Chapter 23
Beta: Old man of the mountain/Darklord331
Naruto wasn't sure how this is would go. While he was confident in everything he has faced up to this point, this was a different story. They were heading after the Gravelord Nito, one of the most powerful gods of this land. he had an eerie reputation, at least that is what Naruto was able to glance. He didn't seem politically motivated like Gwyn and didn't seem to be involved in anything other than his domain. This is a nice change, but he seemed as ruthless as the others. Even more so since he took the giant's homes in the cave.
But with the allies he had gathered he was sure he could handle this one.
It was dealing with the undead that proved tricky, most of the skeletons were immune to most means of attack. Some even were immune to the pyromancy since there was hardly anything to burn. Luckily cutting them down and smashing them proved useful.
Naruto and Quelaag proceeded back to Firelink Shrine. There, they saw the bond fire was active, even though the Fire Maiden was not standing next to it.
This helped Naruto's confidence but after advancing through the graveyard and encountering some of the skeletons. He did have some worries about what is going to happen.
But no point in having regrets. They quickly traversed the lower grounds and cut down some more skeletons that got in his way. Quelaag created a ball of flame and incinerated them to the point their bones became too brittle.
Passing through the barrier, Naruto and Quelaag noticed the dark cavern before them.
"Damn it would be nice to have something to brighten up our way."
Quelaag held out her palm and created a small golden ball of flame, before throwing it into the air.
The fire illuminated the cave, allowing them to see further ahead. They had added a few more feet, which helped with exploration.
"Nice, good job Quelaag."
The woman blushed,
"This is nothing. Wait until I can show off all the things I can do."
Naruto nodded, "Looking forward to it."
Quelaag's smile grew, and her blush intensified.
Traversing into the lower level, Naruto noticed that most of the cavern was black. Given that it was meant to host the undead, he guessed that made sense.
Walking into the cavern, Naruto noted some of the skeleton men that were waiting. Each one jumped out with their weapons drawn and swinging in a downward strike.
But Naruto managed to avoid the attack and cut one down with his sword from Quelaag. Another followed in quick order. Holding out his opposite hand, he released a torrent of flames that destroyed the rest of the skeletons.
Quelaag joined in the attacks and was quickly burning a path through the dark cavern.
"It is amazing that giants use to live in something like this."
"The way our mother told us, this place was herald as one of the foremost locations of the earliest giants. Some eventually did leave this place to find their own paths. But some didn't and stayed close."
"Those that stayed were slaughtered by Nito right? I remember you mentioned it."
"Yes, but other than that we should be heading deeper down, Nito resides somewhere in the lowest parts of the crypts. But no one has ever reached him in all the years that have passed."
Given no one claimed his lord's soul.
While traveling through the cavern, they came across some stuff lying around or dropped by past warriors. Naruto gained a little bit more strength thanks to the souls that were given, while Quelaag found some stuff to upgrade their weapons and make them even stronger.
The cave itself was underwhelming. Naruto guessed the reason this place was so hard to reach was the darkness. If one didn't have a constant source of light, the skeletons would be able to ambush everyone along the way. But thanks to Quelaag, they were able to avoid this problem altogether. Now, the undead were still dangerous, but the trip wasn't as oppressive.
They did encounter a few different enemies along the way but none of them really warrant danger marks. Crossing through the cavern they managed to make it to a few cliff sides overlooking the rest of the area. The location was quite cramped, and he had to admit swinging weapons around this place was dangerous.
Traversing a few platforms and reaching through the caverns and holes. He managed to make it to the lower floor where he saw a few walls. Marking that they are getting deeper and closer to their goal. But they had to dodge a few spinning wheels of death. Luckily they were easy enough. Using the orb Quelaag summoned, they managed to destroy all the wheels. Naruto eventually arrived at the bond fire that was sitting there. Naruto had to admit this was a blessing. Compared to some of the other places he was exploring this place wasn't as needed. He felt like they could slip by most of the attackers and make it to the God without taking considerable damage.
Sitting by the fire, Naruto sighed, "So, is there anything we need to prepare for when advancing further?"
Quelaag shrugged, "Not sure; as I said, our mother didn't interact much with the god here. In fact, I would suspect that of the four he spent the least amount of time outside of his territory. He didn't care what was going on and how it could affect him. He just lingers down in the shadows and doing his own thing without a care in the world."
Naruto nodded, made sense.
"But what I do know is that apparently, Nito took on a very disgusting-looking form. Apparently, it consists of black miasma, which he uses to attack most of his foes. Luckily his power can only do serious damage to the dead not to the living. He is still dangerous, don't get me wrong, but his ability to make things rot away is limited. So, we should be grateful of this."
"You said his true form is hidden under the giant miasma form?"
"Yep, at least that is what my mother told me. We've never seen it, only those of the Lord Souls and were there on the same battlefield know for sure. But most people who did see it are either extensions of him or dead."
Naruto figured this wouldn't be that easy. But if they had Priscilla ready he didn't really fear what is to come.
Gathering their supplies they continued into the ruins and arrived at an empty hole in the ground. Looking down Naruto saw a mysterious figure standing by a table. It was looking at something and moving in an awkward angle.
Naruto turned to Quelaag, who shrugged. She didn't know, and that meant this had to be someone from down in the land below. They didn't know what they were walking into, so taking the plunge, they landed on the ground and got ready. Naruto summoned Dragon Slayer while having some fire ready in his hand.
Quelaag summoned more flames, illuminating the area.
The being in question stopped moving erratically, before turning to the duo.
Naruto saw that its body was covered in some kind of black cloak. It had three faces moving around the body in a circular pattern. o0ne was the face of a man with a smile on his face, a frowning woman, and a third mask he guessed was a child. They stared at him for a second, then back to them. The being had a lamp hanging over its head along with what looked like limbs hanging off the side of its massive body.
The creature stared at Naruto and Quelaag as if to ponder what to do.
Drawing out his sword Naruto prepared for the attack while Quelaag quickly readied some flames while having her sword at her side.
The creature screeched, its faces rotating around the body, and finally, Naruto witnessed as they moved away from each other. The masks moved to the corners of the body, the masses growing and spreading, and finally, two more bodies dropped off from the main one.
The mass of the first one was bigger than the other two; in size, he dwarfed them.
The child mask was the smallest, measuring about Naruto's hip. But two of its limbs stuck out from above its head, while the other two limbs were at his side. It quickly floated into the air and started releasing a faint noise.
The final one was at the same height as the male masked blob, but it was skinner in frame. Its limbs were all above its head and it seemed to have a small hint of aggression.
Naruto couldn't really tell very well but he was sure there was some kind of fury behind that mask.
"Quelaag, be careful. We don't know what they are doing and what kind of attacks they have. So, be on your guard."
"Got it."
The male-masked blob quickly screeched, and soon, a ball of dark energy emerged. This ball hung in the sky for a few seconds, then sailed through the air and slammed into the ground before Naruto.
He quickly jumped away from the attack and saw that it left behind some kind of black goo that was seeping into the floor. Naruto wasn't sure what it did exactly, but he was sure getting hit by it was not in his best interest.
Quelaag tried to move but found her flame snuffed out.
"Huh?" Turning around she looked for the source that was suppressing her powers.
Never in the history of their land has she ever heard of someone that managed to completely suppress the flames of the witches. It was unfathomable, especially since Nito's domain didn't delve into their own.
She rolled when sensing something coming for her head. Looking back, she saw a black astral sword floating in the air. She frowned, now that was new.
'Which one is creating that?'
She was so confused with the attacks and seemingly overwhelming dynamic of the team.
Naruto on the other hand was dealing with the male one firing more of the black balls at him. He was rolling out of the way of them and managing to get closer to the monster. But he was having to be careful not to touch any of this black stuff.
Naruto frowned; he was aiming for something, but he didn't know what.
'Luckily I'm close enough for this!' Naruto swiped his blade at the body of the masked monster.
It didn't move; in fact, it was gathering energy for another attack. This one was glowing black and gold. He didn't know if the added color meant something, but this was his best chance of stopping it.
His blade hit the body of the monster. But it didn't flinch.
'Wait is it like Nito, its body is not capable of being damage?' If this is the case this was bad for him.
There was nothing they could do to someone that could stop all their physical attacks with just their bodies.
The orb glowed brightly, Naruto quickly pushed off the tips of his toes and ran away from the monster.
Soon a large explosion shook the room with the attack sending out more of the black goo. But this time there was yellow seeping all over the goo.
Barely avoiding the attack Naruto noticed the male masked man didn't move an inch. More, he was standing there almost proud of what he just pulled off.
'Shit physical attacks don't work on them and it seems that the other two are keeping even Quelaag on her toes.'
Turning slightly, he saw Quelaag trying to rush at the female masked blob. But every time she got close a spear or sword appeared. This alone stopped her in her tracks and made her take a back step.
The spears barely missed her head when thrown but the swords were sweeping at her and tracking her movements.
Naruto frowned, why was there no flames?
'There is a trick to this. There must be.' Naruto frowned at the male, rolling out of the way of another black orb fired at him. But he barely dodged the puddle on the ground. Kicking off he darted around the room, 'Okay think, this one. The dad he has projectiles and seems to be producing some kind of unknown substance. I don't know what it does, but something tells me it won't be good for me. Even with flasks something tells me this won't be something I can heal from.' Naruto turned slightly and saw the female mask standing there but watching Quelaag's movements. 'The female, it creates the weapons that are attacking and fending off Quelaag. Meaning that she doesn't want her getting close, maybe she doesn't have the same protection as the father?' Naruto nodded and dashed for her. 'Let's test this theory.'
A screech was heard, alerting him that the male masked man knew that he was doing. But he was too slow to react, and Naruto managed to thrust his sword through the woman.
A moment of silence was heard, and Naruto pulled out his blade.
"Got you."
Naruto's hair stood up. He jumped back, just barely avoiding the appearance of multiple spears emerging from the floor beneath her.
'What?! I hit her!' Naruto was sure this time, his blade went through her flesh. It even managed to reach through the other side. The damage had been done; what is it? How did she survive the attack? He guessed since she had no body to speak of, her organs didn't matter, but still, her body shouldn't be moving!
Quelaag was looking around the room. She had a theory of the reason their attacks aren't working anymore. Something about this situation was just reeking of interference.
Then it dinged on her.
'The child!'
The reason her flames were suppressed and the reason their attacks didn't do anything to the other two.
It was all the kid.
Naruto didn't pick up on this, too busy parrying away some of the sword appearing around him and soon sensing one of the black balls approaching him again.
'Shit.' Naruto felt the wall behind him, 'Double shit!'
Naruto quickly rolled to his left and managed to avoid the ball hitting the wall. But his worries didn't end as he had to roll once more to avoid some of the swords and spears coming his way. He couldn't catch a break and the onslaught was proving too much even for his stamina. If something wasn't done soon he was going to get caught with something big.
'Then I'm really screwed.'
"Naruto! The kid, I found him!"
He turned and saw that Quelaag had cornered the child on the other side of the room.
Naruto figured that with it here, it was doing something, but Quelaag had managed to figure it out.
Lucky for them.
The male roared loudly while the female's mask went through its body and faced where Quelaag was.
But it was too late, the child impaled by the sword of Quelaag. She heard the screech of the child, then it disappeared into dust.
Naruto smiled, one down, two to go.
Turning to the male, he saw that it was glowing now, seemingly out of rage—just the pure hatred it was directing. It was quite terrifying.
But the mother was even scarier, with it suddenly screeching in fury.
Its body started melting away, the mask moved higher up on the body, and the shape of the body started to alter. It started to take on a slender humanoid body, seemingly standing as tall as Naruto. Its mask was situated where its head was meant to be.
The limbs were pulled into the body and soon the black good took form and created hands. Soon the hands spread outward, forming arms, and finally fingers that it experimentally wiggled.
After a few seconds Quelaag charged the woman, not wanting to get her a chance to fight back.
With a mighty swing she brought down her sword, aiming to behead the woman.
A clang was heard, her blade stopped inches from her neck.
Pressing against the blade was a black substance. She was holding it in her hand, and it was extended outward to match the length of her opponent's weapon.
A long handle appeared; she held it tightly while the blade formed. It took a black and blue hue, making it look even more toxic to look at. Naruto saw that the weapon itself was easily the same length as their katana's, but it had more weight to it and even had another worldly glow.
The woman stared at Quelaag before shrieking, it echoed through the room and sent her tumbling backwards.
The witch managed to stand up straight to see her standing above her. Sword above her head and a dark glow appearing throughout the weapon. Quelaag quickly dashed past her, causing the downward strike to hit the floor. The attack cracked the ground on impact and released more of the ooze all over the floor.
Naruto grunted,
'Great just what we need more trouble with moving around.'
He noticed that the golden pools hadn't disappeared yet, meaning they limited their movements.
'At this rate we might run out of room to fight in.' But he grinned, 'However if the child was the source of their defense that means we can easily close the distance now. Slice through them and be done in a matter of seconds.'
Naruto focused on the dad who had not moved from his position. In fact, he was watching the fight going on in front of him.
Taking this chance, he rushed him and went for a thrust.
A clang was heard, and he was forced backwards from the returning blow.
Landing on his feet, he looked up to see a shield had formed in the black goo.
'So that is why my attack didn't do anything? He made a shield. Then what did the kid do!'
Naruto saw the father's body start to change shape just like the mother did. But unlike her his body took on a large knight with heavy armor. His body stood above him, and he had a large shield formed into his right hand. Holding out his left hand he formed a blob of the black substance and flung it at Naruto. He quickly dodged it but found himself pushed into the wall with a powerful blow.
He cracked against the wall with a massive thud releasing some spit from his mouth and some blood.
'Fuck even with that training I still struggle with taking a hit.' Naruto knew that his training with Havel was great but in terms of style he preferred being light on his feet.
Looking up he saw the father had bull rushed him with the shield and sent him flying in an instant.
Feeling his ribs, Naruto glared before sending his sword away and summoning Dragon Slayer.
He hefted it on his shoulder and glared.
"I guess, I owe you now. I needed someone to test out what I had learned with Havel. So, congrats you get to serve this measure of my strength."
The father seemed to acknowledge the challenge and held out his palm. Aiming, Naruto saw something in his hand moving, and he quickly pushed it to the side.
A large black spike had impaled his previous spot.
Naruto growled, quickly brought his blade in front of him, and rushed forward. He thrusted the blade but found it colliding with the shield.
Remembering this, he quickly shifted the blade's momentum and took a sidestep. This gave him the angle to bring the blade in an upward slash aiming to take his hand with the shield.
However, the father jumped back a few feet and Naruto missed the swing.
"Damn." He, smirked, "I'm getting closer."
While this is going on, Quelaag was having a bitch of a time dealing with this crazy woman. She had started slashing at her relentlessly and she didn't have a chance to reset. Plus, she managed to avoid the puddles she was leaving behind with some of her attacks. But some disappeared and others didn't. She couldn't tell them apart, adding to her frustration.
The woman even summoned more spikes out of the ooze on the ground, but it seemed to be one use only. As after using the ooze, she then saw the substance vanish.
So that was a blessing she guessed.
However, getting close enough was a problem.
Jumping backwards she held her hand up and tried channeling her flames, this time appearing in her hand. She smirked,
"Now you are in trouble." She quickly aimed the flame ball at her. The attack made a straight line for her, hitting a black wall of ooze in front of her.
'Oh, come on! Seriously now she can use them for defense as well!'
Quelaag hated to admit it, but she was glad this was one-on-one. She felt that if the others had come they be in the way. This room was already cramped enough with how much they had to deal with. Now, with the mother and father pulling out their big guns. Naruto and she were already having difficulties.
'The mother seems to be more range with her attacks and speed now, while the husband has powerful defense and brute strength. but he seems more reliant on his powers being direct use than creative.' She had no doubt fighting him would have been a struggle and Naruto was barely ahead of him.
The mother quickly dashed, barely giving her time to roll under her swing. Seeing this chance she thrusted her blade into the woman's stomach.
It was a critical hit as she screeched.
The father roared, then suddenly the entire tomb started shaking.
"Oh, come on."
The mother's body started to boil, her form was crumbling, and her sword fell into a puddle.
The body soon turned to mush, then it started moving towards the father. Naruto watched as all the substances on the floor and the remains of family started entering his body. Naruto frowned at the sight of him standing proudly and his body slowly growing.
"D-d-d-d-d-d-d-"
Naruto could hear a voice, but he couldn't make out anything from the voice. Its words were slurred, only the D was easy to pick out.
It soon roared, and the entire room shook one more time, and black tentacles exploded out of his back.
Naruto growled, "I have had enough of this shit for one day!" Dashing forward he brought the greatsword up in an upward swing with Quelaag releasing a powerful fireball.
The tentacles swatted away the attack and slammed down on Naruto.
"NO!"
The tentacle exploded, Naruto's prosthetic handheld upward and sign of heat showing he had used a fire attack.
"Enough I'm done with this fight." Turning at the man, he formed another ball of flame into his hand, and this time, he recalled his favorite move. He imagined it once more and sent his sword away, "Hope you enjoy this, it is an old classic." Naruto rushed at the man and dodged through his tentacles and black orbs he started slinging. He was desperately trying to keep him away but even with the increased frequency, he was able to close in quick.
He raised up his shield and Naruto screamed,
"Fire Rasengan!"
Naruto's ball hit the shield and grinding sound could be heard. The ball was desperately pushing against the sturdy shield. He tried to push back against the attack; it was pointless as he was falling backward. Even with his increased frame and durability, his body faltered under the raw intensity of the flame. Naruto had it constantly rotating, and the flame steadily focused in one spot. The attack pushed harder against the shield, and he put more power into his flame.
'Break damn it! I know you can't hold it, just give up! Be reunited with them!'
Naruto roared and his flames burned even hotter, pushing deeper. A cracking was heard and soon the shield exploded into pieces. Naruto slammed the attack into his chest. The man was sent into the wall due to this attack but thanks to Naruto's mastery of the fire he was able to send the attack with him.
He exploded in a giant torrent of flames thanks to the attack and all Naruto could make out was the screaming body that was writhing in pain. It was desperately moving around trying to escape, but eventually it collapsed to the ground in a thud and body slowly disappeared.
Naruto sighed; the fight was finally over. While he was glad he got some practice in using his sword and mastery of this new move he was working on in secret, it was too close. They were already struggling and still had a lord to deal with.
Naruto collapsed to the floor and painted. Quelaag quickly rushed to him and helped him drink some of his flask to recover his strength.
"That move…"
"Yeah it is something I use to use in my homeland the difference was it was made of my old energy rather than flames. This one was cooler, so I don't really miss the old one."
True, while he did miss chakra he didn't miss the restrictions that it had on his body. Without it, he felt light and freer to explore possibilities without restrictions. Luckily for him, that would keep improving over time and he couldn't wait.
"Still, that was a pretty cool move. However, that fight was too close." She collapsed and sighed, "We should take a break at the next bond fire."
"Yeah but first let's explore the room. For some reason unlike the other souls I have gotten from powerful foes, I don't have any of their memories."
"Maybe because it was three people in one? The soul might not have known which one to show or maybe it was fused to the point that it didn't retain them?"
Naruto shrugged, "Maybe but let's look around this room. Something about this place brought it here and I would like to know what."
The two of them quickly start exploring the remains of room. While some of the stuff was destroyed in the midst's of the fight, there was some that was saved. Naruto looked through some of the documents while Quelaag explored both the goo and the masks that were left behind.
Naruto found something on the table and held it up.
"Quelaag what do you make of this?"
Turning her head she saw a tapestry of some kind. It depicted a family; it was a child holding hands with his mother, if she had to guess, and his father. All three of them were looking up at the being in the distance, resembling a skull face and a black body.
"So, they were followers of Nito then?" She figured. "Must have lived down here for god knows how long."
"Wait I thought all of his followers were dead?"
Undead to be specific.
"No, some are living or close to living. They serve more of a support role in getting people to help with the graves and finding people from all over to help. My guess is that these three served under him and either wanted out or did something to anger him. Meaning they were morphed into what we saw."
Naruto put the painting down and frowned. He could only pray they found peace in the next life, something they didn't get in this one.
"Grab the masks, they deserve to be buried out in the sun."
Quelaag gathered up the masks of the family and could only frown.
'Mother, wait for me. We will set you free.'
The Age of Fire, if this is the price of keeping it going she started to wonder if this was a punishment then.
Naruto rummaged through more of the stuff, there was nothing there that was of value or interest to him.
That is until he noticed something buried under all the rubble. It was a small red and black item. He couldn't make it out, but it looked like a parasite of some kind. Picking it up he examined it.
'Naruto that is the right of Kindling.'
'What?'
'It is something that is done by priestesses and maidens to strengthen the bond fires and to allow one to become human again after hollowing. However, you need humanity for this process, it is still a valuable piece.'
Naruto was amazed something like this existed.
'But why would they have it? Were they trying to use it to reverse what was done to them?'
'I'm not sure, it could be the case, but I don't think it would have worked. What was done to them it is something that only Nito could do.'
'I see, how tragic. But why would Nito have it?'
'Power, Nito would use this to control the people around him. Those that did hollow he would offer them a chance to regain their humanity in exchange for their loyalties and favors they would call in down the line. Honestly, it was his way of keeping people in check when he knew they could benefit him. My father probably gave him one to keep connections with the other Lords.'
Naruto shook his head and pocketed the item. He figured it is too important to leave behind so he would hold onto it for now. Especially since his storage box can only be reached by him. But he would have to be careful never knowing what some people with magic can do.
Moving out of the room the two of them managed to find a nearby bond fire and after using it, they went back to the capital to get some rest.
In the depths of the darkness, a shadow started moving. Its crypt slowly opening and out of it came a raspy voice.
"Fuck me sideways. Never hiding in a coffin again." Jumping out he smiled, "Figured that Lord would find me in one of these but thankfully he just walked on by. Guess the old boy needed his beauty sleep." He laughed, "Oh well time to head out and find me something worth pillaging."
The man's bald head stood out and his mind was solely driven by his greed. He would be aiming to make a fortune and he knew just the group of people that he could try and make it from.
Chapter End