My notes: I know I'm uploading this really soon after the first chapter, but what can I say? It has me intrigued. Anyways, please leave a review telling me what you think and any critiques you may have. It should help me improve my writing skills a lot. Thank you!

Disclaimer: I don't own Dark Souls or the Inheritance Cycle.

The entire ride was spent in silence. Neither of them had anything to say to each other. When they finally reached the other side of the lake, the sun was about to set. James thanked the fisherman once more before quickly stepping out of the boat and heading for the city gate.

Joining the crowd of people on the road to get in, he couldn't help but notice what looked to be a massive cathedral looming above the ugly walls of the city. Looking at it architecture he couldn't help but be reminded of the massive black mountain he saw earlier. He wondered which of the gods they worshiped there. It wasn't designed like any cathedral he had seen in the past.

Finally he reached the city gates. The ten guards stationed on either side of the gate eyed him curiously as he walked in but did nothing to stop him from entering.

He was rather surprised by how run down the city was. The air smelled absolutely horrendous. The houses were tall and thin, leaning over the narrow crowded roads and blocking out the sky so the city had to be light entirely by lanterns. Men, women, and even children were on their knees begging at the sides of the streets. It was truly disgusting in every sense of the word.

As he continued walking around he finally entered what looked to be the wealthier part of the city. It was still horrible, but it wasn't as bad as the rest of the city seemed to be. Eventually he found what he was looking for. On the side of the road a trader had set up a stall and was selling many different items from jewelry to cookware.

Reaching into his inventory pouch he pulled out a short sword, leaving it in it's scabbard, and approached the stall. Since his coin was apparently no good here, he would have to trade some of his equipment for more. Fortunately, he had a surplus of short swords and arming swords after collecting them from all the hollows he killed.

Short Sword in hand, he stepped up to the trader. "G'day m'lord. How may I help you?" The trader asked, bowing his head as if to a Carim noble.

James's mouth tightened in distaste, but he ultimately ignored the gesture. "Good day, to you as well." He greeted, trying to be friendly. "How much can you give me for this short sword?" He asked, holding it out for the trader.

"Let me take a look at it." They said, taking the the sword. Taking out a small magnification device, similar to what jewelers used, the merchant began examining the scabbard, glancing over the steel caps at either end and paying special attention to the stitching running along the back which held it together. Once they appeared satisfied, the trader moved on to glancing over the cross guard, hilt, and pommel, before putting away the magnification device.

Removing the scabbard, they began examining the blade. They looked closely at the few scratches the sword had, and checked the edges for any damage. Grabbing the tip, they flexed it some what. Finally they took out a small file and ran it along the edge, it skated across easily without digging into the metal. Seemingly satisfied, they put the file away and sheathed the blade once more.

Setting the sword down in front of them, the trader said, "Over all, it seems to be a fine blade. It seems to be made of good quality steel, it's straight as can be but still has some flex to it, and the only damage I could find seems to be purely cosmetic, even the scabbard is in excellent condition. Overall, I say it would be worth about one hundred crowns." Pulling out a small bag made of cloth, they unlocked a wooden chest next to them and began filling the bag with gold coins. Pulling on the string at the top of the bag to close it, they shut the chest and set the gold on the counter next to the sword.

"Feel free to count it if you like." The trader stated, motioning to the bag of coins.

James took the coins and said, "That is quite alright." He didn't really want to bother having to count them. He would just take the trader's word for it. "One more thing, before I go. Might you by any chance have a map I could purchase?"

"Indeed, I do." The merchant stated, pulling out a large roll of paper and setting it on the counter. "One crown."

"Thank you, sir." James stated, taking a single coin back out of the bag the trader gave him and placing it on the counter. With that he took the map and walked away.

Stuffing the map and bag of coins into his inventory pouch, he began searching for a place he could sit down and rest for a moment. While exploring the city, he came across a man standing on a stage in front of a small crowd. Next to him on the stage were people in chains, men, women, and children alike. Most were either crying or looked terrified. It didn't look like it was an execution though. The man pulled one of the people in chains up to him and spoke to the crowd. It was then James realized what was going on. This was a slave auction.

Rage boiled inside of him and he rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. It was absolutely appalling. Had these bastards no regard for other human beings? Slavery was outlawed in even the lowest and most vile of Kingdoms, and had been for centuries. The gods themselves had demanded it. He wanted to slaughter all of these inhuman scum where they stood.

Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to turn and walk away. Since they were selling them in the open like this, in clear view of the guards, he had to assume slave trading was legal here. As such, he couldn't attack the slavers without the city guards trying to stop and arrest or kill him. He didn't want to have to fight off an army of angry guards and be forced to flee the city as a criminal. As much as he hated it, walking away was his best option.

He still needed to find a place to stop and look at his map, so he continued searching. Eventually he came across a dingy looking tavern with a sleeping guard standing leaning against the wall next to the door. The smell of booze overpowered even the unnatural stench of the city. It wasn't his preferred place to stop but it would have to do for now.

Walking in, he took a seat at a vacant table and took off his helmet setting it next to him on the table, revealing his features. He had silver-grey eyes, pale skin, and long wild black hair, a number of scars marred his face. Soon a serving woman came up to him and asked, "What'll you have to drink?"

James thought for a moment. He was undead so he didn't really need to food or drink and he was immune to alcohol so he couldn't get drunk. Any food or drink he did consume would just go into healing any wounds he may have, and since he was still a bit wounded, even after using that humanity sprite earlier, it was probably a good idea to get something.

"I'll have a mead, please." He requested.

The serving lady nodded and walked off towards the bar. Returning moments later with a wooden mug. Setting it down on the table, she went to attend the other customers.

Taking out his new map he unrolled it across the table and set his mug and helmet on the corners to hold it down. He was immediately confused by it as soon as he looked at it. At the top it read, Alagaësia, which he had never heard of before. More confusing was the land it's self. He had never seen it on any maps of the world before, which was surprising since, judging by the distance scale at the bottom, it had to be at least a quarter or so of an entire continent.

He felt his heart sink in realization. He truly was in a different world. That's all that could explain it. From the strange plants, to time flowing normally, to being unable to warp, to the lack of the bonfires or even the First Fire, and finally this map. The evidence was difficult for him to deny.

Now that he thought about it, he realized even the entire atmosphere was different! Even in this rat hole of a city, it felt brighter and more alive. Where as in his world there was always this dark looming feeling of danger and hopelessness. It was like comparing the Abyss with Anor Londo, before the gods abandoned it.

What in Gwyn's name was he going to do? His entire purpose had just been erased before his very eyes. Since he was trapped in this world, he could no longer hunt the final two bearers of the Lord Souls nor relight the First Fire and end the curse. That meant he had no reason to keep going and stay sane anymore. He would go hollow in a matter of days if he couldn't either find a way back to his world or find a new purpose.

Grabbing his mug, he took a gulp of his mead before setting it back down. Holding the sides of his head with his hands, he rested his elbows on the table trying to come up with either a way to avoid going hollow or to get back to Lordran. To say he was stressed was an understatement.

"My brother has been talking to some Varden agents here in the city and is thinking of joining them, and I'm thinking of going with him. Honestly, I'm fed up with that bastard of a King. Everyone knows he's mad." a man slurred drunkenly to his friend.

"Hey, quite down! You don't want the soldiers hearing you say that." Said his friend, who was much less drunk.

"Yeah, yeah." the drunken man grumbled in annoyance, taking another swig of his drink. "I'm just sick of living in fear of that tyrant. You know he's been around since the time of the riders right? They say he even used to be one, until he went crazy and killed them all." He spoke more quietly this time.

Unable to help but overhear their conversation, James became curious. A group of what he assumed were rebels fighting to overthrow a mad tyrant? That was interesting. Assuming this King was as bad as these men said, which he found easy to believe due to that slave trade he had stumbled across earlier, He may have just found a new, temporary, purpose.

Standing up he walked over to the two men's table. "Excuse me, sir, I don't mean to trouble you, but you said you were thinking about joining the Varden, correct?" He asked the drunk man, attempting to speak quietly so as not to be overheard.

"Hm? What's it to you? Are you one of the King's men?" The drunk man questioned suspiciously. His friend just sat there drinking silently, not wanting to get involved.

"No. I'm a mercenary, and no friend to the King. I was just wondering, how might I go about joining the Varden myself? Surely your brother must have told you?" James inquired.

"Of course he did, but what do I get for telling you? Information like this aint' cheap you know." The drunk man stated, a greedy look in his eye.

James reached into his inventory pouch and grabbed a hand full of coins from the bag the merchant traded him earlier and set them on the table.

The man scooped them up eagerly and stored them in his own coin purse. "Pleasure doing business with you." He slurred cheerfully. "Let me see that map on your table and I'll show you where to go."

James pulled the map off of his table and handed it to the man.

"So we're here, in Dras-Leona." The drunkard explained, pointing at the map. "The Varden is in a Dwarven city under the Beor Mountains called Farthen Dûr. You see where this river on the other side of the Hadarac Desert starts, blow this waterfall? That's where the entrance to Farthen Dûr is. Once you get there, go to the right side of the water fall, knock on the cliff, and say, 'Eka eddyr aí fricai eom du Varden'. I have no idea what it means, but after saying that they should let you in."

James memorized the phrase in his head. "Thank you, sir. Have a nice night." He stated, taking his map back. Rolling the map back up and stuffing it in his inventory pouch, he went back to his table and downed what was left of his mead. Setting some coins on the table as payment for his drink, he put his helmet back on and exited the tavern and began making his way back to the city gate.

It was dark by the time he left the city, but he didn't want to spend any more time there then he had to, besides, undead didn't need sleep. As soon as he left the gate he began heading in the direction of the Hadarac Dessert. He would probably stop and make a camp fire at some point to wait out the rest of the night, but for now he just wanted to get as much distance between himself and Dras-Leona as possible. This city was deplorable. He would rather stay in Blight Town then spend another minute here. Hopefully the other cities in this world were not as bad as this one was, otherwise he may just have to burn them all to the ground.