After defeating three lords of Cinder, hero was transported to familiar place. High priestess Emma, who guided him at beginning of his journey, was there.
- Welcome back, Ashen one.
He was in Lothric knight's armor and with the same named sword. No helmet was worn though. Hero was prepared for anything, and also had a shield for special occasions.
- Well, that's unexpected, hey there.
- As I can see, your manners still the same. Nevermind, it is not why I summoned the.
- I'd like to know, why you summoned me so suddenly, I and Siegward were fighting Yhorm The Giant, you know.
- Precisely.
He wasn't surprised at this point, since ladies of this place, knows more then they let on.
- Well then, I suppose you're going to guide me to prince, aren't you?
- Exactly so, - she smiled and killed herself.
- Wait, wha… no, that's got to be some kind of trick, you didn't teleport me for that.
But there wasn't any answer or breathing. He came closer and took the Basin of vows, which also happened to be in her hands before death.
- Interesting… but why did she have to kill herself?
As he came closer, to inspect what behind a throne, some kind of sound has been heard. Not long after, the woman… or monster, dropped down to floor.
- Aaaah… so complete I feel…
- Who are you!? – Quickly hero turned to woman.
- You can call me Dancer Of Boreal Valley… or… just Dancer. Nothing else matters.
"Oh… those women… always so mystical" noticed hero.
- If you do wanna know though, Emma vowed to me, that should anyone trespass to prince Lothric, I should test their strength.
- Well, I don't see the reason you killed her.
- Oh, that's rather simple, sweetie, - whispered she right to his ear, - to set me free.
- I see… so you were Emma's prisoner.
- Yes, and I'm rather thankful that you came, I promise, your dead will be quick.
- We'll see about that!
And so, the battle started. She was wearing two swords and elegantly fought with them. Much of attacks were rather surprising, so hero decided to block.
- Poor boy, your shield is no match for me.
After those words, she was dancing with her swords and cutting through the shield.
- No way!
Things were looking bad for a hero. If she wins, then basin will be her and most probably, she will lock the door. Being careful certainly wasn't good move at this point. With no other choice, he dodged next attack, drank estus and put shield back on his back.
- Hmmm? Brave one, aren't you? I like that.
The battle went on. It wasn't quite easy, but he did begin to see the pattern, until her very dangerous move. Pure luck saved him though, he was able to successfully dodge all of those attacks and while she was exhausted – he gave her final strike.
- P… phew… I did it… man, enemies become harder and harder.
After resting at bonfire, he decided to visit Firelink Keeper.
- Hi.
- Oh, you're back, - wasn't quite disappointed she is to see him.
- Yeah… look, I got bad news for you, priestess Emma…
- Dead, I know, everything goes exactly as planned.
- And then, there was another woman… well, not quite woman… I mean…
- Dancer Of The Boreal Valley, I know, you don't need to tell me anything.
Truly, he didn't have to, Fire keeper's aware to their connection to each other, so they use one of Ashen ones, as they're own eyes. Nothing unusual, he just very good at describing, and tells one of them everything he has seen, and so, no one sends him to the final target.
- Look, I was saved by pure luck this time, maybe you have a way for me to become stronger?
- So that's what you want, hm… alright, it's not exactly strength, it's more like… motivation to move forward.
- What do you mean?
- It's time for you to learn about yourself… Jack.
That was rather surprising twist for him, to finally hear his name.
- My name… is Jack?
- Indeed. You were a farmer and you are from the far lands of Astora.
- Astora...
- You don't remember it, I know. You'd like to see your land, that's what I know too. So that is your motivation.
But she lied. No one comes back after lighting the last bonfire.
- I see… well, thanks for information, I'll ask Andre of Astora.
- I knew you would, but it's useless to try.
- Why not?
- He knows how important it is to save humanity.
- Is it save or delay?
"Again... I'll just use old trick" she thought, but was interrupted.
- And no more tricks! Answer straight or I'll deny thy mission!
She was bursting with laughter, which seemed quite creepy.
- Jack… undead… Ashen one… all of this means nothing. Do you really think, I told you the truth? Do you think I know where you from and who you were?
- W-what...
- I may have told the truth, but I may have lied.
- How should I trust to you then!?
- You should. I do possess ways to find out who you are, and that's that. Don't get greedy.
- Alright... I'll keep going after prince, just tell me… am I named Jack?
- You are.
At least, Jack knew his name right now.
- Alright, I'll be back to thee after meeting with prince.
And so, after finding out his name, hero left to the Lothric Castle. After making ladder fall down, thanks to Basin of vows, he climbed up.
"Three turns, huh? Well, one seems to lead nowhere... I think I'll go left for now" were his thoughts.
Jack found himself in the weird garden. In the past, it was most beautiful place in this castle, but right now it seems to be rotten and full of monsters. After fighting his way through, he got to big room. In the middle of that room was some kind of dragonic monster. He turned to Jack, and spoke.
- How dare you to disturb us!?
After looking to the sides of room, Jack asked:
- Us?
- My dear Ocelotte, don't worry, let's get rid of that slave.
- Hold on, slave?
But it was too late, he attacked while holding by one paw invisible baby. Even though he seemed to be draconic and with four paws, he didn't seem dangerous at all and his patterns were simple enough.
- Look, I really… wanna know!
- Defeat me and you'll know the truth… but it won't happen! – he threw invisible baby away and used all four paws to crush Jack, - forgive me Ocelotte, but you will be fine, you are child of dragons after all! If you don't want to fight, watch me.
"Ugh... too strong… can't get out…" desperately thought Jack, while being held in two paws of king Oceiros.
- Watch me Ocelotte, that's our true power! DRAGON POWER! – and then, he was breathing ice upon his foe.
- N-no! – almost frozen one Jack became.
King Oceiros was too strong, it was useless to fight him… so Jack thought. He was intimidated by dragon's power, since he never saw such a small dragon with strength like that.
- Tell you what, slave… I know about your power, to come from death… but do you know, it's not always work?
- W-what?...
- If you don't shine bright, you will die forever.
- No... It… it can't be!
He understood what dragon meant, if he loses his ash, then he is mortal. And considering that ice did the trick, Jack was in grave danger.
"Is it really… my final battle?" were Jack's last thoughts.
Surprisingly enough, Oceiros threw him away and without using full power.
- What are you…
- I can't watch it. I didn't have visitors, very long time, and I happen to have a weakling among slaves? Drink your milk and fight at full power.
"Right... he gives me a second chance, I should use it", and so he did as Oceiros said.
The battle continued. Even though Oceiros used very strong attacks, Jack was faster. He evaded much of his attacks, though he got trapped for a few moments, by his ice breathing flying attack. In the end, he won, and thoughts of fallen were only about one thing.
- Oce… lotte…
- Oh, come on, there's no one but us!
But it wasn't matter already, since he died.
"Phew… man, he is tough… it's a good thing, he did give me a second chance".
But now, the questions still remained, what did he talk about? But then, Jack noticed a door. He even forgot to rest by bonfire. But at least, "Ashen one" status was restored. That door led to some kind of underground place.
- WHAT!? SLAVE? HERE!?… no… THAT CAN'T BE!
It scared Jack a little, since it was so sudden.
- Hold on, who are you!?
- I am a humble servant to great king Oceiros and the dragons… but… he wouldn't let anyone here, would he!?
- Well… I kinda entered without invitation.
- You sneaked past him!? – with hopes serpent asked.
- No, I killed him.
The serpent grabbed his big head with both paws.
- Oh my… king Oceiros… he… he is dead… by the hands of slave!
- Stop calling me slave! My name is Jack.
- But you… fine, after all you did… kill him.
Serpent became to calm down.
- Tell me, why did you two call me slave? King Oceiros promised to reveal the truth after his defeat.
- I suppose I have no choice. Listen well, Jack, because you are about to discover completely new world and possibilities.