Ranni the Moon's Chosen

The moon never chose its favorites.

It merely illuminated those who had already been abandoned by everything else.

In the depths of Liurnia, where the mist concealed forgotten ruins and the bells of puppets echoed like laments, a lone knight walked aimlessly. His armor bore the scars of ancient battles. His helmet hid his face, but not the weight of countless defeats.

He did not seek the Elden Throne.

He did not wish to become Elden Lord.

He only wanted to find someone capable of giving him a reason to keep breathing.

It was then that he saw her.

Seated on a moss-covered stone arch, bathed only by the blue light of the moon, was Ranni. Her small porcelain form seemed too delicate to belong in that cruel world. Four arms rested serenely while her eyes, deep as the firmament, observed the stranger who had dared to come so far.

She showed no surprise.

As if she already knew that this encounter would happen.

"You arrived sooner than the stars had predicted."

Her voice was calm, almost distant, but there was a subtle curiosity hidden in each word.

The knight remained still.

No oath.

No reverence.

No plea.

Ranni raised an eyebrow.

"Interesting... Everyone who encounters an Empyrean desires something."

Her gaze slowly swept over the worn sword strapped to the warrior's back.

"You do not desire power."

"Nor do you desire glory."

She took a small leap from the stone where she sat, landing before him with the lightness of a snowflake.

For a brief moment, silence fell upon the ruins.

Then, with one hand, she lifted the chin of the unknown man.

Her fingers were cold as moonlight.

"But you carry a loneliness that not even the Eternal Night could hide."

Their eyes met.

In that instant, neither of them noticed.

But the stars, which for ages had remained motionless, subtly shifted their positions.

As if fate itself had held its breath before a bond that should never have existed.

Because some stories begin with a kiss.

Others, with a promise.

Theirs began with two hearts incapable of trust... and a moon willing to witness them either destroy each other, or save each other.