Sulyvahn... Orbeck couldn't shake the surprise within him. Could really be the same Sulyvahn whom he befriended. Orbeck felt sick, but he didn't say a word. Zoey could see the confused and angry look he bore. She recalled Orbeck's story about his friend named Sulyvahn. Nervously she spoke,

"It could be someone else Orbeck."

Orbeck rose and drew a deep breath.

"It matters not now," he said, "but for now we must carry on with our task. The scroll lies only a day's walk away. I would like to leave this place for good soon."

As the sun rose through the cavern's cracks the Profaned Capital glinted. It's yellow stones seemed proud and full of sorrow. The three companions, whom had not slept, dragged their feet slightly. Zoey wasn't used to sleepless nights, though she enjoyed what had happened the previous night. Orbeck was also feeling a little strung out and worn. The thoughts within his mind were a rollercoaster of anger, confusion, and sadness. Siegward however was as bright and cheerful as ever. He was used to hard travel and he faintly sang many hymns and verses of his own, and forgotten music. They all walked down many flights of stairs, deeper into the heart of the Profaned Capital. As they continued through Zoey began noticing many changes. The statues became more crumbled and the walls were scorched black. It wasn't long before a horrific sight met their eyes. The three companions came upon a small antechamber, Siegward having mistaken it for a hallway. Inside the chamber sat piles of bodies. Many corpses with horrified expressions upon their petrified faces. Many of them were clawing at the walls but all of them seemed to be one big mass of death. Towards the base of the pile the bodies seemed melded together, like a smith reforming to bits of steel together. To Zoey's eyes some bodies didn't look human save a grasping hand or a foot stuck out from the pile. Zoey gagged at the sight and Orbeck looked away with pain in his eyes. Siegward's head fell at the sight of a woman frozen in ash clutching a small infant.

"A tragic end," Orbeck stated as he turned from the room unable to bear the smell any longer, "for the people of this city."

"Indeed," Siegward said softly and he too left the room.

Zoey was already out back into the hallway. The sight and smell were too great for her to handle.

"What happened," she asked with horror in her voice, "what did all this? It should be damned."

There was a brief pause before Siegward spoke softly,

"Now now. Let's not get our britches in a tizzy. For the events here were not foreseen. We mustn't blame the creature who did not intend for it to happen."

"And yet it did," Orbeck said quietly, "but what's done is done. These bodies have been here for centuries. We mustn't mourn for them, not yet at any rate. I have heard voices as we creep down these halls. I fear we are not alone with the gargoyles."

They each stood silently now listening. Orbeck continued forward and the others followed close behind. Many uneventful hours had passed when the three travelers came upon a large open road. It was broken on one end and the other seemed to lead directly towards the temple.

"Ahh there we are," said Siegward, "the grand throne room lays just at the end of this road. In there Orbeck lies the scroll you seek?"

Zoey was in awe of the throne room's majesty. So many ancient carvings and various depictions of history. Many carvings of Deacon like men and women, carvings of a large throne with a mighty warrior seated within, but in the middle of all of these was a carving of a great fire. It's flames so majestic as the tips of it spread to what appeared to be many trees and mountains. Stars shown within the kindling and many bowing men made up the ashes at the base of the fire. Jutting from the flame carving stood a large sword standing tall and proud. Zoey wondered at what all of this could mean. She tapped Siegward upon the shoulder and asked,

"Siegward. What is that flame?"

Siegward looked at the carving and replied with a hint of questioning in his voice,

"Why that's the first flame of course. It's what keeps this age of light afloat from the dreadful darkness."

Zoey was awestruck at the sight.

"Ahhahaa but come my friends," said the onion knight happily, "we are so close to our goal and night is near. Let us find my lad's scroll aye? Then, when all is said and done, another toast I believe will suffice!"

"I agree," Orbeck stated at once. He was clearly excited to reach his goal and Zoey noticed, if only for a moment, a new light in his eyes. His passion was great for knowledge. She found it quite adorable.

So they each went one by one up a great flight of stairs and came upon the Profaned Flame. It burned brightly and danced a seductive dance, but Zoey knew better not to mess with such things holding the abyss. Walking by the flame a new sound was heard down the narrow hall in front of them. From what Orbeck could make out they were now on the doorstep of the throne room. Inside were about twenty figures, each robed in a very aged white robe. They bore large pointed hats and all held a candlestick.

"Best not to meddle with these folk,"

Siegward whispered as he came to Orbeck's side,

"vile and corrupt creatures they are. The Profaned Flame has gripped their hearts."

Zoey squinted and could make out the face of one of the robed people. It was a woman, but her face was deathly white. She held a large candlestick in one hand that was lit with the Profaned Flame while the other bore a large knife. Her eyes were probably the most terrifying to look upon. The eyes were pitch black and no flint of light would pierce them. The woman's mouth was hanging lazily open and she breathed loudly. Orbeck however had his eyes elsewhere.

At the far end of the throne room he could see a bright object. It stood out like a beacon to his eyes amidst a dim pool of treasures. It was a large scroll and it illuminated a bright blue aura. The only thing standing between him and the scroll were these robed figures.

"Now then," Orbeck said quietly, "how are we to get passed this lot?"

"Hmmmm... hmmmmmm.. mm," pondered Siegward.

Zoey simply spoke up at this moment,

"With the amount of them in there we may just have to charge and fight through."

"I fear you're right," Orbeck stated.

"Whatever you do," said Siegward, "do not get touched by that flame. One simple touch can kill you or ensnare you. I don't want to see that."

"Then we'll just be extra careful," Zoey exclaimed.

Orbeck nodded though their thoughts of surprise ambush was folly. One of the robed candle-bearers had noticed the intruders and let out a horrendous screech. It was then the three companion's plan was over. They were all spotted and all of the robed people pulled out knives and began walking hurriedly towards them. Some raised their candles and large streams of fire suddenly came issuing from the tips. Siegward dodged and ran forward plunging his sword deep into the stomachs of two of these new enemies. Orbeck kept his distance as always and unleashed an array of spells upon many of the robed ones. Large amounts of arcane arts came streaming into their bodies and destroyed them. Zoey was weaving through various other enemies with her large flaming fan. No candle-bearer was safe from her fury as she elegantly passed by some and hurled many balls of fire upon their flesh. Siegward resorted to lobbing the heads of the last bunch and blood stained the old floors, the fighting had reached its end.

"Hahahooohooo," Siegward exclaimed, "now that I dare say was better than the last quarrel."

Zoey stood near him and then she raised the question,

"Where is Orbeck?"

The two scanned the room, but Orbeck was gone. When suddenly there came a muffled grunting sound from the far left corner of the room. Zoey's eyes caught glimpse of Orbeck upon the ground.

"Orbeck,"

She exclaimed and quickly ran to him. She was very worried. Siegward also ran towards his friend and saw that he had been stabbed in the side of the stomach.

"What can we do," asked Zoey as she began to panic.

But Siegward stepped up to Orbeck and pulled out a flask of yellow liquid and carefully poured some into the sorcerer's mouth. To Zoey's astonishment the wound healed and Orbeck sat up.

"Damn cretan came from the side. I had no time to react. Thank you my friend," Orbeck stated, "I should've been more cautious."

"Yeah you should've,"

Zoey blurted out with a mix of relief, worry, and anger in her voice. Orbeck looked at her and after a moment he smiled slightly and hugged her.

"I appreciate your concern my dear," he stated

Zoey wasn't quite expecting such a response and she hugged him back for a moment. Siegward decided it was time to go looting through the various treasures within the room. Orbeck went to the scroll which sat at the foot of the great throne. It was then when Zoey joined Siegward in the hunt for random things. She only wished to look and did not bother with wanting to take anything, save one thing that caught her eye. In the far right corner of the room she found a whip. It was very long and smooth to the touch, though she knew it's actual devastation capabilities. As a pass time she used to play with various whips as a young teen. She practiced hard as it is used as both an art piece and a form of defense in her homeland. However this ceased when she began to dedicate herself to more time studying and practicing pyromancy. This whip would be hers,and she would carry it to the end of her days.

Orbeck came to the others with a large scroll upon his back. He was very pleased with himself as he spoke,

"I can not wait to unravel the many secrets of this scroll. The Profaned Scroll is what I will call it, though the flame itself has never touched it."

Orbeck looked at Zoey and smiled,

"With this we will unlock new mysteries together I think. Though it will take time. But when we return to Lothric we can endeavor to unlock it's secrets."

"Lothric," Siegward asked in surprise, "you mean you wish to go back to that afflicted city? Where not many have their wits any longer?"

"Indeed," Orbeck stated looking at Zoey, "through danger or not I did make a promise. I must keep it. After all, my quest is now fulfilled."

Zoey was glad to hear this news. She had already told him she would follow him on whatever journey. To hear he still intended to keep his promise was quite sweet of him. She looked at Siegward and said,

"Besides Siegward. Even you said they were only rumors."

Siegward seemed worried as he spoke,

"Yes but my source is very credible. Though he likes to play jokes, I don't see him lying about that."

"All the same my friend," Orbeck stated, "we shall make it just fine there. Danger or no danger."

"Very well," Siegward said with a sigh, "just know that you'll have me down right worried until our next meeting my friend. But come let us make camp and food. I think it's high time for another toast aye?!!"

Orbeck and Zoey couldn't agree more with him. That night they feasted merrily, and away from the bodies in the room, on other provisions Siegward had brought. They downed their dinner with the great and refreshing Siegbrau and it wasn't long before the brace Knight fell fast asleep. They did not worry that night of intruders. According to Siegward the throne room, usually, is unbothered.

"Zoey I have another favor to ask and feel free to say no," Orbeck said quietly.

Zoey tilted her head and removed her hood, allowing her head to breath a little. She guessed what he was about to ask, and she was correct.

"You have already helped me in my quest,"

Orbeck stated, he felt terrible for what he was about to ask and Zoey could see it. But he continued,

"My friend Sulyvahn. If he has indeed returned to Irithyll I would very much like to see him and ask him some questions,"

Orbeck paused a moment and looked at Zoey, who was intently listening to him.

"I would be grateful if you accompanied me," Orbeck said softly as he looked into her eyes, "though I feel guilty for asking you of yet another favor. If you refuse I understand."

Zoey ran her hand down the back of Orbeck's smooth hair and looked hard at him saying,

"Of course I will. I already told you I will follow you around the lands."

Orbeck felt a wave of relief come over him. If his friend had indeed returned, then he would not have to face him alone. He leaned in an kissed her like he did the night prior and replied to her with,

"Thank you my dear."

They were all exhausted. Zoey and Orbeck laid down and shared a few minor conversations. Before long though they were each fast asleep. No longer conscious to the world around them.