Flynn

RL52 - 28 VIG - 13 MND - 22 END - 25 STR - 14 DEX - 12 INT - 10 FTH - 7 ARC

Resa

RL52 - 16 VIG - 15 MND - 12 END - 12 STR - 24 DEX - 9 INT - 34 FTH - 9 ARC

Flynn

After I launched my sister up to the balcony for the second time, I moved back to the small side room where I'd found the strange axe. I took a seat on one of the coffins and simply waited…I had a lot to think about.

Fia…she was an ally to the undead? The news had surprised me when I heard it…I couldn't imagine why anyone would ally with the undead. And yet, she did. I felt…betrayed perhaps wasn't the right word, but it was the word my mind found. I'd given her my pyromancy flame…a symbol of life, of warmth - and she was going to use it on the undead.

I tossed the damned axe around in my hands, looking at the skeletons masterfully crafted into the blade. It felt like it was mocking me…reminding me that I had aided Fia due to a moment of my own weakness, and it was a decision that I could never fix. On top of the axe, we'd collected two separate spirit ashes, both containing skeletons…as if the undead themselves intended to follow me around; remind me that I'd aided them.

I needed time to process everything, and figure out a plan…it was clear from my discussion with Fia that changing her mind was out of the question, but perhaps I could steer her slightly towards a better path…one that didn't involve misusing my flame for the opposite of its purpose.

As I sat and waited, I lost track of time. It wasn't until I nearly nodded off that I furrowed my brow, standing up. Resa had been gone a while…I likely should have checked on her a while ago, but I was too lost in my own thoughts to notice. I rushed out, heading into the guillotine chamber…right. On my own, I had no way up.

Or did I? I stood there, watching the guillotines slam into the ground only to raise back up. I could figure something out…if Resa was in danger, I had to. I waited, letting the guillotine crash down once more, and then leaped onto its top, one hand firmly grasping the thick metal chain that kept it suspended. I held on tightly as I rode it up, leaping off of it onto the balcony once I could. A little perilous…but doable.

From here, it was very easy to find my sister…likely because she was lying on the floor only a few paces from where I'd landed. I could see innumerable cuts and slices all along her arms, legs, and sides…whatever she'd found here, it had almost killed her. Frankly, it was a miracle that she hadn't died…I couldn't remember a time when a fight had left me so exhausted that I'd passed out.

Well…she couldn't stay here, not like this. I lifted her up and laid her over my shoulder, returning back to the guillotines. A little precarious to get down, but eventually we were back at the grace. I laid Resa down, letting her rest in its presence…and over time I saw her wounds begin to heal. Eventually, her eyes drifted open, and she let out a low groan as if the pain had never quite left her.

"Hey…it looked like you took a bit of a beating there. What happened?"

She rubbed her forehead, fighting off a headache. "I found another one of those assassins - like the one we found guarding a deathroot in Limgrave. I…well I won. How did I get back here?"

"Resa, you passed out…I'm amazed that you aren't dead. I carried you back here so that you could rest."

"You got to me?"

I nodded. "Took some ingenuity but yeah - turns out only the bottom of the guillotines are sharp, not the top. Anyways…why did you fight something that strong without me?"

"Well, it's not like I realized I was getting into a fight. My first time up I saw a wall set in a doorway that looked off…I wanted to go up and investigate it. Turns out the wall was false, and there was a door hidden behind it. I just wanted to see what was inside…I didn't intend to get in a fight. By the time I did, it wasn't like I could leave."

"Well…" I wanted to be mad at her…but I couldn't. She was acting rationally, she just…got unlucky. "At least you're safe. I think we've overstayed our welcome here…I think it's about time we head somewhere else."

Resa nodded, still shaking off the fatigue. "Yeah…I think that would be good. Any ideas?"

My mind briefly flickered back to the evergaol that we'd seen along the southern edge…I hadn't forgotten it. "Well, there's that cathedral to the south, as well as those towers a bit more north along the western coast. I think we've seen everything of note along the east coast…might be worth venturing elsewhere."

At that, my sister's eyes finally lit up. "Good idea, I'd almost forgotten about that cathedral. Let's start there…see if there's a way up."

Well…it wasn't what I had in mind, but I had offered. Before we set off for the south, however, there was something we needed to follow up with - the mine. Even after our trip in the underground, our weapons were due for more of an improvement if we wanted to keep up with the foes we were facing.

The mine was more of a cavernous tunnel than the ones we'd found so far, with wooden scaffolding set up in numerous places to allow crossing to the other side. Like before, numerous stone-skinned humanoids were tirelessly working, mining out both smithing stones as well as crystals - perhaps glintstone. We made our way through, descending several lifts as we descended deeper and deeper. On our way, we found two things of note: a dagger, and a scroll. The dagger was hewn from crystal…though interesting, Resa had already grown comfortable with the one that Kenneth Haight had given us. The scroll was one that my sister couldn't decipher - which likely meant that it was a sorcery. I tucked it away, ready to deliver to Sellen next time we met.

At the very bottom of the mine was a strange creature, perhaps acting as the mineboss like the other places we'd visited. Like the dagger, it too was made completely of crystal, with gangly arms and legs that looked impossibly thin given its nature. In one hand was a massive spiked ring, and in the other a much smaller one - and it was with that that it fought with. At first, I thought it a fight that we were ill-prepared for, as even the strongest of my attacks seemed to bounce right off of its crystalline hide. However after a particularly nasty blow against it, all of that crystal cracked - and from there, it was as good as dead. Nearly every hit sent it staggering backwards, even from Resa's much smaller blades. Not much longer after that, it was slain.

In its place was a small stone orb, sized to fit comfortably in the palm of my hand. It had patterned grooves along its surface, as if it had been carved. I didn't know what to make of it, but if that creature had been guarding it, it was worth holding onto. With that in tow we made our way out of the mine, and back to the surface.

With that little detour out of the way we set off towards the southwest, in the direction of the cathedral. As we got closer, that overhang it sat upon drew higher and higher, to the point that we could no longer see the cathedral that it supported. It felt as if we were approaching the mouth of a stone titan - jagged rocks hung off of the plateau from above, and spires of rock jutted out from the waters below. As we drew even closer we stumbled upon a small gazebo that conveniently had a grace enshrined within it - we dismounted Torrent and took a small breather, looking out towards what was ahead of us.

Not much longer, and the water…vanished. In its wake seemed to be acid, or perhaps poison. It was an abrupt shift in the landscape, turning from thick foliage and lush trees to barren trunks and an acrid smell. I looked towards Resa, both of us inspecting it in silence. "Still want to go in? Something happened here…and it may very well involve that cathedral.

She nodded. "Perhaps there's a way up…I doubt it, but you never know. This doesn't look natural at all. Perhaps we can find something that explains it and try to fix it."

"Let's…not get ahead of ourselves. I get the sense that most things that happened here, happened during the Shattering…we're just here to observe the fallout. I do see the remains of some buildings up there, though…maybe some manuscripts we can look over."

"Well…be on our guard. Seems nearly everywhere we go, something dangerous is waiting for us."

"Certainly seems that way. Let's go." We set out once more, mounting up on Torrent to help us cross the hazardous terrain much faster. On the other side we found a grassy bank that we could walk up and so we dismissed our steed, making our way up. On the way, we crossed a couple individuals - gaunt humanoids with long, scruffy beards, and slightly disproportionate with incredibly undersized limbs. They did little more than crawl towards us, swiping aimlessly in our direction - but they hardly seemed to be a threat.

Further up, we approached the underside of a stone bridge. As we drew nearer, I saw a familiar face sitting at its base. She was on one knee, looking at a pile of bodies that were scattered not far from her.

"Nepheli…I'm surprised to see you here. On another mission for your father?"

The female warrior looked towards us, as if being snapped from a trance. "Oh…good to see you again. No, this has nothing to do with my father - I simply found myself here. What do you make of it…of this?"

"I…don't know. Whatever happened, it feels targeted and intentional - poison simply doesn't find itself here by accident. Do you know what happened?"

She shook her head. "No…not here. I recognized the beings down the hill as Albinaurics - I'll be honest, I thought them extinct. It seems they congregated here in hiding, and were found…but by whom I don't know. I've seen a massacre much like this before, when I was but a girl. The weak, being taken advantage of and hunted by the strong."

She spoke with a burning anger and conviction…I could tell that for her, whatever happened here was personal. "We came here looking for a way to reach the cathedral above. I…think I speak for both of us when I say that we're happy to explore this place with you." I looked towards Resa for confirmation and got a nod. "If people are being hunted…to extinction…that can't be allowed to continue."

Nepheli didn't respond - not at first. She stood up, gripping her axes firmly in both hands as her hands tensed and her arms flexed. Her musculature hardened for just a brief moment before she looked at me nodding. "So it shall be, Flynn and Resa. The suffering here cannot be undone, but justice can still be delivered…justice to the oppressors. Let the scars I carve remind them…I am Nepheli Loux."

Well, that was quite a rousing speech…hearing those words made me want to deliver my own justice as well. The three of us set off and continued up the bank, leading into the village proper. There wasn't much - a well a couple of decrepit buildings, one of which held a grace. Most horrifying was a large tree in the center, with a large number of corpses hanging from it. For each one, their legs were seemingly…missing. Disintegrated, more than lopped off, and for some it felt as if I could see the faint outline of where their legs used to be…it made fur a haunting sight. There was a graveyard nearby, several Albinaurics milling about. I saw something sitting there, a silvery organ. It looked out of place…I picked it up, holding onto it in our crafting kit. Perhaps I'd find a use for it later.

From the village, we continued upwards, the bank twisting around to continue climbing higher as it reached the back wall of the cavern. As we reached the top, we saw a figure there, as if waiting for us. It wore a fur cloak, as well as a white tabard with two red snakes traveling upwards. It held a long dagger in one hand…and in the other, some sort of powder?

As soon as it approached us, it threw the powder forward - and a moment later, it ignited into a cloud of fire. It was brief, but hot - and it took both Resa and I unexpectedly.

"No…it can't be." Nepheli's mouth turned into a snarl, her eyes glaring daggers at the man. "A perfumer, here?"

In a rage she charged forward, completely ignoring a second cloud of powder being thrown her way. Even as the powder ignited into flame she rushed forward, leaping onto this perfumer and attempting to tackle it to the ground. It tried to dodge out of the way, but she thrust out her arm, clotheslining the perfumer with her axe as they both tumbled to the ground. From there, it was a bloody history - a single axe straight to the neck, and the perfumer's life was snatched.

Resa and I looked at each other, a bit nervous. "Care to explain…just what that perfumer was and why it was here?"

Nepheli looked at the ground, cleaning the blood from her axe. "Perfumers of that ilk are monsters. They hunt for the sake of hunting, and use what they harvest in their perfumes. It's likely they slaughtered everything here…simply for sport, or for organs. Either way, it sickens me. Some perfumers are good - but ones donning that garb are traitors to their own kind."

"Do you think there will be more?"

"I don't know. They're not known to travel in groups. We should sweep this place…make sure there aren't any more hiding. We've made our presence known now. If they value their lives and wish to continue their work here, we'll likely have to search them out."

I nodded, letting my eyes scan around the area. "Let's search, then…flush them out."

Nepheli, Resa, and I all fanned out, beginning to scour the immediate area. There were a few decrepit buildings along the far wall, as well as the stone bridge stretching out towards a building on the farther side. I began walking towards the bridge, seeing yet another group of Albinaurics on the far side, and yet more corpses hanging from poles along the length of the bridge.. As I got closer, one held up a staff, its hunched figure barely able to lift it vertically from the ground. It fired a meager glintstone sorcery at me - weaker than even what I was able to perform. I raised my shield to block it, still not wishing to fight them…they were acting in fear, and just trying to defend themselves.

After I was about halfway across the bridge, I heard a shuffle of movement from back towards the village. I spun about, dashing as fast as I could to get back to the others, ready to defend them. When I got there, however…that was far from the case. I saw Resa staring at an Albinauric, its frail arms raised defensively in front of it in a position of abject fear. To my surprise…and perhaps hers, it was speaking.

"So you're not one of them?"

Resa immediately sheathed her weapons, profusely shaking her head. "No, we're…trying to stop them. I didn't realize you were hiding here, I'm sorry. Are you alright?"

"I am, yes…but the cursemongers got the whole village. I fear I'm the only one with their wits about them, and I don't have much time left."

I finally got to them, sheathing my blade along the way to stand between Nepheli and Resa. "Are you…dying?"

The Albinauric nodded. Our legs…they soon fade. So will my life. Please, take this. Keep it safe. That this exists, or that you have it, cannot leave the three of you." He reached into his dingy robe and pulled out a semicircular disc, about the size of a dinner plate. It was made of a white stone and had half of a green gem in the center. Etched into it was an elaborate design - one of a fortified city that seemed to guard a tree…though it didn't look like the Erdtree. On the far side was an image of a man, or perhaps a statue, holding a rod. "You must keep this a secret."

Resa very gingerly reached forward and grasped it. "What…is it?"

"I cannot say, not here. Find Latenna, to the east. Give it to her…she will guide the way. I haven't much time left…you found me just before I - "

The Albinauric's words were cut off by his legs collapsing beneath him. He shuddered, his frail arms buckling as he desperately tried to keep himself from falling into a pile on the ground. "I fear this is the end. Keep the medallion safe."

Resa nodded, looking intently towards the Albinauric. "We will…you have all of our words. We will find Latenna…we will see this through to the end. What is your name, sir…we will not forget you."

"I'm Albus…call me Albus." His arms buckled and finally gave out, Albus now lying prostrate on the ground with his head cocked to one side. "It's not…too late."

Unfortunately…for Albus, it was. Not long after he spoke those words his form started to crumble away…and when it was done, there was no trace of him.

I looked towards Nepheli…she'd been awfully silent during this. I could see her expression was stern, still staring intently at where Albus had just been. "These people had a hope. A dream. It's our duty to keep it alive. I've heard of a myth known as the Haligtree - allegedly, it is a safe haven for those shunned by the Erdtree. Resa, what you carry is half the key to reaching that sacred place, if it does exist at all. Heed Albus' words…tell nobody of what has transpired here."

My sister nodded, carefully stowing the medallion half. "I assure you, Nepheli, I intend to do just that. Let's continue searching through this place, make sure there are no perfumers left. As soon as we've done that, I think it best that we find Latenna - if there are larger forces at work, we shouldn't delay."

"I agree. I still want to search that Evergaol, but as we've learned that's only a task for one person. Nepheli, Resa, are you both comfortable searching for Latenna?"

The two women looked at each other, nodding. "Indeed. You both are capable fighters - I've no doubt we'll find her."

"Then it's settled. Let's finish searching this place, then, and then we can split up."

We had little else to explore besides the bridge, and so the three of us headed in that direction. Again, the Albinaurics that sat there tried to attack us, but I simply raised my shield to guard against them. After hearing the desperation in Albus' voice, I could only feel sorrow for them - sorrow for what had been robbed from them.

As we reached the other side of the bridge, we saw a horrifying sight. A tree sat over another small collection of coffins, surrounded by a wooden fence…but it was all desecrated. Two of the coffins had been opened and stuffed with bodies, bodies that were now set ablaze in a raging fire. Above that, the lifeless corpses of yet more Albinaurics hung from the tree. Worst of all, the ground around the tree was simply piled with burnt corpses…more than I even wanted to try counting. Near the back, I could see an imposing figure simply staring at us.

"No…not an Omenkiller." Nepheli paused for a moment, and then continued as she realized the word came without recognition. "Omenkillers are the worst of the perfumers…they imbibed their own creations to turn themselves into emotionless hunters. Everything they do, they do for carnage and the thrill of killing. They are fearsome fighters, and take pride in striking terror into those they face."

I could see very little of the Omenkiller from this distance, but what I did see was enough. It wielded a hefty cleaver in each hand - a cleaver whose blade had been lined with numerous spikes and horns. I could see that it wore a twisted mask upon its head. It continued to stare at us, just watching, just waiting…knowing that we were here for it.

"Well…if it's what did this, I don't care how fearsome it might be." I stowed my sword and shield, withdrawing my halberd from my back - I wanted to crush this monster into the dirt. "Let's not keep it waiting." As I empowered my blade with magic, Resa empowered hers with crackling lightning.

"New tricks, the both of you…I'm afraid I've only improved my skill, not my repertoire." Nepheli charged in beside me, just as I caught sight of two hounds rushing towards us from the side.

"Careful!" I called out the word, but only a moment later a field of crackling blue lightning rushed out in a wave to my side. I backstepped, guiding one of the hounds towards me as the lightning cracked down directly on top of it. It let out a whimper - and after a lightning spear struck it a moment later, it fell to the ground.

"Thanks sister!" With only one hound left, it was far easier to backstep, swing, and split its torso in half…all the while, Nepheli squared off with the Omenkiller, her dual axes an equal match for its two cleavers. It carried far more weight behind them, but Nepheli seemed to know how to turn that weight to her advantage, constantly throwing its attacks to one side or another. She wasn't attacking, however…not yet. She knew we carried just as much hatred for the monster as she did. It would only be a fitting death if we all took part in its demise.

As I rushed forward, the Omenkiller backpedaled, subsequently unleashing a gout of fire from beneath its twisted mask. The flames caught Nepheli and myself, though much like the perfumer it was not enough to deter us…I was comfortable being consumed by flames.

I emerged from them, halberd in hand, and landed a resounding blow against its side. To my surprise, it barely budged…clearly, it was as strong as Nepheli warned us about. A lightning spear flew past me as it struck the monster, Nepheli whipping around to land another strike against it from the back.

Though it was fearsome…even the strongest warriors would struggle against three warriors of our repute. Nepheli and I alternated taking up defense - she using her skill and agility to deflect its heavy blows, me simply catching them against the weight of my halberd…it rarely hurt to have the bigger weapon. Resa alternated striking from close and at range depending on the situation, making great use of her new lightning incantations to whittle down its resolve. The Omenkiller's best defense was trying to blast us with fire - but it was hardly enough.

Eventually, we managed to back it up against the fence, towards a small section where the wall had rotted away. A sequence of tactical strikes brought about its demise - Nepheli blocked one cleaver with her axe, and I smashed away its other with my halberd. Resa came up from the side, plunging her katana through its arm and into its chest. I did the same with my longsword, hilting the blade in its sternum. Nepheli executed it with a single swipe with her axe across the neck, letting its mask fall to the ground. As Resa and I withdrew our blades the Omenkiller's lifeless body began slumping to the ground - but Nepheli raised up a foot, catching it.

"May your misdeeds and transgressions be lost in the mire you created. May your name be forgotten by history, so that none seeking evil will know of your terrors to recreate them." With a swift kick, the Omenkiller was sent toppling over the fence, plummeting down to the toxic land below.

Nepheli turned around, breathing a sigh of relief. "It's too late for these people…but we've stopped even more from dying at the Omenkiller's hands. I don't like leaving this place as it is…but I'm afraid we've done all we can here. Let us not disturb these people any longer…like you said Resa, we should seek out Latenna at once."

"Then let's go." The three of us returned to the grace at the heart of the village, transporting ourselves just across the toxic swamp towards the gazebo. We continued on without Torrent, taking a meandering walk in the southeast, towards the ridge. Not much got in the way to impede us, and soon we came to the slope.

"Let's split up here. Flynn, sweep the top…and take care of whatever's in that Evergaol. Resa and I will scout below - search for any caves, catacombs, or the like. I imagine Latenna will be quite hidden…especially if she's keeping secrets safe." Nepheli then walked over to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Travel safe, Flynn. Should you fall, I suppose I'll know by your sister's absence. Should we reach Latenna early, we'll seek you out."

"Understood. Keep each other safe. I'll find you when I'm done."

I set off, leaving the two of them to their own exploration. I turned my eyes to the plateau before me - one thing immediately struck my eye. A fenced in camp, several lit braziers both inside and around it. I headed up, inspecting it. Inside, I saw a familiar group…one that made my blood boil. It looked to be the same flame worshippers we saw near the well. Two or three stood near the front, each wielding burning twigs and clad in red robes. Near the back, however, appeared to be their leader - at least it seemed that way based on the garb. A heavy and stylized breastplate of a cyclopean figure, a rather formidable flanged mace, and a red and white hooded cloak that actually looked well maintained…it likely should have made me second-guess myself, seeing that many people inside. Instead…it was a challenge.

They didn't appreciate fire…not like I did. Fire is more than an instrument of destruction…it is the very core of life. The fire they wielded…it was a fraud, a pale imitation to what I know, what I nurtured during my time in Lordran. They didn't deserve the fire they worshiped…they deserved nothing.

I charged in, halberd at the ready. In one swing, one of the figures fell to the ground before they could even react. With another, a second was sent crashing into a brazier, igniting within the very fire that it worshiped. I struck down the third before their leader could reach me, caving in its ribcage.

When their leader arrived, my focus was squarely on him. He opened with a large overhead lunge, aiming directly for my shoulder. I brought the halberd up, catching the blade on mine. I spun to the left and lunged forward, thrusting the shaft of my weapon at him to knock him off balance, promptly following that up with a crushing swing into his own shoulder. The force of my counterattack knocked the monk to the ground as he let out a gasp of breath. I took a step forward, crushing the heel of my boot over his blade arm, digging in with enough pressure that he couldn't maintain a grip on the blade.

"Who do you serve?" The question came out more as a snarl than I had intended…but that didn't bother me in the slightest. I was here to set things straight, not make friends.

"The Fell God, Lord of All Flame." The monk beneath me hissed, but did his best to remain stoic despite the circumstance.

"And through its power you gained the ability to control flame?"

"Yes."

"Let this be a reminder that your god supplies you with a false flame. You do not understand what you wield…and you do not deserve its power." With that, I thrust the spiked point of my halberd into his chest, though the central eye on the armor and into his ribcage. He let out a final gasp of breath.

"He will…avenge me."

"Then I'll kill the avenger too." I twisted the blade, finally ending the monk's life…hmph. It wasn't as satisfying as I'd hoped…but I'd eliminated them nonetheless, at least for now. This was a distraction, however…and as much as I wanted to keep hunting the other monks I saw roaming the hillside, I had a more important task.

I continued my trek upwards, scouting for anything that looked out of the ordinary. Shockingly little fit that description…save for the occasional foe that I took care of, there was very little of note along this ridge. I ventured through an area filled with jagged rocks, densely shaded by trees, and guarded by a group of small figures wielding glaives, slings, and whips…and though the hardest part was simply landing a blow against them, eventually I made my way past.

Beyond that, I finally saw the Evergaol. Like the previous ones, several wormlike creatures made of perfectly rounded stone patrolled a large plate-like disc, set with an elaborate compass pointing in the cardinal directions - or so I presumed, given the trend. I took a deep breath, awaiting whatever was inside…it was very possible I could be here for a while, if yet another knight of the Crucible was awaiting me inside. I was prepared for that, however…I had to be. I took a step forward, entering the Gaol.

The familiar feeling of darkness took hold as the sky went black and illusory walls were erected around me, ensuring that the only way out was through victory or death. Like before, I was alone…for now. As soon as I stepped off this compass, however, the fight was on…and I needed to be ready. I held my sword aloft, imbuing it with the power of glintstone as Sellen taught me before stowing my staff and retrieving my shield. I then took out my crystalline flask and downed it, feeling that faint regenerative buzz flow through my system. I was as ready as I could be…no sense in delaying things any further. I steeled my nerves, took a breath, and advanced.

What appeared was…a man. Not a towering one like the knight of the Crucible…but one, like me…perhaps even a Tarnished. He wore a red hood as well as large armor, stylized and shaped to hold a heavyset individual inside. In his right hand he held a simple flail…but I could see that the left was holding onto something tightly - and if I had to guess, it was a seal.

I remained on guard, keeping my shield raised, advancing slowly. I wanted to see what this person tried to do to me…to find out what I needed to be wary of. The first thing that came at me was a flurry of swings from the flail, each one trying to wrap around my shield and strike at the arm holding it, but he simply didn't have enough reach for that. I swung back, his left flank woefully unprotected for such a small and close combat-oriented weapon. I was still wary of what that seal would do - but this was still going heavily in my favor from the get-go. I swung several more times, advancing cautiously with my shield and forcing a bit of space between us, only to make a quick lunge and strike my opponent squarely in the chest. I quickly retreated, removing any chance for retaliation.

Or so I thought. As I stepped back the figure lunged forward, extending his left arm in front of him. The seal he clutched in his hand flashed for a brief moment…just before a gout of fire erupted from his hand. It was nearly instantaneous but sharply illuminated the otherwise dark surroundings, and left a lingering heat on my armor, though was too far away to strike me more directly. The figure took another step forward, unleashing another gout of flame in front of me as I backstepped to avoid it. After a third, I was tired of backing off.

It could have been so easy…it could have just been a man with a flail. But now…well, now I got to have fun.

I surged forward, head behind my raised shield as I completely disregarded yet another damned fireball thrown in my direction. I thrust my entire weight behind me as I slammed into him, sending both of us careening to the ground. I spun my sword around, sending my pommel down to strike directly into his chest before he somehow managed to disengage from me, moving surprisingly quickly given his bulk. Before I managed to get up, he cast a second miracle…this one far exceeding the power of the first.

An orb of fire as large as I was formed in the sky above him, burning a deep red both otherwise feeling like a sun in the sky. It drifted towards me, slowly but steadily, just as its producer did - knowing that I would take a stance of caution for the moment. As the blazing fireball drifted even closer, I saw it pulse in midair - I took a precautionary step backwards. A moment later it erupted, blanketing the grass beneath us in flames. My foe rushed forward, raising his flail overhead to try to catch me by surprise.

"Do you think I fear your fire?" just as before I caught his flail on my shield, stepping forward and striking with my blade twice in quick succession.

If the figure could speak, he chose not to, instead taking a step back. As he reached for something along his belt I rushed forward, not intent to give him the breathing room he was searching for.

"Burn me. Scorch me. Your false flame holds no power against me." Again I came in, two more quick slashes across the chest. I could see blood beginning to spill, as well as a weakening in my opponent's stance. I lunged forward once again, but this time didn't go for an attack - instead I grabbed my foe's arm by the wrist, moving his hand to point directly at my chest.

"Do it. Burn me…or try." I stood there, unwavering, anticipating - and somewhere in the back of my mind…craving. Even if this wasn't the fire I knew, it was still fire…and a part of me, deep inside, felt so, so cold.

My foe granted me my wish, as he unleashed a blast of flame directly into my chest without hesitation. The fire swallowed me up, warmed me, burned me…and made me feel something I'd been missing. Oh, how I missed this…the sensation of being surrounded by fire, by having my soul feel warm and at home. It was gone, and I wasn't getting it back. I pushed those thoughts away, and focused solely on the figure in front of me…a worshiper of a false god, a false flame. I had to fix that injustice.

"Thank you. Now die." My grip tightened firmly on the wrist that I still held, pushing it to the side as another blast of flame erupted just over my shoulder. I rushed in, thrusting my shoulder into his as I swiftly re-drew my sword swinging up once to slash vertically across his chest, and then I brought it down diagonally.

That fireball to the chest had hurt more than I thought it would…I was still used to thinking of my black iron armor that absorbed the heat of fire oh-so-well, and I'd forgotten that without it, I needed to be more careful…but I could be careful later. I kept up the aggression, unleashing a barrage of attacks against my foe.

He managed to distance himself enough that another sun-like orb was conjured drifting towards me. This time he didn't wait, and instead rushed at me full-force while the orb drifted in my direction. I raised my shield to once again catch his flail, but I couldn't aggress too much right now…not with that thing drifting closer and closer. I took a couple steps back, watching the orb pulse once, and then burst into a shower of flames - and with the threat of that detonation gone, I once again re-applied the pressure.

My defensive posture shifted, my sword coming up to catch his flail rather than my shield. The chain wrapped around my blade as I entangled the two of us together, pushing my weight forward and moving both of us into the burning grass formed by the orb's eruption. He couldn't escape - he yanked on his flail but I kept my grip firm, ensuring that he couldn't disarm me. I felt the fires lick at my feet, warm my boots - but I could also see that my adversary wasn't too happy to be thrust directly into the fires that he created.

"That's the thing about fire…it kills indiscriminately. It doesn't care about you, or I, or anything. It claims everything it touches…which one of us do you think it'll take first, I wonder?"

He quickly brought his seal hand towards me, intending to throw more fire in my direction. I blocked with my shield, the flames splashing across the surface relatively harmlessly. I took a step forward, using my weight to send us both toppling to the ground. I threw myself to the side, ensuring that both of us landed in the flames, now lapping at my entire left flank. The wounds I'd inflicted on my foe were quickly scarring over, a multitude of burn marks appearing across the exposed parts of his skin. I could feel them on mine, as well…but I was willing to take the chance that I'd emerge victorious.

He didn't put up a fight…I expect that he'd lost too much strength already to do so. As the flames ate at the two of us, I could feel my vitality start to flicker, the flames testing me…asking if I truly had what it took to survive them. The thought that they truly could claim me first flitted through my mind…but I pushed it to the side. Being nearly burned alive like this actually felt like something of a comfort to me…reminded me of a life that I knew I didn't have anymore. I kept my foe's hand pinned beneath mine, forcing the two of us to meet our end like this…forcing one of us to die by fire.

I lost feeling in my left arm, then my left leg. Soon, I didn't know if I could move…but in the end, I saw my adversary's body go limp before me. The world shifted and twisted around me, light returning to the skies above as my hand fumbled for my flask. I brought it to my mouth, not bothering to raise the helmet and instead let the liquid just splash across my face. It was enough to get me back on my feet…and frankly, that's all I needed.

I looked around for any sort of remains, and found a discarded scroll lying in the center of the dias. I knelt down, picking it up…staring back at me were five words: "Flame of the Fell God". The rest of it was utterly incoherent…but the mere fact that I could read the title at all sent a chill down my spine. Usually, even that wasn't the case…perhaps this Fell God was more aware of me than I wanted.

Resa

"Well, I suppose we either commit or turn around now, yes?"

I nodded, looking over the sheer drop in front of us. Nepheli and I had wandered into a cave set inside the base of the plateau, and since set about thoroughly exploring it for any traces of Latenna. It seemed to be already settled by…Nepheli had called them 'demi-humans'. We hadn't found much thus far - but what we had found was a few outcroppings down below and the glow of a fire, suggesting that there was more to this cave than what we'd already seen.

"I say we jump down. We can worry about finding a way back up later, if we need to."

"Very well then. Let's go." Nepheli took a step forward closer to the ledge, peered over, and then plummeted down. She landed with a thud but didn't look too worse for wear, the lantern hanging at her hip jostling slightly from the fall. That lantern had been a godsend…it was nearly as useful as her combat prowess. I leaped down, following her. Several more steep jumps followed, but soon we landed by the fire we'd spotted earlier.

The cave continued inwards, leading to a small chamber with crystals jutting out of the walls and floor. Strange snails were in here, the crystals oddly enough merging with their shells and skin. One fired a dart of crystalline magic at Nepheli, another breathing a crystalline breath that coated the floor. They were territorial, or perhaps just aggressive…but they put up little resistance to the pair of us. We continued on, finding a room with several more, and then finally a tunnel that led out to the main cavern. This angle gave us yet more room to keep descending, two more steep drops ahead of us that actually took us all the way to the floor of the cavern.

There was a small pile of bodies where we landed on the ground, suggesting that we weren't the first ones to make it down this far - but that we certainly weren't free of danger yet. There were a few more snails in this room, much harder to spot given the massive clusters of crystals that now surrounded us. We cleared the room, looking onwards. The cave seemed to collapse into a sort of passageway, opening up into another chamber beyond. I squinted, not sure if I was seeing things…but I could have sworn I saw a hint of daylight shining in from the back.

"I think we might be near the end. I'm worried something's down here though…don't let up your guard just yet." I electrified my katana just to be even more sure…there was no way those snails were the only threats.

I stepped through the narrow point between the two chambers - now I was certain there was light beyond here, a small hint peeking out from beyond. I advanced, still wary…but even with all that caution, I was still unable to spot the threat that lurked here.

"Resa, on your right!" I spun to my right just to see a flash of silver amor flying in my direction, its movements unnaturally quiet. Nepheli intercepted just in time, her axes catching a long and curved blade that swung at her with enough force to push her backwards. She gritted her teeth, taking one axe and diverting the sword to the ground as the figure backed up…a figure I recognized.

It looked identical to the knight I'd fought in the Evergaol - curved blade, claw, and armor. That was reassuring - after having learned its fighting style so rigorously, seeing one again actually gave me confidence…that, and Nepheli was here this time.

"Strike at its left flank. It doesn't attack with its claw."

"You've fought a Bloodhound knight before?" Nepheli quickly took my words to heart, dodging to the side when the knight came at her and swinging her axe at its vulnerable left flank.

A Bloodhound knight…it was good to have a name for the creature. "Yes, in an Evergaol. Why do you ask?"

"They are hunters, trackers, guardians…protectors. If you crossed blades with one, I assume you were searching for somewhere you shouldn't. To find one in an Evergaol, however…it is not a discussion for right now." The knight came after me, but I was more than prepared for its attacks. One swing, then another, followed by a flipping slash that left it all-too-exposed - I hadn't forgotten a thing from my first encounter.

"Protectors? So that means - "

"Likely, yes." Nepheli came in, trading blows with the knight to carve into its side. The two of us fought well together - not as well as I did with Flynn, but I'd fought with Flynn for a lot longer. Nepheli's fighting style was more aggressive, more direct- with no shield at her side, her only option was to fight her foe head-on, weaving attacks and blocks together with her twin axes. It meant that the foes we'd encountered together were far more distracted by her than they were Flynn, giving me the breathing room I sought to maneuver into flanking positions, cast incantations, and the like. I made liberal use of that room now, peppering the knight with lightning whenever it was too far away to fight head on.

"Do you think we can reason with it?"

Nepheli shook her head, the knight's sword just grazing her as she tried to avoid it. "They're not known to speak. I fear if we want to see Latenna, we'll have to go through the knight first."

I sighed…such was the way of things. "Alright then."

Between the two of us, we took down the knight in due time. Between Nepheli's aggression and my support, the knight simply didn't have the breathing room it needed. Given that Nepheli described them as hunters and trackers, I suspected that its plan was to take us out in the initial ambush…and once that failed, it did everything it could to keep its charge safe, but ultimately fell short.

Well…now to move on, and see if it was Latenna being guarded, or someone else. I followed Nepheli out, finally departing the cave and finding some much needed sunlight beyond.

To our left was an old shack, tendrils of grace filtering towards it. In front of it though, was Latenna - or at least, I presumed so. She was knelt next to a large wolf, its imposing form juxtaposed by the fact that it was asleep, curled around the woman. As for Latenna herself, she appeared to be an archer based on the quiver of arrows slung over her back. She wore a metal breastplate, a chain coif, and a long skirt.

I stowed my weapons as did Nepheli, the two of us walking towards her. "What do you want, Tarnished? You're not one of Gideon's ilk, are you?"

I furrowed my brow at that…had Gideon been down here? "I know of Gideon…but we are not with him."

"I - " Nepheli began to speak, but then cut herself off. Both myself and Latenna looked towards her, confused. I could tell that she was debating whether to speak - ultimately, she did. "Gideon is my…father. Adoptive. Father. I'm not here on his orders, though…of that, you have my word." Nepheli punctuated the statement by taking both axes and set them on the ground, kicking them out of her own reach. "I know not what involvement Gideon has with you, but I am not here for trouble."

Gideon's…father. That explained her presence at Stormveil - likely trying to claim Godrick's Great Rune on Gidoen's behalf. If Gideon was involved with the Albinaurics, however, that made this conversation far more entangled than it needed to be.

"Very well, daughter of Gideon. Why have you come here, both of you?"

I reached into my belongings, pulling out the medallion half that I'd just received. "Albus gave this to us, in the village to the northwest. He said to find you…that you could 'guide the way'."

At this, Latenna's eyes went wide. "Albus entrusted the medallion to you…I fear for the worst."

I nodded. "He was…ill. Frail. The village had been attacked by perfumers, he was one of the few that survived…and perhaps the only one with his wits intact. This was…the last thing he could do before his life gave out."

"I - I see. Let me try introductions again. My name is Latenna, though I suspect you know that. I'm an Albinauric, the same as Albus. I apologize for my brusque words earlier. Gideon has been…intrusive."

"It's no worry, Latenna…it's in the past. My name is Resa…this here is Nepheli"

"Well met, both of you. If you've the medallion, then I hope my request is not too forward. I seek to return to Miquella's Haligtree…there is something I must do there. If you would take me there, I will tell you of the medallion's other half. You will need it should you be willing."

I looked at her - much like Albus, her legs were folded beneath her…I feared she couldn't walk. Still…I wasn't going to let that deter me. Albus had entrusted this with our lives, told us to seek Latenna out. If I had to carry her on my back to reach this fabled Haligtree, I would. "I will, yes…I absolutely will. You have my word"

"Our word." Nepheli had been silent, but at this she interjected. "If my father has wronged you, I will do what I can to remedy it. If it is a journey that you need to complete, I will do everything within my power to assist you.

Latenna smiled. "Thank you, both of you…perhaps my dream will finally become a reality. The other half lies in the forbidden north, in a place called Castle Sol. When we get closer, I can guide you there…but it is very, very far from where we are now. So…so far away." At this, she turned her attention to the wolf that she was leaning against, laying her head down against the beast's fur and affectionately petting it. "I suppose it is time then, Lobo. I will ensure that your journey was not in vain. Forgive me…for not being able to take you back."

I paused, not wanting to interrupt the tender moment. Finally, Latenna turned back to me, a tear staining her porcelain-white face. "I see the bell on your hip. You are adept at summoning spirits, yes?"

I nodded, furrowing my brow. "I have done so a few times, yes. Why do you ask?"

Latenna smiled meekly. "My legs…they suffer as all Albinaurics do. I will not pass quite yet…but I would not ask for you to carry a frail woman all that distance. I am of better use to you as a spirit…it will not disrupt my journey, I assure you.

I began to protest, but I could see that it was too late. Latenna was…disappariting was the best word I could find. Blue flecks began to drift off of her in greater and greater quantities, her entire form beginning to go faint. The flecks all drifted towards a small urn that was nearby, showing that this wasn't something she'd decided on the spot…she had been prepared for this. Soon, there was nothing left…only a small urn, now filled with ash.

I picked it up, feeling a faint warmth inside…this was Latenna now. A spirit, under my protection…much like the Bloodhound knight protected the living form of her. Out of nowhere, I heard Latenna's voice resonate from nowhere - a glance at Nepheli's surprised face showed that she heard it too. "Call upon me when I am needed. I will fight at your side."

And then, silence - just the faint breeze of the Liurnian wind. I looked at Nepheli, both of our expressions equal parts somber and stern. Latenna was a spirit now…that couldn't be undone. Two Albinaurics had passed on to make this dream a reality. To abandon it at any point would be a flagrant waste of their trust and sacrifices.

"We know what must be done. Castle Sol - that is a name I've not heard before. The lands to the north are harsh and untamed. Anything within it is surely a far greater challenge than either of us could endure at this moment. Let us not rush this, as important as it is. Grow stronger, improve yourself and your weapons. I will aid you as best as I can - but I know there is much that you and Flynn seek to do. I cannot let father know about what has transpired here today - nor can I distance myself from him, lest he grow suspicious. He will continue to have tasks for me, I am sure. But when I find myself with time, I will aid you in every way I am able."

I nodded. "Thank you, Nepheli. For today…and the future. We'll get this done, I know." I turned my focus towards the grace inside shack. "Let's rest here, for a short while. If the graces here are anything like the bonfires I'm familiar with, I can bring him to me by resting at it. Not yet, however…he may still be busy."

Nepheli nodded. "Unfortunately, I think it best to be on my way already. This journey was a detour for me…and unfortunately I still have tasks I'm expected to do. I will reconvene with you at my earliest possibility. Until then…safe travels."

"You too, Nepheli." The warrior strode over to the grace after picking up her axes, extending her hand briefly to light it before whisking away into a trail of mist towards whatever task she'd been charged with.

I sat on the grass, not yet taking a seat at the grace to give Flynn the time he needed. I felt…driven. It wasn't an unusual feeling by any stretch of the imagination, but it was one I'd been missing for a while. Our arrangement with Melina felt…forced, and while I would complete it it was not because I was driven to. But Latenna, and all of the Albinaurics…this was something they believed in so strongly, they'd risk their lives for it. That…that was a cause worth fighting for.