HOLY HELL, A NEW CHAPTER ALREADY?!
That's right, my dear readers. I actually got off my lazy but and got to work on this chapter immediately. And Christ am I nervous about this one. I actually tried re-writing this in a bunch of different ways, with different interactions and character reactions to certain elements, but once again just kinda said "Screw it, just pick an idea and go with the flow."
So I'm kind of interested too see the reactions for this one.
Comments that Caught my Eye
Weissmann- Dammit. The long wait times are bad enough but cliffhangers? Why does thou seem to torture me T-T. On the bright side we get to see Velka and Anastacia talk to each other and wouldn't that be interesting? As for the chapter overall I very much enjoyed it and I'm starting to like the Merchant and Cresty (We should probably get real names for them). Maybe they can get some development too? The mask thing is gonna be awesome and I would like to try my hand at submitting an idea. I guess you can call this combined item The Mask of the Family. I can't think of a perfect item description now but I think this item can give you enhanced abilities. "The mask holds the spirits of what used to be a family, now when a close one's blood is shed, voices will be heard to eliminate all who dare opposite them." And who knows maybe there can still be a way to save them. Some might say that thinking is naïve, but being naïve is believing all is right, while hope is knowing that there is wrong but believe that something can be done. But that's just me. Thank for reading this and thank you for the chapter.
My Response- Like I said, bro, there will be no side characters in this story. Everybody, including the merchant and Cresty, will factor into a major part of this tale and will have their characters explored and developed. Also, I really love your idea for the new mask the prophets going to create. The "Mask of the family" seems like a pretty awesome way to bring in something new while still keeping ties to what the item used to be. Though I am keeping things open for other idea's, this one will definitely be something I'll keep in mind.
Quisitable- You could totally do something where the masks hang underneath the lion head on the eastern armour. All stacked like that it would be reminiscent of samurai armor. It would give the effects of all 3 masks, but only to that arm. I.e. better blocking capabilities with shield or tireless assault with a sword. only on the one arm though.
My Response- I like the idea of doing something similar to the eastern armor as a stylish way to use the new mask, though the idea of limiting its effects to one body part may be a bit to much of a limitation. I don't think there's a need to hold back a never before seen items abilities to the extent.
Scoolio (In regards to previous warning sign from earlier chapter)- I did use talisman, but still died. Great chapter, can't wait to read more!
My Response- Get Gud or Get Rekt, bro.
That's all I got for you guys for now. Hope you all enjoy the read.
Warning: This chapter may contain intense Waifu banter.
"Great. Now others are coming." the Crestfallen Knight stated. "Will I never again receive a moment of peace around here?"
"Nee hee hee, this works perfectly fine for me." the merchant laughed. "If he wishes to bring me more buyers, then I welcome the compa-"
The Merchant didn't get a word further as something, or rather someone, had just fallen seemingly from nowhere just beyond the edge of the ruins.
As the individual stood its body up straight, giving them all a clear view of what it was they were looking at, it took on the form of a woman with black feathered wings and a voluptuous figure that caused all three of them to go wide eyed with astonishment.
"His presence was just here. I'm sure of it. Where the hell has he just gone?" the Woman said to herself, before turning her eye's towards that small group of people who stood gaping at her. Immediately thinking they may be able to tell her something, she wasted no time in walking forward until she was just at the edge of the circle of which the bonfire sat and spoke.
"Greetings, humans. I come here in search of someone." the woman explained plainly. "A man that goes by the name Kaylen, or perhaps better known as the Prophet of Demacia."
Each individual said nothing to this comment, choosing instead to remain in a stupefied and somewhat fearful silence.
This sort of reaction to her appearance being something that she was well accustomed too, the woman unconsciously began to appraise each of the person that stood before her. Through her the countless years of experience she had in dealing with the actions of mortals, she was easily able to spot the minor movements they each made and was able to somewhat predict what their next actions might entail.
The one wearing the chainmail hid his motions the best among the three, but it didn't take her but a moment to spot the ever so slight tension with which he held his blade and the minor forward leaning of his upper body. He was planning to rush her.
The much more vagrant looking man's movement was a bit easier to spot. The small shift in his footing and the slow placing of his hands suggested that he was currently attempting to reach for a weapon beneath the rags that he wore. If she had to hazard a guess, from the distance they were from one another, it was likely a projectile of some sort.
The woman was by far the most obvious of them of all. Her gaze sweeping back and forth towards the ground and then back to her into a somewhat panicked state. She appeared to be hastily trying to search for something, but from the way she continued to look, it appeared that she was having trouble finding it.
Seeing all this, the woman rolled her eye's and held a somewhat annoyed expression on her face. She really didn't have the time nor the patience to deal with a few jumpy mortals right now.
"Stay your hands, humans. I am not here to fight. I only wish to speak with the Prophet." the woman said, watching as the humans continued to move themselves into their positions of attacks. Seeing this, she decided that perhaps it would be best if she tried a slightly different approach. So turning towards that trembling blonde woman, she spoke in as kind a tone as she could manage. "You there. Would you happen to be the Firekeeper of this shrine?"
A bit surprised that she was suddenly being addressed, Anastacia took a small moment of pause before responding.
"Ah..Y-Yes." she said meekly and fearfully.
"Well, it is quite a pleasure to finally meet you." the woman's said with a smile. "The prophet and I went to great lengths to secure your safety, so I am glad that our efforts to aid you were not in vain."
This caused each of the humans to give a minor pause.
"You...helped the Prophet save me?" the keeper asked.
"Of course. Though it was through his own efforts that he managed to succeed, I was there to ensure that Lautrec did not go against his word and attempt to attack him." the woman explained. "One could even say that I protected the Prophets life in the altercation."
"A winged demon protecting a human?" the merchant chimed in nervously, trying to reach for a few knives he held underneath his clothing. "Now that's something you don't hear everyday."
Giving a slight cough at that little demon comment, the woman responded to the mans question in as a relaxed tone as she could manage.
"Human, please refrain from referring to me as one of those disgusting creatures." she responded calmly. "I am nothing like any of them."
"But..um...you hold wings upon your back." Anastacia said a bit awkwardly, causing the woman to give a confused look before crossing her arms together. "Is that not a characteristic of a demon?"
This comment actually managed to gain a sort of fervent response from the woman.
"Wha-? How dare you. If that be the case, then does every bird, beetle or butterfly qualify as a demon to you?" the woman said defensively, giving two slight beats of said characteristics. "Just because I have wings does not place me among the ranks of beast such as those."
At this, silence fell upon the Shrine for a moment as the three humans allowed that comment to settle.
"So...you know the Prophet?" Anastacia asked.
The woman took a moment to take a relieving breath before answering the question.
"Yes. He and I are quite close with one another. And right now, its is very important that I speak with him." the woman explained, feeling as if she has lessened the tension between them enough that she could get her questions answered. "Now, I am aware that he was here moments before my arrival. So could you please do me a kindness and tell me where he has gone?"
The Keeper looked to the Merchant and to the Knight for counsel on whether or not it was safe to speak the truth. Both of which offered her nothing more than looks of uncertainty, clearly stating they did not have an answer for what to do next. So the keeper did the only thing she felt she could do and answered honestly.
"He...went to a place called the Catacombs to rescue Reah and her allies." Anastacia said, causing the woman to give a slight raised eyebrow.
"And who exactly is this Reah person?" she said, clearly not pleased with this news. "And for what purpose did the prophet choose to help them?"
Hearing the displeasure in her voice did little to ease the anxiousness that the keeper felt.
"Uh, she's a priestess that came here with a few others at her side in search of something." Anastacia explained. "The Prophet foretold their deaths in this endeavor, but they refused to listen to him and proceeded ahead anyway. So the prophet retrieved a weapon to help and went after them. He spoke of where they traveled to as quite dangerous."
Hearing this, the strange woman took a moment to extend her senses to try and find the Prophets current location once more. Coming to the surprising conclusion that he was now somehow deep underground, far beneath her current location. Upon this realization, the woman put a hand to her forehead and sighed, easily able to picture the scenario in her mind.
"So that fool went to the depths of who-knows-where to save some no-name priestess? By Gwyn, why must he insist on performing the most laughably absurd task?" she said mostly to herself in an annoyed tone. "Very well, then. He will no doubt return here in due time. So I suppose I can do not but wait for him to come to me."
With that, the woman casually walked forward and, much to the Crestfallen Knights surprise, made herself quite comfortable by taking a seat next to him and crossing one of her legs over another in a very feminine manner.
Tensing up at such a presence suddenly being so near him, the Knight was very much on the verge of attacking her outright. That is until she said...
"Oh, and by the way, I'd think twice about trying to kill me if I were you." the woman said ominously, eyeing the Knight with her deep yellow gaze as she stroked a strand of her black hair out of her face, emitting a few embers of black flame around her body. "You'll find that I do not share the Prophets taste for forgiveness and that I am very much capable of defending myself. So please, do not force my hand by doing anything rash."
With that warning, the Shrine fell into a deep silence. The woman had made her claim and, by the heavy tension and stiffness that the Knights body carried, had very much established that If she wanted it, she could kill them all easily.
This silence and unease lasted for but a few minutes longer until another question appeared in the winged woman's mind.
"Keeper, how was it that the Prophet was here moments before my arrival and yet suddenly vanish?" the woman asked suddenly, breaking the silence they all shared.
"W-What?" Anastacia responded with slight confusion.
"As I said before, I know that he was here. I can sense his presence no matter where he may be." the woman explained. "So how was it that he was able to travel such a distance away in an instant?"
Anastacia hesitated before responding, placing her gaze towards the ground with the look of shame upon her face.
"A man by the name of Petrus, traveled to the Catacombs together with Reah to protect her. But when their group became overwhelmed, he chose to leave her behind to die. He returned here alone and injured. The Prophet warned us of the danger he posed beforehand, so the Merchant and the Knight both defeated and restrained him, while I called the prophet here using a summon sign he left behind for me." Anastacia explained nervously.
"I see. So he was only here as an echo of his true self." the woman mused to herself, well aware of the magic that allows humans to be summoned to another location as a sort of phantom. "So what did he do with this Petrus fellow? Knowing his personality, I would expect that the threatening of someone close to him would not be something he would forgive."
"U-um, he was indeed displeased with Petrus's presence here." Anastacia said. "But at my urging, he exiled him from Firelink Shrine and allowed him to leave here with his life."
This comment caused the woman to turn yet another look of displeasure towards the keeper.
"Hmm..he allowed him to live? How unfortunate." the woman's said somewhat coldly. "If he were smart, he would have cut him down and eliminated the threat while he could. I will have to discuss this matter with him when he arrives."
There was a moment of pause as Anastacia's face suddenly took on a look of surprise, then of minor disdain for the person in front of her.
"You believe the Prophet should have killed him?" the keeper asked almost in an accusing tone.
"But, of course. If he had done so, there would be once less issue to concern himself with." the woman responded with a scoff. "Now, he must deal with the possibility of his returning and causing harm to you or others. As it stands, letting him live has likely done more damage than good."
"But he was already defeated and unarmed. If the Prophet just killed him in that state, then...how would he be any different than a murderer?" the keeper exclaimed. "That is not who he is. It would not be right."
"Right or wrong, It doesn't change the fact that-"
"The Prophet is too brave to stoop that lowly." the keeper interrupted, causing both the Merchant and the Knight to go slightly wide eyed in surprise at the outburst. Though the woman only seemed to give her a look that held a mixture of displeasure and contemplation before speaking once more.
"An interesting choice of words, Keeper." the woman asked in a tone that was eerily void of any emotion. "What do you know of bravery?"
Anastacia's gaze faltered for a moment as she gathered her courage and spoke her mind clearly.
"I know that the Prophet is a man of honor." The keeper said, placing both her hand together in a prayer like fashion. "He is a kind, caring and strives to protect, rather than destroy. Killing others is wrong and I know the Prophet would never stoop as low as murdering another in cold blood."
Again, there was a long pause of silence. The look in Anastacia's eye spoke volumes as she did not turn away from the yellow gaze of the woman across from her. For the first time in a long time, she stood strong.
"Hmm..so tell me then..." the woman started ominously. "...What would you do?"
"W-what?" Anastacia said, caught completely off guard by this line of questioning.
"Since you believe that it is so easy to simply "Do the right thing.", tell me what would you do if someone tried to kill the Prophet?" the woman asked plainly, earning a look of doubtful fear from the Keeper. "Would you fight to save someone you care for? Or would you let him die to stay true to some imaginary ideal? What would "bravery" be then?"
The Keepers gaze faltered at this. She could think of no response to this questioning. Seeing her hesitation in this manner, the woman pressed forward with her words.
"Pacifism is nice in context, but not so easy when it gets others killed. Others who could have been saved had you chosen to act." the woman explained realistically. "So I ask you again, Keeper. If the Prophets life were in danger and you had the ability to save him...would you kill to protect him?"
"Uh..I..I don't believe-" the keeper started, trying to come up with a rebuttal.
"What matters more to you? His life or the idealistic and innocent man that you see him as?" the woman pressed on with a harsh gaze that seemed to pierce right through Anastacia's body. "What would you do? How far would you go? And more importantly, if you killed someone to protect him, do you think he would be willing to forgive you?"
At this, Anastacia's gaze fell to the ground with the look of fear and sadness on her face.
"That's..not fair." was all she could muster as a response.
"You're not telling me anything I don't already know. But what you fail to understand is that it doesn't matter." the woman said, her tone void of compassion or empathy. "Good, bad, it always comes down to the same Principle. You do what is necessary or those that you wish to protect most will suffer."
"That cannot be all there is.." Anastacia said lowly.
"That's all that matters. You call it bravery, I call it stupidity." the woman responded in almost sad tone. "Either way, if the prophet continues forward as he has now, ignoring the reality of the world and believing that he must chase after every lost soul in Lordran, one day he will end up dead or worse, a hollow, because of it. And whether or not you could have done something to change that fate...that question will haunt you for however long you live afterwards."
Hearing this, the Keeper remain deathly silent. It hurt to think of the man who had saved her for an eternity of isolation would suffer because of her inability to allow him to do what had to be done. But still...her heart did not feel that what the woman spoke of was that path that should be chosen.
"Do you believe him wrong then?" Anastacia asked solemnly.
Not expecting this sort of response, the winged woman was slightly thrown off by this statement.
"What?" she replied in a confused tone.
"Do you believe it wrong for the Prophet to try and save any that he can? That he should he just...stop caring and follow the way of the world?" the keeper asked, actually leaving the woman with no response whatsoever. "There are worse things than dying. For so long, I sat in darkness and I prayed for it. Hoped for it. But now, he has given me something to live for and I do not wish to lose this happiness simply because the world says it must be so. It may be foolish and naïve of me to think so, but I have to hope that there is more to this world than just surviving and doing what is necessary."
With that, the shrine grew silent as both Anastacia and the woman both gazed at one another. Surprisingly enough, the Keeper did not back down or avert her eye's away. She stood firm, despite the fear she was feeling.
It was only when the woman released a small sigh and the whispers of a smile came across her face were any words spoken.
"Unwilling to see the reality of things, speaking nonsense about hope and the like, I can truly see much of the Prophet in you." the woman said. "Tell me, What is thy name, keeper?"
"I-I am Anastacia of Astora." the keeper responded.
Hearing her name, the woman stood up from her seated position and gave a slight bow.
"Well, Anastacia, I must say that it is a pleasure to formally meet you. My name is Velka of Anor Londo and I wish to say that though I disagree with your words, you have my respect for standing by them." Velka said with a bow, before straightening herself once again and sitting back down.
The Goddess would be lying if she said she did not somewhat enjoy seeing the stunned look upon the humans face as she spoke her name. Its seems that they were all aware of who she was. In fact, she could not hold back a proud smile at noticing that the Knight that sat at her side chose to inch himself a little further from her person.
"And I must say that it is somewhat nice to speak to a woman who is willing to fight for something in times such as these." Velka complimented with a smile on her face.
This left Anastacia in somewhat of a bewildered state of mind.
"I am...confused." Anastacia said. "I thought-"
"Do not misinterpret my words. I do not wish for the prophet to discard all that makes him who he is. In fact, his protective nature is what drew me to him in the first place. The only thing I wish for him to understand is that things are not always as simple as choosing what's right or what's wrong and that his choices could potentially cost others their lives." Velka explained honestly. "I don't want to see him suffer because he was reckless."
"You may call it recklessness, but I call it compassion." the Keeper responded, much to the surprise of the merchant and the Crestfallen Knight.
"Dear god, this Keeper is going to get us all killed." the merchant thought in a small panic. "Does she have any idea just who she's talking too like that?."
Almost feeling the distress radiating off of him, Velka turned towards the merchant and saw that he was practically shaking in his boots. The scene was somewhat of an amusing sight for her.
"Heh, heh, my, you two seem to have been quite silent throughout this discussion." Velka said in a curious manner. "Do you not have anything to say on this matter?"
"Wha-? N-No, No, I have nothing to say about anything." the merchant hastily, causing the goddess to give a look that said that was about what she expected him to say.
She then turned towards that man who sat next to her.
"And what of you, Knight?" Velka asked. "Nothing to add as well?"
"I care not what that child chooses to do." the Crestfallen Knight said firmly, yet still holding a trace of unease. "I only wish to remain here in peace. Nothing more."
"Well, if nothing else, at least you're honest." Velka said with just as much calm cheer. "May I ask thy name as well?"
"I have no name." the Knight said. "I am simply a crestfallen man. Nothing more, nothing less."
At hearing this, the goddess went slightly wide eyed, before placing a hand over her mouth as she tried to suppress her giggling, only to end up bursting into loud laughter.
"Pfft, heh, heh, heh...Oh my, that's quiet the mysterious line you have there." Velka laughed, causing the Knight to gain a noticeable tint of red across his face. "Heh, heh, you may want to practice on your delivery though."
"W-Whatever." the Knight said red faced, not sure how he should feel about someone as dangerous as the Goddess of Sin laughing and joking at his side. Though things took on an even more light hearted turn when Anastacia herself smiled and gave a slight chuckle, causing an even deeper hue to quickly fill the solitary males face.
Its was small, but Velka felt that this was most definitely a step in the right direction to calming the tension between her and the humans. She would rather things remain calm and peaceful as she remained here to wait for the Prophet to arrive. Not to mention that she would not mind speaking a bit further with the Keeper, feeling as though she somehow still had a point to prove.
HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!
Don't touch that review button just yet. I have a few things to say to ya.
Firstly, I want to get it across that you guys are going to start seeing for people other than the Prophet, Velka is one terrifying individual to be around. Being someone who's been talk of throughout the entirety of the Dark Souls series, I kind of feel that I haven't show just how far her reputation extends throughout the world just yet. So you'll likely be seeing reaction of fear or deep reverence from other characters who meet her.
Secondly, I want to let you guys know that I'm going to stick to the philosophy that Dark Souls has stood by for so many games, that there is no "Right" answer for how to do things. Whether you link the fire or let it die out, kill and NPC or help them on their journey, its always been up to you to decide whether it was the right or wrong thing to do. So don't expect things to always be black and white.
And lastly, many of you have pointed out to me the Velka and Anastacia seem sort of like polar opposites. I want to say that that is exactly what I was going for with their characters. Anastacia's like the more moral and just side of things, while Velka is not necessarily evil, but more of the realistic and down-to-earth kind of person. And both of them will have a part in molding the Prophet into what he needs to be to move forward.
Also, no one worry, the more comedic dialogue that I know everyone wants will happen when the Prophet makes his appearance. Couldn't really find a way to put it in this chapter without it seeming too forced or awkward. So get ready for dem classic Prophet moments pretty soon.
Alright, that's all there is for this chapter of the story.
Leave a review and tell me what you guys thought of this chapter. As I said, I'm kind of nervous about how I choose to do the interaction in this one. I'm always looking to improve my style of writing, so don't be shy in telling my your honest thoughts about how things are going so far. As always, your opinions will have a huge effect on how this story will play out.
This is Supreme Gamer, Signing out.
P.S. Lots of you guys say you want to see the Reah join the Waifu list. Not gonna lie, the thought of bringing an actual priestess like character into the mix and interacting with the Prophet actually brings a smile to my face.