OH LORDLY! IM BAAAAAACK!
I have returned from my trip overseas and hot diggity dog, have I outdone myself!
Do you guys have any idea, any idea at all, what I get up too without a laptop and a ton of time to myself?! I create goddamn masterpieces!
I know for a fact that not a single person on this planet will be unhappy with this chapter! This is just one of those chapters where I'll be damned if I didn't hit the bullseye! *Flips coffee table*
Now get outta here and experience this chapter that is sure to shiver ya timbers. *Flips table again* What are ya waiting for?! Skedaddle! Get! *Just off the top rope on table* You're still here?! There's nothing interesting happening in these ramblings! Leave! *Pins table and gets a three count, thus securing humanity's exists within the cosmos for another 4 centuries*
Warning: Fluffy Tail Zone Ahead - Dangerously Soft and Huggable: Priscilla's tail is a soft and huggable hazard zone. Approach only if you're prepared for the fluffiness! (And possibly insanity as no mortal mind was meant to experience such levels of fluffiness.) You have been warned.
Gwyndolin's world was a canvas of pain, his very soul still echoing with the agony that Kaylen had inflicted upon him. He lay on the cold stone floor of his sanctum, every movement sending waves of torment through his body.
Sorcery was his lifeblood, and the damage to his soul had left him feeble and broken.
His silver eyes, usually sharp and filled with cunning, now flickered with vulnerability as he attempted to focus through the pain. The Dark Suns slender fingers twitched as he held strong to his catalyst and tried to utilize his sorcery. But the illusions he created were weak and flickering, like fragile mirages in the desert.
He needed to find that human; he couldn't let him escape. Not with the power he wielded and the knowledge he held. It would spell disaster for everything they've sacrificed for and if what has been shown is any indication, he will only become more of a threat with time.
With great effort, Gwyndolin conjured a multitude of crows high above within the skies of the city, the towering spires and intricate bridge appearing before him in hazy detail.
He scattered and pushed the illusions forward, scanning the landscape for any trace of his quarry and aware that there was no telling how far he's gotten by now with the speed he displayed. The pain he felt intensified with each passing moment, but Gwyndolin clenched his teeth and pressed on.
As the illusion moved higher and scanned the area below, the gods heart sank to the pit of his stomach at what he saw.
There, just at the front of the bridge, he saw the human standing before the pure white form of a beast he recognized all too well.
At the sight of it's terrifying visage, Gwyndolin's breath caught in his throat. The creature was a walking catastrophe, capable of consuming the very essence of life within all things. Her sudden appearance in the city was unthinkable; she had been imprisoned within the Painted World for countless years. For her to escape now of all times...she followed the human to the paintings exit?
Fear coursed through Gwyndolin's weakened body, but he couldn't allow his terror to paralyze him. With sheer willpower, he steadied himself and reached out to the two most powerful knights of guardians of his order.
Through his faltering illusions, Gwyndolin projected an urgent message to them. His voice trembled with both pain and desperation as he spoke directly into their minds.
"Both of you, head to the bridge outside the cathedral! The situation is dire!"
There was a moment of silence, broken only by the wavering of Gwyndolin's sorcery. Then, a response came, the voice gruff and determined. "Both of us? What of the Lordvessel, my lord? Are we to leave it undefended?" It was the larger of the two who voiced his concern, his loyalty to their sacred charge evident in his words.
Gwyndolin's response was swift and unwavering, his tone carrying the weight of the impending catastrophe. "The Lordvessel will mean nothing if we do not act now! The Pale Beast is free!"
In the dark depths of the underground cavern, a sinister anticipation hung heavy in the air. The cave was bathed in an eerie, bluish glow emanating from the otherworldly crystals that adorned the walls, casting long, distorted shadows across its rocky floors.
A figure, serpent-like in form and bereft of scales, slithered through the cave with a serpentine grace. Hollow eyes glowed with a malevolent light as a shiver coursed down its spine. It sensed something—a presence that tugged at its very essence.
It...couldn't be.
A low, guttural hiss escaped its grotesque mouth as the realization struck. This sensation was familiar, haunting memories of past experiments and failure that clung to the back of his mind. It knew who had returned, it knew she had come back.
With an eerie voice that echoed throughout the chamber, it summoned its undead minions, grotesque amalgamations of failed experiments and tortured souls. They lurked in the shadows, waiting for their master's command.
"Find her!" the voice grated like rusted metal. "Bring her to me!"
Driven solely by the malevolent will of their creator, the nightmarish amalgamations of failed experiments and tortured souls surged forth in a single-minded tide. Their twisted forms moved in a grotesque symphony of agony and hunger, driven by the unseen force compelling them onward. It was as if an invisible puppeteer controlled their every twitch and convulsion, guiding them towards their elusive prey with an unholy determination.
Priscilla's vision was shrouded in a crimson haze, a manifestation of her insatiable hunger for life. Her heart raced, her breath quickened, and her entire being quivered with an uncontrollable desire. The innocent, kind-hearted girl who had always restrained her powers was now a mere spectator as the overwhelming urge to feed consumed her.
The moment her amethyst eyes fell upon Kaylen, a surge of euphoria coursed through her veins. He stood before her, his eyes an intense shade of yellow filled with both determination and sorrow. The aura of his ever-evolving soul beckoned to her like a siren's song, promising to satiate her unquenchable thirst and gnawing hunger.
Every fiber of her being quivered with the overwhelming desire to lunge upon him, to tear him limb from limb and drink deeply from the wellspring of his essence. Her senses sharpened to a fever pitch, capturing the tantalizing scent of his life force, the irresistible aura of his soul. Her delicate features contorted into a mixture of longing and savage hunger.
Her pale, scaled skin prickled as she took a tentative step toward him, her clawed hands trembling. Her pulse raced faster and faster with each step towards the one she loved, intensifying until it seemed that there was nothing else in the world but the two of them.
"Huh...this~ might be why the whole "dragon crossbreed thing freaked everyone out." Kaylen said as calmly as he was able amidst the pounding of his heart, fully aware of the danger of the clearly bloodlusted shade of a woman before him. "Not gonna lie though, I'm about 80% afraid, 20% aroused."
His words rang on deaf ears. As the hunger within her raged like an unquenchable inferno, she took a slow, deliberate step toward him. Her eyes, now narrowed and feral, locked onto his with an unyielding intensity. Each movement was sinuous and deliberate, as if she were a sleek predator closing in on its prey.
With a litheness that seemed almost unnatural, she leaned forward until they were eye level, her gaze never wavering. Her eyes bore into his, filled with a savage and ravenous hunger that seemed to pierce his very soul. The weight of her desire bore down upon him, an irresistible force that threatened to consume them both.
Her long, slobbering tongue slithered hungrily from between her lips, moistening her sharp fangs that glistened in the dim light. Her predatory smile revealed those deadly teeth, adding an extra layer of danger to her allure. She breathed heavily, the very act of controlling herself a torturous struggle. Her breath, chilled and sweet like the promise of forbidden pleasures, mingled with the air.
"Alright, make that 40% aroused." was the last Kaylen said with an unashamed smirk plastered on his face, before he exploded with movement.
Seeing Kaylen's sudden movements, Priscilla sprang into action, her movements almost a blur. Her fur covered tail, which laid limp behind her, unfurled with deadly grace. Like a serpent, it snaked through the air from behind her with deceptive speed, aiming to ensnare him in its icy grasp.
The tail moved with a deceptive fluidity, an extension of her will and hunger. It reached out with an eerie, almost hypnotic swaying motion, closing in on the man with chilling intent. She intended to capture him, to ensnare him in her grasp so that she could savor the sweet sensation of consuming him slowly.
But Kaylen was a symphony of swiftness and grace. As Priscilla's tail closed in, he moved like a shadow, sidestepping with lightning reflexes. Simultaneously, he summoned the very essence of his sorcery, conjuring ethereal whips that materialized around Velka's waist. With a deft flick of his wrist, he sent her hurtling out of harm's way, a graceful arc that brought her safely to Anastacia and their allies.
Even as Velka found refuge, Kaylen's artistry continued to unfurl. Three mirage copies of himself materialized in a mesmerizing display of Pyromancy mastery. Each doppelganger brandished dark, ember-like flames that pulsated with malevolence.
In perfect synchronization, the mirage Kaylen's advanced upon the pale crossbreed. With a swift motion, they unleashed the dark orbs of fire, hurling them towards Priscilla. The flames erupted with violent force, licking at her scales and bathing her in their sinister warmth.
The intent wasn't to inflict lasting harm but to temporarily incapacitate her.
Yet, Kaylen's heart plummeted as he witnessed an unforeseen twist. The dark flames seemed to be drawn into Priscilla's form, as if she were a voracious abyss, greedily devouring their essence.
Wide-eyed and astonished, Kaylen watched as the malevolent flames caressed Priscilla's figure. Subtly, a transformation began to take hold. Her already formidable frame expanded imperceptibly, her delicate nails elongated into menacing claws, and her pure white furred attire radiated an eerie luminescence. She grew more robust and powerful, her presence commanding, her muscles tightening with ominous grace.
"Oh, shit..." Kaylen muttered under his breath as he witnessed Priscilla's startling transformation.
Her hunger seemed to intensify, like a predator teased with the scent of its prey. Without a moment's hesitation, she unleashed her newfound physical might, her enlarged form moving with savage agility and speed.
Kaylen's heart pounded in his chest as he danced through the narrow path leading to the staircase, evading the savage beast that was Priscilla. Despite her enlarged size, she moved with a speed that belied her appearance. Each step she took resonated with raw power, her colossal claws slashing through the air like deadly scythes, closing in on him with alarming swiftness.
In this frenzied chase, Kaylen's survival instincts kicked into overdrive. He skillfully navigated the tight confines, narrowly avoiding Priscilla's relentless onslaught. Amidst the chaos, a chilling realization gripped him, mingled with trepidation and dread.
"I gave her only a little blood and it healed her completely when we first met. Her power... it's unrestrained now. She'll heal and grow stronger by consuming the essence of anything in her way. Is she nearly untouchable in this state?"
As Kaylen desperately eluded Priscilla's ceaseless pursuit, his thoughts drifted to his companions who had entered the city, escorting Anastacia. With every fleeting moment, his heart raced, and an unsettling dread began to creep over him.
Breathing heavily, and just as he started to feel a enthralling curtain fall over his mind, Kaylen tore his gaze away from Priscilla. Having to rely on instinct and the sorcery coating his bones to allow him to evade her. Urgency strained his voice as he called out to his comrades, "Everyone, stay back! Don't look at her!"
To his horror, a quick glance over his shoulder revealed that it was already too late. His warning had barely left his lips when he saw them standing motionless, their eyes fixed upon Priscilla's entrancing form. They seemed ensnared, helpless, and enthralled by her presence, their faces blank, as if they were lost in a trance. Even the strange woman wearing the crimson robes that lay upon the ground was utterly mesmerized by the sight of the crossbreed, powerless against the beguiling spell Priscilla wove.
"LOOK OUT!"
Kaylen's instincts screamed at him as he desperately evaded Priscilla's deadly strikes. She moved with terrifying speed, her claws extending like a predator closing in on its prey.
The tips of her claws grazed the fabric of his clothes and the skin on his cheek, leaving a burning trail of pain in their wake. Kaylen danced on the precipice of danger, every move calculated and precise. But even with his sorcery allowing him to control his body down to the smallest inch of movement, he was only just barely staying a step ahead of her.
But that precarious lead was slowly dwindling.
With each attempt, her movements became swifter and more accurate. Kaylen quickly realized that her body was changing to keep up with him and she was actively becoming better at predicting his next move down to the exact second. He darted left, trying to outmaneuver her, but Priscilla followed with uncanny precision, her steps quick and determined. Growing faster and pressuring him further and further.
As she closed in, Kaylen could see the hunger in Priscilla's eyes, a primal desire that sent a shiver down his spine. Her fangs gleamed in the dim light, her grin savage and terrifying. He knew he had to find a way to break free from this deadly dance.
With each passing moment, Priscilla's hunger intensified, her pursuit relentless. Kaylen's breath grew heavy as he dodged and weaved, his heart pounding in his ears. Then, in a moment of sheer desperation, he managed to slip beneath Priscilla's swipe at his head, narrowly avoiding her deadly claws.
Without hesitation, he sprinted past her, aiming for the bridge behind her.
But his fleeting escape was short-lived. Priscilla's grace turned lethal as she pivoted and lunged at him once more, faster and deadlier than before. Her claws grabbed hold of the back of the collar of his cloak, sending a surge of terror through his body.
Priscilla's immense strength came to the fore as she easily hoisted him into the air and flung him down to the ground at her feet with crushing force. The impact knocked the breath from his lungs, leaving him vulnerable and gasping for air. In the blink of an eye, Priscilla was upon him.
In a heart-stopping moment, she pinned him to the ground with the ferocity of a wild beast, leaving no room for escape.
Straddling him, her face mere inches from his own, a strange shiver rippled through both of them. It wasn't a sensation of kindness or sympathy but something altogether different — a strange, palpable power emanating from her very being.
Her untamed hair framed her face like a curtain of shadows, and Kaylen found himself gazing into eyes that seemed to possess an unearthly, captivating glow. Whatever trace of kindness had once lingered in those eyes had now vanished, replaced by something primal and untamed, something fierce and potent. It was a force beyond his comprehension, as if the true depths of Priscilla's nature were only now being unveiled before him.
"Priscilla, don't!" Kaylen pleaded, terror coursing through his veins. Their bodies pressed against each other, the raw force of her presence overwhelming as her form quivered against his. She leaned closer, her lips dangerously close to his ear, her breath hot and intoxicating, one final intake of his scent before her true nature surged forth.
Her claws extended, sharp as daggers, and she plunged them into the armor that covered his chest. With ruthless precision, her claws cleaved through the steel as if it were paper, tearing deep into the soft flesh beneath. The warmth of his blood on her fingertip nothing short of ecstasy.
A gut-wrenching scream tore from Kaylen's lips.
He had known pain. It was an old friend by this point. Blades carving into his body, fire burning his skin, bones being crushed and broken- but Priscilla's claws wielded an agony beyond all reckoning..
This torment defied earthly description. It wasn't mere physical suffering; it was a violent assault on his very soul. Each puncture felt like an affront to the cosmos, searing and radiant, tearing through the layers of his existence. It transcended mortal understanding, dissolving the boundaries of reality itself, leaving him exposed and forcing him to confront the depths of suffering that existed beyond mortal comprehension.
Priscilla's claws delved deep, and Kaylen's agonized cries cut through the frenzied chaos that enveloped her thoughts. Like a curtain being raised from her mind, a spark of recognition flared in Priscilla's sliver eyes as her sense of self came back.
She couldn't understand what she was seeing. Couldn't make sense of it. She could only watch in disbelief as the man she loved writhed in pain beneath her, his eyes locked onto hers, a unspoken plea for her to stop etched in his gaze.
"K...Kaylen...?" Priscilla whispered, her voice quivering with rising disbelief and sorrow. She couldn't fathom what she was doing—why her hand was stained with his blood, why she was she hurting him. The torment in his eyes mirrored the turmoil within her own heart.
Moments stretched into eternity as Priscilla's inner struggle escalated. Tears welled in her eyes as she slowly withdrew her claws, her trembling fingers stained crimson. Stepping back, her hands shook uncontrollably, consumed by profound guilt and remorse. The weight of her deeds crashed down upon her, an unbearable sorrow threatening to consume her soul.
Her silver eyes filled with tears, and she looked down at her blood-stained hands in horror.
"No...no, no, no..." Priscilla muttered in a choked voice, the anguish in her heart growing by the second. She couldn't comprehend the depths of her actions, the pain she had inflicted upon someone she cared for deeply. Her inner turmoil swirled, a tempest of confusion and sorrow, threatening to drown her in its relentless currents.
But as the echoes of Kaylen's screams slowly faded, the insidious hunger within Priscilla clawed at her senses once more. It was an unyielding force, tugging at her mind, pulling her back into its relentless grasp. Her confusion and sorrow began to yield to the overpowering need to consume life, and she found herself slipping into a frenzied state once more.
"No!" Priscilla cried out, her voice desperate as she felt herself slipping away. She turned away from Kaylen, unable to face the man she cherished while being swallowed by her dark desires.
She tried to resist and fight her urges, truly she did. But the hunger was insatiable and gnawing. It whispered to her, seducing her with promises of satisfaction and contentment away from the emptiness that plagues her. The layer of Kaylen's blood on her claws slowly seeping into her skin, a tantalizing elixir that drove her further into madness.
"Cil?" Kaylen called out to her.
"I...can't...stop..." Her chest heaved with each labored breath, each exhale marked by the desperate struggle to regain control.
"SHE'S LOSING THE FIGHT! RUN!" The voice in Kaylen's head bellowed, its tone laced with unmistakable trepidation.
As Priscilla's breath grew heavier with hunger, Kaylen's heart sank, acknowledging the voice's urgency. Without a moment's hesitation, he propelled himself up from the ground, every muscle working in overdrive, and adrenaline forcing away the dull pain radiating in his chest. His movements were swift and agile as he sprang to his feet, no room for doubt or delay.
In his wake, he left behind a mirage illusion of himself, just as Priscilla turned around and lunged with a ferocity that promised carnage. Kaylen didn't look back and sprinted away from her across the bridge, his heart pounding in his chest as he used his sorcery to push his legs as fast as they would carry him.
Priscilla's growls and snarls echoed behind him, her pursuit relentless and savage. Kaylen ran with everything he had, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he pushed himself to the limit.
"She's not right! Nothing about her is right! She wants to eat us, eat everything we are!" the voice within Kaylen's head trembled, its fear palpable. It was disconcerting for Kaylen to hear it almost quivering with terror.
"Thanks for pointing out the obvious. But it's not us she's fighting right now," Kaylen replied trying to suppress his own feelings of panic just as his heart clenched as a large shadow slowly began to come over him.
"AAAAHH!" the voice screamed as an icy sensation enveloped them both as they knew that the crossbreed had practically caught up to them.
With his heart pounding in his chest, Kaylen saw that he was coming upon the massive circular dial at the center of the bridge. Without a moment's hesitation, he made a split-second decision. He poured every ounce of strength into one final sprint and leaped, soaring over the imposing structure, the world blurring around him.
Behind him, Priscilla, consumed by her relentless pursuit, couldn't react in time. The result was a deafening crash as she collided with the massive dial, her massive form stumbling and careening into it with an explosive impact.
Kaylen landed on the other side, his legs absorbing the impact as he rolled to maintain his momentum. Breathing heavily, he glanced back. Priscilla was momentarily stunned, disoriented from the collision, and this precious moment bought him the time he so desperately needed.
"See that? That's is why I'm in control of the body and you're the voice freaking out in my head."
"This isn't the time for jokes! Run before she comes for us!" the said almost pleading tone, but Kaylen was already on the move before it finished. "She'll consume us! She'll tear us apart! What she did before was just a taste of what'll happen!"
"You really are a ray of sunshine, you know that? As a voice in my head, are you even allowed to be more afraid than I am?" Kaylen said as he sprinted up the massive flight of stairs that he knew lead to the upper level of Anor Londo.
"Whose fear to you think I'm taking on, genius?! You think that pain and fear just goes away?! I'm the one keep us from falling apart that the seams!" the voice snapped, propping Kaylen to realize that he was indeed keeping it together even after what he just went through. Unnaturally so, even. "Don't you get it?! She's nearly untouchable now!"
"Yeah, yeah, I got it. She's upgraded to 'Nightmare Mode.' Complaining won't help." Kaylen said as he started to climb, reaching the middle of the massive stair case in a matter of seconds. And from the sound of heavy breathing coming from behind him, he knew that Priscilla was going to do it in less than half the time. "All of this is in her head. Just like in the Painted World. The hunger, the insanity, it's all her fighting herself. She had control when she found a level of peace with herself. She just needs to find harmony with what she is again. We both saw her snap out of it for a second, we just need a way to make it stick."
"Are you insane?! Stop talking as if you have any idea if that's actually true! For all we know, this just how she's meant to be. This IS her finding harmony." the voice said fearfully, unwittingly planting the seed of an idea in Kaylen's mind. "Anything we throw at her to buy time will only make her stronger and faster, so we're already up shit creek without a paddle. Not to mention reality is literally warping around her, probably because she's fucking eating it passively! There's no room for half efforts, we have to kill her before she kills us."
"No! It's not too late for her. At least not yet. We just need find a way to reach out and-"
Kaylen's thoughts were cut short as the sky above him darkened and a deafening roar split the air. Massive Dragon Slayer arrows, each resembling a spear in its own right, hurtled towards Kaylen with deadly intent.
In a heartbeat, Kaylen's instincts and sorcerous mastery sprang into action. He moved with the fluid grace of a dancer, an embodiment of agility as he seamlessly navigated the deadly storm of projectiles. Sorcery pulsed through him, granting him an otherworldly finesse that allowed him to evade each massive arrow with razor sharp precision.
His body twisted and contorted along the stairs, a mesmerizing display of speed and finesse. The colossal arrows surged past him, their sheer force threatening to throw him off balance, yet Kaylen's mastery over magic remained unwavering.
He danced through the onslaught, his movements a breathtaking fusion of speed and precision. With each arrow that missed its mark by a hair's breadth, he defied the odds, demonstrating a level of agility and control that left no room for doubt of his ability.
In one gravity-defying leap, Kaylen reached the staircase's zenith, breathless yet exhilarated. The deafening barrage of arrows ceased as he approached the summit, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
"Only a few arrows?! Running low on steam, Gwyndolin?!" Kaylen called out aloud, more than certain that the Dark Sun was listening.
At the pinnacle of the towering staircase, he surveyed the sprawling courtyard before him. The imposing spires of Anor Londo cast long, ominous shadows in the fading light, and two formidable figures stood sentinel at the cathedral's entrance.
Ornstein, the Dragon Slayer, stood with unwavering resolve, his might spear held at his side. Smough, the Executioner, brandished a colossal hammer that exuded an aura of earth-shattering power.
"Well, isn't this something. He sends you two down just for little old me?"
With a sardonic grin, Kaylen turned to face the champions of Anor Londo, a determined glint in his eyes. Ornstein stood tall and resolute, his spear crackling with lightning, ready to strike down any who dared approach. Smough's massive and towering laughed sinisterly at the humans words.
"For the love of-! Fuck it! Fuck it all, let's do this!" the voice in Kaylen's head exclaimed defiantly.
"Heh, my thoughts exactly." Kaylen replied in agreement.
As Kaylen readied himself, preparing for the inevitable clash, he sensed a sudden shift in the air. Ornstein, with lightning-quick reflexes, surged forward as if guided by and invisible force, spear raised and crackling with power, poised to impale him. Smough grabbed his hammer by it's long handle would would not be farm behind.
But the danger didn't end there. At the same moment, Priscilla surged forward from behind Kaylen, her insatiable hunger driving her with relentless determination. The courtyard became a battleground, and Kaylen was caught in the middle of a deadly convergence.
The world slowly swam back into focus for Yuria as her consciousness returned, but she found herself gasping and hacking for air, as if her lungs had endured an eternity of deprivation. The sensation was both disorienting and painful.
As the fog in her mind lifted, Yuria discovered she wasn't alone. Reah, Vince, The Merchant, the Crestfallen Knight, Solaire, Siegmeyer, Anastacia—all of them struggled to catch their breath, each ensnared by Priscilla's enchanting allure. The effects of Lifehunt having taken a heavy toll on their minds.
"What...What happened?" Yuria choked out. She remembered seeing Priscilla appear behind her master and then...everything became a haze.
Before she could fully regain her composure, Yuria's gaze locked onto Kaylen in the distance, racing toward the colossal cathedral with Priscilla hot on his heels in pursuit. Panic seized her heart as she realized her master needed her, and the thought of being separated from him once more was unbearable.
"My Lord! I must follow!" She made a frantic attempt to move after him, but an unexpected, solid concrete wall materialized out of thin air, blocking her path forward. "No! You can't keep me from him!"
Turning on a heel with her teeth bared, Yuria turned immediately turned towards the largest member of their group.
"Siegmeyer! Destroy this wall! We have to aid master!"
"Wait! We need to heal Velka first! She'd gravely injured."
Yuria's brow furrowed as she reluctantly turned her gaze towards Anastacia who held the shattered remains of the goddess in question. Yuria could make out her broken bones protruding from her flesh, and the welts covering every inch of her skin. The sight of her fragile form barely clinging onto life stirred a burning rage inside Yuria that threatened to burst out from within.
There was no being in this world could inflict such torment upon her lord beloved concubine and live.
Despite desperately wanting—needing—to return to Kaylen's side, she knew in her heart that they could not leave Velka here like this. Her Lord would want her protected and healed above all else.
"Fine! Heal her quickly. We must push forward."
However, no sooner had the worlds left her mouth did a sudden gust of wind kicked up harshly, causing everyone to start and turn their eyes to the sky. Two massive Moonlight Butterflies, their ethereal wings shimmering with an eerie, otherworldly glow, hovered through the air.
"Oh~..." Mildred marveled at the sight.
"What in the world is that?" the Merchant questioned aloud, just as one of the butterflies flew off in the direction where Kaylen had disappeared.
"No. Their splitting up...Their coordinating." Yuria's heart raced, and her mind raced even faster as she realized that the situation had taken a dire turn.
But their surprises were far from over. From the opposite end of the bridge, the thunderous clattering of hooves filled the air. A massive Armored Boar, its grotesque form encased in heavy, protective armor, charged down the stairway that proceed their path with a deafening roar.
Stopping once it reached the bottom the the stairs and heaving it's steamy breath, it raked one of it's hoof across the stone earth beneath it. Clearly rearing to charge and gore the first person it could upon it enormous horns.
Following directly behind the boars path, a small army of crystal hollows reared their heads from the top of the stairs, their crystalline bodies, weapons and shields glinting with malevolent intent. As well as the appearance of three channelers, each of which who wasted no time in raising their tridents and perform a absurd dancing motion that strengthen each and every one of the hollows and the Armored Boar.
Fear and determination mingled in the group's eyes as they realized the direness of their situation. They were cornered, outnumbered at their front, a monstrosity hovering above to rain death down upon them, and their only path to escape was blocked off by a solid concrete wall.
"Seath has played his hand." Yuria said aloud with clenched fists, her gaze unwavering.
Siegmeyer, fueled by his unrelenting anger towards Seath for kidnapping his daughter, shouted defiantly, "Then let them come! I shall crush any that stand before!" With slow, deliberate steps, he walked forward to face the monstrous boar, his determination unwavering.
Solaire, the beacon of hope among them, raised his talisman high, channeling the power of his miracles. A massive bolt of lightning crackled to life, illuminating his steadfast expression. He prepared to unleash it upon the Moonlight Butterfly, which appeared to be gathering sorcery for a devastating attack.
Mildred, her primal instincts taking over, snarled aggressively as she readied her cleaver. Her eyes gleamed with a feral intensity, and her readiness to fight was unmistakable.
The Crestfallen Knight, his perpetual state of annoyance seemingly undisturbed by the incredible odds they faced, casually followed behind Siegmeyer towards the boar and undead horde. With a nonchalant gesture, he motioned for Vince and the Undead Merchant to stay behind, guarding Anastacia, Reah, and Velka.
"You two, stay and protect them. You might actually be of some use here."
Just as it seemed that the confrontation was about to reach its climax, though Vince steeled himself for what was to come with his shield and mace at the ready, the Undead Merchant's grim voice and lack of faith cut through the tension, "We're all going to die, aren't we?"
With a determined stride, Yuria approached Velka, her gaze unwavering. Before turning to Velka, she couldn't resist the urge to cast a scornful glance at the Undead Merchant.
"Fool. Our counter offensive has only just begun." she muttered under her breath, her voice laced with a touch of disdain.
Reaching into her robe, Yuria retrieved a small but ornate vial that glimmered with a radiant, ethereal light. The vial was made of delicate crystal, intricately etched with divine symbols that seemed to pulse with power. Its contents, a shimmering elixir, held the promise of miraculous healing.
It was a Divine Blessing. Yuria's "insurance" plundered from Sen's Fortress after she had killed Undead prince Ricard before their arrival and one of the rarest items known to her lord. Capable of healing all wounds and aliments afflicted to the one who drinks it.
"This was not meant for you, but my master will no doubt praise me for this." Was all Yuria said as she she gently tilted Velka's head and poured the elixir down her throat. The liquid, radiant and otherworldly, flowed like liquid moonlight, spreading warmth through Velka's shattered form.
As the Divine Blessing began its work, Velka's pain intensified, but it was only for a fleeting moment. She gasped, and her eyes, once dull with suffering, now shone with a mix of relief and momentary anguish. The elixir worked its way through her body, searching out every fracture, every splintered bone, and every torn ligament.
It was as if invisible hands reached inside her, cradling the fractured bones and coaxing them back into place. Velka's limbs twitched, and she cried out in momentary agony as her skeletal structure realigned itself. The sound of bones popping and shifting was quick, like the snap of a whip.
Velka clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms for just an instant before the pain vanished as quickly as it had come. Beads of sweat formed on her brow, and her teeth clenched briefly. Soon enough, Velka's cries transformed from suffering into to that of relief. Her body, once broken, was now whole, and her strength was returning in waves.
Finally, with one last shuddering gasp, yellow split eyes opened with newfound clarity and vigor. Shaking the last remnants of dizziness from her vision and rising from the ground, Velka's presence radiated power and majesty. A triumphant aura surrounded her as she stood tall, her demeanor regal and commanding. Taking in the situation as a whole, she was quick to turn her attention to the one woman she thought was most important.
"Would you care to explain what you're doing here?" Velka said, her tone almost like that of a parent. Though she did a poor job of hiding the softness and care she held at the sight of seeing the keeper again.
Anastacia's eyes twinkled with a soft-hearted reply, not at all hiding her happiness and relief at seeing Velka well again. "Well...I came to try and help...but I suppose I'm doing a poor job of it seeing as I'm in need of yours, heh."
Their conversation went completely against the direness of their situation, and Velka couldn't help but lightly smile at Anastacia's words in clear amusement. With a graceful turn, she faced the approaching forces of Crystal hollows and ignited her body in a pitch-black pyromancy. Her power crackled in the air as she prepared to unleash her might upon them.
"We'll discuss this later, but for now, stay behind me." Velka commanded with care before turning a somewhat annoying look towards one of the men at her side. "You and I will have words later, Merchant. You were supposed to keep her out of danger."
"Wait, what?!" was all the merchant could say before combat between all side commenced in earnest.
At the pinnacle of Sen's Fortress, a lone knight stood before the blinding ball of light that would beckon demons to carry him to Anor Londo. The path through the death trap of the fortress was littered with the remnants of deadly traps and formidable foes, many of which were already killed before he arrived. No doubt by the hands of his friends and allies that had gone on ahead of him.
Oscar's form crackled with the power of Dragons and Chaos, a testament to his covenant with both. He exuded a sense of overwhelming strength, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him in Anor Londo.
His mood remained stern and determined, as if the very weight of his newfound power bore down on him. Just as he contemplated his next steps, a familiar voice chimed in, one that was both hot-tempered and critical of him.
"Took you long enough to get up here? Could you possibly have gone any slower?" Quelaag's voice held a challenging edge, her words carrying the barest hint of affection.
Oscar sighed with exasperation. "Must you always nag me like a harpy? Can't a man think for himself when to proceed cautiously?"
Quelaag's laughter was laced with sarcasm. "Think? You call this thinking? You're heading into Anor Londo, the land of gods, the Golden City, but you can barely make it through a trifle like this place? You're not much of a warrior, if you ask me, Oscar."
"And you're not my keeper," Oscar retorted sharply, his voice mirroring her intensity. "I've faced dangers greater than this. I don't need your constant input."
"You're right, Oscar," Quelaag replied, her tone dripping with irony. "Why should I be concerned? Feel free to charge headlong into your doom, for all I care. I should have guessed a human wouldn't be concerned with keeping his word to live, even after we've trusted you to such an extent."
"What are you even complaining about. You didn't even bother fighting your way through this Fortress. You just crawled up the side with those spider legs of yours."
Quelaag scoffed at his words. "It's a matter of efficiency. Something you should learn."
Oscar's eyes flashed with irritation. "You could have just stayed in your hole with Quelaan and avoided all this. You didn't have to follow me here like a lost puppy."
Quelaag's retort was swift and sharp. "And you didn't have to charge off to Anor Londo with no plan whatsoever, but here we are."
"For the love of-. I can't plan for the unknown ."
"Excuses, excuses. You're meant to be the one delivering a brighter future to my sister and me. But instead, you just take what you wished from us and then charge off carelessly without thinking. Do you not understand that you now have a responsibility to not go off and die needlessly?"
"Maybe I'd be more inclined to stay and think if you weren't such a pain in my ass. And you certainly weren't complaining at the time I took "what I wished" from you."
"What did you say, you disrespectful welp?!" Quelaag replied with clear embarrassment as he body and sword was lightly enflamed and her spider almost seemed to sigh at what it was hearing. One might even find it fascinating that such a massive and towering creature could display such a sentiment. "I didn't hear you complaining then either! Nor did I receive a single word of gratitude for my... 'care.'"
""Are you here to fish for compliments, then? Is that what this is"
"Would it kill you to speak just one for the woman deigning to grant you a covenant?"
Oscar raised his head to the sky in exasperation. "Gods above, just end me now and spare me from this woman."
"What was that?!"
Their argumentative exchange continued, each retort fueling the fire of their disagreement. In the midst of their quarrel, Oscar took hold of the small ball of light before him, summoning the Batwing demons to descend down from the high way to take him up to Anor Londo, where the true battle raged on...but frankly anywhere would be better than staying here and dealing with this.
Compared to everyone else in all of Lordran, Oscar may as well have been living in a alternate world. One where the fiery and powerful Chaos Witch Quelaag had found enough love and harmony to be affectionately scolding him, much like a wife would to her husband.
OH MY GOD, I WANNA HEAR ALL THE OPINIOOOOOONS!
BUT FIRST I GOT THINGS TO SAAAAAAY!
Okay, so firstly, I REALLY wanted to get across the feel the Priscilla is a very dangerous entity in the story. Really delve into the feeling of "Holy shit, this is why they locked her away in the painting". I also wanted to really get across that Priscilla wanting to consume Kaylen is equal part intimate and a brutal experience for her. Really tell the story that she really is something unnatural. And though I fully plan to explore this matter even further, I hope you guys enjoyed the taste of what she can grow to do and the things she can do to a person.
But don't worry, I've got more than a few ideas on how to turn Priscilla into "Dangerous monsters" to "Fluffy world threatening catastrophe"
Secondly, though a part of me somewhat feels like I may have jumped the gun, I decided to just go all in on the open warfare between all opposing sides. I legitimately just said "Screw it, I'm tired of trying to set the stage for this. TEAM DEATHMATCH, BABYYYYY!".
Thirdly, I did indulge in a bit of lighthearted dialogue a few times in this chapter and I'm hoping I didn't accidently smother the seriousness of the tone too much with it. But then again, the story was never meant to be all "Grim and serious" all the times so I'm leaning towards thinking I hit the sweet spot.
Though with Oscar and Quelaag, I purposefully gave them the feel of "Are these guys even playing the same game as the rest of us?" with their dialogue with one another. Out of everyone one, I want Oscar to feel like he taking an entirely different route to what anyone else is. I didn't want him and Quelaag to remain as static and grim as they once were when they met one another. Their both killers with blood on their hands, but I want it to feel like they've changed one another. But~ I'll leave it up to you guys to let me know if I went a little too far into things.
But anyways, that's all I have to say this time around, ladies and gents.
As always, feel free to leave a review and tell me what you guys thought about this chapter of the story. freaking excited to hear what you guys thought of things. Did Priscilla and Kaylen interaction feel personal and intimate enough? Was Seath deployment of his forces as epic as expected or should I have turned it up a notch? Was Quelaag and Oscar's interaction a bit too immersion breaking or was it a solid way to go about things?
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. Oh my God, the things I am going to do with Priscilla, Lifehunt and Kaylen. MY hand is ACHING with the ideas, the intimate moments and the damage I could have Priscilla unleash upon the world in her efforts to get to Kaylen.
P.P.S. Speaking of which, if any of you guys have any ideas for Kaylen or Priscilla ability wise, feel free to shoot them my way. I LOVE playing he game of powerup and magic creation! And Priscilla negating majority of attacks due to her Lifehunt ability just absorbing it and making her stronger? *Chef's kiss* I relish the writing challenge.