When Zoey awoke she felt refreshed. She felt as if she had just woken from a strange dream. A dream of travel and fatigue. A dream of a rather handsome companion a beautiful city within a high wall. But the lovely visions faded into a dark one. Thoughts strayed in of her homeland. Of her mother and sister and the long sand dunes being slowly consumed by the blackness of the abyss. She thought then of the small remaining village she had left behind. Guilt set in though she knew the strength that remained within her people. All of this was broken by a calm breeze and a familiar voice. Zoey opened her eyes to realize that she was moving. Many trees were striding by and she realized that Orbek was carrying her. His grim face was looking forward. Zoey didn't move much but instead found comfort in his arms. He however had grown tired of walking and set her down in the grass. Zoey stirred and sat up slowly. The pain in her side had ceased mostly, but it was far better than bleeding out.
Orbek stretched and yawned like a cavern.
The two of them were in a small meadow. The day however was rather grey and dull and washed out the colors of the tall and thin trees around them. The air was surprisingly chillier as well.
"W-where," Zoey began, "where are we? And what is the hour?"
Orbek sat back down against a nearby rock. He was exhausted but he replied,
"We are still within Faron's wood," he said, "however were much further than where we were taken prisoner. But come. Such matters are left in the past and I'd rather not think of yesterday."
Zoey was shocked to hear this.
"Yesterday," she asked staring at Orbek, "you mean we've been traveling all this time? Why didn't you wake me? You didn't have to carry me all the way!"
"The answer is simple Zoey,"
Orbek began as he fished out a small snack from his pack,
"The wounded needed rest. It was no trouble. I did not carry you all the way. I had a friend of mine assist us after you fell to dreams."
"What do you mean," Zoey asked curiously.
"We were hunted by others, whom were friends of our three Abyss watchers. They too were from the Undead Legion. And after our little quarrel, the others made sure to be hot on our tails like the rabid dogs they are," Orbek remarked. He continued and smiled briefly,
"However fortune found us and brought an old friend of mine to us. Whether it was fate or not I can not say. But I was glad to have him there."
"Who was it," Zoey asked not liking the vagueness in which Orbek was speaking.
"A close friend," he remarked, "we shall meet him soon enough. He will be meeting us at the cave, which should only be a days journey from here if I am correct."
Zoey looked at him eagerly. She scratched her head and, after a moment of silence, stated.
"Thank you Orbek. Thank you for saving my life. I owe you a serious debt," she said bowing her head slightly.
Orbek was not expecting such a remark. He smiled and simply replied,
"My dear girl there is no need."
The two of them talked the rest of that afternoon and into the night. They shared many childhood stories, some comical and some serious. One particular story however captivated Zoey the most. Orbek now sat on a small bed of blankets with Zoey next to him. They were both next to a comfortable campfire. It was now when Orbek told his tale.
"I was an orphaned child. My mother and father lived within the very city we are on the borders of. Irithyll, and that city itself onbthw borders of great Anor London. The home of the once great Lord Gwyn and his heirs. However I never lived during his time. My parents were scholars and happened to work in the same library. They each had a craving of the magical arts. Naturally I would grow to have the same interests. Though they preferred Miracles to sorceries. I on the other hand, as you can guess, preferred the Latter of the two. I once had a young friend named Sulyvahn. He was very gifted with sorceries. It came naturally to him. I know not the teachings of those from his home, but he was naturally gifted. Though I never saw him again after he ventured into old ruins. ... but anyway. There I was. At the age of 12 when I came home to find my parents chained. They were being lead, along with many others, to a prison far to the north."
Orbek looked into the dark hood and cloak that was intently looking back at him. A small amount of water began building in his eyes. He continued.
"They were picking at their skin and had no idea of their surroundings. They were hollow. And the city had no such place for hollows. Months after they were taken I was approached by the local watch of the city. They told me that as an orphan, who could possibly turn hollow myself, I was to be sent away to a new city. And so it was that Vinheim became my home. I arrived with only a book and the clothes on me. But I had a new determination. If I were to ever become a hollow, then I will become a very powerful hollow indeed. If not the most then damn close. I am worth more than picking at my skin. So I studied and I continue to gain knowledge."
Orbek didn't know but behind Zoey's hood was a small stream of tears running down her face.
"I couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose your family," she said, "I'm sorry Orbek."
Zoey lightly rested her arm on his and he turned his gaze back to the fire.
"It's ok," he said, "although it grieves me to think of them. I am who I am because of what transpired. In the end I think I have done my family proud."
He looked at her and asked, "what of you? I've only hear brief tales from you of your village. What was it like?"
Zoey looked down towards the ground, "I'd rather not speak of it if you don't mind. It's ..." she paused a moment and Orbek could hear the pain in her voice. "It's just not something I feel I can share with everybody. I'm sorry."
Orbek raised his hand, "I was only curious. I apologize. I hope I didn't come off too strongly. I like to consider you as my friend. Well. If you don't mind that is." He slightly blushed as he said this and looked up towards the large crescent moon in the sky. But suddenly his hand, which had felt cold a moment ago, now felt warm. Zoey had gently rested her hand into his and, through the black veil hanging between them, she replied,
"You saved my life. I would be stupid to not be your friend for at least that,"
Orbek smiled and chuckled.
"Well answered."
He rose and stretched. He grabbed an extra blanket and laid down.
"Well I recommend some shut eye," he said. Zoey quickly grabbed a blanket of her own and laid down next to him. The two had agreed earlier that it was so chilly that staying closer together would help keep them warm, but at the cost of no tents. Zoey grabbed a large and thick blanket made of various furs. It wasn't much longer that she was fast asleep. That night they each dreamt well. Many pleasant dreams danced throughout their minds.
The next morning Zoey awoke to find herself much closer to Orbek, than she remembered, upon falling asleep. She was huddled up directly against his back and was content to stay there. She was quite comfortable and it would be cold getting out of the blankets. Her skirt however was riding up a bit uncomfortably and this is what actually prompted her to move. As she stirred to fix her skirt and underwear Orbek awoke. He sat up slowly and rubbed his eyes. Looking up at the sky and then at Zoey, who seemed quite perplexed at the moment, he asked,
"What are you doing?"
Zoey looked at him and blushed before continuing to fix her problem,
"My underwear is snaking up the wrong sand dune."
Orbek laughed rather hard.
"It's not funny," said a very grumpy Zoey as she was now finished. She stood up and stretched, as she did so a few sparks of flame leapt from her hands. She looked at Orbek who sat in aw at what he was looking at.
Zoey was very confused as she saw him looking at her. She asked,
"What is it? Do I have something on me?"
"No," Orbek replied, "rather it is what's not on you."
Orbek held up Zoey's hood and offered it to her.
Zoey's eyes widened and she blushed, but before she could say anything Orbek continued to speak.
"This is the first time I've seen you without your hood. The first time I've looked upon your face. I must say it is... quite lovely."
Orbek's face began to turn red. She was beautiful and he anted to tell her, but he was no good with words such as these. He quieted up after that for a while as she thanked him for the lovely compliment. Zoey was scarlet to the ears after putting the hood back on. Never before had anyone granted her such a compliment. Orbek couldn't help but recall the sight he had been blessed to see. Her face was fair and soft as a stream. It was as if a gentle river made a beautiful carving and gave it life. Her eyes were a deep orange with strands of silver. Her hair was as brown as the purest trunk of a tree yet bore traces of blonde from exposure to the sun, which was admittedly odd considering she wore a hood. Her gaze at him was gentle and yet striking at the same time and he found himself unable to produce any words for a long time that day.
The two travelled in silence until at last they reached top of a large hill covered with old trees. The barn of these trees was silver like the pale moon over them. It was only noon however they were now on the threshold of the city Irithyll.
"The moon always looms over the city," Orbek said, "no matter where you go."
Zoey stood stunned. For the grand cities of legend now stood within her sight. Anor Londo, Irithyll, they were like large paintings of the grandest design and each perfectly nestled within the Boreal Valley.
"This way," said Orbek calmly as he began walking down the hill. Zoey stayed close behind, but before falling out of the city's view she managed one final glance. About an hour had passed when the two companions had each heard a voice calling out to them.
"Hello!"
It called out to them in a deep and hearty voice. It called out again, only this time it had a person to match.
"I say hello there!! Orbek old chap! Do come hither!! I believe I've discovered the entrance to our cave!!"
Upon getting closer to the voice Zoey noticed it was a man in very odd and bulbous armor. Orbek grinned widely as he approached his friend. The two grasped each other's hands.
"Siegward," exclaimed Orbek, "it's good to see you again! I'm glad you made it here in one piece!"
Siegward laughed a hearty laugh and responded with,
"Oh it will take more than pointy helms to render me useless Orbek! After our escape and toast I made my way as quickly as I could here. And by jolly moon giants I've found it."
Siegward looked at Zoey and stayed broadly,
"Ahh very good to see you up on your feet Miss. Orbek told me what happened with the abyss watchers you fought. Very brave of you. Not many would have acted so courageously. Especially against the now mad watchers. Course most of them are dead now but... oh no matter. For now let us be glad we're here. I am Siegward of Catarina. A pleasure miss."
Siegward held out his hand and Zoey returned the handshake.
"You may call me Zoey," she said as she smiled at the curious Knight. She continued,
"Am I correct in assuming you're the one who helped us escape the legion?"
"I am indeed," Siegward responded bashfully.
Zoey bowed slightly, "then you have my deepest thanks. We can not thank you enough."
But Siegward told them he was happy to help. Orbek the turned to his friend and said.
"You have found the entrance to the cave," he asked.
"I have indeed. But it's not as quiet in there as you thought. I hear breathing of many beasts within and the air is colder in there, but it isn't natural," Siegward replied.
"Well it's a good thing I can heat things up if it gets too bad in there," Zoey stated.
Orbek smiled and stated,
"Well then my friend. Lead the way."
The three travelers walked through some rather thick bushes until at last they came to a very large and dark cave. It was gaped like a sinister mouth and many jagged stones protruded from the ceiling and the floor. Behind the stones appeared a smooth tunnel, though it produced a foul smell and many distant sounds could be heard. Scatterings and potential voices trailed off from the blackness. Zoey summoned a ball of fire in her hand and sent it wailing down the tunnel. Unexpectedly the ball of fire vanished. The second it entered the cave it fizzled out
"There is some kind of spell upon this entrance," Orbek stated quietly, "but why?"
He held his hand up and was about to reach into the cave when Siegward interupted.
"Ahah ahh. ... hmmm. A moment please Orbek. I had an idea. How about I go first?"
Orbek was not impressed,
"Siegward I appreciate your concern. But this may only be an illusion spell and if it is-"
Orbek was interupted by Siegward suddenly,
"Of it is then it's a good thing my sword will be ready for whatever is in there."
Orbek looked hard at the illustrious onion knight. But before either could say anything more Zoey reached into the cave. Her hand disappeared into an illusion of blackness. She felt a strange breeze on the other side. Zoey stepped in just as Orbek and Siegward noticed her leave. What befell Zoey's eyes was odd indeed. She stood at the foot of a large stone doorway. Many ancient carvings of people and various things were embedded into the large door. Upon closer inspection Zoey realized that all the people carved were captured in moments of terror. The shrieked and clutched their loved ones close. Many balls of fire were depicted raining down from the sky. Others were standing at a large cathedral like building. They pointed in shame and had scowls upon their faces and they all were directed at a large throne. A throne that sat upon loads of bodies begging to be free. Zoey was rather horrified by this grim depiction. It was then when Orbek and Siegward appeared behind her. They all stood in silence for a few minutes before Zoey asked.
"What is this grim place?"
"This," Siegward answered, "leads to the Profaned Capital. Home of my former friend Yhorm. He's the one on the throne."
Siegward looked at Orbek and stated,
"Well now Orbek. Your scroll isn't going to find itself. Let us go aye?"
"Indeed," Orbek looked at Zoey, "are you ready?"
If it were any normal circumstance Zoey didn't think she ever would be ready for something like this. Tales of the Profaned Capital were far and few in her land and the depictions upon the door would have swayed her from going. But there was something in Orbek's eyes that prompted her to long for adventure. She couldn't explain it, but she felt that with him she could go anywhere and do anything.
"Indeed I am," was the only response she gave and she smiled at Orbek, who was so excited his eyes were glinting.
"Very well then," Siegward said.
He walked up to the large stone door and, with all his strength, pushed the great stone open. To much delight the dim cave was now full of a pale yellow light. The three stepped through the door and onto a large balcony that overlooked a very open cavern.
"Behold," said Siegward proudly, "the Profaned Capital"
It was massive, beyond the word 'Grand'. Many ancient buildings and stoneworks lay about the cavern, some in disarray and others fully erect still. Far off on the other end of the capital was a large building similar to the one on the door. It was the throne room and 'marvelous' would be an understatement of its description. To their right was a narrow passageway that lead downwards. So they began to follow it and as did so they were slowly reaching the heart of the once proud city.
