Author's Note

This is my second attempt at a Dark Souls story, and I feel more confident about this one then my other. I had the idea cooked up in my head one night, about how the chosen undead wasn't in Lordran to ring the bells, but to quote unquote, find love where no one else had.

And who better of deserving love in Lordran then the unloved crossbreed Priscilla?

Uploaded

10/04/2022

LEGEND BELOW

"Greetings! I am Oscar of Astora!" = Normal speech.

''Doth thee find my appearance unpleasant?''= Normal thoughts.

Chapter ?

The undead legend

Rated-M

Thou who art Undead, art chosen... In thine exodus from the Undead Asylum, maketh pilgrimage to the land of Ancient Lords... When thou ringeth the Bell of Awakening, the fate of the Undead thou shalt know...

As the world was plunged into chaos, and the age of fire began to fade, a legend had sprung up among the nations outside of the land of the gods. The legend had done its part to attract many undead warriors to the land of the gods.

Unfortunately, even the demons knew of that legend, and had used the lure of it to trap many of the undead before they could ever reach the land of the gods. In asylums outside of the land of the gods, demon rulers kept all the undead chained up, locked away, never to see the light again.

Those that escaped would inevitably run to Lordran, but many would become lost upon the way, turning hollow in the lands between.

However…

It was that legend that led the proud and strong knight, Oscar of Astora to the Undead Asylum, that he may understand his fate in his journey, lest he fail and go hollow.

He'd traveled far from his home lands, and made his journey to the Undead Asylum in an attempt to release all the Undead held there in the hopes that one of them would end up ringing the bells of awakening, or at the very least assist him in doing so.

That was why he journeyed to the bitter and cold lands outside of the land of the gods, to the Undead Asylum…

However, upon his arrival he'd encountered vicious and dangerous hollows, all having lost their minds to the dark. But, for someone of his stature, this did not pose a problem for the knight of Astora.

However, regretfully he did not account for the demon that guarded the asylum. He had barely managed to free a single strange looking hollow warrior, if that's what he was, before he was embarrassingly decimated by the demon's titanic weapon.

Even with his high class armor, royal guard training, and his sword blessed with a powerful magic, he still failed. And more then that, he had failed at the first obstacle in his path.

He was pathetic, a disgrace to the Astora royal name. He deserved to die here, crumpled in a heap atop bricks of concrete, cold and abandoned. Then he'd go hollow, and the whole reason he journeyed here would be for nothing.

He lay, dying, staring up at the ceiling above him. He couldn't believe it, it just felt wrong. He was undead, and this defeat by the demon wouldn't be the end of him. The accursed dark sign wouldn't let him truly die, but he'd lose his humanity, and all that was truly Oscar of Astora would fade.

And he was at that point already…

"O-Oh… to think… it would end so soon…" He bemoaned, his light fading.

He sat there, staring up at the sun above, wishing that he'd at least get to feel the warmth of it on his skin one last time. But… he couldn't even bring himself to pull his helmet off…

In the end, he really was just a failure…

And the worst part? He had nothing to sh

…

…

…

-CRASH-

"W-What? W-Who goes there…?" The wall before him exploded, a massive stone ball coming barreling through. Slow footsteps approached him, the sound of metal armor clinking with every step. Water splashed at his feet as this new presence approached him.

When he looked up, he was greeted with the sight of another knight. His eyes widened when he realized that it was the undead he must've rescued earlier.

He was a knight, just like him. He wore similar armor, but his surcoat was missing, torn off seemingly by his own hands. His visor was down, hiding his face.

But he couldn't miss those glowing green eyes hidden behind the slits in the metal, staring at him with the intensity of a dragon.

"Y-You… You're no hollow…" Oscar muttered, finding the strength to turn his head to face the newcomer. "Please… hear me out… before I pass…"

He felt his vision fading as the newcomer approached him.

"There is an old saying… in my family. Thou who art Undead, art chosen... In thine exodus from the Undead Asylum, maketh pilgrimage to the land of Ancient Lords... When thou ringeth the Bell of Awakening, the fate of the Undead thou shalt know..."

He felt that much lighter after speaking his peace. Maybe now he could go hollow, knowing that just maybe, the future was secure with this other undead that wasn't him.

"Please, you must go now… Soon I'll die, then I'll become hollow… I'd hate to attack you after death…" He begged, reaching into his pouch to procure his Estus Flask. "Oh… and… take this…" He shakily handed it over, head dropping back down to the stone once he did.

He heard the other knight step forward, but for what reason he did not know. Then, without warning he felt him pull off his helmet, toss it to the side, and force him to drink from his own Estus Flask. Oscar sat up sharply, coughing as his wounds were reversed, and life filled his body once more.

"Why..? Why did you save me? I have already failed my mission, it's up to you to carry on in my stead." He stated, standing to his feet. He was of equal height to the other knight, but he couldn't help but feel that there was something different about him.

"You… Where do you hail from?" Oscar asked. He had his suspicion from the armor the knight wore, but he had to be sure. The knight straightened slightly, adjusting the massive Zweihander he had resting on his armored shoulder. His other hand held a blue dragon crest shield, similar to his own crest shield.

"I hail from Astora." The knight spoke gently, an odd sound seeing as he so casually carried such a massive weapon.

Oscar's eyes widened, surprise written all over his face. "Why, I never expected to meet a fellow knight of Astora here." He exclaimed in pleasant surprise. "Tell me, why have you come to the land of the gods? Are thee too here to fulfill the legend?"

The other knight turned his head away, gazing up through the hole in the ceiling of the cage. He found himself momentarily lost in the endless skies above. Nevertheless, he eventually answered the knight's question.

"No." He uttered softly.

"No? Pray tell, what other reason would thee have to journey to the land of the gods?" Oscar asked.

"I have come in search of someone…" The knight said. "I do not know her name, but…." He trailed off for a moment, grip around his weapon hardening. "She has been outcast as a vile thing, a blight upon humanity. And, subsequently, as have I. But, no one understands her beauty, no one but me. So, I must find her, to lay my eyes upon her beautiful form just once. If she finds it in her heart to giveth her love to thyself, I would be most pleased to take her hand."

Oscar had many questions, but he found himself unable to ask them. A woman is what this knight sought, not the legend? And why, because she has been outcast for some reason?

"You, knight of Astora, what is thy name?" He asked.

"I am Oscar, knight of Astora." Oscar stated with pride. "What is yours?"

"I have been given no name, only a title. I…" He started, setting his weapons down. He reached up, unclasping his helmet. When he pulled it off, Oscar found himself absolutely stunned to silence.

The knight was a rather young man, perhaps of twenty years of age, with regal features that spoke of royalty or of a royal bloodline. His hair, long and cascading down his back, was white and unnatural. However, it was the sparkling scales that covered his cheeks and acted as his eyebrows. Those scales traveled down his neckline, before disappearing into his armor. It was only outshined by his glowing green eyes, eyes that lit up the room.

"I hath no name… but, people from Astora call thyself crossbreed…" The man said softly. "You may do the same if thou wishes it… I find no offense with the term…"

"Y-You…?" Oscar breathed, taking a step back in an uncontrolled reaction. "A… A dragon?" He whispered in fear, and he couldn't help the look of disgust that, but for a brief moment, crossed his face.

The crossbreed's expression hardened, picking up his helmet and his weapons. He didn't stick around, leaving the knight of Astora to himself. Oscar recoiled as the young man left him behind, not saying a word as he left.

"Wait, good sir!" Oscar called out, taking up his sword and shield before running after him. "Forgive this foolish man for his transgressions!" He exclaimed, rushing after his armored counterpart.

The crossbreed had scaled the halls of the undead asylum, making his way to the top of the main chambers. Any and all hollowed warriors in his way were brutally lain to waste by his might sword swings, attacks that shook the ground with every swing.

Oscar slid to a sudden and frantic stop as the crossbreed held his massive sword out at him, pointing the blade at his throat. To be able to hold a weapon of that magnitude with seemingly little struggle, spoke volumes of his draconic blood.

Oscar held his hands up to show he meant no harm, eyeing the tip of the sword poised to end his existence in a moments notice. He fell to his knees, glancing up at the powerful undead warrior before him. "I beg of you, please forgive me. I did not mean to offend you so greatly." He said, his voice sincere.

The crossbreed stared down at the other man, his face conflicted. He waited for a moment, before retracting his sword, once more resting it on his shoulder.

"If you would be willing to forgive this foolish man, I would be willing to assist you in your journey." Oscar said.

"Why?"

"It is thy wish to journey to the land of the gods in the search for a woman of great wonders?" Oscar asked.

"Indeed."

"So then, I wager it is dangerous in the land. I am heading there myself to ring the bells… Should our paths be the same, would it not be a brilliant idea if we travel together?" The knight of Astora said.

The other man stared at him, seriously considering his offer. In the end, he couldn't see why he shouldn't take his words seriously.

He sighed, attaching his shield to his back. With his free hand he offered it to the knight, staring at him with those unsightly glowing green eyes.

"Should our paths stay the same, then I have no reason to deny you." He said. Oscar took his hand with his own, firmly gripping it. With that done, he spun around, silver hair swirling around around him. He took up his shield once again, moving headstrong through the halls of the asylum.

Oscar watched him go, surprised by the intensity of his gaze.

"A dragon… unbelievable…" He muttered, taking up his sword as he ran after the man.

Before them stood their first obstacle, for Oscar it was the beast that had nearly made him go hollow. And for the crossbreed, it was the first thing standing in his way to finding the dear woman that he sought so heavily.

Oscar looked nervous, his sword hand shaking as he glared down at the demon of the asylum.

"Tell me." Oscar spoke up suddenly. "This woman… what is she to you?" He asked. "Why risk your humanity for a fair maiden you have never been blessed with the presence of?" He turned to face the mysterious knight, patiently awaiting his answer. He stared for a moment, getting lost in the fire that his gaze held.

"This demon that stands before us has already bested myself once before, and it is but the first trial we are likely to face in the land of the gods." Oscar continued, glaring down at the massive and grotesque Asylum Demon below them both. "What doth this maiden have to make you risk your humanity just to seek her?"

"Hath thou ever wished so strongly for something that it hath kept thee sane? To yearn so, for something that has always been far from reach?" The crossbreed asked genuinely. He looked up, gazing at the cloudy skies above. "I hath never known my mother, only my father. He was human, resident of the kingdom of Astora. Thine mother was a dragon, and father was a willing slave to her wiles and crafty ways."

"How has this reality come to pass? How hath thee been born of dragons blood? And from an arrangement between that of a human man and of a dragon?" Oscar asked, befuddled.

"I understand little of how. I was born into this world, crawling out from an egg. I was shunned by all, and father was driven to insanity from the scorn brought forth by thy self's existence." He said softly. "My dear father, I only wish I could have saved thee…" A look of wanting drift across his face, a deep sadness filling his heart.

"I am sorry to hath dredged up such terrible things, please forgive thee…" Oscar apologized, bowing to the knight.

"Think nothing of it, Oscar of Astora." The dragon knight muttered. "Thee asked me why I journey, and why this maiden has stolen my heart?" He asked. He reached into his pouch, pulling forth an old worn painting. He held it up to the other man, showing the contents of the work. "I knoweth not her name, but I know she must be real."

Oscar was blown away. The painting, although old and worn, was incredibly detailed. It depicted a woman, likely fifteen feet tall or more. She was beautiful, with skin as clear and shining as pearls, and green eyes that shone in the moonlight. She had long billowing white hair that trailed down her back, passing her large fur covered rear. A massive tail was sprawled out behind her, making a marking in the snow. In her dainty yet appropriately sized hands was a massive scythe, a weapon sure to lay waste to even the strongest of warriors.

Upon closer inspection, Oscar realized that she wore no clothing, but what he assumed was at first a dress was nothing more then a coat of fur that seemed to act as such, clung tightly to her body.

"This… This is the maiden that thee is looking for?" Oscar asked slowly, almost unbelieving.

"Indeed. If only I could meet her myself, pledge myself to her beauty, then my journey will be complete…" He sighed, gazing skyward. "Perhaps then I will feel as though my life wasn't for naught…"

He turned to Oscar, eyes burning with a fiery determination. "I know not where my journey will take me, but I assume it will take me as far as you. Oscar of Astoa, I shall accompany you on your journey until we inevitably split ways."

"I thank you…" Oscar stated. "And, I'll give thyself my all, for saving my sorry life once before."

"Now then, this vile demon dares to stand in thy way. Let us put it to rest, together!" The crossbreed declared loudly, raising his Zweihander skyward. Oscar roared in challenge beside him, joining him as he leapt feet first off the top of the Asylum diving for the demon below.

The Asylum demon never knew what hit it…

"Ah, we'll now, ain't this a surprise? Two new arrivals at the same time, aren't I lucky?"

Not long after they laid the Asylum Demon to rest, they were carried off by a massive crow. Maybe it was fate, or maybe the crow had been trained for this outcome.

Nevertheless, it carried the two of them far from the Undead Asylum and to the land of the gods, Lordran. Upon a massive cliff face, atop of which was an old dilapidated shrine, was where the two undead knights found themselves. The warmth of the nearby bonfire was only put off somewhat by the unsightly and crestfallen warrior who sat not far from it.

He'd spoken up only moments after seeing them land.

"Tell me, why have you both come to the land of the gods? Is it to fulfill the undead legend?" The crestfallen warrior asked slowly, his gaze dull and lifeless.

"That I hath. I come here to ring the bell of awakening." Oscar stated, his voice brimming with the life that had only hours ago been nearly snuffed out for good. He truly was in debt to his companion for that.

"And what about you?" The odd man asked, turning his attention to the crossbreed.

"I cometh to Lordran in search for a maiden." The knight in question stated. He stepped forward, pulling from his pocket an old detailed painting. "Tell me, have thee seen her beauty once before?" He asked. He handed the painting over, letting the crestfallen warrior take a good look.

Unfortunately, he too, had never seen her before. "I'm afraid I have never seen a woman of this stature before. However, if you are foolhardy enough to try, in the undead church above us is a crusty old man by the name of Oswald of Carim. Perhaps he can lead you in the right direction. But who knows? Lordran is filled with many monsters, perhaps someone has seen the one you are looking for."

The crossbreed had to restrain himself from laying the disrespectful man out at his verbal remarks at the behest of his maiden. Instead, he snatched the painting from the foul man's unbelieving hands, placing it back in his pouch.

"How dare thee! Thy dare to disrespect my companion's fair maiden? Have thee no shame?" Oscar exclaimed heatedly, stepping forward threateningly.

"Tsk, shame? I'm an undead, same as you. I gave up shame long before you arrived here." The crestfallen warrior laughed. Oscar looked personally offended by the scummy man's words, but knew there wasn't much he could do to change his mind.

Oscar sighed, turning away from the man. His eyes widened in surprise when he noticed that his companion had already begun moving for the church. As they were now, the only way to make it up the massive cliff face where the church lay was through the town below. And his companion had already begun moving for said burg.

"Good sir, where art thou going?" Oscar called out, chasing after the other knight. For carrying a Zweihander and wearing heavy armor, the crossbreed was rather light on his feet.

"I'm am making my way to the church. Perhaps this Oswald will knoweth more." He said, charging with heavy strides up towards the first wall of the Undead Burg. Before them stood five hollowed warriors, all having lost their minds to the dark, now no more then violent mindless zombies.

The first one charged towards the pair mindlessly, swinging his sword about with no tact or skill. The silver haired knight parried the attack, before laying a devastating blow to the hollow's midsection.

The same fate met the other four hollows.

"Come, Oscar of Astora. You seeketh the bell of awakening, do you not. You will not find it with your feet stayed here at the bonfire." The half dragon knight exclaimed, holding a hand out to the proud knight of Astora.

However, before he either warrior could make another move, a new voice called out to them.

"Knights of Astora! Please, halt your step!"

Oscar stopped just short of charging into battle with the hollows, turning to find a rather plump looking warrior heading his way. He offered a glance of question to his companion, to gauge his reaction to the newcomer. The crossbreed, too, was puzzled by the new man.

But seeing as he had yet to raise his arms in a declaration of battle, he would see the newcomer out fairly.

"Who art thou?" The nameless knight asked with a soft gentle tone, his voice still maintaining an edge. Though he was soft spoken, his words seemed to carry strength befitting of a powerful dragon. "Doth thou seeketh my life? I must warn thee, it will be foolhardy of thou to try."

"No no, brave knight! Please, forgive me for the abrupt approach!" The new man said, offering a short bow of respect to the two knights of Astora. "I am Petrus of Thorolund, Cleric in service to my fair lady, Reah of Thorolund." Petrus introduced. He was a portly blond haired man, wearing odd plate mail that contrasted with his shield design and his Morning Star.

"I had overheard you speak with that man over there. I hear you are in search of a fair maiden of your own?" Petrus explained why he'd stopped them, before asking the nameless knight a question. "Please, though I do not know you, I beg of you. I have lost my maiden along our journey. She is most precious to me… Please, if you see her along your travels… please bring her back to me…" He asked, bowing lowly.

"Good sir, shall we accept his request?" Oscar asked, turning towards his companion. "We are already hands full with duties of our own, so doth we hath time for another?"

The nameless knight seemed to ponder the cleric's request of him for a long moment. Nevertheless, he found it in himself to offer the other man some hope. "Should I encounter thy fair maiden, I shall restore her to thee presence safely. Thy hath my word." He said.

"Ohh… Thank you great knight of Astora! Take care on your journey, and please, do not go hollow…"

"Tell me, art thou not scared of thyself? Doth thee not wisheth to flee from thine realm?" A gentle and eloquent yet powerful voice spoke. A gentle breeze blew through, parting the long white locks of a special looking face. To the being that she questioned, she gained not a response.

"…"

"No? Curious thing, art thou." Nevertheless, unperturbed by the silence, she continued. "Thine kind hath never spoken cruelly to thyself, and yet, thy heart is full of great sadness nonetheless. Doth that not maketh thee sad as well?" She continued, speaking in a soft gentle manner. She raised her hand up, looking the other being right in the eyes. She carried a hollow, the creature of darkness unspeaking to her, lifting it deftly off the ground with little effort as though it were a life sized toy.

"…"

"Thou never speaketh to thyself. Thyself wishes thou would, but thy heart holds no hope of thou changing thee ways…" She bemoaned softly. She set the red skinned hollow down, watching as it scuttled away, speaking ineligibly. She watched the little footprints it left in the snow as it wandered away, noting just how much smaller they were then her own.

"Thou wishes thee would not run… Please, humor thyself for longer…" She called out, but it did not listen to her words. "Doth thou not find my appearance appealing? Doth I speak too loudly for thee?" She asked in hurried succession, trying to get the hollow to stay.

"Please, what must thyself do to make thee stay? Please, do not abandon me along with thy other company…" She whispered, hand slowly falling back to her side as her words failed to draw her the attention she so desired.

Her heart sank, saddened by the fact that she was once again alone. None of the residents of her world wished to reconcile with her, a fate she sometimes pondered as worse then her life outside of her confinement.

But, she'd never leave her world, because compared to the outside, the residents here were kind…

Tears welled up, but she had no hope that someone would ever come to dry them…

Chapter

End