Elden Ring:After the end

The skies above Storm Veil are covered by a strange bluish cloud, while anyone with even the slightest talent for magic could sense the absurd amount of energy in it. 

Such a cloud is one of the legendary magics, Goliath's Star Rain, the same one that Aldrich once used to scare Lansseax and the one that has now covered the sky completely. 

"Fall!"

Uttering the words in a deep voice, as if it were the command of a god to his followers, Aldrich points forward with his staff and the stars begin to fall. 

There was no place to escape, hide or take cover, the entire combat arena that once belonged to Godrick is the area of effect. Literally an AOE attack of massive damage and magic damage hard for any armor to cover. 

"This is interesting!"

Raising the axe he carries in one of his hands, Nepheli grins from ear to ear, letting his fighting instinct come out and erasing all traces of his previous lack of interest. 

A slash, just a slash of the axe imbued with the force of the wind was necessary for Nepheli to cut a chunk out of the bluish cloud, leaving a scar on the sorcery and securing a place free from the next attack.

"Amazing, a power truly worthy of a ruler."

"I would like to say the same, but true men in my lands show their worth through their fists."

Twirling the axe resting in his hand again, Nepheli puts on a distinctly suggestive smile, causing Aldrich to pause and lower the staff. 

"Jo, it's been quite some time since anyone has challenged me like this... To a bout of strength."

"Why couldn't they get to talk? Most likely you finish them off before you can hear them, something easy with ranged magic."

"Hahaha, "

The golden particles gathered at rapid speed in Aldrich's hands, until they slowly took the shape of a huge axe. 

The weight of this axe was obviously monstrous, causing the ground beneath Aldrich's feet to sink and his muscles to bulge from the effort it is to lift it. 

"Ahhh!"

Letting out a roar full of pure power, Aldrich shatters the floor with a step forward and a wave of force staggers Nepheli. That's not where it ends, but quickly Aldrich appears over Nepheli and brings the axe down with full force. 

Clearly the plan must be to avoid that attack and launch a counterattack, but Nepheli doesn't seem to think that for a second. Maintaining a flushed face that shows even on his dark skin, Nepheli raises both axes with a grin and launches his own slash. 

*Boooom*

The force released by his crash was so strong that a shockwave shook the surroundings, while the ground beneath his feet was shattered and the last magical clouds were scattered from the sky. 

"I am Nepheli Loux, of the Wastelands and ruler of Necrolimbo under the command of the Lord of the Circle. Tell me your name, warrior!"

"Heh, you can call me Lore, a fan of occult history and the mysteries of Lord Miyasaki."

"Go ahead then, let's let our instincts shine through!"

Licking her lips, the smile on Nepheli's face only increases and then she clashes both axes, resulting in a kind of technique to improve her physical capabilities. 

Satisfied with the improvement received, Nepheli surrounds herself with the power of winds and lightning, before moving forward towards a direct attack without any feint or detraction. 

"Come on, show me what you're made of, Lore!"

"Same here!"

Demonstrating the same commitment as her, Aldrich parries both of her axes with the handle of his own, though Nepheli redirects one with the power of the blizzard towards his head.

Noticing that attack, Aldrich swings his axe, managing to make the one holding the clash slide down through the handle of his own, and also stops with the handle the one going towards his head. 

Seeing herself completely outmatched, Nepheli doesn't interlock and drops both axes, but it doesn't end there, instead she steps forward in front of the surprised Aldrich and headbutts him, knocking him back a few steps. 

""

Giving no time to rest, Nepheli closes the distance, raises both fists filled with the power of the blizzard and begins a relentless assault. Swift, accurate, relentless, all aimed at Aldrich's key points. 

"Ahhggg!"

Slamming the ground after letting out a thunderous roar, Aldrich finally manages to shatter Nepheli's flow, though instead of attacking now that she's confused, he tosses aside Godfrey's Axe and makes a pair of gloves appear. 

"Let's see what you're made of!"

"Then come and get me!"

Doubt doesn't exist for more than a few moments in Aldrich's mind, though seeing Nepheli's battle-lust-filled grin, he forgets that and moves on to the attack.

With both arms outstretched, Aldrich puts Nepheli in a powerful grip, before using Horah Loux's favorite technique and sending her flying into the ground. Still not satisfied, he raises both hands and then drives them into the ground, before opening a huge crack with sheer force alone. 

Luckily Nepheli had not lost consciousness with the first throw, so he manages to dodge that attack easily and takes advantage of his speed to reach Aldrich. 

Already at his side, Nepheli twists his body further than possible, climbing like a cat up to Aldrich's back and strangling him with one leg, while his arms grab him by the waist to make him fall. 

"It's still a fight, isn't it?"

Further away and in a considerably safe place, two women can be seen. The one who opens her mouth with obvious hesitation is Finley, who is wearing her imputrescible knight armor without the helmet and points towards the two writhing on the ground. 

The second is obviously Sellen, who else could stand to be on this battlefield? Outside of that obvious one, Sellen remains impassive and analyzes Finley before speaking. 

"What part of that looks like a fight, it's more akin to hunting a wolf towards a sheep... By the way, Aldrich is not the wolf in this situation."

"Tsk, I'm going to go tell Kenneth, let's see if he keeps doing it afterwards."

Smiling darkly, Finley walks away from the combat arena and only leaves behind a chilling laugh.