Chapter 24

Beta: Old man of the mountain/Darklord331

Naruto and Quelaag had returned to the capital. Mostly to recover from the brutal bout but also to get resupplied with things they might need. As dark as the place is he is confident in the idea they can traverse safely.

Arriving in the capital, Quelaag decided to go and talk to her sisters while he headed off to get his gear checked. While there, Naruto noticed Solaire sitting out on the balcony. Frowning he dropped his weapons and some of his other stuff to be repaired before walking over to him.

"Solaire."

The armored man turned,

"Ah, you have returned. I suspect traveling into the underground proved more difficult than one would expect?"

Naruto laughed, "Yeah turns out that the undead didn't want us there. It is strange to see skeletons when dealing with people who are cursed with undying life."

Solaire nodded,

"Indeed, it is quite the conundrum. But alas, at least you have a goal in mind." Turning out, he stared at the landscape.

Naruto walked over and sat down on the ledge with him.

"What's wrong?"

"My sun. I haven't found my sun yet." He looked up at the sky, "I feel that the more I look the less likely I will find it. Truly it is a very depressing thought."

Naruto nodded. He always worried about Solaire, who was so positive and outgoing. He was able to help him and the girls during their travels. He also came to visit the girls during his own journey and spent time talking to some of the residents of this place.

"Your sun huh?" Naruto looked at the dark horizon, "I don't know what to tell you about that. But the one thing I can say is that maybe your sun isn't one to follow."

Solaire turned.

"Maybe you were meant to guide others. You were meant to serve as their suns to help them find their own paths in life. I mean I heard from Quelana and Quetiva that you always talk to them. You help them with different things and help them find hope." He smiled, "Even me. When I got stuck in this land I had nothing, nothing for myself or others. I was so busy running away from everything I forgot why I was doing this. Having left everything behind, I knew something had change. No matter how I searched, all I could think about was the past and failing to find my own happiness. But seeing you, I don't know why but it reminds me of things." He smiled, remembering the visages of his grandfather, godfather, and his parents. "You remind me how they were there for me in my darkest days. Honestly, I can't see my life worth living."

Solaire listened.

"I ultimately just decided to keep pushing forward no matter the tide. But thanks you and others, I feel like I'm getting closer to my answer of what I want."

"So I guided you onto a better path?"

Naruto laughed, "Yeah I guess you did. Funny how I use to do that for others."

Solaire tilted his head before looking back at the horizon. "I don't think I get it, but I feel relieved. You are finding your path and your own way, but for me, I'm not sure. Maybe I will find it when I visit the land of demons. I hear the Witch of Izalith managed to make something truly amazing."

He shook his head, making a realm of demons and destroying your family wasn't amazing. It was terrifying.

"But I thank you Naruto. You have reignited my belief I will find my own light. Please continue to guide me, and I shall endeavor to do the same."

Naruto smiled and patted his shoulder, "Just don't be afraid to ask for help."

Solaire laughed,

"You as well."

Naruto and Solaire continued to chatter about their pasts and things they wanted to accomplish. More Solaire than Naruto, but it was a great way to pass the time.

Eventually, the sisters called him over to see his repaired gear. He appreciated what was done and even managed to use the souls of some of the other beings to create new weapons. But he decided against using them as he didn't have time to learn a new weapon.

Naruto made sure their provisions were ready and both headed back to the bond-fire where they began their journey once more.

Quelaag had pointed out that she heard something when they returned to the Catacombs and led him to the sound of the noise. They had traversed the environment and managed to make it to a lower level. There they saw a headless skeleton walking up to a wall, lifting up his pickaxe, and smashing through the wall. Naruto was confused and watched as the man or creature walked through and sat down at a black smithing spot.

He had to admit he was impressed with his dedication to his craft, but he wasn't sure why he was missing his head. Something big must have happened, but he couldn't imagine what would cause him to continue moving, even without his head present.

"Who the hell is this?"

"I can't believe it," Quelaag looked closely, "It is Vamos." She smiled, "I didn't think he was still alive after all this time. Or I guess as alive as one can be as a skeleton."

Naruto frowned, "Someone famous I guess?"

"Long before your time. Before Nito had destroyed the giants, he was a royal blacksmith to the giants of this land. He was so talented that some of our best craftsman were coming for lessons. He had forged powerful weapons and tools for the giants and was said to even have a hand in making legendary weapons wielded by the knights. mostly the black knights that are always walking around. He was very anti-social so he didn't get a lot of publicity for his work. But those that knew? Oh yeah he was a legend in their eyes."

"You said he was a royal blacksmith, so he was a smith for the giants that used to live here?"

"Yep, he was so good at his job that the giants didn't want him to go to the surface. So, he asked for his shop to be built down here without anyone being able to see him. However, he did train a few apprentices from time to time. Nito, however, ruined this after killing the royal family and him." She shrugged her shoulders. "But surprisingly, it would seem that Nito revived him as a servant, but he still only works on his craft."

Naruto was impressed, this man definitely was stubborn and driven. "I don't know if I was ever that stubborn, but I feel I was close to that level of stubbornness."

Quelaag laughed.

Naruto grunted before they proceeded back to the main room again. There, they started their journey through the cavern. Traversing the halls with the flames guiding them was difficult, but they were able to get through most of it without much trouble. Luckily, they managed to avoid skeletons hiding in corners, deflect arrows, avoid giant swings, and more.

Naruto had to admit that going through this tomb was a real pain in the ass. if you didn't have a powerful light to guide your path, you were screwed. It was really annoying.

"Hello there traveler!"

Quelaag turned her head and frowned. What the hell was he doing there?

Naruto stared in the direction and saw a bald man with a shield and spear standing near a ledge.

"Who are you?"

The man smiled,

"Apologizes, names is Patches and it is just dreadful. The poor maiden that came through here has fallen down this hole. Her guards went after her but I haven't see hide of hair of them."

Naruto's eyes narrowed. He had been around enough swindlers in his life, and he could pick out the false truth. They just happen to fall down that hole? A hole that is impossible to find unless you walk right up to it?

Sure.

"So, Patches it has been a while."

The bald man squinted.

Sweat started rolling down his body and he smiled shakily,

"W-well Quelaag it has been quite some time no?"

"Not long enough. What poor soul did you trick this time? What promises did you make before plummeting into the darkness?"

Patches frowned. Of course, she would ruin his plan. Especially since he wasn't even allowed in the capital after the previous incident. Something the Witch never forgave him for, and he knew that if her daughters were all aware, they would hunt him down.

"Quelaag what's his story?"

"Hmph, he is Patches. A notorious liar and swindler. He tricked us a few years ago when he said he could give our brother something that would help with his condition. However, little did we know the damn thing was cursed. It was always slipping out of his grasp. Leaving him in mixed states. Almost rotting his mind away."

Naruto growled.

"You did what prick?"

Patches waved his hands.

"H-hold on! I swear it was all a misunderstanding. That ring was given to me by another. I had to pay quite the pretty penny for that ring."

"Who?"

"It was some trader, I don't know who exactly. He had these pretty yellow eyes. He told me that the ring would bring 'peace and clarity to the man suffering.' At first, I was skeptical about the promise, but he was very persuasive. It was a good price, only ten gold coins."

"You charged us more than 200 gold for the ring." Quelaag reached for her sword.

Naruto put his hand on her hand preventing her from drawing the sword.

"I can see he is telling truth. It is in his eyes, ever since I was a teen I have been able to decipher people's true intentions. In this case, he is telling you the truth about the man that sold the ring." Naruto frowned, "But that doesn't mean you didn't know what the ring would do exactly."

Patches sweated. he could read people's true intentions through their eyes?

Shit this was going to much harder for him.

"He might have mentioned the ring's properties, but I thought that the ring wouldn't cause this much trouble. For that I'm truly sorry Lady Quelaag."

The woman growled,

"Say that to my brother whose mind you destroyed with that stupid ring."

This was going nowhere so Naruto quickly walked over to Patches.

"You said those people fell?"

"Honest. I told them there was some treasure down there from others that have tried reaching Lord Nito's domain. Plus, there are plenty of graves left untouched after all these years."

Naruto saw the truth, but he also saw a lie. But if there was someone down there from the shrine, he had to at least go look for them. If they hollowed, then he should put them out of their misery. And if they didn't, he could lead them back up and allow them to get revenge for the trick.

Going to the edge, Naruto dropped down with a plop, hearing Quelaag shouting his name from the top.

Naruto looked up "It's fine; I'll find the people down here and return to the surface. If I'm not back in ten minutes then feel free to kill the bald bastard."

"Fuck you asshole!" A scream was followed and he swore he could smell something burning.

Naruto shook his head and started slowly walking down the dark path, carefully looking at each corner, as he didn't have any light source.

He should have thought this through more.

His instincts went haywire and he jumped back just avoid being hit with a mace. Looking up he saw one of the large armored knights that were guarding that priestess earlier. But their eyes were black, showing they had hollowed.

He parried a sword that was aimed for his head.

It was the other person and he saw that they turned hollow as well.

"I'm sorry I didn't make it in time." Naruto sheathed the sword and crouched. The blade resting in its sheath, waiting for the right moment.

The two knights quickly rushed at him, blindly brandishing their weapons high in the air.

Naruto released a sigh.

"Now rest."

The blade silently whistled through the air.

Silence reigned in the path, and the sound of knees hitting the ground and heads falling off shoulders followed.

The two knights disappeared in a blast of dust, and Naruto could only sigh.

He prayed their souls would find peace in whatever realm or land they end for their after life.

Remembering the priestess he quickly pushed down the path, looking for the woman.

He managed to find her at the end of the path, crouched in a corner, praying and asking for guidance.

"Hello there ma'am do you remember me?"

The woman slowly turned around, her eyes feared with fright, but soon the fear disappeared.

"Yes you are the young man that was in the shrine. Looking to take on the challenges left behind Lord Gwyn, yes?"

"Yes." Naruto held his hand out, "Come on I'm going to get you out of this tunnel."

"I guess my guards are dead?"

Naruto smiled sadly.

She did a silent prayer and took Naruto's hand. They quickly made their way back up to the upper limits.

Which there, Naruto saw Patches pinned to the ground with Quelaag holding her sword to his throat with a pissed expression.

"Its fine Quelaag I have returned."

The woman turned her head.

"I'm so glad." Turning to Patches she frowned, "I guess you get to continue to live."

Patches gulped as the blade left her throat and she allowed him to get back on his feet.

"So Patches, I think in repayment for the lie you told about that ring. I think you could do something for us right?"

Patches frowned.

"What is it?"

"I need you escort her back to town. taking her wherever she needs in Firelink can you do that?"

That was it. Patches could handle that.

"She is to stay alive, and nothing on her person is taken."

Take all the fun out of it.

Naruto turned to the woman and handed her something.

"I remember you mentioned you were coming down here looking for something right? Is this it?"

The woman looked at the item in her hand and her smile grew.

"Yes the Right Rekindling. This will help in my path of becoming a priestess in this land. I thank you, I shall remember what you have done for me."

"No problem. Just hold onto it." Naruto frowned. "But where is that other guard? I swear there were three of them, no?"

"Oh him, I think he is lost in the dark path. He went ahead of us and stated he would be our scout. But I haven't seen him since we came into this place." She did a silent prayer. "I hope he is safe if not then he didn't suffer."

Naruto found that suspicious. But he didn't have time to investigate.

"Well, Patches, please escort the kind priestess and consider your debt covered."

Patches sighed, he really didn't want to but if this got him out of the dog house with the sisters, then that was fine. While he was confident in his strength, he wasn't too keen on dealing with more trouble. Especially regarding their pyromancy and him having nothing to counter it with. He could block with his shield and use his spear, but they were still stronger than him.

Oh well, he would just have to do this. Easy enough.

After saying some parting words, threats in the case of Quelaag, the continued with their journey.

Traversing the tomb again was challenging but only if he didn't have a light source. Luckily, they were able to move through the paths and some of the drops without much trouble. Of course they had to take out a large horde of skeletons, but nothing they weren't familiar with.

Approaching the tunnel they traversed deeper into the underground.

They took some twists and turns and eventually arrived at a nearby entrance to an open area. But the minute they approached, Naruto could feel the presence growing—just the sense of dread. It was growing so much that he wasn't sure what to do. Dealing with the pressure was so hard, and it was messing with his senses.

entering the room he saw a array of lights scattered in the room.

"Shit it looks like some of those monsters like the one we fought earlier."

Quelaag frowned,

"No not the same, they are weaker than the one we fought. I could guess their strength is about 1/4 of the original."

Naruto was happy about that, dealing with the one before was hard enough. He didn't want to deal with another set of them.

Walking into the opening, they knocked over some bones, alerting the dark masses to their presence. Naruto quickly reacted, summoning a ball of flame and throwing it at one of them.

the masked creature screamed in pain from the blow, being engulfed in the flames.

Naruto snapped his fingers, and the creature exploded into a larger pool of flames. It had hit the other two and they were on the ground. Trying to put out the flames he could guess, but Quelaag didn't hesitate formed to orbs of flame and threw them. The flames explode once more killing the monsters in quick succession.

Quelaag sensed more were coming, but she quickly motioned for them to continue moving. They pushed forward with the utmost speed, heading past the spot of the monsters and arriving on the other side. There, to the right, they saw a fog wall covered in vines.

Naruto frowned, the sense of death that was beyond it could be felt. His dread was growing and his mind was racing.

They were about to do battle with one of the fragments of the Lord Soul again. This time, they were facing a fully formed soul, not one that was fragmented like Seth. Plus, this one seemed to keep its wits about it, meaning that he would probably be calmer when attacking him.

He had to admit this was not his ideal situation. But luckily he had something for this situation.

Walking up to the wood, he cut them and saw a golden sign sitting next to the door. It was written in the same language as before but he knew this was for Priscilla.

Walking up he touched it and soon a bright glow appeared through the cave.

Out of it came the half dragon.

She stood there, not as a towering woman as before, but closer to height with Naruto and Quelaag.

"Thou have summoned, meaning it is time to face the Lord of Death?"

Naruto nodded, but his eyes widened when he saw another black mass monster appear. Its candles spun quickly, and soon, it released a powerful blast of fire.

Priscilla slowly turned her head and blinked.

The monster fell to the ground and disappeared into dust.

"Um, how in the hell did you-,"

"Weaker creatures are easy to read. Thus, I am able to shatter their weak souls. Killing them in instance. While I detest violence not all that come to see thy should be given grace."

Naruto pulled out his sword, took a deep breath, and the three of them passed through the fog door.

Inside was a large room filled with bones—mountains of bones. The room also contained a set of coffins, some of which were opened and lying on the floor.

Next to them was an even larger coffin against the wall. Inside of it, Naruto could faintly make out an assortment of bones and some kind of black gunk. He wasn't sure what it was entirely, but he did have a sinking feeling. His negative feeling was becoming more true as the dark gunk started moving around inside the coffin.

Soon it its 'arms' he guessed to push itself out of the coffin.

Naruto watched as the black mass stood tall with one of its arms taking the form of a large blade. Made of bone and other black stuff. He didn't know what exactly it was but he was sure he didn't want that stuff to touch him.

'Naruto I think we have company.'

Naruto saw some skeletons rising up next to the black mass and sighed.

'Great more than what we need.'

'Naruto, you need to distract them to let my daughter do her job.'

Naruto turned to the girls,

"I'm guessing this is Nito right?"

"Yeah the same dark mass that I remember."

"His foul stench offends thy senses."

"Quelaag, you're with me. We are dealing with the skeletons, and Priscilla, you deal with Nito, okay?"

"Thy wish is easy to grant." Priscilla summoned her scythe and swung it around before aiming the blade. "Thy shall know my strength."

Naruto and Quelaag quickly jmped into the fray, the stalagmites on the floor made the room smaller but he was comfortable with it.

Quelaag immediately chucked a fireball at the skeletons rushing them, Naruto cut through the next batch, and then hit one with a fire ball.

While this is going on Priscilla faced the lord of Death. She watched as he lumbered to her and quickly noticed his soul. It seemed to be deep inside of the dark miasma, but nothing she couldn't get around. But attacking a soul of this magnitude might not be as easy as she made it out. SHe might be able to damage Nito unlike Naruto and his friend, that didn't mean that she could do a single hit encounter.

Nito took a slow swing at Priscilla who quickly parried the attack with her scythe. She smiled at the gravelord.

"Though have gotten slow."

She quickly spun her scythe and slashed through his mid-section. Causing the mass to tumble slightly.

"Did thy strike hurt?"

She saw the dark being stand up and soon a dark aura was gathering around him.

Another blow of her scythe and he collapsed once more.

"Thy are too slow to be a real challenge." She held her hand out and soon a powerful yellow ball formed in her hand. Clenching her fist she shocked the room.

Naruto and Quelaag were surprised to see it. Apparently Priscilla had somehow created lighting in her bare hands. Now Naruto was more confused on how he managed to pull of such a feat. Given that this is seemingly a power only available to those that are blessed by the Lord Soul.

She threw the bolt at Nito sending him crashing further into the floor and making a moan escape from his body.

But then again it didn't really matter in the end. The result is all that matters in this situation.

Another bolt formed in her hand and she flunged it once more.

'My precious daughter. She managed to recreate the lightning of Gwyn.'

'Is that because she is related to you?'

'It is possible but I don't know for a fact it might be more because of her lineage and the power of her soul.'

Apparently souls were of greater importance in this land and Naruto had to admit he underestimated them.

Naruto saw Nito crashed into the wall and his body was shrinking from the pain he was being dealt.

'It is working at least, this means the battle will end sooner than expected.'

'Don't underestimate him, he is a lord after all Naruto.'

'Yes don't forget Nito's true form has not appeared yet.'

His eyes widened.

The miasma that was surrounding Nito, it was draining away, seeping into the floor. Leaving nothing but a black puddle.

A hand quickly appeared out of the mass, then another appeared. It gripped the mass and stood out of the puddle.

Priscilla stopped attacking, her eyes widened, and she took a step back.

Naruto's body was shaking, the fear was growing in his chest, and his mind was racing.

Quelaag, she was terrified and was quickly trying to remind herself to keep her mind clear. But it was easier said than done even for a child of the Witch.

Out of the mass emerged a black skeleton, one that was drapped in a cloak. One covering its head revealed a skull with horns growing out of it. Around its chest was thin black armor with black boots on his feet, and golden necklace around his neck. The being stood up from the puddle and his eye sockets glowed. They were given off a dark purple hue.

The skeleton turned its head to the room and stared at Priscilla. Then slowly turned to Naruto and Quelaag. It stared at the woman for a second before turning to Naruto.

"You."

His voice was cold. Carrying a chilling factor. It was like he was looking straight into his soul.

"You are the boy from the Elemental Nations."

Naruto's eyes widened.

"How did you know about that?" Quelaag was giving him a confused look.

"I'm the lord of death, you think I don't know all those that dare to dwell near my domain. Whether to seal monsters or to make sacrifices to destroy their enemies?" His eyes glowed, "You have seen me."

"Seen you?" Naruto frowned, "The only sign of death is the Shinigami."

"That would be right, as this is one of my many 'forms' that I take on for humans. As you can see, if people saw my true visage, they would not survive."

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "So you say that you knew everything that happened in our lands even though we were isolated from the rest of the world?"

"You overestimate that fool Hagaromo. That man dared to try and circumvent death, trying to fool me." He gave a sound similar to a snort, "No one can escape death. No One."

Naruto gripped his sword,

"If you are all powerful, then how come you didn't take part in helping to keep this era running?"

"Because I'm not a fool. New ages will come to pass, the difference is how they come. Will they come easily, or will they continue to struggle against the tides of change? I felt that Gwyn was dealing with an inevitable change that he couldn't see himself profiting from. So he decided on this path, but I knew a fool's errand when I saw one. More, I had no intention of drawing them to us."

"Them?"

Nito, held out his right hand and soon a black katana appeared in his hand.

"Enough talk. You have come to claim my soul, haven't you? You shall find that I'm not as easy to fool as that mad dragon." He aimed his weapon at Naruto, who aimed his own sword.

Priscilla narrowed her eyes, looking for his soul.

She found it, but the problem with his soul was that it was impossible to read, meaning she couldn't attack him through this. So he was going to have to attack him with her weapon and try to weaken his Lord Soul. Without this power, there was no doubt this fight would be a greater trial.

Nito lifted his sword up and slashed at Naruto.

His eyes widened and he quickly moved from his spot.

A sharp cut appeared on the floor and hit the wall.

"Impressive you can sense it."

Naruto frowned.

He was running on instinct, after all he had some reason he swung his sword at him. Meaning that there was something coming his way.

Priscilla launched an attack on the lord, but he simply formed a shield in his free hand and blocked the attack.

Upon turning to stab her with his sword, she was already out of range but summoned a bolt of lighting into her hand. Pulling it back she swung the bolt at Nito, but he quickly cut through the attack.

Quelaag flung a ball of fire at him.

The flame hit the ground but he appeared out of the wall. Aiming his blade for her neck.

Naruto appeared between them and blocked his sword strike with his own.

'He can teleport?'

'No, there is some kind of trick.'

'Maybe it is that miasma stuff. Maybe he can move through it without restriction.'

Nito pushed out of the aim in a downward slash, but Naruto blocked it with his blade.

A cut appeared across his stomach and he coughed up blood.

'The fuck?'

Quelaag appeared next to him and blocked her strike with his shield, pushing her away with a simple swing of his shield and causing her to crash into the wall of the tomb.

Priscilla summoned another bolt of lightning and fired it.

He blocked it again.

Naruto appeared below him and slashed him across his ribs.

Nito grunted from the searing pain coming through his bones.

A ball of flame appeared in his free hand,

"This is where I win Nito." He slammed the orb against his chest, "Flame Rasengan!"

Nito held his shield up and blocked the attack. But he was sent flying backwards into the wall vanishing into the miasma.

'Damn it.'

Naruto felt movement beneath his feet and turned.

But Priscilla appeared behind him spinning her blade upward and slashing against the god's body.

He grunted from the pain, releasing a powerful roar.

This roar released miasma through the area, making all of them feel a little sick.

'Shit we can't let this fight drag on.'

'Naruto go for that attack again, if it connects with his chest it'll weaken the barrier. Allowing Priscilla to strike the finishing blow.'

"Quelaag with me!"

The woman nodded and they charged the god. He saw them coming and both of them aiming their blades high and low.

He blocked one strike from Naruto but used his shield to knock away Quelaag's strike.

But Naruto saw his arm was raised and quickly formed another ball of flame. This time he pushed his blade down and slammed his hand into his chest.

"Lets try this again Flame Rasengan!"

The attack drilled into the god's chest and he was grunting from the pain. Forcing him to try and break contact with him or sink back into the wall or floor. But the power of the attack was keeping him pinned and the blow was messing up his concentration.

"Priscilla do it now!"

Nito immediately knew what they were planning and tried to focus.

Something cut through him and his mind registered what was happening.

The abomination had just cut through him. Not only serving him from his Lord's Soul but also destroying his soul. Cutting him off from the connection between the realm of living and dead. He could feel himself fading.

It was for the best. He had lived a long existence, and he was tired of seeing the world unfold as time passed time and time again. He saw the realm of the dead continue to grow, and he struggled to maintain it.

Did he have some regret for the things he had done over his life?

None whatsoever. He would do it all over again, no matter what it took. He was fine with how he is remembered because he knew, his children would continue on with his work.

'Fair well, may you all know the path you are following.'

A small flash appeared and he saw a Golden eye woman and a smile on her face,

'You will find an end soon. You fiendish queen. You and all your descendants.'

Naruto couldn't believe it.

They did it, they had defeated Nito. One of the great lords of the land and someone that watched over the land of the dead.

No all of the dead.

Man the stories Jiraiya would tell about his student taking part in the defeat of the god of death.

Naruto saw his body dissolved and that his soul appeared for a brief flash before rushing to him.

He grunted from the sudden impact, and he passed out.

Quelaag went over to him to make sure he was okay while Priscilla stared at him.

'Mother, you have an interesting taste.' She sighed, "Tell thy lord I have completed my debt.'

She disappeared in a flash of gold and Quelaag sighed. She was going to have to drag him back to the bond fire or at least wait until he waked up.

The later idea sounded better so she just situated his head on her lap. Making sure he was as comfortable as possible. But she did get curious so she reached down to his pants to check if anything else was injured.

At least that is what she said.

Fire Link

Back at the undead church, there lied the body of the priestess. She was clutching someting in her hand. Kneeling at the altar before being cut down.

A metal hand reached down and grabbed the item out of her hand.

"Oh though was so weak. It is a true tragedy you didn't meet your end in that musky tomb. At least then you could have died with some dignity."

The large blond man smiled,

"Oh well, at least you brought back quite the interesting gift."

"Did she now?"

The blond man turned around and saw Patches standing there. A blank expression on his face.

"Oh it is only you." He sighed, "I actually thought you were a threat."

Patches shrugged, "Yeah I get that a lot. But I must ask why did you kill the priestess? Did she do something to you?"

The man snorted,

"Not her directly but her father did. She was a noble of a wealthy household that tarnished my family's name. Seeing that was being sent here because she was turning into an undead and soon a Hollow I saw a perfect chance. To get some measure of revenge before I turned into a hollow."

Patches nodded.

"Revenge is a messy business but one that I understand. More than anyone in this land I understand the importance of one's word and conviction."

"That you do. Anyway, now that I have accomplished my goal, there is no reason for me to stick around. I shall see you soon, Patches. Maybe we can even do business with each other."

"Indeed."

Patches watched as Petrus passed him.

"You know I was asked to bring the girl back to this place?"

"Indeed? Well you did a good job bringing her back here just to see her killed." He smiled, "I truly appreciate-,"

Blood seeped out of his mouth. He looked down to see a spear piercing through his body. Leaving him coughing up blood.

"I promised I would deliver her to this place. I never ensured her safety. However, the one thing I hate is that I leave a loose end of some kind." He smirked, "So, I figured I would deal with you and cover my tracks." Patches pulled the right of Kindling from his hand. "This should at least put me in their good graces that this wasn't lost." He smirked darkly, "But you, I think that killing you would be a great way to cover my ass." He laughed, "Thanks for your sacrifice."

Patches watched as the man collapsed to the ground trying to remove the spear. But a knife slammed into the back of his head killing him on the spot.

"How pathetic."

He sighed, before turning to the priestess.

"Sorry girly. Everyone has a role to play and I guess this is yours." He closed his eyes and gave a small prayer. "I'm not much of a religious man but I figured you at least deserved that."

He just now had to set things up.

Chapter End

I know some people are probably going to be upset with the Nito fight as, in my opinion, this wasn't my best one. But I was going for something a bit different in this fight and having someone as powerful as Priscilla at your side that an affect someone's souls directly. I think that can make a fight easier regardless of the being in question.

So This is the chapter, and the next part of the story will be revealed after this point. I expect more information to come in the lore of this story regarding the Fire Keeper. Everyone have a safe day and thank you for staying with me on this journey.