Godmund the Golden Guardian Ch.2 (Patreon)

— Godmund —

“Tis thy first time visiting Stormveil, correct?” The giant slick form of my Uncle asked, everytime I looked at him, I marveled at the sheer power his mere appearance radiated, and that was without taking into account the power within his blade. 

“It is.” I nodded as we walked through the city, trailing behind my mother and father who walked forward, uncaring of the looks of awe that were being sent our way. 

My time after reincarnating in this world was honestly the best I’ve ever experienced in both of my lives. 

I had a family that cared for me, with servants to attend to my needs. Both my parents were insanely powerful, and my Uncle is literally walking death. Beyond that, life was easy, and I could tell both my parents cared for me. That alone was more than I had in my last life. 

In my last life, I had been through my fair share of betrayals, hell my girlfriend was the one who killed me, but I felt like this time…things would be different-

Though I had no intention of letting my guard down. 

I knew where I was. It didn’t take long after my birth to figure it out. I died and was reincarnated in the world of Elden Ring. 

Unfortunately, I had never played the game and knew very little about the lore. I did, however, know a few names, mainly the names of bosses, since my interest in Elden Ring came from the Legend of Let Me Solo Her. 

Of the people I had met thus far, I recognized two as bosses in the game. My father, Godfrey, the First Elden Lord, and my Uncle, Maliketh the Black Blade.

I didn’t know all the bosses, but I remembered Malenia and Radahn, and I didn’t know if I wanted to meet either of them anytime soon. 

Beyond that, I only recalled hearing the name Queen Marika the Eternal as the Goddess of the world…but that didn’t really help me much when I would have figured that out naturally anyways. 

My knowledge of Elden Ring ended there, and I’ve honestly learned a fuckton more from just living here in the Lands Between. 

Like for example…

I glanced to my left, where my mother’s shadow was walking. Within his left hand was the very blade that gave him his fearsome title. Destined Death. 

Even without knowing what that blade meant for this world, you could feel the power and grip it had on all those who walked this plane of existence. 

Putting it simply, my Uncle was Death, straight up, or at the very least, that blade was. However, I didn’t feel fear in his presence. He was surprisingly kind to me, even letting me ride on his back after exhausting training days. Plus, he was completely loyal to my mother, and therefore to myself and my father as well, even if the two did clash more than mother would like. 

It couldn’t be helped. Father is a warrior more than a ruler, and Maliketh is always ready to trade blows with anyone willing. There weren’t many brave enough to step up to him in challenge, so I’m sure he relished every battle he fought with my father. 

And death meant nothing to everyone. In the end, the light of the Erdtree would guide the dead back to life. 

Speaking of the Erdtree…

I looked up, and lo and behold, there it was. Its everlasting brilliance shined brightly for all in the Lands Between to see. Truly, it was a beautiful spectacle. Even though we had left our home in the Capital of Lyndell and made our way down south to Stormveil Castle, the Erdtree remained ever visible. 

“Lost in the light of the Erdtree again, boy?” My father asked as he glanced back at me. 

“Forgive me.”

“What have I told you? Apologizing is for the weak.” My father reminded me before getting a light smack on the shoulder from my mother who was giving him a warning look. My old man merely rolled his eyes and focused his attention forward once more. 

Their ideologies conflicted a lot. 

Initially it was supposed to just be Uncle Maliketh heading to Stormveil, but when I proved myself fit to accompany him, my mother had decided to tag along and wherever she went, the Elden Lord typically followed. 

As we continued walking, my eyes set on the group of knights in front of us. 

Soldiers of Godwyn, the castle's ruler, and my older brother. 

“Queen Marika, Lord Godfrey, tis an honor of the highest order!” The leading knight declared as the group bowed. 

“Where is mine son?” My mother asked, cutting to the chase. 

“Here, mother.” A gentle, yet clear voice spoke. I couldn’t see the man due to my short stature, but as he walked past the knights, I finally set my eyes on my older brother for the first time. 

He was tall. Not nearly as tall as my father, but about a foot taller than my mother who stood at around nine and a half feet. His long blonde hair reached down to around his mid-back, and his golden eyes locked onto my mother’s form with a softness I hadn’t yet seen from anyone before.

“Mother, thine eyes shine as bright as ever.” My older brother stopped just in front of our mother, he gave our father a nod, which the man returned, and dropped to a knee, and held out his hand. A warm smile tugged on the Goddess’ face as she put her hand in his. 

“Thou hast grown, my dear boy.” She raised her other hand and gently brought it to his cheek. “How has thou progressed?”

An excited smile came to Godwyn’s face as he stood up. “Well mother!” He practically shouted out in excitement before realizing what he had done. His face grew flush as light chuckles escaped the knights who were likely familiar with his antics. 

“This pleases me.” Marika gave the young man a knowing smile. “I desire to see thy growth, yet ere then, thou must meet new blood of mine.”

Godwyn’s eyes widened as he slowly looked past both our parents. His eyes first locked onto the form of the Inheritor of Death before scanning down to me. 

Surprise and care filled his warm golden eyes.

Did…he not know about me? 

He gave one last look at mother, likely asking for her permission, and after earning a nod from her, he stepped past and walked toward me. Upon reaching me, he dropped to a single knee and smiled. 

“What is thy name?” His voice came out soft, yet clear. 

“Godmund.” I breathed out, as I became utterly lost in his warm presence. Not even mother made me feel this way, this loved and safe. There was a powerful air of tranquility around him that I just couldn’t place. 

Godwyn smiled upon hearing my name and glanced back at Queen Marika who merely smiled playfully at us. 

“A fine name, a brave sort you must be.” My older brother grinned down at me as he placed his large hand on my smaller head. 

“I like fighting.” I shrugged as I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly. 

He paused for a moment before smiling and bringing his face closer to mine, a twinkling of playfulness and a restrained mischievous nature filled his golden eyes. 

“You and father both.” 

I smiled at his words and the informality of them. Seems father and I aren’t the only ones that dislike speaking like that. 

Godwyn stood up and turned around, but not before gesturing me to follow. 

“Join me, allow me discover thou mine home, and mine might.” He gave a slightly cheeky look to Queen Marika who seemed beyond interested as our Royal Family walked forward, through one of the castle gates.

As we stepped inside, we passed a throne that was almost definitely Godwyns, and took a left, heading down some stairs to a room where people were bustling around. Knights stood at attention, while scribes and nobles were doing their own thing, communicating with one another. 

That all stopped the moment they caught notice of us. 

Silence descended upon the entire wide room in an instant and the only noise that could be heard was the heavy footsteps of both my father and uncle. 

We made our way through one more door and walked into another wide area, this time it was empty and looked partially destroyed, with cracks on the floor and wall. 

Godwyn stopped walking and glanced back at mother with a questioning look. She hummed before nodding. 

“Tis acceptable. My Lord.” She called and immediately the Elden Lord drew his massive axe and stood proud. 

Holy shit…are they gonna fight now?!

Godwyn grinned at the older man and jumped backward. He reached to his hip and drew a long, golden straight sword.

“I stand ready, father.” 

They’re definitely fighting! 

The massive man let out a low, pleased hum before he took a powerful step forward and continued walking until he was a good distance from us.

I couldn’t believe I was about to see my older brother’s might just minutes after meeting him. I could feel my body vibrating in excitement! I wanted nothing more than to join the battle and test him myself, my blood screamed for the chance. 

“Discover me thy growth as a warrior, Godwyn.” 

“Begin.” Marika spoke out, and both men rushed forward. Immediately the Elden Lord paused in his forward movement and raised his foot before slamming it down into the earth, making spikes come up from the ground that my brother easy maneuvered around without ever losing speed. 

Upon getting within striking distance, Godwyn went for a diagonal slash, and Godfrey moved to block it, but just before it hit, the younger man pulled his blade back and spun around, and slashed downward. 

SHING

The sounds of metal slamming against metal echoed throughout the large room and my eyes widened at the sight of my father throwing a punch that forced Godwyn to dodge backward. 

…I couldn’t even keep up with his speed.

Godwyn had moved so fast it looked like he canceled his forward momentum and attacked the other way. 

Such a thing shouldn’t be possible, but it told tales of his agility and speed if he was able to execute such a move.

I wanted to see my mother’s reaction, but looking her way would mean removing my gaze from the fight, and there was no way I was doing that. 

— Marika —

A pleased smile tugged on her lips as she watched her son rush forward again and launch a flurry of slashes that her lord blocked with ease. 

The boy, her first born to her lord, was only a meager twenty years young, yet he had already progressed further in swordsmanship than most of the men who follow Godfrey into battle. 

Marika had sent him away from the capital at the tender age of fourteen to learn and grow with knights that would serve him and his command, even if it lead to their meaningless deaths. She had expected him to grow, to learn how to lead, and how to fight and win.

However she did not expect him to have grown so fast. 

For but a moment, the face of a red-haired boy entered her mind and the bodies that surrounded him, impaled by his spear and burned by his flame. 

She couldn’t help but form a smile of genuine love and sadness from forming on her delicate face. So similar, yet so different.

Marika refocused on the battle, stealing her mind from the past and returning to the present to watch as Godfrey swung his massive axe down and narrowly missed Godwyn’s body who skillfully dodged around the attack and thrusted his blade forward. 

With his axe in the ground and no weapon to defend himself, Godfrey could only do one thing. 

He caught the blade with his hand. The golden metal infused with her powerful light cut into her lord’s hand, which made blood spill out from the wound. 

“Enough.” She spoke, her voice filled with power, and both immediately relaxed. Godfrey carelessly pulled his hand back, uncaring that he ended up getting a deeper cut. A look of pure pride filled her consort’s face as he stared down at his oldest son. 

Yes, if this was the might her children exuded, then the world would be hers with ease. 

Her golden eyes trailed down to her youngest son who still looked utterly awe-struck from the clash of his brother and father. A twinkling filled her gaze as she thought of the possibilities that could come if both of her children grew to equal the might of their father…and what if they surpassed him? 

That thought alone made her grin. 

She would need to start having more children, even if they often ended up as failures, mere husks of what could be. 

As Godfrey and Godwyn began walking over, she removed her genuine grin filled with dreams of conquest and power, and put on a more controlled, neutral smile. 

Her order take the Lands Between, and her children would do the work for her, and enforce it. 

If she had her way, and she would, there would be a child growing in her womb by the end of the week. 

— Godwyn (Later That Day) —

“I still don’t understand how you managed to avoid that thing that he does with his foot so easily!” The young blonde-haired boy laughed as he leaned back on Godwyn’s bed. 

“It’s not something that I mastered overnight, that’s for sure.” Godwyn grinned down at the boy he was sitting beside. “Just like you, Father beat that fear to dodge into me, and over time, I grew better at it, and so will you.”

“I hope. Every time he does it, I jump but in a real fight, Father would just cleave right through me if I went airborne for even a second!” The boy exclaimed before dropping his shoulders. 

“He is a powerful man, strong enough to bear the title of Elden Lord, don’t fool yourself with fascinations of matching his strength, at least not within this century.” Godwyn placed his hand on his little brother’s head and ruffled his hair. 

“How am I supposed to protect Mother if I can’t even scratch Father?” He frowned, and the older blonde couldn’t help but let out another chuckle. 

“By working hard, strive toward strength and you will be rewarded with strength. The same goes for anything you want in this life. We are more gifted than any other when it comes to growth, so take advantage of what we have.” 

The boy frowned and went into thoughtful silence. 

…Did he do it? Did he give good advice?! 

An excited and proud grin swept over Godwyn at that mere thought. 

He had spent years away from his family without even being able to visit, and the first time he sees his mother and father again, they bring a four year old boy with them that just so happened to be his little brother. 

While he didn’t know about the birth of another Demi-God, he did expect such a thing, and had always fantasized about being a powerful, insightful figure to all those around him, especially his younger siblings!

“Then I’ll spend everyday training twice as hard.” Godmund declared with absolute seriousness, making Godwyn’s eyebrow twitch.

This kid…

“I don’t think that would be wise.” Godwyn said slowly, as he began to think about the best way to explain what he intended to say to a young boy. 

“Huh, why?” Godmund asked with a raised brow. 

“Well, how about we look at it like this.” Godwyn hummed and nodded at his next choice of words. “You love mother, right?”

Godmund paused but nodded. 

“And you want to keep her safe, that’s how you earned your name I assume?”

Another nod. 

“Then tell me this, why do you love Mother?” 

Silence entered the room for half a minute as the boy pondered. 

“Because she’s kind when she doesn’t have to be.” He said after a while, making Godwyn raise an eyebrow. 

“Oh?” 

The younger boy scratched his cheek with a scrunched up nose. “Mother is Queen Marika, she could easily have cast us aside and attended to her ideal life of luxury, but instead, she comes to my room every day to coddle me, and treat me with love, even though she doesn’t have to.” 

Godwyn frowned at his words. He could…understand it if their mother didn’t treat them the way she does, but the fact of the matter is she does, and always has without ever implying any other way of doing things.

Which is why Godwyn was so confused why Godmund had come to the conclusion that she could have cast them away. 

It…wasn’t fit for a boy his age to be thinking about such things. Especially not thoughts so dark. 

“How long have you felt this way?” Godwyn asked curiously with all the seriousness he could muster. 

Godmund paused as he looked at his older brother with a small about of surprise. 

“...For as long as I can remember.” He said after a moment which only made Godwyn frown harder.

He was curious what spurred on this line of thought, but whatever it was needed to be drowned out as soon as possible. 

Godwyn raised his hand and brought it to his little brother’s forehead.

THUMP

“Agrh.” Godmund winced at the small bruise on his forehead where Godwyn flicked him. “What was that for?!”

“For thinking foolish thoughts. Mother is many things, a kind woman happens to be one of those things, and we should never associate what she is not with what she is, do I make myself clear?” Godwyn explained in a firm voice, making Godmund freeze for a moment. 

“Yes.” He whispered out. 

“Good.” The older blonde nodded in pride. Hopefully that would defuse whatever dark thoughts had filled his little brother’s mind, likely thanks to whatever curse he had been born with. Godwyn could understand as much, his own curse was rather…tedious. 

“Now, back to what I was saying before. As you said, you love mother, and you want to protect her, but does that limit to just her physical well being?” Godwyn asked, getting a frown from Godmund. 

“No, I don’t want anyone to hurt her, her feelings included.” He explained, earning a knowing nod from Godwyn. It was time to reel this Scarab home. 

“So, how do you think our caring mother would feel if you locked yourself away and trained twice as hard for twice as long, straining your body and suffering injury after injury, all for her sake..”

Godmund’s eyes widened. “She…wouldn’t be happy.”

“Quite the opposite.” Godwyn nodded sagely. 

“Then what should I do?” Godmund asked, turning his entire body to his older brother with a pleading look on his baby face. 

“Rather simple, my dear little brother.” Godwyn smiled playfully. “Train harder, but don’t forget to enjoy life, spend time with mother and father, and occasionally play a prank on Maliketh, trust me, it’s pretty fun.”

A smile came to his little brother’s face as the boy nodded. “I’ll do that.”

“Good lad.” Godwyn smiled and stood up. “Now, why don’t I show you how to defeat Maliketh the Black Blade with the power of tomfoolery.”

As excitement filled Godmund’s face, quiet thought filled with satisfaction and happiness filled Godwyn’s mind. 

He was going to enjoy being an older brother. 

— Chapter End —

Author’s Note: Like many, if not all, of Marika’s children, Godmund is cursed. What that curse is will be left to speculation until you all can figure it out. My only hint will be that it isn’t physical, it is mental. 

Beyond that, there really isn’t much to do while he’s still so young. Of course the Golden Order is currently in war with several other imposing figures, so I’m debating aging him up next chapter and going from there.