Time is convoluted in Lothric. Sometimes one can find themselves dead in Lordran and alive in Lothric. Such was the case for Quelaag, half spider daughter of the Witch of Izalith, bearer of a Lord Soul. Quelaag looked around in confusion as she took in her new surroundings, wondering who these new Knights were and what the bell tolling in the distance was for.
Edward, Knight of Astora rose from his grave and gasped loudly like a sounding whale at his first breath in what seemed like eons. He looked at his gauntleted hands and sighed, knowing what he was. He was unkindled, a failure. He had died trying to link the First Flame and failed. Sinking to his knees, he pounds the earth fruitlessly with his fist before drawing his sword, and picking up his shield.
In death, he was worthless; In this new life, he would prove himself Worthy.
This new mission to find worth was one he would gladly die for. So when he found himself swarmed by hollows who had long since lost cognizance of their actions, he did not hesitate, nor lose his courage. Edward merely raised his shield and moved onwards. He did not pause to think of his enemies, but only felt his sword move in concise motions as the blade rose and fell, taking lives with the same detached effort a farmer might reap in the harvest.
He did not speak, for there were none here to be spoken to. No one would hear his cries of lamentation at his failure, and no one would care, either. Lothric wasn't a place that harbors any sort of brotherly love, or care for the fellow man. So he killed, and didn't stop. Survival was the goal here, to survive and prove himself worthy of being more than just ash.
Edward paused for a second at a little clearing, taking off his helmet, and kneeling before the dead pilgrims of Londor, silently praying for them and horrified that this many had died in this manner, long before reaching their ordained death place. Once, back in Astora, after his harlot mother had abandoned him, he had been taken in, adopted by a Pilgrim; The pilgrim raised Edward and helped him when it came time for Edward to begin the long slow climb to Knighthood.
Needless to say, Edward always had a soft spot for the Pilgrims of Londor, and had once made a vow to keep them safe. If any he crossed still lived, he intended to uphold that vow. Edward crossed the courtyard with quick speed, donning his helm and yanking out the coiled sword with choler as his humor. He felt as if electricity crackled in his veins, and as Iudex Gundyr rose, Edward raised his shield.