Summary: Ornstein and Tempest spend a quiet moment with each other. Tempest tells Ornstein about his life. They visit the Dark Root Basin to take care of the last black knight, Havel and the hydra.
(Author's note: This story doesn't leave me alone lately and so I had to write the next chapter. I am close to some very important points in it and I am excited to get them down on paper. I hope you enjoy and I am looking forward to see your thoughts in the comments.)
"I see.", Gwyndolin said, hands folded in their lap, gaze turned down at the table. "So she didn't want to come back."
"Yes.", Ornstein said, "She told us that the Painted World needed her. And that the outside world didn't have any room for her."
Gwyndolin let out a sigh: "I can't blame her, really. After all, it was mine father who started a world without dragons."
"And I did my fair share to help him with it.", Ornstein sighed again.
Tempest looked back and forth between the two of them clutching a cup of still warm tea, before saying: "But, uh, hey, we still have the doll!" He produced it out of his pockets and laid it on the table. "With that you could visit her anytime, right? I mean... if she changes her mind..."
"Not a bad idea, little Storm.", Ornstein smiled. "Gwyndolin, how about you keep the doll? Maybe Priscilla just needs some time. If she wants to come out, you have the key to help her."
"You are correct, both of you, Ornstein and the Chosen Undead.", Gwyndolin smiled back, making Tempest frown when they used the title he had never asked for. "And I would like to be able for the child to meet their sister once they hatch."
"Right, the egg. How is it?", Ornstein asked.
"It has been in stasis for so long that it will take a while for it to hatch. I made sure to lay it into a warm nest so that they won't be uncomfortable.", Gwyndolin had a very warm smile on their face as they said that, convincing Ornstein that they were the right person to take care of Priscilla's sibling.
"Have you already chosen a name?", Tempest chimed in, drawing both the gazes of Ornstein and Gwyndolin at him.
"Ah, no.", they said. "I... wanted to wait until I meet them before I give them a name and... I want to make sure that they are... comfortable with the name I will choose, so I plan to not give them a name until they understand how they feel about themselves."
"Ah, hm..", Tempest said, not really getting what Gwyndolin was implying but Ornstein caught on.
"..It is because of your upbringing, right?"
Gwyndolin nodded and their face fell a bit, a certain sadness shining through it: "I never had a choice, mine father raising me into what he wanted to be. I swore to myself should I ever raise a child, that I would not make the same mistake. They shall be able to grow up as their own self."
"That is... very admirable.", Ornstein said and smiled at Gwyndolin. "You will be a great parent to them, I am sure of it."
"Thank you, Ornstein.", Gwyndolin said and while the both of them still talked a bit Tempest's thoughts went to his own mother, wondering if she was still around. Just how many years had he spent in this cell?
After their tea was drunk Tempest and Ornstein said their goodbyes to Gwyndolin and walked to the cathedral, Tempest having promised to make a meal for Ornstein after they returned from the Painted World.
"I have to be honest, I didn't get what Gwyndolin was saying about names, but it made me wonder one thing.", Tempest said. "How did you get your name, Ornstein?"
"Me?", Ornstein said, a bit lost in thoughts.
"Yes, you or do you see another dragon slayer in golden armour called Ornstein around here?", Tempest said, making Ornstein chuckle.
"Oh, there once were many dragon slayers, but I was the only one who was called Ornstein.", he said. "The answer to your question may feel rather trivial. I was named after the musician who founded the orphanage I grew up in."
"...You grew up in an orphanage?", Ornstein could see some concern in Tempest's eyes as he looked up to him, trying to meet his gaze, like usual not really knowing where Ornstein's actual eyes were. "Were your... you know... with the dragon war and all..."
"What? No. My parents weren't killed by a dragon.", Ornstein said. "Or at least I think this. I don't know what happened to them. I was a foundling."
"What?!", Tempest gasped. "Oh, Ornstein, I am so sorry to hear."
"Little Storm, that was a thousand years ago. I am long over it. Besides, I don't think my parents are even alive anymore. And even if they were, why would I want to reconnect with someone who left their newborn child alone?"
"I guess... that makes sense...", Tempest said and started to walk a bit faster, wanting to get ahead of Ornstein but because of Ornstein's long strides the dragon slayer caught up to Tempest in almost an instance.
"What about you, little Storm?", Ornstein asked. "Where did you get your name from?"
"Oh, how nice that you show some interest in me for once.", Tempest grinned but regretted the remark when he felt Ornstein's glare. Their talk in the Painted World about Tempest's desires and wishes was still fresh in his mind and he should acknowledge every effort of the dragon slayer to get better.
"I once asked my mom about this. Because, you know, I found that Tempest isn't an usual name. And when I asked her she said 'You were kicking up a storm while still in my belly and that's when I knew that I would have a very energetic child'. And so she picked a name for me that would be similar to Storm.", Tempest fell silent after this story. He had to admit that he really started to miss his mom. And the little tavern they used to run. What would he give to get this life back, but... if he had never become Undead he never had met Ornstein. He wondered if his mom would believe him if he told her that he had beaten the famous dragon slayer from the legends? And even more when he told her that they had become friends?
"She chose the perfect name for you then, little Storm, because you sure like to storm off without warning and leave a mess to clean up. Like, you know, when a real storm is coming.", Ornstein said jokingly.
"Only that the Storm in question is me.", Tempest grinned at Ornstein.
"That's nothing to be proud about.", Ornstein said but chuckled.
"You know, I am glad.", Tempest suddenly said.
"Glad about what?", Ornstein asked.
"I am glad that we became friends.", Tempest smiled at him, that smile that made Ornstein's heart flutter every single time and he quickly looked away. He didn't want to see the hurt on Tempest's face once he realized that he had been lied to this whole time. If only there would be another way...
Maybe Ornstein should make sure that the last days of the little Storm at least were good ones, so he shook the thoughts aside and said: "Actually... I am glad about this too."
Tempest gave him a side glance, but then broke out in a big smile and stormed off, yelling: "I am going to cook one delicious meal for you, just you wait!"
Once Ornstein caught up with the little Storm he was locked in a fight against the giant sentinels who guarded the entrance to the cathedral. He watched amusedly for a while before joining and saving Tempest from what would have a very painful encounter with a halberd.
"You forgot that they are aggressive when I am not at your side, what?", Ornstein said and Tempest gave a sheepish nod before blurting out: "But hey, I almost killed one of them myself!"
"I noticed. You are getting better, little Storm.", Ornstein said and the both of them walked into the cathedral. Tempest walked to the kitchen and Ornstein stayed behind to get out of his armour and freshen himself up. He was shuddered a bit. The Painted World had been cold, after food a bath should be in place. They could continue with their quest the next day. It wasn't like the flame would die out tomorrow.
As Ornstein entered the kitchen he was overwhelmed by a most delicious smell. Tempest turned around and nearly fell off the little stool he needed to use to reach the stove, catching himself just in time. "Oh, woah, hey, Ornstein.", he said.
"What are you cooking?", Ornstein asked.
"It's a dish we often would make in our tavern.", Tempest said. "It is made by cooking a chicken with some vegetables in a sauce which base is made of vine. This goes with a lot of garnish, but I chose to make some noodles."
"I hope it tastes as delicious as it smells.", Ornstein said. While he still thought that Smough's cooking was unrivalled, Tempest's was a close second. The little Storm surely knew what he was doing in the kitchen and it was apparent that he had grown up in a tavern.
"I can guarantee that it is delicious.", Tempest said, stirring the sauce. "I wish I could eat it myself, but everything I eat tastes like nothing. Only Estus tastes like something. And it tastes like I imagine flames would taste if you could swallow them."
"In a sense I can be glad that I still can taste, but... sometimes I wish I wouldn't have need to eat. Would have save me some rather awkward situations.", Ornstein said.
Tempest stopped stirring and hopped down from the stool: "Huh? But, Ornstein, eating is so much fun. That I can't taste anymore is what I regret about being undead the most."
"And not the threat of hollowing or that you literally can't die?", Ornstein asked.
Tempest put both hands in his hips: "That is different. That is stuff I have to deal with and besides, there have been tales of Undead who have been around for years and didn't hollow. It is all about the determination I heard. And I decided that I won't hollow as long as you are around."
Ornstein's heart warmed at Tempest's speech but at the same time dropped in his stomach. The little Storm truly didn't deserved to be let on like this. But he was a knight and he had to listen to his lord and Ornstein wasn't allowed to say the truth.
"But like, eating... I don't get why being Undead takes away our taste. We may not need food anymore, but it would have been nice to still be able to taste it, you know.", Tempest continued.
"At least that also means that you don't need any breaks to use the privy.", Ornstein said.
"That... feels like the lesser problem.", Tempest chuckled and got back on the stool to continue his cooking.
Once he was done and served the meal to Ornstein he sat opposite to him and watched with this excitement in his eyes as usual, wanting to know if Ornstein liked the meal he had cooked for him.
As soon as Ornstein tasted the dish his face lit up. It was truly a wonderful taste.
"That tastes marvellous, little Storm.", Ornstein said and Tempest's whole face brightened up.
"I am glad that you like it.", he smiled, the little smile that always made Ornstein's heart flutter and he quickly looked elsewhere, down on the dish, trying to search for something to talk about.
"So, uh... why are you always so keen about knowing if I liked the dish?", Ornstein asked.
"Are you serious, Ornstein?", Tempest huffed. "Every cook wants to know if their creation were to the liking of the patron. Well, you are not my patron, but I still cook for you, so of course I want to know what you like and what you don't like."
"Makes sense. This was a stupid question anyway.", Ornstein took another fork of the food, trying to taste which herbs Tempest used but had to give up, the sauce had amalgamated into its own brand new taste.
"...So, little Storm, you said you grew up in a tavern? What did you do there?", Ornstein asked.
"Oh? You really are interested in stuff of my past? That hasn't to do with me being undead?", Tempest seemed to vibrate on his seat.
"...Let's just say... you were right back in the Painted World. I have barely asked about stuff that you want or how your life once has been... I... want to try and make up for it.", Ornstein reluctantly admitted.
"Well then.", Tempest smiled again. "To be honest, my life wasn't very exciting. I am sure you lived through a thousand adventures before I was even born. Like you said, I grew up in a tavern. I was raised there by my mom."
"What about your father?", Ornstein asked.
"He died when I was still little, I can't remember him much. I think he fell down some stairs. My mom never married anew and raised me on her own. Our tavern was well visited so we never had a problem with money. When I was old enough to walk and carry dishes I already started to help out by serving the customers, when I wasn't at school of course."
"So you visited a school?"
"Only for basic stuff like reading and writing and how to calculate.", Tempest waved off. "It was clear for me that one day I would take over the tavern, so I was more interested in learning cooking. My mom taught me how to cook all our dishes and encouraged me to experiment. I think when I was around 13 or 14 we started to include some of my dishes also in the menu. Sometimes people were even asking for a dish especially cooked by me. You should have seen how proud my mom was of me."
"It sounded like the two of you were close...", Ornstein said, staring at a piece of meat on his fork, lost in thoughts.
"Yes, of course, we spend a lot of time with each other and also experienced each other in high stress situations like the rush hour in the tavern where every dish had to be cooked as soon as possible.", Tempest continued. "...I said it wasn't that exciting, but for me, it was the most exciting life. Sure, I always would go and watch the knights, but I was certain that I never would be a part of them. I simply looked forward to them coming into the tavern and get a nice dish after a hard day on patrol."
Ornstein had to smile at Tempest's face when he talked about his old life. He seemed to have really enjoyed it and his face lighting up like this was just beyond adorable. Ornstein settled on watching the little Storm for a bit, laying his fork down.
"Ah, don't tell me you are already full, Ornstein! You haven't eaten anything the whole day!"
"What?", Ornstein blushed a little bit, he had gotten carried away. "Oh, I still plan to eat the rest. It is excellent. I just...", was getting sidetracked looking at you.. Of course Ornstein didn't finish this sentence and instead said: "So, um, do you have any funny stories about the tavern?" in an desperate attempt to change the subject.
"Oh, there are loads!", Tempest raised his arms and pictured a circle with them. "But one that always will be embedded into my mind, was the day where I was serving the dishes to the patron. It was a busy day and so I was running back and forth from the kitchen all day. And then, when I got the next dish and headed for the table to deliver it I managed to stumbled over a loose wooden board and fell! But! You probably think the dish was ruined. It wasn't. I was quick-witted enough to raise it above my head and though a little bit of it spilled of course, I managed to get up and deliver it to the table."
Ornstein stared at Tempest with wide eyes: "That doesn't sound very funny. Wasn't that painful?"
"I am getting to this part.", Tempest grinned. "So I pulled myself up and delivered the meal and said my usual 'Please enjoy your meal' and stuff, but the patrons at the table just stared at me and eventually one of them pointed out that I had a nosebleed, like, a really bad one and it had already stained all my clothes and it looked like someone had punched me into the face but in reality it had been because I had fell face first on the floor and I literally hadn't noticed that. I wasn't in pain, I didn't notice that blood was coming out of my mouth, I just wanted to get the dish to the patron safe."
"That can only be called dedication.", Ornstein murmured. "But I still can't believe that you found this funny."
"Probably because I was the only one in that tavern who found it funny.", Tempest grinned and drove a hand through his unruly hair. "I had to start laughing and was like, that I didn't even notice I got hurt when I fell and that it is a miracle that no blood got into the food and that is when I saw the blood on the floor and was like 'I need to wipe this up' and that was when my mom came running and made sure I was sitting still until the nosebleed stopped. That was when I realized how much it hurt, but I couldn't stop laughing about it because of how absurd the situation was. Later we found out that I actually broke my nose because of that fall."
"You are unbelievable, little Storm.", Ornstein smiled as the last fork of food found its way into his mouth. "So that is why your nose is a bit crooked."
"Yeah, it never got away.", Tempest smiled. "But my mom always said it looked charming."
It does look charming., Ornstein thought to himself as he pulled the empty plate away from him. "Thank you for the meal, little Storm, that must have been one of your best."
"I am glad that you enjoyed it.", Tempest smiled and got up, getting the plate to wash it off.
"It's pretty late, little Storm.", Ornstein said. "How about we take a bath, rest for the night and the next day we visit the Dark Root Basin for that last Black Knight that is still roaming around?"
"With pleasure.", Tempest said as he scrubbed the plate clean. "Do you want me to wash your hair?"
"No.", Ornstein said without hesitation and the both of them chuckled at how sudden it was.
After a good night's sleep the duo had warped to the Undead Parish and Tempest listened to the calming sound of Andre's hammer as he waited for Ornstein's nausea to pass. After a good minute had passed Ornstein gave Tempest a nod and the both descended the stairs. Tempest gave Andre a big smile and went to talk to him while Ornstein waited and caught a glimpse into the room that would lead outside of the abandoned church and into the forest. He frowned when he saw a big, bulky and very alive titanite demon in their way.
"Little Storm, what is that?", Ornstein asked when said individual came back to Ornstein with a newly enforced sword weighing in his hand.
"It's one of the big demons, of course.", Tempest said, squinting his eyes, as if asking himself if Ornstein couldn't see well anymore.
"I know what it is, I want to know why it is still alive.", Ornstein whisper-hissed.
"Because I ran away screaming of course.", Tempest replied and Ornstein could hear how the blacksmith behind them had to hold back a fit of laughter. He probably had seen the whole scene and Ornstein nearly joined the laughing fit as he imagined it in his head, but shook it off last second.
"Well, now it is in our way and how about we put it to rest? The blacksmith deity that is trapped within these demons surely will thank us for our service.", Ornstein said.
"Oh, alright.", Tempest face fell a bit flat. "But don't get mad at me when I have to refill my Estus after this fight."
"I won't.", Ornstein promised.
Half an hour later the both of them stood at the bonfire and Ornstein tapped his foot while Tempest refilled his Estus and searched for some humanity.
"You promised me you wouldn't get mad.", Tempest contritely said.
"I promised I wouldn't get mad for you having to refill your Estus. I never said I wouldn't get mad at you for dying. Twice."
"Hey, that damn polearm of the demon really hurt! And how should I know that it would swung it back? Also, aren't you supposed to protect me?!"
"I am there to make sure that you fulfil your mission.", Ornstein's foot tapping intensified and then died down as the dragon slayer let out a sigh. "Doesn't matter... it's dead now. Just... you need to practice how to dodge long ranged weapons better."
"I gladly practice it, but the polearm of the demon is ridiculous. Not even your spear is that long.", Tempest said and then, after a few seconds got red in the face and started to giggle when he realized just how ambiguous that had sounded.
"...I don't even want to know what is going in your head right now.", Ornstein shook his head in disbelief and descend the stairs, the blacksmith giving them a nod and... was that a thumbs up that Ornstein had spotted? What a way to start the day, with even the blacksmith getting all the wrong ideas about the kind of relationship he had with the little Storm.
"So you have seen the Black Knight in the basin? Which kind of weapon did they wield?", Ornstein asked as they walked through the now demon less room and into the lush and overgrown nature which was the edge of the Dark Root Forest.
"It looked similar to yours, but not quite when I remember correctly.", Tempest mused while he cut down some shrubbery that had come alive with his sword without even batting an eye. "It was all black, hm..." While Tempest continued trying to remember the weapon he flawlessly cut down every shrubbery blocking their way until they stood at the path that would lead into the basin.
"Ah, it was a halberd!", Tempest blurted out while Ornstein walked up to him and let a few moss clumps fall down in front of him.
"Huh?!", Tempest's big eyes looked Ornstein over who just gestured at the row of dead shrubbery and said: "Who would have known that you fight best while being deep lost in thought?"
"What, I have done that?!", Tempest's eyes grew wide. "...I don't even remember. I also don't know how I have done this. ...And now I think I can't do it again!"
"And that's what I am here for.", Ornstein sighed, readying his spear. "Let's head down the path. The Black Knight is down there, yes?"
Tempest nodded and slowly crept the path down hiding behind Ornstein.
It took only a short walk down the path until the Black Knight in question came into view, wielding a halberd like Tempest had observed. Ornstein turned around to face Tempest only to not see him and then realizing that the little Undead still hid behind his back.
"Out there and fight.", Ornstein said in a stern voice.
"I am afraid that I mess up...", Tempest said but came out of Ornstein's shadow and confronted the Black Knight and... promptly messed up the parry big time and got send flying. "Ouch.", Tempest said as he tried to get up from the floor, Ornstein already closing the distance between him and the Black Knight and crossing his spear with the halberd.
Both knights fought for dominance over the other until they separated and started to circle around, waiting for the other to make the first move. This one certainly had eaten up Artorias' teaching techniques, they felt like a formidable foe that maybe even would have been able to rank within the Knights of Gwyn.
However, suddenly black smoke emitted from the Black Knight and Ornstein could see a sword coming out of one of the armour joints and recognized, that the little Storm had attacked from the behind.
"Now, Ornstein.", Tempest yelled. "Finish it off!"
Ornstein didn't need to hear this twice and thrust his spear deep into the Black Knight which screeched and dissipated in that black smoke, only leaving the weapon behind that fell to the ground with a clank.
"Hey, nice, it left the halberd behind.", Tempest said and picked it up but struggled to stay upright as he tried to swing it. "Heavy...!", he groaned.
"These things were made to fight demons and worse.", Ornstein said. "That is why they are so big. You need enormous strength to lift them with one hand."
"It feels like I could manage with two...", Tempest said, weighing the weapon in his hand. "But I think I prefer the sword. After all, this was the weapon you trained me to use, Ornstein."
"Just because it is the most versatile and easiest to learn.", Ornstein said. "Now come, let's not dawdle here. You told me you have seen Havel around here. The Stone Warrior.", Ornstein added when Tempest gave him uncomprehending look.
"Aaah, yes, the guy with the giant club.", Tempest clapped in his hands. "Not far from here. There should also be a bonfire around here, so let's visit it first. I am not too sure if I can survive a single hit from this club."
"It's actually a dragon tooth.", Ornstein said. "Havel was one of the few humans who managed to kill a dragon on his own and the tooth of the dragon became his weapon. Incredibly strong for such a small race as yours."
"I am pretty sure he was at least taller than me. Everyone is taller than me.", Tempest blankly said as he walked along the path, stopping in front of a little cave. "The bonfire is in there, I just go touch it and then we can go and find Havel."
Once Tempest returned he asked: "Ornstein, why do you want to slay Havel? He's undead. Slaying him won't do anything."
"Remember what I told you in the asylum? When we were facing your hollow friend?", Ornstein asked.
"...Um...", Tempest squinted his eyes as he cogitated but then it came back to him. "Oh, the bit that Hollows can find their inner piece when it's the right person who slays them?"
Ornstein nodded: "Correct, that one."
"But...", Tempest said, "We don't even know if this is true. Maybe they just come back at the next bonfire and go wandering again..."
"It could be.", Ornstein said. "I say it's worth a try."
"But why are you interested in giving Havel peace?", Tempest dug deeper.
"Because...", Ornstein said, "...because once we were on the same side. In the dragon war. He was a fierce warrior and I respected him and his strength. I want him to have a clean end and not pace this land endlessly in the search for souls."
"Hm...", Tempest said. "Then let's go, he is in the tower at the edge of the path. If we move in a straight line neither the hydra nor the golems will see us."
Arrived at the tower, Tempest pulled a key out of his pockets. "After he killed me I came back and locked the door again. Felt like the most safe thing to do.", Tempest said.
"A good decision, little Storm.", Ornstein said but grabbed Tempest's hand. "Wait, before you let him out, we should think up a strategy."
"A strategy?", Tempest asked. "..Um, how about... not dying?"
"Well, of course, but what I mean. Havel is wearing armour made of stone with almost no weak points. It will be extremely difficult to get through it or find the joints to actually hurt him. And I remember that the man beneath this armour was sturdy as well."
"Stone armour? But Ornstein, can't you shatter rocks easily? You did it when we fought. Quite frequently.", Tempest clapped in his hands upon this realization.
"...Little Storm, I can't believe that I forgot about this.", Ornstein said.
"You have?!", Tempest stared at Ornstein with wide eyes. How did one forget his own abilities and skills?
"Well, we haven't fought anything made of stone lately.", Ornstein said defensively. "And while you are right, I can shatter rocks, I need to build up some momentum for it to work, especially on a moving foe. You will need to distract him for a while."
Tempest shuddered: "I really don't want to feel this pain a second time..."
"Little Storm... you may be able to parry Havel."
Tempest looked at Ornstein as if the dragon slayer had lost his mind: "Ornstein, have you seen how HUGE his club is? How should my meagre shield be able to parry that?" Tempest fell silent for a little moment and then added: "...What is it with you guys and having huge weapons?"
"We fought dragons.", Ornstein said. "You would like to have a huge weapon too when your foe was ten times your size."
"I fought foes ten times my size with a weapon half my size.", Tempest said.
"And probably died a dozen times in the process.", Ornstein scoffed.
"Well...", Tempest said before sheepishly adding: "..true..."
"Trust me. Once you managed to make him topple I can get rid of the armour."
"And when I mess up?"
Ornstein grinned under his helmet: "We have infinite tries."
Tempest nodded and went to finally unlock the door. Once it swung open, Tempest hid behind it and Ornstein could already see Havel charging forwards and stepped back, a massive crash was heard as his dragon tooth club shattered the earth.
"...I really hope I don't mess this up...", Tempest gulped as he pulled out sword and shield. The small Undead walked in front of Havel, shivering a bit as he looked up the giant club. The moment it was coming down on him he closed his eyes and jerked his shield up, shakily open them again when the anticipated pain was absent and the sound of armour bits falling to the ground was heard.
"Now, little Storm!", Ornstein yelled and Tempest didn't wait to drive the sword deep into Havel's chest, which made the hollowed out Undead fall on the ground and disappear... hopefully to never be resurrected again.
"It really worked.", Ornstein said, staring down at the ground where Havel had been only seconds before.
"What do you mean? You weren't sure about this?!", Tempest stood there, heavily panting, massaging his left arm and shoulder. Parrying that club had taken a toll on his body.
"I never tried to use this technique on a moving object.", Ornstein admitted.
"You are lucky that everything turned out just as planned.", Tempest growled while his gaze fell on something on the floor. "A ring?", he said as he picked it up.
"Huh?", Ornstein said. "Strange... I could have sworn this was Havel... the real one and not one of his men..."
"What do you mean?", Tempest asked.
"Havel had an army of soldiers who wore the same armour as him, but Havel was the only one strong enough wearing it. All of his soldiers got a ring like this, that made them able to wear heavy armour and move around in it. It's strange that Havel should have it."
"Maybe he carried one of it around to give to any new soldiers?", Tempest mused.
"Maybe.", Ornstein said and then repeated. "Maybe..."
The both of them stayed in the tower a little while longer with Ornstein telling Tempest about a few feats of Havel, the human dragon slayer and how much he hated Seath and that was what made Ornstein feel sympathy for him. "We often talked about Seath and how much we hated him.", Ornstein said. "Though for Havel it was also weariness of magic, for me it was mostly because of how insufferable Seath was."
"Sometimes I wish I would have lived at your time.", Tempest said with starry eyes. "It must have been beautiful back then."
"It was.", Ornstein said. "But that's over now. Come, little Storm, let's take care of the hydra. It has gotten too fat."
Tempest didn't miss how Ornstein avoided the subject. While he had taken an interest in what Tempest's life had been like, the dragon slayer was still wary sharing things about himself, mostly talking about other people but not like his life has been or similar things. For Tempest it felt like this golden armour wasn't only used to protect Ornstein's body, but also his emotions. As if he was being a whole different person when he was wearing it.
Tempest was still determined to break Ornstein out of his shell, if the dragon slayer liked him back or not didn't matter to him at the moment, just once he wanted to see the real Ornstein. The man that hid behind dozen of pounds of golden plate armour. The one that people like Smough had seen.
"...tle Storm, have you been listening to me?"
"Huh?", Tempest got ripped out of his thoughts by Ornstein's voice. "Um.. no.", he had to admit.
"I told you that we need to be careful, there are quite a few of Seath's crystal golems roaming this garden. And I can already see the Hydra preparing to attack. It always has been hostile when I wasn't bribing it with food."
"Oh, the crystal golems shouldn't be a problem. We killed a dozen of them in the archives.", Tempest said, two handing his sword. "Let's just dive in."
With that Tempest rushed off against the first crystal golem but regretted it greatly when he felt something similar to an arrow, but with far more force, impacting at him and he got skidded sideways, right in the arms of Ornstein who seemed to have waited for this exact outcome.
"It's always the same with you.", Ornstein growled, lowering Tempest on his lap. "I just warned you that the Hydra would attack."
"How should I have known that it would attack with some kind of ranged attack?", Tempest groaned out, not sure how many bones in his body were broken. Ornstein already was searching for Tempest's Estus.
"It's a high pressure water shot.", Ornstein said. "And you now know why it is a bad idea to let get yourself hit by it." Ornstein guided the Estus to Tempest's lips and let the small Undead take a sip who sighed in relief as the pain went away but then shot up.
"Wait, what about the golem?", he shouted.
"Got hit with you by the water shot and isn't a threat anymore.", Ornstein said.
"Oh.", Tempest said, scanning the area before turning back to Ornstein. "You saved me once again from a needless death, Ornstein. Thank you."
"Don't mention it, you little idiot.", Ornstein said just as Tempest realized that Ornstein had basically cradled him on his lap and got rather red in the face about the implication of this gesture. Even though Tempest knew that Ornstein didn't like him in that way, his own crush was far from having gone away. Especially with Ornstein being so considerate at him lately.
"Now.", Ornstein said. "Let's just run down there. I am quick enough to not get hit." Before Tempest could protest Ornstein lifted him up and threw him over his shoulder, making the small Undead yelp in surprise. "Hold on tight."
Tempest was glad that he didn't need to eat anymore because the sensation of Ornstein's speed as he zigzagged down the hill and even managed to let every single lasting golem run into the hydra's water shots was letting his stomach do somersaults. Once Tempest could hear and feel water splashing, he found himself on the ground again, swaying a bit while Ornstein didn't waste a second to leap on the Hydra's back.
"I am going to force it's heads out and you slice them down!", Ornstein shouted, his spear already deep in one of the necks of the hydra, forcing it to stretch out, right next to the spot where Tempest in the meantime had regained his composure.
"Cut it down!", Ornstein shouted as five other heads directed their attention at the dragon slayer and prepared to charge at him just for Ornstein to jump out of the way at the last second and run along the one outstretched neck, shouting: "Little Storm, what are you waiting for?!"
Tempest, who had been far too much in awe at watching Ornstein, snapped out of it and turned around to face the head. It was rather angry looking and growled and hissed and just as it tried to snap at Tempest Ornstein jumped on it and it splashed into the water again: "Don't waste any time, cut it down while the others haven't noticed that I am not there and are fighting each other!"
"Sorry.", Tempest said and sliced a clean cut into the neck of the hydra, making the head go limp after it screeched in pain. Unfortunately, that got the attention of the other heads and five pairs of eyes got directed at the duo.
"Well, crap.", Ornstein only said and jumped out of the way of the charge, taking Tempest with him as he rolled in the water. "And my weapon is still in its back."
"Your... WHAT?!", Tempest yelled. "And now?!"
"Don't quail, little Storm, just get it's attention for ten second."
"..I am dead...", Tempest murmured, but heeded Ornstein's order and jumped up and down, shouting: "Hey, you over there, you dumb hydra. How about you try to pick a fight with someone your own size?! ...Wait!"
Just as Tempest recognized how contradicting his taunt had been, five hydra heads were charging at him and he, in a motion of poor fear and instinct, had raised his shield and stood there, shivering, until he opened his eyes and realized that he actually not only was still alive but also unharmed. He jumped as another of the hydra heads splashed in the water next to him.
"Now!", Ornstein yelled and this time Tempest didn't hesitate and sliced the neck open right away.
The dance continued three more times, with Ornstein jumping and running elegantly on the hydra's back and necks, not failing once to give Tempest an opportunity to slice them open. Once the last neck was cut the whole body of the Hydra went limp. Tempest allowed himself a moment to breathe and Ornstein landed in the water next to him.
"Ornstein.", Tempest said. "You would have been able to slay this thing on your own, right?"
"Your help was beneficial.", Ornstein said. "The water is quite deep there. With my armour I would have sunken to the ground like a stone. Preparing it for you to make the death blows was the best way to handle it."
Tempest went pale: "The water was that deep?! I could have drowned."
"What? I have seen you swim in the bath...", Ornstein said.
"That's different! I can't swim that well. Especially not while holding on various weapons!", Tempest waded backwards out of the water and fell over something in the process. "Ugh, if I haven't been wet enough already..."
Ornstein waded next to Tempest, offering the small Undead a hand which he gratefully took and got lifted up with ease. Then he looked down and saw something shimmering in the water. "Oh, poor guy.", Tempest said.
"Probably fell against the hydra.", Ornstein said as he noticed the knight's armour in the water. "Alright, shall we dry off and then...", Ornstein didn't want to be the one to speak it out, he had tried so hard to avoid Blighttown all this time but they were running out of options.
"Wait, Ornstein.", Tempest interrupted him. "There is another one of Seath's crystal golems back there!"
Ornstein glanced into the direction Tempest was pointing and in fact, there was a golden crystal golem.
"Hm, we should check this out.", Ornstein said, one part curiosity but the other part being glad they could avoid Blighttown a little while longer. "But like I said, the water there is deep and with me wearing armour and you apparently being a bad swimmer, we should stay at the edges."
Tempest nodded and followed closely behind Ornstein, who had his eyes directed at the water, always making sure that they weren't getting into too deep water. Arrived at their destination, the golden golem noticed the new threat and attacked right away.
With them having taken out so many of them already, the battle wasn't a problem and Tempest only got hit once and didn't miss to complain about having gotten wet again but then the golem dissolved and... Ornstein swallowed hard when he saw just who was standing in front of them.
The woman who came out of the golem was none other than Dusk, Princess of Oolacile, a kingdom that had fallen hundreds of years ago and the reason for one of the worst memories in Ornstein's life.
Upon seeing him, Dusk straightened her post and said: "Dragon Slayer. It seems like fate has brought us together once again."
(Author's note: I know there is a lot of discourse about Gwyndolin's gender in the fandom but I headcanon them to be non binary and that is what they were talking about. With Gwyn forcing them to be female while them not feeling female themselves, they vowed to themselves to never force a child to be something they aren't. I don't wish to discuss this, I just ask for you to respect my headcanon for Gwyndolin. Thank you very much.
Hm, Tempest was a bit lewd in this chapter. Are you alright, little Storm?)