ALRIGHTY GENTS AND GALS, IM BACK TO DELIVER SATISFYING READS!
This is one of those chapters that just sorta took on a life of its own, guys. So definitely hopin everyone like the read.
But first I gotta speak on a few...
Comments that caught my eye
joecola00- Without a shadow of a doubt, Oscar and Quelaag are fxcking in that chamber.
I don't really see why Shiva would attack Quelana. Maybe one of the other daughters of chaos pass by and see her through the illusion on the way to the Prophet?
I'm wondering if NK was truly a one-off, or if Oscar piqued his interest in what he left behind. It would be awesome to see him straighten Anor Londo out.
My Response-Yeah, I was honestly sort of just brainstorming with Shiva attacking Quelana. But to just have the daughters of chaos meet their long lost sister with a simple "Oh my god, you've been outside the house the whole time?" sorta deal, seems so...anti-climactic, right? I feel like it should be a bigger revelation than that to know that Quelaan and Quelaag still have a family out there. Especially one that thinks their just rabid demons.
As for the nameless king, I personally REALLY want him included in the Anor Londo event, but I keep running back to the problem of who exactly would be able to do more than slow him down if he came. He's kinda Overpowered even more than he was in his hollowed state in Dark souls 3 and would almost negate their being a battle at all. So its definitely a hurdle I'm still tryin to work out.
draven32- One thing to have NK still be in the story is have Oscar go back to the peak and form a covenant with NK, only after Oscar let's go of his rage and learns to grow. NK can return to Anor Londo but only as an observer as he holds no interest in the city or the God's anymore, but would want to see how Oscar performs.
My Response- Now this is definitely a solid way to take things for Oscar. My only wonder is if i'll have the old helmet bro overstay his welcome story wise. Its one thing to build up a character and take things slow, but I don't want it to feel like things are dragging on too long. Which is the only reason I haven't added on chapters featuring Solaire and Mildreds time together or other such character focused additions.
But with the chaos sister opening the path for him to find something new, I can definitely see Oscar heading back to Archdragon peak with the intention to learn instead f fight.
Guest-Please don't make the NK an unbeatable character. That's just... really fucking frustrating and stupid. You've put so much hype into the potential power of the Prophet and Oscar, I really don't want to see some silent, stepping-stone extra boss beat their shit in like a playground bully while everyone grovels and sucks his dick. It makes it feel as though no progress has been made.
My Response-Not to downplay any progress Oscar or the Prophet have made so far, but that's just kind've the breaks. They've grown stronger for sure, more than enough to be a threat to demons and most gods, but to the big leaguers like the nameless king, its just not even a conversation right now. NK is literally just that much of a unit lore wise and I didn't want to downplay him just to make Oscar appear stronger than he currently is.
It would be the same if they faced off against an only slightly weakened Gwyn or Witch of Izalith, they'd be slaughtered without much effort. Its not really a matter of kissing NK's ass, its just giving the character the legendary power he's shown throughout. That's not to say that the heroes of the story won't reach a point where they can stand up to him, just not right now, bro.
Guest-Good character growth for in this chapter. But I REALLY hope you dont keep NK this fucking op the entire story. That'd be really disappointing. I want Oscar or the Prophet to be able to solo that bastard. But I really don't understand what hollowing has to do with a being's power. Lore-wise, hollowing doesn't increase or decrease the power of a being. To be frank, I think you made NK TOO overpowered. I mean, it's fine, since now the Prophet and Oscar have a mountain to climb and something to compare their strength to. But I don't think Oscar should've been beaten so easily.
This isn't a negative review though, as much as it may sound like one. I still love this story, and hope you make more chapters.
My Response- Well, from my understanding, hollowing may not increase of decrease the power of a being, but it does almost completely degrades their minds and ability to properly utilize their abilities. For this story, I'm sort of trailing along the idea that all the gods are inherently connected to the first flame and there power dwindles as it fades. So no one is at the top of their game currently.
So for someone like NK to not currently be feeling the full effects of hollowing and still retains virtually all of his power, I think it would make a fair to say that he probably would be pretty OP to face at the moment for Oscar. Especially since NK has probably taken on and beaten full fledged Stone Dragons, while Oscar is just an hybrid imitation of them. Needless to say, he's got a ways to go.
TheGreatBubbaJ-Oscar's new title: The Drider Rider.
My Response- Sir, I'm gonna have to issue you a Yellow card warning for that joke. For the simple fact that I did not think of it first. You get two more of those and I'll have to report you to the anime police.
They don't actually arrest people, they just send large breasted women in police uniforms to wrestle to into cuffs for a few minutes. So you better remember that the next time you feel the need to be hilarious, sir.
Alright, guys. That's all I have to comment on this time around. Hope you enjoy the read.
Warning: Supreme Gamer is not responsible for anyone who gets kidnapped for knowing to much about the secret anime police force. You have been warned.
Innovation and failure was the foundation of progress. No one understood that better than he.
He'd lived for so long, yet could feel his flesh degrading over the centuries. It was unacceptable. Pathetic. A curse unjustly thrust upon him.
He would not stand for it.
If there was one valuable tool he'd learned to make the most of, it would have to be taking notes and marking his progress. Making a physical item of his thoughts and discoveries. The others of his kind would never have thought to do such a thing. Yet another reason why he knew he was superior to them and why he deserved what they took for granted.
But he pushed these facts aside and focused on the task at hand. His newest experiment has finally reached a crucial stage.
"Hmm…" He said as he examined its small, frail outer form. Taking in each of the present characteristics it had developed so far. Using nothing more than his thoughts, he had one of his servant's ready parchment and something to write with before continuing his examination. "Day one. It has been six hours since the formation of the source. It is small, clumsy and lacking in definitive measures to defend itself. It stumbles and trips like a chi-"
He stops himself mid-sentence for a moment, before continuing forward with his notes.
"As expected, little experience in the presence of the waking world has led to a difficult adjustment period. Particularly regarding ambulatory motion. It will come in time, I'm sure."
The experiment stares up at him from its place on the steel table. Its eyes are reptilian in nature, but the rest of its body barely held any likeness to its more ancient linage.
"The experiment will remain contained, as the nature of its existence is unclear at this point. I will investigate this more carefully at a later date after it has mastered movement."
The experiment reaches its hands up in the air at him, as if it means to touch his person. He ignores such a desire and continues with his own thoughts.
"It does not appear to understand me or be capable of speech. It may not truly be sentient. Perhaps instead relying on crude instinct to guide its actions. Must conduct further trials."
"Nnn…Uwa…UWAAAAH. *Sniff* UWAAAAH!"
Much to his irritation, the experiment begins to bawl incessantly, interrupting his train of thought.
"Silence…" he hisses dangerously to no avail of stopping the experiments wailing.
"UWAAAH! *hick* U-UWAAAH!"
Rather than speak his demands again, he instead simply picked the small thing up using but one of his hands and brought it up to where his eyes would be if he held any, before releasing a threatening low growl, as well as embers of crystal breath emanated from his lips.
At this, the experiment seemed to be completely surprised by the act. But instead of being afraid, it seemed to marvel at the very faint flakes of crystal that came from his mouth and appeared to cease its crying.
Staring at it for a few moments to ensure that it was done with its needless wailing, he returned the experiment back to the steel table. Where it once again curiously reaches up for him to pick it up again.
"Side note: Introduction of crystals may serve as viable distraction to end distress and prevent future interruptions. Must conduct further examination to ensure certainty of findings."
Entry 34
"The experiment has made progress faster than anticipated. It is surprising that it has persevered thus far and continues to learn despite its imprisonment. Failure during first attempt was expected, but it appears it is sturdier than initially anticipated. Promising."
He pauses for a few moments to dwell on his thought on the matter, before continuing with his notes.
"Observation of subject yields interesting results. It has begun crawling along the floor of it prison. Poking and prodding at the walls and the floors. Though it does not come near the bars. Must conduct further observation to determine if it feels the magic placed within them. Nonetheless, it appears to be seeking a way out. Perhaps unknowingly seeking to return to its true state of nothingness."
The scribe takes his thoughts down diligently. Each one written to the letter that he spoke them.
"An appendage has begun to sprout from its body. Likely the beginnings of what will be a tail. Though it still oddly retains the outer anatomy closer to that of mortal kin. It has yet too manifest any of the desired traits sought. Further observation shows that it has ceased to make any further sound. Now growing into a state of curiosity for its surroundings. This is preferable to its previous state of constant whining. Must conduct further study for additional signs of divergence from its previous lesser form."
Entry 96
"An unexpected development. I was sought out somehow. It is currently unknown precisely the means by which it was done, but the feeling of an internal call flowed through me. Furthermore, the experiment appeared to grow erratic and eager as I made my way towards its cage. It knew I was coming. Perhaps a side effect of its nature?"
He raised a clawed hand and examined himself for a moment, knowing that what he felt run through him before was not his imagination.
"It made meaningless noises at the sight of me. Nothing unusual or noteworthy at first, but then…it began to babble. I could recognize the noises it was stringing together. Bits and pieces of things it could not possibly have knowledge of on its own. My intrigue only seemed to encourage it to try to speak that much further. Examples of attempted words are as such: Tree, tall, temperature, marrow and forbidden."
Without meaning for it too, he felt a smirk form across his maw.
"It can speak….It can learn….It is sentient. Will begin introduction of outside stimulus to determine extent of subject's natural disposition and continue to monitor rate of growth. Progress may proceed faster than anticipated. Hm…Must conduct further study of possible stimulus already occurring without my knowledge. Ensure that the light of disparity has not tainted the subject with knowledge."
Entry 142
"Subject has grown proficient with walking and use of its limbs, as well as developed a paler complexion and a range of pure white fur along its head, body and tail. As I understand it, neither of those touched by disparities light or its darkness have shown such intelligence this soon in its lifespan. My experiment has shown potential far beyond them all."
His words were said with no small hint of pride. But of course, he would expect no less from a creation of his making. In fact, his ego was stoked only that much further as he continued to muse on the subject.
"It is very eager to learn and has shown little difficulty adapting and problem solving. Already its level of speech has advanced at an astonishing rate just by speaking briefly with my person every so often….It uses me as a way to build its store of knowledge to new heights and I in turn learn more about its limitations. A mutual scaffolding."
He laughs to himself for a moment, amused at the thought of the little creature trying to learn as he did. It was then that a thought occurred to him on the matter.
"The subject holds a predisposition to learn and mature, very much the same as myself. An inherited trait? Hm…though it shows no sign of it now, who's to say that it has not also inherited more dangerous attributes as well? Or perhaps even my…"
His voice trailed off as an obvious mistake came to the forefront of his mind. The slip up making him snarl internally at himself.
"Must conduct test of possible developing offensive capabilities as well as any evidence of mortality…."
His voice trailed off once again as he placed a clawed hand to his chin in thought for a moment.
"Furthermore, will proceed with advancing intellect of subject to further define limitations. Development of text relevant for fledgling intellect to be finalized in two days' time. All further conversations to be logged for later examination regarding its progress."
Entry 237
"What am I?...What are we?...Are you…me? Am I you?"
"No, we are not the same entity."
"Then what are we?"
"You are a thing. An abnormality…but I suppose that means little in the end. For you are still descendant of dragon."
"D..Dragoown? I am Dragoown?" it said with a tile of its head as it looked up to its teacher. "Are you one too?"
"Of course."
It looks away for a moment, seemingly thinking very hard about something. But unable to come to a clear answer, she asked him yet another question.
"But…what are you to me?"
"You are meant to further my research and nothing more." He said plainly without a hint of remorse. However, for the first time since its creation, the experiment took on a look of genuine disappointment and sadness at his answer. Seeing this, he hesitated for a moment before speaking once more. "However, I am the one who created you. So I suppose technically I would be referred to as your "father"."
At this, the experiment perked up noticeably and its tail wagged in a manner that showed clear happiness as she gazed up at him with childlike innocence.
"Father…"
Entry 387
"I've made a mistake. The experiment has latched onto the idea of familial bond. Father this, Father that. The failure falls upon me. I should have been more careful with my wording. Perhaps it will grow out of it in time."
He sighed to himself recalling the slip up and how foolish he was for making such a slip up.
"Nonetheless, my initial expectation of advanced intelligence seems to have been misplaced. The subject is capable of learning, but its rate of doing so is painfully slow. It cannot even understand the basic anatomy of a mortal body, forcing me to start from scratch with its teachings. Disappointing. But once more the fault falls to me for expecting much from the first draft."
He dwelled on the experiment further and the progress it had made thus far. Not wanting to end his dwelling on such meager thoughts.
"Subjects mental standing remains…firmly cheerful. Despite her-…Despite its imprisonment, subject shows no desire to explore anything beyond its cage. It is perfectly content with what it is given and even more so with the brief interactions it gets with its "Father". This lack of ambition may prove initially advantageous but could harm progress in the future. It may even be the root cause for its disappointing rate of development. Hm…will conduct test to determine the effectiveness of using materialistic value to inspire self-improvement. A very base tactic used by mortal kind, but may serve my purposes well enough. The exact method to be used shall be decided at a later date."
Entry 558
"She has more latent potential then I could have dreamed. Like a bird takes to flying, the subject memorizes and takes in knowledge like no other. I have rectified my previous error and discovered that it is not that she learns at a slower rate, it is merely an issue of appeal. To fix this, I have observed the happenings of mortal younglings and discovered that many take to objects of amusement referred to "Dolls"."
He laughs to himself, amused at the fact that such a plain and pointless thing could propel his work in such a way.
"It took me mere moments to piece the diminutive trinket together using nothing more than a bit of wood, fabric and scant few pieces of string. But the subject looks to it as if it makes her the happiest thing on this world. She thanks me constantly for it, smiling brightly whenever I approach to check her development. An amusing sight to be had. I-"
He stops mid-sentence, suddenly becoming keenly aware that he'd gone completely off topic and making note of meaningless moments. Reminding himself that he needs to remain on track and waste not a single moment, he brings himself back to doing just that.
"I have no understanding of why she holds such attachment to modified pieces of wood, but it has served its purpose well. She has easily been manipulated with the promise of further reward. As such, her teachings have gone far smoother than before. I will move forward by teaching her the basics of the smaller fauna. Upon successful understanding, she will be rewarded with…hm…I must take care to not allow my objectivity to be muddled. Her desire or wants are meant purely to aid in mental and physical growth. Not for personal enjoyment. Though she has shown no signs as of yet, there is still every chance she may develop that which I never have. I will not be distracted."
Entry 643
"Father…what is my name?"
"Your name? Where did you learn that word?" he asked curiously.
"I dunno….but I think it's something I need. Do I have one of those?" She responded with a innocent tilt of her head, her expression so pure that it could only belong to a child. "Do I have one of those?"
"First, explain where you learned of such a thing. There is nothing here to teach it to you and I've made no mention of it. So how?"
She closes her eyes and thinks, or at least that's he assumes she is trying to do with the strange faces she's making, before coming to a response.
"I think…I heard it in the air, father. From ve~ry far away, it came to my head." She said honestly as she pointed a finger to her skull, not making a single bit of sense.
He took a few moments to gather what she'd said and came to his own conclusion. She seemed to indeed hold some unseen connection to the outside world and perhaps even to the light of disparity itself. Even if she lacks the wherewithal to understand where it come from, she is capable of receiving knowledge without meaning too.
"Hm…if the air ever whispers something to you again, you are to tell me immediately what you've learned. Understand?"
"Yes, father." She nodded, hoping she didn't do anything bad. "So…do I have one? A name?"
He signs and pauses for a moment. She looks up at him with pleading, puppy dog eyes. Silently begging him for an answer that he had no reason to give.
But grant her wish he did.
"Your name…You are meant to be a new instance of our kind. A means to gain the power of our ancient lineage." He said, as he ruminated on the thought for a few moments. "Your name will be…Priscilla. Wear it with-"
His words stopped in his throat. For in front of him was the sight of pure happiness and delight. Even her tail began to wag behind her as she spoke her next words.
"Priscilla…" she said as a bright smile formed across her lips and she clasped her hand together. "I like that name, father. It sounds pretty to hear."
"Things cannot "sound" pretty, child. They appear pretty. You should have such understanding already."
"Oh. Right." She said innocently, acknowledging her father's words earnestly. But that she placed a hand to her chin in thought for a moment as a question came to her mind. "Am I pretty then, father?"
"You are horrid in appearance to me, child."
"Oh…what does horrid mean, father?"
"Ugh." He groans as he places a hand to his head.
"Are you horrid to me too?"
Entry 768
"Efforts to provide teachings of proper word usage are coming along as expected. I grew weary of Priscilla's constant questioning of what some of them mean and the correct way to use them. It saves time and spares me the distraction of having explain them to her. But it will do nothing for the more pressing problem she's presented."
He sighs slightly to himself as he mused over the precise wording of his thoughts.
"Recently, the child has taken to humming and insist on presenting her newest tune to me each time I arrive. I humor her in silence if only to avoid her regressing to a state of sadness and slowing the process of her teachings. She seems to enjoy it when I listen. Though it is becoming irksome to consistently remind her of the danger of hanging upside down from the cage by her tail. If she were to fall and damage her head, I would be forced to start from scratch. Will continue current course of learning and investigations of her body as such. As well as make preparations to repeat teachings of the dangers of brain damage."
Entry 818
"It is definitive. The subject carries the same deformity as myself. Her body holds no scales and will one day degrade and perish….a failure in every sense the word."
As he said the words, it pained him to know that he'd wasted so much of his valuable time on such a thing. But reminded himself that said time was nothing but productive. In fact, for his first true attempt at bestowing that what he lacked upon himself, he had no doubt that the data would prove useful in his future endeavors.
It may have even been fortunate that he discovered she was the same as him early on. Now he could at least begin the process of trying again.
"A pity. She was coming along quite well. Hm…the child holds no further use. Will finish instruction of proper etiquette and speech then move on. No further resources will be put into this experiment."
Entry 823
"Come."
"Father! There's something wrong! The hard things moved!"
"The cage is merely open now, Priscilla. Now come."
"But…you go out there. I'm supposed to be over here, aren't I?"
"Do not question me, child. I require this containment for other test. You will no longer remain here and will come with me now."
At this, the young one inches her way closer and closer towards the now open doorway. But hesitates just as she is about to cross the threshold.
"U-Um…Could you carry me father? I'm scared to do it alone."
He stares at her for a few moments in thought, before sighing and reaching out a clawed hand to his experiment. Its size eclipsing her far smaller body.
With a smile on her face, Priscila runs forward and begin scaling her fathers arm giddily, before finally making her way up his shoulder and happily holding on to him as he turned around to leave the place that was her whole world.
"Where are we going, father?"
"You shall see when we get there."
Log Update
"The failed experiment dubbed "Priscila" has been released into the Crystal Garden for some time now. The subject is lively and unnaturally energetic, unusually for our kind. Although admittedly, I only have prior memory left to compare her too. I suspect the unique nature of her existence has something to do with it. Her body as well as her tail is growing as times goes on, but she remains of mortal appearance. This does not seem likely to change in the future. She passes the years climbing within the tree's, playing with her doll and prodding the local fauna. Her naivety is amusing. She has no idea of the limited time we both have and so she wastes it on menial task without a care in the world. She still goes on with wanting me to listen to her humming tunes and even wishes me to "Play" with her. Yet no matter how many times I rebuke her request, she's no less eager to see me again and ask once more. Such waste of time are beneath me…beneath her as well."
He paused and mused over what he planned to be his final thoughts on the experiment.
"Perhaps it would do some good to have her teachings continue. It may prove beneficial that she grows in intellect just as I have. After all, we are both scaleless and destined to decay into nothingness. With two minds turned towards seeking a solution instead of one, we may yet discover a path to deny our end. Surely if she knew the truth, she would know the urgency of which plagues me. If nothing else, I have no doubt she would be eager to try and save her "Father" above all else."
HOLD IT RIGHT THERE, I SAY! I GOTS A FEW THINGS TO SAY!
Okay, firstly, like I said before, this chapter took on a life of its own. Originally I was working on moving things forward with Solaire and the gang but hit a sort of writers block and just kinda got side tracked. So I decided "Why not do a small addition on seath." Its at a point in the story where it woudn't interrupt thing too much, so I definitely just went for it. I was even going to go even further into when he actually realized Priscilla grew scales and his actions to take them from her, but decided to leave the rest to you guys imagination.
Secondly, I want you guys to know that I LOVE having villans that are more than just "I'm evil, fear me.". So I had fun trying my hand at touching on what things may have been like before Priscilla really started to show her power and her scales. Maybe even plant the small idea that there was a bit of care between Seath and her at some point.
And lastly, I tried to write him as a more intellectual being here, but I'm not so sure if I'll keep this approach in the coming Anor Londo fight. As it is explicitly stated that the old Paledrake went mad in the archives before the chosen undead kills him. But maybe I'm getting a bit ahead of myself on that sort of thinking.
Anyway, that all I got to say this time around, guys.
As always, feel free to leave a review and tell me what you guys thought about this chapter of the story. Did Seath's note seem like a believable way things could have played out? Did kid Priscilla seem a little to out of the blue? Should I have kept going further into the more tragic part of their relationship?
Honest opinions are always appreciated as I'm always looking to improve my style of writing to make this story a bit more interesting for you guys. so don't be shy in telling me your thoughts about how things are going so far. Outside opinions will have a huge effect on how this story will play out.
This is Supreme Gamer, Signing out.
P.S. Do you guys think these notes should come into play later with Priscilla? Like, she finds these small musings and gets a bit teary eyed at the thought of the good old days of her childhood?