"Welcome to Firelink Shrine." Said the man in armour.
Jack dusted off his bloodstained jacket, before turning to Taylor.
The girl was lying in a pile of mud, face down.
"Kill me." She muttered. Jack drew his knife.
"I didn't mean that literally." She said, just as Jack began stabbing down. The mass murderer sighed, and turned to the warrior.
"Hey, you." Asked Jack. "Where are we?"
"Lordran." Replied the man.
"That's useful." Said Jack, nodding. "Or, at least, it would be, if we had any idea what a Lordran is."
The warrior looked at them. "You know. Land of Ancient Lords? Home of Lord Gwyn? Location of the Bells of Awakening? Prophecy of the Undead?"
Jack blinked.
The warrior sighed. "Oh, you're one of those. I have nothing valuable, so stabbing me won't get you... What was the term... '$\/\/337 L007'."
Taylor stood up, and tilted her head. "How did you even say that?"
The warrior looked at her for a second. "...I have no idea."
Jack shrugged, sitting at the Bonfire. "Meh. Going to have a look around."
He marched off, and the warrior chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Asked Taylor.
"He's heading towards the Beginners Graveyard." Replied the warrior.
Jack reappeared at the Bonfire moments later.
"I choose to take that as a challenge." He declared, getting up and marching back to where he came from.
Taylor looked at the warrior.
"Uh... So, who are you?" She asked.
"My name isn't important. People just call me the Crestfallen Warrior."
Jack reappeared at the Bonfire, then marched off.
"So... Do you have any method of dimensional travel? Because I'm, like, 99% sure that having a way to travel dimensions could solve all my problems right now."
The Crestfallen Warror shrugged. "I remember something about soapstones, but I've never really paid attention to that kind of thing. Try talking to Solaire."
"Who?"
"Nutter in Undead Burg. Go up those stairs, fight through the Hollow, watch out for the Taurus Demon and Hellkite Dragon, you should find him staring at the sun in jealousy and awe."
Jack respawned again. He threw a spear sideways, at Taylor, then continued back to the Beginners graveyard.
"Can I leave him here?" Asked Taylor.
"No." Replied the Crestfallen Warrior. "I know his kind. Word of advice, never let him near Kaathe."
"Who?" Taylor asked again.
"Not important. Just don't go into New Londo with the Lordsvessel."
"Wha- You know what, nevermind."
"Good." Said the Crestfallen Warrior, lying down. "Now, I'm going to take a nap."
"Hold on." Interrupted Taylor. "Can you tell me why I'm a zombie now?"
The Crestfallen Warrior opened his eye slightly. "That's basic knowledge. If you don't know that, the you won't even make it to the Taurus Demon."
He closed his eye again, and fell asleep a moment later. Jack reappeared at the Bonfire, and began walking towards where he had died. Taylor poked him with the sharp end of her new spear.
"Ow." Jack muttered, as it went through his hand.
"Come on." She said. "The warrior said that there's someone who knows something about dimensional travel up the stairs behind me, and I'm not allowed to leave you here."
"You make it sound like you're my keeper."
"Someone has to keep you in line."
"And that someone is you? You're the only thing between me and a ruthless attack on everything in my way? My dear-"
"Don't call me dear."
"-You are about as sane and restrained as I am. If something gets in our way, chances are, I'm going to be the less brutal one."
"Yeah, I don't have time for your monologues."
"Tell yourself whatever you have to, if it makes you feel better. But the truth is, the reason you don't want to listen? You're one bad day from being a bigger monster then I am, and you know it."
Taylor went very quiet, then walked towards the stairs. "Come."
"Yes, my dear."
"Stop that!"
Jack and Taylor kept walking up the stairs, covered in blood.
"So, the warrior guy said these were called Hollows." Said Taylor.
"Huh." Replied Jack, sidestepping an arrow. Taylor's bugs quickly devoured the Hollow that had fired it.
"Lot more bugs around here." Noted Jack.
"So, what were you doing in the building back there that it took you hours to get out?"
"Found something." Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out his prize.
"...It's a box."
"It's bigger on the inside."
Taylor opened it, and looked inside. Jack stabbed a Hollow with a shield from a distance.
"What's this?" Asked Taylor pulling out a pinkish ring.
"Maybe it's magic." Said Jack. Taylor tried the ring on.
"Don't feel any different." She said. Jack sat down at the bonfire, while Taylor kept digging through the box.
She pulled out a few firebombs, and pocketed them. She also threw one at Jack. After the villain had resurrected from the Bonfire, plotting Taylor's fiery death, Taylor actually gave him one.
"You know." Said Jack. "I can't help but feel that we've missed something."
Taylor thought on that for a while, as the Hellkite Dragon stood behind them, waiting.
"It's probably nothing." She decided.
The two walked on, stabbing Hollow's, while the Hellkite Dragon followed.
Eventually, they came to a fog gate.
"Hey, you think the Taurus Demon is past here?" Asked Jack.
Taylor thought on that, as the Hellkite Dragon nodded violently.
Then, shrugging, she pushed Jack through the fog.
There was nothing.
Well, not nothing. There was some archers, but Jack took care of those with ease.
"All's clear!" Called Jack. Taylor followed through the fog, then began walking across the bridge.
The Hellkite Dragon lifted it's claws, and began making a motion similar to a human counting to down from three with their fingers.
After the Dragon hit one, the Taurus Demon fell down, crushing Taylor.
Jack blinked, then threw a Firebomb. The Hellkite Dragon breathed fire on it as he did so.
"Huh." Noted Jack. "Those are pretty strong."
Then he looked around, just as the Dragon flew overhead to eat the Taurus Demon corpse.
"...Shouldn't Taylor be back by now?" Jack asked to himself.
Then he realised.
"Oh, god damn it."
Taylor opened her eyes at the Bonfire.
In front of her was a giant door, identical to the one she had entered before being sat on by...
"Oh, god damn it."