A.N. Alright, sorry this one took so long, I have been busy with other things. Enjoy this supa long chapta!
I few hours into my journey and I was already lost. Darkroot Garden seemed to twist and turn, creating new paths that looked familiar, but just ended up leading to dead ends, causing my frustration to get the better of me. Twice I ran into a moving tree, and twice I had to cut the damn thing down. Eventually, after much cursing and swinging my sword at every tree, the path opened up, leading to the Valley of the Drakes, much to my relief. A sighed heavily when I saw slope that led to the valley. 'Thank the various gods.' I said while looking up at the sky, praising the sun. 'Come on, boy.' I said to Sif while waving my hand. Sif trotted on in front of me, only to stop dead, sniffing the air as he did so. 'What is the matter?' I asked, gripping my sword in agitation. A voice purred through the air.
'Is it not so that thou hast cometh for New Londo?' It said. A spun around, sword in hand.
'Who's there? Show yourself, knave!' I said, raising my voice slightly. The voice gave a short, sharp laugh that sent a shudder down my spine.
'What a fool we have here!' It purred again. The voice was incredibly close, it came from above. I craned my neck, and saw a rather plump cat snuggled on a tree branch. Its smile reached from either side of its face, which admittedly, unnerved me a bit. Removing my helmet and hood, I blinked at the sight of it.
'Oh, a cat.' I murmured, and turned around, trying to find the source of the voice.
'What a fool indeed.' The voice purred again, this time behind me. I turned around slowly, and looked at the cat, whose smile had grown even bigger. 'Ha, thou art a strange one.' The cat purred, while tilting its head to the side. I blinked heavily, and opened my eyes, only to find the cat still perched in the tree.
By the gods Ciaran, what concoction have you gave me? I thought while sniffing the contents of the flask. Amazingly, it smelt fresh and clean, with no trace of poison of any kind. I placed my flask on my hip, and began to scan the cat.
'What is the matter? A man of your kind should be accustomed with the strange.' The cat purred. I continued blinking at the creature, still trying to understand what was in front of me.
'You are a cat…' I began. The cat let out a groan of annoyance.
'And?' It purred with little patience.
'…that can talk.' I finished. The cat let out another groan, and leapt down from the tree.
'Thou art an observant one.' The cat said sarcastically. 'I am Alvina, of the Darkroot Wood.' She said while stretching her front legs.
'I…I am Artorias of Anor Londo, and this is my friend, Sif.' I said while pointing my hand at Sif, who was growling at the strange talking cat. Alvina had taken no notice to the wolf, and walking through my legs, brushing the blue steel with her fur. She walked through them multiple times, before sitting down in front of us.
'Hmm… Tall, handsome, strong… I can see why she has taken a liking to thee.' Alvina said while peering at me.
'She?' I asked while squatting down so I was at Sif's level, trying to calm him down.
'Yes, the ivory haired woman. She was practically all over thee.' Alvina laughed.
Ivory haired woman… I thought immediately of the one I loved. 'Ciaran?' I asked. The plump cat nodded in reply. I then realized what Alvina was trying to get at. 'Wait… You saw us by the creek?' I asked while turning my head to the side in suspicion. While not embarrassed by the fact the cat knew, I was a little annoyed by the face that she did know, I was hoping only Ciaran and I knew about our little private place.
'Thee swoons whenever she comes near thine own self.' The cat purred.
'Because I am madly in love with her.' I answered while standing up. 'I don't think you would understand.' I sneered, making the cat scurry up the tree.
'And what about her?' Alvina asked. A looked at the floor in thought. She must love me as well, all the signs she gave pointed towards that direction.
'I suspect so.' I answered. The cat laughed. When she spoke again, however, her voice had taken on a noticeably darker tone.
'Cometh thee for the Abyss? Hmph, Tis a fools errand.' Alvina said, hissing slightly when she spoke of the Abyss.
'Then I suppose that makes me the fool. Either way, I will not stand to the side while the Abyss threatens Lordran.' I answered. 'Good day, cat.' I said before walking towards the valley.
'And how shalt you traverse the Dark?' The cat shouted from behind. I ignored the question, for I did not know the answer. I just waited and wondered what fate would decree for me.
The valley was indeed vast, but it was the shortest route I knew of, and it was easy to navigate, and soon I found myself at New Londo. Only when I entered did I understand how dire the situation was. Houses and buildings were being eaten away by the darkness, bodies littered the streets, men, women and children screamed and ran through the streets, only for the darkness to swallow them whole. Running through the crowds of people, I made my way to the roof of a large building, and met with three red robed people.
'Ah, you must be the reinforcements.' One of the robed three spoke, who by the voice, was clearly a great and aged woman.
'Yes, my name is Artorias of Anor Londo.' I answered.
'My name is Yulva, this is Ingward, and this is…'
'Oh enough with these pleasantries!' The third healer said, springing to life. 'Where is the army that we asked for? I doubt that this one knight could make a difference…' he spat underneath his iron beaked mask.
'Even so, you of all people should know the difference one person can make.' Ingward said. 'Sir Artorias, could you aid us in our time of need?' Ingward asked.
'Of course, that is why I am here after all. What do want me to do?' I asked Yulva, to which she answered with a point of her hand. She gestured towards a small building that jutted out from the stone in the centre.
'The Four Kings reside in the lowest part of that chamber, know as the Abyss.' Yulva explained, much to my surprise.
'The Four Kings? They are the ones responsible for all of this?' I asked, slightly shocked.
'Well, the corrupted husks of the Kings, yes.' Ingward corrected.
Lord Gwyn had granted a shard of his very own soul to these four, and were trusted amongst the court. But to hear that they have been corrupted like this…
'What happened to them?' I asked.
'They had the dark art of 'Life Drain' dangled in front of them, and eventually gave into temptation' the third healer answered. 'But enough of this mindless banter. Can we get a move on?'
'Right of course, I'll be back soon.' I answered, and turned around towards the ladder.
'Oh, and do not forget…' Ingward began, forcing me to turn around. '…the Darkwraiths that prowl the streets.' I raised an eyebrow at that statement.
'Darkwraith?' I asked.
'Like the Kings themselves, the Knights that serve them have become corrupted as well.' Yulva answered. 'Please, proceed with caution.'
'Of course.' I peered down towards Sif, who was eager to go, however, he was still young, so I decided to make him stay with the healers, much to his disapproval. 'Don't worry boy, I'll be back soon.'
'We'll keep him safe. We shall look for your safe return.' Ingward reassured me.
'Hmph, or your corpse.' The third healer grumbled before walking off to the other side of the roof. Sliding down the ladder, I made my way to the streets of New Londo. It went eerily silent when I arrived. Not a scream or shout could be heard. No one walked the streets. Only bodies of men, women and children filled them, either from having their soul sucked out or from a fatal wound. I continued through the streets, before the sound of distant footsteps halted my own. I was tempted to call out to the source, but I kept the beckon to myself, lest I alert the Darkwraiths.
The footsteps seemed to grow louder, and a clink of metal could be heard. I unsheathed my sword and shield, and readied myself, for I knew exactly what the source was. A glint of white bone could be seen in front of me, and soon, a terrible form emerged forth from the black. Bone and rotten flesh had fused to the knight's armour, giving him a deathly look, spikes adorned his shoulders and knees. Only a hood covered the skull that growled with a deep, menacing tone. The Darkwraith lifted its broadsword, and swung at me. However, due to my unmatched swordsmanship skill, I countered swiftly with my sword. Another swing from the Darkwraith was countered with a shield bash, making the knight stumble, and fall. I capitalised with a swift stab to the chest, making the Darkwraith hiss with pain, before gurgling and passing away. I gasped when I took on the full form of the demon I had just slain.
These Darkwraiths were monsters, how could a valiant knight fall so low? It made no sense. I continued on through the city, occasionally slaying a Darkwraith who tried to take my soul. Eventually, I made it to the building were the Four Kings resided, but I allowed myself to be surrounded by a group of Darkwraiths, who had been following me for some time. While outmatching me in terms of numbers, I outmatched them in terms of strength and will.
'Stand down, all of you!' I shouted, trying to reason with them. 'Remember who you are!' My words fell on deaf ears, however, and they still walked towards me slowly, swords at the ready. 'So be it…' I said under my breath. A swing from the Darkwraith in front of me was side stepped, and countered with a low slash that disembowelled the knight, but no guts were spilt, instead, white smoke puffed from the gash, which squeaked in the air. Two more knights swung at me, and there heavy blades cracked the ground where I stood before rolling out of the way. I threw my great shield at one of the Darkwraiths, sending it hurtling across the ground, snapping its neck. I fight better without my shield anyway. Another Darkwraith tried to backstab me, but with my new agility and speed, I leapt into the air while slashing at the knight, slicing it in two.
The last two Darkwraiths leapt as one, but I had the strength of ten of them, and swung my sword twice while crouching, spinning incredibly fast on the spot, cleaving the legs off from one of them. The last one was sent back by a kick in the gut, and to finish it off, I lunged with my sword pointing at it, impaling it on my blade. The Darkwraith hissed, and dropped its head, confirming its demise. I freed my sword from the Darkwraith, which screeched as the bone met the enchanted steel. I also retrieved my shield, which had a fresh dent from where the skull had been crushed. I walked over to where the entrance to the Four Kings was, and entered, only to find a stair well that led to a very dark hole. I sighed out of irritation, and began to descend to stone stairs. I was beginning to think that these stairs held no end, and began to increase my pace down the stairs, hoping to find the end of them. Eventually, I unknowingly did, and fell down the hole. My stomach felt like it was going to come out from my mouth, I swung my arms and feet helplessly, trying to grasp something. Eventually, I gave up flailing, and just waited to plummet to my death.
Amazingly, when I reached some form of a floor in the formless Abyss, I survived the fall. The 'ground' was surprisingly soft, it cushioned my massive fall. I stood up, in awe at my mysterious ability. I am able to 'walk' the Abyss without any difficulty it seemed, and even now, I am not entirely sure why. Perhaps I will never find the answer. Either way, I was seemingly stuck in that hole, forever lost in the darkness. I was not fearful, however, but rather angry at the fact I had to spend the rest of my life in a damned hole with no way out. 'Oh, this is fantastic.' I sighed to myself. 'How the bloody hell am I meant to get out of here?' I cursed while looking up at the stair well which I had just fell down.
I began to pace around the unfathomable Abyss trying to figure out how to get out of here. I let out a groan of irritation before I sat down on the 'floor' in thought. Before long though, I felt a very odd cold draft flow through the hole, sending a shiver down my spine. I had the impression I was being watched by someone, or something. I suddenly had the urge to spin around and unsheathe my sword. I tried to rub off the feeling, but my instincts have never let me down before, and so I did, only to come face to face with a grey, cracked face that screamed at me, and swung its terrible, jagged sword that was as big as Gough. I brought up my shield just in time, and deflected the blow, but at the cost of my shield to be sent flying across the Abyss. Rolling out of the way, I fully took in the terrible form of a former king that was before me.
Wearing the grey robes as before, but like the knights that followed them, it had fused to its flesh, creating organic armour. The King's limbs had extended and deformed horribly, its left arm in particular had split into many writing arms that glowed with the Life Drain energy.
The King swung again, but this time I dodged it, and stabbed at the King, doing little damage to its body. I back stepped another swipe, and this time leapt at its face, doing way more damage then a body blow, making the King reeling in anguish. I smile beneath my blue hood, and strike at the beast again, sending it reeling again. Just when I though I was winning, a sharp pain was sent through my back, and forced me onto my knees. I seethed through my teeth in pain. Reaching around to my back, I felt a large cut in my armour and flesh, which was pouring with blood. In my idleness, I was sent across the ground, and I was reunited with my shield. Grasping it, I charged towards the now two Kings. Dodging a slash with difficulty, I hacked at a King's weapon arm, with little success, without my knowing a third King had arrived, and with its numerous arms clamped around me. The other three kings swarmed around me, no emotion crossed their faces, and lifted their swords up to my neck. I sense of dread filled me. I cursed my foolishness and waited for the fatal blow to be struck.
'Enough.' A voice said, it was smooth and oddly familiar, despite the fact I have never heard it before in my life. The Kings still stared at me with stone cold eyes. While they were not cutting my neck off, their swords were still sharp enough to draw blood.
'Give the worthy knight some space.' The voice commanded. The King dropped me with little grace, and I landed onto the ground with little grace. My back and side were bleeding like mad, and my face hurt from when the King dropped me. My vision blurred slightly, before returning normal. A great black snake appeared before me, its big, unblinking orange gaze seemed to stare into my soul. It had a mouth of a man, which unnerved me slightly.
'Greetings, Knight Artorias.' It said. 'I am Dark-Stalker Kaathe.' I blinked at the sight of it.
'How do you know my name?' I asked it.
'I have my ways.' It replied. 'I am most impressed by thine courage and strength. You honour me with thine presence.'
'What do you want, fiend?' I snapped. 'It was you that brought this darkness upon New Londo, wasn't it?' The snake however ignored my question. I tried to speak again, but instead coughed up a glob of blood that splattered onto the 'floor'. I stared at it for what seemed an age.
'You already know the answer, why ask me?' Kaathe answered.
'Do I? I have no clue to what you are talking about.' I said, while coughing up more blood. Kaathe shook his head before answering
'You should not be bothered with my motives, not when you are slowly dying in this place.' Kaathe pointed out. He was right though, I was slowly dying. 'If you value your life, you shalt join me.'
'Serve you? Never!' I shouted back while trying to stand up. Kaathe laughed at my attempt.
'And what of Lordran? They would curse thine name as the Abyss swallows them.' Kaathe twisted my heart with those words. All I could think about was Ciaran and my friends. I could not allow them to die because of my own foolishness. I had to make up my mind quickly.
When I get back, I will take you somewhere nice, alright?
That promise I made to her was all I could think about. There was no way I was about to break the woman that I love's heart.
'Then… Take me.' I sighed. Kaathe tilted his head in question.
'What do you mean?' he asked
'As in, if I will bind myself to the Abyss, you must not take harm another living soul as long as I live.' I answered. Kaathe winced at me.
'Then you shalt serve me?' he asked.
'Serve you? No.' I answered again. I was expecting Kaathe to laugh it off, and order the kings who were still looking over me to kill me. Instead, he did the opposite.
'Very well. Then let us establish a covenant.' He said. With that, the Abyss swirled around me. From the darkness, a dark gold ring emerged, with a single black gem decorating it. I stared at it before lifting hand.
'On your honour?' I asked Kaathe one more time.
'On my honour.' He replied, eyes showing joy. Hesitantly, I moved my hand towards the ring, and hesitated one more time, before sliding my finger into it. A sharp pain jolted up my arm when I wore it.
'Now, entrust thine flesh to me.' Kaathe asked. Before I could answer, Kaathe grabbed me with his mouth, and swallowed me. His breath was revolting, twice I though I was going to be sick. Eventually, he released me from his maw, and spat me out. To my relief, I landed onto real ground, where the entrance to the Abyss was. I turned to face Kaathe before he returned to the Abyss.
'Remember thine place, Artorias.' The snake said before slipping into the darkness.
'Like wise.' I shouted back to him.
The journey to the rooftop where the healers were felt like another age went by. Yulva greeted me, but not before gasping at the state of me.
'By the Lords! Sir Artorias…' she gasped.
'I am fine. The spread of the Abyss has been halted.' I breathed out, while Sif was licking my wounds. To my confusion, the healers were not rejoicing, rather, they seemed to be distressed.
'Now, it is our turn.' Ingward said while tightening his grip on his staff.
'No, there must be another way!' Yulva said while also tending to my wounds, albeit not licking them like Sif.
'The Darkwraiths will still continue to terrorize the humans, we have no other choice.' The third healer answered.
'Do what?' I asked. Yulva did not answer, and stood up, and went over to the other two.
'Do what?' I asked again, slightly unnerved. The healers did not answer me, and placed their staffs together. The earth began to shake, and the ceiling of the massive cave gave way, and water burst through the holes and gaps, flooding the city. Screams of anguish and confusion rang through the air, some of them even cursed the lord's names as they drowned. I had to turn away when I saw a child spluttering for air. I would have gone in to try and save him, but in my then current state, I could barely move, let alone jump. After the roaring sound of the water filling the area died down, only then did the healers physically falter. Yulva and Ingward fell backwards onto the railing, the third healer sat on the floor. A moment of mourning passed, before any of us decided to say anything.
'Sir Artorias…thank you for your aid.' Yulva said as she bowed weakly. 'Would you stay a while, we could heal your wounds.'
'No, I must leave now, Lord Gwyn is expecting word.' I replied, just as weakly as her question.
'Then, be safe.' Ingward added. I nodded only in reply, and made my way back to Anor Londo, taking a longer route however, since the gates had to be closed, acting as flood gates.
The journey back home was long and slow, yet I continued on without a break, for Lord Gwyn needed word as soon as possible. Passing through Darkroot Wood again, Alvina took notice of my presence.
'Ah, the brave knight hath returned. How fare ye?' She asked. I ignored the question, and carried on dragging myself along the path. Alvina leapt down from tree. 'Come, let us get thee home.' She purred while taking the lead. 'Come, come!' she said. I needed a guide, even if I didn't want one, so I was happy for her to guide me home. My drowsiness and headache were blocking my memory, so a guide would have been most helpful. Alvina led us to the gates of Anor Londo.
'T-Thank you, Alvina. I am most grateful.' I stammered, out of breath and energy. Fumbling my way through the lower city streets, I eventually, after a few stumbles and sessions of coughing blood, made it to the main doors to the keep. With my last ounce of strength, I pushed the great brass doors open, but my wounds and fatigue got the better of me, and the last thing I remembered was the sound of my armour hitting the floor and footsteps coming towards me.
*Spoilers 'n' Speculation*
Ingward- Old guy who changes from a healer to a sealer, resides in New Londo.
Yulva- The other healer that was with the three, She went to Blighttown, but never came back.
The third sealers name is unknown, but i believe its the red robed guy that hangs around with Lautrec and the pike wielding guy. I think its him because he has the Tin Banishment Catalyst, red robes of the sealer, and the fact that he wears no mask is probably because he has abandoned his duty. The description says it reminds the sealers of their burden, so he probably got rid of it due to the reminder.
Kaathe- Big black snake (pfft) that I'll talk about another time.
The Four Kings- The Ultimate Gankers, I'll also talk about these another time.
Alvina- A fat cat that can talk. True Story.