The warmth of the Bonfire was permitting each of the seven Undead. The young and lively Carra had summoned a flame in her hand and patiently focused on what she could now do in her altered state. Gyron, grim of face, was also trying out what little sorceries he could produce; trying to determine how many spells he could launch before losing his abilities.
The others tried to get themselves used to the newest culinary arts designed for the Undead.
"Tastes like regular tea. At least I can TASTE how regular it is, can't complain..." said Alrof for whom this was the first time drinking from the mysterious Estus flask.
Alrof had given one to each Ashen one, there were three left to give away. Carra, who had been the test subject without need for bargaining, had explained how they restored an Undead's mental fatigue. Ah feel like ah woke up from a good long dream on mah beastie's belly! was what she said. This new aspect on sorcery and combat allowed miracles to be produced as long as one could think clearly. It also enabled a warrior to act with much more flexibility, they may focus on detailed battle-arts and read through their opponents.
"Ya drank tea ? Me too! My Master was a crummy sort but he sure knew his plants." Asked Carra
Alrof seemed like the type who drank a lot in his normal life. And likely not of the soft kind.
"Of course I drank tea, there was always some at Faraam's fortress between assignments. And then everyone became Undead. But some of us kept the cups for memory. Watch. Mine is a bit broken but it's always..."
Raising an opened hand as a reflex, nothing appeared in the great warrior's hand. He cursed his blunder.
"Bloody wonderful... I don't even have it anymore..."
Carra placed her hand on Alrof's shoulder. She knew how precious any common items infused with history and souls could be, espiecially for an Undead. Alrof patted her back with strength in return.
"Ah ah! I appreciate the concern little lady. I do miss my folk."
Thankfully, the pyromancer's shatterred bones had been restored by the bonfire. Trying to pick a new subject, Alrof addressed the first companion he had met.
"So Aroth. You are from Carim ? You said so when we met the old Gyron."
"I am linked to Carim, tis not my birthplace however. I am one of the three descendants of the late Earl of Carim."
"And I am their elder brother. Aroth was adopted early in his life and had earned his place through prestige and favors. As for me, I am heir to all of Carim by birthright. " added Amon.
"Untrue, Exile."
With his usual confidence, AMon gave a new verbal blow to his brother.
"My mistake, you have no prestige..."
This display of disdain was tiresome.
"Will you two make peace already ? We are trying to determine what else is wrong with our situation. The amount of Estus we can carry for once."
"Only three sips and it's empty. Not much." complained Alrof. Who had been drinking more of it for the taste.
"Only three... This is not good at all. The might of this bonfire is greatly diminished too. We should kindle it if we find any humanity..." said Aroth who had followed this change of subject.
"Kindle it ? Whaddya mean ?" asked Carra with a green eyebrow raised into her tiara.
Gyron and Pavel were ready to explain, but it was Amon who declared:
"Forgive my brother-in-law. He and those two gentlemen are older than you can realise. As I said earlier, after numerous Ages of Fire and Ages of Dark, the world has become confused and new rules were enacted and removed many times over. In the earliest days. It was possible to feed humanity into a bonfire to strengthen it. That way, the estus was far more potent without any other action needed."
Proving his title of Learned, Gyron commented further:
"Indeed. The flask was unscatthed and could hold a great amount. However, it could be fully refilled only at the bonfire you had kindled. Quite the conundrum when one has to travel to faraway lands with no humanity."
"Humanity ?" Alrof, and Carra were perplexed by the use of the notion.
While Gyron explained what they meant to the three curious souls, Aroth did something he wasn't happy to do. Ask his exiled brother a question.
"Amon... how long have you been wandering this land exactly ?"
Lowering his voice not to imper the discussion from the rest of the group, the naked man gave a bare-faced answer:
"Much longer than you may realise. I got quite bored with the Dark that came between some of the Linkings after a while, so I stopped interfering."
"The Dark ? You let the Fire fade willingly ? There better be a good reason other than some nihilistic perversion."
Advancing his torso, the deprived gave his sibling his full attention.
"Don't assume things when you know not the full story. Dark is not the end. Nor is the Fire eternal. I learned so through the old fashioned way."
Now everyone in the group paid attention to this claim.
"Great heroes came and successfully enlightened the world, even when Fire was but a little point in the Dark. They burned bright and the Fire started fading not long after. The cycle repeated itself so many times that it began to feel futile. But one time, the Dark held on for a very, very long while. I wandered the world, met many twisted monsters and maddened souls. Bored out of my mind, I even tried restoring the First Flame myself. And that's how I ended up here. At least someone must have felt inspired by my efforts since the world seems to have been enlightened."
Finishing his story, Amon stood up and stretched his bare body. His buttocks were itchy. The ashes and rocks were able to penetrate his white skin in a most unpleasant fashion. Removing the dust from his legs, he jested.
"Fate has quite the sense of humour. I had the most wondrous of armour while I burned... You'd have cut your own throat out of jealousy."
This pike made a vein pop up under Aroth's scar.
"I do not believe you. And even were that true, I would never hold jealousy over anything you might possess." he growled.
"I possess a sense of courtesy, little lordling. Something you clearly have lost along with your head." reciprocated Amon.
Tired of his sharp-tongued relative Aroth stood up as well. With fire in the eyes. Advancing towards the Lawless with a clenched fist. Amon reached for his club by rote.
"Whoa whoa whoa... Calm yerself Ser Aroth." Asked Carra, placing herself between the two.
"And you, naked man, stop looking for trouble." added Alrof, disappointed.
"Crickey... Just tell us yer full story instead of showin' how much y'hate each other's guts." said an exasperated Carra, playing with her hand all the while. Her flame of pyromancy dancing gracefully within it.
"Do not worry friends, I would never do anything to endanger our survival. Even striking this... my former brother-in-law. If I tell you about his action, it might stop you from assisting in the coming battle. We find a sanctuary before anything can be said. We will keep our mouths shut, won't we, Amon ?" explained the angered knight.
Amon shrugged but nodded in agreement.
Whispering among themselves, the others reached a conclusion.
"Alright. We should explore the area while the others are searching, maybe there are soul-infused corpses or other people to awaken." Proposed Alrof.
"Because of the number of blue Estus Flasks ? It doesn't seem like a compelling evidence." commented Gyron.
"But it fits into the idea that we have been chosen. Each of us has failed to link the Fire and burned away. Now we have been awakened by those bells. Those blue estus Flask were waiting next to a chalice for a reason too."
"I won't deny that this is plausible. But do we really need to remain thusly ? Sitting in the ashes and killing reappearing Hollows ?"
"It shouldn't be long now until we hear more bell tolls. Pavel and Aveny will also bring more news soon."
They kept discussing while Gyron launched spell after spells in the distance. As constant as a clock.
"Are you certain that a firekeeper can strengthen us Alrof ?"
"That's how it worked for me and Carra. I think she's the youngest of us here. So it's probably still a thing."
"Probably..." repeated the unmarked heir of Carim.
Just as they finished discussing, Pavel and Aveny returned.
"Anything ?"
"Some souls, but there are no graves left behind in that direction. Have you explored this section ?"
"Not yet... We lost some time sorting certain matters." responded Gyron as he sat back at the bonfire. Relieved at the recovery of his focus.
"Then lets us depart together. We saw another path down that cliff, it could be a detour that helps us bypass the possessed behemoth." proposed Aroth.
Upon hearing this, the group recovered their scattered equipment, however meager it was. They put on their headwears on and strapped the leathers from their outfits. Amon did nothing of the sort, obviously, while Gyron grumbled for being forced to stand back up so quickly. The latter commented.
"I doubt that we would be so lucky... But do feel free to lead the way."
As they advanced slowly on the uneven grounds, Aroth and Alroth took care of any Hollow that had returned to life. the quickly reached the narrow path guarded by another lone decrepit Hollow. His equipment as rusted as the other's.
"Allow me gal an' gents." demanded Carra as she delicately brushed her companions eside as if moving a piece of cloth.
"That takes me back, ah haven't used that sorta tiny pyromancy on a wimp like that since ah started my journey."
"So when you woke up, you used that little axe until now ?"
"You know it! I had no hunch as to why I couldn't use mah usual might so I made do. Back before ah blasted that Fire, I could 'ave polished this all graveyard into ashes. Well more ashes... Whenever I felt like it."
"We believe you. Now how do we proceed ? We should only go one at a time considering the stench of ambushes."
Ambushes, at the mention of the word, almost everyone cringed. Bad expereinces with falls apparently. Hollows could make themselves very quiet sometimes and favor pushes over knifes in the back.
"Have no fear. Allow me to protect you from harm." said a confident Pavel.
No one went against his wishes, Carra even
"Yer not bad for a witch-hunter nincompoop. I'll remember you."
"Witch-hunter ?"
Ignoring him, Alrof and Gyron added to the commendations.
"You did say you were Steadfast, friend. You are worthy of praise for your courage."
"I'll pray for you if you fall." commented Alrof with one hand lifted in prayer.
Still confident but now unhappy, Pavel advanced with a raised shield. Aroth followed, then Gyron with his spell-casting staff at the ready, and Aveny to close the squadron. The others remained behind to stop any intrusion.
This time too, they didn't need to travel far. Which Pavel appreciated since he wouldn't be pushed aside in any way now. Thus, a dead end was in sight within seconds. However, there was much to observe in this narrow baggin.
First were the three undead. One with a sword, one with a spear and shied, and the last equipped with a crossbow.
Then there was a glowing corpse that promised reward for the bother.
But the most intriguing part were the two stone coffins placed vertically. Each encased in the ashen walls.
"They spotted us..." noticed the herald.
The bowman launched his bolt while the other hungry souls advanced slowly. Pavel caught without much trouble, but he didn't dare advance.
"Give me space, I can launch my arrow!" asked Gyron.
It was at this moment that the bell tolled once more. Twice more actually. And just as expected, the two stone coffins were opened almost simultanously.
Luckily, one of the stone slabs fell directly on the crossbow wielding Undead, he was already dealt with. But the other two Hollows had quickly turned around to prey on the hazy newcomers.
"Not good! Beware the Hollows!" warned Aveny in their direction.
The four men started advancing once again, trying to fit at least two of them side to side. But they would soon learn they needn't bother.
The first who had awoken, dark greay of skin and concealed behind a hooded mask, had only done a simple side step and kicked the Hollow swordsman into the abyss. Meanwhile, the remaining Ashen one walked confidently towards the lancer. He was black of hair under a tightly placed hood, one of his eyes was glowing red under an enormous scar. The last soulless survivor prepared to lunge this unmoving target.
In a manner one can only describe as gracefull, the blackhaired devil made a slight movement of his torso and deflected the spear with a small shield. He then grabbed the Hollow's collar and sent it falling on the rocky surface. Unsheathing a long estoc, he casually pierced the back of his foe's skull before it could recover.
"Fuhuhu... How weak." he said in a sinister voice.
"People..." commented the other one as he looted the corpse of a long-lost soul.
Sheathing back his long dart, the lightly armoured fellow extended his arms greatly as if embracing all of creation.
"Is this the welcoming party for the glorious failures that we are ? You don't seem Hollow, nor unfriendly given how your lady warned us."
"Well met strangers, if you are not enemies, then follow us above before the wind carries us all into the mists." replied Aroth in a serene and powerful voice.
"As you wish."
The two strangers were added to the list of Ashen ones.
The nine adventurers reunited, they headed once again to the bonfire. Pavel explained what had happened to the absentee. And Amon achieved to explain the whole situation.
"All of us have failed to link the Fire, all of us awoke upon hearing a bell, and there is a potentially dangerous monster lying in ambush before the hypothetical sanctuary over on the hill." resumed Alrof. Possibly for himself as well.
"Then what are we waiting for ? Let us slaughter the impertinent swine and be on our way." asked the scarred marauder.
"I didn't say our foe was impertinent, or.. Anyways Why don't you introduce yourself before we proceed ?"
"I'd rather not. I fear some of you may know of me... Celebrity is, a dangerous thing, in my line of work. Fuhuhuhu..."
Although the man had clearly linked the fire, he seemed more dangerous than amicable. He had mid-long black hair that covered his normal right eye for an unknown reason. He was dressed in a tight lace tunic with gloves and trousers of the same fabric. His equipement didn't feel suited to his tastes, but he certainly had adapted to it awfully quickly.
"Let it be, you were the one saying we had to gather for a reason. Don't you trust this fine companion ?" commented Amon with a forcibly naive tone.
Letting out another sinister chuckle, the unnamed Undead tilted his head in amusement.
Not creepy at all... Thought almost all those present.
"And you little man ? Do you know your companion."
"Never seen before. Only awoke next to him."
"You can share your name at the very least." said Amon, sitting on his usual grave.
Maybe it was because Amon was naked, but the slim stranger grew more confident.
"... Withdrawn Volke... I don't like people..."
"Sorry to hear that young man."
Those banal words had an impact.
"Young man ?" repeated the hooded teenager.
"Yes, young. You could be my son! If I we weren't Undead... You have beautiful eyes you know. Why don't you show us your face."
"Oh yeah, all bright an' blue... definitely mah type of guy! Show yer face, I don't give a hot damn if there's a scar or not."
Confused, the grey-skin youngster obliged his hosts. He removed his hood.
His hair were pure black and unkept, but his sad face was definitely young. He had two tattoos under his eyes representing black tears. A great addition on his somber skin.
Letting his fingers over his face, he became more surprised than before.
"I am, not cursed ?"
"Cursed ? Were you heavily hollowed before you tried to Link the Fire ?"
"I was. And now... I am not ? But please, questions later."
"Alright Volke. Now then, we only have three blue Estus flasks left. Take one you two.." Said Aroth comprehensively.
As the new additions procured the artifact, the knight thought to himself.
Only one more bell toll left and maybe, just maybe, we'll have some answers.
"Atten~tion!"
Aveny had clapped her hands to attract everyone's attention. And succeeded. She had been quiet during the conversation, but was now brimming with energy. She took her place on a rock so that everyone could witness the young cleric's speech.
"Friends, the Sun is with us, and our spirits are high. No force could stop us all now. Let us proceed to the stone circle and see what manner of being could possibly stop us." The rays of noon reflected on her brilliant scalp,as the maiden smiled with all her heart. It was a sight to behold. However eccentric it felt for some of the public.
Alrof, Carra and Pavel applauded. Aroth took part after a moment, followed by Amon. Volke almost participated, but lost his will in the middle of the beginning of the action. While the silence of Gyron and the mysterious assassin was deafening.
"Alright then... Move out." finally said Aroth, cutting short the appreciation.
The group was now circling the archway. Waiting for something to happen.
"I thought we would attack now..." commented a frustrated Alrof, rotating his battle-axe between two hands."
"There remains one bell toll left, tis strange how we haven't found the last grave yet." explained Amon.
"t can't be the big one over there, it was probably that big guys."
Although the armour hadn't moved, the Abyss growing out of it was livelier than ever. The group waited more... It was getting quite boring.
"It's not coming... I propose we enter the arena to check inside. it could be on our right, behind the walls." Said the unknown killer.
"I have an ominous feeling on what awaits us there."
Just as Pavel finished sharing his worry, a great noise sounded anew. Grave and echoing throughout the graveyard.
"The Bell! Is there no coffin nearby ?" screamed Aveny over the powerful sound.
"We explored every cranny, there was nothing else!" reiterated Pavel
Stepping further into the archway because of the impatience, Aroth looked around carefully. He was feeling more nervous. The Bell was still ringing like a raging beast and the armour still didn't react.
"It can't be far away! Maybe we really should..."
Just as Aroth was about to hypothesize, he felt a large blow on his head. The violence of
