- Please read the following author notes -
…I have no words. I actually broke well over two-thousand views, maybe even three, on the last chapter! This is the first time I've ever done that with a single posting. I can't express how thankful I am of you guys and I hope I continue to earn those views.
I have to come right out and say it guys, this school year is going to be slow in updates. Since this is my senior year of highschool I have the ACT and SAT (Again), midterms and finals (Again), a lot of homework (More than previous years), and finally college essays and applications along with various other distractions. After all that, I'm pretty exhausted and am not in the right mindset to write. I'll try my best, but you all of you saw how long it took me to get this chapter out. Just know that this story IS NOT being canceled (Neither is Remnants of a Friend). I love my stories and appreciate every one of you too much to do that.
Update Shout-Out : While I was away, I found a fanfic that I got ABSOLUTELY hooked on. It's called Identities of a Lost Soul by either-fanfic. When I discovered this story, it quickly made it's way into my top three favorite KOTOR I fics. It's not just a retelling, it's actually a VERY realistic version of the game. That means that while the destination of the game is the same, how we get there is so much more realistic than how it played out in the game. Either DID NOT ask me to advertise his (or her) story, I just want to give an amazing author credit for an amazing story. Seriously, if you like Star Wars or more specifically KOTOR, go check it out!
POLL TIME! - I want to know if you guys would like for me to enable to Ashen One and Firekeeper to create ONE bonfire? The reason I gave him the Coiled Sword was to create a bonfire so The Firekeeper could have a place to keep the First Flame. This would give him access to his storage and a way to renew his Estus. That also means that he will be immortal again, which is the biggest thing. Just know that if you do not wish for the Ashen One to be immortal, than I will think of another way for the Ashen One to renew his Estus without a bonfire…
On one last side note. That Dark Souls 3 DLC trailer was awesome. Depending on how they tie it into the original game's story, I'll decide if I can incorporate it into Silent Ashes or not (Of course the spells will make it in). We'll just have to wait and see :/
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"We have little reason to trust you. You showed up out of nowhere in the middle of a breach with no affiliation to Vale or her allies." Steeling myself, I stepped slightly in front of the Firekeeper, prepared for anything. They did not believe us, and I was unsure what would transpire, making me feel uneasy about my chances if it came to a fight. Within such close confines, I do not think I could defeat all three of the adults while protecting the Firekeeper, and that's not even counting the children. If they joined in as well, then I surely would fall. Unfortunately, even I can be overwhelmed by numbers in small areas.
"But," my head tilted slightly as Lady Goodwitch's tone became slightly less hostile, "even though we're having trouble completely believing your story, we do believe that you wish no harm to us or the citizens of Vale. While we do need to discuss your…methods of combat," she added while looking at me, "they're understandable if the carvings are to be believed."
I am, once again, confused as to what the problem is. Something was trying to kill us, so it only makes sense to kill it first. This… circumvention to killing is something I am noticing more and more about this new time. Whereas killing was as common as breathing during my venture through Lothric, it is no longer a trivial part of existing in this new age. Cities were filled with bright colors and cheer instead of blood and fear. Sane people roam the streets rather than crazed monstrosities with only the desire to kill the living. It was an…odd, but not unwelcome change.
Feeling that the danger had passed, I let my hand fall from the handle of my blade as the Firekeeper bowed her head respectfully, "We understand thy's reluctance to believe our tale, and I only hope trust will grow between us." Looking back up, the Firekeeper met Sir Oobleck's eyes, "Does either of thee have any questions?"
At this, Sir Oobleck nodded eagerly, "Yes yes, I have so many questions about your time, but before that I must ask. Will I be allowed to bring a archaeologist team back here to study the architecture?"
I scowled behind my helmet. The Firekeeper had said that Sir Oobleck could only inspect Firelink if he left the sealed areas alone, and that is all he did. But there is no way of knowing if a group of people will keep that promise. If there is one thing I've learned about humans is that they have a thirst for knowledge, unfortunately that thirst can and will overpower any promise made.
Sharing my thoughts, through probably to a lesser degree of spite, the Firekeeper shook her head, "I cannot allow that Sir Oobleck. While thy has vowed to leave the sealed areas untouched, there is no guarantee that others will keep it as well." Motioning around her, the Firekeeper continued, "Take note of whatever is in sight, but I must unfortunately deny thy's request."
Looking crushed, Sir Oobleck nodded his head in understanding, "As regrettable as it is, I can't fault you for thinking that." He sighed sadly before chugging more of whatever it was in his…whatever the hell his weapon was. Reclipping it to his belt, Sir Oobleck looked back at us, apparently having done a complete emotional flip back to excited, "Very well, I have several questions I must have answered so this discovery won't be dismissed as a mere myth! What can you tell me of the history of this shrine? Who built it? How long has it been here? What events took place here and what events are connected to its existence?"
As Sir Oobleck continued to rattle off question after question without stopping to breath, I saw Lady Goodwitch step closer to me with a neutral expression on her face. Nodding her head out into the main room, I followed after making sure the Firekeeper was aware of my departure. Following Lady Goodwitch, she stopped right at the threshold of the tunnel where we stayed silent for several minutes.
Finally breaking the silence, the sorceress motioned towards the children talking on the steps several meters away, "They're children." She said simply, as if that explained her point. I gave a hesitant nod, not understanding where she was taking this. Seeing that I was paying attention, Lady Goodwitch continued by pointing out Lady Rose specifically, "While your actions may of earned you a modest amount of trust from Ms. Rose, that is only because she is young, naive, and sees you as some sort of Knight."
Upon hearing her last word, a sharp huff of air escaped my lips. Hearing the doubt in my huff, Lady Goodwitch looked at me, "You do not see yourself as one." She said with no ounce of surprise, as if she already knew my view of myself, "But while she may trust you somewhat, we both know that the others do not." Thinking for a moment, I nodded my head in agreement having saw the forced smile Lady Xiao-Long had thrown upon her face, or the slightly narrowed eyes of Lady Belladonna. "While you may not of done any intentional harm to us, your killing of the Fang member was although necessary, still more brutal than it needed to be."
Turning fully towards me, Lady Goodwitch pointed a finger in my face, "We are taking a great risk by trusting you as much as we have. Do not prove that our trust, however slight, is misplaced." With that she turned away and walked back towards Oobleck.
As I watched her walk away, my thoughts wandered back to my confusion. Wanting to ask Lady Goodwitch, I went to take a step forward but hesitated, unsure how to convey my confusion. Never before have I been in the situation where I needed to ask something of someone. Up till now my…existence, if you could even call it that, has been moved forward by task and advice, friendly or otherwise. But it wasn't until now that I realized never before did I require the need to ask a question.
Looking down at my hands, I saw the drying rivulets of blood that ran down towards my fingertips, tarnishing the shining steel covering my arm. Following the blood up my arm, I scrutinized the white pelt lying across my shoulders that was largely died crimson. After several seconds of thinking, I realized there would be no way for me to ask anything of her. Shaking my head and turning away from the retreating sorceress, I leaned against the wall to wait for Sir Oobleck to finish talking with the Firekeeper. Having saw the speed he was asking them when I left, I knew we were going to be here awhile.
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"What do you think of tall, silent, and brooding?"
Ruby looked up at her sister from where she'd been tinkering on Crescent Rose, "What do you mean?"
Yang shrugged, seemingly indifferent, "Just wondering what you thought about him? You seem to trust him after all." She added bitterly.
Ruby crossed her arms and pouted, "What's that supposed to mean? He's not a bad person."
Hearing a quiet sigh, both girls looked behind them to see Blake glance at the sisters over her book, "What your sister is trying to say is that you probably should be more careful around him. While he may not be an evil person," Blake looked away, "even people with good intentions can cause harm."
Setting aside her weapon, Ruby tilted her head to the side, "I don't get it, he hasn't done anything to hurt us. What has made you guys not like him?"
Her sister scowled as she reached over and lightly tugged at Ruby's torn blouse, "He hurt you Ruby, that's more than enough reason for me to not like him."
Ruby swatted her sister's hand away and pouted again, "That's not fair. If anything I share as much blame as he does for surprising him after a battle."
Yang looked like she swallowed something unpleasant, "I know that Ruby, but that doesn't change the fact that he hurt you. And what about that faunus he killed in the tunnels?" She said as her face became serious again, "I know he was trying to hurt us, but he didn't die quickly." The girl's faces became a little queasy as they remembered how the Fang grunt died, and Yang was right. Death by sword was an unpleasant way to go, especially when your body is cut in two.
Shaking her head to get the image out, Ruby met her sister's eyes timidly, "I-I mean he did it to save Weiss." Then Ruby remembered when she first saw him in the plaza which gave her more confidence, "And when he first appeared he saved a mom and her child from a pack of Grimm. I don't think he's a bad person. What do you think Weiss?" Ruby looked over at Weiss for help but found her partner not paying attention to the conversation, "Weiss?" No answer, "Weiiiiiisss?" Still nothing.
Yang smirked as she leaned over and cupped her hands around her mouth by the heiress' ear, "YO ICE QUEEN!"
"AHH!" Weiss screamed as she fell over onto her side. Scrambling to her feet, Weiss turned to yell at a cackling Yang but stopped short when she found that a fifth person had suddenly appeared with his sword and shield drawn within seconds of the scream. Blake just rolled her eyes as she set her book down to face the subject of the conversation while the others, realizing that their antics may of caused trouble, looked away embarrassed.
Weiss, whose porcelain pale cheeks were faintly pink, coughed into her hand, "We apologize, we didn't mean to startle any of you. My teammate merely frightened me when I was distracted."
The man's head tilted to the side, as if confused about the situation. After a few seconds of awkward silence, he relaxed his posture giving Blake an opportunity to make a second opinion of the silent man. His armor was impressive, no doubt about that. Combine that with his sword and anyone not a veteran to combat would probably turn tail and flee at the sight of him on the battlefield, herself possibly included.
Their was one thing that didn't seem to fit in with the whole intimidation thing the knight had going which was his shield. Unlike his armor which allowed him to appear emotionless or his sword which was intimidating, the shield was nothing of the sort. The face of the shield was a forest green that had an intricate golden design that depicted some bird of prey that had its wings raised to the sky. These two things gave the shield a much more noble feel to it when compared to the rest of the gear.
As the Ashen One slid his sword home and slung the shield over his shoulder, Blake caught sight of something odd. Narrowing her eyes, she saw dark splotches around the edge that seemed to be mostly located on the left side, his right, and the bottom. Realizing what the stains were, Blake felt her eyebrows raise ever-so slightly. Blood. He has sharpened the left and bottom edge of his shield to use it as a weapon if need be.
It was only now that Blake also realized that while the man looked like he had been sprayed with blood by a sprinkler, he didn't seem repulsed by it at all. If anything he looked like he was completely at ease with the stains. She wasn't sure if that was a testament to how brave he was or to how far his mind and body had been numbed to excessive violence. Blood was…unsettling to her, even after the time she had spent with the newly reformed White Fang. While Blake wasn't naive enough to believe that she wouldn't have to fight people during her career as a Huntress, she knew that they all would have to at some point. Her team's last mission, their first in actuality, had ended in them fighting people instead of Grimm.
All this was realized and evaluated by the time the man had finished stowing his gear and started walking away towards the entrance. Before he'd taken two steps Ruby suddenly appeared a few feet in front of him with a innocently quizzical expression on her face, making him stop with a start, "Where are you going?"
Ruby was, of course, oblivious to his confusion while the other three girls were wondering how a man, who killed at least a dozen Grimm single-handedly, could be once again startled and confused as if he didn't understand how simple conversation worked. They knew he couldn't exactly participate, but surely he understood the basic function of casual communication. Right?
Quickly pushing past his surprise, the Ashen One patted his shield while nodding towards the opening of the Shrine. Taking a few seconds to figure out what he meant, Ruby's eyes lit up in understanding, "Oh, you're going to stand guard?" Receiving a nod, Ruby bounced in place excitedly, "Can we come with you?"
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I involuntarily felt my head tilt to the side again. Why would Lady Rose wish to accompany me when she knows I'm just going to be guarding the entrance? Tiss nothing exciting nor was it something young maidens should bother themselves with, no matter their interest. Sneaking a glance at the other children, I saw Lady Xiao-Long staring at me guarded, but ready to fight in a moments notice. Lady Schnee on the other hand, while ready to fight, seemed rather relaxed. Lady Belladonna was somewhere between the two, probably leaning towards the former mood.
I was conflicted. If we're attacked than having some backup would be a nice change of pace, but if things get out of hand than I'm unsure whether I could keep them alive. My skills have been honed to a fine edge that left my foe in a pool of their own blood, not necessarily keeping those around me alive. And while I have done my best for the Firekeeper, I know for a fact that if we had been swarmed in the tunnels when we first arrived she would have fallen. Though the young maidens have proven to be at least proficient in combat. I slightly shook my head, both answering Lady Rose's question and at my last thought. Proficient as they may be, they are still young. Youth equaled inexperience, which led to death.
Upon seeing my answer, Lady Rose's excitement fell away to be replaced by disappointment, "Awww why not? We can take care of ourselves."
"Ruby, leave him alone," both Lady Rose and I turned to look at her sister as she stood up to stretch, "if he wants to go keep an eye on things by himself then it's probably for the best."
Lady Rose pouted, "Aw come on Yang, we've been taught that teamwork is important. Why shouldn't we lend a hand if we're able to?" At the sound of a few tumbling rocks, the girls turned back around to find me walking away towards the entrance without a word…obviously.
The last thing I heard before stepping out into the tunnel was Lady Schnee huff, "How rude, and here I was thinking he was a courteous knight."
Ducking through the hole, I shook my head at the last comment. Better they realize now that I am no knight. As my gaze wandered the broken stones surrounding me, it fell upon the pool of drying blood of the man I had killed but an hour ago. His blood still stained my armor, dripping from my blade, and I can't even dredge up a shred of remorse.
Should this concern me? I don't know, but then again I can't force myself to feel so. Ever since waking up in the Cemetery of Ash, the strongest emotions I could feel were anger, caution, and fear. But I have also experienced sympathy, loneliness, and protectiveness, even if only slightly. Now though, after everything, all I feel are two things. Protectiveness and remorse, everything else has been numbed.
Caution was the first to go. Being immortal does that to you, but anger and fear quickly followed with death after agonizing death. While sympathy and loneliness may not necessarily be gone, I feel as if they're forever buried under a civilization of pain and agony. All that's left is protectiveness and remorse. The source of my protectiveness isn't hard to figure out. I was and shall forever be the Firekeeper's guardian, even if I must clash against another darkness like Lothric. Thus leaves the final thing I feel. Remorse. Something that's much harder for me to accept, even if I know nothing could have been done and it could even be considered a mercy.
Reaching my over my shoulder, I grasped the cloth wrapped bundle tied to my back, just to reassure myself it was still there. The source of my remorse is also one of my most treasured possessions. Very few knew of my friend, probably only the Firekeeper and perhaps the Handmaiden who seemed to know nearly everything but refused to tell.
Sighing, I pushed any thoughts of my long dead companions from my mind and returned my focus to my surroundings. Once again I see mounds of stone and metal. Looking up, I see the flickering flame the Firekeeper and I had seen when we first exited Firelink. I found it very odd, for it didn't follow the steps that created the dance of fire. Instead it seemed sudden, fake, and lifeless.
Spying a certain mound of stone that went all the way to the ceiling, I climbed atop it and reached out to the magical light that was trying to imitate fire. As my hand neared, I felt no heat as a flame would have created and instead was a ever-so slight feeling of…of…frantic or buzzing air. I can think of no other way to describe it. As soon as my fingertips brushed the shining metal, I felt a sharp burning sensation as my body jerked and spasmed, causing me to lose my footing and tumble down the stone pile and land in a heap at Firelink's entrance. Sitting up, I suddenly realized why the feeling was familiar. The buzzing air was the same sound generated when I applied Gold Pine Resin to Bloodlust, and the burns sure felt as if I'd been attacked by a weapon using the same substance.
As soon as I sat up, I heard a fit of laughter originate from the entrance to Firelink. Glancing up, I saw Lady Xiao-Long rolling on the ground while holding her stomach as she laughed loudly. Lady Rose was already at my side with wide eyes, "ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!"
I calmly got to my feet and nodded my head, absently flexing my hand due to the slight burning sensation I feel. Looking back up at the source of my discomfort, I tilted my head in confusion. Is it a trap? If so, why is it placed there? Nobody would fall prey to such a bright contraption so high up.
"It's a dust powered light." My head turned to look at Lady Schnee in question while Lady Xiao-Long only now started to get herself under control as Lady Belladonna helped her up with a small smirk. The heiress pulled the rapier off her belt and rotated a cylinder on it to show me a yellow colored powder encased in the weapon, "Dust is the energy source of Remnant, and lightning dust is most common in machines. That one up there was built to provide light in a dark area."
I continued staring at her, not understanding half the words she just said. Though not wanting to be rude, I nodded my head in thanks before hearing a few loose stones fall from the hole leading into Firelink. Looking up, I saw the Firekeeper stepping out with the help of Sir Port, being shortly followed by Sir Oobleck doing the same for Lady Goodwitch.
After brushing some ash off her dress, the Firekeeper looked at me with a nod, "I have answered all of Sir Oobleck's questions, so we may now ascend back up to the surface."
The man in question quickly nodded his head and pushed up his glasses, "Yes yes, I thank you for this opportunity. You have no idea how much this means to me. Though I must admit I'm still having trouble believing that you two are from a bygone age." He took another sip from his mug…weapon…thing before continuing, "No matter, the Shrine is without a doubt genuine, so it doesn't matter to me whether you're telling the truth or not." He then realized how rude that sounded, "Uh, my apologizes, no offense intended."
I let out a small sigh that only the Firekeeper saw. While I may not know much about this time yet, I can see that nearly, in not everything from my age was dust in the void. So I can understand anyone's hesitation about the Firekeeper's claim. Giving the historian a small bow of the head, I walked back over and stopped in front of the hole that allowed entrance to Firelink in thought.
Reaching behind my back, I pulled a flask off my left hip that held an ever-so slight blue glow. While magic is far from being my main weapon in combat, I did find myself using it more and more as my journey required me to have more tricks up my sleeve than fancy sword techniques. The problem is that after this drink, I will be unable to replenish my magic reserves in the middle of combat. I only ever carried no more than three uses for the Ashen Flask, and now I'm down to the final swig due to the fact I didn't have the chance to replenish my reserves after my fight with the Soul of Cinder.
Shrugging, everyone minus the Firekeeper looked on as I twisted off the cap and brought the rim to my mouth. Behind me, the others perked up at what they thought was the time they'd see my face. Much to their disappointment, they saw nothing as I just slightly lifted my helmet to allow the crystal rim of the bottle to meet my lips.
Swallowing the slightly sour, but not unpleasant liquid, I felt it settle in my stomach, though not in a filling way. Rather it felt as if a sudden jolt of energy rushed through me as my magic reserves were restored to nearly full. Stowing the flask back on my hip, I reach out and firmly placed my hands against the stone on either side of the whole that led to Firelink. Slowing my breathing, I concentrate on the jagged stone beneath my fingertips, feeling every ridge and crevice under the layer of leather that covered the palm of my hands. With a silent grunt, I sunk my fingers into the stone and slammed my hands together, watching a ghostly depiction of the wall follow my them. As I step away, the ghostly wall solidified and suddenly you couldn't tell exactly where the entrance was.
"Uh…what?" I glanced over my shoulder and saw Lady Rose scratching her head in confusion.
"Milord used an advanced Chameleon spell to hide the entrance." The Firekeeper told the young girl before looking squarely at Lady Goodwitch, "He and I wish no one beyond this group know the location of Firelink."
The Sorceress looked worried for a second before her face went back to its basic neutral, "I will need to inform Ozpin, the Headmaster of Beacon Academy, but you have my word, he is a man you can trust and no one else will know other than him. Will that be acceptable?".
I slightly tilted my head as I heard that name again, Ozpin. From what I can gather, he seems to be a well connected man that can keep a secret, but other than that I know nothing about him. Though as much as I would like to keep the location of Firelink to as few people as possible, I know that someone in power will have to be known of our presence. And the Firekeeper said she wished to see how the world has changed, and to do that we will need help.
Giving a hesitant nod, Lady Goodwitch smiled slightly, "You have my word, Ozpin will tell no one and neither will we." She then looked around carefully, "We should get moving. Standing in the middle of a Grimm infested tunnel isn't a good idea." I gave another nod before motioning for everyone to start walking while I covered our retreat back through the tunnel, encountering only the occasional Werewolf. We reached the doorway that led to the surface within an hour and promptly disappeared back into a new world, back to the unknown, back to the sunlight.
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Back in the tunnel, near the hidden entrance to Firelink, something moved in the darkness. Sure that the group was long gone, a figure rose from hiding and quickly made his or her way back to the surface. As soon as the figure broke fresh air, it raised a hand to its ear, "Data recovered, returning to base." With that, the figure slipped into the fluctuating crowd of people who were going about the rest of their day, completely oblivious to what had transpired beneath their feet.
Aaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnd period! We now come to the close of chapter four in Silent Ashes. Thank you to everyone who has favorited, followed, and reviewed my story. Seriously, one of the best parts of my day is to log on to my Gmail and see every new favorite, follow, and review. It makes every keystroke worth it.
Before anyone mentions it, yes I know you need a staff to use the chameleon spell, but I'm taking some liberties just because I can. Don't worry, any combat or healing spells will require their specific catalyst. And In case you didn't catch which shield the Ashen One is using then it's Golden Wing Crest Shield.
Please Take A Look At My Other Story - If you're a fan or Greek and Norse mythology, then pop on over to my Dusk Till' Dawn story that I've just finished. The first chapter was the first story I ever posted to this website and I've not only gone back to polish up the first chapter, but I also posted the last two chapters. While the first two chapters may not be the best I've ever done (It was my first attempt at online writing), they are now passable and the final two chapters are well done in my opinion. Thank-you :)
P.S. Sorry for the long author notes this update, had a lot I needed to tell you guys and gals.
With all that over, don't forget to vote in the poll and have a great day/night :) See you next time…
…Archangel Writings
