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Chapter 10: Dark Souls Part 1
Universe 20110922
"In the Age of Ancients, the world was unformed, shrouded by fog. A land of gray crags, Archtrees, and Everlasting Dragons. But then there was Fire, and with fire came disparity. Heat and cold, life and death, and of course, light and dark. Then from the dark, They came, and found the Souls of Lords within the flame. Nito, the First of the Dead, The Witch of Izalith and her Daughters of Chaos, Gwyn, the Lord of Sunlight, and his faithful knights. And the Furtive Pygmy, so easily forgotten
With the strength of Lords, they challenged the Dragons. Gwyn's mighty bolts peeled apart their stone scales. The Witches weaved great firestorms. Nito unleashed a miasma of death and disease. And Seath the Scaleless betrayed his own, and the Dragons were no more.
Thus began the Age of Fire. But soon, the flames will fade, and only Dark will remain. Even now, there are only embers, and man sees not light but only endless nights. And amongst the living are seen, carriers of the accursed Darksign.
Yes, indeed. The Darksign brands the Undead. And in this land, the Undead are corralled and led to the north, where they are locked away to await the end of the world... This is their fate."
But from beyond, an entity looked at this dying world and said, "No…"
Northern Undead Asylum
It was dark… He tried to move, but his Elite Knight Armor weighed him down. He felt so tired. In hindsight, he should have been more careful when jumping across the rooftops of the Asylum, looking for any sane undead. A misstep had him falling through a hole in the roof and crashing into a pile of stone bricks. The loud cracks that erupted from his body were a good indicator of his status.
He had hoped to find the Chosen One. The prophecy was limited, but this was what everyone pointed out. He had gone through many trials, terror, and excruciating pain only to discover that no other sane undead was left. There was no Chosen Undead to take up his mantle.
The knight laid on the bed of rubble for some time. His steel armor and oiled leather gleamed in the dim light. With the remnants of his strength, he looked to the side of him. It was an enclosed room. He would be trapped here even if he managed to get back up. Hope seemed to fade in his heart. This would be the prison of his soon-to-be hollowing. With nothing but his thoughts, he closed his eyes and sighed. Hours passed. He just lay there. The silence was deafening.
Suddenly, he heard heavy footsteps walking across the stone walkways nearby. It was probably one of the undead he released. Suddenly, the wall in front of him exploded as a massive iron ball plowed through. When the dust cleared, the same heavy footsteps approached.
The knight weakly managed to look up as the stranger walked into the dilapidated little cell and stared at him. He could understand. He was a bleeding mess with bones broken and protruding. Slimy water covered his lower half.
Oscar blinked at the newcomer. He didn't remember releasing this undead. The stranger wore green armor with a strange emblem on the belt. It was a design that Oscar didn't recognize. Even though his abdomen was exposed, Oscar got a feeling that it didn't matter to the warrior. He could feel the stare coming through the helmet.
"Oh, you're no hollow… eh? Thank goodness…" Before Oscar could say anything else, his eyes strayed to something.
"Regrettably." His blood formed a red cloud in the water. "I have failed in my miss- Where… did you get that?" Oscar stared at the Demon's Great Hammer attached to the strange man's back.
In response, the green warrior gestured toward the open double doors down below past the courtyard.
Earlier
Amidst the dark and eerie atmosphere of the Undead Asylum, the Doom Slayer had finished clearing out the cells of Hollows. There seemed to be a large demon in the lower levels, but he would take care of it later. A hollow knight in black armor had guarded the last cell. The Slayer didn't know why, but he happened to find a doll and a crimson ring. The doll seemed… peculiar. He shrugged and placed both in his storage.
After climbing a ladder back up, the Doom Slayer looked over the courtyard he first arrived at. The open roof led to a view of the cloudy sky and illuminated the entire area. There was a hint of frost on the grass growing between the stone.
Across were the large doors that led to the asylum's exit. To his right was a gateway. In the center was a twisted metal sword impaled in a pile of bones, ash powder, and fragments.
Walking toward the charred blade, he held his left hand out to touch it. After a pause, a spark was heard, and a small flame surrounded the blade. Taking a knee, the Slayer smiled at the false fire that emanated. Memories from a different era of his life. The bonfire came alive, and the jewel in his gauntlet reacted.
While it didn't hold much meaning to the Slayer, bonfires signified safety to the undead who inhabited this land. They felt peace at the sight of the blade. Bonfires were conduits to the First Flame. They are made using the bones of the Undead and special swords resembling fire pokers. The fire produced isn't normal fire, granting special properties to those who used it.
The foreign energy of this land approached him through the bonfire as if curious about the Slayer's existence. Like the undead, the bonfire attempted to rejuvenate the 'human,' filling it with life and energy. A warmth washed over his body. In turn, the divinity reached out through the pseudo network of flame. In the back of his head, the Doom Slayer could feel the faint presence of the decaying powers in the distance. An essence of the bonfire had been absorbed.
Holding up his right hand, motes of white light from before appeared. This strange life energy coalesced around him after he had killed these hollowed beings so far. When he closed his eyes, he could feel the nudging of his core and bonfire on what to do. Focusing on the energy in his hands, one by one, they suffused themselves into the Slayer's being, becoming one with his life force. He didn't notice much of a difference, but they weren't exactly the world-ending demonic terrors he was used to fighting. The Slayer would experiment more later.
The Slayer approached the double doors, opening them with ease. The room was open. The ceiling was almost nonexistent with the collapsed sections. What was left was supported by numerous columns. Many clay pots lined the walls. From his open helmet, he easily smelt the nearby enemy.
He looked to the upper floors opposite him. As he expected, there was a grotesquely obese stone-skinned demon sporting a stone club the size of a pillar. A real ugly bastard, just like the one underneath the Asylum.
As if understanding the Slayer's disgusted gaze, It jumped down with a crash before glaring back at him. The demon's eyes glowed with an unholy fire. The haunting echoes of the Asylum Demon's roars reverberated through the stone walls. Without hesitation, the demon raised its hammer vertically and brought it down.
As soon as the Doom Slayer saw the hammer rising, he swiftly sidestepped out of harm's way, easily avoiding the pinpoint attack.
The Asylum Demon, undeterred by the initial miss, raised its club above its head, readying the attack, and then launched the massive hammer forward in a straight line. The ground trembled as the hammer slammed into the floor, releasing a slight shockwave.
The Slayer pushed off the ground, escaping the area of effect.
The Doom Slayer charged forward, his Doom Blade glowing with otherworldly energy. With every swing of his mighty blade, he aimed for the demon's exposed body, carving deep gouges into its flesh. The Asylum Demon bellowed in agony, yet its resolve to destroy the Doom Slayer only intensified.
The Asylum Demon took to the air momentarily, then brought its colossal weight and hammer crashing down to the ground. Shockwaves rippled through the floor, threatening to crush Slayer, who evaded the attack by rolling away, avoiding the blow.
It leaped into the air, hammer poised to crush the man to a pulp.
The Slayer rushed the Demon. Not a moment too soon, the demon barely missed the man with another swing. He pulled out his Doom Blade and moved in to strike. The Slayer ran up with a slash at its legs.
Seizing the opportunity, the Asylum Demon swung its massive Demon's Great Hammer downward, trying to crush the Doom Slayer like a mere insect. But the Doom Slayer was prepared. He leaped into the air, performing a double jump, and as the demon's hammer struck the ground, the impact sent tremors through the area.
As the Asylum Demon retracted its hammer, the Doom Slayer descended upon it like a force of nature. With his fists now exposed, he unleashed a barrage of powerful punches upon the demon's hide. Each strike felt like an explosion.
The demon fought back fiercely, swinging its hammer in wide arcs, trying to swat the Doom Slayer away. But he remained relentless, refusing to falter. He dodged and weaved through the demon's attacks, exploiting every opening to deliver devastating blows. The Doom Blade flashed like a comet in his hands, slicing through the demon's skin, while his fists pounded its flesh relentlessly. Now at a close distance, the Doom Slayer found himself within the demon's danger zone.
As the hammer came hurtling towards him, the Slayer's eyes narrowed. In a split second, the Doom Slayer timed his move to perfection. He raised his arm and positioned the Doom Blade in the path of the incoming hammer. Metal clashed against metal, sending sparks flying. The impact force shook the floor beneath them, but the Doom Slayer held firm.
The demon's eyes widened as the Slayer pushed back against the great hammer, causing the demon to stagger for a moment. For the first time in this Demon's life, someone tried and succeeded in parrying its hammer.
With a burst of speed, the Slayer capitalized on the opening he had created. He swiftly stepped forward, getting within striking range of the stunned demon. The Doom Slayer's arm moved like lightning as he plunged the Doom Blade deep into the Asylum Demon's flesh, targeting a likely vulnerable spot.
The Doom Slayer drove the Doom Blade deep into the demon's chest, its energy crackling like lightning. As it bled on his armor, his right hand began to glow. He shot out a devastating right hook uppercut Blood Punch at its apex. A double jump brought them to eye level.
The monster looked up when the Doom Blade plunged into its head, and his fist grabbed at one of its eyes. A left-arm thrust stabbed it in the eye. His blade tore into the socket and through to the brain in a final swing.
The great hammer slipped from the demon's grasp. The monster screamed in pain and agony before falling to the floor, seemingly dissolving into white motes of light. With a loud clank and thud, a large key, the Great Hammer, and a strange black and white sprite appeared on the floor. The white light seemed to swirl in the air before floating toward the slayer and seeping into his body.
Present
The knight tried to sit up, only to crash back down. "In any case, I'm done for, I'm afraid... I'll die soon, then lose my sanity... I wish to ask something of you... You and I, we're both Undead, right? ... Hear me out, will you?"
The Slayer blinked. No, he was not undead. In any case, he shrugged but nodded to hear more.
"...Regrettably, I have failed in my mission... But perhaps you can keep the torch lit... There is an old saying in my family... Thou who art Undead, art chosen... In thine exodus from the Undead Asylum, maketh pilgrimage to the land of Ancient Lords... When thou ringeth the Bell of Awakening, the fate of the Undead thou shalt know... Well, now you know... And I can die with hope in my heart... Oh, one more thing... Here, take this... An Estus Flask, an Undead favorite... Oh, and this…" Oscar handed him the Estus Flask and the Undead Asylum's Floor 2 East Key.
His mind sighed in resignation. Perhaps it was a mix of depression and hollowing. Oscar thought about what it would have been like to save the world. What sane humans were left were far in between. Would those who had become hollow return to their lively selves? On the one hand, he could finally lay down his sword. On the other, he failed to find the destined savior. It was a dream unfulfilled, and he was about to lose himself. Perhaps his last thought should be...
Before Oscar could say anything more, the Slayer flicked the knight in the helmet. He grabbed the Estus Flask and force fed Oscar the radiant golden liquid after lifting his helmet visor off his face.
Oscar was shaken from the hollowing embrace. The knight choked as the Estus went down his throat. Impending hollowing or not, his survival instincts kicked in, and he flailed to breathe.
The Slayer didn't need the Estus. He had only been in this world briefly, but he was pretty sure this hollowing was a mindset thing. The feral hollows he encountered were a sturdy bunch, reforming after a while. There was still hope left for the knight in front of him.
Oscars pushed the flask away from his mouth, coughing up the Estus. "S-Stop. You are too kind, but it'll only be a waste for one such as me. Why are you delaying the inevitable?" Oscar whispered through bruised lungs.
When the stranger pulled away the flask, he rolled his eyes. He patted Oscar's Straight Sword and Crest shield. He grabbed both of Oscar's hands and lifted him to his feet. After dusting the Elite Knight Armor of the rubble, he gestured toward the direction of the exit. This mission of his seemed interesting to look into. It might even intersect with his goals here.
The knight looked at the strange stranger, befuddled. Somehow, the undead understood his silence and chose to continue. "You want me to keep going? You want me to join you in the mission."
The Slayer gave him a thumbs up, his other hand giving the great hammer a twirl. It would be unbecoming of Oscar to die here of all places. Having the Astorian come along would be reminiscent of his travels with the Argenta across their home planet: dangerous yet lively.
Oscar chuckled and turned to the stranger who defeated one of this prison's demon guards. "I've dreamed of saving the world. To think I'm given a second chance to do so with you. I suppose there's a little more fight left in me."
The Slayer handed him the rest of the flask, which Oscar took appreciatively. Oscar didn't notice the man's foreign red energy infusing itself into the Estus.
"I suppose proper introductions are in order." He gave a small bow. "Oscar, Knight Of Astora. Who are you?" The voice he expected out of the large man differed greatly.
From the helmet speaker, Vega replied. "You may call him Slayer, Kin… Knight of Argent D'Nur."
Oscar blinked. "I'm sorry…?" 'Had his man spoken in the third-person?'
The Slayer gave a wave before Vega continued. "Apologies, I am a friend of the Slayer. I am Vega. Consider me a spirit that inhabits his armor. He doesn't talk much."
"Fascinating. I've never seen such a form of soul possession before... Can't say I'm familiar with your kingdom, either."
"His people have been scattered for a long time. They are in the process of rebuilding."
"I suppose a lot of kingdoms nowadays are like that, even in Astora." Oscar shrugged.
"Had we not arrived, you may have hollowed here, Oscar."
The knight rubbed the back of his neck. "For some time, I may have welcomed it…"
The Slayer frowned from under his helmet.
"My situation seemed hopeless, but to think the gods would send you in my darkest hour."
The Slayer shrugged. Bar his status, he couldn't fully rely on other beings to get things done. He was friends with those that could be considered Gods, but don't expect him to be praying to any of them any time soon.
"We were planning on heading to the Asylum's exit," declared Vega. "We found the key earlier, but the Slayer wanted to look around."
"It is of no trouble. Let's head downstairs to the bonfire so I can do some repairs before we move on."
With that, the two walked back down to the courtyard's bonfire. After time for Oscar to recuperate, the two made their way toward the exit. Oscar was a bit wary. He had seen the Asylum Demon in passing, and it was strange to know his new companion had defeated it. A light rumbling echoed as they reached the center of the room. Oscar looked around. "Did you hear that?"
Before he could get an answer, the stone bricks below their feet gave away, sending both Oscar and the Slayer in the chamber below.
If you have time, please leave a comment.
There are several Dark Souls moments I want to do, but I'll be alternating as we progress.
Next time: "At last... it has come to this final battle. Armageddon... has begun."
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