-Tomb of The Giants-

Before Jinta even opened his eyes, he could gather what had happened. His memories had returned, but not before torturing his dreams.

"Jinta? Are you ok now?"

He opened his eyes to see Seiko looking down at him. The glow of her eyes he'd found to be fascinating and unsettling somehow seemed warmer than he remembered. It was her expression, he concluded, that had changed. He sat up.

"I'm fine. Sorry… It's hard to judge my limit when I use so many different miracles together. I have a sort of rhythm with a few I know, like Wrath, so this doesn't happen, but I haven't had time to test them in every possible combination yet."

"You did agree that miracles had a lot more to do with memorization and conviction than other magics. It makes sense. But if that's the case, and you know that, then you should restrict yourself to only using certain combinations you know are safe. Is it possible for you to grow stronger and use more of them closer together?"

Jinta rubbed the back of his head, worn gloves over bristly hair.

"Like you and your Pyromancy, you mean. Yes, it is. It's not as drastic, though, the increase of power. My limit right now, where there is no danger, is equal to three casts of Wrath. Great Heal, which I used first, was too soon after healing you before the fight. Using Soothing Sunlight, then, right after, was my limit. If I could have just stopped right there, it would just have been a little bit of confusion before I remembered everything. But then I had to use Caressing Prayer too and…"

Jinta sighed.

"I'm sorry. If I had just-"

"Sorry?"

Jinta turned to look at her.

"You wouldn't have been in any danger if I hadn't gotten overconfident. I thought because he was big and slow that he was no threat. I tossed my Pyromancy around on a whim thinking I was strong enough to just clean him up and move on. But I wasn't. Chaos Pyromancy melts boulders, but it clearly isn't enough for bone."

She looked down.

"Quelaana once scolded me for my lack of fear. She threw in my face how desensitized I was to what I could do to others. 'You think searing flesh from bone not terrible?'"

Jinta was quiet.

"You have nothing to apologize for," said Seiko. "And I realize because of what's happened that I need to change. I'm the one who should be sorry."

Jinta found himself surprised that she had apologized directly. He hadn't expected it of her.

"Well, provided you don't let this get you down, you've got a very long life ahead of you to make that change. Rest assured that I'll be with you to help every step of the way… Until the day comes that I can finally link the fire. Lifting the curse, even for a while, and letting those who wish to die human."

"A permanent good death? Is that really your end goal in all this?"

"Well, no. Ideally, it would be to end the cycle completely. Find a way to keep the Dark at bay indefinitely, or get rid of it."

"'Get rid of it?' I don't think you've paid attention to the shape of the world if you're saying that."

"Surely humanity can't be so deeply entwined with it that it couldn't be rooted out?"

"Have you lived in a box your whole life?!"

There was a pause. The look of less contempt and more concern than she expected on Jinta's face had her realize her outburst.

"I mean… I lost nearly all my memories and I feel like I understand the world better than you do. You can't just cure the Dark. You can't just wash away the Abyss from the world. It's a part of things. After everything I've seen after returning to this journey, I can't accept a world like the one you want. There's no balance."

"Balance? I find it hard to accept a lecture on balance from a Pyromancer. Not to offend, but it seems to me like your power only causes harm, to yourself and others. Magic seems the same. At least with miracles it's possible to help others, heal the damage done."

Seiko opened her mouth to argue, but closed it shortly after. Her expression softened.

"I don't mean to come across as self-righteous. I pursued miracles in the first place because I saw that potential in them."
"That's not why I'm choosing not to argue. I have a better way than yelling and throwing a fit like I keep doing. Let's go back to Firelink so you can offer up Nito's soul, then let's go to Blighttown. The way to Izalith is near there anyway."

"I can agree to that. But now I'm curious how you intend to convince me. Not that I'm holding anything against you."

-Blighttown-

"Follow me, but stay back a bit. I'm not so sure she'll show herself if I'm bringing anyone else."

"Who?" asked Jinta, confused. He followed Seiko out into the bog, but kept a slower pace to let her walk ahead. She didn't seem to know where she was going.

They wandered for a bit, Jinta several meters behind Seiko as she looked. She approached a pillar and looked around one corner, and Jinta could see she'd found who she had been looking for.

Jinta could hear them talking before he could see them. He came around the pillar.

"I've brought a Chosen Undead with me too, Sister. We've come to take the Life Soul."

Jinta saw who Seiko was talking to, a woman sitting in the dirt wearing the same robes Seiko had around her neck, face hidden in the hood, and he wondered who Seiko would call "sister."

"So I see. And I also see that he is not without potential of his own."

"You're… Quelaana…!" said Jinta, realizing. "You call her 'sister?!'"

"'Mother' isn't right," said Seiko, "and just 'Quelaana' is both not enough and, I feel, rude to someone who's taught me so much."

"You're not… Are you as strong as she is? Is that possible?"

"No," said Quelaana, "I don't believe she is. I'm not sure it is possible. But I would argue that such an impossibility is a good thing. Child, you don't want the world to witness another Daughter of Chaos. But, sadly… You might yet."

"What do you mean?" asked Jinta.

"One of my sisters is still alive, and guards my mother's chambers. I suspect that if you intend to take the Life Soul, you will encounter her."

"I'd rather," said Seiko, "that we talk less about our problems. Sister, I have something to show you. Please don't be angry with me."

Seiko knelt next to where Quelaana sat and held out her hands, cupped as if holding water. A small candle's flame wicked into existence there, small and orange.

"An orange flame. From you? That's-"

Quelaana stopped when she saw the little thing grow, slowly turning into a warmly glowing sphere of flame, unflickering. Jinta felt a sensation creep up inside him from being near the flame, like walking up to a campfire in the woods, far from any conflict, yet also far from home. The flame shed a layer in a pulse, and that layer expanded and dissipated.

"What… Have you done… How…?"

"I can't explain it, Sister," said Seiko. "I was sitting next to a bonfire, wondering why Jinta's miracles could heal, but Pyromancy could not. Why was flame nothing but hostility? But then I remembered that it wasn't. Carmina used Pyromancy to protect herself from flame, and to use things like Iron Flesh. You've shown me Rapport, to project my willpower onto others. Eingyi showed me to twist Pyromancy into mists. The flame is a reflection of who uses it, right?"

A/N: BRS TV, The Story by Hiromi Kikuta

Both Jinta and Quelaana were speechless. Seiko continued, at first just looking into her own warm, orange flame.

"My first Pyromancy was to implant my flame in others. It was cruel, brutal, and effective. No matter how tough my opponent was against the flames I threw, once it was inside them there was no defense against it. Then I learned to project my flames like an arrow, if I had to. Both were weapons. I continued the legacy I had learned - to cauterize the world into a shape I wanted."

Seiko looked up at Quelaana. The motion drew Quelaana's eyes and she looked up as well.

"But this," said Seiko, raising the bubble slightly, "Was born from everything I know. It is your desire to fear the fire and control yourself. It is Salaman's curiosity and desire for strength. It is Carmina's theory and practicality. It is Eingyi's cunning imagination and element of the unexpected. It is the twist of Life like Chaos, but to give life instead of influence it. And it is my creativity and desperation to leave my own mark, to be useful, and to live up to your expectations."

They were quiet for a moment. Seiko wasn't sure that Quelaana wouldn't be angry. After all, in a way, Seiko was mimicking the First Flame. No matter what the motivation, if it drew her too close to the mistake of Chaos, Quelaana would never approve of it.

Quelaana put her hands over the flame. Seiko put it out, and Quelaana rested her hands on Seiko's. Quelaana lowered her head.

"You both know, of course, who my mother was. What my family has done. The Lord Souls were powerful, intoxicating things. With the Life Soul, Mother gained the power to light a flame of her own making. She found she could pass on this flame to others, and did so. When the time came to reshape the world… When Gwyn and his ilk sought war with the dragons… It was the place of all the Lords to lend their strength.

It was my mother's power that carved the first path. Our power. Weaving our flames as one, we created swathes of flame great enough to burn the trees upon which the world itself rested. The homes of those dragons. I cannot speak for my sisters, but I found myself horrified by what we had done when it was over. And yet it was not over, as I'd thought.

Gwyn approached my mother. The great Witch of Izalith, he thought, would surely produce a flame equal to that of the First Flame. At his request she tried… And failed. Her flame grew beyond her control, with a life of its own, and twisted-… Corrupted everything it touched. I alone was spared."

It was clear that Quelaana would give anything to not have to talk about the subject. Unable to see her face, Seiko and Jinta were still able to make that judgment on her voice alone.

"This Chosen may have come to take her soul regardless… But you have a choice, Seiko. I know not this Chosen's strength or motivation, but you… You have clearly grown. Faster than I anticipated, and in ways I did not expect. This is not a test. It is not a rite of passage. It is a favor I must ask of you. Go with him. Confront my mother. And release her, and my sisters, from Chaos."

Seiko didn't know what to say, but was clearly confused.

"I know you must think I could have done it myself, but… I simply lack the strength…"

"You do?!" said Jinta, quietly.

"Pyromancy is an extension of the self, Chosen Undead. And it just is not in me to harm them. I cannot."

She closed Seiko's hands into her own.

"I'm sorry. But please…"

There was another pause. Quelaana had lowered her head again, both as a gesture for her request, and in the shame she felt.

"I have grown," said Seiko. "And still have more to learn. I've been through a lot, but there is still much more of life to live. I can face this life because of what you have given me. If you, of all people, ask such a thing of me, how could I ever refuse? I don't know what this means to you, and I probably never will, but I would rather it be me than anyone else. Please, don't bow your head to me. Please don't ever bow to anyone again.

Your mother's power was frightening and destructive, and you inherited it from her… But I inherited it from you. Her flame, your flame, still has a life of its own. I won't apologize for using it as a weapon, especially with the world the way it is… But I promise you that won't be all it ever is. Fire stems from Life; it ought to be able to give and not just take."

Quelaana didn't move. She just tightened her grip on Seiko's hands. Sitting in the dirt in Blighttown, a living legend unseen by all the world.

Seiko stood suddenly, yanking Quelaana up with her. She grabbed up Quelaana in a hug. Quelaana stood frozen for a second, stock still, but then rested her hands on Seiko's back. It wasn't so much a hug back as acceptance. Seiko could feel Quelaana deflate in her arms, so she gave a squeeze and backed off.

"We'll be back, Sister. Please wait for us here."

Seiko looked at Jinta and nodded toward the spiderweb-covered mound, their way ahead.

As they got further away, out of earshot, Jinta spoke up.

"What was that you just did? That Pyromancy."

"I made it, like I said."

"Made it?! Pyromancers can do that? Just make new techniques on the fly?"

"Can't you, with miracles?"

"Not that I'm aware. I know they have to come from somewhere, but I always assumed you had to be a powerful being to create one. For example, how Lord Gwyn was the first user of lightning. When anyone uses lightning now, they use his tales, and believe they can draw on the same power."

"So, you think that only deities or gods of some kind can make new miracles, then pilgrims spread those new tales? What about your 'Smite?'"

"Like I said, I can only describe the person who taught that to me as an angel."

"What did they look like?"

"I can't remember. I know I got a good look at them, and I know I spoke with them long enough to learn the miracle's tale, but for the life of me, I can't remember. It's like a silhouette or something, but wearing clothes I can't make out. I can only remember that the person appeared to be a woman."

"But you remember the miracle just fine? What's the tale?"

"'Behold ye our Steel Cage Princess, who is at once royal and not, maiden to Her unfortunate Queen. Hear Her song, see Her blood, and rejoice when She takes flight. Know Her flight to be blissful, Her face to be serene. Live by Her word only, for She alone loves, and She alone sees, decrees that thee the world's suffering Smite.'"

"Kinda long, isn't it?"

"No longer than my other powerful miracles. Part of learning to cast miracles effectively is learning to speak quickly, yet clearly. The words also don't need to be loud, but yelling does help the mind with more offensive miracles. Emotion is involved, of course, but it's not the only important element."

"If you fought another paladin, would you two be yelling miracles at each other then?"

Jinta looked over at Seiko while they walked to find a grin on her face.

"Very funny. Perhaps we might. I've never fought another cleric or paladin."

-Quelaag's Domain-

The two continued down, where Jinta went straight for the path into Izalith, but Seiko continued forward toward the bonfire.

"Seiko?"

She neared the bonfire, in the center of the chamber where Eingyi and the Fair Lady were. Seiko greeted Eingyi and went up to the Fair Lady. She bowed and waited.

"She can't speak, Seiko. I'm not even sure she's alive. I've never seen her move."

The Fair Lady opened her eyes and leaned, ever so slightly, closer to Seiko.

Seiko offered all the Humanity she had to spare. The Fair Lady visibly relaxed, though only a bit, and closed her eyes again. Jinta felt a wave of warmth wash through the chamber briefly.

"Thank you, Sister. I'm sorry, but I cannot bring myself to just kill you. Quelaana is dear to me, and if you remember her, I'm sure she is dear to you as well… But I will have to fail her, just this once, by my own choice. Without you, who will teach the world Chaos Pyromancy, after all? And Eingyi needs you. Be well, Sister."

The Fair Lady sighed, the only sound Jinta had ever heard her make. Eingyi, laying in the corner, burdened with a mound of eggs, had his forehead to the ground and his hands joined in prayer over his head. When Eingyi heard Seiko's boots thump on the bricks again, he raised his head.

"Thank you! Oh, thank you! My Lady is happy, I know it! And thank you for your mercy. Quelaana has asked you to free her sisters from Chaos, yes? I knew this day would come… But I cannot thank you enough! You have eased my Lady's pain, and you have spared her life! Please, before you go, let me teach you one more thing. It will help you through Lost Izalith, in your search for The Witch."

Seiko approached Eingyi and he whispered to her. She nodded and straightened.

"I'll keep an eye out for it. Thank you, Eingyi."

"Most welcome. Be safe. Izalith is not the civilization it once was. Chaos Demons are everywhere, and they don't think much of fire at all! My poisons and your strength will be your only options!"

"We'll manage," she said, pausing next to Jinta. "Let's go, then. Sorry for the wait."

"Not at all," said Jinta, turning to follow her.

They entered the tunnel down to Chaos, the air growing hotter with every step.

A/N: Sorry it's a day late. A lot happened yesterday. It was my birthday, and day off usually… But I was up early and on the move all day. I got a job as a substitute teacher, which I'll start in September. But after all that paperwork and whatnot, I just didn't have time to wrap up this chapter (the conversations with Quelaana and Jinta were done last night at 3am). Also! Someone's joined me on the Discord channel! The rest of you are welcome as well. If you want to know inspirations behind characters, their builds in Dark Souls 3, whatever, that's all detail I won't be sharing here.