A/N: Okay… how long it took this time? Welp, don't worry, there will be another chapter before the month ends this time. Fuck I feel I'm gonna regret that statement.
Beta: Genatools
Chapter 7: Absorbed in Thought
As the two undead warriors of sunlight, the witch, and the Absolver climbed the tower of the Parish, they found a single lever that seemed to be responsible for the bell. Collectively they gave Oscar the honor of ringing the bell, it was his duty after all. The bell rang and it did so far and wide, probably being heard all the way past the walls of the Undead Burg, yet even though the bell was rung, nothing happened, nothing that could be perceived at first glance.
Oscar had mildly been hoping that the Crestfallen Warrior was wrong, that they only needed to ring one bell and that would reveal the fate of the Undead. But it seemed that he would be the one in the wrong.
As they gazed into the distance, the group spotted the wall that supposedñy separated the city of the gods from the rest of the world.
"Whether to separate our kinds, to make sure only the worthy reached the city, or maybe another reason, the gods decided that their city would not be simply be reached by humans," Beatrice explained to Eskar.
"There are multiple stories of knights and warriors that have gone past those walls." Oscar pointed out.
"I know, not only knights and warriors but also priests and even some scholars that sought out the knowledge inside of the Duke's Archives. I've heard some handmaidens of one of the goddesses are handpicked and raised inside the city." Beatrice continued.
"Ah yes. In times of old, even the Warriors of Sunlight were granted access to the city of the gods, if only to march together with the Silver Knights." Solaire added.
"Mmm, not only them but also others… like the Blades of the Darkmoon," Beatrice said.
"... Blades of the Darkmoon?" Eskar's curiosity had been piqued.
"Allegedly, agents of vengeance from what I've heard, hunters of those that would sin and become enemies of the gods. Mostly the Darkwraiths and other invaders, but I'm sure others as well." Beatrice explained, doing her best to be ambiguous in case either Solaire or Oscar were more devoted.
"Darkwraiths?" Eskar asked, at that Oscar and Solaire looked at Beatrice, who had just realized she had never talked about the subject.
"You-you never told him?" Oscar asked.
"So he doesn't know about them, huh." Solaire brought a hand to his chin.
"I… No, I haven't. It was never a matter of conversation… but I suppose I might as well." Beatrice coughed as she tried to find the perfect words to describe the Darkwraiths and invaders, meanwhile, Eskar waited patiently. "You remember how summoning works correctly? Back when you summoned me as a white phantom?"
"Igen."
"Well, there's another side to summoning. Invaders. When you summon to your world, you must find their sign and grant them permission to enter our world, in a way, it acts as a contract. One where you cannot even hurt the one that summons you. But an invader does not seek permission… instead of seeking to help you, they seek to hunt you down."
"... Why exactly?" Eskar asked.
"Humanity of course," Solaire answered. "A person must be un-Hollow in order to summon, as such they need to possess some form of humanity within themselves. Invaders seek to plunder away that humanity, and to take it for themselves."
"Hmmm."
"They appear as black phantoms. Phantoms that appear dark and red, or sometimes they even appear as other kinds of phantoms. Some do it for sport, others for greed. Others for a twisted fascination in the act of killing and leading others into becoming Hollow." Beatrice explained.
"Those… are invaders," Eskar confirmed as the others nodded to him.
"I've never been invaded… but I've heard that a telltale sign of an invasion is the eerie sound of a summon. Since you didn't summon anyone, it's distant, and becomes in a way more silent and sinister." Oscar said. "I've even heard that the air turns cold and you feel a sudden ghostly chill."
"And the invaders… you call them Darkwraiths." Eskar tried to guess. It made sense for him, as invaders seemed to resemble evil spirits and ghosts.
"No. There are all kinds of invaders… but the Darkwraiths are the worst. They are the ones that came from the Abyss, and used dark art… The Art of Life drain to steal the humanity of others. Even before killing them." Beatrice told.
"They seek only to gather more humanity, the power of the dark making them stronger than any normal knight. No matter their prey they would hunt relentlessly with their only objective to suck out the humanity of every being they can find. Men, women, children… they brought an entire land to ruins and it doesn't matter to them, it doesn't matter if their victims can defend themselves or not. All they want is to kill and get more humanity. Monsters are what they are." Oscar said, Eskar listening intently.
"There are multiple kinds of them; of invaders. The Blades of the Darkmoon invade sinners as Spirits of Vengeance, mostly, they tangle with those that would invade others." Beatrice said.
"So… they also invade then."
"But only those they consider sinners," Oscar added. It was without saying that they could consider anyone a sinner, Oscar knew many a cautionary tale of what could happen to one not only if one went down the dark path. But also if one defied the gods directly, spat on their names, and sought to bring chaos. They didn't hunt down non-believers, but there was just so much "sacrilege" they could tolerate after all.
"Hmm…"
"I do believe however that after everything we faced, we should be able to stand against an invader! Fighting together, side by side, we have shown that our camaraderie can overcome even the toughest of challenges." Solaire patted Eskar and Beatrice on the back, standing tall and sure of himself. Whether he truly believed it, or if he only did so to raise morale, it seemed to have worked in raising their moods.
"If someone comes after us, I suppose we shall see," Eskar said with a chuckle, not wishing for an invader to come to steal their humanity. But willing to challenge one.
"Then perhaps we should keep moving," Beatrice said, the others nodded and descended from the bell tower. Beatrice led the way down and nearly jumped as she found another face at the bottom of it, a pale face adorned with a mask and supplemented with black clothing. Oscar and Eskar also became weary as they noticed the man extending his arms out as if inviting them to hug or to preach to them.
"Greetings. I am Oswald of Carim, the pardoner."
"A… a pardoner? Where have you…" Oscar tried to understand from where the pardoner came from.
"I'm a traveler, same as thee. Thou art a friend. For thee a warm welcome. Same to all the others, does not matter if some of thee seem to lack faith, for magnanimous are the gods."
"... Lack of faith." Eskar wondered as he noticed the pardoner looking at him and at Beatrice. Beatrice herself seemed conflicted as to if she would rather not discuss with the pardoner.
"Indeed. Cometh thou to confess? Or to accuse? For indeed all sin is my domain. Whether thy sin would be past or present." Oswald said, earning a few stares.
"Pardon me. But I do not believe to have sinned." Solaire said.
"Oh indeed thoust has not, yet that would only be in the eyes of the gods. But not only thy sin could be confessed, but thou burdens as well. Both are deeply intertwined after all. Should thou have any, do please tell." Oswald seemed eager for any of them to share their woes.
"I…" Oscar looked at his companions, all of them seemingly respectable people on their own right. Solaire as a Warrior of Sunlight, Eskar as a dedicated but honorable warrior, and himself… he didn't have anything to share that came to mind. The only one that seemed to be uncomfortable was Beatrice, and he could guess that could be because of her past as a Witch, granted, she had also shown to be of good nature. "I do not believe we have anything to confess."
"Are thou sure?" Oswald asked all of them.
"I believe we are… any burden, right now is in the past." Beatrice stood taller if a bit stiffer. Eskar looked at Oscar and both of them looked back at Solaire. Pardoners were intimidating in their own way. But the ll seemed to agree that they had not done anything warranting sin.
"Mmm, if thou said it so truly… however if thou required other services, feel free to ask. They can be yours for a price." Oswald offered.
"What services?" Eskar asked.
"Indictments, ways to pinpoint the sinners and invaders to the agents of Vengeance. Charms and miracles of the goddess Velka. Purging stones. And if you so desire, The Book of the Guilty."
"The Book of the Guilty?" Solaire asked.
"If thoust ever doubt thy neighbor, why not search this book if they haveth sin? All sinners are added to this book, a list ever-growing, and always up to date." Oswald presented the book.
"I don't believe we have a use for it," Beatrice said.
"Very well." The pardoner bowed. "Thou are welcomed any time. It is only human to sin… Heh heh heh…" Oswald's laugh echoed as they swiftly exited the bell tower. Once they were more than a few meters away, all of them seemed to relax to some degree as they left Oswald to their own devices.
"Novis étrange." (Strange man.) Eskar muttered to himself.
"They are peculiar, and… feared by many. I've heard all of them, the pardoners, are swordsmen of incredible skill. I'm not sure how their duties work… they seem to act only as record keepers of the sins rather than judges. Yet in some cases… I've heard they enforce the sentence themselves." Oscar explained.
"They act in accordance to Velka, their goddess. The goddess of sin apparently both forgives and punishes. But I do not believe she does so seeking justice." Beatrice said.
"You don't trust her? Them?" Eskar asked, he managed to detect something odd in Beatrice's speech. A sort of uncertainty.
"Velka… and her pardoners. They are rather secretive on their motives, and to add to that, they always seem to know far more than they say. Always a step ahead, some have said they might have some occult clairvoyance." Beatrice told.
"... You've dealt with them?" Eskar asked her.
"I have… had my experiences with them. But… that, and my issues with the gods. It's something I've put behind me, there's no point in dwindling on it after all."
"Hmm, very well then." Eskar turned and looked at the bell tower now housing the pardoner. Slightly curious.
"We shouldn't worry, they are not dangerous unless crossed. And if one of us crossed them… I got a feeling we would know by now." Oscar added.
"... Yeah." Beatrice agreed.
"Ah, this is certainly quite a view to stare at the sun," Solaire said off to the side. As the others had been conversing about the pardoner, he had been gazing at the magnificence of the sun.
"Huh, I suppose it is quite a view," Oscar said as stepped closer to the edge and looked at what they had traversed, all the way from Firelink Shrine to the Parish.
"I do like to gaze at the sun in moments like this, it lets me reflect on what was accomplished, and I say we have achieved much, all of us together," Solaire said.
"We have." Eskar gazed at the sun for a moment and then looked down at the rest of the walled city they had traversed. "We still have much to do, however. And the world is not going to wait for us to move." Eskar recited a saying he had heard, and he was right, after all, he hadn't come any closer to finding others that were from Adal.
"Indeed. We still need to find the Masked Ones, and to also ring the second bell." Beatrice jumped in on the conversation.
"And both of those seem to be in the same partem (direction)." Eskar noted.
"The second bell is below… in Blighttown as that other undead said," Oscar remembered.
"And to get down there we'll have to go through the Undead Burg and through the Depths," Beatrice said.
"Then maybe we should start going in that direction," Oscar said.
"You three should continue on your quest. For now, I'll stay here, and gaze at the sun." Solaire said to them.
"Are you certain?" Oscar asked the warrior of sunlight.
"Oh, I am. I trust you three to fare well against most adversities. I have no doubt we'll see each other again. But for now, I'll stay here to marvel at the sun for a bit." Solaire said, seemingly quite eager to marvel at the light of the sun. The three others looked at each other, they would have liked to have Solaire accompany them, but if he would rather stare at the sun, they weren't going to force him to follow them.
"If that is what you wish," Eskar said.
"Do be safe Solaire." Oscar gave the other knight a small nod. "So… shall we go back to Firelink? And then to the Undead Burg?"
"Actually… we could visit the blacksmith," Eskar said, a bit eager as well. He had gathered a fair quantity of Titanite after all.
"Oh, Andre? Yes, perhaps we should." Beatrice agreed.
"Blacksmith?" Oscar was surprised they knew of a nearby smith.
"We'll show you," Beatrice said as the three of them descended the ladders to the ground level of the Parish.
"Ah, the sun. What a magnificent father." Solaire continued to stare at the sun, no matter how bright it shone in his eyes.
"Aye, I've seen you've done quite well for yourself, even managed to find a new friend. Heh heh heh." Andre said as he hammered away at his most recent project.
"Never expected to find another Astoran in this land," Oscar admitted.
"Heh heh, ye might be surprised, we have a lot of travelers."
"Heh. I suppose you may be right." Oscar chuckled. Astorians indeed seem to spread far and wide across different lands.
"So, you happen to find any stones? Any Titanite?" Andre asked both Eskar and Beatrice.
"We did," Beatrice said as Eskar showed Andre the Twinkling Titanite, as well as other pieces of Titanite they could find.
"My my… it's hard to uncover that much on such short notice. What do you do? Did you stumble on treasure?"
"We find different things. The lizard's leftovers from Hollows, and mostly thanks to a crow and those Black Knights." Eskar recounted.
"You… Did you face Black Knights? Heh, maybe I should have seen that coming after what you did to that Titanite Demon, heh heh… wait a second. Did you three rung the bell?" Andre asked them.
"We did." Eskar confirmed in a deadpan tone.
"By my beard, sorry, I just didn't expect… it bloody surprised me when I heard the ringing. If I'm honest, I never thought someone would be able to."
"You don't have to apologize, we understand. If I'm honest myself, I never thought I would reach this far either." Oscar said.
"Well, you better use your stones and souls now. If you are gonna keep throwing yourselves into danger, then ye better be prepared. With the Twinkling Titanite, I can finally look at that magic sword of yours, maybe even look at your longsword or your armor. If any of you would prefer that." Andre offered. Eskar for his part was eager to test out his sword if it improved, if everything went well, then he would be able to unfold Risryn's sword for far longer before it broke and needed to reform. Oscar was also interested in improving his weaponry and his armor. After some discussion, they agreed to leave Oscar's armor, his sword, and Eskar's sword with Andre. Eskar didn't need his vestments reinforced at the moment… and Beatrice… she didn't have anything else to wear, so she preferred to not reinforce her clothes for now… for matters of modesty.
With Oscar down to his shorts and his pants, they settled around Andre's workshop as he worked on the swords first, and then on the armor. Eskar had been kind enough to share some of his Twinkling Titanite to improve Oscar's sword, as it turned out that it would need it as well. It did serve as a way for Andre to familiarize himself with another magic sword. With some indications from Eskar, Andre was well underway to imbue and sharpen the foldable sword with Titanite.
"Your sword, it has magic?" Eskar asked Oscar.
"It's a blessed weapon, normally as a knight, you wouldn't notice it, not even against Hollows. They are still human after all. But skeletons, and other resurrected undead… that is what these weapons are for." Andre told them.
"The sword… it was given to me by my family, the day I became an officer and a knight. I got the idea it was blessed. Only I never truly knew how. It explains how when my faith was unwavering the sword felt… stronger." Oscar said. Without his armor and helmet, he looked much different, whereas with the armor he looked like a noble knight, without he was simply a grown man. He had short hair and tired eyes… yet those eyes seemed to have regained a spark they had had once before.
"With the Ember, you two brought to me earlier, I should be able to even make this sword divine. Heh heh. If that's something you want of course." Andre offered.
"... No I, faith is… uh." Eskar stumbled on his word for a moment, trying to remember how to phrase faith, and forte accordingly.
"He's not the type to use his faith, he uses his own will instead." Beatrice assisted him.
"Oh, I understand… I have to say, your speech got better." Andre acknowledged Eskar's progress.
"Igen, I've had to speak far more often," Eskar noted.
"He sometimes needs help, but by now you wouldn't notice he's not a native speaker," Beatrice smirked. She was happy with how far Eskar had come from the person doing hand gestures to try and communicate all the way back at Darkroot Garden.
"Heh heh, sure seems like he has improved… heh, sorry for the jokes eh?" Andre apologized.
"It's no issue," Eskar assured him.
"Oh, it feels good to talk with others. Hammering maybe my world, but being able to share a story... You and that Onion Knight certainly made this place more enjoyable." Andre grinned.
"Onion Knight?" Beatrice, Eskar, and Oscar asked in unison.
"Oh yeah. Bumbling Sir Onion at the gates of Sen's fortress. He seems like a nice fellow… though I suppose he might not be the brightest… basically banging his helmet against the doors of the fortress." Andre told them.
"Helmet… are you perhaps saying… this knight, is a knight of Catarina?" Oscar asked, the Knights of Catarina were the only ones he could picture as Onions… he doubted they would appreciate that assessment.
"How else could be dubbed an Onion Knight? Heh heh. He should still be at the gates of Sen's fortress. It will take me a bit to get all this armor repaired and toughened up, maybe you can go and see if he's still there, you know. It would give you something to do, other than wait bored as I finish this up." Andre said as he focused on finishing the swords and was already picturing what he needed to do for Oscar's armor.
The group of three looked at each other and shrugged, they decided to go and check on the Onion Knight. The path to Sen's fortress was devoid of any danger, so they hadn't anything to worry about. As they approached the fortress they saw Catarina Knight.
"C'est ja egy cepa." (That's indeed an onion.) Eskar commented, earning a soft elbow from Beatrice who gestured to him to not make those comments too loudly. Eskar assumed the Catarina nights didn't appreciate being called onions. Then again he doubted the knight would understand his language, the only person who could mostly understand him was Beatrice after all… or at least guess what he was saying.
"Uh… excuse me?" Oscar tried to get the attention of the Onion.
"Mmm… Hrmmmmm…"
"Uh, sir?"
"Mmm… mmm…" The Catarina Knight continued humming and the trio was about to try and shook or tap the knight out of his stupor. They didn't get the chance as the knight suddenly noticed them. "Mm! Oh-hoh! Forgive me... I was absorbed in thought."
"It's quite alright," Beatrice assured him.
"That is good to hear. Oh sorry, ehem. I'm Siegmeyer of Catarina, If I may ask, who are you? You seem like colorful folk, a young man, who I assume is a sorceress and… oh my... you might scare children with that mask." Siegmeyer pointed out as he looked at them one by one, starting from Oscar and ending on Eskar and his peculiar mask. Eskar himself chuckled at the assessment.
"My name Oscar, a Knight of Astora, my armor is currently being repaired by the blacksmith, in the old church. This here is Beatrice, and he is Eskar, a friendly Masked One." Socar presented them.
"Truly? Hah-Hah. I had a gut feeling Masked Ones could be reasoned with." Siegmeyer said mostly to himself.
"Reasoned with?" Eskar inquired.
"Oh forgive me, it's just that most of your people seem rather distant, secretive, or protective… I've heard if you stumbled into the wrong parts some Masked Ones could jump you, and kill you. Doesn't help that most people can't understand their language. Ah but… if you can talk our language, it means this could all be a massive misunderstanding that could be solved." Siegmeyer said.
"Hmm…" Eskar thought for a second. A misunderstanding would be putting it lightly, they were taken away from their world after all. Even more, the fact that they were attacking people was worrying. But it wasn't the worst sign yet surprisingly, fighting anyone that got too close was something that he would expect out of some of the Prospects and Absolvers he has encountered in the past.
"What exactly are you doing here Sir Siegmeyer?" Beatrice asked him.
"Oh. Quite honestly, I have run-flat against a wall. Or a gate, I should say. The thing just won't budge, No matter how long I wait. And, oh, I have waited! So, here I sit, in quite a pickle. Weighing my options so to speak! Hah hah hah hah!" Siegmeyer laughed.
"You… are waiting for the door. For it to budge?" Oscar asked.
"Well, there's no way to force it from the outside. I've tried to think of more options, after all, I've heard some people have been able to pass through here. Yet I can't seem to be able to find other routes. Hmm… I got to be patient and think… mmm..." Siegmeyer was about to enter deep in thought again.
"Patience is only such when you have a plan to act, otherwise, it's malsaĝeco (foolery)." Eskar said.
"Hmm... uh… I didn't understand, but I got the gist of it. Hmm… you may be right. Yet my plans were to travel upwards, to see if I could reach the city of the gods."
"You truly intended to try and reach Anor Londo?" Beatrice asked, a bit doubtful that the knight of Catarina would be able to.
"Well, of course, I could hardly think of a better adventure. Though perhaps that may not be possible at the moment. Say, why are you three here? What journey are you embarking on?" Siegmeyer asked them.
"We are here to ring the Bells of Awakening, and to find more of Eskar's people. The Masked Ones." Beatrice said.
"We rang one bell, now we must proceed to the one that is below, in Blighttown. For that, we must go through the Undead Burg, and then through the Depths." Oscar added.
"You were the ones that rang the bell? Hmm… mmm… hmmmm… Perhaps while this gate is closed I could venture into the other places below… who knows. Perhaps I will even find a way to get past the gate. Ah, thank you for the idea. I have decided that I will venture to the Depths to see what adventures they can offer." Siegmeyer stood up, got a hold of his sword, and began walking away from Sen's fortress.
"Wait… you are going to face the Undead Burg and the Depths… alone?" Oscar asked.
"Why yes, it wouldn't be an adventure if it wasn't a challenge right? Hah hah hah hah!" Siegmeyer laughed, the trio didn't necessarily disagree with him, but they did question the Knight of Catarina's ability… or more specifically, his perception about facing the challenges ahead.
"W-wait!" Eskar did his best to stop him. "If you are going in that direction, we could accompany you and travel together."
"You don't need to bother, I can handle myself," Siegmeyer responded.
"We don't doubt that. We simply thought that if we all worked together, it would benefit us all. We both intend to go there after all." Beatrice said.
"If nothing else, it would be a chance for us to cooperate as fellows. Wouldn't thoust agree." Oscar did his best to sound like Solaire, he was a Warrior of Sunlight now after all. Incredibly that last bit seemed to get to Siegmeyer, the thought of sharing his adventures with others, in a way warmed his heart. And so, he couldn't refuse.
"Oh hoh. Very well, I must admit traveling alongside a Masked One is already an adventure, and even more so with a party such as yours. Very well, I shall accompany you."
"Nagna. Now we just need to pick up our gear from Andre, and we'll be ready to go." Eskar said.
"Then let's go. A knight is nothing without his weapons and armor, Sir Oscar." Siegmeyer said.
"Heh, I couldn't have said it better." Oscar chuckled as they went back to the tower that was the old church. They walked down the stairs back to Andre's workshop and found him making the finishing touches to Oscar's armor.
"Ah, welcome back, it's good to see you again Sir Knight, heh heh." Andre welcomed Siegmeyer to his workshop.
"As it is to see you again dear blacksmith." Siegmeyer greeted.
"Heh, well, I would say I'm mostly done with this. Your swords should be nice and sharp now. I'll admit I did my best, but I don't know if summoning this sword would be any different to you." Andre told Eskar as he handed him over Risryn's sword. It wasn't significantly heavier, but Eskar could tell that it was certainly more durable and sharper. To fold it was not an issue… but to unfold it. Over his time in Lordran, he had become more apt at summoning the sword, whether becoming separated from the Guides had influenced his growth, or if learning the basics of sorcery had taught him how to use his Shards more efficiently… he didn't know precisely, but he had been able to unfold the blade with only three shards, whereas previously he needed four.
Now, however, he felt an increase. Far more durable, far more powerful as a magical self-repairing blade. But he would need five Shards to unfold it. Meaning he would need to choose between building Tension to use the sword or the use of his Tension Arts. Luckily he was also becoming more efficient in gathering Tension during fights, so perhaps it wouldn't be much of an issue. Oscar's equipment was much more straightforward, simple improvements that would aid him and probably save his life during a fight. As Oscar put on his armor they began to plan their next move.
"I suppose you have an idea on how to reach the Undead Burg?" Siegmeyer asked the trio.
"We'll pass through Firelink Shrine. We'll use the elevator, walk through the Burg and then find a way to the lower levels. We happen to know a place that might just lead down there." Beatrice told.
"Oh. Seems you three have been going around. Hah hah hah."
"Mondhatnánk." (One could say.) Eskar nodded.
"Oh not again, more people passing by. You would perhaps think a decaying land would be far more desolated, but it seems like everybody wants to pass by today." The Crestfallen Warrior whined as he saw the group arrive at Firelink Shrine.
"We haven't been away that long," Eskar responded.
"Oh, you would be surprised. What- You three were away for five hours or more? In that time a silly sorcerer apprentice decides to make it for the Undead Burg. He was always prattling about Master Logan."
"Master Logan? Big Hat Logan?" Beatrice asked.
"Which other Logan of importance is there? The apprentice never came back. Serves him right. If Old Big Hat cannot make it out there, what chance does he have? I hope he enjoys his new life as a Hollow."
"Well, that is mighty a deplorable statement out of you," Siegmeyer said to the Crestfallen Warrior.
"I pictured you simply as a fool who had given up. Not a wrong wishing bastard." Eskar said.
"Wrong wishing? I'm simply stating the truth! This land will be the end of us all, what hope do they have?"
"Probably more than you," Beatrice commented.
"Oh, you are funny. Almost as funny as that old man. A ragged old chum also passed through here. One who idolized some godmother of pyromancy. He also left for Blighttown and never came back. They are fools. Whereas others flee from sickness, he dives right in. Well, nothing will harm him or the sorcerer once they go Hollow." The Crestfallen Warrior said.
"I also pictured you better than this," Oscar commented. "You are the kind to disdain others that much?"
"I just don't want them telling me all about their plans and dreams, they are fools if they think they won't end Hollow. As if any of us would achieve what they set out for. While you were gone someone rang the bell, guess someone beat you to it." The Crestfallen Warrior pointed at them, he had expected silence… but not the looks he was receiving.
"Hmm…" As Eskar crossed his arms and Beatrice raised an eyebrow, it suddenly dawned on him.
"... Wait. Was it you?"
"Yes," Oscar said.
"You never give up, do you? I don't know how you do it." The Crestfallen Warrior sighed.
"It's something called will… perhaps if you'd come with us, you would find it within yourself." Eskar offered.
"I would listen to him, he seems quite the sage," Siegmeyer said.
"Hmm, I think I'll pass… I wasted all my will long ago. But don't stop on my account now, you've got only one more to go. But it's going to be suicide. Hah hah hah…"
"Don't worry, we will. We might even find these other people you have spoken of." Beatrice said as the group began to walk in the direction of the Undead Burg.
"Oh I doubt they are still sane… but I won't stop you from trying. Now I can finally go back to some peace and quiet." The Crestfallen Warrior shifted on his seat and got comfortable.
"Vous szánalmas ekskuzo de militisto." (You pathetic excuse of a warrior.) Eskar muttered as he walked with the others. Off to the side Siegmeyer whispered to Beatrice.
"Ah, excuse me, you understand him right?" He asked.
"More or less."
"Oh, did you happen to know what he said?"
"Not precisely. But I would wager it was an insult aimed at that undead."
"Hmm… mmmm…"
"I must admit. You tree certainty have a knack for adventuring and finding your way around." Sigmeyer complimented as they climbed the stairs up to the bridge where the Hellkite Drake had been. They traveled the same route they had taken before relatively quickly, killing the undead that got in their way and then proceeding to the stair at the end of the bridge. Close to where they had originally found Solaire.
This was the only path they knew that led to the lower Undead Burg, all the others being either blocked by locked gates or blocked bt debri. As they walked the staircase that led to a lower plaza, Siegmeyer took the chance to speak with Eskar.
"If you don't mind, I've meaning to ask. But how is it you are able to twist our body in that way when fighting."
"... I don't twist my body that much."
"Truly? If ever attempted to kick in the same way you did. I would end up flat on my back. Hah hah hah hah."
"It required practice, where I came from most that… wanted...intended? Intended to fight trained from a young age. Other than that, I'm simply learned to be… uhh… fast and mobile… uh-"
"Agile." Beatrice once again helped him.
"Agile… agile and flexible is what I am. What I trained to be. I've practiced kicks and jumps for a long time, and can perform them even if I had heavier equipment. Although I will say, with armor-like yours… It would be a bit difficult. I'm not even sure I would be able." Eskar said.
"Heh heh, I suppose that's true. But this is my armor, even if I could learn how to throw those kicks, I wouldn't part from it. As a knight of Catarina, this armor is my pride. I know at heart I am a heavier fighter as well." Siegmeyer said as he patted his armor's… belly if it was supposed to be that.
"There are still some moves perfectly fit for heavier fighters," Eskar said, knowing and having performed plenty of them in the past.
"Truly?"
"Hold on for a second," Oscar said as they reached the bottom of the stairs. "I think this leads to a lower street," Oscar said pointing at some stairs that led downwards towards what seemed to be a small cross section.
"And those stairs?" Beatrice pointed at the stairs that went up the side of a building.
"Well, quite clearly up."
"It does look… it looks like the building the firebombers sit atop." Beatrice said.
"It does," Eskar confirmed. He proceeded to nod to Oscar so that both of them could check the stairs. They would do it alone to avoid more people getting stuck behind them or had the danger of falling off the stairs. As they reached the top, they were able to notice a door that had been previously blocked from the other side, then opened it and quickly backpedaled to avoid the attack of a Hollow warrior. As the Hollow missed them they pushed it off the ledge and into the cliff.
"We have a shortcut now. If we don't want to climb down those stairs again." Oscar and Eskar walked down the steps of the stairs back to Siegmeyer and Beatrice.
"Hmm, could be useful," Beatrice said.
"Seeing as both got that out the way, we should proceed. Do be careful now, I've heard some of these streets were home to a large host of thieves and bandits once. They've all probably left by now, but if there are Hollows, the most likely strike when we least expect it." Siegmeyer warned them.
"If there are Hollows, then they would be a danger either way." Beatrice pointed out.
"That is true, but with thieves, one cannot be too careful they are tricky after all. Perhaps we should find a way to get past these streets. Hmm…" Siegmeyer began to think.
"Forgive me, but I do believe this the only way for us to move forward," Oscar said.
"Hmm… you may be right Sir Oscar. However, I do believe we should try and think of our options more clearly." Siegmeyer put his hand against his helmet's chin.
"We could plan our moves all day, but that won't mean anything if we don't take action," Eskar said. "We have proved we can handle ourselves, and we can look after each other. If we must fight, we must know to adapt."
"Hmm, that's true as well. Very well, if you are confident, then I shall be as well, and lend my sword to our safe passage." Siegmeyer declared.
"If we are agreed. Then let's see what awaits us." Oscar said as he led his companions down the stairs and into the streets of the Undead Burg. To their surprise, their first enemies weren't Hollow humans… but dogs.
"Watch it!" Eskar warned Oscar as a decrepit starved dog pounced on him with sharp teeth. Oscar held the dog back with his shield as it tried to squirm its way past the shield. With the narrow stairwell, Oscar was pinned between the do and his fellows, and soon another dog appeared. Eskar took initiative and jumped on the railing of the stairwell, then he kicked the approaching dog away from Oscar with a roundhouse kick, it went flying and got knocked against the well in the middle of the street. A third dog made its way towards them, however, Beatrice was able to notice it and shoot a soul arrow powerful enough to kill in one shot before it could get too close.
"Hyaagh!" Siegmeyer used his large Zweihander, aiming it with both hands and sliding across the top of Oscar's shield. He aimed his thrust to hit the dog harassing Oscar just the right moment where it would poke its head trying to bite at Oscar. Siegmeyer thrust the tip of his blade past the dog's skull and then wrenched it out with the help of Oscar. As that happened Eskar used a powerful kick to smash the other dog's head against the well, and a final stomp kick to kill it.
"Dogs… I honestly forgot how dogs turned out with the effects of the curse. Oh, I wish now I could forget it again." Siegmeyer said with both a mix of sadness for the creatures and scorn at the idea of having to deal with them. Rabid dogs were nothing if ferocious after all.
"Let's make sure they don't corner us this time," Oscar said as they explored the street.
"Hmm, it's odd, there's still traces of fire here. People trying to burn the undead." Siegmeyer pointed out.
"Even though most people should have already left more than a decade ago," Oscar said.
"Some undead hold on to old habits even when Hollow," Beatrice said.
"... How many Hollows do you think are still here?" Eskar asked.
"More than likely a few, where, however-" Beatrice got caught off as three doors were suddenly kicked open. From there three Hollow thieves appeared, ready to try to shank them.
"Hah! I knew there would be thieves here." Siegmeyer prepared his sword and shield.
"But with four against three, the odds are in our favor," Oscar said as he thrust forward with his sword. The Hollow thief did a backflip to avoid the thirst and then jumped forward, dagger ready to try strike through the visor of his helmet. Oscar deflected the dagger with his own sword and stepped back.
"These are agile for Hollows," Siegmeyer called out. As he said so he tried to hit one of the Hollow Thieves, only to miss it, and then deal with the thief's counter-attack. Only the dagger bounced off Siegmers armor, not even able to harm the Catarina knight. As the fight continued, Eskar was the first to score a kill. He countered an attack from one of the thieves and responded with a one-handed slash to the torso, followed with a roundhouse to the side and soul dart to the face.
As Eskar thrust his sword in hopes of finishing the thief, the thief parried his attack and flipped over Eskar. However Eskar acted quickly, he had been parried by other Absolvers before, and he was used to much faster ripostes. As the thief flipped over Eskar, Eskar performed a back elbow that caught the thief as it positioned itself behind Eskar and then Eskar killed it with a reverse thrust stab, pulling the sword of the thief with a flourish.
Siegmeyer missed his second swing, but he pushed the thief towards Beatrice's line of sight. She landed a quick soul arrow to the thief's chest and left it exposed for Siegmeyer. With the third swing as the charm, the thief was bisected. Ust then Oscar killed the thief that he was battling. Parrying an attack from the dagger and pushing the thief flat on its back with his shield and executing with a downwards thrust.
"Any more?" Oscar asked with his shield still at the ready.
"It doesn't appear to be the case." Siegmeyer hefted his sword on his shoulder as no more enemies seemed to be near.
"I suppose the streets are still plagued with thieves, even after the world fell apart." Beatrice quipped.
"Hmm… somewhat saddening." Siegmeyer lamented.
"Where should we go to find the Depths?" Eskar asked.
"We should look for a sewer entrance… perhaps in that direction." Oscar pointed to a dark tunnel. As the four of them made their way there, they noticed a small horde of Hollows waiting for them, some with torches.
"I suppose those are the Hollows that remain here," Eskar noted.
"Leave these ones to me," Beatrice said as she stepped forward and cracked her neck. She weaved forward a soul mass and waited until most Hollows were her line of sight to fire a soul spear that pierced through various Hollows and killed them. The rest of the Hollows charged at her but only got mowed down by two of her soul arrows and then by her soul mass. Even then two of the Hollows were able to come close, but she wasn't worried, she had companions that very swiftly charged at the two Hollows and ended them before they could attack. Both Oscar and Eskar went for one Hollow each. Eskar doing a flying spinning hook kick to knock one down before stabbing it, and Oscar rushing with one wide slash followed by a heavy cleave of his sword.
"Huh… you three certainly know how to charge into combat. You know what to do the moment you see your enemy, even if it is a horde." Siegmeyer appraised, thinking what would he do in their place.
"Well… normally I would be more cautious. But these two… they taught me how to be more proactive in a way." Oscar admitted.
"Truly?"
"I… I always hung back when using my spells. But someone has forced me to… be more aggressive. It's the only way I can keep up with him" Beatrice pointed at Eskar with her staff. Eskar for the first time in a while seemed embarrassed as his three other companions looked at him and waited for his input. He scratched the back of his head for a second until he found a way to respond.
"I… I fought other Absolvers, I learned the price of being too offensive or defensive. True grit comes from being both. Doubt becomes the enemy, hesitation is defeat. One must go and flow with the fight, fight to control it. Or not fight at all." Eskar said.
"Hmm… those are wise words." Siegmeyer thought for a second.
"Heh, I'll admit you were able to flow with every fight we had to face. You adjusted to this land rather quick, well after the first time I found you." Beatrice smiled.
"I know. I had much to learn... and I still owe you for that." Eskar said.
"Is that someone out there? Can you please open this door? I'm trapped… oh, I'm gonna go Hollow here… How did this ever happen?" The four of them heard a voice coming through the door of a house. Instead of trying to talk to the voice, they decided to open the gate right away. They guessed the door would open with the key they had bought from the Undead Merchant, and they were correct. Once the door opened they discovered a young sorcerer.
"Oh Brilliant! You opened the door for me! Thank You; I'm saved. I thought I might never escape."
"I believe we found the sorcerer," Oscar mentioned.
"Oh… you… now of me?"
"Oh don't be afraid, we in fact came to see if you were still sane. Another undead told us that you had been around. Hah hah hah hah." Siegmeyer assured him.
"Oh, well I suppose that I should thank them then. Heh. I'm Griggs of Vinheim. A sorcerer of the school. I am much obliged for your assistance. Thanks to you, I may now resume my travels."
"Where would you plan to go?" Eskar asked.
"Oh for now… back to Firelink. I need time to recover my bearings. You don't need to worry, I'll be more cautious… and I still have my sorcery."
"Mhm… I suppose that leaves with the old man that's still missing." Beatrice said.
"Uh excuse me, who?" Griggs asked Beatrice.
"If we had to guess, some old pyromancer, seemed to be headed for Blighttown."
"Oh… Oh no."
"You know him?" Oscar asked.
"No, no… but… while I was trapped I heard the sounds of Pyromancies in the distance, and then some screaming. I was able to also hear what was the sound of those… Ummm. There are some cannibals in the Depths. He must have been trapped and… he might already have been eaten."
"If that's the case we have to hurry and reach the Depths."
"That's… that's not gonna be easy. The entrance to the Depths is guarded by a Capra Demon. A demon with two giant swords and a goat head. And even then, you would still need to deal with whatever is down there on the Depths. Not to say the cannibals." Griggs said. There was a sudden silence, the group thought for a second all in silence.
"What are you three thinking?" Siegmeyer asked, curious.
"We… I believe each of us is thinking about our odds." Oscar said.
"We know it's a Capra Demon, a dangerous Demon… but not the most dangerous kind," Beatrice noted.
"And we are five," Eskar added.
"Five? I'm sorry… but I'm not sure…"
"Sir Griggs. We are not gonna ask you to help us, but if you did… we might have a better chance of doing this quickly." Oscar said. "If you help us, we'll help you get back safely to Firelink." He offered.
"Umm… uh… are you certain we can do this?" Griggs asked.
"Oh young man, I myself feel pretty sure about this," Siegmeyer told him.
The Capra Demon waited at the other side of its fog door, waiting for another victim to try and face it. It however didn't expect to see five figures cross its fog door at the same time. As the group of five entered the small space, the dogs were sick on them. Siegmeyer was the first one to kill one with a wide doubled handed swing of his sword. As the second dog attacked, Eskar lept and dive rolled over it, leaving Oscar to face the dog as he thrust his sword through its mouth. The Capra Demon attacked Eskar as he approached, Eskar sidestepping the attack and jumping on the wall to land a fling spinning roundhouse.
With the demon disoriented, both Beatrice and Griggs fired soul arrows at the Capra Demon, making stumble and leaving it ready for Eskar to Land the strikes with his longsword, then kicking its ankle and following it with a knee to its stomach and finishing his flurry with an illusion twist kick. The two knights of the party joined in the fray against the demo. Eskar sliced at the Demon's tendons. Oscar landed two strikes across its chest. Griggs landed a soul arrow to its head, and then Beatrice used a soul spear to hit the Demon on its chest.
"Wha…" Griggs gasped as he witnessed Beatrice use a soul spear. Meanwhile, Siegmeyer landed a heavy blow to the Demon's side, unbalancing it. It was almost dead, and that was when Eskar jumped once again on the wall and unfolded his sword. He tested the new sharpness by using a reverse grip to stab through the Demon's neck and drag it down to the floor with him. The Capra Demon began to choke on its own blood as it was dragged down to its knees. Just to have the sword wrenched out of him, and then be decapitated by Siegmeyer with a mighty downwards swing. As the Demon dissolved into souls, it left behind the key to the Depths.
"Hah hah! No demon can stand against us!" Siegmeyer cheered with a loud booming voice, feeling pride and accomplishment he hadn't felt in quite some time.
"We truly did it." Griggs agreed, surprised with himself.
"Seems I can add another demon to the list I've slain." Oscar joined in on the celebration.
"Don't party too hard. We still have to go into the Depths themselves." Beatrice told them.
"Oh… right right." Griggs promptly became nervous again, but less so than when they had to face the Capra Demon.
"So… how's the blade?" Oscar asked Eskar off to the side.
"It certainly feels stronger, far stronger…" Eskar said, opting to sheath his longsword and test how much more durable Rysrin's sword was now. "Shall we go?"
"Let's save this Pyromancer!" Siegmeyer cried with motivation, there was obviously still a chance that he could already have been eaten or Hollow. But the Knight of Catarina was in too good of a mood to think that way.
As they opened the door to the Depths and proceeded downwards, the group was forced to face many Hollows, in fact, the only thing they could see was Hollows and what they could only discern to be one large butcher were the only beings they could see in the dark underground. Siegeyer used a mighty swing to kill two Hollows that tried to come up behind them while Oscar parried the flimsy attempt of an attack from another and then pinned the Hollow against the ground with his sword.
"That… that right there is one of the cannibals." Griggs shuddered as he pointed towards the butcher.
"We shouldn't waste time then," Beatrice said as they stepped into the chamber with multiple tables and Hollows, from there, she, Griggs, and Eskar were able to hit the butcher with soul projectiles. The three of them showered the butcher in soul energy before it was able to do much. It tried to rush at them, but after five souls arrows to the chest and nine soul darts to either the face or chest, it was unable to even come close before it died.
As the Hollows surrounded them, each one took care of a few, Siegmeyer killed four in three consecutive swings. Oscar quickly decapitated one before kicking another in the stomach to push it away, turned to the side to kill another Hollow with two swings to the chest, and finally killed the Hollow he kicked before by tripping it with a strike to the legs and hitting its head with his shield once it was on the ground. Griggs was able to kill two Hollows with soul spears before he had to back away from other Hollows, he was saved by Beatrice who killed four Hollows with a combination of soul arrows and a soul mass. Griggs was honestly quite impressed at the skill Beatrice had, especially since he noticed she was a witch that hadn't gone to any sort of magic school. He could tell.
He was also impressed tremendously with the soul darts Eskar seemed to be able to make, even more so when did another type of magic. He saw him prepare himself before they entered the door, he thought for a mere couple of seconds and something changed in him… Griggs realized he had somehow switched the magic he had available, as he felt the same signs as when someone changed their attunement slots. Eskar used a slice and spinning hook kick to kill one Hollow, then did slash under the knee of another before kneeing it on the face and then cracking its skull with a downwards swing of his sword. As three other Hollows surrounded him, he pushed them away with Shockwave Tension Art that pushed the Hollows against the walls and the tables. As they were stunned Eskar killed one with a flurry of slice followed by a Meia Lua kick and spinning hook kick. He killed another by parrying an attack, answering with a quick punch, a pommel strike to the head, and ending it with a powerful spinning upwards slice. Finally, he performed backstep to avoid another attack from a Hollow before attacking with a far-reaching roundhouse, followed by an elbow, a sword slash, a spinning heel trip kick, and finally a hammer kick that crushed the Hollows skull.
The final Hollow was killed by Oscar as he stabbed it from the back, it didn't even have the chance to come close to Eskar. The other Hollows in the room had already been defeated. A horde of Hollows and possibly cannibals dealt with.
"I can't believe it!" Griggs admitted.
"These are the benefits of working together," Oscar said to him.
"Oh I agree, in fact, I'm happy I decided to assist you," Griggs responded.
"Hah hah hah hah. That's the spirit. But now we need to know if the Pyromancer is here." Siegmeyer said.
"Hey, is that someone sane? Was that fighting… well, to kill the Hollows? Anyone?" The five of them heard a voice coming from a corner of the room.
"Seems we have found him," Eskar said. Eskar and Oscar led the way to the room where they heard the voice. The room was in a lower level that didn't seem to have a direct stairwell that connected to the rest of the grand room before. Both of them jumped down and entered the room to see piles and stacks of barrels, and among them… their Pyromancer.
"... He, you two! You must help me… but wait! Or she'll have you for lunch too!" The pyromancer nodded upwards.
"She?" Oscar asked as both he and Eskar slowly entered the room.
"She! Up there!" The pyromancer wanted them, they looked up and saw a butcher hanging from the ceiling. "She" stopped down on top of them and knocked Oscar on his back while Esar rolled to the side. Eskar stabbed the butched through the side with his sword, still holding strong even through all the fighting. He then ducked as the butcher tried to hit him with her machete and countered with an upwards slice followed by a horizontal slice, a reverse grip one-handed slash, and then a flying knee to her head, Eskar followed the attack with a spinning hook kick another jump and this time with a spinning roundhouse that hit the butcher on the back of the head.
She stumbled forward and Eskar slashed at her knees, enraged she moved to turn around, but it had been too late. Oscar got up and immediately charged her with his shield. He smashed his shield against her face and then thrust his sword through her while Eskar did the same from the other side. Killing her.
As they wrenched their swords out of the corpse. A dog came inside the room, Eskar noticed first and quickly used his Gravity Tension Art to slow the dog down. Both damaging it as it slammed against the ground and making it fall on itself, ready to be finished by OScar with a slash of his sword. Another dog appeared… but it was quickly shot down by a soul arrow.
"Phew… I'm very sorry. But a few dogs appeared the moment you two jumped down. I think we have killed everything." Beatrice said as she crossed the door.
"Oh good… I thought I would end up as supper. Well, I could still end like if I remain here… Are you… can I ask you to please free me? You are my only hope." The Pyromancer begged.
"Do not worry, we are here to save you," Oscar said to the Pyromancer.
"Th-Thank you. I would have been supper without you!"
"Please, stand back as much as you can," Eskar warned the pyromancer as he got close. The Pyromancer realized what Eskar meant and did his best to move as far back as he could inside the barrel. Eskar then kicked the barrel with a front ick… and soon the barrel fell apart.
"Thank you so much. Being eaten alive. I shudder to think…"
"Yes… it does sound horrifying." Oscar shuddered as well.
"Well, I thank you. I thank you all dearly." The Pyromancer said as Siegmeyer and Griggs entered the room. "Ehem, I'm Laurentius, of the Great Swamp. I will not forget my debt to you."
"For now, we are here to escort you back to Firelink Shrine, if that's where you wish to go," Oscar said to him.
"Oh, that would be fine indeed. Thank you." Laurentius bowed his head.
"We'll escort you and Griggs back, and from there… you two can see what each one you will do."
"Sounds good for me… huh, interesting mask. Are you… yes, you are… even for a mAsked One that's an unusual mask." Laurentius looked at Eskar.
"... I'll admit, it is." Eskar agreed.
"Aaah… while you go back. I believe I'll take a small nap here." Siegmeyer said as he sat down next to the wall of the room. And much to the surprise of everyone.
"Sir Siegmeyer… are you sure that's a wise idea. This is a dangerous place, and certainly not one fit for sleep." Oscar said to him.
"I also do not recommend it," Laurentius warned.
"Oh I don't plan to sleep here, just rest my eyes for a bit. And don't worry. Before I might have been worried and even scared, but with the valor you three have shown me, I can say I feel inspired… I now know what it means to take more initiative during a fight. I'm confident… but don't worry, I'm no fool. I shall be careful in your absence. And all the while, I'll keep exploring, adventuring is my call after all. Hah hah hah hah." Siegmeyer laughed, it was slightly concerning for them… but at the same time, Siegmeyer had proven his strength. Not only to them but to himself as well.
"Do be safe Siegmeyer," Beatrice said to him.
"Likewise to you, young witch. To all of you. Let's be sure to meet again." Siegmeyer said to all of them.
"Shall we meet again," Oscar said to him.
"We will sir Oscar."
"... Don't be reckless." Eskar said for his part.
"Heh, I don't intend to, and thank you. Sir Eskar." Siegmeyere waved his goodbye as the group began to walk out of the room.
"Are you sure he'll be fine?" Laurentius asked as they began to walk towards the exit.
"In all honesty, he has surprised us. He'll be fine." Beatrice said as the five of them left. Meanwhile Siegmeyer began to snore.
"Why not buy some of my moss dearies? I need your souls. Vee hee hee!" An undead behind bars inside of the water aqueduct. It didn't seem like she had been locked there by someone else, rather, it seemed like she was there out of her own volition.
"I'm sorry, but we are fine on moss for now," Beatrice told the undead.
"Are you sure it's good moss dear? Mine is the best you'll find."
"We are fine, truly," Oscar said.
"Hmmph, fine. But you'll regret it. Vee hee hee."
"... Sure." Eskar muttered as the five of them made their way out of the aqueduct, all the while the undead merchant began to mutter something about "Young ones these days…". As they reached the end of the aqueduct they were able to spot Firelink Shrine and made their way back to the little sanctuary.
"We are here… you three are truly upstanding," Griggs told the trio of The Knight, The Witch, and The Absolver.
"Yes, I don't think I'll be able to fully repay you," Laurentius added.
"I don't bloody believe it." The Crestfallen Warrior looked wide-eyed at the five people in front of him.
"Seems we managed to return," Oscar said to the Crestfallen warrior.
"And all sane and in one piece? Wait what happened to the other one? The onion?"
"He's adventuring on his own for now." Eskar said.
"Of course… seems everyone's' doing something and moving though here on the process, same as those clerics over there." The Crestfallen Warrior moaned.
"Clerics?" Beatrice asked.
"Oh did you not see her? That virtuous little maiden, complete with followers in tow. They're probably going straight to pillage graves. I've heard enough about "M'Lad" for a lifetime."
"So… more people." Oscar said.
"Yes. Nauseating. It's almost like this place is becoming a little community." The Crestfallen Warrior said as he tried to get comfortable once again in his seat. With both Griggs and Laurentius safe, the trio now probably needed to head back to the Depths… but first they would probably have to see for themselves who these newcomers were. And whatever meeting them might entail.
A/N: Okay, chapter done. I'll admit the fights at the end are rather short… But if I'm honest the Capra Demon and its dogs aren't that hard, especially when more people are involved… and if they are five, one with a wide swinging weapon and two casters. Well, let's just say the Capra Demon is kinda toast. There's a reason why it becomes a common enemy on Izalith.
The same goes for the admittedly added Hollows for the Horde right as they entered the Depths, it becomes significantly less with more people. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, review if you please, however it is not necessary. And if anyone is reading up this point without following, consider following. I am going to keep this story going for a while.