Looking at a certain reviewer, I decided to alter the last four chapters. A twelve-chapter story arc for the first volume of Dark Souls: Embers of Remnant? That's not that bad.
Seeing how much damage Ruby and her group did in the canon, I decide to not let that happen. Why? Because of the Ashen One/Ash's alternate solution.
Apology if I haven't been updating this story for a while. I was busy with my personal life and writing my other Fanfiction story that deserves recognition, Fairyborne. It was rough, updating that story. But here I am, ready to write the ninth chapter of the overall story and part one of three arc. That's right folks, it's time for the one and only Showdown in Argus arc.
Now let's get on with the story, shall we?
Dark Souls: Embers of Remnant
Eight
Showdown in Argus
'Don't fear failure. Not failure, but low aim is the crime. In great attempts, it is glorious even to fail.'
Everyone was asleep within the Arc Household. All resting for the next day to what they were about to initiate.
All except one.
Ash was still staring into the blank space within the living room. Since he is undead, he requires no rest and he had already rested. Currently sitting on the couch and looking at a small crack within the wall, he was thinking about what Ruby told him. They were going to steal an Atlas Airship in order to go to that Kingdom. Thinking about their plan only made Ash questioned if it was the right thing to do.
True, he has only been with them for the past three days. But he knew it was just a stupid plan that could put this whole city at risk. He understood why they were so desperate why they needed to deliver the lamp to Atlas. But to him, it didn't justify the consequence of how it will backfire horribly for them.
He let out a silent sigh after he thought of everything Ruby and the others had planned. "They're not going to like what I am about to say. But I have an alternative that will have minimal damage." He stood up and walked towards the mirror. He looked at the mirror for a few seconds before taking his Fallen Knight Helmet off and looked back at the reflection.
There, he saw a face that consisted of an unkempt dark hair that was greying, dull-orange eyes that bore right into his uncaring soul, and a tired, stoic facial expression that was seen in his face along with stubbles. This is how he looked like. After everything he had been through in the ruined land of Lothric, The Rotting World of Ariandel, and that Damned Ringed City, he thought he can rest?
Nope. As fate would have it, he was awakened once again to fulfil a duty by the request of that unknown voice. He still doesn't know what his role is, but it is the assumption that may be related to all of this.
Salem. The Four Relics and the Four Maidens. Her everlasting war with her former love interest who's souls cannot be killed, Ozma.
This was too much information for him to handle. Slipping the Fallen Knight helmet back on his head, Ash went back to the couch and waited until the others had woken up.
There was a reason to do so.
-Scene Change-
Ruby and her group didn't expect a meeting to happen right before they could instigate her plans. Everyone, even Terra and Saphron, were in the living and were staring at Ash, who sat there and stared back in response. This continued on until Yang broke the silence. "Alright, Ash. You called everyone in this meeting, and I want to know what this is about."
Ash went silent for a few seconds, thinking exactly how he should word it out. He looked at everyone and knew what to say to them. "It's about the plan. I don't think it is going to work."
This statement caught everyone off guard. Ruby decided to ask the question that was in everyone's mind. "What do you mean by that?"
Ash already knew he had to explain it. "The plan that you set up isn't going to work. And I don't believe it will be executed."
"Wait." Yang spoke, suddenly putting her hand up in the air. "So, you're telling us that what we had planned won't exactly work?"
"Yes." Ash plainly answered and thought on the flaws of Ruby's plan. "Ruby may have a quicker solution to deliver that Lamp to Atlas. But aren't you all aware that the Atlas's Commander base is too stubborn?"
"Just get to the point, Ash." the Blond Brawler spoke, getting a bit irked by what Ash is saying.
"Look," Ash said eying at everyone else, "What we are about to pull off is going to put the whole city of Argus at risk because that Commander is going to fight us mainly due to how we stole one of their airships. Which, in turn, is going to attract a lot of Grimm and we could inadvertently destroy this city. Do we want this city to be at risk while we are also indirectly taking peoples' lives away?" He let out a breath of air. he was glad he had a chance to point out the flaw. "Exactly! So PLEASE! Take my words into consideration if you are going to execute it."
Hearing his words caused everyone to reflect on his words. It took a bit of time to process everything they heard, and they realized that Ash pointed out the consequence of what they were about to do. True, it was the quickest solution, but at the cost of attracting Grimm into the city? Ren was one of the few people who thought on Ash's words. "Now that I think about it, you made a valid point there."
His friends looked at him as they couldn't believe what he said. "What, Ren!" Nora gazed at her friend, disbelief that he agreed with Ash's statement.
"I mean, he did point out the flaws to the plan we created." Next, it was Oscar who came to the same thought as Ren.
Seeing how the two came into an agreement with Ash, everyone had their own thoughts and did see a point that the two made. It was then they looked at him. "Do you have any alternatives?" Ruby had asked, seeing that her original plans were not in her favour.
Ash went quiet for a little while before answering. "I do, but I have to say this…" He looked over to Blake. "I am still agreeing on that Tower thing— "
"You mean the CCT Relay Tower?" Weiss said, correcting his words.
"Yes, that." Ash said, nodding his head in accepting that misword. "In case there might be someone that may destroy it, Blake will be the one to have a quick look before regrouping with the rest of us."
The Faunus girl heard what he said and looked at him. "Why me?"
"Because out of all of us, you're probably the only one that can sneak around the best out of all of us without being detected. But to be sure of that, Yang will be the one to drop and pick you up." Ash answered her question. He had a feeling that may go wrong as he felt a familiar darkness lingering nearby. That and how that spiteful soul would cause a problem with his plan. "I should probably withhold the information about this…enigmatic yet familiar darkness nearby."
That was a good plan though. Yet they don't know what he was planning. "And what does this plan of yours have to do with the rest of us?" Ruby questioned him.
If he didn't have his helmet on, they would see Ash having a small smile on his face. "I will tell you right about now…"
As he was explaining his plans to them, another event is happening right at the same time. Far from within the deep sea, a giant red eye snapped open. The Grimm had been awakened as it felt a familiar presence not far from where it was slumbering.
What was worse is that it didn't have to do with the Relic.
-Scene Change-
Most of Ruby's group, as well as Terra, Saphron, and Ash were making their way towards the Atlesian Base. The only people who weren't there was Blake and Yang as they were dealing with the tower communication. All were confident that they shouldn't have to worry with the communication tower, but Ash was still insisting that they should check in case there could be anyone that could sabotage it. All saw that he had a green shield with gold highlights with a unique design attached to his back.
As they got nearer, the Unkindled saw how uncomfortable Weiss is. He didn't blame this type of reaction as he too had a feeling of how it would go like. What he said earlier was still ringing in his head. "We are going to escort Weiss towards the Argus Base and give her to the Commander to Atlas. I am aware you may see this as a very bland and straightforward story, but I want this plan to have no fights that would attract the Grimm."
"To think that his suggestion is for me to go to Atlas along with the Relic to give it to General Ironwood." The ex-Heiress thought as she pondered at his plan. From what she imagined; it seemed very logical considering that Ash's logical plan was to minimalize drawing in any Grimm due to the fight that may occur.
Reaching the main entrance base, all of them didn't expect seeing three familiar faces waiting for them. They saw that the little old woman was glaring daggers at a certain armored-robed individual with them. Speaking of the individual… "So, is this the one that insulted the both of you?" She looked at the two guards who stood in each side.
"Yes, Ma'am!" Both of them answered at the same time. If Ash would want to show how he was feeling, he would just pinch the bridge of his noise right now. Luckily, he prevented himself from doing so.
"Look. Sorry if I scared your guards, Ma'am." Ash told the elderly woman, who shifted her daggering gaze at him due to the way he spoke to her.
"Sorry won't do anything as you insulted the pride of Atlas!" Cordovin accused him.
Ash was honestly confused by the elderly woman's statement. "What?"
"Do I have to repeat myself, lowly?" She repeated, which didn't make him react in anyway. "You insulted two of my guards, now you are challenging me?! I am the Commander of this base! Upsetting my guards will result in you getting a criminal offense!"
"What does that have to do with me insulting your guards?" Ash questioned the midget Commander, finding this very ridiculous despite his uncaring and bitter tone being clearly heard.
"You better watch your tone, boy!" She snarled back at him. "That's not how you talk towards an Atlesian!"
As Cordovin and Ash continued to argue, Ruby and the others watched on. They were honestly shocked that Ash kept his stoic tone despite his growing irritation towards the Atlesian. "You know, I can watch this all day!" Maria informed then as she liked the scene before her.
"Same here." Nora nodded her head in agreement. Somehow, she had a bucket of popcorn with her and threw a handful in her mouth.
Ruby, meanwhile, was seriously wondering if this was part of the plan that Ash told them. "Um, is this…part of the plan or…?"
"Don't worry about it, Ruby." Weiss assured her partner, placing a hand on her shoulder. "He can deal with this situation."
"Really?" Qrow had sarcastically asked after taking a sip from his flask. "Because from what I am seeing, it may go haywire."
"Yeah, you can say something like that." Jaune spoke while watching the argument between the two.
Oscar, meanwhile, can obviously see that despite Ash's bittered attitude, he was composed while arguing with Cordovin. "Is anyone seeing that he remained…calm?"
"Perhaps he might have dealt with people like her before." Ren speculated. "Although. I can still hear the bitterness in his tone."
Back to where the two were arguing, Ash had finally had enough of tolerating Cordovin's "gloating" about Atlas and how they are the strongest nation in all of Remnant. He knew that he were to snap, it would not go in his favour. "Look." He told her with a mix of stoicism and irritation. "I've already apologized for what I said to two of your guards. Right now, you are making a fool of yourself, and you are arguing with me for something that has happened just yesterday. I wasn't looking for any of that."
This cause the elderly woman to be taken back by this statement. She saw him looking at her and felt quite uncomfortable by his stare. "All I want for you is to take back Lady Weiss Schnee back to—"
Before Ash could finally say what, he wanted, the alarm Siren was heard throughout the Base. This caught everyone by surprise as none expected this to occur. Certainly, for Cordovin as she looked back to see a guard running towards her. "Why are the sirens ringing?"
"There's… there's something you need to look at, Ma'am." The guard responded to her.
The Commander could see that the guard was serious with what he said. At least this is something that could be dealt with, aside from that annoying armored-robed person. She quickly turned back to look at Ash. "This isn't the end!" She then followed the guard back to base.
As she went away, Ash exhaled at the current scene before him. He'd hoped what he planned to do was going to happen. But it seems like the opposite had occurred. "So, what now?" He heard Qrow asking him.
He turned to face everyone, who had the look of uncertainty with what's happening right no. All thought he didn't have a backup plan. But that didn't stop him from looking at Weiss and Maria. "You two! if the guards come back, try to convince them if you can board an airship for assistance."
The two didn't see problem with that. Still, they were confused as to why Ash had specifically asked them. "Ash—" Weiss was about to say.
"No time!" He immediately interrupted her before walking on the opposite side to go somewhere. Already he had a feeling that it might have to do with that darkness that he sensed not so long ago.
Seeing Ash like this caused everyone to get a bit worried. "Uh. What's with that reaction?" Nora has asked the group who had the same questions on their heads.
"I don't know. But I think we should follow him to see what concerned him." Ruby stated. All decided that it would be best action to follow him to find out where he went. All proceeded to follow Ash from a few distance away while Maria and Weiss stayed behind.
-Scene Change-
Ruby and the others, with the except to Weiss and Maria, had arrived in the cliffside of the forest. There, all saw Ash staring into the view of the ocean. "Ash!" Ruby cried out his name as she and everyone else were on the side of Ash. "Why did you come here?!"
"That." He pointed to where exactly he is looking at.
All turned to face the ocean to where he is pointing towards. Their eyes went wide as they saw what Ash was looking at. It was a Grimm. A large Grimm that looked like it came out of the water. By the look of the bipedal, aquatic creature, it seemed to have four humanoid limbs and a long tail. It has four gills on each side of its neck and a collection of dorsal plates protruding from its back, with red webbing between each plate. It has a dolphin-like head with a mouth filled with sharp teeth and three yellow eyes on each side of the head. Like many other Grimm it has external ribs. What made the situation bad enough is how it is exactly coming towards their location.
"Ash…" The Unkindled heard his name being called out. He turned to face Qrow who was too distracted by looking at the large Grimm, "Was this part of your plan?"
Ash shook his head in response. "No, it wasn't. I think my plan had already gone haywire."
Speaking of going haywire, within the top tower of Argus's CCT Tower, Blake quickly retreated behind the poll and was hyperventilating. As it was supposed to be had turned into a living nightmare. Turning to her left to see a body of a lifeless Atlesian guard before taking a peak from her cover. Her pupils only shrink in fear as she never thought of seeing him again. She saw him sheathing his sword back and called out to her. "Hello, my darling!"
Oh crap! It seems the Leviathan had made its appearance earlier than it should be. I wonder if it has to do with Ash or something. Surprisingly, or rather unsurprisingly to some, Adam had finally made his physical appearance in the story. Place your bets people, the Ashen One/Ash and Adam fight is sure to happen very soon. Don't worry, I have already made plans for Ash to use the Wolf Knight's Greatsword and the Golden Wing Crest Shield. it'll be a while before that fight occurs. I wonder, should I do a "The Reason you Suck Speech" for Ash if he ever encounters Adam anytime soon? I need to take some time off this area as I need to think of the Soul Decription for those two enemies. If you can think if one, I'll be glad to use it and going to give you credit.
Oh yeah, I've been reading StaffSergeant's "The Night Unfurls" while I was planning write the fifth chapter of Fairyborne. It's a good story I'll tell ya.
Now onto the review…
triscythe59: It sure will be.
Spenge: Uh, did you say that last time?
Teo Char: There you go. Ash had managed to alternate their plan. Unfortunately, the Leviathan had somehow been attracted by something within him, which would be explained in the future chapter.
Dasgun: I have nothing to say.
EXCUBITORE: Don't worry. That won't happen.
Saltmancer: Yes, English is my first language. I get laxy by doing editing. But hey, this is a fanfiction after all, not a piece of actual work.
Varederr: It sure is, buddy.
Well, that's over and done. Time to write the fifth chapter of Fairyborne.
I will see you all next time…whenever the next chapter will come.