[Cover is owned by (I believe) French-banna-toast. If they want me to put it down, I will.]

[Inspired by 'Jaune Arc, Watcher of The Abyss' by Rum Aficionado, although will not have much plot taken from it.]

[Beta Read by MidKnightMoonglow99, Thanks!]

They say that the Abyss Watchers of Farron's Undead Legion were trained to fight as one. To work in perfect synchronisation with their fellow Watchers so that their combined power may slay whatever manner of foe which stood between them and their duty, be it the bravest of warriors or the darkest creature of the Abyss - no matter who or what they were, all will fall to their might.

So when the time came for them to link the flame, their dogma was reinforced even more, because only one soul - one Lord of Cinder - may link the flame and perpetuate the Age of Fire.

Of course, nobody would have known if not for Prince Lothric's refusal to link the flame after their time had passed; awakening them from their undead slumber. So with the wolf's blood linking each Watcher together reinforced upon their resurrection, each member of their ranks slowly lost their individuality, until they became nothing more than a single soul - A single blade against the threat which lay within the Abyss.

We, truly became, I...

And thus here I stand within Farron Keep, refusing the call to link the flame, and locked in eternal battle with my own Abyss eroded limbs... limbs, which when vanquished, would only rise once more; as is the curse of those undead.

So the cycle is formed. Live, die, rise and kill, over and over again... This will continue until the day I face the one of ash and reduced to naught but cinders; forced to become cinders to prolong a ever dying flame...

Though, when that day came to pass, it would seem that the Champion of Ash left at least a part of what remained of my prior form intact, for now I have risen once again.

This time however, the Abyss will remain unwatched for a time... the Legion's numbers reduced to but a single soldier - my finale contingent, what I would call a Blood Art.

Upon this new resurrection I was only able to control a single limb, and not a legion. The Blood Art I created was theorised to consolidate my soul within a single state of being. Wolf's Fire-Blood: the prospect of taking both blood and cinders from all of my limbs and converge it into one. The power of Farron's Undead Legion - of a Lord of Cinder - would now run through the veins of a single form - A single sword against the dark.

As I observed my surroundings in detail, I soon took note that I was now within the place I was supposed to return too... the monument were they held the stone thrones for the now five Lords of Cinder. On closer inspection it seemed that I was currently seated upon my own throne - nestled between those of the giant Yhorm and Prince Lothric.

The Watchers throne was a simple thing, especially compared to the far grander designs of the other four Lords; only decorated with several Farron Greatswords and tattered sheets of crimson cloth. Still, it fit the Abyss Watchers well, the Legion of Farron neither deserved nor wish for anything more form their forsaken title.

The name given to this monument was far from my mind, and I didn't much care for recalling it anyways. My long desired slumber was over once again, and now the question came of what should be done now?

The Abyss was likely still a threat, but without the support and reach of a legion of Watchers to fend it off, it would be only a matter of time till the darkness corrupted this last form and with it my complete soul... My cinders also wouldn't likely be enough to rekindle the flame this time around, even if I wish to do so...

That was the reason for my resurrected after all, was it not? - to help in rekindling the flame once more and prolong the Age of Fire? This was the reasoning for my prior resurrection, so it would likely be the reason for why I have been brought back this time.

As my thoughts dwelled on this prospect, my eyes soon took note of a small ray of light which permeated the left side of my vision. Looking up; too the rafters of the central chamber, I could see that the light was originating from somewhere beyond the monument's walls.

Rising from my throne, I instinctively took hold of one of the many greatswords which leaned against the Watcher's pedestal. As I looked too the light above, the sword within my hand slowly erupted into flame, a solemn confirmation that this single form still held the power of cinders within it - the Fire-Blood. With that in mind, I make to leave this monument which acted as my tomb - now, nothing more than a shrine to those of cinders.

So, with a bounding stride, I climbed the stairs which would lead me to the entryway. Though, upon reaching the threshold of the shrine, I was greeted by the sight of a warm summers day...

What was strange however, was the fact that Lothric was nowhere in sight... From knowledge gained from the world before, the shrine should have been located outside the high walls of the Kingdom of Lothric. Instead, there now stood an lush and expansive forest of green. The shrine in question appeared to still be seated atop of an outcrop of a large cliff through, but now covered and concealed by heavily overgrown plant life.

The only thing I could think of when I first saw the land before me was how relieved I was that the flame was still burning and the Age of Fire was still in effect.

True, the Legion of Farron was tasked with linking the fire, but we didn't truly know of what it required of use... To burn eternally as a way to bring light to the world is a terrible fait, even if it was for the greater good. It was why - upon my resurrection - I forsook the role of Lord of Cinder, not wishing to give myself to stoke the flame once more. I know it was selfish of me to choose such a negligent path, but I truly didn't wish to burn again... Better to let others try and link the flame on their own... True, it is naught but a fool's errand, but a necessary one if the Age of Fire is to continue.

With my thought concluded, I sheath my greatsword and leave the abandoned shrine behind me. I have no destination in mind, for I don't know this new world or what it has to offer. I'm simply a lost soul for now, and so I will do what most lost souls do upon awakening after so long...

Aimlessly wander..