The tower, the small broken one, was a filthy disturbing mess. Hoping to find something of value Caim had stepped in. The entire thing was infested with giant leeches. It had taken more time and it cost him a sip of his estus to clear them out. Although the loot of a bone shard, still clenched in a corpse's hand, was well worth it.
Beyond it, the safe ground seemed to diminish to nothing. A few small plots still pushed above the swamp's dirty line but they were sparse. The trees opened slightly and he could see more of the swamp. The sunlight did little alleviate its rotten state.
The tower, the great foot of the bridge, was faring much better. To the side, surrounded by more rotting leeches, was a great towering ladder. Simple wooden construction that had withstood the swamps festering poison. It reached only a short distance up but was a start. Taking care to clear the leeches without damaging the ladder, Caim let the monster's bodies fade into dust before stepping onto the rungs and pulling himself free of the swamp.
The armor's weight made itself known during the climb. It was one thing to be walking in the solid metal plates and another to haul oneself up a long ladder with that weight pulling at your chest and shoulders. Caim grunted and swore as he finally neared the end of his climb and pulled his feet back onto solid stone.
It was a fine feeling to no longer be on the stinking and yielding ground of the swamp. The hard-unflinching stone was a strange familiar comfort. Looking back, he felt the deep rush of relief. The air was cleaner here, not tainted by the stench of the swamp below. He stood above the tree canopy and looked down upon the jagged and deformed Farron lands.
The barrier walls of the keep were to the left with its strong battlements. A great cathedral risen to the right. The Cathedral of the deep perhaps. Also to the right was the burning beacon that was the last fire. The burning tower showing Caim his goal, tantalizingly close.
It seemed, at least at first glance, a straight shot from the tower he now stood. But he knew the swamp would not afford him such luxury. A straight shot would keep him from getting lost but would likely put him through rough terrain and more danger.
Still he knew his goal now. Knew its direction. Its general location. And the sight of the sun and fresh air had already done wonders to his aching lungs. He almost slid back down the ladder when he felt a brush in the wind and turned back to the tower. A doorway led inside. Perhaps there was a way farther up. Perhaps there was even some supplies to plunder?
All fair questions. All good reasons to avoid returning to the vile swamp for a little longer. So Caim turned from the swamp and stepped inside the stone archway to the interior of the tower. A small bonfire flickered in the center of the room. High to the right, a body lay draped over a raised balcony.
And a giant wolf slumbered to the left wall.
Caim froze mid-step, eyes fixed on the great beast. It was thrice his size with a dark black and grey hide. Rough fur twisted over its skin and its head resting among its solid paws. It lay curled near the left wall, behind it a large tombstone and arrayed around it many old swords, driven into the stone
He paused and waited but it showed no signs of moving. Cautiously he stepped towards it. His foot seeming like the crash of a Warhammer in the quiet place. The stillness reminded him of something old. Something sacred. Like a crypt left untouched.
He stepped closer, listening to the torches crackle around the great wolf. Standing closer he could see it did not breath nor move. The world was petrified, still forever. He relaxed his guard and lowered his weapon.
"You are the great wolf of Farron?" he asked the statue, unsure why he would converse with the dead thing. Many swords stood behind and around the beast. The entire room felt like a shine built to honor this great creature. The vey creature the Farron watchers attributed their power to.
The wolf, however, had no more blood to give. No more chance of the Farron watchers returning to what they had been. Their ranks were stagnant. Their future gone. They were lords meant to die now and nothing more.
Caim touched the wolf gently. It was cold and hard. But there was something deeper. It flickered with a life long since lost. Just the dying embers remained in this shell but it was enough to draw out power. To bestow some semblance of it but Caim did not know how to reach it.
"I should leave you to rest then." He said, stepping away and making a small salute followed by the pyromancer's prayer. "Sleep well great wolf. Let others watch the dark." With his farewell made he stepped away and lit the bonfire turning his attention to the corpse above.
Its legs dangled from the hole in the wall several feet above, and he could see a pouch of something on its back. Finding no stairs or way up he went back outside and circled the tower, finding a set of stairs up but no path inside.
"Something hidden, is it?" he mused rubbing his hand along the stone. He stopped where the door should be. There was something. The was wasn't right. It flowed wrong. With a solid thrust he pushed his hand forward. The wall gave like it was made of sand. The image vanished to nothing around his out stretched arm.
An illusion. An old one left in the world. He chucked to himself and stepped in the tunnel. Sure enough there was the body laying before him. A poor fool clutching to the ground for dear life. A pouch of dry ashes on his back.
Caim took the ashes and bid the fool farewell, dropping back into the chamber. The last item of interest was the elevator
The simple stone slab sat beside the Farron Wolf upon raised stairs. A single lever beside it and a stone button on the floor of the slab. Choosing to venture instead of cowering he stepped on the button and felt the ancient machinery begin working. Grinding and whining as it pulled him up through the tower and to its highest reaches. The ride itself took some time attesting to the height.
Stepping out into the sun was almost blinding. Even below the sun had not been so clear. Here it shone without he could to block it and was warming to his sticky skin. Caim sucked in a deep breath of clean warm air and let it out. The warmth and clarity was invigorating and brought a small smile to his face.
Such a simple thing as seeing the sun did wonders to Caim's spirit. He stepped to the tiny banister and looked down at the tiny form that was the Farron swamp. Ringed in and festering in its own space below the towering Lothric castle to the right.
He left the sight and the sun and moved to the stairs to the right climbing them even higher to the bridge above. As the stairs leveled off he paused. The bridge was open and scattered with rubble. Gates at either end of the wall were broken but still towered above, separating the wall into battle sections for security and ensuring a siege would fail
At the far end of the bridge was a towering monstrosity that made Caim freeze in place. "No. Another one?" Wandering aimlessly near the end of the wall was a towering stone grey monster. It was easily fifteen feet tall and bloated around its gut. From it back was a set of jagged wing like protrusions. As it stomped around with its massive awkward gait it waved a gray stone hammer.
Like the last demon both weapon and creature seemed to be made of the same stone material. A great rock lumbering around the bridge like some forgotten guard. Each step rumbled the rock under his feet. No.
He made his choice. There was no need to battle the creature. Perhaps if he were stronger he might consider it. As it was, battling it was not something he needed to do. It was not his job to purge every evil from the lands. He turned his back on the beast and returned to the lift, riding it down to the swamp.
The stench returned in full force and Caim was forced to a take a moment to acclimate before stepping to the ladders edge and looking down at the filth that made up the swamp. The fire loomed in the distance. The beacon he needed to find his way. Still, there would be no safe passage.
"Delaying won't fix it." He said mounting the ladder. "Action is the remedy of the world."
When he hit the muck he moved quickly to solid ground. The solid ground linked to another island but stopped. Beyond the burning pyre was nothing but dirty fluid shifting among a graveyard of dying trees.
Then one of the trees moved and Caim ah dot stop himself from panicking. No. it was a smaller tree moving with something. Discovering what it was did not ease his dread.
The great creature was similar to the corrupted creatures he had battled but at least twice their size. Maybe thrice. It lumbered in the swamp, using a whole uprooted tree as its crutch. Its head was a twisted mass of horns, its entire form shifting as if held together by wisps of dark cloth. It waded through the deep bog with little trouble.
"You are right in my way." Caim mumbled. He would have to pass the beast. But to fight it in the swamp would be foolish. The limited solid ground didn't give him much chance either. The tree it held would make a terrifying club. Still, he could circumvent that weapon. He was quicker, surly, than this monster.
There was an island next to the beast but he would never reach it before being forced to engage with the monster. No. He would have to play this smart. Let it come to him. Fight where he was strongest. Stepping beside the foul-smelling fire he drew out his bow.
The arrow flew true and drove into the towering monster's backside. It turned leisurely to regard Caim. That shot didn't seem to have bothered it. "That's right." He put away the bow and drew his sword and shield free. "I'm right here!" He called, banging the sword to shield.
Now, moving with sudden purpose the monster lopped through the muck. Caim stepped back and the monster ran through roaring fire oblivious to any damage it caused. His sword laid into its leg with a solid crunch. Filth and blood tearing away as he cut for flesh. Then it raised its trunk to smash him beneath its roots
Caim moved, letting the trunk hit the ground beside him. He moved in to attack but a ghostly howl made him stop. From the trunk of the white tree it held, red smoke like skulls flew forth streaking into the air before arcing down and falling towards Caim
Magic?! He rolled away hitting the filth of the swamp and leaping through the muck as the skulls hit the ground. One struck his back and Caim staggered. The impact was like a hammer blow made of ice. Chilling and heavy. His feet came on solid ground again as the monster returned tree raised for another blow.
Caim used his shield to survive the blow. It hammered his arm and made his bones grind under the pressure. Still, he held. He pushed back as the skulls appeared again. Every swing then, every attack would create more of these. He dodged the skulls, though one still hit his shoulder and laid into the creature.
Have to end this quick. He slashed twice and conjured a great combustion to engulf the monster. Though it only caught a part of the tree and much of its impressive torso the monster still gave a keening cry and staggered. A grin stretched across his face and Caim lunged driving the sword into its belly. Drawing his left hand up he breathed deep of the sickness of blood in the swamp.
And let it out as gout of fire into the monster horned face.
The fire engulfed it, searing the dirt and muck from its body and charring the flesh and bone beneath. The tree wielder made a gasping cry before it began to fall. First to its knees and then face down into the dirt before its body vanished dispersing into dust and souls.
Caim breathed deeply of the power it left behind. It was big but he had felt it from his first strike landing. It was more fragile than it seemed. Likely ages of rot on its body left it vulnerable. With the monster gone Caim took stock of the land around him. He moved to the next solid island near where the creature had lurked. Here he paused to drink of the estus and ease the wounds he had taken.
Ahead, lit by another brazier was a set of stairs. Through he couldn't see through the canopy he knew this must be the last of the fires. It was a long run through the swamps muck but Caim reached it with only a small racking cough.
The top of the plateau was empty. No guards or enemies to behold. Only another stone shrine with a small flame. Again, the stone depicted a different image. This one of four men. Four kings from the crowns they wore, were standing beside one another. Below, the flames consumed them.
Caim ignored the estrange etching and snuffed the flame as he had the others. In the distance, he heard a long grinding screech. Stone on stone twisting some distance away but loud enough that he could hear it
"Gate must be open." He thought aloud turning back to the stairs. It was a long walk back to the gate but without the big monster or leeches to bar the way he found it much easier. Indeed, the gate he had seen before was open. Both stone doors having swung inward.
He returned to the bonfire and restored himself and his estus before venturing down the stone pathway to the solid ground of the gate. He could not understand what magic bound the gate or controlled its opening but he let such thoughts leave him. He was no scholar and should not waste time on such trivialities.
Inside the gate was a path lined with burning candles leading into a green wood. Countless old rusted swords marked the path, struck here and there like grave markers. A stray spear or pike among them. The candlelight path led ahead where it split going up or continuing on. Caim followed the candles to the right, leaving the higher ground.
Corvians sat in their shriveled states. Feathers and stretched skin held tight in priamtive prayer. Caim stepped in and made quick work of each one, Cutting them down before they could change. When the leader, one standing on the higher cliff screeched and waved its staff, sending fire below, Caim answered with his own flame, burning the bird creature to cinders.
The candles stopped here. While the weapons that marked the path continued to thin out. This place still had life to it. The trees were green. The grass retaining some life. The parasitic vines from the swamp had not reached into this grove yet. He moved through the path and up to a steep hill. He slowed as he heard the sound of clashing weapons.
Steel on steel. Growls and howls. The sounds of combat echoing just up the hill. Caim slowed and stepped up the path carefully aware of his surroundings. A stone structure to his right. An open area ahead of him that lead to another large stone structure. More swords dotted the path and surrounding trees.
The battle ensued just ahead. In the center of the courtyard was two tall lithe figures in dark armor battling several of the corrupted monsters. A poison cloud filled the air and engulfed the combat before he could see any more. Another corrupted beast lunged into the cloud screeching. A dying keen came from the cloud and blood spilled across the ground.
Infighting? Caim moved closer, staying low. There was no need to get involved in the fight if he could avoid it. They could fight it out among themselves. Still he couldn't help but be curious about what was going on.
Moving up the path the mist began to fade. The solid thunk of steel meeting flesh was followed by a body tumbling to the ground. The smoke cleared and a single lithe figure in dark armor spun to another pair of the corrupted creatures. His large sword swung up and cleaved through one. The other drove its spear into his shoulder.
He spun and split the creature's head, sending it to join the others on the ground. Then it turned. It looked ahead to the great doors ahead but turned back. Its eyes caught Caim and a shiver of ice ran up his spine. Breath came in ragged gasps. "no." He whispered.
The dark skull mask. The skeletal armor. The long, wide sword. He had seen them before. Dozens of them. A legion of the dark wraiths swarming through the fire. Blood spilling into the ground. Those dead eyes stared back at him. The dark skeletal frame slowly stalked towards him, sword to its side, free hand outstretched. He knew what that free hand could do. He had seen it. Life pulled right from someone's throat.
The cloud was flushed away. Fire like molten steel rushed up his back. It burned his mind and he could only feel his grip on the sword tighten painfully. Fire welled inside him. Roaring in his chest. Monsters! Demons! Why are they still alive?! Why do they get to survive?!
With a scream Caim ran, feet beating the ground as he closed gap, shield abounded for the roiling flame in his left hand.
The Dark wraith leapt, thrust its sword in a quick jab. Caim side stepped the blow, feeling it graze his shoulder. His blade came up, cleaving through the monster's torso. The armor buckled and cracked but the rotten flesh beneath held. It gave a deep guttural hiss, drawing back its left hand. A dark light glowing from within.
Caim rolled away as the dark wraith swung, grabbing at his head. "I'm not such easy prey you bastard!" Caim breathed deep, sucking in power and pushing it to his hand. The fire ball formed and he hurled it, howling as the fire engulfed his enemy. The flame licked at the armor but fell away as the wraith charged, his sword coming around in a vicious combo.
He dodged, ducked and took a blow to his chest. Blood spilled but Caim threw himself back cleaving at the dark knight's shoulder. The left hand came up again, the light spreading into a shield that repelled his sword. Caim staggered back and the dark wraith took full advantage.
Stomping his foot, he gripped the large dark sword and swung upward, the edge catching Caim's chest and launching him through the air with a scream of pain. He hit the earth rolling and bleeding before falling still.
His burning hand hit the earth and pushed him up. Blood flowed freely from his chest. Warm flecks spotted his face. Everything hurt. Still, his enemy stood there. Sword to his side, hand outstretched. Calm and ready.
Peace. He took a long breath. As Gin had taught him. Anger is good. It burns the fire in your soul but rage? Rage was a fool's game. A coward's way to die. Rage would get you nothing but blood. And not your enemies'.
Caim exhaled, letting the fire seep from his mouth. The dark wraith stepped forward and Caim spread his legs. No time to draw this out or go mad. No. This monster needs to die here and now. He stared, sizing up his enemy.
Then it lunged, sword arm extending and twisting into a sudden thrust aimed at his head. Caim stepped forward, ducking as the blade passed over his head. Both hands leading with his own weapon and burying it in the monster's heart. He twisted it through the sick heart before tearing it free. Black ichor like blood spilled from the gaping hole. The wraith made a final hiss before collapsing to the ground.
Caim held up his flame and let it loose on the body. A stream of orange fire engulfed the fallen dark wraith and he watched as it burned to ashes. When he finally let the power fade, the body was little more than charcoal.
He crushed the broken form under his boot. "Stay dead. All of you. Stay. Dead." He growled, twisting the black trash with his heel. Even taking another breath, he could feel the surge in his chest. The tremor in his hands. It had been a long time since he had seen these creature's. A lifetime ago, amid a sea of blood.
Amid glowing red eyes.
Caim left the dead body and checked the others. There was another dead Dark wraith, this one he also immolated before looting the corrupted monsters. They were all dead. A path of death leading back where Caim had come, where the Dark wraiths had come ahead of him. He looked up the path where a solid stone keep stood, its doors closed.
From beyond he could head the clashing of steel. Metal on metal. The sounds of battle being waged. Repeated banging continued getting louder as he approached the door. Just beyond the door. To the heart of the Farron keep. The Abyss watchers were battling something within. Perhaps more Darkw wraiths.
The thought made his blood boil and he pushed, forcing the ancient doors open and stepped inside. The thick iron scent of blood hit him in the face. Caim stepped forward, sword in hand to face the Abyss watchers.
He stopped. "What in the nine hells is this?"
Author's note: Been a long time since an update. I've been real busy with real world issues. Work. Money. Personal things. Long story short I've had trouble sitting down to write and edit lately but I'm trying to get back in the saddle.
That said I am still having fun with this story. As I get closer to Caim's biggest moments I just want to write more. I feel like the Farron swamp was a real pain and not fun to write but now that I have pushed beyond it I think I can try to pick up some speed.
Well that's all for now. I hope if you have read this far that you are enjoying yourself and want to keep reading. Thanks and feel free to tell me what you think.