OH MY GOD, I'VE FINALLY DONE IT!
Holy hell, guys, it's been WAAAAY to long since I've updated the story. Been super busy getting my ass handed to me in a lot of the new games that just came out this year, LOOKING AT YOU ELDEN RING, that I seriously put this off for far too long.
But I finally finished the next chapter and hot damn, am I proud of this rollercoaster of a emotions. Now I can finally get on with beating Elden Ring and the crap ton of other new games!
Also, it blew my mind how many of you caught the Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood scene I utilized in the last chapter. (Nerds!) And here I was thinking that no one would catch that reference.
Also, also, I'm really glad everyone enjoyed Solaire enlightenment to the dark. Especially the INSANE amount of you guy that think Solaire should have blue lightning like Gael did. Honestly, the reviews all around were incredibly motivating. So thanks for that, guys!
Hope you guys all enjoy the latest chapter of the story!
Warning: Per one "Godrick the Grafted", this story is not meant for any lowly Tarnished, playing as a lord! As such, any Tarnished caught reading any further shall be subject to an invasion from one; "Margit, the fell Omen", who will proceed beat the casual out of you. You have been warned.
After Reah had explained the situation in full to both the Solaire and the woman that traveled with him, there wasn't much talk as the group made their way out of the sewers and returned topside.
However, each one of them instinctively felt that something was different with the Sunlight Warrior that traveled with them. Though they couldn't quite put their finger on what it was that had changed.
On the outside, Solaire appeared perfectly normal and his movements were as relaxed as ever….which frankly was something of an odd picture with the half-naked Mildred walking directly at his side with a bright eyed look of happiness in her eye's and a giant meat cleaver caked in dried blood on her shoulder.
Eventually, Reah pushed aside the goosebumps she felt and spoke up at last.
"So how much did you know from the start, Solaire?" she questioned as he made her way to the opposite side of the knight Mildred traveled.
"You may have to be a bit more specific. How much did I know about what exactly?" Solaire responded plainly. Understanding that this conversation was coming eventually, but reflexively putting it off just a bit longer.
"You know what I'm talking about. The Flame fading, the true nature of the curse, the gods fleeing in fear and leaving us to our fate. Were you ever to tell me of any of this?" Reah questioned with clear dissatisfaction in her tone.
"I would not dare to think to let such knowledge spread, especially to someone of faith and who I care for. Just as the Prophet himself feared doing so." Solaire explained as best he could. "Even if you did choose to believe me, there was too great a risk that you would succumb to the undead curse and become hollow from knowing the truth. It was better I said nothing."
"So you would have been fine just continuing to lie to me then and feeding into my fantasies? To just continue feigning belief and denying me the chance to aid you in this burden?" Reah said as she turned her gaze off to the side a bit as a somewhat hurt came across her blue eyes. "I understand your reasoning, I just…believed we were closer than that. That secrets were the last thing I had to concern myself with from you."
Hearing this, Solaire moved a bit closer placed a gentle hand upon Reah's shoulder in a caring manner as he spoke his next words.
"And it is. There is no need to think otherwise, for I am no fiend seeking to mislead or use you, Reah. My intention was to protect you for the worst. The burden of the truth of things was not yours to carry." The knight said calmly, he himself not at all a fan of deception nor lies yet knowing that he was left with little choice at the time.
Though his words were meant to reassure the cleric, in truth they only served to further irk her.
"Is that it then? It is simply better that I was to remain blissfully ignorant while you suffer the truth? Let the world and all those that walk it, all the things we've made with one another just rot away within darkness? No…No, you should have told me. Trusted that I was strong enough to be there and actually help you do something to fix-"
"Reah…" Mildred interrupted in a dry tone as she made her way around Solaire and at the clerics side with a look of displeasure and annoyance written across on her face.
"What is it, Mildred? Did you too know what was going on or-GAH!"
Reah's words were quickly halted as Mildred wrapped her free arm around her body and pulled the cleric close with minimal effort. Easily able to hold her head in place against her breast with ease while continuing to walk forward.
"H-Hey! Let me go!" Reah said as she struggled a bit, but was dragged along, nonetheless.
"Shut up. Reah weak and always need help with everything, but only ever talk, talk and complain. Blah blah, gods, blah blue, faith. Well, now Mildred talk." The large woman said with complete and total disregard for Reah's fidgeting and objections. "Reah want blame Sahler. Well, Mildred blame Reah. Too small, too weak. Can't hunt or do anything alone without strong others. That's why Sahler try protect, stupid."
"Don't you think I realize that? I understand his intentions, Mildred. But being lied too still hurts. Do you not understand that that's not how things should be between us?" Reah said as she somewhat accepted that she couldn't break free and did her best to walk in tandem with the woman holding her.
"Ugh, still complain and whine. If Sahler not tell truth, had good reason. Think, Reah, think." Mildred said with a sigh, as if she was talking to a very simple-minded child.
"…Do you even know what we're talking about or where we're going?" Reah questioned with clear annoyance at the rude way she was being addressed.
"Duh. Talk about gods and something-something-something. Not matter. If Sahler go place and fight, Mildred go fight too. Praise sun!"
"The "Something-something-something"? Mildred, this is serious! You need to pay attention to these things. It's a matter of life and death." Reah reprimanded despite her position of being held. "I'll explain this carefully. We're-"
"I'Ll eXpLaIn tHiS CaReFuLlY."
"Mildred, this is serious."
"MiLdRED, dis is sEriouS."
"You're being so childish right now!"
Looking at the two interact in such a familiar way, Vince as well as the Crestfallen Knight couldn't imagine a more out of place scene amidst the turmoil they were all now aware of. Despite the two being near polar opposites, the behaved as if they were as if they were as familiar as siblings.
"Uh, what sort of sorcery did you cast to make this happen?" Vince asked Solaire as he watched the two women bicker with a raised eyebrow.
"Heh, I've truthfully done nothing. It was a rocky start, but this is just how they've come to communicate with one another." Solaire explained simply. "Honestly, I this it's quite appealing. When the two of them come together, I can scarcely imagine ever being concerned or upset about anything."
Not even five minutes later
Everyone around her was just so inconsiderate and selfish….well accept Anastacia. She was performing her duties perfectly and then some.
But everyone else? It vexed Yuria to no end the ludicrous stunts they try to pull.
First Siegmeyer, like the complete idiot he is, gets stuck within the Darkroot Garden due to Alvina's tricks. So, that means he's basically been walking in circles this entire time accomplishing nothing of worth to her master. And Dusk is no better. Staying here in the past as if she's anything more than dead weight. If her lord didn't wish her to live, she would be cast aside in a heartbeat and perhaps given a few smacks for not knowing her place. Seriously, how does one fail at waiting to be rescued?!
And now?
Now Solaire, the general her lord knew already held the strength to stand with him against Gwyn within the Kiln of the First Flame, was throwing a tantrum and trying to kickstart a life-or-death battle against Kirk without her lord present? Unacceptable!
"You and I, Phantom. We have unfinished business." Solaire said with clear hostility in his voice, only for Kirk to respond by silently gripping his weapon tightly in his hand.
Thump-Thump.
"Do we have a problem here?" Siegmeyer exclaimed dangerously as he dropped the two pieces of broken armor he was carrying and readied himself to back Solaire up if need be.
As his words carried across the room, as if to sit the cherry on top of things, Mildred as well as Reah and the rest all walked through the gated entrance the sunlight warrior arrived from and quickly prepped themselves to fight as well.
Fortunately, none of them would get the chance to participate in any sort of battle before a certain servant interjected between them all.
"Hey! Are you people kidding me?!" Yuria objected plainly as she heedlessly stormed towards the two men and placed herself between the both of them. "This sort of event can't happen without my lord present! You don't get to just duel to the death at a moment's notice like this, Solaire! Break it up, break it up, I said!"
Barely hesitating more than a single moment, Kirk too the brief instance of the pale woman's distracting words to thrust his barbed sword directly into the hand drawn sun on the knight's chest.
CLANG
Only for the woman to raise her hand, just as space between his blade and the knights body warped into a blackened swirl that easily repelled his attack.
"I said break. It. Up. You're not fighting and that's the end of it until my lord gives his approval, Kirk." Yuria exclaimed with a glare directed at Kirk's person as she maintained the Dark Hands shield, much to the surprise of those around her. Though she didn't seem to pay it much mind as she turned her gaze directly unto the Sunlight Warrior himself. "Alright, so let me go ahead and guess. He tried to kill you or Mildred or someone else here, right?"
"What? Yes, he-. Wait, what is that darkness that shields you?!"
"Nevermind what this is. Stay on topic. So he tried to kill you and now you're all stabby about it." Yuria said as she turned back towards the Knight of Thorns. "Alright, Kirk, would you kindly do me a favor and apologize? It doesn't even have to be genuine; a half-hearted show of remorse is just fine."
"…"
"See? Kirk says he's sorry." Yuria said with a nod.
"He kicked the shit out of me and dragged me out here!" the Merchant cried in outrage as he held his heavily bleeding nose that may or may not have been broken.
"Merchant, there is a time and a place for humor. This is not one of them.' Yuria reprimanded, even if she knew that the sight of the merchant's beaten form was hilarious beyond words. "Now listen, everyone, I tell you right now that now that the people we need gathered together, we don't have time for any further distractions. By the way, Reah, Vince, good job bringing Solaire here. Saves us a great deal of searching. You even got Mildred along the way and….Cresty too?"
"Don't call me that." The warrior in question said dully.
"And he hasn't lost a single bit of his sober demeanor? Excellent. A worthy addition to my lords' forces and one that is sure to please him greatly." Yuria exclaimed a nod.
"And I'm certain that he'll be glad to know that Reah and I-"
"Vince, shush. The important people are talking."
"Yuria!" Anastacia chimed in with clear disapproval.
"Uh…*Ahem* Apologies. Anastacia." Yuria said guiltily as she perked up a bit at displeasing her lord's concubine. "Vince, your input is worthless and a waste of air that others could be using. Would you kindly keep it to yourself?"
"W-well, that's not much better actually, but the effort is appreciated." Anastacia said trying to be supportive, immediately gain a pleased look on her face at the very simple show of gratitude. Much like a black-haired dog glad to hear that it had pleased it caretaker in a certain capacity.
"Forgive me, but this matter must be settled here." Solaire said, not willing to just let the matter go. "This man is Kirk, Knight of Thorns. A red phantom widely known for his massacre of the innocent. The blood on his hands as well as what he's done to Mildred cannot be forgi-"
"Hey, Solaire. Do want to know something funny? As we're having this incredibly irrelevant conversation, my beloved master is fighting for his life within a frozen hellscape in preparation for open war with gods. Heh, heh, isn't it hilarious that we're wasting time here doing nothing instead of moving to aid him?" Yuria questioned brightly as she did her best to bottle up any vexation and anger she was feeling, for the sake of not displeasing Anastacia. "So Kirk has killed a few dozen people. So what? I'm certain you've snuffed out your fair share of lives. The only difference between you and him is that Kirk's killings actually held a purpose I could respect. In fact, I'd wager it's the very reason he's here now, in human form and refrained from killing the Merchant one would expect him to do."
"And what reason would that be exactly?
At seeing that the two would continue talking and that the female, clearly holding the power of a Darkwraith, aimed to stop any further attempts at fighting, Kirk wordlessly turned around and proceeded to leave. Completely unconcerned with whatever it was they would discuss and knowing that he still had the task of finding a safe place for the Fair Lady.
"To gather humanity and heal his corrupted and sickly master, Quelaan." Yuria said with a clear sense of amusement in her tone, plainly amused at the weakness of the pale spider when compared to her own lord.
Kirk could not deny the moment of surprise that came from hearing the Fair Lady's name from another, but that moment passed quickly as he immediately turned back towards the group. Be it magical or through some level of darkness flowing through him, the Knight of Thorns gained a heavy sense of danger and foreboding dread about him.
Without speaking a single word, Kirk then moves forward with the resolve to kill the woman who knew too much.
"My, my. That's no way to approach someone who knows how to cure Quelaan of the Blightpus in her veins." Yuria said with a knowing smile as her words stopped the Knight of Thorns in his tracks. "Oh? Does that little nugget of information intrigue you?"
"….."
"Hm, but your people have already received so much out of the kindness of my lords' heart. For it was by his will that Oscar healed your mistress back to more agreeable health. I believe that's more than enough of a freebie, don't you?" Yuria said as she walked onto the stone bridge and towards the Knight's person with a knowing look in her eye. "So here is our offer. Not long from now we will be fighting the last vestiges of gods that remain in Anor Londo in an effort to rescue my lord. You give us your support and your blade in the coming conflict, and in return we shall tell you the location of the cure to the blight in Quelaan's veins. And please, don't go getting any bright ideas. There are solely two people in this world who know of the cure's location, myself and my master. So, let's not complicate things, shall we?"
At this, Kirk stood motionless. His expression unreadable behind his thorned helm, though the woman speaking to him didn't seem bothered in the slightest by his inaction.
"Oh, and when the battle starts, do keep in mind that my lord has decreed that none of the gods are to be killed. Broken bones and lacerations are fine, but there will be no killing. Understand? Now run along and tell Quelaan the good news. My lord looks forward to meeting both you and the two sisters in person." Yuria said with a wag of her finger as if directing a child. Much to Kirk clear displeasure.
"Yuria, please. I don't know who this man may be, but if he is to help us, should we not treat him with more respect? To better instill trust between us?"
"We've already shown the extent of our good will by partially healing his master. Is that not good enough?"
"Good enough for leverage, but not building trust." Anastacia said passionately, earning a curious look from the Knight of Thorns. "I'm not sure if you can, but is there anything more we could offer to show that we mean to help one another and that our intentions are good? Please?"
Yuria paused for a few moments to think things over. It would not be wise to simply give away their cards out of kindness, but this was a direct request from Anastacia. Something she knew her lord would never even consider ignoring.
So with a small sigh, she decided that it was not her place to ignore such a desire. Telling herself that, if nothing else, the knowledge she would give would mean nothing but gain for her lords aims.
"…Without question, Anastacia." Yuria said with a small bow of her head, before turning back towards Kirk. "Quelaag, as well as Quelaan, will be pleased to know that two of their sisters survived the flames of Chaos unscathed. Quelana sits upon a small island just outside of your home, wallowing in self-pity and guilt. But only a powerful pyromancer can see her. And the other sister waits just beyond within Lost Izalith. Anything else of importance, other than the cure, will be discussed solely between my master and yours."
Hearing this, the Knight of Thorn's air of hostility seemed to settle to a certain degree. He knew this newfound knowledge was something the Fair Lady and her sibling would wish to know of immediately, all the better to ease their hearts. Not to mention that this Prophet character was who he was instructed to find out more about in hopes of him knowing more of a remedy for the Fair lady. Now that he had both the information that he did, his location and his terms, he could consider his task accomplished.
For now, he needed to inform his patron of this discovery and move from there. But before he left, the knight turned his attention back towards the keeper and met her deep blue eyes for a few moments.
"…Thank you..." He said in a voice that as cold and unfeeling as one might imagine. Sending shivers up Anastacia's spine at just the sound of it.
With that, without uttering a word or waiting for a respond, Kirk turned and walk away for the group.
"Next time, kneel when showing appreciation to her!"
"Yuria, please stop."
Watching the murderous Red Phantoms form retreat, Solaire was somewhat conflicted on just letting him go, even with context for his reason behind his murderous slaughters. However, before he could come to a decision of whether to allow him to leave or challenge him once more, Yuria looked to him and gave a bit of an annoyed sigh.
"And as for you, Solaire, let's put aside any attempts at "Avenging the innocent" or anything of that nature. It serves no purpose, and we have no time for it." The loosely dressed woman said as she walked towards the large Sunlight Warrior to block his path forward and placed a hand on his shoulder in a familiar manner. "Honestly, you're really getting worked over noth-AH!"
Suddenly, Yuria recoiled her hand in visible pain and stepped away from Solaire. Much to the confusion of the surrounding observers, save Mildred.
"Ow. Ugh. Why did-?" Yuria question as she took hold of her pained hand with the other. Even though there was no visible wound, it felt as if something had just sunk its teeth deep into her flesh. "What did you just do? What was that?"
"Ha! Stupid!" Mildred laughed mockingly as she moved to Solaire's side and casually leaned against him, smiling as no sign of pain struck her person as did Yuria. "Monster Sahler not like you. Only let Mildred and Reah touch. No one else."
"Monster Solaire? What does that mean?" Yuria questioned, none of her lords' memories informing her of anything that would let the knight hurt her with but a touch.
"You…The dark within you is…." Solaire said lowly.
"What did you say? Speak up." Yuria said to the whispering, unable to make out what was said exactly.
"….Nothing. Consider it simply a failure to control a certain miracle I've learned. Apologies." The knight said dismissively with a shake of his head. "Reah has informed me of you, Yuria. Of your knowledge and apparent service to the Prophet. From your actions here today, I see that she was right to be somewhat put off."
"Well, she can put any concerns she may have about me to rest. I am merely a tool for my masters will. So long as she does not impede or oppose him, I am a model companion. If anything, she should thank me for revealing the weakness of the gods she praised so readily." Yuria replied smugly, always glad to speak of her lord's superiority. "But I assume you have questions. We're heading to speak to Andre about repairing Siegmeyer armor. I'll explain things in detail once we make our way there. Along with what will be done moving forward."
She turns toward the group comprised of pawns and a beautiful concubine as she spoke her next words.
"Anyone else who's traveling alongside us, you are a welcome addition to my masters' forces. Let's all do our best working together, shall we? And Merchant, you silly little kidder you, it would be a pleasure to have you join us as well. I'm certain it'll be good for a laugh or two. Fair warning though, not coming with us only means running into worse encounters like the one you had with Kirk. But I leave the choice up to you." Yuria said, lying through her teeth about his fate, though knowing he was far to gullible and ignorant to think otherwise. And from the flabbergasted look on his face at her words, she was right.
With that, Yuria proceeded to turn on a heel and lead the way toward the path back towards Firelink Shrine, and ultimately, the lift that would take them but a small walk away from Sen's Fortress.
At her back, the group came together as one.
Anastacia wasted no time in greeting Reah with open arms and a sense of relief at seeing her again, glad to know that familiar faces would be traveling with them.
"Thank goodness you're alright, Anna. But…may I ask who this woman is and why she's carrying a dead cat with her?" Reah questioned with a look of concern and confusion.
"Oh, this is Dusk. She traveled from the distant past, where the Prophet rescues her, and now she's not sure how to travel back."
"It is an honor to meet thee, miss." Dusk said politely with a small nod.
"She's very nice. And the cat she holds isn't dead. Her name is Alvina and she is the leader of a bad of lecherous thieves. Uh…I suppose we may have kidnapped her a little."
"….You know, I should find all of what you just said very hard to believe, but when you throw the word "Prophet" into the explanation it somehow doesn't sound that farfetched." Reah said with a sigh as she just accepted what she was told as truth.
As the women held their brief conversation with one another, Vince and Cresty moved towards the Merchant, who's shoulders slumped in relative defeat at the declaration that he'd meet a worse fate if he didn't go with these people on their suicidal mission. With everything he'd seen, he had a hard time convincing himself that the woman was lying. It didn't help that Vince wore a disgustingly sympathetic look on his face as he offered a hand to help get him back to his feet.
"You gonna sit there all day?" Cresty said with the faintest hint of amusement.
"Shut up."
And of course, Siegmeyer wasted no time in picking up the pieces of armor at his feet and moving to speak with the Sunlight Warrior as well as his new companion.
"And so we meet again to walk the path of our destinies. Are you ready to face what may come, Solaire?" Siegmeyer said as he extended a friendly hand to his valued friend.
"Let us hope so. For it seems that the time to prepare has come to an end." Solaire responded before grasping hold of Siegmeyer forearm as they both gave one another a firm squeeze.
Though he did not give it too much power to hurt his ally, Siegmeyer was somewhat surprised to find Solaire did not buckle beneath his monstrous strength. Instead, seeming to hold his ground with a fair amount of ease.
"That's some grip you've got there. Maybe save some of that for our foes, eh? Hah, hah, hah." Solaire laughed brightly as he released his hold.
"Heh, I could say that same to you. Good to know that you haven't slouched in our time apart, my friend." Siegmeyer replied just as cheerfully, before turning his gaze upon Mildred for a moment. "So not to be rude, but is there a reason this woman is naked?"
"Not "woman". Am Mildred."
"Oh, apologies. Well, is there a reason you're naked, Mildred?"
"Comfy. Look nice for Sahler."
"Huh…Well, I'm certain he appreciates the effort, and it is a pleasure to meet you." Siegmeyer said with nonchalant acceptance, much to Solaire's minor embarrassment.
With their small reunion and greetings complete, the group proceeded to follow behind Yuria's path. It took them no time at all to reach the Shrine and take the lift to the Undead Parish up above. And with a force as numerous and mighty as theirs, dispatching the throng of hollows that lingered inside was as simple as swatting flies.
One trek through the path between the Parish and the undead proving ground, and the group soon found themselves inside a small building that held a bonfire, with the sounds of a hammer striking steel ringing through each of their ears.
"Alright, everyone except Siegmeyer may wait here or further along the path towards Sen's Fortress. This won't take long." Yuria said as she continued onward, with the onion knight in tow, to a small decent of stairs to the floor below, where a large, bearded man sat hammering steel without tiring. "Hello, hello~. You down here, Andre? We've got a special order for you today."
"Hm? Well, hello there, lass." Andre replied in a friendly manner as he halted his work and looked at the newcomers that walked into his little smithy. "Sorry, but my memory must be failing me. I remember your friend there, but I don't recall knowing you. Are we acquainted?"
"No, no. You don't know me, but my lord has very fond knowledge of the most reliable smith of this age. And we have need of your services."
"Of course, then. If you require smithing, simply speak what you would have of me."
"Siegmeyer, if you would." Yuria said, prompting the onion knight to approach and set the hunks of armor upon the Anvil sitting before Andre. "What we have here is shattered pieces of one of the strongest armors in the land. We need you to repair is with immediate haste."
Placing a hand upon one of the hefty pieces and examining it closely, Andre could only give a look of confusion at what was sat before him.
"Miss…this is a pile of rocks." The smith said plainly.
"Yes. But it's a sturdy piece of equipment once put together."
"You want me to somehow put together a pile of rocks and make it into armor? You feeling alright in the head, lass? You're not going hollow, are ya?" Andre asked with a bit of concern in his voice
"Wha-? Of course not. My senses are perfectly sound and I'm telling you these piles of stone were used as mighty armor of none other than Havel the Rock. Its defenses were strong enough to withstand the might dragons and we need it to be able to do so once more." Yuria exclaimed with just a hint of impatience. "Just use melted steel or something to hold it together. Or better yet, just throw some repair power upon it and let that be the fix. That's what you do here, isn't it?"
"Afraid it's not that simple. Repair power can't repair armor or weapons that have already been completely broken. Even if it wasn't a pile of rocks, which I'm not so certain the powder would even effect, the armor has been shattered into a multitude of pieces. So it wouldn't be of any use here." Andre explained clearly. "Now, I could try my best to mold steel between the pieces to hold it together, but I warn ya that it likely wouldn't hold well for very long in combat, since ….you know…it would basically be a bunch of rocks glued together. Unlike if it was steel, which could have been welded back into place. Sorry, but I can do not much else with stone."
At this explanation, Yuria was left wide eyed and slack jawed at the news that her lord's general would not be appropriately equipped or dressed for the coming battle. And all because Siegmeyer was such a complete idiot that he shattered armor that was meant to withstand a dragons might.
As expected, at not being able to give her lord exactly what he was expecting in the exact way he wanted it, Yuria's look of disbelief soon turned into a heated and murderous glare.
Which was only made worse as Siegmeyer said…
"Hm. Well, that's a shame. That armor would have been useful. But no matter. The armor I bear from my homeland shall serve me well enough and I still retained one of the stone gauntlets and the greaves. That's more acceptable, right?"
At hearing his nonchalant attitude towards failing her master, Yuria bit her lip in a show of physical effort turn around and enact the various methods of violent murder that ran through her thoughts. Telling her herself repeatedly that "My master wouldn't approve, my master wouldn't approve, my master wouldn't approve."
So, swallowing her homicidal urges and burying her frustration deep within her heart, she turned towards the knight with a gentle and calm look in her eye.
"Of course. We'll manage without it just fine, Siegmeyer." Yuria said as she took a few calming breaths to steady herself. "You get the remaining pieces of armor you've collected restored to perfect condition. I'm certain Andre can help with that much. Oh, and ask that the other do the same, please? We need everyone in top condition."
With that, Yuria then turned to move towards another set of stairs that seemed to lead further into the building.
"Where are you going?" Siegmeyer asked curiously.
"To get some fresh air. I'll be back momentarily." Yuria replied without stopping or looking back. Which was a good move as the mask of calm that she put on was no where to be seen once she turned her back to the two men.
It was no secret to her what would be waiting further below past the stairs.
Per her lord's knowledge, the crumbled form of a stone abomination known as a Titanite Demon would be waiting to attack any poor lost soul that wandered into its domain.
Though such a creature did not instill any sense of fear or worry within Yuria. By this point, she's consumed enough humanity that she had begun to touch on the power shield held during her prime as a Darkwraith. The Dark Hand could now will forth a shield she was confident could withstand the Titanite constructs might and its magic.
Compile this confidence of her defense with her lord's knowledge of the creatures painfully slow movements and there could be no doubt that it would serve its purpose in helping her work off her currently built-up anger and irritation. Even if she knew she likely wouldn't be able to harm it's form with only her meager cursed knife, still she still wanted the strain of confronting it lest she do something she would come to regret to that oaf, Siegmeyer.
However, Yuria found herself surprised to see that further below, inside a very spacious chamber, the Titanite Demon already lay in a multitude of crumbled pieces. Completely defeated.
"What?...Who dares?!" she exclaimed as he breathing grew heavy with fury. "That demon was my lords' prey! Shattering its body and taking its broken form as reward was-."
She choked back her words in an attempt to rein herself in she began to practically seethe with rage. A servant of the great one needed to be sound of mind and in control of themselves. It's what he would want of her.
But someone stole her lords kill! Some filthy thief had dared to rob him of his desires and take it for their own! Unforgivable! Inexcusable! Outrageous!
Yuria's grit her teeth as her glare deepened to new bounds and she stormed forward with a murderous look in her eyes.
Past the Titanite demons remains and through a massive open entrance at the opposite end of the chamber, sat a forest illuminated beneath the light of the moon that held an assortment of overgrown greenery and foliage. If one were to look further within, they would see that the damp nature has given rise to fungus and mushrooms.
The Darkroot Basin was just as her lord thought it to be.
She ran her gaze through the area, searching for any sign of recent travel, but found nothing of note. Though that did not stop her from moving further along the muddied path with a hint of hesitation. She knew exactly where she could go and what lingered in this place.
She wanted the head of whoever destroyed the Titanite Demon. To her mind, it was a slight that must be punished. Someone needed to pay for not knowing their place.
And so, Yuria searched the Basin for a handful of minutes, knowing she could not travel too far from the Parish and the others. Her presence would be needed soon to guide them through Sen's Fortress.
Soon enough, the former Darkwraith came upon bit of land that appeared to open up a bit more into a clearing, granting her full vision of the area ahead. Just as she was about to give up the search with a frustrated snarl and turn back, it was then that her eye's caught the slightest hint of movement upon a wall covered in foliage.
Staring at the greenery for but a bit longer, she made out the vague form of what looked to be a person…In fact, it was a person she was quite familiar with.
"H…Hel…Help..." Petrus said weakly in a voice that was just barely above a whisper, his body binded and restrained against a wall by a multitude of thorny vines.
"Oh…my…goodness…" Yuria said deftly as the anger she felt quickly drained out of her by the second. Soon enough, she found herself stepping forward and clearing away a bit of the vegetation that seemed to camouflage the clerics body.
It didn't take her long to accomplish this task.
Taking a step back and getting a good look at him, she saw that the plants had begun to seep beneath his armor and much of his exposed flesh. Seemingly going about the process of devouring his body and using it to further aid in its growth.
From the darkened veins that plagued his face and the ghastly, thin shape of his body, it was easy to see that the forest had him right where it wanted him. All that appeared to be left was the agonizingly slow process of him being digested and becoming little more than sustenance.
"…Please…It…hurts…"
"Oh, supremely wise and just lord, I have seen the result of your wisdom and my faith is renewed!" Yuria cried out happily with an ecstatic smile on her face at the sight before her. She then moved directly upon Petrus's person in a hurried fashion as his eye's began to flutter and he appeared to fade away. "Hey, hey, hey! Hang in there, Petrus! Stay awake! I've got you!"
Without hesitation, Yuria willed forth a single sprite of humanity, before placing it into one of the clerics bound hands and using his fingers to crush. Within moments of doing this did the Cleric's body restore itself and regain much of its color.
He gasped sharply as the once dull pain returned in full force now that his nerves and body had regained their strength.
"Uuugh…A-Agh…T-…Thank you…Thank you so much..." Petrus speak through the pain, feeling the thorns digging in his body growing deeper and more secure by the second at his sudden lively movements. "Quickly…tear down these roots that bind my body…Please…"
"Shhhh. Calm down. Losing your head won't help in the slightest. I'll give you a hand right now, so just relax." Yuria said as she kneeled down in front of the clerics bound form. Petrus couldn't move his head to see what she was doing, but he could feel her fidgeting with his leg. It was a good a place to start as any, he supposed. "Honestly, that was a close one, Petrus. It's a good thing I came along when I did. Now hold still a moment and don't move a muscle. I've got to do this just right."
At hearing his name come from the unfamiliar woman, the cleric found himself a bit perplexed. Though he didn't get very long to dwell on things before…
SHLICK
"HUH?! GAAAAH!"
"Come on, now. Hold still. This isn't easy to do with you moving around and screaming like a little girl, you know." Yuria said as she moved to the other leg.
"NO, NO, WAIT-"
SHLICK
"GAAAAH!"
"Woo! There we go. Heh, I thought about sawing my way through slowly, but one clean slice is just as satisfying. You won't be going anywhere now." Yuria laughed happily with a bloodied knife in her hand, having just summarily cut both of the clerics Achilles tendons. Leaving him physically incapable of bearing weight upon his feet.
"U-Ugh. W…Why did you-"
"Oh, this is simply priceless. I can't believe I am so blessed as to see you here, Petrus. Strung up in immense agony and being made into fertilizer. BHAHAHA! I love it!" Yuria laughed in the mans face, completely unsympathetic to the wide-eyed fear and confusion that spread across his features. "It was probably the demonic foliage that got you here, right? After you stole my lords prize by killing the Titanite demon? Heh, you know what, doesn't matter. This is just far too proper a fate for the steaming pile of filth that had dared to not only threaten my lord, but to threaten his dearest love right to his face. Don't you just love a happy ending?"
"L-Look, I don't know what you're talking about." Petrus pleaded as Yuria sweetly ran her blade down his cheek in a slow and gentle manner. Seeing that the woman was clearly insane, he tried to force his way free. But this only made the Vines tighten around his limbs and burrow further inside his flesh. He'd have to rip and tear through most of his body to break free on his own.
"You know, this is a very strange circumstance for me. If it were anyone else, I'd simply use the Dark Hand to drain them of their humanity and leave behind nothing but an empty husk. But you? I don't want one drop, not one single bit, not even one shred of your being inside of me." Yuria said in a gentle manner, making a point to get within Petrus's personal space and look him in the eye as she spoke her words. "No…You're going to live with your transgressions and repent for what you've done. And as I've already told you, I'm here to help. As a matter a fact, you can help me work out all this anger I've felt of late as well. It's a win-win."
She pulls the knife away and places it on her person, before taking a single step back and placing a bit of space between them.
"Now…apologize to my lord for disrespecting him." Yuria said as she flexed the fingers of her right hand in an effort to loosen them up. "A simple "Please forgive me" will do. Spoken nice and loud so that even the heavens above will hear you."
He kept his mouth shut for a moment, but upon seeing a bit of impatience show in her eye's, Petrus relented and did as was asked of him.
"I, uh, would like to say that I am sorry for disrespecting your master. Please, forgive m-OOF!"
Petrus's words were cut off as Yuria clenched her fist and drove a right hook directly across his face. Her inhuman and cursed body holding more than enough power to shatter his jaw or fracture his skull, if she wished it. Though she actively refrained from doing do.
This was about teaching a lesson and reflection. She wouldn't want break anything within his little head and have it somehow led to an early death for him. That would simply have him resurrect without learning from his mistakes and that just wouldn't do.
"Again!"
"P-Please, forgi-OOF!"
"Louder!"
"Forgive m-UGH!"
"Don't be shy, say it like you mean it!"
"OOF! Phwease…Phwogive m-UGH! AGH! OOF!"
This beating would go on for some time. With Yuria pulling her punches just enough that the cleric wouldn't be gravely injured, but still putting in enough strength that he would still suffer from having his face pulverized and beaten bloody.
Soon enough, teeth began to dislodge and fly from his mouth, along with a great deal of bloodied spit. Though this only served as encouragement to Yuria, who was all too happy to help him understand just how much he'd insulted her master. Not to mention it worked wonders in helping her forget about Siegmeyer's blunder with Havel's armor.
She just starting to get warmed up with things when-
DING!
DING!
DING!
Yuria paused as the clear sound of a bell ringing in the distance reached her ears. It took her but a few spare moments to put together the cause of the source.
She'd already gathered much of anyone who could reach the bell at the top of the Parish, so no one would be there to ring it a second time. So that only left…
"The bell in Blighttown within Quelaag's Domain….The one I didn't remember to ring before leaving…"
With that simple thought, Yuria's shoulders slumped a bit. Now, not only had Siegmeyer failed in meeting her lords wishes and expectation, but now her own incompetence and failure had risked delaying the arrival of his forces.
"Dammit…Dammit! It's all that bastard Oscar's fault that it slipped my mind! He distracted me with calling me all those names and throwing my sin in my face! It's not my fault, my lord! Please, forgive me!"
"OOF!"
"Forgive me!"
"UGH!"
"Forgive me!"
"AGH!"
As if the Prophet himself was standing over her with a look of disapproval, Yuria cried out in apology for her actions. Consequently, the beating the cleric received increased in pace and intensity for reasons he did not know.
It was only after minutes of this, once Yuria had regained herself and wiped away her tears of regret and sorrow, did he find reprieve….
…though only momentarily, for as Yuria began to walk away, she decided that it was better to be safe than sorry and broke his arms at the elbow so that he couldn't crawl away even if he miraculously managed to break free from the vines that bound him.
She then wondered if it was truly necessary for him to have both eyes. One who had insulted her master didn't deserve to walk around having two of them, right?
Retrieving her knife from her loose-fitting robe, she decided that this line of thinking was correct.
Truly, in those few minutes of his life, Petrus might have been the unluckiest man in all of Lordran.
Quelaag's Domain
If there was one positive to being an undead, it was that there was never a point where you were too tired or exhausted to go on. Sure, you could be out of breath for a few moments, but as long as one had the will, they could continue doing any task for as long as necessary.
And that truly meant doing any task as long as necessary.
Of course, demons had more than enough stamina to spare, but it was not endless as was an undeads. A fact that Quelaag had learned personally as she lay in a deep slumber, feeling worn out and satisfied.
Donning his armor, helmet and sword while remaining as quite as he could, Oscar proceeded to gather himself as he moved to leave the room. Though he paused at the doorway and cast one last look back at the chaos witch's sleeping form.
He knew it was best to return to his mission, but for a moment, a part of him wondered if she would be angry with him once she awoke and he was gone.
Pushing aside such thoughts, Oscar left the hidden chamber and walked into the small area that held the bell of awakening. Its massive steel form sitting still and silent, just waiting for one worthy enough to ring it.
"My, my. About time you two wrapped things up." A pleasantly sweet voice said playfully, interrupting his thoughts. "Heh, I was starting to wonder if you'd ever give it a rest in there."
"You best keep your voice down. Your sibling is asleep." Oscar said nonchalantly, causing the older sister to peak within the hidden chamber for a moment to confirm his words.
"Wow~. Completely drained and in a deep slumber. Heh, heh, heh, you must have really put my poor sister through the wringer." The pale spider woman chuckled humorously. "But this works out perfectly. If you have a bit more time to spare, I was wondering if the two of us could speak about a few things."
Seeing no reason to deny her request, Oscar followed Quelaan's back to the main chamber and outside of earshot to talk, so as not to wake her sister.
Once they had arrived and were alone, the chaos maiden wasted little time making herself comfortable siting along a wall off to the side, before beckoning the knight to her side to do the same next to her. Of which he obliged.
"So how do you feel?" She asked curiously.
"I feel fine." Oscar replied plainly.
"Heh, really? Just fine? Such a casual response for the grave transgression that you've committed." The chaos witch laughed. "You know, there was a time where forming a bastard covenant such as this would lead to the slaughter of entire towns and bloodlines. And to be done with a Princess of Izalith? Goodness. My mother would never allow Gwyn to kill one of her daughters, so it would have likely been open war with Anor Londo when all was said and done."
"Well, if any god ever feels the need to come hunting for my hide, I'll be ready and waiting to greet them. The more the merrier." Oscar replied without a hint of fear or worry in his tone. Earning a look of amusement from the woman at his side.
"Oh? I suppose that would ultimately mean protecting my sister, the source of the covenant, amid all the fighting as well. I'm sure it would be quite the romantic tale." Quelaan said with a knowing look in her eyes. "Speaking of, were you planning to just leave without a saying word of goodbye to her? How very cold of you, Oscar."
"Neither of us have a need for such pleasantries. We both know exactly what this is. A bargain of give and take, nothing more." The knight said plainly without any hint of holding back his thoughts.
"Is that right? So you feel nothing for her then?" Quelaan asked, though she already knew the answer.
"….."
"Wow…no confirmation or denial of any sort? Not even a nod? Heavens, your time together must have been even more "Productive" than I thought." Quelaan said with clear approval of the knights' clear attachment for her sister. "Heh, it's truly a pity you're both so stubborn that you can't just embrace such feelings, even after embracing each other."
"Is this what you wanted to talk about? Nonsense and assumptions?" Oscar replied dryly with a sigh.
"Not at all. I just found it strange that I've yet to have any sort of personal time with the man who saved me in my time of need." the witch said with an innocent shrug. "I find your abilities especially interesting. Do you know just how impossible it should be to summon such a potent visage of a dragon's power? How exactly does that even work?"
"I formed a covenant with one of the Everlasting beasts and its power is now mine as a result. Other than understanding it can be strengthened by gathering more scales, that's all that is necessary for me to know."
"Heh, how very human of you to just be willing to leave it at that. Yes, let's go waving around the power of beings that existed beyond knowable time without truly understanding it's possibilities. Oh, and let's not concern ourselves with the fact that you've apparently discovered the location of a true everlasting dragon. No, no, those priceless pieces of knowledge are mere trifles of course." Quelaan said with a roll of her eye's, though still clearly amused with herself. "Here's a thought though. The Everlasting dragons were beings of nothingness and that nothingness both granted them immense power and left them unable to change or adapt. But it is not so for a human. Your forms are ever changing by the second and are moldable like clay through great effort or study. So, with their scales and essence bonded to you, is the dragon's power still as stagnant and unchanging as its original form was or is it now capable of evolving due to being bound alongside a human form? Perhaps even growing more potent with time and age now being a factor?"
With these complicated questions being asked, let it be known that Quelaan didn't honestly expect Oscar to have an answer on to any of her queries. Truthfully, this was merely a means to prob him somewhat and perhaps gleam a bit of information on what he actually did know in the grand scheme of things.
Figuring out that he had knowledge of the whereabouts of an Everlasting Dragon had already made the attempt more than fruitful. Now she just needed to dig a bit further to try and-
"You know, you don't have to beat around the bush. You can just ask if you really want to know what I do." Oscar said plainly as he crossed his arms, much to the surprise of the witch at his side. It went without saying that she didn't expect to be called out so openly. "Your sister told me that you were once the pride of your kingdom. Unmatched in skill, talent and beauty. And that you've traveled and lived amongst humans for a time. I'd take that to mean that you are no stranger to charming your way through things like you're trying to do with me right now."
She could have played ignorant to his assumptions, but after a single moment's contemplation, the witch decided that it may be more interesting to do the opposite.
"Heh, well, I suppose you've got me there. I am quite well versed in feeling out others I find of interest. It's quite simple, really. Especially if they are of the human orientation. Some require that you show a bit of aggression, some require that you offer something of value. And some…" she leans her human form towards him placed a hand upon his helmet in a loving manner, each of their eye's swirling with the flame of chaos. "…Respond quite well if you take a gentler approach. Stifle their hesitation and tension with comfort and care, and you'll find them as agreeable as a pup eager to receive a treat."
"Careful how lightly you take me, Quelaan. This "pup" has a habit of biting." Oscar retorted, though the words held none of the expected aggression or power behind them.
"Oh, with all the screaming Quelaag was doing, I don't doubt that for a second." Quelaan responded without missing a beat, causing Oscar to feel a slight tinge embarrassment at the suggestion that the pale witch had possibly listened in on them. Though he knew he shouldn't really be surprised.
"Listen, Quelaan. My patience for manipulations and games has long since faded." He removes his helmet so that he could gaze upon her unhindered in any regard. "I wish to be able to look upon you and have not a single trace of doubt within me. So I will ask you plainly, here and now…what are your intentions moving forward?"
The question was a genuine one. No hidden suggestions, no callous remarks. Just straight out asking her what she wanted and placing his trust that she would simply tell the truth.
To be frank, it was more of a power move than she'd expected from him. She couldn't recall that last time someone took control of the conversation from her hands and placed her into a crossroads in such a blatant manner.
She had an answer, of course, but even knowing that she knew she should be mature about it, Quelaan found that simply saying it straight out was still a bit embarrassing for her.
"Goodness. Don't you think just asking a fair maiden for her intentions is a bit bold, Oscar? I might even say it's unfair. Though I suppose there is little point in not being honest with you if you truly wish for me to say it." Quelaan said with a small hint of bashfulness about her demeanor, which confused the knight to a small degree. "Hm…Well…are you aware of the benefits of an arranged marriage?"
"Marriage?" Oscar said with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes. It was quite common among nobles and those of my kind to arrange unions in order to cement relations with one another, attain security and forge bloodlines for the future. So if you wish to know my true intentions moving forward…I suppose it would be to have you form a home with my sister and myself as our husband. Securing each of those benefits, and more, for us both." Quelaan said sweetly and with complete honesty, causing the Knight to go a bit wide eyed with surprise.
Quite honestly, no man in Oscar's position would know what to say to such a declaration right off the bat. So it should come as no surprise that the knight himself was left in somewhat of a stunned silence as he tried to discern if Quelaan was being serious or just joking.
From the way her gaze did not shift from his and the stillness that followed a few seconds afterwards, he determined that she was indeed speaking with complete earnestness.
"…You barely know me, Quelaan." Oscar replied as he broke the eye contact the witch maintained with him.
"You're actions have told me enough. Everything else can be learned in time. With your recent discussion with Quelaag, I'd wager she feels the same." The witch replied calmly without a care. "And just as well, you barely knew me when you risked your life to see me healed, did you not?
"Well…I'm human."
"Heh, that didn't stop you with my sister, now did it? Her screams certainly didn't sound like someone who minded that you were human to me." Quelaan replied with a laugh and a smile, much to Oscar's further embarrassment. "But please do not misunderstand. I'm certainly not asking you to make a decision right this second. Merely informing you of my intent."
"I understand that, but…I'm afraid I cannot consider such a thing after everything that's happened between our people. Not to mention the countless other complications that would follow, even if I did. It simply cannot be." Oscar said with a bit of hesitation, suddenly finding it difficult to look upon the witch as he once did.
"Oh? How very unfortunate that you feel that way. But Oscar…" she moves herself a bit closer to his person before speaking once more. "…I haven't even really tried to win you over yet. You'll find that even with this form, I can be very persuasive when I want to be….far more persuasive than my sister, I assure you."
At this, her words from earlier regarding taking a "Gentler approach with some" rang out through Oscar's thoughts. He knew immediately that her actions, from the way she got closer to him and the softness of her words, were all a means to get him to lose focus on his objectivity.
But even knowing this, his thoughts instinctively traveled along her exposed body. Something that Quelaan quickly took note of.
"*Ahem* Your schemes are as clear as day, Quelaan. But I'm not so easily sway by such things like some slobbering dog." Oscar said aloud, though he did not move away from her.
"Heh, of course you're not. I'd never deign to think such a thing. And I believe I've been more than transparent." Quelaan said as she moved her hair behind her ear, purposefully exposing more of her neck and body to his eyes with a smirk on her face. "I'm not trying to trick you, Oscar. We're simply getting to know one another and discussing the future. It only makes sense for us to grow a bit closer in this, right?"
Hearing this and taking note of her actions, Oscar would have to be a complete moron to not see the writing on the wall and know what the witch was suggesting. One part of his mind was saying that this would be a mistake to even think about, considering she had openly stated what she sought from him.
But of course, the other part of his mind, the part that was a bit distracted by certain traits she bore, seemed to cloud his sense of good judgment.
"I…suppose it only makes sense."
"Exactly. How wonderful that you agree. I'm certain that once we've talked things over for a while, you'll see many of the benefits that would come from my proposal."
She brings her human form down a bit further to him. Once she was close enough, the White Witch wasted little time in running a hand through his hair a bit, before letting it rest lovingly upon his cheek. Of which, Oscar did not shy away from.
"Heh, though I must insist that we keep our voices down. My sister needs her rest, after all."
At this, it went without saying that Oscar did not stick to his guns and resist the Chaos Witches clear advances. Soon enough, it would start with innocent kisses, then move towards a bit of hesitant touching of the witch's breast and then…well, the rest would history.
If nothing else, Quelaan did not lie when she said she was far more "Persuasive" than her sister was.
In time, Oscar would ring the Bell of Awakening and leave the chamber with the covenant of the two sisters within him to the war that awaited within Anor Londo.
But for now, unlike the likes of Petrus, he was quite possibly the luckiest undead in all of Lordran.
HOLD OOOON! JUST STOP FOR ONE SECOND, DANG IT!
Alrighty, first, I wanna say that this chapter was just a roller coaster of emotions for me as I told myself "Okay, man, lets get the gang together and wrap up a few loose ends." So instead of this being the chapter where the gang finally overcomes Sen's fortress, I decided to make it what I call a "Set up chapter", where I position myself better for things in the next chapter.
Secondly, about Havel Armor, I try to make the story stick with a certain level of realism along with the fantasy, while also sticking to lore accurate actions. And well, unfortunately, as far as I can tell, Havel's armor truly is just rock carved into armor. It's sturdy and has high defense, but apparently not really magic based like I thought it was. So I'm pretty sure there's not really a lore accurate method to fixing it once destroyed as smelting metal isn't the same as stone and Repair Powder doesn't fix completely broken armor. So I ultimately decided to leave Siegmeyer with only parts of the Havels armor and his own Onion Armor.
Thirdly, due to the large number of the group of active member in Team Prophet and me trying to keep things from dragging out, I tried to walk a fine line between keep the interactions natural, but also have them not slow the story to a crawl. So I hope I hit that sweet spot on things this time around.
Fourthly, though I try not to lean to heavily on the romance side of things and keep things focused on the conflict at hand, I kinda found that I have a fondness of Oscar and the two sisters. So that last part between Oscar and Quelaan sorta just happened a few brainstorms on how I should end the chapter. I would ultimately like to set up Quelaan as a caring sibling trying set up her family for the better, but she's not an idiot about it and isn't above using certain methods to reach her goal if need be.
Also, no one think less of Oscar. After all, would YOU resist the spider woman if she came on to you? Think on it, guys!
But that's all I've 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. Was Reah and Mildred's interaction a bit to friendly? Was Yuria a little to agreeable with giving Kirk the extra information? Was Quelaan a bit too OC with her method in getting close to Oscar?
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. Listen to me guys, as a certified weeb, I'm telling you that intercourse with a Spider woman in entirely possibly biologically. This is the hill I will die on!