Chapter 18
Traversing the Horrors and Lord Soul
Naruto's mind was a blur, his vision was unclear, and his face hurt. The pain was centered around his nose and his jaw, but he was able to move.
"Shit, that didn't go as planned."
"I doubt it would friend."
Naruto's eyes widened and quickly reached for his katana and dashed to the opposite side of the cage of the voice. There he rested his hand on the handle of the weapon.
Looking up he raised an eyebrow.
A man wearing stone dragon skin armor with a giant tooth or claw sitting next to him. He was sitting against the wall and seemed to be situated there given how comfortable he was.
"Who are you?"
The man sighed,
"Havel."
Naruto's eyes widened and he stood up straight.
"As in the man that was betrayed by Gwyn for Seath?"
"Yes unfortunately." The man sighed, "It would seem legends of my betrayal have changed in the last few years."
Naruto nodded. "Actually, I had met someone that knew the truth behind your betrayal, but I'm surprised. How are you here? I heard that you were locked up in some tower somewhere?"
The man rolled his shoulders at first but then Naruto noticed that the armor was trembling.
"I was originally locked in that damn tower near the Valley of Drakes. However, Seath the cunning bastard that he is, came there and took me away. Made me sit in this damn archive while he performs his experiments. Even claims that Gwyn approved of what he was doing." His helmet rattled, "Even after he impregnated his daughter he still was trusted. What a foul monster."
Naruto couldn't help but agree. Gwyn was a monster but to hear the story of how he got here was a shock. If he was brought here does that mean Gwyn knew?
"What about Gwyn did he know about this?"
"I don't know." He sighed, "Honestly I have been here so long I don't know much about the outside world anymore." He slumped, his armor cracking against the joints, "In the end I guess it doesn't really matter."
"Actually, it does. Because you should be aware that Gwyn is gone. He sacrificed himself to relight the first flame."
"I see so he wanted his age to continue did he?" The man laughed, his armor rattling once more, "What a fool, at one time I thought of him as a friend and ally. I would never have questioned his decisions but now, I wonder if I ever knew the man who claimed the throne?"
Naruto shrugged, "From the sounds of it his own kids didn't even know the depths the man would go to, in order to improve his own status and gain greater power."
"True." He looked up, "I'm guessing you are one of those foolish children that came for Seath and his Lord Soul?"
"Unfortunately, but he got the drop on me I guess. He used some kind of magic that kept me from moving my body and just threw me around like a ragdoll."
"Yes Seath is the father of Sorcery, and he has spells here that even the school has never seen before. Makes sense that he would keep this power from all those that dared to follow him and even more so from his enemies."
"So, are we stuck here until he comes for us?"
Havel shrugged, "I don't know that damn dragon hasn't come to see me in the last few years. At one time he would just drop by day by day to taunt me with information and what he was doing. Including what he did to those poor priestesses of Gwynevere. But in the last year or so, he seems to stay away, locked away in some other place. What he is doing is a mystery but for some reason he is just distant."
Naruto figured that is the case, "Do you think he finally fell into madness?"
"Possibly but either way, if you want that dragon's soul your gonna have to break us out of here."
"Us?"
"Yes, I have a score to settle with that damn monster and you want his soul. Our goals are aligned so it would only make sense that we seek out the dragon together and kill him. You get his soul and I get closure before heading off on my next expedition."
Naruto agreed with that sentiment and plus without the girls around he wasn't sure who to turn to in this place.
"Alright."
"Good now we have to find a way out." Turning his head, "I would guess that guard right there might have a key, but I can't reach him."
Naruto looked at the snake man standing in front of the cage with his back to them. Pulling out his katana he aimed the blade at the back of the creature.
"Grab him when I pull him back."
Havel got out of his seating position and walked near the bars.
Naruto quietly counted down and then thrusted.
The creature released a violent hiss and saw a sharp tip pointing out of his chest. It reached for the tip, but it found itself being dragged backwards with the momentum of the weapon. Feeling this the creature quickly scrambled to get away.
Havel got a hold of the monster's neck and while it lasted about, he squeezed until it stopped moving.
The monster slumped before turning into a pile of dust.
Reaching out of the cage, Havel grabbed a worn key and inserted into the lock outside. There the cage door clicked and swung open.
"We are free." Havel turned to Naruto and bowed his head, "Thank you friend now let's go kill us a dragon."
"Hold on we should find a bond fire just to be safe."
Havel grunted, "There is one at the far end of the cage."
Naruto walked over to the bond fire and put his hand on it, lighting the bond fire up.
"Okay." Naruto walked back to his ally who had his club on his shoulder, a shield in his opposite hand, and a talisman around his neck.
"What is that?"
Havel looked down, "This is a talisman that was given to me by Gwyn. It bestows blessings on those who use it and who it is directed to. It helps in avoiding some of the more annoying status effects since I can cast it on someone it lasts for an entire day."
"Interesting can you do that for me before we clash with Seath?"
"Of course," He put his club down and held out the talisman, after chanting a few words, the item in question gained a golden glow. Soon energy seeped out of the talisman and wrapped around Naruto's body giving him a sense of calm and peace.
"There that should do it." He put his talisman back around his neck before picking up his weapon. "Now shall we proceed?"
Naruto nodded while having his katana at his side and making sure he has Dragon Slayer at the ready in the back of his mind. He was sure that the katana while useful in battle, Dragon Slayer might be needed when fighting the dragon.
Plus, now he can test it out and see if it can really slay a dragon.
Walking out of the cage, both men stood on the staircase and took in their surroundings.
Until they heard one a horn sound and soon the entire archives were on alert, with sounds of doors opening and an unusual sound being heard. Naruto sighed and had his katana at the ready.
They were greeted quickly by one of the snake men who had a shield and sword, Havel quickly took care of him. With one mighty swing of his club, he knocked the beast over the railing and to the ground below with a splat. Another rushed him and swung his sword down; he blocked with his shield and pushed him backwards. The monster was stunned by the sudden change, before finding the shield slammed into his body and pushing him into the nearby bookcase. It screeched and stretched its neck. The creature zoomed down on the man's neck and bit down with all its force. However, the creature found that its teeth breaking on impact leaving it screeching in pain.
The shield was pulled back, before slamming into the monster once more. This time, killing the creature.
Havel rolled his shoulders and turned,
"Piscas are coming."
"What?"
"Monsters created from the priestesses that were dragged to this horrible place on the orders of Seath."
Naruto frowned.
'Meaning Gwynevere, they are your-'
"Yes they are my followers. Naruto please-"
'I'll make it quick.'
Naruto sheathed his katana and waited, the monster slithering across the ground, slowly approaching him. The monster raised its head up, its tentacles moving around, and a mouth appearing beneath the mass that makes up its head.
He dashed. The weapon shimmered through the air, before it passed through the monster itself.
Naruto stood behind the creature,
"Rest now, you are free." The monster's screeched before collapsing to the ground and turning to dust. Naruto frowned when he saw a second one approaching. Pointing his weapon, he saw it repeat the same lunging movement with its slithering body. Its mouth aimed for his head, but he moved slightly, allowing his blade to go through the mouth of the creature. Tearing through the back of its throat and popping out on the other side.
The creature screeched before falling and turning to ash.
Three more scurried up the stairs and one began their lung. But was stopped by a shield bash. Havel had pushed the creature back before heaving his club in a downward strike. The creature was crushed under the impact. Killing it on the spot. But when another leaped at him, Naruto cut the creature in half with a single sword strike. Before rolling his shoulders and bringing the blade down on the monster's head.
The two men quickly cut and smashed their way through the rest of them before arriving at the bottom of the staircase. There, Naruto stared in shock at two more of the creatures sitting there near a large cage.
However, they were facing away from them, seemingly unmoving and unresponsive.
Sighing he walked up to the creatures while slowly removing his blade.
The monster's hearing the movement turned around slowly and Naruto tensed while Havel tightened his grip on his club.
"k-k-ki-kill me."
Naruto stared at the monster.
"k-ki-kill me please, it hurts." It slithered closer. "P-p-p-please, make it stop."
Naruto closed his eyes and put a hand on the monster's head.
"You have suffered long enough."
His sword plunged through the monster's head.
"Gwynevere is sorry, and she is waiting to accept you in her embrace."
"T-thank you." The creature turned to dust while Havel walked over to the other one.
It stared at him, and he sighed,
"I'll make this quick." He put his club on the ground before taking out a basic iron sword before impaling it through the monster's head. It groaned and disappeared. "Seath you bastard, how could you be so cruel?" Havel's armor clattering.
"I don't know how someone lives with this, but I can tell you this much; the dragon will die today."
"Good." Havel picked up his club and noticed a tome on the ground. "Interesting." He wiped off the dust, "It looks like another blessing that can be learned."
"Interesting, I can store it."
Havel nodded before throwing it.
"Take it, I have everything I need and more." He turned to the cage, "But I think we should address our poor friend."
Naruto, sealing the book, turned to the cage.
"Logan?"
The man with the big hat looked up.
"Ah Naruto, I see that you were captured by our illustrious master. Seath truly is the father of magic."
Naruto frowned, "Yeah I guess." Walking to the cage he put his hands on the bars. "How did you end up here? Last I saw you; you were at Firelink."
"Ah that," He sighed, "Well after my apprentice was killed and the flame went out I and many other decided to depart."
"And you just happened to walk into the Duke's Archives?"
"Yes I got here the same way you did. Those winged creatures brought me to this place, but when I arrived inside of the archives I was attacked." He chuckled, "Luckily dispatching most of the crystal monsters in this place was easy but sadly, Seath proved more than a match for me." He rubbed his chin, "The strangest thing is that the more spells I fired the more they seemed to be ineffective. As if, I don't know, they weren't reaching him."
"Wouldn't know," Naruto shrugged, "Got knocked out before I had a chance to fight him. I guess he was using some kind of magic to make me heavy as possible and fling me across the room." He sighed, "It was embarrassing I didn't even see him coming until it was too late."
Logan nodded.
"That is tragic; all the monsters and beings you have defeated, and this is what it comes to?"
Naruto growled, "Well once I see that fucking dragon again I will not be caught off guard. And I will show him the might of my steel."
Logan put his hand on the gate, "I don't think it will be that easy my friend. As using magic proved fruitless against him. His power is on another level, and he seems to have an immunity that could cause him damage." He rubbed against the bars, "Truly, he is a monster, but it seems almost impossible to imagine. Given he didn't inherit the same invincibility that the Ancient Dragons did."
Naruto thought about it and then he recalled something from Gwynevere's memories.
"Wait is it possible that he found a way to remove his body from feeling damage and having it sent somewhere else?"
"In theory," Logan rubbed his chin, "It would be possible. Which would explain something I saw while I was exploring the caverns not too far from the archives. You see, when I entered the library he had not seen me or cared to see me. But once I entered the caverns and managed to make it to sealed off room, he was on the prowl. As if something there, something he didn't want me to see."
Havel raised an eyebrow, "Maybe something to tie him to this world?"
"Perhaps, there was a crystal in that room. Something about it, it was ominous. If I had to guess, if there is something to protect, that is the most likely culprit."
Naruto shook his head, "Great. So that means we must trek all the way to this cavern while fighting off who knows how many of the hordes before we find this mystical crystal. Something that we are not 100% sure is his weakness."
"True." Havel shrugged, "But if he was willing to expose himself to someone like Logan when there that means something."
Naruto couldn't deny that.
Looking at the cage Naruto put his hand on the lock,
"Stand back Logan."
The mage took a few steps back and saw Naruto push the heat into the lock on the cell. The metal started to heat up until he saw it slowly starting to melt under the intensity.
"There. You are free but I would suggest you don't go too far Logan. Especially since we don't know where Seath is and what other experiments he has running around this place."
"Don't worry friend, I'm not going to test my luck. Best of luck and if you are ever in the neighborhood do come and see me I would love to pass on my knowledge to someone."
Naruto smiled, "Sure I'll think about it." Naruto and Havel turned from the powerful sorcerer and proceeded up the ladder.
Reaching the top of the ladder, Naruto saw three snake men with swords and one that could throw lightning.
"Havel gets ready."
Naruto reached the top before dashing behind a pillar, narrowly dodging a bolt of lightning.
Seeing the attack miss, Naruto saw the three-sword snake man rushing in his direction.
"Time to roast." Naruto gathered the flames in his hands and quickly chucked a fireball at one of the snake men making him fall to the ground with a thud. Another swung his sword down, but Naruto stepped to the side before putting his hand to its chest and covering him flames.
"Nice."
A hiss drew him to the last of his attackers, but he was sent flying back into the open room.
Havel stood there with a grunt,
"Keep your guard up!"
"Right sorry!"
The two entered the room with Havel blocking a bolt of lightning.
Naruto chucked a fireball at the lighting thrower and made the creature shriek in pain.
Havel saw the sword user getting up and he quickly swung his club down on the monster's body.
"Let's check the chest."
Walking over they found a key inside.
"Might be useful." Havel walked over to the switch and pulled it back in place turning the alarm off.
Once they were done checking the floor the proceeded back to the first floor before walking back up the staircase. Eventually arriving at another ladder which they had to climb to reach a large set of doors.
Naruto pushed against the door, but it wouldn't budge, so he decided to try out the key they got. After putting it in the lock, he twisted it allowing the tumblers to move and finally open.
"Well, I guess we are on the right path." Naruto motioned for Havel to follow.
Walking down the hallway they saw that it led to an outside balcony, but Naruto could feel there was something waiting for them on the other side. So, he went first and found a crystal monster waiting for them. He slowly raised up his sword and Naruto parried his strike sending it flying over the railing and to the ground below.
An arrow came soaring through the air and he quickly rolled under it, sending a dagger into the crystal monster causing it to fall to the ground with a thud. Luckily he managed to hit it in its neck rather than the crystalized parts.
Naruto collected is dagger before finding himself looking into another room and motioning Havel to go in first.
The man nodded. Walking into the room he shouted,
"Chanter!"
Naruto's eyes widened, he ran into the room and before summoning another ball of flame and throwing it at the monster. The spell and it crashed and exploded in the walkway making them take a few steps back. But luckily, Naruto was ready for this and rushed past Havel and slammed his sword into the crest of the monster and pulled the blade in an upward arc. The monster screeched before falling to the ground and dying.
"Geez, what the fuck are these monsters? I mean I have killed so many of them that this is just ridiculous."
"They are known as the Channelers, they serve Seath." Havel growled, "The most these monsters do is kidnap women from nearby lands for experimentation and assist the dragon in being his eyes."
"His eyes?"
"Yes the dragon is blind, so they serve as his eyes while out in the field."
Naruto raised an eyebrow,
"Then how does he know what he is aiming for?"
"Don't have an idea. For some reason that dragon works in mysterious ways that allow him to move around on his own. Or his other senses are compensating for the change."
"Geez, is there anything this monster didn't do?"
"He didn't treat people with kindness, he didn't stop manipulating people, and he didn't ever allow one of his experiments to die." He looked at the library as a whole, "There is nothing here, but horrible tomes filled with his sick experiments. All in the pursuit of being even more powerful than his so-called dragons and ascending to the highest plain possible."
Naruto shook his head.
"Those that seek immortality are doomed to lose everything in the pursuit."
"True."
The two trekked through the entire library, going through different platforms and different locations. Cutting down all the monsters that came their way from the Channelers to the crystal men.
They spent about an hour clearing the entire place out of these monsters and still couldn't find the entrance to this cavern that Logan mentioned. They settled by a bonfire for a bit of a rest and reprieve before finally heading into one of the rooms off to the right. There, they found a hidden staircase that was hiding in plain sight and after traversing to the next floor, they found a fog door. Pushing past the door, they found themselves standing on a wooden platform overlooking a tree and grassy plain.
Climbing down the ladder the two of them looked out at the crystalized giants roaming the area.
"More of his experiments?"
Havel nodded, "Don't know how it works but somehow he gave the crystals sentience. Some I think can store things inside of them thanks to their structure."
Naruto nod his head, "Interesting."
The two of them progressed through the field before stumbling upon a golden crystal monster.
"That's new."
"Indeed," Havel smiled, "May I tangle with this monster?"
Naruto shrugged before taking a step back.
The giant seemed to notice his opponent approaching and slowly ran up to the man. The minute he was in range, it slowly reached one of his arms back and Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"He can block that easily, hell he could dodge it-"
A long crystal blade exploded from the arm and swung sideways.
"What the fuck!"
Havel grunted blocking the strike with his shield and skidding backwards a few feet.
"Damn your stronger than you-"
The monster was on him again this time bringing the bladed arm down causing it to clash with the shield.
Naruto frowned, "Don't have time to drag this out Havel."
"I know!" Havel pushed the monster back, its body slowly stumbling.
With a mighty roar he swung his club sideways to the monster sending it falling over. Some of the crystal fragments broke off from the impact of the blow. It groaned before it disappeared.
"Well, that was-" Naruto raised an eyebrow, "Okay dejavu."
Standing in place of the golden giant was an armored knight. One that was in a familiar onion shape, Naruto figured that it must be Sigurd who got stuck again.
"Hello," Naruto's eyes widened.
"Huh? Who are you?"
Havel stared at the woman.
"Hello sirs. Thank you for saving me from the golem. I don't know how I got in there, but I was stuck for quite some time. Thanks to you, I am free, and I owe you both a debt of gratitude." She put her hand over her chest, "Please forgive me for the late introductions my name is Sieglinde of Catarina."
Naruto nodded. "My name is Naruto, and this is Havel the Rock."
"Greetings."
"Oh my, it is nice to meet you both."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, "So how did you end up trapped in that golem?"
"To be honest sir, I don't know. I was traveling and suddenly I was taken into a crystal monster without knowing the reason. It wasn't terrible mind you, but it was an unusual experience." She picked up her claymore, "But now I must continue on my quest."
"Quest?" Havel frowned, "Are you too seeking the death of Seath."
"Oh heavens no. I'm nowhere near powerful enough to do something like that. I'm here looking for my father. He is wearing a matching set of armor like me."
"I see." Naruto sighed, "Well last time I saw him he was in the capital of Anor Londo. If you head there you might find him there."
"Thank you kind sir please, take care." The onion knight soon turned on her heels and walked away from the two.
"Quite the peculiar armor they have."
Naruto looked at Havel while looking at his armor.
"Are you one to talk?"
"Shut up."
The two continued their trek before finally finding a large hole in the ground surrounded by more crystal golems. Cutting them down proved nothing special before they arrived at the entrance to the cavern. Naruto frowned,
"These must be the same stuff Seath was experimenting with."
"Indeed."
Havel jumped down the ramp and proceeded into the cavern. Naruto followed behind him quickly.
Walking through the cavern Naruto noticed the place was full of the golem creatures and thankfully they didn't have too much trouble with them with Havel just hitting them with his club and knocking it off the crystal. From there they traversed lower down until they ran into an unusual situation.
No exit seemed to exist, and they were standing a few feet from a familiar monster.
"Moonlight Butterfly?" Naruto raised an eyebrow, "There were more?"
"Yeah Seath liked to make multiples of his creations. My guess is one got out of the cave and traveled to the forest."
"Damn." Naruto turned back to their predicament. "So, any ideas?"
"None," Havel looked at the open area. "Logan said that he made it to a room where there was some kind of crystal that Seath was guarding. Meaning there is a way across we just can't see it."
Naruto nodded. Yeah he figured that as well, but he wasn't sure how to go about it given this is an unusual situation.
But then he saw some light dust he guessed, dropping from above and then it exploded a few feet in the air.
"What the-" Naruto walked to the ledge and saw another speck hit and explode. He wasn't sure what it was, but he knew a hint when he saw one. So, he put his foot out and touched the air in front of him. Knowing he won't slip off the edge if there is nothing there. But that would mean more exploration.
His foot landing on something hard and his eyes widened.
"Havel! The way across is invisible!"
"Truly!?"
Havel walked over and saw Naruto now putting both of his feet out in the air and seemingly balancing in the air.
"Interesting." Naruto smiled as Havel slowly walked across the walkway. "Do you think that the path was invisible before Logan got here?"
"Probably, but if it wasn't, Seath made sure that no one could find their way across no matter what."
"True but with this we now know where to go."
Both warriors slowly and carefully traversed their way across the invisible walkway. It took them several minutes with Naruto having to help Havel more than once as he accidently put his foot at the ledge and nearly fell off.
Luckily after a bit of luck they made it across. But Naruto looked back into the cave and saw all the butterflies and frowned.
"Poor souls."
"Yeah, they are tragically lost thanks to Seath, but we can do them justice by ending the dragon."
"True but I still pray for their souls as no one deserves this fate no matter who they were in life."
Havel said nothing and just continued forward. However, both warriors gained a tick mark seeing more monsters in the cavern below.
"I'm really not in the mood for this mess!"
Both quickly cut their way through the clam-based monsters, focusing on their legs to help them tip over. Then they struck through the clam shell allowing them to die.
After slaughtering a few of them they arrived at the center. At the far side of the room was a crystal that seemed to give off a luminating gleam.
"Interesting." Naruto slowly walked into the room with his sword drawn, "This is like Logan's description."
"Yeah." Havel looked around the room. "Which means if this crystal is so important to him, then that means he will be coming down here soon."
Naruto nodded.
"Yeah I remember a memory I saw-"
"A memory?"
"Yeah a memory, it showed that Seath was excited about finding what he was looking for. It was something in his hand and he was just giddy." He looked at the shine, "I think this is it. This is what he covets more than anything in the world."
"Makes sense. Unlike the rest of his kind, he wasn't blessed with the same eternal scales and power, which means he most likely had to find some means of extending his life."
"Yeah," Naruto quickly sliced through the crystal shattering it, releasing a pure white light into the room. "Too bad for him, he made an obvious mistake in its location."
"Sweet Carrion! Put the Mash Potatoes into the Oven!"
Naruto and Havel swiftly turned to gaze upon a serpentine entity descending from the heavens. Its pallid skin gleamed in the light, while sinuous tentacles comprised its lower body, and its head bore a striking resemblance to that of a dragon. Naruto noted that the creature's skull lacked eyes, yet it sported tentacles sprouting from its head, accompanied by robust limbs to balance its insect-like wings.
"The Pudding is running hot!"