Godmund the Golden Guardian Ch.1 (Patreon)

— ??? —

“YOU DIED!” 

“...” I stared at the six eyed man with a deadpan. 

“...Heh, tough crowd.” The being chuckled to himself. “I suppose that’s understandable.” 

“Can I go now? Inexistence honestly sounds much better than spending even another moment here.” I wiped my face. I was almost certain this was hell and thus my eternity, at least until the Day of Judgement. Hopefully God had mercy on my soul.

“I mean you can, but I think you’ll want to hear me out for a bit.” The man who I identified as the Devil, waved his hand, gesturing for me to take a seat. “Also, not the devil, I am a Demon Lord though. Just take a seat.” 

I let out a sigh and sat down on the comfortable chair. 

“I can see that you’re rather…disconnected from everything going on.”

“Dying will do that to you.”

“Understandable. Getting murdered by your girlfriend in your sleep is a harsh way to go.” The being offered an apologetic smile. “That being said, turn that frown upside down, I have an offer for you!”

I let out a sigh and straightened up. “Shoot.”

“Reincarnation in a wondrous world where you’ll be loved and adored!” 

“Sure.” 

“That easy?” 

“I’m gonna be honest man, I just don’t care anymore.” 

“Tough crowd indeed.” The six-eyed man frowned. “I hope a couple centuries of Golden Bliss will help mend your mind and spirit. May we meet again when you claim the Lands Between as your own.” 

“Ight.” 

SHING

A bright light enveloped me and I closed my eyes, hoping that this time I would finally be able to rest in peace, but I knew already that my existence was about to get so much harder. 

Honestly, I’d be surprised if I didn’t end up in a place worse than hell. 

— Marika —

Pristine white cloth garbed her body as she softly hummed to a blonde-haired infant. 

She had just given birth, not even three hours ago to her third son, not including the failures that came before. She hadn’t yet chosen a name, and she didn’t intend to until she saw a glimpse of his character, as she had done with both Messmer and Godwyn. Sure it would take some time until then, but she had nothing but time. 

Unlike Messmer, Godwyn and the infant in her arms were born to her chosen consort and the current Elden Lord, Godfrey. The change was new, and rushed for the most part, but the former Hoarah Loux was a warrior of unparalleled might, and thus was the perfect choice for her consort. 

A deep frown tugged down on her soft delicate lips. Everything she did led back to the enemies that wandered the lands, and the order she wished to bestow upon the world. Even the children she gave birth to were nothing but a means to an end, a chance to bestow her order upon the lands unopposed. 

Yes, she was breeding warriors for her order, warriors greater than any other.. 

She wouldn’t delude herself by even claiming to be a good mother. Ultimately it didn’t matter what she was, as long as she had her way in the end and her enemies suffered for their crimes, all was well in her mind. 

“I’m sorry, little one.” Marika whispered softly as she pressed her head against the infant's much smaller head. “Your selfish mother needs you to grow strong for my sake.” 

The baby cooed in her arms and a smile tugged at her lips.

That smile was immediately wiped off of her face as her consort opened the door to her chambers and entered. 

“Thou’rt a disobedient sort.” Marika glared at the man who frowned slightly. 

“I wish to see my son.” He said in a tone that to many would be surprising to hear, coming from the Elden Lord. 

“Thou forget thy manners in mine presence.” Marika pressed, ignoring his request. She was angry, not at him, but at the world itself for all the wrong it had committed on her, and now she was taking her anger out on him, the fool who was good for nothing more than fighting and giving her powerful children. 

“...Forgive me.” Godfrey said after a moment of silence. He dropped down to a knee and offered his hand to her. She watched him for a moment before graciously accepted. She slipped her delicate hand into his and her smile returned.

Ever the obedient dog. 

— Godfrey ‘The First Elden Lord’ —

Fuck this bitch. 

Always lording over every little bit of power she had, he was tired of it. 

However, this was the life he had chosen, and he’d be damned if he surrendered now.

Hoarah Loux did not know the meaning of surrender, and neither did this…lesser version of him. 

“My Goddess…may I hold my son?” He asked again, this time he kept his head lowered, even as his free hand clenched from the sheer damage his pride was taking. 

“Thou hast been a loyal companion, most well.” The soft voice of his Goddess spoke as she pulled her hand from his and took their son in both hands before offering the small blonde haired boy to him.

Godfrey took only a moment before he gently reached out his arms and took hold of his son for the first time. 

“Have you chosen a name?” He asked curiously, earning a frown from her. 

“No.” She answered and he was honestly surprised she didn’t bitch at him like before. 

He knew that she wouldn’t allow him to give his son a name. After all, she hadn’t allowed him to name Godwyn either. Hell, she was the one who named him! 

Indeed, his life was infuriating, but things went much smoother when he was in battle. 

The infant let out a soft gurgling noise, stealing the Elden Lord from his thoughts as he got a good look at his second son. The boy’s hair color was like his mothers, but it seemed he inherited his wild hair, even if it was short at the moment. 

Yes, Godfrey could tell. This boy would grow into a fine warrior. 

— Unnamed Son of Marika and Godfrey (Four Years Later) —

“You’re still but a boy.” My father frowned down at me. My body ached with bruises and cuts, but even still, I snarled at the man. 

“That matters not!” I practically shouted, pushing myself up to my feet and raised the steel blade that was much too large for a child of my size to be wielding. “I will accompany Uncle on his journey to Stormveil!” 

“Then raise your blade and show your might. Fall here and you will stay here!” The large white haired man roared. The man was tall enough to step on me, but nonetheless, I rushed him with my blade, a greatsword fit for a grown man. 

My greatsword clashed with his giant axe, and a loud roar of metal against metal could be heard through the entire arena we found ourselves in. My body was too small to use this blade correctly, but I more than had enough strength to wield it. 

I swung my blade, aiming to cleave off the old man’s head, but he easily blocked it with his axe and grinned down at me. He stomped his foot, and I immediately jumped, avoiding the spikes that launched out of the ground from his sheer might. 

I learned to dodge that one through pain.

Once my feet touched the earth once more, I blasted off toward him, keeping the aggression and trying my best to keep him from getting any air to breathe. 

Winning was impossible, I knew that much, but it wasn’t about winning, it was about proving I was strong. 

My blade met the handle of his and he parried my slash with ease, knocking me back, then he swung his axe down, and I jumped backward, avoiding his strike. 

The moment my feet landed on the ground, he jumped into the air and threw his axe at where I was going to be, and all I could do in defense was raise my blade and pray. The axe slammed against my own blade hard, knocking me onto my ass. I winced in pain, closing my eyes for a mere moment, and when I opened them, my father’s axe was pointed at me. 

I had been defeated. 

CLAP

My father’s head turned to the origin of the sound, and my head followed immediately after. 

The beautiful, voluptuous form of Queen Marika approached us with a pleased smile tugging at her soft lips. Although as stunning as she was, she wasn’t what had my attention. 

No, the giant wolf behind her was what I was focused on. 

“That was quite the broil well fought, mine dear son.” My mother crouched down and placed her large hand on my head. 

“Thank you, mother.” I managed a small smile. Her praise was always appreciated, and her smile was contagious. 

She shook her head, denying my thanks before looking up at my father. 

“Must thou fight with such aggression? He’s yet a boy.” My mother glared at the taller man.

“He’s my son, I know what and what not he can take.” My father frowned, keeping his eyes locked with her. 

“Father is right.” I quickly chimed in, earning her gaze. “He was not using near his full power either. How am I to grow strong enough to protect you if I remain sheltered, mother?” 

My mother’s eyes widened minutely. 

“The Young Lord is correct, Lady Marika.” My Uncle, Maliketh chimed in. “He is growing fast, and though Lord Godfrey may hast overdone it, such is not without good reason. He learns faster through hardship.”

I gave my Uncle a silent nod of thanks and looked at my mother who seemed to be thinking over her shadow’s words. 

“Haply, thou may speak the truth.” Marika hummed before setting her gaze on me once more. There was a twinkling in her eyes. “Thou would be mine guardian?” 

I was startled by the sudden question, but I already knew what I said. I may not know everything, but I knew a good amount of what was going on in my family. My mother is a goddess, my father is a man of great power, and I’m a Demi-God with aspects of both. 

Beyond that, my mother and father seem to be warring with many others, I didn’t quite know their enemies, but I knew that I wanted to join the fight, to keep them safe in the process, even if I was laughably underpowered to be able to succeed in such a task. 

Which is why I didn’t need to think much about my answer.

“Yes.” I nodded with a the most serious look I could give on my four year old baby face. 

“Then thou shalt be.” Queen Marika smiled down at me playfully. “Mine dear boy, Godmund.” 

— Chapter End —

Beta Reader: @Basilisk @LuluViBritania (FF.N, SB, WN and QQ)/-LuluViB|99th Britannian Emperor(Discord)

Author’s Note: I’ve never really understood the kind approach to Marika that is often taken. Lore wise she seemed like a selfish, broken woman that would do whatever she could to see her goals fulfilled, and as such I’m making her the way I see her. 

At the same time I can acknowledge that kind Marika is breedable, and thus, keep on keeping on. 

I was peer pressured into both writing and posting this, blame the betas.