This chapter will feature a newfound relationship of the Ashen One and the small zombie. Also, she will be different here as she has a different history compare to the canon one because this is FanFiction, why not. Also, I'm gonna go Japanese on this one as I preferred it. So I'll go all out with the -chan, -san, -kun, -dono and such lol

Enjoy

"Hmm..."

"Mmmmmm..."

"Hmm...mmm..."

The Ashen One continued to stare at a knight of Catarina, it's been quite a long time since he ever had seen one. The last time he saw Catarina Knights were when he met both Siegmeyer and his daughter Sieglinde back when he was the Chosen Undead. After helping both of them in their ways, it all ended in a tragedy. Sieglinde had to kill her father because he had turned hallow and lost his mind. He would've done something but fate deems it so that there was nothing he could do.

And right now, he sees a mirror image of Siegmeyer.

It was as if this Catarina Knight is a reincarnation of him.

"Oh!" Finally, after staring at the Catarina Knight for minutes he notices the Ashen One. "Pardon me, I was absorbed in thought." The Ashen One could feel that the Catarina Knight was smiling behind that onion-like helmet, "I am Siegward of Catarina."

"Oh-hoh! Forgive me. I was absorbed in thought. I am Siegmeyer of Catarina."

A mirror image indeed.

After solving the "puzzle", the Ashen One met Siegward again at a balcony overlooking a fiery beast simply known as a Fire Demon. Feeling very nostalgic and yet very sad, the Ashen One ran down and faced the Fire Demon just as Siegmeyer does when he tried to sacrifice himself. The Catarina Knight, unexpectedly for the Ashen One, joins him and together, they quelled the Fire Demon.

Perhaps the Ashen One shouldn't be surprised.

After all, the knights of Catarina are honorable and brave knights.

Once the beast were quelled successfully, Siegward sat down followed by the Ashen One and Siegward huffed out in exhaustion. "That was quite the performance! But you mustn't get in over your head." He said before continuing, "We Unkindled must put our duties first." He huffed out in exhaustion before his jovial side replaced the other, "But for the moment, we've a toast to make." He took out the Siegbrau and gave it to the Ashen One.

The Ashen One took it and stared at the jar, a bit surprised at seeing such a rare liquor. It is a special drink, in fact it's the Catarina's prided liquor that was very popular throughout the lands. The Ashen One hadn't tasted it yet but he knew he would like it.

"To your valor, my sword, and our victory together." He raises the jar, cheering happily and the Ashen One also does the same albeit much less enthusiasitc. "Long may the sun shine!" After that, he laughs joyfully before taking a huge gulp of the Siegbrau, completely deprived the jar of its content. "Well," Finishing his drink, he faces the Ashen One. "I'm going to have myself a little nap. The only thing to do, really, after a nice toast." He laughs again before it quickly faded and he instantly fell asleep.

The Ashen One unconsciously smiled at seeing it, perhaps this time, he can save Siegward unlike how he pushed Siegmeyer to death...

Unkindled's Comfort

Somehow, that memory flooded in when he sees a person. A child to be precise, a little girl whom wore purple attire and had some kind of...paper stuck on her most noticeably the one on her face. The Ashen One remembered that those papers were called ofuda talisman. He didn't know what it's used for specifically but he assumed it has something to do in keeping her moving. But all of that isn't important as to why he remembered a friend back in Lothric.

The reason why he reminisces was because this little girl is an undead, not of his kind nor any kinds of undead that exists in his world but she was an undead nonetheless. And an undead who didn't lost their minds to their hallowing is an ally. It was such an odd sight to see an undead in Liyue of all places however, Liyue is a region vibrant with life and festivities.

And to die at such a young age...it looks like this world has their own fair share of tragedies hidden within.

Considering the many undead he met back in Lordran and Lothric, the Ashen One merely stares at her as it is the way he communicates. The little girl tilted her head at his strange behavior before her eyes widened for some reason. However, the Ashen One merely walks away as he has to complete a quest and daily commissions given to him by the Adventurer's Guild. As he made his way towards his destination, little footsteps can be heard from behind. The Ashen One ignores as the footsteps got closer. Curious, he turns around and the little girl was following him for reasons unknown.

The girl merely continues to stare at him, giving the Ashen One a sense of familiarity.

He didn't know what her objective is but she wanted to follow him.

The Ashen One turns back to the front and continues on his journey. And he was walking, he still hears the little footsteps behind him. The Ashen One decides to ignore it and went on to his journey. For the past few hours, the little girl followed the Ashen One as he slays slimes, hilichurls and complete his daily commissions. Today, there weren't any Abyss Order members lying around and there weren't any bases to destroy. The Ashen One wasn't sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing.

On one hand, it could possibly meant that he pushed the Abyss Order into their lowest, causing large damages to their troops and bases of operation.

On the other, they may have taken precaution and acknowledged his existence so they adapted and is now going to be harder to find.

And maybe harder to kill as well.

Looks like the Ashen One has to prepare himself for anything they throw at him.

But for today, completing these quests and killing a few monsters will do.

As the Ashen One was on his way back to Liyue to visit Ganyu, it appears the little girl was still following him even after all this time. This is quite odd considering he never asked for her help nor for her to follow him.

Quite odd indeed...

"Otou-san." The girl called, shocking even the Ashen One.

The Ashen One stared at the girl, dumbfounded that he was called a father. "I...am not your father." He said softly.

The girl's eyes widened before she ran towards the Ashen One and hugged his leg whilst grabbing a hem of his cloak tightly, "Otou-san..."

The Ashen One was baffled, in what way was he her father? Although they're both undead, the Ashen One is a new kind of undead in his world that are made of failure and ashes. Never, even before he fought his way in Lordran and got imprisoned, has he ever had any spouses or such much less a child. And the fact that this child is an undead of this world which is a different kind from his own, it would be baffling how an Outworlder like him could be her parent.

"Please don't go..." The little girl begged.

Alas, despite all the many thoughts and question filled in the Ashen One's mind, he wanted to help her.

But why...?

"You defeated those monster!? Fantastic...I'm saved. This knight of Catarina hereby commends you!"

"It was you who rescued me? Why, thank you. I am Sieglinde of Catarina."

"Ah, oh! My armor! My deepest gratitude! I, Siegward of Catarina, salute you."

No, the Ashen One did always did what he can without question to help certain people...people that hadn't lost their minds. He does what he can to help...and to also destroy. Like that time at Ariandel, he killed someone's daughter and even killed Slave Knight Gael who lost himself in his search for the Blood of the Dark Soul, lying to that girl who was painting. He destroyed many...

He guessed that it was just his habit feeling that way.

The Ashen One wants to help this little girl even if it costs him to cross dangers.

Yes, even if he were to die over and over again...

"It seems I'm in your debt once again. My thanks, I could not have kept my promise without you. Now, for a final toast. To your valor, and my old friend Yhorm. Long may the sun shine!"

The Ashen One looks down at the ground. That was the last time he saw Siegward before he succumbed to his injuries and died. Did he fail? No, the Ashen One didn't fail at saving Siegward. Instead, Siegward very well knows that he had no other purposes left so he died from the battle. The Ashen One managed to save him, at least in an honor sense.

The Ashen One sigh in his mind, perhaps this world's positivity changed him slowly. For the better or worse, he didn't know. All he knows is that he wanted to help this little child.

He kneeled down to her height, "Child, what is your name?" The Ashen One asked, this is one of the few times he actually began a conversation or talk.

"...Qiqi." The now named Qiqi answered as she stared at him with teary eyed, quite an odd sight indeed.

"Qiqi, child. Come with me and we'll find your father." He said, underneath his helmet, he smiled.

"No, you're Otou-san." She replied, shaking her head. "Otou-san is Otou-san. There's no other Otou-san."

"Then are you going to follow me around?" The Ashen One asked and she immediately nodded her head. "Very well. Come." He stood up and was about to walk away until he can feel the hem of his cloak being pulled by Qiqi. He turns around, "What's wrong?"

Qiqi raises her hand, asking for something the Ashen One doesn't know yet. "We hold hands. Otou-san always holds my hand."

"I...see."

Reluctantly, the Ashen One opens his palm and Qiqi wastes no time to grab his hand surprising him. She beamed him a smile, the Ashen One cannot help but also find comfort in that smile. How strange, this child who seemed emotionless earlier when she followed him around is now brimming with emotions. In what prospect is the Ashen One her father...?

That answer to that, he didn't know...not yet.

Together, they walked back towards Liyue.

"Ashen One?" Ganyu blinked, tilting her head at the sight of him holding hands with a little child. "Um, who might that be?"

The Ashen One stared at her, this time he has to say something. "It's a long story."

Hearing him talking, Ganyu can't help but smile and let out a giggle. "It seems so." She gestured her hands towards the table, "Would you care for some tea while we talk?"

Yes, this Qiqi is OoC (Out-of-Character) because she has a different history which is going to be something I'll be writing. I do this because one; I had a great idea about something and two; I barely know the character personalities. The same goes with Ganyu, I only caught a glimpse of her character in the trailer lol

The story of Qiqi will be heavily inspired by "Somali and the Forest Spirit" which has me bawl my eyes out.

So yeah.

And enjoy this bit of something regarding Qiqi's alternate history.

Qiqi stared up at the Ashen One as they were walking with hands linked, seeing a mirror image of her father. Due to her being an undead–a zombie to be precise, she has bad memory. But she could never forget her father, he wore the same armor. And even his demeanor was nearly the same except the Ashen One was quieter, but that voice is clearly her father's.

Her grip tighten as she remembered her father's last words before he disappeared.

"Be good while I work. I'll be...linking the fire to keep us together."

She didn't know what he meant but it had something to do with where he came from. After that, he was never seen again and Baizhu took care of her as a repayment of what he owed to her father. Without her father, she didn't want to smile or anything. She just...remains the zombie she is.

And the story for her past is reserved in another.

"Qiqi and the Undead Knight" will one day be written.