Chapter 46

Oolacile

I walked on a cracked and uneven bridge, Abyss Greatsword on my shoulder and Black Knight shield on my arm. Pungent and sharp a nameless stench curled my nose and caused the hairs on my neck to stand. My weapons and armor gained slight mass, heavier now for some reason I didn't understand. Shadowy figures darted between destroyed building and crumbling alleyways. A half-mile or so of Oolacile lay before us, the other half on the other side of the ravine. A gigantic black wound in the earth, black fog broiled in the Dark of the Abyss. Doll, a step ahead of me, looked on in awe. Her golden eyes scanned the ruined buildings of the township and the miasma of the Abyss, one small hand resting on the dagger sheathed at her waist.

I'd given her some hasty lessons with the dagger but they amounted to two hours of mock-sparring where she learned almost nothing that would last. She needed more thorough training. Once we returned to the present there would be time for that. I wasn't sure how long we could dally in the past but Doll would survive this, of that I was sure. To think otherwise would only ensure her death. I stopped, looking over the shattered town.

Doll turned, looking up at me, "What do you think?"

I shook my head slowly. The Dark flourished here, curses and evils abound. The drowned city of New Londo was a casual morning stroll in comparison. Whispers drifted on the wind and my instincts warned of a knife without form or shape poised indefinitely at my throat. "I think it's a deathtrap." I growled.

Doll coughed a laugh, "And we're going in?"

"Yes." I growled, "You're sure you want to come?"

She shrugged, "I was 'born' less than a week ago, normally someone in my position would be a bit more fearful." Her eyes flashed, "Of course that's why I have you, Chosen."

Ashamed of the spark of pride in my chest I hid behind my hood and mask, "I'm no hero." I snarled and stomped to the other side of the bridge, "I can't protect both of us!"

Doll jogged lazily to catch up, "Oh? I didn't realize you were protecting yourself too." She chuckled, "You just seem to throw yourself blindly into danger without a second thought." I grunted wordlessly, Doll taking it as agreement, "Good, now since you see it my way maybe you could not fight legendary heroes tainted by the Abyss alone from now on?"

"Alone?" I snorted, "Little One, no offense, but I'd be fighting alone even if you were with me."

Doll barked a laugh, "I may be small Chosen, but you aren't the only one with a few tricks up your sleeve." She patted the dagger at her side, "Carrying this is just to make you feel better, I don't need it."

This time I laughed, "I look forward to your display of strength then, Little One."

She shrugged, "Depends on how you see strength." I glanced at Doll, uncomfortable with the ambiguity in her reply. Shaking my head I readied myself, we were nearly in Oolacile. Doll was here to help, I had to trust that.

When we reached the other side of the bridge an unlit Bonfire sat waiting for us. After lighting the Bonfire and kindling it to the maximum I rested a moment before we moved on, filling my Estus Flask. We marched down a path of steps that hung out over the ravine and lead to Oolacile itself. Keeping the thought of how instable the structure probably was out of mind I descended the steps with Doll. We came out onto a thin road that ran along the buildings that I now realized were built into the hillside. A waist-high stone wall prevented any inattentive individuals from strolling off the road and tumbling down to the next level thirty meters or so below. Looking at the town now I saw that Oolacile had even been built down into the ravine in a sharp slope of roofs and buildings that gradually melded into the Dark. Among the buildings and over several roofs, streets and paths allowed direct access to the ravine. Ant-like figures could be seen exiting and entering on those access ways in packs of differing sizes. Some were alone while others numbered at least five or six. A chill shook me imagining what abominations still called this blighted town home.

"Chosen!" Doll shouted suddenly. Snapping to the right I looked up just in time to see a creature spawned from nightmares leap from a rooftop. Arms unnaturally long and head swelled into a disgusting porous shape covered in squinting eyes the Bloathead screeched as it fell, large, claw-like hands poised to strike. Speak of the devil.

I raised my shield, "Stay close!" I commanded Doll, bracing as the creature struck with its two massive hands. I met the double-fisted strike with my shield, shoving them to the side and staggering back. Doll jumped behind me as I attached the shield to my back. Two-handing the Abyss Greatsword as the Bloathead recovered from my rebuff I stepped forward smoothly. Slicing at the base of its massive head the tainted greatsword cut like a hot knife through butter. The creature's diseased head fell to the ground with a stomach-twisting squelch, neck stump spewing vile black liquid.

"Chosen!" Doll cried from behind. I turned, squinting through the rain of black blood, and returned the Black Knight shield to its proper position, one-handing the Abyss Greatsword. Three Bloatheads charged erratically farther down the street, arms flailing about as they struggled to maintain balance with their proportionally smaller bodies. A loud scratching heralded another pulling itself up from the other side of the wall to our left. Snatching a throwing knife from my belt I flicked the weapon at the Bloathead climbing over the stone wall. The knife struck true, center of the monster's face. Screaming and tearing at the knife the Bloathead fell back and disappeared behind the wall, cries fading. I turned to the remaining three.

"Stay back." I snarled to my companion. Doll, dagger in hand, nodded with a brave expression. I didn't want to test that bravery.

I lunged forward keeping between the monsters and Doll. Stabbing the Abyss Greatsword into the chest of the lead Bloathead, which slumped with a guttural squeak, its compatriots swiped at me. Disengaging I retreated, jarring blows hammering my raised Black Knight shield. Behind me Doll scrabbled backwards. Teeth gritting, I stood firm. Couldn't fight normally. Dodging and running in circles weren't possible if I wanted to protect Doll and telling her to run was out of the question. No idea how many of these things there were. Had to deal with the immediate threat.

Shield-arm buckling, numb from punishment, I dropped my guard. Abyss Greatsword grasped with both gauntlets I ducked into the fury of whistling claws. Whipping through the air with a crack of sound I cleaved through one of the Bloatheads, monster falling in two separate halves. Anvils crashed into me from either side, armor squealing and bone cracking.

I didn't twitch.

Greatsword flashing I pivoted. Blood erupted from the third and final Bloathead, midsection split wide open. The abomination fell without a whimper. Blood and innards spilled out, gore pooling at my feet. With practiced motion I reached into my pack, wincing slightly, and withdrew the Estus Flask. Taking two swigs I replaced the bottle and sighed in relief, pain vanishing as the fiery liquid burned down my throat. Surprisingly I did not experience the usual high the Estus provided. Colors and sounds sharpened slightly but not nearly to the same magnitude as they had in the past. Shaking my head I looked around, street empty aside from Doll and the three bleeding bodies.

"Are you all right?" Doll asked in a hushed tone.

I gave a slight nod, "Fine." Already we had come under significant assault. Going any deeper would be too dangerous for Doll but she, obviously sensing my thoughts, silently moved to cover.

Her golden eyes flashed as they met mine, "You go on ahead, I'll follow." She murmured, "That way you don't have to worry so much about me." I hesitated. "Don't worry," She continued, "I know how to run. I am Priscilla's Doll, remember?" That made no immediate statement to me on her ability to stay out of sight but we didn't have time to argue. The racket I'd made killing the Bloatheads almost guaranteed more would come to investigate.

Sucking my teeth in annoyance I nodded briskly, "Fine, just don't get to far off or too close."

Doll smiled, "You read my mind." Shouldering the Abyss Greatsword I moved down the road, Doll following a few meters behind. We walked for several minutes without incident. Both of us knew the peace would not last.

Moss and vines encroached upon the crumbling buildings. Wooden stalls and boxes lined the edges of the street, some still containing decaying goods or rotten food. Through the windows, I could see outlines in the unnatural shadows. I passed an inn judging by the tables, chairs, and empty bar. Fortunately, I could see no patrons or staff still lurking within. Glancing back, I could see Doll still following. She ghosted between stalls and boxes, doing a rather impressive job keeping out of sight. Somewhat reassured in her safety I looked ahead.

Next came a stout, long building. The bottom floor was a single, large room empty aside from one or two broken chairs and stools. A heavy desk with papers and strange baubles sat several steps in from the gaping double-doors that allowed entry. Through one of the second-floor windows I spotted a mirror. I turned away but a glint caught my eye. Pausing, I looked back at the window with the mirror. I nearly scoffed and continued but something held me still. Narrowing my eyes, I studied the mirror.

I could only see its upper half. A dressing mirror, untouched by time and unbroken by a fall or blow it perfectly reflected the collapsing ceiling of the interior. Something hung from the ceiling. Too small to be a chandelier but too gaudy to be missed. A silver necklace of sorts hung from a broken board sagging from the ceiling. In fact, it was a pendant. I had no need for pretty trinkets or valuables but that pendant held my attention. I had seen plenty of its kind in Anor Londo and the Sunlight Palace. Yet it felt… familiar. Looking back up the street we'd come I spotted Doll crouched a short distance away and motioned for her to stay put. She nodded warily.

I entered the building through the double doors. The interior was as decayed as I expected. Walking past the desk I came to a small staircase up to the second floor. Carefully climbing the squeaking staircase, I stepped into a long hallway. Counting the doors, I stopped in front of the room with the mirror. Its knob had fallen to the floorboards, wood where it had resided rotted by a black substance. Putting a claw to the door I intended to give a careful push but at my touch the door disintegrated, wood tearing wetly and falling from its hinges with a dull thud. I found myself staring directly into the room, mirror, and open window just in front of me. Stepping inside I looked up at the silver pendant hanging from the ceiling. Something cracked beneath my boot. Raising the boot, I looked down. Wrapped with white string was a red rock carving, half of it crushed to dust. Frowning I placed the Black Knight shield on my back and scooped the unfortunate item up. A voice, my own possibly, spoke in my mind,

"Half of a broken stone pendant.
The vine appears to originate from Oolacile.

A powerful magic can be sensed from this
ancient stone. Yet men of this time can
neither manipulate nor sense its power,
which has a distinct air consisting of
both reverence and nostalgia."

I blinked. In Lordran that only happened when I examined an item of importance. Items of importance mostly involved the cycle of Linking the Flame. Did this… thing have relation to the cycle? Unsure I pocketed the broken pendant and looked up at the silver one hanging from the roof. Reaching up I took the pendant with a claw.

"One of the ancient treasures of Anor Londo.
Presented to Artorias for facing the Abyss.

Effectively deflects the Dark of the Abyss,
especially in its magic forms."

The voice said. A magic item? Etched onto the pendent was an older man with a large and rather decorative wizard hat that hid his eyes. His nose was very pronounced and a scruffy beard hung all the way down to his collar.

I recognized the man. I had met him many times in Lordran and enjoyed his gruff, awkward company, always making sure to rescue him from Sen's Fortress. He was easiest to recognize by his massive wizard hat that hid most of his face. Of course, the man I knew had always been clean shaven and his hat was large but plain, not nearly as decorative as the one on the pendant. Yet I knew it was him.

I knew it was Big Hat Logan.

Now why was he on some pendant centuries before I met him? All logic would dictate this was some other individual, one Logan imitated perhaps. I never learned much of Logan's past, perhaps this was a mentor or role model of his? No memory or evidence supported the conclusion that this was Big Hat Logan. Why was I so sure? I studied the pendant, vainly searching it for answers. I blinked.

Effectively deflects the Dark of the Abyss,
especially in its magic forms.

I felt power within the trinket, small but strong. In my hand was a shield against the Abyss and its horrid magics. A devilish smile twisted my lips and an ancient vengeful spirit arose within me. Gripping the pendant I looked out the window and down into the darkness of the ravine. Dark magics and hexes suddenly shrank to a small inconvenience if this pendant's abilities proved true. I itched to spill arcane blood. Not Logan's though. I liked Logan.