This chapter took me longer to write than I would've thought. I got it done, it's hard to balance this with my A-Levels and other activities that I have to do. So updates may be random, but I hope by the end of the 2019 summer it'll be done.
Anyway, read and critique.
The next thing I saw was me being in a round stone room. The window slits sowed that this was a tower. A nest had been made by one of the larger birds of the area judging by its size. And directly behind me was a wooden door. It groaned as I moved it inwards. The light flooded, it was cold though. Life didn't flow through it liked I remembered it. While not a Follower of Sunlight, I carried the belief that the sun and the light it created was something you could feel as a force of life.
This cold stale light was supplemented by the what greeted him. Lothric, a city that had once he had called home now stood as a lifeless place of decay. I could hear the shrieking of Hollows, the scraping of weapons on the floor, and the wind blowing a soft breeze.
It was sickening.
Moving down the stairs I saw a Bonfire, it was more powerful than the first one I saw. Probably due to the fact I started the one in Firelink. I moved to the right, and I saw a bunch of hounds roaming, they noticed me almost instantly. They ran without grace, so a simple slash to each head brought them down. I went about slaughtering all the residents, the only "tough" ones being the one wielding an axe and another having a makeshift Halberd. I made it towards a group of Hollows and killed them all on sight. One died with a pinkish residue coming out when he did. Searching his corpse I saw the same black tendrils that occupied Gundyr in this Hollow. The memory caused a knee jerk reaction as I reached down and crushed it.
The black residue seeped into my skin, and coated my blade. I crashed to the ground, the agony was unbearable. The black seeped into my psyche, I knew it wasn't the Abyss before it even showed itself to me. It didn't hold that same ruthlessness that the Abyss held. It opened a single serpentine eye, a sliver of its power was released. A life was void except for mine, it was Sin incarnate. I smirked, shoving the pain aside. I would succeed where no other had. I spread my will to it, a chaotic red against the miasmic black. It was the blood of my enemies, comrades, and myself that was reflected upon this will. Their essence made up a small, but highly trained army. As those were the ones I would be sent to kill during my time alive. Succeed in killing those that was deemed impossible. The serpentine eye seemed to be surprised, but it closed and all that was left was a tether. It linked the beast to myself.
I opened my eyes to be in the exact same position I was in earlier. But I felt vitalized, feeling that I could run for leagues and not get tired. I grinned at the prospect. If this didn't slow down my Hollowing nothing will, it seemed to take all doubt from my mind. Just leaving me with a singular, clear goal. I knew I could strive for it, just what it was at the moment didn't seem form. I went back in the opposite direction.
The Hollows in the other area were a little more organised, and well stocked. I found some Gold Pine Resin and a pair of binoculars. I store them both and went along on my journey. I was at the foot of some steps when I noticed an unusual concentration of Hollows above, taking a peek I heard the flap of wings. A wyvern came down, with a breath of fire later all above was roasted, even sections of the stone floor were on fire. It was about to release another breath of flame when it noticed me. We both halted as we recognised one another. He lowered down it head and was directly in front of mine, it touched me its snout and took a deep inhale. Then we hugged. Silver was still alive. The stony scales sold to the touch reminded me of the first time I met her. I was a knight of Lothric, so when they said I was to receive a Wyvern, I gladly accepted. I arrived just in time to see her hatch. I was the first thing she saw, imprinting on me we went to war, crusades, or anything they said for me to kill together. She was enchanted by a nameless mage, it took away her weakness to lightning giving her a weakness to fire. But only one type of fire, and we had yet to find this fire and thank the mage.
We stayed this way for some time, enjoying each others company. 'Go to Firelink Shrine it's by the Untended Graves.' she huffed and flew away. I went along, finding an Undead Lothric Knight, he gave me a challenge. He clipped my shoulder but it was soon over. I necked an Estus and moved on. Following the warmth that had been given to me. At the roof of a tower was a Bonfire, I lit it and sat down to collect my thoughts. And yet the warmth was no longer there. Just replaced by a soothing dark, probably due to the serpent I was linked to. I left this state and searched the tower. After some close encounters I reached the basement. In a cell was the infamous Greirat.
I had been sent to kill him, one of the only targets to escape from my grasp. I only escaped punishment by bringing the head of a traitor amongst the royals. So seeing him like this was a shock. So I placed my hand against the lock, time to see what this serpent can do. The lock was coated in a black glaze, then it just disappeared. And I didn't even call on it yet, it seemed to sense my desire. Greirat looked up, his hood covering whatever emotion he was showing.
'So,' he paused to look me over 'Black Hand. What do you want? To finish your job?'
'No. How did you get caught?' I never would've thought that he would've been caught.
'I stole something that I shouldn't have stolen.'
'What?'
'A crystal necklace.' he saw me tense.
'Where is it?'
'Inside the Curse-Rotted Greatwood. Alongside the Transposing Kiln.' he responded smugly.
There were a few reasons why people didn't go to the Undead Settlement. Fear of sympathising, fear of being thought Hollow, and the Curse-Rotted Greatwood. Greatwoods used to be sacred being that were worshipped. But when the Undead used it to slow there curse, it twisted. Becoming something blasphemous.
I sighed, but before I left he spoke again. 'I would like to go into your services in exchange for something.' Greirat asked.
'What?' I snapped back.
'Give this ring to a Loretta in the Undead Settlement.' he handed me a blue tearstone ring. I understood the meaning behind the gesture. 'I accept your services. Go to Firelink Shrine by the Untended Graves.' he nodded and left, leaving me to ponder what he would do for me while in my services.
I needed to head to the Priestess, she held the banner that allowed me to travel to the Undead Settlement. The fastest way would be go over the roof as most doors inside the palace would be locked. So by heading to the first floor I could escape onto the roof. There were a bunch of Hollows worshipping a tree with one of their brethren on it. The serpent inside of me told me that the one in the middle had part of it inside itself. So I went to it first and without bothering to kill it, thrust my hand through it and crushed the tendrils underneath. The sensation now wasn't as vivid, I could still be aware of my surroundings but I couldn't move yet. I looked to my left there was a Crystal Lizard. A small lizard with a large blue gemstone imbedded in its back. It would give travellers and merchants a lot of raw materials if found. I snuck round and when in distance closed the gap and flipped the animal, it squealed as I imbedded a knife into its stomach. It died shortly after and I got the nearest brick I could find and smashed the gem on its back. In it were some Twinkling Titanite, it would be useful for soul and crystal transposed weapons.
I looked over the roof when I was finished. A hulking behemoth of a knight was down below, I had never seen one of its type before. Maybe a new class after my death, I don't know how long I was dead for. But the city remained more or less the same, if so then I needed to get to a chest in the rooms beneath me. Provided that no one had yet found it.
I left the roof and climbed downstairs, I spied the insides of the building. It was packed with the bigger Hollows, one at a time I could do, two was pushing it, but three wasn't possible without dying. So I would try to avoid them as much as I could.
I went into the room and took an immediate left, going up the short stairs and taking down the Hollow that was stationed there. I then continued along the corridor avoiding any obstacles and took then a right which was block by a bunch of random miscellaneous items. I hopped over then dropped through the hole in the floor to the level below me. I went all the way to the far corner and removed a few stone bricks; in a hollowed out room was a chest and a few items. I went in, lighted the torch already in the room and went about my business of getting essential supplies. I opened the chest and it contained precious metals; an axe imbued with frost from when I went to Irithyll and surveyed the Pontiff; a Chaos Dagger that was about the most deadly and unwieldy of my weapons as when it was drawn it couldn't be sheathed without tasting blood, sometimes my own; and a Titanite Slab. It cost me 10,000 gold pieces but it would be valuable for when I could refine my swords to the highest level. A canvas talisman, stuffed in the corner, ripped from overuse but had served me better than some of the best soldiers. Then in the corner was my set of armour, a mix of heritages that I had found my way into. An Abyss Watchers Armour, Leggins and Gauntlet, and a Fallen Knight Helm. Both factions I had been a part of, this was my souvenir of old days. I put them on, feeling like a second skin. But I couldn't carry them all, the serpent inside me answered. A void appeared in front of me, no bigger than a shield, it beckoned the items I had to leave behind. It swallowed them up, and closed without a trace.I had no idea what I had just done, but when I sheathed the Sellswords, and wanted my axe, the void opened again and the hilt of my axe appeared. I smirked, this would come in very handy.
I left, but I noticed the balcony and that the towering giant was directly beneath it. I smirked once more, this axe was the greatest weapon I had against armour, it pierced it like a scythe through a field. I dropped down, the frost already noting my intention and covered the axe like a glaze. It slid through and killed the knight instantly. I stepped away from the corpse and watched the influx of souls flow to me. It seemed that the only way to see souls if it is to transfer on great amounts. I would need to get to Firelink safely to capitalize on this recent endeavour.
I ran, knowing that Lothric Knights would be nearby. Sprinting towards the chapel room that held the High Priestess. Even if they didn't recognise me they wouldn't disturb the Priestess if they feared death. I barely avoided the swords that came towards me, and ran inside closing the gates as I did.
The change in atmosphere sent shivers down my spine, it was cold. Even colder than my axe to the touch, thinking about it made me unconsciously flex it in my hands, trying to be reassured by its presence. Then I noticed a solitary figure at the end of the room.
It was the High Priestess.
I crept forward, while I knew that she could do no harm, she still scared me in a way that most of my enemies couldn't. Holding a sort of reverence, she commanded those around her like a queen. But seeing her old and frail just made me question her motives. Why was there no one protecting the entrance to the Castle? What events had transpired that caused this to happen? And why was she smirking? All these questions plagued my mind as I wandered towards her.
I reached her and bowed and awaited for her to talk, just hearing the light breathing put me on edge. 'Rise young warrior,' she spoke with confidence 'And who might you be?'
'Cheshire Elwin ma'am.' I said while rising to my feet and pulling myself to be as tall as possible.
'I recognise that name somewhere,' she raised her hand to meet mine 'What's your title?'
'I go by many.'
'Name them all.' I sighed as I tried to remember what my enemies had called me before I killed them. 'Abbot of Insanity, Paladin of the Crown, Baron of Death, Accuser of Light, BlackHand, and The Last of The Fallen Knights.' she recoiled, but not in shock but rather in surprise to the names I gave her. She chuckled and said a few words 'It's good to see you again Paladin, I wonder how you got all those titles? Was it by the blood you drank? Or the governing of your soul? Whatever the case, you won't find the Princes here.'
'What do you mean?'
'They've gone to the foothills of the mountain, to seek refuge with the other Lords that have been resurrected. So go Paladin, see to your duty as I'll see to mine. Now take the banner at the foot of stairs, the guards won't bother you.'
'Will you be fine ma'am?'
'I might be a frail old woman, but I do have my ways of keeping intruders out. Now leave, before I relinquish the order.' I hesitated but I did leave. Casting a final look at the High Priestess before I did leave, her small smile was still clear at this distance. She ushered me along and off I went.
True to her word the guards left me alone, but I felt on edge. I reached the foot of the stairs, and rather than it being there it was in the distance next to the vine covered door. I drew out my axe and talisman, fearing the worst. I had reached the other end of the empty space by the time I heard the thudding.
It was a beast of frost, I recognised it when I went to Irithyll. Vordt of the Boreal Valley, carrying one of the Pontiffs eyes he was probably surveying the duel that was about to occur. I chuckled and put my axe away, drawing out my Sellswords and chanting as I went on.
'Gywn the man who slew the dragons,
Who harboured the Lord Vessel of the Sun,' it started charging at me.
'Imbued his blade and that of those around him,
The power to pierce what couldn't be before,
So I ask bless this weapon,
So that I may remember your name and carry out your duty.'
The swords imbued with the Sun blazed as I rolled underneath the belly of Vordt and slashed it open. It screeched in pain, expecting it to do less damage than it actually should've. I wasted no time as I ran after it and hid underneath it again. Slashing as I dodged its attempts of trying to get rid of me. It paused for a few moments before it bellowed out a rage. It thundered off, charging me a couple of times before it stopped. Reaching in for breath I was right in front of it when a mist of frost was emitted outwards, my armour protected the most of it. I rolled to the side and went back at it. Within the next few moments it was dead.
I panted and stuck my hand through the armour, bypassing flesh as I went to its core. I reached the heart and with a big pull I ripped it free. I stared at the blackened muscle before crushing it, a surge of Souls flowed towards me. It reinvigorated me, but it didn't fill me like when I was mortal. This was the only the start of my journey so it was understandable. But I did crave a good fight.
I sat at the Bonfire that had just formed, and rested trying to collect my thoughts.
