Chapter 19: Onwards to Rescue.
Demon Realm of Lescatie.
...
"Onee-san, are you nuts!? That man is dangerous!" Mari raised her voice in worry with a hard slap on her table, barely shaking her teacup. "I've seen how he fought the mamono. He doesn't give a single damn about anything!"
"Oh? Then how does it play out?" Druella raised her brow in question. "There were rumours which survivors who tell their tales of him erasing all hidden camps filled with fallen heroes prior to the invasion of this kingdom."
"Big sis... those are not rumours..." Then she heard Mari's voice tremble while expressing terror in her eyes. "I visited Lescatie... months before you have taken over the kingdom... during my stroll in the forest... all I saw is only death."
...
Lescatie... two months ago...
On the outskirts of the Kingdom under the night sky, Mari was having a peaceful stroll through the woods. It's been a couple of weeks since she had visited this kingdom. While the kingdom was suffering under the corruption of the nobility coming from the capital city... she admits the rural flora and fauna of the countryside were indeed serene and a beautiful place to visit. The travelling Lilim couldn't wait for Druella to take over the kingdom and spread the love to the people... that is until she caught a glimpse of smoke and flaming embers.
The sensation she had felt was downright chilling and once she gets close to inspect the area. Her eyes grew wide in terror. The tenth-borne Lilim saw a Mamono Camp in a distance while standing on top of the cliff sides. The entire place is burning down under the ravenous flames and over a hundred corpses lay on the bloody piles.
A few days ago, she knew it was a military camp belonging to the Order and it was a marked target for the Fallen Heroes and their Mamono Allies to capture the compound as an important asset to exploit the Theocracy of Lescatie. From a mamono camp... it is now as a hellhole. Mari noticed an armoured figure walking down through the smoke and flames. A knight garbed in silver and blue. He held a claymore which leaned on his right shoulder and at his left hand is a decapitated head of an Incubus Hero.
She saw how he ungracefully threw the head into the fire and walked away. Such a scene made the Lilim rage and urge herself to cast a spell to eradicate him to regret his actions. Making him into a puppet and then resurrecting the dead. But something was amiss. Instead of feeling confident because of her immeasurable power as a Lilim, she felt an ominous force that held her neck by a ghostly blade. She turns her gaze to the right and saw nothing. Such a strange feeling creeps her out.
Once she spun her eyes around to her target, Mari's thoughts froze on sight.
In a distance, she can see him staring right in her direction. But what sends the chills down into her spine is to witness his pair of eyes were glowing light blue and his aura was feral like a hungry beast rather than human.
She had never seen how a human knight would look so intimidating, even frightening to behold. As far as her senses could tell, this man must be a monster behind a sheep's clothing and knowing his mere presence could pose a potential threat. Mari lifted her arms to cast her spell, yet her mouth froze. Her entire body couldn't move. Why is she hesitating? She can go down to beat him with no problems, but the thing is; she felt the hands of death grip her heart until fear took over her soul.
It isn't Hel, but another form of death, and it was about to claim her soul if she dares to oppose this man. One wrong move and she will die. Mari's mind went into a panic, having the thoughts of impossibility and why did fate allow this moment where she could die? Mari perked up from her thoughts and then looked down at the Silver-Blue Knight, who stepped his foot forth and marched his way in her direction.
Every footstep he made comes close, her body trembled by a pressuring aura once he gets near and it overwhelms her senses at an alarming rate.
'I-I have to flee!' Mari immediately turned her heels and flew away, never looking back as her expression morphed into fear. 'J-Just what is with his aura!? That's insane!'
...
"And that's what I have to tell you, big sis. That guy doesn't fuck around," Mari spoke in a low, serious tone. Her eyes were stern, which made Druella furrow her eyes in concern with this issue about the Silver-Blue Knight. "Whatever he is... was not a mere human! I've felt an even more ominous power resonating from him!"
"An ominous power?" Druella asked with a questioned look. "What kind of power does he possess?"
"Unknown. Such power can be felt like a God. But that itself is tremendous than our mother," Mari answered seriously while raising up her index finger. "It's more likely some deity lives in that knight which you were trying to hunt down."
"A deity inside a mortal?" The Fourth-Borne then raised her brow in realisation, remembering the message that had been spoken by a Fallen Angel. "Don't tell me..."
"He possesses no Mana, as he is an empty husk until she mentioned about the flames that will eat her alive if she dares to go deep. She left Sasha alone in fear." Druella heard the voice of the messenger echo through her mind. "She... she spoke that if she dares to intrude him again. Then that Flame would seek out and devour her.
"A Flame... The messenger from Pandemonium mentioned this when the Fallen God grew fearful to the Silver-Blue Knight," The Fourth-borne uttered. When Mari heard about this, her eyes grew in disbelief to think the Fallen God would tremble to a Human who's supported by a foreign entity that dwells inside him. "As far as I can come up with something... He is blessed by the powers of an unknown Flame Deity."
"But how come such an unknown deity would allow its adherent such as him, to commit violence?" Mari uttered with mild discomfort and worry. "The gods from other Pantheons aren't open to barbaric brutality. Neither Ares will allow that."
"Even the Chief God herself doesn't turn her heroes into madmen to kill monsters," Druella added, adding more confusion to themselves. "Male Heroes weren't that threatening, and they were vulnerable to the beauty and the natural charms of the monsters... until Solaire and the Carthus Tribe came along."
"Ugh...! Why this time? A sudden incident which is happening around the world... By Hel, even we aren't aware what's going on right now!" Mari concluded with a discomfort groan before tipping her hat and leaving the table. "I'd say... let's end this conversation between us and discuss these men of unlikely fates later on. The situation of what's going on right now... worries me a lot. We'll see each other again soon, Onee-san."
...
The Kingdom of Valaria, Unknown Dungeon.
...
"Heave-ho! Heave-ho!"
Several armoured individuals of the Holy Knights Order of Valaria watched over a hundred labourers pulling a massive black stone monument out from the massive caverns with ropes and other heavy-lifting animals. It's been over a week since the mysterious convolution happened, causing monsters to appear in the wild, and it set the Valarian Holy Order of the Chief God to send their army detachments to defend small settlements, roads, towns, and cities from the horrendous creatures which have had never seen before.
Unfortunately, several settlements have fallen at the hands of the hollowed monsters, and anti-magic often overwhelmed the heroes who were trying to defend those places. The nobility and other ecclesiastics of the Order have fallen into disarray once they heard the creatures can disable the blessings given by their gods and needed to come up with an effective strategy.
So the King of Valaria proposed to the local lords to mobilise its entire forces to quell the monsters, but the cost will be high. Until the day, they discovered the dungeons. Dangerous places filled with rich items which were bestowed with exotic and powerful magic. Ranging from healing items to their discovery of other unknown magical substances which increased the effectiveness of their weapons.
But that's not all. The Knights of the Holy Order discovered something which can change the course of history. Sir Orwell steered his horse while gazing up at the gigantic black stone monument. Then he turns around to see his merry band of knights with a prideful smile.
"Sir Orwell, this stone can change history forever!" One of his Knights spoke out loud in confidence. "From the depths of that hellish place, we've found miracles which we can smite our enemies to fear us!"
"Chief God be praised...! She has given us a blessing in such a dark place." A Warrior Nun beside him giggled with a bright smile. "Who could've known that entire place is a trial for us faithful followers to prove ourselves worthy~!"
"With this stone..." Sir Orwell uttered as he stares at the massive purging stone. "I am certain that this will give fear to the demon lord. This new weapon... we can strike back and gain what the Order has lost from ages ago."
While the Army of the Order is pulling the purging stone monument out from the caverns, a couple of Order Soldiers patrolled the area until they stumbled upon a couple of odd individuals sitting near a market stand. One is a man wearing in his armour with an unusual helmet which has horns and a monocle, whilst the other guy is abnormally huge and taller than an average man. He wears a heavier set of armour and one of the Order Guards gulped to see a massive sword which leaned aside the Armoured Merchant.
"Aye, siwmae. And a good day to you, dear lads! Welcome to our humble stand. I am Domhall, a merchant from a faraway land." Domhall introduced himself before extending his arm to the Berenike Warrior. "This is Valor, a humble merchant as I. But he's a bit... what should I say? Ah yes. Crestfallen!"
"Hmph, greetings." Valor greeted with a glare, which made the Order Soldiers shiver in fear. "Search around whatever you seek."
"Now, now Valor, let's not scare away our customers," Domhall said while waving his index finger and then spun around to the soldiers. "Well then, just take a small look at our wares and they all came from the dungeons at a reasonable price! It will surprise you both."
...
The Kingdom of Gaul, Viola Region.
...
"So what were you wretches planning to do to her...? SPILL IT OUT, NOW!"
Sandra, Daniella, and the rest of the Fallen Heroines flinched back in fear once the Silver-Blue Knight slammed his fist on the table, producing cracks in the fit of sheer anger while Siegward made a deep sigh as he looks at the damaged table. The Catarinian grabbed a pad and a pen to write down the damages and Ash would need to pay a hundred silver for that high-quality guest table.
But first, the situation they're in is not a concern for the damages. The abduction of Sasha Fullmoon is the only issue they have to deal with.
"W-We don't know!" Daniella shrunk herself down in fright. "We're n-not involved in any of this!"
"N-Not even us!... E-either." Sandra uttered in tears while shielding herself. "W-We just came into the region without knowing others were coming here as well!"
Ash glared his eyes straight into her eyes and then spun his gaze to the rest of the monsterized heroines. They too show their looks of fears and none knew of their answers. Siegward walked up to Ash and nudged him on his right shoulders.
"Ash, this involves with the Order of the Fallen God," Siegward said to the frustrated knight in pity. "I could've known those Dark Priests are up to something."
"Indeed, there hasn't been a Dark Priest who comes across this town," Jennifer added while tilting her head sideways with a sigh. "Although their Fallen God may be allied with the Demon Lord, they usually work independently from each other in their own ways."
"But why Sasha...?" Ash grimaced, growling as he gritting his teeth. "Why does the Fallen God have to do with her...?"
"I do not know why. But from the legends speak for itself... The Fallen God is far more depraving than the Demon Lord herself and she is willing to corrupt pious individuals who are chosen upon after being called by the wishes of their deepest desires by hijacking their links between the Chief God and her followers," Jennifer explained with an anxious look as she looks up to Ash in worry. "It must've been the case that the wish of her desires has called her forth."
Ash only stood in silence before taking a deep breath and exhaled. He grabbed his helmet from the table before leaving the Inn. As if the fate of this world is pulling his leg around, it decides that her existence as a person he knew will be stripped away from this world.
Now it's the time... the Ashen One will hunt down a god.
"I'm going to bring her back." In his one sentence, Jennifer widened her eyes in horror. "I'll go tell the others to pack up and depart for the Tower."
At this point, Alameria stood up with a look of disbelief to think that the Silver-Blue Knight was going up against the fallen deity. "Are you mad!? The Fallen God wouldn't be merciful to you for killing her adherents!"
"Just let him go, Alameria," Olivier said while smiling wickedly towards Ash. "I'm sure he'll just meet his own demise to achieve such impossibility."
Ash didn't bat an eye at her. He doesn't have the time to argue back to prove her wrong. Back in his world, he did face beings with powers akin to a God. He knew the Lord are hollowed and no longer in their prime. But their souls that he collected in his time on Lordran were more than enough, as he anticipated. Ash scoffs at their expectations and left the restaurant. Once exiting the building, a group of worried orphans met him.
Lisia and Emiyu looked up to Ash with tears in their eyes while some orphans weep, both human and mamono.
"Ash? Is big sis going to be okay?"
"I'm worried about big sis."
"Ash, we need to rescue her!"
"Those mean monsters! They kidnapped our big sister! They are not good people at all!"
Ash stared down at the children for a while and then kneeled before them. The Silver-Blue Knight pats Emiyu on her head while giving her a feeling of comfort.
"Don't worry... I and the others will rescue her," Ash responded calmly. "We'll bring her back, I promise."
"Th-Then show those mean m-monster girls who's the real baddy!" Emiyu said out loud with a look of determination. "You're the Silver-Blue Knight, right?"
"Yes, I am. One of the finest swords which Astora can offer," Ash responded with a confident smile before standing up and left, without looking back. "Children... you need to stay here with Jennifer while we're out. Alright?"
Lisia and Emiyu nodded as they acknowledge before he left the area. He took the nearest corner, heading to the Blacksmith's workshop, and entered the building. From there he made his way through Maughlin and entered Andre's crafting room and saw the Blacksmith had just finished making an improvised bullet.
"Well, just in time." Andre smiled proudly while looking down at his work. "Here are the new improvised bullets which you've requested. This is a 7.62x51mm tipped Rounds with Full Titanite Jackets, and here are the bullets of the same caliber. I've infused it with the Pine Resin, including the Pale ones."
"Huh... what about the new handgun?" He asked.
"Right here. This nasty little fella' has a revolving mechanism." Andre then pulls up a large handgun with a three-tube cylinder with an extended barrel. "I've worked my arse all night for an improved handgun which might fit the chamber and handling the pressure of the new smokeless magic gunpowder."
Ash grabbed the handgun revolver and inspected it until he spotted some parts were as shiny as silver. "Wait... you forged this with Titanite?"
"Aye! The new frames were made with a mix between Titanite and the old Geisteel parts. I still have them in my scrap wares," Andre responded with a wide grin. "I've tested in the morning and it worked without failure. I wouldn't mind about the kidnappers of your maiden would shiver in fear when you fire that."
Ash smiled before placing it into his newly gained holster. "Thanks, Andre."
The Blacksmith nods back with a smile. "Prithee be careful out there."
Ash walked out from the Blacksmith Workshop until Sif came by. The Greatwolf is ready with packs full of rations and other necessities for their journey. Moments later, Arcturus came along with a pack of goods and pieces of equipment.
"Hey! We're ready to go!" Arcturus asked with a thumbs up. "Gerome will stay here to take care of the orphans along with Sieglinde, and Siegward is coming with us as well."
"Siegward? I'd never expected him to come along." Ash replied with a slight chuckle. "Alright, I'm ready. Then let's not waste some time."
"Right." Arcturus nodded before they left the Blacksmith Building.
Meanwhile, Siegward placed a wooden barrel filled with Siegbrau ale on top of the wagon while his wife, Jennifer, slapped her own forehead in disappointment.
"Siegward, dear... is it necessary to bring an ale in your journey?"
"Oh fret not, honey! A travelling Catarinian is not without his ale on a journey!" Siegward spoke out loudly in pride and laughed in much to his wife's disbelief while Siegemeyer and Sieglinde stared at their father with their blank, unamused faces. Siegward then noticed Reginald and Elen came around with their rucksacks. "Well, are you two ready?"
Reginald nodded in reply. "Yep."
"We're ready to go, Uncle Siegward." Elen raised a thumbs up before looking over to see Arcturus, Elaine, Sif, and Ash came by. "Good timing you guys, we're about to leave the town."
"Hmph, this errand reminds me back when Artorias and the Knights went to Oolacile to rescue Princess Dusk." Sif looked up to the skies filled with nostalgia. "I hope you do not fall like what happened to Sir Artorias."
"I know, but this time it's different," Ash replied stoically. "The abyss is neither involved in these realms. So we're lucky."
"Do not forget about me." Ash looked around and saw Junayd hefting his Greatsword on his shoulder. "I would like to help you rescue Sasha if you need an extra sword."
"Huh, so you're lending us your help?" Ash said in surprise. Junayd nods at his silliness and the Ashen One accepted a new companion. "Then I welcome thee to our party as well."
Once Siegward finished the preparation, the group departed the town while Jennifer and the orphans waved their goodbyes as the sky turned orange before the sunset.
...
Fallen Tower, Dungeon Cell.
...
Sasha slowly stirred up from her unconsciousness before she felt a painful sensation in her head. She then looks up and scanned her surroundings. Dazed and confused, the former heroine tries to remember of how she ended up in such a place.
"What is this place... and where am I?" Sasha uttered in confusion.
After looking around for a few moments, she found herself inside a cold cell until her memory struck. Sasha then remembered that she was abducted by the Dark Priests disguised themselves as mailmen under their cloaks.
"I remember now... I was kidnapped!" Sasha gasped until she gets up on her feet. "I-I must find a way out!"
Once she tries to stand up, some unknown force was holding her down as she felt her body was not reacting of her own accord. To her horror, Sasha felt a force that strained in her place.
"Wh-What's going on?!" She yelped as she struggled her way out. "H-Help me!"
Sasha's body felt several writhes in pain and emanate heat that made her drowsy, thus her breathing became heavy, which let out a pleasurable moan. The former priestess immediately closed her mouth. Something isn't right... she had never done such a moan like that in her life until Sasha sensed some dry air around the room and the mysterious mana that is not of her own.
"Mana? What is it doing here, of all places?"
She didn't expect to sense it in a room like this. Once she tried to resist it, the mana thickened and overtook the sensations within her body.
Sasha grits her teeth while trying to hold out. 'Aah! It's too strong, help!'
My, My~! What do we have here~?
Then Sasha stopped. She immediately recognised that voice which she hadn't heard for some time. A voice which sounds akin to the Chief God.
"Chief God... Is that you?"
Fufufu~! Sasha, it's been quite some time, and we haven't talked since I left. So how is the little traitor of Lescatie doing in life with her beloved Knight?
Sasha flinched at that title from a deity who called her a "Traitor". She didn't like that at all and it made her uncomfortable. The Warrior Nun's thoughts spurred in drowsiness while trying to get up, but the stiffness of her body held her down.
'Lord... could this be... my punishment for betraying my kingdom?' Sasha mentally cried out in despair.
Oh Sasha. Don't be so dramatic~! But to start first... I'm not her~
Sasha then realised the sudden change of voice. She knew the Chief God herself would speak with majesty and dignity, yet this voice has a similar tone but more malicious and seductive which no word she could describe if the Chief God could say in such a manner.
Sasha grew weary of the voice in her head. '...Who are you?'
Do you want to know who I am? I am the Fallen God, like you humans called me.
Sasha's eyes grew wide in surprise. She knew that there exists a god of lust and depravity, a more malicious counterpart of the Chief God herself. Her eyes furrowed while trying to resist her words filled with temptations.
'I do not want to ask anymore further.'
Oh, really? After the fall of your kingdom... I came for you and your voice called for me~!
'My... voice?'
Do you remember that day? The day where I could've fulfilled your desire?
Sasha remained silent and still. Now she remembered the unknown entity in her mind when they got out from the major capital of Lescatie was nothing more but the Fallen God herself and the deity knew where their trails led and tracked her down, even beyond the reaches from the Demon Lord's Army.
You just made a wish. Your desire is to make everyone happy, keeping their smiles on their faces. Am I correct?
Sasha didn't say a word.
And most of all... the Silver-Blue Knight, your heart is yearning for him than your beloved man in Lescatie~! Oh, how do I know of this, hmm? Well, I have an answer for this... You can't hide your secrets from a god~!"
Those words then struck a nerve in Sasha's mind. The former Heroine knew she couldn't keep her secrets from a God. After all, the Gods can see everything and all she could only do is remain silent and helpless at the same time.
'T-Take that back!' Sasha raised her voice. 'I don't want anything from you!'
Oh, my~ how cute! I'm truly looking further to see you change. It makes me so... enticing~
The Warrior Nun suddenly felt a shudder through her spine, knowing that the Fallen God would do something to her. "Ch-Change? What are you talking about?"
Do not fret, young lady. I just want to fulfil your desire. That is all~
"My desire..."
Yes, your ambition is to make a world where everyone can share their happiness and keep their smiles~!
'I.. I won't accept such power!' Sasha spoke back in defiance. 'I want to do it on my own!'
Oh? Can you do it all by yourself? So helpless and weak, you decide the things to remain as they are? You even cannot save the smiles of people caused by those monstrosities from another realm.
Sasha grits her teeth. The Fallen God was right. She alone was helpless and even facing the monsters from the lands where Ash came from and let those fears grow into her heart. No matter how hard she tried to save them from their grizzly fate so their deaths could've been prevented.
And the reason she hasn't answered your call. When do you realize what you have done? You've been disobeying God's teachings... am I wrong?
"Disobeying her teachings?"
Do you remember on that day... you have raised another orphanage in the forest? Do you think you can hide it? You know that I was watching every step you made... which is indeed bold for you~
Sasha pauses for a moment and swallowed a gulp through her throat.
"I... I..."
Hmm? What was that?
"I... don't know what am I going to do... In her teachings... all I learned in my life... In my belief where every monster was born from darkness." Sasha's voice faltered while her mind went into a blank state. "But they take husbands and make families with happiness with all of their hearts. As a former Apostle of the Order... I... I don't believe that's evil."
At that point, her words intrigued the Fallen God before the deity forms a malicious smile.
So that was what you believed at first, and then you've seen their true nature. You... are a special one. Even though you're no longer a member of the Order. So here... I shall welcome you like a new adherent of the Fallen Order and guide you to the path of happiness~!
"Huh?... Argh! Ah!"
Suddenly, Sasha felt heat filling in her body and moved on its own before she felt an exciting throb within. The heat slowly became more pleasurable and relaxing until her left hand slowly went straight for her groin as her legs spread wide open. In her horror, she can no longer control it.
"N-No! I won't let you- STOP!"
Teehee~ Just look at you~! How very naughty you've become~ I just woke up your entire body. It's taking revenge on you long after you repress your feelings for him~!
"Help me! Ash!"
Sasha screamed while trying to wrestle her body but to no avail. Her fingers reached for her genitalia and rubs her private parts. Sasha moaned in pleasure and her breathing became heavy until an image of a peculiar man in his Silver-Blue Knight's armour flashed into her mind.
"Ahh~! Aah~! A-Ash!"
Hmm~? The Silver-Blue Knight... his name is Ash Cyrus, is he not?... How lovely~! So you do really love him very much~ A maiden such as you will be a fitting wife for a powerful warrior like him, don't you think?
"S-Stop it! Hnng! I'm begging you! Ah!" Sasha cried out in desperation as tears flow down. "Agh! Hah! Ha-aahh~!"
Don't deny it... accept it to receive your desires. The man you yearn for shall he will help you change the world! Now call out his name to set you free! Let out your voice and express what you craved for!
Sasha felt her other hand reach out to the right side of her bosoms and start rubbing the nipple to increase its undeniable pleasure. Her entire will tried its best to suppress it, but it was futile.
"Ahn~! Hah~! No! Nooo! Ash... help me... and... set... me... FFREEEE!"
Sasha clenched her teeth whilst her body tries to writhe it out in a fruitless attempt. After minutes passed by, she reached her climax. Clear fluids squirts out between her legs and Sasha let out a pleasurable scream until she broke down in exhaustion. She pants heavily for air while her strength and what remains of her spirit energy begins to leave her body. She can hear the Fallen God giggling maliciously and her vision slowly fades as the black liquid covers the entire body; ready to be reborn as a monster.
... But to her greatest fear... what will Ash do if she was monsterized?
"Ash..." Sasha uttered one more time before closing her eyes. "Please..."
...
Viola Region, Frontier Lands.
...
'Save me.'
...
"...Huh?!" Ash shot his eyes wide open and jolts up in surprise. "S-... Sasha?!"
"By the lords! You jolted me in quite a surprise!" Ash heard Siegward and turned his gaze to the left, seeing him maintaining the campfire. "Having a nightmare?"
"No... I just heard her voice." Ash replied while clenching his head in distress. "I have a feeling she's in dire help."
"Ah, I see. Do not fret ol' friend, there will be hope when the time comes." Siegward nudged Ash by his left shoulder while holding up his Siegbrau. Not to mention that the rest of their companions fell asleep in the middle of a full moon. "Say, I have some words, so to speak."
"Yeah, then what is it?" Ash asked.
"How much do you love her? The Maiden of Lescatie?" Siegward asked curiously. "She spoke a lot of things about your adventures to my wife, and I was told that you became her Knight, a sword who kept her oath... was that true?"
"Yes... she asked me of my purpose to be with her... to protect her," Ash replied while grabbing a stick nearby and poking the campfire with it. "But this time, I didn't expect our adversaries would catch us off-guard.."
Ash steered his stick and turned the burned coal further into the campfire. "But the truth is... I have a weird sensation... like I couldn't leave her."
"Then what do you mean by that, Ash?" Siegward asked, intrigued while raising his eyebrow. "Did you already develop some feelings for her?"
"No, not like that... It's like... as if she grew up while learning to live under the false interpretations about life under the Order. Despite how mature she is... Sasha is still clueless about the real grasps of the world." Ash explained and his lips grew a sad smile. "When I'm around... Sasha felt a lot safer. She wanted me to teach her more about the world... and by leaving her alone in all of her own... it feels like... I was abandoning a young child."
"... I see, then I assume that you did have spent some time with her in your time in Lescatie," Siegward said, and Ash nodded. "Then you grew more trustful and closer to her in return."
"Um... well, not quite exactly," Ash replied sheepishly while scratching the back of his neck. "That is not until she brought in the mamono children in her church, which led her life upside-down."
"Oh, well, that sounds like she had brought dangerous consequences to herself," Siegward spoke up in surprise. "She might get handled by Order Inquisitors if it weren't for you."
"Yeah... then here we are," Ash then chuckled bitterly. "Fleeing from a fallen nation, becoming refugees, and then the Convoluted Rift happened. Now I have to deal with a God and her adherents."
"Sounds about right." Siegward groaned as he repositioned his sitting before taking a drink of his ale. Ash then went back to the tree to take a rest until the Catarinian noticed something fell from Ash's right wrist. "Oh, you dropped something."
Ash looked back and saw Siegward holding up a necklace with a pair of dog tags. "Huh... I never knew you were once a part of a military."
Siegward carefully gave the dog tags to the knight and Ash felt nostalgia hit his heart and mind about his past life. "Indeed, I was... before I left home for another purpose after the Defence of the Kingdom."
"I see. Then what have you served in the army?" Siegward asked curiously.
"I served in the 33rd Knights Division, belonging to the 5th Legion," Ash explained in a deep stare into the campfire in reminiscence, and knowing full-well that his comrades were already long gone for centuries. "The 5th Legion has the finest Infantry Knights of the entire Astoran Army. Most Elite Knights came from that same Legion, whether they are of common birth or noble blood. Their skills and intellects shared their merits and equal to one another... they uphold such duties and to become captains and commanders to lead newly established legions as well."
"Ah, an army full of merits, I see." Siegward acknowledged. "I haven't been to Astora, but unfortunately it fell a long time ago. It's a pity that the undead curse struck almost every land from far and wide."
"At least we still lived... people such as us have transported into these lands for reasons unknown," Ash said in wonder while looking up to the skies and saw millions of stars twinkled in the night sky. "Another world... a different destiny."
"Indeed... the Flames works in strange ways after all." Siegward agreed. "Oh yes, Ash. I have to tell you something."
"Hm?" Ash turned to Siegward. "What is it?"
"Years ago... I had this strange incident which had occurred to Jennifer before I married her." Siegward said a small part of his backstory and then smiled. "This story can be odd as it sounds... would you like to listen?"
"Sure, I'd like to hear it." The Silver-Blue Knight nodded. "So, what was it about?"
Siegward then took a deep breath before talking. "Well, the story goes like this..."
...
The next morning, the group packed up their belongings while Siegward put out the campfire. Ash and his companion continued their journey across the frontier lands of the Viola Region. In the next five hours, the group didn't encounter bandits and mamono raiders. Ash felt the chilly winds through the air before Sif picked up a stench in his nose.
"I smell blood," Sif warned. "There, down the road."
After following the bloody path for a while, Sif stopped his tracks and Siegward halted the horses when they saw three caravans had been broken down off-road. Ash descended from Sif and investigate the area. Thus, his tracks stop once he saw the first corpse... a soldier, lying next to a dead Holstaur. Both of them were in a state of decay and covered with maggots. Then he looks up to see more corpses lying around and saw one body of a maid was hanged on the tree by a rope, tied like a noose.
"These corpses were several days old," Sif said while looking around and inspecting the damage and spotted the marks of battles. He found scratches of weapons and darts on the wooden carts. "Possibly a bandit attack."
Back to Siegward's Caravan, Reginald perks up his ears once he heard an eerie rustle coming from the woods. He peeks out while gripping his sword cautiously.
Elen rose her eyebrow in question in much to her concern. "... Reg-?"
"Shhh!" Reginald hushed. "There's something... coming!"
In the front seat, Siegward hummed within his helmet until an object flew past the trees and thus hitting the Catarinian Knight to the head. Luckily, the sharp tip of the object didn't penetrate through his armoured helmet and harmlessly bounced off. Siegward noticed something hit him and looks down, seeing a Dart fall off from the driver's seat.
"Ash! It's a trap!" Siegward shouted a warning. "Get out of there!"
Ash and Sif heard the rustling noises and high-pitched voices coming in their way. Sif prepared his weapon as he unsheathed his Ultra Greatsword with his jaws, while Ash prepared his crest shield and broadsword at the ready. While hearing the incoming-high pitch noises, he knew immediately what they were facing.
"Siegward, Thrall's incoming!"
Then out from the trees, a single Thrall jumped out with a Flamberge Sword on both hands. Ash immediately spun around and raised his shield, yet Sif swung his greatsword as it sliced the thralls apart into pieces before hitting the ground. After that, more jumped out before the group unsheathed their weapons.
A single thrall leapt towards Elen with a swing of its small axe, but the Dhampir deflected with her crescent knife, which pushed back the small hollow to the ground. However, the small hollow jumped back again once more before Elen ducked and swing her sword down, cleaving the hollow in half. Several Hollows with blowpipes stood on the tree branches to take their aim towards Elaine, Arcturus, and Reginald, who are fighting against the agile Thralls. The hollows then released their darts, but Junayd thwarted them as he came in a nick of time to deflect the projectiles.
"Thanks!"
"Watch your backs, they're everywhere!" Junayd warned before cutting down a hapless thrall coming from the flanks. "By Wolnir, they're too many of them!"
The thralls charged forth once Arcturus raised his shield until one of them leapt into the air while raising its knife before a throwing knife struck the hollow through the neck, which caught Arcturus by surprise. Sif perked up his ears and caught sounds of footsteps, which differed from the small thralls until he saw a mysterious individual dashed through the hollows at unfathomable speeds, slicing and cleaving the small hollows apart.
Ash slowly lowered his sword when he saw a figure standing amid the bloody carnage and wearing in a Mirrah set. It's undoubtedly a Knight of the Mirrah Order. But there was something off when he spotted a tail behind her which belonged to a Demon Mamono.
Meanwhile, Siegward, on the other hand, was struggling with a Thrall while his grip held tightly on its neck before throwing the creature away into a nearby tree and crashing down to its death.
"Phew! I think that's the last one!" Siegward breathed out in relief and exhaustion. "Hm? Oh, well. It seems we have an unusual individual."
The Mirrah Knight stood in silence while sheathing her falchion into the scabbard and tipped her hat.
"Well... I may take my leave then." The Mirrah Knight broke the awkward silence while walking away. "You people need to be aware that this route heading to the next settlement is no longer safe."
"We are... not heading there," Ash spoke up slowly. "We're just heading into our way to the Tower of this region."
"Oh? So you 'lot are heading to that small Demonic Region?" The Mirrah Knight flinched in surprise behind her mask. "It isn't that far from here, but I heard a god watched over that place."
"Yep, we're heading to that place," Ash replied in confirmation while pointing his thumb behind.
"Al-...right then, have it on your way." The Mirrah Knight nodded before heading off down the road past Reginald and Elaine. "Then count your lucky stars and good luck over there."
Elaine then raises her eyebrow in confusion before turning to Junayd. "What's up with her?"
"From what I heard, the Knights of the Mirrah Order don't speak a lot outside of their group," Junayd said while crossing his arms, looking over the Mirrah Knight from a distance. "They are just warriors with a few words. Despite we're allied with them, they send us cryptic words that we barely understand."
"So they're a more secretive group than us." Arcturus guessed, and Junayd nodded.
"Indeed, we're an open society despite how obscured our groups are," Junayd answered with a prideful smile. "My home region lies within the deserts after all, and it is obscured and safe from raiders."
...
Once they left the vicinity, the same Mirrah Knight observed the group from the higher ground. She can see that they're making their way to the Fallen Tower. The Mirrah Knight pulled down her hat along with the mask, revealing her face of a demon with a monstrous beauty that will make men fawn over. But her existence is out of the ordinary for the older generation.
"Lucrezia, how're you doing?" The Demon jolts up and turned around to see another Mirrah Knight leaning against a tree with arms crossed and has a confidential smirk underneath his hat. "Spending your time to do some sightseeing?"
"Brother... Don't surprise me like that." Lucrezia glared at her human brother in irritation. "And by the way, Adelmar. Where's Lucena?"
"She told me we should meet her in Gerth," Adelmar replied. "So, anything new?"
"Not much, but..." Then Lucrezia turned around and still saw the caravan in a distance. "A group of adventurers and an oversized wolf are heading straight to the Fallen Tower."
"Wait... are they or real?" Adelmar widened his eyes in surprise. "Who else wants to go in that place? They might be insane!"
"I do not know why. I hope they're lucky enough to get out of there," Lucrezia said before giving out a pitiful sigh. "There were a couple of Sunlight Warriors among the group. Who knows what they will find in that place."
...
Viola Frontier Region, Fallen Tower.
...
When the group entered the place, Ash noticed the sky slowly went dark and saw the sun turned red crimson behind the thick black clouds; hinting that they were entering the small demonic region. But there is something awful within the small demonic land; the crew grew into dislike once they entered the place. Despite the beauty of the lush of vibrant colours that were seen on both flora and fauna. The stench in the air is assaulting, which made the Knight of Astora force himself to cover his nose from the unbearable air.
'Demon Realms was supposed to have comfortable lands and has the sweetest fresh air.' Ash spoke unamused in thoughts. 'I never knew how wrong the Encyclopedia can get.'
"The stench reminds me back from the deepest pits of Blighttown." Sif comments in irritation. "But I was used to such rotten smell during my battles against hollowed beings."
"Ugh, it stinks horribly!" Elen pinched her nose to cover. "This is even worse than the Crucifixion Forest we went through!"
"If this land was said to be where monsters live, then how do they live in the air that reeks?" Reginald wondered in confusion. "I don't really get it with these bitches."
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it." Junayd laughed a little. "I've been to several demon realms, but Lescatie is worse which I can hardly breathe for fresh air."
"Well, according to Jennifer, Demon Realms are places where monsters and even humans can find comfort," Siegward explained while whipping the leash. "But for me, Ash, and you who shared the blood of your parents who came from a faraway land. Our senses of smell and tastes are different when coming into the demon realms... And also, this is the real stench of the energy if you smell it. It's the high concentrations of demonic energy at work here, take for an example; a Demon name Olivier, she reeked like sewers because her disguise is under the work of her monster magic."
"You mean like she used a spell to cover herself in cow dung?" Elaine then giggled at such a statement. "Right?"
"Pretty much," Siegward replied with a nod. "But as for now-... oh never mind, we're here!"
Siegward stopped the horses on their tracks while Ash jumped out from Sif's back and slowly looks up to a gigantic tower with its tip that reached through the heavens. He admits the construct itself is colossal and the entire diameter could be measured to that of an entire quarter from city of Lescatie. To his left, Elaine walks up to his side and gives out an impressed whistle.
"Wow... I wonder how long it took to build this tower." Elaine said while sticking out her thumb. "This entire place can house over a thousand people in here."
"From what I heard, the Order built this tower, and used this place to worship the Chief God to hear her voice even clearer because a visionary wanted to be close to hear her beautiful tone," Arcturus explained the lore of the tower. "This stood for a couple of thousand years until an incident occurred six hundred years ago. The Fallen God took over the place because one oracle was influenced by the Dark Priests."
"So this must've been one of their holy sites," Elaine comments before hefting her Greataxe and leaning it on her right shoulder. "Well then, we have to go in and get Sasha out of that place."
"But what if it's a trap?" Reginald questioned.
"The people in this tower are waiting for us. It meant for us to be lured in," Ash replied in a grim tone before taking his first steps on the stone bridge. "But I'm sure they'll have a bloody price to pay."
"Good Luck! I'll be staying here to watch out for the horses!" Siegward waved his arms once the Group walked through the stone bridge. "And Ash! Don't forget what to do if you find your Maiden!"
Ash smiled before responding to Siegward while raising his fist and sticking out a thumbs up. Minutes passed after walking through the first bridge. They've reached the other side and faced the gigantic gates before them. However, Ash halted once he noticed three figures descending from the sky and landed on a kneeling position in front of him, and his fellow companions. The Silver-Blue Knight saw the three figures raise their heads from the obscured dust and reveal themselves as succubuses. One Heavy Dark Knight and two Dark Warriors. All of them raised their weapons once they faced the Knight. Three more Dark Knight Succubuses descended from the tower as well and landed on their flanks, surrounding the group.
"Silver-Blue Knight! We know that you have come for Sasha Fullmoon." The Heavy Dark Knight spoke up with a tone of confidence. "But you have to give up. We are once former heroes of Lescatie, and making any further resistance is futile!"
"Seriously!? Don't they realise we have a massive dog here with us!?" Elen uttered quietly while sticking her thumb towards Sif in much to her disbelief.
Ash stood for a while without a response until he makes his move. He immediately pulled out his handgun and shot the Heavy Knight. The titanite-infused bullet pierced through the unarmoured part on her right leg, which exposed her beautiful white skin. And the Succubus kneeled to the ground, screaming loudly in sheer pain before Ash sends out another shot that drilled her skull, killing her for good.
The Succubuses stepped back in horror while Ash and Co. unsheathed their blades.
"P-Put them down, quick!"
The Dark Warriors leapt forth while retaliating their giant halberds, but Ash rolled inwards to avoid their blows. The Silver-Blue Knight drew his Astora Straight Sword two-handed and jabbed the blade through one of the Dark Warriors' back, killing her and kicking her to the ground. Ash then noticed another Warrior heaved her Halberd with an angry expression on her face, yet Ash ducked down to avoid her blow. His hand grabbed the blade of his sword before the Ashen One knocked her head upwards with the butt of the pommel.
The Dark Warrior fell onto the ground and Ash immediately ended her rightly once he strikes his sword's crossguard against her forehead, smashing her head into pieces.
In the meantime, Elen made a riposte to deflect a Silversword coming from a Dark Knight with her knife and stabbed her sword against the neck, killing her enemy. Sif leapt into mid-air like an acrobat while his Greatsword cleaved a Dark Warrior in half. Arcturus raised his shield and angled slightly while strafing to the right, deflecting the spearhead coming from a Heavy Dark Knight and another blade shot forth that pierced through her abdomen. She spurted out blood until she turned her head around to see Reginald, who glared at her with emotionless eyes and then released his blade from her body while kicking against her back as she was thrown off unceremoniously onto the ground.
Ash turns around and faced the large doors in front of him. He walks up to the entrance while his armour produced eerie clacking sounds which can send a shiver down to his victims and slowly opened the doors apart.
In the meantime, Succubus Warriors and Knights heard the massive doors opened and were shocked to see a single human, despite the lack of essence, he put up a show of his strength which baffled the monsters in disbelief until his companions and a large sword-wielding Wolf entered through the entrance. Ash and Co. caught the sight of Mamono Warriors forming a defensive line with Shields and Swords at the ready to face the Silver-Blue Knight and his unnatural allies.
...
Inside an unknown chamber, the Dark Priests observed the Silver-Blue Knight and his companions through a projecting mirror while in a standoff with the finest Succubus Warriors of Lescatie, but amid their standoff, Janeline felt a foreboding aura coming from the Knight through the mirror, unlike anything she had felt.
"So he found us." Janeline heard someone speaks to her right as Amana stepped in. "I never expect they could track us down easily."
"Indeed, humans couldn't possibly find any hints of our trail while heading to the Tower," Janeline said while curiously raising her eyebrow to the Silver-Blue Knight. "But lest not to fret ourselves, he brought company with him."
"Ara~? Is that... Ash?" Janeline and Amara turned around and saw a certain woman with a beautiful flow of green hair, red eyes like wine, and wore in her jet-black priestess garb. "Oh dear, it seems he brought the others with him as well."
"Sasha, do you know more about this man you fell for?" Amana asked in a worried tone. "It doesn't look like that we monsters could charm him."
"Oh, do not worry~! I'm very confident that he won't raise his sword on me. Besides, he took a vow for my oath to protect me~!" Dark Priest Sasha then folded both of her arms in confidence as she licked her lips in a seductive manner and then looked up to Ash through the magic mirror. Her red eyes drowsed, filled with lust and drenched in ecstasy and obsession. "Ah~! Once we meet again, I will make sure that only I shall change you, Ash. I will drown you with pleasure and imprison your soul, which will belong to me for eternity! Only me as your wife, my dear husband~!"
Once she finished her sentence, she noticed Ash pull out a golden duel charm from his pouch and threw it over to the Succubus Knights before the Magic Mirror went blank and produced a static which made the Dark Priests raise their eyebrows in confusion and surprise. There hasn't been a malfunction to their magic mirror for hundreds of years but to Sasha, she knew full-well that they were equipped with Anti-Magic items and armaments.
While the rest of Dark Priests fell into disarray as the magic mirror isn't responding to observe the current situation that is happening at the entrance, Sasha quietly left the room and head towards a magic elevator which brought her up to the last floor of the tower.
Her eyes darkened and her lips formed a wicked smile that spreads across her face. "Ufufu~! I will wait for you, Ash... my only knight who will set me free~!"
...
The Heavy Dark Knight charged towards the Silver-Blue Knight with her spear until Ash deflected the spearhead to the ground, he stomped his right foot on her polearm and brought up his Astora Straight Sword with two hands and trusted the blade into the gap of her armour, killing her through the exposed neck and blood spurts out. He turns around to see Sif, and the others finished the rest of the Mamono Knights until Junayd threw a Dark Warrior against the wall and finished her off as he cleaved her head apart with his Carthus Greatsword.
Then Ash noticed someone coming from behind and heard a distant bang. The Knight strafed his head to the left as the enemy's magic projectile missed the mark and hit the walls. He pulls out his handgun and spun around, aiming where the source is coming from. His next target is a Dark Musketeer, armed with an unusual firearm that has a bolt-action mechanism, she took another shot but her magic bullet was deflected once he brought up his Crest Shield and then he returned fire and shot the Musketeer between her eyes with a Titanite Bullet infused with a pale resin. Taking her out for good and her corpse was dropped to the floor.
"Come on everyone, this way!" Ash rallied his companions as they charged straight through the colossal hallways until he saw more enemies coming in, filled with succubus, minotaurs, and hellhounds. "Get ready, enemies coming right in front of us!"
"Affirmative! Let's show these bitches no mercy!" Elaine responded before yelling a war cry. "For the Lord of Sunlight!"
'Sasha... I swore to the Flames that I'll come and rescue you.' Ash's mind said once he clashed with a minotaur and ended her life with a thrust of his blade through her neck. 'No matter what cost it takes.'
...
Chapter 19: Ends
Author's note (2020); Oooff, another big chapter, and my fingers felt like an utter bitch and my head is overheating, again. Also, in this chapter; there is a Skallagrim reference if you know what I mean.
Then, as an enthusiast of Historical European Martial Arts, I recommend you to see Adorea Olomouc for intensive and choreographed martial arts in his video. Then it explains the reason why I decide to write Ash had to fight "A-historically" (due to his inhuman strength) with Half-swording and performing Fior di Battaglia and Liechtenauer. With a Gun.
Btw, I'll update some missing parts in this chapter if needed. So toodles!