Dark-Moon Dark-Sun

chapter 3

"Ah, thou'rt returned! How was thy walk?" Gwyndolin chirped cheerfully as Arias walked in through the open door.

"Yeah it was nice. Still strange seeing Anor Londo from so far below but nice. The flowers looked really nice today, you should go take a look at them too." Arias spoke though with something of a forced tone of cheeriness. It was easy to miss but Gwyndolin noticed it right away. Arias walked over and took a seat next to him on the couch.

"Arias, is... something the matter?" Gwyndolin asked him almost immediately. Indeed he wasn't slack when it came to Arias' wellbeing, especially after what happened in Firelink.

"No, nothing. Why?" Arias asked, feigning confusion. Gwyndolin saw straight through it and asked him again.

"Why? Well I can see clearly there's something bothering thee that's why." Gwyndolin insisted. When you've been through these things you recognize them elsewhere very quickly. Gwyndolin could see that same worry and fear in Arias' eyes that had been in his many times. He didn't want Arias to go without the help he never had.

"Well it's true I'm not feeling my most joyful, but I'm not upset. Guess I'm just tired?" Arias again tried another excuse. Again, Gwyndolin saw straight through it. Tired? After going on a short walk? Yes of course because the same man that almost single handedly saved the kingdom would get exhausted from a small walk around a courtyard.

"Arias." Gwyndolin said sternly, taking his hand in his and looking him in the eyes.

"Thou knows I am always here for thee, no matter what. No matter the import of thy worry I can listen. I will always be here to help bear any burdens that weigh thee down. Because I love thee." He told him with nothing but honesty and devotion in his voice.

Arias didn't want to tell him, for have him worry over something he himself wasn't even sure was actually a real issue. Just a strange gut feeling. That could be anything. Maybe he dropped something in the kiln and that's what it was?

To tell him he felt some imposing doom looming over them but that he had no idea what it was or if it was even real felt stupid, and even a bit cruel. But as much as he tried to keep these thoughts to himself, as much as he tried to be an unfaltering brick wall, those eyes, as always, they mesmerized him in their beauty, and his words, they were so comforting, he felt so safe, comfortable and loved with his hand held in his. He couldn't help but give in.

"I..." He started, still trying to hold back but that was gradually becoming impossible. Gwyndolin gave him a reassuring nod, encouraging him to go on and not hold back.

"...I've been getting this... Feeling, I'm not sure how to describe it. But ever since I woke up without the memories of what happened in the kiln and before I passed out, I've had this weird feeling in my gut that... Something terrible is about to happen soon. This feeling won't go away either, and the large gap in my memory wherein anything could've happened only makes it worse. I feel like there's something seriously wrong that I won't even see coming since I don't even know what it is. Though I have a small idea but it's such a loose connection I can't be sure. That darkwraith told me before I took her out of her cell that Oscar had been close with her. Not the man I killed but... The man I used to be. She said he'd challenge fate itself to keep her safe. That thought also sends a similar shiver down my spine but that's the only connection there is." Arias unloaded all of his problems and worries, Gwyndolin listening carefully and encouraging him with small squeezes to his hand.

So this was why he was so hesitant to tell him. He wasn't sure what he was afraid of was even real. What he hadn't realized was that real or not, a burden is a burden and it'll weigh you down nonetheless. And he would gladly help him bear it either way.

"I understand thy worries. Nothing is as horrifying as the unknown. But from the sounds of it, it could be thy mind panicking at missing memories and grasping at nothing. Though it could also be very real, a gut feeling like that does not come from nowhere. And I remember thee being very still before passing out, looking back thou may have been petrified by fear... or guilt. When we tossed that darkwraith into the fire, she screamed in agony and horror. I know that memory still keeps me awake sometimes, so maybe that is what is haunting thee? The guilt? Though this is clearly not something that can simply be left alone, thou shouldst find a way to uncover the truth, if only to soothe thy fearful mind. And if there is any way I couldst assist thee with this I wouldst be glad to. As I said, I am here for thee, no matter what." Gwyndolin spoke softly, his kind words like a blanket of reassuring comfort over Arias' mind.

"Thank you Gwyndolin." Was all he could say. Just as he said, he listened to his woes and tried to help, even knowing full well they could simply be imaginary. Really simply saying thank you was nowhere near enough, but he hadn't any other words to express his gratitude.

"Thank you so very much." Despite trying to avoid it, Arias began to involuntarily weep.

"As I said. I am here for thee always." Gwyndolin reminded him, giving him a smile and a hug.

"For now I... Just want to forget about it. I don't want to worry... Could you, maybe tell me one of your stories?" Arias asked once he recollected himself.

"Of course." Gwyndolin nodded.

"But first..." Gwyndolin shifted himself, turning around and lying against the arm of the couch, before beckoning Arias to come over.

"Wouldst thou like to get comfortable?" He asked with a smile, to which Arias responded by saying of course. He snuggled up with Gwyndolin, lying against him with his head rested on his chest. Gwyndolin wrapped his arms around Arias and began to tell him a tale.

Once, many ages ago, there was a kingdom called Boletaria. A prosperous land ruled by a fair and humble king, King Allant. Within the kingdom of Boletaria, to the south was the tower of Latria, land of the learned. Despite being a mostly magic based society, knights were stationed there as the guard, while not as smart as the many scholars of the kingdom, they were experts with blades.

One day, a knight from Latria, named Saldus, was told by the fair queen to escort a messenger to a place outside the kingdom of Boletaria. She feared that the road was far too treacherous to traverse without protection. Saldus accepted this duty and left Latria with the messenger the next day.

Far the two travelled, becoming good friends along the road. But just as they were about to arrive at the kingdom, they were attacked by bandits, and despite being able to fend them off, Saldus was unable to save the messenger from a stray arrow that he took to the neck.

Devastated, the knight buried his friend and continued on alone with the message. Soon he arrived at this unknown kingdom, quickly he delivered the message. For his efforts he was allowed to rest at the local inn for no fee for a single night.

Arriving at the inn, Saldus was greeted by many shocked faces.

"Thou'rt from Boletaria?"

"How art thou alive?"

Confused, Saldus asked them what was so surprising. They told him that they hadst received news of a great colorless fog covering Boletaria almost a week ago, about a day after his departure, and that none hadst left the fog since, save for one man, a knight named Vallarfax, who escaped through a fissure in the fog, warning of terrible soul-devouring demons. Vallarfax beckoned any would-be heroes to venture to Boletaria to lend aid to the struggling kingdom.

Shocked with horror, Saldus took all his belongings and left immediately, not even resting his tired bones. The knight was desperate to know what had become of his home, and his family.

Running the whole way, and sleeping as little as possible, Saldus ran the entire week's journey in two days, arriving at a large glowing fissure piercing into a thick colourless fog. Without hesitation, Saldus ran into the fissure, with no regard-

As Gwyndolin spoke, he felt Arias jolt in his lap from shock. His breathing picked up speed, and his muscles were tensing up.

While listening to the story, Arias saw something move in the fire to his right. The thing rose from the flame and stood in the fireplace, he wasn't sure but it felt like it was staring into his soul. The longer he looked at it, the more he could make out, a set of armor, like his. A large sword, like a greatsword, and a shield. The same equipment he had when he awoke from hollowing.

The same equipment Oscar must have had before hollowing. "If it came down to it he might well have challenged fate itself." He felt it echo throughout his mind, the image of the knight, the words.

Horrible, he couldn't bear seeing him like this. Arias had practically pounced off the couch and hid in the corner, curled up in a ball, his hair stood on end, and he was shaking wildly. He stared at the fireplace, eyes wide like a cornered animal, mumbling something to himself all the while.

Tears poured down his cheeks uncontrollably. His face was that of sheer terror. Gwyndolin was unsure of what to do. He'd experienced and seen so many negative emotions, but he was unsure of how to help with a panic attack. He'd only had one once, when his father died, and he was completely alone.

He remembered just sort of, getting over it, but he couldn't leave Arias like this, no he would never forgive himself. He was unsure about what to do, but whatever he did, he had to be gentle, and be careful above all else.

He walked over slowly, kneeling beside Arias, who was now looking all over the room frantically. His arms were wrapped around his head, and only his eyes were unguarded.

Still unsure of what he was doing, Gwyndolin carefully moved over and wrapped his arms around Arias' trembling body. Gradually, he felt Arias' shaking slow to a halt, and his tensed muscles slowly eased.

That was Oscar in the fire he was sure of it. For some reason Oscar was standing in the fire, staring at him. Why was he there what did he want how could he be there why did it scare him so much what does it mean he'd challenge fate what is he how-

"Arias..." He heard a soft whisper. It slowed his thoughts.

"Arias I am here." He felt a warmth wrapping around him, blocking out the fear. The thoughts, the images and the voice in his head dying down. It was better now; the fear was gone. It was, was so terrifying. He didn't want to see that ever again. He clung to this warmth desperately. The gentle warmth that drove away the fear.

Arias clung desperately to him, crying loudly into his chest. He didn't seem to be afraid anymore but whatever it was that had scared he seemed to have shaken him to the core. Gwyndolin tried to hold back his own tears. He knew he had to be strong, but it was hard, seeing Arias, someone so strong, kind, and loving, like this. It was almost unbearable. But he would bear any burdens he had to for Arias.