Characters: Chosen Undead/Dragon Slayer Ornstein, Alvina, Great Grey Wolf Sif
Word Count: 9.254
Summary: After Ornstein and Tempest have taken a break and especially Ornstein has made his peace with a certain thing, the both of them are ready to continue their mission. While Tempest wants to finally get to Blighttown to venture into the Demon Ruins, Ornstein wants to first honour Artorias' at his grave instead and use this opportunity to talk to Sif.
(Author's note: So, it has been a while...
I actually would have liked to update much sooner, but life came into the way. A lot of shit happened and we had to fix it and I often was out and couldn't write. I also got the idea for a bodyswap fic with Ornstein and Tempest, which you can find on my profile..
Now I finally have the chapter ready and you can't fathom how much I wanted to get to this chapter. It finally happened and I am very proud of myself that I made it that far.
I want to thank everyone who left comments on the last chapter and especially thank hornstein-the-gulden-guy from tumblr, for having made a freaking whole animation for Storm, which I reblogged on my own tumblr.
Now I talked enough, I am sure you want to dive into the chapter! Enjoy!)
Ornstein looked at the large, still slightly red new scar on his left upper arm as he changed from his night shirt back to his usual tight leather garb that he always wore beneath his armour.
"I wish I would have gotten this scar under better circumstances, old friend.", Ornstein murmured, tracing the edges of the scar. The wound didn't hurt anymore, but his heart still did. He had been there, he did had the chance to change Artorias' fate, but he had failed.
No, he couldn't do anything anymore. It had been too late for Artorias. The little Storm had told him that he wasn't at fault and while Ornstein knew that Tempest was right, it wasn't easy for him to convince himself of the truth.
A part of him would forever feel guilty about the death of the other knights of Gwyn and Ornstein had to accept this part about himself. He had to admit to himself that he felt more at ease since a long time however, Tempest's words and the burial rites for Smough had managed to reach Ornstein.
He donned his armour, took his spear and held it canvassing in his left hand, to see if he could use his arm without trouble. After having been restricted for a good two weeks, it didn't feel as strong as before, but that shouldn't be a problem with a bit more daily training. At least he could use his two handed attacks without too much trouble again.
After having such a long break, Ornstein felt eager to get back into the mission and went into the direction of the kitchen where the little Storm had prepared breakfast. He came across the wooden box for the silver knights and stopped. There was a note sticking out from it. The silver knights in the cathedral weren't real anymore, the only one putting anything into that box was Tempest, so Ornstein got curious and snatched the note out of the box, unfolding it.
"I am so glad I have met you."
Ornstein smiled when he saw the note. Tempest always had put little things like this in the box, encouraging words or words of gratitude. Ornstein could hardly believe it, thinking about how they had first met, but he was glad that he had met Tempest too. He had become more than the idiot he had been forced to protect, a student, a companion, a friend even.
Ornstein folded the note back and laid it back on the table, wanting to take it back to the others later (which he all had kept, even though he didn't exactly knew why), when he saw the paper bin underneath the table and something crumbled in it. Nobody used the paper bin anymore, so he wondered what Tempest wanted to get rid off.
Ornstein picked up the crumbled piece of paper and smoothed it out, staring at the crossed out words that read.
"I love you."
Ornstein blinked and then stared long and hard at the words on the note. They had been crossed out, sure, but...
...he was the only one who ever would look at this notes. There was no other way to interpret this note as being meant for him.
That also was very clearly the hand writing of the little Storm, who also was the only one who actually used this ask box anymore.
Was that really how Tempest felt about him?
Looking back, Ornstein asked himself how he could have been so oblivious. The looks that Tempest gave him. The way he smiled at Ornstein. The way he loved cooking for him and always watched when he ate and wanted to know if Ornstein liked it. The subtle blushing. His way of saying that he wouldn't hollow as long as Ornstein was there.
The most apparent sign however had happened in the Painted World. When Tempest had gotten mad at him, that Ornstein never showed any interest and then they had talked. Tempest had told him about a tavern he would like to open and the last thing he had said had been something like: "Why don't you come with me, Ornstein? Isn't that better than searching for someone who dumped you centuries ago?"
Ornstein almost had said yes back then, but he knew that it wasn't possible. It wasn't possible for them to be together. Tempest would burn and in his chest he felt the very familiar feeling of festering guilt that he was withholding the truth of Tempest.
He knew that there was no other way, but it still hurt much more than he wanted for it to hurt. His own feelings about the little Storm... was he feeling the same? When Tempest would have confessed to him in person, had Ornstein reciprocated his feelings?
Ornstein didn't know. He had to admit that he had become rather fond of the little Storm, but he didn't know if those were romantic feelings. He had never been good at figuring them out anyway, had denied them when he had fallen in love with his master and had denied them when he had fallen in love with Smough.
Maybe he had feelings for the little Storm after all... but Ornstein knew that he didn't want them. He knew what would happen to Tempest. Admitting that he liked the little Storm in a romantic sense would only made it hurt even more.
There was no way for them to be anything else than acquaintances and Ornstein had to accept it. In a sense, the little Storm seemed to know it too, because he had thrown away the piece of paper with the confession. He knew that Ornstein would leave once his mission was over, even though he didn't knew what would really await him at the kiln.
Ornstein crumbled the piece of paper up and threw it back into the int, making it look like he had never seen it. It would probably be better for him to forget about it too. He needed to think about other stuff, after all, today they would finally be able to continue the mission.
Only two more souls and then Ornstein would be free to wander the world and search for his master. He should look forward to it, but all he could think about what how incredibly lonely it would feel to wander the world without the little Storm at his side.
Stupid... it is impossible to take him with you, you know that., Ornstein thought to himself as his feet carried him to the kitchen from which a delicious smile came. As he entered it, Tempest, who stood on top of the usual stool at the stove, turned around and smiled at him, making Ornstein feel like his heart would explode in his chest.
"Good morning, Ornstein. How is your arm feeling?", Tempest asked.
"Fine.", Ornstein said curt and sat down on the table, not wanting to think about the confession and about his own feelings any longer, which he grew more and more unsure of the longer he watched Tempest cook up until he had to stare down at the table instead.
"Because we are going out today again I made a light vegetable soup with some herbs.", Tempest said as he stirred the broth in the pot. "Also because we have to move to Blighttown first and with your warping sickness, I don't want to upset your stomach too much."
Oh right, they had planned to go down to Blighttown to travel to Lost Izalith. Ornstein had almost forgotten about it. He had done his best to stall this trip out, but he was running out of options. He was pretty sure they had taken care of all the wandering black knights so far. They could maybe take care of the titanite demon in Anor Londo, but that would hardly take long and because that thing wasn't even in the way and wasn't a lost soul like the black knights, it wouldn't make any sense to take it out.
"Is everything alright, Ornstein? You have hardly said a word.", Tempest put a bowl with soup in front of him and handed him a spoon.
"My apologies...", Ornstein murmured. "I've been thinking..." Ornstein dunked the spoon into the soup and watched as Tempest sat opposite him watching him, as he always did. While he normally didn't mind, just today he wished Tempest would go elsewhere, leaving him alone with his thoughts, but if he would request that, Tempest for sure would know that something was up and that it wasn't his disliking of Blighttown.
He had to think... was there somewhere they could go before they had to venture down to that rotten place? Oh, of course!
"Actually...", Ornstein said and Tempest perked up when he spoke. "Would it be possible to visit Artorias' grave before we venture into Blighttown? After the events in Oolacile I... want to pay respect to my old friend again. Besides, we need something from Sif anyway."
"Oh, of course.", Tempest smiled and Ornstein felt like he wanted to punch that smile of Tempest's face, only for the fact how it made him feel. If only he hadn't found that stupid confession, then everything could have stayed the same, but of course Ornstein got curious and picked it up and now didn't know what to feel anymore.
"Even though I know now that the legend of Artorias the Abysswalker was fabricated to honour his memory, I am sure he still was a fine knight. It doesn't matter how he died, what matters is what he did while he was alive."
These words hit Ornstein right into the heart. He had been occupied far too much regretting that he couldn't save Artorias, but Tempest was right. Artorias had done a lot for the people of Anor Londo and it wasn't his fault that the city went to shit. In a sense, nobody could have prevented it... it had to happen sooner or later. A fire would never burn forever.
...Ornstein started to ask himself if the first flame really should burn on.
"I am worried about you, Ornstein.", Tempest said. "Are you sure you are up to going out today? You are just staring into the void and you are not even eating."
Ornstein broke out of his thoughts, looking at the soup that he had stirred with his spoon for the last minute or so.
"My apologies again, little Storm.", Ornstein said. "I had a weird dream, that's all."
"Do you want to talk about it?", Tempest asked.
"No.", Ornstein said as quick as an arrow that got shot and then put his attention back to the soup. Like Tempest had said, it was a light vegetable soup topped off with herbs and even after he had ate the whole bowl, Ornstein didn't feel too full or stuffed.
"I hope the meal was to your liking.", Tempest said as he got up and picked up the bowl.
"It was excellent, thank you.", Ornstein said and got up again. It would be the usual drill... Tempest would clean up while Ornstein made himself ready to go out and they would meet up at the bonfire. They didn't need any words for it anymore, they just knew where the other would wait.
Tempest was already waiting for Ornstein once he arrived at the bonfire and waved at him. "Are you ready for warping? We will need to warp to the Undead Parish, that is the closest bonfire to the woods."
"Yes, I am ready.", Ornstein said. "The Darkroot Gardens... I used to visit them regularly, but I have been absent for weeks now. I wonder if Sif misses me?"
"Certainly.", Tempest said. "You are her friend, right? You shouldn't worry your friends like this.", Tempest's big blue eyes looked at Ornstein with a slight accusing glance in them before he took Ornstein's hand, which made him blush under his helmet even though a thick gauntlet was between his and Tempest's hand and it had hardly been the first time. Tempest reached for the bonfire and after a short time, they appeared in the Undead Parish, where Ornstein concentrated on the hammer banging of the blacksmith to stave off the nausea.
"I should visit Fire Link Shrine again soon.", Tempest said. "I haven't shown my face around there for a while."
"Sure, whatever you want.", Ornstein said, slowly getting up. "Little Storm, you have the crest of Artorias, right?"
"You mean the key to enter the Darkroot Garden? Yes, Andre had it, I bought it a while ago.", Tempest produced the trinket out of his pockets. "But how did you get into there, Ornstein?"
"I normally just jumped over the gate.", Ornstein said.
"Really? Then why do we need the key?", Tempest asked, eyes growing wide.
"Because...", Ornstein started. "Because it may finally be time to not seal Artorias' grave off anymore."
Tempest nodded slowly as the both of them descended the stairs where Tempest talked a bit with the blacksmith and then the both of them ventured into the gardens. A few slain living shrubbery later, Tempest touched a bonfire and then he put the crest into the gate to the Darkroot Garden.
The door started to glow and then swung open as if magic hands had moved the door wings apart. Tempest took a step towards the now open door until Ornstein hindered him from continuing with one hand on his shoulder.
"Wait, little Storm.", Ornstein said, "There is something you need to know."
"Yes, Ornstein?", Tempest turned around and looked expectantly at the knight.
"After Artorias'... death...", the words needed a bit before they came out, Ornstein still had the image of Artorias' dying in front of his inner mind. It had been worse enough the first time, the second time had hurt even more. Even with Tempest's support and reassurance, he knew he would need a while to get fully over every death of a close friend in his life.
At least he didn't feel so guilty about them anymore.
"I asked a friend of Artorias to protect the grave.", Ornstein continued. "She promised me that she would establish a covenant which role is solely keeping intruders out of this very forest in which Artorias' grave is located. Once we ventured in there, we will get attacked. Don't think that anyone you see in here is on our side."
Normally Ornstein wouldn't get attacked, but he had broken a simple rule. Don't open the gate and don't bring anyone with you. The forest hunters wouldn't spare him anymore.
"Oh, that's all?", Tempest said and picked up both his sword and his shield, making himself ready for a fight. "Thanks for the warning, Ornstein."
"You changed, little Storm.", Ornstein said, surprised at how calmly Tempest had listened to him and that he was carefully venturing on instead of storming into battle right away. "In a good way...", Ornstein added in a whisper.
"Did I? I don't feel different.", Tempest grinned. "I am just confident that we can overcome this challenge together. We killed a freaking dragon, Ornstein."
A smile flashed over Ornstein's face. Indeed, they had killed a dragon. A real one, not an undead one or a drake. Even though Kalameet had been grounded by Gough, he still had been a formidable foe and Ornstein knew they could be proud of that victory.
"Yes, we did indeed.", he said. "Just... just be careful, little Storm."
"Alright.", Tempest tiptoed into the forest, barely making a sound thanks to his leather armour. It probably had belonged to a thief once, so it was natural for it to make as little sound as possible. Ornstein followed, the usual clanking of his armour easily able to be heard, even though Ornstein could move rather quietly in it. It just wasn't possible to move completely soundless while wearing several pounds of metal.
"There, I see someone.", Tempest whispered and pointed with his sword in the darkness. Ornstein followed it and saw another Undead, clothed in the armour of a knight. Next to them stood a sorcerer, if the Vinheim clothes they wore said anything about them.
It didn't take long for the both of them to notice the presence of the intruders. The knight started to charge at them while the sorcerer used their catalyst to shoot soul arrows from the back.
"Distract the knight, I will take care of the sorcerer.", Ornstein said. Tempest nodded and had soon locked his own sword with the sword of the knight. Ornstein used the distraction to jump over them both and bury his spear deep into the sorcerer's chest, who gasped and then dissolved into ashes.
"I am sorry.", Ornstein said, wiping his spear clean from blood. "I hope you won't turn hollow from this death..." Just a few months ago Ornstein hadn't cared about what would happen to any random Undead, but now that he had travelled alongside the little Storm, his opinion had changed. They didn't deserve this fate and still, they went on and on, until they would give up and hollow. Ornstein felt a tiny pang of guilt when he thought about all the Undead he and Smough had helped to hollow out...
The sounds of the nearby fight brought Ornstein's attention back to the little Storm. He put up a good fight against the knight, even though the knight clearly had more experience. It was apparent that Tempest waited for a good opportunity to parry and riposte and so he mostly blocked the slashes of the knight with his shield or occasionally his sword. Ornstein was so absorbed in watching the battle that he forgot that he, mainly his size and his golden armour, stood out like a sore thumb in the forest.
Before Ornstein even had time to react, an explosion of light hit him and stunned his body. At the same time, Tempest finally landed his riposte and the knight fell on the ground dissolving into ashes. Tempest looked to Ornstein with a smile which fell and changed into an expression of horror. Before Ornstein could regain control over his body, he saw how three other forest hunters charged at Tempest, who turned around and... ran.
Ah, that was more like the little Storm he knew and loved. No, not that last part. It couldn't be love. He wasn't allowed.
Ornstein did his best trying to get out of the stupor. He must have been hit by a miracle, probably wrath of the gods. As close as the Undead had come, that could even take him out for a few minutes. He needed to get up and help the little Storm, three foes were too much for him. His eyes followed Tempest, who ran until he reached the edge of the forest, staring down into a far too long and surely deadly drop.
He looked behind him and then fell on his knees, clasping his hands on his head, both sword and shield abandoned on the ground, apparently accepting his fate as all of the three forest hunters came running and raised their weapons, until one of the forest hunters stumbled over Tempest's sword on the ground, bumping into the one in front of them and then all three of them screeched in horror when they realized that the chain reaction would plunge them all into the abyss below.
Tempest stood up and just stared down at them until the sound of ash dissolving could be heard. He picked up his weapons and ran back to Ornstein.
"Ornstein, are you alright?", he asked, checking over Ornstein.
"I am fine.", Ornstein said, who finally broke out of the stun the miracle had given him. "I got hit a bit too close with a wrath of the goods miracle, that can even knock me off my feet for a minute or two."
"Oh, so you haven't seen what just transpired.", Tempest said, relief washing over his face.
"I have seen and that was more luck than you deserve to have.", Ornstein hissed and then broke into a chuckle. "To be honest, it looked pretty funny when they all realized what happened to them."
"I feel a bit sorry for them, I didn't even give them a real fight.", Tempest pouted a tiny bit.
"It's fine, three foes of that calibre would have been a bit too much for you anyway.", Ornstein finally managed to get up on his feet. "Shall we continue? Artorias' grave isn't far."
"Actually, can we stay in this forest a little longer?", Tempest asked. "There might be more of the forest hunters here and I want to compete myself with them."
"So you don't want my help?"
"Only if I lose."
"That isn't how that works, little Storm."
"I know, but you still will save me, right?"
"Of course."
Both of them chuckled after their little conversation as they went deeper into the forest.
Ornstein rarely had ventured deeper into the woods outside of the path to Artorias grave, so he braced himself, he knew the forest hunters attacked him because he had broken the rules. They would would attack both him and Tempest, unless on of them, or both of them, would enter the covenant. Ornstein hoped that Alvina would at least still speak with him, because he really didn't feel like entering her covenant. Anyway, as one of Artorias' oldest friend, he was sure he could talk with the cat.
Tempest bounced in front of him with light steps, it surprised Ornstein that he didn't sang or hummed a tune, it felt like something Tempest would do, but thinking back, Ornstein had never caught him doing that. Maybe the little Storm was unmusical? It could very well be.
Tempest stopped and tightened the grip on his sword. Ornstein knew why, because he could see movement too. He nodded to Tempest who gave him a glance and then the small Undead was off, locked in battle with another knight. As requested, Ornstein stayed back and watched the battle. Tempest managed to not block a swing in time and got a rather nasty looking wound, but one parry, riposte and a sip of Estus later, Tempest was back at his side and stared at him with his big blue eyes, looking like a puppy that searched for praise.
"N.. not bad, little Storm.", Ornstein said, quickly looking elsewhere, this gaze made his heart explode and he simply couldn't take it, not today, when he had learned that Tempest actually was in love with him. A fact he still hadn't fully wrapped his head around.
Whatever Tempest did after Ornstein's compliment, he eventually started to walk again, then stopped and raised his shield with a gasp to block a sudden arrow. An arrow Ornstein hadn't even heard because he had been distracted by his thoughts.
"There's a sharp shooter somewhere...", Tempest whispered and scanned the area, Ornstein joining him. They both spotted the sharp shooter between a row of trees. Tempest started to charge towards them, with his shield raised and Ornstein prepared the power of his spear.
Ornstein's attack connected first, leaving the sharpshooter grunt in pain from the sudden electrocution. The distraction was enough time for Tempest to lower his shield and finish them with a thrust of his sword.
Once the sharpshooter dissolved into ashes, they left behind their bow and a hat. Tempest kneeled down to inspect them. Ornstein strolled over to take a look too.
"Look, Ornstein, that is fine bow.", Tempest presented the bow that Ornstein had seen from afar. "It looks a bit complicated to use though..."
"Must have been from someone who is very skilled.", Ornstein commented. "I never was too good with the bow, if you need some extra lessons, ask Gwyndolin."
"Hmm... first I would need to upgrade it. I will take it back to Andre.", Tempest said and put the bow into his luggage. He then eyed the hat on the ground. "I wonder if it looks good on me?", Tempest removed the gargoyle helmet he normally wore and put the hat on instead, looking at Ornstein immediately. "And? What do you think?"
It didn't look bad, in fact, it looked pretty cute, but Ornstein didn't say anything, he was too busy finding any words, because he was about to just blurt out that he found Tempest cute. He couldn't do that.
"Do I look so pretty that it left you speechless?", Tempest grinned and removed the hat in favour of the gargoyle helmet. "I think the helmet will protect my head a bit more... I'll keep the hat, though." Once Tempest put the hat away, he started to walk deeper into the woods again, talking to himself... or maybe to Ornstein. "I wonder if there are any forest hunters left? They probably get reborn from the bonfire soon and come back anyway, hmmm... Hey, Ornstein, do you see that? There seems to be something in the distant."
Tempest broke into a jog all of a sudden towards something glistening in the distance. Ornstein followed him with wide strides, having a bad feeling in his guts which only got proved right when Tempest got surrounded by at least five of the living shrubbery!
"Oh, little Storm.", Ornstein sighed and joined the fight as Tempest, who had been frozen for a second, started to hurl fireballs at his foes, almost grilling Ornstein in the process.
For some reason, the forest wasn't on fire when Tempest was done and stood in a pile of ashes with his pyromancy glove having dimmed. "That was scary.", he said.
"Be careful, little Storm, you almost burned me too.", Ornstein said, who had watched from a safe distance.
"Aaah, Ornstein, I am so sorry! I panicked!", Tempest said and put his pyromancy glove away. "I didn't want to scare you. All I could think was that plants are burning good, so fighting them with fire would be effective."
"Not a bad logic you have here.", Ornstein said. "Next time just don't storm off. You are getting back into old habits. While gaining new ones that are useful and scary at the same time."
"Y-yes, alright.", Tempest said, though Ornstein had the feeling he would storm off again. It always happened sooner or later. At least he had started to become competent enough to solve his own problems.
For some reason, that made Ornstein sad, as if he wouldn't be needed anymore. Shouldn't he be happy about it? If Tempest would have become competent enough to finish his mission without help, he wouldn't have to stick around anymore.
What would have been the most compelling thought a few weeks ago now made Ornstein's chest heavy and gave him a sour taste in his mouth.
"Ornstein, do you know what this is?", Tempest asked and Ornstein, grateful for having been broken out of his thoughts, came over, looking at an armour set, one that he recognized came from a far away land.
"An eastern armour set...", he said. "From a land far from the east. There aren't many warriors in Lordran from the east and not many weapons, but do you remember the katana you were wielding when we met? That also was a weapon from the east."
"Interesting...", Tempest said and shoved the armour set in his box. How these things functioned Ornstein would never understand.
"Why do you even take it with you?", he asked.
"Better with me than rusting on the ground.", Tempest said and with that the conversation apparently was over. Both of them searched the area a bit more, but couldn't find any more foes or items, so they went back to the half broken building that Ornstein had wanted to visit earlier.
"An old friend of Artorias is in there.", Ornstein said. "Leave the talking to me."
Tempest simply gave Ornstein a resolute nod, sheathing both his sword and his shield. As they entered the building, Alvina, the massive cat with far too many teeth, spotted Tempest first, because Ornstein needed to duck to get into the building and before he even could come into her line of sight, she spoke.
"Is it not so that thou art new. Thou fared well to find me. But cometh thee not for the grave of Sir Artorias? My advice true, forget this! The legend of Artorias art none but a fabrication. … Traversing the dark? 'Tis but a fairy tale. Have thine own respect, go not yonder knocking for nothing, I say!"
Tempest just stared at her with a blank look. "What?", he said, clearly trying to comprehend what the hell Alvina had just said to him. She always had talked in a rather particular way, but for some reason Ornstein found it more amusing that Tempest tried to decipher what Alvina had said instead of marvelling about that there was a talking cat in front of him.
"Cut it out, Alvina, he knows.", Ornstein said, finally having ducked through the entrance and coming into view.
"Dragon Slayer!", Alvina's grin split her face until it looked like someone had sliced it open and crudely sewed it back together. "Which business dost thou hast to meddle with my forest hunters? We had an agreement, thou and I."
"Over the years I had a lot of time to think.", Ornstein answered, "It always bothered me, that I had to live a lie, even though I knew the truth. Artorias had failed his mission and still we told everyone that he was the hero that stopped the spread from the Abyss. Do you think Artorias would have want for people to remember him because of a lie?"
Alvina opened her mouth to speak and then closed it, falling silent instead, her tail twitching in thought. Ornstein knew that she never had seen this side of him. Ornstein had always adamantly clung onto the lie, making sure to not tell anybody the truth and now he stood here, next to an Undead, and demanded for Alvina to betray everything she stood for.
"Haven't I just told thou that Artorias' deeds are none but a fairy tale?", Alvina finally spoke, crossing her front paws as she edged a bit closer in her gab, staring at Ornstein.
"Yes, to protect the grave from grave robbers.", Ornstein said. "You told a truth letting them believe it was a lie. They still went there, right? Because once they surpassed your forest hunters, you either would get them on your side or let them proceed."
"The guardian of the grave hast taken care of them.", Alvina said. "Thou art here for the trinket, right, dragon slayer? The trinket that can indeed traverse the abyss." Alvina's eyes sparkled. "Forget it, thou wouldst meet a fate the same as poor Artorias. Thou art too much of light to withstand the darkness."
"Then I want to know why I am still here, because I fought alongside him against the beast and we emerged victorious." As Ornstein said that, he laid a hand on Tempest's shoulders, who continued to stare with with eyes at Alvina.
"What an astonishment!", the corner of Alvina's mouth curled upwards as she spoke, "It hast been the dragon slayer and an Undead to lay rest to the beast of the Abyss. How peculiar, peculiar indeed."
"In fact, it hast been mostly the little Storm.", Ornstein said, "I have been injured and... broken, after having seen what happened to Atorias. A second time. Far too close." It was meant both figuratively and literal.
"There is nought I could say to change thine mind, dragon slayer.", Alvina said. "Begone. Try to taketh the trinket. Be assured, that thou won't walk the abyss easily..."
"Not me.", Ornstein said, slowly moving to the exit of the building, pointing at Tempest. "Him."
As they were out of the building, Ornstein could hear Alvina laugh for a while before the cat calmed down and probably went to sleep or whatever cats were doing when nobody looked.
"Well, that has been strange...", Tempest just said. "I couldn't understand half of what she was even saying."
"Alvina is there to prevent anyone to find Artorias' grave.", Ornstein said, just as Tempest gasped and blurted out: "That cat has been TALKING!"
"Yes, it has taken you an awful long time to recognize that...", Ornstein sighed.
"Sorry, Ornstein, I was too confused.", Tempest said. "Wait, have you said at the end that you won't walk the Abyss, but me? Won't you come with me?"
"It may prove... difficult.", Ornstein admitted. "I would like for us to tackle this task last, because it could take a toll on both of us... for now let's find our way through the forest, so that we can talk to Sif and honour Artorias."
"Alright.", Tempest said and scanned the area in front of him. "It doesn't look like a lot of people come through here."
"Of course, do you remember the big closed gate at the entrance of the forest?", Ornstein scoffed, cringing a bit, he hadn't attempted to be that sarcastic.
"Right...", Tempest said. "That at least means there probably aren't any hollows around..." Tempest started to walk into the forest, Ornstein following him closely, stopping when he saw movement, drawing his sword and shield and then cooing when he saw the little mushroom child in front of him.
"Aw, look at this, Ornstein, Elizabeth had children!", he exclaimed and pointed at the child, his cooing turned into a curse however when the mushroom child tackled him without warning and Tempest landed hard on the ground.
"Why, you little?!", Tempest shouted and brandished his sword, leaving a deep gash into the child. The child made a high pitched, almost whiny noise and then ran away.
"Yes, ran away, you little shit!", Tempest called after it. "That hurt, you know!"
"Um, little Storm...", Ornstein said, knowing what was about to come, "We should maybe move on..."
"Why? There isn't any apparent thread here and that mushroom child has run away already.", Tempest asked, squeaking when Ornstein picked him up and jumped out of the reach of the punch of one very tall, very pissed, mushroom parent.
"It ran to its MAMA?!", Tempest practically screamed the last word.
"Yes and I don't have to tell you that these punches hurt.", Ornstein said, letting Tempest down and readying his spear. "I normally ignore them, but it seems like we have to fight. Just don't let yourself get hit."
As soon as Ornstein had finished talking, he stepped out of the way of the next punch and instead stabbed his spear into the mushroom parent. It hardly seemed to have any effect and the mushroom parent just continued with its punches. Thankfully it was slow, Ornstein was used to much quicker foes. Next to him he saw Tempest staring at a second mushroom parent and then frantically stepping back to avoid to get hit, only coming closer to get a hit or two in with his sword.
"They are tough.", Tempest gasped after they must have battled them for five minutes already.
"They are mushrooms, what do you expect, that they bleed?", Ornstein asked.
"If they would bleed then I would at least know they can die.", Tempest complained and barely avoided a surely deathly hit by diving down last second.
Finally, after what felt like ages had passed, both of the mushroom parents were laying on the ground. As Ornstein looked up, he saw a bunch of frightened mushroom children huddling around, a pang of guilt in his chest. He hadn't wanted to kill them, he had simply defended his own life.
"Ah well, seems like tonight we dine on mushroom soup.", Tempest instead sighed and went over to make short work of the children, which still took a while, the mushrooms just were sturdy, even the children.
After he was done, Tempest kneeled down and removed a piece from the body of one of the children, looking at it, sniffing it and squeezing it. "Good news, it seems like I could use this perfectly for cooking.", he said.
"Why have you done this?", Ornstein asked.
"Done what?", Tempest looked at Ornstein as if he just had asked how the weather was in Lordran.
"Killing them... the children, I mean."
"Oh, that?", Tempest looked down at the pile of dead mushrooms. "First, they are clearly dangerous. Can you imagine all of them having grown up to these?" Tempest pointed at the mushroom parents. "Second, everything in Lordran tried to kill me so far, well, almost everything, so I don't have any reason to spare any creature that attacked me first." Ornstein certainly couldn't argue with that, especially because he also fell in this category once. "And third, they looked tasty. I want to make soup out of them. Just because they are walking around, doesn't mean they aren't mushrooms. I simply was hunting."
"You are incredible, little Storm.", Ornstein just said, the thing that he always said when he ran out of arguments. In the back of his mind, he thought about the confession he found this morning again. He had to admit to himself that it wasn't an empty compliment, it really wasn't.
"Besides, I think they will easily grow back.", Tempest said and pointed at some spores that clung to the ground. Ornstein briefly asked himself if they would be like Elizabeth and not being able to move or if they would sprout with feet.
"Can you help me harvest their meat?", Tempest asked, having a knife ready and cutting out chunks of the mushrooms, starting with the big parents. Ornstein gave him a nod and pulled out a knife of his own, helping cutting out "meat" from the mushroom creatures until Tempest had a whole bag full of it.
"I can cook so many mushroom dishes with this.", Tempest said with sparkling eyes.
"How can you be so happy about it when you can't even eat the dishes yourself?", Ornstein asked. He knew that Tempest enjoyed cooking, but eating was the most fun of the process, wasn't it?
"Yes, but I can see you enjoy my dishes, Ornstein.", Tempest said, with that wholesome smile, the one that made Ornstein's heart jump.
"Huh?", Tempest had stopped looking at Ornstein and instead looked into the pond the mushroom creatures had gathered around. "Hold this, Ornstein, there is something in the water.", he said. Before Ornstein could even say a single word, Tempest had shoved the bag full of mushroom "meat" into Ornstein's arms and waded through the water, opening a chest that both of them hadn't seen in the chaos of the fight.
"Hey, it's an Enchanted Ember.", Tempest said as he carefully dried the dripping wet item. "I can give this to Rickert, he's bored anyway and always asks me if he can smith something for me."
Ornstein was pretty sure that he hadn't met this Rickert yet, but if he knew how to handle enchanted embers, then he probably was a sorcery blacksmith. One that could enchant weapons. Ornstein didn't think that Tempest was in the need for an enchanted weapon however, he just didn't had much knack for the sorceries. In this regard, he was more like Ornstein, who had never understood the sorceries, like Gwyndolin did or even Artorias, whose sword had some enchantments on it, but instead he had always relayed on his skill, strength and faith.
...His faith seemed to falter lately though... especially when he looked at Tempest and a single sentence crossed his mind.
I don't want to see him burn.
Ornstein shook his head. Where had that thought come from? He knew they didn't had another choice. Tempest was the best bet they had for linking the flame, for giving life back to their dying kingdom. He couldn't disappoint Gwyndolin like that. It could take ages until another undead would come to claim the lordvessel.
Not even speaking of that Ornstein would have to guard the cathedral alone...
"Are you coming, Ornstein?", Tempest asked, taking the bag with mushroom "meat" out of his arms. "The grave of Artorias isn't far away, right?"
"It isn't.", Ornstein said, "Just walk straight forward until you reach a narrow stone bridge. There is a gate there, behind the gate is the grave of Artorias."
Tempest moved first and Ornstein followed him, trying to clear his thoughts. How often had he told himself that he shouldn't get attached? He better braced himself for another painful memory, because he knew that it was already too late. He better didn't let his attachment grow over simple fondness however. Only that it wasn't even simple fondness anymore. Over the time Ornstein had come to see Tempest as a cherished friend.
This would have been so much easier if he would have been an arrogant asshole, but no, he has to be an adorable dolt.
Ornstein frowned at this thoughts. He couldn't even imagine Tempest being rude. Even when they still had been enemies, most of the hostility had come from Ornstein's side. Tempest had at least made an effort, it had been Ornstein who hadn't wanted to listen and had vilified him.
The rudest thing Tempest could do was probably putting in a teaspoon more salt into a dish than ordered. That thought felt so absurd and so much like Tempest, that Ornstein had to chuckle into his helmet, causing Tempest to turn around and stare at him.
"I don't get the joke, but I am glad that you are happy.", he said and hopped down a little ridge. Ornstein followed, seeing the aforementioned stone bridge in front of them.
"This is it.", Tempest said. "Behind this door we will meet Sif in our time."
"Yes.", Ornstein confirmed, even though Tempest hadn't asked a question. "Just with Alvina, leave the talking to me. I will convince her to give us the ring we need."
Tempest nopped and after having crossed the bridge, stood in awe in front of the giant stone door. He extended a hand to touch it and withdrew it as quick as if he had burned himself when it suddenly opened.
As Tempest still recovered from the light shock of the enchanted door, Ornstein already strode to it. He went up straight to the grave, where Artorias' sword, that now was Sif's sword, was stuck into the ground. Behind him he could hear Tempest's hurried footsteps follow him.
Ornstein first kneeled down in prayer giving his regards to Artorias, before he straightened himself up again.
"Sif!", Ornstein called out. "It's me, Ornstein! Come out, we need to talk!"
As soon as Ornstein had spoken, Sif came jumping down on the gravestone. She had grown from the little pup she once had been. In the meantime, Sif had become truly a great grey wolf, she was even larger than Ornstein. She balanced herself on the tomb stone and her yellow eyes flicked to Tempest, a growl in her throat.
"It's alright, Sif.", Ornstein said. "He's a friend."
Sif's eyes flickered back to Ornstein for a second and then she jumped off the gravestone, approaching Tempest, who did a few steps backwards, falling onto his rear when Sif nudged him with her snout.
A few sniffs later her tail wagged and she licked over Tempest's face.
"Oh, ew, hey, that tickles.", Tempest laughed and raised his own hand to give Sif a pat on the muzzle.
"She remembers you.", Ornstein said. "Impressive, even though for her it must have been centuries."
"I barely recognized her.", Tempest said, getting back up. "She is five times the size she was back in Oolacile."
"Her race is called great grey wolf for a reason.", Ornstein said. "Stay behind, little Storm. Let me talk with Sif."
Tempest nodded and picked up the mushroom "meat" bag which he must have dropped when Sif sniffed him. Ornstein stepped in front of Sif.
"Sif.", he started, "You have guarded Artorias' grave for a long while. You have made sure that no one would defile it. All the swords that are stuck in the ground, all from grave robbers that you have put down. Artorias has trained you well and therefore left with you one of his most cherished belongings."
As Ornstein spoke, Sif's ears first perked up, but once he had arrived at the end of his sentence, they were flat on her head and she lightly bared her teeth.
"Sif, please.", Ornstein said. "The ring. We promise to give it back to you, but we need to traverse the Abyss."
When Sif had been wary at first, now her face was deeply furrowed and a deep growl escaped her throat.
"Sif, I promise you.", Ornstein said. "We won't succumb to the dark. He... the little Storm, he managed to fulfil Artorias' mission. You weren't long enough there to see, but he managed. If anyone can do it, then him."
Sif was visibly shaking now, taking a few steps back with each word that Ornstein was saying.
"Please don't make this more complicated as it already is, Sif...", Ornstein said, looking down on the ground. He knew why she was so reluctant. Artorias himself had taken pride in the fact that he could traverse the Abyss and he had died, corrupted until almost nothing of him had been left anymore. Even though him and Tempest had fought and killed Manus, he had already been weakened by his battle with Artorias. Ornstein also didn't want to think what would have happened to them if they wouldn't have found the pendant.
"Ornstein, I don't think she is going to listen...", Tempest said, dropping the bag of mushroom "meat" he was carrying, instead having a hand on his sword. Ornstein twirled around when he noticed.
"No, we are not here to fight!", he exclaimed.
"She seems to think different.", Tempest said, just as Sif was letting out a heart wrenching howl and picked up the sword, Artorias' sword, clenching it between her teeth, getting ready for battle.
"If... If I have to beat you to get the ring, so be it.", Tempest stepped forward, not using his shield, knowing that it would be futile in such a battle and instead holding his sword with two hands.
"Little Storm, no, we don't have to fight!", Ornstein tried once again.
"It's no use, Ornstein. She won't give us the ring. I can see it in her eyes.", Tempest said. "I could hear it in her howl... she doesn't want for us to have the same fate... I told you about the rules of this land... if someone tries to kill you, then you have to defend yourself. Even if that one... is your friend."
"But... but... we...", we could just run away., Ornstein didn't finish the sentence when he turned around and saw the raised fog gate. They were trapped in this battle. Sif was dead serious. Their only chance to actually get the ring was... to kill her and take it from her corpse.
Ornstein fell to his knees. He couldn't do it. He couldn't go and kill one of his last friends, especially not after what happened to Artorias. What he had to see just a few weeks prior in Oolacile.
He had to watch in horror when it was instead Tempest who picked up the fight. The little Storm, who normally ran away screaming from so many dangers, picked up the fight on his own against a gigantic wolf that was trained in the art of the sword. Ornstein could only watch the fight unfold in front of him.
He knew the techniques that Sif was using. Despite being a wolf and despite holding the sword in her mouth, Artorias' had teached her all his sword arts. He watched as Sif performed a spin attack, which Tempest rolled out of the way, gasping at how closely it had missed his head. Tempest found himself under the belly of Sif and used the opportunity to slice at her, leaving a wound that tinted Sif's fur red. Sif yelped and jumped out of the way, her and Tempest circling each other, waiting for the next move of the other.
It was Sif who moved first, charging at Tempest, who dodged two of her slashes and got caught off guard by the last one, which made him fly a few feet. Having pressed a hand in his side, blood seeping through his fingers, he rolled out of the way of Sif's next attack (a lunge) and used his time under Sif's belly to take a sip from his saving Estus.
The battle continued like this. Tempest got in a slash now and then and Sif returned the injury right away, forcing him to take a sip of his Estus. While none of Sif's injury were life threatening, the constant blood loss would make her sluggish and slow soon enough, Ornstein knew how it was, had felt it himself when Tempest had fought him. His style of fighting simply was wearing his foe down until they couldn't keep up anymore, all while he learned from his mistakes from being unable to die.
Even though Ornstein knew that Tempest was undead, that he would just come back to life should Sif be the one who landed the finishing blow and judging by the empty Estus flask on the ground, that would happen soon, there wasn't a guarantee for it... every undead only could handle so many deaths...
In front of him he had to saw the scene unfolding of two of his most cherished friends fighting to the death. Worse even, the figure of Sif turned into Artorias for a brief moment and he saw Tempest's sword sticking out of him, the little Storm turning to him and saying "He almost killed you, Ornstein."
Ornstein... didn't want to see this anymore. He had taken a vow to protect Tempest during his mission and helping him out, but that wasn't the reason why he started to move. In front of his inner eye, he remembered all the things that had happened during his journey.
Tempest had cooked him a meal. Tempest had taking his training advice and started to follow his plans, proving that he wasn't a lost cause after all. Tempest had killed Seath, even though he had a little help of Ornstein. Together, they had braved the catacombs and the tomb of giants and even struck down Nito. Tempest had died in so many absurd ways and while Ornstein always had acted annoyed about it, he had found it kind of endearing. They had started to complement each other in their fights, until Ornstein knew he could rely on Tempest to do his part. Ornstein had told Tempest about his plans what he would do until everything was over and Tempest had cried because Ornstein had never asked about his and then they had talked, in the Painted World, just talked, nothing else, until all had been said and done and they moved on again.
They had went to take out the Hydra in the Dark Root Basin because Ornstein didn't want to go to Blighttown. There they had gotten transported into the past. Tempest had gotten mad at Ornstein because he hadn't told him anything and then... Tempest had saved his life and Ornstein had screamed at him for it.
When Tempest was good in one thing, then it was preventing Ornstein from dying.
They had moved on and fulfilled Artorias' mission as well as laid Kalameet to rest and then Tempest had taken care of Ornstein, comforted Ornstein, told him that everything was alright and that he should stop feeling guilty about everything that had happened in his life.
And now Ornstein was about to see how Sif's sword was about to slice Tempest open and Ornstein just couldn't... he didn't want to see him die. He didn't want to see him go hollow!
The time seemed to have slowed down around Ornstein. When he arrived, he saw Sif to his left, with her sword in the air for a wide swing and Tempest to his right, not afraid of challenging Sif and trying a counterattack.
The moment when both of them should have clashed with each other, both of their blades went into Ornstein instead. Ornstein felt pain, a lot of it and the next thing he knew was that he was laying on the ground, staring at his gauntlet that was stained with blood.
He also saw two faces in his blurred vision, one was Sif, with her ears drooped down and the other was Tempest... were those tears in his eyes?
"Ornstein, why? Why did you do this?", Tempest sobbed. Ah, those indeed were tears in his eyes. "I... you know I can't die. You can. Ornstein, you idiot."
Ornstein opened his mouth to speak and instead coughed up a mouthful of blood. The extent of his injuries slowly creeped into his mind. It was bad. This was bad. He tried to speak again and coughed up some more blood.
"Don't speak, Ornstein, please.", Tempest said, breathing quickly, almost hysterical.
I am sorry I can't be with you to the end., Ornstein wanted to say, but the words only formed in his mind. For some reason he felt at peace. At the same time, he felt not. His body and soul had craved death for so long, that he wondered about the tiny voice in himself that told him that he didn't want to die.
However, he didn't have a choice. There was no Estus for him and even if it would work on him, Tempest's flask laid empty on the ground. Ornstein only wished he could have said his last words to Tempest.
As Ornstein felt himself slip into darkness, his helmet got yanked off his head and the next thing he knew, was something forced into his mouth, a liquid, that tasted soothing and once he managed to swallow, his pain receded with it.
"Good, drink, Ornstein, drink the whole flask.", he heard Tempest say and as he slowly regained his vision, he raised his hand and caressed Tempest over the cheek, leaving a trail of blood on his face.
Tempest removed the flask with the liquid that he had given to Ornstein and looked at him with questioning eyes. "How are you feeling, Ornstein? Are you still in pain? Are you still with us?", he asked.
Ornstein opened his mouth and this time he managed to talk, even though the words that came were very different then the ones he had formed in his mind earlier.
"I love you."
After that, Ornstein finally fell into the deep dark depths of unconsciousness.
(Author's note: So, I need to talk with you for a moment.
When I started this story in late 2018, it had just been a faint idea. The idea of Ornstein begrudgingly follow around the Chosen Undead during the second half of Lordran and slowly falling in love with him. For this I needed a Chosen Undead first. I didn't had a clear thought about who Tempest was back then, I simply had a name for him and based him on my first playthrough of Dark Souls.
For some reason, this story gained attention. Orndead is hardly the most popular ship, I would even say it is a rarepair. I had 40 kudos on this story before they even started their journey. I continued to write on it and updated chapter after chapter, seeing the kudos count grow. One day I even got fanart for this story. I was overjoyed this morning, when I looked at my phone and saw my very first fanart of little Storm.
Over the time, more has come. The kudos count reached over 200 and I got more fanart, from different people. I even got two fics that were written with this one in inspiration. I often got comments from people praising how much they liked Tempest. I jokingly said that people probably come for Ornstein and stay for Tempest and how much it means for me.
This chapter... I knew how it would end for a long time now. I also knew that I needed to get to the DLC to actually write it and while I was a bit unsure how to include it, the moment Ornstein was getting them to the Dark Root Basin, the opportunity unfolded itself. The DLC was incredibly hard to write, but it also feels like some of my best chapters that I have ever written.
What I want to say... thank you so much. Thank you for staying around. Thank you for giving my fic a chance. Thank your for liking Tempest. Thank you for the fanart and the fanfics. This fic has started to mean so much to me, much more than just the little crack idea it had started out as.
Ornstein and Tempest mean a lot to me now, they are both very compelling characters to write, and when they talk their dialogue just flows naturally. It was Ornstein who started the nickname Little Storm, not me, you can believe me how I stared on my document after Ornstein had possessed me. The nickname has stuck not only with Ornstein, but also with my readers, because how often is Tempest getting called Storm or little Storm in the comments.
This fic is far from over, it isn't, but again, thank you so much. For staying with Ornstein and Tempest. For continuing to follow their adventure. For sticking with me. For waiting for each and every update.
I am truly grateful.)