It was sunrise when the Chosen Undead was readying to leave. He was about to climb up to the giant crow's nest when Solaire called out to him, "Wait!" The Undead turned back to Solaire and shook his head. "I'm going back to Lordran, Solaire. If you want me to help with something, you know where to find me. But I'm not playing along with the Serpents' game anymore." Solaire reached the Undead panting. "I know… But before you leave I… have to give you this." The knight handed a scroll to him. Pausing only for a moment, the Undead opened it. Before he could read it a small object fell out into his palm. It was a miniature shield carved from wood. The crest of Astora was etched into its surface. Suddenly a memory flashed through the Undead's mind.
The boy's small but nimble fingers chipped away at the wood. Outside he heard the knight talking to his parents. "Astora needs all the soldiers it can manage. When the time comes, do you think your son will be ready?"
Coming back to reality he dropped the object. With his fingers trembling the Undead opened the scroll and read it. "If you are reading this, than I know that I did not die in vain. I recovered enough strength after you left to write this last message. The shield wrapped in this scroll is a gift I received from you when you were but a child. Your family lived in Astora, but in the wake of a devastating attack by creatures of the Abyss you were left orphaned. I have carried this gift for years, hoping that I would see you again one day. Only after bestowing these gifts upon you did I recognize the boy I met all those years ago in Astora.
Your name is William, son of Peter and Catherine. And the fate of this world rests in your hands. No matter what obstacles you face, no matter how hopeless things may appear, you must never give up hope. Your choices will decide the fate of us all. Make your decision, and I promise we will not have died in vain."
The last few words of the letter appeared scribbled and blood stained the edge. "Oscar must have become Hollow shortly after writing that." The Undead barely heard Solaire. Looking down at the small wooden shield, the knight felt tears welling in his eyes. Even after learning the truth of who he was, he could not even remember what this Catherine or Peter even looked like. But the name William stirred the memory of his dream the day before. The dream of an army chanting the name, his name. His destiny as the Dark Lord would bring thousands of people to his side, and nothing would stand in his way.
But if he let the Flame be extinguished, what then? Oscar's passing mention of the Abyss reminded the Undead what awaited the world if the Age of Fire ended. How selfish could he be to allow the world to end, just for the sake of power? Looking down at the letter once more he read the last words of Oscar. Your choices will decide the fate of us all. Make your decision, and I promise we will not have died in vain.
"Oscar saved my life. He believed I was here for a reason. But he had no idea what either of us would find in Lordran. What do you think I should do now?" Solaire's hand rested on his. "I think he deserves to have his faith rewarded. Oscar didn't just believe in some prophecy, he believed in you, and so do I. Whatever your decision, I will be there to help you my friend. Always." Walking up to the nest Solaire waved to whatever crow was surely watching. "William." The knight of Astora turned quizzically. "Beg your pardon?" The Chosen clasped the carved shield in his hand. "My name is William." Solaire nodded. "It's a good name. Until we meet again, William."
And with that, a crow swooped in and picked up Solaire, flying in the direction of Undead Parish. Likely to keep searching for his Sun. Alone once more William walked to where they had placed Oscar's corpse. Before he left he intended to give the knight the honor he deserved.
...
A funeral pyre was quite difficult to make. But it was worth it, and William quietly pressed his torch to the mound on which Oscar lay. It ignited quickly and soon the pyre was ablaze. William did not feel the heat on his face however. He was clad in the armor that once belonged to Oscar, the armor of an elite knight. It was a perfect fit. William drew the Astora straight sword and its blade reflected the flames in front of him. In the end, Oscar had made his own choice.
Now, William would go out and make his.
Author's Note: What a bombshell to be dropped in just the third chapter! The vague origins of our hero are revealed, but there are still a few questions left to be answered in future chapters. As alluded to earlier in the story, the name of the Chosen is indeed William. From this point on he plans to take matters into his own hands considering the First Flame and the plans of Frampt and Kaathe. The icing on the cake is William taking up Oscar's elite knight armor, crest shield, and Astora straight sword. Thus becoming the iconic figure from all the advertisements for the game! What exactly is he going to do now, and what further revelations will be made considering his past?
You're just going to have to wait and see. Leave a review below and I'll see you next time!
P.S. Sorry if this chapter seems a bit small, I kind of wrote myself into a corner with this one and the previous chapter. The ones after this will be longer.
