Metyr, Mother of Fingers, Changes the Narrative of the Greater Will
Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree includes Metyr, Mother of Fingers, as a new boss. Metyr completely changes the story of the base game by revealing that the Greater Will hasn't been interested in the Lands Between in a long time, if ever. Instead, Metyr was the one creating the Two Fingers, who had then chosen Empyreans themselves.
This revelation shifts the story of Elden Ring drastically. It creates a much more chaotic landscape compared to the false idea of order that came with the presumption of the Greater Will's presence. The Greater Will was previously believed to be the driving force behind the Golden Order, but Metyr's existence paints a different picture.
The Golden Order Is Inherently Broken in Elden Ring
Elden Ring's Lore is often ambiguous and subtle, making it difficult to put together exact events and a clear sequence in which they happened. However, there's enough information available to make educated guesses. Metyr's orders from the Greater Will are incredibly outdated by the time the Tarnished is involved in events in the Lands Between. She's working with old information and the Elden Ring, which came to the Lands Between from the Greater Will in the form of the Elden Beast.
It becomes clear that the Golden Order is broken and that it isn't what's best for the lives of the people in the Lands Between. Shadow Of The Erdtree explains why it's broken. Its goal is to communicate with the Greater Will, but this Outer God hasn't been interested in the Lands Between in a long time. Instead, the Greater Will is presented more as an embodiment of fate and reality than it is a being seeking power or control over a location. The Golden Order wasn't concerned with implementing order in the Lands Between.
Seeking Power Is a Cycle of Failure in the Lands Between
Shadow of the Erdtree shows Miquella's path to godhood and reveals new information about Marika's own journey to ascension. In many ways, Miquella is mirroring his mother's journey, but with the belief that he will be a better ruler and usher in an Age of Compassion. However, as Ymir says in-game, Miquella is doomed to fail like his mother did. Miquella is divesting himself of important pieces, most notably his love. Yet, one would expect that love would be a crucial piece to have when creating an Age of Compassion, along with not having a consort who loves fighting.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree continues themes present throughout the game that seeking power doesn't end well in the Lands Between. Of all the endings, casting away the Golden Order via Ranni's Age of Stars seems like the best ending to free the people that she'd be ruling over. The other endings all start the cycle over, and it would result in a flawed illusion of order continuing to harm the Lands Between. Marika suffered after becoming a god, and even ended up imprisoned when she dared to disobey. Then, Miquella was ready to repeat her hiStory.
