FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY,FINALLY! I FINALLY FINISHED IT!
Uuuuuuuugh. This chapter to foreveeer. But I finally managed to defeat my arch enemy, the blank word document, and finished this thing. Thank the Fanfic gods.
Now before I let you guys get to the baby, I wanna speak on a few...
Comments that caught my eye
Odin-Okay, so. For starters: I started reading this in 2015 (yes, when you started writing it), and I just binged it all again in two nights. Two. Nights.
That's all it took. And yet, I am desperately looking forward to more (did you know my Gmail updates me on when you update this?). And yeah, I've got some bones to pick with your grammar and occasional punctuation mistakes (let me edit and proof-read for you, m8, I did so professionally and would be ecstatic to have the opportunity to do it for you).
And yet, despite being a total grammar Nazi, I can't pull myself away. I think I might re-read it again. Oscar's storyline is fantastic; the poly-fuckery is intense and doesn't feel forced; Yuria is building a shrine someplace (and maybe building him a statue out of the corpses of his shitlist); Siegmeyer is turning into Kratos (will we ever get a "*bOY*" out of him? ;o;).
Solaire is becoming a god, and slowly but surely NK is going to see him and fanboy over jolly cooperation ("YEAH, YOU PRAISE THAT FUCKING SUN SOLAIRE! WOOOOOO!" *meanwhile, all the other dragons and serpent-kin are throwing sidelong glances at each other and wondering where he was hiding the good stuff).
Anastasia is maturing and gaining confidence, Priscilla is being fondled, and Velka is mustering an army. All of these are examples of flawless character growth (and you cannot stop me from saying that tail-fondling is character growth or you are a heretic and therefore sentenced to a "you can look, but never touch" from Gwynevere).
Mildred should definitely NOT be on anything *near* racey terms with Deus Ex SunCrisis, but the sexual tension is already suitable and fitting. I'd say hold off a few more chapters: keep it genuinely subtle, but let people know the ship is still a potential before actually letting it sail. But him teaching her, actually, shit: GRIGGS trying to teach her would be funny as FUCK. The idea of her breaking this man and leaving him in tears without even knowing how she did it would make my world.
*...Checking what I missed*
Prophet realizing what happened is gonna be the turning point for me. I need Kaylen back to his razor-sharp stupidity, and to execute righteous god-slaying at its finest.
There is so much more that I can't think of that I'm drooling over, and I'm honestly envious of your ability to pump out so much in such a short period of time (been wanting to write a NK-centric story for two years now). But for now, I will say this:
Good. Fucking. Job. I look forward to the next chapter and will wait with bated breath.
See you in the next one, Odin.
My Response- Well hot diggity dog, glad your enjoying the story so far, bro. Always good to hear that I've kept things interesting so far and its definitly always an ego boost to hear someone actually binged this little tale of mine.
And I'd DEFINITLY like to take you up on the offer of editing if your still up for it. (Would have PM'd you, but don't have a dang official profile I can message). But I gotta warn ya, this story's a big one and has already broken the minds of 3 beta readers who also tried to edit it. Enter at your own peril. (Dun, dun, duuuun.)
mihairu7-Hmm, you're stuck between a rock and a hard place. Or jammed between Havel and Anor Londo's rooftop entrance guarded by those obnoxious Silver Knight Archers, just to be technical.
Anyway, my personal decision is to do the Solaire and Mildred insert. A good friend of mine put it to me this way. What's the point of writing a Naruto Shippuden Fanfiction with Naruto being OP with Rinnegan eyes and a harem of babes if you don't slap the readers in the face with the pre-knowledge of HOW it occurred first? Therefore, explaining Solaire and Mildred's relationship in a filler chapter that also exercises character development is much better than just going back to the main event where there could be plot holes you might have overlooked. Will some of your followers shake their heads in exasperation that the focus hasn't been adjusted yet? Definitely. However, will you achieve satisfaction in knowing you haven't left two character's budding romance to swan dive into a familiar pile of WIP's you'll never finish? Yes, indeed.
So: go for the SolaireXMildred chapter.
Besides, it's not like you could just summarise what happened to them in a flashback. That's too much plot to truncate.
As for Priscilla and Seath dynamic...
YES! GO FOR IT! WE WANNA SEE THE CROSSBREED GIVING HER PAPA A SECOND CHANCE ONLY FOR HIM TO SPRAY CRYSTALISED SPIT AT HER FACE AND USE HER IN A OTHER DEVIOUS EXPERIMENT THAT WILL SURELY GO WRONG!
Can you see the dark humor in that type of setting? The irony of the entire father-daughter relationship? The sweet taste of betrayal Seath will no DOUBT execute as soon. as he lays eyes... (well, he's blind...) on her naive form? That's the stuff that embodies Dark Souls, man. Now that you've mentioned it, you HAVE to do it!
...at the same time, don't pressure yourself to go overboard. You can work Priscilla's change of heart toward her father during the main plot whilst her and Kaylen attempt to escape the Painted World. That way you'll have less of an issue wondering where you're going to put it all.
That's my input. Do what you will with it, my guy. Race care and stay safe. Peace.
My Response- Okay, not gonna lie, was fighting with a huuge case of writers block when I first got your review, and I gotta say, your advise was a huuuge help in deciding which way to go with things. (Even if about 70% of PM's I voted and agreed with you.) So big thanks for the advice, my man, and I'll definitely keep it in mind moving forward.
Especially the naruto comparison on things. That should be like a posted motto on the Fanfiction website or something.
VilebloodMonarch (regarding the Dark Souls 2 Lemon chapter)- When life gives you lemons... don't make lemonade! Make life takes the lemons back! Get mad! I don't want your damn lemons, what am I supposed to do with these?
Demand to see life's manager! Make life rue the day it thought it could give Cave Johnson lemons. Do you know who I am? I'm the man who's gonna burn your house down! With the lemons! I'm gonna get my engineers to invent a combustible lemon that burns your house down!
My Response- I don't know why, but I keep coming back to this review and laughing my ass off. I just keep imagining an actual Vileblood from Bloodbourn pissed as all hell throwing lemons at beast and somehow winning.
I might even consider you a friend if you weren't a FILTHY VILEBLOOD THAT WILL BE ERADICATED IN THE NAME OF THE GOOD CHURCH!
But other than that, you seem epic, dude.
Alright, ladies and gents. That's all I have to comment on this time around. Hope you guys enjoy the read.
Warning: Due to Supreme Gamers ongoing conflict against the ghost pirate's loitering in his driveway, this chapter may or may not contain the wailing voices of the damned. Supreme Gamer takes no responsibility for readers who get possessed because you believed the big tittied ghost when she said she loved you. You have been warned.
There was something to be said of the stillness of the little home in the sewer.
It provided a strange sense of seclusion that could not be found among the surface.
The stone was cold, the air was stagnant. Not a single sound intruded upon the stillness around him, leaving the knight with only silence and solitude.
The world is quite here.
Here a lone knight sat, seemingly alone, attempting to gain serenity and peace within himself through prayer. But no matter how long he sat unmoving in meditation, he simply could not obtain the calm that he sought for but a simple reason.
His mind, nay, his very body felt very…anxious. As if knowing, through some sixth sense, that something was lurking just beyond his sight watching him.
This presence muddled his focus. Granting the sensation akin to insects nibbling and crawling across his skin. If the knight were a lesser man, he would have recoiled in fear at such an unsettling sensation.
But Solaire was not a lesser man, and he did not waver in his focus.
Sitting upon the floor and maintaining a perfect sense of calm, he held his talisman in hand as he focused his mind on praying.
He gave thanks to the light for granting him courage and granting protection to the innocent. He prayed for those that had lost their way, that they might turn from their wicked act and choose to be good. But most of all, he prayed for the gods. That they might be well and that he may find the strength to protect as they once did.
"….You pray to those you know do not listen….How lost you must truly be…"
A cacophony of whispers, spoken so softly that they caressed the ears as if meaning to lull him into listening. But they could not have truly been heard, for there was none around him that could have spoken them.
A shadow of his true self? An echo of the lurking dark he'd touched upon? Or maybe it was simply that his mind drifting toward hollowfication, and the whispers were a sign of him going mad.
It was unclear to him whether what he was feeling was any of these things, or perhaps even all of them, but Solaire gave face to the sensations that called out and answered as would befit his honor as a Warrior of the Sun.
"A prayer comes from the heart. It is meant embody the wishes of good within me. Not to beg for favor from the gods above."
"…You may hide behind false hope, but your heart betrays you. So much fear…and Yes, so much anger. Let it pool within you, just as before…Or would you rather…"
Like a current of water seeking to envelop him, Solaire found his thoughts filled with images of blood and turmoil. Though his eyes remain shut, he could almost perfectly see the unmoving corpses of his comrades all around him. Each one pale and rigid, painting the picture of a death filled with pain.
But still he did his best to maintain himself despite the grim image.
"I may falter, I may even fail, but I will never succumb to my despair or rage again. I know what you truly are. You are not corruption, nor evil. You are that which dwells with me. You too are my prayers. The dark that undeniably shadows the light."
"….And yet you wield neither. Nothing more than rat in the sewers. Blindly grasping amidst the air, knowing you have nothing but wishful thinking….A fool searching for his sun."
His brow furrows as he suddenly feels as if someone was hovering over his shoulder, whispering in his ear.
"What happens when they die because of your weakness? You'll have to face the darkness alone and faithless. Is that what it must come too? Will it take the deaths of each and every one of them for you to act?"
The shadows of the sewer tunnels inch closer and closer to his person. Encircling his form as if meaning to swallow him whole.
"You are right. There is no corruption here. Only strength. You feel it waiting your call. All you need do is let-"
"RRRAAAAAH!"
Suddenly a very feminine roar erupt through the sewer passages and a pair of footsteps could be heard running towards the Sunlight Warrior's kneeling form. Soon enough, Solaire felt a heavy weight fall over him as a pair of arms wrapped around his shoulders.
"RAH! GAH! NAH!" Mildred roared incessantly at the retreating darkness around them both. She even went so far as to try and kick at the shadows, to the obvious effect of her attacks not being able to actually do anything. But seeing them clearly running away from them was more than enough to tell her that she'd done a superb job in scaring them off.
Such was the thinking for young Mildred, who had left Solaire alone for but a few minutes before he got himself into trouble again.
To her, the creeping shadows that came and went were apart of some kind of unseen monster that was trying to kill Solaire. Seeing him sitting down in front of it with his head lowered, Mildred assumed that he simply was too stupid or too scared to show it who's boss.
It was a good thing for him that Mildred wasn't scared of the dark one bit.
Once she was sure that the shadow beast had backed off, the half-naked woman was quick to turn her attention back to the seated man.
"No more afraid. Mildred scare away. Protect Sahler." She exclaimed, embraced the knight in a calming manner.
"No, I wasn't afraid, Mildred. I was…well…it's difficult to put into words exactly what I was doing, but I assure you I was not afraid." Solaire explained, seemingly unbothered at her holding him.
"Liar. Monster almost kill Shaler. But gone now." She said with a nod of her as she snuggled the knight as if he was a puppy that had been startled by lightning.
Hearing her words and genuine concern, the knight could not stop an endearing smirk from forming on his lips.
She thinks she protected him from some unseen beast.
Well, to be fair, it probably wasn't too far off from the reality of things. In truth, not even Solaire himself could say if what he was doing wasn't providing a means for some dark force to consume him.
It wasn't as if these matters came with clear guidance or instruction. He was more or less just following his gut on things.
"I appreciate the concern, but It's not a monster, Mildred. That darkness is a part of me. It is somehow connected to my…vices, I think. My fear, anger and desires. It is something that I am trying to learn to understand, alongside trying to regain my faith in the light. Though I am finding the task somewhat of a trial by fire. Instead of placing faith in the gods and reciting their tales of old as with the miracles of light, the dark feels more impulsive and alive. It's almost as if-" Solaire's words caught in his throat as he remembers just who he was talking too. "Uh...forgive me, Mildred. I understand this might all be a bit confusing to hear."
At this, the woman at his back tilted her head and raised an eyebrow at his words, before giving a roll of her eyes as she responded.
"Sahler not smart. If monster is you and you Is monster, then why think so much? Not need faith or gods." Mildred exclaimed as if her words were the most obvious thing in the world, causing the knight to perk up in surprise a bit. "Spirit all about flow. If Sahler let go and know self, then can leave body to flow and monster not be able to bother Sahler."
At hearing this, Solaire's mind came to a screeching halt. Almost as the cogs in his brain needed an extra bit of time to confirm that Mildred of all people had said them.
"Wait…What did you just say?" the knight said with clear surprise in his tone, only for Mildred to absentmindedly lean further down into him to snuggle closer into his muscular frame.
"Mm~. Hard to feel with metal head on." She said as she attempted to rub her cheek against his.
"Wait a moment, one more time, say what you just said again. About spirit and flow."
"Mhm. First hug without metal head. Then talk." Mildred said plainly, not shying away from making her demands known.
Giving only a few moments pause, Solaire did as she requested and reached both hand to the sides of his helmet before removing it from its perchance. What lie beneath was head of blonde hair that brought memories of golden wheat fields to one's mind and a face that, judging from the way Mildred was practically drooling at the sight of it, was quite appealing to the eye.
Not giving a single care to boundaries or personal space, Mildred made a conscious effort to snuggle her body and breast against Solaire's person as she lovingly planted a kiss squarely upon his cheek.
"Heh, you're not one to second guess yourself, huh?" Solaire chuckled brightly at her affection, finding her forwardness somewhat of an endearing quality.
"Like holding close. Sahler like close with Mildred?" the young woman questioned curiously, feeling as if she adequately had set the mood enough for things.
"Well, I suppose I am not exactly against it. You certainly have your own unique charm, that's for certain." Solaire complemented politely, not thrown off in the slightest by such questions. "Now that we're a bit more comfortable, would you mind speaking more on things? What was that bit about spirit? How is it you know such things?"
"Mildred know lots. Saw others fighting big lizard monsters flying in sky. Found burned man after. Make him tell Mildred and family how to do big spark. Man tells many things, but try to trick us later, so got rid of man." The wild woman said proudly, seemingly pleased with herself at remembering that particular event.
"You saw others fighting flying lizards? Hm…there's a great red drake circling this township. Is that what you saw the people fighting?" Solaire questioned curiously, purposefully ignoring what she said about the man's fate.
"No. Other lizards mu~ch bigger than red one. Bigger and stronger than everything. People have to throw lots of big sparks to kill."
"Big sparks…Do you mean lightning? You saw a great deal of people fighting and dying trying to kill a large beast with lighting?…Wait…" Solaire said as a thought began to snake its way into his mind. "Mildred, has this place always been your home?"
"Nah-uh. Old home gone. Was there before, but woke up here. Made new home."
"You came of no will of your own?" Solaire questioned deftly as he had a sudden realization about the woman at his back. But he wanted to be sure. "And your old home with the big lizards, were there great tree's there with the fighting? One's big enough that the lizards could live in?"
"Uh-huh. Trees everywhere. Never go near or lizards burn you. Old home safe in dark." Mildred informed, making sure to emphasize the danger of messing with the beast.
Hearing this, Solaire had all but confirmed his thoughts on things.
She didn't seem to realize the significance of it, but Mildred was there. In the age of the grey, during Gwyn's war against the dragons. If her story was to be believed, she'd seen a few of the beast be struck down by the old lords, or at least one of his knights, lightning. When the fighting was over, she and her allies scavenged for injured survivors.
He didn't need to guess what had likely happened to the people they'd captured in the end.
If his thinking truly was the reality of things, then it would certainly explain why Mildred was the way that she is. Her savagery and barbarity are the product of an era that had long since faded. One where the strong would likely regularly devour the weak, be they human or otherwise.
"I see. The flow of time itself is convoluted, with individuals' centuries old phasing in and out. With the fading flame the very fabric wavers, and relations shift and obscure. There's no telling how much longer your being and my own will even remain in the here and now. Truly, these are troubling times." Solaire mused aloud, somewhat concerned with yet another reminder of how far on the brink the world is. Though Mildred was quick to tune him out once the word "Convoluted" escaped his lips. Only returning one she was directly addressed. "Mildred, could you tell me more of what the man told you? If what little you've already spoken is anything to go by, It could be the key to me understanding the truth of thing. So any teachings or thoughts you might share would be greatly welcomed."
At this, Mildred sighed a bit internally. Feeling as if they were getting a little too sidetracked with talking about trees or lizards. Personally, she was far more focused on getting a great deal more physical with this hunk of muscle.
With the idea of getting him thinking along those sorts of lines, Mildred paused for a few moments in contemplation before an idea sprang into her mind. One that caused an impish smirk to appear upon her lips.
"Right. Tell all teachings. But Sahler have to listen to Mildred. No matter what." She exclaimed devilishly.
"Of course. You need but speak your instruction and I will follow them to the letter."
Not hesitating for a single moment, Mildred giggled to herself lightly as she give one last feel of the knights brawny physic, before promptly circling around his person and placing herself in his lap without a single hint of embarrassment to be had.
"Hm…" Solaire question as she placed her arms around his shoulders. "Are you certain this-"
"Shh. Mildred teach. Show Sahler lots." the wild woman interrupted with a smile on her face as she brought herself closer to the knight.
Lower Undead Burg
Amidst the ruin of a crumbling township, two not very impressive clerics were currently making their way forward.
"I just want to make sure he's handling himself alright and is maintaining his humanity. Seeing a friendly face can be a great help in improving one's mood and disposition." Reah said plainly with her head held high as she guided her friend down the intended path through the township.
"Uh-huh. And that's all you're interested in seeing him about?" Vince questioned openly.
"I sincerely hope you're not implying I have anything more than professional concern for Solaire, Vince. My spirit and body belong to my faith as you well know. So do not think to insult me by suggesting that I would be swayed by any such impure thoughts and forsake my vows." Reah said as she placed her hands behind her back and turned her nose up at such suggestions.
"Uh…Reah, I was talking about asking him to join our covenant since I remember him being a very large and capable looking man." Vince replied with a raised eyebrow. "What's all this about impure thoughts?"
"S-Stay focused. This area may have been cleared out before, but that is no reason to let our guards down. We've come far in teamwork as of late, so let us not slack in our vigilance." The cleric said off handedly as she continued to move forward at a bit more of a hurried pace.
Knowing she was right and not wanting to get caught off guard, Vince did his best too brush off her words as nothing and kept his eye's peel on the buildings around him. Taking quick note that of all the open doors and run-down windows, each building looked to have been looted of everything that isn't nailed down.
Unsurprisingly, the two made it to the entrance of the sewer without any trouble being encountered and made their way through the passage after taking a few more breaths of fresh air. Traveling down mold covered stairs into the waiting embrace of the shadows, it took two but a handful of minutes to make their way deeper within the rancid lower kingdom.
It wasn't long after they'd made their way inside did the two begin to hear voices not far from them. Though they couldn't quite make out what was said exactly, Reah recognized one of them as Solaire's and picked up her pace to more quickly greet him.
"Just a friendly visit. Nothing to overthink. I saved both of their lives, so it only makes sense to wish to speak to him once more and see how he's doing. We're both undead and allies are few and far in between. If anything-"
"WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?!" Reah suddenly shouted aloud as both she and Vince finally reach a low enough level that they arrived at the makeshift Kitchen, only to see Mildred mounted atop Solaire in a clearly inappropriate and sexual manner.
"Oh, hello there. It's been quite some time, Reah." Solaire greeted politely with a smile and a wave, while Mildred turned with a look of surprised towards the intruding clerics. A look that was quick to turn to one of clear vexation and annoyance.
"O-Oh…I see. So this is why he decided to stay down here?" Vince said as he stared on at the flattering angle of Mildred's, frankly, well-endowed and appealing body. "She certainly has…uh…admirable traits."
"Vince, would you mind learning some self-control and stop leering?!" Reah reprimanded with a glare, causing her friend to suddenly find the sewer walls very interesting to look at all of a sudden. She then proceeded further inward until she was standing directly into the kitchen with the two individuals in question with an even more displeased look in her eyes.
"Now I know how this looks, but I assure you there is a good explanation for this position. Mildred was-Mph."
"Tch." Mildred scoffed as she, much to his surprise, pulled Solaire's into her bosom and returned Reah look with just as much displease on her face. As if to wordlessly tell "You're too late, he's mine."
"I can't believe you would succumb to such vulgar desires, Solaire. Was it so difficult to simply maintain yourself after only a brief time alone? You are supposed to be a man of honor and faith. And Mildred, such acts are reserved only after one has taken their vows of marriage with a man." Reah lectured pointedly as she looked back and forth at both of them respectively. "It's indecent and obscene to just lay with someone beforehand. What of your maidenhood? And what would your children think, hm?"
"Hmph. Reah just jealous! Want Sahler for self!" Mildred countered with just as much zeal and fervor.
"Wha-? I'm not jealous! I'm simply looking out for Solaire's best interest! It's called being an upstanding friend!" Reah replied at the accusation directed at her, causing the two of them to stare one another down for a moment with neither backtracking in their stances.
Feeling that things were perhaps taking a turn for the worse, Solaire that moment to pull away from Mildred's hold and interject into the conversation.
"Okay, okay, let's all relax a bit. There's no need for any of us to get upset with one another. Upsy daisy, Mildred." Solaire said as he easily lifted the mounted woman up by her thighs despite her superior position, before standing to his feet and setting her down respectfully.
"Wha-? But.…" Was all Mildred could think to say at the monumental disappointment that fell over his thought.
"Now, Reah, I understand the confusion you may hold, but I assure you things are not as they appear. I asked Mildred to help guide me in the ways of spirit and faith. So what she was doing was actually-" Solaire stopped mid-sentence as he noticed something about the cleric before him. "Are you alright? Your face quite red."
"Y-Yes, I am perfectly fine." Reah said, having to compose a great deal of willpower to tear her eye's away from the robust show of strength Solaire had displayed. A very small thought sneaking into the back of her mind wondering if she harbored an attraction to bigger men.
"How about you show some self-control and stop leering, Reah." Vince chimed in with a smirk, turning her previous words back on her.
"S-Shut up, Vince." Reah replied with a glare to her childhood friend, before returning to the matter at hand. "And Solaire, if you were having concerns regarding your faith, you should have called upon me first. I am a dedicated cleric of the church and would be more than happy to help renew your beliefs. And the first thing I can tell you that you shouldn't do is to simply give in to whatever impulses or desires of the flesh that you happen to feel towards someone. That's just nonsense."
"Well…as strange as this may sound, I am not only trying to reaffirm my personal belief in the light, but I am seeking to understand a force of a different variety. That of the dark." Solaire explained as best he could.
At hearing these words, Reah looked to the knight as if he had just proclaimed himself king of underpants gnomes.
"By the gods, you need my help more than I thought." Reah said deftly, before smacking herself twice on her cheeks to gather her thoughts and speaking with the tone of a stern parental figure. "Okay, you're not going to be left here with such ridiculous thoughts running around your head. Sit down, Solaire. You're going back to the basics of things."
"But you don't understand, It's not as crazy as it-" the knight started.
"Sit. Down." Reah interrupted firmly as she directs a look that said she meant it towards him.
Seeing that she wasn't exactly planning to take no for an answer, Solaire hesitated for a few moments before ultimately doing as she requested and took a seat at the large dinner table within the kitchen. Leaving Mildred very confused as to why he was doing what Reah said, considering he was far stronger than she was.
"I thought you said this would be a brief check in. We still haven't gathered much humanity in our hunts. Shouldn't we get back to that?"
"We have time to spare. The rats and hollows will always return and be waiting for us. Besides we have a duty to perform first and foremost. It would be unforgivable to abandon those who clearly need assistance, especially our allies who are falling along the wrong path." Reah said without a hint of hesitation in her tone, though Vince didn't buy such an excuse for a second. "Mildred, you may stay and learn as well or leave at your pleasure. I care not which."
At this, Mildred blinked twice with a dumbfounded look on her face. This was her and Solaire's home. Who did Reah think she was to just come here and talk to her like that? If anything, she should crush this little twig for even thinking of-.
"We will start with the first verse of the holy scriptures. *Ahem* "And Lo, did Lord Gwyn speak, blessed is the man who doth not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the great lords law; and on his law doth he meditates day and night." Now many take this phrase for granted simply because it can simply be taken at face value, but I tell you now that is one of the most paramount. That's right. Of the 23,145 Verses, the very first is to be seen as the most important. It teaches understanding of one's place and knowing that true joy lies within the glory of the light. With that understood, we may move on to the rest."
Before Mildred could voice her displeasure and outrage, Reah had already begun her spiel. And, by all that was holy, was it the most dull and boring thing to have ever reached the cannibals ears. So much so that when she continued on about "The glory of the light" or "The words of the lord", Mildred simply felt her outrage deflate within her. As if the sheer disinterest at what the cleric was talking about seemingly outweighed her anger.
With that, Reah just went on and on about "great light" this or "Lord Gwyn" that. Just talking and talking. Until eventually, Mildred just decided to take a seat next to Solaire, before dropping her head down on the table with clear annoyance in her demeanor.
After about fifteen straight minutes of Verse upon Verse leaving the clerics lips, Mildred ended up being lulled right to sleep. After another five more, Vince somewhat grew tired of listening to the small sermon and decided to go fight to gather more humanity for a time. He wouldn't be gone long and from what he's seen and heard about Solaire, Reah would be fine without him for a bit.
As for the Sunlight Warrior himself, he didn't seem to mind listening to the clerics words despite the time that passed them by.
Being a formerly devout worshipper of the sun, he already knew every line of scripture she was telling him by heart. But the passion with which she spoke them was quite refreshing to hear. Despite what she'd been through personally, Reah was still a true believer in the gods and their intentions for humankind.
A small part of him believed that it was only right that he reveals the truth of things to her about the gods' true actions. But Solaire quickly buried such thoughts. Who was he to crush the hope she held in her heart?
If anything, maybe talking with her could be exactly what he needed.
"And Lo did Lord Gwyn proclaim, many are the afflictions of the righteous. But to trust and have faith in me is to be delivered out of them all. And-"
""And let those who are righteous of body and mind, know prosperity and peace in the bosom of the light."" Solaire finished with a chuckle and a small smile on his face. "Heh, a personal favorite, that one. Always kept it close to heart."
"How very amusing. That one's my favorite as well." Reah exclaimed with a smile of her own, quickly taking note that Mildred was asleep. "What a very strange coincidence."
"Truly, after everything that's happened, I'm starting to believe there are no such things as coincidences these days." The knight replied.
"Indeed. I feel much the same. After all, what are the odds that all that has happened was mere chance?" Reah said with her head held high as such a prospect. "Perhaps we are meant to bring our covenants to together to aid in spreading hope to others. Or it could be that we are simply meant to help one another in times of doubt. Either way, I find myself quite agreeable to both prospects when concerning an upstanding warrior such as yourself."
At this, Solaire could not help but feel bit of embarrassment at being praised in such a manner.
"You really are fond of chatting with me, aren't you? If I didn't know better, I'd think you had feelings for me. Oh, no, dear me. Pretend you didn't hear that! Hah hah hah!" the Sunlight Warrior laughed heartily.
At this, Reah noticeably perked up in surprise as her face took on a somewhat pinker hue. Though instead of shying away from such talk, the young cleric turned her gaze off to the side and attempted to responded in a tone that was a jovial as Solaire's own.
"Well, it's funny you would say such a thing. For you seem quite fond of chatting with me as well. Unless I am mistaken, I'd think you were attempting to show me favor beyond that of friendship, Solaire." She replied casually, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. The somewhat flirtatious manner of her wording not lost on her in the slightest.
"Hm. Well, if I am to speak honestly, I suppose to be with a woman such as you would make me a very lucky man. You've a strong will, strong faith and, most importantly, a strong heart. I'm in awe really." The knight admitted openly as he stood to his feet and made his way around the table, causing Reah to go wide eyed as her heart felt like it was about to beat out of his chest. "Which is why I think it's a good thing you've come here. There are certain things I would like to discuss with you. Things I believe may help me understand more of what I must do next. Only if it would please you, of course."
He approached until his large form towered over her own. Reah floundered for a moment at the implication of what he was saying, not at all expecting such directness.
Despite her words of maidenhood from earlier, the cleric did not outright rebuke such advances as one might have expected. Fidgeting in place, she cast her gaze over towards Mildred for but a brief moment to ensure she was still asleep, before responding in a somewhat flustered manner.
"W-Well, Solaire….I believe I have an inkling of the "things" you are referring to. I hear your feelings and they truly have reached me, but I tell you now that we two must be above our worldly temptations and passions." Reah exclaimed with more than a bit of embarrassment, unable to look the knight directly in the eye as she spoke her words.
"Must we? Tell me, Reah, what are we if not our passions? I believe that very question is the root of the turmoil I feel." Solaire questioned fervently as he gazed down at the sheepish cleric. "I wish to serve the light and follow the path of righteousness, but of late, I feel a call to darker urges. One's that I have never known before. They are not evil or wicked in their nature. They are apart of who I am. Yet still I am hesitant to truly accept them because of what I know of the light. So as you are one who are so devout and firm in faith, I ask you, how do you believe I should confront such feelings without succumbing to them?"
At this, Reah placed both of her hands to her heart in surprise as the knights' words reach her.
Was this truly how he felt towards her? His desire for her person so strong that he would refer to it as "dark urges" that must be suppressed? Was it because she'd heal him before and saved his life that he'd grown such an attraction?
To be perfectly honest, Reah had never been confessed to in such an honest and forward manner, nor did she consider herself so physically appealing that she would prompt such desires from men.
But what of Mildred then? There was no possible way the two of them felt nothing for one another. She didn't take Solaire for the type to manipulate a woman for solely her body. Did he seek to be with both of them then? Is that why he believed his urges so impure?
Reah's thoughts were running a thousand miles a minute trying to make sense of Solaire's intentions and each conclusion she came to was only more scandalous than the last.
As she thought things through and the seconds passed, she found that the knight still gazed down upon her expectantly. Patiently waiting for her answer and seemingly none too ashamed about what he'd said.
At his silence and resolve, Reah hesitated for a few moments, even finding herself squirming in place before such boldness, but eventually her thoughts settled on a response to it all. So focused was she on seeing it through, that she did not notice Mildred begin to stir from her slumber.
Stepping forward a bit and placing a hand upon the knight's shoulder, Reah gently pulled at his powerful frame in silent suggestion that Solaire lean a bit further down to her level, of which he complied with a bit of curiosity in his eyes.
However, that curiosity quickly turned to surprise as Reah raised herself up and graced him with a lingering, soft kiss on his lips.
"Wha-?! HEY!" Mildred cried out as she eliminated any trace of grogginess from her body to stand in shock at what she was seeing.
Completely ignoring the words from the peanut gallery, Reah was stunned—at herself, at the amber flickering overpowering her consciousness, at the enticing flavor of the foreign lips she found herself transfixed by.
Immoral. This was immoral, inappropriate and she should be ashamed for indulging in such an act before proper courtship. Lustful desire was not supposed to dictate over faith, but then again, she was doing this to prove a point and help the knight before her. There was a little inner fight as she felt their breaths mingle. No room for words, yet she wondered why he appeared so genuinely shocked by her actions.
She chalked it up to him not expecting such a forward action from a woman of the church such as her.
Pulling back so as to not suggest things be taken farther than she intended, the cleric spoke once more after taking a few moments to truly take in her actions.
"We are only human, Solaire." Reah said softly, still feeling the sensation of her first kiss across her lips. "I believe you've made the mistake of getting into your own head. Holding yourself to an impossible mold of perfection and understanding. I think the more appropriate thing you should try and accept is that you know not of anything, Solaire. From there, it will easily become clear just how you may come to accept your more impure impulses."
Solaire heard her words, but somewhat found himself in somewhat of a stunned silence as it occurred to him that they may have been concerned with two entirely different topics.
When he spoke of urges and passions, he was genuinely speaking on matters of his faith and how to regain it once more. He'd thought that with her being a cleric, she could more confidently advise him on what to do. In hindsight, what with him not exactly explaining the specifics of things, his words might have come off as a bit more carnal than he'd intended.
However, as her words rolled through his mind, there was something in her advice that seemed to make sense for his predicament. However, before he could think things over for more than a handful of seconds…
"Grrr, Reah!" Mildred said as she stomped toward the two and none too gently chest bumped the cleric back from Solaire, before eyeing her down in a heated fashion.
For her part, Reah admittedly held her ground as she a smug smile crossed her lips.
"Knew it! Knew Reah after Sahler! Mildred here first!
"Honestly, Mildred, I was only aiding Solaire with his dilemma. Jealousy should not become you." Reah said with a bit of self-satisfaction in her tone.
To be perfectly honest, Mildred's first inclination at hearing this was to pounce on the home wrecker and gouge out her eye's, but she quickly denied such actions on the grounds that Solaire wouldn't like it if she did that. And so, she merely stood in place in a bit of a glare in her eyes as she thought things over.
"Goodness, there's no reason to blow things out of proportion. A minor show of affection such as that is not so strange or outrageous. Look…"
Was all Reah said before she stepped forward and placed her hands upon Mildred's shoulders. She then proceeded to place very formal, light kiss upon each of the young woman's cheeks. Aiming to give a small sense of familiarity and friendship between them.
However, Mildred seemed to take it a different way entirely as soon as Reah pulled back, she was left wide eyed and mouth agape in disbelief. As if she had just been delivered the greatest insult of her life.
"See? It's not all that-"
SMACK
Reah's words were stopped dead as Mildred took hold of both sides of her face and did something that would forever stay with the cleric for the rest of her days.
For you see, rather than take Reah's minor pecks to the cheek as a casual way to show that the small moment of affection she shared with Solaire did not mean things were set in stone or too serious between them, Mildred took it as a direct means of Reah asserting herself over her. A power move to demean her in front of Solaire.
So, not at all willing to let herself be intimidated or pushed around so blatantly, Mildred retaliated in kind and showed dominance.
Looking the cleric directly in the eye with an unspoken insult and anger written across her features, Mildred brought their lips together and kissed the holy woman right out of Reah's body.
Unlike the moment she had with Solaire, this kiss felt far more savage and raw in its make.
For a long time, Mildred held the cleric close to make sure she got her point firmly across, with Reah completely frozen in place as her eye's nearly bulged out of the sockets. Until finally, after pressing herself in a bit further for a single moment more, Mildred pulled her lips away with a wet smack that echoed through the kitchen.
"Ah…A-Ah…" Reah mumbled as her mouth hung open and the deep mortification of what just happened continued to mount within her.
"Hmph." Mildred said as she turned her nose up at the cleric, as if to say, "Your move, chump."
"Wow…This has certainly been an odd day." Solaire said as he scratched the back of his head and looked on at the two. Only for Reah to move toward the fireplace off to the side of the room, lower herself to her knees and finally clasp her hands together as she bowed her head and began praying.
"Oh great and wise lord Gwyn, please help guide this lost sheep who knows not what she does. And please grant me the strength to see past her depravity and wicked nature…." The cleric said lowly.
"Yeah! Weak dung! Stay down! Mess with Mildred, Mildred mess with you!" The former cannibal proclaimed aloud as she raises both of her hands at her side as would a gladiator finding easy victory in an arena.
"…She is of a simple mind and so I ask that her spirit be shown leniency. For forgiveness and kindness is your way…"
"Heh, Reah need lean-cee more. That's why Mildred better that Reah."
"…and one day, may I find it within me to ignore her indelible actions."
Hearing the two women go back and forth like this, and firmly accepting that the situation has reached a point that there wasn't much he could do to change thing, Solaire looked to the both of them as he spoke his next words.
"Right then...perhaps a brief interim is in order for all of us." The Knight said as his gaze swept across the room, landing upon a multitude of sacks and barrels. Each one containing a multitude of different spices and ingredients, likely looted from the township above. "Hm. Maybe a stew would be nice?"
With that simple declaration, Solaire simply turned away and bean rummaging through the different containers, leaving the two women to bicker as he did so. With one openly claiming her superiority and strength, while the other continued to recite prayers with mild insults mixed within them.
All in all, nothing was truly gained that day. Beyond a bit of company and a few unexpected surprises.
WAAAAIT! JUST WAIT A GOSH DANG MINTUE, I GOT SOMETHING TO SAY BEFORE YOU REVIEW!
Okay, firstly, I want to say that this chapter was a goddamn pain in the ass. Not only because I had a limited number of angles to work with considering I only had the Gaping dragon die as Reah and the gang came to grab Solaire, thus forcing me to confine his story primarily to the sewers and not upper blighttown.
But not only that, I also didn't have enough goddang character material to work with initially. The adorable cannibal angle Mildred held initially could only go on for so long before it became repetitive and bland. So I took my shot at giving her a bit of an expanded backstory. Considering there seems to be an iteration of a butcher cannibal all across Dark Souls cannon, I thought it might not be so strange to have her being from the by-gone Age of Acients to not be so far fetched considering the state of time in Lordran being wonky at the moment.
Not to mention, I had to find an angle to work with for Solaire, considering his problem is basically ENTIERLY IN HIS OWN HEAD. Considering that the old Sunlight bro never held any real "legendary" miracles, it can be assumed he got through all of Lordran, From Anor Londo to the Demon Ruins, through nothing more than his own pure skill. Him learning miracles is a great bonus to his arsenal, but as far as I can tell, Solaire is already reasonably capable of matching gods and demons to a fair degree with his own power and skill. So anything he needs to learn would likely be more primarily spiritual than any of the others like Oscar or Kaylen.
Secondly, I will admit, I kinda hit a huge writers block wall on what to do this chapter. Until I suddenly came to the realization of why that was.
I was waaaay too focused on trying to condense Solaire's entire journey down to one chapter. When I should have been just trying to take my time and not rush things for the sake of getting back to the main plot.
So I will fully admit that I basically said "Screw it, all idea's are good idea's." Mildred being from the Age of ancients? Fine! Reah getting a bit hot and bothered on the down low for Solaire while unknowingly giving him a decent hint to Dark Miracles? Throw it in! Mildred making out with Reah as a show of dominance? Why wasn't that in there already?!
And lastly, if you guys have any idea's on what you think Solaire actually unlocked Dark abilities should be, feel free to let me know. I'm thinking along the line of having two to represent both his light and dark side. Like, Great lightning spear for his renewed faith in the light and maybe a "Dark body" enhancer sort of ability to emphasize a realized "Dreaded Dark Lord" vibe. But those are just rough draft idea's for now.
Welp, that's all I got to say this time around, dear readers.
As always, feel free to leave a review and tell me what you guys thought about this chapter of the story. Did the smooching come off as a bit much? Was Reah indulging a bit in her own affections a little to out of left field for her character? Should Mildred have come off as a little more primitive and less reasonable?
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. Alright, just in case anyone though of doing so, no one made a "Go to horny jail" joke about Mildred or Reah. It is the end of the world. So if there was ever a time to try and get laid, its then.
P.P.S. Seriously, I get that using Dark Miracles is basically learning to use the humanity within you as a weapon, but why is there barely any goddang specifics on what that actually means anywhere? Damn you and your vague storytelling, Miyazaki!