Chapter 11
Sen's Fortress
Beta: Old man of the mountain/Darklord331
Naruto awoke from his sleep and finds the girls were all sleeping near him or on top of him in the terms of Quelaag. He rolled his eyes but feeling her hand on his ass he quickly and quietly seperates himself from them before rolling his shoulders and heading over to Andre and talking to him a bit.
"So heading into the fortress are you?"
"Yeah, at this point I don't know what to expect but from what I heard people have made it through before."
"Ah, they have but that is not due to the lack of trying." He sighed, while slamming his hammer down on a sword that he was crafting, "In truth that place is a nightmare. Nothing but traps and monsters everywhere and then there is an Iron Golem and giants that are waiting for you on the surface. I should tell you that those monsters are the real problem of this place. Please, be safe young one I would hate to lose a good customer."
Naruto nodded his head,
"No problem. I'm planning on taking this one slow as possible."
"Ah, because of that young one."
"Sorta, she is better but we don't want to push her too far before she is ready so we are taking this trial slowly so to get a better idea of how to fight effectively."
"Well I wish you all the best of luck and if you need anything do let me know."
"Actually do you know what I can do with the souls of some of the creatures that I defeated as some are lingering still and seem more powerful than others?"
"Ah well if you want to use that you have to keep upgrading your weapons then but I have a feeling that sword of yours is not going to be compatible with the souls in your possession."
Naruto looked at his sword and while it was not his strongest weapon compared to his greatsword, it was getting the job done so there was no point in worrying about it and thanks to some of the stuff he has picked up, he has upgraded his other weapons he picked up recently so it is not that much trouble.
Heading back to the girls they gather together and go over their strategy.
"Okay Quelaag, you and I will take the front since we are using more melee fighting compared to your sisters."
She smiled and held her sword close to her side with a smile. Her flames formed in her off hand.
Turning to Quelana he continued,
"You can play the role of long range support. So you can cast all the fire spells you know and use them to take down enemies we either don't see or are just making our lives hell with ranged attacks."
Quelana nodded.
Turning to the last one he smiled,
"It be best you bring up behind Quelana. We don't want to put you in pointless danger and if you can help with support that be great."
"Yes." She smiled, her voice slowly returning but the gravel sound is still there, "I can use my flames to enhance you all and even create barriers to help protect you. Also, I have the power to enchant your weapons and even heal you as necessary from any of your conditions."
"Okay then." Naruto looked at them, "So are we ready to tackle Sen's Fortress?"
The three nodded and soon they began their trek.
Arriving at the bridge they saw the opening where the gate was up and now there was a way through. So walking across the bridge Naruto pulled out his sword and narrowed his eyes.
It was too easy and he wasn't about to think there wasn't anything waiting for them on the other side.
Queelag drew her own blade and soon flames started forming in her off hand.
Quelana quickly formed her flame and it burned more brilliantly than his own while the youngest stayed in the back and observed.
Out of the shadows came a tall figure. It appeared more clearly once it passed the gate showing a quite haunting figure.
It was a snake being, with its neck stretched long, wearing nothing but a loin cloth, carrying a shield in his off hand and a sword in his other, and having more green scales with yellow eyes.
The creature hissed at them, before lunging forward with a straight stab with its sword.
Naruto had his blade up and ready to stab forward but soon saw a fireball about as big of a small ball pass his head and hit the creature in the face. It screamed in pain with Quelaag rushing in and slashing it across the chest leaving it falling to the ground.
The smell of burnt reptile was horrible and Naruto wasn't sure what to make of the quick movement but soon heard more hissing. Turning his head he saw another snake man rush them, this time he was ready.
Pulling out one of his daggers he threw it at the snake making it raise its shield to block but soon threw another knife behind it and it went into its foot making it hiss in pain.
Seeing Naruto rushing him, it quickly lunges forward with its head and tried to bite him.
However, he managed to pivot around the bit and bring his sword down cutting through its neck with ease.
The creature spasmed for a bit before it stopped moving and turned to dust.
Naruto sighed and looked at the girls, all of them looking calm about the situation while the youngest was just staring at him with admiration.
"Okay from here on we proceed cautiously." Turning to the youngest, "Don't do anything that you aren't sure about it okay?"
She nodded her head.
The four of them proceed into the fortress finding the place to be barely lit. But, it was lit enough for them to see where they were going and to see the swinging blades in front of them. Naruto narrowed his eyes,
"Okay," Turning to the girls, "I'll go first, you three watch my back. If I shout for you guys that means you can cross. Just be careful with the blades."
The girls nodded.
Naruto started walking through. Mostly watching the blades slowly sweep left to right but Naruto got the timing down. The minute the blade went above his head to the right he smiled and rushed along before finding something coming his way.
Ducking his head he saw a bolt of lighting pass his head.
'What the fuck?'
Turning his head he saw another lighting bolt flying through the air. Ducking under the blast he managed to avoid the blow and rush through the rest of the trap. There he managed to reach the second floor before carefully peering around the corner. He saw the snake creature standing on the other side of the bridge but this one had more of a cobra head. In his hand was three curved swords while the other hand was free. Naruto narrowed his eyes,
'Guess this is one of the long range fighters then?' Naruto held out his metal hand and formed a ball of flame in them. 'No better time to test this out than now I guess.'
Naruto quickly ran around the corner and saw the creature hissing at him. This creature blasts a bolt of lightning.
Rolling under the attack he quickly swung his hand sideways and a ball of fire emerged from his hand. This ball hit the snake directly and soon the flames covered the snakes body.
It screamed, the hissing and thrashing was rapid and Naruto saw it was barely hanging onto the ledge.
Throwing another ball of fire the creature seemed to jump to the side of the attack. But the jump had cost it, as the creature was falling into the abyss with no sign of the end.
Looking over the edge Naruto sighed before turning off his flame and pulling out his sword with his opposite hand.
"Hey watch the blades girls and I'll wait for you at the end."
The girls nodded their head and quickly went through the trap themselves. In a few minutes they were standing next to him and smiling at making it through this one death trap.
But when they walked into the other room they heard hissing in the distance so Naruto held his finger to his lip.
Slowly he sneaked across the floor seeing a small stone button on the ground he smiled.
"Quelana," the girl perked up, "Have a fireball ready as this depends on you."
The woman nodded and gathered fire into her hand and waited.
Naruto walked around the corner slowly before seeing another snake man carrying a shield and sword in his hands.
Naruto walked onto the bridge making the creature hiss.
Rushing to him, Naruto quickly ran back into the room while standing right in front of the switch.
The snake appeared in the room and hissed once more before swinging at his head.
But the swing missed as Naruto crouched under the strike but it stepped on the trap on the floor with soon holes on the wall opening up. The attacks soon burst out of the wall and hit the creature in the side with harden bolts as if from a crossbow.
Naruto rolled backwards and a ball of fire went past his head and hit the snake making it fall to the ground.
The creature could only hiss and shout at the pain it was in but soon the creature stopped withering and vanished in a burst of dust.
Naruto sighed,
"Good job."
Quelana smiled softly,
"Naturally as I am the founder of Pyromancy after all."
Naruto nodded is head and Quelaag puffed her cheeks. Jealous of the praise for her sister.
The youngest giggled at how silly her sisters were being at the praise and the adoration for the man.
Naruto proceeded into the open area where they saw an opening but standing there was a snake creature. It hissed and running to them.
But then something to its side hit it and soon the creature was gone.
Naruto sweatdropped,
"What the fuck?"
Naruto and the girls walked to the opening and slowly peered their heads out and saw that the snake creature was long gone but above them they could hear something rumbling. Turning their heads up, they saw a giant ball of earth sliding down the stairway and they went back into the hallway.
"Okay so a stone boulder trap huh?" Naruto sighed, "Okay, so I'll go first. Take care of anything in front of us on top of the boulder. Then when I'm sure I found a safe spot you girls come but make sure you hide in between when you can to avoid the boulder.
Quelaag snorted,
"Wait and observe."
Walking out into the hall Quelaag drew out her sword which soon was covered in flames.
"Um, are you sure-"
The boulder came rolling down the hallway again, leading to Quelaag slashing at the boulder.
The ball of earth exploded at the sudden attack leaving nothing behind.
Naruto's eyes widened.
"Woah, that is crazy power. Thank god we didn't have to fight like you are now."
The woman smiled and blushed,
"Don't worry, as long as I can stand with you I shall be at your disposal in any manner you require." She winked at him.
Naruto blushed and quickly rushed past her leaving her smiling.
The sisters either rolled their eyes, Quelana, or smiled, the youngest.
Walking up the stairs Naruto heard footsteps behind him.
Turning around, they saw the man sitting on the bridge before the gate opened.
"Greetings! I can't believe you managed to destroy this boulder! Truly that was a wonderous display of magical power that I have seen!"
Quelaag puffed her chest out,
"Well of course, we are children of the Witch of Izaelieth after all. Anything less would be shameful in my eyes."
The man was in awe but then huffed,
"Yet I couldn't do something akin to this or handle a situation similar to this. How shameful that I required help."
Quelaag frowned,
"What is that supposed to mean?"
The man waved his hands,
"Nothing against you ma'am but the truth is that I must have accomplish this on my own but due to this I was unable to bypass the trials. My pride will not allow such shame to fall upon me and thus I must continue to push on!" the man rushed up the stairs and encountered a lighting serpent which he quickly did battle with.
Naruto wasn't sure what to make of the oddly shaped warrior but he just left him be. The girls followed his lead and followed him out of the hallway only to see another boulder rolling past them as they walked to the opening.
From there; it felt like a huge repeat cycle for Naruto and the girls. They had to proceed through another rolling stone trap, but with the twist that he had to pull a switch th manipulate which hallway the stone went down. Figuring that each way serves a purpose Naruto manipulated it to roll in each direction at least once or twice. There, Naruto would have answers to anything that might lay in wait.
Eventually they made it down one hallway where they heard someone's voice.
"Hello is there anyone there? I could use some assistance!"
Naruto and the girls proceeded down the bridge and saw a man wearing a large hat on his head and carrying a staff in his right hand along with having some kind of book on his side. He is wearing some dark robes and seemed to be quite proud of them given that they were very clean, especially given his current predicament.
"Hello there." The man waved, "If you wouldn't mind would you lend me a hand? Being trapped in this cage with no way to move forward is maddening and I don't feel like remaining her longer than necessary."
Naruto looked at him before turning his attention back to his hat,
"I'm guessing your Big Hat Logan?"
The man smiled,
"Yes; sorcerer extraordinaire I see my reputation proceeds me!"
"Um, I guess? Honestly someone from Vanehiem asked me to find you here in the fortress. Where's the rest of your group?"
The man sighed,
"I should have figured someone from the academy would follow me out here especially since the Grand Archives is here."
"Um,"
"Right, sadly it would seem that my party thought I was more useful for a distraction than an actual combatant. Bunch of block head, sword wielding morons!" He huffed, "I'm one of the greatest sorcerers of my time, and yet I was relegated to being nothing more than canon fodder."
Naruto sighed,
"Okay; so where is the rest of your party?"
"Most likely in the belly of some of the beasts around here, turned hollow, or were killed by that creature on the bridge guarding the exit."
"Monster?"
"Yes you see Sen's fortress is the last frontier to reaching the capital city of Anor Londo. But to reach it you must defeat this ancient Iron Golem that is guarding the passageway. Sadly, only one or two warriors have bested that creature and last I heard neither one of them came back from the capital. Meaning that besting the creature is a rite of passage."
"I see." Naruto rubbed his chin, "Anything unique about this golem like weapons or enchantments?"
"Yes there is a giant that seems to throw boulders unless you take it out before you fight the Golem. Also, the platform in which it resides is small so fighting it there is going to be difficult. Oh, I also heard from survivors or those that were killed by it and fled back to Fire Link years ago apparently the creature loves to throw people into the chasm below so if you are close to the edge, don't let him grab you."
Naruto nodded his head,
"Thanks for the information."
"Now can I leave this horrible cage? Sitting here with nothing to do is maddening."
Naruto nodded his head and after fiddling with the lock on the door for a bit, he managed to open up the cage.
"Many thanks. Now since I can't make it through this place on my own I shall retreat to Fire Link. I'm curious to see who has followed me all the way out here and also to see what has changed since I have been there last."
"Hey do me a favor would you?"
"Of course."
"Watch over the Fire Keeper there. Apparently some guy from Lothric is watching her creepily and is even sitting in front of her cage. If he does something to her then the Bond Fire will go out and I don't think that benefits anyone no?"
The man nodded his head.
"Agreed. Don't worry I shall ensure her safety if I must. But if he really is a knight from Lothric then that would explain a few things."
"Really?"
"Yes they are known for their more, shall we say, fanatical beliefs. They are dangerous nad unpredictable. Word of advise, this man is after something related to the fire keeper and it is best to be ready for the situation."
Naruto nodded and with that Logan departed back to the Shrine while they continued exploring the fortress.
Other than finding some unique items and weapons and gear not much to speak of. There was a moment where they fell into the lower levels of the Fortress and were ambushed by the cobra lighting throwing creatures but ultimately, it didn't matter as Quelana and Quelaag managed to dispatch them with their sister buffing up their flames.
They soon encountered more of the titnite golems wondering the lower levels and after they cut through one, blasted another to pieces, and managed to slice another down, they returned to the upper floor.
Eventually after enough exploring they found the Giant that Logan mentioned before and Quelana asked to take care of this one on her own while the rest of them head out to deal with the golem.
They agreed with the promise of meeting up later.
Naruto and the group head to the final fog gate. There Naruto took a deep breath and looked at the girls.
"Alright listen up. This is not going to be easy, so we need to be prepared." Turning to Quelaag, "Make sure you have all the fire attacks you want to use ready and make sure your on your toes as this guy is going to take up a chunk of the entire arena by the sounds of it."
Quelaag nodded while having some fire enchantments put on her sword and her holding the blade tightly in her hand.
Turning his head to the youngest,
"Stay out of range of this guy, watch where you are on the platform, and more importantly if you are able to use some buffs to help us in this fight."
The girl scrunched up her face and nodded.
"You got it."
Naruto nodded and did a quick check of their gear and fixed up his sword before they walked through the gate.
There standing before them really was a golem but Naruto had to admit he was bigger than expected and much taller too. He was carrying a giant axe in his hand and Naruto saw a boulder fly down from above. Naruto looking up, saw it was another giant and he cursed for missing this one.
"Watch your movements!"
The girls each took up positions with the youngest being by the fog gate, while Quelaag joined him in the front in charging the golem.
It took a slow swing but Naruto saw it emit some kind of shockwave into a long range attack. Seeing this both him and Quelaag rolled under the attacks and proceeded to move in on his ankles.
The golem quickly jumped into the air for a second and slammed down creating a shockwave sending them both tumbling backwards.
"He knew the plan." Naruto smiled and saw it lift its axe in the air and bring it down with a chop.
Rolling under his strike Naruto swiped at his ankles.
Only for the Golem to kick him away yet again and this time, the Golem brings his axe up and swipes downward at a downed Naruto.
However, it's attack missed.
Naruto quickly rolled around and sent away his normal sword and pulled out Dragon Slayer. There, he hefted the sword onto his shoulder and quickly swung at the golem's ankle again. This time, he managed to slam his blade into the leg but the being just jumped into the air once more and created another shockwave. This move got both him and Quelaag off of him buts he was behind him while he was in front.
Naruto nodded at her and motioned with his eyes at the monster's ankles.
Quelaag nodded with them both feeling a small buff around them and they smiled knowing that the youngest was increasing their overall power and speed. However, Naruto could feel the burning sensation around his body so he knew he had to work quick.
Another boulder hit down beside him and he jumped backwards and glared at the giant that was throwing them.
'Need to get rid of that guy.'
Turning his head back, Quelaag was already on the giant golem and slashing at his ankles once more this time with her flame sword. There, the blade was cutting through the ankles of the creature, and it just tumbled around for a few seconds before swinging its axe while turning to face her.
Naruto heard a roar above him, turning his head slightly he saw that the giant had disappeared and he smiled knowing that Quelana managed to finally get that damn monster. From this, he turned his attention back at the giant and rushed at him. Slamming his blade into his ankle once more forcing him to one knee.
"Quelaag now!"
She quickly went to work slashing at the monster's left leg and Naruto started working on his other leg.
Between the two of them they were doing a fair amount of damage to the monster but it roared and without waiting, it grabbed Naruto.
He was being choked in the grip of the monster as it plotted to the side of the arena and saw that he was planning on throwing him over the edge.
Naruto frowned and struggled to get loose. But the creature in question didn't seem to be struggling against him so he was really getting worried.
A ball of flame hit the monster in the head.
The heat of the explosion knocked the monster to the side, allowing Naruto to escape his grasp and land just before the ledge.
'Shit that was too close.'
Naruto quickly rolled once more between the monster's legs when it reached down for him once more.
Naruto did a spinning slash of his sword and cut the back of the giant's ankle once more, leading to it tumbling and falling.
This time though, the giant went over the side of the arena and fell into the dark chasm below and Naruto and the girls gave a sigh of relief.
Sending his sword away he saw Quelana rushing to them and checking on the youngest sister who was just huffing after using so much mana at once and being a little terrified after going through the situation.
Naruto on the other hand just sighed,
'Fuck that was too close if I didn't have the girls I would have definitely died.'
"Yeah we have to be more aware of our surroundings. Seriously brat, what the hell is wrong with you, your senses are better than that."
'I guess relying on chakra for everything has dulled my natural abilities and senses. Well, lessoned learned got to sharpen them and make sure I'm aware of everything going on in the fight.'
"So, with this we finally are going to clear this fucking castle? I think if I see one more fucking trap like we did throughout this place, I'm going to be sick."
'Yeah.'
Turning to the girls he smiled,
"Thanks for all your help girls that would have been worse if I was alone."
The three smiled and nodded with the youngest eating something and soon her body glowed with more energy than before.
"We are here for you, please don't think twice about calling on us."
Quelana nodded,
"Yes after everything you have done the least we can do is share in this journey with you. However, I do fear that going to Anor Londo is going to be quite the long journey and one we can't return from. So if there is anything you wish to take care of you better do it now."
Naruto nodded,
"Yeah we should probably get our equipment repaired and work on our pyromancy and making sure we are ready for the upcoming battles."
The girls agreed and thus they made the trek back to Fire Link where after talking to Andre and getting the repairs they ran into Logan who was conversing with his wayward student. Naruto saw that the conversation was deep and personal so he just left them alone for now. But he did see he was keeping his promise and watching the situation around the shrine but he was worried. As when he went to talk to the Fire Keeper he saw the golden knight still sitting there. He was watching her and he bothered him that he wanted to ask but the man just refused to speak to him.
This was particularly bothersome in his mind but he would deal with it down the line.
Upgrading his flame proved useful as now he was one step away from earing the right to a higher tier flame but Quelana stated that he had to earn this flame so it was best they wait until Anor Londo. That way he can earn some practice with his pyromancy due to it probably crawling with all kinds of monsters and enemies still.
However, Naruto was worried he hadn't heard a word from Gwynevere, not even mentions of the capital and what it meant.
Walking back to the fort Naruto thought about the dreams and visions he was seeing. He saw more of what happened to the dragon and butterfly but for some reason, he was having more clouded visions of Gwynevere and her past.
From what he could tell so far; she was married, had a husband that was a god of flames, and he was killed by Gwyn for his failure to assist in his need to preserve his age. She saw someone flying off into the distance that she called brother, blamed the witch for her failure to produce a new flame, had an argument with her father related to this Seath figure, and finally apparently she had a child. This child he didn't see but for some reason it caused controversy with the rest of the beings in Anor Londo. From this, apparently her anger and hatred for her father grew.
From there, he saw she was struck down for some greater good, something his village liked to say to justify what they were doing. But in the end, he didn't know more about it other than that but he was fearful what this could mean for him if the visions continue.
Arriving again at the Golem's arena, they found the golden ring on the ground and after touching it, they heard the sound of wings in the distance. Turning around Naruto saw some winged creatures flying straight to them and he was on edge.
Naruto is about to draw his sword but he saw the creatures bow to the girls and screech something at them.
"Relax they are just here to escort us to the capital. Stating it is the will of Gwyn that we arrive in one piece."
Naruto frowned but adhered to Quelaag's comment.
The creatures grabbed all four of them and started their flight in which was taking them far from the fortress and far into the distance.
Naruto wasn't sure how long the flight was but they had not been in the air for too long and soon, they saw it in the distance.
A giant capital; a city of such splendor and glamour he didn't know how else to describe it. More so, he was shocked to see how massive the buildings and even the castle were as it made the Undead parish look like a small hut village in comparison.
That might have been the point.
The sun was brimming in the background which surprised him considering the rest of the world seemed to be so bleak and dreary.
Yet the capital stood tall and proud over the rest of the world and made it clear they are happy to greet all guests.
He was not sure how true that train of thought is.
Landing on the outskirts tower of the city the creatures gently put the girls on the ground while waving at them while Naruto? He was just dropped on his ass without a ounce of regret and flew away.
Naruto gave them the middle finger.
The girls laughed and soon took in the majesty of the capital.
"Been a while since we were last here." Quelana frowned, "Still the same city after all this time."
Quelaag nodded,
"Yeah still has that sense of touch that Gwyn liked to put on his shit. Shiny and holy looking to make it clear, 'I'm better than you' and to shove his glory in you face."
The youngest frowned and nodded hesitantly.
Naruto sighed,
"Well I guess we are here might as well see what the city has in store for us as this Undead Pilgrimage must have some meaning other than ringing the two bells."
The girls nodded, the four proceeded down the tower only to run into a smaller iron golem wielding a halberd and shield.
Naruto sighed,
"I'm really not in the mood for this shit anymore." Holding out his hand, "But it is good practice I guess." Naruto quickly formed a large ball of fire in his hand and without warning chucked it straight at the monster. This caused to fall to the ground with its weapon on the ground and the flames slipping into the core of the armor.
Naruto smiled seeing his ball of fire work and after chucking a second one the monster dropped dead.
Turning into the entrance way, he saw two more iron golems and motioned for Quelana to join him on this run.
Both quickly formed fire balls and started chucking big fireballs at the Iron Golems which both creatures started falling on top of one another and eventually collapsed to the ground dead.
Naruto sighed before walking out of the building with the girls grabbing whatever they needed from the building and soon they arrived in an open area. Naruto took in the beauty of the city and how it just was so majestic compared to the rest of the world but after walking away from the edge, he ended up by the bonfire and the group decided to rest there for a few hours.
Gwynevere stood in the middle of the grand archive.
She was glaring a white figure that was towering over her and it was just wondering around the halls with its creations at his side.
"Seath; is there no end to what your doing?"
"Hmph, as if I have to explain myself. Your father allowed me to build this place on my own terms and run it as a I see fit."
"Still; my priestesses."
"What about them? They should be glad I found some use for them. All that worthless praying, all that crying, and all that screaming. It was quite annoying. Now they are serving a greater purpose as my new experiments in reaching the next step in evolution." It turned to her, "Why can't you see that?"
"Because they are still my people! You have done such horrible things for what? More offensive magic? More spells that you just create after sacrificing hundreds?"
"They should be happy; at least they are stronger and more useful to everyone now rather than just wasting away."
Seeing the blue tentacle beings Gwynevere just cried,
"Please forgive me for not protecting you."
"k-k-k-kill me. Please my lady, l-l-l-let my suffering end."
"Very well."
"HOW FUCKING DARE YOU!"
"It was for best; they no longer are in pain." She felt something wrap around her body making her glare at the being in question.
"If it wasn't for me your kind would have never survived the war! All I ask is that you all help me pursue absolute knowledge and strength! Is that so hard to fucking ask!?"
"Not at the cost of my priestesses!"
The being growled,
"Very well if you don't like seeing them in pain you can take their pain!"
Gwynevere is crumpled on the ground in tears.
"Now then," the being glared, "Don't you ever question me again."
She saw the horrors inflicted on another human and she couldn't help but look away from the monstrosity they have become. Being with multiple eyes, metal bodies, and seemingly no free will of their own.
She saw more of her priestesses abused and misused before the white creature shouted,
"I have achieved it!"
Gwynevere looked back at the Grand Archives before turning to her right,
"How would like you to kill a dragon Havel?"
"If it is Seath then all you have to tell me is how and when, Lady Gwynevere."