Characters: Chosen Undead/Dragon Slayer Ornstein, Hawkeye Gough, Great Grey Wolf Sif,
Word Count: 11.714
Summary: Tempest and Ornstein only have one foe left to face in Oolacile of the past and they are ready to venture into the chasm of the Abyss itself.
(Author's note: Long chapter is long. I didn't intend for it to get over 10k words long, but here we are. I kinda didn't feel like it would make sense to cut it anywhere, so I decided to put it out as one chapter, also because I finally wanted to wrap up the angst fest that is the DLC.
I am excited for the coming chapters already and I hope you enjoy your read!
I received some lovely fanart from Ave321 from Deviant Art, which you can find here: ave321/art/Not-bad-little-Storm-854460239 )
As soon as the duo entered the arena where they had fought Artorias, Ornstein stopped and stared at the makeshift grave of his late friend.
"...I will tell Gough about our success.", Tempest said, waiting for a faint nod of Ornstein before leaving for the tower where the giant resided. Ornstein clearly needed a moment for himself. Also, Tempest found it better for Ornstein to take every bit of rest he could get.
Tempest turned around to look at Ornstein before he was out of sight and he could see how the dragon slayer took a prayer stance in front of the grave. Tempest didn't had a single doubt that Ornstein was apologizing to Artorias. After Tempest had stared for around ten seconds, he jerked his head back and went up the tower where he greeted Gough.
"Why, you have defeated Kalameet!", Gough exclaimed, voice full with wonder and pride. "Wondrously played. Lord Gwyn's blessing upon thee. That beast will never take to the skies again."
He then pretty much dropped his great bow on Tempest, with a muttered "I won't need it anymore." The far too large weapon just fell around Tempest and he stood in the middle, unsure about what he should do with it.
"Um... it wasn't only me, Ornstein helped.", Tempest said, looking down at the greatbow, asking himself if he could even lift that thing.
"Yes, I know.", Gough said. "I could witness the fight from my tower. You two worked well with each other. Together you could achieve what Ornstein couldn't alone. Still, it was thine plan that brought the dragon down and so thou art deserving of every praise I can give to thee."
Some more chippings fell on Tempest as Gough put the finishing touch on one of his carvings and laid it down on the pile.
"Still, if not for Ornstein, I don't think I would have been able to do it.", Tempest said, hands put behind his back and scraped the ground with his foot, as always when he felt kind of awkward.
"Ornstein has found a good friend in thee.", Gough said. "Please watch over him. Don't let him keep walking down the path of despair I can sense his soul has gone for far too long now..."
Tempest cocked his head and already opened his mouth, almost telling Gough about what Ornstein had done the last few centuries, but then shut it again, remembering that he shouldn't tell Gough what would happen in his future.
"I will.", he simply said and then turned around to leave.
"Aren't thou taking the bow with thee?", Gough asked and Tempest froze, turning around.
"How?", he asked. "It's too big for me. I won't be able to even lift it."
"Just touch it.", Gough said. "It will change into a size more preferable for thee."
Tempest looked down to the bow, then shrugged and kneeled down to try and lift the bow. To his surprise, the bow really shrunk in size until it was still heavy, but small enough to be carried around and wielded by Tempest.
"Fascinating.", he said. "How does this work?"
"Our weapons are enchanted.", Gough said. "They will change their size to fit to whoever wields them. It has been that case for all the weapons of the Knights of Gwyn."
"Wait... but when I used Ornstein's spear to fight the dragon, it didn't shrink!", Tempest remarked.
"Yes. Because Ornstein hasn't give up his spear.", Gough said. "I have gifted my former bow to thee, so it now accepted thee as its new owner. Do with it as thee wish."
"Oh...", Tempest said and then bowed. "Thank you very much. For your help with the dragon and the gift."
Gough just raised a big hand and made a waving gesture, as if he wanted to say "It's nothing."
When Tempest turned around this time to leave, he heard one last thing that Gough muttered to him: "Thank thee for thine soup. It was quite delicious."
Tempest didn't say anything, but turned his head to give Gough a smile. Even though the giant was blind, he had the feeling that his feelings had reached Gough.
After Tempest had slid down the ladder, he went into the arena to find Ornstein sitting in front of the grave, his right hand propping up his helmet, seemingly lost in thought. Tempest went over to him, briefly debating if he should play Ornstein a light hearted prank, but decided against it. It very well could mean that he got a spear through his chest without warning.
Instead, he sat down next to Ornstein and waited.
Around five minutes later, Ornstein noticed that Tempest was next to him. "Have you talked to Gough?", he asked.
"Yes.", Tempest said. "He even gave me his bow." Tempest presented the weapon to Ornstein.
"Oh... so that is why it was missing back then...", Ornstein seemed to talk to himself. "Anyway, because of the size, Gough clearly has planned to give up on his bow. Of course, Kalameet had been the last dragon threat... after him, the undead curse was what had our full attention."
Tempest flinched a tiny little bit at the mention of his curse. Lately it had been easy to forget just how stigmatized the ones with the darksign were.
"I am sorry, little Storm.", Tempest said. "Let's move on. The sooner we can go back to our quest to get rid of this curse once and for all, the better."
"First you rest.", Tempest muttered and stood up in unison with Ornstein, who didn't say another word but instead walked into the direction of the bonfire in the township. Tempest stopped for a brief while there to refill his Estus and then the both of them had to fight through a few reborn bloatheads, until they were back at the elevator, able to use the shortcut.
"Will you be fine fighting the beast?", Tempest asked, concern shining in his eyes. "After all, Artorias got corrupted. Your souls are the same, right? What if..." Tempest didn't speak out the thought once he saw Ornstein flinch.
"I... have imagined that scenario countless times.", Ornstein said. "What would have happened if I had went instead of Artorias? Would I have been corrupted too? However... we have the pendant with us. Its power should protect us from the dark magic and the dark influence of the Abyss. It only just started spreading, at least at this point in time, I am still able to walk through the abyss without falling to the dark."
As Ornstein had mentioned the pendant, Tempest had rummaged for it and now wore it over his wrist, ready to use its power whenever they needed.
"Besides,", Ornstein continued. "My... soul has been tainted by the dark for quite some time now."
Tempest shuddered when Ornstein pretty much confirmed Gough's words. It made Tempest's heart feel heavy when he thought about how much Ornstein had to suffer... and how much he refused to let anyone in his heart. Actually, that Ornstein had even talked about it felt like a huge success.
In a deep dark corner of his mind, Tempest started to ask himself if Ornstein didn't reciprocate his feelings not because of his Master that he wanted to search out, but because of the fear that he could lose him, that Tempest could go hollow and would leave Ornstein alone again.
The elevator came to a halt and ripped Tempest out of his thoughts. He was the first one to step out, seeing an open area at the base of some stairs in the near distance.
Ornstein followed him shortly after and gazed at the area too. "This reeks of a trap.", he said.
Tempest got out some binoculars and took a closer look. "I can see at least three foes.", he said. "Two of them are sorcerers."
"There will be more hidden.", Ornstein said, crossing his arms and uncrossing them instantly again, lowly hissing in pain. "Areas like this are perfect to lure someone in a trap. Also, look at the way the sorcerers have aligned themselves, on the stairs, so they can easily shoot their magic while you are busy dealing with the melee attackers. We need a careful approach."
"Ornstein, you actually can see them that clearly without binoculars?", Tempest had his mouth slightly open in surprise.
"I used to be a dragon slayer.", Ornstein said. "I had to be able to see foes from far away. It isn't difficult for me to make them out."
It sounded very much like Ornstein only brushed over basically having super vision, but Tempest knew he wouldn't want to talk more about it. They first had to overcome the challenge in front of them.
"Suggestion: I will take my bow and aim at the one in front of the stairs.", Tempest said. "When it takes the bait, it will come over to us and the magic of the casters won't reach us."
"Not bad, little Storm.", Ornstein said. "Your earlier self would probably just have charged in without thinking."
"Well, I learned a thing or two.", Tempest grinned and got his bow out. Even though he briefly considered to test out Gough's great bow, he decided against it. The bow still was very large and he needed a lot of his strength to even lift it, he also couldn't use any of his usual arrows with it. It was clearly designed for the arrows of Gough and he had only one of them.
So he stretched an arrow on the bow, aimed and hit the bloathead in front of the stairs in the shoulder. The creature squeaked in surprise and then came running, arrow still sticking out of it. Also, just as Ornstein had assumed, two more of its friends joined it, previously having been hidden form sight.
"I knew it.", Ornstein growled, readying his spear. Tempest put another arrow on his bow and let loose, this time hitting the first bloathead in the chest. It still didn't falter and continued to charge at them.
"Damn.", Tempest said, dropping his bow in favour of his sword. As he engaged the already injured bloathead in battle, frantically backstepping to avoid being torn apart by its claws, Ornstein swung his spear back in a wide curve and once he stroke it down on his foes, both of the bloatheads fell over from the impact with the long pole and just as Tempest had driven his sword through the ugly head of his foe, Ornstein had impaled both of his foes at once with the tip of his spear.
"Only the sorcerers left.", Tempest said, not bothering to wipe his sword clean. Ornstein removed his spear from the corpses, looked at the bloody and gooey tip with a bit of displeasure, but also didn't clean it, knowing as well as Tempest that it would get dirty right away again.
"So how should we handle them?", Ornstein asked.
"Just watch.", Tempest grinned and then stormed off right down into their line of fire.
"Wait, little Storm, no!", Ornstein shouted and Tempest could hear the foot steps of the dragon slayer behind him. Perfect, that was what he had been going for.
Just as the dark orbs having been fired at Tempest were about to impact, he activated the pendant, the magic within dissolving the dark spells into nothing.
Ornstein seemed to understand his plan in the matter of a second, because once the sorcerers cast their next attack, he was jumping over Tempest, impaling the first sorcerer with his spear while Tempest was once again dissolving the dark magic that he had made sure would get fired on him.
The bad thing was... now the second sorcerer had Ornstein in its line of sight. Tempest was already on his way, mouth open to shout any insults at it, unsure if the sorcerer would even be able to get it, but instead of casting another attack the sorcerer simply laughed and pointed at Ornstein.
The dragon slayer didn't waste this opportunity and soon his spear came out of the back of the sorcerer and it collapsed on the ground once he pulled it back out. He then turned to Tempest, who gulped and waited for the inevitable.
"When I complimented you earlier, I wasn't expecting for you to use your recklessness to give me an opening.", he said.
Oh, that was... a compliment, wasn't it? With Ornstein it was hard to tell.
"It would have just been nice if you could have informed me of your plan.", Ornstein said further.
"What? No, it needed to be a surprise, I needed to make sure that you would follow me.", Tempest said. "I knew you would follow me when I charge in. It's a reflex by now."
Ornstein did say something which Tempest couldn't hear, it was just some grumbling. Probably him lamenting about how hard Tempest made his life or something. Tempest already knew he didn't mean it like that.
"Yeah yeah, I know I am pain.", Tempest grinned and came up the stairs. "We should probably move on."
"You aren't a pain.", Ornstein suddenly said. "You just give me several heart attacks on a regular basis. Wait, now that I think about it, you are a pain."
"Don't forget, I can't die.", Tempest said and when he went on in front of Ornstein, he could hear him mumble something again, one of the words sounded suspiciously close to hollow.
"Speaking of dying, I haven't even used up Estus yet.", Tempest said. "That is quite an achievement for me."
"You are right, little Storm.", Ornstein said. "I would say you can feel a bit proud of yourself. You came a long way since I dragged you out of the archives."
"Oh yes, that...", Tempest's face flushed a bit when he thought about how Ornstein had dragged him out, his armour clanking on the marble floor and him getting several new bruised while he asked himself in which horrible way the dragon slayer would kill him.
Instead, Ornstein had trained him and while Tempest was sure that he never would become a knight, he had to admit, thanks to his training with Ornstein and his journey, he had became at least a half decent fighter.
"It's all thanks to you.", Tempest said, eyes shyly locked on the ground, only raising them when Ornstein's footsteps next to him stopped.
"What's wrong?", Tempest asked and froze too when he saw their next foe.
It was a creature that he never had seen before. It looked like a man at first glance, but on second glance, it was chained up and a long wooden piece was coming out of the chains. Tempest couldn't even make out a head.
"What's that?!", Tempest asked, eyes wide.
"I don't know.", Ornstein said. "Brace yourself, it's coming!"
Tempest got his sword ready when the creature ran towards them with a surprising swiftness. It even was more baffling when Tempest realized that the creature actually had a rock chained to its feet. It looked like an escaped prisoner, but more like one that had been fused with their chains.
"Careful, little Storm, I think it might-", Ornstein started and gut cut off when Tempest, still distracted by the sight of the creature, got the stone hurled right in his face. Blood squirted and Tempest got knocked back a feet or two, having a hand in front of his face, which quickly got saturated by the blood gushing out of his nose.
"Damn.", Ornstein said and left Tempest to himself, hoping that he would find his Estus quick and stepped into the way of the creature. The creature stooped its body down and Ornstein could see that it would use the wooden piece to attempt to stab him. Even with his armour, that could hurt quite a lot, so Ornstein twirled to the side and stabbed at the creature. His spear scratched on the chains, but did nothing more.
"Damn.", Ornstein said again. The chains did not only restrict the creature, but also protected it. He asked himself if the creature would be more or less dangerous without them.
"Ornstein, let me handle the chains!", Tempest yelled. He was back on his feet and while there still were very apparent streaks of blood on his face, his nosebleed had ceased and he had put his shield away in favour of using his pyromancy flame.
Ornstein had a bit of an queasy feeling in his stomach. After having fought Kalameet, he wasn't too keen on seeing fire again, but he knew that Tempest had the right idea.
"Just tell me when I can come in for the kill.", he said and stepped to the side as the creature tried to hurl its stone at him. Tempest nodded and once Ornstein had put some distance between him and the creature, he could see how Tempest hurled several fireballs at their foe.
"Ornstein, now!", Tempest shouted at the same time Ornstein could hear the deep clunk of burned metal hitting the ground. He took a deep breath, readied his spear for a thrust and dashed right into the creature.
His spear deeply cut into the chest of the creature, not being hindered by any chains. The creature made a pained sound and then collapsed in a pool of its own blood. Ornstein removed the spear and took a deep breath.
"I don't know what it was, but I never want to see it again.", he said. "Good plan with the pyromancy, little Storm."
"Chains aren't usually made to withstand fire.", Tempest said and then bend down to pick something up. "Huh? That is chain armour. Maybe this once has been a mercenary or anything..."
Ornstein just shrugged and Tempest reciprocated the gesture. They didn't had to know. For now, they should move on. Especially because Tempest wanted to finally get Ornstein to a bed. Since he rested at Gough he was doing better, but he still was hurt and Tempest knew it would come back to him sooner or later.
"Let's move on.", Tempest said and went into the tunnel the creature had guarded. It only was a short way until they encountered a floor tile which glowed once Tempest stepped into it. "Oh hey, an elevator that we don't have to find by going the long way.", he grinned at Ornstein and the next moment was colliding with Ornstein's front when something sharp hit him in the back.
"Ouch, what the...", Tempest said, shivering and blushing slightly when he noticed that he was basically in front of Ornstein's crotch. The dragon slayer paid him no mind though, he simply went a step forward and kicked something.
"What was that?", Tempest asked as he Ornstein gently shoved him away from him and the little Undead got out his Estus.
"Another bloathead.", Ornstein replied. "Waited right on the elevator. Surprised the both of us. It now is laying down in the pit."
"...I didn't think they would be that clever.", Tempest lamented and stepped on the elevator. "Thank you, Ornstein."
Tempest expected for Ornstein to say the usual, like "It's my duty." or "It's my mission.", but instead he said: "You are welcome."
When they reached the bottom, Tempest took his sword with both hands, looking left and right before going further, but left out any caution when he saw a bonfire. He promptly ran over to it to light it and fill his Estus and even burned a humanity to make the flame brighter.
Ornstein joined him only moments later. "It has been a while since I last have been here...", he said. "Or, in the current time we are in, it happens in the near future... Anyway, this is the Chasm of the Abyss."
Tempest squinted his eyes as he tried to look into the distance.
"It's dark here.", he determined. Around a second after he had finished his sentence, Tempest had gotten the skull lantern out and held it high up over his head, expecting for it to light the way.
"...That doesn't work...", he said and put the lantern away with a sigh. The light just got swallowed by the darkness. It was a different darkness from the Tombs of Giant, where surely the light had been absent, but it had been mainly because they had been underground. Here in the chasm the light itself seemed to get devoured.
"That is why we fear the Abyss.", Ornstein said, having sat down and leaning against the wall. "The darkness is dangerous for creatures under the protection of the Light Soul. And... it can even be dangerous for you humans, even though you can withstand the dark better. However, you have seen what happened to the Oolacile inhabitants. The Abyss devours everything and corrupts everything that stays to long in its sphere. That is why Anor Londo had to take care of the problem. That is why Artorias got send."
Ornstein fell quiet after having said so many words at once, gaze directed at the floor. His arm stung, but he didn't intend to let shine through that he was in pain. The little Storm knew anyway, glancing at him with this worried eyes now and then.
"So...", said Undead said. "If not for, uh, me..." He looked down at himself, giving himself a brief overlook, seeming that he still couldn't grasp what was happening and had already happened. "What would you have done then? I mean, what if the Abyss spread wouldn't have gotten stopped?"
"Then... I probably would have gone.", Ornstein mused. He had felt like the next best choice, he was equally strong as Artorias and while dragons where forte, he surely would have been expected to take down a beast that Artorias had already weakened.
"Do you think you would have been up for it?", Tempest asked and there were these eyes again, full of worry and concern.
"No.", Ornstein answered. It was the truth. He had been a mess after Artorias' death, sending him to the beast would have ended in another tragedy. "In a sense, even though it hasn't happened yet, I have to thank you, little Storm."
"Nonsense.", Tempest placed his eyes on Ornstein, looking almost angry. "I have to thank you, Ornstein. Even now, you are at my side, even though we have to fight the beast that corrupted your friend and is a danger to your very core!"
"Still, my past self started to cherish that he hadn't had to go and take down the beast.", Ornstein said, a deep sigh escaping his throat. After that, he continued to stare on the floor, only looking up when Tempest spoke again.
"How are you feeling, Ornstein?"
"I am fine.", Ornstein said. He always was fine. Nobody knew the real pain he was in.
"No, you are not.", Tempest said, making Ornstein's eyes widen. He was used to people not believing him, but not outright denying it.
"You haven't been fine since we fought Artorias...", Tempest cast his gaze on the ground as Ornstein's own gaze wandered to his left arm. "Not only the arm...", Tempest said. "You are... kind of barely keeping it together, right?"
Now that stung. Ornstein had used this mantra so often, to convince himself that he could go on, that he could stay strong, that he wouldn't falter. He may have even said it now and then during his time with the little Storm in Oolacile. What concerned Ornstein the most was, that the little Storm had so easily seen through him. He must have lost his touch.
...or maybe it was the little Storm who had grown to be observant and... point out things that Ornstein ignored. Like that he needed a break. Ornstein had been fully ready to rush to both Kalameet and Manus without even thinking about taking a break.
And what would have happened when he would have collapsed? Tempest might have died without his help and it could very well be that he never would come back, succumbing to the hollowing. The thought about this scenario made Ornstein's chest sting.
"Ornstein, are you still there?", Tempest asked and the dragon slayer raised his head, giving a slight nod. He had let himself lost in his thoughts.
"Yes, little Storm.", he said. "I am sorry. Please don't be worried about me. I can take it. I always have... kept it together... somehow." Ah yes, that sounded convincing. Though Ornstein knew, they would forever be stuck here when they wouldn't make sure that the events of the past happened.
"Once we are back I am making you rest.", Tempest said, getting up. "You can already think about what I should cook." He grinned and took both his sword and shield in the respective right and left hand.
"Mushroom rice.", Ornstein said, suddenly feeling hungry, even though it hadn't been that long since he had eaten Tempest's soup. The prospect of eating more of the little Storm's food just always sounded compelling.
"Noted.", Tempest said and waited for Ornstein to rise. "And Ornstein? Even on the chance that you won't make use of it, but please tell me if it gets too much for you. Physically and, uh, mentally. Alright?"
Being the one that got protected by the little Storm, how the tides had turned, though Ornstein appreciated how considerate Tempest was with him. He would be fine. Just like he had said, he would keep it together. Still, knowing that Tempest wouldn't resent him for having a moment of weakness, made Ornstein feel better. The only other person he knew that had been fine with Ornstein breaking down, had been Smough.
In retrospect, Smough had been the only one who had known.
Just when exactly had Ornstein closed his heart so much to the people who were around him? Just why was it a little Undead that brought out all this feelings in him?
Maybe it was because Ornstein had felt so terribly lonely since Smough's death... Yes, Tempest had merely filled the gap in Ornstein's grieving heart, nothing more. At least Ornstein convinced himself that it was.
He followed Tempest who carefully walked down the path and then gasped. As Ornstein followed his gaze, he saw the case for it. A shiny crystal lizard in the dark.
"I am going to catch it.", Tempest said. "Opposed to the skull lantern, it actually seems to light up the place."
Before Ornstein could say anything, Tempest had already stormed off. Well, that hadn't happened in a while. Ornstein prepared himself to follow Tempest, when the small Undead already came running back.
"Crap crap crap crap.", he cursed and Ornstein promptly saw just what was the reason for him being so upset. Several red eyes flashed in the dark. Ornstein sighed and prepared his spear.
"Now you live up to your name again.", Ornstein said as his spear swung down on the bloathead to the far left, letting it collide with the floor. The creature picked itself up shortly and started another attack which Ornstein parried.
"It was dark and I couldn't see anything!", Tempest wailed as he slashed one of the bloatheads with his sword, blocked a second with his shield and got a nasty wound on his leg by the claws of the third. "And I also have been distracted by the crystal lizard...", Tempest continued, eyes darting around trying to find the best possibility to get out of this battle alive.
Ornstein finished the fourth bloathead off with a spear thrust directly through its head and then proceeded to take some load of Tempest by engaging one of his throe foes in battle. The little Storm in the meantime had been driven into defense, desperately using both sword and shield to block the swings of his foes, getting more and more bloody wounds whenever the claws managed to get through. If they would keep this up, Tempest would run out of stamina soon.
"Don't let them corner you.", Ornstein called over to Tempest as his spear was blocking a claw swipe directed at the joints in his armour. "Use their own attacks against them and attack when they are wide open."
"That's easier said than done.", Tempest called back but still swung his sword once one of his foes started a new attack and his eyes widened when his sword really connected with the chest of the bloathead, though this brief moment of surprise was enough for him to forget to protect himself with his shield and the last foe managed to give Tempest a rather nasty cut in his side, making him scream in pain and collapse on his knees.
"Little Storm!", Ornstein yelled, slashing the bloathead he had been fighting against open with the tip of his spear and ran over, locking the last bloathead into battle as Tempest breathed heavily on the ground, Estus already in hand. Ornstein dispatched of the last bloathead with a thrust through its head, like he had done with the first one and then kneeled down next to Tempest.
"Everything alright?", he asked.
"Yeah...", Tempest said, Estus flask a bit less filled, armour a bit more stained by blood, a bit paler than usual, but ultimately seeming to be fine. Though Tempest gasped as he raised his head to look at Ornstein and before Ornstein could ask what was the matter, he had activated the pendant to dispel a dark spell.
"There is a sorcerer.", he said and got up. "I take care of it. You stay here, Ornstein!"
Perplexed, Ornstein still followed Tempest, seeing how he either rolled out of the way or used the power of the pendant to dodge the dark magic hurled at him. A few sword slashes later, he came back with a scroll in hand.
"Why do you keep picking them up?", Ornstein asked. "You aren't adept in sorceries at all."
"It's true that I can't use sorceries.", Tempest said. "But this has been another one of these dark sorceries. I don't know, but I kind of feel like they are safer with me. I won't use them. Somebody who knows how to use them may do more harm than good with them."
"Your... thinking isn't actually bad, little Storm.", Ornstein had to admit. "Though now I feel like I have to get mad. What happened about having become competent?" Ornstein tapped his foot as Tempest deflated.
"Soooorryyy...", he said and covered his head with his hands as he ran away, stopping in front of what looked like a prism stone.
"Ornstein, is this...", Tempest asked.
"It appears so.", Ornstein said. "Artorias has marked the way."
Tempest felt a certain warmth in his heart, but also it felt like someone had clenched it. Of course it was possible that Artorias had thrown the prism stones on the ground to find his way back, but maybe he also had thrown them on the ground because he knew that he was going to fail and... wanted to give whoever picked up his task, a little help.
Tempest followed the path with Ornstein following closely behind. When the path split, it looked like left would lead further into the cavern. Tempest proceeded to follow the path when he heard a sound behind him, twirled around and blocked the attack of a single bloathead with his shield, noticing that Ornstein had already drawn his spear, but now stood there, waiting.
Tempest made short work of the bloathead and then sheathed his sword. "Were you preparing to save me, Ornstein?", he asked.
"Well... yes.", Ornstein replied. "I was walking behind you so I could see the foe you overlooked, but you surprised me by noticing it yourself. Maybe you won't need my help anymore, little Storm."
"Don't be ridiculous.", Tempest said. "Without your help I would have died so often here. In fact, when I was on my own after you needed some space, I died a few times."
"Is that... true?", Ornstein said, voice filled with concern.
Tempest turned his head to look at Ornstein and grinned: "I already told you, I won't go hollow as long as you are at my side."
Ornstein didn't reply anymore, so Tempest put his attention back on the path. He stopped when he could see some strange looking creatures shining in the dark, which was strange, because they seemed to be of a pitch black colour.
"What's this?", Tempest said, shielding his eyes with his hands in an attempt to see better, even though no sun shone in the chasm. Ornstein stopped next to him and stared as well. "They look... like humanity.", Tempest said.
"Indeed.", Ornstein nodded his head next to him.
"Hey, maybe when I run in them, I can heal hollowing.", Tempest grinned, wondering just how it would feel. These humanities were several times bigger than the usual sprites he would crush and feed to his dark sign to fend off the hollowing once more.
"Be careful, little Storm.", Ornstein murmured. "Humans haven't been shown to be immune to the dark..."
"I actually wasn't planning running into them, Tempest said and tested a narrow pathway with stalagmites growing out of it, with his foot and once he confirmed that it wouldn't crumble, he walked on it.
"It looks like it goes really deep down here.", Tempest commented as the duo walked over the path, shuddering a bit at imagining falling down there.
"Don't look down, that will only make it worse.", Ornstein said, assuming that Tempest was feeling dizzy from the large height.
Tempest stopped at the end of the path, looking left and right. It seemed like right was the appropriate direction to take, the left path looking like it cut off, but the bloathead having hidden in a dead end had made Tempest cautious.
"I am going to look if a foe hides there and then we take the ri – waaaaaaahrg!", Tempest suddenly cut off when the path vanished under his feet and he found himself on the ground. Luckily, the fall, while sudden, hadn't been very high and he had made it out unscathed.
Ornstein landed next to him, but Tempest noticed, that the normally so elegant dragon slayer was faltering a bit. All the stress and pain must have come back to him.
"Well.", Tempest said. "I didn't knew that paths could be illusionary too."
"It concerns me, to be honest.", Ornstein said, looking around trying to make out anything in the darkness. "Illusionary walls are normally kept to hide something, like treasure or a hiding spot. Why would someone make a path that vanishes when you step on it? That reeks of a trap."
"I guess...", Tempest mused. "But we only have one way to go now. All we can do is being cautious." Tempest showed that he was ready by raising his sword and shield and then followed the path, stopping after only a few steps.
"What's wrong?", Ornstein said, following the gaze of Tempest and instantly knowing what was wrong.
On the path, there was a gigantic yellow cat with far too many teeth. Ornstein knew this cat too well, but apparently, Tempest hadn't met her yet.
"Cat.", Tempest said. "Big cat. With lots of teeth. Is that the trap? Does the cat want to fight with us?" Tempest looked at Ornstein with kind of tired eyes. After having fought drakes, legendary knights, demons and even an ancient dragon, he seemed to consider that a large toothy cat as next foe wasn't too strange.
"There is no danger coming from her.", Ornstein said. "I know that cat. She protects the Royal Woods, or, the Dark Root Garden, as we call it in our time. She is called Alvina and her presence here means that she wants to show us something."
Ornstein strode towards Alvina with firm steps only for the cat to vanish in thin smoke. Tempest followed Ornstein. "Where did she go?", he asked, sounding even more confused than before.
Ornstein squinted into the dark. Alvina was a bit further down the path. "There.", he said, pointing at her with his spear and walked with a brisk pace towards her. He heard how the little Storm had to run to catch up to him. Just as Ornstein had reached Alvina, she vanished again and instead of her, one of the strange humanity sprites floated nearer. Ornstein could feel how even the hair on his neck started to stand, so he took a step back.
Tempest, on the other hand, was rather fascinated by it, standing there and raising a hand, as if he wanted to touch it. However, the humanity sprite had other plans and Tempest's face scrunched up while the humanity sprite floated through him.
"Ew!", Tempest exclaimed. "That feels so gross! And it stings!" He turned around and slashed at the sprite and even though his sword seemed to glide through mist, the sprite eventually dissolved and left a small humanity sprite behind.
"So.", Ornstein said, stepping next to Tempest. "I assume it didn't feel good running into them."
"It ran into me.", Tempest shuddered, looking at the humanity in his hands. "But these guys are humanity, I wonder then why did it hurt to be touched by them?"
"Does it feel good when you eat too much food?", Ornstein asked. Tempest looked at him uncomprehending until it clicked.
"Oh! Sorry, Ornstein, I had to think a bit, I haven't eaten in so long. No, it doesn't. You feel bloated and sick and sometimes you need to vomit and you don't want to see food for a while.", he replied.
"Same principle.", Ornstein said. "It's too much. That's why it felt bad. Even though you are a creature of the dark."
"...So the bloatheads...", Tempest said, it was starting to dawn for him. "They got overloaded with the darkness and that's why..."
"Yes, that is why they look like that.", Ornstein said.
"And Artorias...?", Tempest said. "He didn't look like... I mean, aside from the goop and his torn cape, he looked like in the books."
"...nobody knows what would have happened to Artorias if the corruption would have taken full hold on him.", Ornstein said and moved on. Tempest knew the conversation was over and followed Ornstein. Alvina was seen in the distance, in front of a wall. A few more of the humanity sprites floated at them on the way, but they fell to Tempest's and Ornstein's weapons soon enough. Once they had reached Alvina, the cat vanished again, leaving them with the solid wall.
"And now?", Tempest said, kicking at the wall and cursing when it vanished and he practically fell into the unveiled tunnel. He briefly wondered why Ornstein hadn't caught him, but he knew why once he looked back at the dragon slayer, holding his left arm. Apparently, his reflexes had kicked in and he had forgot about his injury. Tempest felt a pang of guilt at Ornstein's pain and quickly hurried back on his feet, looking into the tunnel.
"Where does it lead, what do you think?", Tempest asked, weapon on the ready for any meanness that could hide behind this illusionary wall.
"Like I said earlier, behind illusionary walls there are often hiding spots.", Ornstein said. "For Alvina having us led here, I have an assumption..." Ornstein picked up the pace and walked past Tempest, stopping once he saw his assumptions confirmed.
"Sif.", he said, looking at the wolf pup, cowering on the ground, sword in her snout, with a golden barrier erected around her, several humanity sprites floating around her. "So that is where she has been!"
"Sif? The companion of Artorias?", Tempest came running and audibly cooed when he saw the pup.
"Oh, how cute.", he said and then noticed all the sprites floating around her. "Wait, is she attacked? Ornstein, we need to help her!" Tempest rushed in with his sword raised and for once Ornstein agreed with his approach. He followed Tempest and the both of them dispatched every single humanity sprite.
"That's the last one.", Tempest said as his sword managed to dissolve the sprite into mist.
"It's save now, Sif.", Ornstein said, kneeling down in front of the barrier. Sif stood up and wagged her tail at Ornstein's sight, then she howled and practically collapsed, the barrier around herself failing. In its place, a great shield fell down with a clank.
"Oh no, Sif, are you alright?", Ornstein hurried over to the wolf pup, searching for any injuries, but was relieved to see that the animal was more exhausted than hurt. Tempest stepped next to him.
"We should get her out of here.", he said.
"But... what about the mission?", Ornstein asked.
"We have the chance to save at least one creature here.", Tempest said. "And... and Sif is alive in our time, right? I am sure we have to do this." Tempest kneeled down and offered his hand to Sif. The wolf pup whined and licked his hand. Tempest got something out of his baggage and once Sif had determined what it was, she had snatched it and swallowed it.
"I have more of these.", Tempest smiled. "But first you have to get up and follow us."
"Can you do that, Sif?", Ornstein asked, rising on his feet himself. Sif wagged her tail and then rose on her feet, a bit wobbly, but then she picked up her sword and walked a few steps.
"Good girl.", Tempest said, scratching Sif behind the ears, starting to walk. Ornstein stopped and looked at the ground.
"So that is where he left his shield...", he said and picked it up. He didn't want for Artorias' shield to be left forgotten on some chasm filled to the brim with darkness.
"Are you coming, Ornstein?", Tempest asked, Sif at his side. Ornstein caught up to them and then spoke.
"I didn't knew you were good with animals, little Storm."
"Dogs often would visit the tavern.", Tempest said. "Either as companions of the patrons or strays that would like some leftovers. Over the years I developed a fondness for them and know how they act."
"Sif is a wolf though.", Ornstein said.
"What is a wolf but an oversized dog?", Tempest grinned, but then his gaze fell back on Sif. "Though I have the feeling she can understand what we say. She is not a normal wolf, right? I mean, she is wielding a sword like it is the most normal thing in the world."
"You are correct.", Ornstein said. "Sif is something special."
Hearing that, Sif wagged her tail though her ears were drooped. Ornstein had the assumption that she knew. She knew that Artorias had failed.
"So we go back the way we came?", Ornstein asked, but Tempest shook his head and pointed at the wall.
"Look.", he said. "Let's try there. It looks like another shortcut."
It took some time until Sif had managed to limp there, Ornstein almost had given in to carry here if not for his hurt arm, but they finally managed and the trio rode the elevator up. Once they stepped out, Ornstein recognized the arena... where the fight against Artorias had took place.
Sif stepped out of the elevator, looked at the arena and the back at Ornstein, her ears drooped even more.
"Go.", Ornstein said. "Say your goodbyes. And then find Ciaran."
Sif's amber eyes locked on Ornstein's for a few seconds before she was off.
"It must be hard for her.", Tempest said. "Is it really fine for us to leave her alone?"
"Yes.", Ornstein said. "She is save here. Ciaran is still close. She will make sure that nothing happens to Sif."
Tempest nodded and went back in to take the elevator back down. They had saved at least one soul and that made him feel a tiny bit better. He hoped, that Ornstein shared his feelings about the matter.
The atmosphere when they rode down the elevator was kind of heavy and neither of them spoke a single word. Once it arrived with a clunk, Tempest stepped down from it, waited until Ornstein followed him and then took the lead without saying a single word. There was another prism stone marking a path in the near distance, so Tempest followed it and only stopped when the path diverged. There was a prism stone marking the path that led upwards, so Tempest decided to take the path downwards first.
"What are you doing?", Ornstein broke the silence between them. "The prism stone marks the other path. That means, the path that isn't marked leads to death."
"No, Ornstein.", Tempest said. "That means there is some treasure."
Tempest heard Ornstein sigh and mutter something under his breath, probably a line like "Fine, but I won't save you if you die." Tempest glanced at Ornstein, shrugged a tiny bit and then went down the path. There wasn't death, but another sorcery scroll. Tempest picked it up and read the name "Black Flame" on it.
"Who left them all here?", he murmured.
"I don't know.", Ornstein said. "The Oolacile inhabitants maybe. I just can tell that dark sorcery was forbidden in Anor Londo, for obvious reasons."
Tempest rolled the scroll back in and put it in his pocket. "Are you really going to keep them?", Ornstein asked, clearly a bit uncomfortable with the prospect of Tempest one day trying to learn dark sorcery.
"Maybe I feed them to Frampt.", Tempest said.
"...the old snake probably would like that...", Ornstein said and then they fell silent again. Tempest knew that they both were tense. The task in front of them wasn't an easy one and for Ornstein... it must be hard only to be there, not only because of the dark in the air, but also because he got reminded of Artorias at every corner.
Tempest glanced back to Ornstein another time and then walked the path back, this time taking the one upwards that was marked by the prism stone. As they ascended it, Tempest saw some movement in the darkness and stopped.
"Something the matter?", Ornstein asked and stopped too when his gaze followed Tempest's. "It seems there is another one...", he murmured and Tempest nodded.
"It hasn't seen us yet... maybe we can sneak near?" He then looked at Ornstein's flashy and rather noisy armour and spoke. "You cover me, I sneak near and try to take it by surprise."
Ornstein nodded and Tempest was off, carefully calculating every step he took and slowly, very slowly, creeping nearer to the bloathead. It felt almost comical how much effort he put into not making any sound and not making any unnecessary movement, so Ornstein was about to assume that the bloathead would notice him in the last second and attack, but to his and Tempest's surprise, he actually made it and stared down at his sword after the bloathead laid dead on the ground, going "Huh."
"It didn't see you coming.", Ornstein said as he stepped next to Tempest. "Even though it had a dozen eyes."
As Ornstein was stepping near the edge of the cliff they were standing now, Tempest's eyes wandered at Ornstein and then he gasped: "Ornstein, did you just make a joke?!"
"Maybe...", Ornstein said, flushing a little bit under his helmet, that remark had been a spur of the moment. Instead of dwelling on it, he scanned the area down the cliff. From interest were several more prism stones as well as the humanity sprites they had seen earlier.
"You made a joke.", Tempest said, walking to Ornstein, stopping as he spotted something on the ground, picking it up and then stopping next to Ornstein.
"It wasn't a joke. It was the truth.", Orstein said, feeling a bit annoyed.
"No, you really helped lighten the mood.", Tempest said. "After all we have to face the very darkness itself, right? The atmosphere felt so tense and heavy, so thank you, Ornstein."
"...I get an dessert extra for it...", Ornstein murmured and Tempest grinned.
"Ornstein, once we are back here, I will make you all the desserts you desire!" He then jumped down the cliff and headed towards the humanities with a battle cry. Ornstein, a bit perplex, followed him after around half a minute had passed.
He hadn't felt... alright since he had noticed that they were in the Oolacile of the past. His arm was hurting, as much as he tried to hide it, but his inner turmoil had been the worst. Him being present and still not having be able to save Artorias, him having getting mad at the little Storm for doing the right thing, him acting like everything was fine when it wasn't.
Then why did he manage to feel more at ease just when the little Storm smiled at him? Was that the reason he had made the "joke" in the first place? To get the little Storm to smile when he had looked so serious the last few minutes?
Whatever it was, at that moment, said little Storm had taken a bite that was too large for him, because he currently got cornered by a bunch of rather big humanity sprites. Ornstein sighed and went to help him.
Even with the two of them fighting back the humanity sprites was a challenge. Ornstein knew that he was in danger of serious injury when he touched them, so he kept his distance, using the long reach of his spear to poke into the sprites, but the main problem was, that they weren't solid and so never flinched back. Tempest did his best to fight them back, but got touched by them a few times and as result had to take another sip of his Estus Flask, leaving only half of the liquid inside.
"You took a bit more then you could bite, didn't you?", Ornstein asked once the last humanity sprite had vanished and Tempest stared at his Estus Flask, probably considering if it would be enough for the task ahead of them or if he should head back to the bonfire.
"...It shouldn't be too far to the bonfire from here.", Ornstein said, but Tempest shook his head. "It's fine. If we go rest there, the humanity sprites have time to reform. Let's move on."
"Alright, little Storm...", Ornstein said and stepped in front of what looked like a gigantic pillar. Three prism stones were lined up in front of it.
"Well, this seems to be distinct.", Tempest said. "It also appears to be the only path that leads deeper into the chasm." He climbed up the pillar and started crossing it with raised sword and shield. Ornstein followed him, attention on any threads, but there were no red eyes in the darkness and also no black shining sprites. Once they reached the end of the pillar, Tempest jumped down.
"I am going to check for enemies.", he said, apparently having learned about their preference to hide.
"Alright.", Ornstein said, staying where he was, but keeping his gaze on the little Storm. Tempest returned only a short while later, with more humanity in his hands.
"This stuff is laying around everywhere here.", he said and looked at the path in front of them. "It seems to be the only way.", he said, pointing at it. Ornstein nodded and followed Tempest once he got into motion.
They followed the path in silence until Tempest stopped. "Ornstein, here is a junction.", he said. "We can either go farther down the path or take a small tunnel that leads to the right."
"Which path would you take, little Storm?", Ornstein asked.
"Hm...", Tempest considered. "The little tunnel bothers me. It could be that there is something there, so I want to check it out." He turned and entered the tunnel. It was rather tight, so Ornstein had to bow down to fit.
In the tunnel, there were more humanity sprites, which Tempest managed to take down on his eyes, only one time jumping back in surprise and clashing again Ornstein. Ornstein had gently shoved him away from him, wondering why his heart had pounded so heavy at the sudden contact. Probably because he had got startled.
Once they came out of the tunnel, the both of them stood on a ledge. Tempest bowed down and picked something up which Ornstein recognized as white titanite slab.
"That is a very valuable material to strengthen holy weapons.", Ornstein mentioned.
"Well, that would have been more useful to have before we went into the catacombs.", Tempest shrugged, but put the item into his pocket anyway. Then, he scanned the area beneath them. "I see a fog gate... and several more of the humanity sprites. Say, Ornstein..."
"What?"
"The deeper we went into the chasm, the less bloatheads we encountered. And now only humanity sprites are left. Maybe... maybe it is the last stage of the abyss corruption?"
"Maybe...", Ornstein said, feeling a chill. He wondered if Artorias had turned into a floating sprite when nobody had stopped him. Or would it only happen to humans?
"But if... then what are the humanities that reverse hollowing?", Tempest asked, staring at one of the sprites that he held in his hand.
"...I don't know.", Ornstein said. "And I don't want to think about it. Come, little Storm, we are nearly done with the mission. I remember that the beast of the Abyss was behind this fog gate."
"Alright.", Tempest said and took a deep breath. "Let's take care of the few humanity sprites down there and then... then we fight the beast."
Ornstein could hear how Tempest swallowed, he probably was nervous. Of course. Ornstein was nervous himself, but he didn't let it through. He just hoped that everything would go well.
With his injury he still couldn't give his all and Manus was no dragon. It was a rather unknown foe for him too. After Tempest had jumped down and engaged the humanity sprites in combat, Ornstein also swallowed from nervousness and followed him.
A few minutes later, the both of them stood in front of the fog gate.
"So, what's the plan?", Tempest asked.
"Dodge when he tries to hit you. Use the pendant when he uses dark magic. Don't die.", Ornstein said.
"I would laugh when I didn't knew that you mean this hundred percent serious.", Tempest took a deep breath and crossed the fog gate. Ornstein followed him only a second later, seeing Tempest stand in front of a ledge.
"Huh? That looks pretty deep.", Tempest said, looking down and then, when he noticed Ornstein next to him, he shot up. "Ornstein, you better don't think about tossing me down– wargh!"
"Little Storm!", Ornstein shouted when the same hand that had pulled them both in this time appeared and abducted Tempest into the darkness. Ornstein didn't waste any time to jump down the chasm after him.
Once Ornstein landed, with a wince because his injury got jostled, he saw Tempest standing there, both sword and shield raised, but rigid. As Ornstein still asked himself what could have scared the little Storm so, he heard the sounds of heavy footsteps and a growl. Ornstein directed his gaze to the sound and spotted several red eyes in the darkness, similar to the bloatheads, but these ones belonged to a far bigger creature.
It stepped out of the shadows, showing his eyeless face, big elk like horns growing out of its head, dotted with these red eyes, body covered in purplish and black fur, posture hunched over, left arm far too big and right arm clutching a catalyst, a tail twitching through the air. Ornstein recognized him instantly: Manus, Father of the Abyss.
Manus didn't waste any time and raised his overgrown left arm in what had to be a slamming attack. Ornstein already planned on dodging and thought the little Storm would to the same when he noticed that Tempest still was rigid. At the same moment Manus' arm slammed down, Ornstein leapt over to Tempest and shoved him out of the way, landing on the ground with him.
"Idiot.", Ornstein hissed, scrambling on his feet, gasping when he noticed Manus next attack and ducked so that the arm wouldn't hit him. Just how far could he extend it?
"Ornstein? I am sorry.", Tempest murmured and got on his feet. "I simply froze when I noticed that you weren't by my side."
"And you think I didn't get worried when he suddenly grabbed you?", Ornstein said and leapt to the left when Manus charged forward and slammed both hand and catalyst in the ground. "Now that you can move again, take up the fight."
"Alright!", Tempest said and took his sword in both hands, running towards Manus only to get hit by his hand. Ornstein winced as Tempest flew several metres through the air, that had looked rather painful. Tempest kept laying on the ground, looking like he needed a moment, but he wouldn't get it, Manus was already on his way to him.
"Damn.", he said and then raised his voice. "Hey, you! You ugly beast of the Abyss!"
Ornstein got lucky, because Manus actually reacted to the taunt, turning around with a growl. "Come here and fight someone of your own size!", Ornstein continued, pointing his spear at him. How much had Ornstein wanted to two hand his weapon, but he knew it wasn't possible. "I'll make you pay for what you did to my best friend, Artorias!"
A deep growl emitted from Manus's throat and he jumped into the air, probably in an attempt to crush Ornstein under his large body. Ornstein gasped and leapt out of the way before impact. Too often he had seen dragons who had tried the same tactic. He was used to bigger foes.
Even better was that Manus had a small moment of recoil after he had body slammed the ground. It was enough time for Ornstein to swing his spear and get a good slash on his oversized hand. Blood started to well out of the wound and the beast was screeching in pain.
Ornstein used this moment to search for the little Storm. Ah good, he was back on his feet, but before Ornstein could ask if he was alright, Manus already put up the pressure again by trying to hit him with his arm and his catalyst, combining them to what surely could be a devastating attack. While Ornstein easily could avoid his hits, he couldn't dodge forever. He needed some time to actually attack. What was the little Storm doing?
"Ornstein, please keep distracting him!", Tempest suddenly yelled. Ornstein asked himself just what the little Storm had planned, but gave him a sign that he had understood. As Manus continued to hail attacks on him, Ornstein observed him, searching for the little holes in his cover. He had to realize that there wasn't much. The beast fought with such a ferocity that he almost never seemed to stop. The best bets for injuring him where his big hand and Ornstein knew they wouldn't get a deadly hit on him by cutting his hand alone. He would hardly bleed out by only cutting the hand.
One or two minutes must have passed and Ornstein started to ask himself just what the little Storm was planning and when he was finally going to join the battle, when he heard a familiar bark and then saw Sif charging towards Manus, sword in mouth, determination in her eyes.
"Sif, what, why?!", Ornstein asked, standing there perplexed, when Tempest came running to him.
"Sorry, Ornstein. I needed some time to concentrate on calling to her summon sign.", he said, watching as Sif ran around Manus, a muffled bark once in a while because of the sword in her mouth, the beast seemingly growing annoyed at her.
"That is just what we needed.", Ornstein said. "A distraction. Little Storm, on my mark we will flank the beast and injure his sides."
Tempest nodded and once Ornstein gave the mark, the both of them ran towards Manus. Ornstein actually made sure to slow his speed, because the moment Manus was noticing that he got injured, he would expect another attack and that would leave Tempest in danger.
Sif made a wonderful job in keeping Manus distracted and both Ornstein and Tempest slashed their weapons into Manus, though while Ornstein's weapon hit Manus side as planned, Tempest's weapons hit his leg.
"Oh damn.", Ornstein sighed, once again having forgotten that Tempest was far smaller than him and simply couldn't reach that high. And now Manus was out to get him, Tempest frantically dodging backwards. Once Manus had finished his combo, Tempest stumbled on his feet and seemed to try again, only to cut into his tail, which made the beast even more pissed.
He growled and then unleashed a barrage of attacks on Tempest that looked like he was playing ball with the little Storm. Ornstein ran behind Manus trying to get his spear into his back, but the beast's tail lashed out and prevented him from coming closer. Once Manus was done with a final charge attack, Ornstein looked at Sif. The wolf pup gave him a bark and engaged Manus in her game of cat and mouse again while Ornstein ran over to Tempest, half expecting to see him turn into ashes and being transported back to the bonfire, but the little Storm seemed to be in fact still alive.
When Ornstein arrived at Tempest's position, he concluded that he was barely alive. His body was a bloody broken mess and he didn't seem to be able to even search for his Estus Flask. Ornstein kneeled down and practically forced the liquid in his throat, watching as wounds closed and bones mended.
Tempest's eyes shot open and he fell in a coughing fit. "Oh, that hurt...", he murmured and then stared when Sif's body landed next to them with a whine.
"Oh no, Sif...", Ornstein said and got up. It was time to get proactive in this battle. "Little Storm, cover me.", he said. "The next time he slams his hand, I am going to jump on it and try to get a direct hit on that ugly face of his."
"But Ornstein, your arm...", Tempest started, but stopped once the hand had slammed on the ground, just one inch next to them.
"I am counting on you.", Ornstein said and jumped on the hand like announced. He just had to run along the arm and then drive his spear into that hideous grin of the beast. He heard Tempest screaming something behind him and his heart sank when he saw what it was about.
Manus had raised his catalyst and this time channelled his dark magic into it. Ornstein looked up to see a barrage of orbs starting to rain down on him. There wasn't anywhere to dodge. He would get hit and... he better braced himself. Ornstein's arm both shot up and covered his front, even though his left arm was screaming in protest at the sudden motion.
However, the anticipated pain didn't happen. When Ornstein lowered his arms he saw Tempest standing in front of the beast, having activated the pendant, which dispelled any orb that was supposed to fall on him.
Once the spell was over, Tempest just took a look at the beast and then rolled back when Manus started to concentrate his attacks on him, even shaking Ornstein off his arm, making the dragon slayer stumble back on the ground.
Ornstein watched the way Tempest was dodging Manus only for a few seconds before he determined that the little Storm wouldn't be able to hold up. He would make a mistake more sooner than later. They needed an opportunity to get a deadly hit in, but how...
Without any ideas, Ornstein decided to at least join the battle again and sprinted over to Manus, poking him another hole which gave the little Storm a breather. "Any ideas?", Ornstein asked as he leapt out of the way of an uppercut.
"Your idea was good actually.", Tempest screamed and cut Manus' tail again, one of the few areas he could actually reach.
"Yes, but he was using dark magic.", Ornstein answered, backing away from Manus and stabbing one of his fingers when he slammed the ground with his large hand.
"Do it again.", Tempest said.
"Are you sure?", Ornstein asked, barely having time because Manus already was on his next attack. This arm was more than bothersome.
"Yes.", Tempest said and gestured to a silvery shadow next to them. Sif was back on her feet and looked more resolute than ever.
"Alright then.", Ornstein said and backed away, coaxing Manus into slamming his hand down on the ground, Tempest and Sif waiting behind him. Once the attack hit the ground, Ornstein jumped on the hand and saw how Tempest ran in front of him. He couldn't see what Sif was doing, but judging from the sounds, her sword was used to pin down Manus' hand.
"Perfect.", Ornstein said to himself as he saw how Tempest activated the pendant right when Manus cast his dark magic. It only were a few seconds, but these few seconds were enough for him to run up to the beast and drive his spear deep into its eyeless face. Unfortunately, Ornstein missed Manus' mouth and instead slashed a deep wound where normally Manus' left eye would have been.
How... why had he missed? Only then Ornstein noticed how much his arm had trembled, how weak his legs felt, how close he felt to lose consciousness. He had kept it together for too long, now his exhaustion and his injury caught up to him. He went limp when he felt Manus grabbing him and proceeded to throw him on the ground, where Ornstein remained, the air getting knocked out of his longs from the impact, unable to get up, his vision getting blurry as he saw the beast charging at him.
He saw two more things. The first one was Sif trying to block Manus with her body, but she got just punched out of the way and the sound that Ornstein heard indicated that her phantom body had took too much damage, she would return to her real body. The next thing he noticed was a ball of fire hitting Manus right side, but he barely cared and then he felt a large hand coming down on him, easily able to crush him, though, just as earlier, the anticipated pain was absent.
Ornstein raised his head to see Tempest having driven his sword deep into Manus stomach, putting all his weight into the attack and the beast screeching and spitting, trying to get rid of the nasty fly, but Tempest held through. Ornstein already assumed the worst when he could see dark magic shining into the air, but Tempest let go of his sword and channelled the magic in the pendant, making it disappear.
Now he was sitting on the ground as Manus finally pulled the sword out of his body, blood gushing down on the ground and throwing it to the side. Tempest would never made it back there in time.
"Little Storm.", Ornstein tried to cry but his voice failed him. He saw another flare of light, another fireball hurled at Manus and then, when he thought all was lost, the beast suddenly screamed in agonizing pain and collapsed.
The fog around Ornstein finally lifted and he managed to get back on his feet, limping over to Tempest, who sat there covered in blood, holding one of Gough's great arrows in his hands that had impaled Manus and now stuck out of his neck.
"If I still could, I would have wet my pants.", Tempest said, shivering, skidding to the side before letting go of the arrow.
"Normally Gough shot dragons with this.", Ornstein murmured. "Props to you that you thought about using them that creatively."
Ornstein practically fell on his rear and breathed heavily. He was at his limit. He probably had managed to get a few new wounds when Manus had hurled him and that on top of the blood loss. He didn't feel like he could go on anymore.
"Ornstein, are you alright?", Tempest's face was in front of him, the now so familiar worry shining in them and were that... tears?
"What about the... princess?", Ornstein asked. Tempest gasped and ran away.
"She's here.", he yelled. "Unconscious, but doesn't appear to be hurt."
"Good.", Ornstein said, feeling how his eyes closed. He would probably not be able to stay conscious any longer.
"Ornstein, stay awake.", Tempest's voice had a pleading tone to it. "We have killed the beast and we are still here, why aren't we..."
Before Tempest could complete his sentence, Ornstein felt the familiar pull of getting thrown to time and space. At the same time, his consciousness vanished for good.
(Author's note:
Phew, finally the DLC is done, I was looking forward to this actually, I wanted to wrap it up for a while now.
Ornstein actually was wearing Artorias' shield on his back. He isn't used to using shields, so he didn't even think about using it. Probably would have saved him a bit of pain.
Gough's arrow simply was the first weapon that Tempest saw when he got his bag out to grab any thing to defend himself with.
The latter half of the chapter kinda turned into Ornstein only POV, I don't know what happened.
It would make my day and night, if you could leave me a comment. How did you like the chapter and what will Tempest and Ornstein do next? I don't bite, please talk to me ^^ )