Flynn

RL11 - 15 VIG - 10 MND - 11 END - 16 STR - 13 DEX - 9 INT - 9 FTH - 7 ARC

Resa

RL11 - 10 VIG - 13 MND - 10 END - 12 STR - 13 DEX - 9 INT - 14 FTH - 9 ARC

Flynn

"Greetings…Travelers, from beyond the Fog. I am Melina."

I looked at the woman, puzzled. "From…beyond the Fog? That's oddly specific wording." I didn't like it…both Varre and Kale didn't know we had traveled through fog. What did this Melina know that they didn't?

Melina's lips curled into a sly smile, looking towards me. "Perhaps, but you know it to be the truth. Fret not, dear twins - I mean you no harm or trouble. I come to you now to offer you an accord. Please, hear me out."

Resa nodded. "Go ahead, Melina. We're listening."

"The two of you, frankly, are maidenless, and I can play the role of maiden. I can aid you in becoming stronger, aiding Tarnished in turning the runes of this land into strength. I ask but one simple thing in return." She looked straight up - though it was mostly obscured by the sheer cliff, the branches of the tree above still dominated the sky. "Take me to the foot of the Erdtree."

"That seems like hardly an ask. What's the catch?" I still didn't like being called 'Tarnished'...it felt wrong. I was undead…in my bones, I still clung to that fact.

"There are many in this land that would protect the Erdtree, to hinder your progress. If it was a simple request, I would have no need of your assistance. Should you choose to accept this accord, you will need my assistance to overcome the challenges that await you."

"And this…'Erdtree'. Why do people want to protect it? And why would bringing you there draw their ire?" It was Resa's turn to be distrusting, but my thoughts weren't far off.

"I'm afraid I can't answer all of your questions at this time…there is much that you don't know yet and that I should not reveal. However, I know of you. Trust me that in time, you too will wish to visit the Erdtree. That is my accord. A maiden in exchange for safety in travel. I will not be beside you every step of your journey - but where you go, so would I."

I looked at Resa. It seemed too good to be true, frankly. What she offered was something that felt necessary - we'd struggled to fend off one small camp just moments ago, whereas in our past we'd felled literal gods. If maidens were the source of strength in this world, we would need one on our side - and likely soon. Still, it seemed that Melina was being intentionally deflective, and it meant that there were parts of her story she knew we wouldn't agree with.

I didn't know - it was a tough sell. "I'll leave the decision to you, Resa. What do you say."

Melina looked towards my sister, awaiting her answer. She sat quietly for a few seconds before finally giving it. "We will. Where should we start?"

Melina shook her head. "The grace offers you guidance, I cannot. However, I can offer you this." She reached into her cloak and pulled out a delicate ring. "The whistle of the spectral steed Torrent. He has chosen you, and to you I will offer him. These lands are vast, and though traveling between graces can help, it is limited. Torrent can take you everywhere else."

Resa accepted the whistle, looking at it quizzically. "I…we thank you Melina."

She extended a hand to us. "If you so wish. Take my hand - and I can turn your runes into strength."

Resa did so with trepidation and confusion, extending her hand. The process lasted but a moment before she withdrew. Melina then offered her hand to me. "And you?"

"I…fine." I took her hand, envisioning what I wanted to be - a walking fortress, clad in armor that could weather any blow and wielding a weapon capable of slaying gods - and with the power of fire at my fingertips. When I withdrew I felt…perhaps a tiny fraction of that. I didn't know if it had done anything. I looked at my hand, trying to will my pyromancy flame into existence…still nothing.

Melina retracted, sitting back across the grace from us. "I will be off now, fated Twins. May your journey be prosperous." No sooner had she said the words did she start dissipating, briefly turning into a cloud of blue sparks until there was nothing left.

I looked towards Resa, a bit dumbfounded by the entire turn of events. "Well…I suppose we have a task now, rather than mindlessly following this 'guidance'."

"The guidance led us to her…perhaps where it leads next is the path we must take. And now it leads…through that gate. To Stormveil Castle."

I raised an eyebrow. "Interesting name. Come up with it yourself?"

"There was a plinth back in the encampment that described the surrounding area. I tried to turn it into a map…but it listed the castle as Stormveil. Should we go?"

I shook my head. "I want to head back to that anvil. This whetstone…it has to be useful for something. I want to find out."

"Okay. I think we should see how this whistle works…and just what 'Torrent' is. The way Melina spoke, it seemed like we could travel between graces, much like we used to travel between bonfires thanks to the Lordvessel. We can try that to get back here."

I shrugged…didn't matter to me either way, it was a short walk. Resa pulled out the whistle, shielding it with one hand as she held it up to her lips and blew into it. A shrill sound came out - along with that familiar shimmer of blue sparks.

From those sparks came - a horse? No, not quite. It was about as large as a horse, but a little hardier and stockier. Its fur was a mottled mesh of light browns and grays, along with a hearty mane along its neck. It had some caprine features to it though, with a pair of curved horns protruding from its skull, as well as two floppy ears. Most surprising to me though was that this 'Torrent' came with a full bit and bridle, as well as a set of packs for storage.

"Oh my you're…wow. Resa moved towards the creature, one hand running along the beast's fur. "I don't suppose you know how to ride a horse?"

I shook my head. "No, when would I have - "

Resa turned almost giddy with excitement. "Good, that means I get to sit up front. Climb on!" With practiced ease that I wasn't expecting, Resa put a foot into the stirrup and hoisted herself up, coming to sit on top of Torrent with ease. She patted the spot just behind her, gesturing towards me.

"When did you learn to ride a horse?"

"All the way back in Thorolund. People weren't sick all the time, you know. Sometimes when the infirmary was handled I'd go to the stables." Thorolund…just hearing that word made me feel ancient. That was before Lothric, before Lordran…before we were even undead.

"Well, I'm glad you took the time then. Help me up?" I extended a hand, Resa helping me on top of the steed. Once we were settled she began to gently maneuver Torrent, taking it slow at first as she got used to the feel of the mount. Soon though, we were trotting along, on our way back to where we'd met Kale. The ride was easy enough, and soon we were approaching the ruins.

Except…someone else was there, yet again waiting for us. A diminutive figure in white robes and a large fur coat, oddly decorated with an almost comically large hat. I couldn't make out much more of their features from this distance. Once we got closer Resa brought Torrent to a stop, the two of us dismounting as we approached this strange figure. Now that we were closer I could see that she had blue skin and hair, as well as…four arms? Yes…two on each side, that in all manners but number looked to be normal.

The odd woman looked not towards me, but to my sister. "A word, if you would be so kind?"

"Of course, is there something I can help you with?"

I moved past Resa, placing a hand on her shoulder. Based on the woman's rather single-minded attention, I didn't want to intrude. "You know where I'll be if you need me."

I walked past them, towards the anvil near the back. Before sitting down I turned to Kale, pulling out the small cloth of ash that I'd acquired. "Do you happen to know what this is? I found it in some ruins up ahead but I don't know what I'm looking at."

Kale extended a hand, and I warily offered him the pouch. "Hmph, what I would do to find this myself and make a tidy profit. What you're looking at is an Ash of War."

I stared at him blankly. "Ash of War?"

The merchant rolled his eyes, offering the pouch back to me. "When your friend said you were new here, I wasn't sure I believed it…but you've asked odd questions and now you don't know what this is, so perhaps you're telling the truth. What an odd pair, the two of you."

"We're from a place called Lordran…or perhaps Lothric, but that's not important now. What is this Ash?"

"Lordran…never heard of it. Weapons in this land are special. You can infuse them into an Ash of War for extraordinary abilities. I'm afraid I can't tell you how, or even what you're looking at here. But Ashes of War are valuable, and you'd be wise to either learn how to use them, or find someone that can teach you. I've heard tell of a weaponmaster not far from here, but he's past the Stormgate…I don't venture towards those parts. Dangerous place.

The Stormgate…that must have been what was just outside of the encampment. "And these Ashes…I put them on a weapon and then…how do I use them?"

Kale shook his head. "I'm not a warrior, I'm a merchant. If you need more answers, find the weaponmaster. See what you can learn first though - you look like a capable sort."

"You've taught me quite a bit already. Thank you, Kale."

"I feel we started off on the wrong foot - thought you were playing tricks on me with the whole 'souls' thing, didn't trust you. You seem like an honest bunch, the two of you. Strange, but odd. And here - if you're really new to the Lands Between, take this." He extended a satchel. "Mortar and pestle, as well as some other supplies. You'll find the Lands to be rich in resources. Many here have learned to craft those into tools for battle or otherwise. Usually I'd charge for such a thing, but as a show of good faith."

I took the satchel, slinging it over my shoulder. "Thank you, Kale. Very generous."

"Well, I do sell a few recipe scraps I've picked up, as well as some pots to store some of the liquid creations in. If you find the kit useful, there's runes to be made for me."

I gave him a slight smile, turning back to the anvil. "Fair enough. Thanks again, Kale." I moved to the anvil, setting out the greatsword I'd just acquired, the whetstone, and the ash. I was smart…I'd worked with weapons practically my entire life, there's no reason I couldn't figure it out.

I started by scattering some of the ashes along the whetstone, and then running the blade along it in an act of sharpening - no such luck. I tried a second time, scattering the ashes along the blade and then sharpening it with the whetstone - again, nothing.

Finally, I poured the entire contents of the ashes onto the blade, letting it rest upon the metal surface. I pressed my hand into it, trying to push the ash itself into the metal. In my mind, it made no sense - and yet, I watched as the steel seemed to admit the ash, the two bonding. Once I'd completed that I ran the whetstone along the blade, sharpening it once more. That seemed to seal the deal - the ashes were fully absorbed into the weapon, leaving me with an empty cloth. I couldn't tell how long it took me - the sun was starting to come up and we'd arrived here at night, but I didn't know much more.

Now…what did it do? The cloth certainly didn't come with instructions, and it wasn't as if I felt I understood what I'd just done. I stepped out to the side of the ruins, deciding I'd take some time to practice.

I swung. I lunged. I uppercutted. All manner of fighting techniques I'd used more times than I could count. Nothing seemed to do anything other than tire me out. It wasn't until I was ready to give up that I thrust my sword into the ground that I finally unlocked the weapon's new potential. As the long blade hit the dirt a small vortex of wind whipped up around me - nothing that seemed earth-shakingly powerful, but definitely stronger than simply swinging the sword. I tried it again, picking the sword back up and slamming it back down. Again, the wind roared to life at my command for but an instant, and then calmed back down.

I could feel the maneuver taxing at my magical energy - the same energy I'd once used for my pyromancies. I looked at my hand, clenching my fist. I didn't want to give up hope, not yet…but if the Stormgate was dangerous and we were headed that way, perhaps it was time to face reality. I didn't have any pyromancies, or at least not yet…it would be best to use that magical energy for something, rather than simply waiting.

But I really wanted to wait.


Resa

I looked towards the odd blue woman in front of me, sat upon the rocky outer walls of the church. Her face was…fascinating, bordering on enchanting. Her eyes were a rich icy blue, and much like Melina she had one eye that was closed, an odd tattoo surrounding it. Most fascinating of all however was that from that eye seemed to be an entirely separate second face, this one spectral in nature. The two shared the same eye - and perhaps, were mirrors of each other. As the woman's left eye blinked, so did the right eye of the illusory double.

"A pleasure to meet thee. I am the witch Renna. You can call upon the spectral steed Torrent, can you not? I've heard tell of a Tarnished traveling about on that steed. Thou'rt possessing of this power, correct?"

"I've only…just acquired Torrent. But yes." I looked towards Torrent, who was not but a few paces from me outside the walls of the church. It felt like a somewhat obvious question to ask, but I was happy to answer it. The woman, though somewhat mystifying, actually had a calming presence to her.

"Good, it is as I'd hoped. I have something for thee then, entrusted to me by Torrent's former master." Two of her hands held out a small bell, as long as a small urn.

"What…is it?"

"A bell, for calling spirits unreturned to the Erdtree. The spirits will obey then command, if only briefly. They have memories of battles past…do with the bell as thou wishest." She extended it to me, and I took both of them.

"For calling spirits?"

Renna nodded. "Yes, it is as you will see. I doubt we shall meet again, Tarnished. Fare thee well."

"I - thank you, Renna." similar to Melina, Renna began to fade away - but instead of a shower of blue sparks, she turned into a cloud of soft, winter snow. Carried off into the wind for but a second, before fading away.

I looked at the bell - it was well made. The urn, oddly enough, reminded me of something. I reached into my belongings that I'd woken up with, finding a similar urn packed into a pocket. About the same size as before - and when I removed the stopper, similarly filled with ash.

Well…I turned around, looking at Flynn. He was kneeling down over the anvil, hard at work. It seemed I had a bit of time on my hands…might as well understand just what this bell did. I held it out, holding the urn of ash Renna had just had just given me, and gave it a ring. As I did so, I felt a sharp tug at my magical reserves - whatever this was spawning, it wasn't without a high cost.

Swirling out from the urn in a cloud of smoke, three forms began to take shape, solidifying as…wolves. Their bodies were spectral in form but otherwise looked very much real - I remained cautious though - seeing these three predators that had been attacking us at the encampment just minutes ago now standing before me.

However, they didn't strike. In fact, one turned around to face me, sitting down and looking up expectantly. My heart cracked at the sight of it - back in Lothric, in a painted world, we met a wolf…Argyn. He'd been a loyal and trusty hound the few times we met him. To see his likeness now looking up at me with those same bright, knowing eyes made me want to break down amidst the flood of memories it brought.

Instead, I simply dropped to my knees, scooting over to wrap my arms around the one wolf, the other two simply milling about obliviously in the church. "Oh…hello, good friend." My arms connected with the beast, wrapping around it. Despite its nature I could feel the softness of its fur, but was not met with the warmth of a beast - only the chill of a spirit. That didn't bother me…Argyn loved the snow.

I kept my arms around it for longer than was probably comfortable for the animal, eventually coming back to my feet and brushing myself off. Renna said they could fight…I looked around. There was some wildlife out in the field. I suppose a small test to see how trained they were wouldn't hurt. I walked outside the church, pointing towards a lone goat milling about. "Get it."

Almost immediately the wolf yipped, drawing the attention of the other two - and then, they were off. The kill wasn't even sporting…three wolves to one goat. They worked as a pack, two sneaking up behind while the one that reminded me of Argyn lurked up from the front. He spooked the goat which turned to run, only to run straight into the waiting maws of not-Argyn's allies. The kill was clean, the goat falling to the ground. The wolves then stalked back to me, now all three looking at me expectantly. I knelt down, giving them a scratch along their scalps. "Good, good…you make for fine hunters."

I drank from my blue flask, revitalizing my magic, and then recalled the wolves with another ring of the bell, sending them fading away. I held out the other urn - the one I'd been carrying on me this entire time. Again, I rang the bell, seeing just what was in store.

This time, only two creatures came forth - and yet they were familiar. Two little gargoyle creatures sprung into existence, again simply milling about. They were the same shape as the odd statue we'd seen just outside the cave earlier, by the strange wall. About the same size, as well...perhaps a little larger. I let them wander around a bit before recalling them as well…I think I preferred the wolves, but there was a chance that these two gargoyles would find their purpose. I felt I had them for a reason, after all.

Satisfied with my experimentation I walked over, seeing that Flynn had left his station at the anvil. At the same time, I heard the sound of wind kicking up, moving to the other side of the church. There I saw Flynn, greatsword in hand, commanding that wind - it was an impressive sight. I stayed hidden behind the crumbling wall, watching him practice the maneuver a few more times before he was starting to tire, and then looked down at his hand. I knew that look - it was the look of 'where did it go'. I stepped in, hoping to distract him from getting too caught up in his own head again.

"Impressive move. Is that what that Ash taught you to do?"

He slung the blade over his shoulder, turning to face me. "More or less…I think more accurately it taught the weapon to do that, if that makes any sense. What was up with that strange woman?"

I fished out the bell, holding it out. "She gave me this…we're starting to turn into our own little band between this and the whistle. It summons spirits from ash. Speaking of, you didn't find anything peculiar on you besides your weapons and armor, did you? Renna - the woman - gave me an urn of ash, and I realized I already had a similar one."

"Well, I noticed I had this - but I didn't put too much thought into it." Flynn pulled out a small medallion that hung around a chain on his neck, tucked into his armor. At its end was a small metal piece embedded with dull red stones. "But no, no urns of ash or anything like that."

I frowned. "Odd…I wonder why I had it, then. Or why I have any of this, I suppose, but I guess it beats having nothing. Anyways, ready to head back to the gate?"

Flynn nodded. "Yeah, Kale called it the 'Stormgate'. Said it's dangerous past there."

"Well, we've got Torrent - and ourselves, I guess. What we can't ride past, we can try to fight. Let's go. Want to try traveling through the graces, or whatever it was?"

Flynn agreed to, and we moved to sit down at the grace, feeling our energies restored by the small flickering light. The process felt very similar to how we used to travel through bonfires - simply visualize in our mind where we wanted to go, and then will ourselves there. As I opened my eyes, I found Flynn next to me by the Gatefront ruins. I summed Torrent again, and the three of us trotted into the gate.

We didn't even get through the gate before I realized it was an ambush. Beyond it were a series of barricades and other fortifications, and I could see numerous guards stationed with crossbows behind them. Beyond all of that though, I saw a towering figure, up above. It stood atop a fallen chunk of ruin that was large enough to span the entire width of the ravine, and yet the figure still stood out amongst the massive slab of rock.

"Flynn…you don't happen to know how to fight on horseback, do you?"

"Well, seeing as I don't know how to ride on horseback…no. Why?"

I pointed out the giant figure. "I think you might be getting some firsthand experience. Torrent, let's go." I snapped the reins, propelling Torrent into a full on gallop. At the same time I heard a roar from up above as a volley of arrows were fired in our direction. A moment later the entire ground shook as an earth-shattering impact occurred from the giant slamming into the ground, wielding a massive greatsword that splintered the stone path we were speeding along.

I continued pushing Torrent forward, Flynn grabbing into my side as he learned far to the right, slashing far outwards at a guard that was coming at us with a sword. I could feel myself start to lilt to the right from the pull and grabbed his shoulder, yanking my brother back into place in Torrent.

"Not too hard, keep a center of balance. You nearly dragged us both off there."

"Alright, alright…trying my best." Flynn slashed again, still keeping a grip on my waist. This time though he maintained vertical posture, his blade slicing a guard across the chest.

"Good. We're getting there." Torrent careened through a barricade, lowering his horns as he rammed head-first into a wooden blockade, shattering the entire thing as his hooves carried him forwards. I could see two more up ahead along the vertical incline we were following.

Behind us, another roar. "Uh, Resa, hard turn now. Resa!"

I looked in front of me - to the left and right were much heavier barricades, with a thinner one in the middle. "No can do!"

"Then hold on!" I felt both hands wrap tightly around me as I clutched onto the reins, and then felt my entire body get thrown forward. I watched - and felt - as a blast of wind surged past me flying forwards and demolishing the barricade.

"What was that?" I didn't have time to look behind me, not while there were still several soldiers and a final barrier in front of us.

"The giant…it's getting closer." Flynn swung out and hit another guard, dropping it before it could swipe at us. That was inconsequential though compared to the thunderous footsteps I could hear approaching behind us. I turned back for just a moment only to see the giant, as well as six or seven other guards all in pursuit behind us. The giant slammed its massive sword down and I felt the wind of the blow - but not the impact itself. The shards of stone that it sent flying up from the ground flew past me, but we were so close. Just needed to keep pushing.

Torrent broke through the third and final barrier as another gust of wind rocked us, making Torrent's knees buckle and nearly sending me flying off. We started turning to the right as we followed the road now, the worst of it behind us - and save for the giant, we were faster than all of them.

As we rode up, I noticed a small, glowing tree - similar to the one we'd seen in the cave. I noticed something at its base but didn't have time to investigate - we needed to keep going for now. Up ahead, I could see the twinkling of grace from a small ledge, and signs of a building nearby. I continued guiding Torrent forwards, hearing the howling of wolves as we went. As we neared the grace I blew the whistle again, suspecting just what would happen and watching it occur. Torrent faded out from beneath us…expecting it, I came to a graceful landing right beneath me. Flynn was…less lucky, skidding to the ground.

"A little warning next time?"

I shrugged, smirking. "Alright. How about a whistle? Good enough warning?

Flynn stood up, brushing himself off. "You're not funny…oh. Hello?" He was looking past me towards a building. I followed his gaze, seeing a lone figure crouched down along the far wall of the building, slightly shaking.

I set the grace alight as I followed him, finding a woman clad in rather nice traveling clothes, but warning a rich and rather noble-looking red hood that obscured most of her features. Flynn knelt down, sheathing his weapon. "Miss are you…alright? Are you hurt?"

"Everyone with me…they've all been grafted. Their arms, their legs…all of them." She rocked back and forth - it was clear to me now that she was in shock.

I knelt down beside Flynn, extending a hand to the woman, wrapping mine around hers in a gesture of comfort - of giving her something stable. "Grafted? They grafted…people?"

The woman nodded, still somewhat shaking, but slowing down. "Mhm, mhm. Grafted and stuck to the…the spider. They're chrysalids now, all of them. You're heading to the castle, aren't you? To be one with the spider?"

I shook my head. "No, we're…well, we don't really know what we're doing, I suppose. What is this…spider?"

At the mere mention of the word, the woman started to shake even more. "I want to join them, but it's scary. Your arms, your legs…your head. I just can't do it, I'm too scared! My men believed in me, and now they're all with the spider!" She was speaking louder, her emotions getting to her.

Flynn extended his hand, joining ours. "We'll find this spider…and we'll take care of it. Where is it?" When I looked at his eyes, I could tell he was serious - these weren't just words to placate the woman. He wanted to fix this, and I knew Flynn well. Once his mind was on something, there was no dissuading him.

"It's…it's in the castle. It's scary there."

"That's…that's okay. We'll do what we can."

The woman started to sniffle, but her shaking came to a stop. "Can you take this little one with you? It - it deserves someone braver than me." She reached behind her robes and pulled out a very familiar jar of ash. "Please. I think it'll like your company. Her name's Aurelia"

I held out my hand, taking it. This woman had a spirit on her as well? I'd learn later what it was that she was offering us. "Thank you, that's incredibly gracious. We'll take good care of Aurelia."

The woman sniffled again. "Thank you, she'd love that. And one last thing…if you're going to the castle. If you find my men, tell them that I'll join them soon enough. I…I think I can do it."

Flynn rather violently shook his head. "No, you stay here. We'll find your men…but like you said, the castle's scary. You should stay here where it's safe."

"I…I don't know. I miss my men, but…you're right it's so scary. I don't know…"

As she started to shake again I pulled back my hand along with Flynn's…any further communication was just going to trap the poor woman further in her own doubts and fears. I stood up, walking a few paces away from the shack, waving at Flynn to join me. Soon, the two of us were alone outside of earshot of the girl.

"Resa, I told you that something felt off about this place. They're butchering people, Resa. That's…it's disgusting!" Despite his passion for the matter, he tried to keep his voice down.

"I agree with you Flynn…you know that. The…" I sighed. "The guidance points towards the castle. We can head in that direction and see what we find. Let's not try and be revolutionaries though…we're new here. I'm not saying that what's happening is good, don't get the wrong idea. I'm just saying we've only heard one person, and she was clearly in shock."

"You're telling me that there's room for discussion around chopping up people?"

"No, Flynn. I'm saying that she wasn't much in her right mind. She might not be recalling things clearly. We're heading there, okay? And if things are as she says, you can be the hero. Now come on. Let's find the 'spider'."

"Alright. On foot?"

I nodded. "We're getting closer now. I suspect Torrent might draw too much attention."

And so, we set off. Ahead there was a small troop of guards, nothing we weren't able to get past. As the road curved to the left though, we came across a much larger force - a blockade, much like what we'd just gotten through at the gate. This time though, the castle was right behind them - we couldn't just ride past on Torrent.

"Ready to show off those spirits, sister? I think this might be a bit messy." Flynn shouldered his greatsword, grasping the hilt with two hands. "I'm ready to try out my new tricks."

"Alright. Let's do this." I brought out the bell, gently ringing it as I held the wolves in my other hand. Again, the three beasts sprung into existence around me - only this time, they didn't wait for orders. As soon as I brought them out they gave a group howl before charging after the cadre of guards.

I looked at Flynn, a bit dumbfounded. "Well…can't let them do all the work." I charged after the wolves, watching as they acted less as stalkers here, and more as just predators. One leaped at a guard and latched onto its arm, dragging him to the ground as another wolf came up and tore into his leg. The third kept another guard at bay, which I helped out by coming up from the side and slashing at his knee, whipping the sword around to pull at the back of his legs, knocking this one to the ground too. The wolf had it from there…and it didn't look pretty.

To my left, I heard wind whip up as Flynn took on three guards at once, the wind pulling their shields out of place as he used the opening to lunge forward, skewering one through the middle. He retracted the blade, slamming it into the ground again as more wind roared to life around him, using the pause to dispatch another.

We felt…powerful, a stark comparison to the encampment just earlier. My ash, and Flynn's ash…it certainly made the difference. The two of us met up at the final guards, the wolves barreling down on them while we came in and cleaned it up.

"Well, that was…somewhat refreshing. I see you're far less concerned about the whole 'killing' thing now?"

I rolled my eyes. I noticed the guards at the encampment were still there when we returned. Helped me accept that it's likely not permanent. Plus…it's as you said. In all likelihood, they're guarding a being that butchers people."

"Well I'm glad 'supporting wanton dismemberment' plays an equal part with 'they get back up again'." He gave me a shoulder bump, smirking.

"Alright, alright…old habits die hard. Now let's see what's in here. The two of us walked down a long and empty tunnel, finding another grace at the end. Its guidance pointed us further down the hall - to neither of our surprises. We took a brief rest, restoring our energy before continuing our advance.

At the end of the tunnel it opened up into a sort of bridge, open on both sides and vulnerable to a steep and deadly fall. The area was littered with all manner of weapons, and beyond that was the castle - incredibly fortified with multiple towers and parapets, each almost overzealously detailed to the point of extravagance. As we walked across this pathway, I heard a voice call out from ahead.

"Foul Tarnished, emboldened by ambition!"

I caught a glimpse of the figure, for but a brief moment as it leaped into the air, coming crashing down in the middle of the bridge.

"I, Margit the Fell, will snuff out your ambition." Margit wore a dingy cloak that hid most of his features, but what I did see was rather jarring. He was around least twice my height, and holding a long staff in his right hand. Behind him was a sort of scorpion-like tail, ending in an array of twisted horns. His face was also marred by the same horns, sprouting from him in a very unnatural way.

Without pause, Margit rushed at us. He raised his staff up and swiped at Flynn. The single blow was enough to thrust his shield to the side, and Margit conjured a blade of pure golden energy quickly in his left hand, thrusting forward with it and directly into my brother's chest. In one quick maneuver my brother was sent staggering backwards, clutching his midsection.

I rushed forwards, desperate to defend him. Margit leaped into the air as I swung at him, my sword just barely missing as he came down from above, staff thrusting forward towards the ground in a maneuver that sent me stumbling backwards as well.

"Put your meager ambitions to rest." Margit darted towards me, conjuring another blade that he thrust forward, and I barely dodged out of the way as it whizzed past me. However, that set him up perfectly to whip his staff around, sending it crashing down directly on top of me.

Or it would - if Flynn hadn't stepped in at the final moment to block the deadly swing with his shield. Margit gave a "hmph" in response and cracked the staff again, knocking Flynn out of the way once more.

It felt hopeless…we hadn't even landed a single blow yet, and it felt like we were already on the defense. I stood up, healing myself slightly with my magic. As I looked back up, Flynn was being sent flying several feet backwards from a heavy blow by Margit's staff, a follow-up conjured blade wounding my brother even further.

I reached out with my magic, healing Flynn. Going in one at a time like this was only making it harder on ourselves…everything we'd succeeded on thus far, we'd done so together. With Flynn back to his feet and revitalized, I followed behind him, hoping to make some ground.

"Begone." Margit spawned several blades this time, throwing it at the two of us as I dodged out of the way, Flynn blocking it. Margit leaped forward and slammed his staff into Flynn once more, swinging his tail to the side in a defensive maneuver that prevented me from approaching. I swung at the tail as it came past me, connecting - the first of hopefully many, many more.

The staff came swinging sideways, knocking Flynn out of position and then swiftly coming for me. I tried to dodge but wasn't fast enough, the end of the staff clipping me in the shoulder and sending me to the ground. The next thing I felt was a swift crack to the back of my skull…and then, lights out.


I came to by a grace - the grace, by the looks of it. We were still in the tunnel.

"You're alright?" Flynn had his arm around me, a look of worry turning to relief as I moved. "You took a bad hit there."

"I…yeah." I rubbed the back of my head, still feeling a bit sore. I looked at Flynn. He seemed just as…himself as before, no signs of hollowing. That was a positive, at least. "I suppose we know what happens if we die, right?"

"Yeah…I guess so." Flynn turned around, looking towards where we'd just been. "He's still out there. I checked while you were coming to. Just waiting, watching. We won't be able to sneak by."

"We need to be stronger…he tossed us around like we were insects. I landed one hit on him, that's all. You?"

He shook his head. "None…and not even any missed ones, either. It's…we need to get in there, to find out what's going on, but…how."

Almost on cue, I saw a shower of blue sparks, Melina appearing by the grace with us. We both turned to face her, silent.

"I…apologize, travelers. I've been watching you, testing you. I'm - " She went silent for a brief moment. "I'm not a true Finger Maiden. I cannot offer you true guidance, as grace can. I wanted to see if you would follow that guidance, and be ready to face the challenges therein. I can see now my worries are unfounded, and that your resolve is strong."

"Forgive me…what is a Finger Maiden?"

"They serve the Two Fingers, offering guidance to Tarnished. I…I cannot. I can offer you my own guidance though. To grant you entry to the Roundtable Hold, a place of champions. It is there you may find the strength you are looking for."

Flynn didn't even pause. "What do we have to do?"

Melina extended her hand once again. "I do not enter the Hold, but I can take you there. Take my hand, and you will be transported."

Without hesitation, Flynn extended his hand, placing it upon Melina's. I let out a brief sigh…it was as I suspected. Once Flynn was driven, the only options were to get out of the way or follow him to the end. In this instance though…I was ready for the journey. I placed my hand upon his, and then Melina upon mine. I felt myself start to fade, being transported elsewhere, before arriving at a new location, an unfamiliar one. As we arrived, I heard Melina's voice faintly in the back of my mind.

"Welcome…to the Roundtable Hold."