Chapter One-Legend

My splintered, wooden shield deflected the Hollow's strike, followed by his decapitation with the weathered shortsword of my adolescence. I took a glance at Theron, kicking away the head in the process.

The sound of his clapping was muffled by crudely made leather gloves, "Not bad, Dan. Clean, precise, well struck. You're getting better."

"Hopefully," I grinned at my brother, my tutor. "Soon I'll be joining you in the Parish." The pleasant sound of my weapon being sheathed rang throughout the silence of the Burg. Another Hollow, perched upon a scaffold, heard this, and decided to end our lives with a firebomb. Before it was even thrown, however, Theron swiftly revealed his Thorn of Souls to the unwavering awe of myself. He swung the sword like bat, hitting the firebomb at just the right spot to send it flying back without detonation on our side. The Hollow's attempt to dive away only led to his own demise in the darkness below. Looking around for any other enemies, Theron put away the Thorn of Souls and smiled, "When you can do that, then you can come with us."

He gestured for me to follow, and I did, yapping at his side, "Hey, I just chopped of a Hollow's head! That's good enough."

"Yes, that's above average. Not many lads in the village can do that. But to be able to take on the Parish requires excellent reactions, understanding your enemy's patterns, anticipating them, perfect deliberation of your surroundings and where to go next. The Parish isn't like the Burg, Dan."

I let my head hang, a brisk wind rattling my common chainmail armour. Chainmail armour forged by my father, who, with all due respect, wasn't good at his job. It was fit for a novice like me, but for someone like Theron, or Solaire, required the protection found only in the darkest corners of Lordran. No modern blacksmith could rival the flexibility, weight, or defence that my brother's Silent Knight armour possessed. I often found myself just looking at it hung up in his room, while he was off duty, caressing the unknown, onyx metal that seemed to muffle any sound connected to it.

My least favourite part of the trip stood tall over us, the aqueduct; I hated getting my feet wet in the strangely warm water that led to god knows where.

"Even I don't venture there, Dan." He responded after my enquiry on the ominous, iron-bar door at the far end.

"Why, though?" Making slow steps in the dismal space, I felt totally protected with my elder brother behind me. "I understand you're a proud member of the Fire Wardens."

Firelink Shrine came into view from our position, and savouring the sight of our sanctuary, Theron put a firm hand on my timid shoulder, "True, brother; but there are certain places, down below us, that harbour darkness denser than any night you've slept."

"C'mon, what could be scarier than that Black Knight you showed me last week with Solaire?" I chuckled, but his serious, disapproving countenance made me silent.

"This is the reason you're not ready, Daniel. You do not take it seriously."

"I do!" Light and heavy footsteps made their way down narrow steps. "I do, really! I've read everything about the Undead Parish. We could go tomorrow, take the elevator."

Theron's apathetic attitude confirmed the discussion was over. He took in his surroundings, as if expecting there to even be foes here. Darting his eyes from the ruined tower, all the way down to the silhouettes of ancient buildings below, finally landing on the dashing smile of Solaire heading towards us.

Theron never showed as much emotion as his best friend, only revealing appreciation with a soft smile. This smile currently contrasted with Solaire's toothy grin, interrupted by his words, "Hello, lads. How was your jolly cooperation in the Burg?"

"Excellent, Sol! I chopped off a Hollow's head!"

The proud knight offered me a hearty laugh, clasping an arm on mine, "You're getting better, Danny. One day you'll be fighting upstairs with Charlotte."

"I hope so! I read that there's a colossal knight of shadow guarding something up there! Is it true?"

"A Berenike Knight, you mean? Ah, yes, I remember my first encounter with him. He's a huge figure of black steel, wielding a legendary mace that shakes the very foundations of the earth!"

"...But you killed him, right?" I asked, perplexed. "How will I ever see this foe?"

Theron, who had since remained silent, said with a sigh, "Dan, I've told you before; everybody fights the same thing in Lordran. If I've killed the Knight, he'll be dead for me, but for you he'll have returned in some transient manner. It's a right of passage designed by the Gods," I perked myself up, eager now to quarrel with the beast. Theron shut me down, though, "I've already told you, however; you're not ready, and likely never will be with that attitude."

I could sense sympathy in Solaire's words, "I get where you're coming from 'Ron, but c'mon, I was like that at 17. Give him a chance."

Theron cast him a surprisingly dark look, "No." He strode like a melancholy stormcloud towards the village.

Solaire said to me in a whisper, "I'll have a word with him, Danny. I see bright things in you, like the Sun."

"You do?"

"Definitely. Theron's just a very careful man; he loves you a lot, and understandably doesn't want you to go out there, but Charlotte's nowhere near as dexterous as you and she's already got a mission from the tavern."

"What?" I said, rather loudly. "She has? How?"

"Because she's going places. I think Theron's attitude has put people off contacting you."

"Sometimes my brother can be a burden."

Solaire laughed with all the light in the world, "Sometimes, yes; but in battle he is indispensible."

Our village went on sleepily around us; I sat with my best friend, Charlotte, the younger sister of Solaire, whilst the latter and my brother sharpened swords and sorted through mission offers.

I was lost in a daydream, resting against a ruined statue, when a sound chilled me to my heart and sent me rushing for my sword. I looked up towards a ridiculously imposing crow blocking out the sunlight, casting a wicked shadow on the village, and flying towards the Shrine, it's wings creating mini wind storms. In its razor sharp talons I distinguished an oddly shaped egg, while in its eyes I only saw menace and evil. The crow squawked again, to the pain of my ears, and landed, out of sight. The village was alive with conversation and heightened voices. Charlotte and I were shaking in our armour, where Solaire, Theron, and the other three knights stood strong, dangerously curious as to what that beast was. I'd never seen such a creature before! I made to head to my brother, but a bony hand grasped my shoulder. I jumped and turned to face the sunken, pale face of a crestfallen warrior. Charlotte and I looked at this man cautiously, who we'd never seen prior. All he said, however, in a mocking, worrying voice, was "It appears the legends were true."

Thank you for reading this guys. This is my first Dark Souls fanfic. I decided to write this after being mesmerised by that tremendous game.

As some of you know are probably aware, there is a lot of non canon stuff in here. I want to mix my fantasy with the Dark Souls fantasy. I hope you enjoyed. :)