AN: Hey all, not much to say in this AN, just wanted to give a shout out to ParagonEmil, who was the first person to both follow and review this story!
Thanks a ton!
Chapter 2 – A Promise, A Vow
My victory grin was soon overtaken with worry, as I looked over the courtyard for Oscar.
"Oscar!" I called out, and I heard a chuckle from behind me.
"I am fine." He said, and I whirled to face him.
I glared at him.
"I thought you were dead!" I yelled.
His helmet was off, probably tossed away for better visibility, so I saw him raise his eyebrow.
"What made you think that?" He asked.
I scowled, pulling at my hair.
"I, well, I heard the sound of cutting open flesh, so I thought you got hit by the thing." I rambled.
He chuckled again, and raised his sword, which I noticed had fresh blood on it.
"I was the one who landed a blow, not it." He told me, and I felt like an idiot.
"Of course you did..." I said, covering my face with my hand. "Of course..."
He again chuckled, a sound which was getting annoying.
"Well..." He said, picking up an old-looking key from the ground. "I think I've found our way out."
I grinned at him, happy to hear about progress in our escape.
"But, before that." He continued, turning to face me. "How did you do that?"
I raised an eyebrow at him.
"How did I do what?" I asked.
He raised his own eyebrow to mimic mine.
"You used a Lightning Spear miracle, and without a talisman at that." He explained, and I frowned.
I had, hadn't I? The lighting just... came to me. I didn't need to recite any bible passages, I didn't use a talisman, none of that.
I freely controlled electricity.
I held out my hand, willing the energy to collect in my palm.
And it did. A ball of golden energy appeared in my hand, and I heard Oscar gasp.
"That!" He cried, pointing at my hand. "How are you doing that?"
I concentrated on the ball, willing it to expand. It grew, until it was the size of a basketball. I then noticed that the more I held the energy in place, the more tired I became.
I let the ball dissipate, and as it did, I felt my head ache with pain. I shut my eyes, trying to block out the pain.
"Are you well?" I heard Oscar say, and I managed to nod.
"Seems holding that magic takes a bit out of me..." I gasped out, but my thoughts strayed.
Why did I have magic? I've never used magic before, mainly because it doesn't exist in my world, but whatever...
Not only can I just... use it, I have next to no issues using it.
I thought about the different type of magic in Dark Souls: Miracles, Soul Sorceries and Pyromancy. I stared at my hand, trying to think what category that fits into.
Miracles, maybe? I did use a lightning spear, but that's only cause it was the first form that came to mind. I could probably make a sword, if I need to.
Defiantly wasn't Pyromancy, that was an easy enough to tell.
It could be sorcery, but I've never heard of sorcery that lets you control lighting.
No, it sounded like some type of miracle, maybe a variation of Sunlight Blade. But, I don't think I've ever heard of anyone using miracles without a talis-
I stopped.
Ornstein! Of course! He can use lightning spear without a talisman, so he would know why I can.
But... Anor Londo is a long way away...
I shook my head, pushing those thoughts aside. I had a goal now: find Ornstein.
And hope he doesn't kill me on sight.
"Should we be off?" Oscar said, interrupting my thoughts.
I nodded, and he opened the door with the demon's key. I followed him out, breathing in the cold air.
I smiled softly, happy to be out of a jail.
"So, how we getting out of here?" I asked Oscar, and he shrugged.
"I do not know, but the gods will provide." Oscar said, and I scoffed.
"The gods wouldn't even lift a finger for us." I snapped, and Oscar sent me a look.
"Ye of little faith..." He sighed. "I have faith, and the gods will answer."
My mind flashed back to Saint Urbain, who trusted his 'gods' to the point of madness, and I scowled at Oscar.
"Rely on the gods, and they'll let you down." I warned, walking past him.
I didn't see his reaction, but I didn't really need to. Those who trust the 'gods' blindly will rely on them before themselves, and in the end, these 'gods' would never try to help a mortal man.
I walked up to the edge of the cliff, and I could hear Oscar's armour clinking behind me.
"W-Wait, Orpheus!" He called out, and I grinned at him, hearing the flapping of wings.
The crow screeched, and scoped us up into its claws, flying away. I couldn't help but feel terrified by the journey, but at least I didn't scream out loud like Oscar.
I couldn't help but laugh.
The landing in Firelink Shrine was... not exactly gentle.
I fared slightly better than Oscar, only because I expected it. He, however, did not.
I heard his arm crack as he landed.
"Shit, you okay Oscar?" I said, climbing to my feet and running over to him.
I rolled him over, and he cried out in pain.
"Shit, shit, shit..." I muttered, trying to undo his armour.
"Well, what do we have here?"
I looked over my shoulder to see the Crestfallen Warrior, I don't even think he told me his name in the game, grinning at me.
"Shut up, and help me get this armour off of him!" I yelled, and the smirk disappeared from his face.
"Why should I?" He asked, leaning back.
I scowled at him, summoning a lightning bolt in my hand.
"This, is why you should help!" I said, raising the spear.
Instead of being scared into helping me, he simply chuckled.
"Go ahead..." He sighed. "You might be doing me a favour..."
The lighting faded away, and I turned back to Oscar. He hadn't moved at all since he landed, and I know he landed on his arm pretty bad. I desperately tried to pull of his armour, but it wouldn't budge.
"Damn it..." I gasped out. What could I do...?
"Petrus!" I gasped out. Of course!
As much of a bastard he was, he was still a cleric. He must know how to heal Oscar!
I got up, and raced around the corner to find the priest.
I saw him, just standing there looking off into space.
"Petrus!" I yelled, and he looked at me.
"Who are y-" He began, but I cut him off.
"My friend is hurt, could you please help?" I begged, and he raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, yes of course. Lead the way." He said, and I run back to the bonfire.
I tried to lift up Oscar, but with his armour on he was too heavy.
"Out of the way, boy!" Petrus yelled, pushing me aside, pulling out a talisman.
He closed his eyes and began to chant.
Oh graceful gods,
Who honour us with your divine protection,
Please, on my faith,
Heal this loyal man, who knows that you love and care for him...
I rolled my eyes at the chant, and as a ring of runes appear around Oscar, I hear him grunt and his eyes slowly open.
"What...?" He gasped, and I grinned at him.
"You broke your arm when he crow dropped you." I told him, and he gasped.
"Wh-What?" He asked, and Petrus shook his head.
"His arm was fractured, not broken." He said, and I scowled at him.
"Shut it, preacher." I snapped, and he raised an eyebrow,
"I take it you are not fond the art of the gods?" He asked, and I glared at him.
"No. Not really." I said, crossing my arms.
I heard the warrior behind me chuckle.
"Hypocrite." He said, and I turned to glare at him.
"What?" I asked, my tone dark.
He chuckled again.
"You summoned lighting. That is a miracle in itself." He said, an ear-to-ear grin on his face.
I scowled.
"That," I began. "Is not a miracle."
Petrus cleared his throat.
"Actually..." He said. "Summoning and binding lighting to a form is a miracle worthy of the gods themselves."
I glared at the traitor-priest, two things that I can't stand looking at, and summoned a ball of lighting.
"This..." I said, holding the lighting up, and changed the form into a sword, griping the hilt. "Is NOT the power of your 'gods'."
Petrus eyes flashed fear, but he steeled his will and drew his mace.
"Do you wish to challenge me, boy?" He said, a dark tone entering his voice.
I grinned, willing the blade to shift into a katana-shape.
"Damn straight!" I said, getting ready to lunge.
"Orpheus..." Oscar coughed out, grabbing into my arm, using me for support. "Don't be foolish."
I looked at him, and he looked tired. The magic might have taken a bit out of him.
I felt the energy begin to take its toll on me, and I let the lightning disperse.
"Don't come near us ever. Got it?" I hissed, and the priest simply nodded, walking back to his spot.
I sighed, gripping Oscar's shoulder and guiding him over to the well.
He collapsed against the brick wall, and I helped him sit more comfortably.
"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice quiet, and he smiled weakly and nodded.
I went to get up, planning on leaving him to rest, when he grabbed my arm.
"Wait..." He gasped out, and I did. "I just wanted to say... that you have my thanks."
I raised an eyebrow.
"What for?" I asked, confused.
He chuckled weakly, and looked out at the sun, which I noticed was setting.
"You could have just left me." He said. "You could have up and ran, took my gear, killed me yourself."
I opened my mouth to tell him I'd never do that, but he waved me silent.
"And you put up with a holy man to help me, despite the fact you obviously can't stand them." He chuckled slightly, and I laughed along with him.
I clapped him on the back, being careful not to hurt him.
"No problem, bro." I said, grinning ear-to-ear. "I'm not about to let anyone die on my watch.
He smiled at me, before yawning loudly.
I chucked softly at the man, pulling his armour looser, so he'd be more comfortable.
"Here, just rest." I told him, and he nodded weakly, falling asleep almost instantly.
I climbed back to my feet, feeling tired as well. I looked at the setting sun, it taking an almost red tone, and I smiled softly.
I walked up toward the pool where Frampt slept, happy to not here the serpent snoring, and stared into the clear water.
It showed me, just as I remembered myself, wearing clothes that didn't fit in this world, taking slang that nobody would understand, and I knew next to everything about this world.
I gripped my pendent, remembering the day my mother had bought it for me, and I felt a sense of longing.
I might be dead. That was a fact that was extremely likely.
I'm far from home, far from my family and friends.
Far from my world.
And I might never see it again...
Tears came to my eyes, and I did nothing to stop them. They sent small waves through the pool, and in the water I saw a frail, lonely boy who was far from home.
I shook the thoughts out of my head, wiping away my tears.
No.
I won't be that kid; I won't be the one who gives up before he even tries.
I stood, looking toward the fading sun, and I smirked at how accurate that scene was to the situation in Lordran.
I held out my palm, and a small ball of lightning formed. I could manipulate lightning...
But what about other elements of magic?
I dismissed the lightning, and instead wished for fire to form in my hand. I stared at my palm, desperately trying to form the energy within myself into fire, but it just wouldn't come.
I scowled, and punched the wall.
I've never used a sword before, never so much as picked one up. If Petrus had indeed attacked me, despite my bravado, I would not have lasted ten seconds.
Playing Dark Souls taught me something: No matter how badly the opponent outmatches you, if you have even the slightest advantage, take it. Use it full-force, don't worry about fighting fair.
My lightning would be incredibly useful against Taurus and the Gargoyles, but after that? I would be next to useless.
I swore, collapsing into the ground again, desperately trying to keep the tears at bay, when something fell out of my pocket.
It was my phone, with my clip-on head-phones connected to it.
I picked it up, and tried to turn it on, but it refused the light up.
"Must be dead..." I muttered, when an idea struck me.
I channelled energy into the phone, and soon enough, the screen lit up, with my familiar background, a picture of my last birthday party, with all of my friends surrounding me.
Again, I felt tears welling up in my eyes, but this time I let them go. I unlocked my phone, and opened up my voicemail inbox.
I was always listening to music, so I never heard my phone ring, till I put my music on my phone. I had about twelve voicemails, so I opened the first one, putting on my head-phones.
"Hey Dex, it's Nic. Just wondering where you are, you said you'd be over here at ten, it's eleven-thirty, mate! Oh well, I'll keep waiting then. Hurry up and get here!"
"Listen, Dec, I know you want some time away from home, but me and your dad miss you a lot, so please get back to us!"
"Man, I know you like to take your time, but late for your own party? For god's sake, Dex ,me and Nic have been here for nearly an hour now!"
I stopped the playback, tears streaming freely down my face.
I... wasted my life, didn't I?
I shook the thoughts out of my head, and opened up the music tab.
After a bit of scrolling, I found 'Hero of War', by Rise Against. I smirked at the similarity of the situations, and I started the song and leaned back against the wall.
"A Hero of War, yeah that's what I'll be.
And when I come home,
They'll be damn proud of me."
I smiled, closing my eyes.
That night, I made a decision. When I make it back, and I WILL make it back, I'll be more...
Well, friendly.
"I've got a lot of time to catch up on..." I said, looking up at the stars. "Mum, Dad, guys..."
"I'll be home soon, somehow..."
AN: And that's it for chapter two, thanks again for reading this far!
If you found this chapter too... mushy, not enough Dark Soulsy, don't worry. I'm just trying to set up a back-story for Orpheus, and yes, the voicemails and phone/song collection are based off of mine.
Again, I am still accepting OCs, but after chapter six, the submission box will be closed.
Stay Tuned for more!
