My dreams of dark and peace were cast away by the bell. At long last, they toll for my Champion to rise from the ashes to seek embers and light the flame to save us all. And as the new Fire Keeper of Firelink Shrine, I will do all I can to assists my Champion. I rise off the cold steps and begin to tend to my duties.
I quickly brush off all the ash that clings to me and move to the Bonfire that will soon be lit with the strength of a Champion. I glance up to Ludleth to see him still there. He's fast asleep waiting, the only lord to return to his duty. One of five. That means there are four more lords that need to be convinced to return, or forced. Only then could my Champion become a lord and light the first flame. He has his work cut out for him.
The Abyss Watchers, of the Undead Legion. Strong dependable warriors that were the main fighting force of the Legion. Hawkwood, a deserter of them told a few stories about them and their exploits. They sought to fight the Abyss where ever it would hide destroying entire city's that were even suspected of being tainted. It's said that their unique fighting style look almost as tho they were dancing around the enemy with grace matched with force. In a group they were unbeatable and fanatic, so why would they not return to their duty and instead let the dark spread? I hope they just got lost but even I find that to be unlikely.
Yorm the Giant, of the profaned capital. A larger than life being who rose through everything and became not only a lord but a ruler of man. Quite odd for a giant. But he overcame his own nature to become a ruler, conquer, and finally a lord. He put his trust in his people and asked for it in return. But if the rumors are true he never earned their trust or respect.
Aldrich, Devourer of Gods. They say the only thing stronger then his magic is his stomach. He often consumed the body's and souls of his prey growing ever stronger. I would be lying if I said his presence is missed.
Lothric, The Younger Prince. The one meant to light the flame who abandoned is duty the first time not ever lighting it once. Maybe he's the cause of this. When he refused to light the flame the bells rang for the past lords to take up the manantial. Now that they've decided to forsake the task, this world is running out of options. My Champion may very well be our last best hope.
I decide to let him sleep and go to talk with Andre of Astoria. He took refuge here awhile ago along with the deserter. I'm not supposed to let strangers in but there isn't anyone left to say otherwise and if they help my Champion on his journey then great. I only ask that they give my Champion the space he needs to complete his task.
"Hello ma'am, good to see you awake, was beginning to think I'd have to wake ya for the big day." Andre was always quick to start up a conversation. His skin was a dark tan with tightly packed muscle. He had lots of grey hair signifying his age. It ran down his back with a beard of similar length.
"I've come to ask a favor of thee," I said while looking him in the eyes even if he couldn't look into mine.
"Of course you can ask away."
"When my Champion arrives he might require assistance with his gear, I ask thy to help him as I lack any knowledge of the sorts."
"Well, of course, I will. I'm a Smith, after all, it's what we do." I bow to him and offer a gentle smile.
"I am grateful, as I'm sure the Asian one will be as well." He bowed in return.
"And I can't wait to meet this champion. Been a long time since I've seen a proper hero too long in fact." With that, I took my leave heading back to wear the bonfire that lies as a monument to what is to come. Soon the Ashen one will return with the Coiled sword and only greatness can follow. I stood at the base of the steps patiently awaiting his arrival. Only after the morning air was replaced with a cold breeze did I grow worried. Outside the walls of the shrine are a few hollows yes but nothing a Champion couldn't handle. Tho it is quite confusing to navigate and he might be confused about where he is at. After all, no one told him he'd be ash.
"It is important not to lose hope. Just calm thy nerves." I spoke out loud to myself. Hawkwood heard and couldn't help but comment.
"See, as I said there aren't any heroes left. They've all died or ran away seeking other things." His voice sounded one that was defeated and accepted that. "It's hopeless" I would never kick him out when he has nowhere to go but I do wish he'd keep such thoughts to himself.
"Oh hush you, and try not to test her generosity. Not everyone here is ready to die. Some chose to fight, not run." He fell silent after that, feeling the sting of his actions. His betrayal. I looked toward the Handmaiden who sat in her chair leading to Andre. It was so easy to forget she was there sometimes. Never making any noise choosing to sit there and toy with her special ash, making many interesting things.
"Please, refrain from bickering with each other. I have no desire to cause infighting." The handmaid's offered a smile then returned to work with the ash creating trinkets of sorts and Hawkwood held silent.
I stayed up all night at the door to Firelink. Safe from the wondering undead mad ones but I still had a good view of everything up to the door he will come out of. I watched, and watched, and watched. Soon the sun was rising over the East. I stayed rooted to the spot waiting for my Champion.
No one ever told me how long it would take him to get here but this graveyard isn't that big. It should only take one a few hours to walk from one end to the other. The lost sovereignless souls posing little threat to Ash. So I waited, and waited, and waited. Then the sunset in the west giving its goodbyes before dark took hold of the land.
This place held a strange beauty at night that even my blind fold couldn't hide from me. Then again there is very little the blindfold can hide. And for one fleeting moment I could almost troubles the troples this world had.
Then I went back to my duty of waiting and watching. Looking for any sign of movement from anywhere. But anything that moved was a far cry from a Champion. In what seemed far to short the sun rose again and there was no denying it. Something was wrong, very wrong.
I didn't even what to go back inside just to hear an 'I told you so' from Hawkwood. I'd rather sit here and wait for him, my Ash, my Champion, my Hero. But there's no point in dying for nothing not when the world is ending. I just need to go back inside and collect myself.
To my surprise Hawkwood didn't say anything, just looked up at me and back down. I sat down where the Fire should be. I was so excited to finally have it lit. Have something to keep the dark out. Instead, I just sit in the cold and Dark, not that I mind it any but that change only meant good thing for us all. Sadly what peace I found in the dark was banished by Hawkwood
"Its as I said there's nothing we can do. So let's just sit here and await the end of in peace." The handmaiden wasn't going to let that one go unchallenged.
"How about some peace for the girl who's given you some where to die!" I wish they would both be quiet. Only wish I did get today. So I sat there thinking of what to do. I was never given instructions on what to do if I have no champion besides wait. Wait for him to show himself. And if he never doses? Then I guess I just wait longer. Until he shows up, or I die. Surely they could have thought of a backup plan, then again we're the backup plan for the backup plan. The long shot, the last best hope. Only hope the world has left should we fail is some stranger deciding to try, which I have no doubt there will be many who try.
But what chance do they stand against the lords? Even the strongest among them would need guidance, the land they need to cross is huge spanning multiple cities and kingdoms. I am, by design, the perfect person to give this guidance and somewhere to come back to for rest.
But this place is secluded far away from the eyes of the world. After all who would search a graveyard filled with hollows? No. The best chance we all have is my Champion who needs help. And as the Fire Keeper, I am to be the one who provides for him. And he will save the world. And right now he needs someone to save him and as his Fire Keeper, I shall be the one to do it.
Andre might have a blade or two for me to use. If not then I'll brave it with my bare hands. He was still working when I found him.
"Hello ma'am, what could I do for ya?" He almost seemed sad when he said that. No doubt saddened not being able to meet this hero I spoke so highly of. So in a sense, I caused this grief and I will do whatever it takes to make it right.
"I know I shouldn't ask but I have another favor to ask of thy." He cut me off.
"Nonsense! You need anything just let me know. We're all in your data even if some don't know how to show it." I didn't need a name to know who he refers to. "Now what can I help you with?" I should have known he would react the way he did.
"Could you spare me a blade?"