Malenia was one of the twin children born to Queen Marika the Eternal and her second Elden Lord, Radagon. As Empyreans, both Malenia and her elder twin brother, Miquella, were candidates to ascend as gods of a new age. However, due to the nature of their parentage, the twins were afflicted with dreadful curses. Miquella was doomed with eternal nascency, while Malenia's body was ravaged by the scarlet rot. The scarlet rot plagued Malenia from within, gradually consuming her and leaving her disfigured. Miquella worked tirelessly to undo the curses they had both inherited. While unable to find a cure for his sister within the golden Order, Miquella designed a needle of unalloyed Gold to keep the rot at bay. At some point, Malenia encountered the legendary blind swordman of the Flowing Curved Sword, who had long ago sealed away an Outer god of rot. The swordsman became her master, enabling her to gain wings of unparalleled strength. Malenia eventually became a peerless warrior and her brother's sworn blade and protector.