Forgive me if I make lore violations in this story. Those are either because of my limited knowledge of the lore, or my simple disregard for it for storytelling reasons.

Also, MC is a complete noob.

My name is Antoine d'Airell, son of the Baron of Airell, Jean Francoise d'Airell, and Monica Juste d'Airell. I am a knight, more specifically, a Frère-Chevalier of the Hospitaller Order. I was an active member in the great war between Christendom and the rogue mercenary company known as the Black Dogs. What happened during the time was… fuzzy. I can barely remember any of it except for the fact that I was part of it. But then again, my thoughts would have been way more coherent if I wasn't trapped in a void of freezing nothingness.

It was cold and dark. It felt as if my body had been squeezed into a tight space. I felt trapped and powerless. I needed to be free. I felt as if my body had no freedom over itself as I kept trying to summon the strength just to move a bit. But, I felt a strange power fill me as my body began to strengthen, giving me enough power to break free from my prison and finally be able to move. I use this newfound strength to kick as hard as I could, popping off the lid of my prison and finally shedding some light as I realized that I was in a coffin this whole time.

I step out of my coffin, and hear a metal clanking noise, my awareness still rather blurry. I realized that I was in full knight regalia. I was wearing my armet helm together with steel shoulder pads and steel cuirass and a chainmail skirt. My steel cuirass had its usual tabard on top with the usual white cross on a black background. In short, I was in my normal full armor for some reason. But my attention shifted towards the strange scorch markings on the ground. I looked back to my coffin and saw my broadsword and kite shield. I took them both and followed the scorch markings. The environment was bleak and dark, so I raised my shield in preparation for any sort of ambush while still slowly following the scorch markings. A cold breeze brushed against my helmet, a raspy voice whispering into my ear.

"Go forth Ashen One…"

I had no idea what this 'Ashen One' was but I shrugged it off, deciding to just keep following the scorch marks. I kept walking slowly until I encountered the first sign of life in this dark and damp canyon. A hooded figure, wielding a broken sword. Its hair was withered and its body overall was bony, making me wonder how such thin legs could support it or how such scrawny arms could even hold a sword. But the moment it faced me, my whole body went cold. Its eyes were empty, carrying no life or emotion. Its mouth was gaping showing its dirty and broken teeth. Its whole face was as pale as a sheet. This was not a live and well human, if it were even human at all. It walked with a lifeless shuffle, wandering aimlessly.

I slowly approached the creature but as I got closer to it, it let out an inhuman screech as it shuffled hastily towards me, raising its sword as if it were ready to swing. I planted my feet on the ground and steeled myself as I raised my shield. The monster thrusts at me with its broken sword, striking my shield with surprisingly strong force. The creature then recoiled as I then quickly took the opportunity to thrust into it before kicking it down. Shockingly, it was still moving as it motioned to get up. I quickly stamped my foot onto its back and stabbed its skull putting the creature down for good. I lifted my visor and wiped the sweat off my forehead as I began to wonder to myself.

"Where am I?" I thought to myself as I continued to wander the canyon, before doing the sign of the Cross and muttering to myself. "In nomine Patre et Filii et Spiritu Sancti…"

Of course, there were more of those ghoulish creatures, wielding their broken swords. I stayed behind my shield made sure to fight them one on one, not allowing myself to get surrounded. Of course if more than one got close, I would slash my sword with much wider range to repel them. These dull-minded creatures were not much of a challenge for any trained swordsman. It only took about two well-placed slashes to down them, slightly harder than your average human opponent, but their lack of skill makes it almost too easy.

"What the hell are these things?"

That was until I felt a sharp pain in my back. I turned to see another ghoulish figure pointing a rather large crossbow at me. I held up my shield and walked towards the figure, tanking crossbow shots as I went. As soon as I got close enough, I delivered a devastating slash and cut the creature in two, making sure that it would finally go down. I breathed in and breathed out, seeing a brighter light at the end of the path. I ran out to see myself at a cliffside, over a cloudy and foggy landscape. I looked to my right and saw a massive castle to my right, but seeing as the path only went upwards, I followed suit and found myself at what looked to be a campsite, complete with a fireplace at the middle. I thought best to rest here as I saw that my journey wasn't over yet. I decided to start a bonfire as I began to adjust the wood to suit my needs.

But much to my shock, the bonfire lit itself as soon as I extended my hand towards it. I looked at my hands, which weren't even burning at all, still unable to comprehend how I even did that.

"Did… I just light it by myself?"

I decided to just set that question aside and just rest instead. I sat down in front of the fire and breathed for a bit. I then noticed something glowing in my trouser pockets as I took out a strange flask that glowed orange, like the glowing ember of a dying fire. I opened the flask to find that the liquid was lukewarm to the touch. I was tempted to drink it but I declined as I needed to keep moving. Strangely, that small stop restored my strength rather quickly as I felt fully rested the moment I left. I spotted a few buildings in the distance and decided to move in that direction.

I moved down the stone path to only find more of those ghoulish things, curled up along the road. I decided to be discreet and just silently dispatch them. Of course, one manage to get the jump on me and slash me at my back. I quickly rolled aside and put a well-placed thrust into his back and then kicking him off the cliff. I then saw a flaming bolt fly past my face, I turned to see another ghoulish figure wielding a crossbow. I decided to just quickly close the distance as I ran forward and slashed its head off. And beyond it, was a large metal door. I pushed open the doors and saw an arena-like area, with a giant knight statue in the middle, with a sword stuck in its chest. I walked forward and inspected the statue. But as I did, I heard a voice that whispered to me.

"Pull the sword…" The strange voice commanded in my ear, before the wind took over.

I went against my instinct and tugged on the sword, pulling it out of the statue's chest. As I pulled on the strange coil-shaped sword, I noticed blood splatter from the statue, realizing that this was no stone statue. And much to my fear, the statue began to move. I quickly rolled back and raised my shield, preparing myself for whatever was coming. The statue then drew its tree-sized weapon and began to walk towards me menacingly. It then jumped towards me as I rolled out of the way in time. I kept backing up, hesitant to even attack as this beast that was so hell-bent on killing me. I backed up but realized that there was a cliff behind me. The beast then jumped and thrusted at me, making me roll once again to a safer spot. He was strangely slow with his attacks, perhaps I could take advantage of his cumbersomeness. He swung at me as I ducked and swung at his body, drawing blood. I could see that he was vulnerable to attacks, so I simply repeatedly dodged his attacks until I finally slashed him again, only for some black mass to burst from his body as he became an even greater abomination. I would have time to react, but he suddenly knocked me really far with his extra claw, sending me flying… And falling…

"No… I got knocked too far… Is this really it? How I die?" I thought to myself as I plunged to my doom. "Meeting my end against an abomination in a strange world? After finally escaping my dark prison, this is how I leave this world?"

I could only think of so many regrets before I felt my body hit the ground and my vision blacken.

But suddenly, I wake up in cold sweat as I sit up immediately, finding myself at the bonfire. I look ahead to see the ghoulish creatures that I could have sworn I killed. I slapped myself in the head, making sure that I wasn't dreaming. I looked at my hands, still comprehending the whole situation.

"Was that really all just a dream?" I wondered to myself as I decided to just stand up and continue with my journey.

I repeated my same strategy that I apparently dreamt of, stealthily killing the undead creatures. This time however, I saw a shining light in one of the caves nearby as I crept closer to investigate. There was a withered corpse with its back against the wall and above it, a glowing white orb. I touched the orb and it absorbed itself into my body as I strangely felt nothing. I decided to soldier on to the gate, where the same crossbow-wielding ghoul was. I quickly dispatched before I saw something different with the gate. It seemed to be covered with a thick fog. I attempted to traverse the fog as I was greeted with the same horrible sight I last saw in my dreams.

"Merde." I muttered under my breath.

And that was the start of the cycle. I fought him, and died when that abomination squashed me like a bug. Woke up. Killed the ghouls. Fought him and died when he decided to jump onto me and smash me. Died when he smacked me while I tried to get up. Woke. Ran straight to boss then died when he kicked me away. Woke up. Got knocked off again. Died. Rinse. Repeat. Woke. Killed. Died. Woke. Killed. Died. Woke. Killed. Died. Woke. Died. Woke. Died. Woke. Died. Woke. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died.

Died.

It was a repeating cycle full of death. No matter how many times I tried, I always failed. It was endless. That cold sweat that I feel whenever I reawaken. The memories of the pain of every single slash and bruise he gave me. I couldn't take it anymore. What awaits is more death and more endless pain should I even continue?

All I could do was just crouch and stare at the fire in deep thought, still contemplating my options thought it seemed as if there were none at this point.

No! I needed to do this! There was still hope that laid ahead! That beast wasn't invincible, I saw it bleed. I could kill it. That abomination can and will die. I have to keep trying, I needed to say what laid on ahead. I would go forth and….

Suffer a thousand times more? This is pointless. This land is already desolate, I am already the only one left with these damned ghouls. There's no point even trying, I wish I was dead already. It would have been a blessing compared to this accursed cycle of death and reawakening.

I saw that beast falter at my blows, there is a chance! A small one, but a chance nonetheless! This reawakening after death will only help me learn from my mistakes, and even if I make another one, there is always a second chance. Soon enough, that beast will fall.

What mistakes are there to learn if I die too quickly to even notice? What point is a chance if it is close to zero? Would I just waste my lives on just learning how to beat this damned beast? What's the point of the second chance, if I waste them just by making the same mistakes again?

I-I can do this. I will get through it!

I c-can't take it… I won't do this…

I…

I-I…

I felt the voice in my head crack as I was literally stunned by what little I could do. I could feel my tears well up as my breathing became more panicked. I leaned forward and collapsed on my knees as I smashed the ground in frustration, unable to comprehend anything anymore.

I hated it. I wanted it to end right now. Be it death or a way out of this damned area, I would welcome it with open arms. Please… Just… End…

Please…

But as I was wallowing in frustration, I felt a rattle in my pouch, as I realized that I haven't even checked it. I looked through my pouch to find a strange glowing rock. It glowed like the cinder of a dying bonfire, letting off tiny sparks as if it were still burning. I closed my eyes as I instinctively crushed it in my hand, as I felt a warmth enter my chest. I felt a new strength take me over as I stood up. I saw my body was much similar to a burning flame, with small cinders and flickers escaping my body. I was amazed by this newfound strength I gained from crushing that ember and somehow absorbing its power. I gained new sight as I saw strange white engravings on the ground. I crawled towards the engraving and touched it, examining its contents before I saw it glow and a figure rise out, making me recoil in surprise as I crawled back frantically. God, I really hope I didn't summon some other abomination.

The figure glowed white, but as it kept rising, Antoine could make out the figure. It had a great helm that had golden winged ornaments on its sides. He wore a steel cuirass together with distinct steel pauldrons that had a black cross painted over them. His chestplate had a black cross in the middle, while his standards also bore a black cross. Overall, he also looked to be a well-armed knight with a longsword in hand. The figure looked at me as I tried to stand up, I could see the eyes behind the knight as I heard him mutter, taking off his helmet in the process.

"Antoine… Is that you?"

Wait, he knew me? I didn't remember any knight like him, except for… No. It can't be…

"Arend?" I dumbly asked while taking off my helmet.

Arend von Holland. A Ritterbrudder of the Teutonic Order, and wielder of the longsword. He is the son of the now deceased Count Karl Adolf von Holland, and the original heir to the County of Holland. He was one of my most steadfast friends back in Europe, as well as in the war against the Black Dogs. He is the best swordsman in the land and has no equal in a duel. If this really was him then he couldn't have picked a better time.

"Oh my God!" Arend said while suddenly embracing me. "Antoine!"

It really was Arend. By God, I don't know what's happening anymore, but I'm relieved anyway. I returned the embrace as I shook him a bit, just very happy to see him. But for some reason, he didn't let go when I was already motioning to free myself from his embrace. I even heard a bit of crying as I decided to ask him.

"Ahem, Arend?" I asked. "You're not letting go."

"My apologies." Arend said while letting me go and dusting himself. "It's just that seeing you has been the most pleasant surprise I've had. Seeing as to how long it's been."

"So Arend, how are you doing?" I asked with a smile. "How's the war going?"

That's when Arend's expression turned from a happy one to a worried one.

"Antoine… That was five years ago…" Arend said with much concern written on his face. "The war is over."

Now that confused the hell out of me. How the hell was the war over already? Has it already been that long? Why did Arend look like a ghostly figure? But most importantly, why was Arend so worried about what he just mentioned?

"Okay, so we won I assume?" I asked, in which Arend responded with a simple nod. "So what is with this concern?"

"You died." Arend said, straight to the point. "You died before the war was over."

I… died? That didn't make sense. I'm clearly here, alive and not-so-well. How did I even die? I can't even remember what happened beforehand. All I remember was a simple battle in the forest, and next thing I knew, I was here.

"What do you mean I died? As in, I perished?" I asked, trying to get more details. "How?"

"We… don't exactly know. You were captured at one point and Duke Thomas mounted a rescue. When he came back, he and his party refused to speak of what happened, all we knew was that you died."

"B-But how? I can't remember anything outside of– Hrngh!" I said as a sharp pain took away my train of thought.

"Antoine, are you alright!?"

"I-I'm fine, just a piercing headache…" I dismissed before inhaling and exhaling slowly. "So, while you're here, there might be something that I might need help with."

"Anything my friend," Arend said with a smile. "I'll be more than happy to indulge."

"Okay, this was NOT what I was expecting!" Arend shouted before he rolled out of the way of another blow.

"Just keep him occupied!" I shouted back at him as I raised my shield to block another strike. "We're slowly chipping him with our attacks, just be patient!"

"Had I known we were fighting a monster, I would have brought a damned polearm instead!" Arend complained before he glanced off another strike. "This fight's hard enough already."

"Just keep chipping at him! We're getting there soon enough!" I instructed before I was knocked back by another blow.

"Antoine!" Arend screamed in concern.

"I'm fine!"

I quickly got on my feet and dodged another attack. I ran in and quickly went in for more attacks. Arend quickly came and tried to slash as fast as he could. But suddenly, a giant black abomination grew out of the monster, just like before. Arend was repulsed by it, but at this point, I was used to it.

"What sort of abomination is that!?"

"That doesn't matter, just avoid its attacks and keep going for its lower half!" I said as I rushed in to carefully plan my next assault.

Thankfully, Arend had his advanced senses and instincts to dodge the attacks. Any fighter would have killed to have his awareness, skill, and speed in his combat. Unlike me, Arend was already a complete master of combat. But my train of thought is interrupted as I get thrown back by another blow. I slowly get up, noticing that my wounds weren't bleeding. I find the flask with the glowing orange liquid in my pocket, the aroma somehow becoming more enticing. Following my instincts, I chug down the liquid to find my wounds close with a glowing aura surrounding my body. I was fully healed and ready to get back into battle. I made a mental note to save on these flasks, seeing that their healing properties made them rather valuable with the lack of a priest. I recovered my footing, seeing Arend getting overwhelmed from the monster's constant attacks.

"A little help?"

"Over here!" I taunted while throwing a broken sword to catch the beast's attention. I dodged to the side as it pounced at me. As it was recovering, I made several swings at its body, drawing a lot of blood as it swung at me. I dodged on instinct and rolled out of harm's way. I raised my shield to tank another blow as it swung at me again. From behind, Arend swung at it's back and drew blood and wounded the beast further. The black abomination then tried to bite at me, but I dodged out of the way and slashed the beast some more. Arend then taunted the beast to try and get it to attack, and was met with the beast's black claws knocking him back. I ran in just in time to stab it straight in the back. The beast then swung at me, only for me to dodge the strike and land another hit, as Arend then proceeded to stab it also. Our combined attack seemed to do the trick as the beast then faltered, showing signs of defeat as it went on its knees and began to fade into ashes. While I proceeded to wipe the sweat off my head, I heard a raspy whisper in the air.

"Heir of Fire destroyed…"

I noticed that in the center of the arena, there was another unlit campfire in the middle of the place. I remembered their usefulness and I decided to approach it and extend my hand and light it, like before. I looked back to Arend, who was shocked that I could even do that. I simply sat down and decided to rest instead, with Arend sitting across me. I sighed, though the ordeal was tiring, I could not find the energy in me to even fall asleep… If that made any sense.

"What in the nine circles of hell did you get yourself into?" Arend sighed while wiping his face. "Even those orcs we faced back then were nothing compared to whatever these creatures are."

"I have no idea…" I sighed while downing a flask of the strange glowing liquid.

"What's that you're drinking?"

"I believe it's called an Estus flask, an item that carries the Bonfire's essence and restores the wounds of the Undead." I said instinctively before freezing. What the hell did I just say?

"How did you know that?"

"I… don't know." I said while glancing at the flask. "I just… blurted it out I guess. I think it's just a reflex." I shrugged off, the fatigue must be getting to me.

"Well pass some over, I'm parched." Arend said while reaching out for the Estus flask.

"Sure." I said while tossing a flask over to him. I watched him pop open the flask and sip it before spitting it out, making me snicker a bit.

"Blegh! What the hell is this!? Not even liquor is this bitter!" Arend spouted while quickly wiping his tongue with his cloth.

"Is it really that bitter?" I wondered before drinking down a flask of the glowing orange liquid. "I taste nothing."

"Your tongue must not be working then." Arend said while caressing his tongue with a cloth.

"Eh, matter of preference." I shrugged while drinking down another flask, before seeing Arend stare at my neck.

"What's that mark on your neck?" Arend said while glancing at it with a tilted head. "It looks rather sinister."

"Really?" I wondered as I felt my neck, feeling a circular imprint right on my neck. "Hmm, I'm not sure."

"Well, is it magical by any chance?"

"That's not important for now." I said while standing up and looking at the door before us. "We have to keep moving, I spotted a few buildings in that direction. Perhaps we will find our answers there."

"Okay then." Arend said while packing his longsword in. "Let's get to it then."

We both approached the doors and pushed them with all our might, slowly opening the gate until we could budge through. We looked around and found ourselves in a grim and bleak graveyard. Arend and I carefully traversed it before we saw some of the corpses move. Arend and I quickly moved to dispatch the corpses with ease. I quickly stabbed one before rolling aside and thrusting my sword into the crossbow wielding undead. I saw Arend dodge the strike from a spear and catch the spear. He then proceeded to break it before he then changed his longsword, holding it in a mordhau grip as he then used the guard to hook onto the monster's shield and pull him over. Arend then smacked his sword's pommel into his opponent's face, stunning him just long for Arend to kick him down and stab his sword straight into the downed beast. We saw that both enemies were defeated as we nodded at each other to move on to the next area.

We saw the building before us, it looked bleak, with a dim fire lighting inside. Arend and I shared a look of hesitation before we entered, to only find ourselves in a bleak-looking shrine, with five thrones at the end with lit candles littering the side. I could spot a withered corpse sitting down, presumably dead, I suppose. Arend and I raised our weapons and slowly walked in. We saw the shrine, it was dark and bleak, its walls and floor, crumbling from what its seemingly grand past. We slowly walk down to see a lady, sitting by the bonfire. She was a lady with white hair and a strange silver crown-like mask that covered her face. Her skin was pale white, almost as white as her hair. She wore a long-sleeved black dress with another black coat over dress top. Arend and I didn't know what to make of this as we crept closer to her, she turned her head to us and I suddenly just hid behind Arend out of fear for whatever monstrosity she would become, summon, call, or all of the above.

"Welcome to the bonfire, Unkindled One." She said with a gentle voice, similar to a motherly figure calling out to her child.

"Me?" Arend asked while pointing to himself.

"No, the one behind thee." She said while pointing at me as I cowered behind Arend. "Ashen One, art thou afraid of me?"

"Who is this Ashen One you speak of?" I asked, still hiding behind Arend. "I am Monsieur Antoine d'Airell, Frère-Chevalier of the Hospitaller Order!"

That was before I felt someone grab me and throw me aside. I gave a glare at Arend, who simply groaned and slapped his forehead.

"If you're going to say that, then might as well say it face-to-face!"

I stood up and dusted myself as I was face-to-face with the woman, though I had to look down a bit with her smaller height.

"Uh…" I said dumbly, not knowing what to say next.

"Do not be afraid, ashen one. I mean no harm to thee." She said while putting a hand on my cheek. "I tend to the fire and tend to thee."

"Um, okay then…" I trailed off before looking around. "Where am I?"

"Thou art in Firelink Shrine, ashen one. I am a Firekeeper." She said while curtsying.

I saw Arend wander off and speak to other people around the shrine as I spotted an old woman in her seat, while I spotted a muscular man working on some metal in the distance. I could only wonder about the sort of situation I was in. However, I might have been too obvious as the Firekeeper then proceeded to ask me.

"Thou seem troubl'd ashen one. Speak thine heart's desire, alloweth me to remedy what ails thee."

"I don't understand this whole thing." I admitted. "What is this whole Ashen One and Unkindled business? Why did I wake up in a grave? And those are only few of the questions I have in mind."

"Ashen one, thou doth not understand the nature of the Unkindled? Of the Age of Fire? Of the Lords of Cinder?"

"Can't say I know what those mean." I replied while crossing my arms.

"Impossible… If thou art truly Unkindled, then thou must have linked the Fire in ages past." Firekeeper said while looking at my body. "As I speak, your body burns with the spark of an Ember."

"I don't follow."

"In ages past, thou hadst link'd the fire and perished into ashes. Now thy task is to return the Lords of Cinder to their thrones." Firekeeper said while gesturing to the empty thrones. "Thou are not alone however. To this end, I am at thy side."

Okay, none of this still made sense. So I apparently linked some sort of flame long time ago and turned into ashes. And apparently this aura I'm having is caused by that weird stone is called an Ember. However, my confusion still largely lied with this 'Age of Fire' and the 'Lords of Cinder'. But I would have to make do with the far more simple questions.

"Who are these Lords of Cinder?"

"Beings with great power, beings whom has't link'd the fire in the past but could handle the flame's power."

"So they are powerful?"

"I must warn thee about their power, yes. They may be considered as gods at this point."

So I'm expected to just hunt these supposed gods!? What do they expect from a mere mortal man!? Apparently it all has to do with linking some sort of flame.

"Er okay then, I still don't understand this but let me ask, how did I link the fire before?" I asked while scratching my head.

"I cannot recall your attempted rekindling of the First Flame, I am merely bound to thee as thy servant."

"Then how will I know if I am the right person?" I asked while taking off my helmet. "Look at me, if you had seen me out there, then you would have your doubts as well. I died eighteen times to that thing out there, and I only managed to get past it with a friend."

"You died eighteen times?" Firekeeper said while approaching me and putting her hand on my cheek, caressing it, and making me feel uncomfortable. "Art thou well? Doth thou need my assistance to heal?"

I took a step back, the Firekeeper's touch making me feel uneasy. The overall atmosphere of the shrine made me uncomfortable, so I made a silent Sign of the Cross and uttered a short prayer. I saw the Firekeeper give me an inquisitive look.

"Art thou well ashen one?" Firekeeper asked while approaching me.

"I don't… know." I trailed off while sitting down in front of the fire. "I'm already confused enough as it is."

"Ashen one, if thou needs't one answer to remedy thy doubt, what shall it be?"

I thought about that hard. For one, I didn't know where I was. All I knew was that I was stuck in some godless land filled with abominations even more repulsing than what I had previously thought to be repulsing. I was apparently dead to my comrades, saying that I had long died in some rescue mission. I was clearly fatigued from what happened.

"How do I return home? To France, to Amelborough, to wherever that's not here!"

I saw the Firekeeper put on a thinking pose as she then sat down.

"Where is home for thee, ashen one?" Firekeeper suddenly asked. "Whatever place you call home is either no more or far beyond your reach."

I trembled at that. I was stuck here. Left to face these monsters. I have already died to the weaker monsters, what more if I had to face these Lords of Cinder? Gods, monsters, demons. And I was just a man with a sword and shield, trying my best to not die in a world where I am but a mere insect. I collapsed on my knees and groveled, smashing it in frustration at my current situation. But I felt a hand on my shoulder as I heard the Firekeeper whisper.

"Ashen one, you has't gained more souls than I could ever imagine…" She said while examining my hand. "Where has't thou gained such power?"

I looked at her, confused at whatever mystical crap she was spouting but then I looked at my hands, which held a four-digit number, which was '3680'. I gave the Firekeeper a look of confusion as she then proceeded to sit down on the stairs and tapped her lap.

"Ashen one, come lay thine head on my lap and allow me to assist thee." Firekeeper said with a gentle smile.

I hesitated. For one, I was a grown man in knight armor and she was asking me to lay my head on her lap like I was a child. But I went against my better judgement and took off my helmet and laid my head on her lap. She then stroked my hair as I just held my breath and took it all in. She then said to me.

"Ashen one, these souls that you have gathered, will be thy strength. For to be an Unkindled is to be a vessel for souls. "

"Soul? As in the human spirit?" I asked, not familiar with her concept of the soul. "Souls are not a source of power. They are the immaterial subject of human consciousness and freedom."

"These souls doth in fact carryeth the consciousness of living beings." Firekeeper said softly. "Ashen one, those creatures that you cut down were once alive, driven insane as Hollows with pieces of their consciousness fleeting by the second. When you slay them, you absorb what is left of their humanity in the form of souls."

"And what do I do with them?"

"You touch the darkness within me and take nourishment from these sovereignless souls."

I thought about it. If I were to truly take on this mission, perhaps I would find a way home along my journey. And with nowhere else, there really was not much I could do. I held my breath before I softly told the Firekeeper.

"Grant me nourishment from these souls."

"Very well." Firekeeper nodded as she extended her hand over my head and began to mutter an incantation. "Let these souls, withdrawn from their vessels…"

I closed my eyes and allowed myself to absorb what power she had to offer. A few moments later and the incantation was over as I sat up and walked off. As I began to try and look for Arend, I heard the Firekeepr speak up.

"Ashen one, how old was't thou when thee perished?"

"Twenty seven years old, I think."

"Ah okay then, carry on." Firekeeper nodded at me.

I shrugged and went on my way as I found Arend admiring the wares of the strange muscular blacksmith.

"Arend, let's go."

"To where?" Arend asked with a confused expression, tilting his head sideways.

"To the bonfire. I was given instructions to 'Produce the coiled sword at the bonfire. The mark of ash will guide me to the land of the Lords. To Lothric, where the homes of the Lords converge.', I'm hunting down the Lords of Cinder."

"Well, I'm not exactly enlightened on the matter, mind filling me in along the way?" Arend asked me while we walked to the bonfire.

"Sure, but I don't think you'll like to hear it." I said as we both stood in front of the bonfire. I concentrated and conjured the coiled sword from thin air. I could see Arend's shocked face behind his helmet, deciding to calm him.

"Don't ask, I've learned a LOT of new tricks." I said before I then plunged the sword into the wood pile, producing the bonfire. I then extended my hand towards it, with Arend following suit. I then concentrated on saw an image of a castle wall coming into view, the High Wall of Lothric. I then closed my eyes as I warped myself and Arend towards our first destination.

Meanwhile, the Firekeeper stood by the fire, ever waiting for the Ashen One's return. She then sees the approach of the Shrine Handmaid, sitting beside her.

"This Ashen One is different."

"He is very innocent and childlike. Traits that cometh in short supply amongst warriors as tested as he." Firekeeper said while looking down at her lap. "His cries of distress and agony were… painful to hear. Much like hearing a child in agony or in pain."

"And that is why you let him rest on your lap?"

"I tend to the Ashen One. His suffering shall be mine, and I shall be servant to he. I shall only find comfort in his happiness."

"Very well then, I shall return to my duties and you to yours."

"Of course." Firekeeper nodded as the Shrine Handmaid walked away. Firekeeper's thoughts were on the Ashen One, or Antoine as he insisted she call him. She was servant to him, and his burdens were hers to ease, but meeting him has caused her to feel more… protective of him. Seeing how lost he was in all matters regarding the Linking of the First Flame, she felt obliged to nurture him and guide him. Now, she could only worry how he would handle the first trial ahead.

MC finally got gud.

And done! I've finished my Dark Souls 3 submission! I'm rather proud of it and I would certainly like to hear what you think!

Also, I have a few ideas for more Dark Souls 3 fanfics that I might try once I have more time.