chapter one: remembrance
"I can't recall my past just as any other hollow does but I guess I'm weirder than the freak show we all are. All hollows need some purpose to stay away from the brink of insanity but as far as I can delve into my mind I don't have one...or more of if I did have one I forgot it.every time I try to remember I end up forgetting more so I've just stopped trying to but it still doesn't change the fact that it'll look over my head sooner or later."
"...guess I started talking without introducing myself. My name is Issen and I can't remember where I'm from but if I had to take a guess it could be from the more eastern side of things" Issen spoke with a dull almost forgetful tone that could've match the face of any generic hollow only muffled by his disfigured helmet. "What about you? Or are you just going to keep me rambling?" the stranger he was talking to was smaller in stature but looked to be a female but the armor it wore made it hard to tell. The stranger stoked the fire with a branch before throwing it in "I'll only tell you what you can tell me." The voice was easily identifiable as female but it felt almost on edge like at any moment the calm would be ruined by an arrow planted swiftly into Issen's neck."fair enough just drop the tough act you already have the upper hand I can't swing my sword in these catacombs anyways" Issen has guessed on this observation but could probably swing his great sword overhead if he was fast enough but Issen hated leaving things to luck or chance it always dug into his side when people say their lucky or fate smiles upon them.
after what seemed like an eternity of silence the stranger spoke "my name is Annalise of Carim and I came here to look for my twin." She passed what looked like to be some sort of soup to Issen who took it after some hesitation "a twin huh?" The stranger poured some of the soup for herself and only removed the lower part of her helm to eat "eat if you want or don't doesn't matter to me" Issen stares at the soup "not like it ever mattered to a hollow" he raised the spoon to his helmet as the helmet started to soften and liquify as the spoon passed through the helmet. "Not bad...almost edible" Annalise smirked "with that helmet of yours I'm sure it makes everything edible" as his helmet hardened again and returned to its disfigured state he looked into the bowl to see his reflection his head was completely covered by the helmet as the front of it turned and writhed as if it was alive Issen could never explain the features of his helmet or how it never impacted his sight or hearing what so ever it was just like a part of his face from the start. Issen couldn't remember his facial features nor did he want to all hollows carry secrets but for him he's rather not remember his dismissing the idea of trying to remember he finished the bowl in the same fashion setting it on the floor next to the fire. "Well I haven't seen anyone sane except you but I'm sure in the lower depths someone exists to have answers for your questions." Annalise nodded as she looked into the fire as if she was waiting for the fire to respond for her, after a few seconds she spoke "should we meet again I'll tell you what's down there" Issen looked at her in confusion "why tell me? I'm just another hollow with extra memory problems" Annalise stopped for a few moments before speaking again. "You remind me of my twin henceforth I have decided to put my faith in you that you won't stab me in the back...plus it's better to make allies than make enemies in a world like this" Issen looked at her trying to find even a hint of trickery giving up after a few seconds "then I guess I have no choice but to put faith in you too..till we meet again" he spoke as he stood up hoisting his claymore on his back as the clattering of his armor broke the silence. Without any more delays he walked out of the outcove and traversed farther into the catacombs.
