Hi, it's been a long time since I've come back here, and quite honestly I'm surprised at how my younger self wrote stories, and am quite embarrassed by how bad they were to say the least. But to make up for that, I think writing down a new story wouldn't be so bad especially now that my mind is filled with so many what ifs of stories, games, and other media that have been festering.
Without further adieu, I hope that my writing form has improved, along with story telling, and thank you for reading this little tid bit and I do hope you enjoy this little FanFic.
At the end of the world, at the Kiln of the First Flame, there stood two figures who overlooked the first flame. Its fire burns ever so steadily despite the state of the world around it, being an amalgamation of lands far and between covered in ash of old and new.
"The First Flame quickly fades, darkness will shortly settle. But one day, tiny flames will dance across the darkness. Like embers linked by Lords past" The Fire Keeper said as the world around her and her companion darkened.
Both were resigned to the coming darkness, the fate of ending the first flame that was chosen by the Ashen One, there was no regret but in the coming darkness the Fire Keeper's voice rang out "Ashen One, hearest thou my voice still?"
In the fading light, the Ashen One stepped toward her but in doing so tripped upon a object hidden beneath the ash covered ground, sending both he and the Fire Keeper to the ash covered ground.
"Oh dear Ashen One, pur chance you are injured?" The Fire Keeper asked as both laid on their side face to face.
The Ashen one did not speak but instead moved his right hand to the Fire Keeper's left hand and held onto it firmly as darkness blanketed them "Ashen One, is this not familiar to you by chance?"
Again he did not say anything and instead brought her closer into an embrace so as not to lose her again within the darkness, yet he knew that he would have to restart this journey all over again when he wakes to the bell toll, signaling the threat to the linking of fire .
[F(%*$ 0! Attained]
A notification sounded, only audible for the Ashen One to hear but was ignored, focusing primarily on the warmth and steady breathing of the Fire Keeper within his embrace. Forgetting the darkness that blanketed the two as well as any duty or oath that he was bound too.
In the dreams of the Ashen One, one could not help but be in awe of the splendor and sights to behold that was dreamt of. Yet those dreams were not just dreams of fantasy and adventure, they were memories which the Ashen One wished to see again, yet not from that of a dream but with his very own eyes.
Buildings which reached into the skies towering above even the tallest of castles, flying objects which carried people to and from one place to another of great distance. Even on the ground people traveled swiftly by large boxed objects with wheels, to those who did not know of their name they would have simply believed it to be a carriage.
The people who inhabited such a place even differed greatly from those of the realms of Lothric, Astora, Irithyll, or any other number of kingdoms that could be thought of. Their clothing, race, even expressions ranged far and wide, even all religions were accepted as none came to blows with one another nor argued in the presence of the other.
"Is this the New Age of Fire?" The Fire Keeper asked aloud for an answer as she walked through the dream images, yet no answer was spoken. From what she could see now with eyes, she marveled at the sights and music being played out from each dream image, despite her sight still being hidden behind her silver crown she enjoyed this new world.
The world was far more detailed now thanks to the eyes from her sister Fire Keeper before her, but the rich vibrant colors of the world still eluded her new found sight. But she felt as if she was beginning to see color again, as a small feeling of warmth engulfed her chest which soon spread throughout her body.
She was puzzled by this warmth but soon came to a realization that beside her was a soul, a Large Sovereignless Soul. It glowed brightly as it floated near her, to which the Fire Keeper smiled at the Large Sovereignless Soul as if it was a long lost friend.
Awakening from the long slumber, the Ashen One sighed out wearily as he sat up, knowing that his journey to relink the First Flame begins again. Yet as the Ashen One opened his inventory to see his stats to see if there were any changes, he happened across a peculiar item.
[Soul of An Outworlder]
(Lost in a world not his own, he who has persevered in a world fraught with danger and unfamiliar sights, reclaims what the curse of the undead has taken, this soul is stronger than what it was when first introduced into this world. Strengthened by time and perseverance, forging his own path home, freeing not just himself but other undead like him.
Perhaps a path that all Ashen One wished to take)
This was something new to the Ashen One and without a thought, he pulled the soul from his inventory and cupped it within his hands, staring intently at the way the flames flickered. The color changed with each flicker revealing icy blue flames, to burning hot flames, yet what surprised him the most was that one version was nothing but warmth.
There was no flame, no light, yet the heat it produced was truly wonderful and placed him at ease, and without a second thought the Ashen One brought it close to his chest and absorbed the soul.
No soul number was added, in fact, there was nothing like that anymore following his absorption of the soul. His stats and oaths were gone, the only thing that he could recognize that was the same was his inventory, but every Soul he had collected throughout his years disappeared leaving only his weapons, armor, and supplies that were collected during the Quest to rekindle the First Flame.
"Did I finally leave the world of DarkSouls?" He voiced aloud, to which he quickly spoke again not caring for how loud he spoke.
"I can talk… I CAN TALK?! HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE I HEARD MY REAL VOICE!?" A sudden realization occurred within his mind, in which he stood up and began to strip himself of his armor which needed to be done by hand as the function was not like that of a game anymore.
"Hahaha… HAHAHAHA! I'm free, free from that world after so long!" Instead of taking everything off he opted to just remove the blackened knight helm as he looked up toward the gray sky.
"It's not sunny but it's a start to something new," He said looking forward to what the future now holds for him. Placing the helm back on, the Ashen One soon noticed his surroundings, a hilly and open field with crevices of small and large sizes all around as the eye could see.
He viewed everything around him taking in the sight, and soon turned around to see an old fort of some kind, decrepit and abandoned with only a faint outline as to what it may have looked when it was manned.
The Ashen One now had a place to explore, and for the first time since forever, he felt excitement at the new found location and wondered what he would find. But before he could leave he noticed a sleeping figure that rested peacefully right where his back would have faced.
"Fire Keeper?" He said dumb founded, as to how he did not notice her in all his excitement and observation of the land. The Ashen One knelt down to her and held her hand searching for a sign of life.
It did not take long for him to be relieved as he could see her chest rising every time she drew breath "Fire Keeper… Miss Fire Keeper" he asked gently as he shook her, but no response came.
Only her steady breathing was all that responded to the Ashen One, who gently scooped her up within his arms as he made his way to the abandoned fort. Ever so careful to ensure that it did not bother her slumber.
"And here I was thinking that it would be a lonely journey as usual" He said with a smile across his face humming to a song he once thought lost to him, though this was something he will notice as time goes on.
Gazing upon the disheveled fort in remembrance of what it once was, spoke loudly only for those closest to him may hear "This was the great watchtower of Amon Sul"
In a quick heel turn, Strider looked to his company of four Hobbits and a horse and raised his voice loud enough for only the four Hobbits could hear "We shall rest here tonight."
Strider thus continued the march toward the watchtower ruins while the Hobbits sighed in relief that they were going to be able to rest now and fill their empty stomachs with much needed sustenance.
