Summary: Ornstein and Tempest share a moment before they head out again. Ornstein, trying to avoid going to Blighttown, gets Tempest to do other stuff first.
(Author's note: I wanted to have this out far sooner, but with christmas in the way and after christmas me getting sick, I couldn't. Sorry for the wait.)
"Hey, Ornstein, how about some chicken broth for tonight's dinner? I let you even add something weird."
That was the note that Tempest had written and put into the wooden box that was standing around in the cathedral. And right at this moment, Tempest squinted his eyes trying to decipher what Ornstein had written on it as reply.
"I am sure there isn't the word chicken in it...", Tempest said, turning the slip of paper, thinking that maybe he tried to read it from the wrong direction, but still to no avail. There probably wasn't the word chicken in it, but Ornstein's handwriting could only be considered chicken scratch.
After ten minutes had passed and Tempest had simply maid out the word "No" in it, he gave up and went to find Ornstein.
He found the dragon slayer in a rather sun-drenched room that smelled marvellous. A quick look around unveiled the source of the smell and Tempest put both hands at his cheeks as he squeaked with delight: "A herbal garden!"
Ornstein, who had been in the midst of watering some thyme, turned around in surprise. "Oh, it's you, little Storm.", he said and continued to water the plants if nothing ever happened.
"Why haven't you told me of this place? This is every cook's dream!", Tempest shouted out and went to look at every single plant in the room. There was thyme, rosemary, dill, basil, oregano, garden cress and many more.
"Because all the herbs are already in the kitchen to use.", Ornstein said, picking up some scissors to cut one of the plants into shape. "This garden...", his voice suddenly grew somber, "...it has been his garden."
Tempest could feel the pang of guilt in his stomach. He didn't need a name to know who Ornstein was referring to. That was something that he never would be able to undo. Besides...
… an idea formed in Tempest but he wanted the dragon slayer to be in the right mood for this. For now, he was more than eager to spend more time in this garden.
"May I help you taking care of it?", he asked and made his best puppy eyes at Ornstein, who gave him a glance and simply murmured "Fine."
After a good while of them working mostly in silence next to each other, only broken by Ornstein to tell Tempest how to handle the plants once in a while, the dragon slayer spoke again: "Little Storm, but you didn't come here to help me with the herbal garden, right? After all, this was your first time seeing it."
"Oh, right!", Tempest remembered why he had come finding Ornstein in the first place. He found the slip of paper in his pocket and showed it to Ornstein. "I couldn't read your handwriting.", he confessed.
Ornstein gave the slip a paper a quick glance and then sighed deeply, muttering something under his breath. Then, he raised his voice and said: "I wrote: No thanks, but you could make me some meatballs with a sweet cream sauce."
"Huh, that isn't something that I would put together, but at least it sounds edible...", Tempest said. "Have you gotten tired of weird foods already?"
Ornstein blushed and snapped at Tempest: "That's n.. none of your business!"
"It's alright.", Tempest grinned. "Can I take some fresh parsley for the meal? It will make it far better."
Ornstein gave his permission and once Tempest had cut off enough parsley he went to cook the requested meal.
Their little break continued for two more days until Ornstein said that his leg was fully healed and they should move out again the next day. He even told Tempest that he now was allowed to cook the chicken broth, but only when he added every single herb of the herbal garden into it, simply because he wanted to know how it tasted like.
Even though Tempest's couldn't taste anymore and his sense of smell wasn't as refined as it once used to be, the overload of the herbs in the broth made his eyes water while cooking. He was halfway expecting Ornstein to spit out the soup before he remembered what the dragon slayer had eaten completely unironically the last few days.
As Ornstein spooned the soup he looked rather thoughtful and once he was finished he simply said: "Thought this would taste better." and left, not asking for a second serving.
Tempest stayed, looking at the rest of the soup. He got curious himself. How it tasted like. But he knew when he tried to eat it, it would taste the same as paper for him. He was Undead and didn't need to eat anymore and therefore also couldn't taste anymore and he knew it. The only thing he could taste was the Estus Flask and drinking from it when not hurt felt wrong.
He stirred the soup with a spoon for a little while as he was lost in thoughts, hoping that Ornstein would eat the rest for breakfast. The only other people he could give the soup were the giant blacksmith and Dark Sun Gwyndolin and Tempest didn't want to unleash the All-Herb-Soup on them unprepared.
This evening and night Tempest stared at the notes he had taken once when Ornstein had told him about the lord souls and realized how useless they were. Sighing, he laid himself into bed and tried to get to sleep, a need that he didn't had anymore but could still act on if he tried.
The next day Tempest woke up and realized that he had overslept! He had really fallen asleep and apparently his body or mind or both had cherished the break and so Anor Londo had already got tinted into its eternal twilight, indicating that the next day had started.
Tempest hurried into the kitchen to see that Ornstein had eaten the rest of the soup. With a glance to the stove he noticed that it was cold and questioned how Ornstein had heated it up or if he had eaten it cold, but nonetheless, Ornstein probably was already waiting for him at the bonfire.
That was exactly where Tempest found the dragon slayer, who tapped his foot and scolded him: "You are late."
"I am sorry!", Tempest said. "I overslept."
"Apparently.", Ornstein said.
"So, for the next lord soul, we have to go back to Blighttown because that is where the way to Lost Izalith is... I think.", Tempest said, unfolding some notes. What he couldn't see was how Ornstein screwed up his face on the mere mention of Blighttown.
"Weren't you talking about taking care of the black knights when we were in the tomb?", he said.
Tempest looked from his notes to Ornstein, then to his notes again and then blurted out: "Really?! You mean we can do this?!"
"They once have been part of Lord Gwyn's army... as their captain, I owe their souls to bring them peace.", Ornstein said. Of course Ornstein simply didn't want to get to Blighttown and any delay to visit this place was a good delay in his opinion. "So, where have you seen the black knights wandering around?"
"The first one was in the Undead burg.", Tempest said. "And the second one was in the Undead Parish... I guess... the easiest way is from the sunlight altar bonfire... Oh!" Tempest's face lit up. "We should totally go to the sunlight altar!"
Before Ornstein could ask why or what had Tempest so excited, he felt how the little Undead took his hand and the familiar feeling of getting dragged through the fabric of space and time as well as the familiar nausea hit Ornstein.
As he opened his eyes again, nausea in his stomach settling down, it almost returned when he saw what Tempest had meant with sunlight altar when his eyes fell on the broken statue of... him.
Tempest hadn't noticed that Ornstein hadn't followed him and turned around, dodging a row of bolts that got shot at him from the hollows outside, stepping at the dragon slayer's side. "Ornstein, what's wrong?", he asked.
"You see this?", Ornstein pointed at the broken statue and Tempest nodded. "Notice anything about it?"
"Hm... let's see...", Tempest approached the statue and observed it closely. At first he couldn't find anything conspicuous but then he noticed: "It's wearing your weapon! Ornstein, is that a statue of yourself? But... why is it here and broken...?"
"It isn't my statue.", Ornstein said. "You have seen mine fully intact in Anor Londo. This one... is the statue of Lord Gwyn's firstborn."
Tempest gasped as he stared at Ornstein and then let his gaze wander at the statue. "The legends...", he said. "It isn't written anywhere but my mom once told me that he was banished for his crimes, but... nobody knew what it was anymore. Or his name..."
"Little Storm, this is a tale that has been forbidden to tell in Anor Londo and the entirety of Lordran for centuries, but... I think you deserve to learn the truth."
Ornstein took a deep breath before he started to speak again: "The firstborn of Lord Gwyn, also known as the firstborn of the sun, was not only my master and I wasn't only his first knight, but we also had been in a relationship."
Tempest needed a second but once he realized what Ornstein had said, he jumped up in surprise and screamed: "Wait, what, really?!"
"Yes, it is the truth.", Ornstein continued. "We were not only slaying countless dragons together, we also spent countless nights together, but our relationship was secret from almost everybody, because Lord Gwyn wanted his son to marry an influential goddess."
"Let me guess, this marriage never happened?", Tempest said. He was sure if the Sunfirstborn would have married, his romance loving mother would have told him everything about this story.
"Yes. Because my master went traitor and sided himself with the dragons, our very mortal enemy. Back then... back then I barely could believe that it happened. He was banished and he broke my heart. Lord Gwyn smashed his statue and it was tossed into the human settlements... the first few days after his departure I spend a lot of time near it, doings things I am not proud about, like screaming at it, crying over it, kicking it, defiling it..."
"Defiling it?!", Tempest chimed in.
"I said I was not proud of it.", Ornstein growled. "Besides, I had been pretty drunk back then..."
He sighed and collected his thoughts: "Where where we? Ah yes. But now, after all these years, I have the feeling I understand him a little better. I... want to search for him once this is all over. And Gwyndolin gave me their permission."
In Tempest's chest there was a sting. He knew it. He knew that Ornstein would never fall for him. With his latest partner out of his life, he was seeking comfort in an earlier partner he wished to make up with. He wasn't seeking comfort in the Undead that had been pushed on him.
Even though Tempest knew their feelings weren't mutual, it still hurt and so he didn't answer anything but simply stared at the ground, trying to hide tears that wanted to form at this realization.
After Ornstein had finished his story, the little Storm had grown uncharacteristically quiet and when Ornstein turned his head to look at him he felt a churn at his chest. He looked so... lost. Sad even. As if Ornstein had said something bad. And Ornstein couldn't help but feel pity for him. He...he didn't want for the cheerful little Storm to look like this.
Damn, he really had get attached.
"But... don't worry, I will stay at your side until your mission is over.", Ornstein quickly said as if trying to take the heaviness of his words out of them. "Didn't you want to show me something here?"
Tempest looked up as Ornstein spoke. While he knew that Ornstein was out of his reach, he still was happy that the dragon slayer would spend time with him. Tempest made the decision that this would be enough. He raised his hands to wipe away some tears that had started to glisten in his eyes and then gave Ornstein his usual jolly grin, only that it wasn't reaching his eyes this time, something that Ornstein noticed.
"I brought you here, because...", Tempest said and took Ornstein's hand, failing to drag him and Ornstein finally followed him with a sigh as he nearly fell over, "I wanted to see you in action.", he concluded as Ornstein had to grab the little Storm and jumped away from the flaming breath of death that got unleashed by the drake, toasting everything on the bridge before landing on top of the roof of the sunlight altar.
"By the lords, little Storm, a little warning would have been nice!", Ornstein said, glancing outside, wrinkling his nose as the stench of burned corpses hit his nose.
Which took him right back to the dragon war and Ornstein fell on his knees as he saw the pictures in his head, all the comrades that had died, hadn't been able to escape the dragon fire and then there had be him, he had survived, he didn't thought he would survive, he thought he would die, every single time but he had always survived... only him, why only him...
"Ornstein, what is wrong?", Tempest said as he tried to get the dragon slayer on his feet and failed spectacularly. Then he remembered what Ornstein once had said to him. Why he was a bad cook. It was... because fire bothered him. It made him have bad reactions.
"...Ornstein, I am so sorry...", Tempest said. "I shouldn't have you brought here... let's go back..." Tempest took Ornstein's hand again and tried to drag him to the bonfire but Ornstein raised his hand and gave Tempest a gesture to not interfere.
"It is about time that the dragon slayer is taking care of his duties again.", he said, getting up, straightening himself and picking up his spear. "You stay back, little Storm."
As Ornstein strode towards the door, the uneasy feeling in his chest hadn't left. But... he didn't exactly knew why, but he didn't want to see the little Storm like this. Pitying him.
He had killed the little Storm a few dozen times and he still had come back, over and over and over again and what was Ornstein doing? Cowering on the ground because of a mere drake? He had taken down foes that had been larger than hat.
No, the person who strode through the gate wasn't Ornstein, but the dragon slayer. He turned around, raised his spear with both hands and hissed: "Come at me, beast."
The drake apparently wasn't interested in leaving its save place and breathed in. Ornstein, knowing what came, jumped straight into the air, landing right next to the resting place of the drake and wasted no time piercing its eye with his spear.
When the fire had died down and Tempest heard the drake shriek, he dared to leave the cover of the sunlight altar and gasped when he saw the drake flying off, or trying to, because Ornstein was riding on its back and prepared his spear.
Once it had fully been engulfed with lightning, Ornstein bore the spear deep into the drake's neck which shrieked again, in pain and fear before it tumbled down and landed on the bridge with a heavy thud, Ornstein elegantly jumping down from his back.
"That was... AWESOME!", Tempest cheered, jumping up and down. "You looked so elegant, Ornstein."
"People didn't call me the dragon slayer for no reason.", Ornstein said, holding his spear so that the shaft hit the ground and the blade showed upwards. "But I sure hope you don't have any drake surprises for me anymore."
"At least not where I have been.", Tempest said. "Ornstein, I want to apologize again. I didn't think this through..."
"Actually, I should have expected this.", Ornstein said. "It just had been a good while since you told Gwyndolin your journey, so it slipped my mind that you left a drake alive. Anyway, it can't bother you or anyone else anymore." He glanced at the hollows on the bridge. "Of course they will come back once the bonfire revived them."
Tempest didn't listen anymore but instead was examining the drake corpse. After he had circled it a few times, he used his sword to cut through it, hot blood seeping out of the corpse.
"What are you doing?", Ornstein said, taken aback. "It doesn't get any deader."
"Oh no, I wanted to get some meat from it.", Tempest grinned. "I never cooked drake. Most of them were extinct when I was born." He looked over to Ornstein. "You probably played a part in it."
"I did...", Ornstein said, thinking back to their conversation earlier at the broken statue of his master. Back then he had called himself dragon slayer, but now, he had gotten aware that what they had done was pretty much genocide.
Ornstein shuddered at the thought. He asked himself if his master would ever forgive him as he watched the little Storm and was surprised when he felt a certain warmth in him at this action.
Once Tempest had cut out enough meat that he brought to his bottomless box at the bonfire, he walked to Ornstein who had leaned against the wall lost in his own thoughts.
"Actually, the first black knight I wanted to take care off is watching over this bridge from a tower that can be reached through the sunlight altar.", he said, snapping Ornstein out of his thoughts. Right, they wanted to take care of the black knights. All to avoid going to Blighttown as long as possible. At least it was the reason for Ornstein.
"Right, then lead the way...", Ornstein said, adjusting his helmet.
Tempest led him back through the sunlight altar and up a few stairs. Once they had climbed them, Tempest pressed himself against the wall, pointing at a black knight with a two handed sword (which they wielded with one hand) who had their back to them.
"Mostly offense, minimal defense.", Ornstein whispered. "But this one gives you a good opportunity for a first strike. Try it. I come after you."
Tempest nodded and snuck up behind the black knight, preparing his sword and stumbling right before he could stab it into their back, alarming the black knight who turned around and used their massive sword to make Tempest flying.
"Damn.", Ornstein cursed as he heard the little Storm land with a thud and a yowl, indicating how much that must have hurt and countered the next sword strike with his own spear, feeling how he got pushed back by sheer force. "How about picking a fight with someone your size?", he said mockingly, even though he was aware that the black knight's mind long had been gone.
While Ornstein fought against the sheer pressure of the black knight's great sword, Tempest had managed to bring his Estus to his lips and healed himself up, getting up and pierced his sword in length through the black knight's back, finding the joints in their armour. Like usual, the black knight didn't bleed but instead a black mass emerged from the wound before it fell over and disappeared with an unholy scream.
"They have been long gone.", Ornstein said, as Tempest stood there, panting. "Whatever happened to them when they followed Lord Gwyn, it made them go hollow..."
"Can gods even go hollow?", Tempest asked as he leaned down to pick up what the black knight had left.
"Not like you humans.", Ornstein said. "So not because of the dark sign. But it is possible. Through trauma for example. It... didn't happen often. To see so many black knights like this is worrying..."
Of course Ornstein knew the cause of their trauma. It was because they had burned in the kiln. The fate that Tempest awaited too... he just didn't want to tell the little Storm the truth. If he knew, he might bail. But.. thinking about it, thinking that the little Storm would burn, made Ornstein's throat go dry and he himself had a hollow feeling in his chest.
"One.", Tempest said. "There are two more. The next is in the Undead Burg, not far from here."
"Lead the way, little Storm.", Ornstein said, having been ripped out of his thoughts. He needed to stop thinking about this. This only was another mission to fulfil. After the little Storm had linked the flame, he was free to go. He should concentrate on this.
The way to the Undead Burg was uneventful, just a few hollows were in their way which Tempest managed to take down on his own without trouble. Once they had gone down a few stairs, Tempest pointed at the black knight at the far end of a narrow way, one with a sword and a shield.
"Remember your parry training?", Ornstein said and Tempest nodded. "It works on them as well as on the silver knights."
In fact, most of the black knights had once been silver knights until they had decided to take up the battle against the demons and picked up bigger weapons and an armour that was more resilient against heat.
Tempest tiptoed to the black knight but they seemed to hear extremely good, even for beings that weren't physical anymore and this one turned around and lifted their sword. Tempest reacted wonderful and parried the blow with his shield carrying on with a riposte.
"Good.", Ornstein whispered, but as Tempest turned his head to give him a smile Ornstein noticed that the black knight had pulled themselves together and shouted: "Watch out!"
Tempest only had enough time to turn his head, raise his shield in a desperate attempt to catch the incoming blow, got staggered by the poor force and sliced open with the continued attack of the black knight.
"Shit.", Ornstein growled, jumping in and piercing the black knight with his spear while Tempest was searching for his Estus and took a large sip to heal the inflicted wound.
"Thank you, Ornstein, that was close.", Tempest said, scratching the ground with his foot in embarrassment.
"Black knights are more sturdy than silver knights. You should already know that.", Ornstein scolded Tempest which only made his face blush even more.
Sighing, Ornstein ran a hand through his ponytail and asked: "So, where is the last one?"
"Oh, I saw them at the Dark Root Basin. Where the Hydra is.", Tempest said. "Hm, maybe we can take care of the Hydra too when we are already there..."
"Good idea. It has gotten quite fat.", Ornstein said, deliberately leaving out the fact that he was partially responsible for its large body by feeding it his leftovers more than once.
Tempest seemed to take into consideration that Ornstein was uncomfortable with teleportation and led him back to the Undead Parish. He had been diligent and opened up quite a few shortcuts so that they only had to fight a few hollows. And a leftover boar which Tempest helped taking down with his pyromancy.
As they had arrived at the church and Ornstein already took the turn that would lead them to the garden, Tempest gasped and ran forwards, shouting: "Rhea!"
In fact, the small cleric woman was sitting there, praying in front of the statue of whichever goddess had been worshipped here. Ornstein came closer to listen into the conversation of the two Undead.
"So you have made it out of the Tomb?", Tempest asked.
The cleric gasped at the sudden visitor and started to speak: "Hello… I will never forget what you did. I am deeply indebted, for it was not within my power to save Vince or Nico. I cannot thank you enough."
She sighed and stared back at the statue of the goddess before continuing: "I only wish there were some way I could help you, but I am inexperienced, and I only know the art of Miracles.
If that could be of any help, speak to me again."
All the while the woman spoke Tempest nodded along to her words and then took up the word himself: "It is good to see that you made it out of the tomb. I will certainly remember your offer." He went quiet for a little while before asking: "So, why are you hanging around here and not at Fire Link Shrine?"
"The bonfire down there is so crowded...", Rhea answered. "I prefer the solitude of this place. Here I can pray in peace. Vereor Nox."
"Vereor Nox.", Tempest reciprocated the prayer before turning around and walking straight to the elevators that would lead back to Firelink Shrine.
"The garden is there.", Ornstein said, a tiny bit annoyed, pointing to the right, to the door outside.
"I just wanted to make a quick stop at Fire Link Shrine, please?", Tempest worded it more as a question but ignored anything that Ornstein had to say by stepping on the elevator, making the dragon slayer hurry to follow him. "I want to strengthen my pyromancy flame and take a quick look around before we move on."
"Fine.", Ornstein said as the elevator rode down. At least that meant that he cold avoid Blighttown a little while longer.
Once they had arrived, Tempest spotted the cleric with the bowl cut, Petrus was his name, Ornstein thought and shouted: "Hey Petrus, did you know that Rhea is safe?"
After hearing this, Petrus turned his attention to Tempest and mumbled: "…Oh, it's you…
…You rescued M'lady? Well, a pity that is, for it will amount to nothing. For the little madam is not worth her salt without her family name. Keh heh heh heh…"
As Tempest still frowned at his words, Ornstein casually walked next to him and put a hand on his shoulder, gently pushing him forwards. When they were out of earshot, he said: "See him showing his true colours now?"
"I... I guess...", Tempest said, clearly unhappy with Petrus response and Ornstein's reaction.
"That girl isn't safe. He will take the first opportunity to kill her, rob her of everything she have and then let her to hollow out.", Ornstein said. "But... the fate of the Undead aren't my business. It's your choice what to do, little Storm."
Tempest grew quiet and glanced at Petrus and then back to Ornstein. "I... could give Rhea a warning."
"She hardly looks like the type of person who can defend herself.", Ornstein said, shrugging. Tempest had a far too good nature and was far too gullible for his own good.
In a sense, he even had made Ornstein break out of his shell even though the dragon slayer would never admit it.
Tempest's next stop was Laurentius the Pyromancer who he asked to strengthen his pyromancy flame. It must have been rather strong in the meantime, Ornstein could not only see how quite a few souls changed their owner but also how much more it glowed.
Once Tempest was done and said his goodbye to Laurentius, he stepped through the broken arch and stopped, staring at the spot where the sorcerer apprentice once had stood.
"Griggs is gone.", he said.
"Didn't he want to catch up with his Master?", Ornstein said. "He probably went to Anor Londo."
"I guess...", Tempest said and took a turn to reach the bonfire. Nobody was around it.
"Neither Siegmeyer nor Sieglinde are here...", he said.
"I don't know Siegmeyer but I wouldn't worry that much about Sieglinde. Whoevers comes here and manages to survive while not being Undead would be fit to be a silver knight. Or more."
"It's more Siegmeyer I worry about.", Tempest said. "Whenever I found him he was in trouble, I already told you that."
Tempest grew silent after this and ascended the few steps that led to Kingseeker Frampt. The primordial serpent was fast asleep and snored, in fact he snored so loud that it was heard through the whole shrine.
"Hm, I guess I let him sleep.", Tempest said. "You can probably tell me more about the lord souls anyway."
"...", Ornstein somehow managed to make his speechlessness audible. He knew that Frampt was telling a lie. He knew that the Chosen Undead was told that he would replace Lord Gwyn and stop the curse of the Undead once and for all.
The only thing that was true about this was that he would replace Lord Gwyn. As sacrifice, not as king.
Ornstein felt the familiar hollow feeling in his chest. Was he hollowing out? He didn't thought it was his time already...
"Wait a minute...", Tempest squinted a squatting person on the other end of the pool and then gasped, running over to them.
"Patches! Are you here to kick me down a ledge again?!", he yelled.
"Oh, we meet again. How many of you are there?", Patches asked casually.
„Just me and Ornstein.", Tempest said.
„And you better don't pull anything with the little Storm because I won't refrain kicking you down the ledge of Fire Link Shrine.", Ornstein commented.
„Oh relax, no more funny business out of me, my friends!", Patches said in a placating manner. I'm done with looting. I'm a humble merchant now! And wondrous treasures, have I! At a special price for you."
He put a few items in front of him. „There you are, have a nice look at them."
„I will keep an eye on him just in case...", Ornstein said to Tempest as the small Undead browsed the wares.
A short while later a few souls changed their owner and Tempest had a shiny new humanity in his hands. Ornstein heard him chat with Patches a little longer. Apparently the bald men had quite a few opinions about the other Undead around. Ornstein wasn't too interested in them, his goal was to get Tempest to the flame. But he listened attentively once Patches talked about Petrus and pretty much confirmed his doubts about the man.
As Tempest said his goodbyes and wanted to turn back into the direction of the bonfire, Ornstein stopped him.
"What is it?", Tempest asked. "The garden was our next step, remember?"
"Remember the Asylum?", Ornstein said.
Tempest eyes grew wide at this and he nodded excitedly.
"Then follow me.", Ornstein stepped near one of the pillars and judged its height. Then, he put Tempest up (who complained about being manhandled for a second before he grew silent) and jumped up the pillar. He continued to jump from the pillar to the walls until he was at a broken tower where stairs led up, where he put Tempest down.
"Do you see the crow there?", Ornstein pointed at the rather hard to overlook crow on the wall next to Frampt's pool.
"How could I overlook it? It is the very same that carried me here.", Tempest said.
"You can trick it to carry you back to the Asylum by laying in its nest.", Ornstein said.
"...How did anyone ever found that out?", Tempest wondered and ascended the stairs. As he was halfway up, he stopped and stared at something on a roof.
"I think I see something shiny there.", he pointed to it but before he could act and storm off, Ornstein had pulled him back.
"I get it.", he said and jumped over to the roof without effort. After a little bit of searching he found a key that the sun had reflected light off, this must have been how the little Storm had spotted it in the first place.
He jumped back to Tempest and handed him the key. "Here you go, little Storm."
"Thank you, Ornstein.", Tempest said, eyeing the key. "I wonder where it fits?"
"To be honest, looks like a key from the Asylum.", Ornstein pointed on the hard to make out letters which read A F2. "I am surprised we can still see them, with how rusted it is..."
"Well, let's just try the key once we are there.", Tempest smiled, pocketing it.
Once they were at the nest Tempest stared at Ornstein with big eyes.
"The crow actually only carries one person at a time, so I show you what to do and you come after me.", Ornstein sad and then curled into a ball in the nest, hearing Tempest chuckle. "Don't laugh.", he hissed.
"Oh, it's just... I didn't think... that I would see you... do.. something that... ridiculous.", Tempest brought out between snorts which quickly turned into a surprised "Woah!" when Ornstein felt how the crow picked him up and he got carried over.
Ten minutes later the little Storm got dropped off next to him, picking himself up.
"Huh.", he said. "The last time I have been here there were less torch hollows."
"Seems like we have to fight our way through to find your friend.", Ornstein said, readying his spear.