Scoffing. I walked passed Varre; litting the site of grace as I moved to battle the ancient Tree Sentinal. Sneaking behind him I readied myself. Gripping my club in two hands I slammed it down on the rider and his horse. Pushed back slightly from my attack it countered with a spear slam. Knocking me off my feet, and with a final slam of his shield I saw no more.

My sight was filled with gold rays of light pulsing down and around me. With one last vibrant pulse, I awoke with a gasp. Laying on my back I stared up at Varre. Letting out a raspy laugh, as he looked down at me.

"My dear lambkin, you are not yet ready to face a knight of that caliber. If you find a maiden they shall turn thy ruins into strength. But you lay here maiden less and defeated. I shall grant you this one kindness. See that ruined church in the distance; there lies a merchant and a tool to help you strengthen your weapons. Now run on my lambkin and gain greater strength. Before thy battles Godrick the Grafted in the ruined Castle of Stormveil."

Leveling my gaze at him as I lifted myself up. I looked back at the church in the distance. I decided to follow his advice the ruins would be a great boon to me, but as he said without a maiden it would be a waste and an unnecessary danger. Moving around the Tree Sentinal I was able to make it to the other side. Swiftly attacking the sheep around me to gather a bit of ruin. Not noticing any noteworthy gain I decided to attack the roaming soldiers.

Their attack patterns were easy to maneuver around with each slash and swing being punished with a pummeling of my club. Feeling a bit cocky from my successful attacks I decided to go after one of those soldiers with a torchpole. Sneaking up on my prey I landed a devastating blow knocking him down, but before I was able to punish him he swept my legs out with the pole and lept up shoving the flames towards me. My uncovered arms came to block my face singing from the onslaught. Noticing his shacking arms and the wavering tip I waited till he came for one more shove. Aimed closer to my feet I was able to jump onto it and force my weight onto the handle digging it into the ground. Losing his balance he fell face first not letting him escape; I brought down the entirety of my force cracking my club in the process.

My enemy lay before me with my ruined body covered in blood and black scorches, lotting his corpse I was able to salvage his pants and boots. Not notice anything else. I moved towards the church.

Reaching the church of Elleh site of grace I see a simple man sitting beside his steed, as he plays an instrument. A sad melody plays out surrounding him in a melancholy aura. Sadly he stopped. " You are a Tarnished, I can see it. And I can also see... That you're not after my throat. Then why not purchase a little something? I am Kale, Purveyor of fine goods".

Kale my old acquaintance how I long for our talks and friendship, but now I'm just a stranger and you are just a merchant. Licking my lips I decided to try to form the friendship of our past.

" I am of a nomadic people. Selling wares as I travel. The land has been tainted by madness since the shattering of the Elden Ring. It's only Tarnished like yourself who keep things from drying up entirely. Let's say you're a very welcome customer." Kale looked conflicted for a moment before smiling slyly. " You know, if you can spare the runes, you should buy yourself a crafting kit. It's essential really, as it allows you to craft basic items on your own. I will not lie to you it costs a bundle, and I do take my cut. The most important thing is that you survive. Every customer counts, after all."

Staring through his wares I searched for anything that may catch my eye. A cracked pot caught my eye but without any instructions, I would not want to try my hand at crafting. Nothing else stood out to me. After buying the craft kit I decided to leave; before I could go far though the slender bridge of Kale instrument blocked my path.

"Now my dear customer I shall give you some free advice. You act like a powerful warrior, but your strength shows weakness. That encampment over the hill there. You may feel tempted to fight; do not at least not directly. Laying in the ruins of their encampment lays a whetstone. Take it and return here this will give you the edge you sorely need."

Nodding once more at Kale I headed out. Walking down the beaten path, and fighting off anything that would threaten me. Finding myself in a clearing I was able to look over the now occupied ruins. A wondrous sight stood over me with a great golden tree standing far in the distance shining over us all. A site of Grace stood in the distance. Rushing to it, so I could rest for a moment.