18. Maneater Sphinxes

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A claw slammed into the earth. The Lucid One dove between the guardian's legs, his twin blades drawing sparks against its stone skin. Then, the serpentine tail sunk its fangs into his shoulder and flung him clear across the courtyard. He hit the ground hard, dropping his silver sword from the force. Before he could reach it, the other creature was upon him, gnashing with blunt teeth and forcing him to roll aside. Just as he stood, the statue charged him with its cluster of curling horns, shredding his clothes and skin. The injured man grit through the pain, and with a powerful thrust, he drove his sword up into the monster's mouth. The beast howled as it receded, murky liquid streaming from its lips.

A whistling gale filled the air, followed by a spear of ice that tore through the Lucid One. The statue's twin spit three more from its jaws in succession, and he sprinted sideways as each one narrowly missed. His eyes fell again on the blade lying between them, tantalizingly close. With a daring leap, he sprang for the weapon, yet the beast did the same. It launched forward on sculpted wings, ramming him off his feet. It pawed wildly at the fallen figure, but its prey escaped beneath its body, jabbing once in retreat to little effect.

The snake-tail lashed out again, puncturing his arm with its fangs, and the man winced as poison seared through his veins. Suddenly, the second guardian jumped high above its kin, hanging in midair with glistening wings spread wide. A flurry of hailstones scattered from them, too many to dodge. They did little damage, but chilled him to the bone, wearing down his endurance. He realized with dread that this was more than just a battle against wicked beasts. He was fighting with time itself.

Both creatures lumbered towards him, their venomous appendages nipping at their backs like spurring whips. As they closed in, the sorcerer drew his cane and cast a sphere of light into the air, then leapt between the clashing claws and teeth. The orb exploded into a shower of soul arrows, and the statues shied away as they were pummeled with arcane energy, giving him the chance to grab a blue flower from his pouches. He eagerly chewed the cold blossom, halting his frostbite, then washed it down with a chug of his sapphire flask.

He approached the guardians refreshed with a new tactic in mind. Once more, he made for his dropped sword, and the closest beast rushed to intercept. He skidded to a halt as he thrust out his cane, firing a sound bolt straight into the monster's face. Its forehead fissured open, and it reared back with a tortured cry. Before the other could come to its aid, the man retrieved his silver blade, then the Darklight flared into being with a metallic hiss.

He readied his shadowy weapons, prepared for the next assault. However, in that instant, the guardians' demeanor changed. They prowled about defensively, snarling low, and their tails spat with rancor. Their eyes lingered on the toxic blue flames, as if intimidated by its presence. The combatants stalked one another, neither side willing to make the first move, then the creatures bared their fangs, mouths brimming with icy magic. They spewed a series of frost spears at him, but the sorcerer easily evaded the crossing missiles before dashing through. If they would not come to him, then he would take the fight to them.

He tumbled between the statues, slashing swiftly yet prudently. Stone flesh shattered, oozing black congealed blood. His blades left umbral traces in the air as they raced about, finding their mark again and again, while he remained untouched. The beasts tore at the ground, kicking up dirt and snow; the snake-tails snapped their jaws, catching nothing but cold mist. Despite the monsters raging on either side, the Lucid One fearlessly pressed his onslaught.

The very nature of battle seemed changed. It was no longer a struggle for survival, a desperate attempt to cheat death. He was not a terrified, confused mortal anymore. Now, he weaved between the powerful blows with a clear mind, striking at each opportunity, and withdrawing before his opponents could strike back. He was not striving to keep stride with the pace of combat. He was the one who set the rhythm, who took the lead in this deadly dance.

Such a change might have caused him worry, were he not so enthralled.

Again, a serpent lashed out, and again, it missed the nimble warrior. Before it could recoil, he brought both swords down, slicing straight through its scaly body. The tail hissed as it fell writhing to the earth, while a gout of thick blood sprayed from the severed stump. Caught unawares, the Lucid One was showered in sickening slime, burning his eyes and mouth. He stumbled back blindly, and that sense of harmony was abruptly lost.

In his instance of weakness, a taloned hand constricted around his torso. Ribs snapped as he was hoisted into a guardian's maw, and its rocky teeth chomped down over his head and shoulders. It gnawed hungrily, rending flesh and breaking bone, until it tossed his limp form across the plaza with a violent roar.

The dying man willed his limbs to move. Only one arm responded, digging painfully through his robes to retrieve his flask. The poison was draining his life fast, soaked into his face and clothes. He stared at the twin terrors, his vision blurred by their tainted blood, expecting them to finish him off. However, they too seemed tormented by some unseen affliction. He took his chances and gulped down two mouthfuls of the blessed water, enough to mend his horrible wounds. His ribs popped, his vision cleared, his arm clicked into place, and his flesh rapidly regrew. Though the venom still burned within his body, he forced himself to stand, noting that he had only one precious sip remaining.

Meanwhile, the statues continued to crumble, chunks and flakes falling away like shed skin. They staggered as if intoxicated, and he realized it was not far from the truth. The Darklight had corrupted them, eating at their insides, just like himself. The Lucid One braved a smile. They had come so close to killing him, but that opportunity had passed. He would not make the same mistake twice.

Then, as he watched, the guardians collapsed onto their haunches and let out an anguished howl. Rings of golden light encircled them, shimmering with intricate runes. Before his very eyes, their decaying bodies began to reform. His hopes sank with every crack mended, their numerous wounds sealing shut one by one. Even as the Inquisitor's toxin caused new fractures, they too were repaired. Time was against him more than ever.

With an incensed snarl, the sorcerer drew his cane and unleashed as many sound bolts as he could muster. His barrage of spells smashed into the immobile constructs, blasting off fist-sized slabs. The chimeric twins flew aside on heavy wings as the circles of light evaporated, although their divine magic persisted. A final invisible arrow shot from the man's catalyst, then his energy was spent. Even the Darklight had faded from his swords. In its absence, the guardians took to the offensive again, denying him the leisure of drinking his Estus.

They pounced upon him in a frenzy. It took all his focus to avoid being torn limb from limb. He slipped dangerously through their grasp, and all the while, the poison continued to wear down his vitality. His life was ebbing with each passing moment. The reality of his predicament weighed heavily on his heart. He began to realize his abilities alone would not be enough to fell these resilient beasts.

He cursed himself in sudden revelation. He did not have to fight alone. At once, he produced the white bell from his pocket and rang it with vigor.

Its musical peal had a strange effect on the guardians. They went completely still at the sound, their fierce expressions softening. Then, they turned their heads skyward and bayed mournfully into the aurora above. The Lucid One tensed, wondering if they were preparing some new attack, yet they simply cried. So strange was their reaction that he neglected to strike while their defenses faltered, and watched in puzzlement as they grieved.

As the chime waned, so too did their sorrow. The statues returned their focus to the intruder and lunged at him in renewed vengeance. They thrashed with tooth and nail, chasing after their fleeing sport with unrelenting fury. It was all the man could do to stay ahead of them. Mauling claws rent his robes as he ducked and tumbled, losing ground with every ragged breath. His feet slipped on the slick tiles, threatening to leave him sprawled before the monsters at their mercy, and still the poison destroyed him from within.

The tailless guardian stretched its wings and pelted him with sleet. The sorcerer was knocked back by the icy wave, skin and bones cracking from the cold. Already his body was at its limit, and his adversaries gave him no quarter, making that final sip of healing water unattainable. He struggled to dodge the next blow, his stamina drained by frostbite. An upward swipe sent him reeling. He gasped for breath in the dirt, ribs exposed, and barely avoided a brutal stomp. The other beast swooped in, nearly impaling him on its twisted horns. The tide had quickly turned against him. The man could almost taste his mortality once again.

At last, his prayer was fulfilled. In the distance, a lone figure emerged from the fog, and the Lucid One stared in awe. He could not remember ever seeing anything so glorious. It was not a pale white phantom, but a radiant golden spirit, outfitted with a tricorn hat and long leather coat. He bore a hound-faced shield, rectangular sword, and a mechanical crossbow strapped to his back, prizes claimed from his previous victory.

Morrow, ever reliable, had answered the bell's summons.

The shining warrior wasted no time charging into the fray. He slung the shield over his shoulder and drew a gold chime, which clamored and crackled as lightning spiked from his fist. He hurled the bolt like a javelin into a guardian's backside, peeling apart its dense shell like paper. The creature bellowed in shocked agony, then both twins rounded on their new aggressor and trampled towards him. In the blink of an eye, the shield was back in the spirit's hand, held fast against the approaching fiends.

With the enemies distracted, the Lucid One hastily drained the last of his water, granting him a few more precious moments. A warm dose of Estus restored his spirits, then he was back on his feet. Now that he was freed from the constant chaos, he studied the monsters as they clashed with Morrow, searching for any flaws he might exploit. He noticed that the tailless one hung back, breathing frost spears from a safe distance, while its companion rushed headlong into melee. It seemed crazed, clawing and biting with abandon, its slithering tail goading it on with incessant nibbling. Suddenly, he understood, and devised his plan.

The demure guardian spotted the advancing sorcerer and quickly turned its magic on him. He dashed through the piercing spears with swords in hand, his attention fixed on the construct dueling the gold spirit. As he neared, its tail hissed and sprang for him with jaws unhinged. He twisted at the last second and sliced through its neck, smartly avoiding the putrid blood that gushed forth. A second slash separated it completely, and the serpent fell squirming in its death throes.

His small victory was cut short by a rearing kick. The man was thrown onto his back, breathless, while the guardian whirled around with its forepaws fisted. As they hammered down, Morrow intervened and took their full weight against his shield. His entire frame shivered under their crushing might, yet he stood strong, then rammed his club-like sword into the exposed belly of the beast.

Their foe fell back shrieking, and for a brief instant, the two mortals' eyes met. The golden warrior took in the other's battered state, and promptly tossed him a gilded vial before resuming the battle. The Lucid One lifted it in astonishment, recognizing the elixir from the Inquisitor's torture chamber. Without hesitation, he ripped open the stopper and downed its slick, silvery contents. To his utter relief, his body was purged of all ailments, including the poison. He was miraculously whole, and ready to put an end to these exasperating abominations.

They took a guardian each, challenging them one on one. The sorcerer was pleased to see his plan had proven successful; without their tails to vex them, the enemy had become lethargic and sluggish. He resummoned the Darklight, its cobalt flames reflecting in the creature's fearful eyes, and closed in with confidence. Stone wings burst open, releasing a blizzard of hail, but the man hurdled towards the statue's ghoulish face, where the squall could not reach him. He retaliated with his own storm of steel and shadow, leaving deep gouges across its visage, until its carved features began to break.

Morrow deflected a falling strike and bashed the beast across the jaw, nearly knocking it clean off. The monster roared indignantly before soaring back with a powerful beat, loosing a blast of ice in the process. The golden spirit crouched behind his shield, but it was a futile gesture. The cold billowed around him, leaving icicles streaking from his guard and frost glazing over his coat. He pushed through the bitter chill, dropping his shield entirely, then flipped the crossbow into his left hand. He let loose a volley of charged bolts that tore into the animal, chipping at its shell and punching holes through its wings. The guardian yelped as it violently shook its mane, trying to dislodge the arrows that nettled its face.

The Lucid One continued to cut into his opponent. He forced the fiend back, never easing his assault, dodging its blind swipes with finesse. A horn snapped from its crown; three of its fingers were lopped off at once. One of its eyes shattered, leaking viscous fluid down its mangled jowls. Left alone without the aid of its companion, the great beast was slowly caving.

Morrow had his chime in hand. As he rang it down the length of his sword, lightning leapt from the decorative square blade in flashing arcs. He took it in both hands as he descended upon the wounded statue, flailing repeatedly with cruel intent. Sparks flew as they collided, the monster trying desperately to repel its assailant, but the radiant warrior would not yield. He swung at a claw coming for his face, and the hand erupted in a shower of stone and blood. The guardian fell back with a whimper, cradling its injured arm, and spit a frost spear at close range. Morrow narrowly avoided the attack and rolled beside the retreating creature. His sword came down against its hip — once, twice, three times — and the entire limb exploded into rubble.

Twin blades cleaved down in a diagonal slash, splitting the guardian's face wide open. It fell on its stomach with a weakened groan as its head broke in half, revealing a swollen mass of slimy flesh. With both swords, the Lucid One thrust them deep into the cavity, then ripped them out in a river of gore. Black blood steamed as it washed across the snow.

The other statue lay on its side, crying pitifully, struggling to push itself away from the merciless spirit. Morrow approached unhurried, and held his chime high as it sang. A ray of lightning flared from his grip, and with all his strength, he drove it down into the creature's skull. There was an eruption of light and stone, then the beast went limp as its body crumpled, an oozing puddle spreading around its corpse.

Just as they had risen, so did the guardians die together.

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The pair of warriors stood panting, their puffs of breath visible in the frigid air. The Lucid One turned to his comrade with a triumphant grin, always grateful for his assistance, and Morrow offered a half-bow, half-nod in return. The golden champion began to fade away, returning to whatever place he may have come from. The last thing the sorcerer saw was the keen glimmer of zeal in his friend's eyes, kindled by the thrill of the fight.

Then, Morrow was gone, and he was alone once more in the misty clearing.

After regaining his composure, the man started his climb up the massive stone stairway. Even the steps were intricately adorned, their risers decorated with entwining vines, flowers, snakes, birds, and beasts. They led him to a set of sturdy double doors at their peak. These appeared to be the only part of the shrine that did not blend seamlessly together with the rest, for unlike the colorless rock, these doors were made of teal, speckled stone. Polished ivory rings served as handles, set amidst peculiar imagery.

Carved at the base of both doors was a blooming flower from which a woman's torso arose, cradling a giant pearl in her arms. Watery spirals fountained above her, circling around seven puerile maidens. They each bore two sets of wings, not feathered like the angels, but thin and veined like leaves.

Somewhere in the haze of his memories he recalled these images, dredged up from a past life. This was Samaras, the Propagator herself, granting life to her daughters of the sea. This was the angel he had come to kill.

His chest swelled with conflicting emotions — reverence, sorrow, shame, determination. He breathed them all out until his heart had steadied. Then, he firmly grasped the ivory rings and dragged the doors open.

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Appendix

Bountiful Tides — A miracle granted to the maidens of Samaras. Gradually restores health for self and nearby allies. Those who worship the Mother of Rebirth are blessed with resplendent life, for she wholly believes in the power of second chances.

Frost Hail — A sorcery of the Nephel, better used for defense than dealing damage. Fires a barrage of hailstones at the enemy, causing heavy frostbite. When the armies of the Four Cardinals invaded, the Nephel bravely defended their lands, and died just the same.

Frost Spear — An advanced sorcery of the Nephel. Fires a piercing spear of frozen souls. The children of Samaras grew to be potent spellcasters out of necessity, and imitated many existing sorceries with their unique frost magic.

Lightning Blade — A miracle taught to the disciples of Heliphon. Reinforces a weapon with lightning. Worshippers of the Illuminator praise these fleeting lights, which serve as beacons of hope amidst the emptiness.

Maneater Sphinx: deviantart (dankbouls87/art/Maneater-Sphinx-780959304)