To those wondering, yes, I am a fast typer. You didn't expect another chapter to come by soon. I only want to entertain you guys despite this type of crossover having many stories. Other than that, let's get onto the chapter, shall we?

Dark Souls: Embers of Remnant Volume II

Twenty-One

Truce and Revelation

Ash and the Great Greywolf stared at one another. Neither of them was waiting for a sound to be made. Since neither was responding, the Unkindled used this chance to ask a question. "You brought me here, and I want to know why you are allowing the great wolves to attack military convoys?"

The enormous wolf didn't respond and only looked at him. That only irked him. "Give me a reason right now, or things will only worsen?" He reached for his back to grab the hilt of the wolf knight's Greatsword. Yet, as he was about to pull the weapon out...

"Arf! Arf!"

A bark interrupted him, making the Unkindled turn to where it came from. On his right side is a wolf pup barking at him, the size of an average small dog. There was something that caught his attention. Rather than being grey, black, silver, or white coated, its fur was ashen…just like how ashes are. "Arf! Arf! Arf!" The pup continued to bark at him, making him question the tiny creature. "Arf! Arf!"

"Little one, why are you interrupting? This is an important matter." His was calm, yet there was a hint of curiosity laced within.

The pup continued to bark at him until he saw it looking at his back. He immediately recognised that it was grabbing his attention to the Abysswalker's blade. Pulling the blade from his back, he presented it to the tiny creature. "Why are you barking at this blade? This holds an important matter to a historical figure from long ago."

He heard a sound coming from the grey wolf. Ash faces back to the enormous wolf, who was now eying at his blade. "And you're interested as well?"

The great grey wolf only stared at him. Ash felt it wanted the blade to be placed down to the ground. He gently placed it on the ground without saying a word for the giant creature to inspect.

It looked at the blade with interest, then looked at him before looking back at the blade. It raised its left paw up, where it hovers above the blade. Immediately, blood came out and dripped onto the edge of the Greatsword. As the blood came into contact with the weapon, something interesting happened.

The blade emitted a dark blue light, forcing him to shield his eyes. Once it died, the Unkindled lowered his arm and looked at what had happened. He was indeed surprised by it. "What in the…"

He didn't know why. He sensed a powerful force slumbering for a very long time. He was uncertain if it would be fitting to pick the sword up. "Arf!" He turned back to the wolf pup, pushing its two front legs up and wagged its small tail while barking at him. "Arf! Arf! Arf!"

Ash continued to listen to the wolf's bark. At this time, he knew what this pup was trying to tell him. "You want me to pick the sword up?"

"Arf!" It immediately responded.

With that response, Ash picked his weapon up with caution. As his hand got closer, he felt a mighty force within the palm of his hands. It is as if it was trying to push him away. This forced the Unkindled to push harder until he grasped the sword's hilt. In an instant, he picked up the sword and held it tightly. The powerful force was too strong to handle, causing him to fall on one knee. He stabbed the sword onto the ground and tried to not fall unconscious. "This…power…it's too much…" He looked back at the Great Grey Wolf before everything became dark…

-Flashback Begins-

In his standard Knight Set, the Ashen One spawned near a bonfire within the room where he fought most of the remaining Undead Legion

of Farron Keep, The Abyss Watches. He looked at the front to see a familiar Crestfallen Warrior, who stood in the middle of the room as if he expected his arrival. "I should have known you'd come."

An uncertain feeling was felt on Ash's chest as he had a feeling the other man was going to do something. He replied with a painful and weary tone, "Hawkwood…"

The deserter let a sigh escape through his lips. He, too, knew where this was heading. "Well, I've decided to stop escaping my fate." He had his Farron Greatsword ready and went into a battle stance. "Loathe me all you like; I shall take what makes you dragon."

The Ashen One readied his fully upgraded Longsword and Kite Shield as the deserter rushed towards him. He raised his shield to block a swing from Hawkwood's Greatsword before it was successfully countered by the small dagger. As He was stagged, he managed to roll just in time when Hawkwood did the Watchers' moveset. It was only momentarily, as he didn't realise this would happen again, before Hawkwood slammed his greatsword on top of his head, making him fall to the ground face-first.

A grunt escaped through the Unkindled's lips. He rolled backwards before the former Abyss Watcher member launched another attack. It would have been a perfect time to sip some contents of his estus flask since he was a few feet away. However, he decided not to drink it since he wanted to give the deserter one last battle.

The Ashen One rolled backwards to dodge an attack again before rushing in Hawkwood's direction. He swung his longsword, which managed to land a blow on the man's left shoulder with a deep cut. This didn't faze him as he landed a blow on Unkindled's left hip, though this didn't hinder him as the Ashen One swung his blade across the man's chest.

Hawkwood swung his Farron Greatsword towards the Ashen One, barely blocked by his Kite Shield. Despite feeling the aftereffects, Ash manages to parry Hawkwood before stabbing him through his heart. The former Abyss Watcher gasped in pain before looking down to see a sword stabbing through before looking back at the Ashen One. Using his last bit of strength, he spoke to him for the last time. "You are a dragon...more dragon than I..."

The Ashen One looked at Hawkwood's eyes to see no signs of life in his eyes. Pulling his blade off the man's chest, he respectfully put his corpse onto the ground before he searched for what he was looking for: the Twinkling Dragon Head Stone. Yet, despite achieving his objective, a sickness was brewing within him. He looked to his fellow Unnkindled before he bitterly apologised.

"I'm sorry it had to come to this..." He spoke, unaware that he was crying, but he didn't seem to care.

-Flashback Ends-

Ash groaned as he opened his eyes and saw the sky. He suddenly felt like something was shaking him to wake him. Looking to his right, he saw the Ashen Wolf Pup biting into the fabric from the Faraam armour that was covering his shoulder and shook its body to make him wake up. "Uh? Little one, you were trying to wake me." He sat up and placed his right hand on it before ruffling. "Thank you."

He saw the Wolf Knight's Greatsword on the ground near his left foot. The Unkindled grabbed the sword and just stared at it. He felt that powerful force from before, though it seemed to have calmed down. A giant shadow overlooked him, and he looked up to see the same great grey wolf looking down at him. "This power… it is something I haven't felt for a long time. Why would you grant someone like me such a thing?"

"…" The great grey wolf growled lightly.

Ash looked down at his newly upgraded weapon. "Ah, I see. So, you know the Legend of the Abysswalker?" He quickly glanced at the greatwolf before looking back at the blade. "I do not know whether it's true. But the Abysswalker is known for stopping the Abyss with his indomitable will and the blessings he was granted by drinking the blood of a Wolf." He remained calm, yet there were hints of doubtfulness. "Yet, he was tainted by the thing he was always meant to stop." He let out a bitter chuckle as he had another subject in mind. "Him, the Abyss Watchers, they weren't special. They are just like me, always overconfident and letting that be our downfall. Perhaps I shouldn't have come here to deserve this blessing."

"Arf! Arf!" The ashen wolf pup barked at him, somehow giving some sort of encouragement to the Unkindled.

He looked back at the Ashen Wolf Pup. "You may be right, Little One. Perhaps I have been too hard on myself as of late. I shouldn't be. Instead, I should do what I am always meant to do." He began to stand up while using his newly upgraded Wolf Knight Greatsword for assistance. "Tragedy is never avoidable. I know I cannot stop it. Yet, I won't let that deter me from what I am always good at."

Now standing on both feet and feeling like he wouldn't fall down; he brought his blade up. There, the dark blue metal shone brightly than the sky. He didn't know what to say. He was only expecting to get his questions answered as to why the wolves kept attacking.

At the same time, the Grey Wolf respectfully watched and got up. It was surrounded by the smaller great wolves due to sensing the immense power. All except the elderly wolf lowered themselves as if they were bowing down to respect Ash as one of their kind. Strangely, he felt he was going through the same graduating ceremony when Ironwood "granted" him his Huntsman licence. At the same time, the Grey Wolf respectfully watched and got up. It was surrounded by the smaller great wolves due to sensing the immense power. All except the elderly wolf lowered themselves as if they were bowing down to respect Ash as one of their kind. Strangely, he felt he was going through the same graduating ceremony when Ironwood "granted" him his Huntsman licence. During this moment, the more enormous wolf turned around and locked its head towards him to follow.

The Unkindled looked at the elderly wolf. "You want me to follow?" It let out a slight growl in response, which gave its obvious answer. "Alright then?" Ash followed the giant wolf to its destination, with the Ashen Wolf Pup following behind their trail.

-Scene Change-

Minutes had only passed, yet the three had already arrived at their destination. The Great Grey Wolf dropped in its tracks and looked directly at Ash. Feeling as though it wanted to show him something of interest, the Unkindled turned to where it was looking. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. "What…what is this…?"

In the front, he saw a bunch of Atlesian Vehicles owned by the SDC and excavation equipment that had seen better days left there and the contents within poured out and spread out throughout the area. It had an impact on the surrounding environment. Plants seemed tainted, and the soil could not bring crops. Ash immediately saw the skeletal remains of a Great wolf trapped and killed like prey. He heard the Great Grey Wolf growl in anger as if it remembered a terrible event.

Ash looked up to the Great Grey Wolf and guessed why it wanted to show him this. "I see. You're showing me why your pack is constantly attacking military convoys? In fear of not wanting to share the same fate to one of your own."

The Great Grey Wolf whined at his words as it turned its full attention to him. "But you cannot keep doing that. Atlas is in a desperate state where they need a quick route to the site to complete a project. It is something that may be beneficial to them and the people of Remnant. I may not like their society, but that doesn't mean everyone deserves to share the same fate."

The giant creature hummed in understanding the situation. Looking over Unkindled's side, it nodded at someone, making Ash turn around to see the exact same Ashen Wolf Pup holding a rolled-up map in its mouth before placing the object of interest onto the ground. This caught the Unkindled's interest. "What's this?"

Picking the paper up, Ash unrolled it and began reading what was in it. There, he saw a location close to where he was. It was leading towards an alternate path away from the Wolves' territory. "This is another path they could have taken. All this bloodshed could have been avoided had they had gone through it."

An irritated sigh escaped his lips as he folded the map and put it in one of his pockets. Having already found a solution to the Atlesian "problem", all he needed to do was to go back...Wait...he completely forgot about Ruby and the others. They were utterly frozen after those small wolves were somehow cast and could have died. However, that was unlikely since Clover was with them and his Good Luck Semblence was active, though he only knew how long it would last once he ran out of aura...Oh, Penny could have broken them out by now. They will, however, wonder where he has gone.

He looked back at the Great Grey Wolf for the last time. "I appreciate your help, but I need to get going. My colleagues are frozen, and if I don't free them, they will all freeze to death. However, I will remember to inform those people to take the other route to prevent more blood from spilling." It was now the right time to leave and reunite with the others. As he was about to go...

"Arf! Arf!" He turned his attention to the Ashen Wolf Pup, who barked at him before letting out a saddened sigh at seeing him go.

"Little one," Ash walked towards the pup as he lowered to its level and placed a hand on top before ruffling. "I'm sorry I'm leaving. You can't come with me. You are a wild animal and should remain in your home with your kind." After saying those words, Ash returned to his feet and turned around as he retraced his steps to head back to where the others were.

Seeing the Unkindled at a further distance, the Ashen Wolf Pup looked back at its elder Great Grey Wolf. It was waiting to give its approval for some unknown reason.

-Scene Change-

Ruby sneezed as she and the others, having been freed thanks to Penny, were at around a newly lit campfire. All were warming up after being almost frozen to death by those wolves. "W-who would have thought those wolves could freeze us?!" She spoke while shivering.

Weiss could somehow agree to her leader's words as she rubbed herself to keep warm. "I was wrong to underestimate them."

Nora could say the same. "Yeah, and they also had that enormous wolf on their side! Like, wow! It could probably take on a Goliath alone!"

"Can't believe those wolves used that cheap trick on us." Jaune bitterly remarked.

Ren used his semblance to calm his leader down. "None of us expected that attack to happen."

Winter had noticed someone missing from the group as the group were still chatting. "Has anyone seen Ash?"

When that name was mentioned, everyone looked around and thought like her. Penny could answer her colleague's question. "I am not sure. The last thing I remember was sensing his Scroll's communication before it cut off. I have not been able to track his location."

That was unfortunate. All knew that Ash had the habit of wandering off behind their backs. But to be gone in a place like this was concerning. "Does that mean we must look for him after we warmed up?" Marrow can't help but to answer that question.

His leader looked back at him. "That is most likely. Although he may be suspicious, that does not mean he gets to be left behind." Everyone agreed with that despite his indifferent attitude towards them.

"Were you looking for me?"

Almost all jumped when a familiar voice was heard. All turned their heads around to see Ash walking up to them. Some were relieved to see them again. "ASH!"

Ruby, Yang, and Nora got up and ran towards him. Before the Unkindled could react, all wrapped their arms around him to hug. "Hey, some personal space!"

The three immediately let go. However, they were still in a happy state. The younger leader immediately questioned him. "Where were you!? You disappeared after we froze!"

Her older sister could say the same. "How come you weren't frozen?"

Sensing as though he was about to get bombarded, he put his hands up to stop them from talking before answering their question in one go. "Settle down. I will tell you what happened after you were all frozen." He began telling what occurred earlier as he sat with them around the campfire.

As expected, all were dumbfounded to hear what he stated. Blake was the one to speak. "You negotiated with the wolves?"

Ash looked back at him. "More like taking their advice? It turns out they were only attacking just to defend their territory."

It was a believable thing to hear, but they were doubtful. "Are you sure that was a wise thing to do? No offence intended, but isn't that a bit suspicious?" Marrow asked.

Harriet could say the same thing. "Yes, and that would lead to more casualties. Something that would be responsible for."

Ash heard all of this and acknowledged their points. It seemed really suspicious for him to take a wildlife offer, but what choice did he have? "I know. But they wanted to be sure none dared to enter its territory."

Panny looked at him confusingly. "And how can that be done."

"I got a map from the wolves." He simply answered.

"You...got a map?" Elm cannot believe what she was hearing.

"Yes, I got it from those wolves somehow," Ash answered with uncertainty.

"How is that even possible?" Yang asked.

"I am not entirely sure," He answered and turned to face them. Seeing them being "I think we should head back to the academy now." Now, everyone was nodding in agreement at his suggestion. After what had happened to them earlier, a warm rest is something they deserve.

Not so long after, three Mantra arrived at their location. All walked towards the flying aircraft about to return to the academy. Right as it was about to leave, an invisible entity somehow entered the same aircraft Ash was in before it flew away, with the Great Grey Wolf walking from afar along with the rest of its pack.

One Week and One Rest Later…

General Ironwood looked at the map that was provided by Ash. A tiresome sigh escaped through his lips as he placed it down and turned to look at the Unkindled. "You did well provide the map you found."

"I only did what was necessary, General." Ash simply commented.

The General chuckled at his words. "Always the straightforward response. It's no wonder your Firekeeper highly praises you."

"Noted." The other man nodded. Since he was alone with the General, it was the perfect time to tell him something important. Something that Ruby and the others would disapprove of. There's information I want to you to know. It's about what Ruby and the others forgot to tell you."

Ironwood lifted an eyebrow upon hearing that. "What do you mean?"

Ash begins to explain the information that the others had left out. As expected, he saw the General with a stunned expression. "Salem…can't be killed. Jinn told you this?"

"More like showing it to us without Ozpin's approval," Ash answered with slight disdain at the fact that they asked Jinn a question without the consent of their ally.

This caused the Headmaster to be distraught at the fact. "Why? Why would Oz keep this from us? From the people who trusted him?"

The Unkindled already had an answer to that. "He didn't want you to lose hope, especially in your fragile mental state. I know this is a lot, but I want to inform you before you make any reckless and unnecessary sacrifices that would cause you to lose your trust in allies.

This causes the General to glare at him for his remark before releasing a sign to calm down. He remained quiet for a while to process what he heard. "I…" He blew raspberry as he finally recollected himself. "I suppose you brought a valid point there, Ash. We must focus on what's in front of us."

Ash remained stoic, though that doesn't mean he'd give his word of encouragement to the Headmaster. "I don't know the relationship between you and Ozpin, but I can tell he'd be proud of you if he was here. You are bringing hope to Atlas that was meant to inspire everyone. Even Mantle to some degree." The General needed time to process what was revealed; he knew it would be the right time to exit the room. "I should take my leave."

The Unkindled exited Ironwood's office, and he wanted to be occupied with something. Yet, as he was about to, he saw his friend approaching him. "How was the meeting, Ashen One?" Olivia asked

"It went well." He responded before telling her something important. "I told him about Salem and her immortality. It seemed like it shook him to his core."

His friend seemed to understand. "'Tis a revelation that needs some time a process."

Ash seemed to admit her point. "I know." He looked back at her. "Why are you here."

"There is something I want to show thee." She answered before gesturing to him to follow her. He was still unaware that a small invisible figure was following them from behind.

-Scene Change-

Ash and Olivia walked down a highly monitored hallway in a hospital where they freely roamed without suspicion. They pass through a door with guards on each side, then down a staircase and through another long hallway with many cameras. Four AK-200s are guarding a door on the far end of the hall.

"Ashen One," Olivia spoke to him. "Please wait in the observation deck. There's someone that wants to see me."

Ash nodded and headed towards an observation deck. As he entered, a certain ex-heiress turned to look at him. "Ash?"

The Unkindled look back at her. "I didn't expect you to be here."

"Same could be said as you." She remarked sarcastically before shifting back to the window to see what was happening.

Ash turned to where the window was. He saw a small kitchen and a machine with a pair of pods inside. One wall near the bed has a few different hangings, and there is an easel with a painting next to it. Winter was already seen sitting down and drinking tea with the old lady when they saw the Firekeeper entering. The former was less enthusiastic than the latter at her presence.

"Ah, Miss Firekeeper. I was wondering when you were arriving?" The Elder Lady greeted the blind lady.

"I apologise for being late," The Firekeeper said smoothly before turning to Winter. "Thou can leave the both of us here."

The older Schnee seemed to head out of the room to where her sister and Ash were. Ash had a guess on who that old lady was. "That's the Winter Maiden. I never knew she'd be old."

Winter nodded at this and looked back at the room below them. "She could pass any day now. Until that happens, I'm the only person Fria can see. Well, supposed to. The Firekeeper is also allowed to visit for some reason."

Speaking of the individual, Olivia sat down and looked at the elder lady. "What can I do for thee?"

Fria knew what to say. "How about that prayer that always brought me comfort."

The Blind Lady could do that. "As thou wish. Please, reach out your hand so I can hold you." Fria did that and held her hand out so that Olivia could reach her. When their hands met, she immediately did her prayer. "Let this soul withdraw from her vessel. Manifestations of disparity. Elucidated by Fire, Burrow deep within m. Retreating to a darkness beyond the reach of flame, Let her rest in the afterlife, where they can find peace and let herself cast upon other souls…"

Ash smiled underneath his Faraam as that prayer was something he hadn't heard for a long time. Still, he can't help but overhear the two sisters' conversation. "Ironwood's chosen you to be the next… W-When she dies. How long have you known?"

"Since Beacon," Winter replied.

That seemed understandable, though that didn't make the younger Schnee more worried. "Doesn't it bother you? He practically groomed your entire military career."

"It did at first," Her older sister acknowledged before looking back at the old lady, "when the General first proposed it to me. But the more I thought about it, the more I saw it as a privilege, a chance to do some real good for Atlas. For Remnant."

"That doesn't sound right," Ash thought as he had a strange feeling these maidens were more than what they were initially meant for.

"But your destiny was chosen for you without your input." Weiss pointed out."

"Perhaps," Winter said with a hint of remorse in her voice. "but I'm choosing it now. I've made it my own. And I take great pride in it. That has nothing to do with Father or the General… That belongs to me."

Weiss seemed to be taken this hard before looking back at her beloved sister. "I guess we've both had to do some of that. Carving out our own way."

"I suppose we have." Winter agreed.

Hearing their conversation caused him to rethink his previous actions actions. How he decided to end the Fire rather than preserve it due to the current state of the world he used to be in. It may have been questionable, but it was his choice to do it. "Seems you and I aren't that different, after all."

Seeing Ash being silent caused the two sisters to look at him with concern. "You okay, Ash?" Weiss asked.

Ash was broken out of his thoughts and turned to face them. "Yes. I just had many things wondering on my mind."

The Specialist was about to answer when a deep was heard. She opens it and was immediately brought into a live broadcast, and it shows a place that was familiar to her. "Speaking of the family name."

In the video feed, she saw Jacques steps up to a podium in front of the Schnee manor. Weiss walks over to watch with Winter. "What is he doing?" She asked.

"Ash walked to the other side to watch the broadcast. "Great. What is he going to do."

If I'm elected Councilman, I've made it no secret I will be opposing General Ironwood and his senseless embargo that is crippling all of Atlas." Jacques immediately spoke with confidence. "It is my belief that these measures are not only reckless, but criminal."

"Says the one who is nothing more than a parasite who uses cheap labour and slavery while exploiting your workers." Ash commented, earning a quick glare from the two which he ignored.

"With no shipments allowed to enter or leave the kingdom, I know many are suffering. And my family has been weathering the same storm as many of you." Jacques spoke as he continued his speech.

"Suffering?" Ash can't believe what he was hearing. "The people are suffering because of you."

"Effective immediately, I am forced to shut down all nonessential SDC operations." Jacques reminded every newscast that were present. "If elected to office, I will make the changes necessary to fix what Ironwood has broken. I hope you ask yourself before the vote, can you trust anyone else to stop Ironwood? Will Robyn Hill be able to get your jobs back?" After his speech has ended, multiple news anchors eagerly hold their microphones up to Jacques, talking over each other and asking questions. He puts his hand up and turns away, and the broadcast ends.

As it ended, both sisters had their eyes widened in shock whereas the Unkindled shook his head in disappointment. "I think… I think Father may have just provided the spark that's going to set this kingdom on fire."

"You think?" He bluntly stated.

As this was happening, underneath a table, the Ashen Wolf Pup peeked its head out and watched them in a safe distance. None were aware of its presence and as they turned, it immediately retreated back to hide.

Finally, the Great Wolves of Solitas Arc is done. Now it's going to return to the canon story. And it seems Ash went behind everyone's back and told Ironwood about Salem's immortality. Looks like there will be more canon divergence.

like Ash and the others had a certain wolf pup stalking them. I wonder how that would go. Anyway, I might be focusing on Tales of the Other Embers to catch up for a bit since there are other contents that should be missed out. So, expect that short stories to receive more updates on a daily basis.

I appreciate the feedback I got last time and appreciate at it more if I were given constructive criticism and feedback to improve this story. Other than that, I will see you all in the next chapter...