Melina is Queen Marika's secret daughter, confirmed by the item description for Messmer's Kindling in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC: "Messmer, much like his younger sister, bore a vision of fire." Her internal game-file name is explicitly "MaricaOfDaughter" / "DaughterMarika." Unlike Messmer or Morgott, she does not recall Marika with fondness. She is burned and bodiless, a spectral spirit born at the foot of the Erdtree, where her mother gave her a purpose inside the Erdtree, a purpose long since lost. "I am searching for my purpose, given to me by my mother inside the Erdtree, long ago."

She strikes an Accord with the Tarnished: she plays the role of Finger Maiden (turns runes into strength, enables summoning Torrent) in exchange for being taken to the base of the Erdtree. She shares the Echoes of Marika at Sites of Grace in churches dedicated to the queen (Third Church of Marika, First Church of Marika, Church of Pilgrimage, Minor Erdtree Church, Grand Lift of Dectus, Outer Wall Battleground, Queen's Bedchamber). As she approaches the Forge of the Giants, she clarifies she is now acting "of my own volition, regardless of the purpose my mother gave me." She takes the Tarnished's hand at the Forge, narcotizes them, and sacrifices herself as kindling to set the Erdtree aflame.

Her left eye is closed, covered by a black marking (possibly a seal). Her right eye is golden, grace. Her armor is the Traveler's Set (also worn by Millicent and her sisters, described as "worn by women to confront their fate"). Her weapon is the Blade of Calling, described as belonging to "a Kindling Maiden" and engraved with the words she speaks when burning the Erdtree. Her combat moveset (as a cooperative summon in Morgott's fight) is identical to that of the Black Knife Assassins. She possesses a healing incantation exclusive to Marika (summons a small healing tree), visible only if she dies as a cooperator.

Torrent was entrusted to her, but the Spectral Steed Whistle is given by Ranni (disguised as Renna at Church of Elleh), who says she was "charged with this by Torrent's former master." Neither Melina nor Ranni is this "former master", the identity remains mysterious (leading theory: Miquella, based on pre-DLC teaser art showing a young rider).

Connection with Ranni: their spectral faces are visually identical, including the eye mark but mirrored to opposite sides. Both knew Torrent. Both oppose the Greater Will. Both are daughters of Marika. They never meet in-game.

If the player embraces the Frenzied Flame: Melina departs permanently, then reappears in the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending, burned hair, her left eye now open (deep blue, no black marking), graceless right eye, and vows: "Should you rise as the Lord of Chaos, I will kill you, as sure as night follows day. Such is my duty." The open left eye post-Maliketh is narratively significant: defeating Maliketh releases Destined Death from its seal, which may have also unsealed Melina's eye.