(Nexus)
Urbain frowned at his talisman of god, it seemed that it lost its power and glow. ``Is something wrong, Saint Urbain?´´ a female voice asked, the saint turned his head and was met by the concerned look of a blond woman.
``No, everything is fine my dear´´ the holy man answered with a smile, though inside he was filled with doubt and turmoil. He waited for the woman to go away and then turned his attention to the talisman. ``What happened? I can´t feel the link anymore, it is like…God suddenly shut up…´´the man stared at the holy object, an ancient tree, the symbol of God, was engraved on it.
``It´s gone…I can´t feel the power anymore. The Fog…the pressure is gone. The heat inside my body is wavering, getting colder. Does that mean my magic is going away? What happens now?´´ Yuria thought touching her chest.
Ostrava and Biorr materialized in front of one of the archstones, ``Are you okay, my lord?´´ the royal knight looked at the prince.
``All my family is dead, Biorr…´´ the heir said quietly, ``Father, Mother, Uncle…´´ he mumbled looking at the rings in his hands.
``There isn´t always a way back, but there is always a way forward. If you can´t find your path, make yourself one.´´ the royal knight said.
``You sound like Vallarfax.´´ the prince said in a more light hearted tone.
Biorr looked down at his ring, it was bestowed to him and his brother when they became royal knights of King Allant. It was a special ring that allowed him to carry unthinkable amounts of equipment with ease. It symbolized how they were a pair, hence the nickname "Twin Fangs".
``I don´t see The Maiden or the demon slayer, where did they go?´´ Ostrava asked as he looked around.
A statue located close to the "infinite gape" of the Nexus glowed with a white light, an acute sound echoed through the entire shrine, getting louder by the second. All inhabitants of the "sanctuary" rushed to see what was going on.
``What kind of witchcraft is this?!´´ a man asked covering his eyes, he was an acolyte of God, follower of Saint Urbain.
``I think its going to…´´ the blond woman tried to say when an energy explosion covered the place.
Despite the menacing looking explosion, the inhabitants of the Nexus felt a strange wave of calmness fill their bodies, minds and souls. And then…it was gone. The light suddenly faded, together with the calming sensation. The people slowly uncovered their eyes. The pit was no more, instead it was solid ground made of rock, a body lay in the center.
``Is that…´´ Thomas said walking to the center of the shrine, filled with curiosity the rest followed behind. ``It´s The Maiden!´´ Thomas said crouching. It was hard to tell if she was awake for her eyes were occluded by wax but judging by her body expression she wasn´t. ``Can any of you help me here?´´ the burden carrier asked passing one of the maiden´s arm over his shoulder.
``Why would we help a demon?´´ the acolyte asked in disgusted. He was told by Saint Urbain that the Maiden in Black was, in fact, a demon herself. When asked why he thought such thing the saint answered: ``Soul Arts are a source of evil power emanating from the demons. The Maiden herself manipulates souls as easy as you move your arms. She is playing with the spirits of dozens of unfortunate ones in a way very similar of the one used by demons.´´
``A demon? She helped me when I first came to the Nexus, took care and feed me. How that is considered to be a demon?!´´ Thomas asked in disbelief.
``You are followers of God, am I correct? Doesn´t the church teaches to be cordial with everyone?´´ Ostrava stood together with the commoner, Biorr at this side.
``Threatening a defenseless maiden. You are no better than those grinning fat ministers. ´´ Biorr tightened his grip on his greatshield.
Someone groaned, it was the maiden. ``Ah…I can´t feel it anymore…´´ she said without moving.
Everyone started to argue at the same time, arguments were ignored and accusations were made. Biorr was almost touching the hilt of the greatsword on his back. For some odd reason, however, the Maiden in Black didn´t speak a word or tried to stop the discussion.
Yuria, which was standing in front of the fifth archstone, looked at the commotion in silence. She would stand by the knights´s side but she feared the followers of God. The witch didn´t want to cause a second commotion over another "tainted person". ``But he was kind with me…´´she thought looking at Biorr. She felt a pulsating energy on her hand and so looked to see what it was. The scroll the Demon Slayer had given was emitting a strange energy, the glow around the rope started to dull until it finally faded.
``When the glow disappears you have to read this…´´ the slayer´s words echoed in the witch´s mind. She grabbed the tip of the rope and slowly untied it. A flash of light blinded her vision.
``SHUT UP YOUR IDIOTS!´´ a male voice shouted with vigor, all the inhabitants of the Nexus turned the attention to the source of the voice.
Between the first and fifth archstone, in front of the hall there was a blue phantom standing. The phantom was clad in a very similar armor used by Ostrava, a greatsword was attached to his back. ``I said shut up!´´ the ghost insisted despite everyone being quiet.
``You…´´ the Maiden in Black spoke looking at the ghost. The soul manipulator couldn´t see in any form but after many years trapped in the Nexus she learned to locate people by noise .
``Yes and no. Yes, it is me the so called "Demon Slayer" but I´m not actually here. This is just a message crafted with the use of magic and miracles. Don´t try to ask me question for I won´t answer them´´ the ghost spoke.
``Magic and miracles?´´ Yuria asked walking the stairs up to the broken archstone so she could see better.
``I will get to the topic later, I only have a limited time so please hear me out.´´ the ghost said.
``The reason I am doing this message is to tell what I learned about the Old One, God, Soul Arts and Miracles. I didn´t share this before because I was gathering information and wanted to make sure I was right.´´ the phantom looked upwards.
``Some days ago I met a wanderer called Scirvir in StoneFang Tunnel. He had a talisman that could cast miracles…and spells.´´ he stopped, as if he was waiting something.
``A catalyst for both? That is sacrilegious!´´ Urbain argued, his words filled with disbelief and hatred.
``Please let´s hear the rest.´´ Ostrava said.
``He told me he was once an acolyte of God, until he found this talisman he dubbed as "Talisman of Beasts". This talisman was shaped in the form of a "brown beast", a symbol of God. He said that God was, in fact, the Old One itself.
Shut up!
The Old One is a symbol of God, or rather, something related to God. The beast is not God himself!
On the first day God gave us souls and with them clarity. The Monumental says the world was united by the soul arts, until a lust for power awakened the Old One. The Old One came after God. Let me tell you all a story:
In the beginning there was a tree, the same tree crafted in each talisman of God. This tree was the passage, the connection, the link, with God himself. Through this tree humans performed both Soul Arts and miracles. Miracles and magic originate from the same source. This is why we call this tree the "symbol" of God.
But some humans craved for more power and tried to reach the tree to get this. Their desire for more tainted the tree, transforming it into the Old One. The First Scourge began but the Monumentals managed to lull the beast back to slumber. The Soul arts were lost and miracles stopped happening.
Then King Allant awakened the Old One again and demons plagued the lands. The reason why the Old One tries to consume all souls is because he is tainted with the same lust for souls. It was during this time that miracles started to happen again together with the Soul Arts, because the link was restored. I hope this ends this feud between sorcerers and saints.
By the way, LEAVE THE MAIDEN ALONE!´´ the phantom exclaimed. Everyone backed off by the sudden burst of anger.
``She WAS an archdemon but now she is anything but one. A demon lusts for souls, something she lacks. As for sorcerers, if they don´t do terrible things to achieve new spells then that´s fine for me. ´´ the ghost said.
``I bet the maiden is quite confused as why she is still here and why she can´t feel the Old One anymore. I know you said it was your job to lull the beast back to slumber but that´s not true. You have to choose your own path and make your own destiny, the Monumental CAN´T dictate your fate because he IS NOT God himself!
About the Old One, I designed a plan to fix it/him, I don´t know what to call. If a lust for souls transformed him into this "demon" then maybe I can do the reverse.
Demonbrandt is an ancient sword held by the royal family for centuries, this sword gets stronger the more pure the user is. I acquired this sword from the mausoleum in Boletaria Castle and it radiates a strong aura, more powerful than even four archdemons combined. I get that as a signal my intentions and soul are pure.
My plan is to knock the maiden out before she finishes her job and then make contact with the Old One. If I am lucky it will revert to its original state and stop the spread of the Fog. If I can´t do this I will try to lull it back to slumber myself.´´ the ghost took a deep breath.
``I am running out of time…I don´t know what will happen if I succeed, maybe Soul Arts will be lost or maybe not. I hope they are gone so no one can do the same mistakes. Independently of the result there are some things I need to ask before I go.
First:I recovered some holy artifacts from the Valley of Defilement. The spear Istarelle and the Moonlight Sword. Thomas, give them to Saint Urbain, they belong to the church anyway.
Second:I don´t know if the demons will go away together with the Old One but I am worried about a demon in particular. I am sure there are TWO Dragon Gods:One that killed me when I first arrived at Boletaria and one I killed below Stonefang Tunnel. I could only kill the latter using the weapons built inside the sanctuary and they no longer exist. But I collected a greatsword called Dragon Bone Smasher and gave it to Thomas, should the remaining demon ever appear use this sword to kill it. It was specifically designed by the blacksmiths of the area to kill their "God" should it ever came back, it´s the bladeless sword so there is no mistake.
Third:Maiden in Black, I don´t know if you are angry with me by now but forgive me if you are. I must ask you something. I transferred some souls to you before I departed, could you revive them? Their lives were cut short by the demons and I wish you to give them another chance, if you are capable of .I spared some Stone of Ephemeral Eyes with Thomas, I thank you good friend, so it should be possible to fully bring them back. I am not forcing you to do this, it is your choice.
That´s it, I think. Best of luck to you and goodbye.´´ the ghost made a very unusual gesture, his arms extended diagonally towards the sky and the legs gathered in the middle, forming a "Y". The ghost started to dissipate and in seconds it was completely gone. The group remained in silence, still digesting what the ghost had just said.
`` What. The. Heck. was that pose?´´ Biorr asked.
Urbain felt embarrassed, he knew where that pose came from. Years ago Saint Astraea found a ring called "Ring of Sincere Prayer", a holy artifact that contained a powerful blessing. During one of the few meetings they had the saint said she got a vision from God in which she saw an unusual pose. The blonde saint said that when she performed that gesture while wearing the ring she could feel the presence of the creator and his influence over her works. Urbain never admitted but he tried to do the pose a few times when he was alone and he had to say: He could feel a warm sensation in his heart. Not as powerful as Astraea had described, but he guessed it was because of the ring.
``I don´t know, must be a joke or something.´´ Thomas said, the Maiden in Black tried to stand on her own. ``Are you okay?´´ he asked unsure.
``Leave me be.´´ the Maiden said in a somber tone, her words faintly echoing. Thomas obeyed, startled by the unusual behavior. She grabbed her staff from the ground and proceeded to make her way onward.
``She must have formed a bound with the demon slayer, give her some time.´´ Ostrava said to Thomas, the commoner nodded.
Yuria tried to create a small flame with her catalyst but nothing came, not even a sensation inside her body. ``It´s really gone, this means…´´ she whispered walking down the stairs. The witch went directly to the still silent followers of God. ``My magic is gone, I´m no longer a witch.´´ she said with arms on her back.
``This doesn´t change the fact you were one before.´´ Urbain said frowning.
``I know…but I changed. When I came to Boletaria, I lusted for souls but then…I was locked away in a tower where I was…´´ the witch stopped, tears started to form in her eyes. ``My lust for souls is no longer and I find witchcraft a dangerous art. Would God forgive me?´´ she asked. She looked at the saint´s eyes, his scowl loosened and his expression softened.
``If your heart is sincere and you walk on the path of God then he certainly will forgive you.´´ Urbain told with a faint smile.
``What?!´´ the acolyte said in disbelief.
``If this woman desires to forget her witchcraft and walk on the path of God then I am happy to show the way.´´ the saint answered.
The acolyte fumed in frustration, ``As you say, honorable one.´´ he said, the man bowed and then walked away. ``That despicable witch is lying, I bet she is trying to fool Saint Urbain into a trap.´´ he thought snarling.
Yuria looked at the acolyte, she knew he was angry with her. However, talking to him would only kindle the flames of his rage.
``My lord. What do you think of the knight´s words?´´ the blonde woman asked to the saint.
``I have my doubts about the nature of sorceries and the origins of this Old One but that would explain some things. Independently of the source of the miracles and sorceries, I believe sorceries and witchcrafts which harm or taint the user should be prohibited. Surely you can understand this.´´ Urbain said after a deep reflection.
``But what about the "functional" sorceries? I believe there is one that covers the user in water, for example. This certainly would be useful during a fire outbreak and would save many lives.´´ Yuria suggested.
``I have to think about it, I will pray for an answer.´´ Urbain told walking to the "Cleric Hall".
``But wasn´t the link broken?´´ Yuria asked, she believed in the slayer´s words.
``God still exists, even if this link is really destroyed I am sure he has another ways of influencing the world. You are welcome to visit our place if you wish, eh…´´ the saint stopped, he didn´t know her name yet.
``Yuria.´´ the witch answered.
``If you want to learn more about God, you may come to our place, Yuria.´´ the saint said before walking away.
``By the way, I don´t know your name yet.´´ Yuria looked at the blonde woman.
``Keli. If Saint Urbain trusts you, I see no reason to be harsh with you.´´ the woman answered extended her hand.
Biorr sat in front of the fifth archstone, Ostrava sat on the stairs at his side. ``I guess people are uniting again.´´ the royal knight told with a smile.
``I agree.´´ the prince answered. ``How many sane people do you think are left in Boletaria and the rest of the world?´´ he asked.
``I don´t know, we will have to check.´´ the royal knight answered moving his shoulders.
``I need some rest.´´ Ostrava yawned.
``Rest my lord, this place is safe.´´ Biorr assured.
Meanwhile, the Maiden in Black slowly made her way to the upper floors of the Nexus. Her mouth was shut, her eyes occluded but her mind was reliving moments she thought weren´t important.
(Flashback)
``Arg!´´ the demon slayer took off his armor, his arms and legs were mostly covered with burnings. Someone offered a piece of cloth to him.
The knight looked upwards, it was the maiden. ``Thanks.´´ he took the cloth and put it in his mouth. With a grunt he bit the tissue and grabbed a jar of water.
``I thought thou would use it to apply medicine to thy wounds.´´ the Maiden said confused.
The knight washed the burnings with the water, he tried to scream but the cloth muffled his voice.
The Maiden watched with the head tilted to the side, this method of treatment was unknown to her. As she "looked" at the young demon slayer, something inside her said he was different, somehow. She would try to understand more of him in the following days,
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The Maiden sat on the stairs close to the Srine of Storms´s archstone, the demon slayer sat at her side.
``I was wondering…the Adjunicator was worshipped and acted as a judge, was he an ancient demon to begin with? Or he was just a myth and the original one was just a man dressed like him?´´ the knight asked but the maiden remained silent.
``And if he was a demon, why was there a gash on his side? Was he a masochist or he tried to suicide? And if he felt he was being corrupted, could it be he tried to kill himself to avoid being controlled?´´ the man continued to ask questions but the maiden still kept her mouth shut.
``Were you prohibited of speaking about demons?´´ he finally asked, the maiden nodded.
``I see…could you answer this question? Is the Old One a creation of God? As far as I know God created everything on the world, from the plants to the animals and people.´´ he said pointing to himself.
``Every soul is a creation of God, no exceptions. Art thou satisfied with this answer?´´ the Maiden in Black said looking forward.
``I guess that´s the best I will get, thank you anyway.´´ he answered getting up. ``Now there is just the Valley of Defilement and Boletaria Castle.´´ the knight walked down the stairs to the fifth archstone which would lead him to a place filled with filth and poison.
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The demon slayer sighed, he was sat with his head hung down. ``Astraea was doing what she thought was the best to those poor souls, even if that was through death. She was helping the Old One with the gathering of souls but her real desire was honest and pure.´´ the knight said filled with grief.
``What is a demon?´´ he asked to the candle maiden in front of him. ``Sorry, I forgot you can´t speak about demons…´´ he sighed. ``Am I becoming a demon? I hold the souls of hundreds, if not thousands of people. I am basically one right now, collecting souls and using them to invigorate my life force.´´ he looked at his own trembling hands, two delicate hands touched his fingers.
``Thou art not a demon thou art a human, this much I can tell.´´ the Maiden in Black answered. ``Thine soul remains a bright white, a demon soul is colorful, the color revealing the demon´s sin.´´ the maiden answered.
The knight looked at the maiden, ``I don´t know what I would be without you, probably someone like Yurt…Will you be here when I return?´´ he asked hopefully as he held the maiden´s hands, caressing them.
``I´m here to serve all the brave demon hunter who are trapped here.´´ the maiden answered as if she had said that numerous times before.
``No. I mean, will you be here for me when I return?´´ he asked again.
(End of the flashback)
The candle maiden stood in front of the Monumental, both were expressionless and silent.
``Thou knew.´´ she said after a long period of silence.
``Actually I didn´t, even I cannot read minds. Now that the Old One is gone, what should I do with you?´´ the Monumental pondered.
``You must choose your own path…´´ the knight´s voice echoed on the maiden´s head. ``I know what I will do.´´ she said raising her arm, revealing Demonbrandt.
``You can´t kill me, I am a Monumental. If you kill me no one will be left to keep the world together.´´ the boy said, a faint hint of fear in his voice.
``Thou art not mending the world, thou art keeping it ripped apart.´´ the Maiden in Black brought the pure white blade forward hitting the Monumental straight in the heart.
``You can´t…I am the Monumental, the one who holds the fabric…of…reality…to..ge..ther…´´ the boy closed his eyes and his head hung down.
The maiden used her staff to put out the burning candle of the Monumental and then crouched. She left the staff on the ground and searched something inside the Monumental´s robes. After a while she found what she wanted, an emerald round stone of the size of a small cannonball that was slightly bigger than her hand. ``For the world to be mended…I need to restore what was once destroyed…´´ the maiden thought. The nexial binding on her ankle resonated and then finally shattered, a frizzing sound echoed from the place it was previously attached.
A very small and thin piece of Demonbrandt turned black but it was almost invisible and the maiden couldn´t see it anyway. ``The binding is gone…yet the seal remains…good.´´ she thought sighing. With a movement of her fingers the magical sword became a soul and was absorbed by her hand.
After a long descent the candle maiden finally reach the first floor. Thomas was checking the materials and resources the demon slayer had left behind, it was quite a bunch of useful things and he wondered what he should do with them. The maiden went to the widower, noticing a shadow on the wall the man turned from his crouching position.
``Feeling better?´´ Thomas asked standing up, the maiden nodded. ``Good, I was just thinking on what I should do with his possessions.´´ the man said.
``Archstone shards.´´ the Maiden in Black asked, she wasn´t used to asking people, much less talking for her own motives and reasons. It has been centuries since she did that…
``Archstone shards? The ones who bring you back to the Nexus? I think the demon slayer left some of them with me. Let´s see…no, not here either…here!´´ the commoner grabbed a large bag, he grunted as he held it open with both hands. ``Pardon me, but why do you need these shards?´´ he asked.
The maiden turned and faced the opposite direction, the man walked to her side and followed the direction she was facing. When he was about to ask the candle maiden pointed her staff to the broken archstone.
``The broken archstone? How will you restore the portal?´´ Thomas asked, the maiden raised her left hand to show the emerald stone. `Where did you get this ball?´´ the commoner asked but the ex-demon didn´t answer.
``So, you are planning to fix that thing with the ball and the shards? Wouldn´t this require…I don´t know, some sort of magic?´´ the man asked as he analyzed the broken portal.
``The shards must be gathered with the stone…this should suffice.´´ the candle maiden answered.
``Wasn´t there a good reason for the portal to be shattered? I mean, it could be that there were incredibly ferocious demons on the other side.´´ Thomas said, he shuddered at the thought of demons, his imagination successively went from a horrendous demon to an uglier one.
``The Old One is gone…´´ the Maiden in Black simply said.
``I believe so but wouldn´t be wiser to check the other archstones to see if the demons disappeared?´´ the commoner asked pointing to the first archstone, the maiden remained in silence.
``Oh! I forgot to say! I think Patches has some shards with him, I saw the demon slayer buying some from him a few days ago. By the way, I didn´t see that "hyena" for quite a good time now, I think he might be "collecting" more "wares" but I don´t know where.´´ Thomas rubbed his chin. ``But I had seen him going to the second, fourth and fifth archstones with more frequency than the others but I believe the fourth and fifth one are his favorites.´´ the man pointed to the archstones . ``Oh, sorry! I forgot you can´t see. I am deeply sorry!´´ the man bowed in shame.
When the man looked up the Maiden in Black was already halfway to the fifth archstone. She transformed the stone into a mass of souls for safe measures before entering the portal.
Author Comentaries.
I know, I know, the characters didn´t go to Lordran yet and so it still is just a "Demon Souls" fanfiction but I promise they will go to the Land of the Ancient Lords in chapter 4 or 5(tops). You know, the portal needs to be rebuilt and the characters NEED their OWN REASONS to go to the sixth archstone so be patient.
The Ring of Sincere Prayer belonged to Saint Astraea and if you perform a miracle with that ring on you will "PRAISE THE MOTH*** SUN!´´. Yeah, they used that pose in Demon Souls. I had to think of an explanation for this.
I already planned every explanation to connect both worlds, from gameplay mechanics to storyline(At least I think so) so don´t worry.
The Maiden in Black was trapped in the Nexus because the Monumental put a nexial binding on her and many other people but her binding also locked most of her abilities involving soul manipulation. Without the "ring" she can pretty much go where she wants, about her powers this still has to be seen.
You can get some archstones from bodies but Patches holds an unlimited amount of them.
How the Maiden in Black can transform items into souls if the Old One is gone? This will be explained later.