Chapter 22
Traversing the Painted World
Beta: Old man of the mountain/Darklord331
Naruto returned to Anor Londo fast. For the most part, everyone was gathered there waiting for them.
Even the Swamp pyromancer.
"What are you doing here?"
The man smiled, "Greetings friend, with the fire gone at the shrine I feared staying there, so I decided to find a new location. This place has proven best for me given that I can test my skills against some of the illusions. On top of that, I can grow my overall power and even get advice in creating new forms of pyromancy."
Naruto nodded. That made sense: ever since the fire went out he wondered where everyone was going to end up. Logan was at the Archives last time he checked so chances are he was still there going through Seath's research.
He had to go and check on him to make sure he didn't try anything that Seath did that eroded his mind.
His apprentice was dead, the priestess and her guards were gone, mostly for their own journey, and that other paladin looking man was gone. From what he can gather there was something sinister about him behind his care-free façade. More so, he seemed committed to some weird cause that he couldn't explain. Like, he was after something and given that the man that 'pardons' people warned him. That was more than enough to be suspicious of where he went.
Finally, there was the sullen guy he first met; he knew that guy would leave the area once the fire went out. But for some reason he didn't give any indication of where he was going and given that he had no direction Naruto was worried about him finding direction. In this land it can lead to fanaticism.
"Well, I'm glad you are here safe. I hope the trip wasn't too much trouble."
He shook his head, "No but I did see a man wearing heavy armor passing through the area. While I was questioning who he was, the man didn't deem to respond to me, stating he was after someone."
Naruto sighed,
"Yeah that was Havel the Rock. He is fixated on someone or something, so he isn't really the most hospitable person."
"I see." He sighed, "Well don't let me keep you I'm going to be training in the throne room with Quelana."
"Okay." Naruto walked across the bridge and arrived in the temple with Gwynevere statue standing proudly for all to see.
Crossing the room, he saw Gwyndolyn standing next to the large painting.
"Ah thou have returned with the doll. Even faster than expected."
Naruto rolled his eyes, "Yeah I struggled in the last few fights, but this is the easy part." Naruto held up the makeshift doll, "I found what you were talking about although you could have warned me about the wild demon in the underground."
"I didn't know that there was another demon. Thou think too highly of how much I can perceive in the world."
Naruto sighed, "Fine whatever," Holding the doll to the god, "So if I just hold this doll I can what? Bypass the barrier of the painting."
Gwyndolyn nodded.
Naruto slowly walked up to the painting before slowly putting his hand on the surface. But when he did, he felt something tugging on him and then a sharp pull.
Covered in a bright light Naruto covered his eyes and moaned.
"Fuck that hurt." He had landed on something hard, and he wasn't sure what. Rubbing his eyes, the blurry part of his vision started to slowly clear up, seeing something white in front of him.
"Snow?"
"Yes stranger."
Naruto jumped to his feet and turned on his heels reaching for his sword.
"Woah friend apologizes for spooking you I mean no harm."
Standing there was a person, or at least it was a person. Something humanoid at least. The person had the head of a crow, wings instead of his arms, and a pair of clawed feet.
"Okay," Naruto glared, "Who are you?"
"Apologizes my name is Rashuk (OC) may I know your name stranger?"
"Naruto, I'm here to see Priscilla."
The being stiffened.
"Oh? Why?"
"I'm here to return something to her." He pulled out a doll and showed it to the crow man. He stared at the doll, his black eyes narrowing in on the design and the small inscriptions on the foot of the doll.
"Interesting." The crow beast nodded. "I shall return it to her, thank you for your service Lady Priscilla will most appreciate it."
"If it is alright I would like to give it to her myself."
The man cawed.
"No, you are not permitted to do so."
Naruto sighed,
"Look I'm not here to pick a fight especially since someone close to Priscilla wants to speak to her. I can promise you that I won't mean any harm and we can take all precautions that are necessary for this." He pulled out his katana blade and made it vanish back into his dimensional space before holding his hands out. "I will come unarmed."
"Unarmed? You are very trusting considering we could kill you and just take the doll."
Naruto shook his head, "True you COULD do that but we both know that your lady would be angry that you did this without giving me a chance. After all isn't that what she gave all of you? A chance to be free from the prejudice of the outside world?"
The crow man cawed, shaking his head.
"I believe you speak the truth on this subject. However, to meet our lady, you must also agree to having these put on you." He gagged a few times, his stomach gurgling, and finally his mouth opening. A piece of bile covered metal hit the ground and Naruto had to hold back his lunch.
"Um does it have to be covered in stomach bile?"
"No, sorry I don't have pockets or a dimensional pocket like the rest of you humans." He cawed, "Just clean the handcuffs and put them on, they will prevent you from using magic or summoning any of your weapons while wearing them."
Naruto shrugged. Fair request.
After locking the cuffs on his wrists, Naruto followed behind the crow man and saw that while the castle and town wasn't in great shape, the people looked happy. More, it is clear to Naruto that everyone just seemed more content in this world. Talking, conversing, trading, and more.
Which was confusing.
"You are wondering about our world and how it evolved differently from those in Lordran yes?"
Naruto turned to the crow man who was looking at him.
"Yeah as far as I can tell the world is suffering from the undead curse but for some reason your realm seems untouched, in fact everyone looks healthy as can be."
"Yes thanks to the wonders of our lady." He cawed at a nearby crow man wearing small armor, "We were blessed to know that our lady cared for our well-being and was capable of helping us."
"How so?"
"As you probably heard from the stories she was feared by the gods for her unusual power of life drain. However, her power is more attacking and manipulating one's soul."
Naruto's eyes widened. There was a power like that!? I mean he saw some of the beings' using things like lighting, magnification of certain living creatures, and more. But to hear someone could attack and manipulate someone's soul? That was insane!
"I know there is doubt in your mind, but rest assured she has mastered this power. So much so that she even was able to separate us from this undead curse." The man cawed, waving his wings at some nearby human children. "Freeing us from the eternal suffering of the outside world and giving us a new home to call our own."
"But still, doesn't this mean she could destroy the undead curse on the outside world?"
"Not true. You see those that are undead already and have no will to live, those souls are forever lost. They can't be recovered no matter how many times she tries. So, she would be forced to destroy their soul instead putting their bodies to rest. It is one of the reasons that some of the souls in this world return after so much time has passed."
That fascinated Naruto, if that was possible then that meant she could be even more helpful in dealing with the Lord Souls or at least someone like Nito. As far as he can tell the man was the first of the undead and had no physical attached form meaning that physical attacks won't work on him. So, knowing this power exists is a good thing but he knew his primary objective had to be completed.
After traversing the castle and the small town, they arrived at a high peak, peering over a small pit on the other side with a wooden bridge.
Standing there, was a tall woman. She had an ethereal glow, long white hair, lizard yellow eyes, and was wearing what looked like a fur white dress. Behind her was a short white tail that moved slowly around her body. A tiara adorn the top of her head and she had a scythe resting in one hand with the butt of the weapon in the floor.
"Who is though bring before me."
"My lady we have bought you someone that wishes to speak to you."
"Though has quite the intriguing feeling." She lowered her head to Naruto and stared into his eyes with her one golden eye. "Tell me, why have thy come seeking thy?"
Naruto sighed; this is going to be difficult to convince her.
"Lady Priscilla I first have come to return something that belonged to you." He then looked at his cuffs, "Unfortunately I can't retrieve it from my storage space."
"Hm," Her right hand lashed out. It touched his chest and soon his eyes widened.
The green doll that he found in the asylum appeared in her hand.
"This belongs to thy. Where did you find it?"
"I found it in the Undead Asylum."
The woman tilted her head, "You came to return it to thy?"
"Yes." Naruto looked to the birdman at his side. "So does this prove that I'm not threat to your lady?"
"No, sorry we can't risk the chance-"
"I believe you." The woman brought the doll close to her chest. "Your soul rings true; all you speak is truth." She smiled, "Release him."
The man stared at the young man, he hesitated.
"I will not repeat."
"Please forgive me my lady," He bowed his head to her, "But we would be more comfortable that you aren't exposed to any possible danger."
The woman hummed,
"He speaks truth, and you doubt thy?" Her eyes narrowed slightly, "Have you come to assume I can't handle thyself?"
Naruto felt the hair on the back of his neck stand. This pressure, her aura, it was faint, but he could feel it. The lingering sense of death. The feeling, the sensation of fear that would appear in the presence of someone truly powerful. He hadn't sensed anything like this in quite some time. But for some reason, he could sense her faint presence.
'How strong is she?' He looked up, 'This isn't the presence of someone weak, this is someone that can't be sensed,' Naruto concluded. Her presence was so great only those that were truly sharp could feel her power. Given he had encounters with Seath and other beings of similar or slightly lower stature, he could tell, 'She is the strongest so far.'
"P-please my lady forgives me." The bird man kneeled to her. "I didn't mean to question your request, but we are grateful to your presence. We don't wish to risk losing you."
"It's fine." Naruto sighed, "I'm fine if this makes them more comfortable, keep me cuff."
Priscilla stared before slithering back over.
"You have a good heart." She gave an ethereal smile, "I appreciate thy gesture. However, thy can't remain in this realm."
"I know." Naruto could sense that the world didn't want him here. It wanted him to leave, quickly as possible. "But there is another reason that I am here."
Priscilla raised an eyebrow,
"Your mother wanted to see you."
Naruto's heart sank.
Her eyes dilated, her slits glowed, and her body started to shake. The world, it felt cold, colder than anything he had been through. Colder than the Land of Snow, colder than Land of Ice, and colder than the caves underneath the Duke's Archives He was freezing, and his armor wasn't protecting him.
"You dare." Her voice barely a whisper, "You dare speak of her when she abandoned thy?"
"She didn't, your mother was killed by Gwyn and Gwyndolyn was trying his best to protect you from Gwyn's wrath."
"Impossible, she never came to look for me. She only ever gave me this." She held the doll in her hand, "This is all that I have of her."
Naruto figured that be the case.
"I'm telling you she did not forget you; she did look for you everywhere,"
Naruto coughed he felt his body growing cold.
Looking down he was shocked to see a sharp blade piercing through his stomach. It was part of a large scythe in her hand.
"Though shouldn't have lied."
Naruto coughed more and was feeling darkness taking over.
Priscilla on the other hand,
She found herself in an unknown plain. She looked around and frowned.
"Though has quite the messy soul."
Priscilla heard movement, turning around she saw a large orange creature in the distance, and it was glaring at her.
"You got balls gaki, if it wasn't for her I would have torn you to pieces."
Priscilla frowned, before turning from the creature.
"I can sense your true power, your soul is crippled and weak, you wouldn't be able to harm me."
Kurama growled, he really hated that she was right. Ever since that fucking thing attacked them his chakra was gone, his power was gone, but somehow he was surviving in this new world without it. He didn't know how the fuck it was possible, but it was happening, and he had to accept it.
A soft tune carried on the air and Priscilla's body froze. She had heard it once, in a very old and very distant memory. It was one of the few happy memories she ever had.
Turning, ever so slowly, tears started to form.
"Mother."
Gwynevere smiled before rushing to her daughter and pulling her into the biggest hug possible. Priscilla was about to say something but saw her shaking and tears were starting to stain her shoulders. While outside she was enormous by most standards, in here? She seemed to be about average height for a human or at least as average as a 7-foot-tall woman could be.
However, the goddess didn't care for the first time in hundreds of years, she was finally holding her precious baby in her arms again.
"I have missed you my little dragon."
Priscilla, she didn't embrace. Pushing her back,
"Don't you dare call me that." She frowned, "Though abandoned me."
"I didn't. I tried to find you; I really did. But your grandfather, he went out of his way to hide you. He feared you."
"Because of thy lineage." Priscilla always knew that, ever since she was a child she knew people feared her. Feared her power, feared her abilities, and feared what she could become. Especially, she had the power to one day become the ruler of the world. But she never had those aspirations but that was more than enough. For them, it was a clear sign she would disrupt the Age of Fire.
"My dear little dragon, I never hated you and I never stopped looking for you. But by the time I found you, I was made aware that you were sealed in the Painted World. I tried and prayed that I would find a way through, but I never knew what the key was. That was, until I discovered certain beings are allowed entrance into the place and I begged them to find you. But since none ever returned I had to accept they might have perished or become undead." She gained a big smile, "Seeing that you actually diverted their curse and freed them from the burden, I can't be any happier."
"I didn't do this for thy, I did it for me."
"I know, but in the end, I'm still proud as you took after me rather than your father."
Priscilla snorted, father, yeah she was aware.
"Why are you here though?"
"Due to some circumstances out of my control I was given to this young man to help him on his journey. But over time I have seen he carries compassion in his heart for those around him and for those that wish to be loved." She blushed slightly, "He also helps me forgive myself for some of the failures of the past, but this is one I know I had to make right." She turned to her daughter, "No matter how much you hate me I want you to know you're the one thing in this world that means more than even the stars. I only wished I could have done better."
Priscilla remained silent through this speech. She was trying to read her soul, looking for even the slightest hint of a lie or deception. But her soul never wavered, she truly meant everything.
"If thy is telling the truth what thy friend's goal is?"
"He plans to end the Age of Fire once and for all." Gwynevere, "I have seen it in his eyes, he truly wishes for this age to finally come to an end. Something to finally bring peace to the land and for everyone to find hope for the future. Rather than facing the current situation and embracing the dribble your grandfather spilled, he wants this to be an age that finally ends, and a new one can take its place. He is confident that no matter what happens next the world will reset itself and in time, a new peaceful era will emerge."
Priscilla frowned, she did like the idea of this age finally ending but she wasn't sure this young man could pull it off.
"Thy doesn't seem that strong."
"True he isn't now but in time he shall grow and when he gets strong enough he will finally end the age and put an end to Gwyn."
"If thy wishes to support him I shall endeavor to do so as well." She turned from her mother, "I don't trust thee but if he has proven worthy of claiming the mantle of the next age, I shall do everything I can to help. But I shall not endanger my people."
"That is all I ask and maybe one day, we can finally free you from this place and you and your people can find a new land to call home. Just promise me that you'll come and visit as I want to make up for lost time."
Priscilla nodded.
While she hadn't forgiven, she understands the truth in her mother's words and thus she will give her a chance. But if she ever faulters again, she will know her expectations were already set.
Naruto felt himself exhale after the scythe was removed from his gut.
Priscilla pulled away from him and he looked to see that he had not wound.
"What the-"
"They felt thy soul being damaged yes?"
"Um, yeah is that how you managed to the Undead Curse?"
Priscilla had a small smile, "Yes thy grasped the pieces of the undead curse and after many attempts, I managed to separate it from my people. There I destroyed the undead cycle and allowed my people freedom from the curse. Sadly, if those afflicted have turned then there is no reason for me to attempt anything. As they will just return as tortured souls awaiting their permanent end."
"I see. Does this mean you can affect things of the same nature as the Lord Soul?"
"They can. I have never encountered it, but it is possible." She raised an eyebrow, "Why are thy curious about this?"
"Because I think you are the only one that can help me in the next part of the quest. You see, I have come to terms that I have to defeat Gravelord Nito, the one that is the first of the dead. However, from what I have learned and what people have told me about the man, he isn't human and has no solid body to damage. Meaning all my attacks will do nothing to him and I can't afford to waste my time and the lives of those around me on a fruitless battle."
"I see, so you are hoping thy will assist in defeating the Gravelord?"
Naruto dropped down on his knees, "I ask for your assistance. In return once I leave these lands I shall ensure your people have land to call your own and rule at your discretion."
Priscilla stared at Naruto. His offer was like her mother, and she can't say the possibility of leaving this realm and living somewhere where they can find peace wasn't a nice concept. But at the same time, she wasn't sure that would be possible if the lords are still around.
"Very well." She held her free hand out and created a golden rune in the air, "This will allow you to summon me to assist with Nito and only Nito. Do not waste it on summoning me for anything else are we clear?"
"Yes thank you my lady."
Priscilla nodded before sending the rune to Naruto and it is vanishing into his body, how this works he didn't know but he wasn't going to question it.
"Now leave."
Naruto nodded, having completed his objective he walked over to the wooden bridge and looked into the mouth of the chasm before him.
"Take care of my mother fool, she wishes to court you and if thy wishes to impart children on her, note I will judge if your worthy."
"WHAT!" Naruto turned deep red and was about to confront her.
Only to lose his footing and fall into the chasm.
Priscilla smiled,
"Too easy to tease." She turned and proceeded to head out of her tower. Knowing that it was time to talk to her people and explain the deal she had made for their future.
She had doubts, but a part of her wishes for a new reality and she might just get it.
Anor Londo
Naruto groaned as he found himself looking up at the ceiling.
"Fuck, that hurt." Slowly sitting up he sighed, "Well that landing could have been better."
"Naruto!" Naruto turned his head and saw Quelaag rushing to him with concern on her face.
"I'm fine can you help me with this though?"
The woman immediately burnt away the bondage around his hands and checked him for injuries. More to shove her chest into his face and possibly tempt him.
"How was the journey into the Painted World?"
"It was good." Naruto smiled, "I managed to contact Priscilla and after some time conversing, we managed to reach a deal. With it I'm finally ready for the next Lord Soul."
Quelaag frowned,
"Are you sure? Nito might not be as all-knowing as Seath, but he isn't someone to underestimate."
"I'm sure after all I have an ace now." Naruto stood up and stretched his hands over his head. "But I guess we should go and speak to the others and get their input as I want this to be a group thing."
Quelaag nodded before walking with Naruto back to the main hall where Quelana and their sister Quetiva.
"So, I guess your journey was a success?"
"Yes Quelana, now we are ready to go after Nito."
"Hm," Quelana rubbed her chin, "If memory serves me right we have to go back to the Undead Parish and investigate the Catacombs of the Giants."
"Catacombs of the Giants?"
Quetiva nodded, "Yes ages ago, there was a race of giants that lived underground. They were more like dwellers and were known for having a diverse system there. However, Nito wanted to claim the place for himself, so when the giants refused to leave he attacked them and after wiping out most of them they fled the caves. This led to him using the corpses as reanimated skeletons and monsters. Sadly, Gwyn did do a thing to help the giants and viewed them as the next great threat to his realm."
"Geez what happened then?"
Quelaag chimed in, "Mostly all the races left this land and fled to different realms. Some went far to the north where they formed some kind of connection to a great fire in the snowy mountains. Another fled to an island kingdom far off the coast of humans and are living in harmony. Some races went on to form smaller nations all over the place but last I heard one of them has gone quiet due to some kind of incident ages ago. Their entire land is shrouded in darkness and supposedly they were all killed by some powerful being." She sighed, "Again that is just a rumor though."
Naruto shook his head, "Man Gwyn just loved making enemies of former friends no?"
"It would seem so." Quelaag rubbed her head, "However, out of all the lords Nito is the only one that never took part in the mess related to the First Flame relighting or even anything related to the undead curse. Honestly, I think he felt he would thrive in this kind of environment."
Naruto figured that was the case. The man ruled the dead, so undead people would kind of fall into his category, but then again, he wasn't completely sure that was true. The undead seemed to be acting on basic instincts and information but also not going out of their way to help someone like Nito.
'It is possible that this curse is even something he can't deal with.' Naruto shook his head, 'Too many unknown variables.'
"Well either way I'm ready to head out, so who wants to come with me. Fair warning we are going to have to move fast and stay on our toes."
Quelaag raised her hand, "I'll go with you at worst my close-range fighting and powerful pyromancy should help when turning the undead back into the undead."
The other two sisters nodded, "We'll stay here feel like this is going to be a limited movement kind of battle. So, the fewer people there the better but we shall come for you in four days' time if we don't hear from you."
"Fair enough." Naruto summoned his katana and headed out to the blacksmith shop one more time to make sure everything was ready. His weapon was repaired, his skills were maintained, and his new armor set that he ordered was ready. This one was more lightweight armor and had better protection than his leather armor set that was destroyed. Luckily this armor had better defenses and protection from weapons and long-range attacks. However, he noted his movement was slightly limited due to the higher and more restrictive nature.
But it was better safe than sorry so he would accept this.
Now it was time, to kill another Lord.
Chapter End