Dark Souls: Derp Edition

by Supreme Gamer

Somehow stuck in dark souls, Kaylen, Oscar and loads more characters go on an incredible journey to change the destiny of the chosen undead. Lost Izalith will become found Izalith, mushroom men will attack and Priscilla's tail will be fondled. Warning: Be prepared to joy puke your face off.

75. Chapter 66-The Day After the End

YOU THOUGHT I WAS DONE! YOU THOUGHT I COULDN'T TOP THE LAST CHAPTER! WELL, THINK AGAIN!

I've done it! I couldn't let that last chapter be my peak and I have killed it in this new addition! I took it as a legitimate challenge to beat out Priscilla and Kaylen's moment in the previous chapter, and if you guys do not WEEP with joy and contentment in this chapter, I promise you that there is an ice box where your heart used to be.

Thank you to all you guys who kept PM'ing me with ideas and to chat about the story. You guys are the champs of champs, and you kept the inspiration for what I should do alive! Seriously, huge thanks!

I'm sorry, I don't even have the patience to write out a clever warning sign this time around! BEGONE AND ENJOY THIS CHAPTER THAT WILL BRING YOU TO TEARS, YA FOOLS! TEARS, I SAY!

Warning: Due to Supreme Gamer using all of his creative juices to write this chapter, this warning sign objectively refuses to be clever or entertaining in any way. You have been warned.

---

He's pushing his body too far. But he had to keep trying.

Despite the searing pain that shoots through his body, Gwyndolin forces himself to stand as best as he can. His eyes burn with a fiery intensity as blood trickles down his face, leaving a trail of warm liquid on his skin. Every blink feels like acid against his already raw and wounded eyes, yet he refuses to give in to the agony and remains upright.

Within his grand hall, the ethereal glow that had once illuminated the grand architecture of Anor Londo was now a dim, darkened remnant of its former glory.

The deafening sound of crumbling stonework filled the air, each crash a mournful requiem for a dying era. Massive chunks of marble and granite rained down with explosive force, threatening to pulverize his frail body at any moment. But he remained stoic, unmoved by the chaos and destruction surrounding him.

The human's actions had torn through his very being, shredding his soul and leaving him in a constant battle to maintain even the simplest illusions. Every effort was a struggle that ripped at his physical form, but he refused to give in. With a jaw clenched tight and every ounce of willpower, he forced himself onward, determined not to let the pain overtake him.

The city was a hellish symphony of screams and death, each note punctuated by the sound of buildings colliding together and grotesque creatures pouring in from other dimensions and eras. With desperate gasps for air, Gwyndolin summoned illusion after illusion, trying to shield his allies from the relentless onslaught. But his powers were waning, a mere flickering ember against the sheer magnitude of destruction brought forth and monstrous horrors that descended upon them.

"Lord Gwyndolin!" a knight cried out in agony before being crushed by falling debris. Gwyndolin's eyes burned with unshed tears behind his mask as he watched helplessly as his protectors fell one by one.

Some were fortunate enough to be crushed by the collapsing structures, their deaths quick and merciful. The less fortunate were seized by abominations that defied comprehension—twisted amalgamations of limbs and gaping maws that dragged the screaming victims into shadows where their fates were sealed in unimaginable torment. Limbs were torn asunder, bodies twisted and warped, and the echoes of their agony resonated through the freezing wasteland that Anor Londo had become.

Through it all, Gwyndolin could only watch in abject horror as his once-mighty city crumbled into a frozen wasteland of ruin before his very eyes. The familiar spires and arches, now twisted and broken, stood as a grim testament to the cataclysmic collapse of time and space, leaving only desolation and despair in their wake.

In a desperate bid, he had conjured a grand illusion, a squad of towering warriors to fend off the attackers and seek out his knights that had been dragged away. But the illusions quickly faltered, flickered, and shattered like fragile glass. He could do nothing for them. Their screams still echoed in his mind, a haunting reminder of his failure.

In a desperate bid to save his knights, Gwyndolin, despite his severe injuries and exhaustion, summoned all the strength he had left to conjure a grand illusion—a squad of towering, radiant warriors, each wielding immense power to fend off the monstrous attackers and rescue his comrades being dragged away. The illusory warriors surged forward, clashing with the abominations, their ethereal blades slicing through the darkness. For a fleeting moment, hope flickered in Gwyndolin's heart as he willed his illusions to engage the enemy.

But the hope was short-lived. His injuries and sheer exhaustion sapped his ability to maintain the illusions. The warriors faltered, their forms flickering and wavering like fragile glass under immense pressure. Gwyndolin's vision blurred, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he struggled to keep the spell intact, pouring every ounce of his waning strength into the effort.

Yet it was all in vain. His body betrayed him, the illusions crumbling as his power drained away. The screams of his knights, dragged away in the grip of abominations, pierced through the chaos, a haunting reminder of his failure. Gwyndolin reached out with trembling hands, trying to summon another illusion, another beacon of hope, but his magic was spent, his strength depleted.

"No…No, I'm not done yet…" Gwyndolin's chest heaved with gasping breaths, his body on the brink of collapse. Every fiber of his being screamed in agony as he strained to maintain his sorcery, searching desperately for any sign of survivors. But the weight of exhaustion bore down on him like a crushing boulder, blurring his vision and causing him to stumble against a nearby wall. He clung to it for dear life, using it as a lifeline to stay upright and continue his search before succumbing to the darkness that threatened to overtake him.

"…Get up…I have to….going." Gwyndolin thought, all but begging his body not to surrender. But it was no use.

His legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed to the cold, unforgiving stone floor. His vision blurred with tears as he tried to rise, to cast another illusion, to save even one more life. But his strength was utterly spent.

And then, amidst his haggard breathing and overstrained body weighing him down, it suddenly clicked in his mind…

…This was the end.

The realization seeped into his mind, sending a shudder through his already trembling form. Anor Londo, and probably what remained of the other kingdoms as well, were crumbling into a frozen graveyard.

The lives of every god and mortal alike were being snuffed out amidst the chaos. Even if he could save a single person from monsters and colliding landscapes, there was nothing he could do to save them from the icy grip of the blizzard that greedily siphoned away their essence, leaving behind only empty shells of what used to be living beings.

"…No..I can…I can…"

His thoughts died away, as did any words of resolve he might have given himself. The weight of the reality that he really couldn't do anything to stop this bore down on him, and for the first time, he truly understood the futility of it all.

There was nothing he could do…

…There was nothing he could do.

Slowly, Gwyndolin's body lost its tension. His shoulders slumped, and his labored breaths turned into resigned exhalations. He no longer fought to stand, no longer used his sorcery to expand his senses in a futile attempt to help his warriors.

He simply slumped his head forward…and a hollow, bitter laugh escaped his lips. It was a sound devoid of joy, filled instead with sorrow and a deep, gnawing despair. The laugh echoed through the desolate hall, a haunting reminder of the downfall of a once-great civilization. It was a laugh that spoke of broken dreams and shattered hopes, of a god brought lower than low.

Tears welled in his eyes, blurring his vision as he gazed upon the ruins of his world. He had given everything to protect Anor Londo, to preserve the Age of Fire, to keep hope alive, but it had all been for nothing. The darkness was coming, inevitable and unstoppable, and there was nothing he could do to halt its advance.

Amid his despair, as Gwyndolin's laughter echoed through the crumbling hall, memories stirred within him. Tales of the "Dark Lord" whispered in ancient prophecies flooded his mind. Legends told of a figure shrouded in darkness, destined to rise among humanity and bring about the end of the gods' reign.

As he sat there, tears mingling with the bitter laughter that escaped his lips, Gwyndolin's thoughts drifted to those tales. These stories of old replayed in his mind, taunting him with their cruel irony. Was this truly the fate of his rule and the downfall of the gods? Did their ultimate demise loom over them even when they had practically nothing left to lose?

The sound of his laughter grows into a manic, unhinged howl. The weight of his realization pressed down on him, heavier than the stone that collapsed around him. It was as if fate itself had conspired against him, weaving a grim tapestry of an inevitable defeat.

The hall continues to crumble around him, each crash and rumble a deafening reminder of his overwhelming failure.

Amidst his laughter, another memory surfaced—the memory of the human he had spared; a soul he had deemed unworthy of death and instead banished to the Painted World. The very same human who had returned, more powerful than ever, with the greatest threat to life in existence in tow behind him.

Gwyndolin's laughter turned bitter, laced with sorrow and regret.

"Heh…Heh, heh, heh, is that how it is? I let him live. Ah-ha-ha-ha, the prophecy fulfilled not by an act of hatred or vengeance from humanity, but because of my mercy!" Gwyndolin laughed as he threw his head back. What else could he do in this moment? "Heh, heh, heh, how laughable. I could have prevented the fated end of my people, stopped it all with a single death, but I let him go. Ah-ha-ha-ha, everyone is dying because of me."

His laughter turned into a hollow, pained sound, filled with self-loathing and despair.

"The Dark Lord...born from my own misguided act of mercy. Ha-ha!"

The laugh that followed was one of pure, unadulterated despair. The prophecy of the Dark Lord had come to pass, and he, Gwyndolin, had unwittingly played a part in its fulfillment. The irony was so thick, so cruel, that he could only laugh at his own folly.

"Ah-ha-ha-ha, I have damned us all. My mercy was our undoing. I am the architect of our doom!"

Gwyndolin's laughter dissolved into sobs, the weight of his actions crashing down upon him. The world he had tried to protect lay in ruins, and it was his own hand that had sown the seeds of its destruction.

With this horrible reality in mind, the Dark Sun slumped against the wall, his body heavy with despair. His laughter had subsided into quiet sobs, and now he could only wait for the end. The hall continued to collapse around him, each crash and rumble a testament to his failure.

"This has all just so… exhausting." he murmured, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. "Just get it over with already."

Gwyndolin sat in the midst of the chaos, waiting for the inevitable. He expected a boulder to crush him, a monster to rip him apart, or the relentless cold to finally snuff out his soul. Any fate would suffice, as long as it brought an end to this ceaseless torment. He was beyond weary, his spirit shattered, and he yearned for an end to it all.

But then, slowly, the sounds of devastation began to wane.

The cacophony of collapsing stone and the howling of the icy winds diminished, replaced by an eerie silence. Gwyndolin's breaths came in ragged gasps, his body trembling as he braced for the final blow.

He cracked open his eyes, squinting against the dust and tears, and found himself surrounded by the remnants of his once-proud hall.

The ceiling above, riddled with cracks, had miraculously held. The walls, though fractured and worn, still stood. The cold, which had seeped into his very bones, began to retreat. The relentless destruction had ceased, leaving a haunting stillness in its wake.

"W-..What?" he whispered, his voice barely audible as he took in the sight of the boulders that surrounded him on all sides in the hall. Each one was large enough to crush his body, and each had missed him by mere inches. It was as if some cruel twist of fate had conspired to leave him untouched amidst the carnage.

He scanned the room in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock. Massive stones had fallen all around him, creating a deadly perimeter that should have ensured his demise. The air was thick with dust and the lingering echoes of destruction, but he remained unscathed, a solitary figure in a sea of devastation.

He musters all his strength to push himself up, but his body screams in protest with every movement. The pain is unbearable, forcing him to crumble back down onto his rear end, leaving him slumped against the wall. The realization of his survival settled in, a bitter and dry acknowledgment of his fate.

"…You've got to be kidding me," he growled, his voice dripping with venomous rage and seething frustration. How could this have happened? Out of all the things that could have killed him, how?!

But here he was, alive amidst the ruins of his world. He had survived without a scratch, while his knights, his people, had perished in the destruction. The absurdity of it all gnawed at him, filling him with a new kind of despair. The destruction that had claimed so many lives had spared him, the one who had wanted death the most.

Rage bubbled up within him, a seething fury at the cruel twist of fate. His hands trembled, not just from the pain but from the sheer, uncontainable anger that surged through his veins. How dare the world leave him alive to witness this? To endure this?

"Why?!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the shattered hall.

"Why am I still here? Why am I the one left to bear this torment?" His voice cracked with the weight of his grief and fury, each word a desperate plea to the uncaring heavens.

His hands clenched into fists, nails digging into his palms. The pain was nothing compared to the torment within. He had lost everything—his men, his kingdom, his family. Even his own body was a source of agony. And yet, the world would not grant him the dignity of death.

His anger surged, a tidal wave of fury that threatened to consume him. He pounded his fists against the stone floor, each impact sending jolts of pain through his body. But he didn't care. The physical pain was a distraction, a momentary reprieve from the overwhelming despair.

He turned his gaze upward and his breath came in deep heaves, as if speaking to an unseen force he knew was watching.

"Is this what you wanted, father?!" Gwyndolin's voice echoed through the shattered halls, trembling with a mixture of rage and anguish. "You abandoned us—your home, your family, your kingdom—to burn for that damned flame! And now you leave me here, unscathed amidst the wreckage? Is this your idea of justice?!"

His fists clenched, nails digging into his palms. "You cruel, heartless tyrant! What more do you want from me? I have given everything! My loyalty, my faith, my very soul! And for what? To watch it all crumble into dust?!"

He pounded his fists against the cold stone, the pain a fleeting distraction from his torment. "Was it all for nothing? Was every sacrifice, every drop of blood, every tear shed in vain? Show me! Prove to me that this suffering has a purpose! That there is a reason behind all this misery! I need to know it wasn't all for nothing! Damn you, ANSWER ME!"

His voice cracked with emotion, raw and desperate. "Please! I will believe in you until my dying breath if you just give me something—anything—to hold on to. Do you hear me?…I'm calling on you."

"I'M CALLING ON YOU!" he screamed, his voice raw and broken, shattering the stillness.

...More silence. His desperate plea echoed through the desolate hall, bouncing off the crumbling walls and shattered columns, only to fade into the indifferent emptiness. There was no solace, no sign of acknowledgment from anyone or anything. The silence bore down on him, an oppressive weight that suffocated his remaining hope.

"…"What kind of father are you? To leave me here, alone in the ruins of our legacy? To abandon me to this madness?"

His body trembled, his spirit breaking. "To hell with you," he whispered, his voice hollow. "To hell with your flame, your false promises, your empty faith. I curse you for every moment of this wretched existence."

The light in his eyes began to dim, the last flicker of faith extinguished by the relentless void. The emptiness around him was a stark reflection of the emptiness within, a chasm of despair that had finally swallowed him whole.

"...You stay gone then. Run away and die alone, you coward." he said in a hollow tone as he slowly pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the pain and protest from his battered body. "I don't need you anyway..."

As he made his way through the grand hall, the dry slithering of his serpent lower half echoed through the empty space; they were barely able to gather the strength to carry him forward. He finally reached the entrance to the spiral staircase, his scaled hands gripping tightly to the railing as he pulled himself upward.

The steps were covered in ice and debris and his breath was visible in the frigid air. The cold was painful to his snake's bodies, but what did it matter anyway? With everything that had happened, what difference did another layer of pain make?

He had a view of the state of things from the staircase. The once-majestic architecture of Anor Londo was now a cold, destroyed hellscape, the aftermath of Seath's abominations rampant power. The landscape was little more than a frozen hell, ice clinging to the remnants of stone and marble from different ages, the air filled with a biting chill that cut to the bone.

As he ascended, the sounds of unseen monsters and unimaginable predators echoed throughout the air of the ruins that was once his home. But he pressed on, his feet dragging with each agonizing step, numb to the looming threats that lurked in the shadows.

If something came to kill him, so be it.

He reaches the pinnacle of the spiral staircase and emerges at the foot of a once-glorious grand stairway. Once a majestic ascent to the heavens, was now littered with rubble. Statues lay broken, pillars reduced to jagged stumps. He trudged through the debris, each step heavy and slow, his body aching and his breath heavy.

He didn't know what he was going to do. Truly, he did not.

The last he saw, the power of Seath's abomination surged to its zenith and Ornstein and Smough were overcome by it. No illusion he made could last against the storm of Anti-life that erupted from it so violently. Nothing living could.

That human, may his soul be eternally damned, must have been killed as well.

And now…well…if nothing else, if absolutely nothing else, Gwyndolin knew the bodies of his most loyal warriors lay lifeless at the top of these stairs.

Their sacrifices deserved proper recognition.

He would give them a proper burial, even if it was the only thing he could do for them now. They deserved at least that muc-.

….

….He stopped dead at the top of the grand stairway. His eyes frozen wide open, staring with disbelief.

The sight that greeted him slowly filled him with the deepest levels of resentment and hatred; the kind of hatred that practically burned one's soul.

The human he had once spared, the one he was certain had to have died, stood at the forefront of the cathedral, alive and well. He was holding Velka and some blonde woman close in a warm embrace. And standing with them was Seath's pale abomination…holding all three of them in her arms.

What he was seeing didn't make sense. And as the Dark Sun continued to stare upon the human who'd caused all this, he no longer cared about making sense of it.

"You…" Gwyndolin's voice dripped with venom as he seethed at the human before him. Every step towards them was a painful, agonizing effort, his body weak and struggling against the bitter cold air that filled his lungs. But he pushed through the pain, fueled by his hatred for this despicable creature who stood surrounded by loved ones, basking in their adoration.

No.

No, no, no, NO! This wasn't fair! He had lost everything, he had sacrificed so much for the greater good. Yet here he stood, empty-handed and alone, while that wretched human, the one responsible for all of this chaos, still had something to fight for?!

His movements were slow, his steps heavy, but the rage within him gave him a newfound strength. Gwyndolin's eyes narrowed as he focused on the human, the source of his torment. With a surge of willpower, he gathered what little strength he had left, summoning the illusion of a bow and arrow.

"HEY!" he shouted, gaining the attention of them all. The bow materialized in his hands, an ethereal weapon formed from his magic. His fingers trembled as he drew back the string, the arrow aimed directly at the human. The weight of his grief and anger settled into his grip, his vision narrowing until all he saw was his target.

He would kill this human if it was the last thing he did in this life!

---

You know, Kaylen didn't feel it before. What with all the adrenaline, the fighting, and trying to save the lives of the ones he cared about, it really didn't start to dawn on him until just this very moment now that things had settled.

His body was in an intense amount of pain. This was not just any pain - this was deep, soul rending suffering.

No, really, dear Christ, it was agony….Holy shit, it's getting worse! Help! Help!

"No, no, It'll be fine. Just…gotta walk it off…U-Ugh…Actually, I was wrong. This is deep, deep pain."

The suffering...It was all-consuming, devouring every inch of his body and soul. Every breath felt like swallowing razor blades, each movement a battle against unrelenting pain.

His muscles convulsed in spasms that seemed to never cease, as if they were trying to tear themselves away from the torment within. Fire raged through his veins, burning him alive from the inside out. It was as if he had offended some higher power and was now being punished with an inferno of suffering.

But amidst the chaos of fire, there was also an icy coldness creeping into his core. Like a merciless predator, it gnawed at his very essence, draining him of any internal warmth and leaving him hollow and numb.

Fear entwined itself around his heart, constricting it with a tight grip. And just when he thought it couldn't get any worse, the sensation of a knife twisting in his chest made its presence known. Over and over again, a relentless cycle of agony and torture, leaving him gasping for air and praying for it to end.

"Y…Yeah…wow, this chest pain is something. It's probably where Priscilla stabbed me with her claws. Her claws that could probably rend reality and souls." Kaylen thought to himself, his body practically pulsing with pain, both physically and spiritually. "I'm sure it'll be fine if I just don't think about it. Sure, Anti-life might be the antithesis of all living things, but who knows? It could be also a rich source of essential vitamins."

Deep within the recesses of Kaylen's consciousness, where shadows whispered of deepest fears, the internal voice was teetering on the brink of complete breakdown. "D-Don't…Don't do that. Don't talk like this suffering is nothing…Like it's not tearing us apart..." it stammered, barely holding on. It wasn't just the pain. Something was watching them; Something massive, something hungry. "I can't...I can't endure this…H-Help me…"

Kaylen's heavy-lidded eyes drooped down, his mind slipping into a hazy state between truth and lies. He sat huddled with a figure that seemed to be a twisted reflection of himself, both trembling from the biting cold that surrounded them. The world was a frozen, desolate nightmare, consumed by an unrelenting blizzard that threatened to swallow them whole. The howling wind whipped through the icy landscape, sculpting monstrous shapes out of snow and ice. Kaylen could feel his body succumbing to the freezing temperatures, his breaths coming out in short, white puffs.

The biting winds howled like a pack of wolves, whipping violently around the desolate wasteland. The sky was an ominous canvas, darkened by looming clouds swirling with the anguished faces of countless people. Their bloodcurdling screams echoed through the air, a never-ending chorus of pain and despair that pierced through the heart.

These people; they were the tormented souls consumed by Priscilla in her despair, their features twisted in unimaginable agony. Each one mirrored the excruciating torment they endured in this hellish realm, their outstretched hands a desperate plea for mercy that would go unanswered.

This was a place beyond comprehension, an eternal prison of suffering with no hope of escape. The souls trapped here were doomed to endure unimaginable horrors for all eternity. Reaped by Lifehunt and made one with Anti-life, their distorted faces served as a haunting reminder of the merciless cruelty inflicted upon them.

"…Oh, god…S-She let us in on her own…She can toy with us as much as slowly she wants…" the entity said in a terrified tone through the shivers of cold it felt permeating its body.

"Shhh…Mh, heh, heh, heh…" a giddy, warped laugh echoed in their ears, feminine yet distorted, sending a shiver down Kaylen's spine.

A presence loomed behind him, its clawed hands settling on his shoulders one finger at a time, each touch heavy with predatory intent. The air grew thick, suffocating, and Kaylen's heart pounded in his chest. He could feel the hunger and sense of eagerness in the way it held him from behind.

It spoke to him…not with words but through a visceral sensation that sent shivers down his spine.

It wanted him to turn around. It wanted his attention, for him to flee, to struggle. A predator that giddily wanted to play with its food, knowing it had all the time in the world to savor every moment.

"D-…Don't look. Please, don't look at it." it begged, each word trembling with fear.

He could hear it licking its teeth hungrily, feel its breath on the back of his neck. There was moisture that dripped on his skin… Was it drooling on him?

Kaylen shuddered, his mind screaming at him to run, to flee from the monstrous hunger that radiated from behind him…. ..But then, with a calmness that went against everything he was experiencing; Kaylen spoke his next words.

"Hm. So this is the price paid then, huh, Cil. In trying to influence a maelstrom of souls and hunger, I made myself a part of it. And she's made herself a part of me." Kaylen looked to his hand, seeing that his skin appeared pale and the muscles beneath it looked as if they were shifting within him. "With all this inside you, you could have killed me at any time. Instead…you're letting me grow stronger so you can enjoy devouring me later."

At this, Kaylen felt something solid and moist trail across the back of his neck. He'd just been licked; taste tested, he'd wager. The presence giggled playfully and gently ran its fangs along his neck. It desperately wanted to take a bite and dig in…

…but this meal wasn't ready yet.

Though its hunger was immense and all-consuming, what terrified Kaylen about this presence shouldn't have been its appetite to consume him. What he should be fearful of is the fact that an entity that was defined by its all-consuming hunger was willing to wait for its meal.

It had learned patience. In that patience lay an eerie certainty - that when it finally claimed its long-awaited meal, Kaylen would suffer more than any other before him.

"Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Better be careful, Cil. You might come to regret letting me get too tough." Kaylen said as he straightened his back, despite the oppressive presence behind him. The presence behind him seemed to purr in response and he felt something soft snuggle up to him. "Really? Even in here, you're a hugger?"

The entity's voice cracked with desperation. "Please...I...I'm scared…"

"Heh, heh, lighten up, buddy. It's just a little pain, a dash of suffering, a splash of existential, cosmic dread. What's life without a little-."

"I SAID I'M SCARED!" The voice trembled and cracked, giving way to raw, unfiltered fear. Kaylen couldn't help but stare as it curled into itself, shaking violently with sobs. "Please..." it whimpered, its words choked with pain. "..don't mock me. This cold...it's unbearable. The frozen winds bite and claw, rip and tear. It...it hurts, okay? It hurts so much!" The sobs turned into an endless mantra of torment, echoing in a never-ending cycle of anguish. "It hurts, it hurts, it HURTS, IT! HURTS!"

The voice grew more desperate and anguished with each word, almost screaming in agony.

Watching the voice's frantic struggle, Kaylen's light hearted demeanor gave way to concern. Somewhere else, somewhere in the cold, somewhere that couldn't be real and yet was, Kaylen's body moved on his own and he pulled his other half in close to him.

"…I know. I know you're-…I know that we're hurting. Have been for a long time now." he said softly, more tenderly now "When she was about to kill me, I should have been too terrified to even think straight. The kind of pain she inflicted on my body should have ripped my sanity into confetti the minute her claws stabbed into me, I bet. Even right now, even though it hurts like hell, I'm composed. That's because of you, isn't it."

"…." it did not answer. Merely continued to cower and sob to itself.

"Come on. Say something. Wasn't the entire point of whatever this bond we got meant to be better together?" Kaylen said in a provoking manner. "Don't tell me all you've got in the tank is telling me how afraid you are. I know I've got some hate locked in here t-"

"You should have killed her! That was our only chance and now-…This isn't us becoming stronger, you've given her hunger a purpose! Do you see the ocean of souls? The pain and fear etched on each and every one of their faces?" the voice raged, its terror palpable and raw, as it gestured toward the maelstrom of wraithlike faces that made up the sky above. "When her hunger for us reaches its zenith, when she decides she's done waiting, we're going to WISH we were getting what they're getting. Do you understand?!"

Even through all the pain and suffering, Kaylen could feel a sense of deep hatred mixed with the fear in its tone.

"You're a fucking idiot! It's only going to get worse from here. Here hunger, our suffering! Did it ever occur to you that you've done nothing but give her free reign to tear us apart with a clear conscious?" the voice seethed. "WHERE IS YOUR RAGE FOR THE PAIN SHE'S INFLICTING ON US?! After everything we've done for her, after we've shown her nothing but trust and care, she so quickly reduced us to nothing but a fucking meal! Will we do NOTHING to stop that from happening again?! Will we-"

"Are you done?" Kaylen said. His voice, though steady and calm, cutting straight through the chaotic storm of his inner turmoil.

The voice stuttered, caught off guard. "W-What? What did you just-?!"

Kaylen didn't let it finish. He turned to face the cowering form of his inner voice, the twisted reflection of his own fears and doubts. "I get it. The pain is real. The fear is real. But do you think I can afford to let that stop me? Do you think we can afford it?" His voice was firm and unyielding, a stark contrast to the sobbing entity. "You say it hurts, that the cold inside is unbearable. Fine. But guess what? That pain, that fear, it's what's keeping us alive. It's proof that we're still fighting, still standing."

Kaylen pulled his other half in close, his presence a towering beacon of resolve. "I didn't kill her because I'm not a monster. I didn't take that coward's way out because I know there's something worth fighting for that isn't just about survival. The women we care about, they need us. Velka, Anastacia, Priscilla. They need us to be more than our pain, more than our fear. They need us to be strong."

The entity looked up at him, its eyes holding a mixture of pain and sadness as the cold winds continued to bite into both of them "…That's not fair." it whispered softly, the words sounding as if they were coming from a prisoner whose punishment was far too cruel for his crime.

Hearing the pain in these words, for the first time, Kaylen's resolve faltered. If only for a moment, it mirrored the sorrow and hurt that was being directed at him.

"I know…But that is the truth of it. Even if it means we suffer more than any other, and end up losing all that we are…we can't stop fighting. We need to rage more, struggle more. Be the hero they need us to be. We'll carve this place up and make all the suffering and death mean something." Kaylen said, his determination as solid as steel. "I know you're scared. I am too. And I know we've done a lot of damage, but we don't get to give up. Not now, not ever. We're not done fighting. Not until we've protected those we love and made this right. No matter what it takes."

The entity's look of fear subsided, replaced by a hesitant, flickering resolve. "I...I don't know if I can."

Kaylen's grip tightened on its shoulder, his eyes blazing with unyielding determination. "We can. And we will. Together."

For a moment, the air between them was thick with shared understanding. Then, slowly, the entity nodded, drawing strength from Kaylen's unwavering resolve.

As Kaylen's determination grew, the presence behind him seemed to grow more excited. Its grip on his shoulders tightened, the claws digging in slightly as if savoring the anticipation. It thrived on his resolve, his love for Priscilla, seeing it as seasoning for the eventual feast.

It stood to its feet; Its flesh was a sickening shade of dark, pulsating with a grotesque vitality. It turned to face the presence behind Kaylen with a resolve to fight. Slowly, the oppressive weight of the grip on his shoulder began to lift as the thing seemingly got to its feet as well.

"We won't make it. There's no changing that now…but we'll fight her tooth and nail when the time comes." it said with a tired sigh, its body shivering before the icy winds. "But until then, Priscilla…maybe just holding you close for a bit wouldn't be so bad."

It opened its arms in a beckoning fashion and something of pure white ran past Kaylen, laughing happily as it ran into his other self's arms. Allowing Kaylen to see it for what it was in its entirety.

The creature was a vision of breathtaking beauty. Like it was the Priscilla he knew, but more.

Her tall, elegant form was cloaked in a mane of flowing white hair, cascading like a silken waterfall. Her skin, pale and almost translucent, emitted an ethereal glow, accentuated by delicate, shimmering scales that caught the light like frost. Soft and plush, her body was draped in pristine white fur, giving her an ethereal air. Silver eyes, radiant and ancient, held a captivating allure, drawing Kaylen into their depths. And each of her fingers ended in razor-sharp claws, a stark reminder of her predatory grace.

The sight of her laughing and rushing into the embrace filled Kaylen with a sense of awe and wonder, her happiness only enhancing the beauty that was already there.

The last thing he saw was her rushing in and practically tackling his other self to the ground, before snuggling into him affectionately; still giggling all the way.

After that, the dark, twisted plane of his inner consciousness began to fade, the shadows dissolving into a blinding light. Kaylen felt a familiar pull, as if being drawn back through a tunnel, the weight of his body becoming palpable again.

---

Everything was a haze as struggled to grasp his surroundings. The world around him seemed blurry and distorted, not willing to sit right.

What happened?

Did he lose consciousness and his eyes were closed? Or were they open the entire time and it was his mind that was elsewhere?

Trying to make sense of whether the talks he had with his "other self" was just as confusing as one might imagine. And it was no less a strange sensation to have his sense of self drift from one scene to the next.

He blinked several times, trying to clear his vision and make sense of where he was. But the more he tried to focus, the more disoriented he felt and it didn't help that it felt like his body was tied up by something…which was probably brought on by the fact that he was quite literally strung up in the air by ropes composed of sorcery.

It wasn't until he recognized the voices of women that the fog began to lift and he took notice of the group around him.

"You backstabbing, two-timing son of a bitch!" The Goddess of Sin's voice cut through the haze, sharp and scathing.

"Vel…?" Kaylen said lowly, the look in his eyes upon seeing his winged goddess showing nothing but wide-eyed happiness. But this was short lived before the binding extended over his mouth to silence him.

"Don't you "Vel" me! And don't think I don't know what you've done! You've allowed that thing," she spat the word, "to taint you with her cursed power."

"Actually, it was not I that did this. The prophet is the one's the one who has spread his being upon m-!." Priscilla's words freeze in her throat before a sword composed of sorcery hurtles towards her head with deadly precision. In a split second, she reacts, halting the blade in her grip just as it would have hit her, her claws leaving deep gouges in its enchanted metal. "Stop it! I am trying to-!"

"Trying to what?! Go on a rampage?!" Velka spat viciously.

"P-Please. Thou doth not understand, I didn't want to-" Priscilla stuttered with a bit of hurt in her expression.

"Gorge yourself on life?! Bring ruin and destruction upon everything around you?!" Velka seethed that much further.

"I am asking thee to-." Priscilla pleaded lowly.

"Murder the very Prophet you claimed to want to help?" Velka's words were laced with disgust and contempt. "I knew from the beginning you were nothing more than an abomination waiting to show your true nature!"

"Mhm, mhmhm-hm!" Kaylen tried to speak, but his mouth was covered by Velka's sorcery it came as nothing more than muffled sounds.

"GRR, AND WHAT WOULD YOU KNOW OF MY TRUE NATURE?!" Priscilla snarled just as vehemently, her gaze narrowing into a glare at the hatred and blame being hurled at her. "I TRIED TO STOP! I DID EVERYTHING I COULD!"

"TO HELL WITH YOUR EXCUSES!" Velka raged, her fists clenched in anger and her eyes radiating an intense yellow aura.

"Velka, stop!" Anastacia spoke up, her hands clasped together in prayer as she cast the Heal Miracle upon the Prophet's body. Her healing touch was soothing but her eyes were wide with concern as the weak miracle was only able to heal the Prophet but a little with each incantation. "I don't know what's going on exactly, but Kaylen needs to heal. If she is not as fervent in killing as she was before…then let us simply talk for a moment. To better understand what has happened."

Kaylen nodded aggressively in agreement to this line of thinking and Anastacia gestured silently with her eyes, hoping that her message to the goddess was received.

"Stay calm and stall her. Buy me time to help him."

Velka glared at Anastacia but continued, her voice lower but no less intense. "If what's happening to my face and body wasn't plainly evident enough of what has happened. Priscilla, this creature of Anti-life, has bound her soul to him. And because of my covenant with Kaylen, vestiges of her power are spreading to me. It shouldn't be possible, but I'd wager it's something to do with the Prophet's soul already somehow seeping into mine. The scales are just the beginning, Anastacia. I don't even know if my body is capable of withstanding such a thing."

"Anti-Life…?" Solaire said deftly as stepped forward, seemingly recognizing these words.

"Oh, great, what is it? What could you possibly know or have to say about that?" Velka said, clearly frustrated.

"…"And one was a being that assumed a fleeting form. Though it used its knowledge to spare the ill-fated their paths and surrounded itself with faces familiar, its nature was that of the abyss and could not be denied. And so, it lived in perpetual strife. Its shadow spreads amongst others closest to it, even unto the cold embrace of Anti-life. And yet, it knows not that the peace it seeks resides only within the abyss that forged it."." the Warrior of Sunlight spoke aloud as he approached the Prophets bound form, his mighty frame towering over him. "…"Fear not the Dark, my friends…and let the feast beg-"

"DON'T YOU DARE QUOTE THE LOCUST PREACHERS IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR GREAT LORD, YOU BLASPHEMER!" a woman in loose-fitting red robes interrupted in a manner not unlike a rabid fanatic, before Kaylen watched her move in close to his person. Close enough that it immediately became apparent to Kaylen that something was off about the look in her eyes. "Oh, my lord. Did that upset you? It did, didn't it! I know how much you despise those vile Locust Preachers. I am so sorry your ears were profaned by such a thing. I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Her hands roamed over his shoulders and chest, touching him with an obsessive reverence. Before gently finally finding their way to his cheek, at which point her heavy breaths became more audible with each passing second..

...And not the type of heavy breathing one would want their family to hear.

"Mhm?" Kaylen mumbled as he looked to the others for an explanation for why he was currently being molested.

"What the hell are you-" Velka started to protest.

"Velka, wait. Just-…Just let her speak to him." Anastacia interjected gently.

"What? Who even is this woman?!" the Goddess of Sin questioned heatedly. "She breathing over him like he's a piece of meat!"

"I know how this seems and in truth, it's rather tame compared to what I was expecting her to do upon seeing him." Anastacia admitted.

"Tame?" Velka questioned Anastacia plainly, only for the Keeper to fumble over her words for a moment to come up with an explanation that wouldn't immediately result in her trying to kill anyone. It was then that Velka willed her bonds of sorcery to uncover the Prophet's mouth and spoke once more. "You! Who is she?"

"I have no idea who this is. And considering I'm aware of basically everyone who'd be strong enough to reach Anor Londo in this age, that's probably a very bad thing." Kaylen said as he eyed the strange woman curiously, only for his vision to swim for a few seconds and his skull to feel like it was about to explode. "Ugh, sorry my head is pounding right now and my limbs feel like I have broken glass under my skin, so forgive me if I can't quite place your face right now. But I do recognize those clothes. New Londo, right?"

"The New Londo Sealers, yes. It is true, my lord." Yuria said excitedly.

"And one of them, you are not. Last I checked, none of the sealers were hot, tall or had a penchant for sexually harassing others. And they definitely wouldn't call me "My Lord."." Kaylen continued contemplatively. "Let me guess, you're a product of time shenanigans or something? My bets on the future, considering you know about the Locust Priest. Probably brought on by Priscilla's power tearing through time and space. Ah, but that wouldn't make sense for how you got the robes or why you're so handsy. Mysteries, mysteries."

"What's not going to be a mystery is what going to happen if you think of calling any woman other than me or Anastacia "hot" again, you bastard!" Velka said with no small amount of anger, before turning back to Priscilla. "Anna, we don't have time for whatever this stupidity is supposed to be. Time displacement or otherwise, it needs to wait. We have a threat that demands our attention right now."

"You're not going to want to put this off." Solaire spoke up calmly.

"For the love of-. And why not? Just come out with it then!" the goddess exclaimed with clear annoyance.

"Velka, I promise, it will all become clear, but this…is more than just a request for an audience. She's come a long way for this, and it is everything to her. Please trust me when I say that she has earned a moment to speak with Kaylen." Anastacia replied simply. "She needs this, Velka…and please, no matter how things may sound or what is said, just let her speak her peace."

At this, Velka could not help the look of clear bewilderment that crossed her face. As did Priscilla, once a hint of an unmistakable scent coming from the woman reached her senses.

"Wait a moment…" Priscilla said as she made a point to smell the air a bit more to make sure she wasn't mistaken. "…Thou…holds a part of the Prophet's essence within thee. Even intertwined with your own, his scent is unmistakable to me."

"What?" Velka said as her gaze narrowed on the red-robed woman next to her champion with newfound wariness.

"A part of me is inside her? That can't be right." Kaylen exclaimed, now even more confused and curious about the woman.

At hearing the crossbreed's words that this woman held a part of the Prophet's being within her, the cogs in both Kaylen and Velka's minds began to turn. How could Kaylen's essence be felt within another?

Covenant? No. Family? Doesn't make sense. Taken from him?…Taken from him…

It wasn't too hard to find the right answer. Given a few moments of uninterrupted contemplation and thanks to the crimson robes of Sealers he knew dwelled within only in New Londo, Kaylen would have come to the correct conclusion first, with Velka coming to the same one not but two moments after.

However, before they could put the last piece of the puzzle together to make the full picture click, Anastacia interrupted fervently.

"Both of you just stop and let her explain things herself. She's earned that much." the Keeper said aloud, before turning towards her red-robed companion. "You sought your chance to speak your peace. Now is the time."

"Thank you, Anastacia! Thank you so much for-…O-Okay, okay, I'm ready, I'm ready, I just-." Yuria's voice was full of excitement as she quickly clapped her hands against her cheeks three times to calm herself down "Wait-Wait-Wait! I need to do this right! I need to make sure everything is just right!"

She took deep breaths, trying to forcibly calm herself for the penultimate moment. But her heart continued to beat a wild rhythm in her chest. She closed her eyes, trying to forcibly calm the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. This was the moment she had been waiting for. The culmination of what felt like an eternity of hopes and dreams would be brought to fruition, right here, right now.

She opened her eyes and met Kaylen's.

"Okay, this is it. Go time! Speak the words just like I rehearsed, just~ like I rehearsed. Don't panic. Don't think about how the master is looking right at you. Don't dwell on his praises and approval of your appearance. Relax! I said don't think about it! You're blowing this! You're blowing it!" Yuria thought to herself as her mind began to further get away from her, preventing her from finding the right words.

As it stands Yuria did nothing but awkwardly stare at Kaylen, shaking all the while, for about twenty seconds.

"Oh my god, say something! Say the words, damn you! Proclaim your-"

"You know, New Londo is long~ way from here. That means you came all the way to Anor Londo, specifically to find me, just to choke at the finish line? Heh, that's gotta be rough." Kaylen said with a smirk and a bit of a sigh at seeing the bundle of nerves that the woman before him was. In fact, she all but perked up at full attention when he spoke these words. "Alright. You clearly got a lot on your mind and looks like you're having trouble just coming out with it. So here's a bit of a tip; chuck the pre-planned speech I'm sure you've prepared, turn off the filter in your head, and just say what you want to say."

At this, Yuria's gaze locks onto Kaylen with a feverish intensity, her eyes wide and unblinking as if in a trance. Her eyes practically glaze over with the intensity of the euphoria and happiness that she felt. Truly, if there was ever a time one would expect her to scream like a banshee with happiness and claw out her own eyes with fanatical joy, now would be the time…

…But that was not what she did.

Instead, Yuria's shoulders relaxed as she closed her eyes, and a serene expression settled on her face. Placing a hand over her heart, she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, grounding herself in the moment. With graceful movements, she lowered herself to the ground in a humble, kneeling position before Kaylen.

Her ebony hair fell in cascading curls around her face, framing her delicate features. She lifted her gaze to meet Kaylen's, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. Despite her fear of being overwhelmed by her own emotions, she stayed rooted in front of him.

As she spoke, her voice rose and fell like a symphony of longing and love, bending and breaking like a river through the peaks and valleys of her plea.

"Kaylen…My lord…My honored master…I…I…" she exclaimed, her voice quivering with emotion. She searched for the right words, her heart beating wildly in her chest. The Prophet raised an eyebrow, curious to hear her confession. Finally, she found the perfect words that had been burning on her tongue.

"…I love you."

At this declaration, Priscilla's expression suddenly became frigid and stiff, suppressing the urge to let the displeasure she suddenly felt show on her face. In direct contrast to this, Velka's face contorted with clear outrage, ready to vehemently object to this shocking confession, until Anastacia raised a hand in a silent plea for her to hold back and allow Yuria to finish speaking.

"Heh, wow. Starting off strong, huh." Kaylen said with clear amusement.

"I am yours without hesitation or reservation! Every fiber of my being aches for you, and I can no longer contain these overwhelming emotions!" Her voice quivered with passion as she bared her soul to the Prophet, whose intense gaze only fueled her fervor. And in that moment, she could no longer hold back the words burning inside her. "I love you more than words can express. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you, my lord. I do."

"Heh, okay, I think I get it." Kaylen said with a small chuckle. With all that was going on right now, with time and space literally collapsing in on itself, here was some random woman saying this stuff to him. "You came all the here to tell me that?"

"Yes! I just…I just wanted you to know what you mean to me. Kaylen, my master, my lord, my one and only reason for being," Yuria began, her voice trembling with an overwhelming blend of passion and reverence. Tears welled up in her eyes, her breath quickening as if even the act of speaking his name filled her with an almost unbearable ecstasy. "You are the beacon that has guided me through the abyss, the light that has banished my darkness. My soul was a barren wasteland until you breathed life into it, gave it meaning, purpose, hope."

Kaylen's smile wavered at the sheer intensity of her words. He had never encountered such raw, almost desperate devotion. The intensity of her gaze seemed to pierce through him, making him uneasy.

"Please, hear me," she implored, her voice cracking with the weight of her emotions. She reached out as if to touch him, her hand trembling before she clutched it to her chest. "I am yours, utterly and completely. I exist only to serve you, to be your most loyal and devoted servant. I would endure any torment, face any peril, suffer any indignity just to be by your side. My body, my mind, my very essence – they are all yours to command, to use, to discard at your will."

Her words were almost a plea, each syllable dripping with a fervor that bordered on obsession. The air around them seemed to hum with the intensity of her emotions, her devotion so palpable it was almost suffocating.

"Master," she whispered, her voice a soft, trembling caress. "Let me be your shadow, your sword, your shield. Let me be the one who bears your burdens, who fights your battles, who suffers in your stead. I would gladly give my life a thousand times over if it meant earning a fraction of your favor. Without you, I am nothing. With you, I am whole."

She fell to her knees completely before him, her eyes never leaving his, her hands clasped in supplication. "Please, allow me to prove my worth. Let me show you that my love, my loyalty, my very being belongs to you and you alone. I will be your light in the darkest hour, your solace in times of despair, your unwavering servant until my last breath. Command me, master, and I will obey."

Kaylen remained silent, staring at the bewildered woman before him. Her words hung in the air like a bewitching spell, and in truth, how could he not at least acknowledge that she had his attention?

For the part of everyone else, Priscilla was watching on with rapt attention towards this new woman. Her fur-white dress flowed freely in the cold winds that seemed to partially pick up in intensity. Meanwhile, Anastacia was gesturing wildly at Velka; whose expression was a storm of barely contained fury.

"Hm…That's a lot to take in." Kaylen said truthfully, causing the woman before him to tense up at hearing his voice. "I'm flattered you hold me in such regard, but the obvious question remains—who exactly are you? Tell me your name?"

The woman hesitated, her throat suddenly dry as sand. "My name... My name is Yuria," she finally confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

At the mention of her name, there was the briefest moment of pause before Kaylen's expression turned icy, his eyes narrowing into slits. "…Yuria?" he repeated, his tone laced with venom. "Heh, heh…"

Before Yuria could respond, Kaylen's body began to emanate a faint, pulsing glow. The bonds of sorcery that held him began to shimmer and slacken as if reacting to an unseen force.

"Wha-?" Velka said as it suddenly felt as if a part of her soul was being made to move without her telling it too, like trying to pry open a tightly clenched fist. She huffed in annoyance a bit at realizing that it was the Prophet himself. "You little-…Fine."

The bonds released him, and Kaylen stood to his full height, his chest heaving with exertion. Pain shot through his body, his wounds bleeding profusely, but he stood firm, towering over Yuria's kneeling form. A sly smirk twisted his lips showing an immense level of contempt

"'Yuria'… Yuria, huh? That's rich. Cute, even," Kaylen said cheekily. "But I guess the whole 'My Lord' act fits right in. All the better to play up the servant angle. The original "Yuria of Londor" did much the same."

"Indeed, my master. I admired her devotion and took her name in hopes of emulating her," Yuria said submissively. "But I swear, her servitude was conditional, mine is absolute."

"Oh, I'm sure it is," Kaylen sneered, rolling his shoulder in an attempt to alleviate the painful kink. "So… Priscilla mentioned you've got a piece of me inside you. If what I'm thinking is right, we're very familiar with one another, aren't we…"

With a flick of his wrist, Kaylen conjured thorned whips made of sorcery. They coiled around Yuria's neck, pulling her up from her knees and forcing her to meet his intense gaze. The thorns bit into her flesh, drawing blood, but she did not flinch.

"…Goddamn Darkwraith." His eyes locked onto her own, burning with an intensity that threatened to consume her very soul. Despite herself, Yuria couldn't help but feel her heart rate increasing, her breaths becoming shallower as if being in such close proximity to Kaylen was sucking the very life force from her. "You really played up your role, you know that? Standing in front of me talking about being a "servant", leading Anastacia along as a means to get my guard down. Oh, but that's not even the best part. You talk about the Locust Priest and know about Yuria of Londor Centuries before she's even a thought in anyone's head…You've got my memories from draining my humanity, huh?"

"What?!" Velka exclaimed, outraged as the truth was laid bare. "She's the one who—… If you don't kill her, Prophet, I will."

"No, don't kill her! What she did wasn't her fault!" Anastacia defended her compatriot.

"You knew what she was?" Velka questioned in surprise.

"She confessed it to me in an effort to show she was earnest about changing. She came here to meet the Prophet so he could show her another path." the Keeper exclaimed.

"Yeah, and I bet she made real good use of my memories to concoct a convincing sob story. I can only imagine the lies she told you." Kaylen's eyes hardened with contempt, the thorned whips tightening around Yuria's neck, the tips trailing to her eyes with clear intent to pierce. "You got a taste of my humanity, something you didn't understand but craved. A rabid dog slobbering after its favorite meal, calmed only by the promise of another bite."

"Prophet, stop it!" Anastacia shouted.

"A pawn of Kaathe sent to worm your way in by-"

"NO!" Yuria screamed, her eyes wide with terror and desperation. She threw herself forward, heedless of the thorned vines shredding her flesh. "No, no, no, it's not true, my lord."

"I'm not your-"

"AAAAAAHHHH!" Yuria's scream echoed through the air, piercing and guttural. She collapsed to her knees, hands clamped over her ears, trying to block out the words that Kaylen was about to say. The weight of that declaration threatened to crush her soul, and she could not bear to hear them spoken aloud. Anything but that!

Her entire body trembled, her breath coming in ragged gasps, as if her very being was almost shattered and only clutching her hands to her ears could she keep the pieces together.

She struggled against herself and fights to regain her composure, taking several agonizing seconds to do so. Her eyes dart around wildly, searching for something solid to anchor her. When they land back on the Prophet, she forces a smile onto her trembling lips, hoping to ease the tension between them.

But it is an ugly, desperate thing, more akin to a wounded animal begging for mercy than a human expression. She recognized this and her gaze fell back to the ground, but still, she keeps the smile plastered on her face, unable to let go even as she recognized its futility.

"Heh… Heh, heh, heh… What is this? I thought, even if I received your rage and scorn, I would be happy nonetheless. After all, it…It is still acknowledgment from my master. But instead, I am… afraid. Heh, heh…" Yuria's pained smile persisted. ""You… You are all I see when I close my eyes. D-Did you know that, lord? Before you, I was a wretched creature of darkness and hunger. I spent years suffocating beneath the waters of New Londo; unable to breathe, unable to die, trapped in a void of endless torment and insatiable thirst for humanity. I was a broken thing, suffering in the abyss, lost and without purpose."

Her voice cracked with raw emotion, her eyes wide, the pained smile still on her lips. "But then, I consumed a part of you. It was wrong and I wish with all that I am that I never hurt you, but it was so liberating. I tasted something pure, something beyond the darkness I had known. It was like a beacon, pulling me out of the abyss, giving me a reason to exist. You gave me purpose, my lord. You showed me light in the darkness."

Yuria's hands shook as she clasped them together, pleading. "I am not the same creature I once was. I have shed my past, forsaken Kaathe, and embraced the identity of Yuria to honor the devotion I feel for you. I would bring you the serpent's head without hesitation if you commanded it. Light, Dark, it matters not to me. I seek only to serve you, to be by your side, to be your tool, your servant, your devoted follower. I exist only for you. So please, my lord… do not abandon me."

She looked up at him, her face bearing the full weight of her hollowed sadness. "My name is Yuria, your Yuria, wholly and utterly. I ask for but the chance to prove it."

Kaylen stood over her, the intensity of his gaze unwavering. The sheer fervor and desperation in Yuria's plea hung heavy in the air, a testament to her absolute devotion and willingness to forsake everything for him.

He stared at Yuria, her desperate plea hanging in the air. He stared at Yuria, her desperate plea hanging in the air. The raw, inhuman agony she conveyed through her silent cries tugged at his consciousness. He'd be lying if he said he didn't feel a pang of sympathy for her sorry state.

Velka, ever the shrewd observer, watched as Kaylen's eyes softened and could practically see the walls in his mind being conquered by pity.

"Don't you even think it!" Velka exclaimed heatedly. "Look around. She is the reason all of this has happened. She is a plague upon everything around her and she has your memories. There is no telling what she is capable of."

Suddenly, like a ghost on the wind, the great white form of Priscilla fades into sight and leans over in between the group; seemingly having turned invisible and silently made her way to the Prophet's side without so much as a whisper.

The rest of the group is taken aback by her sudden appearance, but the prophet seemed unfazed, as if he was aware of her approach the entire time.

"Kaylen," Priscilla said softly, her voice a soothing balm amidst the tension. "She is trying to make amends in the only way she knows how. Can thou blame her for that?" Her compassionate gaze met Yuria's tear-stained face, and she saw so much of herself in the woman. "Her words may not erase the pain she caused, but they are sincere. Give her a chance."

"You—…You, of all people, don't get a say in this, monster!" Velka said as she glared at Priscilla, before tearing her eyes aware before she fell under the crossbreed's influence.

Anastacia's eyes were drawn to Priscilla as if compelled by an unseen force. The Crossbreed's ethereal beauty was almost overwhelming up close. The way her fur seemed to glisten in the dim light, the gentle curves of her body, the softness of her features—everything about her radiated an almost otherworldly allure that made it difficult to look away.

"I believe Yuria is being earnest as well. A-And… may I say, you are quite tall up close, Miss Priscilla," Anastacia said with a hint of awe, her voice tinged with nervousness. She found herself subtly admiring the softness of Priscilla's furred body, the way it seemed to invite touch. "If it is not a bother, may I ask what happened to you before with trying to harm the Prophet? You're not seeking to do that anymore now, right?"

"Anastacia, don't talk to-" Velka started.

"No… Tis complicated," Priscilla said softly, averting her gaze from the Keeper for a moment. Her voice was melodic, almost hypnotic. "My nature drove me to madness. The Prophet's scent overpowered my sense of self for a time. But he has since done something to my being. I feel that essence trying to overpower and unmake this vessel of mine, while taking my power for its own. But my nature is not so easily conquered and is doing much the same, it seems. We struggle with one another even now… but there is harmony within this struggle."

"Uh… is that a good thing?" Anastacia asked plainly, not quite understanding, causing Priscilla to turn her gaze entirely upon the Keeper. The Crossbreed's eyes were captivating, and Anastacia felt an involuntary shiver run down her spine as those piercing yet gentle eyes bore into her.

"…Thou art not ensnared by the sight of me. Even after looking for so long?" Priscilla said curiously, drawing in just a bit closer to her person. "The Prophet's essence must have weakened me thusly. Or else, left my being more enraptured with pursuing his rather than seeking the life of others."

"Um, forgive me, but I don't understand. Pursuing his what?" Anastacia questioned once again, feeling a strange warmth as she stood closer to Priscilla.

"Pursuing him within the cold and the winds in the other place. He is somewhat frightened there, but I don't want him to be. I'm certain that if we simply give it time and let be what is, we will-" Priscilla started, but upon seeing the look of concern and confusion from the Keeper, she thought better of continuing. "Uh…I'm sorry, I speak without respect or consideration for you, one who is loved by the prophet. You saw me at my worst, a monster that could nary think past her urges. I could not fault you if you despised me as Velka does."

"N-No, she does not despise you." Anastacia replied, unable to shake the feeling of awe she felt in Priscilla's presence. Her eyes traced the elegant lines of Priscilla's form, the way her fur moved like silken threads in the wind.

"Yes, I do! She's a monster! She's-" Velka started.

"Do not let her words mislead you. Velka does not hate you, nor is her anger about you. It is about protecting the Prophet, myself, and what we share," Anastacia explained with clear care in her tone, trying to bridge the gap between Velka's hostility and Priscilla's misunderstood nature. "I know not if you are capable of understanding, but we share something that we wish not to be without. Something we do not wish to have taken from us by anyone or anything… Something that, I must say, is greater than even the destruction around us right now."

At this, Priscilla's eyes softened slightly, taking in the sight of the Keeper in a new light. Even Yuria herself turned her gaze upon Anastacia, her words resonating deeply.

"…I understand what you mean. More than anything, I understand," Priscilla replied softly, her voice a soothing balm.

"As do I, Anna," Yuria added lowly, her voice filled with a mixture of admiration and envy.

"God, I'm tired." Kaylen added with a sigh, the complications of the situation finally starting to wear on him.

"I've had enough! You two, come here, now!" Velka's voice cracked like a whip as she willed her sorcery to create chains that wrapped around Kaylen's neck and Anastacia's waist, before she walks off to the side away from Priscilla and Yuria with both the Prophet and Keeper in tow. "Would either you care to explain just what the hell you're doing?"

"Dealing with an artificial primordial force spreading through my body and soul, while also dealing with a clearly insane Darkwraith who wants me to play at being her "master"." Kaylen said dryly.

"Trying to mediate a volatile situation that's gotten far out of hand and make sure it doesn't get worse." Anastacia explained reasonably.

Velka's eyes burned with fury as she snapped, "And I suppose neither of those situations has anything to do with the fact that one of them is a ten-foot-tall dragon woman?" She glared at Kaylen with palpable contempt. "Or a half-naked, large-breasted stalker lunatic?" She then turned her ire to Anastacia. "I bet if they were disgusting slobs, lacking in their physical appeal, neither of you would be so keen to welcome them like they're not both monsters. Monsters, need I remind you both, that both want to kill the prophet and can cause destruction like that."

Velka's outstretched arm gestures towards the sprawling mass of colliding cities and ruined structures looming on the horizon. The level of chaos and destruction is so immense that it's hard for one's mind to grasp it all at once.

"It's not that simple, Velka." Kaylen said wearily.

"What about THAT is not simple?! Are we to wait for her to lose control once again before we acknowledge the truth of this?! Should I simply wait with eyes of understanding, while that ticking time bomb of a monster is waiting to go off and tear both you and Anastacia apart before my very eyes?! Because I won't!"

At this, Kaylen's eyes darken with no small amount of animosity. "Hey…" he started.

"Oh, sorry, is this a bad time?! Am I supposed to sympathize with the creature that will kill us all because she's pretty and is sorry about it?!" Velka lashed out angrily.

"I didn't go this far because I think Priscilla is just some pretty face to drool over!" Kaylen exploded. "You think I don't see the chaos that's been unleashed?! You think I don't know that Priscilla's power isn't exactly stable or under her control? Or that she could lash out and kill me in a hunger fueled frenzy?! Or that because of me, hundreds of thousands of innocent people have already been killed?! OR THAT I'M LOSING MY GODDAMN MIND WHILE BOTH HER POWER AND WHATEVER THE FUCK ELSE IS IN MY BODY ARE FIGHTING FOR WHO GETS TO SCREW ME OVER FIRST?!"

"Both of you, stop it! Stop fighting!" Anastacia pleaded, trying to mediate.

"NO! I'M SICK THIS, PROPHET! SICK OF SACRIFICING FOR YOU, JUST FOR YOU TO FIND SOME MONSTER TO REPLACE ME WHEN YOU THOUGHT I'D DIED! IS THAT HOW LITTLE YOU VAULED US?! VAULED ME?!" Velka's voice cracked with the intensity of her betrayal, her eyes blazing with hurt and fury.

"Are shitting me? YOU'RE sick of sacrificing?!" Kaylen said gritting his teeth, his right eye twitching with how angry he was about what he'd just heard. "I went into the Painting for you! I fought hordes of monsters for you! I endured being burned alive, stabbed, gutted, and having my soul ripped apart for! you! And now what?! You want to tell me that wasn't good enough to show I give a damn?! ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!"

"Listen, we all just need to calm down and breathe for a moment. We cannot turn on each other like th-"

Velka's fury erupted, and she snapped her head towards Anastacia, her eyes blazing with a fiery intensity. "And you! What the hell do you think you're doing?! Strolling into a warzone to make friends with a Darkwraith in tow?!" Velka's voice was sharp, accusatory, as she pointed a finger at Anastacia. ""Are you really that naive? That reckless? Coming all the way here just to throw yourself into danger and get yourself killed?!"

At this, Kaylen braced himself, expecting Anastacia to break down under Velka's harsh words, and was about to step in to tell Velka that she had gone too far.

But he didn't even get the chance because, rather than tears or an expression of hurt, Anastacia's face surprisingly took on a look of fury all her own.

"And what was I supposed to do? Sit and wait in silence, hoping that you or the Prophet would magically return?" Anastacia's voice was firm, her anger rising.

"Anna—" Velka tried to interject.

"No, let me speak!" Anastacia's voice trembled with a mix of rage and sorrow. "I came here because I couldn't stand waiting, wondering if you were both dead or if I'd ever see you again. Do you understand that?"

Hot tears threatened to spill from Anastacia's eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She stood her ground, her voice trembling with emotion. "You're both so! Selfish!" she asked, her words choked with raw honesty. "You think I'm just some helpless doll you can shelve whenever you're done venting your problems and playing at being in love? Well, I'm not! I matter! And I don't deserve to be treated like an afterthought or a convenience!"

Kaylen and Velka stood frozen, the weight of Anastacia's words hitting them like a physical blow. The raw emotion in her voice, the deep hurt of being left behind, resonated in the air around them.

"You both left me alone." Anastacia's voice broke, her tears flowing freely now. "I was terrified, not knowing if I'd lost you forever. I felt powerless, useless, abandoned."

Her sobs echoed through the silence, each one a raw testament to the anguish she had endured. "I had to do something, anything, to not feel so helpless. To not feel like I was losing the people I love. That may not seem like much to you, but it took every ounce of courage I had to... to..."

Anastacia's voice trailed off, her words hanging heavy in the air. The silence that followed was thick with unspoken emotions, each of them feeling the weight of their shared pain and love.

Then, as if driven by an unseen force, they moved together. Kaylen reached out, his heart aching with a fierce need to comfort her. At the same moment, Velka stepped forward, her own emotions boiling over. In unison, they enveloped Anastacia in their arms, pulling her into a tight embrace.

The world around them seemed to dissolve, the chaos and fear melting away in the warmth of their shared touch. The three of them clung to one another, the intensity of their embrace speaking volumes of the trials they had faced and the love that had brought them back together.

Kaylen felt tears streaming down his face, mingling with Anastacia's as he held her close. He could feel Velka's presence on his other side, her arms wrapping around both of them, her grip fierce and protective. It was as if they were anchoring one another, each heartbeat and breath a reminder of the bond that held them together.

Velka's fingers dug into Kaylen's back, her tears falling freely. She had feared losing them both, the thought of it tearing at her soul. Now, in this embrace, she could feel the depth of her love and the regret for the harsh words she had spoken. The anger and jealousy seemed insignificant compared to the overwhelming relief of having them both here, safe in her arms.

Anastacia's sobs quieted, her face buried in Kaylen's shoulder. She had felt so alone, so abandoned, but here, surrounded by their warmth and love, she finally felt a sense of belonging. The fear and loneliness that had plagued her melted away, replaced by the comforting presence of those she held dear. She clung to them with all her strength, as if letting go would mean losing them all over again.

Their embrace was a sanctuary, a place where the pain and struggles of the past were washed away by the profound love they shared. In that moment, nothing else mattered. They were together, and that was all that counted.

Finally, Kaylen whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "An afterthought? Where the hell do you get off saying something like that? You two were all I thought about, every second of every step. I fought through hell itself just to get back to you."

Velka nodded, her tears still falling. "I didn't mean any of those words. I know you've both suffered, and I know I must seem hateful and ungrateful. But…I'm just so scared of losing either of you in this madness. The thought terrifies me, okay?"

Anastacia lifted her head, her eyes red and filled with hurt. "I didn't mean to lash out. I was just so afraid and angry. Staying in Firelink Shrine, just hoping and praying to see you again, was unbearable. I had to do something, anything, for us. I couldn't just wait and do nothing."

They stayed like that for a while longer, holding each other tightly, drawing strength from one another's presence. The embrace was a lifeline, a reminder that no matter how dark things got, they had each other. They were bound by love and shared hardship, and in that unity, they found the strength to keep going.

A few steps away, Priscilla watched them with a mixture of longing and sorrow. She loved Kaylen deeply, and he loved her, but witnessing such an intimate moment among those who had shared so much history together made her feel like an outsider. Her heart ached with the sense that she did not belong in this circle of closeness and shared memories.

Priscilla took a hesitant step back, her heart heavy with the thought of intruding on their closeness. She began to use her power, her form slowly fading into invisibility, hoping to slip away unnoticed and leave them to their moment of unity.

But just as she was about to disappear completely, ropes of sorcery materialized around her wrist, halting her retreat. Velka, her eyes sharp and her expression a mix of annoyance and begrudging resignation, tightened the magical hold. "And where do you think you're going?" she asked, her tone irritated.

Priscilla paused, her invisibility faltering as she turned to face Velka. "I did not wish to intrude," she said softly, her voice tinged with sadness. "This moment is yours, and I did not want to disrupt it."

Velka's eyes narrowed, her grip on the sorcerous ropes tightening slightly. "You think you can just leave? After everything that's happened, after everything you've done, you don't get to just hide away. Besides," she added, her voice begrudging, "we can't afford to let someone with your... capabilities wander off."

Priscilla's gaze lowered, her heart heavy. "I understand thy feelings for the Prophet, Velka…And I know thou understands mine. Truly, I do not wish to cause more pain or complications."

"A little late for that." Velka said gruffly, completely unmoved by such words. Kaylen, still holding Velka and Anastacia close, turned his head towards Priscilla and started to say something, only for the goddess to raise a finger to silence him. "Ah! Don't you say a word right now. I'm handling this. And you, Priscilla, have lost any right you think you have to feel any level of self-pity or be alone. From this moment forward, you are a part of this."

Priscilla looked up, surprise mixed in with a bright look of happiness. "…A part of this?"

Anastacia's eyes softened as a smile of approval reached her eyes. "Velka, that is such a loving sentiment."

Velka sighed, releasing the magical ropes with a flick of her wrist. "Don't mistake this for anything but what it is; A necessity. I'm far from thrilled about it, and your ogling of her is not lost on me, Anastacia." she said, her tone a mix of irritation and reluctant acceptance of the situation. Much to the keeper clear embarrassment. "Her power is spreading through both the Prophet and myself. We need to figure out its limits and how to control it, not just for your sake, but for all of ours. The Prophet has the means to tame you and I have the actual knowledge and experience to make some sense of this. So you're staying with us. No running away, no hiding."

Priscilla stepped forward hesitantly, her form fully visible once more. She looked at each of them, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I will do everything I can to help. To be worthy of the trust you've placed in me."

She paused, looking at the three of them entwined in their embrace, her longing evident. "Um... Can I...?" she asked bashfully, her eyes hopeful.

"No," Velka said immediately, her voice still carrying a hint of annoyance.

"Yes," Kaylen exclaimed warmly.

With a bright smile, Priscilla wasted not a second in rushing closer to the group and wrapping her large, strong arms around all three of them. Effortlessly, she lifted them off the ground, pulling them close to her fur-covered bosom. Her embrace was powerful yet gentle, the warmth and softness of her fur enveloping them in a cocoon of comfort.

Despite her draconic strength, Priscilla's touch was tender. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, providing a sense of security and peace. They could feel the strong muscles beneath her fur, a reminder of her bestial nature, yet she held them with such care and affection.

"Thank you," Priscilla whispered, her voice filled with love and relief. snuggled close with each of them, nuzzling her head against theirs as if to fully welcome them into her embrace. "I'm so grateful to have you all."

"Oh..this is..um.." Anastacia said softly, having difficulty finding the right words to decide if she was against this or somewhat alright with it

"Ugh, get off!" Velka protested, having none of the reservations Anastacia held.

"God, I'm in heaven." Kaylen thought to himself contently, though he dared not say it out loud.

As the warmth of their shared embrace began to settle into their hearts, a hesitant voice broke the moment. Yuria, still on her knees, looked up with eyes filled with a mix of hope and fear..

"My Lord... am I...?" she called out meekly, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

The group turned their attention to Yuria, her pleading expression almost heartbreaking in its intensity. For a moment, there was a heavy silence, the weight of her question hanging in the air.

Kaylen hesitated, his mind racing with the implications of accepting Yuria into their fold. She was a Darkwraith, a being driven by darkness and obsession, yet she had also shown a strange, unwavering loyalty to him. Besides, she did seem to keep Anastacia safe, at the very least. He looked at Velka, who rolled her eyes in annoyance as she already knew his answer, and then at Anastacia, who gave him a grateful smile. She too understood his decision before he even spoke it aloud.

Finally, Kaylen sighed, a small, resigned smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I guess a crazy Darkwraith is the least of my worries," he said, his tone both wry and accepting.

Yuria's eyes widened in sheer elation, her entire demeanor lighting up with an almost childlike joy. "My Lord, thank you!" she exclaimed, rising to her feet with a fervent expression of devotion. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! I will serve you with all my being, my Lord! You will not regret this, I swear it! I will do anything you ask, anything at all. You need only command it, and I will-"

"Hold on there, eager beaver! Let's not get ahead of ourselves. You think it's just that easy to get on my good side?! You've got a long road ahead of you before we even approach that point! I'd better see service of the highest quality!" Kaylen interrupted, being purposefully dramatic as he played into her perception of him.

"Y-YES! I won't let you down!" Yuria exclaimed excitedly, her fervor growing.

"Good. Because I'm not just going to let any Darkwraith waltz in and claim loyalty. You'd better do things the original Yuria wouldn't even think of! In fact, if the original Yuria comes along, you will battle her for the name! There can be only one true Yuria! All others are imposters and displease me!"

"I'll cut the bitch's heart out and feed it to her!" Yuria responded eagerly.

"That's the kind of deranged talk that actually convinces me you're actually crazy and not a double agent! Good Job, Yuria! Now do the splits, ya nut! Show me your dedication!" Kaylen ordered haphazardly.

Without a moment's hesitation, Yuria's eyes lit up with even more enthusiasm. "Yes, my Lord! Of course!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing with glee. She immediately dropped to the ground and slid into a perfect split, her face beaming with pride and happiness.

As she performed the split, the loose crimson robe she wore parted slightly, revealing her shapely legs and the soft curves of her thighs. The robe, barely clinging to her form, gave a generous view of her cleavage and the smooth, pale skin beneath. Her eyes remained locked on Kaylen, filled with eager, almost hound-like devotion, awaiting his next command. The position highlighted her flexibility and the alluring contours of her body, making her devotion and desperation to please him even more apparent.

Kaylen found himself staring for a moment longer than he intended, taking in the sight of Yuria's shapely form and the revealing nature of her position. He noted the plumpness of her thighs, the smoothness of her skin, and the intensity in her eyes. A fleeting thought crossed his mind—"Huh. She's actually kinda hot."—but he quickly the thought and refocused.

Unfortunately, even though the thought and his leering lasted only for the most fleeting of moments, the three other women all caught it.

From the corner of his eye, Kaylen caught the disapproving glances from Velka, Anastacia, and Priscilla. Velka's eyes blazed with barely contained fury. "And what the hell do you think you're looking at?"

Anastacia sighed softly, her voice gentle but firm. "Kaylen, you're better than that. Stop it."

Priscilla, ever the proper one, spoke her tone regal and yet with clear disapproval. "It is unbecoming of you to ogle another woman in front of us like this, especially after making her perform such a display."

Kaylen, feeling the weight of their combined disapproval, cleared his throat awkwardly. "It was just a joke. You know, 'Do the splits.' Thought it'd be funny to see if she'd... uh... you know..." he stammered, trying to brush off the moment with a casual smile, but the stern looks from his companions made his words awkwardly die off.

Just as the group began to settle into the uneasy quiet a distant sound of dragging footsteps and labored breathing reached their ears. The silence was broken by a weak, yet fiercely determined voice.

"HEY!" a voice shouted.

Everyone turned their attention to the source of the shout. Gwyndolin, barely able to stand, stood a few paces away. His once-regal form was now a shadow of its former glory. His robes were tattered and dirty, his eyes had blood trailing from them like tears. If looks could kill, the seething glare he shot towards all of them would have murdered them all a hundred times over.

With trembling hands, Gwyndolin weakly drew back his bow, an arrow nocked and aimed directly at Kaylen. The sheer effort of maintaining its illusionary form and holding the weapon steady seemed almost too much for him, but his rage gave him strength. His eyes, filled with fury and pain, locked onto Kaylen's…

…Meanwhile, Priscilla's suddenly face contorted in disgust, her nose wrinkling like a raisin as it suddenly felt like someone opened a door and allowed the putrid stench of burning hair and sulfur to fill her nostrils.

Ugh. The smell was getting closer…

"How dare you," Gwyndolin spat, his voice a mixture of anguish and anger. "You stand here, laughing and making light jest, while my kingdom lies in ruins, my people dead because of you!"

Kaylen's expression turned solemn, his companions tightening their grip around him, their own gazes shifting to Gwyndolin with varying degrees of pity and wariness.

But that all changed when the sound of heavy footsteps approached from behind Gwyndolin. Everyone's eyes suddenly went wide with surprise at what eventually came to show itself.

"…Move." The voice was gravelly and carried the unmistakable tone of aggression within it.

Gwyndolin's eyes widened in surprise before quickly he turned around to see the towering figure behind him. Its head, a grotesque and nightmarish skull, loomed ominously above its hulking form. The elongated cranium was misshapen, with deep, shadowy eye sockets that glowed with a sinister, fiery light, illuminating the darkness with a haunting, malevolent gaze.

Protruding from its gaping mouth were multiple rows of razor-sharp fangs, uneven and jagged, some broken and others stained with gore. The oversized jaws could open unnaturally wide, showcasing the horrific array of teeth ready to rend flesh and bone. From the top of its skull, twisted, gnarled horns curled menacingly, enhancing its demonic appearance.

The creature's body was a testament to raw, brutal power. Hulking and muscular, it was covered in sinewy, bulging muscles that rippled with every movement. Its tough, leathery skin was mottled with dark, ashen hues, giving it an almost stone-like quality. Natural armor, composed of bony plates, jutted out from its skin in irregular patches, providing additional protection.

Its arms and legs were elongated and powerful, ending in large, clawed hands and feet. The claws, as sharp as its teeth, gleamed wickedly in the moonlight, capable of tearing through anything unfortunate enough to cross its path. Running down its back was a row of sharp, bony spikes, each one varying in size, creating a jagged silhouette that seemed to ripple with every breath it took.

Flanking him were two monstrous creatures, their bodies a frightening mix of woman and spider. The first one exuded an aura of molten red-hot heat, her fiery eyes looking upon Gwyndolin with an expression of a natural glare. Despite her terrifying appearance, her human half was undeniably beautiful, even if her expression was one of clear disdain. The other woman beside her was her near-identical twin in human form and carried with her the same level of charm and beauty. However, while her sister's spider half was a fierce shade of crimson, hers was a hauntingly pale white. She wore a sly, contemplative smile, her demeanor much calmer and more collected.

The white-spider demoness spoke first, her voice dripping with a mixture of nostalgia and amusement. "Well, I'll be. It's the little prince; Gwyndolin. It's been quite some time."

Gwyndolin's eyes flickered with recognition and confusion.

"Quelaan...?" Gwyndolin breathed with clear shock and horror, the sight of these formidable demon overwhelming him.

"I said, move!" the dragon humanoid repeated, his voice carrying an edge of impatience.

Gwyndolin's slender, serpentine legs seemed to betray him as he stumbled backwards, his balance wavering before he tumbled to the ground. He gazed up at the imposing figure before him,

Its twisted horns jutted out from its head like daggers, and its fiery eyes burned with malice. Gwyndolin's heart pounded in his chest as he struggled to find the strength to stand back up.

The dragon humanoid's gaze shifted to Kaylen, his expression hardening as he didn't so much as give Gwyndolin a second glance. Priscilla gently released Kaylen from her embrace, allowing him to step forward; his gaze meeting the beasts with no level of fear to be seen.

"Hey! What happened to our home and what caused it to begin collapsing like that?! Where are-? No, actaully, how did you drag us here? What was that light?" The molten-red twin said to the great beast in front of her, her tone abrasive and filled with resentment. "Explain yourself, you fool!"

"Hm…If what was said about Gwyn was true and the state of things here.." Quelaan looks to the destruction all around them. "…The Flame must have deteriorated in strength to a considerable degree. I'd guess the power of the chaos within us and the dragon covenant he already held allowed him to tear his way through space to a degree. Our covenant connects us, so I'd wager that may have been a way to actually find us, perhaps. But I have no idea how to explain this madness of catastrophe."

"Oh, no worries. I can explain this in its entirety, Quelaan." Kaylen said aloud, earning both of the sister's attention. "Good to see you're lookin a bit healthier than usual, by the way."

"Oh? Well, thank you for the kind words, young human." Quelaan said politely, taking in the sight of the group before her. Pausing for an extra bit of time when her eyes landed on Velka, before referring to the human speaking once again. "Hm…the "Prophet", I take it?"

"Heh, with all these fans coming in, I must be a lot more famous than I thought I was." Kaylen said chuckling lightly, prompting the great demon beast to begin approaching him. This prompted Kaylen to heedlessly begin moving forward toward the towering figure, his own resolve hardening.

Soon enough, the two stood face to face, with Kaylen having to look up at the beast due to the difference in height. Neither looked to be afraid or nervous of the other.

"You sure are a tall drink of water, huh, demon-pants? I gotta say, I'm diggin' the Bloodborne vibes." Kaylen complimented with a shake of his head. "I might not be at the top of my game at the moment, but trust me, I got enough gas in the tank to deal with little old you, my friend."

The beast's eyes bore into Kaylen's. "Did you do all this?" it questioned gruffly, gesturing to the cataclysmic destruction around them.

Kaylen looked up into the fierce eyes of the beast. "And what if I did?"

A tense silence hung in the air between them. The world seemed to hold its breath as the two powerful beings faced off, their eyes locked in a battle of wills. The chaotic flames within the creature's eyes radiated with barely restrained fury, while Kaylen's expression remained defiant and calm.

It's jaw clenched, his muscles tensing as he took in the devastation around them. The destruction, the lives lost, the chaos—it was all too much. The pause stretched on, the tension between them palpable.

"You damn idiot..." it finally growled, his voice low and threatening. "You and these damned gods have brought us all to the brink. I knew that witch couldn't be trusted."

Kaylen's eyes widened, recognition dawning on him. "Wait... Oscar?"

For a single breath, Kaylen was thrown off his guard. And in that single breath, Oscar's fist moved with speed one would not expect for one of his size. The impact of the punch on Kaylen's jaw is like a freight train, launching him off his feet and propelling him backward through the air.

Blinding stars burst in his vision, searing into his brain like hot needles. The pain overwhelms his mind, leaving him dazed and disoriented for the briefest of time. If he had a single heartbeat of time further, he would have regained his senses and used his sorcery to use the momentum to right his body midair.

But Priscilla was already there - a blur of movement as she moved forward and effortlessly caught him midair.

Kaylen slumped in her arms in a daze for a moment as a sinister look came across the crossbreed's features and the ground at her feet began to slowly ice over.

And not but a single breath after she'd done this, Velka and Yuria stepped in front of her, each with a look of bloody murder in their eyes directed at Oscar.

Meanwhile, Quelaag and Quelaan both stood just at Oscar's rear; each prepared to unleash the wrath of their pyromancy to support their champion.

Tension crackles in the air, building to a boiling point as the group stands on the brink of conflict.

However, just as it seemed that conflict was about to erupt between them all, a booming laugh shattered the silence. A figure with the image of a Smiling Sun painted on his chest broke his silence at last and stepped forward. His presence was commanding, exuding confidence and power that said he was capable of standing among these formidable beings without so much as batting an eye.

"Well, well, well. The pieces of our twisted fate have finally converged upon this reunion. Is it coincidence, or has the Flame and the Dark orchestrated this meeting for a greater purpose? Ha ha ha, regardless, you have missed quite the spectacular display, Oscar." His voice booms with a mix of warmth and power. "But we have more pressing matters to attend to than squabbling amongst ourselves. And so, I must bring this misunderstanding to a swift end. But if anyone still desires to fight..."

"Well, isn't this the grandest of reunions? ne cannot help but wonder if this is chance, or has the Flame and the Dark brought us together with a purpose? Heh, heh, heh, either way, you've missed quite the beautiful show, Oscar." he said, his voice filled with both warmth and strength. "But I'm afraid we have more pressing matters to attend to than fighting amongst ourselves. So I'm afraid I'm ending this misunderstanding here. But if anyone still wishes to fight…"

The sky, shrouded in cold darkened clouds, rumbled as streaks of lightning erupted high within the air menacingly. The sheer force of the thunderclaps sent vibrations through the ground.

"Then I am afraid I will have to be your opponent."

---

WAIT! WAIT A MINUUUUTE! I HAVE THINGS TO SAAAAY!

OKAY! First, I want to say that it felt amazing to FINALLY get this huge culmination of character interactions written down! God, it felt SO GOOD to write out the conversation between Kaylen and the women in his life. It took a HUGE amount of trial and error for me to settle on how to approach the viewpoints and the feeling of progression between the characters. I didn't want it to feel like any of the girls got neglected here, so I hope you all enjoyed it to the fullest.

Unfortunately, that meant I had to have Solaire take a backseat for this big interaction. I just couldn't find a way to include him very much without it feeling "forced". So I was just like "Screw it" and ignored him for this time around.

Second, I'm still building up to the explanation for what the "voice" or entity within Kaylen is exactly. And I mean that in a real sense to the story instead of just having him pop in and out. I absolutely HATE stories that use entities like him as a plot device or convenience. I get there is merit in a bit of mystery, but I feel like if he isn't given at last partial explanation and relevancy, then what was the point in introducing him into the story.

Also, I should really get around to giving the thing a name. Maybe something Nelyak. (It's just Kaylen backward because I am terrible at naming things.). But yeah, that's my thoughts on him.

Thirdly, regarding Oscar and the Chaos sisters, I WILL be explaining how they got to Anor Londo in the next chapter. Things in this one were getting a bit longer than I'd like and I thought it would drag things out to put what happened with their situation here. But I thought that, given that Oscar has the violent power of Chaos and a true everlasting dragon combined within him, as well as the fact that there is clear evidence that absurdly powerful beings can transcend points in time entirely if they have some kind of desire they seek (Namely Manus and the Pendant/Dusk), I didn't think it that far fetched that Oscar could have some level of capability tear through points to a certain extent. Especially with time and space already on the brink of collapse.

This is one of those times I know I'm playing with fire, but to hell with it, I'm rolling the dice. (I say that now, but I already know I'm going to hate myself when I have to actually define the actual limits or how such a thing works. But I repeat, to hell with it, I'm rolling the dice.)

And lastly, I really tried to show the differences with Gwyndolin and Kaylen in this chapter. With Gwyndolin fighting for duty and doing what was necessary, only to end up with nothing and no one. While Kaylen fought to protect what he cared about and caused destruction on an unimaginable scale, but still kept what he valued and cared about. I enjoyed touching on the dichotomy between them, even in how they faced Oscar; with Gwyndolin rightfully retreating and Kaylen simply meeting him head on.

It was a hell of a fun time writing it out.

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. Was the waifu's interaction with one another a bit rushed and boring, or did I stick the landing? Should I tone it down with the dialogue a bit or was it about right? Was Oscar's appearance with the Chaos Sister a bit too much of a stretch for the story or did you think it lines up well enough?

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. I just imagine Solaire, throughout the entire heartfelt discussion between Kaylen and the women, going "Awww." and gasping over and over again like he's watching his new favorite soap opera. XD

P.P.S. I maybe had WAY too much fun writing out the differing viewpoints with everyone. It just makes me chuckle that Anastacia is checking out Priscilla, and Kaylen was checking out Yuria a bit, meanwhile Velka is the one going "What is wrong with you two idiots?! They're monsters!". XD

P.P.P.S. If you're curious about what Oscar's new form looks like, Just go to Google images and type "Gantz O nurarihyon". Should paint a good picture for the feel of "Greater Demon" I was trying to paint for Oscar here. Enjoy!