Derk Sers
Damp air. That was the first thing that I awoke to. A dark, musty scent that filled both my lungs and my soul with dread. I wasn't sure where I was. Fleeting visions danced behind my eyes. Great kings, powerful magic, and an unmistakable sense of purpose that spurred my leathery, aged visage to movement. A noise above me! I gazed upwards just as a body fell to the floor. I started, observing the white, wispy glow, and glanced towards the heavens.
A small trapdoor had opened, and a knight, his armor glistening with silver and brown hues, gestured to me with a nod of his head. Somehow, his calm demeanor, completely complacent in the face of all the evil that I felt, relaxed me. He soon moved away, his beaten and tarnished body disappearing as the door closed. I felt my strength readily returning, and I arose, ready to face the challenges that lay before me.
A key. I picked it up off of the corpse that was in front of me. As I turned it over, its hollow, empty eyes and grimacing visage looked up at me. Its hands were clawed in a macabre last attempt at living, but it was far too late for salvation. That soul would never regain its humanity.
"Humanity…" The phrase echoed in my mind, and I felt a strange calling. Small glimpses of black, shadowy fragments began to play behind my eyes. I felt a growing hunger, an insatiable need for answers and for reason. I slid the key into the rusty lock, twisting to the right and opening the door with a creak. Flakes of rotten iron fell down, cascading around me as I announced my presence to the bleak, moldy walls.
I clutched a broken hilt in my hand. Brief flashes of combat returned to me. I saw skeletons, some larger than twenty men, hordes of demons vying to destroy me. My hand tightened, and I experimentally swung the weapon a few times. It slightly whistled as it cut through the air, my strokes sharp and precise. Combat was returning to me, and for good reason. I felt as though I'd need it.
I took a few tentative steps forward, feeling my old bones and joints flexing as I moved. The floor swayed and I regained my balance quickly, observing the shuffling lifeless creatures that occupied the hall. They appeared nearly the same as me, except vacant and with an apparent lack of a spirit. I studied them quietly for a moment, reflecting on what to do next. I walked forward grimly, ascending the steps to my eventual freedom.
A rusty, wet ladder awaited me, and I climbed upwards carefully, a wet slapping sound accompanying me as my feet and hands hit the rungs. After reaching the top, I saw a small blade reflecting off of a dark courtyard. I felt a kindred presence approaching the blade, and saw it was sunk into a small pile of bones, metal, and kindling. As I approached it, gentle warmth spread throughout my body, settling me.
I reached a hand out, almost embarrassed at first. I banished the feeling, my hand opening as I groped for the blade. Suddenly, there was a spark, and a bright flame blossomed, followed by a crackling sound. I sat down, reflecting upon my thoughts and what I knew. I soon found that I knew next to nothing, and got up in frustration. The warmth faded, fulfilling, and a piece of it seemed to linger with me. With a fresh set of eyes, I gazed upon the gigantic doors of the chapel.
Climbing up the steps, I felt a growing sense of fear. My hand tightened around the broken sword hilt in my grip, and I pushed the doors open. My shoulders flexed, blades sliding through wrinkled skin as I forced apart the ancient, splintered gateway. A barren room lay before me, scattered and broken vases and stones crumbling from the wall. I took a few steps forward, stopping as I heard the first footfall.
Something is in this room with me… My thoughts flickered back to the magic and demons that I saw earlier. I bristled, hearing the footfalls stop. Swallowing my fear momentarily, I took a few steps forward, and was suddenly thrown backwards with incredible force as a black shadow slammed into the ground before me.
"Wha…?!" I looked upwards, my body paralyzed with terror at the sight I beheld. Great, rippling blue skin, a massive hammer, and a maw with a set of razor sharp teeth immediately greeted me with a bestial roar, shaking me to the very core. The demon took a step forward, its gigantic, bulging stomach swaying with the tempo of its chaotic walk. The hammer in its hands was caked with old, dried blood, and I gulped, tensing my legs.
Without a moments' notice, the beast reared back, its rippling shoulder and leg muscles tightening as it swung the hammer downwards. I only managed to haphazardly throw myself to the side just in time to avoid becoming leather paste. The ground erupted into vibrations all around me, and several vases and stones were turned into powder. I turned back, seeing the creature immediately recover from its brutal onslaught.
It turned to face me, eyes aglow with the lust for death. Saliva dripped in disgusting strings from its teething, gnashing visage, pooling in all of the rotten, decaying filth that accommodated its slimy, monstrous body. I took a hop backwards, searching around me with a growing panic. Was this to be my tomb? Would I forever be erased, the tomes of history unable to tell the tale of how I escaped my hellish prison and gained freedom?
Not here. Not today. I will fight against the darkness… The voice of reason echoed through every fiber of my being, and I noticed a gateway behind the demon. I broke into an immediate sprint, throwing caution to the wind as my slim albeit muscled legs carried me through into safety. The gate slammed shut behind me, replacing the smell of demon and rot with the smell of mold and wet cave. Not the best, but familiar and more inviting than the face of suffering.
Pushing one foot in front of the other, I soon reached a small room with another bonfire. Ignoring it and the corpse that stared forlornly at me, I pushed into a small archway, a long hallway ahead of me. As I looked forward, I saw a flash, almost of light reflecting off of metal, and moved lithely out of the way just in time for an arrow to whiz past me, embedding itself point first into the corpse.
I turned to look for the source of the arrow, just in time to see another of the undead. It gave a small grunt, emotionless for the most part, and nocked another arrow. I saw a passageway to the left, and I quickly moved through. The creature gave no indication of following, simply idly swaying from side to side. In the room lay a heater shield, beaten and pockmarked with a bluish color across the face.
I slipped my hand through the two leather straps, tightening my grip and flexing my shoulder. The shield fit comfortably, almost as if it were made for my arm. I walked out into the passageway again, holding the heater shield up to block the incoming arrow. It thudded against the shield, falling to the side as the hollow tink! of arrowhead on metal echoed in the corridor. I set off at a brisk walk, the undead quickly turning and running away from me.
As I got further up the passage, I noticed a longsword sticking out of the body of a corpse. Worn handguard and pommel melded smoothly with a sharp, hand-and-a-half length blade. I pulled the sword from between the stones and flesh of the unlucky soul who had been cut down, letting the broken sword hilt fall from my hands. It fell onto the corpse with a dull thud, and I looked up, suddenly remembering the undead that had run off.
I walked forward again, turning into the corridor as he readied an arrow. I took a defensive stance, placing one foot in front of the other as I batted his feathered wooden missiles out of the way. He stopped once I reached him, seeming to take me in with his orange, glowing eyes. He gurgled once, suddenly dropping the bow and drawing a broken blade of his own with a quick and vicious downward swipe.
I reacted instinctively, old combat knowledge from a past life pushing me to slam my shield forward. His blow was blocked, and his arm flailed wildly out of the way. I took a single step back, sinew and muscle in my right arm tightening as I thrust forward into his leathery, pink flesh. The blade slid through his ribcage neatly, piercing whatever vitals he had left with a sharp, puncturing snap.
The light quickly faded from his eyes as I ripped the blade from its temporary home inside of his body. He fell quickly, becoming a steaming pile of soulless flesh on the ground. I walked past him towards a gate made of shimmering fog, placing my hand upon it. Almost as if with an unseen force, I was pulled through, passing effortlessly to the other side. When I turned back to check, there was simply an open doorway.
I walked forward, curious as to the fog that I had found. There was a wall with an iron grate in front of me, and through it, I could hear the sounds of someone shuffling as though adjusting themselves. I continued forward, curious, as the passage led through and around. At the left there was a staircase that led up, and there was also one that led down. Back the way I came there was another passageway that wrapped to the right, so I looked around the corner.
Nothing. I quickly returned to the stairway, checking the downstairs steps. Crumbling stone slipped underfoot as a reached a wrought iron gate that was locked. No luck there either, so I sighed and trudged back up the steps. I had a nagging feeling in the base of my skull as I turned and continued up the next level. I heard a sudden snap, and a large commotion, looking up to see a massive iron ball careening towards my face.
Broadsiding me, I was hurled to the side with incredible force, slamming against a wall as I felt things shift inside me that normally shouldn't. I thought the pain would hurt, but instead, I just felt empty. Standing to my feet in spite of my grievous injuries, I looked where the ball had gone. It crashed through the bricks, giving me an entryway to where I heard the commotion earlier.
I quickly rushed through, only to find a man settling himself on a pile of rubble to the right of the ball. He wore a full suit of armor, so I was unable to distinguish any major facial features. An insignia of some sort was present on his chestpiece and his shield, and a sword lay near his side. He gave an audible sigh as I approached, lifting his helm to regard me with a voice that was weak, but still commanded respect.
I quickly realized that he was the man who had dropped the corpse carrying the key for me. Realizing he was clearly on his last few breaths, I paid close attention, straining to hear his pained words.
"Oh, you…You're no hollow, eh? Thank goodness." His chest rose and fell with his labored speech, his fingers reaching up for me. "Thank goodness. I'm done for, I'm afraid…I'll die soon, then lose my sanity."
I can't let him die… I thought. I realized I'd be unable to help him, but the yearning to see this kindred spirit fade from my plane of existence was still sad.
"I wish to ask something of you. You and I, we're both Undead…Hear me out, will you?"
"Yes." I answered without hesitation, in my mind and out loud. He nodded his head once slowly, continuing after a brief pause.
"Regrettably, I have failed in my mission…but perhaps you can keep the torch lit. There is an old saying in my family. Thou who art Undead, art chosen. In thine exodus from the Undead Asylum, maketh Pilgrimage to the land of the Ancient Lords. When thou ringeth the Bell of Awakening, the fate of the Undead thou shalt know. Well, now you know…and I can die with hope in my heart…"
He's close to death… The grim realization struck me, and I found myself leaning down, closer to this brave soul as I urged him with all of my being to continue to the very end.
"Oh, one more thing…here, take this." His hand opened up, and in his grasp he clutched a flask, shimmering orange and filled with a sparkling liquid. The very sight evoked the same feelings as the bonfire did within me, and I reached out without a moment's notice and gripped it in my hand, settling it on the belt around my waist.
"An Estus Flask, an Undead favorite. Oh, and this. Now, I must bid farewell. I would hate to harm you after your death. So, go now…and thank you…"
He handed me a key as well. I closed it in my fist, placing it in the small key satchel I had fastened to my belt. I looked down at him, so peaceful in his rest, and still so pained and struggling. I made a small decision, one that may haunt me but I felt would ultimately be for the best. I picked up the knight's blade, positioning it above his body. He simply looked up at me, as if in silent acknowledgement of the move I was about to make.
Be at peace, brave sir Knight…may you find your eternal resting place among the legends of old… I thrust my blade downwards, piercing his chest where I knew his heart would be. His back arched in the throes of death's cold embrace, his helmet and armor rattling as the spasms began to bleed his life into the stone that he rested upon. His hand reached up towards me one last time, fingers outstretched.
"Hrggkt…but…why…" The brief words were all he had the chance to speak. After that, he was still and lifeless, his body continuing to spill blood around the wound. I left the blade sticking out of his body and embedded in the stone, a permanent marker for the brave soul. As I turned to leave, there was a soft, wisp-like, fading sound. It reminded me of the sound I had heard when the undead was slain earlier.
A white mist began to creep around my body, the remnants of the knight's corpse. Where there was once blood, death, and a brave soul, there was now this white fog that coalesced around my body, seeming to absorb under my skin. I felt invigorated, my strength renewed, as I understood that every action had a consequence. I placed a hand on my weapon, drawing it back from its sheathe as I continued on, ready to face whatever may lie ahead.
Walking up the staircase, I heard a gurgle and caught sight of a pair of orange eyes. Another undead lay at the top, his weapon drawn. I quickly cut him down, using the key to unlock the door. My movements were precise, calculated, as if I'd walked this way many times before. I pulled the gate open, retrieving the key and making quick work of the few that rushed through the crumbling stone to surprise me.
I turned the corner, my shield raised, just as an arrow pinged off of the shaped, hammered metal. My teeth gritted as I rushed forward, slicing the leg of the undead who dared raise a weapon against me. As it fell, startling and aghast, I hacked at its head, embedding the blade deep within the head. Placing my foot against the cheek, I kicked viciously, separating the blade from bone.
Again, the fading sound. More white mist began to gather, and I felt even more of my strength and expertise return. If this continued, I could no doubt reach unparalleled heights of greatness. I looked to the left, seeing a fog gate. Directly ahead was an archway with torches, but I decided I could come back. I had no doubts in my mind as to where the gate lead, and I fully intended to finish the struggle.
Walking through, the mist sucked me in again. I entered the room where I had first encountered the Demon in the church, only from a much higher angle. The beast looked up at me from the floor, a seemingly derisive grin spreading across its gaping face as though it were a smear of blood on a wall. I felt my blood boiling, wanting to extinguish the light from its sunken, bloodthirsty eyes.
With a deafening yell, I threw myself from the pedestal I rested on. I knew there would be no easy way down, but I wanted to take the direct route, no matter the cost. The beast continued to stare as I plunged down with incredible speed, my sword pointed in both of my hands. I made contact, the blade sinking deep into the flesh of the monster. It reared its ugly head backwards, roaring in pain as I ripped the blade free.
I leapt from the creature, hitting the ground as it spun to meet me, belly swaying. It gathered its legs, floating up into the air on wings barely able to carry its swollen, disgusting weight. Slamming into the ground, it lay resting for a moment while I furiously opened up the hide with a few well timed sword swings. It recovered quickly, counterattacking without me seeing the blow coming.
I was thrown backwards into a wall. Horribly shaken, I dropped my blade, scrabbling for the length of metal that reminded me of my combat fortitude. Pulling myself to my feet, I removed the Estus Flask from my belt, taking a sip. The golden liquid filled me, restoring my confidence as well as the urge to put an end to the beast once and for all. I took a few steps forward, simply rolling out of the way or not being close enough to suffer a blow.
Each time the beast attacked, I moved out of the way, slashing at the roiling, scaly mass of hide that housed its powerful muscles. Scalding, black blood spurted from each of the wounds, slicking the floor and making it hard to predict where it would be next. It turned suddenly, raising the giant, bloody maul above its head. I dove between its legs, coming to a stop as the hammer crashed into the ground.
Rushing around to the front, I pulled my blade back, giving one final thrust into the creature's head. Directly between the eyes, all movement stopped for a brief moment. No grunts, snarls, howls of pain, blood, or any other stimuli graced me. Not even my heavy breathing eclipsed the event. I withdrew my blade with a loud, slippery pull and the recoil began. The beast simply fell to the side, a great roar coming to a crescendo.
The fading sound happened once more, blood and viscera disappearing and giving way to a new feeling of strength. In its place lay a small key, and I reached forward, picking it up and walking over to the doors. It was a decent sized key for what I had seen, but upon closer inspection it was rather tiny. I opened the doors to the chapel, staring at the powdery white stones that greeted me.
Walking up the beaten path, I was soon faced with a dead end. I stood carefully, contemplating whether or not to turn back or no. I heard a few distant flaps, as if a pair of wings was approaching, and I looked back one last time at the hellhole that I had emerged from. I shook my head, turning, as an explosion of feathers and caws drove me to reality. A giant bird was rearing its head!
It opened its talons, black feathers falling around me as I was pulled into the sky. The Asylum from which I came was now rapidly fading from view, the grey skies of the land I would know to be called Lordran soon to be revealed. The bird flew at an alarming pace, while still gripping me close within its claws. I soon fell into a deep sleep, resting my body for whatever challenges awaited me.