A/N: Another info packed fast-paced chapter I really want to get this long flashback over with, there will he 2 more chapters as I need to write out how our protagonist found himself in the situation from ch1 but for now enjoy.

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As Somber rested beside the bonfire at the Firelink Shrine, he realized that he had only explored a small portion of Lordran. New Londo, the Tomb of the Giants, and Lost Izalith remained unknown to him. The only place he recognized without Frampt's guidance was Anor Londo, where the archives and, supposedly, Seath the Scaleless were located.

Feeling the need to strengthen his equipment, he set out to visit Andre, the blacksmith. Holding out a hand over the bonfire and imagining his destination, he was transported to the Undead Parish. Although he felt nauseous upon arrival, he managed to keep his composure and headed downstairs to find Andre.

Somber presented his worn gear to Andre, who recoiled at its state before cleaning and repairing it. While Andre worked, Somber decided to enhance his abilities at the bonfire. After informing Andre of his temporary leave, he went back up the stairs and channeled his souls to boost his endurance.

Following his brief empowerment, he took a small stroll towards Sen's Fortress, clutching the handle of the broadsword as it lay secure on his hip for security. The cloudy sky drew his attention, prompting him to think about his future and the challenges ahead. Suddenly, he tripped and found his face buried in a puddle.

As he wiped away the water and examined his reflection, he checked for any changes since becoming undead. He looked into his eyes, still brown as they once were, only a bit more gray now. He moved more down to his nose, and it was fine as well, he moved down to his lips and they looked normal too. He didn't appear to age one bit. His brown hair stayed the same medium length it once was before he had been taken to the asylum.

Satisfied with his self-examination, he walked away from the puddle and sat on a nearby staircase, lost in thought about his quest. He pondered his next destination when he remembered a door in Andre's room that he hadn't explored. It piqued his curiosity.

After a brief stretch, he retraced his steps back to Andre. Equipped with newly repaired gear, he approached the unexplored room, ready to face whatever lay within. As he entered, a bolt of lightning narrowly missed him, but he evaded it and engaged the demon.

Somber danced around the slow-moving demon, dodging its attacks and striking back with his Drake sword. He managed to get behind the creature and land a crucial blow. However, the demon's tail caught him off guard, sending him flying. He quickly recovered, taking a swig of estus and utilizing his sword's special black flame attack before finishing off the demon.

Exiting the demon's lair, Somber faced a dilemma with two paths before him. He chose the left path and soon encountered a tree-like creature, which he swiftly dispatched. As he climbed a ledge, he found himself at a gate with an enigmatic slot in the middle. Unable to push it open, he spotted a suspicious-looking wall to the gate's left. Pressing his palm against it revealed a hidden bonfire.

Having lit the bonfire, he ventured down the path to the right of the gate and stumbled upon a soul in the middle of a clearing. As he picked it up, three tree monsters attacked. Somber defeated them with ease, though he received a whip strike on his back.

Further into the forest, he encountered a massive clearing, where a stone knight engaged him. He dodged the knight's attacks and dispatched it with finesse. The forest held more stone knights and living trees, and he fought his way through them until he reached a ruined tower.

Inside, he saw a summon sign and decided to call upon the witch who left it. Together, they ascended the tower and crossed a bridge connecting it to another tower. There, they were ambushed by a sorcery-wielding moonlight butterfly. While the witch cast Soul arrows to damage the butterfly's wings, Somber deftly avoided its attacks.

Eventually, the butterfly landed, and Somber quickly defeated it. The witch's phantom disappeared, and Somber bid her farewell. He then climbed to the top of the tower and discovered several items: a key, a divine Ember, and a homeward bone.

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After returning to the bonfire, Somber decided to explore the opposite direction from where he had encountered the titanite demon - that's what he called it.

Navigating past the living trees that guarded his path, he ascended a rocky ledge and descended another, where he stumbled upon a crystal lizard. Swiftly dispatching the creature, he continued downward, only to come face to face with a Black Knight. This unsuspecting foe was positioned on a ledge, his back turned. Somber seized the opportunity and executed the easiest ambush of his life.

As the Black Knight plummeted from the ledge, Somber's gaze shifted, revealing a green shield lying nearby. He picked it up, and an unexpected surge of energy coursed through him as he affixed it to his arm. Deciding to keep it for now, he moved on.

Ascending the mountain once more, Somber encountered a formidable blue golem. He skillfully evaded its powerful blows, countering with precise strikes until the golem was felled. This pattern repeated with other golems until they lay shattered, leaving only shards behind.

Descending further, Somber confronted a menacing six-headed creature - the Hydra. The Hydra unleashed torrents of water, but Somber deftly blocked them with his newfound shield. His only escape was to maintain his shield's defense, even though the strain on his arms felt excruciating. He relentlessly slashed at the Hydra's heads as they reached the water's surface, and with each blow, the Hydra weakened until it finally crumbled to ash.

As Somber stood in the water, he decided he should take this opportunity to wash off. He began unfastening his armor laying it down neatly on the edge of the water as he took off his undergarments.

He quickly entered the water, submerging himself as he felt cold water and felt it stab at him from every side.

After getting used to the water temperature, Somber began washing off the remains of Blighttown, the depths, and the Darkroot basin.

After he was finished he put his armor on again and began his ascend back to Andre.