Flynn

RL91 - 32 VIG - 14 MND - 36 END - 36 STR - 14 DEX - 22 INT - 9 FTH - 7 ARC

Flynn

Seeing Mount Gelmir was one thing…reaching it, as I was quickly learning, was another ordeal entirely.

I'd bade farewell to Millicent, starting off on my journey alone through the golden plains of the Plateau. When the two of us had traveled to the castle before, I'd noticed a bridge high, high up in the sky, spanning a large gap from the plateau to the mountain. That was my first destination, hopefully a stepping stone to traveling up the mountain proper. However, these lands were vast, and I didn't have a map…I needed to find a road, and hope that it would take me to that bridge.

I'd set off, crossing the valley and continuing onwards, towards the capital - there had to be roads to the capital, surely. I passed by several encampments, being cautious and staying outside of their sphere of influence. I crested a hill, seeing the wide sprawling fields stretch out before me - and thankfully, a road. Even better…a road heading north.

I caught up to it, starting along the path. Torrent would surely make this easier, but…hopefully wherever Resa was, our faithful steed was serving her well.

North I went, climbing a gentle slope until I noticed someone, and something, on the side of the road. First, another map stele, by the looks of things…though I didn't have paper and a quill like my sister, so it did me little good. Secondly though, was a man…and as I got closer, I recognized him as Brother Corhyn.

I stopped, regarding Resa's former tutor. "Hi, Brother…I don't suppose I've formally introduced myself. I'm Flynn, Resa's brother. You helped her learn some incantations back when we started our journey here. What brings you out this way?"

"Oh, greetings Flynn…light of the Erdtree upon you. I'm seeking someone, actually, but don't trouble yourself with it." He paused, his head listing slightly to one side before continuing. "Where is your sister, by the way?"

"Oh, she…" I sighed…I wish I knew where she was, just to know that she was safe. I suppose I knew she was…at least, she hadn't died yet. "She's helping a friend of hers with something in Liurnia. I figured I'd forge ahead while she was busy…should make it easier when we're back together."

"Ah…very well then. I see we both have our own journeys ahead of us then. May the blessing of the Golden Order shine upon you, Flynn…and safe travels."

"You too, Brother." He bade me farewell, but in truth I was only walking a handful of steps more towards the stele just on his other side. My eyes scanned the texts, reading them…but without being able to draw it on parchment, it was simply too much to try and remember all at once. I did know that the road I was on would lead me to Mount Gelmir…eventually. But as far as what was on the way, I had no clue.

Well, only one way to find out…I forged ahead. I crested the slope, rounding a corner to the east as I emerged upon a vale, yet another lesser Erdtree at its core. However, what truly drew my attention was the Rise, just down the hill from where I was…that likely meant another Memory Stone, something I was all-too-keen to acquire. My eyes shifted to continue along the road, seeing it curve off to a bridge that - at one point- would have crossed the vale…but as it now in its broken and dilapidated state, actually served as a good way to the vale's lower ground. I made my way around, reaching the bridge to find several things there - a merchant, a grace, and a waygate.

I checked the merchant's wares, curious for anything that could be useful, and found a couple stonesword keys for sale like most of his kin. However, there was something else as well -a greatshield. In my previous journeys through Lordran and Lothric, I had always found myself using a greatshield, weathering blow after blow from whatever foul creature assailed me. Now, though…perhaps, but not yet. While I was perusing, the merchant also explained the purpose of the waygate - to help get across the bridge now that it had collapsed. That was good…the road went all the way around the far edges of the vale, this waygate being a much shorter alternative.

WIth that information in mind, I descended down to the vale's floor, jumping from broken segment of the bridge to broken segment, each one dropping me closer to the ground. I turned left, approaching the Rise, surprised at just how thick the fog was down here…I certainly hadn't seen it from up above. There were also strange creatures here - creatures with strange arched backs and numerously tentacled mouths….I gave each of them a wide berth as I went, eventually making my way to the…

Rise? I got to where I knew it was…I knew it was, but there was no tower in sight. All I could see was the usual imp statue out front, as well as the sigil that often barred the way to one of the doors until we solved the puzzle…but there was no door, and there was no tower. I looked at the statue, hoping that it would shed some kind of insight, and on it was the clue "Touch three phantom crests."

I was…puzzled, but alright. A map was accompanied by the clue, depicting the rise and three locations to check, one one location right in front of the rise…right where this sigil. I held out my hand, pressing a fingertip against the sigil, and in an instant it vanished. I sighed, taking a closer inspection of the map and remembering what I could of the surrounding area…time to go hunting.

The second sigil was easy to find, the blue glow illuminating it well before I got there. The third…not so much. It was closer to the bridge, the only sign that I was even close to it being some phantasmal blue imps that began to harass me once I neared the spot marked on the clue…but when I got there, it wasn't until much later that I spotted a faint blue shimmer to a rock, a quick slash of my cleaver revealing to to be illusory - and that the third sigil was hidden within. These sorcerers and their strange puzzles…at least I'd solved this one, from what I could tell.

I rode back to the Rise - and when I got there, I could actually see the Rise this time. I scaled the top, finding a chest at the peak like always - but when I opened it, it was not a memory stone waiting for me, but rather two sorceries - Unseen Form and Unseen Blade, which I quickly read through thanks to my new talisman. Both seemed capable of hiding part of oneself, either weapon or body, in an attempt to either deceive enemies or sneak undetected. That could be quite useful…if I was going to be entering the viper's nest of Volcano Manor alone, some sorceric aid to combat my natural stealthiness would go a long way.

No Memory Stone…but perhaps something equally useful. I ran back, returning to a grace that I'd found on the way in, and using it as a jumping point to return to the bridge. From there I stepped through the waygate - and true to the merchant's word, I found myself on the other side of the vale. There were quite a few windmills in these parts, though what they were supposed to power I did not know. Still, my attention was elsewhere…I continued on.

I headed west, realizing that the road I was on actually stopped, and that I needed to head south a little. I made my way back, circling around until I caught up with the main road again. As I went, I came across another caravan, two trolls pulling a wagon with all manner of guards protecting the cargo from the back. As much as I wanted to know what was in there, now wasn't the time…and that meant giving the caravan a wide, wide berth. I walked around, cutting around the jagged spires that were now starting to spring up from the ground until I eventually passed the caravan, continuing on the road ahead of them.

Finally, finally I found the bridge I'd initially set out for, stepping across it as I reached the base of Mount Gelmir. Yet another grace marked my journey, allowing a brief bit of respite. I prepared the Unseen Form that I'd just picked up, sacrificing Star Shower for the memory…I still had Loretta's Greatbow, should I need to fight at range. I continued on my own two feet, once again wishing that I had Torrent at my side…but also, another thought was creeping in. Resa…what if Millicent was right? Of course there were fates worse than death, especially in a land like this. We'd been captured back in Seath's library, only managing to escape due to the carelessness of a guard. What if she was stuck in that tower?

Or…what if I was wrong? I had to consider that option - that my read on Ranni was wrong, and that Resa actually wasn't in harm's way. In that case, I'd alienated myself from my sister in a way that I would struggle to ever recover from. Maybe she was safe…maybe she was making her way to the capital independently, not wanting to rejoin with me. I hoped not…even if I was wrong, I hoped that she understood why I felt that way…and why I was worried for her safety. I hoped that she was worried for my safety, too…but now, I wasn't so sure.

I had to press on…the loneliness was getting to me, my mind's fears running rampant. The entrance to Gelmir looked like a battlefield with toppled barricades, destroyed buildings, and burning equipment. As I went deeper, I found it in fact was a battleground, with capital soldiers fighting against the same sort of rolling, bladed machine we'd seen in the plaza within Raya Lucaria.

I didn't want to get involved in a battle between two nations…well, not yet anyways. Thankfully now, I could try to move stealthily, the sounds of my armor being masked by the surrounding sounds of conflict. I cast Unseen Form, feeling a strange sort of mist waft out of the head of my staff, coating my body. When I looked down at my hands and feet, I could see that the illusion wasn't perfect…I was still visible, just in a reduced capacity - hopefully enough to get me through.

Past the barricade were two more of the bladed machines, their prey long since dead. I moved fast, not wanting to get noticed…and somehow, I wasn't. I circled around another barricade, continuing to forge a path, towards the…end.

The end…I should have seen this coming, the previous bridge being the first tell. Up ahead, the footworn path turned into a bridge - a bridge that had long since sheared in half, the second half much, much higher up, completely unreachable. I shook my head, turning around. I'd have to find another way around…but where? Oddly enough, back at the beginning - at the clearing, where I'd left Millicent. Of all the places on the plateau that I'd been, it was one of the closest to Mount Gelmir. I circled back, another usage of Unseen Form getting me back to the prior grace. From there, I departed.

When I returned to the clearing, Millicent was gone. I had hoped otherwise…even if it was only for a slight chat, the brief bit of company would have been welcome. However, I was on my own yet again…and this time, I had to find another way up to Mount Gelmir. I headed north directly towards the mountain, hoping that perhaps sheer willpower and determination would get me there…it had gotten me pretty far in the past. The edge of the preceding ridge had a gentle slope that allowed for me to get up, meaning that this second attempt wasn't a wash from the beginning. I headed up, starting the journey anew.

At the top of the slope was a large ruined complex, flooded by rainwater. I felt my eye twinge with pain the moment I made it up - a pain I hadn't felt in quite a while. Even stranger, I could see the source of that pain - another Mariner rowed about in the rainwater, its longhorn serving as a canoe. I was surprised that it had taken this long for Gurranq's eye to flare up, the sensation usually hitting me around when I entered the general region of the deathroot. Perhaps it was because I was no longer as closely tied with him as I was, or perhaps it was because it had been quite a while since my last deathroot - but either way, I appreciated the reprieve.

Now that that flare was back, however, I needed to do something about it - and that meant taking down the mariner. This one was capable of summoning even more threatening skeletons than before, including an absolutely massive one that could only manage to pull its arms and chest out of the lake, swiping at me as I approached with arms of monumental proportion. Multiple other skeletons rose up as well, trying to swarm me on all sides. I put my new sorceries to great use - Glintblade Phalanx covered me from the angles I couldn't see, Magic Downpour helped reduce the approaching area of attack, and the Carian Piercer helped take things down from afar.

Thankfully, the Mariner didn't pose a serious threat - Resa and I had taken down several of them at this point, and their ability to fight back while rowing that canoe was limited. In time, it fell…and in its wake was a deathroot. D would want this…I'd have to go back to the hold later and deliver it to him.

From up here, the rocky crags of Mount Gelmir were ever present right in front of me - I could only hope that this would lead to the right way. I continued across the lake, through the plains on the other side and down into a ravine…a long, long ravine. I seemed to be at the base of one of the mountain, grassy plains immediately giving way to a steep rock face that extended high into the sky. The ravine only extended to the north - a quick glance at the south actually let me see the upturned carts left by the fight Millicent and I had had with the ancient dragon, but that was far, far below me. No, the only way forward was north…I just had to hope it was the right way.

Onwards I marched, ignoring the ever-growing soreness in my legs from so much walking. The ravine filtered out most of the light from up above thanks to two rocky crags jutting into each other and blotting out the sky above. However, it was also foggy here, growing thicker as I went deeper into the ravine. No, not foggy…smoky. Jets of hot air ruptured out of the ground , igniting the air around them and smoking up the entire ravine. I coughed, choking on the haze as I held my breath, making my way through.

The ravine gently but assuredly curved to the west as I worked my way around the mountain. It was hard to know if I was gaining or losing any elevation…everything felt flat at the moment, but I hoped that that would change in time. I continued dodging the air vents, a mistimed step over one leading to a blast of scalding hot air all across my entire body, leaving the sort of burns that I wouldn't have enjoyed even as a pyromancer.

As I cleared the last air vent, I looked onwards towards the horizon. The ravine was finally coming to an end, but I could see a large structure in the distance - a fort, almost assuredly not the castle. I crept forward, moving a bit more cautiously now - if I was going to play this role of being interested in Volcano Manor, I didn't want to appear hostile to anyone affiliated with them. As I drew closer, I once again cast Unseen form on myself, trying to avoid detection.

I slipped through the barricades, once again hearing the sounds of conflict. It was different this time, though - rather than the bladed machines, now the Capital forces were being assailed by fire-wielding monks and chariots that could breathe flame. I'd seen all of these before, of course - the monks had been in Liurnia, while the chariots had been scattered about Caelid. Given their concentrated numbers here, I could only assume that those troops had moved from Mount Gelmir to elsewhere in the Lands, or perhaps they'd simply taken up residence there after one of the many wars in the Shattering. I didn't know…at the moment, it wasn't my concern.

The boon of invisibility helped me slip past the fort's guards, letting me move on to what was beyond it - a lake of fire. Even worse, a lake of fire with something in it - as I stepped closer I saw lava spray into the air as a being emerged from below - a wyrm.

Nope…not this time, not right now. Not only did this one appear larger than the one we'd all faced in the Precipice, I was alone - and I distinctly remembered how exhausted I'd been at the end of that fight. Trying to take this one on just felt like suicide. I ran past it, skirting around the lake as it chased after me. Eventually, it lost interest - perhaps it was just being territorial, perhaps I simply wasn't worth the effort. Whatever it was it let me be, eventually slipping back under the lake once I was far in the distance.

Ahead of me, finally, was some elevation change - and I was pleased to see that I was going up, not down. That was good - it meant there was a chance I was actually going the right direction. A couple creatures stood in my way, nothing I couldn't either fight through or simply avoid, and so slowly but surely I made my way up. I passed by a row of coffins, and then another, and then started up a steeper incline where I could see some dilapidated shacks at the top, closer and closer to the summit.

As I neared those shacks, I saw a shadow move on my left. I looked over, and then up…just in time to see a massive bear lunging at me from afar, similar to what we'd seen in the Mistwood. I picked up the pace, once again finding myself in a fight that I wasn't quite up for. I charged up the hill, not worrying about anything else but the towering bear that was now hot on my heels. Once again, I found myself fortunate enough to get far enough away that it lost interest, returning to its den back near the cabins. I worried that that fortune was drawing to an end, though…I hoped not.

Ahead, the disparate shacks soon turned into an entire village, a village now completely overrun. I'd seen the invaders before - small, most of their kind only getting up to about waist height. Unfortunately for me, they were highly aggressive and territorial - simply walking closer earned me a fair share of animalistic growls, as well as wooden clubs beating against shields. Still, I walked closer…and if any of them fought back, I answered.

As I reached the final house in the desecrated village, I saw something interesting - another one of the strange humanoid creatures, although this one was much, much larger. Even odder though, were the three academy sorcerers around it. Like most of the other situations I'd encountered on Mount Gelmir, I assumed that these two forces would be at odds with each other, and yet they weren't. Perhaps an alliance had been struck between the two regions? I didn't know.

I shouldn't have stood out in the open for so long…these were sorcerers of Raya Lucaria, after all - the place I'd been banished from.

Within moments of the first one spotting me I was assaulted with a barrage of glintstone, all three sorcerers and even the much larger humanoid wielding glintstone staves. Trying to dodge it all was simply impossible, but thankfully I didn't have to anymore. I held up my shield as I ran towards the first mage, getting in close. Much like our time in Raya Lucaria, the sorcerers weren't exactly the most durable of oppositions…within a swing or two, it had already crumpled to the ground. I shifted around, taking down the other two in turn until it was only me and the creature remaining.

The two of us duked it out - I could have run like before, but something actually drew my attention - a Memory Stone hung around the creature's neck. I hated that that single fact alone made me strongly consider striking it down - it meant that Resa's words were right, I did leave a trail of blood wherever I went. However, I had no choice…this world was harsh, and we'd been in multiple fights through our lifetimes where we needed every single edge that we could get. If this memory stone, and the sorcery it let me carry, saved my life in the future…it would be worth it.

Once again, I found that the fight against the massive humanoid wasn't overly difficult. It felt as if the sorcerers had been teaching it sorceries - and as soon as they were gone, all of that teaching was forgotten. It used that staff more like a bludgeoning stick, bashing the end against the ground and swinging it at me with reckless force. Occasionally, a bolt of glintstone would fly out, but would go wildly off course, as if it was cast by accident. The creature didn't have the means to protect itself, at least not well. Soon, it fell…and as it did, so did that memory stone. I picked it up after it clattered to the ground, stowing it away…only time would tell if I made the right choice.

Further ahead down the winding pathway I'd been on, the land gave way to nothing more than jagged rocky crafts, supported by nothing but the rock that they clung to. I was getting there…I couldn't see Volcano Manor yet, but I was sure it couldn't be far away. I continued onward, stepping on the crag and beginning to make my way across, but something caught my eye to the left. A…person? I hesitated to even call it that, but I could see humanoid looking arms and legs, though little else. Where a head would be instead were jagged green crystals…based on recent events, I could only assume that these were glintstone crystals. Was this a sorcerer…and if so, what had happened?

I approached, moving closer. The figure wasn't moving, and the only thing that suggested that it was alive at all was that it was sitting upright and its arms weren't limp at its side, but rather held up. In fact, one arm had something in it…a scroll, dusty and weathered and yellow and clearly very, very ancient. I paused for a moment, and then reached for it - I had to know…I had to know just what this is. I could know, thanks to this amulet - I might not be able to perform whatever esoteric works were contained within, but I'd at least know what it was.

At least…I thought I would, but actually reading the scroll was an entirely different matter. The runes were more cryptic than anything I'd seen before, and I couldn't parse a single word. I had expected this to be ancient…but nowhere near this much. I kept hold of it - I was sure Sellen would be fascinated that such sorceries even existed. And besides…if this sorcerer, whomever it was, had crafted this scroll…they'd want their efforts carried on.

I forged ahead, taking a brief moment to light a grace by the sorcerer before continuing. I crossed the land bridge, arriving on the other side with a big leap down to a clearing below. Just ahead was a structure - tall, and reminiscent of the building we'd exited from upon first arriving in the Lands Between proper. A multi-tiered building made of stone, a single door at its base, a statue on the top…it was almost eerily similar to the building, the only difference being the statue on top. I would have paid it no mind, content to simply acknowledge and remember it for later, if it weren't for the fact that once again, my eye started to strain…more deathroot was in there, I knew it. I sighed…I knew that the journey up to Mount Gelmir would take a while, but not because I was going to get distracted by everything along the way. Almost begrudgingly, I stepped into the building…at least it would help D combat the undead presence.

The inside of the building was…warm, toasty even. I descended an elevator upon my arrival, feeling the heat continue to rise as I went further and further down. A small antechamber had yet another grace that I lit, but then I continued on. A small staircase awaited me, and around a corner I could see an orange glow coming from deeper within…the heat made sense now.

As I rounded the corner, I was greeted by the sight of a long, straight pathway, flanked on both sides by roiling, sloshing lava. This was…well given the lava I'd passed on the way here, I suppose I couldn't say it was the last thing I expected to see, but it was certainly a shock.

I started on my way down - and about two seconds later, something was illuminated at the end of the corridor. It looked sort of like a chariot - two horses, a wheel on either side - but it was made of stone, not of horse, and cart. About a second after it was first illuminated, the contraption started moving forward, straight down the center of the trail.

I wondered if it was going to stop…and then I looked at some intentionally-built cubbies on either side of the pathway, large enough for a couple people to fit in.

Oh.

I ran forward, rushing for the first cubby I could find. A couple skeletons began to materialize as I got closer, but I slashed at them with my halberd, sending their pieces scattering against the central passageway. They began to reanimate…but based on the ever-growing sound of that contraption drawing closer, I doubted they ever would. Just as one had mostly reassembled itself, the machine blazed past. Bones were sent scattering everywhere, flying against the walls as the skeleton was ruthlessly dismembered, no chance of it ever returning.

I waited for the chariot to pass, and then ran for it again. There was another cubby further ahead, this one requiring a leap over the lava to get to unscathed. I made it in, waiting as the chariot rode past the other way. It seemed to know where I was, and when I moved. It wouldn't go too far before stopping, turning around, and returning…that meant I had to time my excursions correctly.

I ran forwards to a third cubby, and then a fourth. I was making steady progress, but a brief look ahead showed that that was quickly coming to an end. However, I noticed a cave-in on the opposite wall, a different type of light coming from within. Perhaps that could be a way forward, intentional or not…at this point, it almost felt safer to continue delving deeper than to try and turn around and escape the chariot. I made a run for it one more time, managing to leap across the lava and through the destroyed wall, into the chamber beyond.

Inside was a chamber with far more people than I had anticipated - and none of them were happy to see me. More explosive arrows were fired by mask-covered fighters lurking in the shadows, detonating almost before I had a chance to react. I fought back, slowly but surely cleaning up the room with the aid of my halberd accompanied by my sorceries. As I made it further inside, I was made aware of a blasting jet of fire coming from the one entrance to the chamber, consistent and yet intermittent…once I had defeated everything in sight, I approached it, learning the pattern. There was another small chamber inside, with room to avoid the flames. As soon as they died down I ran through, skirting just to the side before those flames resumed once more. From there, I continued forward I until I could see more of the long track I'd been running down, or perhaps another track…it was hard to tell.

As soon as I took a step forward I was startled by the sight and sound of the chariot coming to a screeching halt right in front of me, bladed wheel mere inches from my face. My breath caught in my throat as the mechanism swung around, once again continuing its journey down a slop to my left…that was a bit too close for comfort. Still, I could see more cubbies further down, showing that I was back to the same song and dance as before - once the coast was clear, I pressed on. The lava was gone now which made traversal easier, and soon I'd made it to one cubby, and then another that was just before a bend in the track.

I wasn't alone in this cubby…and it wasn't a skeleton this time. Something manifested from the shadows, practically shadow itself - a formless black creature with two beady yellow eyes, the only thing that seemed even remotely corporeal about it being a strange curved blade in each hand. The blades were strange…but I didn't have time to inspect it now, not while the two of us were cramped in the small space, the threat of the chariot just outside.

I dropped my halberd, reaching for my cleaver and shield - the larger weapon was just too much for such a confined space. I thrust my shield directly into the creature's face, slashing at it with my blade. It struck back, slicing swipes with those blades that stung, and stung hard…it was almost impressive how much power it packed into such a small weapon. However, it seemed that with that power came a fragility - after only a few more strikes, the creature crumpled into the shadows that it came from, leaving behind only a single thing - one of those blades.

I picked it up, curious…these were no ordinary blades. There was a hinge near the top, allowing the blade to unfurl into twice the size it normally was, allowing for far greater reach than normal. The weapon was honed to a razor fine edge as well, the blade hooked and jagged in places as if it was designed specifically to maim flesh. It was…in a word…effective.

I thought back to the implements Resa had given me, specifically the amulet.…it had been life changing, honestly. Certainly this weapon couldn't match that…but it would at least show that I was thinking about her. She'd been using that katana for quite a while now, and though it was a highly effective weapon, it was, well…simple. This could give her something flashier, something I knew she'd like…I held onto it for the time being.

I continued to press forward, but that advance rapidly came to a stop. Ahead of me the path faded away, only lava remaining. That certainly wasn't happening - even if I had Quelaag's armor that she'd given to me back in Lothric, I wouldn't be able to survive in lava that long to reach the end. I looked back, up the slope I'd come down on…perhaps there was another way around.

As I found out, that way was quite close by. The path had narrowed on my way to the final cubby, something I'd found odd originally - but now that I could safely look down it, I could spot a small ledge, and a door just inside. I made a running jump, landing on the ledge and making my way inside. It was a cramped chamber, a column in the middle that I made my way around. On the other side was a warrior, hunched low and with a tattered yellow cape on its back. In one hand was a jagged, hooked claw that was almost over proportioned, while the other held a long, slender blade.

Based on that description alone I recognized this creature…this was what Resa had fought in the Evergaol, the same time that I'd fought the Knight of the Crucible. At first, I thought to be wary…but Resa and I had grown significantly since then, performing feats that the versions of us back then couldn't even hope to accomplish. What was a harrowing challenge for us then was…well, hopefully I'd find out what it was now.

I had the first strike on the creature, it's back to me as I entered. I held up my staff, five blades forming around me to flank me as I entered with my halberd, bringing the crushing weight of the weapon down. A half-second later, all five blades homed in on the knight, rushing towards it and piercing into its back. Already, it was looking injured…and it had barely even had time to turn around. When it did though, it made its prowess known, moving with even more speed and swiftness that Resa or Millicent could accomplish, almost phasing from one location to another. No, not almost…it was.

Well, fine then…even if I couldn't see it, I knew what could. I formed another array of five blades, letting them do the work of seeking this nimble foe. It slashed out at me with sweeping cuts from that blade before retreating into the distance, but as soon as one of my carian blades came rushing in its direction I followed up. I swung my halberd across my body in a wide sweep, catching it by the side with a brutal hit that knocked it off balance, its claw arm crumpling under its weight. I brought the halberd up, and then down - and when I did, the creature's life was claimed.

Again, I looked at what was left behind - namely, the armor. Resa hadn't had a chance to even consider donning such a set last time, being shunted out of the Evergaol as soon as it was slain. Was it something she'd appreciate? The cape and helmet certainly not, but that could be easily removed. The rest…I wasn't sure. It was fairly lightweight, with metal only covering the most vital of areas with cloth and chain protecting the rest. I could see her wearing it…it was maybe a bit rusted, but that was something Hewg could fix. Like many things we ended up carrying on our journey, it held some amount of sentimentality to it - a remembrance of the first creature she'd slain alone. She was alone now, wherever she was…perhaps it would remind her of a time when we were apart, but happy. Gods…I hated that I was almost considering throwing myself into the lava just to force her to come back. The loneliness was getting to me.

I cut off the knight's cape with the blade I'd just acquired, using it as a sort of bag for the rest of the armor. The armor was entirely connected by straps, meaning that it was rather compact once it was all disassembled - I tied the cape up, tossing it over one shoulder. It would be a clumsy time getting through the rest of this place, but I hoped that it'd be worth it. If I saw Resa wearing this armor the next time I saw her…it would be.

The way out of here was via a ladder up, already testing the limits of my athleticism with all this armor thrown over my shoulder. I eventually made it up, arriving on a miniscule platform with nothing of note but two windows to the main outside track…yet another dead end.

Except I quickly realized it wasn't. There was a crossbeam outside, one I could get to with a little bit of careful footwork. That crossbeam could put me on top of that chariot that was patrolling the corridor…and from there, the lava that had barred my way earlier would no longer be a problem. Risky? Of course, but I'd signed up for that…I was running through an underground crypt filled with lava, after all. I maneuvered through a window, carefully stepping onto a wooden crossbeam and navigating my way out to the center - and as soon as the chariot rolled up and came to a stop beneath me, I jumped. I impacted the top of the chariot a second later, a human rider to accompany the metal horses built into the structure. The three of us rode down the lava as one, taking me to an alcove with a ladder, leading up to a landing with a doorway - and based on the pain in my eye, clearly a path forward. As the chariot reached the end and began making its way back up I leaped off, briefly stepping into the lava to reach the alcove. Up I went, opening the doorway and entering into the chamber beyond - a long tiered staircase with much, much larger doors at the end. At this point my eye was nearly flaring with pain, the deathroot just beyond those doors. I set the bundle of armor down…it was time to take down whatever had taken hold of that deathroot.

I was surprised by what I saw - a wolf with brilliant red fur, bearing a striking resemblance to a similar wolf in Raya Lucaria. I was all too familiar with how that had gone, Resa and I running for our lives through buildings and up staircases in an attempt to get away from the thing, huddling in buildings and simply waiting it out…but once again, that was the past. We'd grown since then - less so than when we'd faced off against our first Evergaols, but grown nonetheless. Just as I hadn't fought the knight from before, neither had I actually fought this creature as well…but I was prepared to.

The creature leaped to the side, leaving floating blades in the air that I knew would home in on me a moment later, Carian magic that I was now quite familiar with myself. I ran towards it, remembering just how poorly sorceries had fared when we were in Raya Lucaria - if I was to beat this thing, it would be with stone and steel. I wielded my halberd and shield, the long range of the halberd allowing me to strike back at the more nimble, agile foe with comparative ease. It didn't make it easy, constantly leaping to the side, in the air, behind me, and frankly wherever it wanted…but if I managed to get even somewhat close I was ready, a powerful swing from my halberd enough to elicit a whimper and for blood to start caking its red fur.

We danced around each other, the wolf content to try and run me ragged by leaping every which way, but I was willing to play that game. I waited, and waited, getting in hits when I could - but just as my sorceries were ineffective against it, so too had my study of sorceries bolstered my resistance to it. What had previously bitten and burned now only stung, a sign of both my hardiness but also my practice - I was simply better than before, no questions about it.

In time, the beast fell…it put up a valiant fight, but there could only be one victor. In the back of the room was a chest, and I knew that inside it was a deathroot. I walked over, lifting the lid…deathroot wasn't the only thing in here. I lifted up an urn, a shape I wasn't all too familiar with but I knew Resa was, an urn that undoubtedly contained a spirit she could call forth with her bell. It was yet another item I was all too happy to send her way, to show her that I was thinking about her, even when we were this far apart. I gathered the armor and threw it back over my shoulder, walking over to a strange wispy light in the corner - it had only materialized after the wolf died, and I could faintly sense the same sort of power within it as a Waygate. I reached out my hand - and a moment later, I was back at the crypt's entrance.

I needed to find a grace badly…if only the last one I'd been at wasn't on the opposite end of a chasm. I continued forward, cleaver in my hand but mostly as a deterrent - with all this armor with me, I was nowhere near fighting shape. I followed a rough path forward, crossing another chasm by way of a jutting crag.

As I crossed that crag, I finally laid eyes on Volcano Manor for the first time. It seemed like a fairly…normal castle, all things considered. Spires, windows…I wasn't quite sure why I expected Rykard to have a castle that screamed that he was evil, but I was almost disappointed that he had something so…so bland.

Across the crag were a series of steep cliffs, connected by means of ladder. I avoided everything here as best as I could, fighting only when I had no other option. I continued carving a path up, climbing closer and closer to the Manor. It was almost unbelievable that it was the same day given how much walking I'd been doing, and yet it was…though night was approaching soon.

After the third ladder I was out of breath, but thankfully had reached the top. To my left, I could see a bridge that took me closer to the castle - but even more importantly was a grace. I ran plodded towards it, skirting my way around a battalion of troops that had taken up station in the area with some help from Unseen Form. I crossed the bridge, made it to the grace, and sat down…success.

I had errands to run…but first and foremost was a trip to the Hold. I had several things to hand off to Resa by way of Hewg - a blade, some armor, and a spirit. At the same time, I had two more Deathroot for D, assuming he was there. A trip to Sellen was in order as well, both to show the progress I'd made, but also to discuss this new, ancient sorcery that I'd found…but that could wait until I had made it to the Manor.

I returned to the Hold, arriving in the main chamber once more. There, sitting at a seat by the table, was D. I walked over, greeting the elaborately-dressed warrior.

"Ah, Flynn, it's good to see you again. How goes your hunt against Those that Live in Death?"

"I, well…I'm doing what I can. I have more Deathroot for you, if you're so inclined. I haven't visited Gurranq in quite some time, but I know that it is still of value to you."

"It is…every bit helps both me and Gurranq alike. You don't have to do this, you know…you could offer it to him yourself, and be rewarded in kind. Anything you are willing to spare though, I would be a fool to turn down."

I reached into my belongings, pulling out the two that I'd picked up since setting off for the mountain. "Here…freely given, like last time. May they serve you well in your journey."

D stood up, both hands clasping around mine as he half shook my hand, half accepted the deathroot. "This is a kind gesture, Flynn…it will not be easily forgotten." A moment after that his helmet went to the side of my head, voice coming out in a low whisper rather than his usual bold, proud tone. "Fia is planning something, Flynn. I can't say what, but it threatens everything we've worked for. Be wary…you did not hear this from me."

I stood there for a moment, frozen in confusion…and after a second, D was back to his former self. "Well, I suppose I should be going then. I have a visit to Gurranq in order, thanks to you. Until next time, Flynn."

"Until next time." As he left I was still processing what he'd said, not quite sure what to make of it. I walked over towards Hewg…perhaps it was best to let it simmer for now.

Except, I couldn't. As I walked to Hewg, I involuntarily glanced into Fia's chamber, seeing if she was there. What stared back at me were two vividly green eyes, tracking me like a predator with every minute step that I made. Fia continued to stare as I walked, a chill running down my spine. She knew…she knew every word D had just told me, undoubtedly. Did that make me a threat? I knew we already had our differences, and rather major ones at that…forget being a threat, was I a target?

With another step, those flaring green eyes disappeared behind the wall, a couple more steps taking me two Hewg. I shuddered, trying to shake the thoughts from my mind…I was getting in my own head. I went up to Hewg, the blacksmith stopping his work and glancing my way. To my delight, there was actually a hint of recognition in those eyes - only a hint, nothing more…but I'd take it.

"Ah…Fane…no, that's not it…Flynn, is it?"

I nodded, happy that he even remembered my name at all…I doubted he would have last time if Resa not left him a message. "It is, Hewg."

"That's…that's good. What can I help you with, Flynn?"

"Do you remember what my sister looks like? The one that left me this staff?"

"Yeah…yeah, I think I do. How's it treating you?"

"Quite well…I'm glad she left it for me. In fact, that's why I'm here…there's some things I'd like to hand off to her, should she come back. Is that something you can hold onto?"

A look of worry crossed Hewg's eyes, looking at what I had. "Well that's easy enough to do, but please, don't make me - "

I chuckled, knowing where he was going. "Don't worry Hewg, I won't ask you to deliver a message. I'll have Roderika do that…there's something I want to hand off to her as well. What I will ask is if you can refine this weapon, should you find yourself with the time. I should have some spare smithing stones lying around to get it started." I held out the blade, finding some smithing stones from one of our earlier expeditions down a mine. If the blade was already as sharp as it was, though, I wasn't sure how much more it needed…but if it kept my sister safer, wherever she was, it was worth it.

"I can find the time, don't you worry. Just leave everything here…I'll make sure nobody else takes it."

"Thanks Hewg…as always, I appreciate it. I've got nothing more for right now, if you need to get back to work."

Silently, the blacksmith did, picking up his hammer and once again working on a sword. Poor Hewg…hopefully his memory was still within him when Resa came back.

My last stop of the day…Roderika. I knelt down, pulling out the urn from my belongings. The woman looked up, head listing to the side quizzically. "Are…are you here for spirit tuning, Flynn? I'm more than happy to if you are, I just thought that - "

"No, Roderika…I'm not. I want you to give this to Resa, next time you see her. Tell her I…tell her I miss her, and that I hope this helps her wherever she is."

Roderika nodded solemnly, hands grasping the urn as she pulled it to the side. "I'll deliver the message Flynn, I promise. She, well, she said that you were being frustrating earlier, and that's why the two of you split up. Is everything alright between you two?"

I shook my head. "I…I don't know, but I don't think so. I'm worried that she's getting in over her head, and that she's going to be taken advantage of. I thought that if I told her I wouldn't support her that she'd back down, and keep herself safe…but she didn't, and now I'm even more worried. I…I just want her to be safe, that's all."

"Aww…you're a good brother Flynn. She's lucky to have you."

I gave a meek smile, the best I could offer at the moment. "Well, right now she doesn't. If she goes asking where I am, tell her that I'm heading to Volcano Manor. If she doesn't ask though, don't tell her…it'd only make her as worried as I am."

Roderika nodded, amazingly cherry despite the tone. "Alright Flynn, you have my word. I'll say what you asked next time she comes by, I promise. Until then, just keep yourself safe. That's what I want, and I'm sure that's what Resa wants too."

"Thanks, Roderika."

I stood up, walking back to the central table. I didn't know what Resa wanted…I didn't know where she was, what she wanted, how she was doing, or who she was with. Even worse, I didn't know which of those I should be worried about, and which ones I shouldn't.

If Ranni was involved…potentially all of them.