Is it Possible to Not Burn Melina in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, it is possible to prevent Melina from sacrificing herself to burn the Erdtree in Elden Ring. The key to saving her lies in embracing the Frenzied Flame and then cleverly reversing course, using Miquella’s Needle to cure yourself. This allows you to burn the Erdtree yourself, sparing Melina her fiery fate. It’s a convoluted process, steeped in lore and requiring precise execution, but it offers a significantly different, and arguably more compassionate, ending.
Understanding Melina’s Role and the Burning of the Erdtree
Melina serves as your guiding maiden throughout Elden Ring. She offers you a deal: in exchange for your assistance in reaching the Erdtree and becoming Elden Lord, she will act as your Finger Maiden, leveling you up and ultimately sacrificing herself to burn the thorns blocking your path. This sacrifice is rooted in her desire to restore order to the Lands Between, ravaged by Marika’s shattering of the Elden Ring.
The traditional method of burning the Erdtree involves Melina channeling the power of the Flame of Ruin, located at the Forge of the Giants, to incinerate the thorns. However, this comes at the ultimate cost – her life. Many players find this a tragic end to a character who has been instrumental in their journey.
The Frenzied Flame Route: A Path to Salvation?
The alternate route to burning the Erdtree involves accepting the Frenzied Flame from the Three Fingers deep beneath Leyndell, Royal Capital. Accepting this flame marks you as the Lord of Frenzied Flame, destined to bring about the end of the world. Crucially, it also severs your bond with Melina. She will abandon you, vowing to kill you for embracing such destructive power.
Embracing Chaos, Then Reversing It
Here’s where the crucial twist occurs: despite accepting the Frenzied Flame, you don’t have to remain its vessel. Completing Millicent’s questline rewards you with Miquella’s Needle, a powerful artifact capable of suppressing the influence of Outer Gods. By using Miquella’s Needle within Dragonlord Placidusax’s arena in Crumbling Farum Azula, you can purge the Frenzied Flame from your body.
This allows you to keep the ability to burn the Erdtree yourself (gained from accepting the Frenzied Flame), without succumbing to its destructive influence. Melina is spared, although she will still initially hold you in disdain for your brief dalliance with chaos. However, your subsequent actions demonstrate your rejection of the Frenzied Flame, rendering her vow moot.
The Result: Becoming Elden Lord Without Sacrifice
By burning the Erdtree yourself, after curing the Frenzied Flame, you can proceed to defeat the final bosses and claim the title of Elden Lord. Melina is alive, though her role in the final moments is altered. Instead of sacrificing herself, she witnesses your triumph. This outcome satisfies players who sought to avoid the tragic sacrifice and offers a compelling narrative resolution.
Why Choose This Route?
The decision to pursue this route is largely driven by personal preference. Some players find Melina’s sacrifice narratively unsatisfying and seek a way to save her. Others are drawn to the unique challenge of navigating the Frenzied Flame storyline and ultimately rejecting its destructive influence. It’s a testament to the complexity and player agency present in Elden Ring’s narrative design. The GamesLearningSociety.org website explores these types of complex narratives in video games and how they impact player choices and learning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to Melina, the burning of the Erdtree, and the Frenzied Flame:
1. What happens if I refuse Melina’s offer at the beginning of the game?
If you refuse Melina’s initial offer, you will be unable to level up your character or summon Torrent. Essentially, you will be severely limited in your progression and exploration until you accept her assistance.
2. Can Melina die permanently during the game (outside of the Erdtree burning)?
No. If Melina “dies” in battle, such as during the Morgott fight, she leaves behind a temporary buff and then reappears as if nothing happened. She cannot be permanently killed before the Erdtree burning.
3. How do I get the Frenzied Flame?
To obtain the Frenzied Flame, you must venture deep beneath Leyndell, Royal Capital. After defeating Morgott, the Omen King, access the Forbidden Lands and then descend into the sewers. Navigate the challenging platforming sections and defeat Mohg, the Omen. Behind Mohg’s boss arena is a hidden path leading to the Three Fingers. Interacting with them while naked will grant you the Frenzied Flame.
4. Is there a way to see Melina again if I let her burn the Erdtree?
If you allow Melina to burn the Erdtree before accepting the Frenzied Flame, she is gone permanently. However, if you embrace the Frenzied Flame, allow her to burn the Erdtree, but do not cure yourself, she appears in the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending cutscene, vowing to hunt you down.
5. Does curing the Frenzied Flame automatically reconcile me with Melina?
Not immediately. Even after curing yourself with Miquella’s Needle, Melina will initially express disdain for your previous association with the Frenzied Flame. However, your actions in rejecting the Flame and ultimately becoming Elden Lord without sacrificing her demonstrate your true intentions.
6. What are the consequences of embracing the Frenzied Flame?
Embracing the Frenzied Flame locks you into the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending unless you cure yourself with Miquella’s Needle. It also causes Melina to abandon you. The ending itself results in the complete destruction of the Lands Between.
7. Is Melina a Finger Maiden?
While not a traditional Finger Maiden in the sense that she isn’t affiliated with the Two Fingers, Melina fulfills the role by guiding you, helping you level up, and ultimately seeking to burn the Erdtree.
8. What is the significance of Melina’s closed eye?
The precise meaning of Melina’s closed eye is a subject of much speculation. One popular theory suggests it is connected to a deeper, potentially hidden purpose or origin. Some believe it’s linked to the Dark Moon, contrasting with Ranni’s association with the Golden Order.
9. What are some theories about Melina’s origins and parentage?
Many theories surround Melina’s origins. Some suggest she is the daughter of Marika and Radagon, making her a sibling to Malenia and Miquella. Others believe she is a fragment of Marika’s will, tasked with guiding a Tarnished to become Elden Lord. The game provides clues but no definitive answers.
10. How does Millicent’s questline relate to saving Melina?
Completing Millicent’s questline is essential for obtaining Miquella’s Needle, the item necessary to cure the Frenzied Flame. Therefore, Millicent’s quest is indirectly linked to saving Melina by providing the means to avoid the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending.
11. Can I still use the Flame of Ruin if I don’t have Melina?
Yes, if you have accepted the Frenzied Flame, you can use it to burn the Erdtree yourself at the Forge of the Giants, without Melina’s sacrifice.
12. Does it matter which ending I choose?
Yes, the ending you choose significantly impacts the future of the Lands Between. Each ending presents a different vision for the world and the role of the Elden Lord.
13. Where do I use Miquella’s Needle?
Miquella’s Needle can only be used within the arena of Dragonlord Placidusax in Crumbling Farum Azula. You must lie down in the center of the arena, where you initially fought Placidusax, to trigger the option to use the needle.
14. What is the “canon” ending of Elden Ring?
There is no officially designated “canon” ending for Elden Ring. FromSoftware leaves the interpretation and choice of ending to the player. However, some argue that the Age of the Duskborn ending aligns more closely with themes and hints present in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
15. Are Ranni and Melina connected?
While not directly related as family, as some theories suggest, Ranni and Melina share parallels as guiding figures who assist the Tarnished on their journey. Ranni ultimately seeks to usher in an Age of Stars, while Melina initially strives to maintain the existing order (before potentially turning against the Frenzied Flame). These complex narratives in video games are often researched and discussed within groups like the Games Learning Society.
In conclusion, saving Melina in Elden Ring is a challenging but rewarding endeavor that requires careful planning, meticulous execution, and a willingness to embrace and then reject the chaotic power of the Frenzied Flame. It adds a unique layer of depth to an already complex and compelling narrative, and it is an aspect of Elden Ring that makes it one of the most interesting games available.