Chapter 13
Traversing the Capital and Double Trouble
Beta: Old man of the mountain/Darklord331
Naruto woke up from his rest and found that the girls were talking. He didn't bother disturbing them, just gradually standing to his feet and looking at their position around the area.
He was trying to figure out if they should just keep turning the wheel as means to keep them going in the right direction or if they should just leave it where it is. For now, he just settled on heading back to the wheel and figuring out what direction they needed to go into. More, he knew that most likely if they run into people trying to kill them, they are probably going in the right direction.
Quelaag noticed he was up and about and the motioned her sisters it was time to go. They both quickly got to their feet and the four of them head back to the top of the tower. Naruto looking around he frowned and saw they didn't really have many options at this point.
"Well we can spin the wheel and turn back the two routes we had before, or we can leave it as it is."
Quelana frowned,
"There is no point in overthinking it, we best turn the wheel and head in the direction of the castle." Pointing over to the monumental building behind them and showing that it was definitely a castle.
"Seriously what the fuck, why is everything so big?"
Quelana sighed,
"That is because it was meant to accommodate Gwyn and his family as they were larger than average than some of the other races. Also, giants in the early years would come to lend aid to the city and even serve as military. However, I heard that some of the giant races left and went out on their own finding their own locations and even finding places to set up their own settlements. However, no one has heard from the outside in ages, so we are unsure if they are still thriving or just there."
Naruto turned the wheel,
"So basically giants and other races helped with the extermination of the dragons right? I'm just so confused about that. What did the dragons do that was so bad that warranted them being massacred? I mean, I understand that when Gwyn and the others got their powers they were working to start a new era with it and that other races joined in. Plus I know that Seath figure also joined in to help in their effort and help turn the tide of the war. But I just don't understand what did the dragons really do to warrant this treatment?"
Quelana frowned, Quelaag bit her lip, while the youngest sighed.
"We don't know to be honest." The youngest frowned, "Personally I have had suspicions that we were not told the entire reason for the attack on the dragons. While it was true, most races grew tired of living under the dragons it wasn't all bad. Many of us had great lives even without the power of the Lord Souls and without coming to the surface."
Quelana nodded, "Yes our mother forged out an entire kingdom in the underground and never needed pyromancy to do so."
Quelaag however frowned, "However, there were those like Gwyn that always dreamed of having more." Quelaag turned to her sisters, "There is something mother told me in private ages ago. About some of the factors that triggered the war."
"What?"
Naruto watched as the bridge extended in two directions leading back to where they came from with the tower while the other went to the castle.
"Mother had told me that there were attacks by the dragons, on the nearby settlements that were allowed in the surface. Apparently the dragons were razing them to the ground and leaving nothing in their wake. Destroyed homes, burnt bodies, and just crisp bones to be seen by all."
Naruto frowned,
"That does sound harsh but what did the dragons say about this?"
She shook her head,
"No one ever asked."
"Your kidding you just took the word of someone that said it was dragons and just started a full fledge war on that?"
Naruto couldn't believe the stupidity of this. As a shinobi he knew that planting false information and framing was paramount of moving the masses. Planning a village massacre and make it look like the dragons to bring allies to your cause? Yeah, that could have been done in this situation, thus allowing Gwyn to rally people to his cause.
"We didn't think much of it at the time as there were cases of dragons doing this in the past to some towns but the strangest thing was, these were towns with Dragons protection. Meaning the dragons would steer clear of one another in order to allow them to be safeguarded and since no ever died, there was no fear of losing their protector."
"People on the surface you mean?"
She nodded her head,
"Yes, while the dragons were eternal we weren't and when signs of death were becoming paramount that is when the destroyed village showed up."
"What about the dragon that was guarding it?"
"He was dead."
Naruto frowned,
"I'm going to take a guess and say that Gwyn is the one that was pointing the finger?"
She shook her head shocking him,
"It was him, his uncle, and Seath. All of them were claiming this as truth and sadly, everyone was so angry about the massacre that they got swept up in the mess with the war. Afterwards and a few centuries passed; mother started having doubts about Gwyn's claim and seeing what he did to the people of the Ring City and other regions, she had more thoughts of betrayal in her mind."
Quelana frowned,
"She suspected that Gwyn lied and orchestrated the whole thing?"
"She thinks the others were involved; Nito, Seath, Gwyn, everyone that wasn't mother or the pygmy people."
Naruto shook his head,
"The more I hear of him the worse it gets." Naruto turned from the girls, "It looks like this age is just breeding more and more destruction and maybe it is time someone ended it." Naruto glared, "Lets head into the castle; if we are careful we can find out more about this trial that was set up for the pilgrim traveler."
The girls nodded and soon the four of them proceeded up the steps.
Naruto and the girls saw two more golems guarding the upper floor of the building and Naruto just sighed.
Quelana quickly dispatched the giants allowing them the breathing room to take in where they were supposed to go to next.
Walking through an opening on the right they exited to another balcony area where they turned and saw more of those bat like demons standing there waiting for them. They each had spears in their hands and seemed to be posed in a hunch like state.
Naruto frowned,
"You think you girls could try to talk to them?"
Quelaag shook her head,
"No it is clear they are made to be guardians of the city, so I don't think they will respond in kind to us."
Naruto sighed,
"Worth a shot."
Forming a fire, Naruto started chucking fireballs at the creatures making the scream in pain. They went over the ledge and Naruto could hear them scream for a bit longer before he heard nothing.
Walking down the stairs Quelana held her hand out and a bat creature soared at them.
Only to find an explosion of flames making it scream in pain and roll around on the ground.
Quelaag ended it with a single strike of her sword through its neck.
Quickly the proceeded across the beam of the building and soon found themselves confronting two more demons but when Naruto hit one with his fireball he heard something whistling through the air and quickly ducked near a pillar.
A loud crash hit the pillar and Naruto frowned, a spear tip hit the pillar with the demon screeching in his face.
Quelaag slashed the demon in half and soon hid behind an opposite pillar with Quelana and the youngest hiding at a different pillar.
Hearing another thud, Naruto looked around the pillar and saw two more armored figures standing up to the roof. They each had a bow in hand and were firing straight at them.
Naruto hid his head and saw the arrow slam into the ground next to him. The cracks from the strike were clear and Naruto sighed.
"Just what we need. More fucking archers." Looking around the corner he saw one fire another arrow and he ducked back.
"Geez," turning to the girls, "Any ideas?"
"We could try firing pyromancy at them."
"Too far Quelana."
She snapped her fingers while the youngest looked between them.
"We could try and split up and take one each."
Naruto shook his head, "Too dangerous it leaves us open to the other hitting the one running if we are not careful."
The youngest voiced,
"I can handle this if you want."
Naruto shook his head,
"Look, as nice as it sounds buffs aren't going to cut-"
The youngest held her hands out and soon he saw her flame take shape. It soon morphed around a bit and soon hardened.
After a few more seconds they saw she had formed a dark black bow with glowing etchings that seemed to breath with flames.
"What in the fuck? I don't remember people with pyromancy being able to do something like that."
She smiled,
"It is something I learned to do with my flames. Mother taught us that we can each come up with our own weapon concept, so I created a bow as I don't want to be close to people if I have to kill them and plus, close combat is not my speciality."
Naruto nodded his head, before looking around his pillar and saw another arrow hit the ground next to him.
"Do you think you could hit them though? This is pretty far distance to ask for you to do it?"
She shook her head,
"If I was closer then I could pull it off."
Naruto groaned,
"Well, I guess then we have to make a decoy." Turning to the sisters, "I'm going to try and draw the archers to me, you two guide your sister to there." He pointed to the next pillar further up. "From there, you two need to distract one of them long enough for her to get a good shot on one of the knights. If we can dispatch at least one, that would help with the attacks."
The girls nodded.
Naruto peered his head out again and saw an arrow rushing at them. Frowning he pulled out his sword and got ready.
The arrow hit the ground once again, but Naruto sprinted up the walkway, making the other archer take aim. But Naruto saw this coming and quickly rolled behind the pillar causing the archers to fire into it in hopes of luring him out.
Naruto could hear the thwacks against the pillar but he smiled seeing as the girls pushing their youngest sister up to him.
Then he heard an arrow soar through the air but he saw it hit the walkway.
Naruto's eyes widened and looked to see the archer on his left was aiming for her.
Cursing, he quickly got from behind the pillar blocking the shot of the other one, and seeing the arrow flying through the air, he cut it in half. It turned out the arrow was harder than the one's before but he managed to get through it with him cursing at using more arm strength than he thought possible. He was worried at how much the attack damaged his blade and he grew more concerned seeing the archer staring at him with his bow pulled back.
Knowing he had to move he quickly rushed to the side but soon he screamed in pain.
He collapsed at the ledge and looked to see the arrow tore right through his leg and cursed. He tried dragging himself to the pillar but he saw it was too late, the archer was ready to fire again and this time he wouldn't miss his mark.
But it soon was hit, something made of fire hit it in the chest and a massive explosion followed. The knight collapsed to the ground covered in the flames and soon disappeared in a cloud of dust.
Turning he saw the youngest having her bow pulled back and aiming at the knight in question with a frown on her face.
Rushing to them Quelana and Quelaag quickly pull him behind the pillar and check on his wound.
"Its fine just pull the thing out and hand me the estu's flask."
The minute the arrow was pulled out he screamed in pain. It hurt so fucking much and the wound seemed to keep bleeding profusely.
Taking the flask he took one big gulp and moaned at his leg seemingly mending itself and soon the steam released to show he had fully healed.
Another explosion broke out and Naruto saw the youngest aiming her bow at the second knight and from the screams he was hearing, she hit her mark.
"That's all the archers for now."
She walked over to the group and frowned, "Can you continue? Do we need to go back?"
Naruto shook his head and stood up,
"Thanks to the flask we won't need to but we need to be careful from now on. We can't afford small mistakes like that as it could lead to us falling off the ledge and to our death."
The girls nodded and they four quickly proceed up to the spot of the archers collecting some stuff that was left behind and proceeding around the corner.
After traversing for a bit they managed to make it to a balcony in which they hopped down with Naruto catching the youngest and setting her down, and proceeded into the hallway.
Naruto opened a nearby door and walked into the room to see a bonfire and a familiar face.
"Solaire!"
The armored knight turned his head,
"Well, if it isn't Naruto! How are you doing my friend? I'm glad you seemingly made it to the capital of Anor Londo!"
Naruto smiled and shook his hand.
"Yeah took me going through that fortress but after that it was a pretty easy walk."
The knight nodded his head,
"Good to hear but who are your friends?"
Naruto turned his head,
"Oh that's Quelana," the pyromancy specialist bowed her head, "Quelaag," she waved her hand, "And um," The youngest pouted.
"You don't know your companions name?"
"Never came up to be honest, all I know is she is the youngest of the sisters and seems to have unique pyromancy like her sisters but also gifted with archery skills."
The girl continued to pout.
"I see then young lady what is thy name?"
She smiled,
"Quetiva."
"Ah Quetiva it is an honor to meet thy." Turning his head to Naruto, "It would seem that you managed to make interesting friends."
"Yeah, any issue with them being the daughters of the Witch?"
The man shook his head,
"Not at all, although hearing what happened to their homeland and the demon scourge that has poured out of that land recently is quite disturbing. Also, I can see that these three are still good at heart, so there is no reason for me to be apprehensive."
The three smiled and thanked him.
"Also," he turned to Naruto, "Isn't this quite the sight. A majestic land that seemingly untouched by the hands of mortals or even the darkness. Nothing undead residing in these hallow halls. It is quite the sight."
Naruto frowned,
"Solairius you can't really think that. I mean those knights and the monsters guarding outside, they aren't human. They never were, the knights maybe, but they aren't alive at all when it comes to the giant creatures."
"Hm, intriguing." He shrugged, "Oh well, either way it is still a majestic sight I wonder if I will get to see the vestige of Gwynevere while I'm here."
"Gwynevere?"
"Ah you didn't know, Lord Gwyn supposedly killed his daughter but it was a lie to fool those fiends in New Londo. Apparently they were planning on something related to her, but he managed to fool them thinking she was dead. Only those that walk these hallow halls and those that are loyal to the lord of sunlight know the truth that she lives."
Naruto frowned, now he knew that was a lie. Gwynevere herself resides in his seal so how could she also be in the capital and what was this about New Londo? It would seem there was more to that city and the reason for its fall than just some general betrayal. Something he would have to look into soon.
"So where is this goddess located?"
The sisters frowned, did he truly believe in what he was told?
"Ah you seek an audience with her? Good showing old friend, I heard she is residing outside the main auditorium. You will have to defeat the guardians though. Apparently they are some of the most feared fighters still residing in this city. If you managed to defeat them then maybe it is you who will follow in the path of lord Gwyn."
Naruto shook his head,
"Maybe, maybe not. First I want to find out where this goddess is and what she is protecting as this has my interest piqued."
He nodded his head,
"If you need help call upon me."
"I will but I want you to stay safe Solaire."
"Oh don't worry about me Naruto, I shall be fine. I will explore the rest of the city and then head off on my way. There I will train further and seek deeper into the lands to find my sun."
Naruto nodded his head.
"I wish you the best."
The man nodded his head and proceeded out of the room with him giving the women each a cheer.
Naruto sighed,
"Poor guy, I really want to tell him but I don't think he would believe me without proof."
Quetiva nodded her head,
"Sometimes it is better to let them discover the truth themselves. But I am confused; all the realms seem to be in chaos minus the Catacombs. Is Nito not being hounded by the same problems as the rest of us?"
"Possibly." Quelaag grunted, "That overgrown back of bones and dark puss always had his own agenda in mind. As long as people are still dying it just adds to his army and his collection. Why should he care about us? I mean it is all about him. He was like that before the war and he was like that after the war. All that was given to him was the catacombs; after that, he never bothered to help anyone or any other lord. Not even mother when she asked for his aid in dealing with the growing demons that were starting to get out of control."
Naruto nodded,
"It would seem that all the lords were all absorbed in their own agendas and that all lead to this mess." He turned to them, "We need to find out about this plan that Gwyn had in place and see if we can do something about the problems plaguing this world."
The girls nodded.
Proceeding out of the room the group headed through the hallways and soon found themselves encountering silver knights. They proved to be more formidable than expected but Naruto and the girls were more than ready for them. With Quetiva picking off some of them with her flaming arrows and Naruto and Queelag cutting down those that tried to get close, and Quelana providing extra support at range, it was easy feat. The four proceeded through the rooms and floors and headed up a flight of stairs arriving at a clearing in which they took out the remaining silver knights.
Going down a tower staircase they found Sigmire standing there with confusion written on his face.
"Oh, its you again."
"Hey, you in trouble again?" Quelaag was bumped by her sisters and she stuck her tongue at them.
"Yes it would seem I'm in a bit of a predicament with these knights. They seem to be relentless and it is not allowing me the chance to carve my way through them."
Naruto shook his head,
"Well then how about fighting with us and we can help clear out this room faster."
"No, I must do this myself. So please leave me to my thinking."
Naruto shook his head,
"Sure."
They proceeded into the room with Naruto ducking under a swing of a spear and slashing at the knight.
He blocked with his shield and Naruto saw his sword cracking and he frowned.
"Don't have time to play nice."
Naruto took his metal fist and punched the knight in the head knocking it back and soon shoved him through the window sending him falling to his death.
Queelag quickly slashed the spear with her sword melting the metal bar holding the tipe of the blade and leaving the knight looking at his weapon.
Only to eat a fire arrow to the face and explode in a torrent of flames.
Quelana set a trap for hers and made him trip and fall onto the bed which she ignited making the knight scream in pain and try to get up but she set her fire trap on him.
He stepped on the trap and exploded once more leading to the knight disappearing and dispersing the flames after the successful encounter.
Walking back into the room with the onion knight,
"Hey Sigmire we finished that fight for you. You can go through."
"What!" He grunted, "You couldn't have at least let me think of a strategy?"
"There is no shame in asking for help, we would do the same in your position."
He grunted, hefting his sword on his shoulder he walked by the teen in question and Naruto just sighed.
"Man stubborn blockhead."
The group proceeded back the way they came, heading into the building and down the staircase.
There they encountered two more silver knights with Naruto quickly dispatching both of them with a few quick swings of his sword. But then it happened; his sword broke.
Naruto looking at the broken remains of his blade sighed before sending them away.
He then held his hand out and soon came Dragon Slayer.
"This is going to be a bitch to carry."
"If you want you could use one of my weapons Naruto." Quelaag held out a katana in her hand and Naruto shook his head.
"Nah, thanks for the offer but I'll just use this big guy. Once we find someone who can work on armor and weapons, then we can get it fixed or I can at least find a replacement weapon."
The girls nodded and Quelaag sent the second weapon away.
The group took in the mounts on the wall and saw small what looked like reptile creatures hanging from them and Naruto had to guess they were some kind of dragon like creature if not dragons themselves.
They soon picked up another armor set in the area and proceeded into the opening in which they encountered another Titniate monster roaming a large church of some kind.
The girls quickly took a step back as Naruto watched as the creature rushed him swinging his spear like weapon wildly.
But Naruto reacted and brought Dragon Slayer into the creature's side making it release some kind of noise.
Here, Naruto dragged the weapon through the monster's stomach and soon it tore through to the point that it collapsed in half.
"Woah that is a powerful sword you got there."
Naruto smiled,
"Yeah but don't it fool you, the thing is heavy as fuck." He heaved it on his shoulders, "Alright lets move."
The group proceeded out of the door they came from and went up a few steps. There, they managed to find themselves up at a stained glass window where an opening could be seen.
Naruto sent his weapon away and had Quetiva jump on his back as they jumped down several levels reaching the other side of the balcony they were on previously.
There they saw something that made Naruto smile, a giant man working at an anvil.
The girls followed him to the giant and he just turned slightly.
"Present thy arms, thy shall be renewed."
Naruto held out his broken sword. The being looked at it for a second and with great skill and delicacy, he was able to fix his blade. He also did some refinement work on the Dragon Slayer sword and smiled seeing all his weapons and gear fixed up. Naruto thanked him for his services and soon they proceeded up the staircase. Once at the top of the staircase, they walked out and saw an empty hallway where there are giants standing there wandering around and Naruto could only sigh at the annoyance.
"Okay, you girls ready to start picking them off?"
They nodded and Quetiva quickly got into position and started firing her arrows hitting two in the head causing them to die on the explosion.
Next Naruto took out Dragon Slayer and cut down one by slashing through his chest. Next, he cut one at the ankles, making him fall, and Queelag falls with a powerful fire sword strike.
The youngest killed the last of the golems and they proceeded to explore the hall before opening the door and revealing the front of the building. They realized this is now the quickest route in and out of the building if they needed to head this way.
Turning around they walked up the flight of stairs leading to a fog gate and passed through.
The four of them saw a giant hall with pillars all around. Standing in the middle of the room was a giant golden man with a larger than large body, a hammer bigger than his head, and his head having a golden mask with a blank expression.
He swung the hammer in his hand a bit before showing off his gripping on the weapon.
Next a man wearing a golden lion mask and armor jumped down from the second floor carrying a spear weapon in his hand.
"Shit." Queelag frowned, "Ornstein."
"Who?"
"He is one of the Dragon hunting knights, supposedly he was the leader of them and one of the mightiest warriors. He was herald for his power of the spear and manipulation of lighting along with being fast and agile."
Quelana frowned and grimaced,
"That must be Smough then. I heard the rumors that the man is a cannibal, says that he grinds bones into his feed just for shits and giggles. That and he apparently likes the change of taste it has on his food."
Naruto gagged.
"Great; an honorable knight and his psychotic ally." Naruto frowned, "Regardless of that I can see they each have their own skills and talent. One is fast and agile with lighting precise precision while the other is nothing but brute power."
"Yes we are going to need to work together."
"Actually," Naruto drew out Dragon Slayer, "Leave the knight to me, you girls handle the mammoth."
"Naruto that's crazy he is a legend!"
"Yeah you are going to need our help taking him down."
"If we fight with both of them or one of us takes our eyes off of one of them, they could kill us in an instant. The best thing we can do is divide and conquer. Besides," He smiled and held his blade forward, "I'm looking forward to clashing with a legend."
The knight stared at him and swung his spear around before returning the point with one of his own.
Naruto and Ornstein soon settled on one side of the room facing down one another while Smough just grunted and rushed at the girls with wild abandonment.
Naruto narrowed his eyes, held his sword in his hands, and gripped them tightly.
"Bring it Dragon Slayer."
The knight swung his spear before gripping it in both of his hands and rushing him.
The clashing of steel rung through the room and soon the battle of the factions began.
Chapter End