to attack this place; all the while, I watched as my older brother utterly manhandled his guards. They were charging him with their blades, and my brother, who is grossly overpowered, decided his palms would suffice. 

I let out a sigh as a guard was launched over the wall I was sitting on.

He’d be fine…I think. 

Days had passed, and we still hadn’t heard word of where we would be going to wage war on behalf of Mother. Nonetheless, we kept our blades sharp and our senses sharper. 

My blood was screaming for a chance to move and experience real action, and it took a great deal of willpower to keep myself from jumping down there and challenging Godwyn. 

I needed someone to punch right about now, and thankfully, Godwyn and Radagon were the only ones here who could quell this battle lust that burned deep within my mind and soul. 

I truly am my Father’s son. 

“May I?” 

I looked to my left to see Radagon standing there with a smile. I nodded and he sat down beside me. 

We both sat in silence for a while as we watched Godwyn easily throw around his men like they were frisbees. 

“Quite the Lord he is,” Radagon spoke up and gave me a knowing smile. 

“That he is. I’m proud to be his brother.” I couldn’t help but let a chuckle escape me as one of the men was launched across the courtyard. 

“Thou’rt rather amazing as well, Young Lord.”

I raised a brow at him. “How so?” 

“Tenacity sparks brightly within thy hearty soul. A burning resolve for strength and power, it is truly an honor to watch thy growth.”

Another silence descended upon us as I let his words soak in my mind. As Godwyn finally called an end to the one sided battle below, I decided to open my heart if only a bit to the man beside me. 

“Thank you, Radagon.” 

He looked at me with slightly widened eyes but nodded nonetheless. 

“It was an honor, Young Godmund.” 

— The Next Day —

I held down a grin as I began putting on my golden and red armor, which my mother gave to me for the sake of fighting in her name. 

My chestplate radiated a faint glow of golden light, as did the armor/kilt that covered my thighs. Behind me flowed a magnificently silky, yet durable, red cape that flapped in the wind.

Today was the day. Mother had called upon the might of her children to deal with one of her many problems, and for the first time in my life, I was going to taste battle! The sheer thought of such was enough for my body to shiver in excitement! 

Satisfied with my war attire, I made my way out of my quarters and down to the courtyard.

Upon arriving, I spotted my older brother standing at the front of his army in a similar attire to mine, except his armor was strictly gold and sported a golden cape rather than a red one like mine. He had his arms crossed over his chest as he spoke to some knights within his army, meanwhile the other knights were chating with one another, but it was clear that the mood was no where near as lively as it usually was. 

Everyone seemed on edge, and understandably so. War is rather synonymous with death, after all. 

As I grew closer, Godwyn noticed my approach and a small smile pulled at his lips.

“Young Godmund, thou’rt prepared it seemeth.” 

“I am.” I returned his smile as I stopped beside him and looked out at the army gathered under him. 

“Good, war is nothing pretty, but thou art strong. I have nothing but good faith that we will succeed, simply remember to stay by mine right hand.” 

“As you wish, Brave Godwyn.” 

His words comforted me a large part of me, yet belittled a much smaller part. He was giving my strength proper respect while also wanting to keep a watchful eye over me.

I didn’t hold it against him, he’s my older brother after all. 

My gaze roamed across the courtyard, passing by the prepared soldier ready for battle, scanning along the castle walls and over to the gates.

Someone was missing, someone very important to our upcoming battle.

“Brother?” 

Godwyn looked at me with a raised brow.

“What bothers you, Young Godmund?” He asked with some concern.

“Where is Uncle?” I questioned as I continued looking around. When I had met Godwyn for the first time, Mother had agreed that Maliketh would join Godwyn on each of his battles. The Shadow of the Eternal Goddess had been fighting alongside Godwyn ever since, so why wasn’t he here now?” 

“Ah, is that all?” Godwyn chuckled and looked at his army. “Uncle and Destined Death will no be accompanying us going forward.” 

I turned to the long blonde haired man with widened eyes of surprise.

“Wait, what?!”

Another chuckle escaped Godwyn as his golden orbs, dancing with playfulness, looked my way.

“Mother sent Maliketh to aid me because she believed that I may not have the strength and numbers to defeat our enemies. However, that changed the moment you walked through my castles gates.” 

My eyes grew even more wide.

“…I’m Maliketh’s replacement?” 

“Precisely.” Godwyn grinned and placed a heavy hand on my shoulder. “Mother entrusted your life and safety to me, and with your life comes your strength. There is no need to have another member of our family at this castle, you and I are enough, wouldn’t you agree?” 

My heart swelled with feelings I couldn’t quite place. All this time, I felt as if a small part of Godwyn looked down on me and considered me a less valuable asset on the battlefield than he was, yet here he is, saying he values my strength just as much as Maliketh the Black Blade.

I’ve been a terrible brother.

“…Thank you.” I whispered out just loud enough for him to hear me. Immediately after those words left my mouth I felt a slight pain in my forehead and rubbed the spot where Godwyn flicked me.

“Don’t thank me for anything; simply show our enemies the wrath of Godmund and earn a title.” He wagged his finger.

I rubbed my forehead and smiled through the slight pain. 

“Right, I’ll do it, Brother.” 

Godwyn smiled one last time at me before addressing the red-haired man who had approached a few minutes ago and had been patiently waiting for us to finish our talk.

“Radagon, is everything set?” 

“All is well, Brave Lord.” Radagon dropped to a knee and bowed, earning a serious frown from Godwyn.

“Then it is time.” The blonde-haired leader of Stormveil castle took a decisive step forward, and the moment he did, all chatter amongst the knights ceased as they waited for his word. Godwyn gave me a glance and I realized what he wanted. I took a step forward and stopped beside him. He gave me a pleasant smile before his seriousness resumed. 

“Hardy knights of mine, thou hast spent many days and nights preparing for this day to join.  The time to protect thy mothers, sisters, wives, maidens, and daughters is upon us now, our goddess bids for our strength. Raise thy blades and course her sword and shield into battle, and lay down thy life for her decree!”

““RAAAAAHHHHHHH!”” The soldiers roared as they pumped their weapons into the air. 

Godwyn turned back to glance at Radagon, who nodded at him. 

“I have heard your glorious cries for battle; now let us march!” 

— Chapter End —

Author’s Note: I deep-dived Elden Ring lore so I could learn as much as I could about this fic, then went on that little hiatus, and now I’ve forgotten a great deal of it, barring the really important shit. Just gotta touch back up on it before I write this fic into the dirt. 

On an unrelated note, I picked up the flu on Monday morning and it has been kicking my ass all week. I’ve spent most of the time in bed and occasionally up and about my house, but I still don’t even feel good enough to leave which means I’ve taken a break from work as well. The bright side is it gives me more time to write, and I intend to take advantage of this new free time. 

Edit: I'll be dropping another chapter today for something, don't know what yet.