Bear
Nathan walked over to the brown haired woman and stood next to her, both of them gazing at the rosy sky, lit by the brilliant sunrise. They stood there in silence for a few minutes, before the woman spoke up.
"Greetings, Bearer of the Curse. I am the Emerald Herald, and I will remain by your side, at least until this frail hope shatters." She reached into her cloak and pulled a flask from it. She handed it to Nathan. "Take this with you. Perhaps you can make some use of it. Seek King Vendrick, Bearer of the Curse."
Nathan pocketed the flask. He gazed out upon the endless sea whose waves crashed upon Majula's cliffs. "In time, perhaps," he said.
The Emerald Herald glanced over at him. "In time?"
"Aye," Nathan said. "I have all the time in the world, do I not?" The Emerald Herald turned to face him, frowning.
"Your body is timeless, but all things rot away, your humanity chief among them," she said and, though her voice was monotone, there was a hint of emotion behind it.
"Will yours, Herald?" Nathan stared down at her, into her hazel eyes. "Nothing remains unchanged, not the eternal dragons, not the Gods. Not even the Age of Fire will last forever. Besides, I am but one man, Herald. And a tired one at that. Sin is all that keeps me moving; pride, greed, lust, and what have you. Eventually, I will play your game. For now, I simply plan to rest."
The Emerald Herald stared back at him, before sighing. "Of all those who have passed through here, you have the most potential of them all. What would it take to convince you to undertake this journey, Bearer of the Curse?"
"Sin," Nathan answered frankly. "Lust most of all."
The brown haired woman considered this, before nodding. "Name your terms then."
"Remove your shoes, leggings, and gloves. Cast them into the bonfire, let them turn to ashes. Leave your arms and legs bare, at least until I have finally fallen to dust," Nathan said.
The Emerald Herald raised an eyebrow, the most emotion she had shown in centuries. "I had thought you would ask more," she said.
Nathan shrugged slightly. "In future. As I said, it is sin that keeps me moving. Should I complete this task, then I will have you bare it all. Let that drive me."
"You speak the truth, in part. But you seem to have had no trouble with humiliating that hollow girl," the Emerald Herald said.
Nathan scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. "Oh, you know of that? Well, that was a rush job. You seem like the kind who would be much more embarrassed if we take it slow. It'll be lovely, to watch as your emotionless exterior thaws and is replaced by a burning humiliation as I slowly force you to bare yourself completely."
"That would seem to be more in line with your actions," the Emerald Herald said, nodding. "The hollow girl passed by here, not too long ago. I helped her on her way and she continued somewhere, though were I cannot say. Shalquoir would know." Nathan nodded.
The Emerald Herald sat down on a nearby rock and began to pull her gloves off, revealing long, slender fingers unmarred by toil or hardship. Her shoes and leggings followed suit, exposing her creamy white legs and dainty toes. The Emerald Herald tossed the garments into the bonfire, letting them fall into smoke and ashes.
"Ah, good, good," Nathan laughed, his eyes sweeping her form. "Well, I've a journey to be off on then." So saying, he turned away from her and left her to sit besides the bonfire.
The Emerald Herald sat back and kicked her feet slightly. The brush of wind upon her exposed legs was a long forgotten feeling, but not an entirely unpleasant one. Her fingers twisted locks of her hair and she watched as the Bearer of the Curse walked towards the pillar atop Majula Hill, where a tired knight sat. He was a strange one, this Chosen Undead, but perhaps he would be the one to claim victory at last.
Min-Max
Saulden looked up from his angsting. Another undead stood before him. "Do you wish to join the Way of the Blue, that you might have some modicum of protection from the inevitable?" Saulden asked. The undead nodded. Saulden pulled a ring from the limitless supply he carried and handed it to the undead. "Welcome, I suppose. Take this. Wear it and help will be yours, should you need it."
The undead nodded his thanks, before turning and sprinting off towards the cat girl's house. A few minutes later, Saulden felt the pull of a soul leaving the Way of the Blue. He glanced behind him at the pillar that recorded the names of members. Nathan Letourneau, the most recent name read. Time in covenant, 6.38 minutes. Saulden sighed. He didn't particularly mind being taken advantage of, after all there was no limit to the number of rings he had to give. But Chris would be quite annoyed, when he reported the incident. She might even decide to try and hunt down this undead, Nathan.
Saulden watched as Nathan exited the cat girl's house, the undead waving cheerfully in Saulden's direction before strolling towards the Forest of Fallen Giants. A faint smile made its way across Saulden's face. At least this Nathan fellow was the cheery sort. Such a thing was a much welcome sight in the dreariness that was Majula.
Hag
Nathan slowly pushed the doors to the tower open. He walked inside and lit the bonfire, before turning to the old hag that sat hunched off to the side.
"Did you see a young woman dressed in just a tunic pass by here?"
The hag chuckled. "Yes. In fact, she's sitting at the bonfire right now." Nathan glanced over and frowned. The hag laughed harder. "Silly child, you can't see her. Or perhaps you'll get a glimpse of each other now and again, but your paths have diverged. All your ilk do, though I know not why. I know only that it happens. Still, you can still offer aid to one another."
"How?"
The hag pointed to the stairs. "To tell you more would be cheating. These challenges you must figure out yourself. It is not an old woman's place, nor is it her desire, to be your guide. Let the spirit of youth bolster you, and leave me to sit here amongst my wares."
Nathan nodded his thanks, before pausing. "In regards to wares, what do you have?"
Though he could not see her face, Nathan was sure a smile was stretched across her lips. "Oh, this old hag has wares, if you have souls."
Author's Note
A day later than I wanted to. Also, not much "plot" in this chapter. I'll upload the next chapter right away if anyone wants. Otherwise I'll wait a bit.