DEAR GOD AND FLYING SPAGGETI MONSTER IN THE SKY, I'VE DONE IT!
It's been to loooooooong. But I wanted to get everything as close to perfect as I could for this one, ladies and gents. And NOW I can finally post this chapter that took me forever to decide was ready.
*Throws chapter at your face* Take it! Take it and never look back. What are you still doing here reading this pointless gibberish that has nothing to do with anything. Get outta here! Go on, get!
Warning: This chapter is sponsored by the great Lenny, he who devoured the Flying Spaghetti Monster. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
The Iron Golem fell with a devastating crash.
Its body was distorted and mangled beyond recognition, bent and broken pieces of black iron strewn across the area like a twisted graveyard of metal misery.
A single level up above, the body of a Giant lay sprawled across the floor, its blood staining the ground a thick, murky red. Even in its weakened and enchained state, it would have been more than an intimidating force against one foe. But against several, some of which who were the cream of the crop, it's vain struggles before dying could only be described as a small obstacle.
The same could be said for Sen's Fortress as a whole.
Originally, the Fortress loomed as a dark and unforgiving structure of terror for all those that braved its depths. A perilous proving ground solely for the bravest and toughest of minds to test their will against its cursed darkness. Every corner held hidden monsters, every passage was guarded by booby traps, every step carried with it the possibility of death and despair...
...unless the adventurers had been warned ahead of time, which is exactly what Yuria did. Then, instead of a challenge, the Fortress simply became less of a "horrifying deathtrap" and more of a tour through a "museum of mild inconveniences".
The snake men were far too few in number to pose any real the groups strength, easily laid to waste by their overwhelming force. Whilst any traps were rendered harmless with Yuria's having revealed each one's exact location throughout the fortress.
Though the fodder of the group were somewhat of an annoyance to keep alive through the large bladed pendulum walkways, their progress was quite smooth and efficient. Yuria ensured they wasted not a moment in making their way to her master feet.
She sharply dismissed the idea of deviating from their mission for any side task that were unlikely to bear fruit. Her mind was keenly aware that within Sen's Fortress dwelt Big Hat Logan and the Crestfallen Knight Merchant. But as they would likely be either uncooperative in helping her lord or else completely useless respectively, she coldly decided against rescuing them.
They were not worth the effort.
What was worth their effort, though, were the treasures scattered across Sen's Fortress, specifically the powerful enchanted rings. While most of these valuable items were too far away or required too much time consuming backtracking to consider fetching, Yuria made the time to retrieve the strongest ring of the bunch. Which just so happen to lay right along on their path.
According to her master memories, it was known as the "Ring of Steel Protection". Once she retrieved it and returned to the groups side, Yuria silently gifted it to Siegmeyer without explanation before stepping ahead of the group once more. It took mild convincing from Anastacia before the oaf slipped it onto his finger and experience his muscles and body hardening not unlike iron.
Paired with the Dragon's Tooth already granting him resistances to fire and magic from being wielded, alongside Havel's Ring bestowing upon him extraordinary physical strength, Siegmeyer had been changed into what could only be described as an immovable colossus of power and might.
A worthy general to her Lords Forces. As shown when he overpowered the Iron Golem entirely on his own.
And so here they stood at the Peak of Sen's Fortress, victorious and awaiting what comes next. Upon the ground before them was a sphere of light; a tool to call down the Bat Wing demons from high atop the wall to carry them directly to the golden city.
Vince lets out a triumphant scream that echoes through the cavern walls. "We've done it! I can't believe we've done it!" he shouts, not bothering to contain his excitement.
Yuria scoffed, her lip curling in annoyance at Vince's words. "If you call riding on the coattails of those better than you 'doing it', then yes, I suppose you did," she spat. finding it somewhat annoying that a gnat such as him found the gall to pat himself in such a manner. "The demons will be here shortly. I doubt they will be able to take so many of us all at once, so we'll send those least likely to die immediately first."
"I will be the vanguard. The sooner I reach Seath's domain, the sooner I can rescue my daughter." Siegmeyer proclaimed resolutely.
"Don't get ahead of yourself. You will pave the way, but my Lords will of overcoming the city comes first." Yuria's eyes narrowed as she cut him off. "There is a golden barrier sealing off the path to Seath's Archives. The only way to dispel it is to retrieve the Lordvessel. Remember this well. "
With that, Yuria turns her back on the group and appears intent on traveling elsewhere.
"I will be right behind you all momentarily." the red robbed woman commented offhandedly. "Better that I kill Prince Ricard and retrieve a bit of insurance, before heading up."
"Yuria..." Anastacia speak up lowly.
"I won't be long, Anna. Ricard hardly posses any concern for-"
"...are those stars meant to herald us?" the Keeper questioned plainly, he words cutting through Yuria's train of thought like a butter knife.
Yuria blinked in confusion, turning around to find everyone staring intently at the night sky above them. Following their gaze, Yuria found what appeared to be hundreds upon hundreds of stars twinkling fiercely against the blanket of darkness, their number seemingly growing by the second until they had completely filled the night with their luminescence.
"Stars?...Wait a minute..."
Suddenly, the stars began moving in one direction, converging towards the great wall that separated them from the golden city beyond. A booming cacophony of destruction filled their ears, followed by a loud explosion that shook the very ground beneath their feet.
Yuria felt her blood run cold as she realized what was happening.
"Not stars! Sorcery!" the former Darkwraith exclaimed aloud. "It's begun! My Lord is facing Gwyndolin!"
As her words brought the reality of the situation down upon the group and caused them to steel themselves, two Bat Wing demons descended from above with hands outstretched to take the first of the humans to Anor Londo.
"HURRY! HURRY UP!" Yuria shouted at the demons decent upon them. "Siegmeyer, Solaire, you both are responsible getting to the Lordvessel. If all fails, we'll need a backdoor. Anastacia, wait atop the wall for me and I'll guide you to my lord as quickly as I can. As for the rest of you - your mission's straightforward: protect Anastacia and defeat as many foes as you can before you die."
"We're not going to die!" Reah said, her words ringing through Yuria's ears like gunshots. "And stop speaking to us as if our lives are so easily discarded on your whim!"
A spark of rage ignited in Yuria's gaze before she clamped her jaw tight with the sheer amount of force it took to restrain herself from lashing out at the cleric's impudence.
She inhaled deeply, desperately trying to quell the boiling fury within her, but as she turned to address Reah directly, she could feel her outrage steadily rising within her chest.
"We are on the cusp of seeing the one true lord above them all and you think you insignificant life is worth even a moment of a mention?!" Yuria seethed, feeling her blood boil despite her desperate attempts to muzzle her anger. "You would DARE to insult-"
"Yuria!" Anastacia interrupted gently, knowing that Yuria's restraint was one that was easily shattered if there was a perceived slight against the prophet. "We don't have much time before we all are taken to the city, yes? And you did say that you wished to retrieve some form of insurance before that happens."
"But Reah has blasphemed against the great-"
"And we have no time to waste addressing such things. You should instead focus on more important matters like retrieving what we may need and...uh...practicing your apology when we see Kaylen again." Anastacia said trying to keep Yuria's mind off any sort of violence towards their allies. Seeing as the anger was slowly slipping away from her features, it was clear that her words were having the desired effect. "You have thought about what you're going to say to him, right? Gotten the words just?"
At this, Yuria was still and looked to have a small internal panic for a moment. Her eyes flickered off to the side in thought for a moment and her face twisted in dread as she realized that, no, she hadn't thought about what she was going to say to apologize to her master at all. Not specifically.
Oh god, she didn't think about it specifically.
Anastacia watched Yuria with concern, seeing the sudden fear and panic on her face. Yuria's eyes then met hers, filled with a silent plea for help. But before Anastacia could offer any sort of assistance, the red robed woman turned away quickly and rushed off without a word. Likely to retrieve whatever "insurance" she spoke of.
Leaving the rest of the group to ponder the woman's mental health as they watched her leave in a hurry.
"Terrific. Glorious. Gods, the end of the world and a half naked lunatic of a woman who is clearly to kill one of us eventually." the Merchant spoke with a sigh and a shake of his head. "At least it can't get any worse."
At this, every single human in the vicinity fixed their eyes on the merchant simultaneously and uttered not a single word. Even Mildred looked at him as if he was stupid.
This prompted the merchant to look at each one of them with clear confusion.
"What? I think we can all agree nothing could possibly make things any-"
Priscilla bounded through the shadowy corridors of the castle like a wild beast, her gaze ravenous and bloodthirsty. The tantalizing scent of mortality drew her further and further in, filling her nostrils with its aromatic magnificence.
The knights and lesser demons that impeded her path were like insects trying to stop an avalanche; even their most vibrant scents paled in comparison to what she sought. With savage ferocity she flung them out of her way, their bodies crashing against the stone walls with bone-shattering force. With each step, she erupted into a flurry of motion, violently discarding any who dared cross her path..
Destruction unfolded in her wake- the walls of the castle broke down and crumbled away before the unrestrained power of Anti-life that emanated from Priscilla's body. The air grew oppressive and almost inert as her eyes glowed an abyssal gray. A sinister hiss pervaded the atmosphere; reality itself seemed to warp before her presence, screaming out in anguish.
But none of that mattered to the crossbreed in the throes of her uncontrollable hunger.
With a wild fervor, she shot down the twisting hallways of the castle like an arrow unleashed from a bow. Unable to quench her insatiable craving for the succulent scent that permeated through the air, the scant few remnants of her sanity slowly faded away until only her overwhelming urge to consume remained. She yearned with an unhinged passion to sate her hunger, her single-minded need driving her onward through the castle.
And make no mistake, with every step, with every movement, with every breath...
"...she draws near." a sinister voice whispered ominously in Kaylen's ear as he cradled Velka's broken form in his arms.
Velka could barely keep consciousness, her entire body wracked in agony. Shattered bones and ruptured organs were screaming out for relief, but it never came. Through the hazy fog of pain that had enveloped her, Velka was still just aware enough to notice Kaylen's body tensing as if ready for some unseen battle.
His eyes cut through the air like daggers, blazing with a combination of concern and rage that was both terrifying her and endearing all at once. He was not a loyal hound fiercely baring his teeth in defense of its master .
Meanwhile, Kaylen was taking in a great deal of things all at once.
The first was the feeling of a sudden chill crawling up his spine, an iciness that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He recognized the sensation as one he'd experienced before, but it was different this time - darker and more sinister; Bringing about a instinctual creeping sense of dread that threatened to overwhelm him. Yet still Kaylen stood firm, refusing to be afraid.
His second concern was running through every single possible method of healing Velka in his mind.
"Nothing in Anor Londo. The Lordvessel would take to long and is too well guarded to use to escape. The Dukes Archives only has a Fire Keepers Souls behind a locked door. That leaves...the humanity in the Crystal Cave." Kaylen thought as the memory of the entire layout of all three locations played out through his mind. "There's just the one on a corpse on the invisible path. I have to-"
"You have to what, hm? Fight through everyone, monsters and knights included, with Velka in tow to go all the way to the Crystal Cave? With Gwyndolin probably on our ass the entire time? There's being hopeful, then there is letting her die out of principle." the other spoke with clear disapproval. "Look around us...really look."
Doing as the voice advises, Kaylen opened up all his senses to his environment. The air seemed charged, like electricity was humming through it. He felt a peculiar sensation that he couldn't quite put his finger on; it was as if he were standing in the middle of a vast, unseen ocean, its depths too deep for him to see.
"Yes...See past what there and know the whisper of him around us." the voice guided as it grew easier and easier for Kaylen to recognize that the corridor also seems to have its own life. He could feel it breathing against his skin in subtle movements like a slow-moving ocean tide, giving him chills as if it were alive yet waiting for a command.
"This is...Gwyndolin's sorcery?" Kaylen thought to himself, before it clicked in his mind. "I already know about his illusions, why would me feeling this be able to help anything?"
"You don't know a thing." the voice said with no small hint of amusement. "It might be born of him, but it can be our weapon. Our bread and butter. With it, we can create, we can grow, we-"
"So the little human has made his way to his master side." Gwyndolin said at last after watching Kaylen look at Velka and then look around in a daze.
"Hey! Rude fucker cut me off!" The voice huffed indignantly as Kaylen quickly shifted his attention away from Velka towards the Dark Sun.
"If you think that's enough to kill her, know that Velka is not so fragile. She will suffer, but it is doubtful such injuries will be enough to end her outright." Gwyndolin continued calmly.
"From the look of this place, it's not for lack of trying on your part." Kaylen replied with no small hint of displeasure as his gaze swept over the destruction that littered the corridor.
There was a long silence that lingered between the two of them. Though his face was securely hidden behind a sun-shaped helm, Kaylen could feel Gwyndolin's searching gaze piercing through him. And in turn, Kaylen attempted to not to let it be known that he was taking note of the unseen sorcery that coated the air all around him; trying to make sense of what the voice within him meant about using it.
"...Velka spoke that you knew of the fading flame and our intentions to rekindle it, human." Gwyndolin spoke at last. "I would think you must see as the villain of this tale. Someone who must be stopped. But I wonder if you truly grasp the reality of things. Of what's truly at stake."
"I do. More than I'd like, in fact." Kaylen replied plainly, the displeasure towards the Dark Sun more than evident in his tone.
"Good. Then you know that all that has been done was done out of necessity. Even after she's betrayed al that she knew, even after she took the lives of those who trusted her, I gave Velka a choice. I was reasonable despite it all and still she refused to do what was right." Gwyndolin said with no small hint of sadness in his tone. Still feeling the sting of Velka's treachery. "...But I can be reasonable once more."
At this, Kaylen felt Gwyndolin's sorcery within the air around him begin to shift and coalesce. In a single instant, two unarmed Silver Knights appeared before his person. With a single thought and a hairs breath faster, Kaylen materialized two greatswords that gleamed in the air, each tip poised threateningly against the throats of the illusion of the two men.
"Not enough to just react to it. He's got more ammo and time than we do. Reach out and make his power our own or else-"
"Enough..." Kaylen said, silencing the voice within his mind.
"You wish to be with her, yes? Then let it be so. Let me take her to the Painted World. Let me deliver her to you." Gwyndolin exclaimed calmly.
"You mean let you imprison her in that frozen wasteland filled with demons and hollows? That's your idea of being "reasonable", huh?" Kaylen scoffed openly.
"Is it not preferable to death?! I'm trying to-!" Gwyndolin began to lash out angrily, but stopped himself mid sentence before taking a deep breath and tempering his emotions. "I'm trying to offer the chance for her to live despite being given every reason not too. Once the flame has been rekindled, I will seek you out in painting personally and we can discuss on more peaceful terms. Wipe the slate clean even. You foresight and Velka's power would be of great service in rebuilding for the future. So I am telling you to take the woman you claim to love and leave. Forget what you believe you know about-"
"This has to stop, Gwyndolin." Kaylen said calmly, though his words were no less sharp, as he used his sorcery to form spiked whips that gently wrapped around Velka's limbs, before her turned around and used them to help him maneuver her to lean her body across his back for support. The whips enveloped his body from within, granting him more than enough strength to carry her with ease.
He flinched ever so slightly at the sound of faint cries of pain that came from Velka's lips, but remained focused on ensuring she was securely upon him.
Once he'd done all he could to fold her wings and make her as comfortable as he could, it was Kaylen who's gaze now pierced Gwyndolin.
"You know, I knew early on that I'd eventually come to odds with you, Gwyndolin. Went over everything I know of Lordran a dozen times trying to figure what I could say, what proof I could give to show you there was another way beyond what you've chosen." Kaylen said aloud, the expression on his face showing nothing but firm resolve.
"Is that right? Then tell me, human...what came of your deliberations?" Gwyndolin questioned dryly.
At this, Kaylen's jaw clenched and his gaze sharpened as he stared at Gwyndolin. The air thickened with a palpable tension, the kind of chill which could only come from two people who knew they were at odds with one another.
Kaylen took a deep breath as if to steel himself for what he was about to do. He then slowly let his shoulders relax and straightened his posture, before his expression softened into a warm smile.
"Just two things." Kaylen said warmly, his next words not easy for him to say in the slightest. "First...I want to say thanks, Gwyndolin."
"W-...What?" Gwyndolin said with genuine confusion. His weary eyes raising an eyebrow in befuddlement beneath his helmet, before settling back into a stony calm "And why would you think to regard me with gratitude, human?"
"Because you deserve it. Maybe more than anyone else in Lordran, if I'm honest." Kaylen continued unperturbed. "I've seen the ages that have yet to come, witnessed destruction on what will be a global scale...and I've seen that through it all, you stood firm. When darkness descended and despair seemed overwhelming, you offered solace and a glimmer of hope with your moonlight. Your illusions of Princess Gwynevere gave a sense of tranquility in the face of chaos and reminded us that even amidst the hardship, there was beauty to be found. And after seeing you in person and hearing a bit from you now, it's clear you do it all because you give a damn about all the suffering everyone's going through."
Hearing these words, Gwyndolin found his expression softening despite himself. Each word came off as both genuine and heartfelt.
"Most other gods may and abandoned hope, Anor Londo may fall to ruin a hundred of times over and the First Flame may fade time and time again...but you would always be there trying to hold it all together. Giving everything to keep rebuilding and fighting for hope, time and time again, right until the very end." Kaylen locks his gaze firmly upon the gods own as he speaks his next words. Every phrase is delivered with ardent fervor, searing into the god that he meant every word. "I speak from the bottom of my heart when I say thank you for your courage and selflessness, Gwyndolin. Thank you for never giving up."
At hearing Kaylen's words, Gwyndolin paused for a moment before opening his mouth to begin to reply, but Kaylen had already started to speak again.
"But with all that said, let me be perfectly clear...I'm going to beat the living shit out of you for what you've done to Velka." the Prophet replied in a matter of fact tone, causing Gwyndolin's eyes widened beneath his sun shaped in sheer astonishment at the threat. "And when I say that, I really~ feel like I gotta be clear. No matter what happens in this situation, what you say, what illusions you use, there is no scenario in this where I don't beat you to near death. And after I'm done kicking your ass...I'm gonna get you healed and have you apologize to Velka."
At hearing this, an oppressive wave of silence rolled through the room as Gwyndolin's face contorted with disbelief. Then, what seemed like eons later, the faintest suggestion of a smile slowly appeared on his lips and quickly grew into uproarious laughter at the sheer absurdity of what he'd just been told.
"Heh, heh, heh, ha, ha,ha ...Really now. I had expected you to display far more anger and distain towards me. Instead I find myself receiving praise and thanks for my efforts, followed by a threat. Heh, heh, heh.." He pauses as he slowly shakes his head in clearly amused and condescending manner. "It has been... quite some time since I presented with something to smile about."
After taking a moment to collect himself, but still sporting a bit of an amused expression upon his face, Gwyndolin then give a slight bow to Kaylen before continuing on, "But even still, I would offer you my thanks as well, human. For giving Velka a bit of happiness and care. At the very least, I am glad to see such care was genuine rather than a farce to deceive her. However..." Gwyndolin's smirk of amusement fades off his face and is replaced by a cool sternness as he raises himself up from his bow. "...do not mistake my words for sympathy. If you will not accept my mercy of delivering Velka to the painting, then I can do not but grant you both a peaceful end."
"He's got no idea who he's dealing with..." the other scoffed at the gods words. "We're hungry for this."
"Bear with me, Velka. I know moving hurts, but I'm going to need to be quick. Just hang on as best you can, okay?" the Prophet whispered to the goddess leaning on him from behind, only to just barely be able to make out the words she said next.
"...I'll..Tr-.y..."
Though her words were faint and she only just barely found the strength to speak them, Kaylen understood loud and clear...
...He also took note of the sight of her frozen breath on the air.
"Rest well, human." Gwyndolin said calmly, causing Kaylen's gaze to harden and his body to tense.
Suddenly and without warning, the white marble floor erupts beneath his feet, sending a shower of lethal spikes springing up straight to pierce his body. He charges forward with a burst of superhuman agility, each step and dodge a blur of precognitive action, somehow avoiding the deadly onslaught of jagged shards. With miraculous reflexes, he outmaneuvers the chaotic fury of illusionary daggers that speed past him in a trance-like state, his sorcery allowing him to stay by a single breath ahead of Gwyndolin's.
Grinding his teeth with determination, he weaved and swayed his body wildly in a desperate attempt to escape the hostile spikes erupting in front of him, preventing him from closing the distance to Gwyndolin and forcing him to retreat backwards as more spikes followed suit. Velka's heavy winged form both burdened him and added an extra layer of concern as he had to focus on making sure she wasn't stabbed either.
"Come on, you feel it in your bones. This is but a shadow of us."
"Are we still doing this whole 'dark and mysterious' dialogue thing? Speak! Plainly!"
The frenzy of razor sharp spikes erupt faster and faster. Turning the ground into a savage maelstrom of sharp protrusion as the seek him out, barely missing Kaylen as he dodges each one by the narrowest of margins with perfect reflexes. Suddenly, his eyes hardened as a dozen spheres of sorcery are unleashed upon him in an instant from above. Acting on instinct Kaylen wills a flurry of broken swords forged from solidified magic into existence faster than the naked eye can follow. They intercept each barrage of spheres in midair, leaving trails of captivating blue light in their wake.
"What do you think I'm trying to do, Idiot?! Think back. How did you learn to use pyromancy when you first woke up in the Undead Asylum? Or use sorcery with nothing but memory and a feeling? Or manage to fight with any swords or weapons without ever being taught?" the voice replied harshly, as if it couldn't stand the frustration it was currently feeling. "There's only one answer...INSTINCT! It forms the very essence that is our being. Pyromancy, swordplay, sorcery, it doesn't matter. Deep within us lies the instinct to dominate and evolve as we please."
Kaylen is suddenly engulfed by a horde of phantom knights, their weapons drawn and raised for a killing blow. Without hesitation, he unleashes a devastating torrent of pyromancy from multiple mirage copies of himself. Thunderous explosions rip through the air, ripping apart the illusionary forces. A haze of smoke and ash briefly shrouds Kaylen as he continues to evading the perils that pursued him.
"You're asking for a sip of water while your already drowning in the ocean. Instinct isn't held back by logic. Stop trying to think and reason with what we can do, and simply act! That's all that can be told!"
As the words reverberated through his mind and Kaylen tried to make sense of them so that he could apply their wisdom onto himself.
What he didn't know was that Velka was listening to all of it as well.
Reaching into his mind, she was met with what sounded like Kaylen talking back and forth with himself. It was strange. She could feel his confusion at the explanation he gave himself, how he couldn't quite latch on to making his "instinct" a reality...but Velka was quite the intelligent woman and she caught on quickly.
Whatever part of Kaylen's mind that was speaking to him was right. Instinct isn't held back by logic. It's just something you know. And by such logic, no amount of explanation or clarification will allow Kaylen himself to wrap his mind around it.
True instinct simply "is". True instinct will tell you what to do long before your mind has figured it out. True instinct is ingrained within the very depths of ones soul and desires, a drive only recognizable by the soul.
As such, the solution to this dilemma was quite simple. For there was one desire, one wish, that had pushed Kaylen forward time and time again.
His desire to protect.
Velka was weak right now and barely had the strength to remain conscious, but if she understood things correctly, to spur a more immediate change in him she needed too instill more urgency of what he stood to lose.
"Pr...Prophet..." the goddess said telepathically to Kaylen's mind. Though she found it difficult to concentrate through the pain to speak to him mentally, she had the strange feeling of certainty that she had the attention of both parts of his mind. "...In case...I cannot speak it later...I wish to tell you that I love you..."
Even as he worked and evaded against obstacle upon obstacle with Gwyndolin's illusions, she felt his mind stand at attention upon hearing this.
"No. You tell me that later when you're healed." Kaylen thought as his focused sharpened that much further. "Not now, not like this!"
"She's not thinking straight. Stay focused! " the voice in Kaylen's head said heatedly.
"I wished...to build more with you...to build a home...a family...a life away from all this..." the goddess whispered lowly.
""Stop it!"" both sides of Kaylen said simultaneously.
Velka could feel the magnitude of his sorrow and outrage, refusing to accept that this was her fate. True, though she was purposefully being far more dramatic in an effort spur him, her words came from the depths of her soul.
With her sever injuries and the throbbing pain coursing through her body, she'd used the last of whatever strength she had left in speaking these words to him. As her energy waned, her body limp on Kaylen's back and the darkness slowly consumed her, her final words before unconsciousness took her echoed through Kaylen's thoughts: "Take care of Anna..."
An overwhelming feeling of dread washes over Kaylen as he feels Velka's body fall limp upon his back. In that same instant, all around him the illusionary knights swing their weapons to end him, arrows rain down from above seeking to skewer him and jagged spikes erupted from the floor at his feet to pierce him.
There was nowhere to run.
But when he hears what he believes is Velka's final breaths, something shifts deep within Kaylen and his veins fill up with pure fury. He roars in terrible rage, as if he wanted the heavens themselves to feel his anger, and with it came forth a greatsword of the purest sorcery. It manifested from nothing more than his will and desire, crystallizing into an impenetrable form in the span of a single breath.
He raises this sword and unleashed its power with one awe-inspiring swing. The prophets blade flew like a comet through the air, faster than anything in its path. In a single devastating instant, the false world around him shatters into oblivion in an ear-splitting cacophony of destruction, exploding to splinters like a giant mirror being smashed to a million fragments of jagged glass.
Gwyndolin's horrifying screams of agony ruptured through the air as his soul was ripped apart by an unforgiving force. He recoiled back and clutched his head in wide eyed despair, his body quaking with pain as his essence was torn to shreds. His veins bulged with anguish, and a torrent of blood oozed from his eyes and ears.
Kaylen waste no time and advances, a relentless force of destruction closing in on Gwyndolin in a dizzying show of speed, every movement unfolding like a morbid nightmare in slow motion to the gods eyes.
Desperately, Gwyndolin gasped out through blood red eyes "N-No..." before his words were cut off by a rising wave of terror. His body was paralyzed by pain that gripped his very soul, he could will an illusion into being in time. He could only watch helplessly as the human rushed forward with speed not thought possible his kind-closing the gap between them in an instant with a furious primal scream.
Kaylen's blade glinted coldly in the moonlight like a dark omen of Gwyndolin's demise and when their eyes met all he could feel was the overwhelming malice raging within Kaylen's yellow stare, promising no mercy.
Gwyndolin felt his heart clench tightly in his chest as he could do nothing but feel himself gasp sharply and steel himself for death...
...only to watch in complete shock as Kaylen sprinted past him without so much as a glance and made his way directly through the exit at his rear.
Out of sight in the blink of an eye, Kaylen's breaths of exertion faded out of earshot within moments as he exits the chamber with Velka's body in tow atop his back.
Gwyndolin's body convulses as burning pain burrows deep within his skull, a searing fire that brings him to his knees. The blood red tears streaming from his eyes burn like acid on his skin, and he feels the electrical current of disbelief and agony surge through every part of him. His vision fails him as he desperately claws at the cold floor beneath him, trying to cling onto sanity amidst the torment raging inside him. The sharp coughs ripping from his throat ricochet off the walls and further heighten his anguish.
He couldn't understand what just happened. It didn't feel as if he had been attacked, it felt as if his soul had been seized by an invisible force and ruthlessly used to destroy itself.
He couldn't fathom how such a thing could be possible- no human or god can forcibly manipulate the being of another..
"Ugh...U-Uhg..."
He surveys the chamber with wavering vision, picking out the familiar sight of his catalyst laying directly in front of him.
"Ugh...W-...Wait...Wait!..." His hand trembles with agony as he reaches out to grab hold of his catalyst once again, gritting his teeth in determination despite it all.
Kaylen sprints down the long corridor, feeling Gwyndolin's magical illusions cling to him like a thousand tiny hemlock needles. Translucent walls shimmer into view, their imperfections made obvious by Gwyndolin's waning power. . Unfazed, Kaylen brings forth phantasmal copies of himself that violently explode straight through the walls with their pyromancy over and over again, leaving only an avalanche of rubble in their wake as he continues forward with dogged determination. His focus caring only if Velka was still breathing as he carried her.
With ease of breath and stride he moves through the passage at incredible speed until suddenly coming across the beginnings of a massive spiral towering staircase that he knew would take him topside...
...and it was currently beginning to rotate away from him.
"WHAT?!" Kaylen shouted knowing that the staircase changing positions could only mean one thing.
"Someone's activated the stair mechanism!" the voice within Kaylen's head said with just as much surprise and frustration. "Hurry, before the path is gone!"
"No, no, no, no, noooo!" Kaylen shouted as he kicked his feet into overtime and practically had to lunged upon the base of the stair case just as the path was nearly lost to him. Only just barely making it at the last second and rushing up the many stairs.
Wondering the entire time, just who was the complete asshole that pulled the staircase lever.
"Greetings, my lord and master. Long have I awaited to see you. I have traveled far and achieved much in your name. It would bring me great pleasure too-. No, no, no, what am I thinking?! That's too wordy and not nearly submissive enough!" Yuria said with clear exasperation as the stair rotated and rose higher after her having turned the large lever.
Her lords forces had all been delivered to the Golden city as planned, easily overcoming and killing the giant sentinels and the Gargoyle sentry that served as the welcome.
Having had crystal clear understanding of how to traverse the golden city's path to the Lordvessel, Yuria wasted no time in telling the group to hold their position at the path before the bridge while she traversed through the broken window off too the side and made her way through the building to raise the bridge for them.
Strangely enough, there were no painted Guardians atop the rafters nor at floor level to guard the Painting. It was easy enough to assume that it must have been due to Lautrec little invasion incident. Not that it mattered, as with no one to contest her intrusion, reaching the bridge mechanism was a swift and simple endeavor.
She would send Siegmeyer and Solaire to face Ornstien and Smough, while she, Anastacia and the fodder go to Gwyndolin's chambers. She had a very good hunch that her lord would be there, likely already facing off against the Dark Sun with Velka.
As the bridge ascended though, she gave deep thought as too what she would say upon seeing her master for the first time since she swore herself to his service.
The customary bow and prostration, she did a hundred times already. But the words.. what would she say? She had to show the utmost respect, but not be so stiff as to disappoint.
"My lord and master. I bow before your greatness, a servant of your will until my last breath ." Yuria breathed softly as her hands grasped one another firmly against of her breast as if in prayer, she then bowed her head and body slowly, prostrating herself as best as possible in an effort to show proper respect and admiration. Her breath became steady, though light with anticipation at the thought of soon seeing him.
"You can do better than that. Come on, Yuria! First impressions are everything?!"
She does not raise her head as she speaks again.
"My lord. From your most humble follower I plead for absolution. For my great sin against you, worthy of death. And all my wrongdoings that did not adhere to your wishes. May you forgive me for my foolish transgression and stain of sin I bear for serving another." Yuria was sure these words should suffice, showing that she truly sought to repent. Although she longed to say something longer and more personal upon their reunion, it was likely best to keep it brief. After all, that's how Servants are supposed to behave- formal yet with absolute reverence and loyalty towards their Masters.
Standing tall at the top of the stairs Yuria readied herself- taking deep breaths while mentally chanting her mantra several times over to make sure even a single syllable wouldn't slip from her lips without proper respect given beforehand. For she would not take any chances when presenting herself before her illustrious lord.
The bridge reaches it's peak and Yuria lays eyes upon the awaiting group that stood ready upon a single path in front of the bridge.
"Quickly. Everyone has their task, now lets-"
Yuria's sentence is cut short as blue, ethereal whips composed of magic ensnare her arm. With superhuman strength, Yuria turns around and pulls the whips tight in an attempt to resist them, only for a powerful grip to grasp hold of her throat as a black cloaked assailant uses his momentum to carry her forward off the ground before roughly slamming her down onto her back.
His face hidden behind his hood he snarls menacingly at Yuria, his yellow split eyes glaring down at her with aggression and hostility, before his gaze swept over her loose red robe and the clear sight that she was naked underneath it.
He recognized the clothing set, but not the woman wearing it.
"What? Crimson Set? Here?" he muttered almost too quietly for any human ears to hear as he unconsciously tightened his grip further...though Yuria was far too enthralled by just who it was laying hands upon her for her to give any sort of reaction to her windpipe being thoroughly restricted. Blushing deeply, not even a hint of discomfort shone through the look of within her dark eyes.
"Y-...Y-You...L-Lor.." She does not resist in the slightest and tries speak, but all that comes out are garbled words and soft whimpers. A surge of electrifying love engulfs her senses as she stares helplessly up into his dominating gaze.
"Kaylen...?" a gentle voice spoke out just up ahead, prompting Kaylen to turn his gaze upward to see the face of a familiar woman he'd longed to see again. Alongside a myriad of other familiar faces standing alongside her.
"Anastacia? Guys?!" Kaylen said with a clear look of dumbfounded shock as Anastacia took in the sight of Velka's broken body laying atop his back.
"What happened to-?...AAAHH!" Anastacia words were suddenly cut short as she raised her gaze a bit further behind Kaylen and let loose a blood curdling scream of fear.
Kaylen felt his heart stop cold as the sounds of deep, heavy breathing reached his ears.
He slowly began to turn around, feeling an icy chill wash over his body that got colder and colder as the seconds passed. He could physically feel the eyes of something boring into his back like daggers cutting deep into his skin as he finally turned all the way around to be met with a sight of true terror towering directly over him.
The creature stood at least four feet taller than Kaylen and was barely humanoid in appearance. Her deathly pale skin was stretched tight over her starved skeletal frame and her eyes were almost lost in darkness within their sunken eye sockets. But it was the look of hunger and need that truly terrified Kaylen- for it felt like she could see into his soul with one glance and devour it without a moment's notice if given the chance.
The creature uttered no sound but instead simply stared down upon Kaylen with its piercing gaze, the world around it seeming to waver and ripple before his very eyes. In every sense of the word, this was nightmarish predator that had found it's long awaited prey.
Upon seeing that it wore a familiar pure white furred dress, Kaylen realized exactly who it was. And it made it all the more terrifying to see her stripped of all her beauty and innocence, leaving only the monster within to be seen.
At this sight, all present seemed to become still like statues; their tongues frozen in fear, unable to utter even a single word as they all looked upon the beast before them in horror- It was only Kaylen himself who managed to find his voice and say the only thing that came to mind.
He was no fool. If what he'd already seen of how quickly Priscilla could move was any indication, at this distance he was practically already her dinner. But none of that fear stopped him from dawning a cheeky smirk at the creature before him.
"Huh...this~ might be why the whole "dragon crossbreed" thing freaked everyone out." Kaylen said as calmly as he was able, realization full well the true danger the bloodlusted woman before him was. "Not gonna lie though, Cil, I'm about 80% afraid, 20% aroused."
The creature responded with something of a harmonious purr that had everyone taking an instinctive step back as it lowered itself to Kaylen's height. It opened it's maw and its sweet, chilled breath was visible in the air as it extended a long, slithering tongue. As if to suggest its eagerness for its next meal and that it would savor every second of it.
"Alright, make that 40% aroused." was the last Kaylen said with an unashamed smirk plastered on his face, before he exploded with movement.
Ethereal whips composed of his sorcery wrapped around Velka's waist and hastily threw her off Kaylen's back to the safety of Anastacia and the group of his allies. Three mirage copies of him suddenly came into being; all converging upon the pale crossbreed at once.
Priscilla gaze didn't waver for a single instant as her tail whipped out in retaliation with a savage swiftness, intent to ensnare her prey with finality to consume him.
The stage was set, the players ready for the fateful clash that would leave Lordran scarred forever.
Thus began the dire events that would lead to the scarring of the world of Lordran.
The ever changing darkness that was Kaylen against the All consuming for of Anti-life that was Priscilla.
WAAAAAAAIT! WAIT A GOSH DARN MINUTE, I GOT THING TO SAY!
OKAY, firstly, sorry this chapter took a hell of a long time, ladies and gents. I kept trying to cram in WAY too much in at once and it kinda threw me off trying to make events feel seamless and not interrupting one another. I was going to try and include Seath, Oscar, Ornstein and Smough in this one, but finally settle on accepting that I was trying to do too much at once. So I settled on just focusing on making the immediate cast have their meetup.
Secondly, I REALLY tried to go bigger with Kaylen vs Gwyndolin, but dammit, it was very constricting to have to worry about Kaylen protecting Velka on top of fighting Gwyndolin. It turned out to be a lot harder to create a fight between them that didn't drag on and on and on, while still making sure to keep the chapter at a good reading length. (Guys, this is the trimmed down version. The chapter was WAY too long before.)
So I decided to keep things a bit simple with the fight and try to introduce a bit of understanding from both sides even though their at odds. Hopefully, I didn't make Gwyndolin too sympathetic and unwilling to follow through in this. He might be physically weak, but I still want him to have the air of a god doing what he has too for the greater good. As well as I wanted to delve into Kaylen doing things that should be blatantly impossible.
Thirdly, I couldn't delve too far into Pricilla hunting down Kaylen too much as it added way to much to the chapter in wordage, but I hope I really got across the point that her letting her powers go haywire is a devastating thing for the world itself. I'll definitely try to solidify that in the next chapter, but hopefully this really set the stage for our little crossbreed world ender.
But anyways, that's all I have to say this time around, ladies and gents.
As always, feel free to leave a review and tell me what you guys thought about this chapter of the story. Can't wait to here what you guys think of things so far. Was Gwyndolin a bit too willing to find an alternate path in trying to spar Velka instead of trying to finish her outright? Did Kaylen's warping of Gwyndolin's soul feel a bit too out of left field? Should Priscilla have been a bit more vicious and feral when she found Kaylen, maybe a little less aware of things?
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, be honest guys. Even if she it bloodlusted, if any of us saw Priscilla licking a long tongue at us, we'd all be way more than 30% aroused.