Undead Asylum
Izuku is currently looking at the corpse inside his jail cell. The dank, moss covered and cold stone floor not much bothering him as he's spent years not moving. The corpse had just been dropped from the ceiling by an armored knight. Oscar of Astora if he remembered correctly. Izuku gets up and heads to the corpse lotting it as he finds a key. Using it on his cell door Izuku opens it up and takes a step into the hall. Wielding nothing but his fist Izuku sees a few undead just listlessly moving around. Some small semblance of themselves still in their as they don't frantically attack anything in front of them. Heading down the cramped hallway Izuku begins his climb up the rusted ladder at the end of the hall. Izuku walking into a courtyard like opening before placing his hand in front of a sword stuck inside the cleansed bones of the undead as a bonfire lights. Izuku sitting down at it for a spell as he feels himself healing up as he stares into the flames of the bonfire. His memories of his life before waking up here.
Waking up with the darksign and being labeled an abomination. Nothing new to him honestly. His memories of the fire, his hero Miruko and...his mother Inko. His mother is something he keeps in the forefront of his mind. His memories of the time they spent together what keeps him sane and remembering who he is. Izuku gets off of the ground in front of the bonfire and he bows to it.
"T-Thank you, Flames. For your protection and healing. I really appreciate it." Izuku says before walking away. Never noticing how the fires of the bonfire flicker brighter at his words. As Izuku walks into the main building he looks around seeing all the aged and decrepit stone pots and pillars. The floor seems to be warping inwards too. Izuku takes a few steps forward as he looks around only to know no more.
A huge mace crushes him to paste as it was swung by a giant green monster killing Izuku instantly. Izuku after a few moments walks out of the bonfire he just rested at breathing heavy and panicking as he turns to the room he was just in and it's shrouded by a large fog As he takes a step inside it. As Izuku walks in nothing is there at all again. Izuku confused just looks around once more and sees a door off to the top left. Izuku takes a look through his supplies and just pulls out a broken longsword hilt and gets ready. Taking a few steps forward Izuku dodge rolls to the left barely avoiding the crushing swing of the giant green monster wielding this absurdly huge mace. Izuku seeing the demon screams before having himself once again splattered against the floor as he disintegrates to ash and reforms at the bonfire.
Izuku looking at the fire and the touching his darksign Izuku cries a little bit wondering if this is his hell. Izuku begins to softly cry to himself before walking into the only place he can. Dodging what Izuku has named the Asylum demons first attack he begins using the broken straight sword hilt to attack the demon. He seems to not be doing much of any damage but it helps Izuku vent his anger while thinking on his mother's smile. His mother's kindness. His mothers worried face about him not showing up.
Once again Izuku is struck down as he enters the arena against the demon. Then he's struck again and again and again and again. For hours Izuku goes on to reform inside the flame of the bonfire learning the demons attack patterns and moves. After a full day Izuku goes against the demon fighting and Soon enough Izuku is able to push the demon to the brink of death and with on last leaping slash he slits the demons throat wide open. As the demon dies it's body begins to disintegrate into orbs of light as they soon flood into Izuku's body making feel strange. As the demon dies the fog gate disappears and Izuku sees the demon dropped it's weapon. Walking over and grabbing hold of it it shrinks down but Izuku is barely able to lift it in both hands. Sighing Izuku just straps it to his back and as he grabs his sword like magic the giant mace disappears alleviating it's weight. Izuku is confused but doesn't pay attention to it for now. Izuku walks towards a door and finds a second bonfire lighting it up and taking a rest.
Izuku just sighs as he walks into a hallway and sees someone at the end. As he takes a step forward the person and arrow pierces his head knocking him back a bit as he runs into a nearby room.
Ripping the arrow out of his head Izuku is currently freaking out. He just fought some kind of giant kind of monster and beat it after dying multiple times and just took an arrow to head. He smiles some and thinks this so his quirk. Immortality? He has to find a way to figure this out. It can't just be him being immortal. Sighing Izuku grabs hold of weapon held in the hands of a dead man. It's a hand axe. Nodding his head Izuku smiles to himself and takes a small peek out of the corner of the doorway. Izuku quickly uses some math to determine how he needs to act and pops out of the doorway quickly hurling the hand axe as hard as he can sending it screaming through the air spinning and slamming into the archers chest killing him instantly.
Izuku walks up and sighs as he looks at the Deadman he just murdered and drops to his knees. He begins softly crying as he looks at the desicated remains of the man. Sighing Izuku wipes his tears away. He has to find out what is going on. walking up and through another fog gate Izuku walks over to a staircase down and opens a gate accessing a shortcut to the bonfire. Izuku walks back up and sees another staircase upwards and begins walking. Hearing what seems to be a large sphere rolling Izuku dives away to the lower staircase as a loud crash is heard. Izuku walks back up and sees a huge metal ball implanted into the wall opening a hidden room where water is flowing. Walking into it Izuku is met with the man who let him out of his cell by dropping a body with his cells key the man is currently drinking from a glowing orange flask.
"Oh You're no hollow eh. Pleasure to meet you. Sage frampt has spoken to me about you. I am Oscar of Astora." Oscar says greeting Izuku as he smiles underneath his armor.
"Y-you know of me? Please can you help me? I'm so, so confused. The last thing I remember is that I was dying in the arms of a hero. Someone I know from home. Next thing I know I wake up here inside that dank cell and spend...God knows how long inside it. Please can you tell me what is going on?" Izuku says as Oscar laughs a little hit and nods.
"*Of course. Sage frampt has spoken of you as I said. He calls you a transcendent. One who has crossed the veil of reality from one to another. As for where you are you are inside the Undead asylum. A place for us undead to await the end of the world. It's not all bad though." Oscar says as he rummages through his supplies and hands Izuku 5 orange flasks.
"Before I forget, here. An Estus Flask. An undead favorite." Oscar says as he begins sitting down on a few bricks.
"Now let me answer some of your questions." Oscar says as he begins explaining about how the curse of the undead came to b. The gods and the ancient battles they fought, the dying flame, the hubris that ended the life of one of the chosen gods. The first flame and even about the curse itself. Oscar at this point sighs as Izuku has written down everything he can about this worlds lore he has been given.
"The undead curse is caused by the Darksign currently burning on your head. Those cursed with the darksign live forever locked in a constant state of death and revival. But our immortality is not a blessing as one would think. It is indeed a curse as death is replaced by what is essentially insanity. A state where humanity is lost and the being becomes hollow with no more will a let to retain their humanity, to care for their body or their mind. Hollowong is a constant process that happens over time not in an instant. Essentially their is a point of no return where humanity can longer be restored. The person who used to be undead is lost for all eternity forever stuck reviving and dying in perpituity. Essentially those desicated corpses walking around attacking anything and everything that gets close are what remains of once good people. But it's not all bad honestly. Their is a prophecy passed down through my family. "Thou who art undead art chosen. In thine exodus from the Asylum, make pilgrimage to the land of ancient lords. When thou ringith the bell of awakening the fate of the undead thou shalt know." Many have escaped the asylum and made pilgrimage to the land of ancient lords. We can easily do the same! It will help us find out what happens to us undead and our fate! This is something humanity has wished to have an answer for for as long as the undead curse has been about." Oscar says as Izuku writes down the prophecy but looks at Oscar.
"So how do we get out. I just fought that giant monster guy and killed him but he only dropped his mace." Izuku says as he struggles to bring out the massive weapon shocking Oscar.
"By the gods...you truly beat the demon warden! You may be the one the prophecy speaks of! Please come with me and we can get out of here! Oscar says as Izuku nods his head and leaves the room only to have Oscar lead upstairs where they both are able to attack and kill two hollows. Izuku having trouble as tries to talk to the one attacking him.
"Please stop this! I don't want to hurt you! Please! A hero doesn't kill! I can't do it again!" Izuku says as The hollow runs at him swinging wildly with it's broken straight sword hilt. Oscar comes in and back stabs the attacking hollow killing it.
"What was that? I thought you killed the asylum demon?" Oscar asks Wonder what was going on.
"I did I really did...but it wasn't a human being. It just kept attacking me and never giving up I had to fight to survive. On instinct after being attacked I killed another guy back before meeting you! I...I just can't. Heros don't kill people they save people!" Izuku says as Oscar looks at Izuku with a slightly disappointed aura.
"Oh my dear boy. These hollows are no longer people. You know this as I just told you. They will not hesitate to end your life. They can and Will kill you as many times as it takes. Please just follow me. We need to get you a weapon." Oscar says as he opens the door leading to where he had been not too long ago to drop the corpse into Izuku's cell. A body is laying on the ground confusing Izuku as it looks exactly like him but in its hand is a burning ember. Oscar walks right by it not even noticing as Izuku kneels down.
"Hmm what's this?" Izuku asks as Oscar turns around seeing Izuku stare at nothing.
"What is wrong Izuku? Something not seem right?" Oscar asks walking over to him.
"I see ...my own corpse lying here. But it has something in its hand. It's like a small ember." Izuku says as he reaches for the corpse grabbing the flame. Instantly his head is ravaged by images. Powerful firestorms releasing from the hands of someone. Magma globs being thrown and bursts of fire whips of high flame surrounding others as Izuku gasps before grabbing hold of his head. Izuku panting heavily as he sees his hand is now holding the ember.
"You just had a pyromantic vision...tales of the great swamps where the birth of Izalith the queen of Pyromancies hail are told by others. You probably have some connection to fire either currently or from a past life. A pyromantic flame serves as the catalyst for casting pyromancies and can be upgraded to enhance its power. From what I know For the pyromancer, a flame is a precious thing indeed, to be nurtured, often for an entire lifetime. When the flame is shared, it creates an eternal bond between the parties." Oscar says as Izuku looks to his hand seeing the flame and he smiles offering his hand to Oscar shocking the knight.
"You wish too...with me?" Oscar asks as Izuku nods.
"You saved me from that cell and even offered me some of these strange flasks which you used to heal yourself. You also did it no questions just simply to help me out. Of course I'd want to share a bond with you! Friends till the end! Let's find escape together!" Izuku says as Oscar smiles and reaches over to his new friends hand shaking it and as soon as he pulls his hand away a small flame is now housed in it.
"I will cherish this gift my friend. I shall nurture the fire you have bestowed upon me and make it strong! I hope you will do the same." Oscar says as Izuku nods and they both explore around the asylum a bit. Izuku even is able to kill a hollow by punching it with his pyromancers flame setting them on fire to save Oscar. Izuku looks at his hand and sighs knowing this is how it has to be before he and Oscar head down to a bonfire. Izuku sitting at it sighs as he rubs his head hoping to stem the migraine he has as he feels his head clear up and he feels power in his pyromancers flame. Standing up and surprising Oscar Izuku holds his hand out and from the flame a small burst of fire hits forward shocking them both before Izuku on instinct has a small orb of fire form in his hand he then hurls in front of him. The orb of flame exploding on impact with the ground.
"Combustion and Fire orb...I don't know how I know these...I just sat down and the bonfire helped me sort through the memories I got." Izuku says looking at his flame.
"Hmm well it could be your memories and your actual flame. Time here in Lordran is convoluted and allows for heros old and new to meet in many places in time. Perhaps the corpse you saw was of an ancient or future hollow that you shared your flame with and it as a part of you gave you memories from your future." Oscar says as Izuku nods but not really understanding it fully. He gets the concept but it still makes no sense.
Izuku and Oscar leave through the back door heading towards the large crest at the top of a hill. Standing there over looking the vast emptiness that is the land they are in. Even the bottomless cliffs below seem to go on eternally.
"only in the ancient legends it is stated. That an undead shall be chosen." Izuku acting as a narrator for his story is speaking to the others in the teachers lounge.
Izuku and Oscar are seemingly snatched up by a giant crow who picks them up gently in it's talons and flies off in a seemingly random direction.
"To leave the undead asylum, in pilgrimage. To the land of the ancient lords." Izuku says as he sighs at remembering this.
Izuku and Oscar are flown down near a small decrepit temple and let go from the massive crow near a bonfire. Izuku and Oscar both take a chance and rest at the bonfire looking at one another but also seeing a knight who is seemingly crestfallen given his current slumped stature and depressive sighs. Izuku walks over to the man and greets him.
"Hello there. Uh, can you tell me more about this area?" Izuku asks as the man looks up and speaks.
"Well, what do we have here? You must be a new arrival. Let me guess fate of the undead right? Well, since your here let me help you out. This here is known as Firelink shrine. A sort of hub for all manner of us undead to meet and greet and rest up for future endeavours. Don't feel afraid if someone appears beside you from nowhere. Now for the quest all us undead seek to claim. There are actually 2 bells of awakening. One above in the undead church. The other is far far below in the ruins of the base of blighttown. Ring them both and something happens. Brilliant right?" The crestfallen knight says as he then goes back to just thinking as he sits down on a crumbling ruin that is what remained of an old temple.
Izuku and Oscar take some time to look around. Oscar meets with someone calling themselves petrus of thoriland. As Izuku and Oscar continue to explore the come to a cliff side graveyard and spot skeletal remains. Ignoring them for now Izuku and Oscar begin pillaging the corpses around. Izuku gaining a black sprite with two white eyes as Oscar explains that is it Humanity and it will restore his previous looks rather than the red, wrinkles flesh he currently has. Izuku crushes the sprite in his hands and the black dog that made up the sprite seeps into Izuku as he looks at himself seeing it did nothing. Oscar laughs and leads him back to the bonfire and he explains the process and Izuku offers the black sprite through prayer to the flame which burns bright and Izuku sees his flesh return to normal.
Turning to Oscar Izuku thanks him for showing him how and Oscar chuckles before speaking.
"Be careful though. When you die, you will respawn as you were before. Hollowed and with no humanity. It is a shock the first time it happens. Now let us ascend. To the undead church" Oscar says as Izuku nods to him and they both walk up the stairs towards what the crestfallen knight called the Undead parish. Heading up Izuku stops Oscar and sees an ambush is waiting to happen.
Ambush, at least four on the stairs. Two on the top of the stairs, one probably meant for rushing since he has a large axe and the other doesn't have anything. Probably has a ranged weapon or ...magics. I see a third up there on the stairs just waiting but a fourth is at ground level. Seems he has a job of being a spotter. Let's split up. I'll hurl a fire orb at the weaponless one and you rush the charging undead. I'll keep the fourth one on our level distracted so you can fight the one on the stairs." Izuku says as he charges a ball of fire in his hands. Izuku smiles a bit using math to predict the trajectory of his fire orb before running into view. Oscar soon runs behind him as just as Izuku said the one with an axe runs at him and Oscar slashes his sword at the hollow. Izuku when close enough jumps in the air and grunts hurling the fire orb at the undead nailing it dead in the chest burning it alive as it falls to the floor. Being close to the edge it slips off and actually crushes the undead Izuku was planning on using combustion on killing it too.
A small stream of white mist fills Izuku and Oscars mouth flowing from the fallen enemies as Oscar and Izuku smile heading upstairs and attacking the undead on the stone sewer stairs. Oscar kicking his shield back and Izuku hitting it with combustion lighting it on fire killing it. The mist once again entering their mouths. Izuku feels himself fill with something before he looks at Oscar.
Oscar smiles and looks at him before chuckling and speaking.
"We are undead Izuku. The souls of those we slay fill us and allow us to use it as currency to make ourselves stronger and others are always after souls. you can even willingly give them to people by willing it be so. Souls are also used as currency as everyone wishes to be stronger and one way to do that is to sell things others need for souls. The hollows and others like us undead can easily live without our souls so it's no big if we lose them. We can just gain more. Now onward to the parish!" Oscar says as he and Izuku rush into the sewer. As they enter the undead parish Izuku and Oscar rush forward to kill the hollows around. Oscar even blocking a firebomb thrown from one as Izuku hits it with a fire orb. Clearing the enemies in the area and heading through a fog gate. As they come to a rampart a massive red drake lands on the pathway knocking them both about as it then flies away shocking them both.
"Oh man...this ain't good. This ain't good at all. That drake will definitely take refuge somewhere nearby and attack to eat us and others." Oscar says as he and Izuku sigh together. Coming to a pathway Izuku and Oscar agree to split up and Izuku heads to the right where two spearman are and oscar heads towards the barricade. Izuku hurling a fire orb at them. Heading down a set of stairs he revealed he finds someone just sitting down. Rushing back upstairs Izuku helps Oscar by literally punching the undead crossbowman off his high ground and into the abyss below the parish walls. Izuku and Oscar break away and head into support pillar spitting a bonfire nearby and they sit down at it after Izuku lights it.
Both begin to rest and tell stories of their pasts, what keeps them going and even what they did in the asylum. To pass the time.
"So I then tossed the man into your cell through the opening. If I am not the chosen undead than maybe some other undead could be him and by proxy I would have helped fulfill the prophecy handed to me by my family." Oscar says as Izuku smiles before chuckling.
",well at least it beats being aggressively sat on by the world's biggest big boy. That fucking demon floated up and crushed me with it's massive ass cheeks weight more times than I care to count. Still I learned with each death and my will grew stronger and stronger as I saw I was doing more and more damage each time we fought. I learned a lot from that fight." Izuku says as Oscar begins laughing heartily at that.
"The world's biggest big boy? Oh my word young Izuku. That is genuinely hilarious. Oh I am going to definitely tell tales to my kin upon my return home about your vernacular. It's so fun to use." Oscar says as he and Izuku are done resting. Feeling content they both leave the bonfire and Izuku sneaks up on the crossbowman. Once again Izuku sends him flying off the vantage point but this time he does it by kicking him off.
Come with me Oscar I found someone who seems sane and is just relaxing near those spearman " Izuku says as he and Oscar make their way towards the merchant. Izuku walks forward and sees the man acknowledge them both.
"Well now, you two seem to have your wits about you. Hm? Then you are welcomed customers. I trade for souls. Everything 's for sale." The man laughs as Izuku and Oscar both buy a bottomless box and a residence key. After leaving the merchant Izuku and Oscar keep exploring everything they can. Fighting their way north they come to a castle lookout and clear the enemies from it. Izuku even catches a glimpse of what looks to be a knight in charred black armor.
"Uh Oscar we have a problem. What the hell is that thing?" Izuku asks pointing to it and Oscar sighs before rubbing his head.
"Of course one of those monsters would be here. That Izuku is a black knight. One of the few knights of Lord Gwyn the Lord of the flame. They used to wear silver armor but it was charred black as death from Gwyn linking the fires. The bodies inside the once pristine silver armor are naughty but ash and merely souls puppeteering the armor they wore in life. They still retain their skills and power though so be careful." Oscar says as he Izuku continue on and eventually sneak up on the black knight. Oscar stabs it in the back rather harshly as Izuku hurls two fire orbs at it. The orbs and backstab killing the knight as it turns to whispy white particles and the most feeds into both Oscar as Izuku is now holding the black knights shield in his left hand.
"Whoa what why do I have this? And what's this chunk of...huh stone metal?" Izuku asks as he feels the shield is pretty sturdy and light.
"Well, what you have there is called titanite. It is a rare ore that is used to upgrade weapons. As for the shield you probably got that piece from the will of the soul in the armor. It is stated when defeating a black knight that the soul of the knight inside it can will a piece of equipment to be gifted to the one who defeated it."Oscar says as he and Izuku head up. Izuku having one fire orb left calculated the angle and hurls the thing at a barrel on the staircase top. Hitting it and causing it to explode killing the hollow hehind it.
"Okay now we ascend to the upper parish." Oscar says as he and Izuku walk up the castle lookout spire interior coming to a fog gate. Izuku and Oscar walk through it and hear a couple undead. Climbing a ladder besides it he and Izuku begin fighting the crossbowman. Izuku actually bashing one to death with his shield and Oscar cutting one clean in half. Their souls filling Izuku and Oscar.
Oscar and Izuku walk across the walkway and about halfway across a massive bull like demon jumps down off the top of the stone building in front of them. Izuku and Oscar running to the ladder they were just at and climbing it. Izuku and Oscar seeing the demon charge at them but stop and look up.
Izuku feeling this is the perfect time to recite a quote from all might is suddenly overcome with one of his favorite pre quirk era movies and calls out to the beast.
"It's over Anakin I have the high ground." Izuku says as Oscar looks at him strangely. Izuku ignores it and leaps off the roof slamming the pointed end of the shield into the demons skull causing a very loud crack obviously causing some major damage to the beast as Oscar overcome with mirth at Izuku's quote recites his own.
"Foul demon you underestimate my power." Oscar says as he took jumps down and stabs the boss in the head directly into its brain cutting another third of its life away as Izuku casts close range combustions lighting it on fire but not dealing too much damage as Oscar stabs the beast in the heart repeatedly killing it. Both Izuku and Oscar see a gold particle light floating on the ground and Oscar grabs it seeing he obtained humanity some homeward bones and even the beasts weapon as Izuku does the same and gains the exact same things. Both undead high five and run back to their destination. Seeing a long stretch of castle wall leading to what seems like a church surrounded by hollow Izuku and Oscarove around towards a small aclove in front of the walkway. Spying someone else just staring towards the sun peeking out through cloud covered sky. Izuku and Oscar look to one another and nod heading over to the strange armored man hopefully it will be a good interaction.
"Ah hello! You two don't look hollow. Far from it. I am Solaire of Astora. An adherent of the Lord of sunlight. Now that I am Undead I have come to this great land, the birthplace of Lord Gwyn to seek my very own sun. Oh if only I could be so gloriously incandescent. It is wonderful to meet you." Solaire says as Izuku smiles introducing himself and Oscar. The three men hit it off rather easyily and Solaire even hand them both and orange sign soap stone explaining it allows them to summon and be summoned by others if they write their names down for battles with others others fighting against the monsters and hollows of the land. Izuku immediately accepts it and so does Oscar. They leave the interaction with a new friend and hopefully a life long companion.
As Izuku and Oscar come up to the walkway again they are both uneasy as they look at it.
"Young Izuku, you also feel that for doing presence right?" Oscar asks as Izuku nods his head.
"Yeah it feels dangerous. Just... something doesn't feel right about this. Like if we step out there willy nilly we're going to die. Any ideas?" Izuku says as Oscar thinks for a moment.
"We really need a bonfire but the closest one is back in the undead parish. I don't think kwe can make it back in one piece without dying." Oscar says as Izuku nods seeing an opening in the pathway to the right that leads to a lower level.
"Oscar over there. We can run to that downstairs section hopefully before the hollows can follow us. Let's run for it."Izuku says as he and Oscar begin charging passed the hollows to get to the stairs. After they take a few steps a loud roar is heard Izuku and Oscar recognizing it as the red drake and run even faster. Izuku makes it to the stairs as Oscar and all the undead are roasted alive by the drakes breath. Izuku feels himself gain the souls of all the dead hollows and Oscar. Izuku panics a bit before seeing he's fully downstairs and spies a door. Opening it up he heads inside and sees a familiar sight. A bonfire in the base of a support beam with Oscar seeming to walk out of it. Izuku calls to him and runs down to a ladder kicking it free and letting Oscar join him. As Izuku and Oscar rejoin together They smile at one another and laugh as they head up to bridge again and Izuku examines the massive drake.
"Izuku I notice you speaking in a hushed language I don't know. Mind elaborating on what you're doing or saying? You casting a miracle?" Oscar asks as Izuku shakes his head out of his mumble session before looking to Oscar.
"I'm examining the drakes movements. It seems to just breath fire when seeing anything but the fire doesn't reach here if we hit it with an arrow it'll probably jump down or fly by breathing fire again. But we can chip away at him till he either dies or leaves." Izuku says as Oscar looks at him a bit confused.
"What are you talking about. What are these tactics you're using? Divide to conquer, distraction and double kill and now this chip damage plan? It feels like cheating. What are you? A tactician?" Oscar says as Izuku shakes his head some.
"No, as a matter of fact it's from...well let's just say the place I'm from has an ally nation and this ally nation for my home is the best at warfare. They have written books on any form of warfare possible and have trained our own defense forces. One lesson I learned from my personal hero back home who trained in that nation had said one saying has helped him when dealing with fiends. "If you're not cheating you're not trying." It essentially means if given the option of standing in the open to fight and guaranteed death as a reward or fighting from cover and Going home to your family guess which one the fighters gonna fucking pick?" Izuku says as Oscar looks at him before staring down at the floor realizing.
"You're not fighting to die gloriously. Your anchor to humanity is returning to your home...your family. Death and glory is not an honor or an option for you. You are really just going to go about and kill anything in anyway possible to live and tell the tale aren't you?" Oscar says as Izuku nods his head.
"I spent a full few days getting killed by that monster and each death was a learning experience. An experience I don't wish to have again if I can avoid it. Death isn't a problem here. It's staying sane." Izuku says as he takes aim with his hand extended out as a flame orb forms in his hand.
"Oscar get ready. When I hit the drake we can run past it as it's leaping off the building and we can make a break for the small temple inside and use the walls to block it's fire breath." Izuku says as he hurls the orb of fire at the drake in an arch. The drakes eye catches the ball of fire and it turns it's head to see clearly only to have the orb nail it directly in the eye exploding and destroying the eye causing the drake and extreme amount of pain. As it thrashes about. Izuku and Oscar running at the drake who jumps off the building roaring out before flying off and landing on the other side of the pathway. Izuku and Oscar are running quickly and Izuku notices a sword sticking in the ground and without missing a beat grabs it and rushes past into the small temple like area. Izuku grabs Oscar and throws him to the right as Izuku leaps over to the left as a large torrent of flames rush into the room from where the drake is standing and Izuku and Oscar hiding against the wall avoid the fire damage. Izuku and Oscar seeing a break in the firebreath run forward and light the bon fire taking a rest on it as the drake still in pain flies away to find a new nesting spot.
"Izuku I wanted this plan to fail so that we could do things the knightly way but your plans...they do work. Not only that but they really are able to help us go farther along in our journey these tactics...they will change warfare in Lordran forever." Oscar says as Izuku nods. Izuku pulls the lever on a mechanism raising the gate. As Izuku and Oscar scout ahead carefully they see an armored bore some archers and more hollows.
"Any plans Izuku?" Oscar asks as Izuku sighs and has a plan he just hopes Oscar will follow him.
"We need to get the boar over there to be attacked by something else. Something powerful let's look around and see what we can find." Izuku says as they head back to the bonfire and Izuku notices a lookout spire before heading up having Oscar stay down on the staircase. Soon enough Oscar hears Izuku scream before the sound of frantic running echoes in. Izuku runs past Oscar calling out.
"I FOUND OUR GUINEEPIG!" Izuku yells as Oscar runs with him soon trailed behind by a black knight wielding an ultra greatsword. Izuku and Oscar run into the middle of what Izuku calls out as a kill box hurling a few fire orbs to kill the archers as Oscar fights the regular shield knights. The black knight running at Izuku who is leading him at the currently charging Armored Boar.
Izuku when close enough to be hit by the boar drops his weight and shifts his center of gravity and slides directly underneath the board legs just like he did with the abyss demon a few times leading the boar and Knight to strike each other. Izuku sees the armored boats helmet is literally caved in and shattered while the knight is launched in the air from the board gore strike. Izuku takes full advantage and hits the boar with 3 quick combustions killing it and then runs forward and uses the bastard sword he picked up and stabs the knight who's lying on the ground in the back of the heart. Izuku's bastard sword stuck in the ground as in his hands Izuku finds the dark knights ultra greatsword he can barely get up making sure to slip it into his bottomless box along with the bastard sword. Oscar runs forward excitedly.
"Izuku my friend that was amazing! You killed them both while I dealt with those low level fodder. Your plan was a success! Oh this is wonderous! Your plans are surefire ways to making ourselves undead of legend! Quick let's go. We are nearing the church and I know a side path." Oscar says as he begins leading Izuku under the main gate and upwards to some catwalks towards the side path along the raftors and walkways. Izuku and Oscar spend time sneaking up on unsuspecting enemies and back stabbing them. Oscar even getting himself a decent kite shield as they soon find a side entrance to the church and a pathway to the right leading to a forest and what looks like a connecting building. Izuku and Oscar head towards the pathway to the forest to scout out potential bonefires or resources only to find a bonfire and rest at it. Izuku and Oscar hearing the tell tale clank of a hammer striking metal.
Izuku and Oscar head below and find a super buff old man with long gray hair and long beard clanging away at a sword on an anvil before coming into view.
"Well you must be a new arrival. I am andre Of Astora if you require smithing then speak to me." Oscar says as he goes back to striking the sword he's working on. Izuku and Oscar spend some time looking through the mans supplies and Izuku sees he sells a Caestus. Izuku immediately buys that so he can have some real damage to his punches till he can find out how to make his pyromancy flame stronger. Oscar also spending time to upgrade his weapons and gear. As izuku and Oscar leave Andre speaks up.
"I'll be seeing you then. Be careful out there. Neither of us want to see you guys go hollow." Andre says with sincerity making Izuku and Oscar turn to look at the man. Instantly a bond forming between the three for mutual respect and care for others.
"Stay safe andre.if you need help don't hesitate to call on either of us." Izuku says as he and Oscar head back to the church. Izuku and Oscar spot a massive Iron Tarkus doing battle with another Tarkus wearing black iron. The one in black iron seeming to be ambushed by a few hollows from behind. Izuku rushing forward and tackles the black iron tarkus out of the way as reacting quickly izuku parrys the giant iron tarkus 's mace leaving it open to a massive reposted strike where Izuku punches it in the gut and drops it to it's knee before punching it in the head with his caestus 's actually knocking the think on its back allowing a bit of breathing room as Izuku sees some strange robe wearing man with a trident dancing which causes the hollow knights to rage out and enhance its strength. Izuku knows this will be a problem and throws a fire orb at the channeler of the buffing magics.
Nailing it in the chest the channeler bursts into flames burning it alive as it falls off it's perch on the upper floors making Izuku and Oscar run at it and begin hitting and stabbing it before it can get up. Black iron tarkus is seen beheading the hollowed tarkus As Izukus attention is soon turned to face a knight of Baldur that heard the commotion. Before the knight could react and charge at Izuku black iron tarkus rushes forward and literally splits the knight of Baldur in half with one swing of his greatsword. Izuku and Oscar smiling at their new friend as they all head upstairs to the upper floors and clear out the hollows.
Izuku and aoscar lead black iron tarkus towards the other side of the upper levels finding someone inside a cell behind a barricaded door. The man in what looks to be golden armor. A helmet that has solid spire rectangles on it forming a sort of crown. The face plate seems like two solid golden angles squares with holes drilled into it's face to let the knight see. The chest plate seeming to have two arms covering the chest as if to embrace the wearer.
"Oh? Still human, are you? Then I am in luck. Could you help me? As you can see I am stuck, without recourse." The man says as Izuku opens the cell door using a key he found in a chest inside the break area near the armored boar.
""Oh thank you sincerely. I am Knight lautrec of Carim. I truly appreciate this, and I guarantee a reward. Only later." Lautrec says as Izuku nods to him.
"Stay safe Lautrec. Come on guys let's explore a bit. We could have Missed something." Izuku says as the group all explore the area with lautrec staying in the cell for now to rest up. Soon enough Black iron tarkus calls out to an elevator all three of the men stand on it and it leads down to a spot near fire link shrine. Izuku and Oscar going to the bonfire as black iron tarkus does the same. However as Izuku and Oscar rest at the bonfire Black iron tarkus remains on watch as Izuku and Oscar continue to sort out and use the souls they collected to strengthen themselves. Even going as far as to crush the sprites of souls of lost knights heros and others they have gathered up to do so. As Izuku and Oscar leave the bonfire Izuku holds his hand out and tilts it to the side for tarkus showing respect and honoring the temporary team up they shared.
Izuku and Oscar walk up to the elevator and upon reaching the fog gate to the roof Izuku and Oscar see summon sighs around the area because of the soapstone. Izuku walks up and activates his soap stone. A golden glowing spectre shows up with it's arms in a raising Y position as it turns out to be Solaire of Astora. Izuku sees two more signs and activates them. Lautrec and even black iron tarkus accept the summons and show up all of them in a whispy spirit like form as though they were in their own timeline but also his own at the same time. Izuku and Oscar walk through the fog gate and a look around. A gargoyle from the bell tower cracks its skin off and jumps down at them. The 5 knights looking at the beast and smirking as Solaire and Izuku nod to one another before Izuku cracks his knuckles and has his Pyromancies at the ready. The 5 men charge the beast and begin assaulting it. It isn't even really a fight. It's just 4 knights and one DPS pyromancer chipping away at the beasts health. Black iron tarkus even going as far as to rip the gargoyles tail off completely. As the 5 men are fighting Izuku hears something and Alerts Lautrec of Carim and just in time as a second gargoyle flies down and just barely misses the knight with it's polearm. Izuku and lautrec begin tag teaming the new arrival while Oscar, black iron tarkus and Solaire begin to kill the first weakened gargoyle. Izuku even going as far as to grab the severed tail of the gargoyle and use its axe head like tail to attack the second gargoyle.
Izuku uses an overhead swing sticking the makeshift weapon into the second gargoyles shoulder rendering it's attacking arm useless and Lautrec uses his shotels to slice off the beasts tendons at Izuku's instructions leaving it vulnerable and on it's knees. Izuku just begins wailing on the gargoyles head with his caestus. Blow after blow resounding a loud crack as he was punching the solid stone like flesh of the beast but deforming the beasts face and head with each subsequent punch. Izuku is lost in the fight and just keeps wailing on the beast without rest knowing if he doesn't put it down it'll just kill his friends. He only stops when lautrec grabs his shoulders and brings Izuku out of his trance and the gargoyles both dissipate into light and souls fill the entire group. Each of them gaining a quite hefty sum. Izuku and Oscar see the three summoned spirits dissipate but all leave something behind that Izuku and Oscar both receive. Including a sunlight medal.
As Izuku and Oscar make their way up the long ladders they come face to face with the first bell of awakening. Izuku and Oscar both grab hold of the mechanism and together pull it towards themselves. As the bell soon sounds out loudly ringing throughout all of Lordran letting everyone know the first bell has been tolled. Izuku and Oscar nod to one another and make their way towards Firelink shrine. Both of them looking at one another and smiling at their accomplishment. Izuku and Oscar share a quick exchange before both just lay down near the bonfire as nighttime comes to them and they close their eyes to sleep.
UA Nedzu's office.
And so me and Oscar ring the first bell of awakening. Now it is already 6 o'clock at night. My lovers and consort have told me to trust you all with this story as you will not share or spread this story. I will continue tomorrow after school and finish from where I left off. It is late and Eri here needs to eat dinner soon and get a good night's sleep. Please understand it is a long story and will take multiple tellings about my adventures." Izuku says as Eri who woke up shortly after Izuku began his story.
"Daddy's story is the Best. He's the greatest hero ever!" Eric says as Izuku smiles while Ranni speaks up.
"Our precious daughter is correct my consort eternal. You are indeed a wonderful hero. These people have earned my trust as the moon bears witness to all and sees into their souls. These people and few others truly meet the definition of hero you set for the lands between and Lordran. Let's go my love. We have some food to make for our precious ones." Ranni says as she fades into nothingness while The newest heros Quelaag, quelaan and quelaan dubbed the "triplets of chaos" all walk out each one taking turns carrying Eri on their shoulders. Priscilla and Anastasia of Astora both bow to their co-workers.
"We know you are curious about this but we shall explain the true meaning of undeath and the Darksign to you come tomorrow morning. I am sorry about the lies but we needed to know we can trust you. As Izuku is now the first flame he has control over the bonfires himself. I can explain about them and their role in this but it too shall come tomorrow." Anastasia says as Nedzu nods and smiles.
"Of course young Midoriya. You and your family may leave. From this telling alone I know it will be a long one but we have time everyday after classes. I look forward to learning about this further " Nedzu says. Izuku and the others are soon out of the schools gates and heading towards the train station before someone stops Izuku.
"YOUNG MIDORIYA PLEASE WAIT!" Izuku turns to see All Might running at him.
"Yes All Might?" Izuku asks as Eri looks at her father and his reverence for this man.
"I wish to know...can you give people the curse of undeath? Can you spread it to others?" All Might asks as Izuku sighs and nods his head as he looks at him.
"Yes, I can gift the cursed sign of Undeath someone. Living or dead as it doesn't matter. Why?" Izuku asks as All Might thinks for a solid minute in silence before during up his will and speaking.
"Young Midoriya please I beg of you...give me the curse of undeath!" All Might says as he bows dogenza style in front of Izuku shocking him to the core. This was the last thing Izuku thought he would be asked.