Chapter 27
Beta: Old man of the mountain/Darklord331
Naruto sighed. The girls were terrifying when they were hitting their stride. Especially related in taking down enemies that apparently they had bad relationships with. Naruto luckily never ended up on the bad end of them at full power but he did fear what would happen if he did piss one of them off.
Oh well that is something for the future.
Traversing through the lava fields Naruto had to admit the place was a nightmare. Especially if they didn't have a means of stopping themselves from suffering burn damage. With the spell in place, they could easily traverse the lava fields and find everything they needed. however, they ran into a giant demon stomping around the lava, but they decided to ignore it since they could get around him. Plus, they needed to save their strength for the battles ahead.
Traversing deeper into the flaming pit, Naruto noted that there seemed to be lots of roots growing all over the place. He guessed maybe it was a byproduct of the flame that was created, but he wasn't 100% sure.
Luckily, the roots gave them enough time to move above the flaming ground and explore more of the city.
However, when they entered one of the ruins surrounded by more demons, Naruto noted that someone was watching them.
He motioned to the girls where he saw them, and Quelana nodded, with Quetiva forming her bow.
Traversing their way up and defeating more of the slow-moving stone dragon creatures, they ran into a hooded woman with a dagger in one hand and a ball of fire in the other.
Naruto was confused, but before he could ask, he saw a flaming arrow hitting her in the head and exploding. Causing her to turn into dust and make him sweatdrop.
Okay, Naruto had to admit that was harsh. But it cleared the way for them so it was okay.
Walking down the rooted path, they made it deeper into the building while dealing with a weird multi-eye demon creature with tentacles and hoof feet. They dispatched him quickly, Quelaag just doing her unsheathing strike on the monster, turning it into dust.
Naruto traversed into the lower ground, with the girls finding nothing of note—at least, not until they saw a familiar knight standing over a ledge, looking on in confusion.
"Oh, hello friend. It's good to see you again. How have you been?" Looking down, "Trying to defeat those monsters, quite ferocious, no?"
Naruto nodded.
"Yeah, but with enough timing, they are easy to dispatch."
"Indeed. But even with your group, you would be hard pressed to deal with them. So, maybe," he gasped, "This is my chance. Sir, please allow me to help in clearing these monsters!"
Naruto didn't really need anything from him, hell there was nothing down there that he wanted. But the man seemed to be insisting on it.
"Alright then, lets do it then."
The man nodded and jumped into the poison marsh.
"I didn't mean just jump!"
Naruto sighed. This guy really wanted to get out of his debt. Part of him wanted him to try and take out those monsters on his own, but at the same time, he couldn't afford to leave him alone. He remembered the young woman who was looking for him.
He was about to say something, but then an explosion was heard behind them.
Turning they saw another hooded woman walking down the branch and she had a small smile on her face.
The hood covered her eyes and she seemed to be swinging around a dagger.
"Oh, it would seem you girls have returned home. But sad to say you have rejected the gift our mother has given us."
Quetiva's eyes widened,
"Oldest sister. Quella what happened to you?"
"Oh dear Quetiva, you were always so weak and fragile. You should have embraced Mother's gift, and then you wouldn't be so tired or confused." Holding up her hand a dark red flame appeared in her hand. "But don't worry I will baptize you in our mother's flames soon enough." She frowned, "However, Quelaag, it would seem you too rejected the gift even though mother was so generous with you and Quelana, our brother, too, in all your blessings." She tched, "Too bad it would seem it was too much for the fragile brat."
Quelana's eyes widened and her flames roared to life.
"Don't you dare talk bad about him!"
Quelaag drew her sword. "I'm done listening to you, traitor. You pushed the experiment. You wanted Mother to create this new flame. I always wondered why, but now I see it. You're just like Gwyn!"
"At least he understood our powers were coming from a dying energy. We needed to find a new form of energy soon or our time was going to end. We would be at their mercy and I refuse to be licking the boots of those mongrels that were no better than fodder."
Naruto wasn't sure what was going on entirely, but he saw the knight struggling against the monsters.
"Guys we-"
Quelana pushed Naruto off the ledge.
He was falling to the ground below but saw that there was an explosion where he was standing.
She had just saved his life.
Naruto landed on his feet and turned to see the knight struggling. Siegmeyer didn't deserve to possibly die in this shit hole. He quickly drew out his sword and started attacking one of the nearby demons.
"Wait this is my debt to fulfill!"
"Sometimes people don't want you to do things like that. Throw away your life without a care in the world, not caring if you die or if you live. Debts are just there to remind us that we should always be good to people." Naruto cut through the monster's legs and slashed into its eye. He ripped his blade through the demon's face and then turned to the knight. He was slashing through another one of the monster's legs.
The knight managed to down one of the monsters with a powerful piercing blow but Naruto cut down the next one that got too close. He could feel the poison in his body which was causing him to start getting a bit dizzy.
'Shit.' Naruto knew that he didn't have long before the poison probably dropped him in the marsh. But he had to keep fighting, and the sounds of explosions on the surface weren't helping.
He had to admit this is a pretty bad situation.
Naruto managed to cut down another monster, and only one remained. A stray ball of fire was thrown over the edge, hitting the creature and thus killing it.
'Well that was convenient.'
Naruto soon felt his legs buckle.
"Sir!"
Runing over the knight picked him up on his back.
"Are you okay?"
"Nah, I think the poison is getting to me. Sorry about this"
The man shook his helmet, "No need to apologize, good sir, this a good chance to earn my favor. Please hold onto me."
Naruto sighed, he would just let him have it. If this helped him feel better then he would just go along with it. No point in starting more shit than necessary.
Climbing up the branch, the knight carried him on his back while pulling out some stuff he had found earlier. It was supposed to help with poison so he ate it.
It tasted terrible, but he had to admit he did feel the poison leaving his body. Thankfully, he still had his estus flasks, too, so that was a blessing. With that Right of Rekindling that he had, he was able to increase its strength with the firekeeper's help and have more of it. So this meant he wouldn't be pressed later on. But he still felt the exhaustion from the position, so that was the worst.
Naruto and Siegmeyer came to the top of the branch and saw the fighting going on.
Quelaag was holding her arm and growling at their enemy. Her sword hanging limply in her hand. Quetiva, she was feeling tired, given she was panting hard and barely able to muster up her flames.
Quelana might be in the best shape, but she, too, was struggling. She had multiple cuts on her face, and her robe showed signs of damage.
Naruto growled, taking a few more hits of his flask before jumping off the man's back.
"Thanks for the help, but you should get out of here. I have to handle this with the girls."
"I understand. Thank you for letting me reclaim my honor. While I didn't want you to assist me in fighting the monsters, I did appreciate you letting me carry you. Now my honor has been restored." He then turned, "But I can't turn away." He drew his sword, "As a knight, it is my duty to fight for those in trouble!"
Naruto nodded. But he was worried. The guy wasn't a bad fighter—far from it—he was quite impressive. But the issue lay with the fact that this wasn't a demon they were dealing with—from the looks of it, someone with both long-range and close-range capability.
But he would take the assistance. As the girls looked to be in worst shape than him.
With the girls, Quetiva wondered how things could have gotten so bad. It was true their eldest sister was always different from them. She was always eager to push things and try to achieve greater heights. Even disregarding their mother's warnings about being too careless. Especially with her use of pyromancy. She was the one who was nervously willing to work with Gwyn in the hopes of creating a new form of the First Flame. Due to this, things went horribly and now most of their family was torn apart.
But here she was, standing there as if they were in the wrong, taunting them with the knowledge they ran while she stood proud and relished the power of this flame.
Naruto had fallen down below, but they were sure he would be fine. He had dealt with worse odds than this.
The fight, however, was tougher than expected, with their eldest sister being able to close the distance on them. She was using a dagger that was coated in a red line along the blade, burning everything that it touched, given Quelaag's pierced shoulder. The flames that were pushed into it left her in pain.
Then their sister Quelana tried to use her powers, and she aimed for her. But she diddging their attacks with ease and even using her own fire. This power was different from their own since it had black tints and seemed to have gold tints. This was unusual from their Chaos flame that was created.
She started releasing more flames, and they were struggling. Worse, she somehow was able to redirect their flames into the pit below. While they were worried about Naruto and the guy down there, he seemed fine. But now they were in a desperate spot. She was outperforming them, and they could do nothing about it.
However, Siegmeyer jumped between the sister and held his sword forward.
"Hear me she-devil! I have come to slay you in the name of these women!"
"Oh?" The eldest sister smiled. "You think you can defeat me?" She withdrew her flame and held her dagger out. "This should be interesting until you die."
Siegmeyer balanced his sword on his shoulder and quickly went for a downward swing.
She was already under him with a smile on her face and aiming her dagger at his chest.
The handle of the sword knocked down her strike.
This surprised her.
He twisted his wrists and then did a sideways swing at the woman's head.
But she quickly rolled under the attack and rushed at his back.
But she found her attack blocked again, this time with him knocking down her wrist with the elbow.
'What the hell?'
"While it is true that in a battle against powerful enemies and larger opponents, I struggle. But as a true knight of Caterina, I have learned to dispatch smaller enemies and those of my size. You will find that I am quite adept."
Naruto frowned, he was doing good.
'He is parrying a lot. sing the smallest openings as a chance to knock her attack on track. Then aiming to hit her with her guard down. But she is aware of the attack and is trying to move faster than him. But her attacks have such a short reach she has to extend on them. Giving him a chance to make the proper move to disrupt it.'
'Quite impressive, he would give a Hyuuga a run for their money with that kind of instinct.'
Naruto nodded.
Quella growled, this guy, she thought he would be easier. He seemed to struggle earlier when he was fighting some of the monsters in the lava area. But for some reason, this guy was getting the better of her!
Her, the Eldest daughter of the Witch and the rightful ruler of this land!
She wouldn't be humiliated by this!
Naruto saw her dash backward and then swing at her sister Quelana. But she quickly dodged out of the way but had to move again when she was fast approaching her.
But the eldest had to jump back when a powerful swing cut down the middle.
"Damn I have missed you." He quickly turned to the woman, "But I shall not miss you again. For you see I'm getting closer. Soon you shall fall to my blade." He picked his sword upward again and waited for her attack.
The eldest growled; this was getting more annoying. She was hoping that she could take her sisters out since they thought she was too focused on him.
Instead, he was able to use this as a chance to attack. Almost catching her.
It was the exact thing she was trying to do!
Jumping back, she sighed,
"You're more annoying than I hoped for. But for the will of the kingdom and the blessings of the new age, I will not allow you to stop me!"
Siegmeyer waited for her movement.
But her eyes started to glow, then she started screaming. The pain seared through her eyes and then aimed at the knight.
Siegmeyer didn't have time, the blast hit him in the chest. Knocking him off his feet and making him cough up blood.
"Sieg!"
Naruto rushed to the man but he quickly held his hand out.
"No," he coughed. Stay back; I shall slay this woman." He stood to his feet wobbly. "I admit that attack took me by surprise, but I shall not fall for it again."
The woman smirked,
"Only one strike was needed. Your soul is going to burn, and then you'll see I was right. This new flame is the birth of a new era in the age of Fire—one that is meant to be ruled by those with the minds to see it!" She smiled sinisterly. "All it will take is a few minutes."
Naruto growled,
He wanted to try to heal Sieg for being hit by the attack, but he didn't know if he could. His Senjutsu only worked in certain situations and with the flames in small amounts. But he had taken quite a bit into his body recently so he wasn't sure if more would make his situation worse. As there had been a long period of time between when he helped Quetiva and her sister to the point when he saved Solaire. So, the power had to disappear.
Would the exposure be too soon?
"I see." The knight nodded. I understand now that this is my purpose—the one thing that I must accomplish before it happens." He held his blade tightly in his hands. "I must make sure these people make it out of this fight. By slaying you, I shall have held my honor as a true knight."
"Fool, soon your pride won't mean anything. None of it will amount to anything more than simple platitudes."
"Maybe so, but it will be worth writing legends about."
Naruto wanted to jump in, but he knew that his pride wouldn't allow it. He would sooner cut him down for getting involved.
The Girls wanted to help but one was injured, one was drained, and the other was injured and drained.
It was down to him and he wouldn't have any other way.
"Fine then you can die in the pits of suffering for your arrogance!"
She gathered up the flames in her eyes, releasing a powerful blast of the energy. As before, it went straight for Sieg, but he was ready this time.
Bringing his blade down, he hit the attack right as it was inches from his chest, causing the powerful beam to start to fall in two directions and fly past him in two different directions.
Naruto was amazed. 'The timing had to be just perfect for that to work. He managed this without any assistance or additional information. He just did it after the first attack.' Naruto could see that this man, while sensitive, was a real knight and had real skill—something that many didn't seem to share.
Quella was shocked, but her mind was fuzzy. The attack was putting strain on her mind, and she couldn't risk firing it again.
However, Sieg was already in motion with his next move. He had closed the distance on her and swept her legs out from underneath her, forcing her into the air and crashing to the floor with a grunt.
The sword went through her chest, and she screamed at the pain. It was so surprising, she couldn't believe it.
"N-no it can't end like this!"
"It has, it will!"
Sieg felt her squirming on his sword but he didn't care, he was going to hold her here no matter what. So, pushing down harder, he forced his blade deeper into her chest. She screamed in the pain and her eyes glowed.
"FUCKING ASSHOLE I'LL TURN YOUR SOUL INTO ASH!"
Sieg just grunted.
Torrents of golden flames exploded out of her eyes and they went straight into him. He was grunting at the pain and his body was shaking from the force. He had a firm grip on his sword preventing her from moving.
Naruto could see the scorch marks appearing on his armor and the pain he was in. He quickly rushed to him and tried to grab him.
Quelana grabbed him and pulled him back.
"What are you doing!?"
"You can't get close! Those flames, they are more dangerous than our mother's flame!"
"I don't care the man is dying right now"!
She shook her head, "No, it is worse for him."
Naruto was shocked, his body stopped shaking, and the sound of a moan escaped into the air.
"N-no way. My ambition, the dream. It was right there. I shouldn't have lost; We shouldn't have lost. Why, why am I-"
"Because you have lost your honor," Sieg huffed out between deep gasps of air. "You have lost your way, you have lost your family, and you have forgotten what is important to you. Sadly, you have no one to blame but yourself." He coughed harder, "Pray that they forgive you in the next life."
"N-no, no this can't be happening. I was meant to be queen, I was to rule over all, this power was to make me the strongest. How could it fail me. Answer me." Her eyes widened, "ANSWER ME YOU SHITTY GOD!"
God? Naruto was confused.
"You mean Gwyn?"
"FORGET HIM HE IS THE ONE THAT I WANT ANSWERS FROM TELL ME! WAS THIS A GAME! TELL ME WHY DID YOU, DID YOU, DID YOU-" Her body started to spasm and soon she was still. Her mind was gone, and her body was cold.
Soon, the body disappeared into ash, leaving nothing behind but her dagger and a book.
What God was she speaking of? Was there someone else that was pulling strings in the back? Someone that was doing things to help the Witch? This is something he would investigate if he had the time. But first he had to check on Sieg.
He collapsed to his knees and he sighed. Before releasing a powerful cough.
"The pain, it grows." He touched the hole in his chest and then sighed. "So this is the end for me. How fitting. I die a knight, defending those around me."
"Siegmeyer-" Naruto held out his flask to him.
He pushed it away.
"I fear that will not help me. The pain is too deep and the pain is too immense." He coughed, "I believe it is best." He smiled under his helmet, "I have been saved by your group every time we have encountered one another. But now I have finally repaid my debt, I am pleased." He coughed again before slowly walking away from the group. "There is one more place I must go and this will be my final resting place." He sighed, "I heard stories of this place from my people, the land where the last of the Ancient one's live."
Naruto bit his lip. Is there really nothing he could do for him? Naruto thought about trying to use his Senjutsu, but given everything he had already gone through, he wasn't sure he could risk it. especially since those flames almost killed him at times. He wasn't sure that the strain was good for Kurama and Gwynevere, who were both working overtime to purge the flames from his body.
The sisters frowned. They felt terrible for him. Their sister was responsible for this, and he was the one who slayed her. Could they just let him walk away?
Quelana knew they had to. They were too injured to continue fighting at this moment. Plus, they were exhausted, and facing their mother now was out of the question. They would have to return to the bond fire and recover, and there was no telling what the flame was going to do to Siegmeyer. The least they could do was let the man have his choice.
The man turned to them,
"Remember the bravery of the Catelina Knights. Remember the great Siegmeyer, for I came to those in times of need." He coughed before stumbling out of the ruins.
Naruto gripped his fist.
If only he had his powers from before. Then maybe this wouldn't be happening.
'No, there is no telling if this would still be the case.' Naruto bit his lip, 'But only if I could.'
'Naruto,' Gwynevere reached out, 'No matter how you look at it, this is his choice. He wants to walk this path and it would be wrong to deny him. Would you want that for yourself?'
Of course not, he wouldn't want this for anyone. But his mind couldn't accept it.
Kurama sighed, 'Naruto, get some rest. You guys are in a bad way, and you need to save your energy for the next battle.'
Naruto knew he was right.
Sighing, Naruto helped carry Quelaag on his shoulder. He walked out of the ruins and sneaked past all the demons surrounding them. He headed for the bond fire on the shore, hoping to get some rest before running into the next Lord Soul user.
Siegmeyer knew where he was going, not just because of what he said but because there was something else he wanted to do—something he had to do before he left this world.
He struggled, having a hard time getting his breath. He was struggling getting back to the second bell. But he managed to do it thanks to the group killing all the demons on the way down.
He passed the bell through the ruins before walking past the resting place of what was once the kind witches home. But he noticed a man dressed in barbed armor lying against the wall far back. He saw that he had long departed. Coughing he prayed for his soul before walking on.
Traversing through the poison fields proved to be a challenge but one he was more than equipped for. Thankfully he stocked up on stuff to prevent his poisoning
He traversed down a large root, heading to the bottom floor, where mushroom people were waiting. He sighed before drawing his sword, cutting down a few of them that got in his way. He made it through the entrance and saw a magnificent sight.
A large sandy beach, in the distance the wooden pillars below the world's surface. Each one reaching high into the sky.
He wondered if they were meant to beholding up the surface world?
Wandering down to the beach, he saw a hydra in the distance, blasting away at all the monsters moving along the beach. He shook his head; of course, there would be something like that down in this quiet place. Why not?
"Father."
He smiled under his helmet.
"My dear child."
By the bond fire, he saw his daughter. She was wearing identical armor to himself. She stood there with her arms crossed.
"You had me worried, father."
"I apologize my child. But I was during a life-and-death battle. One that has damaged my very soul to the point of no return." He touched the wound on his chest and coughed. "I can feel the pain growing, my mind is slowly waning."
"Father, surely there is something we can do."
He shook his head.
"No, I can already feel it. The pain in my soul is growing. Soon, I'll be no better than those lifeless husks wandering' the land." He coughed, covering up his laugh. "How ironic, the time I finally replay my debt, and I am to lose my very soul. I feel this is what people call irony." He smiled under his helmet, "But I wouldn't have it any other way."
The daughter stared at her father with a sad expression on her face. She could feel his pain, the suffering he was going through. The willpower to make it down here and to find her. She had only come here on the rumor that people would come to this place. Apparently it was considered a beautiful sight of the world. Her father always talked about it and wanted to see it. She knew that he wanted to see this place, so she figured he might turn up here at some point. But didn't expect the reunion to be something like this.
"Daughter." He stared at her before drawing his sword off his back. "I have one final request."
He didn't need to ask, she knew.
Drawing her sword he smiled under helmet.
No more words.
He rushed at his daughter bringing his weapon in a downward slash.
She hooked the blade on the hilt of her sword, lifted the blade up, and then threw it into the sand.
She then pulled her sword back and thrusted it at his chest.
He quickly sidestepped her and swept his weapon under her feet. Taking her off her feet and leaving her rolling in the sand. He was stabbing after her.
She grunted before releasing her weapon and quickly rolling forward.
Barely dodging another of his strikes.
Siegmeyer could feel the pain growing, he had to push her. He needed to see it, that she was ready. He needed to see it before it was too late.
He chased after her, but she had already stepped on the bottom of her weapon and pushed it straight up. Causing him to stop in his tracks from the point of the blade barely missing his stomach.
But she didn't let up; she threw a straight punch to where the hole in his chest was. He coughed up blood inside of his helmet and wobbled backwards.
Reaching down she quickly grabbed the hilt of her sword and thrusted it upward.
He dodged backwards falling into the sand.
A sharp thrust went through his chest and into the sand, making him cough up more blood.
She had impaled him through the chest and into the sand.
'Brilliant.'
Siegmeyer smiled under his helmet. Blood was leaking out from his mouth and filling his helmet.
His daughter, she was shaking. It was too much.
Killing him, she knew that this was the right move. But she wasn't sure how to stomach this. having the blade piercing through his chest and leaving him coughing up blood. Their breath was growing more faint with every passing second, the pain growing in his body. It was, it was horrible.
"My daughter, thank you." He smiled under the helmet. "I have lived my life on my terms, as night I couldn't be happier. But," He coughed up blood, "If there was one thing I wished for, I want you to choose the best path for you. Not as a knight, but as a father." He coughed up more blood and his mind was fading, "Promise me, you will choose what you want. Even if it means never carrying a sword. Do-d-do-do,"
Siegmeyer, the Knight of Caterina, oen of the most noble men in the land.
Had passed on.
The daughter fell to her knees, taking her helmet off her head, revealing a beautiful red-haired woman with a slightly tan complexion.
"I will father, I swear on the name of our hose, I will do as you ask. I will follow the path that best suits me, but I will make sure never to forget."
A little girl riding on the shoulders of a black hair man with a thin beard appeared in her mind.
Tears poured harder, "I will never forget your path and its meaning. I will be a true knight but only for those that I love." She slammed her hands on the sand and her cries could be heard echoing.
Silence is all that would greet them.
On the surface, there stood a being wrapped in a black cloak. They were looking down on the world and smiling.
"This has been quite interesting." They held out their hand, revealing a golden symbol on the back of their hand. It would seem that he is determined to run the path he wants, even challenging the natural order of events." They smirked, "Truly, how interesting." The symbol fully materialized.
"Lets see what they do with this."
On his hand was a symbol of three connecting circles, with thin lines hanging off the circles and a symbol piercing through the connecting point of each circle.
In New Londo, the dark figure in the shadows growled,
"So they meddle in this land? My how troublesome. But no matter the Age will end, how far they want to drag this out is up to them." Gnashing his teeth, he faded back into the dark.
Chapter End