Omega: Here is Chapter 3. In my quest of improving I will do my best to make this chapter have more depth and keep you sitting at your computer for an extra few minutes more than the last one. Also, there is the matter of my co-writer. Say hi.
Beast: Sup.
Omega: He is my resident DKS Loremaster and Assistant Humor-Creator. So, with that out of the way, lets get started.
Jolly Co-operation
After sitting by a rotting demon corpse for about a half hour, Jack and Oscar decided that they should move on. They entered the tower that the Taurus Demon had jumped from and were about to go down a set of stairs when Jack noticed something under a set of boxes next to the stairs. He walked to the boxes and smashed them revealing a body with a faint glow coming from within it. Jack went to touch the body when a small white crystal appeared from the body and floated up. It landed in Jack's hand and the same Humanity crushing instinct kicked in. It was found easier to destroy than the humanity and Jack felt a rush of a nice bit of souls.
"What is that?" Oscar asked.
"A crystallized soul I believe." Jack responded.
"WAIT, did it give you souls?"
"Yep."
"I DIDN'T GET ANY!" Oscar complained.
"Too bad, mine now." Jack said with satisfaction.
The two continued down the stairs and came to an archway with a long bridge leading to the other end of Upper Undead Burg. Lining the bridge were a few Soldier Hollows.
"This seems easy enough." Jack remarked, unsheathing his claymore from his back.
"Indeed." Oscar replied bringing his sword and shield out.
"But why do I get a feeling of pure dread?" Jack asked himself.
"I see no reason for it." Oscar said.
"Yes, if you aren't looking closely enough. Don't you see the burn marks and scorched bodies?" Jack asked.
"Could just be firebomb throwers."
"That would have to be quite a few firebombs." Jack replied.
"I'll show you that it's fine." Oscar said walking out onto the bridge. He stopped just a little after the large scorch mark he turned around and held his arms out while making a taunting forward step and looking around. " See! It's fine you wuss!" Oscar said proudly, just as he was turned to ash by a drake's breath with his souls appearing next to Jack. Said drake went flying over the bridge, incinerating all the Hollows before resting on top of the building on the other side.
"Idiot." that was the only thing Jack could have said. Moments later, Oscar, in a walk of shame, returned and grabbed his souls. " Told you something was off." Jack said with satisfaction.
"Whatever, dick." Oscar muttered.
"I heard that." Jack said as he kicked Oscar back onto the bridge right past the scorch mark.
Oscar froze uttering a curse word version of excrement many times. After a moment, Oscar stopped cowering and looked at the drake. It simply stared at him like it was waiting for something. Oscar moved slowly forward as far enough to reach a pair of indents into the bridge. Jack moved up behind him and went down a set of stairs in the right indent.
Oscar didn't notice Jack and turned around to make a stupid taunt. This was apparently what the drake wanted, because it quickly hopped to the bridge and ate Oscar in a single bite. Jack heard the thump and went up to investigate, but quickly went back down when he noticed the drake. Jack decided to clear ahead while he waited for Oscar, so he continued forth through the little area under the bridge. He found a Hollow, which he quickly kicked off the side with the most powerful kick he could muster. Jack continued onto a little ledge way guarded by a spear holding Hollow. Jack parried the undead's spear thrust and threw him off the edge with his own weapon.
He continued forward into a small room with water running on the ground and rather large rats sitting in wait. Jack prepped to strike but was swarmed by them. He quickly bolted out and back under the bridge, with the rats close behind. He turned to face them. The largest one charged him with teeth bared. Jack side stepped the creature and stomped its head into the ground. The remaining two jumped at him, colliding with his shield and knocking him up against the edge. Jack rolled towards the rats as they jumped again and flew off to the abyss below.
"Take that you little bastards!" Jack yelled down triumphantly at the falling rodents."
With Oscar...
Oscar was sitting in a drake's stomach unconscious, his armor slowly dissolving. He woke up to the pain of acid burning his knightly-ass. Oscar jumped up with his sword out, slightly damaged by the acid, and decided that he wouldn't die like this, even though he would return to a Bonfire. He began slashing the drake's insides, a rumble resounded with each hit. Oscar was slashing for maybe ten minutes and finally found light. He began to crawl his way out.
Oscar found himself coming out of the resting drake's left side. He hit the roof of the building it was resting on laid for a moment. He sat up and looked over to the drake, now sitting and bleeding out. Oscar then stood and began a little happy dance. After that was over, he decided to finish the beast. He went to stab the sword into the weakened drake's head, only to be greeted with a clang as his sword bounced off the reptiles thick skull. Oscar looked at the giant lizard in frustration. That was when he noticed the drake's tail. He walked over and noticed how it appeared weaker and, had a weapon lodged in it
Oscar raised his blade high and brought it down with force. The tail came a quarter off. Oscar kept slashing and eventually severed it. He pulled a blade out of it. Oscar inspected said weapon. It was a sword comprised of Dragon Bone. Oscar smiled as he sheathed his sword and wielded the blade. He turned to the drake and walked to it's neck. With one quick slash the head slid of its body. A MASSIVE amount of souls rushed Oscar. He was very happy with his new weapon.
Jack...
Jack was waiting for Oscar under the archway, but quickly lost patience. He turned around and headed to the sunny balcony behind him. He leaned against the railing and looked out at the only beautiful part of Lordran. It took him a moment before he noticed the man bathing in sunlight on the the balcony's lower level. Jack walked down the stairs to this strange man and got a good look at him.
The man was wearing an iron helmet with a red feather on the top, iron bracers and boots, chainmail leggings and and undershirt, and a cloth shirt over with it with green fringe on the shoulders. He had a sword and large shield strapped to his back. The shield had a picture of the sun painted onto it. Jack also noticed a small talisman attached to the man's belt.
Jack was right behind the man when he turned around. The same picture of the sun was painted onto his shirt.
"Hello, you don't appear Hollow, far from it I must say!" the man said in a cheery voice.
"Yeah, I guess so. Who are you exactly?" Jack asked.
"Forgive me for not introducing myself. I am Solaire Of Astora, an adherent of the Lord of Sunlight." the man said with a slight bow.
"Nice to meet you Solaire, I am Jack." Jack returned the bow.
"Very nice to make your acquaintance Jack."
"Yes, now what brings you here?" Jack said.
"Ah yes, if you cannot tell, I am Undead. This being the case, I have come to this great land the birthplace of Lord Gwyn, to seek my very own sun!" Solaire answered.
Jack turned his head sideways in a bit of confusion. " You find that strange? Well, you should. No need to hide your reaction, I get that look all the time." Solaire finished with a laugh.
"Very interesting my friend, go on." Jack said, actually intrigued.
"I didn't scare you? Then I have a proposition, if you have a moment."
"Sure." Jack replied.
"From how I see it, are fates appear to be intertwined. In land brimming with Hollows, could that really be mere chance?" Solaire asked.
"I guess not."
"So what do you say? Why not help each other on this lonely journey?"
"Gladly." Jack responded.
Solaire handed a white stone to Jack. "Wonderful, this makes me very happy!"
"Same here, the more the merrier!" Jack said happily.
"Now, we are amidst strange beings, in a strange land. The flow of time itself is convoluted; with heroes centuries old phasing in and out. The very fabric wavers, and relations shift and obscure. There is no telling how long our worlds will remain in contact. But use this." Solaire says as he gestures to the stone in Jack's hand. "To summon one another as spirits, cross the gaps between worlds, and engage in jolly co-operation!" Solaire finished.
"Or you could come with me, that should keep our worlds together." Jack said.
"That idea is much more sound than mine, but you may still use that to summon other allies from other worlds." Solaire pointed out.
"Very good. Now shall we depart?" Jack asked.
"Give but a moment. I wish to stay and gaze at the sun. The sun is a wondrous body. Like a magnificent father! If only I could be so grossly incandescent!" Solaire finished in a poetic manner.
"Are you ready now?" Jack asked.
"Yes."
"Time for some JOLLY CO-OPERATION!" Jack excitedly yelled while raising his hand for a high five.
Solaire accepted and a massive blast of pure awesome exploded out of the two. "Let no foe stop us!" Solaire shouted.
The two put their weapons in hand and badassly walked across the bridge. This was when Jack noticed the drake. It appeared like it was having some hell of indigestion. It was on its side roaring in pain. Jack and Solaire watched from a distance as what looked like...Oscar? Cut through the beast's belly and crawled out. He then stood and did a little dance, afterwards he tried to kill it, only for his blade to bounce off. Oscar then walked over to the drake's tail and cut it off. He returned to the drake's head with a new sword in hand. With one quick motion he cleaved its head off.
Jack felt the souls reach him and Solaire. "Wow, good going Oscar!" Jack yelled a congratulation.
Oscar turned as he heard the compliment. "Thank you my good man!" Oscar yelled back as he bowed over the edge of the building that faced the bridge. He bowed a bit too far and fell flat on his face upon the stone bridge below. Jack and Solaire both Looked Skyward.
"Why can't I look cool for once." Oscar asked the ground.
"At least you fell with grace." Solaire said.
"Yeah, I believe we should move on." Jack said as he walked over and pulled Oscar up.
The trio entered the building and rested at the bonfire in front of the fountain statue within. A group decision was made to stay for a small amount of time to recuperate and get their equipment in shape. Solaire noticed Oscar's Hollowing and gave him a Humanity to revive himself and showered in a repair powder to fix his armor. Jack pulled out the Repairbox and began working on everybody's weapons while Oscar re-humanized and Solaire disappeared. He handed Oscar's Drake Sword back, which Oscar held like his own child. He placed Solaire's sword and shield up against the fountain. Jack looked around wondering where Solaire was.
He stood and headed out to the Sunlight Altar. He looked around and noticed the various Hollows. One was staring at a wall, another holding itself, and a third praying. Jack decided to leave them be. He looked to the destroyed statue and saw Solaire. He was standing and staring at the remains of a the Lord of Sunlight's statue, with a posture and look as if seeing himself dead.
"Hey, you alright Solaire?" Jack asked.
Solaire turned around and made sure to muster a cheery voice. " Nothing at all my friend, I am just enjoying the view."
"Alright, but we need to get moving, first bell's up ahead." Jack said as he walked back inside.
Solaire stood for a moment, taking one final look before turning back to return to his compatriots.
Jack watched Solaire re-enter and stood to hand the Sunbro's weapons back to him. Solaire accepted them with a hearty thank you. Jack returned to his seat and the group rested for a good amount of time. Oscar fell asleep with his sword cradled in his arms. Solaire slept up against a wall, mumbling " Praise the Sun." Jack silently sat, for he could not seem to obtain any type of drowsiness.
He watched as his companions enjoyed sleep, and thought to himself. " Why can't I sleep? Also, why am I creepily staring at other people? But mostly why can't I sleep." Jack shifted around deciding what to do, his mind flew through ideas but stopped on one. It was more like a question, " Who am I exactly?" Jack asked himself. He knew his name, he knew about his first death, he knew some of his travels beforehand, but he didn't know anything else about himself.
Jack found it rather strange, not knowing himself. He searched his mind looking for any other memories. One actually came up, though it seemed more like some kind of vision.
Jack was standing in what appeared like a row of knights, all donning bright silver, less demonic, Black Knight armor and brandishing massive weapons, spears, axes, swords, all of which looked capable of felling a giant. He looked forward and noticed a bearded man on the front of the knights, he was donned in regal robes with a strange crown and large sword that was burning with intense flame. In front of all of them were...dragons? Massive stone beasts flew through the skies towards them, the bearded king formed a bolt of lightning within his hand and loosed it at a the lead dragon, opening a hole in its scales.
This began the knights' charge. Jack's body moved without command and charged in a manner that appeared foreign to him, but also felt like exactly the same. He cut through small dragons using a large sword with ease. His head turned and witnessed a being made of skeletons unleash a black miasma that killed all in its path. Jack wanted to move, as the other knight's did, but was frozen. The black wave moved forward, killing everything. It just touched him and everything went black.
Jack was thrown from his vision. He sat for a moment collecting his thoughts. What was that? He doesn't remember ever being in a place like that, unless. Could he have gone through multiple lives? Only remembering his name? Bringing only skills and not memories. That could explain his ease of dispatching enemies and ability to observe, that would come from experience and wisdom. Whatever the case, he now knows somewhat of his past. Jack just sat for the remainder of the time his companions slept.
Not much time later Oscar awoke with drool seeping through his helmet. Oscar quickly cleaned up the mess with a kerchief from his satchel. Solaire woke shortly after and instinctively Praised The Sun, a surprisingly stupid looking yet purely badass Y pose. Jack still sat silently.
"Something wrong friend?" Solaire asked in his cheery tone.
"Nothing, just didn't get any sleep." Jack responded with a chuckle.
"Joyous! Now, shall we depart? Our journey needs to continue." Solaire said.
"Yes it does, I need to test this baby on some foes." Oscar said rubbing his sword.
"Yeah, lets get going." Jack said and stood.
Jack walked over to the lever that controlled the large gate and pulled it. A loud rumble was heard as chains and gears moved to lift the gate. Jack gestured to his companions as the gate opened up. Solaire was the first to go with Oscar behind and Jack bringing the rear. They had two ways to go, forward to the parish, or right and up the stairs to see what was atop the tower. Oscar went up the stairs immediately. Jack and Solaire simply waited.
Oscar...
Oscar ascended the stairs with a brisk pace as to see if there was a worthy opponent at the top. He just reached the opening to the roof and was greeted by a greatsword wielding Black Knight.
"SURPRISE MOTHERFUCKER!" the knight said in a demonic voice as it leaped at him with its massive blade.
"SHIT!" Oscar yelled as he raised his shield to protect himself.
The blade collided with a clang, Oscar barely held his ground. Oscar decided to strike back with his new weapon. He unleashed a powerful slash at the knight, which was parried. Next thing he knew, Oscar was stuck on the blade of the knight. The knight looked down and noticed Oscar's companions. Oscar then felt a sensation of falling.
Jack and Solaire...
A minute later Oscar reappeared, on the blade of a Black Knight jumping from the tower. The massive knight landed on the ground with a THUD, Oscar impaled on its jagged and bloody greatsword. Jack and Solaire looked at each other, both sharing the same look of astoundment at Oscar's inability to fight anything tougher than a Hollow. The Black Knight stood with the blade, and Oscar, slung over its shoulder as if waiting for a reaction.
Solaire was the first to react, he charged a Sunlight Spear with his talisman and threw it full force at the Black Knight. While that was going, Jack leaped at the knight for a full power smash. Coincidentally, Jack's claymore and Solaire's Sunlight Spear collided, uber-charging Jack's strike. The Black Knight raised its shield, only for it to be shattered like glass. The knight became souls, dropping his sword, some titanite, and a half-dead Oscar.
Jack and Solaire moved to Oscar. Solaire prepared a healing miracle, Jack pulled his Estus Flask. Jack gave Oscar and swig and the miracle finished whatever healing needed. Oscar sprung up, but slightly disappointed.
"Dammit, not again! I keep on losing! No matter what!" Oscar said rather enraged.
"You have little in the way of combat experience, but that is the only thing stopping you." Jack said in a, hopefully, reassuring tone.
"He is correct. You haven't fought many foes stronger than you alone, but at least you are getting better." Solaire said.
"Alright, you guys do have a point." Oscar said a bit less angry/sad.
"Then let us continue!" Jack said as he ran ahead, and returned five seconds later.
"What is it?" Solaire asked.
"A BIG metal boar." Jack said.
"That scared you?" Oscar said rather cockily.
"Fine, go see for yourself."
"I will." Oscar said as he strutted up, then back down.
"See?" Jack said.
"Yeah, I see."
"Strategy anyone?" Solaire asked.
"I saw a staircase of to the right, we can ascend it and get the drop on piggy." Jack said.
"Did you notice the Hollows?" Oscar asked.
"No, where are they?"
"One guarding the stairs, two next to piggy, two archers above piggy." Oscar listed.
"Got it, who is going to distract the enemies?" Jack asked.
"It can be either you or me." Solaire said.
"Yeah, I have a crossbow, you have lightning bolts." Jack responded.
"That mean I get to sneak up on the boar?" Oscar asked.
"Yes" both Jack and Solaire responded.
"YAY!" Oscar happily cried.
"Now, lets go!" Jack said as he and Solaire both prepped their attacks.
Oscar moved to the right and smashed into the Hollow guarding the stair, the Hollow's head collided with the wall and a CRACK came from withing its head. The body fell limp and Oscar moved up the stairs. He found another Hollow and two archer back-ups on the small bridge above the boar. The archer's aimed to fire, but were taken down by a spear of lightning piercing one and a crossbow bolt going through the other's head. Oscar awaited the Hollow's move. The Hollow drew its spear back to thrust. Oscar parried the attack and stabbed his sword through the wretched undead's chest. He kicked the body off and moved above the boar.
Jack and Solaire launched each's according projectile at the boar. The bolt pinged off but the Lightning Spear hit the boar and sent shocks through its armor. The creature gave out various spasms as the electricity coursed through it. Seconds later, Oscar came plunging to the beast's head and jabbed his sword clean in. The boar fell limp and Oscar walked off it like a king from a throne.
"Good job Oscar. That was some amazing teamwork." Jack said.
"Yes, I must agree, our co-operation was rather jolly!" Solaire added.
"And I got to be badass for once." Oscar said with a his pride soaring.
"Yes, you did." Jack said as he patted Oscar's head. " Now to walk through the massive open ga-" Jack was cut off by a Hollow pulling a lever and slamming the gate down, preventing further progress. " Shit."
"This is rather troublesome." Solaire said.
"We could take the underground way." Oscar suggested, pointing to a set of downward stairs.
"Good idea Oscar." Jack said leading the way.
Solaire and Oscar followed him with weapons ready. Jack saw a Hollow run away from them down the corridor and into a larger room. Jack noticed a possible trap, and Oscar ran ahead. Oscar actually reacted as if he predicted the trap and cut down the Hollows that charged from each side of the doorway. Oscar continued onward out of Jack and Solaire's sights, the sounds of dying Hollows were heard echoing from the large room. Jack and Solaire entered and saw Oscar impale a Hollow and kick it from the second floor down to them.
"This way good fellows!" Oscar yelled as he continued forward.
Solaire made his way up the ladder and Jack noticed something twinkling on a Hollow's corpse. Jack walked over and plucked a key from the body. He couldn't think of any use for it, but figured it useful for something later. Jack followed up the ladder and reached the third floor as Solaire and Oscar finished the Hollows.
"What took you so long?" Oscar asked, pulling his sword from a Hollow's head.
"Found a key, maybe it'll come in handy." Jack responded.
"Wonderful. Lets keep moving shall we?" Solaire said as he marched forward.
The trio came out to a bridge that overlooked the one above where the boar's body now lay. They continued forward and stopped when they came to a small corridor, it split left and right, Jack went right while Solaire and Oscar went left. Jack came upon a Hollowed knight facing away from him, it had a massive shield in its left hand, and a longsword in the other. A long red cape draped down its back, and pieces of plate mail covered its body. Jack especially noticed the cape, which he removed swiftly after driving his claymore through the Hollow's back. He strapped it to his lesser armored right arm.
Jack turned with his new cape flowing in the newly apparent breeze. He walked back and to where Solaire and Oscar were now finishing another one of the knights and a Hollow in a tight corridor leading around to the church. Jack greeted his companions and received compliments on the addition to his armor. Jack accepted them and the group continued on. They came around to the side of the parish and ran into a few more Hollows. Jack blocked the archer's bolts while Solaire and Oscar ripped through the two other Hollows. A powerful slash from the claymore sent the Hollow's torso off the edge. Its legs stood for a moment, then fell limp to the ground.
The group moved into the church and found a massive and heavily armored Hollow with a tower shield and massive mace. Jack and Solaire moved to combat it and Oscar stood for a moment, wielding his blade in both hands. He felt and immense power build up within the weapon. "MOVE!" He yelled as he slammed the blade to the ground and sent a wave of power at the knight. The wave hit the knight, and kept going, cutting it in half. The two separate halves fell over.
Solaire and Jack looked at Oscar with astonishment. " What was THAT?" Jack asked.
"I don't know, I just held it in two hands and felt pure power." Oscar said breathing heavily from that stamina draining attack.
"Cool, but what is THAT." Jack asked as he pointed to a glowing object hovering above a body on the altar.
"I do not know exactly, but may have a guess, that may be the soul of a firekeeper." Solaire said.
"Aren't they supposed to be really powerful?" Oscar asked.
"Yes, they are eternally gnawed at by humanity."
"Then lets take it." Jack said as he took the soul and placed it within his bag. " Never know if it could come in handy."
"He possesses a point." Oscar said.
"He does, now shall we clear the church of any remaining foes?" Solaire asked.
"Of course, I'll clear out front and you and Oscar take upstairs. I'll join you when I am finished." Jack said.
"Alright, good luck." Oscar said as he led the way up.
Jack nodded and headed out for the front, only to be stopped by Soul Spear hitting the ground in front of him. He looked up to see a tall, six-eyed, mage looking down on him from the above balcony. Jack was apparently stopped, until something else got its attention. Jack slipped by and went into combat with more of the caped knights. Jack was rushed by two of them. Both came with swords swinging. Jack parried one and kicked the other's knee inwards. He reposed the first and decapitated the second. A third charged with a rapier and small shield. Jack saw that this was a perfect parry set up. He waited for the knight to drop its guard, it didn't. Instead, Jack kicked the knight down and brought his sword down on it. He walked outside and dealt with the Hollow that shut the gate on them before. Jack quickly cut him down, opened the gate, and walked back into the church.
Sunbro and Oscar...
Solaire and Oscar went up the stairs and encountered a Balder knight. Oscar attacked, but was parried, Solaire saved him with a follow up strike to kill the knight. The two went up and heard the crash of a spell hitting the floor. They moved up and found a Channeler staring down at Jack. Oscar rushed to get behind it, attracting it and the multitude of Hollows behind its attention. Oscar stopped in the hallway and prepared for the horde of Hollows. Solaire launched a Sunlight Spear at the Channeler, harming and distracting it. Oscar prepped another power wave as Hollows flooded the small corridor. He unleashed it and the Hollows flew out of the hallway and into the large room. Oscar rushed in and at the Channeler. He ripped its trident away and stabbed it into its owner's gut. The Channeler fell down, pretty damn dead.
"That takes care of that." Oscar said triumphantly.
"Not completely." Solaire responded as he slew a Balder knight that came from down one of the halls with a quick slash.
"Now it is." Jack said as he came through the hallway behind them.
"That was rather fast." Oscar noted.
"It was just three of the knights and a regular Hollow, no big deal." Jack said.
"Now where to? We can ascend up to the tower or explore this church." Solaire said.
"Lets explore then ring the bell. I figure it would be easier that way." Jack said.
"Alright, shall we stick together or split up?" Oscar asked.
"Lets just stick together, it is a small enough structure to not require any group dispersal." Jack replied.
"Alright, shall we see where the knight of Balder came from?" Solaire asked as he gestured to the hallway.
"It does look like something could be back there. Lets go." Jack said as he led the way.
The three walked down the hall and to a back portion of the church, they stopped at a busted wooden door. They decided to leave it be until they finished looking around. They continued on to a dead end with a body stuck in a barrel. Solaire smashed the barrel with a shield bash and the body fell out with a Humanity floating up from it. Jack caught the black sprite and stored it for later. The group returned their attention to the broken door.
Jack walked up to it and busted it down with a kick. They all entered and went up two flights of stairs, reaching a cell containing a golden clad prisoner. His armor was peculiar. It sported crown like protrusions on the helmet and pauldrons. The helmet itself had various holes in the visor and the chestplate had arms wrapping around it like the wearer was being hugged. The leggings sported a leather skirt of sorts, made of individual strands lined by studs. Two Shotels were strapped to the knight's back and a parrying dagger on his hip.
"Hello, I am Lautrec of Carim, and I am in a rather inopportune position." the gold knight said when he noticed them approach.
"Greetings I am Jack and these two are Oscar and Solaire of Astora." Jack said.
"Nice meeting you but, I would like to be free from this cell. I will be ever so grateful if you were to help me with this problem." Lautrec said.
"Sure, think this key I found may be of use with that." Jack said as he placed the key in the rusty cell's lock. He turned it and a click signified the door unlocking.
"This is perfect. Thank you, I will give you a reward to repay, but later." Lautrec said.
"Or you could help us against the bell guardians." Oscar suggested.
"I believe that would be better." Solaire said.
"You do have a point. I'll aid you and we are even. Then I can go through with my plans!" Lautrec said with an evil laugh.
"Oookaaay." Jack replied.
"Oh, forgive me. I got a little carried away."
"Just a bit." Jack said.
"Ah, yes. Shall we continue? We have more than enough to defeat whatever may be ahead of us." Lautrec said.
"Agreed, lets go!" Jack said as he led the group back to the main upper room and then to the ladders that reached the roof.
They all made their way one by one, starting with Jack, and ending with Lautrec. A fog wall stood between them and their opponents. Jack went first followed by Lautrec, then Solaire, and finally Oscar. They all stood on the large roof with inclines that kept them having to readjust their footing to not slip and fall. No enemy was in sight. This observation in mind, Jack moved forward towards the tower. When he did, their opponent made itself clear and present.
A large gargoyle flew from the bell tower and landed on the roof on front of Jack, its weight leaving indents in the roof's tiles. Jack readied his shield as the gargoyle swung its large halberd at him. The force of the polearm colliding with his shield caused him to skid back a foot or two. At this, his companions sprung to action. Solaire charged a Sunlight Spear and Oscar prepared for a power wave from his blade. Lautrec rushed to get behind the winged guardian. The gargoyle focused its sights on Solaire as he threw his "spear". The gargoyle took the hit and charged Solaire. Oscar unleashed the power wave, but the gargoyle used its wings to fly over it.
Lautrec had disappeared, or so they thought. A moment after the gargoyle took flight, Lautrec appeared on its back with both Shotels slashing at the wings. The gargoyle stuttered in flight as one wing was halfway removed. It landed right in front of Jack, Solaire and Oscar. Jack rushed at the gargoyle with his claymore ready to smash into the creature's head. The gargoyle jerked its head sideways just in time to dodge Jack's strike. It quickly countered by spinning around and smashing Jack with its ax-bladed tail. Jack flew and smashed into the wall of a raised portion of the church.
Solaire and Oscar attacked next. Solaire threw another lightning bolt and Oscar charged. The bolt hit the gargoyle, stunning it and also electrifying Lautrec, who fell and almost rolled off the building's side but was saved by stabbing his parry dagger into the roof. Oscar managed to get a good slash on the gargoyle, cutting its head open. It fell limp and a victory cry was roared, until the second gargoyle came.
This one landed and sent a breath of fire towards the two Astorians. Solaire went into man-mode and raised his shield as the attack came at him. While Oscar dodged out of the way. Solaire stood untouched by the flames with another Sunlight Spear aimed for the second gargoyles still open mouth. He threw it with mighty force, but the gargoyle raised its shield to stop the attack. Solaire looked astonished, but quickly regained himself and prepared to face the winged beast.
Jack had just recovered from the previous gargoyles attack and was now standing, feeling strangely braver and more resilient. He looked at his finger and noticed the blue stone of the ring he picked up earlier glow intensely. Jack figured that the ring must respond to grievous injuries by making the wearer tougher. He smiled and began a charge at the second gargoyle.
Solaire was about to take a charge from the gargoyle when Jack came in and crashed his claymore into its chest. He then ripped out it out and cut off the gargoyle's head. Solaire, Oscar, who had just finished cowering from the fire and attack, and Lautrec, just getting back up from his hang time, all looked in amazement.
"What just happened?" Oscar asked.
"It was this ring, it made me stronger when I became hurt badly." Jack replied.
"Ah, a blue tearstone from my homeland of Carim." Lautrec said. " They can sense when you are near death. When they do, they activate a special power. The blue one you wear makes you more resilient when you are fatally wounded or at least close to being so."
"Impressive, this is definitely a keeper." Jack said happily. " Now to ring the bell." Jack made his way to the tower, his companions following close behind.
They entered the tower and Jack ascended the ladders to the top while the others waited at the bottom. Jack reached the top and admired the nice view. After he was done sightseeing, he pulled the lever that activated the first Bell Of Awakening. It rang with power and echoed throughout the area. Jack gave a triumphant nod as he turned around and slid down the ladders back to the bottom. He was greeted by Oscar and Solaire, but no Lautrec.
"Hey, where is Goldie?" Jack asked.
"He said that he had repaid his debt and that he would be waiting at Firelink Shrine if we needed him again." Oscar answered.
"Alright, that's perfectly fine. But I must ask. Who is that guy?" Jack asked, pointing to a man in a black coat with a peculiar helmet on his head and a rapier sheathed to his side. His skin was pale and arms were held out in a T formation.
"I am Oswald The Pardoner, servant of Velka, Goddess of Sin." the man replied.
"Nice to meet you. What do you mean Pardoner?" Jack asked.
"I can absolve you of all sin and clear you name, for a price of course."
"Alright, pretty sure none of us have too much sin at the moment, so we are fine." Jack replied.
"Well then, you may be but soon you will be back. It is only HUMAN to commit a sin." Oswald said with a laugh.
"Understood. Now, show we all depart?" Jack asked. Solaire and Oscar nodded in agreement. " Then lets get going."
Omega: Chapter ending there. Isn't that much longer than before? I hope I made you people happy and such. Feel free to leave a review, whether you hated it or not, I need the feedback. Thank you.
Beast: Don't forget to PRAISE THE SUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNN!
