So, I started to replay Elden Rintg once again. This time, I going on a Guts-like build that is starting with a Vagabond Class. However, I am unsure of how to do it. Perhaps I'll be following a guide on YouTube. But, if you have suggestions, then feel free to put it here for any advice before Shadow of the Erdtree comes out.

I really wish I can play Dragon's Dogma 2 right now. But busy with FINAL FANTAST XIV Online and Elden Ring right know.

Now, onto the story! Things have now become dire for our heroes.

Dark Souls: Embers of Remnant Volume II

Twenty-Three

Worsen Situation

Ash sat silently within his quarters. He was still processing what had occurred last night. It was heavy. "The Abyss is growing within the mines of Mantle, and that's not that. A well-coordinated attack happened at Robybn's rally, which framed Penny for instigating it. Though, I have a feeling someone is behind it." Another thought came to mind. "There is no way Jacques could have won that fair and square, considering he'd shut down all 'non-essential' jobs due to his unchecked greed. He could have won by possibly cheating, but there's no possible evidence that has been presented except that stunt back at that rally that made Penny a victim."

"Ashen One…" He was brought out of his thoughts as he felt a hand on his right shoulder. He turned to see Olivia looking at him with a worried look seen displayed in her mouth. "Art thou alright? Thy hath been silent for a while."

He let out a small chuckle. "Is that so? I'm sorry, Olivia. I just had a lot of things in my mind right now."

"Thou art thinking about the incident last night?" She asked.

The Unkindled nodded. "So, you noticed?" He let out a chuckle. "Yes, I am. It seems to be well co-coordinated. Whoever was behind it, they seemed to plan it very well." He thought he'd tell her what the other problem was. "Other than that, I fear the Kingdom may fall soon. Patches showed me what was in the mines, and it turns out that the Abyss is growing. It will only get worse due to the negativity that is happening right now."

Olivia held Ash's right hand before gently squeezing it. He appreciated this kind gesture and felt a bit calm. "Ashen One, thou must not think too much. If the Abyss is here, then take immediate action. Tell general Ironwood of this concerning problem before it gets worse."

The Unkindled thought about this and looked back at her. "I should. But I am worried that his paranoia would only make the dire situation worse if I told him right away."

"Thou must not be doubtful of thine choice." She spoke to him. "If Ironwood wants to save his Kingdom, then you must tell him. Thou do not want to repeat what happened before?" Despite her kind tone, Ash can tell that there was a small pinch of harshness within it. Olivia had a point. He doesn't want to Atlas to fall like the Ringed City, which is a memory that still haunted him to this day.

This caused Ash to lower his head before he looked up to face the Firekeeper. "I'll take your advice. General Ironwood needs to know about this." He stood up and held his friend's hand with both of his own. "Thank you for your comfort. I shall tell right him right away."

Olivia smiled warmly at her close friend. "If that's what thee wish."

-Scene Change-

The automatic doors opened as Ash entered the General Office. He saw Ruby, Ren, Nora, Qrow, Clover, and Winter in the room, who noticed his arrival. All of them stood in front of Ironwood's desk. Speaking of the individual…. "This is the worst-case scenario." He angrily slammed his fists onto his desk. "More people are dead, Penny's been framed, and somehow, Jacques Schnee is sitting on the council."

"That's the second shipment for Amity that was hit today," Clover informed his leader. "It seems election night was the last push Robyn needed to go from hometown hero to full-on vigilante."

"I'm afraid the problem is more complicated than that," Winter spoke, seeing that things have become more complex.

The General let out a sigh before he began to pace behind his desk. "It seems Robyn has emboldened our suppliers in Mantle. They refuse to sell us provisions until the city is adequately repaired." A slight hint of panic in his voice was picked up by a few. "With Robyn redistributing the goods her team has stolen, the Amity Project is completely stalled."

"But we're so close." Ruby pointed out. "There has to be some way we can finish the tower."

Winter had a solution to solve this problem. Unfortunately, it would be through a method no one wants to hear. "There is - declaring martial law."

Hearing this caused Ruby and Nora to have their eyes widened in shock. Both looked at Ironwood, who stared outside through the window. "You're not actually considering that, are you?" Of all people, Nora was the one who voiced this concern.

The General continued to stare through the window but managed to respond. "What's more important? Establishing communications, unite the world? Or appeasing a few city blocks?"

"Don't make it sound trivial when you know it isn't. "Now her voice became emotional. "You keep talking about how we just need a little more time, but you're not the one having to struggle."

This made Ironwood turn to face Nora. He had a questioning look on his face. "We have all had to make sacrifices for the greater good. Mantle has had to bear a lot of the burden, yes, but—"

He got interrupted by her as she approached his desk. Her tone becomes more upsetting. "they're bearing all of it! The longer this waiting game goes on, the harder each day gets for people down there, and now you wanna send in more soldiers? You can't just force people to fall in line. If you do that, you'll trade all these problems for the Grimm!"

Ironwood stepped forward and stared at her, eyes narrowed, while she stared back, panting. He lowers himself into his chair and rests his face in his hands as he doesn't seem to take her criticism to heart. During this time, Ruby walked to the other girl's side. "Please, General Ironwood. Squeezing Mantle this way… That kind of division plays right into Salem's hands." She placed a hand on Nora's shoulder. "That's why Tyrian is here framing you."

Hearing this made Clover look at the two. "Right, the reason we called you here in the first place. You're sure this was the man you saw?" He steps toward Ruby, brings out his Scroll, and presses a button to project a screen that displays a file about Tyrian. The file contains a photograph of Tyrian's face and an image of Tyrian from undercover footage. Ash glanced at it and saw portions of the files covered in white tape and black ink.

"Tyrian Callows was accused of murders all across Anima," Winter informed them. "A homicidal maniac who escaped justice when his prison transport was attacked by Grimm. After that, he was never seen again."

"Well, he works for Salem, and he's here." Ruby pointed out.

This caused Ash to silently click his tongue underneath his Faraam Helmet upon hearing this. "Another Fanatical Follower? What a surprise." His thoughts made him remember Aldrich, a Saint of the Deep who amassed many followers and formed a group, Cult of The Deep, before being taken down in Anor Londo.

Qrow could have a saying, given his previous experience with that individual. "If we ever had any doubts Atlas was Salem's next target, I think those are officially out the window."

"But now we have a suspect. We can tell the people." Ruby stated.

That may be a good option, but Clover had to point out the possible consequences. "That a long-lost serial killer is loose in Mantle and the military has no idea where he is - might make things worse before they get better."

" I am so sick of secrets!" Nora spoke with frustration. "If we just told everyone about Amity, about Salem—"

"We can't!" Everyone turned to Ironwood. "If we talk about Amity now, we risk Salem's forces, who we know are here, working to sabotage it. If we tell them about Salem now, we risk falling to the Grimm before we can reunite Remnant." He stood up and slammed his hands onto his desk. "We have to finish the tower. I want Robyn Hill in custody." That made Ruby and Nora surprise by his statement as he seemed to rather focus on the other problems. "We can offer her a deal if she gets Mantle to cooperate."

"We'll figure it out." Clover said to his Commanding Officer.

"I really don't think that's a good idea," Ash quietly muttered, seeing how that would only worsen the situation given his previous experience.

"Anyone not assisting with Robyn needs to focus on Tyrian." Ironwood spoke as he becomes sterner. He begins heading for the door while his hands are clasped behind his back. " I want to know who he's working with, where he's hiding, what he's planning, and how exactly that video of Penny got all over my kingdom."

Seeing the opportunity to voice another concern, Ash immediately spoke to the General. "There's another concern that needs to be sorted."

Everyone turned to him, and this caused Ironwood to narrow his eyes at him. "In what way?"

"The night on the elections, I was roaming around the abandoned Mines in Mantle when I discovered something in the deepest parts of the mine" He explained. "A growing darkness that could generate Grimm." He left the Abyss part out in case Ironwood got a negative reaction. "If I were you, I would deal with that problem right away while dealing with—"

"Do you think I would waste my materials on some abandoned mine?!" Ironwood interrupted him, his voice becoming harsher while retaining it sternness. "I am not going to waste any time in blowing up some mine. It's either you'd catch Robyn or finding Tyrian but not for the mines in Mantle." He turned his attention to everyone. "And that goes for all of you. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir." Both Clover and Winter responded back.

A millisecond later, another voice responded to him. "Yes, sir." Ruby and Nora turned to Ren with surprised look on their face, who seemed to stare calmy at the space around him and the Office.

All the Unkindled could do was to shake his head. He quietly uttered at the General with a disapproved expression that was hidden behind his Faraam helmet. "You're making a reckless and unnecessary decision, General. I fear the worst is yet to come."

-Scene Change-

Night has come early in the city of Mantle. An armoured truck drives along the road and passes by a grocery market. Inside of the vehicle, Yang peeked through the window before looking back at her scroll. "Looks like we're approaching 51st."

She wasn't alone. Blake was with her as she sat down and reviewed a file about Robyn's thefts through her scroll. Yang was in a video call to the leader of the Ace Operatives, who seem to be appreciated their participation in this mission. "Thanks for the assist on this, you two. Now, we may all be split between different trucks, but we need to be ready to act as one in case Robyn's team takes the bait. If your truck is hit, pursue immediately. Everyone else will move in as fast as possible." He commanded. "Going radio silent. Over."

As the video call ended, the blonde brawler put her scroll down and had uncertainty shown on her face. "Do you…" She exhaled loudly at the thought of what she is about to say. "Do you think we should've told Ironwood about Salem, before he put so much on the line for Amity?"

"Sounds like you do." Blake responded while she continued to read the files.

The blonde sighed as she contemplated on what happened over the past month. "I trust Ruby, but I think he deserves to know what he's stepping into. We all did." The Faunus girl remained and her cat ears folding over a little. Yang looked over at her. "You don't agree."

Blake put her Scroll down before putting it away. "Look around. The embargo, the military presence, the restrictions on assembly. He's a bit prone to overreacting."

"Yeah, hard to argue with that." Yang said, agreeing with her friend to a certain degree. "Still, he didn't have a lot of good options."

That didn't seem to fit well for the Faunus. "I'm not sure there are many good options left for any of us anymore. Keeping secrets, taking lives? It makes you wonder how far we're gonna have to go to keep doing the right thing."

"Blake…" She turned to Yang, who has a saddened expression with her eyes glimmering from emotion. "What happened with Ash back in Argus… was necessary. He did what he had to do."

Blake's eyes glimmered a little and looks away from Yang. "I know. I wanna make sure we don't have to, and I can tell you, ambushing a Huntress who's just trying to help isn't an option I'm thrilled about choosing. We're not like Ozpin and we're not like Ash." She crosses her arms over her chest, and her cat ears completely fold over.

A few seconds of silence went by. The two contemplated on what had been discussed and were in deep thoughts about the mission they were about to partake in. "Then, maybe we shouldn't." Blake's cat ears stand upright hearing Yang's sudden response and looks at her. "If Ash acts and does things independently, then maybe we should too."

"You think so?" The Faunus Girl asked.

Yang was confident about her decision. "Yeah, I'm certain. I think he'll do what he thinks is right. Even if that means disobeying orders."

-Scene Change-

The Unkindled quietly sneezed as he found himself in the library of the academy and looked at the photos from files regarding the massacre that took place in Robyn's rally. By analysing them, he could tell that this had been well thought out by someone who knew what they were doing. As much as he wanted to go to the exact location, he knew that it had been disclosed to the rest of the public, and only Military and Huntsmen could enter.

He wanted to go, but Ruby stopped him and said she and Weiss would be looking for the culprit. However, he can help by looking at the files they provided him. Still, he had one thought in mind. "How do you two intend on finding this fanatical scum who is that skilled at evading the law?"

"How goes the searching?" His attention turned to Winter, who was walking to where he sat.

"Nothing so far," He answered as he saw the Officer sitting on the opposite side of where he was. "It would have been easier if I went to that hall and investigated where this Fanatic is located." Since Winter is here, he thought it would be an excellent opportunity to ask her something. "Mind if I ask you a question?"

Winter raised an eyebrow at his words. She had a feeling that it might be her destiny. "Is it about me becoming the Winter Maiden?"

The Unkindled nodded. "Do you think you can handle your role as a Maiden? I overheard that you choose to bear the burden of it with your sister, Weiss—"

The future Winter Maiden got irked by his question and glared at him. "Are you doubtful about me, Ash?"

"Doubtful," Ash tilted his head at that. "I'm trying to be real about this. You take great pride in choosing your destiny; I respect your decision. But anyone like you with magical powers is bound to fall on their pride. I met someone who is like that. But it turns out to be all for nothing." He referenced Pontiff Sulyvhan there because he was a powerful mage.

"What are you saying?" Winter asked as she felt he was insulting and doubting her of her destiny.

"I'm saying that despite you becoming the next Winter Maiden to do good for all of Remnant. Yet, simultaneously, I can't help but feel like you will be exploited."

Winter was taken by his statement. Due to this statement, she could only glare sharply at him. "Are you saying that I am a fool!?"

"No," Ash responded with honesty. "You may not be so easily fooled and a formidable fighter, but there are times that someone like you is taken off guard. Look what happened when you got fooled by that man who kicked you off a cliff in Mistral despite finding the Firekeeper?"

Hearing this caused the elder Schnee to let out a sigh as she found that incident to be embarrassing. "That was only one time, Ash. You should consider that it is my decision to become the next Winter. Not by my Father, Ironwood and even someone like you who gets to choose my destiny."

The Unkindled didn't feel unaffected by her statement. Instead, he stared blankly at her. "I didn't say any of that. I'm only taking precautions about the potential dangers of being the Winter Maiden. Though you are strong in fighting and the potential use of magic, I doubt you'll last for long. Once the world knows about the Relics, the Maidens, and Salem, there will be those willing to manipulate you in your lowest moment."

This took Winter by surprise. "Exploiting me in my lowest moments?"

"Yes," The Unkindled responded. "You may have the necessary training but are not psychologically ready. Once you get that power, there will be a time when you hit your lowest, and there will be those who will exploit your vulnerability for their own gain. I hope you understand what I am saying?"

"I—" Winter was about to speak when she stopped and thought about what he said. She remembered what she had said to her sister and how she had chosen her destiny by becoming the Winter Maiden. She always won't let others influence her decisions and hasn't considered being advised. A realised sigh escaped through her lips, and she looked at the Unkindled. "You know, I haven't thought of being advised. Especially by someone like you. I…I'll be thinking about it."

"Hmmmm…" He hummed as he looked over Winter's left shoulder, and his eyes spotted something. Ash's mind was playing tricks on him. As he swore, he could see that exact Ashen Wolf Pup sitting on one of the bookshelves and staring at him. He shook his head and closed his eyes before looking at that spot. Only this time, it was gone. Seeing that Elder Schnee was looking at him with a confused look, he turned to face her. "Just do what you think is best. But please, take my advice into consideration."

Winter bobbled her head and silently sat down with the Unkindled. Silence ran throughout the library as she saw him looking through the files before turning his head around to hear his neck crack. All of a sudden, both listened to a pair of footsteps approaching them. She turned to see who it was. "Penny?" She couldn't believe she was seeing the robot girl.

Speaking of which, the robot girl smiled sadly at the duo. "Hey there." She turned to Winter. "I got something for you to give to the General."

Winter looked at her upon hearing that. "What is it?" Penny handed an envelope to her. The Schnee grabbed the object and immediately inspected it. Upon looking at the wax seal, she recognised the Schnee Insignia.

Although Ash could only see a little glimpse of it, he can already foretell what this means. "Your father invited the General, didn't he?" He stated with a heavy dose of sarcasm.

The Specialist looked at him with her eyes full of confirmation. "Yes. My Father's first Act of being a Councilman. We've all been invited to dinner where the General will defend his seat on the Council."

Well, this seems to be a short chapter. But damn, things have become dire now.

Despite Blake and Yang having their hands cleaned from killing Adam thanks to Ash, it seems like they are only going to cause more indirectly.

Speaking of which, at least Ash gave Winter some advice of the dangers of becoming a Winter Maiden. I wonder how that'll go.

Now, it is for the two chapters mini arc of the Banquet. I have to give it to you; it's going to be very interesting and unique in a way.

Speaking of rush, I am sorry if this felt short than usual. I have been busy with other things. Fret not, I am going to complete volume 2 by the end of the year.

I appreciate the feedback I got last time and appreciate at it more if I were given constructive criticism and feedback to improve this story. Other than that, I will see you all in the next chapter...