Chapter 48: A King's Grave
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"This is the Undead Crypt?" Erik inquired in disbelief. Shrugs went around, some of them more lethargic than others.
"According to what we know, this is the place," Elana said.
"It certainly looks better maintained than I thought it would," Benhart pointed out, looking over the intact structures that had been built deep underneath the earth. They all had a very antique feel to them, as if they designs were from a long forgotten era. None of his souls recognized them though, not even Nito. That made the Monarch Candidate wonder if they'd been based on a civilization after the Lord Souls existed.
They had come across this area after exiting the pit the Demon of Song had claimed for itself. With a heartfelt thanks from the Milfanito echoing in their minds they had delved deep and finally reached the legendary burial grounds of the Gods themselves.
"Nadalia, are you alright?" Mytha suddenly asked, making the other Undead look over to that particular Sister of Dark. She was leaning against Raime for supported, a pained look on her face.
"I'm fine," the Bride of Ash said dismissively. Raime grunted at that.
Now that Erik looked closer, the other two sisters seemed weak as well. Alsana was trailing behind their group slightly while Elana had a grimace on her face.
"You don't look good. Any of you. Is something affecting you?" Vengarl inquired.
"Maybe," Alsana said reluctantly. "Ever since we entered the Shrine of Amana we've felt weaker. At first I thought it was because of the proximity to the First Flame. But now, I'm not sure."
"The music of the Milfanito's resonated with our souls, and it felt calming," Elana picked up. "I think this is a back-up defense, one we never knew of. In the old tales and what little memories of our father we retain, the Soul of Death was far more subtle than the other Lord Souls, but effective in creating barriers and sealing away certain forces and influences while also controlling the cycle of life, death, and rebirth."
"So, because you're shards of Manus, which is sort of like death, Nito's children have power over you?" Erik guessed as they progressed slowly through the Crypt.
"Partly correct, young Monarch Candidate."
Everyone spun around to face the speaker, and found a very pale, grey skinned man standing in an open area of the temple. He wore strange robe-like armor and had a long katana slung over his back.
He bowed when the group's attention fell on him. "Greetings, all of you. I am Gravewarden Agadyne of the Fenito. Our sisters informed us of your arrival. I must thank you for clearing out that wretched Demon, it had been interfering with the communications between us."
"Not a problem, we were glad to help," Erik said politely, returning the bow.
"As for why your Dark companions feel weak, it is indeed partly a result of the Soul of Death fragments father made us with," the Gravewarden stated. "Death comes for all things, and is not bothered by Light or the lack thereof. In ages past, it was Nito's duty to oversee the process of souls entering the afterlife but now that is done by the First Flame and so his mission changed to protecting the new cycle."
"New job? Wait, you mean Nito was a god before the First Flame gave him the Lord Soul?" Erik asked as the pale man escorted the group through the depths. Hollows were driven off by silver and grey clad warriors similar in appearance and feel to Agadyne.
"Not exactly," the Gravewarden hesitantly. "It is hard to explain, and I know very little of it due to father having perished and passing his knowledge on to us."
"Put simply, Death was always an aspect of reality, but the First Flame defined it and gave Nito a form and a purpose. He had been more akin to a, well, a middleman I suppose."
"I'm not going to lie and say I understand," Erik admitted, several other heads nodding. Agadyne looked thankful.
"That is perhaps for the best. Matters of Life and Death are complex enough without involving external influences such as the First Flame and Gods." He ushered the team into a circular room where a table and chair had been set up.
"Onto other business then. I assume you are here to retrieve Vendrick, or at least the key to entering the First Flame's throne room?" Agadyne inquired, offering the group tea. They accepted with various degrees of eagerness. Only to find the liquid refreshments were amazing!
"Is this Wilted Dusk Herb?" Erik asked, smacking his lips.
"Steeped in pure spring water and sweetened with a hint of honey harvested from the Grave Fireflies," the leader of the Fenito said with a smile.
"Amazing! So refreshing, I can feel my body bubbling with magical power!" Mytha said in appreciation. The rest nodded while the Dark Sisters looked to have recovered from their fatigue.
"Good. The tea is what we offer to guests so the powers of the Crypt do not overwhelm them. Death is silent and ever present, and with the remains of the Gods buried here the aura of this place crushes the weak quickly and without mercy."
"Every god?" Erik asked, his fellow Undead leaning in closer. It then occurred to Erik that his companions didn't know about the truth of the Flame and the countless cycles.
Seeing the chef's concern Agadyne waved his hand and the other bearers of the Darksign froze in place.
"Do not worry, they will not realize any time has passed and will forget about the beginning of the conversation," the Fenito assured the cook.
"As for your question, yes. In the end, every God finds their way down here to be buried. Even those whose souls were broken and consumed." He shot a look at Elana and bowed his head politely. "If you wish to pay respects to your husband, I can lead you to Faraam's tomb."
The Squalid Queen nodded with a depressed expression but quickly hide it as a trail of floating will-o-wisps appeared, all but beckoning for Elana to follow them. She rose and hurried off, her siblings sharing concerned looks.
"Even Nahr Alma? He is down here?" Erik then asked, remembering the bloody god with a grimace.
"Ah yes, our most recent divine guest," Agadyne said drily. "His tomb recently formed."
"Why did King Vendrick come down here?" Nadalia asked. Before answering Agadyne allowed the other Undead to regain their senses.
"He sought to cower in fear of his wife," the Gravewarden said with a snort. "He knew our powers could keep her away, and due to her nature as a Jealous being she would not ever send anyone down here lest they steal what she sought for themselves."
"Pansy," Mytha stated and Benhart nodded.
"To be fair, Nashandra is rather terrifying when she's angry," Vengarl said in defense of the king before looking around. "Speaking of terrifying, where's Elana?"
"She wanted to visit the tomb of someone she once knew," Nadalia said softly. Sensing the mood from her tone they wisely said nothing, even if they were curious as to why they had not noticed the Queen of Shulva's exit.
"So, where is he?" Erik asked, leaning in and trying to get the meeting back on track.
"Vendrick lies in the Antechamber, Hollowed and guarded by his broken Right Hand."
Raime growled and Vengarl cracked his knuckles. They both knew what they planned on doing to Velstadt for all his wrongs.
"Hollowed?" Erik gasped.
"Indeed. Still, he is very powerful, so approach him at your own peril," Agadyne warned. "Regardless, I will lead you to where he is and you may do as you wish."
"You care not for him anymore? I thought he was a guest?" Alsana asked, surprised by the Fenito's dismissive attitude.
"He refused our council and advice, and Velstadt was a paranoid fool who poisoned his mind against us while also trying to convince Vendrick to hand over the key to the Throne of Want to Nashandra," Agadyne said with a hiss. "Their protection extends only so far, now. Plus, the Monarch Candidate has come to us, and brought word of our father."
He then turned to Erik and nodded. "We will prepare the First Coffin for when it is needed. When you reach the First Flame and the Throne and are ready to reignite it, the Children of Death will be ready for your choice."
"Thank you, Agadyne, for your help and hospitality. I look forward to seeing you again," Erik said. "I will also remember the recipe for this tea, it is simply sublime!"
After a few more cups, a group of Fenito escorted Erik and the crew through the Crypt, disabling traps and pushing aside the Hollowed Knights of Syan. Though Raime and Vengarl were saddened by the state of their former comrades, they gritted their teeth and clenched their weapons, ready to avenge them with Velstadt's death.
"Here we are, the Antechamber where Vendrick awaits," Agadyne revealed, pointing to a Fog Gate with his katana.
"Erik, do you think you could allow Raime and I to handle this?" the Red Rust Knight asked, a pleading note in his voice. The chef nodded firmly, fully aware of their grievances. Still, he wanted to witness this, and joined the pair at the misty portal.
The trio slipped inside, all of them shivering at the ever present chill. Inside the room which was littered with pillars, they found a tall armored man about the same size as Raime who was clutching a massive mace-chime, waiting for them.
"Hello again, you bastard. I'm here for Felicia," Vengarl snarled, raising his machete-like sword and shield.
Raime groaned his displeasure towards the one who had driven him from his king's court and readied his two blades. For Erik, he stayed in the back, watching but prepared to jump into action.
"So, the barking dog returns with the traitor on his tail. How cute."
The trio jerked in surprise. Velstadt could talk? Then that meant…
"You're not Hollowed?" Erik gasped. The Cleric-Knight laughed darkly.
"Of course not. Why would I be?"
"Well, um…"
"Do you even know what the Curse of the Undead does, and why we go Hollow?" Velstadt asked, entering a battle stance. When none spoke, a smirk creased the giant knight's face.
"Of course not. So let me enlighten you!" He lunged, smashing his mace down and sending out a shockwave of Dark energy that caught the group off guard.
"You see, Undead go Hollow through two reasons: numerous deaths which chip away at their Humanity, or losing their hopes and falling into despair. So when an Undead experiences neither of these, they do not, cannot, go Hollow!"
"How could you not lose hope?! Trapped down here, alone and isolated, your king gone mad," Erik cried, dodging a few black orbs as Vengarl and Raime traded blows with the Cleric-Knight.
"So what if Vendrick fell and went Hollow? My only duty is to guard the king, and if he chooses to die and go Hollow, then that is his choice. All I have to do is protect his body, not his mind."
"You've clearly lost your own!" Vengarl retorted, scoring a deep cut on Velstadt's legs. "Can't you hear yourself? You don't care that your liege is a wreck, and you're clearly using Hexes instead of your Miracles! You're not you anymore!"
Raime roared in agreement, smashing Velstadt into a pillar, shattering it. But the cleric shrugged the damage off and resumed attacking. Blasts of Dark magic were shoved at the two knights who barely managed to fend them off.
"I am me, and only me! This is my duty, and I have done it for seven hundred years! You will not interfere!" Velstadt screamed, swinging madly. He suddenly dropped to one knee, ducking under Raime's swing as a golden aura surrounded him.
Erik could see the Cleric-Knight's wounds healing, while his own companion's damage lingered. He drew the Blade of Eleum Loyce without hesitation and ran at Vengarl and Raime, using his swords unique healing properties to restore them.
"Thank you, Erik!" Vengarl praised, a cruel grin appearing on his face as Velstadt looked surprised by the sudden aid. The Right Hand's eyes turned onto Erik and his gaze narrowed.
"You!" He tried to attack the chef, but was blocked by Raime catching the mace with his giant Dark stained sword.
"No." Erik and Vengarl blinked in shock at the first words they had ever heard the Left Hand speak, and the dark blue colored knight drove his second sword into Velstadt's ribs, causing the Cleric-Knight to gasp in pain.
Vengarl took advantage of his distraction and swung his heavy blade down in a cruel arc.
"Aaarrgh!" Velstadt cried, staggering back without his right hand or his mace. The sharp Red Rust Blade had cleaved through bone and metal with contemptuous ease.
"That was for Felicia!" Vengarl barked. He rushed forward and slammed into Velstadt with his shield, causing his foe to fall to his ass with Raime's sword still stuck in his ribs.
"What is this?! You were never this strong! Either of you!" Velstadt howled indignantly.
"Recently, Raime and I were like you trapped in a single place protecting and languishing. But someone came to us, and forced us to man-up and get back into the fray. We now fight for the future. You, though? You've stayed stagnant down here, locked away in the shadows," Vengarl said, leering down at the fallen Right Hand. He placed his machete on the Cleric-Knight's neck as Raime did the same with his massive sword, forming a cross.
"You were once the strongest of Vendrick's men, but like your lord, you have fallen into ruin. And now, your sins catch up with you. All your arrogance, your mistreatments, your corruption, and your blackened soul have brought us to this moment."
"No, that's…!"
"Pay for your crimes with death!" Vengarl shouted. His blade and Raimes' slashed and bit deep. A helmeted head rolled to the floor, staring up at the ceiling in shock.
As the Fog Gate faded Vengarl's shoulders sagged and Raime bent his head low.
"Vengeance… is complete. May you rest in peace, Felicia." Raime grunted as well, and the rest of the group entered, eager to confront Vendrick together.
Meanwhile, Erik patted the Red Rust Knight's back. "You did a good job, my friend. I'm sure she's proud of you."
"Thank you, Erik. That means more to me than you know." With a sigh, Vengarl turned towards the other side of the Antechamber, where scraping and moaning could be heard. "Well, let's go say hello."
"So this is Vendrick, ruler of Drangleic and King of Souls?" Elana said in disgust as she gazed upon the decrepit husk of a man striding in circles around the room he was in.
"I am not impressed," Alsana said with a sniff. Her Ivar had been far greater. And much more handsome!
"Does anyone know what we actually need from him? What does this 'key' even look like?" Erik asked, trying not to look at the shambling wreck of a man before them.
The fallen king hadn't even noticed them, and the fact that he hadn't raised a Fog Gate made everyone wonder how deeply Vendrick had fallen into Hollowing.
"You need his ring, the one he wears on his right hand." Everyone turned to see Shalquoir sitting behind them, calmly licking a paw.
"Um, hello, Shalquoir. Not that it isn't a pleasure to see you, but how did you get down here?" Erik inquired.
"I'm a cat, dear. We go where we please." Nods and mumbled agreements greeted that statement.
"I suppose the next question is 'why?'" Mytha said. The immortal cat-spirit suddenly looked worried.
"I need your help," she said, standing up. "Shan- I mean, the Emerald Herald, is in danger. She needs assistance!"
"What happened?! Is Majula safe?!" Erik cried.
"The town is fine! However, she's not there. She went somewhere else."
"Wait, she can leave?" Benhart asked, surprised.
"Of course! She can do her job anywhere there is a Bonfire. She just chose Majula because it is very close to Things Betwixt, the entryway to Drangleic for many Undead, and she felt it would be the best place to wait for the Monarch Candidates," Shalquoir explained.
"Then where did she go?"
The cat shot the chef an annoyed look. "Your words to her at dinner resonated with her in a way I have never seen before. I don't know why, but she went back to a place that nearly broke her in order to retrieve an item you need to complete this journey."
"Where is that?"
"Beyond the manor of Duke Aldia, in the fortress-prison of the Dragon's Sanctum. It is where that bastard tortured her."
Erik hissed in shock and his souls thrummed. She had gone back to her personal hell for him? His heart beat wildly for some reason.
"She needs help! And the only way to reach her is to use the Ring of the King to bypass the seals Vendrick placed around his brother's property!" Shalquoir revealed.
"Then we need the ring!" Erik said resolutely, his companions all nodding. They might not know the Emerald Herald very well, but she was one of the few people they knew and liked and wasn't a bumbling monster. Of course they were going to save her!
They all turned towards the Hollowed king, who suddenly froze and shivered in fear for some reason.
The Soul of the Last Giant crowed in delight.