His stuffy gauntlets were more akin to hold anvils than forearms. His helmet was exceedingly large, shaped like a pebble destined to be bounced over a lake. Below it, the armor showed three wrinkles between overly bloated plates. It made the whole cuirass look like a giant succession of chins. All this, including a round shield with a spike at the center, made the form of the powerful savior unmistakable. A true Onion Knight. The legendary hero approached the tail of a fallen Drake. He put his greatsword against its wing, and he sat himself with the full weight of his armor. He and sighed in relief: "Haa... Hollow scoundrels are dealt with... And I have a good seat to lie upon. Brilliant! Now now, don't be averse to conversation friends, I am no danger to you."
Around the six companions, no movement was felt from the fallen corpses. But their state was something to behold. The bodies were cut in large pieces, the swords and shields had been bent beyond repair, nothing could face the warrior's might. His unimaginable force was not the only impressive thing, the knight bursted with vigour and all the Unkindled could feel how he was superior to them in every conceivable way. Cheery and ready for more, the monstrous man still intimidated them. Lawless Amon alone dared advance towards this unfathomable combatant.
"Thank you for your timely assistance Ser Knight of Catarina. If that is still the name of your land."
The polite giant answered with a bow from his seated position.
"It is, or was, I haven't been home in a long time..." raising his head kindly, he continued "But! It still makes me Siegward of Catarina, at your service! Come, come sit yourself down by the Gods!" The party answered in kind, out of respect and partly out of fear. finding some place to sit among the broken furniture and pools of black blood and organs. The untroubled knight smiled. His gentle grin could be felt despite the large helm that covered his face completely. He commended their politeness. "Magnificent, I haven't seen this many people together since... well, I don't even remember anymore! Hohoho! Anyhow, it is common sense for Unkindled to rally together, in order to fulfill their duties. And so I lent you my aid in your time of need. And I did well, wouldn't you say Milady Aveny ?"
Once again, the stranger had called the young maiden by her name. But she didn't seem so eager to address this man.
"You are right O brave Warrior of Catarina. But... don't I believe we met before this day ? So how could you know my name ?"
"Have we not ? Is my voice warped in some way ? It's me!" the great man patted his plastron thrice. "Siegward! The oncle of young Siegfried! We met on your quest to find some lost Miracle in the Profaned Capital not too long ago. Wasn't that what you did ?"
All eyes turned towards Aveny whose cheeks turned red in embarassment. She felt guilty as she gave her honest answer: "I am sorry, but I... Don't think we met ? The name Siegfried does sound familiar, but I have travelled alone ever since my followers perished in... Since I... Gods what is happening ?"
Once again, one of the Ashen Ones couldn't completely answer a question about their previous journey. The Zealous and Cheerful Aveny was now confused, just as had been others from her fellowship.
Things had turned clear in the assassin's head. He called the attention of everyone present: "Oh damn it all... You see this ? Do you understand what's happening ?" Kieran got up to make an irritated speech. "This is not natural. The explanation is simple: someone not only stole our equipement and sucked out our souls, they also took our blasted memories along! This is why I can't remember how I got this scar, why Osadin didn't know the old swordsman, why Aroth didn't remember who he fought before linking the Fire. Some bastards stole some ACTUAL parts of us!" Kieran's allegations was accompanied by violent movements and a rising anger inside his glowing eye. Siegward was perplexed by this display, and also by the revelation. "You... You lost your souls ?" he questioned. "All of you ?".
The absence of a direct response "That sounds awfully dreadful! What madness! What could have caused this ?" Alrof, normally jovial and confident, became unnerved. He tried to dismiss this possibility with hastily gathered confidence: "Hold a moment, you sure it's affected all of us ? Cause my thoughts feel natural and complete. For the most part. Of which there aren't many... Damnit." The strongest of the Ashen Ten was now beginning to question whether the old handmaiden really saw him using a "little sword'. Gyron was the next to admit his lack of remembrance: "Now that I think of it, I can't remember when I left the Dragon School... I do remember leaving it to search for sorceries and the First Flame, but... Was I with someone else ?" another thought made him shudder: "Could it be that we are now Hollows ? But are yet unaware of it ?"
Hearing this claim, Volke took the stage. "No, not Hollow... Not like the Curse... You don't forget like this from the Curse... When you go Hollow, the Dark covers you, who you are... A soft blanket... I should find parts of me under, and remember... But there is no Dark, there is nothing... No Dark... Creaking sound survived from where something has left... No... Where has it gone ?"
That was the longest young Volke had ever spoken. But the Ruthless killer didn't give a care. Instead, his blood boiled with furry. Kieran started striking on the walls bare-handed. Attracting all the attention to him. He started a remonstrance, punctuating each sentence with a punch on the stone crenels and each subsequent attack was increasing in intensity:
"Did I forget some of my kills ? Did I FORGET my trophies! If I find the one who did this... I'll make sure they can come back to life... Then I'll PLUCK their eyeballs like bloody grapes on my sword! I'll SHOVE my blade down their throats with the meat still attached, then BURN them to death! Once they reform, I'll repeat over and over until they ENJOY THE TASTE!"
A final straight punch into the stone shattered the raging murderer's knuckles. Letting the blood drip from his revealed bones, he drank from his Estus Flask without changing his bloodthirsty expression.
That is a dangerous man. was the shared thought among the witnesses. Amon tried to give some hope.
"I understand your concern. But maybe there is a way to recover them ? Our souls were taken, so it stands to reason that procuring and integrating more souls, might repair the damage." In response, Alrof scratched his beard anxiously. Theorizing was not his forte: "Sure. That could work. But then why are we affected and not this fellow ?" Brave Siegward lowered his head. He felt responsible for the current mood. What with having revealed such a ploy and spreading dissent among the Unkindled. "I am very sorry to hear about your losses. But I swear to you, I have awakened in the same state as I was, identical in every way to the moment before my very own Linking of the Fire. Nothing of note to say apart from the strange burn I suffered. I wish I could have joined you earlier and clear things up with the ten of you."
So, no clue was given as to why they had awakened or why their condition was thus. But Siegward just said how many Ashen Ones there were ? Interesting. "Ten, of us ?' repeated Amon "Must I understand you observed our group ?". Unmoved, Siegward stretched his arms as he explained. "Why I did. I saw your strife against an Abyss-riddled armor. You achieved victory despite this... soul-theft I believe. I must commend your bravery. I faced him myself, and while I had a much easier time around, I trust its threat to you felt formidable."
Many things were to be considered here... Siegward could have see their fight, and Gundyr had been reborn while they weren't watching. Those statements he brought now gave more riddles to uncover, and it is yet another Ashen one who had to look for answers. "You were awakened before us, and were close enough to see us ?" inquired Aveny. A nod from the voluminous helmet gave confirmation. This admission discomforted the party. Especially the assassin who was growing suspicious and whose anger had not yet subsided. "Oh really ? Then why didn't you come to our aid as you did now? You watched us and chose not to help us like the good knight you claim to be!" accused Kieran
Saddened by the loss of gratitude from those he rescued, Siegward looked down in regret. "Well... I am loathe to admit, my joining you in battle earlier, was impossible..."
"How so ?" asked a calmer sorcerer.
Siegward placed himself in a better position and cleared his throat, he began his story as Champion of Ash from the beginning: "From a clear toll of the bell I awoke, to found myself in quite the predicament. My coffin had been misplaced on the side of Lothric's wall. Not the edge, the side. As if a great being had thrown the stone container against the castle, and made it embedded in the stones. I can imagine who, but not understand why... Anyhow, had I jumped down directly, I would have perished without a doubt! And so there I sat, on my own coffin, weighting my options. Twas quite the comfortable stone I should say."
"Yes, almost like a mother's embrace." concurred the old Gyron. "Ah, the feel of those ancient holders, it could do to deem them doughy indeed.". A very confusing thing to say. All present looked at the old man like he had just stepped in a dung pie. Gyron, unsettled, tried to explain. "Just a little alliteration in "d" I came up with. A man has to find occupation somehow...".
So... While the other Unkindled had been eager to leave their vessels swiftly, Gyron had prefer to remain on his for a period, long enough to come up with an assonance apparently... Awkward. Anyways, the adventurous knight cleared his throat before adding more depth to the tale. "There is more, there were other empty vessels placed in a similar situation to mine, stuck on the wall. It seems they had been opened before the ten tolls that brought you back to this land. It is all very confusing, I have to admit.""
There were more Unkindled still ? And they had already departed ? Something new everyday in this doomed strange land... "How did you get down ? Armor is heavy..." asked Volke, for once.
Siegward honestly responded: "So it is, yes. But I had an ingenious idea. It arrived long after you disappeared from sight however, and it carried great risk. I almost sacrificed my beloved shield on the wall. I used its spike to penetrate the walls and let my weight bring it alongside me. The act slowed my descent however slightly. Then my trusty armor rolled along the slope and the rocks, saving me from the embarrassment of death, as it did, so many times before. It didn't save me from becoming wet however, I landed in a body of water and I became completely muddied. Thus was I forced to dry my belongings before joining Firelink Shrine. A knight of Catarina couldn't show himself in so sorry a state after all. Hohohohooohohoho!"
The cheerful laughter brought a bit of solace in the minds of the six adventurers. So carefree was the man, so full of life was his voice. He was a mature yet driven chevalier, who would never let anguish take hold. As resplendent as the very Sun. Aveny held her fist against her chest in a silent prayer, hoping the Sun would wash away her doubts.
"And you stood against the big man afterwards ?" wondered a red-headed axeman. Alrof always kept the important parts in mind.
"Oh yes, Ser Gundyr had reappeared in the circle I had seen from my perch. I had to clear him away to earn my very own coiled sword. As I mentioned, he seemed like a fine adversary, but I was surprised how his blows felt no more than a trifling push. Mayhap your victory over him made his strength wither further away ? In the end, no match for a Knight of Catarina. " he answered with unhidden pride.
Some things were learned, while others had become much stranger. Gyron was actively trying to make sense of what they had just heard while Aveny intently watched the good knight, hoping to remember something, anything. Two of the warriors, Alrof and Kieran, were uncertain whether to believe the man. It was then that Amon gave a proposition.
"Can you let us discuss a moment ?"
"Oh... Go ahead, I'll think about what more I could share in the meantime."
Mumbing serenely, Siegward let the group gather around the chainmail-wearing noble. They formed a small circle. His arms crossed, Amon spoke softly to the smartest man in the group.
"Master Gyron, what of your findings ?"
"He mentioned the coiled sword and that he fought that monstrous Gundyr. The Iudex' awakening is no surprise given what his soul tell us about his duty, and I already gathered that ser Hawkwood from the Shrine had his very own contraption. You heard him. He told Aveny how he had already journeyed far along the Unkindled's path. Thus he must be using a different coiled sword than the one Aroth plunged in the Shrine. It would seem the ten of us share not only the same affliction, but the same link with Fire. We are bound in a way I cannot fully explain."
"So everything he said is true ? Why isn't everything simple and clear ? I'm having a headache..." complained Alrof who'd rather fight a hundred Hollows than focus on the ways of the world.
"You saw his strength, he hasn't lost a sliver of his former self. All the souls he integrated have remained, so he surpasses us in every way. It's all too convenient. Do you really think he'd waste time with us if he didn't know of our weakening beforehand ?"
Aveny defended Siegward.
"Let us have faith in our savior. Knights of Catarina could never lie, even if they willed it. He is willing to share everything he knows in earnest. The Sun merely shined his way to us at the adequate time."
The man had rescued them, that was a fact.
"Let me do the questioning, we need more details before we can conclude as to his role in our fate." proposed Amon who seemed more confident, he had already processed everything and wasn't troubled in the least, as should be expected from his noble education.
And so Amon asked the questions:
"If I may, Ser Siegward, how many coffins were placed up along with yours ?"
"Ah, yes. I believe there were four of them. All placed in a tedious position, but all were emptied. Quite confusing, but this can be expected when a Fire is fading."
Kieran affirmed the following:
"If we assume one of them was that crestfallen dolt back at the shrine, then there are two more full-fledged Unkindled with their souls intact. Still out there, foraging the land with quite the lead over us."
Friends or Foes ? And if they managed to find the Lords first, what would become of the group's purpose ? Amon continued his investigation.
"You share the same quest as us. To find the Lords of Cinders ?"
"I am a Lordseeker, that is an Unkindled's true purpose, my duty, and my promise."
He seemed to have been given this quest by the Firekeeper as well.
"Will you accompany us then ?"
"Hum... Now that I think of it, I better not. I hope my leaving you isn't making you cross."
A surprising response. The man's personality seemed to make him viable for assistance. "What about rallying together as you said in the beginning ?" snarkily commented Kieran.
Rising from the scaly seat, Siegward started warming his body with a few exercises as he gave his reasons: "Believe me, I have your best interests in mind. But you need to become a little stronger to face this journey." He started by some leg lunges on the left, then on the right. "I must say, your performance until I arrived wasn't much to look at. Ambushed, encircled, struggling. I can't have your deaths on my conscience. And so, I invite you to train a bit more. Ooh... Ah" Now for the hamstring stretch. It was amazing how flexible the Catarina armor could be. "My repeated interventions would go against your growth. Mmmh... I can see the confusion in your eyes, and I can only hope you find answers down the road. Going our separate ways now is best for all of us. Oh, and Milady Aveny! I hope your memories return soon, for we have much to talk about." Jumping back on his feet after a physical prowess of quick sidesteps, he saluted the fellowship. "And so... Until we meet again! Prove yourselves, and I'll gladly share a drink then."
The invincible knight left, heading into the tower from which a lantern-wielder had come. From below their feets, six Undead could hear the screams of Hollows and the destruction of furniture. Better not to be in the way of this man who wished he could have shared a cup with them in earnest. But that was another mystery to solve.
A drink ? thought the Ashen Ones. Their Undead forms were already fully acquainted with the fact that they could never taste anything except their yellow or blue Estus. Anything else couldn't be fully appreciated. So, perhaps the word was probably symbolical in nature, not referring to some beloved and distant alcohol. "Hardest part of being Undead is not being able to have a drink..." sighed the not-so-Ardent Alrof. Hopefully, they won't regret missing this strange opportunity. But until then, they had to go back to the bonfire and prepare for a second delve into the High Walls. But not before they made the most of this first attempt.
They started perusing the battlefield for remains. There was no glowing corpse or special items in the large area, but they did secure a longsword and a helmet, which Aveny refused to wear for some reason. "I want to feel the thousand kisses of Sunlight penetrate my mind!" she protested, as sparkles danced on her smooth scalp. "Tis your decision, but I urge you to wear it on our second attempt. Your safety, as the sole healer of the group, needs to be ascertained" insisted Amon.
"Let us wear what we want, we may not have all our memories, but we have quite the experience." proclaimed Alrof in her stead.
Meanwhile Kieran noticed a strange object on the last cadaver.
"Is this a titanite ?" questionned the scholarly Gyron, intrigued as he ought to be.
Alrof asked for a look and watched its every angles closely:
"Sure is, it's weird and all cubic-like, but it feels strong and I can feel it breathe. I'll keep it, and ask the blacksmith for details later."
Another Unkindled, Volke, had climbed up the tower's stairs to see if the Hollow grenadiers were protecting anything. He returned after a few seconds. "Binoculars... Nothing else..." he announced. The Withdrawn thief kept showing a clear lack of excitement. And now, there was nothing more to do, except for the exploration of another passage into the tower, but they had no reason to risk it yet. They were not at full power, physically from the ambush and mentally from the discussion.
"Shall we return to the bonfire ? Given the difficulty we faced, it is very likely Aroth's smaller group has retreated as well." suggested the blue-robed woman. The pale noble pulled out his club in case some Hollows had escaped Siegward's might. "Agreed. This first expedition does not bode well at the moment. But we have things of great importance to share with the others, if they be alive and well still..." Emphasis was made on the well, for death is not the end of a victim under the Undead Curse.
-~o~-
A short while ago, six Unkindled had headed on the left. The group of four that remained had departed to the right. And they were having so simple a time that they indulged in casual conversation.
"You come from Carim then. I heard of it. They say its knights are cruel and that many jewels
"I cannot speak for the evolving state of my country. Though I will admit that most of our numbers had... peculiar ways of socializing. And you must originate from the far East."
"Ah. What gave it away ?"
"The accent, I met a few warriors who accentuated syllables in a manner similar to yours."
"What about you, herald ? It's Pavel, right ?"
The short-haired lancer was still keeping his adversary at bay, but didn't seem to require help. "Hup!" he shouted Pavel in all seriousness. His spear flew forward and landed right into the mouth of the last remaining Hollow. "Tis my name." he confirmed as he walked towards his dead prey. "I lived as a guardian for a forlorn monastery, whose location wouldn't make a mark on your memories. It had been my home for many years, before I fell to the Curse and left on the sacred Quest." He removed his spear from the skull of the fallen soldier. Looking to the left, he inspired in awe: "Would you behold this sight. This city must have been quite thriving. It is almost as glorious as legendary Anor Londo. You should be familiar with the City of the Gods ser Aroth.".
"I am." conceded Aroth. "Twas still striving under the Sun no matter how long of a time had passed. But here, the Undead Curse brought a kingdom low." He moved his sword down a Hollow's chest an instant later.
There had been only three active hostiles on the short path, hidden behind a steel grid. The rest were praying below wooden statues that showed another Hollow, fused to a wooden pike. The sculpture almost felt alive as it reached out to a distant place, above the citadel. Osadin, Swiftly cut down praying Hollows around it, expressionless. He was most likely looking for a challenge. Pavel, who was used to the sight of lieu of prayers, gave his thoughts on the matter.
"Have you noticed how they all seem to pray towards this great dome in the distance, giving no regard for intruders ? And how they abandoned the statue of a woman behind ? This shape must be from a former deity. What manner of new religion could have appeared in the past, for them to carry such worship into their afterlife. 'Tis sad commentary on the state of an Undead existence at least."
"Agreed, my friend. They still hold true to Gertrude's teachings, despite the ages gone by and the curse settling in, poor souls..."
Surprise ensued.
"What did you just say ?" asked Osadin who was cleaning his twin-blades.
"It was... Can you repeat what I shared ?"
Pavel obliged his companion
"They still hold true to Gertrude's teachings, who might that be ? You shared how you burned away long ago, when Lordran still stood. So how would you know whom the citizens from a later age worshipped ?"
The knight's head was starting to hurt as he focused on those words... But nothing came to him despite the efforts. He painstakingly replied:
"I have no idea... Gods... But there's no denying it now, I must be familiar with Lothric. More to it than meets the eye, and more to me... Osadin, is it the same for the Sword Master ?"
Stopped in their track, the three fighters gathered around to converse more.
"Possibly... Or we simply have a horrible case of déja vu." jested Osadin. The swordsman was growing more confident as he slaid more enemies and grasped more souls.
The disgusting noise of a handaxe shattering a praying skull interrupted any continuation. Carra was getting impatient.
"Ah'm sick of these talks. Just clear da way and find stuff. We'll speak when we go back."
Speaking of back, Carra noticed immediately how a crossbow wielder had risen above them. Hidden from the sight at the bonfire by a broken wall. She wasted no time conjuring her flame and threw a hot projectile square on the ambushers head. The poor dead sod was still burning as the pyromancer continued her rant.
"Look. Ya've got memory problems, that's bad, 'aight. But we got bigger problems, like bein' very weak compared ta before, or that there's an infestation of dead people ta kill, or that there's a world ta save. So we move out and think later."
How annoying. While the green-haired lass was making some sort of sense, she wasn't very... let us say... tactful. And being cautious about the state of oneself was of great importance during so great a journey. Aroth was willing to put her in her place, but chose not to. For that was something the whole group should witness.
But also because an angered pyromancer was not a pleasant sight.
The four passed by the strange Hollow markers without uttering a word.
Moments later, from a set of stairs behind a short stone barriers, wailings could be heard, issued from below. Two Hollows, taller than their peers, were rising from the way to a smaller tower, slowly. One had a gigantic axe that would make a certain force of nature quite happy, while the other wielded a halberd in decent condition.
"Big fellas, look right naughty." observed Carra without much fear.
"Nice weapons. Shall we test our luck with their bodies ?" commented the confident Osadin.
"Haro, companions, let us prove our worth." encouraged the brave Aroth.
Pavel joined the front silently. Steadfast and ready.
And so the Champions of Ash entered the new conflict. While a fireball stopped the halberd-wielder in his track, Aroth aggroed the other by striking his own shield with pommel of his longsword.
"Come forth and taste our steel!" he commanded the powerful carcass.
Bringing down a great slab of iron onto the taunting foe, the Hollow missed by quite the margin, leaving his side open for a quick stab to the heart by the knight. The corpse, unfazed, lifted the giant axe quickly to retaliate. Only to receive two swords that opened his right side and let the old blood flow.
Osadin's act made the Hollow launch his attack in the direction of the new threat. Not out of pain, but out of reflex. Osadin dodged that hasty horizontal blow by ducking. The wide action allowed Aroth to backstab the Hollow. There is power in number.
The Hollow falling on his knees, a back slash from thethe easterling, along with a short scream, separated the head of the Axe-wielder, finally. And luckily enough, a reward was left on the corpse.
The Greataxe was still available, and most of all, palpable. Osadin smiled as he quickly placed it in his inventory, as it was now soul-bound to him, for now. He knew exactly who would appreciate the gift.
The two heroes had finished just in time to witness a freshly burned Hollow's throat being pierced by Pavel's two-handed thrust. Nothing appeared this time. A pity. The herald tossed his target aside, retrieved the wooden spear, and addressed the companions.
"We are triumphant, let us continue."
And so they did. Heading down the stairs, two sleeping Hollows were brought into a deeper slumber by the frightful four.
But their bravery was stopped by the most powerful ennemy they could encounter as accursed Undead.
"A door..."
A steel frame was barring the way. Nothing of note except for the beams that held it sealed tight.
"Let's have faith."
Carra tried to make the door move, but she soon gave up on her efforts:
"Damn it! Ah can't make it budge."
"Twould seem the contraption was soul bound to be opened from the other side." theorised Pavel.
This was a common occurrence for the Undead. They could interact with only a few things in this world, and were forced to follow the flow of continuity. In this case, the door had always been opened by someone manipulating the door from the other side, where the steel beam was placed. Reaching out to it from their side ended in the pyromancer's failure.
"That's some right bother... Da ones who made da Curse must be havin' a right laugh right 'bout now."
Pavel observed the insides of the tall and slim building. There was something familiar inside. A lever and som rope going down it a hole. The unmistakable form of an lift.
"Miss Carra, do you believe you can climb down ? Use the elevator from below ?"
The response was given immediately.
"Ya daft ? Ah may be a genius at climbin', but those walls are older than... Than... Bugger me, I'm sick of this. They're jus' stupidly old an' friable that's what." barked Carra.
A new memory impossible to recall ? Her refusal was genuine at least.
"Onward then.." said Aroth.
Heading back upstairs, but not without noticing a glowing corpse and securing some souls, they reached the bottom of a large tower wall. They advanced prudently, prepared for an ambush. The top of the tower was very similar to the resting place with the onfire.. Except for the presences.
Surely enough, they noticed creatures in the back of the plaza.
Three dogs, Undead dogs, whose organs had all but disappeared. They had awakened upon smelling the new arrivals. And their dried throats emitted disgusting sounds of want. They ran towards the Unkindled ones, true horrors with swift movements and relentless envy.
Pavel and Aroth raised their shield and let the fangs and claw be stopped between the stairs and the remains of walls.
"Carra!" yelled Aroth as they struggled to keep the monsters in the same spot.
Understanding, immediately, the pyromancer extended her hand between the two vanguards. With a flick of the wrist she let out a small explosion of flames that engulfed two of the Undead canines.
Convulsing frenetically, the two dogs retreated and bumped into the last remaining animal. Making the fire spread. They all fell back into the stairs were a knight's sword and a handaxe welcomed them.
A scary situation, but rapidly resolved all in all.
Up ito the plaza, there was no morethreat left except for a bare-chested hollow, kneeled before the corpses of his brethrens. Many of his brethrens.
"This is strange. Carra, if you so please."
Barely a step forward from the swamp-witch was needed before the Hollow's back produced a great black mass. It spread out from every pore; replacing the arm by a black head, wide tentacles replacing the rest, and glowing eyes peering into their souls. Only Hollowed legs could remind them of the former form of the infested piece of Man.
The sudden apparition reminded them of the Iudex. The Abyss runneth deep it would seem, for it to reach even the skies of Lothric.
Aroth noticed how strongly Pavel was shaking. Dying against Gundyr, and the memories of his past, those weights would surely drive him to perish anew.
Not on my watch. thought Aroth Arklaw. He rushed to his side and forced him to listen, as he had done so for new recruits bac in Carim.
"Keep calm. Those things fear fire remember ? Keep back until you see an opening."
Slower than Gundyr, the Pus of Man had barely advanced before a fireball turned it into a walking tornado of burning flesh.
The opportunity allowed Osadin and Aroth to land a few hits on the dangling limbs. They retreated immediately, their experience with Gundyr had left valuable lessons.
A fit of rage made the creature balance its head and large black limbs towards the group, repeatedly and with impossible strength. This assault was more intense than anything they faced before, but keeping their distance was all the group needed. At the end of the rampage, an new fire ball was sent and more damage was done.
But the more they retreated, the less space was left to escape the monster, and they couldn't have that. While Aroth wasn't in immediate danger, his experience told him that they shouldn't take any more risks. They would need more space.
"His limbs have a long range, retreat to the wall!" he roared with the voice of a general.
ANd so the four Unkindled ran to the stairs, while the monster had lunged at Osadin who was placed furthest form the exit. He wasn't called Swift for nothing, of course, and he escaped the closing grasp of the Abyssal One in time.
The infestation followed the group mechanically. Sure enough, it became stuck in the set of stairs, the infected Hollow was forced to move his black matter around, like one of those swamp slugs trying to fit between the rocks. That's what Carra thought as she threw a third fireball from her new position.
On fire once again, a big lump of Darkness ran towards the young woman, disregarding the rest of the team.
Seeing the opportunity, Osadin cut off the ankles of the host of the Pus of Man. Unbalanced, it fell hard on the ground, quite comically. Now he really looked like a slug. Slow and easy to burn. And burn it did, after Carra finished replenishing her focus through a sky-blue Estus Flask. The wringling monster was starting to regress in size, but was still struggling for dear unlife.
Only one blow was needed to end it.
"Well then, he's all yours Pavel. Make the Way of White proud." offered Aroth.
Pavel breath longly, and charged forward. Jumping into the Abyss' back, he plunged his spear deep into the horned head. Perfectly piercing an eye, he blinded it forever, snuffing the life out of the pestilent monstrosity in the same occasion.
Regressing back into the tedious body it had exited, the enemy was felled. A demise confirmed by a new addition of souls for each members of the crew.
"Easier than expected, keep your distance, fire at will, and the Abyss falls as anything else." appreciated Osadin, with the same demeanor he had adopted since the departure of the small group.
"So it does. " admitted a relieved Pavel.
He seemed to produce a smile for the fraction of an instant.
"Brings back memories ah'm sure." alleged Carra with an accusative tone.
She didn't imply anything positive, that was certain. And the faint chance of additional smiles was lost. Pavel turned to his benefactor and bowed slightly.
"Thank you for the opportunity ser Aroth." he thanked the young noble. "I am unsure as to the origin of my terror, but I believe I may face it fully in a short time."
"Think on it, friend. We need each other more than we can imagine... What's this now ?"
Over the corpse of the restored Hollow, there was something new.
"What is this ?" repeated Osadin.
They observed two things on the cadaver. One was the unmistakable form of a small titanite shard, while the other was a strange object. Long and seemingly made of burned wood, it was still emanating fumes and producing small sparkles of red light. Like the remains of firewood that never went extinct.
"It's burning ? So it's mine." said Carra.
She took her prize before anyone could retort, but there was no urgency, she would have to share this discovery with the renewed group later.
Now that the abomination had fallen with no great trouble, they were free to explore the rest of the tower. After reaching into the light of a forlorn corpse, they found a longbow and some arrows. Strange find given crossbow seemed to be the norm here.
"Must have come from a hunter." supposed the Swift martial artist.
Osadin took hold of them for now. And they soon realised there was not much else to visit in this path.
"Nothing else here, apart from the statues of a woman we can see everywhere along with the impaled Hollows." observed Aroth after going back from behind the structure.
"They look fused rather than impaled. And you don't remember about her Aroth ?"
Focused on the hooded figure of the statue, Aroth couldn't recall anything. The only thing certain was that the woman was a motherly figure of great beauty. Perhaps was it Gwynevere, daughter of Lord Gwyn ? There was no way to know for certain, and Pavel hadn't recognised her either."
"Nothing jumps out at me, for now. I wonder what could help in my recollection ?"
"So do I..." said Osadin.
A bit of confusion, a strange ember, a great-axe, a long-bow, and a small supply of souls... that was all they could bring back with them to the bonfire. That was all they should do given they couldn't proceed further.
"So... Shall we retreat ?" proposed Pavel as he put away his spear.
"We shall, hopefully the others had better providence." confirmed the Arklaw.