Author's notes: Whoo, another long one. It's a known fact that I can't PvP my way out of a wet paper bag, so that Belfry Luna segment was one of the first and only areas in the game to make me "rage" the way everyone else does at the entire game. It was a pretty annoying mechanic when all I wanted to do was fight a boss. The new character is based on the first friend I actually made through DS2. Given how stuff like party chat, Netflix, and mics no longer being standard pack-ins for consoles largely killed XBL's social aspect, I hadn't added a single friend since 2011 before I met this guy. This game was giving me all sorts of hope for the modern industry, especially after I'd actually started meeting friends who bothered to message me after a good co-op session. Brandon, if you're still out there, stay gold.
Chapter 7 – The Ancient Tactician! Look at me, always thinking ahead!
21st of Rain's Hand
Belfry Luna
If the Lost Bastille was 'bathed' in frozen moonlight, then the Belfry Luna was veritably drenched in it. This mysterious bell tower was annexed onto the Bastille an unknown time ago by the prince of Alken. Its counterpart, the Belfry Sol, lie far off in the Iron Keep, annexed by the princess of Venn. Who these two royal beings were largely shrouded in mystery, and many wondered what Alken and Venn were. These musings were not very high in priority to LoveGame, who had coaxed his ally into following him inside. He didn't see it as much beyond another place to loot, and hopefully get stronger for the coming battle with the bearer of the first Great Soul.
"Jeez, LoveGame…" said Ilia with a sigh, "I'm really starting to question whether traveling with you was worth it. We were almost there, for fuck's sake! Is now really the time to get sidetracked by whatever trinkets are lying around here?"
He responded holding up his hand, still protected by a sea-green gauntlet, "Now, Ilia, where's your sense of exploration? I doubt either one of us wants to make a return trip to this place, so I figure I might as well clean it out for all it's worth!"
Before the knight could continue his insightful commentary, a gray phantom charged down the barely-intact stairwell to attack the duo. Other than the unusual phantom color, he appeared to be a normal, un-hollowed human in most regards. With some effort, LoveGame and Ilia cut him down and watched him writhe in pain for a bit before fizzling out into ash.
"Besides," his tone grew exasperated, "we'd be done already if it weren't for all these gray spirit guys that the bell apparently keeps shitting out. Don't these guys get that I'm just trying to make progress?!"
Ilia put her hand on her chin and thought aloud, "I'll admit, this is a bit strange. They aren't Blood Brothers, but they sure as hell ain't friendly, either. Fuck it, let's keep going." She shook her head and increased her pace. They managed to ascend the stairs uninterrupted, taking care not to fall through the many holes and gaps in the rotting wooden floor. Upon reaching the top, as if on cue, two more gray spirits faded in and attacked LoveGame in tandem. He was sent flying back against the wall, leaving a vaguely LoveGame-shaped indent in the stone. Frustrated, he recovered as fast as he could and stabbed one of them in the chest, earning a victory once more. He tackled the second one and pinned him with the weight of his entire body, with Ilia armed close by.
Through his helm, LoveGame looked the phantom human in the eyes and roared, as angered as he'd ever been in his current memory, "The hell is your damage, buddy?! Is this some kinda battle arena or something?! Is that the case? 'Cause let me tell ya, you couldn't possibly fathom how many shits I don't give! I just wanna get to the top! I know you guys probably have some complex and contrived honor system, yet another thing I give zero fucks about. Zero! I'm about done with it, so you really should consider an explanation!"
The spirit paused for a few seconds, a bit shaken up. He managed to utter, "We must guard this bell in the name of the prince of Alken! Trespassers cannot go unpunished! You must understand this, outsider."
"Ohh, I get it." Snarled LoveGame, having simmered down somewhat. "Another one of these stupid gimmicks. Why exactly are you so concerned with keeping me out, then?!" He released the spirit and looked around the room, spotting a nearby lever.
"You misunderstand, surely. It isn't who we're keeping out so much as who, or rather what… we're keeping in here…" said the spirit in a worried tone.
"Keeping what?" spoke a calmer LoveGame, more confused than annoyed as he grunted and curiously yanked the rusted lever causing the bell to sound, albeit rather weakly. "If it's more of you guys, I can't say I won't be disappointed…" As he said this, a metal grate on the second floor creaked open revealing a rooftop. An ominous, resounding roar filled the belfry.
"Uhh, those." The spirit referred to six large, ebony stone gargoyles as they sprung to life from their perched positions and stared the knight down.
"Oh…wow." It took little time for LoveGame to change his tune as he noticed the group of menacing constructs. "I am... really just fucking this all up, aren't I?"
Owning up to his actions, LoveGame passed the gate to the rooftop as Ilia followed with a sort of 'here we go again' look. Right when they got close enough to the gargoyles, they heard another scream; this one sounding distinctly human. From above the two, another knight plunged downward to engage the stone beasts. "Wondrous! I'd been waiting an age to do that!" he shouted triumphantly as he damaged one of them. "Vile constructs! Know this as the day you were felled by Sir Trout!" LoveGame got a better look at him, noting his crimson cape billowing in the wind and his brass-colored armor, the helm's unique notched design catching his eye.
Trout turned to LoveGame and Ilia. "Hail, fellow knights! It appears you were in need of some of my own personal brand of assistance! Join me, won't you?" Slightly confused, but nonetheless relieved to see someone on their side for once, they joined their new ally in combat. The gargoyles fought with something of a crude sense of honor. Rather than ganging up on one person, they attacked in turns. However, they did so with an equal sense of tact. As one Gargoyle suffered damage, it would step back and allow a healthier one to take its place to absorb hits as the weaker one bellowed fire and lighting from a distance. Thankfully, they weren't particularly strong individually, and Sir Trout's large round shield laughed off the strikes of their bidents. One by one they fell, as without a reliable method of recovery, their switching tactic only went so far. With a strike from Trout's halberd, the last gargoyle crumbled. All three of them paused to take a breath or two.
"Delighted to rid this place of those awful gargoyles! I had been perched up there for heaven knows how long waiting for someone to enter. I fear I would've faced a great deal of trouble had I tried to take them on alone. Regrettably, I must now depart, as my mission is yet incomplete. Good luck with your endeavors, brave knights!" With that, Trout left before either one of them could get a word in.
"Now there's one hell of a character, huh Ilia?" LoveGame mused to his companion. Not even dignifying him with a response, she began heading out of the Belfry with a sigh, eager to finally see who bore the first Great Soul.
Sinner's Rise
Long ago, an unnamed woman attempted to recreate the First Flame. Reasonably, she failed and was imprisoned in the Sinner's Rise, another part of the Lost Bastille consisting of a waterlogged chamber leading out to an unnaturally huge prison tower built into a natural rock formation. If one could put out of their mind the implications of this place's existence, it was actually quite beautiful; the moon beaming off of the dark water, which created just enough white noise to peacefully drift off to sleep to, provided one had the chance.
After commandeering the lift, LoveGame and Ilia reached the flooded passage. From around the corner came one of the most twisted, deformed beasts they'd encountered as of yet. Even describing it proved difficult; it was a gargantuan, asymmetrical, muscular beast with yellowed skin, a distinctive lack of legs, and a long, thick scorpion-like tail. They were known as artificial humans, the result of an experiment to recreate dragons gone horribly wrong. Their existence in the Rise served as insight into what went on here long ago.
"Whoa, would ya look at that!" exclaimed LoveGame upon seeing it. The grotesque beast engaged them, the water doing little to impede its movement as it dragged its gnarled body towards the two. It swung its long tail, which seemed to stretch unnaturally and damage LoveGame, causing him to stumble. Using her friend as a distraction, Ilia strafed the beast and climbed onto its back, embedding her longsword into its twisted spine. It tried in vain to throw her off, but its swollen arms failed to reach very far back, and it keeled over dead. LoveGame watched with a mix of shock and relief. Save for a few prisoners that flopped on their bellies to create explosions but died instantly to any attack, it was a perfectly straight path to the tower. Once again they were outdoors, separated from it by a thin stone bridge over calm water.
As they prepared to cross single-file, they noticed another human at its end, seeming to guard the gate into the tower itself. They shrugged to each other and kept going until he called out to them. "Hail, travelers! Do you seek a Great Soul?" At this point, both LoveGame and Ilia could indeed feel the power of a Great Soul resonating and coursing through their bodies. Getting a closer look at the man, he wore armor that appeared to be a lightweight variant, its lustrous silver color shining brilliantly against the moonlight. His long hair was of a similar tone and almost appeared to glow. He was equipped with a long straight sword in each hand; one red and one yellow, with a blue one and a purple one sheathed on each hip. No doubt they were each imbued with a special element.
"We know-" said LoveGame before getting cut off. The man spoke again, "Look, you're welcome to go in, bro. In fact, I think I might just need your help. I got my hands on a few ascetics and… kinda strengthened everything here. It's all three times stronger than usual, feel me? I could use a challenge, but I'm starting to feel like I've bit off more than I can chew, and everyone's so busy these days…"
LoveGame put his hand on his chin pensively for a moment before talking. "Know what? I'll take you up on that offer. One thing though, just who are you?"
"Most just call me Asmundr. Asmundr the Ancient Tactician. I sorta added that last part myself because I come up with so many unique-yet-practical ways to kill stuff. Oh, and you?"
"Well, then. Pleased to make your company, Asmundr! I'm LoveGame. Knight LoveGame of Wes'Sv'Urginiah!" He shook Asmundr's hand and nodded.
"Hmm…" He looked downward a bit and closed his eyes, repeating the name to himself. "LoveGame, eh? I like it! It's mysterious and foreign, makes you think."
Ilia spoke up. "Yes, and I'm-", but she too was cut off by Asmundr. "Okay, then! Let's not burn any more of this lovely moonlight! Get ready, and try to keep up!" He motioned for the two to follow him into the tower at last. At the back wall was a very tall human, the torches around it allowing for a better view. It wore a black iron mask depicting a face with a neutral expression, tattered clothing, and had its hands bound by cuffs. At first, it appeared slumped over and dormant until a small insect crawled directly into its eye, causing it to wail in agony. It rose to its feet and swung a large two-handed sword; its swing hard enough to put out both torches as it posed for combat. The room darkened significantly, small amounts of moonlight pouring into the tower allowing for minimal visibility.
Even LoveGame's greatshield did little to mitigate the large human's sword strikes as it elegantly flipped and jumped around the arena with impressive acrobatics. "Shit, she's just too fast!" LoveGame said with labored breath. Asmundr noticed LoveGame's usage of pronouns. "Hey, you knew about that too? Sweet! Everyone else always thinks she's a guy or something. How'd you know?"
"Ilia isn't the only one who took a few history lessons before coming here! Several of those tomes mentioned the Lost Sinner. Give me some credit!" replied the knight as he dodged another swing. Ilia performed a forward jumping attack, causing the Sinner to stagger a bit and dodge backwards once she recovered. "Well, color me impressed, you actually read!"
"Hey, come on now. I like this guy already!" said Asmundr as he almost effortlessly parried the Sinner and riposted with both swords at once, lightning and fire tracing from each one. The Sinner entered a defensive state with her greatsword, but Asmundr broke her guard and struck once more.
"Ugh, I can't see shit in here! How do you do it, man? Just how do you fight in this murk?" LoveGame noted that the low visibility was giving him difficulty.
"LoveGame, you amateur! Haven't you ever heard that the dark hones your other senses? Just concentrate and feel the enemy out. Don't rely on just sight! I thought I was dealing with someone a little more professional here!" Asmundr shouted back through the blackness.
"If you only knew him as long as I have!" Ilia remarked. "Ooh, acerbic. I like it…" LoveGame said as took a deep breath, hearing the Sinner's feet hitting the stone floor more distinctly. While she was distracted by his comrades, he ran up to her and attacked with a combo of slices and stabs to her back, each one trailing with sparks and damaging her significantly. Angered, she turned on her heel and brought her sword down, but LoveGame managed to block it and retaliate when the Sinner was recovering from her repelled attack. Even her masterful acrobatic skill was no match for three warriors attacking her in turn.
In a single swift motion, Asmundr switched to his purple sword, imbued with hexen energy, and swung both swords in an X-shape. The Lost Sinner doubled over in pain, defeated, before disappearing like the previous encounters.
"Ohh, yeah!" Asmundr shouted victoriously, his voice ever so slightly cracking. Unlike previous foes, the Sinner had left behind a bright orange soul, which Asmundr picked up and held. LoveGame slumped over slightly, feeling dejected. "I guess it's his now… You're really fantastic at what you do! Has anyone ever told you that?"
Asmundr approached the duo and held out his hand. "Nah, did you really think I'd be like that? Honestly, I'm impressed. You did really well for a first-timer. Like I said, I needed the help anyway! It doesn't kill a guy to show a little humility .The two of you did your part. As such, it would be my honor as a Blood Brother to give you this soul. Take it!" LoveGame did as his new friend said, pocketing the Soul for later use.
The back of the tower was now open, revealing a metal chest and another bonfire, looking distinctly different from the ones they'd come across so far. LoveGame, curious as he was, opened the chest, revealing its contents to be a tree branch with an overwhelming scent of spices. "Whew!" he noted the aromatic plant before stashing it away with the soul. LoveGame and Ilia prepared to bid Asmundr farewell, figuring him to be just another traveler with his own business as Trout was. He called out to them before they even took a step.
"Wait! I've got another proposition. You probably noticed the bonfire down there is different looking. It's a primal bonfire that warps you back to Majula. I know that the next Great Soul lies in the fortress known as the Iron Keep, but the only way there is through the woods in Huntsman's Copse. Just when I thought I had this kingdom figured out, I dunno how to open the path there! Yeah, remember when you guys first went to Heide's? Bet you didn't know that room had two pathways leading out. Since we're both headed in the same direction, what say I meet you guys back in Majula and we can put our heads together?"
Ilia looked at LoveGame and shrugged silently. "Sure, you've got a deal, Mr. Asmundr! We'll figure something out. You might not know it, but my good friend Ilia here is very astute!" Ilia wasn't sure if this was a true compliment, but she cracked a smile nonetheless.
"Sounds good." Asmundr said as he began to walk away. "I need some rest, and I wager you guys are pretty spent too. Let's reconvene tomorrow and see what we can find out."
With that, LoveGame and Ilia lit the primal bonfire and were warped back to the familiar locale of Majula. At last, they had acquired a Great Soul and were that much closer to finding a cure for the undead curse. But this was only a fourth of their goal, and it alone was no easy feat. They would need to continue bolstering their strength if they were to come out of this quest with their own souls intact…
Majula
Night had already blanketed the encampment of Majula before LoveGame and Ilia had made their return. Ilia spoke with whoever was still awake while LoveGame tended to his usual needs, repairing and upgrading his items as well as crushing the newfound Great Soul to add to his ever-growing power.
As he had predicted, upon approaching the Far Fire, Vivi was already resting there with his legs crossed and his intricately-designed staff tied to his back. Determined to make acquaintance with the wizard, LoveGame approached him. "Oho! If it isn't Vivi again!" Vivi simply grumbled and turned away. LoveGame put his hand on Vivi's shoulder. "Uh-uh. No avoiding socializing this time! Sorry, but you seem too interesting to just pass up like some plain ol' undead. What brings you here, friend?"
Vivi sighed lengthily. "…Fine. If you really want to know, I came here on a mission of self-discovery. Forgive me if it sounds too cliché, but I'm actually not sure who I am. It's like my memory nearly got blanked. I'm not even sure where my name came from. Let me guess, you studied about Drangleic? So did I. What I can recollect is that I came here after hearing rumors about some cursed fellow. Figured it was just some old lord's tale meant to get people interested. Know anything about it?"
LoveGame immediately piped up. "Yeah, you're looking at him. Well, one of them, at least. There's at least one more human out there with the curse. You wouldn't happen to have seen this hot lady calling herself Melanie, huh? She's kinda been trying to kill me for a cure or something."
"What a fascinating life you must lead." said Vivi with at least some genuine interest. "In truth, I idolize brave knights like yourself. That's the other reason I came here, I wanted to prove myself against all the horrible things that stalk Drangleic. My issue, though, was that I realized I wasn't really cut out for knighthood in any facet. However, as you may have observed, I learned that I was a natural at sorcery. With it, I've been able to hold my own and make it this far, at least."
Vivi shifted himself, opening his palm as he lay back on the grass. LoveGame couldn't help but take note of the wizard's unnatural skin. It was black. Not of a different origin; completely pitch black. LoveGame never had much of a sensitive side nor a filter, and proceeded to ask about it at the risk of offending his new friend "Er, what's up with your skin, bruh?"
For the first time, Vivi chuckled slightly. "Heh, it's a… skin condition. Yep. Nah, but I really don't know that either. I was largely ostracized for it, but I never let it get to me. Maybe I'll find that answer with the rest on this journey." He put his hand on LoveGame's. "Y'know, you're all right. Forgive my earlier coldness. If I'm still hanging around tomorrow, we could help each other out. I'm gonna pass out for now." Vivi once again used his backpack as a pillow and fell asleep quickly. LoveGame gave the night sky one last look and followed suit, getting some hard-earned rest.
22nd of Rain's Hand
LoveGame stretched his body as he awoke, taking temporary solace in the gorgeous rising sun, before seeing Castle Drangleic looming over him, an ever-present reminder of the knight's mission. Ilia was still asleep close by the crackling fire, as was Asmundr. LoveGame rubbed his eyes, getting over that just-woken-up haziness and looked off toward the entrance to Heide's, remembering what his new companion had told him about opening the other path.
LoveGame, desiring to take advantage of waking up earlier than usual, made a swift excursion back to the Lost Bastille at the request of Asmundr. Near the bridge to Sinner's Rise was yet another cell block; its only occupant was what appeared at first to be a stone statue of a man with long flowing robes and an unusual staff. Asmundr had explained that the tree branch LoveGame had found after defeating the Lost Sinner had the uncanny property of being able to free those who had been petrified. He held the branch up to the nose of the 'statue', and sure enough, it revealed itself to be an old wizard, who proceeded to stumble and push himself to his feet.
He stretched as he got used to being able to move for the first time in quite a while. He introduced himself as Straid, an old cohort of Asmundr who had been around just as long. Straid took particular interest in the Dragonrider soul LoveGame carried with him, and using his highly advanced sorcery, was able to craft the soul into a fully functional replica of the Dragonrider's greatshield. LoveGame was beyond pleased and thanked the man immensely despite how condescending the old wizard was. LoveGame bode farewell as he returned to Majula to find his friends still asleep.
He shook his two friends awake hastily, both of them jumping a bit in surprise. "On your toes, slowpokes! That path isn't gonna open itself, and I'll be damned if I'm leaving without my two loyal subjects!" They both glared at the knight as they stretched and yawned. "Only kidding! You know I wouldn't make it out there without you guys!"
"Only all too well, LoveGame…" replied Ilia groggily with a yawn, equipping her armor and weaponry.
"Now listen here, I dunno what a 'Huntsman's Copse' is, but it definitely sounds scary, so-" LoveGame began, stopping when he heard quick footsteps crunching the grass underneath.
"Huntsman's Copse, you say?" chimed Vivi, rushing to join the group, the purple tassels of his armor swishing about. "I'm looking to get in there, too. As far as how… I'm stumped, friend. Perhaps I could follow you guys for a while?"
"I'd be honored!" as LoveGame agreed to Vivi's proposal, both Ilia and Asmundr gave the knight very confused looks. At first, he didn't pick up on the signal, but remembered pretty quickly as he brushed his jet-black hair away from his eye. "Ah, right! I never introduced you guys. This here's Vivi. He's a wizard I met here in Majula; a traveler like us. Vivi, these are my two cherished companions, Ilia and Asmundr." Vivi shook hands with both of them. "Intriguing… a wizard, huh? We could use that kind of firepower if we're going into new territory, not to mention he probably has a broad spectrum of knowledge, and-" Ilia said with a gleam in her eyes.
"I'm right here, you know." Vivi snapped her back into reality. "Thank you, though. I would do well to keep a vast array of knowledge if I want to survive here. Shall we take a look at that room, then?" Everyone nodded in agreement and headed into the circular stone room.
LoveGame gasped, noticing that there was something on the floor in rather plain view. All four agreed that it had certainly not been there before. LoveGame bent over to pick it up. It appeared to be a plain gray piece of paper wrapped around something. Unfolding it revealed a perfectly square rock with grooves finely cut into its surface. Everyone huddled around it, confused. LoveGame examined the paper further. It was a scroll for some sort of miracle. Most of the text on it was written in a foreign tongue, and LoveGame, not being one of high faith, was unable to discern what it said. He thought aloud on his misfortune. "Aww! Hey, could one of you guys translate, maybe?" He showed the script to his three friends, but they were equally confused. Ilia grabbed it and turned it over, revealing something in plain English: USE IT HERE. PLEASE. ~L.
Ilia read this text aloud, sparking more thought from LoveGame. "Now wait one damn minute… L? There's only one person I know with a name that starts with L! Yeah, I get it. Clearly, I must've traveled through time to help my past self get through here! Your old pal LoveGame always has your back. Hah, look at me, always thinking ahead!"
The other three all groaned in unison at their friend's outlandish claim. He looked at them quizzically for a second before retracting it. "On second thought, you guys are probably right. Come to think of it, this isn't even my handwriting!"
Not even dignifying him with a response, the three looked around the room. Asmundr and Vivi both quickly noted the pillar in the room's center. "I was messing around with this thing when I was trying to figure out how to open the path, but it didn't seem to budge. Gimme that rock." Ilia snatched it from LoveGame's loose grip and handed it to him. "Eh. Here goes nothin'." He pressed it against the indent in the pillar. Sure enough, it fit perfectly and the group had their answer.
The room shook as the entire wall began to rotate, opening the left pathway as the right was closed off. Ilia marveled at this event in awe. "What an astounding feat of engineering! I've never seen anything like it! Hey, if we ever meet this 'L', let's be sure to thank them!" She said, squealing like an anime fangirl. They agreed to do so whenever possible. LoveGame slipped his royal soldier helm on as the group, not wanting to waste any time, entered the left pathway leading to a natural cavern.
The cavern slowly gave way to a narrow, spiraling path with a deep pit in the middle, forcing the four to travel single file. Ilia was the first to notice the unusual ringing noise, but they could all very clearly see the sickly green tinted powder that was slowly filling the cave. "Hold on a sec!" commanded Ilia. They instinctively held their collective breath. The source of the powder was a group of giant poison moths, gracefully perched on various parts of the cave wall. It came in intervals, reasonably because the moths had to stop in between their 'bursts'.
The second there was a lull in the blanket of poison powder, the four scattered and ran in the general direction of the cave mouth. Succeeding, they found themselves at a shoddy-looking campsite with a bonfire and a tent. LoveGame in particular had to catch his breath, his heavy armor weighing him down considerably. Through gulps of air, he said, "So I gotta know… why'd you wanna come here exactly, Vivi?"
He didn't get an answer. "Uhh, Vivi?" He repeated before realizing the wizard was no longer with the group. LoveGame gave a dismaying look, which was met by one of disapproval from Ilia. "Lame! He ditched us to go do his own thing… He was just gonna use us to reach the Copse or somethin'." complained Asmundr.
"Seems our pal LoveGame still doesn't quite know how to pick his friends…" chimed Ilia. LoveGame held both hands up toward his allies. "Now, guys, don't be so quick to judge. Maybe he had something urgent. He'll be back, I just know it! Besides, the three of us ought to be able to handle this place on our own! Have some faith!" Ilia and Asmundr looked at one another shaking their heads, but followed the knight into their next destination regardless.
Hunstman's Copse
'Copse' was an uncommonly used word to refer to a densely wooded region, and as such, it was befitting to describe the area covered with long-dead trees, making for a plethora of natural ambush spots. As the name implied, undead who had escaped into the world were often hunted here by bands of vicious rogues, as well as the horrors known as artificial undead; obese, sickeningly deformed humanoids carrying pairs of great sickles in the shape of the moon. There persisted talk of an executioner riding a chariot loosed by King Vendrick himself, who would blaze through the copse in endless pursuit of those who committed sin. The atmosphere here could only be described as threatening, with clouds inking the sky so densely that it appeared to be frozen in perpetual nighttime as the old bridge of rotting wood and frayed rope hung eerily overhead.
LoveGame and company were not by any means immune to the fear that this place instilled, but nonetheless the knight took the initiative to keep their minds at ease with an old-fashioned walk-and-talk as they crossed a small stone bridge. "Y'know, I was thinking… I dunno if you guys have noticed it yet, but…" he raised his newly acquired Dragonrider greatshield, a massive teardrop-shaped hunk of unknown metal with a repeating design on its face, and dug it into the ground to proudly display its glory. "Since I came to Drangleic, I've been dead-set on finding my perfect shield. And now, see this here? I know it to be true that this is my shield. I can't explain why, but I have the unshakeable feeling that this is the one I'll carry with me forever; the one that will protect me from harm and never falter!"
Ilia chuckled. "It's a very practical design, but a man isn't made by his equipment, and knowing you-" Before she could continue her usual well-meaning condescending toward LoveGame, he heartily embraced Asmundr. "Thank you, Asmundr, for leading me to further greatness!" The tactician chuckled, not knowing quite how to react to the knight's praise and friendliness. A gurgling roar was heard as an artificial undead approached, both sickles held high. "Still doubt its awesome power?" inquired LoveGame, charging the undead and knocking him over on his back. "Now then, who'd like this lovely free kill?" Ilia proceeded to gut the undead with her longsword, stomping on its belly to pull her weapon back out. "Eh, not terrible. But that was just one, after all."
The small bridge lead to another one, this time large enough for a small army to cross at once. It was raised initially, but mysteriously lowered upon their approach. Confused, they decided to cross nonetheless, lest it react to their movements further. "We must've been fated to cross! Man, this just keeps getting better!" quipped LoveGame in an attempt to keep spirits high.
On the other side of the bridge was a cave entrance next to a grand, roaring waterfall. The cataract produced continuous white noise almost loud enough to drown out the clinking of well-tempered metal as the trio thwarted an ill-conceived ambush from a small group of rogues lurking around the nearby foliage.
With the Copse cleared of any left-over threats, the warriors sidled along the rock face. Most of it had long been eroded away thanks to the waterfall, but a narrow, precarious path remained. Back pressed against the wall and struggling not to look down, LoveGame asked, "Now this, I ain't so sure about. Are we going the right way?"
"Don't be stupid. This is the only way we could've gone! What was all that about destiny a minute ago?" Ilia reassured. Thankfully, the narrow cliffside did in fact lead to something; a large stone gateway that looked like it was etched straight into the rock face. Yet another wall of dense white mist obscured whatever was on the other side. "Never thought I'd be relieved to see one of those. Fuck it, I do love me a challenge!" said a relieved LoveGame.
Asmundr entered a power-stance with his fire and magic swords as Ilia applied charcoal pine resin to her own blade, setting it aflame. "All set?" Asmundr asked his companions, giving LoveGame a nod in particular. "Haha, yes sir! It'll be an honor to fight alongside the ancient tactician once more!" LoveGame replied with a tinge of excitement despite not knowing what awaited the three on the other side of the mist gate.
"Just watch me very closely; you may learn something new!" said Asmundr as he dispelled the mist, entering with his two friends in tow. They were greeted by a rather bizarre sight; the room was filled entirely with bones of varying shape and size, and on what could only be described as a veritable mountain of bones in the center were three giant skeletons, each perched on their own thrones constructed of bone. They arose, floating off of their seats in unison and drew their weapons in a slow, elegant manner not befitting a typical undead.
"Oh man, this could not be more perfect! Three of them, three of us! It's like it was meant to be!" roared Asmundr with a fiery look in his eyes. He immediately rushed the middle skeleton; a halberd wielder. Its frail structure despite its size lent it little poise against the flurry of Asmundr's dual blades. With a few more lunges, it perished in a fiery explosion that scattered about the room.
"Ooh, I know it ain't over yet!" said Asmundr, almost drooling with anticipation of what would come next. Ilia had engaged the rightmost skeleton, who swung at her in wide arcs with a great scythe, while LoveGame tackled the one on the left, who wove pyromancy with a bone staff. It cast a group of spreading fireballs, one of which burned the knight's rear, prompting him to shout, "Yeeowch! Hey, turn down for a sec!" as he bashed it backwards with his shield.
Asmundr assisted Ilia in taking down the other Skeleton Lord, and from the corpses of the two that had been defeated sprung groups of regular-sized skeletons. Asmundr struck a few of them down vigorously. "Huh, maybe I should just take care of the rest of these myself!" he said as he dodged the remaining skeletons. On that note, LoveGame closed the distance between himself and the mage skeleton, defeating it with a two-handed slash.
Its body spawned something different; bonewheel skeletons. That is to say, skeletons attached to spiked wooden wheels who frantically rolled around the arena. It didn't take long for them to overwhelm Asmundr and LoveGame, who stood back to back, blocking whatever they could as the bonewheels repeatedly dug through their armor into their flesh. "Well, damn. Think we bit off more than we could chew?" Asmundr asked LoveGame, forcing a smile through the pain. They both swung their swords wildly, albeit to little effect against the swift bonewheels. Ilia sighed angrily and walked to her surrounded comrades, drawing her weapon. She focused as it began to glow blood-red, activating the dragon longsword's special attack. It cleaved all four of the spinning undead in two with a single slash.
As Ilia sheathed her weapon, the wincing duo slowly opened their eyes to see the skeletons reduced to a pile of bone and wood. They both cheered in celebration and clinked their estus flasks together in a toast to victory, taking a lengthy swig to heal their wounds. LoveGame and Asmundr put one arm around each other and laughed, orange liquid still trickling down their helmets. Ilia stared at the two, smiling to herself. "Ah… boys will be boys, I suppose!" She inspected the now-opened exit to the bone-filled room, calling over for her companions to get a move on.
Outside was a bridge identical to the earlier one, and it lowered autonomously just as before. The trio crossed quickly, seeing a small ladder leading downwards a short distance. LoveGame took it first, and peered over the newly-discovered locale; an ominous, imposing windmill overlooked an expansive valley coated with a green mist. As his two friends dropped down behind him, LoveGame did a double-take, then proceeded to giggle, barely able to contain his excitement. His friends gave quizzical looks, having nary a clue what could merit such gratuitous mirth from their knightly ally.
"Truly, it was worth it after all! Here I come!" LoveGame exclaimed as he dashed ahead, his allies scarcely able to keep up.
