Author's notes: What can I say? I'm finally finishing up with fixing what I felt to be the weakest part of the original fic. Given how different the outcome was from its previous iteration, the bulk of this chapter had to be rewritten, albeit with a lot of the same story beats intact. We'll start with the first major addition – a certain battle debut now happening much earlier – before heading to one of my favorite areas, the Lost Bastille! For the 'first' Great Soul dungeon, they really started with a bang, so it's only fair I do it justice. The clash with the Ruin Sentinels is based, albeit more loosely so in the original, on my actual experience fighting them in my first playthrough. I occasionally still relied on summons for particularly intimidating bosses, and had grabbed two to even the odds against the trio. Just my luck, my internet bill lapsed due to a payment error the moment I entered the mist. Figuring I'd at least give it the college try, something awakened inside of me and I managed to take them on my first solo attempt. I made the most of my shield by timing each block perfectly rather than mindlessly turtling like shield-centric builds are often memed on for, feeling I'd finally gotten into my zone.

Chapter 6 – The Moonlit Prison!
"Is there something you aren't telling me?!"


Heide's Tower of Flame, Cathedral of Blue

Nightfall had descended upon the seaside ruins, the Tower of Flame's shimmering light persisting against the darkness to create a sky of sparkling navy. Unfortunately for our heroes, they were not conscious to gaze upon such a gorgeous view, still incapacitated from their brutal defeat at the hands of Melanie the Graceful. Without much time remaining, their window of opportunity would surely vanish if they did not reawaken soon! LoveGame, Ilia! You've got to wake up!

...yet, just as one battle reached its bitter end, the echoes of clashing steel and souls far away meant that stage was being set for another! On this fateful night, the abandoned cathedral found itself haunted by an apparition from the distant past...

Having left some time after LoveGame and Ilia and taking the opposite fork in the road, the masked wizard Vivi sought to further test his skill... and perhaps gain insight into his murky past along the way. Commanding the might of raw, blue soul energy with his peculiar spinning staff, he'd carve a warpath through the crumbling ruins, sending the lumbering old knights into the crashing waves below! Adorned in full armor, the man could've been mistaken for a knight himself. His face remained a mystery behind his polished iron helm, its long crimson plume whipping in the sea breeze. His unusual platemail boasted large, round shoulder guards wrought in deep purple metal and engraved with brilliant silver runes. Most impressive of all, all that layered metal didn't slow the slender warrior down in the slightest...

"Hmmh!"

...even as he leapt high into the air, drawing his bejeweled scimitar to slice through the rough hide of a temperamental red drake, the last thing standing between him and the grand Cathedral of Blue! He'd dash through the air as though he weighed nothing, his curved blade aggressively tearing into the winged beast's resilient red scales! It reeled its long neck back to take a vicious bite, but Vivi took the opening to call forth a glowing soul spear, launching the spell straight into its throat on his descent! He'd make a deft landing, gasping for breath as the beast faded into white ash that quickly scattered in the wind, as though it was never there. He'd take a moment to catch his breath and take a comforting swig of Estus.

"Nearly thought I'd bitten off more than I could chew." said the wizard in a dry tone, "...figures it'd be just my luck that a red drake wandered this far... Hmm, now I've an even deeper commitment to making it to the end of this unusual path..." he'd continue, ears perking up at a metallic clank to his immediate left. "...and it would appear that there it is."

As if accepting the offering of the dragon's mighty soul, an old rusted lever rose up from the stone floor. Cracking his knuckles, Vivi gave the undated mechanism a solid yank. The rattle of metal gave way to rustling chains and creaking wood; the great drawbridge lowered as though to beckon the magician into the halls of the cathedral. A wall of shimmering mist manifested over the twin doors, emitting a low hum through the otherwise quiet ruins. Creating a small flame and inhaling the resulting smoke of a handful of amber herbs, the young magician made his way up the lowered bridge, drawing both of his weapons and tightening his focus as he dispersed the mist, revealing an unknown adversary knelt on the polished floor with his head bowed in prayer.

To anyone well-read enough, and to those fortunate enough to have lived through the previous Age of Fire, the red-plumed helm wrought in the visage of a proud lion would be unmistakable as that of the Old Dragonslayer, the old Lord of Cinder's most esteemed knight. Now a renowned figure of diluted legends and old lord's tales, his appearance now would be questionable at best, and at worst, it meant you were dead.

Fortunately for Vivi, he had no reason to know this hero's significance, and given that much of the world had forgotten, he had little reason to care. Stepping out into the light that filtered through the cathedral's brilliant stained glass, the Dragonslayer's armor that once shone a lustrous gold had been corrupted by an unnatural corrosion of the dark, the essence of humanity itself. He brandished a great spear with a crossed tip, its length coursing with that same deep purple glow as he strode toward Vivi. Neither warriors had words for one another, though Vivi felt an unusually familiar energy emanating from his foe as he assumed a battle stance, holding the spear in one hand with ease.

Perhaps in an attempt to catch Vivi off guard, the Dragonslayer made the first move! His subdued walk immediately gave way to a blinding dash; he seemed to glide across the polished cathedral floors with his spear held forward! The magician only narrowly avoided being skewered, rolling to his side and springing back to his feet! Channeling his staff, he'd fire a controlled volley of soul arrows at the armored apparition! A few made their mark, but after recovering from the momentum of his narrow miss, he'd block the rest with his spear! Now knowing what the intruder was capable of, the Dragonslayer used his incredible speed to close the distance!

Knowing he'd have to match this harrowing and offensive approach with his own, Vivi cast a soul spear straight into the lion-faced warrior's chest, landing a direct hit that even managed to chip some of the darkened armor away! The Dragonslayer barreled onward, fighting through whatever pain he might've felt as he used his superior reach to swipe at Vivi! The first hit knocked the wizard off balance and launched him off of his feet, but he'd recover with a handspring and draw his curved blade for a counter! Just before the scimitar dug into his arm, the Dragonslayer followed up with a two handed stab straight into Vivi's abdomen! His armor saved him from certain death, but the sheer force of the blow sent the wizard crashing through one of the stone pillars!

Not letting up, the Old Dragonslayer rocketed toward Vivi, twirling his spear for a followup while his foe was still dazed! Thinking on his feet, the magician kicked one of the loose chunks of stone straight into the towering knight's head, kicking off the ground with his staff set alight! A seemingly endless barrage of soul arrows assailed the stunned spearman, blinding him with blue mist! Taking the only moment he'd likely have, Vivi tightened his focus and channeled his magic through his entire body, giving him a faint glow of azure. Drawing the bejeweled scimitar once more, he'd rush in and deliver several slices steeped in magic, the enhanced metal creating several deep gashes in the Dragonslayer's armor as the shrill twist of metal echoed through the abandoned church!

Even through the assault, the Dragonslayer managed to push Vivi back a few feet with his spear held longways in a defensive position, but the spellcaster ran right back into the fray! The two would clash evenly for the moment; what Vivi's scimitar lacked in range it made up for in its incredible speed. He'd attack from multiple angles, circling around and landing several slashes into the spearman's arms, weakening his grip on the mighty spear! Both combatants moved at a blinding speed, giving it their all just to keep up with each others' relentless assaults!

Vivi made a particularly rough slash into the Dragonslayer's gauntlet, disarming him as the long spear clattered to the floor! In a desperate last-ditch effort, the darkened knight cloaked his entire form in overflowing dark energy, as if set aflame with a black haze. He'd leap high into the air, nearly reaching the ceiling! Upon his descent, he'd slam his body into the ground, scattering shards of stone as the dust mixed and swirled with the dark purple magic! However, a split second before the Dragonslayer landed, Vivi responded with his own mighty jump, avoiding the erupting waves of darkness and casting a blinding orb of pure soul energy, crushing the shadow of a long-lost legend once and for all!

Sticking his landing just as the dark mist dissipated, he'd watch the Old Dragonslayer fade to ashes, never to haunt the Cathedral of Blue again. Now gasping for air as he let his body loosen up, Vivi absorbed the wealth of souls left behind and pocketed the knight's own soul for later use. "Good, good. I've still got a fighting chance. Still, how strange it was that I'd felt that darkness somewhere before." he said to himself after catching his breath. Whether this encounter had gotten him any closer to discovering his past, he was unsure, but the souls he gained proved instrumental in bolstering his strength for the horrors ahead.

The man residing within the cathedral was of no help to Vivi, but the small side chamber housed a bonfire, by which he promptly collapsed. There was still yet much to discover for the intrepid spellcaster.

Just as night had fallen, Knight LoveGame had finally came to, with Ilia soon to follow. The ring he'd plundered back in the forest granted him very gradual healing properties that fixed his near-fatal wound as he unwillingly slept. Even more curious was the treasure that lay inches in front of him as his blurry vision came into focus – a large, rectangular greatshield wrought in midnight blue and decorated with a faded gold sun. Rightfully confused as to where it came from, but no less accepting of the mysterious gift, he'd push himself to his feet, pick it up, and fasten it to his back, replacing his kiteshield. "Man..." he'd groan as he cracked his neck and stretched, his strength returning, "...that coulda felt better. Least I got a consolation prize."

"Normally I'd be on your case about taking gifts that just show up like that," Ilia said, getting up and checking her bags to make sure nothing was stolen. "Wouldn't surprise me one bit if that fat-ass slut was the one to leave it behind... she got me with a cheap gimmick, but I'll be sure to repay her in kind if... when she decides to show up again." she'd say, smacking her fist into her palm. "I've got a few tricks of my own that even you haven't seen yet, LoveGame."

"I like the way you think, Ilia. Gotta keep 'em on their toes. Still, I feel more at home with a shield like this. Between you and me, I can't parry to save my life." he admitted bluntly before pointing to the doorway on the opposite end of the lighthouse bridge, seemingly built into the side of the cliff face. "C'mon, we're running behind as it is, and I'm itchin' to test this bad boy out." he'd say, patting the shield with his armored hand.

Ilia looked the large armament over, noting its expert craftsmanship. "You sure it won't slow you down at all?" she asked with mild concern.

"Not even a little! I feel lighter than a-" called LoveGame over his shoulder, already getting a running start for the darkened entrance before he tripped, not yet used to the sheer weight of the greatshield! "Whoah!" He caught himself at the last moment, saving himself from a faceplant as he strode forward with confidence.

With a sigh, Ilia shook her head and followed the knight into the unknown, just as she had up to this point.

Ilia's torch roared to life with a mighty spark as the lithe swordstress took point, illuminating the inky darkness and revealing a network of stone corridors before them. The multitude of wide pathways and lifts throughout, along with its proximity to the lighthouse suggested it was once a supply path of sorts. Compared to the crumbling ruins they'd just emerged from, the dark colored stone structure was almost perfectly intact, either having been built much later or simply shielded from the sea's wrath by the cliff face it was built into. The air was no less damp and salty, giving the pair an unexpected chill without the warm sea breeze at their backs.

Having been long abandoned since the kingdom's fall, the stone halls were largely vacant. A small detachment of the lumbering Old Knights still patrolled the walkways, but the stragglers were easily defeated by the reinvigorated pair as they made their way down. Now afforded a rare moment of peace, the pair of heroes took the time to talk their situation over as they walked.

"What is it, Ilia?" LoveGame asked, reading the pensive look on the woman's face. "You look like you're just dying to say something... appreciate the light, by the way."

Ilia gave a sharp sigh, nearly swallowing the words as she tried to piece her thoughts together. "It's just... look, is there something you aren't telling me... LoveGame? If that even is your real name?"

The knight gave a shrug, an unusually mild reaction to her words. "Nothin'. I'm pretty much an open book, so ask me anything. Just... like I said, that whole hollowing thing knocked a few memories loose, so... you know."

"Look at it from my perspective. Isn't it just the slightest bit odd that the first... well, sane would be a stretch, but... one of the only, er, lucid people we find out here is hell-bent on taking you out?" she'd ask, replaying the encounters with Melanie in her head. "Master Xoxar made it out like protecting you was something special, but it's clear there's more to it than some fated quest to fulfill my purpose or some shit. Don't tell me... Do you have a bounty on your head, guy?"

"Hey, ease up!" the knight protested, holding both hands up. "I know you don't have much reason to believe me, but I'm just as clueless as you are. Never seen her before in my life, really! Why would anyone wanna kill a sweetheart like me? I'm lost for words! If anything, she's makin' ME look bad." he'd say in earnest, trying his best to maintain his innocence.

Ilia scoffed at his half-baked defense of his character, but ultimately relented. "Fine, if you say so... still, I think there's more to this than either of us realize. I'm not just a warrior, you know. I'm also... a chronicler. Just as it's my sworn duty to protect you, I've also taken it upon myself to take note of everything I find here to add to my archives back home."

"A noble cause, my dear Ilia!" LoveGame said jovially in an attempt to lighten the mood. "Somethin' tells me if we get our hands on one of these Great Souls, we'll be that much closer to some answers. 'Course, the extra power's a nice plus too. Let's make tracks!" he shouted, waving his arm as he ran slightly ahead of the torchlight with a bit of extra spring in his step.

Despite having held strong as the kingdom crumbled, these halls were not immune to the erosion of time. Several paths were entirely inaccessible, some of the metal doors were bent and wedged into their doorways, not budging an inch. Others were blocked off with loose rubble, perhaps having been sealed off on purpose. Searching the place thoroughly for anything that might help them on the road ahead, the two eventually exhausted every dead end until they happened upon the way forward in the form of a large, square lift. Stepping on the pressure plate in the middle, the duo descended with the sound of rattling, rusted chains.

They found themselves in an almost completely identical corridor, but the echo of their boots sloshing underneath indicated this lower floor had been almost entirely waterlogged. They'd drag their feet through the stagnant water until they eventually reached an exit in the form of a natural cavern, the jagged stalagmites creating a path further out to the old shipyards.

LoveGame and Ilia nearly choked on the dense, foggy air, overwhelming them with the taste of sea salt.

Sinner's Rise

Meanwhile, Melanie had already made her way well ahead of the two heroes, traversing the entirety of the Lost Bastille while they were out cold thanks to an alternate pathway her curiosity rewarded her with. Despite her pear-shaped frame, the red-eyed Lindeldtian possessed inhuman agility thanks to her undead enhancements, allowing her to leap and scale the Bastille's ramparts with little effort. She crossed a large and imposing bridge that overlooked the entire prison, eventually reaching the old Saltfort and scaling the outer walkways. A small detachment of Royal Soldiers were quickly alerted of her presence, drawing their flamberges and charging forth, brandishing the wavy two-handed blades.

"Aww! So much for a stealthy advance. All that clappin' back there musta gave my position away. My bad. Can't help it!~" she'd say with an air of ambivalence, drawing her steel mace that shone under the moonlight. She'd flick her wrist, cloaking the blunt weapon in golden lightning, tearing down all three soldiers with a single elegant arcing strike, ripping through their armor like dry parchment. "...Wow. That was pretty awful even by my standards." She'd climb a ladder that gave her access to the Saltfort's inner walls, spying a massive lift in the center. A nearby crossbowman fumbled for his sword, but failed to draw it before Melanie caught him from behind, kicking him in his back and, with a decidedly bored look on her face, brought the heavy flanged mace down on his head, crunching his helm like a tin can. Heading further inside, she sighed contently as she took the lift down to wherever it may lead.

"Wonder if those two woke up yet. Lover-boy's too hard-headed to just call it quits after taking an L... and his not-girlfriend has no idea what she's gotten herself into... of course, that's IF I'm right about all this. Which... c'mon, I'm right. Too bad I can't get that nice juicy soul for myself." the blonde warrior thought aloud. "But the sweet goodies I plundered here almost make up for it... oh! And here's where I get off!" said the provocatively-dressed gal, feeling the sudden shake of the rusted elevator grind to a halt.

Beyond the lift's exit, Melanie found herself staring down a long, heavily flooded passage with a gate at its end, the waterlogged path terminating at a colossal prison tower said to be reserved for only the most irredeemable of sinners. Several other paths lead up to a pair of stone catwalks on either side, and the rattling of chains could be heard from the shadows. As much as the idea disgusted her, she'd bite the bullet and dip her bare toes into the dark, murky water and begin trudging onward. Feeling the cold liquid rush over her ankles mixed with loose sediment and Gods-knows-what else, Melanie's face twisted into a look of disdain and annoyance. "Just when I thought I couldn't hate this place any more... and I was in a good mood, too." she said to herself, shuddering as she felt the water deepen the further she got, now well up her calves. "Ohh-! C'mon, and it's gonna soak all in my dress too? This is so not the kind of place for a graceful gal like myself...!" lamented the curvaceous cleric, fixing the loose locks of her golden hair back into place and casually letting out a loud, rather lengthy fart. It echoed through the darkness of the corridor, meriting satisfied sigh and a light giggle from the lady. Moments later, she was jolted by a low, bestial roar coming from further down, as something much larger sloshed throughout the brackish water toward her location.

"…Shit." was the only thing to escape her breath as she once again brandished her mace and prepared for whatever otherworldly horror she had drawn the attention of…

No Man's Wharf

No Man's Wharf was a haunting locale, even compared against the rest of Drangleic's gallery of horrors. During the kingdom's glory days, it was a thriving port where ships would bring various supplies to and from the kingdom. It had even sprouted a small community, sailors and traders alike had constructed living quarters along its multi-tiered edifices. Brave sailors nocked their bows with arrows of lightning to face whatever terrors lurked in the great sea, and the continent to the north was said to be inhabited by even worse, more inhuman things than what stalked the deepest reaches of Drangleic in recent years.

In an attempt to make up for the precious time they'd lost, LoveGame and Ilia tore a path of destruction through the wharf, clearing out the remains of the wooden shacks and splintering docks that spanned the length of the port. The area was as vast and wide-open as it was poorly lit; the pair split up to cover more ground, taking great care not to plummet into the unforgiving sea below. The hollowed husks of Varangian pirates assailed them with the explosive combination of oil urns and arrows tipped with flame, cut down just before they could make their shot. They'd even managed to catch a few of them asleep in their quarters, striking them down and taking every scrap of supplies they'd hoarded away.

Ilia cut her way up the eroded edifice, encountering grotesque, pitch black beasts with elongated limbs that swiped at her from afar! She'd discovered their weakness when they hissed and retreated at the sight of her enduring torchlight, backing the otherworldly creatures into the wall and hacking their limbs away! She'd take special note of these abominations for her chronicle, their mutated physiology raising more questions than answers.

Meanwhile, LoveGame carefully crossed the wooden docks, treading the shallow waters to collect lifegems that drifted ashore and fending off sneak attacks from the hollowed pirates that hung from the sides of the rotting walkways to wait in ambush. He'd find a strange stone mechanism in the center of the wharf, with three holes in the vague shape of a face. His curiosity rewarded him when he placed the square keystone he'd found back in Majula into its mouth; the whoosh and roar of a fiery urn above illuminated the entire port before their eyes!

After doubling back, the pair met up on either side of the winding network of docks, mere meters apart yet divided by the undulating abyss below. "Ilia, watch this!" LoveGame called over, eyeing a large, thick plank that was held straight up by a splintered barrier. "Hmmh!" he'd deliver a roundhouse kick with his metal boot, bringing the wood down as a surprisingly effective makeshift bridge. "Ain't nothin' can split us up, sister! How's that for making good time?"

Ilia took a step back and flinched, in mild disbelief that the knight's recklessness had rewarded them both. She held her arms out for balance, carefully walking the plank to meet up with him. "I'll give you that one. It's very on-brand for you, but... we cleaned the place up pretty good, eh?" she'd say with a faint smile. They'd finally reached the end of the docks, several offshoots built over the water to allow for boarding and departure of ships. "LoveGame, look!" Ilia called out, grabbing the man's shoulder and turning his attention to a glimmering object at the highest point atop the stone edifice. Even among the worn and eroded wood it was affixed to, it shone a perfectly polished gold as if beckoning the pair. "I hadn't seen it until you turned the lights on for us..." she said, squinting a little to confirm her thoughts. "...looks like a bell... and our ticket forward."

"How do you figure?" asked the knight in earnest, looking up at the distant golden glow.

"Were you raised in a- oh, that's right. Already went over that." Ilia cut herself off recalling their initial meeting. "If you ever see a bell in a seaport, especially a big one like that... they're used to signal ships to come in to dock... and we'll need one, from the looks of it." she explained, both of them turning their gaze out toward the vast sea ahead. The imposing shadow of a dark, castellated structure was just visible under the full moon that hung overhead. "No idea if any ships are left operating here, but it's worth a shot. We'll sink like bricks in all this armor... now, we just need to find a way up there to ring it."

"...or we could try and hit it from here." LoveGame said inquisitively.

Ilia looked over at him and raised a blonde eyebrow. "That's... actually a fair point!" she'd compliment before realizing the issue. "Wait, how? Neither one of us is any good with a bow... even if we had one. What are we... LoveGame, what the hell?" she'd cut herself off when she turned to see the bizarre sight of the knight... aiming the tip of his silver sword at the distant bell.

"Ilia, hold this for a sec." he'd say, removing his helm for the first time in quite a while and shaking out his shaggy, black hair. He'd push the stray bangs out of his eyes and pass the metal crested helm over to his cohort, much to her increasing confusion. "Okay... now, steady as she goes, LoveGame..." he said to himself, closing his left eye and holding the tip of the blade out, taking a deep breath...

"...Stun Edge!"

The silver sword sparked to life, electric energy gathering at its tip! With a mighty swing, the shining bolt shot forth, illuminating the darkness around it as it left behind a golden contrail! Sure enough, the lightning struck the conductive metal head-on, creating a resounding ring that resonated through the entire wharf! With a wide grin, the knight pumped his fist in celebration! "Oh, yeah!"

"...of course you had another one of those moves. Why would it be anything but?" Ilia said with a relieved sigh. "Good one. Here's your prize." she'd say, handing him back his helm which he fastened back over his head.

With just a few rings of the sonorous bell, their savior began to awaken. Far out into the sea, another group of lights made themselves known to the duo, this time in an ethereal, ghostly pale blue. The dark waters underneath roared and rushed under the hull of the large ship that sailed its way toward the end of the dock, dropping anchor just meters away from where they stood, blue flames set alight. The tattered sails wavered in the light ocean breeze, yet the rickety ship remained seaworthy. "Better than nothin', right? Welcome aboard, after you of course." he'd say, waving Ilia on and following close behind. As they'd expected, the ship had no crew to speak of, fueled only by the souls of the sailors that once roamed its creaky decks. Indeed, the pair plundered a modest host of souls to bolster their power for the road ahead.

Heading inside to the lower deck and making their way to the back, they'd find an unusual and intricate mechanism, some sort of sideways wheel that allowed them to gain limited control of the ship. He gave it a light push on its side, feeling the vessel begin to move. "...and we're setting sail! I'm really something, huh?" he boasted as the ship began to steer itself just as before.

Ilia gave a light scoff. "Yeah… yeah, you sure are…" she said quietly as they returned to the deck of the ship, gazing out toward the shadowed fortress drawing ever closer in the distance…

Lost Bastille

The old ship didn't take long to dock at its destination. Standing strong against the test of time and built of black stone and metal, it rose far above the great sea, bathed in frozen moonlight. Its rampart lined walls made it impossible to reach by land, cut off from the rest of the world for a good reason. Before the instruments of Drangleic's fall were put to work, such a high volume of hardened criminals were herded and locked away here that its capacity had long been exceeded. The hollowed inmates remained here to this day, and one could reason that they were none too pleased with their fate, if they were still capable of forming a thought.

As the pair disembarked, the swordstress gasped! "LoveGame, did you feel that just now? I've never sensed anything that powerful." Ilia said, her green hues widening as her heart raced suddenly. "No doubt we're getting closer to the first Great Soul! No sense in slowing down now, right?"

"Don't need to tell me twice, sis! Let's make some tracks! No sense burning this beautiful moonlight!" the knight shouted back at her, already making a beeline for the main entrance with his blade drawn.

After dispatching a few Varangian stragglers dozing away at their tables, they'd ride another lift up, leading to a dilapidated hallway that housed rows of holding cells on either side, whose occupants had either long since broken out or deteriorated to bones. They'd take the time to search each one for anything valuable, but everything not nailed down had likely been stolen some time ago. They'd continue up the staircase that lead to even more abandoned cells, and an exit to the outer catwalks where guardsmen once made their rounds. Ilia spied two armored figures perched atop makeshift wooden towers and a third at the far end of the catwalk, all armed with crossbows. Ilia signaled to LoveGame to hang back and plan out an approach, but his eyes were drawn to a far more familiar sight.

"I know, Ilia... but I've got to chat up my friend over there first." Sat against the inner wall of the catwalk was a white knight, virtually identical to the one he'd encountered back in the forest clearing. That same golden trim adorned his spiked white metal, embraced by a ragged white cloak. Just as before, the nameless knight hardly acknowledged the pair beyond a light nod. "...so there's more than one of 'em, eh? Greetings, fellow knight. What brought you out this far? Most people don't... come to prison by choice, you know?"

The layered chainmail rattled lightly as he pushed himself up to address the pair. "Ah... basking in the incredible energy of the great soul of a lord... even at this distance, I find myself in awe at such a wondrous soul... and I know well that you seek to claim it as your own, as the destined monarch."

"Let me guess, you've been waiting for me too? I already met your cousin, back in the Forest of Fallen Giants. Taught me all these nice moves, but I can't seem to use 'em more than once. Any idea why that is?" LoveGame inquired, recalling his first experience with these wandering warriors.

"Tch!" the white knight's scoff echoed through his helm, ignoring his question. "He was but a novice! A noble one, to be sure... but his teachings alone won't suffice against the bearer of a Great Soul, let alone all four! His teachings were mere child's play! Face me, and I will impart upon you a truly fearsome power, instrumental in the long road ahead of you." he announced, drawing a long spear wrought of the same silver metal as the sword LoveGame had obtained from his bretheren. "Watch closely, Lord Protector!" he called over to Ilia. "You may just learn something as well!"

Taking a deep breath and tightening his focus, Knight LoveGame assumed a combat stance, this time with his great Tower Shield at the ready. "I'm a lot more seasoned than I was back in the Forest! As you can see, I've picked up some extra goodies since then."

"Then just as before, defeat me in a single strike and reclaim what is yours, destined monarch!" The white-clad foe challenged him, taking a very unusual stance with his spear held diagonally behind him and his free hand held out in an open palm. "If you fall here, you'll stand no chance against the Sinner! Now!" he growled, rushing the wayward swordsman down with blinding speed!

LoveGame held position, keeping his eyes on the tip of the silver spear as it barreled toward him! Just before charging straight into the wall of steel, the white knight spun on his heel and dashed to his side, slipping right past his defenses! Surging all of his strength into his left arm, LoveGame raised his shield high and slammed it straight into his attacker, knocking the wind out of his foe with its sheer heft! He'd land a clean cross cut across the stunned knight's chest, securing victory just as he had before!

...and indeed, just as before, the white knight faded into the aether with a bright light, without another word. Only this time... he didn't leave his weapon behind, but instead the blinding glow was absorbed right into LoveGame's body! His mind was flooded once more with vague flashes of memories that certainly didn't belong to him! His left eye began to burn uncontrollably as though set ablaze! He collapsed to his knees, removing his helmet and clutching his face as he winced and cried out in pain!

Ilia ran to his side, and yet... the sensation was gone just as quickly as it had started. "You alright? Nice moves over there." she'd say, trying to lighten his mood with a compliment. "No small part thanks to that new gift of yours."

"Yeah, I'm... good." said the knight as he got his bearings back, placing his helm back on and straightening it. "...whatever those guys are capable of... it's a real kick from a mule, you know? Wonder how many of 'em there are..."

Ilia stretched and ran some repair powder over her curved crimson sword. "Well if that'll be all for now, we've still got a job to do... starting with those archers. If we just keep going this way, we can take them down before they see us..." she'd say, just before her ears perked up at the sound of some mechanism clicking nearby. She'd rush down the catwalk at inhuman speed, swatting away an electrified crossbow bolt with her scarlet shield and cutting down the sniper in a spinning midair slash. "...most of them, anyway."

Ilia and LoveGame quietly made their way along the upper walkways that overlooked the grassy prison yard. Holding their breath, the duo snuck past the burly, pale skinned prison guards armed with polearms with machetes fastened on their tips. Lethargic and inattentive, they likely hadn't seen much action since the kingdom's fall. One of them, draped in a jet-black cloak and situated on a guard tower just below, lit up some sort of herbal cigarette to pass the time, unaware of the infiltrators traipsing the walkways above.

Reaching a dead end near where Ilia had just felled the sniper, the two heroes carefully jumped down toward the lower path, using the unoccupied guard towers and large chunks of rubble as stepping stones to avoid breaking their legs. Most of the buildings below were locked up tight, but they found a back alley that let them squeeze through undetected, even finding a shard of green glass that emitted a familiar warm glow along the way. Erratic clicking of claws on cobblestone gave way to echoed barking sounds – the hollowed guard dogs were stirring just around the corner. Starved and emaciated as they were, the undead canines were easily put to rest by the duo before they could cause much trouble.

After opening the iron gate they were guarding, LoveGame and Ilia found themselves on another long walkway lined with ascending stairs. They kept light on their feet as they proceeded upward; this path was in considerable disrepair, entire pieces of the floor having crumbled away and lacking most of its protective railing. Part ways up the stairs, they found themselves face to face with one of the hulking, cloaked prison guards, but his lumbering assault didn't stop the duo for long, failing to get past LoveGame's newfound defenses as Ilia cut him down.

Reaching the top of the ascent and clambering over the remains of a smashed wall, the pair spied a door that appeared to lead into another cell block, complete with a guards' quarters with torches visibly burning from inside the stone windows. Much to their surprise and relative delight, the metal door gave way to a light push. LoveGame gave a thumbs-up and waved Ilia over. "Hah, looks like they forgot this one! What do you say we get in out of the..." he was very quickly cut off by a cacophony of clattering steel! "...Ilia, you hear that?!"

"Yes, LoveGame... it's the sound that tells you not to open every door you come across! You might wanna take your guard!" warned the silver-armored blonde as the metallic clanks rapidly closed in on their position! Practically pouring out of the doorway he'd opened without second thought, six royal swordsmen charged straight for LoveGame, all brandishing the wavy, undulating blades known as flamberges!

"In that case..." LoveGame said with a bit more growl in his voice, "...maybe it's time I teach them..." the ground beneath him lightly quaked as he slammed the bottom edge of his greatshield straight into the stone floor hard enough to scatter dust and rocks aside, "...not to leave the your home unlocked in the night!" he'd shift all of his weight into his left side, shoving the great wall of metal straight into his foes, toppling several of them like dominoes into the narrow walkway! "You never know who might try and slip in!"

Not bad at all... he forced them into a choke point and kept 'em in single file! Ilia thought, genuinely impressed at the tactic her comrade employed. "Nice one, now hit the ones in front and I'll take care of the rest!" she shouted over, her red scimitar starting to glow with an unusual energy.

"Right!" he shouted back, upheaving his greatshield from the ground just as it was nearly ready to give and slamming its entire weight straight into the closest soldier! The force of the blow caused two of them to stumble and lose their footing, giving LoveGame just enough of an opening to deliver a wide arcing slice with his electrified blade, cutting both of them clean in half! No sooner had he landed his strike than he saw the figure of Ilia leaping overhead, gleaming an argent silver under the moonlight as she performed a full front flip and landed just in front of the doorway! Mirroring LoveGame as the heroes sandwiched the group of soldiers in, she'd eviscerate the remaining three with a mighty swing of her scimitar! Sheathing their weapons, the pair exchanged glances of mutual respect of their incredible teamwork.

With the area clear for the time being, they kicked the armored corpses aside and entered the now vacant quarters, closing the door behind them. After nearly walking out of a door that seemed to lead to nothing but a sheer drop, they opened the iron gates that separated the guards' quarters from the upper cell block around the corner hall. Much like the one they'd passed through at the entrance, the abandoned cells now hung open, housing only the occasional skeleton. At the far end of the cell block, they spied a large hole where the wall had been smashed open, its contents obscured by a gate of white mist. "Well, you know what that means, right?" LoveGame asked as he gestured over to the foreboding sight.

"Of course, it means we're going the right way." Ilia quipped confidently, not about to back down after coming this far. "Prepare yourself any way you need to. I'm going to look the place over before we head in." she'd say, leaving the knight to his own devices as she searched each open cell up and down. Her luck shone through as she pocketed a modest pile of spare lifegems and souls for spending later. Just as she returned, LoveGame emerged from the last cell to the right, with two white phantoms in tow summoned from a fissure across worlds. Each of them drew their weapons and nodded toward LoveGame as all four of them crossed the mist.

Only, the very moment they stepped over that threshold, time itself came to a sudden halt! Silence filled the air, save for the low ghostly hum the two phantoms emitted... and even that began to waver as the pair of newfound allies began to flicker as if fading from this plane of existence! The knight could do little but watch in pure dread as both of them disappeared completely, returning across the fissure from whence they were summoned! "Whuh...?! N-no way!" exclaimed LoveGame in horror as the fickle nature of fate had so unceremoniously robbed him of his reinforcements! "The hell is going on here? They were just- whoooah!"

Before either of them could make sense of the temporal intervention, time returned to its normal flow... and the bewildered heroes fell victim to the sudden and unforgiving force of gravity! The hole had lead out to a sheer drop to a raised platform below! Ilia managed to land on her feet, but LoveGame wasn't quite as fortunate, slamming down prone on his chest! He had neither the chance to assess the situation or draw his weapon before he felt something unbelievably heavy crash down onto his collapsed form! His armor was likely all that saved him from another untimely death as he groaned, fighting through the unreal pain that shot through his being.

His body rattled and aching, the knight struggled back to his feet... finally getting a good look at his next enemy. Towering over the injured swordsman was an unusually tall knight, easily at least fifteen feet with its eerily elongated limbs clad in finely polished bronze armor. Wielding a polearm spanning the length of its body, tipped with a blunt hammer, it reared back to deliver another downward strike, but Ilia tackled its spindly legs just before it could do so! She drew her red scimitar and engaged the armored giant, buying LoveGame precious time to crush a handful of lifegems! He was steeling himself to rush to her aid, but stopped in his tracks when he peered down off of the platform and saw two more of these slender beings poised to attack at any moment!

"Looks like these guys are a three for one special! Ilia, stay up here and keep giving this one some hell! If another one of 'em hops up here, there won't be enough room to fight! I'll just hop down there and... give 'em a little warmup! Hah!" he leapt for the lower floor, rolling to break his fall as he found himself in a far more wide open arena and shouted to the two constructs, "You two were eyein' me up pretty hard! I know my looks are second to none, but they're simply killer up close!" before rushing them down as fast as his legs could carry him, reaching their spindly legs for a mighty slash to each one! Their armor chipped away and a current of sparks ran up their legs, but they held their footing without missing a step! Now on the far side of the chamber, he'd gesture toward the towering pair and beat his chest with one fist. "I didn't call for two-on-one fun, but the cool thing about me is that I'm really open to trying something new! Come and get it!" he boasted.

Whether they were lucid enough to fall for his predictable taunt, or they simply saw him as their new aggressor, the other two Sentinels set their sights on LoveGame, taking long strides toward him in an attempt to back him into the prison's wall!

I know damn good and well Ilia could take on one of those tin towers herself... LoveGame thought as he evaded the initial synchronized swings before taking his guard, the greatshield holding strong against the assault. Thing is...! I ain't so sure I can take two of 'em right now! Which means I've gotta find an opening...

Keeping his distance, Knight LoveGame kept both Ruin Sentinels in his sights as he deflected each blow of their imposing hammers. The leftmost one twisted its gaunt form back and brandished its polearm in both hands, launching into a whirling spin attack! Missing the knight by a hair, the unusual tactic had caused their attack patterns to slowly desynchronize – the first of the outs he needed to put his plan into action! With each heavy strike of their hammers, LoveGame raised his greatshield, its sun face perpetually grinning defiantly in the face of the relentless attacks. As if following a rhythm, he raised his shield at each strike, lowered it to recover, and raised it again in this pattern. He could feel the souls surging throughout his body, strengthening his resolve!

Remembering the way the small platform crumbled when they'd first landed, LoveGame set his sights on his dear friend above! Mirroring his attack from before, he'd take a hard slice at the Sentinel's ankles, this time causing them both to stumble for a moment! "Alright, Ilia! I've got a great idea, it's a LoveGame original!" he called over his shoulder, keeping an eye on his foes, "All I'm gonna need you to do is jump when I say 'now'! Bonus points if you can lure that tall boy right in the middle of where you're standing!"

With that, he disengaged the Sentinels and broke off into a dead sprint toward the raised platform! The moment he was positioned directly underneath, he held his silver blade high and cloaked his body in lightning! "NOW!" he bellowed out, kicking off the ground a second later in a harrowing vertical leap! A trail of sparkling thunder followed his rapid ascent, and just before he reached the underside, he'd strike out his sword arm!

"Vapor Thrust!"

With an unstoppable force of momentum, the brash knight barreled straight through the stone below! What's more, Ilia's incredible skill had shone through; she was indeed able to lead the towering warrior straight into the center and directly in the line of LoveGame's electric assault! As the stone beneath shattered, the Sentinel was forced high into the air, the electrified blade digging viciously into its back and ripping the bronze armor apart, causing a white haze to hiss out from the gash!

Ilia, not about to miss out on this opportunity, set her crimson blade aglow and made a heavy slash of her own on her descent! The combination attack had eviscerated the metallic foe, reducing it to an aethereal glow that faded away as the pair landed!

Now facing down the remaining pair as they regained their balance, the heroes readied themselves for another round! "Damn, you're a hardheaded one!" Ilia said, brandishing her red scimitar.

"It's what got us this far!" he shouted back, as they shot each other smiles and tensed their bodies! In perfect unison, they kicked off and charged the animated armor suits in tandem! They sidestepped just quickly enough to avoid being sheared in two when the towering foes hurled their rounded shields like a discus, embedding them both deep in the wall behind them! With the enemy now wide open, LoveGame and Ilia delivered each one a vicious, unrelenting flurry of strikes and stabs from their blades! The two Ruin Sentinels seized up and before either of them knew it, they too were gone in a bright flash. At last, they stood victorious and both sheathed their swords...

...before LoveGame dropped his heavy greatshield and completely collapsed to the ground, breathing heavier than he ever had before in his life. "Th-that was…" he couldn't even choke out a full sentence, opting for a limp thumbs-up instead.

Ilia sighed, though through a smile this time, and grabbed her barely-conscious companion by his navy surcoat, dragging him out to the exit doorway, now unobscured by the fading fog. "C'mon, LoveGame; we're so close! Besides, it's not that hard. Just…just roll through it."

"That doesn't always work, y'know…" quipped the exhausted knight as he was pulled closer and closer to his inescapable fate.

The Bearer of the Curse and his sworn protector now found themselves a stone's throw from challenging one of the four legendary beings, told by the Emerald Herald to possess a Great Soul, without which they'd never be granted audience with the King! Who or what awaits our heroes in the isolated chamber of the sinner?

Hey, it's me, LoveGame! Boy, that one took it out of me, but luckily I've got enough breath left to do the outro! First, we've gotta do something about those gargoyles flyin' around on the roof of that church! Who would ever think of that?! Then, it turns out we're not the only ones who know about these Great Souls, but who is this guy exactly?! Wait, he wants to help out? We'll need it now more than ever, this Sinner I kept hearin' about is seriously on another level! One victory leads to nothin' but a dead end... that is, until this incredible lady performs a breathtaking miracle! I've never seen anything like it!

Next time: Unforgivable Sins! "What a wondrous feeling that must be!"