Flynn
SL36 - 17 VGR - 14 ATT - 13 END - 23 VIT - 21 STR - 12 DEX - 9 INT - 9 FTH - 7 LCK
Resa
SL36 - 14 VGR - 14 ATT - 11 END - 12 VIT - 12 STR - 18 DEX - 8 INT - 25 FTH - 11 LCK
Resa
Was I a Blue Sentinel...or a Warrior of Sunlight?
The question still bothered me, even as we began our descent back to where we'd found Sif's body. I regretted what I'd said earlier to Flynn...I couldn't patronize him for choosing a Covenant he didn't believe in, when I was trying to reason with myself that being part of two separate Covenants was somehow acceptable. No matter how much I wanted to...I couldn't. Lightning Spear, no matter how much of myself wished to have it, was a miracle reserved for the Warriors of Sunlight. I'd pledged myself to Horace and the Blue Sentinels in this life...I hadn't done that to the Warriors. Until that changed, I couldn't find it within myself to use that miracle. I put it aside...I wasn't willing to simply throw it out just yet. Perhaps I'd change my mind...perhaps.
Once we were back at the tower bonfire, we took the painfully long ladder back to the ground, returning to the filthy mire of the swamp below. Gods, how I wished to be free of this place, as soon as possible. Right now, I wanted nothing more than to find that third flame, and put it out through whatever means necessary. However, first , we had to find it.
We continued our search, taking a right at the base of the ladder, adventuring into uncharted territory. The pace was slow...so slow, as we leaped from landmass to landmass, each one separated by the toxic ichor that was the current bane of our existences. After a couple hops, we made it to a slightly larger island than the rest. At the top of it was a vat, and inside it I could smell something quite fragrant...and for once, something nice. It was the first scent that broke through the pungent odor of the swamp, and it brought fond - but mixed - memories. It was Estus, brewed in a pot at the top of the island. The last time I saw this, I'd found the canvas patch depicting the Warriors of Sunlight...which I'd purposely pushed from my mind as of late.
However, we didn't make it to this island undetected. One of the more massive denizens of the swamp had caught our movements, one that we'd seen before. It had something akin to an external ribcage, but that was about all I could make out...or at least, all I wanted to make out. It was multiple times taller than us, and lugging an entire tree trunk as a weapon. It swung the massive weapon towards us, the low sweep taking up a surprising amount of the island's surface area. Flynn was barely out of its reach, but I wasn't quite so lucky. The trunk hit me at full force, and I slammed into the kettle of Estus, my head making a sickening crunch as it hit the metal. Instantly pain flared up, and my vision faltered...not a good way to start an encounter.
I reached for my Estus flask, my impaired vision leading fumbling hands towards the warm bottle. Once I found it I brought it to my lips, swiftly feeling my skull reconstruct itself and my vision return. Flynn had ventured out into the swamp, holding strong against the massive behemoth bearing down on it, which could apparently cast some horrific version of sorceries. Red phantasms swelled from the ground beneath it in droves, each one bearing the inhuman visage of a skull as its wispy features darted around. Flynn held fast, however...such was my brother. Restored, I leaped into the fight myself to aid him. It wasn't overly difficult, the massive beast powerful but relatively slow such that it was an easy target, but that didn't make it quick. The thing never seemed to die...by the time we'd finished it off, I was exhausted.
Flynn took the brunt of the blows, but held strong against him. However, despite all of that, I knew how much pain he was in...this must have been the longest either of us stayed in the waters, and he was in there for longer than I was. The caustic liquid was already eating away at my legs...he must have been in so much pain. We couldn't go shake this off at a bonfire, either...the beast would just be there for us next time, waiting. We'd have to camp out at the pot of Estus, and use what little of it we could.
I dished out the savory liquid to both of us, Flynn taking off his helmet for one fleeting moment. It was so rare that I got to see his face, sometimes I actually forgot what it looked like. "Why do you wear the helmet so often?"
He shrugged. "Asks the person that just got her skull caved in."
I chuckled. "Fair point. Drink up...you deserve it." I poured it for him, watching my brother visibly relax as the soothing liquid hit his throat. Once he had had his fill I had mine, feeling a delightful warmth suffuse my chest.
As we sat down by the pot to rest our weary bodies, I saw something else...a talisman. It looked much nicer than mine, a nice white cloth with red canvas interwoven with it. For some reason, I recognized it...but I couldn't remember from where.
And then it hit me...the memories.
Solaire.
I remembered everything about him at once...and I remembered why I'd pushed out any memory of him in the first place. I remembered meeting him by the bridge, seeing him guide me to the Warriors of Sunlight. I remembered meeting him again in Anor Londo...oh, the joy of seeing him after our trek there.
And then...everything became far darker. I remembered Izalith, watching him go hollow before my very eyes as he searched for his bizarre concept of a sun. Worst of all, I remember simply leaving him, seeing that he was beyond any sort of salvation...and that was the worst part of it all. He'd been my silent ally through so much of my journey, even though I'd seen him only rarely. And then, when he was at his lowest...there was nothing I could do but simply pass him by in his crazed state of hollowing.
As the memories flowed through me, the tear fell uncontrollably...I didn't want to stop them. I needed this, even though it was ages since it had happened. I'd forgotten all of it...but now, what had once been scars were now open wounds once again.
Flynn rushed over to me, wrapping his arms around my wracked and frail form. "Tell me what I can do."
I shook my head, holding out the talisman for both of us to see, the mere sight of it sending my body into another fit. "So - Solaire. I - I remember...everything."
Flynn didn't say anything...he didn't need to. He simply hugged me tight, both of us on the ground in this inhospitable climate, not caring if something was going to attack us imminently...he knew I needed comfort, and he was more than willing to give it to me.
I continued sobbing for a bit, letting it all through my system now...better now than later. Once I was ready I looked up, my brother's unmasked face so close to me. "Thanks...Flynn. I appreciate it."
He didn't say anything, simply staying wrapped around me for a little while longer. He was the best sibling ever...this only went to prove that point even further. "I...I need to come clean."
He unraveled himself from me, sitting back to look me dead in the eyes. "What about?"
I pulled out the scroll. "I know exactly what this is...it's Lightning Spear. I didn't want to tell you because...well, I'd just told you to be pickier about your Covenant. But the thing is, the Blue Sentinels, the Sunlight Warriors...I think I fit in with both and I don't know how to choose. I want to use this...but not if I'm only a Sentinel. And now, holding the talisman of the man that led me to become a Warrior of Sunlight in the first place...I don't think I can only be a Sentinel. I just...I don't know." I broke down again, leaning into his chest and wrapping my arms around his back.
He stroked my hair, even the metal comforting given my current state. "Then don't chose. Be part of both...serve both. This is a new world, and everything has changed. Serve both until you don't think you can anymore, until someone tells you to chose a side. Until that happens, though, just be you. Be the you that you want to be...that Solaire would have wanted you to be. Do you think he would have locked you down to being only a Warrior of Sunlight, if he knew there was another option that called to your heart?"
I shook my head. "He'd want me to do what I think is right for me. He'd...he'd want me to try both options, and chose the one that I thought was right for me."
"And if you couldn't come to a conclusion?"
"Then he wouldn't make me choose. He wouldn't want me to...give me a moment. There's something that I need to do."
Flynn smiled...and for once, I could see it with my own two eyes. "Take your time, sister."
"You're the best, Flynn."
I turned around the scroll, quickly scanning its contents in far more depth than I had before. I wanted to learn this - immediately. Not much had changed since last I'd used it. The hand movements were identical, they simply drew their power from a different source. When I tried to cast them, it wasn't with the ratty talisman that I'd found in my grave...no, it was with the talisman of the man that taught me to serve the sun.
The bolt of lightning was powerful. Invigorating. It streaked across the landscape, fading into the mountainous sides of the swamp. I didn't care. It felt good to cast it...it felt like home. Flynn was beaming, a satisfied smile on his face. "That's the Resa I remember. If all three flames are atop mountains, then I'm pretty sure that our final target is right over there." He pointed straight ahead, to a mountain far removed from the other two that we'd seen. "Are you ready?"
"I nodded, holding my talisman up proudly. "Now? More than ever."
Flynn
With renewed vigor, the two of us set off towards the final mountain. It was another extended trip through the nasty waters, but I was more than willing to deal with it...if I was right, then we were almost free of them. The Abyss Watchers would be right behind those doors, and we would be face to face with a Lord of Cinder for the first time in our lives.
Climbing the mountain, I was met with immediate satisfaction...there, by the arch, was a third altar with a still-burning flame. Quickly Resa rushed over to it, snuffing it out with her hands. She'd gone through a lot recently...she didn't remember Solaire, and now I understood why. There was only one person I couldn't remember from my previous life...the man that taught me pyromancies. If the hurt that came with it was as great as what Resa had just experienced with remembering Solaire, perhaps I never wanted to.
I held my hand around her, plunging my sword into the ground. "If the past two flames are any indication, this one is going to be - "
I was cut off as a howling wind roared through the swamp, sounding like a pack of wolves on the prowl. It was all I could do to simply hold tight, trying not to get blown back by it. It lasted far longer than the previous two...though I could hear the massive door groaning open, even from as far away as we were. Once the groaning stopped, so did the howling wind.
"You were saying?" Resa looked up at me, smiling.
"I think it's redundant at this point. Shall we adventure back?" Heading forward should put is closer to it...though I'll admit, I'm getting a bit lost in this place."
"You and me both. I'll trust your judgement on this...you always were better with directions."
I kept forward, positive that my read on the situation was right. Up ahead was another one of the freakish goat-like abominations, quickly felled by the two of us. We kept forward, winding our way down the staircase back towards the swamp...until a familiar figure was there, facing towards us. Whether she was looking at us, I had no way to tell through the piles of cloth wrapped around her head.
"Heysel...did you not learn your lesson the first time?"
Rosaria's dog took a few steps forward, wading through the waters like it was a pristine lake, coming onto the feet of the steps. "Oh, I did...but you're just too fun to pass up! Plus, I never got to meet your sister...you spoke so highly of her, I'd be beside myself if I couldn't put an arrow through her stomach for you to watch!" Just as she said that she fired off a surprise shot from her crossbow, which Resa nimbly avoided.
I stepped in front of her, interposing myself between the two women. "I'll give you one chance. Return to Rosaria like the good little servant that you are, and I'll forgive you. Stay, and the two of us will break your body, and crush your soul."
Heysel tapped her pick to her head, as if in thought. "Well, when you make it so clear...I'll bring both your tongues to Mother Rosaria!" She thrust her pick forward, sending several waves of sorcery arrows, each wave shooting four or five towards us. I blocked what I could with my shield, but as always it still burned...there was no way to fully defend myself from sorceries.
Like the rat she was, she retreated into the depths of the swamp, forcing us to fight on her terms. "Be careful. It seems like she can turn invisible if you lose track of her. Are you willing to help me fight her?"
Resa scoffed. "The way she just spoke to us? I don't think Solaire would be happy with what happens to her...but I will be."
"That's what I like to hear. Split up, but stay close...she can ambush us. Her crossbow isn't the main threat, but don't ignore it." I moved into the swamp, finding that it was more than the three of us. All around us were some of the most horrifying creatures we'd seen in our early travels. I never had a name for them...strange lizards with massive eyes on their heads. However, the cloud that they spewed was enough to turn you into stone if you lingered for too long. Now, there were perhaps a half dozen around us...Heysel wouldn't be the only thing we would have to worry about.
I focused on dispatching the lizards as quickly as I could, evening the battlefield as much as I could. I threw fireballs at them from afar while Resa hurled her newly-acquired lightning spears, each of us taking out two in quick succession. It lasted until I heard Resa yelp, a crossbow bolt landing in her stomach. She pulled it out, rushing towards the recently appeared visage of Heysel. I followed after her, watching Resa strafe around her as the hail of sorceries flew from her pick. With each dodge my sister grew closer as I hid behind my shield to defend against the stray sorceries that ended up flying my direction. Once Resa was close enough she pulled out her scythe, making a low sweep with the curved blade to sweep Heysel off her feet, swooping around to swing it straight down into where Heysel had been just a moment prior. The slippery finger rolled away at the last moment, Resa's killing blow now simply splashing water into the air around her. She tried to salvage the attack, but Heysel was already on her feet and backing away, a hail of sorceries and crossbow fire distancing herself until she disappeared once again.
More of the lizards were where we'd ended up...four more, exactly. The two survivors from before were at our backs, now flanking us. Several began encroaching on our space, leaping into the air and spewing the deadly gas into the air. We had to get out of here...fast. I could already feel the shroud start to slow down my bones, and I threw a fireball at one of the lizards that hadn't gotten around to attacking us quite yet.
And then, just like that, she was back...Heysel. A shower of sorceries flew towards us towards where we were retreating, forcing us to turn back around, through the rest of the mist. I was slowing down...Resa was too. She hurled a spear at another one of the lizards, buying us a little more time until we would be consumed. Unfortunately, we were already on the clock - the longer we stayed in these waters, the worse it would become for our survivability. We needed a way out of this, and fast.
I took out another one of the lizards with a ball of fire, and with a few quick assaults from Resa we'd gotten rid of all but one. That would have to do...for now. There was still the matter of Heysel...and what a matter it was. While we had been simply trying to even the playing fields she'd been peppering us with attacks, which had left both of us in a fairly weakened state. With one final lightning spear evening the playing field, however, perhaps we would finally be ready to make a comeback.
"Protect me for a bit. I'll get us both back in perfect shape."
"With pleasure." I stood in front of Resa, my sister taking a drink from her Ashen Estus flask to restore her magic reserves. After a few seconds passed, I felt the familiar warmth of a miracle coursing through me, restoring the burns to my skin that sorceries seemed to leave. I could only assume Resa was equally healed as a spear rushed past my shoulder a moment or two later, catching Heysel directly in the shoulder.
"You can't run anymore, Heysel. It's just you and us now."
I heard the cackle from across the swamp. "Perfect! I do so enjoy fighting with an advantage, but you spoilsports just don't know how to have a good time. I'll have to teach you myself!" The shower of sorceries continued...but now, we had the advantage. While I took the brunt of them, Resa threw lightning spears at her to slow Heysel's progress. Likewise while my sister was getting pelted, Heysel found herself the subject of my pyromancies. The entire time we drew closer to her, each one recovering and attacking when we weren't in the line of fire. Our Estus flasks were running empty...but that didn't matter right now.
Eventually, Heysel backed up until she found herself with her back against the wall...literally. "Oh...oops."
I chuckled. "Not so tough without an escape plan, are you?"
She didn't respond, instead simply opting to attack me with her sorceries while she attacked Resa with her crossbow. My sister, however, easily deflected the missiled with her shields, until she was close enough to be within striking distance. She pulled out one of her twinned swords, plunging it into Heysel's chest with a single, lightning fast attack.
The attacks stopped, and I quickly closed the distance. I plunged my sword into her chest as well, Resa now moving to put her second sword in as well. In tandem the two of us ripped away, cleaving her body in half...lengthwise. The bloody remains lasted mere seconds until they faded away.
"Good riddance."
I nodded. "Indeed. Let's get out of here. I don't want to think about her any more than I have to."
The two of us trudged through the waters, eventually finding door just up ahead. We didn't go through it quite yet, instead opting to make a quick break at the bonfire not far away if for no other reason than to replenish our Estus. However, the reprieve was short...we both knew that a Lord was up ahead, and we both wanted to get to it as soon a we could.
What we found, however, was anything but a Lord. Beyond the massive, now-open doors was simply more woods...and more of the strange, bird-like creatures we'd encountered before we ever met Anri and Horace. We cut through them, our powers noticeably greater than we were when we first encountered them, walking up a slope that led deeper beyond the doors.
At the top, the trail continued onwards to a thickly-wooded area. At the top of the winding, sloping path I could simply see a door, deeply inset into the building that held it. The thick tree cover blocked most of our view of what exactly the building was, but I think we both knew - the Lord was behind that door, and we simply needed to get there.
However, there was quite a bit barring our way. First and foremost, however, were two skeleton-like creatures that stirred terrible, horrific memories - the Darkwraiths. There were two of them...why they'd left New Londo, I didn't want to know. They looked similar to how I remembered them in the thick, bony armor resembling a skeleton. They were currently walking away from us, but I knew better than to assume that meant we could surprise them...they were always listening, and always ready to plunge a sword through your stomach.
I approached cautiously, opting for my sword and shield over my mace. I wished I could use it more than I currently did, but so often I found myself needing a shield to hide behind and I still wasn't strong enough to hold this thing one handed. Perhaps, one day, I would be able to do both...but that was a long ways off. With Resa on my tail I got closer and closer to the Darkwraiths, waiting for the time to strike. I didn't want to get too close...I knew that they were aware of my presence, and getting too close would simply put me at a disadvantage. Once I was a safe distance I quickly lunged forward, thrusting my sword out in front of me before they had a chance to react.
Success. The sword plunged through it as it was already turning around, its partner not suffering such a debilitation. A sword swung towards me with blinding speed, something that I remembered quite well from my previous encounters with them. We weren't as strong as we were when we last fought them...I was able to hold a much larger shield and swing a much larger weapon than I was now. However, I had faith that we could take them.
Resa sprung into action, darting to the side and throwing a spear at the already-injured one before engaging the second before it could devour me with a flurry of blows. Removing my sword from the Darkwraith I unleashed a quick gout of fire, the blast masking its vision just long enough that I could throw my shoulder into it, knocking it backwards. I followed the action with a kick, sending the Darkwraith stumbling backwards even more. As I moved to plunge my sword into its chest, however, I realized that I truly had no control of the situation...or at least, far less than I thought. It spun out of the way right as my sword would have pierced it, the Darkwraith's own sword instead slamming into my back. I thrust my shield backwards to hear the satisfying reverberation of it bashing into its face, again moving to hack at it with my blade. This time, it hit...but it was little more than a glancing blow.
Resa was managing the other Darkwraith quite well. It seemed that, like me, she struggled to land blows on it, but she was at least ducking out of getting injured herself. I threw a fireball at that Darkwraith, something that it clearly didn't see coming. The blast hit it, and Resa immediately pressed the advantage. Dual swords ripped through its chest, black blood beginning to flow free. She had that one handled...I was sure of it.
I, however, still had work to do. The Darkwraith and I continued trading minor blows back and forth, though I now focused on simply biding my time rather than trying to eliminate it myself. These were fearsome enemies, and we would need to take them on together.
My cue to attack came when a lightning spear slammed into the Darkwraith's shoulder...this was it. I sent my sword arcing across its chest in a wide slash, blood flying from the wound. After another crosswise slash I plunged it straight into its chest, the Darkwraith unable to react in time for any of this to be avoidable. From there, I simply ripped the blade out, leaving an unsustainable wound. If that didn't kill it outright, it died in the next few moments from loss of blood.
We continued forwards...the Darkwraiths weren't the only thing barring our path forward. Many of the odd goat-creatures stood in our way, but they paled in comparison to the Darkwraiths we'd just fought. One by one we clawed through them, until eventually we stood at the door of the building.
I couldn't quite make out what it was originally built for, other than that it was built like a fortress. No windows, no cracks, simply a massive block designed to keep safe whatever was inside it. Numerous weapons stuck out from the ground, and I could hear a battle waging from inside. Swords clashed against swords, the echoes ringing out even from beyond the walls. How hard they were fighting to make that much sound...it worried me. Then again, this was a Lord of Cinder we were walking into. They'd earned that title...they would not go quietly, if it came to that.
I looked to my sister. "Are you ready?"
"We have to do this. The survival of this world depends on it."
I opened the double doors, hearing them creak open. The battle inside waged on, the clangs of swords growing far louder now that the thick wood door wasn't blocking it.
Once the door was open, I walked into quite the odd display of battle. Multiple people, all dressed in near-identical armor, were attacking each other mercilessly. There had to be five, perhaps six, all wielding similar weapons and wearing similar armor. Was this the Abyss Watchers? We'd been to the Abyss before...it was a dark and terrifying place, one where I didn't want to go back.
They hadn't noticed us yet, instead continuing to assault each other without restraint. When one stood still, I got a glimpse of the tattered cape it wore on its back...these were the Abyss Watchers. The cape had a repulsive, vein-like pattern of black creeping up from its base, and the mere sight of it reminded me of the Abyss. Perhaps it was something else...perhaps something that caused that had sprung up in the ages while we slept, but I doubted it.
However, if these were a Lord of Cinder, reasoning with them was out of the question. It didn't look like this was a training exercise, a simple way to keep themselves in fighting shape. No, it looked like they wanted to kill each other, as evidenced by the dozens of similar bodies that were scattered about the room. Reasoning with them would be impossible, if they couldn't even reason with each other.
If that was the case, we would have to fight...if that was the way out. I turned to Resa. "What do you make of this."
"I don't know what to make of this...but I don't like any bit of it. These people are madmen...how are we supposed to get them to come with us to the Shrine?"
"I don't think - " At that moment, I noticed a stillness in the air...the fighting had stopped. One of their own thrust his sword through one of its former companions, abruptly ending its existence. As it did, however, five pairs of glowing red eyes turned on us, and five identical swords were raised towards our heads. In their off hands were five identical, wickedly curved daggers, crossed defensively over their chest...this was bad.
We didn't stand a chance...we never did. I tried to run, but there was always another one casing after me, another sword hacking away at my life. Resa, similarly, could only avoid so many fatal blows before her luck ran out. She tumbled, she backstepped, she somersaulted, but the blows kept coming, each one severely injuring her. She tried to keep me alive for as long as she could with her miracles as I took the brunt of the attacks, but even I couldn't keep five Lords of Cinder focused on me, not when it was clear that they were out for blood. I don't know who was the one to actually perish...if it was Resa, I felt like I was dead long before the killing blow was ever delivered.
We were back at the bonfire in the center of the swamp, right before the door.
"What happened?" Resa was next to me, shaking her head.
"We tried to face a Lord of Cinder, and we got annihilated."
"So what do we do now?"
I shrugged. "We do the only thing we can do...prepare, and try again. We can't give up, not when everyone is counting on us. We've got some resources back at the Shrine that might help...Ludleth might be able to make something useful from that demon's soul, and we've still got the soul of the Greatwood if we're desperate. However, I think our best bet is to simply gather as many souls as we can, and become as powerful as possible. Then, and only then, might we have a chance to defeat this."
"Well then let's get back to the Shrine, gather whatever we can there before preparing for this."
"Yeah...let's split up, as well. We'll gather more power faster if we're working independently. I can take anything on the Road...what about you?"
All I got was a curt nod, and we found our way back to the Shrine. I had my first order of business clear in my mind - Ludleth. I approached him, holding out the soul of the demon that we'd just recently slain, up on the bridge. "What can you make with this?"
Ludleth reached out, grasping the soul in his tender hands. "Ah, Flynn. Thou hast returned once more. You seek the power of Soul Transposition? Let me show you what I lies within this soul."
He began performing his usual ritual, the kiln warping and twisting, as he held the soul over it. "I see a demon...oh, and a very ancient demon at that. It once presided in an Asylum at the dawn of time. Ah, I now see what lies within its very soul. I see...a ring. A large, heavy ring, as if hewn directly from rock...and a pyromancy?" Ludleth paused for a moment, as if trying to make sense of it. "Yes, a pyromancy. It appears the demon could launch boulders...this is a trait it wishes the bearer of its soul to carry on, I suppose."
Neither particularly sounded exciting...truth be told, I was more interested in the massive hammer, but it seems that wasn't available. Between the two, however, the pyromancy seemed worthless...why would I want to throw boulders, when I had the powers I already did. "The ring, if you please."
Ludleth gave a faint smile, his eyes still focused on the kiln. "As you wish." The kiln's movements sped up, and he reached into its center, pulling out a small ring. As the kiln grinded to a halt, he held it out to me. Surprisingly enough...this was a ring I recognized. In its center was indeed a smooth and polished stone, and around it were smaller pebbles. It was surprisingly heavy, given its size, but I knew better than to second-guess it - I'd worn this very ring before, or perhaps one like it. When I did last time, everything seemed lighter. I slipped it onto my finger, feeling relaxing sensation of a weight being taken off my shoulders. Nothing had changed, of course. I was still in the heavy armor, but now it was so much lighter than before. This...this was a good decision.
"Thank you, Ludleth. I will come to you with whatever else we may find."
The tiny man nodded, his crown shaking on his head. "Much appreciated, Flynn. Safe travels to you."
I left him, moving to elsewhere in the Shrine. There was someone else I wanted to talk to...Yoel. I'd been initially cautious on whether or not I'd actually wanted to seek his services, but after how thoroughly trounced we were by the Abyss Watchers, I saw no other option. I needed strength, and I was severely doubting I'd find it through simply acquiring souls. I journed back, behind Andre, seeking the hunched figure.
Yoel was delighted to see me...I was probably the only person to ever come back here, by the looks of things. "Oh Champion of Ash, you've returned!"
I nodded. "I have, Yoel...I've considered what you left me with when we last spoke."
Yoel's voice grew quiet quickly. "And?"
"I...I wish to try. I wish to draw upon your strength. Not because I want to...but because I believe I need to."
Yoel nodded. "Then let us begin...I will not take any of your precious time than I must."
The Pilgrim reached out to place one hand on each of my shoulders, causing me to take a kneel. The words that came next were even lower than before, barely audible even in the quiet back room. "Bearer of the Darksign...let your true strength shine."
Instantly, I felt it...strength. It pulsed through my shoulders from where Yoel was holding me, quickly rippling out to my arms and chest, and then my legs. I felt...a lot better, truly. I looked up towards Yoel, seeing the Pilgrim's body shaking unsteadily, knees buckling.
I stood up quickly, steadying the Pilgrim. "Thank you...Yoel. Your sacrifice is much appreciated. I will not squander this precious gift you've given me."
When Yoel next spoke, it was the voice I recognized from the Pilgrim. "It is not a sacrifice for me, but a gift to you, Champion of Ash! Please, there is more that I can give you...it is of no loss to me to grant you the strength you need to carry out your task. I...I need time to recover, but do please come back!"
I was skeptical...given the way Yoel was shaking right now, I doubted if the Pilgrim was telling the truth. However, if Yoel wanted to give this gift to me, it would be rude to turn it down. "I...I will consider it."
I left...I needed to think about this before returning. With that, I made my way to the bonfire, finding Resa having already left to gather souls.
We fought the Abyss Watchers several more times, thinking that we'd finally grown strong enough to overpower them. And indeed, each time, we made it a little bit further than before. However, the five of them were simply too much to handle, and we always fell. Resa had gathered from the Fire Keeper that killing them would not end our quest...so long as we brought back their ashes, their very essence, we would be successful.
I returned to Yoel a few more times, seeking more power. And each time, the Pilgrim gave it to me, happily. After each transfusion, I could see Yoel grow weaker and weaker. By the fifth time, the Pilgrim was barely standing up, hunched over more than normal, barely staying upright. It was a painful sight to see, and I regretted doing it...but I needed the strength, and Yoel seemed happy to sacrifice for me. But...why.
I didn't tell Resa about these meetings...I was sure she would disapprove, partially because I wasn't sure I approved of them. I returned to Yoel one more time, seeking more strength. It had grown intoxicating, feeling the surge of power course through me as the Pilgrim sacrificed one life for another...I needed more. If it helped us defeat the Abyss Watchers, it would be worth it.
I went to Yoel one more time...except everything had changed. On the ground was Yoel's body, unmoving. Yoel was dead...and I was the reason. I wanted to turn back now, but another figure caught my eye, standing over the fallen Pilgrim. It was a woman, clad wholly in black and wearing a decorative black metal mask. Short platinum hair sprouted from her head, the mask simply covering the front of it. Had she killed Yoel? Perhaps I wasn't at fault.
"Come forward. I wish to speak with you."
It was the woman, exuding a commanding presence even with such few words. I obliged, walking towards her, the two of us leaning against opposite walls. "Who are you?"
"I am Yuria of Londor, a dear friend of Yoel's. Tell me, are you his master? He spoke very highly of his master. I have been back here for some time, and you are the only to come searching for him."
I shook my head. "I spoke with Yoel, yes...but I am not Yoel's master. I simply greeted him...he gave me a portion of his strength."
Yuria shook her head. "He gave you everything he had within him...willingly, of course. You are, indeed, his master, though Yoel may not have told you this himself. And thus, you are mine." At that, Yuria dropped to one knee, taking a deep bow. "Tell me how I can serve you, my Lord."
This...this was wrong...all of this was so wrong. "What is the meaning of this. All of this. Of Yoel, and you being here, and...all of it. Explain this to me. Please."
Yuria stayed to the ground. "You are a Lord, in your own right. A Lord...of Hollows. You bear the Darksign upon you, though you may not know it. You must lead the people of Londor to salvation...you must become the only remaining Lord, and finally end the cycle of undeath that originated with Lord Gwyn."
Now...now, I was interested. "And why is that?"
"Look around you. This world has lasted far longer than it should have...Gwyn forced the undead to survive long after we should have. The entire world is crumbling. We need you to end this. We of Londor shall serve you, and aid you in this quest. Believe me...it is a most noble quest. Here, allow me to express my gratitude for meeting you...a gift from the darkness that we must enter. Hold out your hand."
I was cautious...but curious. Had we made a mistake, oh so long ago? We'd kept the fire burning, but if what Yuria was saying was true, perhaps that wasn't the right option. While I wasn't entirely certain...we were still in dire need of assistance. If Yuria was willing to provide it, then I wouldn't turn it down. I held out my sword hand, unsure of what was coming.
She held her hand out as well, a twisted darkness forming above her palm. I recognized this...the Darkwraiths we'd been fighting could summon it. They were capable of forming it into a sort of illusory shield, but I knew from experience that it was very, very real. I thought about pulling back - these were dark powers that I wasn't quite ready for, but I was too late. A chill ran through my hand as the darkness spread to me, the temperature quickly returning to normal. "There you are, my Lord...a darkness to call your own. Carry it with you, and bring it to the fire so that we can finally end the endless cycle. I will provide you more assistance...I know what you struggle with. When you find yourselves facing the Lord of Cinder again, look for a man garbed in white. He will aid you, even willing to lay down his life for you. He is one of many, but the only that I could summon at this time. Use him well...and use him fully if you must. I cannot allow my Lord to be bested by another."
She stayed bowed, somehow deepening the stance even further. "I...okay. I need time to digest all of this. It's, well...a lot."
"I understand, my Lord. I know what you must do...I have waited so long for this fated day. Return to me when you are ready. I will guide you."
I walked away, quickly. I didn't know if this was what I wanted...there was a lot I needed to think about. Was I truly that special...was I truly a Lord all my own? I'd never heard of the Darksign that she mentioned, but she seemed so certain of its presence on me that I couldn't argue with her. I suppose only time would tell...but how much time, I didn't know.
If we only had the aid of Londor for one final fight against the Abyss Watchers, I would wait for Resa there. Before I went, though, I changed into the armor I'd purchased not too long ago...I was ready. Yoel had made me much stronger, and the ring of the demon allowed me to carry a weight far beyond what was normal for someone even of my strength. As I donned the massive armor, I found that I was able to move in it...I'd grown much stronger, in such a limited amount of time. Perhaps I really was a Lord after all...I had no way to know.
I moved to the Abyss Watchers...there, I would wait for my sister to return.
Resa
While Flynn talked to Ludleth, I went to the handmaid. I'd found the Umbral ashes up on the bridge, and hadn't yet turned them in to her. As I gave the ashes over, however, she eyed the hand that clasped them, looking up towards me. "Dear...where did you find these ashes?"
Odd...she hadn't cared last time. "Near a horrid swamp, up on a bridge. Why?"
The handmaid shook her head. "These our foul ashes...they will provide you naught to aid you in your quest. However, these are ashes I recognize...the ashes of a man that chased a dream, chasing it until there was nothing left of him to continue chasing. Think nothing of it...thank you for bringing them to me."
Odd...but I let it go. Before leaving, I inquired with the Fire Keeper about the Lords, specifically what happens if one were to perish. Though she doubted such an event would ever occur, she assured me that naught would be lost, so long as we provided her with the ashes of the Lord. With those, it could substitute the actual presence of a Lord...or at least, I hoped.
With nothing else to do I moved to the Road, beginning my quest for more souls. The bird-like foes there were now easy targets for my lightning spears, and I made swift progress. Several times, I returned to the Lord, and we tried our luck again. Every time, though, we failed...but not without succeeding a little more than we did the previous time. I kept up the quest, however, returning to the Road and gathering more and more souls.
I went back to the Shrine once again, seeking respite from the endless toil. I leaned against the walls of the Shrine, closing my eyes just for a moment…
"Resa?"
It was a female voice, one that was just on the cusp of my memory. I opened them, seeing a familiar face. "Oh, Sirris...it's you."
Last I'd spoken with the Darkmoon, it hadn't been on the best of terms. She seemed to want nothing to do with me...but that was clearly not the case anymore. "Indeed. I need to apologize...I spoke harshly towards you last we met. I am going through a difficult time, and I did not mean for you to be the object of my inner pain."
I tried to give a comforting smile. "Do not worry, I do not hold grudges. You are forgiven, though I personally don't believe you needed to apologize in the first place."
"I am most grateful. Tell me, why are you resting here? I rarely see you here...you and your brother return here very infrequently."
I opened up...I needed someone to talk to. I told her everything, the Abyss Watchers and how we'd been pummeled, but more importantly that we needed to defeat them...it was the only way.
When I finished, she simply smiled. "Please, let me help you...I know you believe I did no wrong, but I strongly disagree with you on that. Let me make it up to you...let me help you defeat a Lord of Cinder. It would be my honor."
I raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? It's...they aren't easy. I thought I made that clear."
She nodded. "That is why you need me. With more people, you will be able to manage them more effectively. I am a strong fighter, as well as a cleric. You will not have to worry about keeping your brother alive, simply focus on yourself. I can help him, as well as fight. Please...let me do this. I owe it to you."
I sighed…"We can take all the help we can get. It won't be easy, but you know that. If you still wish to help, I won't say no."
"Then let us go."
She was eager...I guess that was for the best. We made our way to the bonfire, and I held her hand as we travelled to the swamp. A Darkmoon and a Blue Sentinel working side-by-side...I suppose that was to be expected.
Once in the swamp, I led her forward, finding the way already cleared of foes. At the top was Flynn...I only knew that from the weapons he was carrying. He'd swapped to a much heavier armor, the one he'd acquired from the Handmaid not too long ago. He looked...well, terrifying.
By his side, however, was a most curious person. He was garbed in pure white cloth armor, standing out amidst the murky swamp. In his hand was a wicked sword, numerous but purposeful barbs along its length. In its other hand was a staff, a carved tree branch of pure white. It seems I wasn't the only one that brought assistance. However...who was this person?
As I approached, Flynn seemed as equally surprised to see Sirris as I was to see his companion. "Well here I was thinking three would be enough to turn the odds in our favor...but I think four should be plenty. Who is this?"
"A companion, sent by a friend. It's...quite complicated. I'll tell you more when we are through with this." He turned to Sirris, giving a slight nod. "I'm surprised to see you here. May I ask why?"
"I simply wish to atone for what I've done...nothing more, nothing less. However, aiding in the defeat of a Lord of Cinder is a blessing all on its own."
I motioned towards the door. "No sense in waiting...it won't delay the inevitable. The Abyss Watchers fight ruthlessly. They'll chase you, but they also seem to attack each other if you're not the easiest target. Try to use that to your advantage, if at all possible. That's all I can say...fend for yourselves, and fight whatever is necessary. There's four of us...we can do this."
"Let's go." Flynn led the way forward, pulling the doors open with confidence this time, rather than fear. We were here to win...and we would. If this wasn't enough, nothing would be.
The door creaked open once more...and the same turn of events played out. One of the six was slain, and all eyes turned towards us. Now, however, instead of staring at two pairs of eyes, there were four to focus on. All of us split up, the Abyss Watchers swarming us in turn. Two turned to Flynn while the rest of us each drew one, a far cry better than the two or three that had come for me before.
One-on-one, however, didn't mean that the fight was easy. This was still a Lord of Cinder...and I felt that in every blow I took. The Watcher attacked relentlessly, its heavy sword slamming into my shield while the dagger always seemed to catch me by surprise. It took a while to find the rhythm, but I'd taken quite a beating before I'd gotten there. After that point, however, I could at least trade blows evenly with it, ducking beneath its sword to plunge my own into its thigh, only to find a dagger coming at me more often than not. It was progress...but slow.
"Help! Someone!" I recognized Flynn's voice immediately, momentarily distancing myself from the Watcher to see his situation. The two that fought him had backed him into a corner, leaving him nowhere to run. Though he could hide behind his shield, he was taking quite the beating.
"Resa! Cover me." Sirris backed away, and I knew what to do. I dodged out of the way of my own Watcher, throwing two lightning spears at hers in quick succession. That gave her enough time to cast a miracle, and what a miracle it was. The glow that came from her talisman was far greater than anything I'd ever produced, even before the bell. I could only imagine what it must have felt like to be on the receiving end of such a blessing.
"Many thanks." Flynn pushed his way forward with renewed vigor, breaking out of the corner. Meanwhile, the ally he'd brought with him had instantly separated, charging towards the two Watchers that had been attacking Flynn. A swarm of odd black sorceries flew from his staff as he charged, clouding around one of them as the mysterious man leaped high into the air, plunging his serrated sword into one's back. When he ripped it out blood sprayed everywhere, the unique byproduct of such a terrifying weapon.
The entire fight was in disarray...but that was to our advantage. The two watchers that had been on our allies now engaged with each other, brutal blows raining down on the both of them as they were drunk in their rage. Flynn and his ally had teamed up to take on the two that had been fighting Flynn...that left mine, still assaulting me. However, Sirris quickly made her way over, but not before sliding her talisman across her rapier, enshrouding it within a powerful blue glow. I kept the Watcher occupied, leaving it completely vulnerable when the Darkmoon plunged her blade in its back, coming to stick out the other side. It howled in pain, something I'd never quite seen it do before...that was promising.
The two of us teamed up, Sentinel and Darkmoon, fighting the Watcher. Together, we were nigh unstoppable, my scythe and blades slashing while her rapier capitalized on the joints in its armor. Within moments we'd taken it down...our first kill.
Of the two that were fighting each other, one clearly seemed to becoming out on top. Soon, it landed the killing blow on its foe, turning towards us. Meanwhile, Flynn and his ally had collectively taken down one of the two they were fighting, beginning to swarm the remainder. They fought well together as well, Flynn absorbing the powerful blows while his ally found ideal strikes with his jagged blade, ripping out chunks of flesh with every imposing strike.
"Hold out your scythe. Allow me to bless it with a gift of the Darkmoon."
I turned to Sirris, raising an eyebrow. "Are you sure? I...I couldn't."
"You fight with the ferocity of one. You may wish to be a Sentinel, but your heart is a Darkmoon...allow me to show you the power we carry with us."
Curious I held out my scythe, Sirris waving her talisman over it as the same blue glow sheathed the curved blade. The weapon practically thrummed with power...it was invigorating. I smiled. "Appreciate it. Let's put it to use."
The unoccupied of the two remaining Watchers made its way towards us, and I slashed aggressively in front of me, loving the power that coursed through this weapon. Perhaps Sirris was right...I'd have to ask her how I joined such a covenant...but not now.
The Watcher swung at us, its movements now familiar to me after having fought several at this point. Between that, and Sirris' help, a flurry of Darkmoon blades slashed at it, and I could truly feel how powerful this miracle was. The blade cut cleanly, leaving behind a wound that was far more grievous than it had any right to be. With the reach of the scythe I could fight safely from range, throwing the occasional lightning spear whenever Sirris was the one that had its attention. Before long, it too fell...that only left one. Flynn and his ally had it on the ropes, maneuvering it back into a corner where there was little it could do to defend itself.
"The Darkmoon...how do I join them?"
Sirris smiled. "My leader is far off, in an ancient land. Her name is Yorshka...I hope that you will meet her." As she spoke, Flynn smashed his hammer into the final remaining Abyss Watcher, caving in its chest as it slammed into the floor.
"Where is this land?"
"You will find it beyond the Boreal Valley, travelling from here. It is known as - "
She cut off, staring ahead of us. From the pile of corpses of Abyss Watchers rose one of its kind, slightly larger and stronger than the rest. The most noticeable difference, however, was its sword - it was wreathed in searing hot flames. The heat radiated from them even from halfway across the room, where all of us were standing. It held up its sword, raising one arm over its shoulder as it pointed it towards Flynn...and practically teleported across the room. I knew that wasn't the case - it couldn't be, but it moved so fast that it might as well have vanished and reappeared right in front of him.
Somehow, however, Flynn's ally was able to react in time, throwing himself in front of Flynn. Rather than piercing my brother it pierced the white-garbed man, plunging through his stomach as a surge of fire coursed through the blade. The Watcher discarded him...he was dead. Of that, I was absolutely certain...and all it took was one fatal blow. It seemed that we weren't done yet…
Sirris and I both rushed to help my brother who was now alone, defending against the Watcher's ruthless attacks. I threw a few lightning spears from afar as Sirris cast several more miracles, reapplying her Darkmoon's gift on her own blade and conferring several things to my brother. One simply healed his wounds...I could tell he needed it, but the other appeared to stave off the flames, if only a bit. However, it bought the two of us enough time to close the distance, where the three of us began attacking it in tandem.
Even then, it wasn't an easy fight. Every swing by the last remaining Watcher carried with it a streak of fire that trailed behind the blade, meaning that it wasn't enough to simply avoid being cleaved in half...there was more. Several times I found myself on the receiving end of the fire, dodging the sword only to find my vision enshrouded in biting flames, a pain far worse than I ever could have imagined. My Estus flask was running low...both of them.
I continued the fight, however...I had to. We were so close, and I doubted we would be able to make it this far again even if it was only the three of us. I plunged one of my twinblades into its leg, wrenching the sword out as violently as I could. Sirris followed my attack, the Darkmoon-enhanced rapier hitting the open wound, plunging through its leg and into its chest. That destabilized it enough that Flynn could join in, lunging forward to shove his sword into its chest, not stopping until the hilt was pressed against its chest. He let out the blade and the Watcher stumbled backwards...but it wasn't down yet. Another flurry of blows was now concentrated on Sirris, but the elegantly weaved out of the way of each of them, even managing to avoid the fire that billowed behind the blade.
The last strike, however, she didn't avoid. The Watcher's dagger came up right into where she was dodging, plunging into her exposed side. She let out a pained yelp as the Watcher unsheathed the dagger from her skin, kicking her to the ground.
I would have none of that...and I knew Flynn wouldn't either. I swung low with my scythe, grabbing both of its legs and pulling them out from underneath the Watcher, while my brother quickly swapped to his mace and brought the full force of it down on the Lord. Its back audibly crunched, and as frost spread from the impact its sword grew dim.
I rushed towards Sirris, holding up my talisman. "It's not quite as powerful as yours, but I hope you'll accept it."
She smiled. "You'll make a fine Darkmoon, Resa."
I cast the miracle, helping Sirris back to her feet. All around us, the Watchers were fading away...but not quite completely. In their wake were their ashes, the entire floor becoming covered in a thin veil of black. Some of these ashes actually coalesced into a bonfire...quite odd indeed. Flynn had scooped up a handful of them already, depositing them into a bag on his belt. Just how much did we need, I wondered...it was hard to tell.
There was something else by Flynn that my brother picked up...a soul. It flickered around where we'd killed the final Watcher, and Flynn put it away. Perhaps we'd have a use for it...perhaps we wouldn't.
The three of us walked towards the bonfire, exhausted. As we did, however, I heard grinding - stone on stone. Near the back of the building was some sort of altar that now began to slide backwards, revealing a set of stairs descending into the depths below.
I turned to Sirris. "I am in your debt...I know you say you did this to pay a debt of your own, but this vastly outweighs whatever wrong you think you did to me. Please...allow me to be grateful for what you've done."
"I will, Resa, but only because you accepted an apology when you believed there was none to be had. Likewise, I do not believe you should be grateful for the compensation I provided you to forgive the wrong I did you, but I will accept your gratitude nonetheless. You - both of you, are formidable warriors. Should things be different, I would wish to travel with you...I think I could learn much from the two of you. However, I have a quest of my own that I must fulfill, one that does not involve the Lords of Cinder. For now, we must part ways, but I do wish that our paths shall cross again."
"Likewise. I will seek out Yorskha...the Darkmoon interest me, if nothing else."
Sirris smiled, turning back towards the entrance of the room. "I look forward to seeing you as an ally of the moon, rather than simply a friend. Blessings of the moon upon your journey, Resa."
"Blessings of the moon upon your journey, Sirris."
The door opened as she walked through it, departing back into the swamp. I turned my attention to Flynn, who I hadn't spoken with since we'd entered into the fight against the Abyss Watchers. "We did it...we beat a Lord. Who...was...your friend?"
Flynn let out a sigh, taking a seat by the bonfire. "Sit with me for a bit...we've got a lot to discuss."
Alright...that's a wrap. I'm going to take a break for the holiday season, but that doesn't mean I'm ignoring this story. Now that I'm a fair ways into this I think I can plan it out a bit better, since a lot of the groundwork has been laid out. In case you didn't know, anyone that follows this story (or me, as the author) will get an email notification of when the next chapter comes out. Expect some time perhaps mid January to early February...until next time!
