Flynn

RL37 - 25 VIG - 13 MND - 17 END - 22 STR - 13 DEX - 9 INT - 10 FTH - 7 ARC

Resa

RL37 - 13 VIG - 15 MND - 10 END - 12 STR - 20 DEX - 9 INT - 28 FTH - 9 ARC

Resa

After we'd taken a few minutes to rest and recuperate, and to let Flynn shift his Ash from his old shield to his new one, we were back on our feet - the interior to Stormveil awaited us with Godrick at its nexus - I knew Flynn was all too eager to locate him. I walked through the doors outside to greet the Erdtree far beyond it, then turned my attention to the left, where our path led us.

Immediately, I saw a bird - as large as a human, sitting atop a familiar explosive barrel. Immediately I stopped moving, ducking low behind the short wall on the ramparts we were standing on. I held a hand out to Flynn, signaling for him to be still - the bird hadn't seen us yet, and I wanted to keep it that way.

I held up my seal, speaking a short prayer as lightning crackled within my grasp, it splayed out across the ground, spreading its tendrils towards that barrel. As the bolts came down the barrel erupted, a gout of fire and sparks surging upwards as the bird was instantly incinerated.

Unfortunately, that only served to grab the interest of another bird further down the ramparts, the creature managing to lift up another barrel that it was perched on, flying towards us with clear intent.

"Get ready to dodge!" As the bird flew towards us I rolled out of the way moments before it released the barrel from its talons - though I was surprised by the lack of heat that came afterwards. When I was back on my feet I saw Flynn staggering backwards, his black-and-white shield now far more black from a fresh layer of char. He wasted no time though in raising his greatsword, a bloody arc racing through the sky towards the bird. I followed up with a slash from my katana, and soon it joined its predecessor on the ground.

We continued, seeing an opening to the ramparts on our left just up ahead. We walked towards it, Flynn approaching the edge - again, we saw the island we'd first awoken on, sat atop towering rocks that disappeared into the sea below. It felt almost supernatural, how -

Out of the corner of my perception, I heard the beating of wings. "Flynn!"

It was the only word I was able to utter before the barrel exploded. My brother was launched forwards, toppling over the crenulation of the rampart. I winced, waiting for the inevitable…that never came. Hurried I dispatched the bird, noticing for the first time that it had blades rather than what I'd thought were talons - I didn't inspect more than that though, simply waiting a dive before rearing around, slashing at it twice before it fell. I ran to the edge, looking down.

"Flynn?" There he was…very, very far down. He was still on his back, hand on his head.

"Yeah, that's…me."

"Are you alright?"

He shook his head. "Well…I've been better, for sure." He stood up, walking and looking around. "I don't see a way back up, but maybe I can keep going down. I don't see anything else down here."

"Do you want me to jump down? I think I can make it."

Again, he shook his head. "Keep carving a path forward. I'll…I've gotten through worse. Just, well…find a grace, just in case."

"Flynn…"

"Go." He gave me a thumbs up before walking to the north, looking down at a small section of the wall that stuck out from the rest. Without a second thought he leaped down and out of sight…that damned brother of mine. For a brief moment I thought about jumping down after him, but decided against it…he was right, we'd been through worse.

Ahead of me was a small stairway that led down towards the rooftops of a chapel-like building. As I approached I found a large opening in the belltower that led down, as well as a path to the south, across the rooftops. As I approached it I saw one of the large Stormveil knights patrolling the walkway below, as well as a ladder leading down. I looked back towards the bell tower…I didn't like my odds against that knight on my own, let alone a torch-bearing guard behind it. I couldn't tell if it had a horn, but if it did…I'd be swarmed.

Hell, Flynn had just survived a fall…I could too. I turned towards the chapel and leaped down, not-so-gracefully landing on the floor. Ahead of me was the prayer room, several well-illuminated statues at the far end. As I entered the cozy chamber I saw a man dressed in a large sorcerer's hat and…loud clothing, a yellow cloth shirt with blue embellishments.

"Greetings there, good fellow. The name's Rogier…I'm a sorcerer, if you couldn't guess. What brings you to the castle?"

"I'm Resa, here with my brother…well, I was. We're…looking for Godrick."

"Your brother?"

I smiled sheepishly. "We…got separated not long ago. He's around here, somewhere."

"Ah, I see. So Godrick? I take it you're not willingly looking to be grafted, likely the opposite, yeah?"

I nodded. "The guidance led us here…but truth be told, I think my brother would have drug us here regardless."

"Ah, guidance…I once felt it when I first made it to the Lands Between, but that was some time ago. If you're seeking Godrick, I may have something that can assist." He reached into his belongings, pulling out several small sacks of ash. "I've learned to convert simple sorceries into Ashes of War. Quite handy, if you're not one to favor sorceries in their purest form."

"Interesting…" I squinted at the small sacks. "My brother has taken to Ashes of War quite keenly…myself, not so much. Anything for more weighty blades?"

Rogier smiled. "Ah, I have just the thing. Carian Greatsword, for those that appreciate powerful strikes. Just swing overhead…I'm sure he'll be impressed."

Hmm…it seemed like Flynn, at the very least. I offered Rogier some runes in return before carefully stowing the ash, looking back at the sorcerer.

"So what brings you here, Rogier? Not after Godrick, I take it?"

He shook his head. No…looking for something else, I'm afraid. For a good friend of mine. Don't worry yourself about it…if you manage to dispatch Godrick, I'm sure it'll make my task far easier without these blasted guards."

I smiled. "Very well. Safe journeys Rogier. Perhaps we'll see each other soon enough." I turned around and left the prayer room. To my chagrin, the only exit was out to the long path with the Stormveil knight earlier. I slinked to the side, hoping to reach a point where it wouldn't notice me. It drew closer and closer, my black garb helping to disguise my figure against the walls of the castle. As the knight drew closer I stood motionless, inhaling and just…waiting.

It walked past me.

I waited a few more seconds, my face growing red from lack of air. Once the knight and the guard were solidly behind me I ran forwards, not stopping to look behind me until I was through a door on the end of the rampart and out of breath. Perhaps they'd started following me…but they weren't now.

Ahead was an empty room, lit by a warm fireplace. As I walked through it I found myself on the upper floor of something truly wretched.

Appendages hung in the air, and the room reeked. Instantly, I knew…this was where they performed the grafting. My theory was confirmed when I looked down, seeing an unfortunately familiar figure patrolling the lower floor, donning a golden greatshield and sword. I doubted it was the same unholy amalgamation we'd seen back on the island, but there was no doubt that it was similar, and also a product of grafting. I was surprised that I hadn't pieced it together until now…Godrick wasn't just grafting himself, but also others. And from above, with its round body and multitude of limbs…it looked very much like a 'spider' to me.

I dispatched a few waiting guards on my way around, briefly walking outside before seeing another well-lit room ahead of me. Inside I heard the clanking of metal footsteps, and I couldn't help but let out a sight…another knight. It patrolled a large central table, a platform at the front for presentations and the like not far away. I waited until the knight wasn't looking and then darted forward, ducking behind the table before it could spot me. I waited again before exiting the room, making sure I wasn't detected.

I was back in the grafting room, various hooks dangling from the walls, meat hanging from them - the fact that I couldn't tell whether it was animal or humanoid bothered me, and the fact that it was even a question I had to consider bothered me even more. Again, more guards tried to stop me, but I managed to dispatch them…and then I saw the staircase leading down to the lower level. I heard the prowling of the grafted spider not far beyond. I had no shot of taking it out along…did I?"

I had to. Flynn hadn't fallen yet, wherever he was. All I'd done thus far was find him a little souvenir and run from every knight I'd seen…I needed to take out something. Gathering my resolve I approached - talisman in one hand, katana in the other.

I hid behind one pillar, hoping to catch it by surprise. As it walked closer towards me I laid down a path of lightning, the ground crackling beneath its feet. As lightning rained down from above, I made my move.

Lightning struck its body in multiple locations all at once as I quickly swapped to my scimitar, racing in from the side as my dual blades sliced at it in a flurry of quick blows. I retreated, giving it space as it swung its blades at me…truth be told, trying to analyze the blind spots on this creature just seemed fruitless, given its bizarre anatomy. I timed my strikes, waiting until it swung at me before backing up and dashing inwards only a second later, landing only a single hit before being forced to retreat by an incoming sword. I was just a little too slow though, the force of its blow sending me staggering backwards with blood in my eyes.

It let out a familiar horrid scream, and I responded by laying down another streak of lightning, the bolts striking its back before it had a chance to move. Afterwards, it slumped forwards, having to take a moment to recover from the powerful series of strikes. I rushed forward and thrust my blade into its head, feeling a rush of vitality flow into me from the strike - and a second pulse from the crimson dagger on my hip. A third rain of lightning was thankfully all it took before the grafted amalgamation slumped forwards again, this time fading away.

I was left panting…the fight was over in only a moment, yet every second had stretched on for minutes. Still, I had to applaud myself…it had only struck me once, in a fight that had previously been the death of us. We'd grown much stronger…perhaps we had a shot against Godrick after all.

With the grafted creature gone, I looked for what else was around. On one wall of the room was a massive portrait of a man wearing gleaming armor, an axe in one hand taller than himself - one that put Flynn's current armaments to shame. On the man's back was a lion with gleaming silver fur, looking to the right, same as the man. The picture looked proud, regal…I could only assume it was of one of the deities of this world. It wasn't Marika, nor was it like the similar figure we'd seen in the one church in the peninsula…which likely put this as the opposite of Godfrey or Radagon, whichever the church wasn't. Or, perhaps, Godrick…a depiction before he took to grafting, that is.

Turning away from the picture, I looked towards a corridor on my left. It opened up into a chamber which presumably led to the courtyard we'd seen from before - lined with all manner of barricades and guards. I turned around - for something that heavily fortified, I didn't want to go alone.

The next passage opened into a dark room, an imp statue to one side. I looked at our stonesword key…we'd saved it for just this reason, to investigate potential caches in the castle. I inserted our last key, opening it, finding two large guards inside that I dispatched. As I looked around, my eyes eventually fell on an anvil - more specifically, a whetblade resting on the anvil, one made of heavy iron. I lifted it up, inspecting it. I'd overheard the conversation Flynn had with Bernahl about these - about how it could be used to change the properties of an Ashen weapon. I'm sure he would find a use for it, if nothing else - another souvenir, then. I didn't find much else of note in the room - several spears, daggers, and shields lining various weapon racks, but none that struck my fancy.

I headed back towards the main chamber, walking across the path towards another chamber. I had to hold my breath - the scent was horrid, several dozen bodies wrapped in burlap in a pile on the floor, a troll dangling from the ceiling, chained to a crossbar above - a troll missing half an arm, of course. A couple fetid-looking dogs were feasting on the pile of corpses which I made short work of, not wanting the dead to suffer any more.

Just as I was about to leave the room, I noticed something atop the pile of corpses - red, which I'd initially written off as mere blood - but no, it was something else. Red velvet with gold embroidery…a similar embroidery that the scared woman outside wore. Next to the cloth was a delicate brooch. As I picked up both items, I felt faint wisps floating around the brooch. They lingered for a few seconds before retreating towards the pile of corpses…my heart sunk. It was the Chrysalids…I'd suspected from the start, when the woman had told us the tale, but this all but confirmed it. The lot of them, dead, sacrificed in the most inhumane way possible. I felt a similar rage well up in me that I suspected Flynn was well acquainted with, but I pressed it down - one of us needed to remain level-headed.

I had to tell her…even if it hurt, she had to know. That woman had plans to enter the castle, but there was only one way it would end. Godrick wasn't looking for a grafting quota, nor would he be satiated…he was taking anyone and everything that stumbled into his domain. I had to save one life…as I hadn't saved these fifty haphazardly lying around me.

I walked out, entering the final chamber of the room. In it was an elevator, one I had a hunch where it'd take us given that the courtyard wasn't far. As I stepped in it took me upwards, back out towards the main elevator shaft from before. To my surprise, I saw Flynn on that elevator, walking towards me. His armor was ripped and torn in several locations, even his new shield looking rather worse for wear.

"You look like you've been through hell. What happened?"

He sighed, shaking his head. "It's…there was another one."

Flynn

I fell down from the platform I was standing on, landing on a thin strip of stone lining the castle wall that was barely as wide as I was. Metal clanked around me as I landed and I took a moment or two to recover, advancing down the path. At the far end, even further below, were the remains of a broken parapet - perhaps I could find a way back in from there. I leaped down into the ruined center, and then again to the base.

As I looked around for another place to go, my eyes found natural stone even further down - but that wasn't what drew my attention. Closer to my eye level, I saw two of the holes that we'd seen on the castle walls earlier - what I'd previously believed were signs of battle. However, I noticed something odd - that thorns and vines were protruding from them, as if clawing their way out. My only thought was the Erdtree - of everything we'd seen, only it had the power to do that. However, the Erdtree was very, very far away…I suppose I could only add it to the list of questions I didn't have an answer to.

I descended, going to the stone outcropping below. As I peered around, there wasn't much left - a small stone ledge only a few feet below me…but otherwise, end of the line.

As I stepped on the ledge, I heard the sounds of rocks crunching, a sense of weightlessness overtaking me. It had fallen out beneath me, sending me into a freefall. My heart raced, looking for something to grab onto, but finding nothing. I looked down - a grassy outcropping, but far, far below. I clung to the stones beneath me, closing my eyes…waiting for the crunch at the bottom.

I came to an abrupt stop two seconds later. My head slammed into the stone as it shattered beneath me, leaving me in a bed of tall plants and grasses. My ears rang as my vision spun. I took a few moments to collect myself and get my bearings…I was, quite frankly, surprised to still be alive.

As I stood up I took a swig from my flask, mostly to settle my vision than to tend to any wounds. Once everything was right I took stock of my surroundings. There was nothing lower than this now…as I peered over the ledge, I saw only an endless fall to the ocean below. The grassy outcropping I was on stretched and wrapped around the castle however, leading to a slightly rundown doorway on the far side - and beyond it, a massive tower. I thought for a moment…thus far, I'd only gone down, and the tower we'd just been in had an elevator shaft in the center. Perhaps there was a way out of this after all.

As I headed forwards though, I heard the clanking of metal footsteps. At first I presumed it to be a Stormveil knight - we'd taken on two already, I was sure I could fend off one or two if I had to. My heart sunk, however, as the sight of crimson armor, of a hooked shield, of an equally crimson greatsword emerged from the doorway. A knight of the Crucible…here.

My previous confidence shattered in an instant. Sure, I'd beaten one earlier…but after what had been numerous attempts, trying and failing in vain. And now…now, if I failed, it meant that any progress Resa had made was wasted as well. I couldn't fight with the same reckless abandon as before, not if losing wasn't an option.

I could run..the thought crossed through my head. The elevator couldn't be that far. I'm sure I could make it if I was fast enough. I shook my head…no. I couldn't be afraid of these knights of the Crucible. Two already, and it felt like we'd only scratched the surface of the Lands Between. How many more were there? A dozen? Two dozen? I couldn't run from this problem…I had to learn to overcome it. I drank from my crystal flask, feeling my wounds start to stitch together from the fall earlier. That was the one advantage I had from before - I could play the slow fight, and let my injuries tend to themselves. Well, one of two advantages…I looked down at my larger, more sturdy shield. I'm sure I would grow to appreciate it very much in the coming minutes. I marched forward, ready to face my enemy.

First off, where to fight it - the thin stretch of land offered me no maneuverability to circle around it, which I knew I needed. As I approached it I braced with my shield, looking for a thicker patch of land to try and skirt around it. I felt the familiar blow of its greatsword against me, somewhat dampened by the strength of my shield - good. Now past it, I began backpedaling, looking for a better arena. Through the doorway wasn't much - a narrow path and a stairway, worse than previous. Up the stairway was a small decent patch of land - but I continued, heading into the tower itself. I saw the elevator at the bottom - I shoved aside the part of me that wanted to just take it up. The tower itself was only a bit smaller than the gaol I'd seen the first in - that familiarity would be useful. The knight followed me in, until finally our fight could truly begin.

I began the fight in the same way as last - blocking with my shield, retaliating with my greatsword when there was a large enough opening. I wasn't afraid to take more risky engagements, letting its heavy blade slam into my armor while I raked my own twice across its chest. I simply backed up and played defensive, letting my crystal flask work its healing magic. I spaced out the recovery periods with my seal, slinging rocks at it whenever there was a fitting opening.

I rushed in one last time, sensing that most of my wounds had knitted themselves back together. I went for a more brazen blow, bracing with my shield while rearing back, leaning into a heavy sword strike that I knew carried extra weight behind it - and yet, it didn't. I felt a crushing blow on my back as I was lifted into the air by the hook of the knight's shield, then promptly slammed into the ground before a greatsword was buried into my chest. I rolled out of the way and staggered back to my feet, waiting for that feeling of my wounds healing - but it never came.

Had my crystal flask run out? I hadn't had that problem before…but perhaps I'd fought so passively that I'd learned that yes…there was, indeed, a limit. I instinctively reached for my flask before remembering that the knight always tended to lunge at me when I did so, and instead skirted towards the entrance of the tower. I ducked behind the door before taking a quick sip, my bones mending. Quickly, I returned - but not before seeing a pair of familiar golden wings high in the air, a sword clutched in front of its chest as the knight swooped down for a dive.

I was in the doorway, to room for a fancy maneuver like last time. I simply threw myself to the side as it soared past me, scrambling to my feet. I'd pushed it this far…I could make it the rest of the way. However, I looked like a mess…my armor was battered, dented, and ripped, my shield a shadow of what it had just been.

The knight rushed at me with the fury that I knew all too well, swinging at me before lashing out with its newly-conjured scorpion tail, whipping at my side. I deflected the two strikes with my shield before charging in, landing a single blow before being forced to retreat. As it swung at me again with its tail I took the blow, hurling rocks in its direction before rushing forward, taking one swipe, and then another, feeling its tail bat against me again in response. I backed up, strafing around the doorway before taking another swig of my flask, and then returned.

That back-and-forth continued several more times - I waited for what looked like an opening, rushed in to take advantage of it, and was promptly smacked down in response. I was getting somewhere - but after every one or two engagements I needed to duck out of the tower to restore my vigor, and I could feel my flask getting lighter and lighter in my hand every time. The knight's footing looked to be growing unstable as well - but I didn't know if I had the longevity to outlast it.

I ducked behind the doorway one last time, drawing my flask. This time, I completely downed it…I let out a sigh, putting it back at my hip. As I walked back into the tower I was immediately greeted by spread wings once more, though this time they were a fraction of a second from me…it seemed it had caught onto my antics. I was barreled over, my head slamming into the ground with enough force that my ears started ringing again, my vision momentarily flickering before I quickly forced myself to my feet. I grabbed my shield and hid behind it as a tail slammed into it moments later, the fight now taken outside.

No more healing…and that aerial hit had taken a lot out of me. I had one shot - time to make it count. I grabbed my seal and my blade, posturing to unleash a flurry of attacks. Stones, blood, stones, blood - projectiles hurtled through the air as I used the last dregs of my magic in a last-ditch barrage against the knight. Each slash of my bloody Ash taxed me of my precious life, but I was willing to take that risk - it wasn't like I could afford to get hit again anyways. After the third slash my vision started tunneling in on the knight, my body focusing the last vestiges of its energy on helping me defeat this damned knight.

As I rushed forwards, it began a maneuver I'd seen it and the previous one do countless times - slam its foot into the ground to shoot up shards of debris, then slash - then follow up with two more slashes. Every previous time, that initial slam was enough to knock me off balance, leaving me vulnerable to one of the three ensuing strikes. I couldn't afford that - but how to dodge the ground? The answer hit me - at least, I hoped it did.

I planted my foot down and bent my knees, using that pause to thrust myself into the air. The knight slammed its foot into the ground while I leaped towards it, shards of earth harmlessly being ripped up beneath me. I was at the whims of momentum now, sword thrust forwards in one hand, shield braced for impact in the other. It raised its blade up to strike in that practiced yet predictable maneuver, and I shifted the position of my shield to compensate. Whatever happened next…well, at least I'd learned how to avoid the ground.

My blade cleanly hilted itself in the knight's chest as I came to rest in front of it. Its blade clanged against my shield a half-second later, and I knew I had less than a second before the two ensuing strikes followed. In that time I reached for my axe, holding it in a reverse grip, blade pointed towards the ground, such that I could still guard with my shield in the interim.

The first strike came in, glancing off my shield. The knight left itself vulnerable, spinning around for a much stronger final swipe. I brought my right arm up, pivoting the axe on my shield arm as I carved up its back, eventually letting go with my left arm until the hilt of my axe was left resting on my right shoulder. As the axe broke free of the knight's armor I let gravity swing the axe head around, pointing towards the ground once again.

The second strike came in - I knew I didn't have enough energy to block it, but I didn't plan to. I unclasped the shield from my arm a miniscule amount of time before the impact, my guard starting to fall to the ground as gravity grasped it. However, the knight's blade grasped it first, slamming into it - which in turn, slammed into me…but in no harmful manner. My left hand now free I brought it up towards my axe, still resting on my shoulder. With both hands as leverage I now ripped it down, carving a horrid gash through the knight's chest piece until the blade eventually broke free at the waist, coming to rest on the ground.

I had to hope it was enough…I'd left myself incredibly vulnerable. No shield, and weapon angled at the ground…if that hadn't been enough to subdue the knight, it would be enough to subdue me.

Thankfully, it was. The knight dropped to one knee, and then another, its body fading away as it hit the ground. In its place were two things - my sword, and another scroll. I picked it up - I still couldn't read it, but I could only assume it was another Aspect of the Crucible…we'd already acquired the Tail, so perhaps this was the Wings? I'd have to find Resa to find out.

Shoot…Resa. This elevator would take me back up, but I had no clue where she'd gone. Perhaps there'd be a trail of bodies showing her path, but I'd have to rush to catch up. I jumped onto the elevator, the wood creaking as it lifted me upwards. I panicked for a moment remembering that there was a Stormveil night at the bottom of the elevator - I certainly didn't have enough left in me to take it on. Thankfully, the elevator carried me past it, back towards the floor with the grace.

To my curiosity, Resa was there, walking out of a hallway to the right. She looked me up and down, appraising the absolute wreck that I looked like "You look like you've been through hell. What happened?"

I sighed, shaking my head. "It's…another one."

"Another…?"

"Knight of the Crucible." I pulled out the scroll, dragging myself towards her.

"Here?"

I nodded. "Let's talk at the grace…please. I need to rest."

"Well there's…something you should see." Resa held out a piece of red cloth and a brooch. "I found where they do the grafting, Flynn. The Chrysalids…they aren't just dead, Flynn. Their bodies were tossed in a pile and fed to dogs. I'm going back to that woman, if she's still there. She needs to go somewhere else…she can't come to this castle. She'd die."

Just hearing that, my blood boiled - and if I wasn't on the verge of death, I'd act on it. "Okay…I'll wait for you here. Go tell her, and then come back. I want to see for myself…I need to understand just how rotten Godrick is." I staggered towards the doorway, the grace just on the far end of the room.

"I'm with you, Flynn…he's dying for this, no remorse. But she needs to know. I'll be back as soon as I can." She helped me towards the grace, helping me to my feet.

"Two things for you, before I go." She extended to objects, both catching my eye - a whetblade, and a bag of ash. "I found the whetblade behind an imp statue - we were right to save it. The ash I found from a sorcerer, named Rogier. He called…I believe it was 'Carian Greatsword'. Perhaps it'll suit you…feel free to experiment while I'm gone - oh, and to swing overhead." With that, she disappeared, leaving me to myself.

Carian Greatsword…Melina had mentioned Caria, how they fought with both blade and spell. I still hadn't decided whether I wished to pursue magic yet - though Gurranq had seen fit to make sure I learned his incantations, I hadn't entirely discarded the idea of sorceries.

If it was a greatsword…it likely required a greatsword for application. I pulled out mine, using the new whetblade to coat the bloody blade. As I applied the one ash, the previous one fell off, returning to Ash near the base of the blade. I collected it in the cloth, stowing it away for later. As I applied the Ash, the bloody hint to the blade left - and to my interest, no sense of a 'magical' nature was applied to the weapon. Perhaps this whetblade avoided that…let the weapon retain its more natural properties.

Well - 'swing overhead' certainly sounded like how the Ash was used. I set my shield down this time and gripped the blade in two hands, raising it above my head, pointing vertical, and then tilting it further backwards. Past a certain point, I felt a surge of strength in the blade - and as I was unsure just what was happening, that strength doubled in power.

I couldn't see behind me - but I could bring the blade down. I slashed forwards, arcing the blade overhead - and what followed was fifteen feet of shimmering, blue blade, slamming down into the ground. As quickly as I saw it it vanished, seemingly only lasting for a single strike - but what a strike it must be.

I practiced several more times, finding that the Ash had two stages - after a half-second, that additional surge of power kicked in, largely bolstering the Ash's strength, and doubling its length. Fascinating…if this was indeed a taste of Carian magic, I was more than willing to learn more. It afforded me the strength of magic while still letting me fight with my blade - a style I could easily see myself adopting. However, I still lacked a staff - that was the first step.

Before too much more time had passed, Resa returned. She looked content…which made me think that the exchange had gone well.

"Care to enlighten me?"

"Nothing much…she's going to head to the Roundtable Hold. Hopes to 'find her purpose'...at least she isn't looking to waste her life dying in the castle. What about you?"

"Well, color me a fan of Carian Greatsword…I'm sure you'll see it in due time. Care to decipher this incantation? The knight of the Crucible left it…I'm sure it's related to the one from before, but you know I can't read them."

"Sure, hand it here." I offered her the paper and she began analyzing it, her eyes flitting across the weathered page. "You never mentioned they had…horns?"

"Well…their helmets do I suppose, and there's one on their shield. Why?"

"Well, it's another Aspect of the Crucible, but it reads as though it conjures a horn to gore something. You hadn't mentioned anything like that though, so I - "

"Yeah…I haven't seen anything like that. Perhaps there's more to these knights than what I've seen thus far…which is actually very, very worrying."

"Well, you've taken down two thus far…and the second one on your first try, no less. I have faith in you…have some in yourself. Now come on, I'll show you where the grafting room is."

I nodded, taking her hand as she helped me to my feet. "Good, let's go." I followed her out of this room, towards the previously-vacant elevator shaft from earlier - now, filled with an elevator. That was good - a quick way back, and if Resa was coming back that way, it likely meant I wouldn't have to go through everything she just had.

We descended the elevator, coming to a stop at the bottom. Before we exited, Resa drew her weapons. "Careful…there was one of those grafted amalgamations in her earlier. It might still be here."

"Might?"

"Well…I managed to fell it, but you know how things can be." As we exited the elevator though, the room was silent - which made the horror of it all the more palpable. Limbs hanging from the ceiling, bodies in bags littering the ground, a horrendous stench that I couldn't escape if I wanted to - I wasn't sure what to expect from this 'grafting' process, but this…it was worse than anything I could imagine.

Worse yet were pieces that clearly had been grafted and yet were still left hanging - right in front of me were two arms melded at the shoulder, attached to a third limb with neither hand or foot. I could only conclude that it would be used in something…larger, if it were still left hanging in its current state. Disgusting, despicable…and downright unforgivable. These were the acts of a man that had no regard for anyone but himself and his most loyal.

"I can tell by the look on your face that you're taking it as expected." I hadn't even noticed Resa had turned to face me, gauging my reaction. "The Chrysalids are to the right - come on."

I followed her, entering a small chamber with bodies piled in heaps, two dogs feasting on the corpses. This must have been where Resa found that memento from earlier. I shook my head. "Revolting."

"It is, I know. There's not much more to it than this…but I think this speaks for Godrick enough. A selfish man with selfish goals, willing to use anything that gets in his way. Resourceful, I guess…but in all the wrong ways."

Resa led me out of the room, walking down towards the far end. I noticed a large and well done painting, but didn't pay it much attention, my mind too focused on what it had just seen. That reckless drive was starting to build in me again, but this time I didn't let it take over me - Resa had already made her point clear last time. Instead, I took control of it - a burning motivation, one born of focus, rather than pure wrath.

"There's a courtyard over this way - based on the barricades, I think it leads deeper into the castle. There were too many for me to take on myself, but with the two of us I think we'll manage. Might be a good time to let Argyn stretch his legs - they've proven quite capable of taking on common guards." We took a left at the painting, walking through a small corridor. We stopped just outside, giving me a chance to peer at what was ahead. Easily a dozen guards, some manning flame cannons, others perched on archery platforms. Plainly put, suicide…and yet, the sheer numbers excited me.

"Oh, this will be…a bloodbath."

"Don't get cocky, Flynn…they have enough numbers to easily surround us, plus they've got range. My lightning should be able to strike behind the barricades, but that might not be enough."

"Well…I can also just demolish the barricades." I patted my greatsword as I drew it from its sheath, slinging it over my shoulder. "You haven't seen my new toy yet."

She rolled her eyes, but couldn't hold back a slight smile. "You and your new toys…alright. Argyn…we could use your help." She pulled out the bell, ringing it while shielding the sound from going outside. Our three spectral wolves came to life once more. They seemed to understand that they shouldn't charge immediately, but three sets of keen eyes took stock of the situation outside rapidly. "Alright…take out anything that moves, yeah? We're going to need some help here - if you see someone coming for our backs, take them out first. Yeah?"

"Resa…they're wolves."

"You said the same thing about Argyn at first, but we both know he knew what we were saying."

"Well they're - " I paused, Resa raising her eyebrows in an accusatory fashion, as if saying "Don't say 'well they're not Argyn'." I sighed… "Fine. If one saves my back, I'll acknowledge there's a chance."

"Resa smiled, but maintained that predatory look. "Good. Alright boys…let's go."

Immediately, twelve legs bolted into action, sprinting out the door and pouncing on the nearby guards. Resa and I rushed after them, unable to keep up but doing our best. I splintered off to the left, immediately noticing a gap in the barricades near a tree. As I ran I downed my crystal flask - I no doubt would want it in the minutes to come.

To nobody's surprise, a horn immediately blew only seconds after we began our assault. I tracked four guards breaking from their stations and beginning to converge on my location, though the number dropped to three as a wolf brought one to the ground. I stopped a second before they were going to arrive, raising my greatsword to the sky as I felt that hum of power. I held, letting that power double - and then slammed it down.

A magical slash from shoulder to hip cleaved on guard in two, both sides sloughing to the ground. Another guard behind it merely lost its arm from the strike, though a followup thrust from my true blade was enough to finish it off. From across the way, I heard the sounds of lightning crackling down from the sky, annihilating several barricades as well as a guard behind them. Another horn was called - likely the 'they're dangerous' one, as opposed to the 'they're stupid' one we'd earned during our entrance. It pulled several more guards from their stations, a veritable flock making their way towards me.

I quickly dispatched the third of the original group coming at me, and then subsequently received a barrage of bolts onto my back. Multiple guards from the front lines had remained there, having free range on my exposed rear while I defended my front. I rushed towards them, flinging several arcs of stone at the lot of them in an attempt to cease the barrage. A wolf came in to assist, tackling one off a platform before sinking its teeth into its firing arm. I wasn't sure if I could call that 'saving my back'...but no good deed went unnoticed.

I turned my attention back towards the new crowd coming towards me, raising my sword aloft once more. One guard stopped earlier, raising its sword up as wind began to spiral around it. It launched a bolt of wind towards me, likely in an attempt to break my concentration on the Ash - but I was sturdier than that. As I brought the doubly-empowered blade down, two more guards fell to my strength, a pile of bodies now at my feet.

As I reared back to take down another guard, I heard the sound of footsteps coming down the staircase not far behind me. I swung at my current target, decimating yet another guard, then quickly pivoted around. I saw a much larger guard, this one wielding a greataxe much like my own. As soon as I saw it though, a flash of silvery blue flew towards it, a wolf tackling it to the ground. I grimaced…that one…that one was definitely saving my back. I was rather confident it was the same wolf as last time, acting as if to prove a point…not that I was going to complain. With the wolf's aid I handled the guard, turning my attention back towards the center of the courtyard.

Most of the fighting had stopped, now - the other two wolves brought down a guard, and another crack of lightning felled two more. I locked eyes with Resa, nodding as we both began to advance further in. Most of the deeper guards had already left their positions, though I could still see a figure much further to the back.

As we approached that figure stood up - a strange sight, indeed. It looked somewhat like Margit, though smaller and stockier - though without the horns. Instead, it had horrendous red growths on its body, where horns would be - the realization hit me…they were horns, or at least, they'd used to be. Harvested, possible? I wasn't sure, but I didn't have time for such contemplation at the moment. It wielded a long and curved blade.

Between me, Resa, and the three wolves though, there was only so much it could do to fight against our combined effort. Soon it was defeated, as was a dog seemingly acting as its pet. With no enemies left to fight our wolves faded away, their job complete. Resa and I walked up the staircase ahead of us, leaving only silence.

"Don't act like I didn't see Argyn save you."

I sighed, instinctively balling my first. "I…fine. Fine. The wolves have…a very good defensive instinct."

"No…that's not what we agreed upon."

"And maybe...maybe…they can understand you. Maybe. And which one's Argyn? At this point I don't know."

"Whichever one's helping you out…Argyn was always more your wolf than mine."

"That's…not how naming works, but whatever. They fight well, and I'm grateful for it."

"As do you, by the looks of it. You really put that greatsword to use. I could see the swings from across the courtyard."

I chuckled. "Yeah it's…well, it's something new, for sure." As we reached the end of the stairs, there was a split - to our right, more stairs, guarded by a large black bird at the far end. To our left, a room - and I could see the glimmer of grace inside. Though I hadn't suffered much in the way of injuries, I'd expended a lot of my magic, and I knew Resa had as well. A quick break wouldn't hurt before we got back out. We walked to the left, taking a seat by the grace.

We had to be close now…I could sense it. Fortifications like that were a last-ditch effort to keep out invaders. That meant that Godrick couldn't be far. We'd be there…soon.