Chapter Text

The Curse That Binds Us

A Dark Souls II Fanfiction by OneAndOnlyLoveGame

Chapter 1

"...the hell kinda name is LoveGame, anyway?"

Perhaps you've seen it... maybe in a meme... er, a dream. Close your eyes and let the visions flood your subconscious... you see it now, don't you? Standing before the decrepit gates of that murky, forgotten land. What was it called again... of course, you knew all along. Drangleic. Flourishing many years under the rule of the King, who dedicated his very existence to putting an end to the cycle of flame, and the curse... a ray of hope for one such as yourself, now branded with the accursed Darksign.

...how unfortunate, then, that the kingdom itself would crumble under that very same curse? You knew what misery awaited, yet you weren't the least bit deterred, were you? You were never one to put any stock in an old lord's rumor, anyhow. Heed my words, Bearer of the Curse. When you awake, hold onto these memories with the conviction of steel. Loosen your grip, and your very life will lose meaning. You will lose everything... and most tragic of all...

...you won't even care.

Province of Wes'Sv'Urginiah
Southern Kingdom of Kahndo

The warm, golden vestiges of soothing sunlight filtered through the windows of a plain-looking, stone brick house that rested comfortably in a verdant farm village, atop one of its many rolling hills. The humble province of Wes'Sv'Urginiah had done well for itself over the years, currently under the rule of King Philip of the Saltfort. Primarily an agricultural land, it had largely stayed out of conflicts, and as a result had no need for a proper military. Even though they had never actually been to war, King Philip offered any willing warriors a crash course in training as a knight, even giving payments to those who committed to tempering their wills.

The house in question belonged to one Knight LoveGame. A man who would be unremarkable aside from his very unusual name, of which even he did not know the origin. On this day, however, he'd be thrust into the role of our unlikely hero! You see, for the length of a week, LoveGame's nights had taken a turn for the clairvoyant. Revelations about his fate in the form of vivid, lucid dreams, each more detailed and foreboding than the last! Though he had initially brushed them off as mere dreams, it was only three nights ago that his fate manifested into reality! He would awake to a searing pain on his back, branded with the Darksign spoken of by the Fire Keepers!

Worse yet, a few of his memories would indeed already begin to slip away. To this end, the Knight would - after a bit of reluctance - accept his calling and mark the date on his calendar. He'd spend the evening packing some essentials, everything he could bring to give him a fighting chance against the horrors that lurked beyond those gates. Granted, he had very little – a few handfuls of lifegems to heal his wounds, and some provisions to snack on. With everything in order and his small rowboat prepared at the docks, he had taken to bed early, stowing his fears so that they would not deprive him of his rest; welcoming the inevitable, recurring dream by this point.

Now that the fated day had finally arrived, it didn't take much more than a glaring glint of sun in his eyes to wake him bright and early. Wincing at the sudden bright gleam, the man would push his dark brown comforter to the side with a yawning stretch. Unclothed aside from a plain undergarment, his figure was fairly lean and lanky, modestly muscled thanks to his days training as a knight and working the fields. Pushing his jagged, jet-black bangs out of his almond, hazel eyes, he'd begin to roll himself out of bed, only to have his left leg caught in the comforter and take a spill onto the floor! “Whoah there!” he'd yelp, shaking off what amounted to mild pain compared to what awaited him on this day.

Turning his head to the side as his vision came into focus, a determined smile took over his pained expression as he eyed his calendar, marked for the day of his outset. “Man... the days just flew by, didn't they? I was beginning to think a task with so much weight to it would fill me with nothin' but dread...” he said to himself, springing back onto his feet and putting his hand on a large wooden chest at the foot of his bed, patting the top a few times.

“...but to be honest... now, I'm excited.”

Knight LoveGame had likely never been to the country of Volgen, and knew little if anything substantial about the band of mercenaries it employed known as the Falconers. That said, their armor had a reputation far and wide for its low cost relative to its protection. As such, it was the standard armor issued to all Wes'Sv'Urginian knights. King Philip was often on a tight budget for dubious reasons; the set didn't even include a shield of any kind, leaving it to the humble knight to procure one for himself in Drangleic. After washing himself off by his water pump outside, he'd return and dress himself before equipping the armor over his normal clothing. For such a cheap set, it was certainly striking – crimson cloth draped over the solid gray metal, and one glove was larger than the other. True to their names, the Falconers would command their birds of prey from these leather perches, not that this meant anything to our hero. After doing a few basic stretches and walking around to acclimate himself with the armor's burden, he'd reach under his bed to retrieve the sole weapon in his possession – a humble, sturdy broadsword. Outside of his daily training, the blade had yet to see a glimpse of real combat, much less a drop of blood. LoveGame knew as well as anyone else how quickly that was about to change. After slashing it about in the air a few times, making sure neither he nor it had gotten rusty, he'd sheathe it in its scabbard on his hip, and take inventory of his supplies once more. Most important was his small collection of Lifegems, each one could be crushed to release the life essence of lost, crystallized souls to close his wounds and renew his body. There was little else he packed aside from some purified water and the aforementioned snacks. After all, a journey like this one called for traveling light.

After splashing a palmful of water onto his face to psych himself up, he'd take a deep breath and bid farewell to his warm dwelling. “...welp. It's now or never. I... don't know if I'll ever see this place again, but... on days like these, optimism's all I got.” he said with a hopeful smile, shutting and locking the door of polished oak. Cracking his knuckles as he strode off toward the docks, he'd take another deep breath. He'd carefully step onto the wooden watercraft, feeling it rock on the glistening waters beneath him, and take a firm grip to each oar. “Drangleic, here I come!”

Without even so much as a map to follow, he merely rowed in the direction his prophetic dreams had guided him, hoping he had not been lead astray by some malevolent force. It didn't take many strokes of the oars until his sunny village disappeared onto the horizon. With no one to see him off, he simply waved goodbye to the shrinking homes until the undulating, shimmering waters were all that his eyes could see.

The voyage itself was likely only a couple of hours, though it didn't take long for the knight to lose track of time, adrift in his own thoughts as he stroked his dark goatee. LoveGame always toyed with the idea, or more accurately, the fantasy of being a hero of sorts during his daydreams. Every shelf of his bedroom was stacked end to end with historical accounts, undated ancient tomes, and other old lord's tales he enjoyed reading before bed. Though he was seen as naive and a bit of a goof at times, the man was fairly well-read. Now, he felt as though he was living out one of those tales he enjoyed so much in his younger years.

The further out he rowed, the darker the skies got – swirling, gray thunderheads gave way to a stormy deluge that swallowed up the sunlight overhead. Though the waves became rough, not once did the small boat come close to capsizing. On the contrary, the waves seemed to carry him to the very gates he was told of in his dreams; he hardly had to even touch the oars anymore. A sense of safety caressed his consciousness; he knew at least that his journey there would not be stopped short by the inclement weather. At last, the powerful current culminated in a great whirlpool, as though it were draining the seas themselves! Feeling nothing but thrill and anticipation, Knight LoveGame grinned at the spray of saltwater in his face, shut his eyes tight, and let the swirling abyss take him under...

Things Betwixt

“Rrrghh... just like that, the very seas had parted to herald my arrival... you didn't have to do all that for little ol' me...”

Some hours later, Knight LoveGame would awake once more, on the threshold of the accursed Kingdom, just as he'd been promised. Having no recollection of the time he'd been unconscious, dozing atop the round stone altar, surrounded on all sides by six pillars. He'd find himself bone-dry despite plunging into the watery depths only what felt like moments ago. He'd find himself in the inky darkness of a great, spacious cavern, its ceiling too high to be seen in the shadow it cast. Narrow, shallow streams were fed by light, rushing waterfalls that likely kept the cavern lush with plant life. Thick, bushy grass blanketed its floor, and gnarled, twisted trees grew along the sides all the way to the unseen ceiling. Most striking of all was the jagged crack of daylight that poured in through the unusually tall terminus – it was as though the very horizon had been ripped asunder by the divine blade of sunlight.

Having had enough time to take in his surroundings, LoveGame would, once again, push himself back onto his feet... only for his heart to nearly skip a beat when his eyes met his wrist, exposed slightly by the shorter glove. There was no mistaking it – his very flesh had rotted to a festering haze of sickly green and black, no doubt under the full effects of the Darksign's curse. His entire body had likely suffered the same decay, not that he had any desire to confirm this. “So, this is hollowing, huh... What sorta tragedy... just what the hell is this pitiful form I've come to inhabit?” he questioned as he pulled a black hood over his face, not keen on anyone seeing his undead visage. In the back of his mind, LoveGame had made peace with the fact that this might happen, being granted some rudimentary knowledge on the nature of the curse, even if he hoped he might be spared. If anything, it only spurred the knight to forge ahead in search of his humanity.

The descent and decay had weakened the knight severely, as his muscles weren't much use to him stiff and emaciated as they were. Though his legs still carried him forth, he'd stumble occasionally, feeling the blood rush back to his head as he nearly slipped out of consciousness. It became evident to LoveGame that he was in no shape to fight, so he'd have to opt for the cautious approach for the time being. He'd trudge forth, reaching a clearing just beyond the strange circle of pillars. Erratic rustling of the grass just ahead confirmed the knight's suspicions that he wasn't alone. Hidden among the shadowy foliage was a small pack of gangly, jackal creatures scampering about and gnawing on the scattered bones of whatever was unlucky enough to buy it out here.

Easing his way toward them, he counted about four in total. He'd hug the outskirts of the grass doing his best not to alert the pack. Warped as they were, LoveGame thought back to his old tomes on wildlife in an attempt to identify the wide-eyed scavengers. “They're not exactly alike, but the closest I can think of is... well, the guide called 'em 'beavecoons'... Man, what a stupid name if I'm being-” he began to whisper, only to be cut off when the entire group scurried off into the darkness, leaving the carcasses behind. Feeling a sense of relief that they weren't after him, he'd make his way to the other side and mutter to himself, “Guess I offended 'em...”

As the undead man continued down the path, the low, howling wind was gradually drowned out by the white noise of a rushing waterfall. A muddy dirt path extended up to his left, colossally inhuman footprints serving as all the warning he needed not to follow. Instead, he'd peer straight ahead to a sight that gave him a small vestige of hope! It was a small, two-story dwelling built out of the hollow trunk of a great, twisted tree. Cozy and inviting, it gave the knight thoughts of his home immediately. Better yet, it appeared to still be inhabited; the yellow glow of a warm fire could be seen crackling from outside the windows, and a line of clothes were hung out to dry out front. With nowhere else to go, Knight LoveGame saw it fit to let himself in through the front door, to be greeted by the very same folk he encountered in those fateful dreams.

There were three of them, elderly and hunched in their wooden chairs as they gathered around a fine table for tea. Fire Keepers, they were, draped in hooded robes of scarlet. An enigmatic lot since the dawn of the age of fire, their souls were eternally bound with the First Flame itself. In days long past, the Fire Keepers were aplenty, scattered across the continents and tasked with preserving the bonfires – sites of rest and respite for weary undead as they made their journey. Now, according to all known sources, these three were all that remained, save for the rumored sightings of a younger, fourth member. Aged as their visages were, the sisters had likely lived long enough to see the rise and fall of many a great era.

...and each one met the wayward knight's arrival with a decidedly mocking laughter, their voices harmonizing into a chorus of cackling at the poor man's expense before he could even utter a word. “Hah! My, my... look at this one's face. Of all the poor souls they could've sent our way... It had to be this... this casual.” said one of them, evidently the head of the trio. “Forgive me if I don't buy it, sisters.”

The one to her left chimed in, “Mmm... I don't see much in him, either. Poor fellow likely wouldn't even survive a brawl...” she'd shake her head, taking a sip of her tea.

“Simply pathetic. Let me ask you this, young hollow. Do you truly believe you could get good enough to be granted passage to the Kingdom?” the third woman added, not even looking him in the eye as she spoke. “You aren't exactly the first one to come here, you know.”

Doing his best to take the disparaging remarks about him in stride, LoveGame finally spoke up. “Rats. Here I was thinking I was special. Chosen, even. Look, could any of you kind old dears help me out? Given how familiar you all look, I'd wager you were the ones visiting my dreams? Not for nothin', but I prefer 'em a little closer to my own age.” he said, recognizing the distinct red garments.

The first woman spoke up again. “Why, of course. All people come here for the same reason, after all. Witnessing a dream, seeking a cure... I'd surmise you're no different. Fortunately for you, we can... point you in the right direction. Before I divulge further, we must know... what is your name, young hollow? That is, provided you are not too hollow to recall.” she asked, handing the ragged knight a quill pen and a small tome.

“LoveGame. That is, Knight LoveGame of Wes'Sv'Urginiah.” he answered plainly and truthfully as he could, signing his name in the booklet and returning it to her palm.

She'd pore over his handwriting, raising an eyebrow at the unconventional title. “Hmph... what the hell kind of name is 'LoveGame', anyway?” she asked rhetorically, filing it away for record keeping. “In any case, here's your reward for sharing. Go on, take a look.” she'd say, rummaging through her bag to produce a small black effigy, woven of an otherworldly wicker material. “Peer deep into it. It's an effigy of you!” she insisted.

At first, LoveGame wasn't quite following. The curious object only vaguely resembled the bust of a human, lacking even the most basic of defining features. However, it was just as he said, the longer he peered into its form, the more it resembled him... his true self. The self he had been deprived of upon his descent into this abyss. Feeling compelled to hold it closer, he'd embrace it until it dissolved, absorbing itself into his body and reinvigorating it with life-affirming flesh! The restraining yoke of fatigue and weakness had been cast from his body at last! “Phew...” he'd say with a stretch of his arms above his head. “...I must look about a hundred years younger. This humble knight thanks you, fire keepers. Guess you really did care about me, hm? I'm flattered, really.”

The old woman scoffed and flashed the hint of a smile. “Just giving you a fighting chance, that's all. Don't expect any more handouts. Now... trot along to the Kingdom, would you? You've already interrupted our teatime. Least you could do is make use of our kind gesture.” she'd instruct him. “Just beyond this limbo is a settlement. I'd wager it's the closest thing to a safe place Drangleic has to offer, in these trying times. Now... go.”

Nodding and flashing them all a thumbs-up, he'd leave them to their meal and head off. Since they didn't seem to mind, he'd take a few moments to poke around the Fire Keepers' abode. Even the inside wasn't too far off from his own home, albeit with two stories. The second was primarily for storage – this place was stocked up with enough supplies and amenities to last many months. Surely they wouldn't miss the spare human effigy that LoveGame casually swiped before heading back down, slipping out the backdoor into the shaded yard.

Nestled within the great hollowed trunk, the backyard offered little beyond a few wheelbarrows full of supplies, parked next to a rusted water pump. Amidst the mundane sights, LoveGame spied something that gave him an odd sense of familiar comfort. A twisted, coiled blade was firmly planted into a mound of silver ash, giving off the faintest vestige of enkindling. As if drawn by instinct alone, the wayward knight would extend his arm toward the hilt of the burnt blade. Reacting to the essence of his soul, it roared to life, manifesting the rejuvenating warmth of a flickering bonfire! The darkened abode was lit up in dancing flashes of yellow and orange, casting an array of shadows on the walls of wood grain.

Though he'd come to recognize these bonfires as places of brief respite for the undead, Knight LoveGame had neither the need nor the time for rest. The effigy had renewed his strength and refreshed his resolve. Indeed, as he began to move around more and settle back into his form, he'd find that he wasn't weakened at all! Rather, the unusual nature of the undead curse had bolstered his strength beyond the human limit! Though a light blade to begin with, his broadsword felt nigh weightless in his grasp. Cursed as he was, the limitations and inconveniences of the human form were no longer his to deal with. “Whoa... this might take some getting used to. Better get going...” he'd mutter to himself, pulling a black cloth hood over his head, covering all but his nose. “...might be best to keep on the low-low. Not that some recognition might do me good, but... I ain't exactly doin' it for the fame.”

Leaving the wooded abode behind, he'd head off toward the great shatter of light that marked the cavern's mouth. The way forward took the form of a narrow treeline with a handful of sheer drops into the rushing river below, and a small, ashen beach could be spied in the distance. With one hand on the hilt of his sheathed blade, LoveGame carefully and quietly made his way onward. Under the hushed breeze of the cave, he'd hear the distant sound of gurgling and groaning. Recalling what the Fire Keepers said, the knight knew to expect that he was not alone.

In all his years back home, the knight never thought he'd be subject to looting dead bodies to survive, and yet here he was, scavenging lifegems and other useful goods off of the poor souls that perished in this eternal limbo. He'd flinch at the rustling of grass behind him, slashing a terribly hollowed undead in two just before the rusted sword met the knight's neck! “Whoa, now! What was...” he'd gasp as he watched the bisected corpse collapse. Looking it over, he'd come to understand that this would be the fate of anyone who fully lost their grasp on humanity – something he'd stop at nothing to prevent.

Preferring not to be ambushed again, LoveGame opted to tread lightly, edging closer to the exit, the column of light that shattered the darkness. His eyes now fully adjusted, he'd spy about four more hollows lying in wait around the treeline. Knowing they'd see him for sure if he made a break for it, he stopped to formulate a plan, staying well out of sight until the moment presented itself. Okay, LoveGame... get to strategizing. Let's see here... first, I'll rush down the two archers before they can pelt me... if I'm fast enough, I can whip around and get the other- Wha?!!

Suddenly, the swordsman was snapped out of his thoughts by a blinding streak of silver that crossed his vision! His eyes could scarcely keep up as the entity zeroed in on the pack of ravenous hollows, felling one after the other before they'd a ghost of a chance to react! Appearing before the bewildered man was a knightess, elegantly slender and clad in shimmering silver mail, inlaid with bright scarlet engravings all over. Her platinum blonde locks fell straight and flowed down her back, blunt bangs windowing her emerald hues. Her right hand kept a steady grip on a curved blade of lustrous red metal, which she twirled in a flourish and placed on her hip. A shield bearing the visage of a snarling dragon was held in her left.

Trembling a little as he caught his breath and collected his thoughts trying to make sense of what had just transpired, Knight LoveGame stammered out, “W-who... just what the hell's going on now...?”

She'd meet his surprise and disbelief with a smile that beamed with confidence. “So, it really is you... Knight LoveGame of Wes'Sv'Urginiah... So I'm not too late, then... Nice to meet ya, LoveGame.” her deep contralto voice spoke. “Ahem... by order of Master Xoxar, I'm here to make sure you see your undead journey through to the end... in essence, I'm here to keep ya alive.”

Giving the confused man a deep, proper bow, she'd introduce herself at last. “I'm Ilia. Ilia the Lord Protector.”

In this moment, the meeting of two intertwined souls would mark a sharp turn in the very course of Knight LoveGame's fate; even his dreams couldn't forewarn him of an encounter like this! Standing before him adorned in the regalia of unknown lands, just who was this mysterious hero calling herself Ilia?! Was she true to her word as LoveGame's sworn guardian? Whatever the case, the path to the Kingdom had laid itself before the pair, marking the start of a journey without rest. This is the tale of the great King Vendrick's final valiant effort to erase the Darksign from history, and one knight's burning resolve, his unyielding determination to ensure that the roaring embers of his highness' legacy would not be extinguished!

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

A Protector's Resolve

With the impromptu arrival of a mysterious woman calling herself Ilia, our unwitting hero's journey had now seen a wrench thrown into the wheel of fate! This left the wayward knight with a myriad of questions, a lingering curiosity... exactly what reason would one with with her wits about her have for traveling to this forsaken kingdom of their own volition? To answer these questions, we must shift our gaze toward a far-flung realm, and take a look into the not so distant past, mere moments before Knight LoveGame would depart for the kingdom of Drangleic...

Province of Black Marsh
Kahn Wei District

Indeed, we find ourselves in a land that exists outside of the cycle of flame's influence, the undead curse, and all the horrors that it brings in tow. In most known tongues, it was called Tamriel. Only the most learned of each realm's scholars knew of the others existence. Their nature was a subject of heated debate, though the most accepted theory came to be that these lands were in fact two separate planes of reality. At the very least, they were thought to be entirely different planets. Only one thing was for certain, these two planes were never to intersect, as was foretold.

This idea created something of a rift between the scholars who devoted their time to studying the nature of these foreign lands. Those within the cycle of flame looked down on those outside of it, citing their world as engendering a milquetoast lifestyle devoid of any real danger, too afraid to temper their wills against the undead. Conversely, the opposing side would decry the efforts of those who sought to challenge the curse head-on, citing it as a fool's errand and a waste of time and energy. Predictably, it didn't take long for intelligent debate to devolve into juvenile bickering, and the once-renowned scholars were now seen as little more than deluded fools. To this very day, even they often wondered why they were so toxic.

Thankfully, the subject of this tale chose wisely to spend his time with more enriching endeavors.

Tucked away in the southeast corner of Tamriel was the great swamplands of Black Marsh. Miles upon miles of dark, lush bogs abundant with plant life of every shape, size, and color one could perceive shaped the landscape into nature's own work of art, painted in deep verdant hues that bled into inky obsidian shadows. This made the land rather cumbersome for the average human to traverse, though its natives made their way around with no more toil than it would take to cross the street. Indeed, Black Marsh was home to the Argonians, a fully sentient species of lizardmen who found themselves well-suited to the climate and unusual geography around them.

Opinions on the reptilian race varied wildly depending on who was asked, but as per the sickening nature of humanity, they were often ostracized; victims of fanatical racism as far as recorded history told. Black Marsh's secluded nature was the perfect solution as far as other races were concerned; they could remain in their land and go about their lives without worry of being discriminated against. In the early years, even this wasn't enough to save them, as slavers would often pillage Black Marsh and capture its people to do their bidding, until slavery had been outlawed many cycles ago. In the following years, however, they'd find their fortune on the upturn.

Among the myriad of unusual plant life within the Marsh were the Hist, a long-lived species of towering, sentient trees that divulged their centuries of knowledge to the Argonians who communed with them, forming a spiritual connection between them. Threatened with an invasion from beyond their realm of reality, the all-knowing Hist lured every remaining Argonian back to the homeland, granting the lizardmen a blessing of their divine sap. When the gates of Oblivion tore open at last, the teeming horde of abominations were met with the full strength of the Argonian race. Fortified with Hist sap and armed with the steel and incantations of their ancestors, they handily crushed the Daedric forces with nary a casualty of their own. Once again, they'd recuse themselves to their quiet lives among the marshlands...

Among those who defended Black Marsh that day was the venerable Xoxar, a battlemage who often combined techniques of the spell and sword. Now, even in his advanced age, he'd prove a capable fighter, courtesy of the Hist sap that evidently slowed his natural aging. Something of a scholar himself, he would often spend his days learning about the world around him, with the aspiration to document all of his findings for future generations. Ever a perfectionist, Xoxar would continue to hone his craft as a warrior daily, feeling he'd yet to master the artform for which he held such a fervent passion.

With a friendly, social disposition and a reputation for being charitable to those in need, Xoxar had become something of a figurehead in many circles. Those fascinated by his techniques would often request live demonstrations, to which he happily obliged. Excited onlookers would even offer donations, giving the old lizard a steady income for side ventures. On one especially stormy evening, he'd gather his eager cohorts to his favorite tavern in the heart of Kahn Wei, and put on a dazzling show of flames that danced from his fingertips and elegantly floated about the halls, lighting each candle they passed.

Of course, the old lizard and his cohorts couldn't help but enjoy a drink or two. So long as they sought shelter from the storm, they might as well enjoy the festive night with a few of the local brews. Everyone was much too entranced by the lightshow and the drinks to notice a pair of hooded figures quietly scuttle in and out of the tavern, leaving behind a small package draped in black cloth. They disappeared into the raging storm, leaving no trace but their gift. As the night went on and the rain cascaded down the dark windows, 'a few' became 'a few more', many discarded tankards and glasses now littering the tables. Old Xoxar had gotten a bit too deep into the good stuff, and all it took was a momentary slip of his focus to turn a jovial night into a terrible disaster.

First to catch aflame were the hanging tapestries within the inn, then the embers spread wildly around its wooden structure. Naturally, panic ensued among the crowd, all rushing to escape with their lives intact as thick, black smoke choked the air, billowing about. Horrified and sobered by his irresponsible actions, Xoxar took it upon himself to try and shuffle everyone out in an orderly fashion, and by some miracle had managed to avoid any casualties. He'd even offer to use his own magic to heal those injured in the fire. He'd go on to feel a deep sense of shame for this tragedy, even though many forgave the accident, feeling it had not undone all the good he had done for the community.

Sadly, even the torrential downpour had taken too long to quench the flames; the old tavern was reduced to heaps of ash. Losing the historic place, which had stood strong for well over a hundred years with minimal refurbishing, certainly felt a bit somber. Once the fires had subsided and everyone had returned home, Xoxar sifted through the ashen remains to ensure nothing had been left behind, when he stumbled upon a heap of black cloth, untouched by the embers. Curious, he'd pull the blanket away, his draconic jaw falling agape at what he saw within. Nestled in peaceful slumber was a baby... a human baby, no less! While it was not entirely uncommon for humans to live here – Xoxar was friends with a few himself – but a find such as this was unprecedented!

Still wracked with guilt over what had transpired, and committing to his ideals, Xoxar took it upon himself to raise the child as his own daughter. Having never bore children of his own, he saw this as a sign from the Hist themselves, a chance to start over. He'd bestow upon her the name of Ilia, named for the curved bone of a female's pelvis. Thus began Xoxar's journey into fatherhood, passing down his wisdom onto another for the security of their future. Showing interest in swordsmanship at an early age, Ilia would also undergo daily training with Xoxar, shaping her into a hero in her own right. Though she dabbled in magic too, she didn't possess the same aptitude as her master, but her honed skill with a blade more than made up for it. Considered something of a prodigy in her teens, Ilia would earn considerable favor among the Argonians, some even changing their tune in regards to their misgivings toward her race.

The identities of the two hooded figures who had brought Ilia here remain unknown to this day. No historical record of the pair was found, and the thought that they were her real parents was generally agreed to be unlikely.

Even in the earliest years of her adulthood, Ilia would often travel to the far-reaching corners of the world at the behest of her master, facing a myriad of dangers head-on and returning to tell the tale unscathed. Outside of Tamriel itself, she undertook a lengthy excursion of the continent of Gielinor, where she learned of the many plights of its people and even paid a visit to a nearby moon, courtesy of the land's teleportation network. It was there that she would begin her storied career not only as a warrior, but as a chronicler of every event worth etching into history. She kept her notes as closely as her blade. She'd learn of the political tension between the Gnome kingdom and the reclusive apes, and the attempts of a woman named Melleau Keanuenue to bring peace between the two species, and even visit the island of apes herself to purchase her favored blade – a curved sword wrought of the elusive red dragon metal. After assisting the kingdom of Misthalin with the slaying of many a dragon, she'd forge her draconic shield to pair with the blade, both of which Ilia held near and dear to her heart.

Twenty-five years have passed since the day Xoxar took it upon himself to raise his loving daughter. After her return to Black Marsh, Ilia would present her new finds as proof of her victory. Now that she had many accolades under her belt, Xoxar felt he had nothing left to teach Ilia, and only a week after her return, he'd call her to the old barracks that served as her training ground, to tell her the good news.

“...you for real? This ain't another one of your tests, is it? I mean, if you say so...” she'd tell him, unsure of exactly how to take the news. Her voice had the rough edges of an adventurer, shades of her snippy attitude seeping through her words. “Bittersweet, ain't it? S'pose we did have a lot of fun...”

Ilia took several long looks over the old barracks, already geared head-to-toe in her form-fitting armor. The well-worn training grounds had seen better days, never much more than a ragged shack built of collected wood shavings and metal scraps. A row of training dummies built of straw and sandbags cast vaguely human shadows, riddled with deep cuts over the thousands of times they'd been struck by Ilia in her younger days. A smile decorated her sharp visage as the memories came flooding back.

Under the old lizard's guidance, she'd grown to be a striking image of a knightess. Slender and lithe, she cut the silhouette of a renowned heroine, blade holstered at her hip the moment she entered. Straight locks of platinum blonde framed her face and fell down her back. It was likely she assumed she was about to embark on a new adventure... though she wasn't entirely wrong, as she'd soon learn. “Ya had to go and tell me that, huh? Man, I got all dressed up for nothing...” she'd quip with an air of sarcasm. “At least give me something to do... I'm bored outta my mind, between you and me...”

Ilia was never easy to keep entertained, her mind craving to experience more of the mysterious world around her, and her body wrestled with the insatiable need for something to test itself against. Xoxar knew this all too well, which was exactly why he knew that this meeting would be unlike any other before it. “Ah, but it was not for nothing, dear Ilia! Though I've divulged all of my wisdom upon to you, it is now your turn to enlighten me.” said the old lizard, his scaled lips curling over his rows of jagged teeth as he spoke.

The knightess gave a confused look, shrugging at his words. “I... dunno about all that. I was never much of a teacher. Can't you just gimme somethin' to fight?” she asked, eager to stave off her encroaching boredom.

Xoxar would chuckle at her protest and say, “I very well may be able to do just that, young Ilia. You are wrong, however – there is a wealth of knowledge you could yet bestow upon me. As a chronicler, you have been to many a land I had merely read of in my texts... and you appear to have a knack for taking notes, no? Perhaps you could... say, gather a few pieces of untold history, so that this old lizard might have a read?” he'd suggest.

These words, ever familiar in their nature and tone, lit up the lady's verdant eyes. “Oho! Now you're talking, pops. Name the place, point me in the right direction, and you've got yourself a deal.” she'd say with a clinched fist.

“Very well, Ilia. Observe...” said Xoxar, rummaging from under his old wooden desk until he presented something to her. Roughly a foot long, it was an intricately carved length of Hist tree, inlaid with a large, cloudy crystal of hazy blues. “My latest, and likely final work. I realize that it is yet incomplete, but this catalyst... will allow for travel between the various planes of reality adjacent to our own. Truly fascinating, is it not?” he'd say, giving her daughter a closer look at its unique design.

Ilia's face bore the same grin as it did when she'd receive presents on her birthday as a child. “I don't know what to- that's amazing, pops! Hand it over, I'll-!” she'd excitedly stammer, grabbing for the catalyst only for the Argonian to snatch it away and wag his clawed fingertip.

“Don't be too hasty, now. This is one of my life's works, after all.” he'd say, holding it to his chest as he elaborated, “As I said, there is one last request you must complete for me. One that came to me in a prophetic dream, only a night ago! As we speak, a great kingdom has fallen under a terrible curse of the undead. Moments from now, a brave hero will embark on a journey without rest, seeking to rid the world of this pestilence. However, inexperienced as he is, this man will surely require a guardian... a lord protector.” he said, putting his fist over his heart with great conviction. “Ilia... this man's fate rests on your shoulders. Never could I put my faith in anyone else to carry out this task.”

The blonde knight would replay her father's words back to herself several times in her head. She'd recognize that tone anywhere – old Xoxar only spoke in such a manner when he was deadly sure of himself, and this was no exception. After a long, deep breath, she'd bear the same grin at him as before and reiterate. “...it's like I said, name the time and place, old man.”

With a nod of deep respect, Xoxar complied to her words. “You must use this as a conduit to reach the kingdom of Drangleic, ruled by the sovereign King Vendrick. Seek out a man by the name of Knight LoveGame of Wes'Sv'Urginiah. This man bears the accursed Darksign, and for better or worse, he's the best hope this desperate kingdom has for any hope of salvation.” he'd tell her. “Should you ensure his journey is not cut short, and return to me with enriching anecdotes of the kingdom, I will grant you this artifact to use as you please. On this, you have my solemn promise.”

“Ain't it just like you to drop somethin' like this on me... alright, alright. I know that look in those eyes of yours.” she'd say, undaunted by the task bestowed upon her. “Lemme just... grab my stuff real quick. Who knows, this might just be the miracle cure for my ceaseless boredom... the hell kind of name is 'LoveGame', anyway...?” with that, she'd retire to her old quarters for a moment or two, gathering an array of supplies and cleaning the place out, knowing she'd have no further use for the training grounds.

When she returned, Xoxar would hand her the wooden catalyst and offer a fatherly grin. “Now... go, and make this old lizard proud. You, more than anything else I have poured my life into, are my greatest accomplishment. I would hate to see all of my efforts go to waste.” he'd say, giving her one final hug.

Warmly accepting the embrace, Ilia would pull back and shake his scaled hand firmly. “Take that thought and put it to death, father. I'd never dream of letting you down. I'll be back before you know it.” said the blonde warrior from the bottom of her heart. Following Xoxar's instruction to grasp the catalyst firmly and focus her mind until it entered a peaceful, dreamlike trance, she'd shut her eyes tight and let her master's magic go to work... it took only a few moments before she was whisked away to that very same murky, forgotten kingdom...

Things Betwixt

How long did it take, she wondered, to travel between the very planes of existence? Deep into her trance, Ilia lost all sense of time. Luckily for our hero, the old lizard's plan had gone off without a hitch. The slender knightess found herself against a great, twisted hollow tree growing within an impossibly tall cavern, the darkness above her shattered in two. Taking but a brief moment to come to her senses, she'd make haste to scope the new world out for the man she'd just taken it upon herself to protect.

Luckily for our heroine, this man did not exactly have stealth in his repertoire.

The conspicuous rustling of grass lead Ilia's eyes to a shadow of something crouched in the tall, dark foliage. Someone was posed to strike a group of hungry hollows... about four of them, as she counted. Though mostly obscured, the flesh visible through his hood had yet to rot... this was him, all right. “Lovely, I'm not too late...” she'd mutter to herself before taking a deep breath and assuming a combat stance, drawing her crimson scimitar. “Now, I hope you're watching... first impressions are everything.”

With these words, the lithe swordstress would kick off at a blinding speed, becoming a blur of brilliant silver as she dashed forth to cut down each hollow in an elegant, fluid series of slashes! The undead were put back to rest, their dulled senses easily blindsided!

She'd find the hooded man understandably bewildered and speechless, still reeling from the impressive show of speed. With a flourish of her blade as she sheathed it and a bow of honor, she'd introduce herself in kind. “So, it really is you... Knight LoveGame of Wes'Sv'Urginiah... So I'm not too late, then... Nice to meet ya, LoveGame.” her deep contralto voice spoke. “Ahem... by order of Master Xoxar, I'm here to make sure you see your undead journey through to the end... in essence, I'm here to keep ya alive.”

“I'm Ilia. Ilia the Lord Protector.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 3
The Mysterious Third!

Our hero, now granted with the temporary gift of humanity, had only just arrived at the ailing kingdom of Drangleic, and yet fate had already crossed his path! The lithe swordstress calling herself Ilia has sworn to protect Knight LoveGame, to ensure he would reach the end of his journey without rest! Still processing what had just transpired before him, the lone undead thought hard about how he'd impress upon his so-called protector. Eyeing her up thoroughly, he'd muster up some choice words...

“...Hmm. Those were some nice moves, I'll give you that... nothin' I couldn't have done, of course.” He'd muse, his knightly sense of pride taking the center stage. “Isn't this something? Not even two steps into this kingdom and someone already knows my name. Ilia, was it? I zoned out for a bit there, what's your aim exactly?” he'd inquire.

Ilia pinched the bridge of her nose. Clearly this one was going to be a handful and a half. “You got walnuts in your ears, guy? I told you, I'm here to help. The darksign, the cure... we can skip all the preamble, you know. For one reason or another, my master thinks you've got what it takes, so... I'll be your escort to the King. Don't make me regret taking him up on the offer.”

“Whoa, now!” LoveGame protested, holding a palm out and shaking his head. “Look, lady, not that you ain't easy on the eyes or anything – clearly you've taken care of yourself – but I ain't ready for that kind of commitment!” he'd ramble, taking such words at face value as only he could.

Giving a confused tilt of the head, Ilia would groan at the realization that this man was more than a little bit naive. “What do you- Oh, by the Nine, that is disgusting! I didn't mean that kind of escort, you quarter-wit. Were you raised in a barn, boy?”

Crossing his arms, he'd deliver what he thought to be the perfect zinger, “Why yes, and my chickens gave glowing testimonies about me. ...Actually, things got a little hazy over the past week. Memory loss is a real kick in the head. Who were you, again?” he'd half-jest.

“From the sound of it, your only hope of accomplishing a damn thing in this world.” she'd retort, her patience already wearing thin. “I'm something of a... chronicler, you could say. Read a thing or two about this kingdom during my downtime. You lead me to something worth taking note of... and I'll make sure you don't go completely hollow.”

Through his hooded visage, the man's eyes gave a pensive stare. “A reasonable offer, but... who's to say I need any help at all? If this really is my destiny or whatever, I don't see why I couldn't handle anything this kingdom has to throw at me on my own. Besides... I barely just met ya. Who's to say you wouldn't just hold me back?” he'd reason.

Reaching her boiling point, Ilia would take a firm grip of the crimson cloth on LoveGame's armor, pulling him close like a ragdoll. “Pride cometh before a great fall, my friend.” she'd say with a coarse tone. “I only agreed to this to satiate my own boredom. Don't make me regret it. We've both got plenty to gain from this, and... time is of the essence, right?” she'd say in an attempt to appeal to the man's emotions. “Two blades are better than one.”

He'd once again sink into deep thought, mulling over all the possibilities and trying to get a bead on the girl. “...you know, I'll give you one more thing. You drive one hell of a hard bargain. I can only hope your silver tongue doesn't hide a sinister second layer.” he'd admit. “Very well, this honorable knight accepts your companionship.” he then said, extending his hand for a firm shake, quickly met by Ilia's gauntlet. “It'll take some time getting used to, but that's just how it goes.”

Their goals now aligned, LoveGame and Ilia would form the vesitges of an inseparable bond. “That's more like it.” said Ilia, more than happy to get the introductions over with. “All set, I assume? Let's forge ahead, then. The kingdom's practically rolled out the welcome mat for us.” she'd add, pointing toward the cavern's exit.

“Onward to glory, then. You know, this might not be so bad.” muttered LoveGame, still feeling a bit competitive. “It'll be nice to have someone to talk to along the way.”

Her wrath incited once more, Ilia would stare daggers at the knight. “I'm sorry, what was that again?!”

Nearly biting his tongue, LoveGame would give her a brief, “...nothing!” before hastily changing the subject. Drawing their attention to the scattered array of unusual sigils that littered the path through the exit. Each one glowed a warm orange hue, written in a set of runes they'd never encountered, yet could understand as plain text at a simple glance. “Give these a look! So many words of encouragement... I wasn't the only one with a good feeling about this, eh?”

Their bravery bolstered by the words of travelers from ages long past, the duo departed the limbo at last, to the place they'd soon learn to call their home...

Majula

In this once-proud kingdom that had fallen to the inescapable grasp of the undead curse, a safe haven was an oasis in the endless, unforgiving desert. For Drangleic, it was the town of Majula that held that distinction. As breathtakingly beautiful as it was woefully derelict, the settlement found itself atop a seaside cliff face. More likely than not, it had once been a bustling port town in its prime. Now, however, it was little more than a collection of buildings, crumbling helplessly against the cruel weathering of time. Such a contrast was the very picture of melancholy. Still yet, it had not entirely fallen, standing tall as the only place of respite within this fallen kingdom. Stay there long enough, and you'd be more than happy to take what you could get.

The shadows of the cavern gave way, greeting the adventurers with a soothing sunset that blanketed the golden landscape, patches of brush dotting the firm soil underneath as they clung to life. Both warriors were overwhelmed by a sense of comfort and warmth, yet they couldn't help but note that the town was a bit worse for wear. “So, this is Majula...” Ilia mused. “I'd only ever read about the place here and there, but... I suppose it's seen better days.” she'd say with a twinge of lament.

“...you said it.” LoveGame agreed, sizing the place up, only wondering what it must've looked like in its long-past glory days. “Now you've got me feeling the whole sense of wonder thing... maybe your line of work isn't so bad.”

Thinking resourcefully, the pair would take time out to explore all that the settlement had to offer. They'd find a fair number of supplies discarded along the road, no doubt useful for the journey ahead. Lifegems, concotions... even a handful of souls of those who perished here. Further in, they'd be treated to the gorgeous view of the amber sunset against the undulating, azure sea to the north. In the distance, they'd spy many landmarks waiting to be discovered. A brilliant lighthouse, a fortress nestled in the forest, and that jet-black tower that the king himself called home.

It wasn't long before they'd make themselves acquainted with Majula's locals. One crestfallen knight had given up entirely, relegating his days to sulking beneath the monument to the fallen that stood at the highest point. An undead blacksmith found himself down on his luck, some trickster having found glee in locking him out of his workshop. A foreign man had only just set up an armory in one of the buildings, elated to have his first customer in a long while in the form of LoveGame purchasing a shield. Most curious was a plain-looking cat, fully capable of speech and operating a storefront of her own, though her curiosities were a bit expensive for the time being.

True to its reputation, Majula was a rare instance of a true safe haven in this unforgiving world. Those who resided here may have had their disagreements, but never turned to hostility against each other. The town's centerpiece was a modest, two-story mansion that still remained relatively intact. Alas, the heavy iron door was locked securely; the pair made a mental note to be on constant lookout for a suitable key. A handful of small pigs roamed the yard near the mansion, snorting as they rummaged the ground for food. They'd occasionally get aggressive, but for LoveGame, this behavior was easily quelled. Owing to his younger days on the farms, he'd keep the swine in line for the time.

Given some time, they'd familiarized themselves with just about everyone who called this weather-beaten town home. That is to say, all but the lone figure who had seen it fit to seclude herself away from the others, directing an unwavering gaze at the endless stretch of sea. Her cloak of green, calmly waving against the seabreeze, almost felt like it was beckoning them to come closer. LoveGame in particular would liken her presence to that of the mythical fire keepers. Could she belong to the ancient sect herself? For him, there was but one way to find out.

Perhaps sensing their approach, she'd speak to them in a calm, comforting tone. “Ahh, Bearer of the Curse, I know why you've come.” she said. “I understand that this may be a lot to take in, all at once.”

Feeling an unfamiliar heat build inside him, LoveGame would attempt to suppress this new feeling. For a brief moment, he'd grasp at the edges of his memories, only to find them slipping away once more. “Uhm... hey, don't take this personally, or anything... but those words mean something to me. Hope I'm not interrupting anything, but...” he'd take note of her unusually specific wording.

“It is quite alright.” she'd assure the pair, turning around to face them. “As I said, I foresaw your arrival. For what it is worth, I also knew what this encounter might awaken within you. Worry not, I am here to see your journey through to its end.”

The two would take time to eye her up, a woman appearing to be roughly their age. Her figure mostly obscured by her layered robes, crimson locks could be seen underneath her hood, her long uneven bangs covering one eye. The robes themselves were robust and elaborate, distinct from that of a commoner. “First Ilia and now you... I'll have a regular entourage by the time I actually get anywhere in this world. What sort of exotic name do you have bestowed upon you, lady?”

“I am the Emerald Herald.” she'd answer plainly. “My own goals do not differ greatly from yours, Bearer of the Curse. You seek the King, do you not?”

He'd nod silently, now captivated by the prospect she'd brought up, though wondering who the hell named themselves after their clothes.

“Then please, if you would, allow me to help. I too must return to the King with haste, and there is little time remaining.” she'd continue. “I am afraid you cannot merely visit Castle Drangleic uninitiated. With a soul so frail and pallid as yours, it would be a foregone prospect.”

Nodding again, he'd put one hand on his hip as Ilia listened along. “Duly noted... then what do I need? An engraved invitation? The kind with all the glitter and cute stamps on it?”

“Were it so easy.” answered the Herald. “Listen well, Knight LoveGame, and Ilia. As fate would have it, this kingdom is home to four beings unmatched in their tenacity. Should you find the strength to defeat them, the path to the King shall present itself to you unimpeded.” she'd explain the best she could. “The imprisoned woman locked deep within the old Bastille. Ichorous Earth, the former monarch of the Iron kingdom, the all-devouring Writhing Ruin within the mines of Brightstone, and one, final rotten soul deep below the world.”

“Hmm...” he'd ponder, repeating the words in his head. “So me and Ilia just have to bust four unfortunate heads open, and we're in the clear? Now this is more like it.” said the knight with brimming confidence. “Consider it done. On another note...ahem, miss Emerald Herald... are you free later tonight? I don't know this place worth a damn, but I'm sure the two of us could scope out a nice date spot, so long as Ilia here doesn't mind being the third wheel, the way I see it, we could...”

This guy's hopeless... thought Ilia, wincing.

Grimacing and shaking her head, the hooded woman would stop LoveGame short. “I... oh, goodness. That... is not what I am here for. Quite honestly, there is no way I could cater to the deviant fantasies I am sure you have cooked up. I have had more than my own fill of misguided adventurers referring to me as their waifu. How I wish I could forget what that term means. Simply because I can selectively foresee things at times... there are a wealth of better choices than I. Not to mention, as you can see, I have a tendency to ramble and trail off...”

“Yeah, I was honestly about to zone out, there. Alright, alright, I'll take the hint.” LoveGame conceded. “How's about you help me help you? Luckily for you, I really hate disappointing people.” he'd say, offering her a handshake that she'd swiftly accept. “Just give us something to work with, and we'll be outta here on the word 'go'.

“Finally, someone who listens... very well, but first... take this. It is my treat.” said the Herald, offering a warm, frothy flask of some aethereal liquid that glowed in shades of orange and yellow. “It is Estus. An undead favorite, they say. It may appear mundane, but this drink will close your wounds, no matter how grave.” she'd tell him. “Alas, it is weak in its current state. If only I knew where the other shards were, I could mend it myself.”

“Wonder what flavor it is...” he'd muse, accepting the drink and fastening it onto his belt. He'd give his honest thanks to the mysterious woman. “Nice to see you've got a shred of faith in me. Sorry if I was a bit excessive, there. It's just how I am, I'm afraid. If we're gonna work together, you might as well get used to it. Gotta say, I'm liking the team we've got going here... Miss Emerald, would you be so kind as to point us in the right direction?”

The girl must've taken his request literally, extending her gloved finger toward the old fortress in the distance, the grand statue of a storied solider standing tall against time. “I would suggest making your way to the forest beyond that gate. Long ago, the King waged war against the indomitable giants. Fortunately for us, his men emerged victorious, though not without great casualty. In any case, the behemoths no longer roam this land.” she'd regale the pair. “Though none of the four old ones reside in the old fort any longer, you remain too weak to challenge them as it stands. Do the valiant soldiers an honor by putting their souls to rest, and return to me when the battleground lies still. I alone possess the ability to turn those souls into strength. Such is the advantage of an undead.”

“Whew. Wish I could do something like that.” the knight said, shifting his gaze toward the path beyond the gate. “Best we get to heading out now, 'fore I start catching feelings again.” he insisted, practically dragging Ilia along in the direction the hooded Herald spoke of. “I won't bore ya with the finer details, but I had a pretty quiet life up until now. From here on out, we're the ones who'll get it done... so long as Ilia here doesn't drag me down, or anything.” he'd joke.

“You mean like this, LoveGame?!” Ilia shouted, tackling the knight with the full force of her body and getting him into a headlock, laughing it off when he finally relented. “The gal seems to know her stuff.” Ilia admitted as the two set off toward the forest. “Sounds to me like she knows more than she lets on... be wary, LoveGame.”

He'd nod in agreement, keeping pace with the blonde protector. “No doubt in my mind. She's a spicy one, that's for sure. Remind me to ask her about her thoughts on the décor. This place is nice and all, but a red leather chair or two, and...” he'd trail off, the pair keeping an even stride as they set out for their first real taste of what this adventure had in store.

Of course, rarely were things so cut-and-dry. From atop the balcony of the old mansion they were sure was unoccupied just before, a pair of crimson eyes watched their departure with great intent. Draped head-to-toe in voluminous, oversized robes and masked by a helm of bradden steel. “Finally on his way, is he? Way to spin your wheels, idiot...” spoke the man in a menacing, whispered baritone. His voice had an unnatural, demonic depth to it, harboring a sadistic sense of elation. “Good, good. I was worried I wouldn't have time to catch up. Even better, he's got his little girlfriend with him. Certainly saves me some trouble. If memory serves, they'll reach the Cardinal Tower soon... If that truly is the case...”

Making a dramatic leap from the mansion's balcony, he'd kick up a rolling shockwave of dust as he stuck the landing, his extravagant robes billowing wildly as his body surged with power. He'd have his sights set squarely on the Cardinal Tower. The enrobed man cracked his neck and steeled himself to tail the unwitting duo.

“...well alright then, it's time to go to work!”

Chapter Text

Chapter 4
A New World of Souls!
“I'm not gonna keep carrying you like this forever, you know?!”

Forest of Fallen Giants

Few people still remember what exactly it was King Vendrick did to anger the imposing giants, but the aftermath of the war they waged had its own monument in the Forest of Fallen Giants. Though their kind were long extinct, each and every tree lining the valleys and rivers leading up to and surrounding the long abandoned Cardinal Tower grew from the corpse of one of these great, enigmatic beings. If one could look past that, the Forest was serene, yet foreboding. Verdant and lush plant life covered the landscape as a shallow, crystal clear river eroded the soil as it flowed down into a cavern; a rare sight in the otherwise decaying kingdom. The skies were beset by dreary rainclouds, with many crows circling overhead, patiently waiting to prey on the corpse of anyone brave or foolish enough to venture into the decrepit vista. However, not every human who died here remained that way, as Vendrick’s soldiers were loyal to the bitter end. Even in undeath, they clung steadfast to their duty to guard the Tower with their lives…

The soothing rush of the shallow river gave way to the visceral slice of steel against flesh! The hollow infantry that made their rounds shuffling about the valley at the Forest’s entrance had taken notice of the pair trespassing on the wargrounds, assailing them as they uttered their gurgling groans of undeath! Holding fast and drawing his broadsword, Knight LoveGame cut down the hollows with a steady, controlled series of cuts to the abdomen. Their cheap, rusted, standard-issue armor did little to repel LoveGame’s comparatively well-tempered blade. He'd twirl it in his hand in an attempt to look stylish and emulate Ilia’s movement, but fumbled with it a bit before sheathing it.

“You're not half-bad, guy. Maybe our little excursion here isn't a complete non-starter.” remarked Ilia. She began to size up LoveGame, taking particular interest in the shield he now brandished in his left hand. It was wrought of black metal and bore a lustrous silver silhouette of an eagle. “Your technique needs some work, but considering I didn't have much hope to begin with, well... I'll take what I can get. Going back to buy that shield from that Maughlin fella was a good call, honestly.”

“Yeowch! I think I actually felt the back hand there, Ilia. Just you wait, I'll melt that icy exterior yet.” replied the knight with a hearty laugh. His words were now a bit muffled, courtesy of the helmet he’d pilfered from the corpse of the first hollow soldier he'd felled. It was a full face helm with a prominent crest, fitting well with his falconer armor. Although well-worn, chipped and rusted, its steel structure stood the test of time.

“Didja really have to pick that helm out? Looks like it'd crumble if you breathed on it too hard.” Ilia inquired, slightly confused at the knight's choice of headgear. “Could've just bought one of the helms at the shop while we were there...”

“Now, Ilia... where's your sense of fashion? This one looks much better... gives me that rugged adventurer look, you know? The guy was only selling open-faced helms anyway... not my style! There's a reason I tend to hide my face, but I can't tell you just yet. Not to mention, I didn't really vibe with that guy. The more souls I spent, the more he got full of himself! Didn’t wanna stick around too long, if you know what I mean.” LoveGame rambled, lightly elbowing his companion.

“…No, I really don’t. Your thought process certainly is.. different…” she sighed. “I guess old armor isn't always necessarily weak. A lot of warriors found great success using the sets from the Barrows... Anyhow, let’s review. To reach Vendrick, we have to confront the four Great Ones and obtain their souls. Only then will the path to Drangleic Castle be clear to us.”

“Right, I totally got all that! That Emerald Lady knows her stuff for sure… but what exactly are we doing here?” pondered the knight.

“Cardinal Tower is up ahead. It was the site of the apex of the Human-Giant War. Many things of value were likely lost during the climax. We should at least clear the place out for supplies before we go anywhere else. The only real threats here are the remainder of Vendrick’s royal army. Let’s get going!”

The duo continued forging a path through the river valley, cutting down the soul-starved soldiers as they went. Armed with little else aside from rusted, broken blades, they were even more trivial than the droves of Draugr Ilia had cut down during her time. Their dull reflexes made them excellent training dummies for LoveGame, who was more than happy to put the techniques the king had taught him to use at last. Reaching the brook's terminus, they climbed a ladder that lead to a clearing broken by a large tree in the middle.

LoveGame would attempt to trudge ahead, only to be held back by Ilia's firm grip on his shoulder. “Hold it, big guy. Look around us.” she'd point out plainly the bodies of many a solider strewn about the clearing. “Something tells me a good Samaritan didn't cut those guys down for us. Watch closely – they're still drawing breath.” she'd note, LoveGame picking up on the very subtle movement of their chests.

“Well, well, well... looks like we've walked in on their afternoon nap... how lovely.” he'd mutter, keeping a steady grip on his blade as the soldiers sprung up one by one. Ilia brandished her red scimitar in kind, and the two split up, drawing the undead horde away and thinning their numbers. From the moss-covered ramparts above, a pair of soldiers took aim, pelting the pair with arrows and bombs! They'd weave in and out of the array of stabs and shots, striking the moment they had a room to breathe until the bodies were back on the ground where they belonged.

“So far, so good...” LoveGame assessed, before spying one among the group who remained a rest. Slumped against the tree was a ragged, battle-worn knight adorned in brilliant white and gold. Curiously, the man kept silent, making no attempt to join the fray. Intrigued, LoveGame approached the knight and called over to Ilia. “Get an eyeful of this guy! What's your deal? Are we not good enough for you, huh, pal? You alive in that tin can?” he'd taunt, tapping at the man's cylindrical helm.

Luckily, the tree provided excellent cover, allowing them to converse without being skewered. After some deliberation, the weary white knight spoke up. “...I've no patience for theatrics anymore. Forgive me, I must've drifted off waiting for you to show.”

“See? Now, that wasn't so hard, was it? I’m LoveGame, and that’s Ilia. I'm willing to bet you have some inside info on where we could get our hands on some of those great souls!” LoveGame said to the white knight, excitedly rubbing his hands together. “You're obviously a few steps ahead of the rest of us, so... care to spill the beans?”

The ragged knight shook his head and sighed. “...heavens, I'd dismiss you as having gone hollow if I weren't so sure... but the vestiges of memory you've imprinted upon us reveals the truth. Knight LoveGame of Wes’Sv’Urginiah... the man destined to be king, are you not?”

Tilting his obscured head with confusion and intrigue, he'd think for a moment before saying, “...that's my name, all right, but... being king? That sounds like a lot of responsibilities, my good sir. I'm... just here to meet the real King... Vendrick, wasn't it?”

“Ah, already on the path guided by that woman, are you... then listen close, kid.” he'd say with conviction, “Even I don't know all the details, but... given your time is scarce, I'll tell it to you straight. You don't stand a chance in your current state. If you're even entertaining the idea of an audience with the King, then you must inherit the strength of a King yourself. I can't make it any clearer than that.” he'd say, rising from his rest and drawing a gleaming white blade, sparks surging down its length erratically. “Now, draw your weapon.”

Ilia watched the exchange in silence, morbidly curious how her ally would fare against someone with their wits still about them. She'd recognize the duel as a formality, making the decision not to interfere.

His morale peaking, LoveGame unsheathed his broadsword, taking a wide stance with his shield at the ready. Cracking his neck, he'd gladly accept the proposal. “As luck would have it, I'm all warmed up. Sweet as I may have been in my youth, I'm much saltier now. Still care for a taste?”

“Enough of your strange euphemisms.” the knight silenced him, holding his blade with unusual finesse. He'd keep it behind him, his offhand completely free. “We shall end this in a single strike. Best me, and you shall inherit the strength of a King who ruled in the distant past. If you're to fall here, then it should only serve to prove that you're unfit for a crown. En garde!”

Thinking long and hard about every intricacy of his training back home, LoveGame took a deep breath, tightening his focus. He remembered the ways he was instructed to counter each specific technique... yet, he'd never seen anyone handle a blade in such a loose, lithe fashion. Keeping a calm, steady breath, he'd see the path to victory before him.

Digging his lustrous greave into the ground, the nameless knight altered his stance just before kicking off toward LoveGame, holding his blade high above his head as lightning trailed behind his swift step! He sought to pierce the hero's chest in an instant!

...only, it was as though LoveGame had somehow seen this very move before. He couldn't place exactly why or how he knew, only that he knew. With the bolstered strength of an undead, he'd dash toward the white-clad warrior... cleanly evading his strike, and landing at his back by a hair! Wrapping him in a vice with his shield arm, he'd run his broadsword through the foe's back, feeling the heavy body slump over in his grip as the life left him.

Before he could even think of giving the knight an honorable burial, LoveGame flinched in surprise as his fallen foe faded into aetherial ashes. Everything from his corporeal flesh to his gleaming armor had disappeared before his eyes. All save for his sword, clattering to the floor, freed eternally from the warrior's grasp.

Stowing his Broadsword away for backup, LoveGame took the sword up for himself, curiously gleaning over its sleek, straight design and unusual white metal construction. Before he even got a chance to swing it about, his mind became awash with memories that were not his own. Vague, blurred flashes of another's long and storied life. He had nary a moment to make sense of what he'd been shown.

“Color me impressed.” Ilia remarked, giving honest praise toward her cohort's technique. “You actually rose to the challenge. Keep that up, and I might just start to have faith in you.”

Her comment went seemingly ignored as LoveGame appeared deep in a trancelike state. A cloudy collection of words formed, that failed to get past the tip of the man's tongue. He was just dying to tell her something, but the fleeting memory escaped him before it could solidify. “It's the... ahh, never mind. Can't help but wonder though... that guy spoke more cryptically than the Emerald Lady. Get an eyeful of his weapon, though...”

“Such unorthodox craftsmanship...” replied Ilia, looking the weapon over as she snatched the Estus flask from LoveGame’s belt and took a sip. “It's similar to Skyforge Steel, but the enchantment... it's not something you can just slap onto a weapon.” she'd observe. “That said... can we go now? There's bound to be plenty of chances to break that bad boy in, so let's make tracks.”

“Sure... you got it!” agreed LoveGame as the duo ascended yet another ladder leading to a tall, mostly-intact building with a large metal double door.

“Cardinal tower… even now, it’s truly something to behold.” remarked Ilia as LoveGame pushed the two doors open. Inside was another bonfire, much to the relief of the pair. They sheathed their weapons and sat down by it for a moment, embracing its warmth as the fatigue left their flesh and bones. Accompanied by the light crackle of embers and the comforting, otherworldy hum, They'd take a moment to catch up over tea brewed by Ilia over the flame.

“You've... done well so far. I'm starting to see why my master put his trust in you. That said…You’re stupid, through and through. You know that, right? You've still got a long way to go, and I'm not gonna carry you forever, you know?” said Ilia as she dusted herself off and took a sip.

LoveGame simply sighed and looked downward, tracing his finger on the dusty cobblestone. “Everyone's a critic...” He paused a bit, then asked, “So... Who exactly are you, anyways? I know your name and all that, but... y’know, where are you from and all that?”

Still a bit apprehensive about sharing the details of her life with her new friend, she'd take a deep breath, hesitate for a bit, and tell him, “...which one do you prefer I start with? I've lived so many places, I can hardly call just one my home... Geilinor, Skyrim... if you mean literally...” she'd explain, “…Black Marsh. Being human and all, I was a bit of an... uncommon sight there. Most everyone I knew... including Master Xoxar, were Argonians. ”

“Argonians?” inquired LoveGame.

“A long-standing race of lizardmen. Scales, tails, teeth, the whole package. Wise beyond their years.” she'd elaborate.

“Whoa! Your place had all kinds then, I guess.” said the knight as he shifted his body into a more comforting position.

“Yeah. They were always so… attuned with the spirit of nature, you could say. My master was a wizened spellsword. He rescued me from a tavern that had been set ablaze when I was an infant. Hell, he was the one who tasked me with protecting you.” She laughed softly. ”If I knew what I was in for, I might’ve thought twice.” She paused for a moment. “What about you? I’m sure you’ve got an… interesting story, to say the least.”

“Come now, don’t give me too much credit. You sound like you’ve been through a lot more than I imagined.” LoveGame also paused before telling his tale. “Well, I did train as a knight, but the Kingdom of Kahndo never went to war... I'm a farmer first and foremost. I attained knighthood as early as I could because I wanted to make a name for myself, thanks to King Philip-“

Ilia laughed and interjected, “Hold on a minute... Philip? That incompetent ruler who blames all his mistakes on everything but himself? I’m surprised he still holds his throne!”

“Yeah, I admit he wasn’t the brightest soul… but he treated his subjects all right and meant well. There was nothing he could do! We were a humble and peaceful kingdom, all things considered. Mostly kept to myself until I started having these dreams... and, well, here I am. Seeking the King at the behest of that woman. Here in Drangleic, it seems like it pays to hold onto your memories…”

As the knight finished talking, he pushed himself to his feet and dusted off. “We… should get going. The inner chambers of the Tower are just down there” said LoveGame, pointing to a ladder partially surrounded by destroyed stone, creating a larger hole with a view to some doorways. “Come to think of it, this strange tome I'd found earlier mentions something about a key further in.” He said, flipping through the pages of a ragged book.

“Well then, where'd you find this?” Ilia asked with a confused stare.

“Back in the old ladies' house... says it's an early draft for a fourth chapter of some old lord's tale.” he'd say, showing Ilia the rough collection of pages. “I kinda stopped following it after the first bit... something about four walls? Whoever came up with this didn't think too far ahead. There's way more walls than that in Drangleic!”

Shaking her head in disappointment, Ilia snatched it from his grip and tossed it into the bonfire, much to his surprise. “Look, LoveGame... I don't care what you do, or pick up for that matter... but wouldja get that stuff out of here? No sense wasting even more of our time reading everything we trip over.”

“You know what? You're damn right, Ilia. I never thought of it like that.” LoveGame said with nebulous sincerity.

The path leading down was a mere stone's throw from the bonfire. Clearly manmade, as evidenced by the pile of rubble surrounding it, with a ladder affixed to the broken stonework. They opted to explore the floor above, the locked door's rotten wood splintering to sawdust at the strike of their swords. Aside from a handful of supplies left in what appeared to be an old storage room, there appeared to be no other way but down.

“Looks like we've got no choice but to take the plunge. 'Least someone was considerate enough to give us a way out.” Ilia said, pointing to the smashed portion of the floor.

“Right, we should get mo-... wait, I just remembered something! Let's go back, just real quick, I promise!” said LoveGame eagerly, already making his way back outside, where he'd faced the mysterious white knight moments ago.

“What- Man, what did I just tell you...?” said an annoyed Ilia, begrudgingly following not too far behind. “This had better be good...!”

“I think it might just be! I spied some enticing loot on that edifice juuust a ways over from here!” He said, pointing toward a natural rock formation overlooking the brook. Though too steep and slippery to climb, especially in a set of armor, it could feasibly be reached with some flighty footwork... LoveGame gauged the distance from the edge of the tower and crouched. “Now, let's see here...”

Picking up on LoveGame's reckless intentions, Ilia scolded, “Do you have a death wish?! You’re not really going to try jump that! You won’t get enough horizontal momentum in that heavy armor, dumbass!” as she pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.

Tensing his legs up for a daring leap, LoveGame looked his cohort in the eye with conviction. “Ilia, let me teach you something. You don’t get anywhere in life holding back. Haven’t you ever heard the ol' saying that fortune favors the bold? I’ll show you how a real knight does it 'round here!”

Backing himself up enough for a proper running start, LoveGame drew from his enhanced undead strength and sprinted forth, waiting til the very edge of the tower's wall to kick off into a jump. His weighty armor be damned, he soared far enough to reach the rock's edge...

...only to fall just wide enough that he failed to gain footing on the slippery moss! With a yelp, he helplessly plummeted down into the river valley, far below! The sheer height of the drop resulted in a sickening symphony of cracks as his weighty form slammed into the ground, crushing the life from his being. The fallen knight's corpse remained for but a moment before returning to ash that scattered fleetingly into the winds.

There was little Ilia could do beyond watch helplessly as the very man she swore to protect had his life cut short in an instant. Speechlessly, she dropped her armaments, collapsing to the ground and shaking. “LoveGame, no!!! You big idiot…” she said, choking back anguished tears. Her will shattered, she remained there in a heap, her light sobs drowned out by the rushing water beneath. “This can't be happening... Now what am I gonna tell X-“

Her dramatic grieving was suddenly interrupted by a friendly tap on the shoulder. Springing back to her feet, she drew her weapon and prepared to face whatever had intruded on her sorrows.

However, Ilia was silenced once more, when she was greeted by LoveGame, who had fallen to his demise only moments ago. Though his body now bore a sickly green hue, covered in deep, bloody gashes, the nature of this appearance was but a temporary one. He casually reached into his bag and retrieved a human effigy. Pressing it firmly into his chest, he'd be restored to his former human appearance right before her eyes. He appeared unusually nonchalant, using the item as though it were no more than common skin lotion.

“Boy, let me tell ya,” he began as he took a bite of a lifegem, “I knew my first death would feel… weird, for lack of a better word... but seriously, how lame was that? I thought I'd at least get to go out in a blaze of glory or somethin'. I totally nailed that jump, whatever...”

Ilia struggled to fully take in the events she’d just witnessed. She shakily stuttered out, “B-but you just… I saw you- how the hell are you.. you know… not dead?”

“Oho, is it my turn to be the teacher? Sweet!” replied LoveGame in a casual, if a bit excited tone as he continued to chew the crunchy gem. “See... I can’t really die, per se. Well, I can. Buuuut, I come back. Not sure how much your ol' master filled you in, but I'm sort of an undead... of the cursed variety.” he'd explain, pulling back the red cloth on his armor to reveal the Darksign seared into his skin. “See, bonfires retain some of my soul essence when I rest at them. They’re kept burning by the bones of other dead heroes rather than wood and the like, so I’m kinda bound to them as long as I’m bound to the curse. It’s simple, really. The whole ‘journey without rest’ means I can’t even rest in peace! Crazy, huh?”

Ilia replayed in her mind the memory of LoveGame’s death and noting how strange it was that he left no trace of death behind. His body, armor, weapons… everything just faded into ash and blew away. “…Of course... I'd have dismissed such a thing as an old lord's tale, but... seeing is believing. So this is the true nature of the undead curse…”

“There ya have it. At least there's one upside, huh Ilia? Now... what were we doing again?” he'd ask, his voice trailing off rather unusually.

“Ah, and there we have it.” deduced Ilia, noting the early signs of memory loss. Things began to piece together for her. “Look, not to kill your morale, certainly not at a time like this... but I don’t think you’re completely off the hook. I read about this; those branded with the Darksign will go hollow if they experience death too many times. They’ll lose their mind and become just like those things we’ve been slaughtering like animals. You got lucky this time, but promise you’ll be more careful from now on! I don’t want you losing what little sanity you still have.”

“Promise!!” yelled LoveGame from a distance as he already made his second attempt at the leap from the tower once more. Ilia put her head in her hands at the man's dogged recklessness, but LoveGame flawlessly stuck the landing this time around. As he bent down to collect his prize, absorbing a soul into his body and placing some throwing knives neatly in a row on his belt, he thought out loud. “See? I did the same thing as I did last time, why didn’t it work before? Where’s the consistency in this world, man?”

Ilia rolled her eyes. “Really? You’re just now asking this? I think some of your… exalted leader might’ve rubbed off on you. Can we go now?”

At her behest, LoveGame carefully made his way back to Ilia, and together they ventured back down the smashed hole, venturing deep into the fortress' halls. Treacherously narrow bridges hung over a fiery pit, where great flame salamanders made their nest. If the fall didn't spell the end for our heroes, the reptiles that lurked below would surely devour them. Though their path split off in several directions, they'd find themselves beset by the fortress' heavy steel doors, all locked tight with the same mechanism. Figuring that LoveGame's hunch about finding a key was correct, the duo would eventually reach a path that lead out onto the fortress' outer ramparts, the trees' roots making a sturdy natural ramp that offered a view of the lush woods that housed the former soldiers' quarters below. All that remained of the weathered buildings now was the skeletal framework and bits of the roof, where undead archers perched eternally, waiting for something to shoot at. It was their sworn duty in life, so why should undeath be any different?

Taking the perilous journey through the outer walls of Cardinal Tower, the duo would waste no time making quick work of the remnants of the hollowed army, their conversation dominated by LoveGame's complaints on how ‘cheap’ archers and spearmen were with their supposed underhanded tactics that went against LoveGame's arbitrary system of honor. After Ilia shot down LoveGame's suggestion to disguise themselves in the armor of the hollow soldiers, they briefly passed through a room full of ballistae, each one manned by a hollow soldier. The undead men would open fire on the adventurers, but the shots missed the two and instead caught the other hollows in the crossfire. Less work for the heroes was always appreciated.

They'd continue forging a path ahead, Ilia making sure to take notes about the old battleground to hand into Xoxar when they'd next meet. Of particular note were the trees, each grown from the corpse of a fell giant. Some of Vendrick’s soldiers were so deeply bound by their old duties, that they'd uselessly hack at the old trees as though they were still giants themselves. Their loyalty to their King's cause, even in undeath, was far beyond measure.

Further on, they'd evade an ambush as a small group of soldiers tossed firebombs below, creating a spectacular explosion as they set off a stack of powder kegs. The blast would topple a large soldier clad in armor that evoked the image of a tortoise, after which they fought their way to the opposite side of the tower, its rear entrance open to the pair. Realizing that one of the metal doors was not actually locked, but merely opened from one side only, Ilia pulled it open to create a shortcut. Past the door was a creaky, wooden lift that appeared to lead even further down, past the salamanders’ dwelling.

“Whoa, wouldja look at that! We've up and come full circle!” LoveGame directed Ilia’s attention at the lift. “Gotta say, we cleaned up pretty damn good around here. So far, this is the only place we haven’t been yet. Whatcha thinking?” he'd ask her with a confident grin under his helm.

“It hardly looks stable…” sighed Ilia. “…but if I was going by that instinct, we’d hardly have made it this far. That said, there may be other surprises down there... You sure you're ready?”

LoveGame crushed a lifegem in his fist, releasing its restorative properties. “Ready, Ilia.” He stated firmly, dusting off his hands. The two friends stepped on the lift, activating the pressure plate, and metallic clinking and squeaking filled the room as it began to descend far past the cavern floor. It finally came to rest as they stepped off into a narrow, natural cave, likely what the fortress itself was built atop. At its terminus was a luminous barrier of opaque white mist obscuring whatever was beyond its boundary. LoveGame and Ilia opted to get a closer look.

“...Yep, this ranks pretty high on my list of ominous things. And it’s a pretty big list, I’ll have you know. Either way… it’s now or never.” The knight said, drawing his new sword, raising his kiteshield, and reluctantly placing his palm on the wall of mist. As if on command, it quickly dispersed into the aether, allowing passage for him and his protector. LoveGame’s heart pounded against his chest as the mist cleared, revealing a spacious cavern, largely bereft of anything of note, effectively putting the pair at a dead end. The cavern's sole point of interest was a crumpled, twisted mass of dried wood that, in better days, might've passed for a tree. Overtaken by moss and lichen, it was held in place by a jagged rock formation, as though it had grown around the stone.

“Ilia, you seein' what I'm seein'?” LoveGame’s eye caught a twinkle emerging from the twisted mass of dead wood, a glimmer of silver jutting out from the mud it had been caked in. Upon closer inspection, it was unmistakably a key of some sort! “Aww, yeah! This adventure will be over with in no time at this rate! Let’s grab that key and-“

The knight's words were suddenly cut short by the violent quaking of the ground beneath him! Tensing up to keep his footing, LoveGame would soon realize that the source of the tremors was right before his eyes! The wooden limbs began to shift and shudder, rising to take the shape of an imposing giant, clearly disturbed at the sight of the very thing that drove its species to extinction! Tearing itself away from the stone that had ran it through generations ago, its roar of anguish bellowed throughout the cavern and shook the walls within!

The Giants were certainly a unique race, a staggering sight to behold for oneself, both due to their rarity in the modern world and their foreboding appearance. Though relatively humanoid in their shape and posture, their impressive stature towered over even the mightiest of warriors, nearly five times the height of our heroes! Their bodies were composed of what could only be described as a hybrid of wood and flesh, layers of dense tree fibers providing them with all the natural armor to withstand the steel of a king. Its limbs were gangly and elongated, freakishly tall even for its own species. Perhaps most striking was its face. Common to all known Giants, its visage was no more than a black abyss of a hole with nary a discerning feature. Assuming a battle stance, the titan shook off the remaining rubble and lowered itself to charge at the pair!

“So, it was true... that not all the Giants had been wiped out. You know, sometimes... I really hate being right...” lamented Ilia through gritted teeth. Seeing no other choice, she drew her crimson scimitar and held her shield tight, waiting for the Giant to make the first move.

LoveGame wasted no time rushing to her side, drawing his blade that surged with the blessing of thunder. “Hey, don't sweat it, Ilia...” he'd say, stifling his own fear with all the willpower within him. “This is the perfect opportunity to test out the new toy our friend so graciously handed over.” he'd reassure her with a smile under his helm. “This guy's nothin' but a warmup for us, right?”

Through the slit in LoveGame's helm, Ilia would meet his gaze with her own emerald hues, giving him a firm nod. “Damn right. Now, when I give the signal, I'll rush his legs and wait for a-”

“HEY! YOU!” shouted LoveGame as loud as he could, disregarding his protector's words and digging his heels in, instead pointing his blade directly at his towering foe. “That's right, I'm talkin' to you, you... donut face!” he bellowed what he felt to be a scathing remark. “Yeah, you heard me! What’s up with that, anyway?! I don’t think I like it very much! Nor do I like the way you're eyein' up my friend here with that big donut face of yours! Here's how this is gonna go! First, I'm gonna bring you crashing down at my feet, then I'm taking that juicy little key for myself! If you’ve got any objections, please do speak up from that donut you call a mouth, ya big- whoah!!!“

Perhaps even a being of nebulous sentience could grow tired of the knight's grandstanding, as the Giant silenced him with another deafening roar, charging at him with unusual speed for a being of such size and heft! Swallowing a yelp, LoveGame held his kiteshield at the ready and stood his ground. Just before the giant’s attack hit its mark, Ilia, knowing that LoveGame's bravado would only get him so far, grabbed tightly onto the red cloth of his armor, summoning the adrenaline to drag him out from harm's way! The giant's fearsome shoulder tackle fell wide, and it stumbled for a moment! “Just what was that all about?! If you're gonna run your mouth like that, at least do something to back it up!” she scolded, ensuring neither of them were injured.

The giant regained its footing, stomping its sturdy legs at the knight and furiously pounding the earth with its oaken fists in an attempt to flatten him! Summoning the enhanced agility his undead body had blessed him with, LoveGame would deftly evade the relentless blows! “Kinda working on that, Ilia! Just... just gimme a minute!” he protested, trying in earnest to find the right moment to strike.

Again and again, LoveGame threw his body to either side just before the giant could find its mark! Without any room to breathe, the knight had yet to land a single counterattack! With the giant's attention focused squarely on LoveGame, Ilia took the initiative to hack it is hardy legs as she'd originally intended. “How long are ya gonna keep evading, LoveGame?! What the hell kinda knight are you?!” she shouted, already losing what little patience she had. “Did you seriously think I'd carry you through this whole ordeal?!”

“Never crossed my mind! Like I said, I'm workin' on it!!! This guy's a lot bigger than I'm used to...” said the knight as he caught his breath, the constant evading taking a toll on his stamina, “...so gimme a minute to adapt!”

Getting a feel for the Giant's movements and attack patterns, Ilia sighed. “...LoveGame, watch me closely!” she commanded, strafing around the giant and sneaking in a few deep slashes at its ankles, nearly knocking the beast off balance! “See?! You want an opening, well there you go! You might as well get used to taking down stuff like this now! It’s only gonna get tougher, so you’d do well to stay ahead of the curve! And don’t think I’m gonna keep saving your ass, got that?!”

“Okay, okay! I'll do the best I can for you!” assured LoveGame, watching every detail of the brawl with an intense fervor. Even still, he'd struggle to discern a proper opening, only sneaking in a handful of slashes when he was absolutely sure he'd be exempt from the giant's punishing rampage! “Come on, come on... just stay still for me...” he muttered to himself, sword at the ready.

Proving her worth as a seasoned warrior, Ilia was nearly flawless in her execution. Though her shield, primarily forged to withstand dragonfire over physical blows, only protected her so much, her stance remained unbroken. The incredible speed of her scimitar outpaced anything the behemoth could throw her way. For a time, it seemed no more difficult than Tamriel's own brand of giants. Her focus and resolve were unmatched in this moment.

Its left leg weakened, the Giant would find itself knelt by the special attack imbued within Ilia's blade! However, just as the pair were poised to strike the decisive blow... the Last Giant would employ a desperate measure... its final trump card! Taking a firm vicegrip on its left arm with its right hand... the great colossus would viciously tear its limb clean off, with hardly the slightest indication of pain! The movement was blindingly swift, inconceivable for a creature of such size! In the same motion, it would bring down the lifeless limb, nearly crushing Ilia if not for her timely evasion toward the back end of the cavern! “LoveGame, let's close this one out quick! Poor thing's running out of options, if it's using that damn- Rrrrghhh!!!”

The giant's next move was one that neither warriors were prepared for. Seemingly in the same motion that it had slammed its arm into the floor, it followed up with a devastating downward swing! The beast had somehow known where she'd evade to, offsetting the cumbersome nature of its weapon by aiming ahead! LoveGame could do little but watch in horror as Ilia's body was brutally crushed under the giant's oppressive reach! He'd wince in agony at the sickening crack of bone as she was sent careening into the cavern's wall! The look she wore on her face was one of a warrior who'd never known true defeat until now, accompanied by a torrent of blood erupting from her mouth. “Impossible... Damn brute... knew exactly what I was going for... how the hell...” growled Ilia weakly through her bloody coughs. Try as she might, she failed to summon the strength to rise to her feet this time.

With one foe down, the Last Giant turned his attention toward Knight LoveGame... before its focus shifted back to Ilia! Somehow, this enraged behemoth knew it hadn't finished her off yet! Stowing his fears the best he could, LoveGame rushed to the woman's side and dug his heels in once more! “Whew... You're damn good, Ilia. You seem like the kind that doesn't know how to give up…” he'd muse with a deep breath, readying his weapon once more. “...and right now, well... that honestly sounds kinda appealing!”

Feeling the tremors rock the cave once more, it was clearly evident to the knight that the Last Giant was no longer giving them mercy, and reared up for its next brutal swing! His entire body pulsing with adrenaline, LoveGame held his shield out as the giant slammed its arm forth to crush the duo for good!

It was in that moment... the very instant that Knight LoveGame felt the oppressive force of the weight arm of the Last Giant... when the vicious shockwaves of the full might of an army rippled past his shield through his arm, rocking his entire body... that the words imparted onto him by that enigmatic white knight began to take form and meaning. A lifetime of memories washed over his body, that were not his own. Those of a proud King who fought for the ideals he believed in....

...that nothing could be accomplished without HOPE.

Through gritted teeth, Knight LoveGame took the full brunt of the Last Giant's devastating attack, his body refusing to budge an inch. “...I wasn't finished yet, you big ugly giant! As I was saying... that key belongs to us!” he roared in arrogant defiance. “It was humans that brought your own kind to the brink of extinction, wasn't it?! How embarrassing, that a race of weaklings like us could wipe out your so-called warriors! I don't know the full story, but right now, I couldn't care less! You stood in the way of King Vendrick, and for that, I'll finish where he started!!” he'd shout, surging strength into his shield arm to repel the rampaging brute! It stumbled back, giving LoveGame the precious window to toss a handful of lifegems toward Ilia. “Ilia, catch! And if you've still got it in you, watch me!”

Through her bloodied view, she'd silently nod and accept the healing wares without hesitation. The moment the giant retracted its disembodied arm for a followup, LoveGame swatted the arm away with his sword! Its rage reaching a fever pitch, the Last Giant would brandish its lifeless arm in a blind flurry of sweeping slams, only for the stubborn swordsman to match him blow for blow! Intensely focused as he was, he'd stagger the towering giant once more, giving him the opening to raise his blade high above his head and recite the ancient chant. “Here I go! You ain't layin' one more hand on Ilia, no matter how long your arm is!!!” he roared, channeling the lightning in his blade through his entire being! His sights set on the giant's gaping face, he'd recite the chant to his foe!

“They are modest to greed, generous to the truth of the world!” he'd call out, digging his heels in as the length of the sword, and then his entire form were coated in dazzling sparks of lightning! “...when the heart is peaceful the seven seas cry!!!” he cried out with unstoppable resolve, “Hmmh!”, kicking off the ground and launching toward his foe as his body blazed a trail of gleaming white sparks!

“RISING FORCE!!!”

All it took was one final raging thrust of electricity, boring clean through the behemoth’s body and eviscerating the hardy flesh to shreds! Its hefty frame came crashing down to the earth at last, awarding the duo with its generous sum of souls as it faded into the aether, joining its fallen warriors at last.

LoveGame's victory was punctuated by the thud of his body against the stone floor, unable to stick the landing in his heavy armor. Her pain subsiding as the lifegems went to work, Ilia couldn't even muster up a snide remark about the knight's blunder as he dusted himself off. Not that she'd usually pass up the chance, more so that she was still doing her best to process what she'd just witnessed. “There's no mistaking it... that move...”

Before Ilia could voice her thoughts, LoveGame rushed to her side, offering a few swigs of Estus. “Hey... you holdin' up alright?” he asked with a comforting tone. “Careful, you ain't cursed like I am... One wrong move, and it's lights out.”

The healing wares had indeed done the trick, even the woman's bones were completely reformed, her body devoid of a single wound. “Hey, aren't I supposed to be the one worrying about you?” she'd ask with a light laugh. “It's nothing I haven't endured before. Just about every bone in this body's been turned to dust at one point or another. It actually kinda takes me back...” she'd say, putting a pin in her curiosities for the time being. “I'm a little ashamed I let that brute read me like that.”

“Shame's the last thing you should feel, Ilia! We won, so let's walk with our heads held high!” he reassured her, retrieving the silver key from where the giant once stood. He'd hold it up triumphantly for a moment before pocketing it away. “For what it's worth, I've never seen a fighting style like that. Master... what was his name, Xoxar? He teach ya that? Maybe you wouldn't mind passing down some of his wisdom, eh?” he suggested.

“I dunno...” she'd say, rising to her feet for a stretch. “...then again, he did have enough patience to put up with me. Still, you're a whole different story.” she said. “Man, this kingdom's of a whole different caliber... Either way, that key's our ticket out of here. Let's make tracks.”

Riding the lift back up, the pair would comb the chambers of the fortress for anything they'd missed, delighted to know that the key indeed fit each door thus far. “That oughta do it!” said LoveGame, absorbing another lesser soul into his own and dusting his hands. “We should have enough to get us by. Let's see where this key can take us. Best to clean up before we head back to Majula. That enticing Emerald lady said somethin' about using souls to make us stronger, right?”

“Surprised you remembered. Good on ya.” Ilia remarked.

As the two prepared for their return trip, Ilia spoke. “…LoveGame?”

He turned and acknowledged her with a “Hmm?”

“You did all right back there, kid. Xoxar’s faith in you wasn’t for nothin’. Good job, I suppose.” she'd say, her mind replaying the events that transpired before her. “...just what the hell are you, LoveGame...?”

“...Whuh?”

“Nothing. Talking to myself...”

Hey there, it's your new best friend, LoveGame! Man, tell me you saw that! I've got more than enough souls to splurge at the Emerald lady when I get back, but... what's that? Evidently... there's a man out for my life! Hah, joke's on him! If I can take down a giant like that, what the hell's a regular guy gonna do to me?! Anyway, I think it's time for a change of scenery... that lighthouse is lookin' like the perfect spot to me. Is it trying to guide us to the Great Soul? Next time on The Curse That Binds Us: The Masked Assailant! Wait, what's with those robes...?!

Chapter Text

Chapter 5 – The Masked Assailant!
“Man, this place is great!”

Forest of Fallen Giants, battleground of the Giant Lord

In the waning days of the Age of Fire, the cursed kingdom of Drangleic had fallen victim to a vicious gallery of otherworldly horrors, staking their claim on the land and ravaging any and all who would dare set foot beyond its gates! The king had yet to send word, and his proud men had been reduced to hollows, their loyalty extending beyond the grave! Yet, not every warrior swore fealty to Vendrick!

“...So you've decided not to let me pass, then. I see, you're pretty adamant about it.”

A looming terror stalked the skies of Drangleic, relentlessly hunting those who bore the Darksign, their motive shrouded in darkness! A great knight clad in black iron, his origins were as murky as the haze of thick, dark smoke that emanated from his form! Known, at least to those who survived the deadly encounter as the Pursuer, his name alone was enough to make even the seasoned veteran think twice!

“...fair enough. I gave you an out, and you didn't take it. Unfortunately for you, my people... well, they wouldn't exactly herald my return.”

His layered breastplate bore the faces of every victim he had claimed thus far, still frozen in the screams of anguish they displayed in their final moments! A great quiver was affixed to his back, housing the weaponry of his fallen foes, the trophies of his endless hunt!

“I'll wrap this up nice and quick. I didn't bring these with me because they were pretty to look at...”

His right hand held a gleaming greatsword, brandished as deftly and lightly as a slender rapier. In his left, a round greatshield imbued with ancient runes that warded off even the influence of the curse! In his pursuit, he was tireless, and the fierce nature of his ruthless disposition could not be underestimated!

“...and I'm more than enough of an eyeful for you, big boy.”

In his own pursuit of Knight LoveGame, The mysterious enrobed man had found himself at an unexpected impasse! Upon the wings of a great black eagle came a warrior of immense stature, shrouded in accursed black smoke! The rough sound of steel meeting stone shook the ground as his greatsword embedded itself within, followed by an even heavier thud as the Pursuer himself made his landing, retrieving the blade as the black smoke dissipated. He glared at the robed figure, the red haze glinting from the slit of his helm saying more than words could ever convey.

Perhaps fate itself had a sense of irony, as unknown to either of them, both of these men were indeed after the very same target! Not that it mattered anymore, as the Pursuer seemed more than content to destroy the unwitting challenger that stood before him now!

Casting formalities aside, the otherworldly swordsman dashed at his undead foe with the precision of a veteran marksman... and yet, failed to find his mark even once! His target had disappeared the moment before his blade had been brought down! In that instant, a crackle of golden lightning manifested the robed man's reappearance, bludgeoning the Pursuer with his silver mace! It was an elegant, clean strike that rung out through the old battlegrounds as the shrill twist of metal, nearly knocking a hole in the Pursuer's thick armor! The crude dent left behind crackled with sparks – the mark of an expertly infused weapon!

Even against this unknown foe, the Pursuer proved himself no slouch, shielding himself from the man's attempted followup! The aquamarine aura of soul energy surged from beneath the tireless hunter of undead, as he glided backward with harrowing speed in an attempt to create distance and ready his next move! Rearing back with his lustrous greatsword, he'd rocket toward the assailant with the full force of his immense form!

Even as the desperate grip on his sanity began to loosen, the Pursuer knew well that this was no ordinary undead, one worthy of the full extent of his fearsome might! To that end, he'd hold back no longer. Calling forth a deep blue aura from his arm, he'd imbue his greatsword with the energy of the undead curse itself, barreling towards the enrobed warrior with blinding speed!

What ensued was a dazzling display of gold and azure as the newly-made enemies clashed, their speed nearly imperceptible to the human eye! They'd seemingly match each other blow for blow, the shockwaves of each surgical strike tearing across the makeshift arena, scattering the dust and cobblestone about! Again and again, they'd leap away from one another, only to meet for another clash in the center! While the robed cleric had snuck several strikes past the Pursuer's defenses, he'd yet to sustain a single hit, disappearing in a bolt of lightning just before that imposing greatsword could cleave him in two! Again and again, he'd furiously fail to find his mark!

No, the unknown assailant had other plans. Each earth-shattering clash had brought them closer to the makeshift arena's entrance – it appeared that the Pursuer had seen through his enemy's strategy, leaving him decisively cornered! He'd waste no time raising his sword arm high, poised to add that lovely silver mace into his growing collection!

...yet, again, the Pursuer's strike would fall wide, swinging into a crackling fizzle of electricity! Bewildered as his heavy blade embedded itself into the stone floor, he'd turn around only just in time to witness the brilliance of his enemy's tactics! Somehow, he'd managed to reappear at the far end of the arena, manning one of the heavy ballista, fully functional despite the years of wear it must've endured against the Giants! “...You ought not to leave these things just lying around, friend. They could end up hurting you.~” remarked the robed man, readying the fully-loaded weapon. Still recovering from the sheer force of his earlier strike, the mighty Pursuer found himself unable to evade the unforgiving, swift barrage of black steel bolts, shredding through his armor as though it were no more than flesh! The menacing executioner was dead on impact, his body fizzling into black smoke as the robed man retrieved his soul, along with a power beyond human imagination...

“Phew... almost had me second guessing there. Certainly didn't expect the fortress to be bustling with life like this... I'd better be on my way... wouldn't want to disappoint my mark, after all... Can't be late.~”

“...Ilia, gimme a hand with this!” yelled LoveGame from across the outer walkways of the fortress. With their victory against the Last Giant secured, and the Soldier's Key in tow, the two heroes saw it fit to do a bit of cleanup, checking every forgotten corner of the old tower for anything remotely useful. The wayward knight had evidently unearthed a hidden gem of sorts – a lovely set of armor, still fully intact! “Looks like...”

“...the set of one of Vendrick's captains!” Ilia finished his sentence. “A nice find, to be sure...”

Digging away at the dusty pile of rubble before him, LoveGame would speak between breaths of exhaustion, “...yeah... it's more than a good find! This stuff is perfect for an aspiring knight like myself...” he said, attempting to wrench the body away from its stone prison, “...that is, if I could ever get it outta this damn rock! Look, it's even got a cape and everything! C'mon, almost got it...!”

“Normally I'd question the idea of lugging something that heavy with us, but... if it keeps you alive, well...” Ilia conceded, assisting her friend in clearing away the broken segments of stone that once provided some extra footing for the tower's outer wall. “Actually, I wouldn't mind taking a few notes on it. It's pristine, given how long ago the war ended...” she'd add, curious how the gear lasted so long. As LoveGame tried to pry the body loose, he'd feel Ilia's hands around his waist suddenly.

“Whoah there, hands off the goods!” he'd protest, stifling a laugh as he was inadvertently tickled. “...that is, unless you're in the market for- whoah!!!”

“Don't you dare finish that thought.” Ilia growled, briefly putting the man in a vicegrip with her arms before retorting, “Yeah, I'll be sure to wash them first thing when I get back. Do you want your new treasure or not?!”

Through their combined efforts, the pair were indeed able to loosen the long-dead corpse and relieve him of his armaments. The full set proved quite the hefty burden – LoveGame would have to channel his newfound wealth of souls in order to gain the proper strength to don the heavy metal, and he knew just the lady for the job. “It's a hefty one, even for me... but with Drangleic's premier delivery service on our side...” he'd say optimistically, alluding to the bonfires, “...so how about we go pay our new pal a visit? Boy, do we have a tale and a half for her. Can't wait to see how- whoah!!!”

“Hit the floor, big guy!” The moment Knight LoveGame turned toward the tower's back entrance, Ilia grabbed him by the cloth of his armor and tackled him to the floor, nearly knocking the wind out of the bewildered swordsman! He'd fall flat on his back just in time to catch a glimpse of exactly what Ilia had just saved him from – a great ball of lightning erratically bolted over his head, showering its white sparks above as the crash of blunt metal against stone rocked the old battleground!

The knight managed to push himself to his feet just as the dust settled and the dancing sparks fizzled out... and the silhouette of a man came into view! His face was fully obscured by a helm of finely polished, bradden steel, a cherry-red vapor escaping from the eye holes and billowing skyward into the winds. His body was largely swallowed up by a heavy, layered robe of cloudy white fluff over cobalt blue fabric, nearly reaching past his curiously bare feet. In his right hand, he'd brandish a silver mace coated in divine lightning, and a bell-like catalyst in his left. Recovering from the failed attempt at murder, he'd address them at last. “Phew... thought for sure that would've done it. I commend your reflexes but alas, this is as far as you'll go... Knight LoveGame!” he'd speak in that breathy, demonically low tone, biting each word with bitter contempt.

Ignoring for a moment the many questions raised when he was addressed by name, LoveGame didn't hesitate to draw his sword. “Well, if it makes you feel any better, you're a quick one yourself. Were it not for the timely intervention of my pal here, I'd be toast!” he'd tell the stranger. “Listen, I'm kinda carrying a lot on me now, in both senses. Whatever business you have with me could surely be sorted out in a fair duel. So just lemme lug this armor back to the Emerald lady, and I'll-”

His foe would shoot down the proposal with a stern shake of his head, casting a great spear of lightning, which LoveGame only narrowly avoided with a timely backstep! “As if I'd give you that option! I'll stifle you here and now, while you're nice and weak!”

Crossing his arms and assuming a haughty pose for a moment, LoveGame would retaliate with, “Hah, well the joke's on you, good sir! I'm never weak! Isn't that right, Ilia? What's say we lay this guy out real quick and head back to-”

“Nah, I'm good.” Instead of joining LoveGame's side as he expected, Ilia gingerly sheathed her scimitar and leaned up against the nearby wall. “Let's? I've never seen this man in my life. Clearly... this is between you and him, LoveGame.” she'd say rather plainly. Even LoveGame himself caught the faint hints of an ulterior motive.

“The hell kinda protector are you, Ilia?! Cant'cha see this guy means business?!” he'd yell back at her through gritted teeth.

Adamantly firm on her stance, the lithe swordstress didn't budge an inch, telling him, “Be that as it may, you won't always have me to fall back on. An honorable one-on-one is what you knight types live and breathe, right? Besides...” she'd tell him with a reassuring wink, “I know you've got this.”

Their heated exchange brought forth a sinister laugh from the assailant. “Bahahahah, I can hardly believe what I'm seeing here! Poor LoveGame, abandoned by his little girlfriend in his hour of need.” he'd taunt viciously.

Ilia nearly blew a vein in her forehead shouting, “Hey, don't get it twisted! I'd never consider someone like him in a million years! I ought to cut you down just for implying such an absurd... no.” she'd simmer down after a series of deep breaths. “Not even worth my time...”

“Cool down, Ilia. It's like you said... I've got this.” LoveGame said, stowing his fears for the time being as he turned his attention to his attacker. “Seriously though, it's nothing like that. For the time being, she's just here for the ride.” he'd back his protector's words up as he brandished the white steel blade, taking that same stance he'd learned holding it above his head and crouching slightly. “I've never gone at it with a sane human. Let's see what ya got, then!”

His grip on the mace tightening, the assailant scoffed at LoveGame. “I'm not here for the thrill of the fight. Aren't you the least bit curious why I sought you out?”

He'd shake his head with a casual, “Nah, not really. Time's of the essence here, so unless that's King Vendrick himself underneath that shiny tin can, I couldn't care less. Not like I'm ever gonna see you again after I kick your ass.”

“You insolent... fine, let those be your last words, Knight LoveGame!” he'd shout in a distorted tone as he dashed toward the knight, mace at the ready as a shower of sparks emanated from his robe!

LoveGame held his ground, countering the blow with his blade! The clash of sword against mace, steel upon steel had ensued, their metallic clang echoing all through the forest! Each time LoveGame was poised to land a clean cut, his opponent would disappear in a shower of lightning, emerging in the next flash from a different angle! Again and again, his strike would fall wide! “Shit! How can he be so fast?!” he'd growl, only barely deflecting each swing of the weighty mace.

“LoveGame, tch... don't tell me...” Ilia sighed with exasperation. “You haven't figured it out yet? He's just channeling his souls to move faster than you can see. Like you said, being undead comes with its own very convenient set of perks.” she explained. “When I calmed myself a moment ago... I could see him just fine. C'mon, you of all people should know this stuff!”

“Right, I'm pickin' up what you're puttin' down...” said the knight, taking long breaths as he held position like an immovable boulder, only moving his arms to deflect the strikes of the mace. Each time he successfully blocked, he'd begin to feel out the enemy's movements. What was once an incomprehensible blur of lightning and silver took on a human shape... and instead of deflecting the next strike, LoveGame's sword would finally find its mark! The sickening cut of metal into flesh, the ceremonial robes doing little to ward off steel!

Recoiling from the sharp pain, his assailant would tumble backward in an attempt to create distance! Refusing to give the stranger an inch, LoveGame chased him down and raised his sword for a followup, only to be sent careening back by a forceful shockwave! Catching himself with his arm, he'd spy something shiny in the man's left hand... a catalyst! Its bells would chime in harmonious resonance, calling forth a miracle that healed his wound completely, even repairing the fabric that had been shredded only moments ago!

“Careful, LoveGame.” warned Ilia, recognizing the familiar tool in an instant. “He's got some kind of healing miracle. Don't give him an inch!”

Holding the chime above his head, the masked man would taunt, “It's an energy derived from faith... and it can do far more than just healing!” before casting a great bolt of lightning at Knight LoveGame! He'd evade only by the tip of his toes, the stone floor before him now charred pitch black as a wisp of smoke rose from the point of impact. “You squandered your only chance to close the distance. Too bad.”

Realizing that his only choice was to quite literally think on his feet, LoveGame racked his mind for options. Seeing no other choice, he'd take another page from the memories imparted to him during his clash with the Last Giant. Calling upon his blade to surge his own body with lightning, he'd rush the masked cleric at a breakneck speed, his teeth grit hard and shield held tight!

The assailant was already charging another lightning spear, and loosed it at the knight followed by a harrowing barrage of several more! Undaunted, LoveGame wouldn't break the stride of his sprint! He wouldn't even make an attempt to evade the thunderous assault, hoping his speed would be enough! His shield, sturdy as it was, did little to defend him from the devastating lightning magic, several shots indeed hitting their mark! Each desperate step of his greaves against the cobblestone floor represented his undying resolve!

The instant he felt he was close enough, he'd lower his stance bit by bit, redirecting his own lightning into his boots! “A bit of advice – you might wanna consider shoes when you're out and about! Especially in a place like this...” Right as the unknown assailant readied his next spell, LoveGame would slide toward him on his knees, preparing to slice his enemy out from underneath him! “...you might just lose your footing if you ain't careful!! Stun Dipper!!!” he called out, golden crackles of lightning streaking from his blade!

...yet, he was only just too late to land the decisive cut, a fact that his assailant would viciously call him out for, evading the blade with a superhuman leap! “Hah! A commendable effort, but I saw that coming!” he'd taunt viciously, ready to punish the miss! He'd seem to hang in midair as though fate had allowed him to savor this moment! “Now YOU'RE WIDE O- HOW IN THE HELL?!”

“Greed... SEVER!!!” LoveGame roared, seamlessly transitioning from his sliding maneuver into a harrowing frontward flip, a contrail of gradient rainbow tones chasing his blade of lightning! The masked man was too late, to committed to his own counterattack to stop the sword as it viciously struck against his head, nearly splitting his helm in two! The shrill twist of metal gave way to the hiss of the crimson smoke as it violently spewed from the gash LoveGame had created!

It wasn't quite enough to kill, yet it was all the strange man needed to know about the strength of his adversary. As the knight landed on his feet, he'd waste no time preparing to finish the job. “Phew! Gotta say, you're pretty strong! The both of us are just full of tricks, aren't we?” he'd say as the man was still recoiling in pain, clutching at the point of impact on his helm and groaning. “I think I'm starting to get the hang of- Ooooooaawwww!!!”

The jingle of a chime gave way to the pop of a magical barrier! LoveGame would find himself cut off once more as the man called forth another miracle, emitting a close-ranged shockwave that sent the knight careening, landing flat on his back and dazing him! “Hey, just what kinda gimmick is this...?” he'd weakly say, doing his best to get his bearings. “...get back here! We weren't done!”

Through blurred vision, his eyes would catch the man as he attempted a swift retreat, likely having used the opening to heal himself enough to move again. The robed figure sprinted his way up the colossal stone sword, broken from the arm of the great stone statue that once served as a symbol of the fortress' might. Still clutching at the crimson crack of his helm, he'd limp his way to the top before calling out, “Not bad, you actually had me going for a moment there! Unfortunately for you, this isn't where it ends. No, that wouldn't be any fun...” he'd growl, reaching the hilt of the great embedded sword. “Don't look so down. You want your fair duel so bad? Come and get it, LoveGame. Let's meet again, at the Tower of Flame. That is, if you don't go hollow before then... be seeing you!”

With that, the robed assailant would put his weapons at his side, showing no fear as he took a daring dive from the colossal blade's hilt.

“My! How bold!” remarked Ilia.

“Was that legal?!” LoveGame added, still catching his breath as he pushed himself to his feet.

Their curiosity getting the better of them, the pair would make their way up the broken sword and look for any signs of their attacker. It was a long, sheer drop from an already high point of the fortress, elevated even further by the angle the sword was stuck in. All that awaited below was endless miles of the great northern sea. As much as they wanted to believe that nothing could logically survive such a fall, their growing awareness of the warped kingdom and its nature to challenge their expectations, they knew not to assume the man was out of their lives for good.

Having had more than their fill of the Forest for several lifetimes, our heroes made their way back to the settlement of Majula with their first victory under their belts.

Majula

The evening sunset had set in just as LoveGame and Ilia arrived back at the crumbling safe haven. Having come into a modest wealth of souls thanks to his earlier excursion, the knight thought at length on how best to spend them. He'd let Ilia study over the Last Giant's own soul before crushing it to add to his collection, feeling an otherworldly power caress his being briefly. His first stop was Maughlin's armory, where he'd find that the once-timid merchant had regained a bit of his confidence after the knight's earlier purchase, and had expanded his inventory a fair bit. Catching the wayward knight's eye was the Royal Soldier Helm, a brand-new version of the rusted one he'd found in the forest. Though he'd grown attached to its battle-worn design, the new piece fit perfectly with the rest of his repertoire. With LoveGame's continued patronage, the once crestfallen merchant began to see a glimmer of hope that he could make a living even in this accursed kingdom.

After their shopping trip, Ilia would survey the land a bit more on her own, giving LoveGame some time to himself. The girl still had her fair share of burning questions for the man she was sworn to protect; he knew as well as she did. Ultimately, she'd decide to ask him when they were both good and ready, knowing the man had been through quite a lot for one day. Besides, she was all too eager to use the key she'd been given by that eclectic cartographer back in the Forest. It was a perfect fit for the old weathered mansion that overlooked Majula. Much to Ilia's delight, she'd find the building full of old tomes and texts that would prove instrumental to her research. The two heroes would claim this mansion as their base of operations, furnishing it over time as the closest thing they had to a home in this desolate land.

Of course, his very next destination was at the Emerald Herald's side, with whom he'd excitedly share the news of his victory. She'd express her surprise that one of the old giants still stood after the war, and note that while it wasn't quite one of the great souls, the souls he'd gained here would prove instrumental in giving him the strength he needed to press on. Stoic as she was, the Herald couldn't help but be entertained as the knight regaled her with the day's events. He'd accept her offer to channel his souls into strength without second thought, awed and inspired at her unique ability to refine the lost souls of the departed. Experiencing the process firsthand was truly surreal; he'd feel as though the cloaked woman was taking hold of his own soul. Before long, LoveGame would even don that lovely armor he'd freed from the forest.

Satisfied with his newfound power, LoveGame made his way toward the bonfire for a well-deserved rest. Sure, he thought, this undead journey was meant to be one without rest. This time, however, the logical thinker within him prevailed over the brash and stubborn warrior that he was at his core. The sun had nearly disappeared over the sea, taking with it its valuable light. It simply wouldn't make sense, LoveGame reasoned, to set out this late. He'd nearly been ambushed just before, and if someone like that was willing to strike in broad daylight, he didn't want to think about what prowled this forsaken land at nightfall...

Still decompressing from the heart-racing challenges he'd faced back in the forest, he'd let the world melt around him for a moment. The comfort that the embers provided made for an ideal spot to meditate, after all. Before long, LoveGame had become so lost in his own thoughts that he hadn't even noticed he'd been joined by another, likely a traveler as weary as he was. At first glance, the stranger could've easily been mistaken for another knight. His face was completely obscured by a helm of expertly forged iron, its unusual shape and distinct red plume indicative of the old Heide order. His armor was equally striking; wrought in deep purple, marked by its large shoulders and ornate cloth tassels. However, closer inspection denoted that he was more likely a wizard. Despite its frame, the man's armor was far lighter than a knight's standard issue, skeletonized in all the right places without sacrificing vital protection. Upon his back was neither a great blade nor a shield, but a tall staff wrought of enchanted black iron, with two gyroscopic rings slowly spinning around a large white crystal affixed to its tip.

It had to have been close to an hour, neither man appearing to notice the other, until LoveGame briefly snapped himself back into reality just as night had fallen in full. “...oh! Guess I didn't see ya there.” he'd finally speak up. “Guess I wasn't really expecting anyone... then again, I did hear this land attracts all kinds... well, in any case... greetings, adventurer. I'm Knight LoveGame, of Wes'Sv'Urginiah. Well met! With who do I have the pleasure of meeting?” he'd ask, doing his best to sound polite and amicable.

He'd get his answer in a single word, spoken in a voice as coarse, gravely, and dry as a desert sinkhole. “Vivi.”

“Ah, well... good to have ya around, Vivi. You look like the type who knows what he's doing, at least.” said the knight, figuring the visitor was seasoned enough given his choice of gear. “As for me, I've still got a decent ways to go. If you can believe it, I... I'm actually looking to meet up with the King.”

Vivi remained dead quiet, giving only the faintest indication that he was at least acknowledging LoveGame.

“Yeah, I know it might sound like a suicide mission to some, but... I think Ilia and I can handle it. That Emerald lady's a real trip too, can't seem to get a bead on her...” he'd continue, still without the faintest hint of a response. “...say, it's a nice night out, isn't it?”

“Yep.” he answered plainly.

“Heh, you're a man of few words, aren't ya?”

“Yep.”

“So, uhh, what brings-“

“Look man... not tonight. Appreciate the enthusiasm, but, uhh. I got, uhh, shit to do… We can talk, but uhh... later.” Vivi finally said, unrolling a sleeping bag and stretching a bit. Whether he was merely trying to avoid further conversation, the weariness in his voice was a bit more evident now that he actually spoke a full sentence. “‘Night.” said Vivi, lying down and using his backpack for a pillow, turning away from the knight as he drifted off. Realizing it'd be in his best interests to do the same, LoveGame prepared to turn in for the night. Whatever worries he had on his mind were overtaken by his own exhaustion. The wayward knight laid himself himself under the stars, the warmth of the bonfire thankfully mitigating the need for a blanket as the white noise of the great northern sea lulled him into slumber.

Knight LoveGame had promised himself that he'd be up bright and early, and had given Ilia full permission to ensure that he kept that promise. It was no surprise then, that the first thing that came into his blurred line of sight as the sun caressed over Majula was the shimmer of her platinum locks, as the subdued ringing of his ears gave way to her familiar voice. “Aha! Ready to attack the day, honorable Knight LoveGame?”

Stretching and gathering his armor to his side, the knight would notice he was indeed the last of the bunch to awake. Vivi was nowhere to be seen, evidently sincere about his pressing matters from before. The Emerald Herald had seen it fit to spend the morning relaxing by the cliff that overlooked the great sea. Feeling energized, the man would take to his usual routine, washing himself off behind the old mansion and changing back into his new armor. Originally made only for the captains of Vendrick's royal army, the set was heavier than the Falconer armor LoveGame had arrived with, to be sure. Wrought almost entirely of steel, he'd have hardly a second thought that he'd be crushed under its sheer weight if not for the blessing of the Emerald Herald. Even then, he'd have to take great care getting used to moving around in the protective getup.

Combined with his newly purchased helm, the set certainly cut the figure of a hero. Layered steel platemail attached to a sturdy, narrow plateskirt, with an elegant crimson cape billowing in the wind, having endured only slight tattering during the war. Still favoring his blade of lightning for the time being, he'd bring his trusty broadsword along as a backup. He'd take careful count of his lifegem collection, having found a fair few in the forest. The old merchant hag they'd come across back in the tower had made her own way to the settlement, setting up her makeshift shop. It wasn't much for the time being, but among her wares were indeed a precious few lifegems.

Ilia would join his side after getting her own gear in check. She was relieved to know that despite not being undead – and very much wanting to keep it that way – the healing qualities of the lifegems worked on her just as well. Perhaps the soul truly was the universal essence of life, she thought. The two heroes briefly mulled over where they'd set out for next, before remembering the assailant's words from the day prior. They didn't exactly have to put their heads together to come to the inference that he was talking about the great lighthouse that could be seen in the distance from Majula, even more evident burning bright against the night sky before. There weren't exactly many other options; the other path that forked from where they'd emerged had been blocked by an eerie statue, it stone palms firmly gripping the lever that would've opened the gate ahead. As for the gaping pit, that perfect circle that had settled into the center of Majula... the pair preferred to put off traversing the foreboding abyss for the time being. They likely would've avoided it altogether if the Herald hadn't mentioned a Great Soul supposedly dwelling down there...

Luckily, the path to the lighthouse was a bit more straightforward. Among the few places our heroes had yet to explore was an old structure built into the side of the cliff near where the cat had set up shop. Beyond the narrow, cramped staircase that made up the entrance, they'd find themselves in a large rotunda wrought in intricate black metals. Its design was ancient and its origins nebulous, nothing else like it existed in Drangleic. There was but one pathway leading out, slightly to the right of the entrance, but more could clearly be seen beyond what appeared to be a set of interlocking gates. The room's sole point of interest was a pillar in the very center, with a complex mechanism built of white rock.

Ilia studied the mechanism with great intrigue, likening its construction to dwarven technology. Simply gazing upon it boggled the mind. LoveGame peered beyond the inacessible path, thinking aloud, “Huh... wonder where that goes...”

“...from the looks of it, you may have to keep wondering.” Ilia said, continuing to pore over its unusual design. “To be honest, I don't even know what could physically operate this... you'd need something huge, and absurdly heavy... doesn't matter now, our new friend did advise heading this way, after all...”

LoveGame nodded, heading toward the exit with Ilia close by. “Guess so... The Emerald lady did tell us one of the Great Souls was in this direction. In that case, if we press on, we'll be one step closer to getting this kingdom outta this mess.” he said optimistically. “If ol' red smoke wants to throw down again... then so be it. Not sure what his beef with me is, but he's just gonna have to get over it. You said it yourself, we've got plenty of work to do as it is.”

Hmm... completely dismissive. Seems like the guy's got even less of a clue about any of this than I thought... Still, it doesn't add up... she'd think to herself, deciding to stow her questions for the time being. LoveGame seemed to be unusually on top of things, and she didn't want to say anything that might spoil the mood.

“Aww, for cryin' out loud, a sewer already?” ...and there it was. LoveGame's groan of mild displeasure echoed through the narrow stone passage that the rotunda lead into. Cold, cramped, and as dank as ever, the rush of water beneath their feet could be heard the moment they stepped in. “I tell ya, I get a brand new pair of boots and what's the first thing I do? Get 'em wet. I'd read about these places back home... seemed to come up more often than you'd think, but still... It is what it is, I suppose. The life of an adventurer, huh?”

“Hate to say it, but it ain't like you're wrong.” said Ilia, dragging her feet through the shallow slush as she pulled the gate lever open. She'd recall the frankly absurd amount of times she was tasked with some contrived reason to enter the nearest sewer system. At the very least, she was desensitized to it by now. “Still, no use in complaining. We'll be somewhere more interesting before you know it... something tells me they don't keep Great Souls in Drangleic's pipeline.”

Nodding in agreement, LoveGame forged ahead with Ilia at her side. He'd briefly rummage through the underground tunnel, though he'd find little of use besides a flimsy wooden shield, which he tossed aside without much thought. The path ahead appeared strangely longer than it evidently was; the two heroes having reached its terminus in a matter of minutes. A golden glint of sunlight subtly reached its way through the door just ahead.

Heide’s Tower of Flame

Places of genuine, breathtaking beauty were understandably a thing of rarity here in Drangleic. Among the few exceptions was the romantic ruins that had just greeted our heroes as they emerged. Named for the brilliant, towering lighthouse that overlooked what was now in ruin, Heide's Tower of Flame offered the warm glow of an amber sunset, sparkling against the sapphire sea below and glimmering as it undulated endlessly and slowly with the winds. Though reduced by years of erosion to a crumbling, treacherous path, the stone that did remain shone like pure gold under the sunset that was almost too perfect. Though nary a single ship had come in since Drangleic fell under the curse, the lighthouse, its smooth stone brick accented in deep blues, burned as bright as ever, as if defiantly refusing to waver against the endless dark.

Letting her eyes adjust as she emerged, a thought had suddenly occurred to Ilia. Sunset... wasn't it morning just before? And yet, they were almost to the lighthouse already... shaking her head, she'd dismiss the thought for now. Perhaps it was actually a sunrise, and she'd merely had her orientation off. Not like she brought a compass. Regardless, she didn't have but a moment to think it over before LoveGame's familiar voice called over.

“Man... this place is great!!” declared the knight, placing both hands on his hips as he gazed out toward the sunset, scanning over the horizon with excitement. “Yes, I've never quite seen such... umm...” LoveGame stumbled over his words a bit in an attempt to be poetic. “...beauty in... decay! Truly this land is... yeah, what I'm saying is, I kinda like it here.”

Already taking notes, the platinum blonde swordstress would take time to get her own eyeful of the seaside ruins. “What'd I tell ya, LoveGame? Even I've never seen anything like it...” she'd say, marveling at the view. She'd note several other, smaller sets of ruins further out in the distance, inaccessible thanks to the vast stretches of sea between them.

“Once I've had my words with the ol' King, I might just see about some oceanfront property here...” said the knight, already fantasizing about establishing his quarters among the lovely ruins. “Needs a few repairs, but the sun, the sea, the atmosphere... come to think of it, all we lack is...” he continued, before gesticulating into the air, “...the chicks!!!”

Ilia scoffed at his bizarre suggestion. “...need I remind you I'm right here?” she said with a hint of sass. “Unless that's supposed to be some kind of joke-”

“Nothin' like that.” LoveGame firmly denied with crossed arms as the two walked and talked. “It's just that I know you'd never be into me that way.” he said, before holding back mild laughter and grinning slyly under his helm. “...that is, unless...” taunted the knight, his voice tapering into a cutesy tone.

“Nope. Don't even finish that thought.” Ilia said firmly. She simply shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing. “...that is, uhh... awfully respectful of you. I still feel like there was a dig at me there somewhere, but I'll give you this one. Now, where to...” she'd wonder aloud as the path neared a fork, splitting off from a large rotunda ahead. To the right was the namesake Tower of Flame, the spiral of stone stairs leading up to its main chamber still fully intact.

They briefly considered the other option, which would take them leftward toward a grand cathedral, its crystalline stained-glass windows like gemstones against the sunlight. Unfortunately, the drawbridge had been raised sometime ago, cutting off access for the time. As enticing as the prospect of plundering the old church for treasure was to the two, they opted not to stray too far from the path to their first Great Soul. “To the tower it is, then. We don't wanna keep the Emerald lady waiting. Besides, I uhh... think we're a little late for church anyhow.” LoveGame half-joked.

“Too bad it isn't Sunday.” Ilia halfheartedly chimed with a scoff. “Looks like the place is still fairly well-guarded. Watch your footing when we move in to engage. None of that flipping around shit, got it?” she commanded, noting the poor footing they'd have to contend with against the new enemy that waited just ahead.

“The hell are those things, anyway? A bunch of giants?” LoveGame asked, spotting at least four or five towering figures in the distance. Though their details were difficult to make out against the setting sun, the imposing silhouette they cut out of the orange sky gave them an idea of what they were up against. Clad in bulky armor, they stood nearly twice LoveGame's height. Indeed, one could be forgiven for mistaking them for a giant, had they not already known what constituted one in this world. “Well, not that kind, but... you know what I mean.”

“Dunno. Who cares what they are; all that matters right now is that they're in our way.” said Ilia bluntly, already planning her method of attack. “Just looks like a bunch of old knights to me. Think about it, why were the undead soldiers still guarding the Cardinal Tower back in the forest? They say that those who go hollow are forever bound to their duties in the waking world.” she'd tell him, imparting a bit of lore she'd picked up along the way.

Stretching as he readied himself to enter the fray, LoveGame nodded toward her with confidence, smiling behind his helm. “Right. No reason not to give 'em what they want, then.” he'd reason, tensing himself up for combat once more. On Ilia's signal, the pair would make their way toward the tower of flame, greatly anticipating whatever would await them within.

For all its unwavering beauty, the seaside ruins was a much more linear affair than the great expanse of the Forest. Thought it was clearly once a much larger, more cohesive structure, the crumbling ruin left only the skeleton of a path ahead. The great guardians proved to be only moderately challenging to the duo; though their strikes were indeed powerful and hefty, their bulk combined with their hollow nature made them sluggish and uncoordinated. Their armor, which upon closer inspection was a well-worn sea green, appeared to be eroded and rusted, perhaps victims of the great expanse of waters below. This made their defenses a bit lacking, especially against LoveGame's lightning infused assault. Toppling the towering men felt almost refreshing compared to the struggles they'd found themselves in just before.

The first two of the old knights were alone, only engaging our heroes when they were close enough. One held the traditional set of a sword and round shield, even trying to swing behind his back before the two overwhelmed him. A hint toward the true nature of these forlorn ruins was revealed when the old knight's souls were absorbed not by LoveGame, but instead by a peculiar iron mechanism nearby. A pair of slots folded open, revealing a rusted lever that rose up from just below where the stone had broken away. “Normally I'd have second thoughts, but... you wanna pull it?”

“Who wouldn't?” LoveGame said, casting away his doubts with a casual shrug and yanking the lever. Though they could hear the rush of water followed by a low rumble in the distance, they weren't entirely sure what they'd accomplished. In any case, they'd head on toward the round building, briefly tangling with the next old knight that impeded their path. This one held a great mace in both hands, swinging tirelessly until the duo rushed behind him to strike him down together. Once inside the rotunda, the two were faced with another trio of towering soldiers. Interestingly, the pair holding shields alongside their blades backed away, allowing LoveGame a fair duel with the one in the middle brandishing a thick greatsword. It was only a brief moment, however, before he'd struck the knight down and assisted Ilia in dispatching the other two. This victory awarded them yet another lever, but this one went unnoticed for the time being.

Either way, the pair stuck to their decision to head right, taking down one more pair of the oversized soldiers before reaching yet another foreboding wall of fog. LoveGame had even managed to salvage a pair of their gauntlets that were still intact, slipping them on for the slight defensive boon. Just as they were about to steel themselves for their next showdown, the both of them noticed a peculiar sign on the ground, shimmering in brilliant light. It bore some resemblance to the messages they'd seen carved in soapstone all through their journey so far, but this one was distinct. The runes were much larger, and glowed a stark white rather than the familiar burnt orange. Placed just at the edge of the stone path overlooking the calming seas, it almost seemed to call out to LoveGame with the faintest magical hum. “Now lookie here... is it some kind of message?” asked the knight as he bent forward, curious enough to reach out and touch the set of shining sigils.

“Point of advice...” said Ilia, half paying attention as she readied herself to traverse the mist that separated them from the inside of the lighthouse. “...maybe don't go touching everything you see, you-ahhhh!” her words of warning were interrupted by an intense, bright flash of light from where LoveGame, nearly stumbling over himself, had stood just before.

Shielding his eyes from the intense brightness, he'd lower his arm to see... a man, or at least, the aethereal apparition of what was once a man, standing before him clad in full armor and battle-ready the moment LoveGame laid eyes on him. His entire being was the same brilliant white as the sign he was called forth from, with a gray mist constantly emanating from his form. Looking upon it gave a peculiarly calming sensation, the near opposite of the sense of dread they'd feel near the same mist that beckoned them a mere few paces away.

Clearly a wandering warrior of some kind, his outfit was a ragged mix of several different sets. Of note, he wore the same presumably white chainmail as that white knight they'd encountered back in the forest, and his helm was near identical to LoveGame's. His weapon of choice was none other than the infamous Zweihander, a terribly large sword nearly as long as he was tall. His shield, by comparison, was a simple buckler, one of the smallest available. He'd address the pair in a deep, weary voice with the faintest hint of friendly disposition. “Greetings! I was beginning to think no one would show up.” he'd say, noting the look of confusion on Ilia's face and assuming the same of LoveGame. “Oh, shoot... I'm called Glencour. The greatest self-taught swordsman the world has known. My... thanks for picking me up.”

“Uhh... nice to meet you... picking you up?” asked LoveGame, still not quite getting the picture.

“Well, yes.” said Glencour, doing his best to clear things up. “Don't tell me you've never seen a soapstone before. You couldn't have possibly missed all those messages if you've made it this far. A white one's a little hard to come by, but you can use it as a fissure across worlds to offer your assistance to adventurers in need... or answer their call, in my case.”

Ilia perked up, the man's words unlocking a memory or two. “Oh, soapstones! I've read a thing or two about them. They might look unassuming, but each kind contains a special property. An orange one is just for writing messages, but it's said that they can be read even across time. Let's see, then there's the plum soapstone, said to be able to subjugate other creatures to your will.” she'd explain thoroughly, thinking about all the different colors the mysterious mineral came in. “Most people know about the white one. You can send yourself... well, sort of a spiritual projection of yourself to another point in time, or even other worlds entirely. I actually considered getting my hands on one to get here, but the effect is a temporary one. Sooner or later, you're right back where you came from.”

“...might have to look into that.” said LoveGame, genuinely intrigued, but more concerned with the matter at hand. “Pleased to meet ya, either way. I'm LoveGame. Thanks for givin' us a little company; it was starting to get a little lonely with just Ilia here around- whoah!”

LoveGame's cordial greeting was cut short courtesy of Ilia putting him into a hold for a brief moment. “...my friend here says such silly things... anyhow. What brings you here?”

“I won't press you for your full story, travelers, but... it looks to me like you need access to the tower of flame here.” Glencour assumed, correctly. “One of Vendrick's elite was left behind to guard the place, but he's without his wits now. Old pal of mine, if you can believe it. Not much chance of getting past him without a fight, I'm afraid. Honorable LoveGame and Ilia, give me the honor of putting him down for good.” he'd say with conviction.

“Well, you look tough enough...” said LoveGame, sizing the swordsman up with his hands on his hips, nodding pensively. “...and that's some nice taste in gear. I can only imagine what kind of fierce rivalry you had with this fella.”

He'd chuckle lightly and shake his head, holding out his palm. “What- Oh, no, no. Leaving him here in this state would be a disservice. Though I must admit, this is merely how I pass my free time.” he'd say, much to their mild surprise. “My corporeal form has long since turned to ash. These days... I project my soul across the land to assist weary travelers.”

“I could certainly think of worse ways to spend the afterlife.” Ilia replied, scanning her own green hues over the ghostly knight. “How honorable. Well, come along then. Nothing left to do but take a crack at it, and you seem confident enough. LoveGame, you all set?”

He'd give his usual nod and thumbs-up. “Of course! I'm goin' in with nothing but the best, after all.” he'd compliment both of his allies. He'd even light up a green blossom, releasing its energizing properties as his body tingled slightly. Weapons at the ready, they parted the mist with their new ally in tow, finding themselves inside yet another spacious rotunda.

What greeted them was a great knight brandishing a polearm nearly twice the length of its already hulking body. Its rounded, bulky armor wrought in dark scarlet gave it an unusually rotund appearance, and its matching helm was adorned with a set of imposing horns. Its absolute fortress of a body was further reinforced with a heavy greatshield, shaped rounded like a teardrop and covering the entire left side of its body. Without a sound but the clanking of heavy steel against stone, the guardian engaged the trio on sight! Its slow, lumbering gait made it easy to evade, but its arena of choice posed a different problem.

Upon closer inspection, the room's floor was composed of layers of stone circles. That lever they'd pulled earlier actually changed the nature of the room, giving them more footing to fight on. However, that lever they'd missed meant that it wasn't entirely filled in. The outer ring of the room was missing, and one wrong step would send our heroes plummeting into the sea below!

...however, the masterless Glencour was unfazed, firmly holding his ground as the weighty guardian barreled toward him. “You know, they call these men 'dragonriders'.” he'd speak up, gradually lowering his stance as his foe closed in. “They're primarily mounted units, though they actually ride wyrms, a dragon's wingless cousin. The sheer heft of their armor was a non-issue when they weren't the ones lifting it up, but on foot...”

Keeping a tight grip on the greatsword, Glencour would ready his small buckler, holding it out in front of him! LoveGame and Ilia could only look on with their jaws agape – did this man truly aim to directly tank the brash assault with the diminutive shield?!

The answer... was yes, and no! The very moment the dragonrider brought down the razor-sharp head of its halberd, Glencour executed a perfect parry, swatting the polearm away! The wrath of all that kinetic energy had just turned its own attack against it! Now robbed of what little balance it had, the dragonrider went stumbling and careening past them, leaving all three unscathed! Their ghostly ally would seize the opening, turning on his heel and bringing down the fury of the Zweihander in a wide arc! “...why, they can hardly hold themselves up! They simply... hrrrghhh!!!” he'd shout, his great blade easily finding its mark against the disoriented foe! “...weren't built for it at all!!!”

The sheer force of the swing, quite impressive with but one arm, sent the Dragonrider careening in the direction he was already headed! Unable to find a grip on anything, the hefty knight was helpless as the floor beneath it inevitably ran out, sending the brute plummeting into the azure depths! The echoes of a mighty splash were all that remained of their foe, now resigned to a watery, if a bit peaceful grave.

“...and there you have it!” he'd say, dusting his palms and placing his large blade upon his back. “He may not have been in his prime any longer, but shambling around a tower is no way to live. Oh! But you should take this.” he'd say, holding something in his palm, as white and aethereal as he was. It was indeed the white soapstone he'd spoken of just earlier. “If the idea of helping others appeals to you, don't hesitate to place your own signature. Who knows, some may even feel inclined to reward your efforts.”

The two heroes were understandably speechless at the spirit's rather effortless dispatching of the dragonrider. This knight of no renown had destroyed his foe in a single move! The fight in its entirety couldn't have lasted over half a minute! Taking the soapstone, LoveGame would speak up at last. “Whoa, it's like... wow. We didn't even have to do anything. That was no ordinary move, either. I'm, uhh... a little pressed for time as it stands, but I wouldn't mind a duel sometime down the line.”

He'd shake the wayward man's hand and nod firmly, their eyes meeting briefly through the slits of their helms. “I'll be here any time you wish to test your strength, warrior.”

“In any case, you've got our thanks. We'll take it from here, Glencour.” said Ilia, bidding him farewell.

Just as his ghostly form began to fade away from this mortal plane, he'd call out once more, “One last thing! A personal token of my appreciation.” he'd say, handing out something else. It appeared to be a small chunk of marble or some other smooth ivory stone, wrapped in pure white silk and etched with a simple pattern. “With this, you could perhaps gain entry to the Cathedral of Blue.” he'd inform, pointing to the grand cathedral they'd seen in the distance just earlier. “I can't say the path won't be any less perilous than it has been, but I'd wager just as well that treasure awaits within. You two seem fine on your own, but... should you ever decide to return, call upon me from the same spot. Farewell!” he'd tell them before fading into mist, leaving naught a trace of his presence behind.

Pressed for time, the pair would put a pin in the masterless mercenary's suggestion. Such a detour would have to wait for the time being, with the first Great Soul hanging in the balance. Vanquishing the dragonrider dispelled the mist for good, allowing them to ascend the stairs that spiraled up the length of the lighthouse's outer wall. The tower's top would offer them quite the gorgeous view of the sparkling sea against the sunset, as well as the familiar sight of a bonfire. There appeared to be a rather large indent in part of the stone floor, but the structure was in otherwise pristine condition, standing the test of time in this desolate world. As they'd observed from afar, it was still fully functional as a lighthouse, its flame enduring as well.

Resting at the bonfire alongside Ilia, LoveGame would quickly take inventory and note that much like the Last Giant, the dragonrider had awarded him with its soul, alongside a modest wealth of souls to spend as he saw fit. Despite remaining human, Ilia would also find herself receiving this aethereal currency upon striking down a foe. Evidently, certain beings within this world possess special souls worth far more than the common dreg. Though he'd yet to draw out their full potential, LoveGame knew that seeking these souls out were integral to gaining the strength he'd need to stand before King Vendrick.

“All done? C'mon, we're making great time!” Ilia encouraged her ally, feeling rather motivated after perhaps the easiest victory of their lives. There was but one path ahead – a stone bridge leading out of the lighthouse and into the mouth of the natural sea cavern. Something had been built into the side of it, but the pitch-black entrance made it difficult to discern.

Rising to his feet with a few stretches to prepare, LoveGame left the bonfire behind and joined the slender knightess' side, feeling a bit pumped himself. He'd opt to hang onto the dragonrider's soul rather than absorbing it as he did the giant's; he was determined to draw out the potential of these things, even if it was well out of his area of expertise. “Ready! Let's get while the gettin's good, eh?” he'd say with an air of optimism. “Gotta tell you, I'm gonna miss this gorgeous place...”

“Don't just leave without saying goodbye.” responded a familiar voice that was certainly not Ilia's. “You aren't going to break your promise, are you?”

“Ah, there you are.” LoveGame said with a sigh, drawing his blade once more. “Here I was actually starting to enjoy myself. In the excitement of it all, I almost forgot! Here I was all disappointed that I didn't get to fight anything today!”

Ilia immediately put her guard up, recalling well the chillingly deep voice of the assailant that had ambushed them just yesterday! “Now where is he...”

However, the two would not be made to wonder for long, as the enrobed man descended down onto the bridge in a death-defying leap, his landing creating a shockwave of crimson mist! He appeared just as before, heavy layered robes billowing against the sea breeze, mace at the ready. Curiously, he was even still wearing the same steel helm, a jagged split still evident courtesy of his last brush with LoveGame. A ceaseless torrent of bright scarlet smoke continued to emit from the gash, making a slight hiss as it did. “I'm sure it felt quite cathartic getting those cheap hits in on me last time. A shame you can't rely on those robust techniques in a place like this... that is, unless you can swim!” he'd taunt viciously. “Then again, I might just toss you over the edge myself.”

Indeed, the bridge proved rather on the narrow side, with barely enough space to cross single-file. The guard railings, though still intact, were only about waist high. Evasive options were limited; one stray dodge would toss him to the seas, and acrobatic moves like the Greed Sever were completely out of the question. The masked man hadn't chosen this bridge as a staging area for no reason.

“...you won't get that chance!!!”

Having had enough of his stalker's theatrics, Knight LoveGame sought to end this conflict in a single strike! In a single motion, he'd retrieve a bundle of pine resin he'd plundered off of one of the dead knights earlier and coat the length of his sword with the viscous residue. Catching a dancing spark, the sword would alight with roaring embers that flickered off of its edge! LoveGame kicked off, rocketing toward his adversary at speeds that even Ilia had never witnessed!

Clearing the length of the bridge in record time, LoveGame would find the assailant unable to react in time! Seizing the perfect moment, he sliced into the man with scalding steel infused with the devastating union of flame and thunder! The white-hot uproar was nearly blinding, but it was clear that his blade had found its mark. Golden sparks remained crackling throughout the air, bending around the rolling upsurge of smoke!

Knowing never to be too sure, LoveGame was already bringing his right arm back around to ready a vicious followup!

...only it was just then that the wayward knight would hear the distinct sound of... a pop, like glass breaking, and feel a sudden rush of blunt force against his entire body, knocking the wind out of him and flinging him onto his back! Ilia, who was nearly ready to congratulate LoveGame on the timely move, now called out to her ally as she tried to make sense of what she'd just seen! “LoveGame! What the... get up!”

His ears ringing and his head spinning, the swordsman fought through the ache that spread over his entire body and pushed himself back to his feet, taking a swig of estus... and nearly spitting it out when he saw who awaited him when the smoke cleared at last. LoveGame's heart nearly burst from his chest.

“...you...how... you're not...”

...indeed, standing before him was not a man of any description, but instead a lady, looking roughly the same age as the two heroes. Her crimson gaze pierced straight through LoveGame, framed by golden blonde hair tied neatly in the back and pulled into a stylish side arc in the front. Most striking of all was the girl's unusually thick frame. LoveGame's attack must have burned her robe away, as much of her fair skin was now exposed; the gash across her stomach only just now healing over. Among her scant garments was a long, crimson skirt with gold embroidery and a slit cut down the side, exposing her thick thighs and hugging her wide hips. The scarlet cloth cascaded over her massive, wide rear like silken drapes. This was paired with what appeared to be some form of metallic bra, wrought in an intricate red and gold design and padded on the inside, displaying her modest chest. Arm-length gloves in wine-red leather brought the whole ensemble together nicely, all things considered. At least, she likely thought so as she gazed into our heroes with a smirk adorning her full, rounded face.

“Fuck yeah, that's more like it!” she'd say with jubilation, speaking to them for the first time in her real voice. “I was kinda startin' to wonder how long I was gonna have to keep that shit up! It was kinda fun at first, but like... who the hell talks like that, really?” The girl's voice matched her appearance almost too well. Energetic and lively, yet lacking even the notion of refinement. A bit nasal, and with hints of upward inflection, provocative even. “I'm still completely down for the whole duel thing, but I thought a knight of all people would know it's rude to skip the introductions! Seeing as to how I already know who you are...” she'd say, slowly swaggering toward the knight. Placing a hand upon her plush hip, she'd introduce herself formally at last. “...I'm Melanie... but you can call me Melanie the Graceful. It'll sound a lot cooler when you tell your friends who just kicked your ass.~”

Much to her confusion, LoveGame didn't have a snide remark this time. He didn't seem to have anything to say, for that matter. Moreover, he had seemingly completely vanished from his spot when Melanie was talking. She'd soon spot him by Ilia's side, appearing to have a small existential crisis. Somehow, the knight had even managed to blush through his own helmet. “Man, if this ain't some kinda fever dream... Ilia, you do it!”

The lord protector firmly stood her ground, crossing her arms and turning her head away. “Nope. Not happening. It's your fight, friend. Don't get me wrong, I'm just as surprised as you are, LoveGame.”

“But... I can't focus like this! What knight worth his honor could... I can't fight a lady! It goes against everything I stand for!” he protested through his stuttering. All of his preparing was for nothing in a situation as perilous as this! He racked his brain for answers!

Ilia scoffed at the man's theatrics. “Tch, LoveGame... you're being absurd. You had no problem slicing her up before you knew who she was! This is all you, hero.” she remained firm. “I ain't goin' near that bitch anyway. She's... kinda dressed like a slut, if I'm being honest.”

“Well yeah, but that's diff-!” LoveGame again piped up only to be very quickly silenced by Melanie cutting in.

“...yeah, I'm RIGHT here, you know? Still here! Actually, she does have a point; where's that energy you had a second ago? That shit seriously hurt! Fire AND Lightning? Killer stuff, you've got good taste...” she called over to him, smacking her mace into her palm. “That said, you're lucky I excel in healing, or I might be upset...”

“Alright, alright...” sighed LoveGame as he rolled his eyes, drew his blade, and took a deep breath. “You held up your end of the deal, Miss. I owe it to ya...” he'd say, widening his stance and readying his shield! The moment he was ready, he kicked off toward the curvaceous blonde with his blade held wide! “...far be it for me to leave you hanging, so here I go!!!”

“Bless me with the blade of sunlight!” Melanie called out, holding her chime to her mace and coating it in golden lightning, sparking and shimmering as she sprinted toward him! Right when they met in the center of the bridge, Melanie would rear back with her mace held in both hands!

I knew she'd go for that! Easy, I'll just use my shield to send all that lovely momentum somewhere else, just like the Dragonrider! Here goes! He thought to himself, opting to wait until the very last moment to raise his kiteshield! Right when the head of the mace was about to meet its mark, Knight LoveGame would drop his feint, digging his heels in with his shield at the ready!

“...Azhdaha!!!”

...mere inches from LoveGame's face, Melanie would utter this word, with those blood-red eyes burning through him, and a grin of crazed determination! The moment the word escaped her lips, she'd vanish in a shower of blinding golden sparks!

“The hell?! How'd she-?! AAAAAUUUUGHHH!!!...”

What Knight LoveGame felt could only be equated to being struck directly with lightning's divine punishment! The deafening crack of steel against steel preceded a buzz of electricity, nearly sending him into shock from what must've been the most agonizing pain of his life thus far! Ilia had seen it too, her disbelief insurmountable. The attack was as seamless as it was devastating; not even a second after Melanie vanished, she'd reappeared behind LoveGame! The curvaceous woman rendered his defenses all for naught!

Twirling her mace around a bit before holstering it on her hip, Melanie sauntered over to her defeated foe just as his legs finally buckled, and he collapsed to his knees. “Ya know... when I first ran into you back in the Forest, I was beginning to wonder if you were really him. That is... until I saw you pull off those spicy moves. I was like, yup, that's the guy!” she recounted in an upbeat tone with a hint of taunting. She'd gently take hold of his head, bringing him closer and looking him in the eyes through his helm. “Yeah, you starting to put it together now? You aren't the only one with the undead curse.”

LoveGame couldn't muster a verbal response, his body having largely given out on him. Were it not for his new armor, his spine would be reduced to dust right now, and he could feel himself slipping out of consciousness. “...”

“Listen, guy...” Melanie continued as she paced circles around him, occasionally leaning forth to meet him at eye level. “You...are in way over your head. You thought that was pretty brutal, huh? Well guess whuh? This kingdom's overrun. If you keep goin', you're gonna run into stuff way... and I mean like, waaaay stronger than me. Just saying, unless you're trying to see how fast you can go hollow...”

Seething at the sight of her fallen ally, Ilia could no longer stand idly by! Drawing her scimitar and readying its special attack, the lithe knightess rushed the curvy cleric in a blind fury!

...only to be stopped short, convulsing under a deluge of lightning that had manifested from under her feet! Her armaments clattering to the floor, Ilia found herself completely immobilized as the vicious volts coursed through her veins! She caught a glimpse of LoveGame finally collapsing before Melanie swaggered into her view, circling her as she watched helplessly. “...yeah, I didn't actually believe you... so I laid that bad boy down just in case. Pretty cool miracle, huh?” said the red-eyed lady, gazing into Ilia menacingly. “Doooon't worry, I'm not gonna kill you two here just yet. 'Specially not your friend there, seeing as how he'd just, you know... come back. I'm just gonna let ya think on this crushing defeat for a while and... yeah! Maybe do a little self-reflection.”

Before she left the duo, she'd add a bit of insult to injury, holding her arms up and shoving Ilia over with an incredibly fluid hip-bump. Given Ilia was fading fast herself, Melanie opted to give her that one last push with a bit of personal flair. Turning away, the curvaceous cleric waved gingerly at the heroes and bid them farewell.

“Gotta say, that was actually fun! Thanks for playin'!~”

With those parting words, Melanie the Graceful made her exit, swaggering out of the heroes' sight just as their visions faded to black.

Defeated in a single strike by the alluring assailant, our heroes find themselves out of commission as their quest for the first of the Great Souls has taken a dire turn for the worse! Was Melanie truly also in search of the Great Souls? If so, could Knight LoveGame and Ilia awake in time to catch up? Hurry, you've got to wake up!

...huh? Oh, yeah. That's right. Those two are out like a light. I've gotta do the outro... I get to do the outro! Ahem. Hi, it's me... Melanie the Graceful! What a riveting fight that was, huh? After they... hold up. Why am I barely in this next one? Nah, fuuuuck that. Chapter 6, my fat ass! I got something better. Yeah, I know it wasn't in the original. Neither were these outros. Next time: Arise From Grace! You're gonna read about me and you're gonna like it!

Chapter Text

Paralogue M
Arise From Grace

Given that its very history was shaped by war waged by the gods, the Age of Fire saw the birth of many forms of organized religion. It was, to be sure, an intriguing point of contention in this realm. Some looked to the gods for guidance, and a select few even brushed shoulders with one, and lived to tell the tale. Some sought to bring them down with their own hands. Others denied them outright, never straying from the dark path of humanity.

Among the largest of the theocracies was that of Lindeldt, a neighboring province to Drangleic. In more prosperous times, the two lands enjoyed fruitful trade ventures; even Vendrick's elite utilized Lindeldt's potent miracles to turn the tide in battle. The Archdrake Sect in particular was instrumental in their final push against the fearsome Giants. Communications halted after Drangleic fell under the curse, its denizens left to wonder if Lindeldt had succumbed to the same fate.

Wrought in opulent pearl and gleaming gold, Lindeldt prided itself in its appearance as the promised land of sorts, whatever that meant. Its buildings – from its cathedrals to its market to the living quarters – all manifested as great, slender towers. Connected by suspended walkways, one certainly wouldn't see the bottom if they looked down. Perhaps Lindeldt's architects believed that they could commune better with the gods if they were closer to the heavens themselves.

Even before the Undead Curse began its cycle anew, Lindeldt would regularly find itself at odds with the undead. Fearing the calamity that would befall them if their sacred treasures were taken by the undead, the theocracy began to enlist anyone willing to take up the mace and drive the scourge back with the wrath of the gods, as a provisional army of clerics and paladins.

Among those willing to fight was a woman named Melanie. Quiet and reserved in her youth, little was known about her, even by her closest relatives. Regardless, she proved to be a natural, adept with her mace and quick to flow from one strike to the next without losing her rhythm. Her faith, too, appeared deep – she was able to cast most of the miracles the abbey had for public use by the time of her early teens.

For better or worse, these are often the years when many start to come into themselves, and Melanie was no exception. While she was content in her youth to follow the tenets instructed upon her unquestionably, the girl became increasingly curious regarding the nature of all those things she was told were forbidden. Not only that, but she was among the first to come to resent that such things were ever forbidden in the first place. She'd begin to realize that the girl she was becoming didn't entirely line up with the standards she had been so adamantly raised to meet.

Indeed, by the time of her early twenties, Melanie scarcely resembled the proper lady everyone hoped she'd grow to be, in spite of it all. Her once proper, formal manner of speech had become coarse, vulgar, and laden with profanities that would make the very gods blush. Having had her fill of the strict bans on all the things she found exciting, she had clearly gone this direction as something of a rebellion. Gone was the slim, svelte, reserved young lady, having foregone her strict diet a few years ago, and discovered the joys of that forbidden elixir known as alcohol after accidentally swallowing communion during service. This lifestyle, alongside the addition of an obscene number of squats to her training regimen, made Melanie considerably curvaceous, and breathtakingly bottom-heavy. Her thin frame of yesteryear had filled out into a symphony of succulent, thick curves. Her unique body was something she took great pride in, regularly boasting of her beauty, and her dresses often had to be custom-sewn. Public opinions varied; some sisters found her look becoming, others dismissed her as a fatass who was full of herself. Not that anyone's opinion but her own mattered to her.

Naturally, this crude behavior and overwhelming sense of pride raised more than a few eyebrows, including those of the church. Indeed, one wouldn't be wrong to wonder just how someone like Melanie could even be allowed to exist in a society as deeply rooted in faith as Lindeldt was. To answer this, one needn't look further than her remarkable skill as a warrior. She wasn't a mere prodigy – she was the best Lindeldt had to offer. It was no contest. Wielding the divine lightning of the gods in one hand and her mace in the other, the blonde was a force of divine retribution on the battlefield. Her curvier frame did naught to impede her movement – she seemed to have grown even faster through the years. Whether they wanted to admit it or not, Lindeldt needed Melanie.

Her staggering level of skill combined with her lewd acts of vulgarity made Melanie something of a local celebrity. Indeed, many were curious to meet her for themselves, whether to get to know her better, or just to confirm some whispered rumor. The church was more or less forced – however begrudgingly – to give the blonde cleric special treatment. This included her own living quarters, where she could spend her days as she saw fit, with only a minimal fee so long as she continued to pledge her loyalty to Lindeldt. It was certainly spacious enough – especially for just herself – and came with most of the amenities she could ask for. The décor was a similar white and gold motif as seen on the outside of the tower, with patterns of fluer de lis throughout. Her bed was a plush four-poster draped in velvet crimson, with silken sheets and drapes for privacy. The wallpaper near her bed was curiously peeling off in one section. She'd actually been offered the place the moment she became of age, and didn't think twice about the chance to truly blossom into her own, away from the judging eyes of her family.

Though some saw this as special treatment, Melanie was, for all her lack of refinement, fairly amicable when it came to visitors. Those that didn't mind her unique brand of charm found her outlook on life interesting and for some, even worth considering.

The calm tranquility of Melanie's home was broken, however briefly, by the hefty clanking of metal against the floor, muffled only slightly by the soft carpet beneath.

“...and two-hundred! Mmf! Lovely!” the deep, heavily-accented voice of another woman came from the room next to Melanie's. “Goodness, I believe I've just worked a miracle.~” she'd say, toweling herself off as she returned to greet Melanie in her bedroom. “I must say, it was a wonderful idea repurposing the spare room like that. The gyms back at camp don't have anything near as good!”

Of the sisters she trained with at the academy, it was Licia with whom Melanie shared the most storied friendship over the years. Not only was the girl among the top of her class – unquestionably second only to Melanie herself – she backed the blonde's unholy ideals with every shred of faith she had. It was no wonder that the pair hit it off so well, both having grown tired of the strict nature of their nation's lifestyle. It wasn't uncommon for them to partake in their daily training together, and today was no exception.

“I do believe I'm finished, Miss Melanie.” said the brunette, slipping back into her dress. She was certainly alluring in her own right, the caramel tone of her skin contrasting Melanie's fairer complexion. She was indeed curvy like her companion, similarly pear-bodied, though to a slightly lesser extent. Unsurprising, given that she'd taken up Melanie's tried-and-true workout regimen. The two women even wore their hair similarly; elegantly sideswept into an arc in the front and neatly tied in the back. Licia's light brown locks were a bit shinier and more straightened, whereas Melanie's own bright blonde was worn a bit more loose, a strand or two occasionally hanging to her forehead.

That said, their manners of speech couldn't have been more different. Licia's words carried a refined, English-style accent and a low, almost soothing tone to them. The girl wasn't nearly as vulgar as her friend, but it always sounded that much more hilarious when she did say something a bit more coarse. That said, even despite her far more refined exterior, it wasn't for no reason that Licia was besties with Melanie. The curvy brunette was something of a swindler, a trickster, a charlatan. It was rather frightening how easy it was for her to scam the unsuspecting simpletons of their wares, as though it were second nature to her. The woman kept a cool, amicable demeanor the entire time – a particular skillset Melanie held great respect for. For countless years now, Licia had perfectly maintained her facade as a kind sister only interested in spreading her faith, but it was with Melanie that she shared the truth.

Melanie, meanwhile, was relaxing on her bed and very lightly rubbing herself, a sight Licia greeted with the same casual disposition as seeing her neighbor tend to their garden. “You're just now finished? Tch.” taunted the blonde cleric playfully before seeing her look of mild surprise and backing it up a bit. “Shit, I'm just playin' with you, girl! You were in there longer than me! Get it!~” she cheered, momentarily rising from the bed to perform her... well, one could call it a secret handshake in a loose sense, with Licia. In perfectly fluid sync, the two curvaceous gals would begin with a double high-five, before facing parallel and giving each other a generous booty-bump, their hips swaying like water. They'd slap hands a few more times before leaping forward, ending the complex ritual with a rather hearty chestbump. “Shit!” Licia cursed, blowing on her chest.

“Fuck! We're really gonna have to work on a new handshake, girl. I uhh... did not take into account how sensitive we are up here.” Melanie chimed, doing the same.

“Oh, rest assured, I'll get it all right... Oh!” Licia piped up, remembering their plans for the evening. “Do we still plan to visit the grand cathedral after hours tonight? I've prepared a most wonderful meal for us all, it would be a shame to waste.”

Melanie stretched, looking up at her like-minded friend with a smile. “...the fuck do I look like missing out on that? You already told Lammy, didn't cha?”

“Of course, well in advance.” Licia said with a nod. “We'd never hear the end of it if she were to miss out. Now, let's see here, I've already got the-”

Before Licia could go over her list of goodies, the two girls would be jolted out of their conversation by a knock at the door. Wordlessly, Melanie would shrug and reluctantly get her fat ass off the bed to answer. “Yeah... whozis?”

It was one of the emissaries from the Royal House of Osteria, his white gold helm obscuring his face as he delivered his missive. “This is a message from the Archdeacon. Miss Melanie, you are hereby invited to this evening's formal dinner to discuss the nature of Lindeldt's future. Miss Licia is free to accompany you if you wish. That is all.”

He'd hand her a written copy of the note signed by House Osteria, proving its authenticity. He was out of sight before Melanie could even think to ask anything pertinent. She'd shoot Licia a puzzled look and a shrug, to which she mirrored the gesture. It wasn't completely out of the ordinary for Melanie to be allowed attendance to various events and gatherings, owing to her status as one of the finest warriors in Lindeldt.

“Hey, why not?” Melanie proposed, pocketing the note. She'd give her body a generous stretch, already rummaging through her wardrobe for something nice to slip into for the occasion. “...if nothin' else... it's free food, girl! We listen to the oldheads ramble for an hour or so, and get our pre-gaming done all at once, hm?~”

“You drive a hard bargain, dear sister.~” said Licia with a playful smirk, still toweling herself off from the intense exercise she'd completed. Gazing down upon her glistening caramel curves, beautifully toned as they were generously filled out, she'd pull back the waistband of her preferred workout shorts and let it snap back, admiring the feedback it produced against her love handles. “Granted, it'll all go to my hips, as per usual.”

“Nonsense, there ain't any room left there, Liss! When I talked about surpassing me one day, I didn't mean like that! Now, let's wash away our hard day of work in the bath! I like to think we've still got some sense of self-respect!” Melanie quipped to her friend, laying out her favorite red dress and placing underwear and shoes at the foot of the bed. The luscious pair of ladies tied their bathrobes around their waists and departed to freshen up.

The perky pair would turn more than a few heads as they arrived at the formal dinner, among the earliest guests in attendance. Melanie's ensemble struck the perfect balance between formality and allure; a gorgeous dress of deep, dark crimson, so long and wavering that it brushed against the floor and obscured her shoes entirely. The top half was secured by her favorite matching corset, accentuating her pear-shaped frame to great effect; each step of her elegant gait gave way to the hypnotic bounce of her prominent, pronounced butt. Her rounded face had its cutest features brought to the forefront thanks to her perfectly applied makeup; a heavy dose of black eye shadow that contrasted her light pink blusher and matching lipgloss. She looked downright kissable to anyone unaware of her reputation.

Perhaps to seize the opportunity to dazzle her peers, Licia opted for a more bold approach to her evening ensemble; borrowing one of Melanie's favorite pieces. She thought to forego her usual dresses of silken brown and ivory for one of striking vermilion red. It was actually the less conservative of the two, its off-the-shoulder design and lacy white trim accentuating the fruits of Licia's labour. Its length was broken by a modest slit cut halfway down, giving just enough of a view of her plump thighs that it didn't violate any sort of dress codes. One of the rarest finds in Melanie's collection, the vivacious blonde thought it a shame for this gorgeous top to go to waste, having never worn it herself. She was more than happy to let her closest companion slip into it, and so she did – pulling it off with the explosive allure that only she could. Her gorgeous brown locks, as neatly tied and sideswept as ever, were adorned by a matching hairband that brought it all together beautifully.

Indeed, both women looked as though their dresses were sewn on, caressing their figures without tarnishing their opulence one bit. Their steps in perfect sync, Melanie and Licia would take their seats next to one another, jesting that they may end up needing two the way they spilled over the sides, but taking solace in the fact that they had comfortable seats no matter where they were. They relaxed for the moment, savouring the rich atmosphere. Neither of them were particularly enthused about formalities, but they couldn't deny that the higher-ups had put together an incredible banquet. The pear-shaped pair paid little attention to the archbishop's droning on about the usual politics – it didn't concern them anyway. They had not a second thought about seizing the opportunity to indulge in the finest food and drink Lindeldt had to offer.

Absorbed as they were in their own world, everything else seemed to melt around them as they engaged in their playfully drunken banter, already planning for the night of savagery ahead of them. “...and we've arranged for Lamretta, too?” asked Licia gleefully between sips of wine.

“Mhm!” mumbled Melanie with a mouthful of meat. “...and Lammy, and Rammy, and Red...” she'd list off, making sure she wasn't forgetting anyone.

Licia put an arm around her bestie and laughed. “You... you do know those are all the same person, don't you? A shame we weren't able to procure any... well, any of the boys.”

“Girl, I'm, tryin' to get messed up, not exiled from the whole city. We'll find a nice young man to tag team one of these days, bet.~” said Melanie with a tone of playful reassurance. “If we get 'em in trouble now, they won't be around for us in the long run, you know?” she added, illiciting a laugh from Licia.

The ladies continued to stuff themselves with delicious delicacies to their hearts' content, cleaning up and sharing one last drink to wash it all down. Still absorbed in the elegant atmosphere and warm candlelight, they'd both begin to zone out into their own worlds. The hearty meal coupled with the Archbishop's monotone droning had just about lulled them to sleep, Melanie dozing off before her Licia, laying her head on her shoulder. Licia gave a light laugh, tilting back in her seat until she too enjoyed an impromptu nap.

Both were mere moments from dreamland when they were snapped out of their slumber by the all too familiar voice of the Archbishop. “Ahem! Miss Melanie! Miss Licia! Eyes up! You dare sleep through my sermon?! Such insolence! Is this how you repay us for inviting you to such an exclusive event?!”

“...mmhyou're the one puttin' us to sleep with that dry ass voice of yours, guy...” said Melanie through a yawn as she slowly awoke with a casual stretch. “Put some life into it, maybe...”

“Miss Melanie!” he roared back at her from across the table. “The lot of us have had just about enough of your mouthing off! You WILL show some respect!”

A smile crept across Melanie's face as she shot Licia a knowing look, which she returned, as though the two girls had just formed a psychic connection. “Oh, get over yourself, guy. If anything, I'm the one who deserves all the respect around here, saving your asses and all. Come to think of it, I don't think you've given me a single accolade for all my hard work, so, like... How 'bout this for a burst of inspiration... mmm.~” said the curvy blonde, her words dripping with poison. As she lifted her shapely leg ever so slightly, a deep, otherworldly growl gave way to the thunderous rippling of her unbelievably lengthy fart. The explosive girl's flatulating echoed all throughout the dining hall, commanding the attention of every attendant within as they were assailed by its... unique ambiance. All the while, her face was adorned with a decidedly smug smirk as her massive rear vibrated her seat beneath her.

Naturally, each and every guest glared at her with gazes of absolute disgust, a few reaching for napkins with which to wipe their watery eyes. All except for Licia, who watched with amazement, looking at Melanie as though she'd just performed an elegant solo, giving her a high-five as the display concluded. Absolutely red in the face, the Archbishop stood up with such intensity that he toppled his seat. His scowling mouth quivered, at a complete loss for words to reprimand such an uncouth act.

“Why, of all the... Miss Melanie, you... you're...!”

“Oh, hush. From here on out, you may call me... Melanie the Graceful! It's only fitting for someone of my refined elegance and class, dontcha think?~” she'd announce, rising from her seat as her knee hit the table, the blonde met his exasperation with a confident smirk. She raised her goblet aloft, its contents no doubt being the catalyst for her sudden surge of confidence. “Now... I'm what? Come on, take the filters off, archie! Lay it on me, dammit! You've still got a pair of balls down there, don't cha?” taunted Melanie, raising her leg and placing her boot on the table. “Wanna call me a disgusting, low-bred bitch? Guess what?” she'd continue her rant, holding her pointed finger above her head. “I'm also the only thing holding your bitch boys together! Like it or not, sweetie... you need me, and you know it.”

Her words were met with a collection of gasps from the other attendees, hushed murmurs between them filling the room. None dared to speak up. Hearing no signs of protest, she continued her smug tirade even as the gathering stared daggers in her direction. “Yeah... nothin' to say, huh? 'Cuz you know I'm right. Your silence is all the admission I need. Get rid of me if you want, but... well, let's just say it'll hurt you more than it'll hurt me.~” she'd taunt further, each and every word steeped in pure poison. Rolling her eyes at the Archbishop's increasingly disgusted look, she'd wave her hand dismissively. “Oh, pull the stick outta your ass and relax. That goes for all of you... seriously, go... get a massage or jerk off or something....” she'd say to the silent crowd. “...'kay then.”

“Well said, Miss Melanie.” Licia said with a content smile. “Erm, pardon me... Melanie the Graceful. I do believe our friends here could do with a bit of loosening up. Truly, they should be thankful it wasn't me going in on you all... my choice words are far more scathing.”

Melanie smiled at her bestie's reassurance and added, “Credit where it's due, she's right. This gal woulda cleared the whole hall if she were in my position. Seriously... girl, I felt those aftershocks from the other room earlier!”

Feeling flattered, Licia put her palm on her chest and laughed a little at Melanie's comment. “Well... what can I say? I become rather... immersed when I'm hitting my squats.... ehem. My utmost gratitude for the meal, speaking of which. If that's all, then we'll adjourn for now. I'd say this was a very enriching experience for everyone!” insisted the curvy brunette, neatly stacking her plates and glasses and rising from her seat with a stretch.

“I agree!” Melanie said, following suit. “We should get going then; can't keep those ladies waiting!~”

With that, the pear-bodied pair made their exit, the rest of the guests left to ponder over the display they'd just witnessed. Nothing Melanie said or did hurt them directly, but they couldn't help but wonder how far she could push this act of self-importance.

Late into the night, the two ladies had opted to slip into some more casual wear and meet up in the abbey's main hall, accompanied by Lamretta and her bounty of beautiful booze. The cute, stocky Draph girl had already begun pre-gaming, as she was known to do with wild abandon on nights like these. With the vast church all to themselves, the ladies wasted no time drinking the night away as they regaled each other with fantastical tales of their adventures over the years. A beat tome lay open amidst the array of spirits, livening up the atmosphere with a sultry bass beat.

Woe betide the fool who would dare to light a match in the presence of these uniquely refined ladies on a night of indulgence such as this one.

The night of revelry went on without much incident, as the trio found themselves joined by a few of the other Lindeldtian ladies, whether bold or merely curious. They'd gather around the small table and join in on the jovial conversations, each one having their own intriguing stories to tell. With no one else around this late into the night, they'd have free reign of the opulent cathedral until the sun rose once again.

In the midst of all the celebration, Melanie would spy Lamretta opening several bottles at once and shaking one of them up with intense vigor. “Whatcha doing over there, Lam?” she'd ask the drunken Draph. “You packin' that stuff like a twilight herb? I don't get it.”

Swaying her aqua blue braids side to side, she'd greet the blonde with a warm, yet determined smile and an intense look in her eyes. “What does it look like, girl? Ah'm makin' a dank-ass drink combo! I call this one... the Lam Goes Wham! All we gotta do is add one lil' splash of the Divine Blessing... some Code Yellow, a lil' bit of the Whale Tail, and...” she rambled on, shuffling through her array of bottles as they clinked about. “...the main ingredient is...” she began before clumsily fumbling the dark liquid, tipping it over and shattering it. The contents spilled onto the floor, much to the chagrin of the blue-haired Draph. “...god DAMMIIIIIIT! That was THE LAST PIECE of the drink combination I...”

“HAAAAAAAAD!” she screamed to the very heavens.

Melanie and Licia both winced a little at her cacophonous cry, the former doing her best to subdue her woes. “Oh, Lam... be so for real, would ya? Relax, we should still have one somewhere around here...” Melanie reassured her, rifling through the bottles until she found something suitable for the unusual concoction. “It just needed dark rum, right? ...yeah, try this one! It's the one-fifty-one stuff, buuuuut... knowing your fortitude, it'll have the same flavor and everything! Just gotta pop it off nice and easy, so as not to loosen the...”

Pop

Just then, a thick metallic ring would loosen itself from the bottle's neck, rocketing out with a resounding metallic clink against the ornate stone floor. “...flame arrester. Well, shit.”

The tiniest of sparks was all it took to set off a series of uncontrollable flames that began to engulf the entire building with an unstoppable blaze of flickering embers. Lamretta's ill-fated attempt to make a dank drink combo had spelled doom for all who attended the gathering! “Well, girls... we got it open... but at what cost??? Serves me right for trying EVERYTHING to prevent this, ya know?!” she'd cry out in frustration. “Well, time to cut our losses and get the hell outta here!” she'd concede, leaving her precious booze behind as she darted toward the nearest door! “Exit stage left!!”

“Not how I'd hoped the night would end, but... yeah, I don't exactly feel like stickin' around! You gals follow Lam! Hey Liss, how about we-” was all Melanie could manage to get out before a loose chunk of stone freed itself from the flames high above and found its mark square on her head, relieving the curvaceous cleric of her consciousness for a spell.

“...use to get rid of her for good. Better late than never, isn't it?”

“She's just not worth it anymore. So be it, we'll finally have peace of mind.”

...when Melanie awoke, she'd find herself entirely bound by a set of magic rings, planted firmly against a wall right outside the smoldering remains of what was once the Grand Cathedral. The painful ringing in her ears gave way to the overwhelming scent of black smoke. Just opposite of her stood the Archbishop, the hooded figure striking his palm out from his enrobed form, a shimmering chime grasped in his palm. “Ah, so you've finally come to? Well then Miss Melanie, I shall spare you the preamble and formalities. I haven't the time nor the patience to entertain your theatrics any longer, anyhow. Considering that you were the only one present after the burning of our Lindeldtian Grand Cathedral...”

“...the whuh now...?” she'd mumble with an air of grogginess, “...oh, yeah. Shit. That did happen, huh? Sorry 'bout it.” she said with an unusually casual tone. “So what's gonna happen to me now? Your call, archie.”

“You've committed an unforgivable transgression on our holy land...” the Archbishop declared, steadying his right arm and keeping a sharp focus on the blonde woman. “The Grand Cathedral of Lindeldt was a historic treasure of ours, and you've reduced it to nothing. Furthermore, the most sacred of all our miracles has gone missing... and so, we've no choice any longer. Miss Melanie... ehem, Melanie the Graceful, as you might prefer... as punishment for your insolence and heresy... you are hereby exiled from the land of Lindeldt for the foreseeable future. I do hope your night of debauchery was worth your life.”

“All I've gotta say to you is... good luck. You tight-asses won't last a week without me, but I've already said as much. No sense wasting time with the formalities. Go right ahead, if you've got the balls for it. I'll be sure to make time to come back and haunt ya.” taunted the pear-shaped woman, seemingly accepting her final fate without protest. She'd feel a sudden, searing heat building on her back, coursing up her spine with a burn of intensity, and yet she did not react. “See ya never, big guy.”

The Archbishop scoffed, drawing energy into his shining catalyst and keeping his aim steady. “If that is all, then... neither do I have any further words for you. Begone from our presence, foul woman. Umbasa!” he'd declare, the shimmering energy that gathered around his palm manifested into a white-hot beam of purity!

Melanie flashed the Archbishop one last grin as she was vaporized into the aether, erased from this plane of existence and never to return to the realm of Lindeldt.

…

...and there was no telling how much time had passed, as for Melanie, it was nary a minute before she awoke to the faint sounds of waves crashing against a towering cliff, the warmth of a crackling bonfire being her only respite as she came to, curiously clothed in the white robes of the Archdrake sect. She'd push herself up for a moment and sit crosslegged, her mind awash with murky thoughts that she struggled to fully comprehend. The searing pain on her back had subsided for the time, at the very least.

“To be cast out for an innocent mistake... such tragedy. Might I offer you some respite in these trying times?” spoke the soft voice of another woman. Cracking her neck, Melanie would turn around to see its source – a slender lady clad in a curious cloak of emerald green. “The curse of the undead knows no mercy, it seems. Perhaps I could be of assistance.”

“...mmmh how so?” mumbled the dazed blonde as she took in her new surroundings.

“It just so happens that I could benefit greatly from someone of your unique set of skills and talents. If you wish to shed your old life and take on a greater, more fulfilling purpose... then listen well to what I have to say.” the mysterious herald spoke.

With a long, drawn out sigh, Melanie steeled her mind for the worst, knowing she had no other choice in such an unusual situation. After all, there was nowhere to go from here but up.

“Go on...”

Hey, you! It's me, Ilia! Remember?? Alright, we've all had just about enough of you! Now that that nasty bitch finally shuts up... ahem! Our impromptu nap notwithstanding, we're getting closer to the first Great Soul that Emerald lady was talking about! All we've gotta do is make our way through the old prison complex... man, how many undead did they manage to stuff in here? What's that, the ancient Sentinels won't let us through? We'll just see about that! Next time – The Moonlit Prison! I'm gonna kick your ass, you hear me?!

Chapter Text

Chapter 6 – The Moonlit Prison!
“Is there something you aren't telling me?!”

Heide’s Tower of Flame, Cathedral of Blue

Nightfall had descended upon the seaside ruins, the Tower of Flame's shimmering light persisting against the darkness to create a sky of sparkling navy. Unfortunately for our heroes, they were not conscious to gaze upon such a gorgeous view, still incapacitated from their brutal defeat at the hands of Melanie the Graceful. Without much time remaining, their window of opportunity would surely vanish if they did not reawaken soon! LoveGame, Ilia! You've got to wake up!

...yet, just as one battle reached its bitter end, the echoes of clashing steel and souls far away meant that stage was being set for another! On this fateful night, the abandoned cathedral found itself haunted by an apparition from the distant past...

Having left some time after LoveGame and Ilia and taking the opposite fork in the road, the masked wizard Vivi sought to further test his skill... and perhaps gain insight into his murky past along the way. Commanding the might of raw, blue soul energy with his peculiar spinning staff, he'd carve a warpath through the crumbling ruins, sending the lumbering old knights into the crashing waves below! Adorned in full armor, the man could've been mistaken for a knight himself. His face remained a mystery behind his polished iron helm, its long crimson plume whipping in the sea breeze. His unusual platemail boasted large, round shoulder guards wrought in deep purple metal and engraved with brilliant silver runes. Most impressive of all, all that layered metal didn't slow the slender warrior down in the slightest...

“Hmmh!!!”

...even as he leapt high into the air, drawing his bejeweled scimitar to slice through the rough hide of a temperamental red drake, the last thing standing between him and the grand Cathedral of Blue! He'd dash through the air as though he weighed nothing, his curved blade aggressively tearing into the winged beast's resilient red scales! It reeled its long neck back to take a vicious bite, but Vivi took the opening to call forth a glowing soul spear, launching the spell straight into its throat on his descent! He'd make a deft landing, gasping for breath as the beast faded into white ash that quickly scattered in the wind, as though it was never there. He'd take a moment to catch his breath and take a comforting swig of Estus.

“Nearly thought I'd bitten off more than I could chew.” said the wizard in a dry tone, “...figures it'd be just my luck that a red drake wandered this far... Hmm, now I've an even deeper commitment to making it to the end of this unusual path...” he'd continue, ears perking up at a metallic clank to his immediate left. “...and it would appear that there it is.”

As if accepting the offering of the dragon's mighty soul, an old rusted lever rose up from the stone floor. Cracking his knuckles, Vivi gave the undated mechanism a solid yank. The rattle of metal gave way to rustling chains and creaking wood; the great drawbridge lowered as though to beckon the magician into the halls of the cathedral. A wall of shimmering mist manifested over the twin doors, emitting a low hum through the otherwise quiet ruins. Creating a small flame and inhaling the resulting smoke of a handful of amber herbs, the young magician made his way up the lowered bridge, drawing both of his weapons and tightening his focus as he dispersed the mist, revealing an unknown adversary knelt on the polished floor with his head bowed in prayer.

To anyone well-read enough, and to those fortunate enough to have lived through the previous Age of Fire, the red-plumed helm wrought in the visage of a proud lion would be unmistakable as that of the Old Dragonslayer, the old Lord of Cinder's most esteemed knight. Now a renowned figure of diluted legends and old lord's tales, his appearance now would be questionable at best, and at worst, it meant you were dead.

Fortunately for Vivi, he had no reason to know this hero's significance, and given that much of the world had forgotten, he had little reason to care. Stepping out into the light that filtered through the cathedral’s brilliant stained glass, the Dragonslayer's armor that once shone a lustrous gold had been corrupted by an unnatural corrosion of the dark, the essence of humanity itself. He brandished a great spear with a crossed tip, its length coursing with that same deep purple glow as he strode toward Vivi. Neither warriors had words for one another, though Vivi felt an unusually familiar energy emanating from his foe as he assumed a battle stance, holding the spear in one hand with ease.

Perhaps in an attempt to catch Vivi off guard, the Dragonslayer made the first move! His subdued walk immediately gave way to a blinding dash; he seemed to glide across the polished cathedral floors with his spear held forward! The magician only narrowly avoided being skewered, rolling to his side and springing back to his feet! Channeling his staff, he'd fire a controlled volley of soul arrows at the armored apparition! A few made their mark, but after recovering from the momentum of his narrow miss, he'd block the rest with his spear! Now knowing what the intruder was capable of, the Dragonslayer used his incredible speed to close the distance!

Knowing he'd have to match this harrowing and offensive approach with his own, Vivi cast a soul spear straight into the lion-faced warrior's chest, landing a direct hit that even managed to chip some of the darkened armor away! The Dragonslayer barreled onward, fighting through whatever pain he might've felt as he used his superior reach to swipe at Vivi! The first hit knocked the wizard off balance and launched him off of his feet, but he'd recover with a handspring and draw his curved blade for a counter! Just before the scimitar dug into his arm, the Dragonslayer followed up with a two handed stab straight into Vivi's abdomen! His armor saved him from certain death, but the sheer force of the blow sent the wizard crashing through one of the stone pillars!

Not letting up, the Old Dragonslayer rocketed toward Vivi, twirling his spear for a followup while his foe was still dazed! Thinking on his feet, the magician kicked one of the loose chunks of stone straight into the towering knight's head, kicking off the ground with his staff set alight! A seemingly endless barrage of soul arrows assailed the stunned spearman, blinding him with blue mist! Taking the only moment he'd likely have, Vivi tightened his focus and channeled his magic through his entire body, giving him a faint glow of azure. Drawing the bejeweled scimitar once more, he'd rush in and deliver several slices steeped in magic, the enhanced metal creating several deep gashes in the Dragonslayer's armor as the shrill twist of metal echoed through the abandoned church!

Even through the assault, the Dragonslayer managed to push Vivi back a few feet with his spear held longways in a defensive position, but the spellcaster ran right back into the fray! The two would clash evenly for the moment; what Vivi's scimitar lacked in range it made up for in its incredible speed. He'd attack from multiple angles, circling around and landing several slashes into the spearman's arms, weakening his grip on the mighty spear! Both combatants moved at a blinding speed, giving it their all just to keep up with each others' relentless assaults!

Vivi made a particularly rough slash into the Dragonslayer's gauntlet, disarming him as the long spear clattered to the floor! In a desperate last-ditch effort, the darkened knight cloaked his entire form in overflowing dark energy, as if set aflame with a black haze. He'd leap high into the air, nearly reaching the ceiling! Upon his descent, he'd slam his body into the ground, scattering shards of stone as the dust mixed and swirled with the dark purple magic! However, a split second before the Dragonslayer landed, Vivi responded with his own mighty jump, avoiding the erupting waves of darkness and casting a blinding orb of pure soul energy, crushing the shadow of a long-lost legend once and for all!

Sticking his landing just as the dark mist dissipated, he'd watch the Old Dragonslayer fade to ashes, never to haunt the Cathedral of Blue again. Now gasping for air as he let his body loosen up, Vivi absorbed the wealth of souls left behind and pocketed the knight's own soul for later use. “Good, good. I've still got a fighting chance. Still, how strange it was that I'd felt that darkness somewhere before.” he said to himself after catching his breath. Whether this encounter had gotten him any closer to discovering his past, he was unsure, but the souls he gained proved instrumental in bolstering his strength for the horrors ahead.

The man residing within the cathedral was of no help to Vivi, but the small side chamber housed a bonfire, by which he promptly collapsed. There was still yet much to discover for the intrepid spellcaster.

Just as night had fallen, Knight LoveGame had finally came to, with Ilia soon to follow. The ring he'd plundered back in the forest granted him very gradual healing properties that fixed his near-fatal wound as he unwillingly slept. Even more curious was the treasure that lay inches in front of him as his blurry vision came into focus – a large, rectangular greatshield wrought in midnight blue and decorated with a faded gold sun. Rightfully confused as to where it came from, but no less accepting of the mysterious gift, he'd push himself to his feet, pick it up, and fasten it to his back, replacing his kiteshield. “Man...” he'd groan as he cracked his neck and stretched, his strength returning, “...that coulda felt better. Least I got a consolation prize.”

“Normally I'd be on your case about taking gifts that just show up like that,” Ilia said, getting up and checking her bags to make sure nothing was stolen. “Wouldn't surprise me one bit if that fat-ass slut was the one to leave it behind... she got me with a cheap gimmick, but I'll be sure to repay her in kind if... when she decides to show up again.” she'd say, smacking her fist into her palm. “I've got a few tricks of my own that even you haven't seen yet, LoveGame.”

“I like the way you think, Ilia. Gotta keep 'em on their toes. Still, I feel more at home with a shield like this. Between you and me, I can't parry to save my life.” he admitted bluntly before pointing to the doorway on the opposite end of the lighthouse bridge, seemingly built into the side of the cliff face. “C'mon, we're running behind as it is, and I'm itchin' to test this bad boy out.” he'd say, patting the shield with his armored hand.

Ilia looked the large armament over, noting its expert craftsmanship. “You sure it won't slow you down at all?” she asked with mild concern.

“Not even a little! I feel lighter than a-” called LoveGame over his shoulder, already getting a running start for the darkened entrance before he tripped, not yet used to the sheer weight of the greatshield! “Whoah!” He caught himself at the last moment, saving himself from a faceplant as he strode forward with confidence.

With a sigh, Ilia shook her head and followed the knight into the unknown, just as she had up to this point.

Ilia's torch roared to life with a mighty spark as the lithe swordstress took point, illuminating the inky darkness and revealing a network of stone corridors before them. The multitude of wide pathways and lifts throughout, along with its proximity to the lighthouse suggested it was once a supply path of sorts. Compared to the crumbling ruins they'd just emerged from, the dark colored stone structure was almost perfectly intact, either having been built much later or simply shielded from the sea's wrath by the cliff face it was built into. The air was no less damp and salty, giving the pair an unexpected chill without the warm sea breeze at their backs.

Having been long abandoned since the kingdom's fall, the stone halls were largely vacant. A small detachment of the lumbering Old Knights still patrolled the walkways, but the stragglers were easily defeated by the reinvigorated pair as they made their way down. Now afforded a rare moment of peace, the pair of heroes took the time to talk their situation over as they walked.

“What is it, Ilia?” LoveGame asked, reading the pensive look on the woman's face. “You look like you're just dying to say something... appreciate the light, by the way.”

Ilia gave a sharp sigh, nearly swallowing the words as she tried to piece her thoughts together. “It's just... look, is there something you aren't telling me... LoveGame? If that even is your real name?”

The knight gave a shrug, an unusually mild reaction to her words. “Nothin'. I'm pretty much an open book, so ask me anything. Just... like I said, that whole hollowing thing knocked a few memories loose, so... you know.”

“Look at it from my perspective. Isn't it just the slightest bit odd that the first.... well, sane would be a stretch, but... one of the only, er, lucid people we find out here is hell-bent on taking you out?” she'd ask, replaying the encounters with Melanie in her head. “Master Xoxar made it out like protecting you was something special, but it's clear there's more to it than some fated quest to fulfill my purpose or some shit. Don't tell me... Do you have a bounty on your head, guy?”

“Hey, ease up!” the knight protested, holding both hands up. “I know you don’t have much reason to believe me, but I’m just as clueless as you are. Never seen her before in my life, really! Why would anyone wanna kill a sweetheart like me? I’m lost for words! If anything, she's makin' ME look bad.” he'd say in earnest, trying his best to maintain his innocence.

Ilia scoffed at his half-baked defense of his character, but ultimately relented. “Fine, if you say so... still, I think there's more to this than either of us realize. I'm not just a warrior, you know. I'm also... a chronicler. Just as it's my sworn duty to protect you, I've also taken it upon myself to take note of everything I find here to add to my archives back home.”

“A noble cause, my dear Ilia!” LoveGame said jovially in an attempt to lighten the mood. “Somethin' tells me if we get our hands on one of these Great Souls, we'll be that much closer to some answers. 'Course, the extra power's a nice plus too. Let's make tracks!” he shouted, waving his arm as he ran slightly ahead of the torchlight with a bit of extra spring in his step.

Despite having held strong as the kingdom crumbled, these halls were not immune to the erosion of time. Several paths were entirely inaccessible, some of the metal doors were bent and wedged into their doorways, not budging an inch. Others were blocked off with loose rubble, perhaps having been sealed off on purpose. Searching the place thoroughly for anything that might help them on the road ahead, the two eventually exhausted every dead end until they happened upon the way forward in the form of a large, square lift. Stepping on the pressure plate in the middle, the duo descended with the sound of rattling, rusted chains.

They found themselves in an almost completely identical corridor, but the echo of their boots sloshing underneath indicated this lower floor had been almost entirely waterlogged. They'd drag their feet through the stagnant water until they eventually reached an exit in the form of a natural cavern, the jagged stalagmites creating a path further out to the old shipyards.

LoveGame and Ilia nearly choked on the dense, foggy air, overwhelming them with the taste of sea salt.

Sinner’s Rise

Meanwhile, Melanie had already made her way well ahead of the two heroes, traversing the entirety of the Lost Bastille while they were out cold thanks to an alternate pathway her curiosity rewarded her with. Despite her pear-shaped frame, the red-eyed Lindeldtian possessed inhuman agility thanks to her undead enhancements, allowing her to leap and scale the Bastille's ramparts with little effort. She crossed a large and imposing bridge that overlooked the entire prison, eventually reaching the old Saltfort and scaling the outer walkways. A small detachment of Royal Soldiers were quickly alerted of her presence, drawing their flamberges and charging forth, brandishing the wavy two-handed blades.

“Aww! So much for a stealthy advance. All that clappin' back there musta gave my position away. My bad. Can't help it!~” she'd say with an air of ambivalence, drawing her steel mace that shone under the moonlight. She'd flick her wrist, cloaking the blunt weapon in golden lightning, tearing down all three soldiers with a single elegant arcing strike, ripping through their armor like dry parchment. “...Wow. That was pretty awful even by my standards.” She'd climb a ladder that gave her access to the Saltfort's inner walls, spying a massive lift in the center. A nearby crossbowman fumbled for his sword, but failed to draw it before Melanie caught him from behind, kicking him in his back and, with a decidedly bored look on her face, brought the heavy flanged mace down on his head, crunching his helm like a tin can. Heading further inside, she sighed contently as she took the lift down to wherever it may lead.

“Wonder if those two woke up yet. Lover-boy's too hard-headed to just call it quits after taking an L... and his not-girlfriend has no idea what she's gotten herself into... of course, that's IF I'm right about all this. Which... c'mon, I'm right. Too bad I can't get that nice juicy soul for myself.” the blonde warrior thought aloud. “But the sweet goodies I plundered here almost make up for it... oh! And here's where I get off!” said the provocatively-dressed gal, feeling the sudden shake of the rusted elevator grind to a halt.

Beyond the lift's exit, Melanie found herself staring down a long, heavily flooded passage with a gate at its end, the waterlogged path terminating at a colossal prison tower said to be reserved for only the most irredeemable of sinners. Several other paths lead up to a pair of stone catwalks on either side, and the rattling of chains could be heard from the shadows. As much as the idea disgusted her, she'd bite the bullet and dip her bare toes into the dark, murky water and begin trudging onward. Feeling the cold liquid rush over her ankles mixed with loose sediment and Gods-knows-what else, Melanie's face twisted into a look of disdain and annoyance. “Just when I thought I couldn't hate this place any more... and I was in a good mood, too.” she said to herself, shuddering as she felt the water deepen the further she got, now well up her calves. “Ohh-! C'mon, and it's gonna soak all in my dress too? This is so not the kind of place for a graceful gal like myself...!” lamented the curvaceous cleric, fixing the loose locks of her golden hair back into place and casually letting out a loud, rather lengthy fart. It echoed through the darkness of the corridor, meriting satisfied sigh and a light giggle from the lady. Moments later, she was jolted by a low, bestial roar coming from further down, as something much larger sloshed throughout the brackish water toward her location.

“…Shit.” was the only thing to escape her breath as she once again brandished her mace and prepared for whatever otherworldly horror she had drawn the attention of…

No Man’s Wharf

No Man’s Wharf was a haunting locale, even compared against the rest of Drangleic’s gallery of horrors. During the kingdom's glory days, it was a thriving port where ships would bring various supplies to and from the kingdom. It had even sprouted a small community, sailors and traders alike had constructed living quarters along its multi-tiered edifices. Brave sailors nocked their bows with arrows of lightning to face whatever terrors lurked in the great sea, and the continent to the north was said to be inhabited by even worse, more inhuman things than what stalked the deepest reaches of Drangleic in recent years.

In an attempt to make up for the precious time they'd lost, LoveGame and Ilia tore a path of destruction through the wharf, clearing out the remains of the wooden shacks and splintering docks that spanned the length of the port. The area was as vast and wide-open as it was poorly lit; the pair split up to cover more ground, taking great care not to plummet into the unforgiving sea below. The hollowed husks of Varangian pirates assailed them with the explosive combination of oil urns and arrows tipped with flame, cut down just before they could make their shot. They'd even managed to catch a few of them asleep in their quarters, striking them down and taking every scrap of supplies they'd hoarded away.

Ilia cut her way up the eroded edifice, encountering grotesque, pitch black beasts with elongated limbs that swiped at her from afar! She'd discovered their weakness when they hissed and retreated at the sight of her enduring torchlight, backing the otherworldly creatures into the wall and hacking their limbs away! She'd take special note of these abominations for her chronicle, their mutated physiology raising more questions than answers.

Meanwhile, LoveGame carefully crossed the wooden docks, treading the shallow waters to collect lifegems that drifted ashore and fending off sneak attacks from the hollowed pirates that hung from the sides of the rotting walkways to wait in ambush. He'd find a strange stone mechanism in the center of the wharf, with three holes in the vague shape of a face. His curiosity rewarded him when he placed the square keystone he'd found back in Majula into its mouth; the whoosh and roar of a fiery urn above illuminated the entire port before their eyes!

After doubling back, the pair met up on either side of the winding network of docks, mere meters apart yet divided by the undulating abyss below. “Ilia, watch this!” LoveGame called over, eyeing a large, thick plank that was held straight up by a splintered barrier. “Hmmh!” he'd deliver a roundhouse kick with his metal boot, bringing the wood down as a surprisingly effective makeshift bridge. “Ain't nothin' can split us up, sister! How's that for making good time?”

Ilia took a step back and flinched, in mild disbelief that the knight's recklessness had rewarded them both. She held her arms out for balance, carefully walking the plank to meet up with him. “I'll give you that one. It's very on-brand for you, but... we cleaned the place up pretty good, eh?” she'd say with a faint smile. They'd finally reached the end of the docks, several offshoots built over the water to allow for boarding and departure of ships. “LoveGame, look!” Ilia called out, grabbing the man's shoulder and turning his attention to a glimmering object at the highest point atop the stone edifice. Even among the worn and eroded wood it was affixed to, it shone a perfectly polished gold as if beckoning the pair. “I hadn't seen it until you turned the lights on for us...” she said, squinting a little to confirm her thoughts. “...looks like a bell... and our ticket forward.”

“How do you figure?” asked the knight in earnest, looking up at the distant golden glow.

“Were you raised in a- oh, that's right. Already went over that.” Ilia cut herself off recalling their initial meeting. “If you ever see a bell in a seaport, especially a big one like that... they're used to signal ships to come in to dock... and we'll need one, from the looks of it.” she explained, both of them turning their gaze out toward the vast sea ahead. The imposing shadow of a dark, castellated structure was just visible under the full moon that hung overhead. “No idea if any ships are left operating here, but it's worth a shot. We'll sink like bricks in all this armor... now, we just need to find a way up there to ring it.”

“...or we could try and hit it from here.” LoveGame said inquisitively.

Ilia looked over at him and raised a blonde eyebrow. “That's... actually a fair point!” she'd compliment before realizing the issue. “Wait, how? Neither one of us is any good with a bow... even if we had one. What are we... LoveGame, what the hell?” she'd cut herself off when she turned to see the bizarre sight of the knight... aiming the tip of his silver sword at the distant bell.

“Ilia, hold this for a sec.” he'd say, removing his helm for the first time in quite a while and shaking out his shaggy, black hair. He'd push the stray bangs out of his eyes and pass the metal crested helm over to his cohort, much to her increasing confusion. “Okay... now, steady as she goes, LoveGame...” he said to himself, closing his left eye and holding the tip of the blade out, taking a deep breath...

“...Stun Edge!!!”

The silver sword sparked to life, electric energy gathering at its tip! With a mighty swing, the shining bolt shot forth, illuminating the darkness around it as it left behind a golden contrail! Sure enough, the lightning struck the conductive metal head-on, creating a resounding ring that resonated through the entire wharf! With a wide grin, the knight pumped his fist in celebration! “Oh, yeah!”

“...of course you had another one of those moves. Why would it be anything but?” Ilia said with a relieved sigh. “Good one. Here's your prize.” she'd say, handing him back his helm which he fastened back over his head.

With just a few rings of the sonorous bell, their savior began to awaken. Far out into the sea, another group of lights made themselves known to the duo, this time in an ethereal, ghostly pale blue. The dark waters underneath roared and rushed under the hull of the large ship that sailed its way toward the end of the dock, dropping anchor just meters away from where they stood, blue flames set alight. The tattered sails wavered in the light ocean breeze, yet the rickety ship remained seaworthy. “Better than nothin', right? Welcome aboard, after you of course.” he'd say, waving Ilia on and following close behind. As they'd expected, the ship had no crew to speak of, fueled only by the souls of the sailors that once roamed its creaky decks. Indeed, the pair plundered a modest host of souls to bolster their power for the road ahead.

Heading inside to the lower deck and making their way to the back, they'd find an unusual and intricate mechanism, some sort of sideways wheel that allowed them to gain limited control of the ship. He gave it a light push on its side, feeling the vessel begin to move. “...and we're setting sail! I’m really something, huh?” he boasted as the ship began to steer itself just as before.

Ilia gave a light scoff. “Yeah… yeah, you sure are…” she said quietly as they returned to the deck of the ship, gazing out toward the shadowed fortress drawing ever closer in the distance…

Lost Bastille

The old ship didn’t take long to dock at its destination. Standing strong against the test of time and built of black stone and metal, it rose far above the great sea, bathed in frozen moonlight. Its rampart lined walls made it impossible to reach by land, cut off from the rest of the world for a good reason. Before the instruments of Drangleic’s fall were put to work, such a high volume of hardened criminals were herded and locked away here that its capacity had long been exceeded. The hollowed inmates remained here to this day, and one could reason that they were none too pleased with their fate, if they were still capable of forming a thought.

As the pair disembarked, the swordstress gasped! “LoveGame, did you feel that just now? I've never sensed anything that powerful.” Ilia said, her green hues widening as her heart raced suddenly. “No doubt we're getting closer to the first Great Soul! No sense in slowing down now, right?”

“Don't need to tell me twice, sis! Let's make some tracks! No sense burning this beautiful moonlight!” the knight shouted back at her, already making a beeline for the main entrance with his blade drawn.

After dispatching a few Varangian stragglers dozing away at their tables, they'd ride another lift up, leading to a dilapidated hallway that housed rows of holding cells on either side, whose occupants had either long since broken out or deteriorated to bones. They'd take the time to search each one for anything valuable, but everything not nailed down had likely been stolen some time ago. They'd continue up the staircase that lead to even more abandoned cells, and an exit to the outer catwalks where guardsmen once made their rounds. Ilia spied two armored figures perched atop makeshift wooden towers and a third at the far end of the catwalk, all armed with crossbows. Ilia signaled to LoveGame to hang back and plan out an approach, but his eyes were drawn to a far more familiar sight.

“I know, Ilia... but I've got to chat up my friend over there first.” Sat against the inner wall of the catwalk was a white knight, virtually identical to the one he'd encountered back in the forest clearing. That same golden trim adorned his spiked white metal, embraced by a ragged white cloak. Just as before, the nameless knight hardly acknowledged the pair beyond a light nod. “...so there's more than one of 'em, eh? Greetings, fellow knight. What brought you out this far? Most people don't... come to prison by choice, you know?”

The layered chainmail rattled lightly as he pushed himself up to address the pair. “Ah... basking in the incredible energy of the great soul of a lord... even at this distance, I find myself in awe at such a wondrous soul... and I know well that you seek to claim it as your own, as the destined monarch.”

“Let me guess, you've been waiting for me too? I already met your cousin, back in the Forest of Fallen Giants. Taught me all these nice moves, but I can't seem to use 'em more than once. Any idea why that is?” LoveGame inquired, recalling his first experience with these wandering warriors.

“Tch!” the white knight's scoff echoed through his helm, ignoring his question. “He was but a novice! A noble one, to be sure... but his teachings alone won't suffice against the bearer of a Great Soul, let alone all four! His teachings were mere child's play! Face me, and I will impart upon you a truly fearsome power, instrumental in the long road ahead of you.” he announced, drawing a long spear wrought of the same silver metal as the sword LoveGame had obtained from his bretheren. “Watch closely, Lord Protector!” he called over to Ilia. “You may just learn something as well!”

Taking a deep breath and tightening his focus, Knight LoveGame assumed a combat stance, this time with his great Tower Shield at the ready. “I'm a lot more seasoned than I was back in the Forest! As you can see, I've picked up some extra goodies since then.”

“Then just as before, defeat me in a single strike and reclaim what is yours, destined monarch!” The white-clad foe challenged him, taking a very unusual stance with his spear held diagonally behind him and his free hand held out in an open palm. “If you fall here, you'll stand no chance against the Sinner! Now!” he growled, rushing the wayward swordsman down with blinding speed!

LoveGame held position, keeping his eyes on the tip of the silver spear as it barreled toward him! Just before charging straight into the wall of steel, the white knight spun on his heel and dashed to his side, slipping right past his defenses! Surging all of his strength into his left arm, LoveGame raised his shield high and slammed it straight into his attacker, knocking the wind out of his foe with its sheer heft! He'd land a clean cross cut across the stunned knight's chest, securing victory just as he had before!

...and indeed, just as before, the white knight faded into the aether with a bright light, without another word. Only this time... he didn't leave his weapon behind, but instead the blinding glow was absorbed right into LoveGame's body! His mind was flooded once more with vague flashes of memories that certainly didn't belong to him! His left eye began to burn uncontrollably as though set ablaze! He collapsed to his knees, removing his helmet and clutching his face as he winced and cried out in pain!

Ilia ran to his side, and yet... the sensation was gone just as quickly as it had started. “You alright? Nice moves over there.” she'd say, trying to lighten his mood with a compliment. “No small part thanks to that new gift of yours.”

“Yeah, I'm... good.” said the knight as he got his bearings back, placing his helm back on and straightening it. “...whatever those guys are capable of... it's a real kick from a mule, you know? Wonder how many of 'em there are...”

Ilia stretched and ran some repair powder over her curved crimson sword. “Well if that'll be all for now, we've still got a job to do... starting with those archers. If we just keep going this way, we can take them down before they see us...” she'd say, just before her ears perked up at the sound of some mechanism clicking nearby. She'd rush down the catwalk at inhuman speed, swatting away an electrified crossbow bolt with her scarlet shield and cutting down the sniper in a spinning midair slash. “...most of them, anyway.”

Ilia and LoveGame quietly made their way along the upper walkways that overlooked the grassy prison yard. Holding their breath, the duo snuck past the burly, pale skinned prison guards armed with polearms with machetes fastened on their tips. Lethargic and inattentive, they likely hadn't seen much action since the kingdom's fall. One of them, draped in a jet-black cloak and situated on a guard tower just below, lit up some sort of herbal cigarette to pass the time, unaware of the infiltrators traipsing the walkways above.

Reaching a dead end near where Ilia had just felled the sniper, the two heroes carefully jumped down toward the lower path, using the unoccupied guard towers and large chunks of rubble as stepping stones to avoid breaking their legs. Most of the buildings below were locked up tight, but they found a back alley that let them squeeze through undetected, even finding a shard of green glass that emitted a familiar warm glow along the way. Erratic clicking of claws on cobblestone gave way to echoed barking sounds – the hollowed guard dogs were stirring just around the corner. Starved and emaciated as they were, the undead canines were easily put to rest by the duo before they could cause much trouble.

After opening the iron gate they were guarding, LoveGame and Ilia found themselves on another long walkway lined with ascending stairs. They kept light on their feet as they proceeded upward; this path was in considerable disrepair, entire pieces of the floor having crumbled away and lacking most of its protective railing. Part ways up the stairs, they found themselves face to face with one of the hulking, cloaked prison guards, but his lumbering assault didn't stop the duo for long, failing to get past LoveGame's newfound defenses as Ilia cut him down.

Reaching the top of the ascent and clambering over the remains of a smashed wall, the pair spied a door that appeared to lead into another cell block, complete with a guards' quarters with torches visibly burning from inside the stone windows. Much to their surprise and relative delight, the metal door gave way to a light push. LoveGame gave a thumbs-up and waved Ilia over. “Hah, looks like they forgot this one! What do you say we get in out of the...” he was very quickly cut off by a cacophony of clattering steel! “...Ilia, you hear that?!”

“Yes, LoveGame... it's the sound that tells you not to open every door you come across! You might wanna take your guard!” warned the silver-armored blonde as the metallic clanks rapidly closed in on their position! Practically pouring out of the doorway he'd opened without second thought, six royal swordsmen charged straight for LoveGame, all brandishing the wavy, undulating blades known as flamberges!

“In that case...” LoveGame said with a bit more growl in his voice, “...maybe it's time I teach them...” the ground beneath him lightly quaked as he slammed the bottom edge of his greatshield straight into the stone floor hard enough to scatter dust and rocks aside, “...not to leave the your home unlocked in the night!” he'd shift all of his weight into his left side, shoving the great wall of metal straight into his foes, toppling several of them like dominoes into the narrow walkway! “You never know who might try and slip in!!!”

Not bad at all... he forced them into a choke point and kept 'em in single file! Ilia thought, genuinely impressed at the tactic her comrade employed. “Nice one, now hit the ones in front and I'll take care of the rest!” she shouted over, her red scimitar starting to glow with an unusual energy.

“Right!” he shouted back, upheaving his greatshield from the ground just as it was nearly ready to give and slamming its entire weight straight into the closest soldier! The force of the blow caused two of them to stumble and lose their footing, giving LoveGame just enough of an opening to deliver a wide arcing slice with his electrified blade, cutting both of them clean in half! No sooner had he landed his strike than he saw the figure of Ilia leaping overhead, gleaming an argent silver under the moonlight as she performed a full front flip and landed just in front of the doorway! Mirroring LoveGame as the heroes sandwiched the group of soldiers in, she'd eviscerate the remaining three with a mighty swing of her scimitar! Sheathing their weapons, the pair exchanged glances of mutual respect of their incredible teamwork.

With the area clear for the time being, they kicked the armored corpses aside and entered the now vacant quarters, closing the door behind them. After nearly walking out of a door that seemed to lead to nothing but a sheer drop, they opened the iron gates that separated the guards' quarters from the upper cell block around the corner hall. Much like the one they'd passed through at the entrance, the abandoned cells now hung open, housing only the occasional skeleton. At the far end of the cell block, they spied a large hole where the wall had been smashed open, its contents obscured by a gate of white mist. “Well, you know what that means, right?” LoveGame asked as he gestured over to the foreboding sight.

“Of course, it means we're going the right way.” Ilia quipped confidently, not about to back down after coming this far. “Prepare yourself any way you need to. I'm going to look the place over before we head in.” she'd say, leaving the knight to his own devices as she searched each open cell up and down. Her luck shone through as she pocketed a modest pile of spare lifegems and souls for spending later. Just as she returned, LoveGame emerged from the last cell to the right, with two white phantoms in tow summoned from a fissure across worlds. Each of them drew their weapons and nodded toward LoveGame as all four of them crossed the mist.

Only, the very moment they stepped over that threshold, time itself came to a sudden halt! Silence filled the air, save for the low ghostly hum the two phantoms emitted... and even that began to waver as the pair of newfound allies began to flicker as if fading from this plane of existence! The knight could do little but watch in pure dread as both of them disappeared completely, returning across the fissure from whence they were summoned! “Whuh...?! N-no way!” exclaimed LoveGame in horror as the fickle nature of fate had so unceremoniously robbed him of his reinforcements! “The hell is going on here? They were just- whoooah!!!”

Before either of them could make sense of the temporal intervention, time returned to its normal flow... and the bewildered heroes fell victim to the sudden and unforgiving force of gravity! The hole had lead out to a sheer drop to a raised platform below! Ilia managed to land on her feet, but LoveGame wasn't quite as fortunate, slamming down prone on his chest! He had neither the chance to assess the situation or draw his weapon before he felt something unbelievably heavy crash down onto his collapsed form! His armor was likely all that saved him from another untimely death as he groaned, fighting through the unreal pain that shot through his being.

His body rattled and aching, the knight struggled back to his feet... finally getting a good look at his next enemy. Towering over the injured swordsman was an unusually tall knight, easily at least fifteen feet with its eerily elongated limbs clad in finely polished bronze armor. Wielding a polearm spanning the length of its body, tipped with a blunt hammer, it reared back to deliver another downward strike, but Ilia tackled its spindly legs just before it could do so! She drew her red scimitar and engaged the armored giant, buying LoveGame precious time to crush a handful of lifegems! He was steeling himself to rush to her aid, but stopped in his tracks when he peered down off of the platform and saw two more of these slender beings poised to attack at any moment!

“Looks like these guys are a three for one special! Ilia, stay up here and keep giving this one some hell! If another one of 'em hops up here, there won't be enough room to fight! I'll just hop down there and... give 'em a little warmup! Hah!” he leapt for the lower floor, rolling to break his fall as he found himself in a far more wide open arena and shouted to the two constructs, “You two were eyein' me up pretty hard! I know my looks are second to none, but they're simply killer up close!” before rushing them down as fast as his legs could carry him, reaching their spindly legs for a mighty slash to each one! Their armor chipped away and a current of sparks ran up their legs, but they held their footing without missing a step! Now on the far side of the chamber, he'd gesture toward the towering pair and beat his chest with one fist. “I didn't call for two-on-one fun, but the cool thing about me is that I'm really open to trying something new! Come and get it!” he boasted.

Whether they were lucid enough to fall for his predictable taunt, or they simply saw him as their new aggressor, the other two Sentinels set their sights on LoveGame, taking long strides toward him in an attempt to back him into the prison's wall!

I know damn good and well Ilia could take on one of those tin towers herself... LoveGame thought as he evaded the initial synchronized swings before taking his guard, the greatshield holding strong against the assault. Thing is...! I ain't so sure I can take two of 'em right now! Which means I've gotta find an opening...

Keeping his distance, Knight LoveGame kept both Ruin Sentinels in his sights as he deflected each blow of their imposing hammers. The leftmost one twisted its gaunt form back and brandished its polearm in both hands, launching into a whirling spin attack! Missing the knight by a hair, the unusual tactic had caused their attack patterns to slowly desynchronize – the first of the outs he needed to put his plan into action! With each heavy strike of their hammers, LoveGame raised his greatshield, its sun face perpetually grinning defiantly in the face of the relentless attacks. As if following a rhythm, he raised his shield at each strike, lowered it to recover, and raised it again in this pattern. He could feel the souls surging throughout his body, strengthening his resolve!

Remembering the way the small platform crumbled when they'd first landed, LoveGame set his sights on his dear friend above! Mirroring his attack from before, he'd take a hard slice at the Sentinel's ankles, this time causing them both to stumble for a moment! “Alright, Ilia! I've got a great idea, it's a LoveGame original!” he called over his shoulder, keeping an eye on his foes, “All I'm gonna need you to do is jump when I say 'now'! Bonus points if you can lure that tall boy right in the middle of where you're standing!”

With that, he disengaged the Sentinels and broke off into a dead sprint toward the raised platform! The moment he was positioned directly underneath, he held his silver blade high and cloaked his body in lightning! “NOW!!!” he bellowed out, kicking off the ground a second later in a harrowing vertical leap! A trail of sparkling thunder followed his rapid ascent, and just before he reached the underside, he'd strike out his sword arm!

“Vapor Thrust!!!”

With an unstoppable force of momentum, the brash knight barreled straight through the stone below! What's more, Ilia's incredible skill had shone through; she was indeed able to lead the towering warrior straight into the center and directly in the line of LoveGame's electric assault! As the stone beneath shattered, the Sentinel was forced high into the air, the electrified blade digging viciously into its back and ripping the bronze armor apart, causing a white haze to hiss out from the gash!

Ilia, not about to miss out on this opportunity, set her crimson blade aglow and made a heavy slash of her own on her descent! The combination attack had eviscerated the metallic foe, reducing it to an aethereal glow that faded away as the pair landed!

Now facing down the remaining pair as they regained their balance, the heroes readied themselves for another round! “Damn, you're a hardheaded one!” Ilia said, brandishing her red scimitar.

“It's what got us this far!” he shouted back, as they shot each other smiles and tensed their bodies! In perfect unison, they kicked off and charged the animated armor suits in tandem! They sidestepped just quickly enough to avoid being sheared in two when the towering foes hurled their rounded shields like a discus, embedding them both deep in the wall behind them! With the enemy now wide open, LoveGame and Ilia delivered each one a vicious, unrelenting flurry of strikes and stabs from their blades! The two Ruin Sentinels seized up and before either of them knew it, they too were gone in a bright flash. At last, they stood victorious and both sheathed their swords...

...before LoveGame dropped his heavy greatshield and completely collapsed to the ground, breathing heavier than he ever had before in his life. “Th-that was…” he couldn’t even choke out a full sentence, opting for a limp thumbs-up instead.

Ilia sighed, though through a smile this time, and grabbed her barely-conscious companion by his navy surcoat, dragging him out to the exit doorway, now unobscured by the fading fog. “C’mon, LoveGame; we’re so close! Besides, it’s not that hard. Just…just roll through it.”

“That doesn’t always work, y’know…” quipped the exhausted knight as he was pulled closer and closer to his inescapable fate.

The Bearer of the Curse and his sworn protector now found themselves a stone's throw from challenging one of the four legendary beings, told by the Emerald Herald to possess a Great Soul, without which they'd never be granted audience with the King! Who or what awaits our heroes in the isolated chamber of the sinner?

Hey, it's me, LoveGame! Boy, that one took it out of me, but luckily I've got enough breath left to do the outro! First, we've gotta do something about those gargoyles flyin' around on the roof of that church! Who would ever think of that?! Then, it turns out we're not the only ones who know about these Great Souls, but who is this guy exactly?! Wait, he wants to help out? We'll need it now more than ever, this Sinner I kept hearin' about is seriously on another level! One victory leads to nothin' but a dead end... that is, until this incredible lady performs a breathtaking miracle! I've never seen anything like it!

Next time: Unforgivable Sins! “What a wondrous feeling that must be!”

Chapter Text

Chapter 7
Unforgivable Sins!
“What a wondrous feeling that must be!”

Belfry Luna

A shimmering silver moon hung low over the Bastille's hallowed church, where prisoners who still held onto their faith once gathered in hopes of achieving fleeting salvation. Built in the honor of a long-forgotten Prince known as Alken, a covenant of crazed zealots had now taken up residence in the Belfry, having lost their minds to the point they no longer knew what their purpose had been in the first place. No longer a place of worship, the ghostly guardians still defended the bell from unwary intruders as though nothing had ever changed...

It was only thanks to the inquisitive nature of our heroes that this Belfry saw them as its first visitor in a long while. Hidden behind an illusory wall that only made itself known when Ilia decided to place one of those peculiar keystones in a conspicuous cavity resembling a face, not unlike what LoveGame had encountered back in the Wharf. Riding the highs of his victory against the Ruin Sentinels, the wayward knight opted to sidetrack himself just long enough to clean the old church out for all it was worth.

Whether it was worth it or not, however... well, both of our heroes may have had more than a few second thoughts.

A violent quake was felt all throughout the Belfry Luna, the heavy crash of metal against solid stone echoing all through the church! Amid the thick dust that hung in the air, the Bearer of the Curse pushed piles of loose bricks aside and struggled his way out of a vaguely LoveGame-shaped hole, his frustration beginning to peak. “Boy, lemme tell ya... this is not the type of shit I came here to get done!” he roared, bursting out of the crater as he slammed his greatshield into a ghostly gray warrior, returning the favor and sending the spirit sailing back. He tumbled to his side, his phantom partner not too far behind. “All the two of ya are doing is wearin' my patience down twice as fast! And I'm runnin' real low!”

Ilia hardly reacted to the fracas unfolding before her, leaned up against the adjacent wall with her arms crossed. “It was your big idea to take this lovely little detour, LoveGame. You made your bed... and I've gotta say that one quite suits you, guy!” she quipped, taking a bit of catharsis at the man's expense. “That's what you get, getting sidetracked like this when we were so close! LoveGame, you've got the attention span of a cat!”

“Hey, can't a guy waste time how he wants?!” he shouted over to her, running the first bell phantom clean through with his sparking blade! He'd toss the limp phantom aside and watch it fade away before charging down the second! “Seems like these guys like to brawl for fun around here... but just lookin' at 'em offends me to the core! Takin' me on two-to-one is the furthest thing from honorable...!” bellowed the enraged swordsman, tackling the aethereal foe onto his back, stomping on his chest, and skewering him with his sword, giving an extra twist! “...and I think I got my point across!”

I've never seen anyone improve this fast. It's more than just his undead enhancements at play here... and I'm sticking around to document whatever his secret is, no matter how long it takes. Thought Ilia to herself, watching her cohort dispatch the pair with relative ease. “Let's move up the stairs! Quick, before more of 'em show up...”

The duo doubled back up the worn, creaky staircase where they had previously arrived before falling into a shadowed hole in the floor during their scuffle. The handful of diminutive dwarven phantoms were able to bypass shields with their otherworldly hatchets, but they were trivial compared to the zealous invaders that so fiercely guarded the bell. All it took was a short climb up the ladder to reach a bell tower, which LoveGame yanked the lever for without hesitation. Sure enough, the Belfry Luna was filled with a sonorous ringing, felt all through the moonlit Bastille. “A lovely sound, no doubt... but what'd that even do?” he asked, quickly sliding down the metal ladder to meet back up with Ilia.

“Did you open that gate just now?” asked the blonde swordstress as her ally returned, pointing at the iron grating as it raised itself up with a metallic shriek. In its place, a familiar wall of shining mist blanketed the entryway. “...nevermind.” she said, drawing a long breath and exhaling it as a sigh, knowing they were about to have another fight on their hands.

LoveGame echoed the sentiment, taking a swig of Estus and looking over his equipment. “Oh, joy. Look at me, uncovering a wealth of fascinating finds left and right!” he said with lamenting sarcasm. “Here I was thinkin' I just made a cool sound.”

“Standard procedure, then?” Ilia asked, stretching as she approached the mist wall.

Following close behind, LoveGame gripped the hilt of his sword at his side. “Sure looks that way. Let's rock it.” he'd say, cracking his neck. The pair held their palms out to disperse the mist away and drew their weapons, emerging on the Belfry's slanted stone rooftop, with the church spire towering before them. Save for the light, chilling wind, the staging area was suspiciously quiet. As the pair scanned over their moonlit surroundings, the true nature of the Belfry became glaringly obvious. “I see what they did here. C'mon, even I haven't gone that hollow yet. Six stone beasties...”

Ilia nodded, taking her guard. “...gargoyles. We were tasked with eliminating 'em all the time back home. They're so heavy they fly like chickens... so this is right in your wheelhouse, farm boy!” she quipped, darting her eyes around the edges of the rooftop. Grotesque creatures of black stone, shimmering like obsidian glass under the frozen moonlight, with the wings of an angel and the body of a demon. Their artisan craftsmanship was eerily realistic. Three on each side, arranged in perfect symmetry and hunched over as if watching the empty streets below. Each one clutched a great spear forged in verdant metal with long, forked tips.

“...and all we gotta do is find out which ones are the real deal.” said the knight, pointing his sword out at each one. “They're probably hoping we'll let our guard down...” he continued, waving the blade two and fro, “...so they'll have that perfect moment...” his imaginary roulette found its mark, the second one from the left! “...to strike!!!”

The brash knight kicked off hard enough to send a few shards of the roof tile flying, landing a clean cut across the chest of the winged beast... which sure enough gave off a mighty roar as it sprung to life, recoiling from the attack and locking weapons with LoveGame! Only just then, another roar was heard over their clash... and another... and only when the horrific chorus of beastly snarls began to overlap, did the knight realize he was only technically right. An unshakable sense of dread overtook LoveGame as he turned his head, still locked in battle with the initial gargoyle, seeing that all five of them had awakened to defend their brethren!

All six of the gargoyles had descended on LoveGame, who now found himself not only woefully outnumbered, but backed to the edge of the roof, inches from a precarious drop to his doom! Coating her red scimitar in golden pine resin that granted her offense a kick of lightning, she wasted no time rushing to her comrade's aid! The gargoyles had encircled LoveGame in such a way that she couldn't even discern where he was, but managed to land several slashes on their wings and backs while their attention was on the knight! Three of them turned their aggression to Ilia – she'd managed to split the flock in half!

Ilia drew the other three as far away from LoveGame as she could, backing herself up to the far end of the rooftop while ensuring she kept solid footing, reaching the wall that lead up to the raised section of the roof. She'd nearly backed herself against the wall, but at least she wouldn't fear plummeting to her death over one missed step. “We'll each take three! Try and desync their attacks like we did with the sentinels!” she shouted over the commotion, hoping her besieged friend could hear.

“Worth a try!” he yelled back, keeping his greatshield at the ready. He'd dig his heels in, committing to playing the defensive game while he felt out their attack patterns and looked for an opening, however fleeting. Despite their bestial nature, the gargoyles were far more strategic than they let on. They'd wear down the pair's defenses with staggered stabs and wide sweeps of their bidents. The moment one left itself open after an attack, it would leap back and allow another to take its place! When they failed to breach the stalwart shields, they'd mix up their attacks by calling forth great bolts of lightning, bypassing the conductive metal! A few even took to the skies and rained down a scorching breath of flame on the heroes!

Worse still, the duo's bladed armaments failed to effectively pierce the solid stone monstrosities, relying on the blessing of lightning to deal any damage at all! It's no good! My Dragon scimitar is more or less indestructible, but LoveGame's gonna break his sword before we take even one of these down! Normally I'd just stun 'em and hit 'em with my rock hammer, but I didn't bring it with me... and it's a long way back. C'mon, I've got to think of something and quick! Thought Ilia desperately as she endured the trio of attacks. “LoveGame, you still holding up?!” she yelled past her foes.

A gargoyle bellowed its orange embers that lit up the night as they engulfed the knight's tower shield! He felt his body practically cooking beneath his armor as the raw heat intensified, dispersing over his mighty shield! “I can't believe I'm sayin' it, but I'm startin' to run out of ideas here! Don't these beasts know it's dishonorable to gang up on one guy?! There's no honor in fighting like this, you overgrown rocks!”

“Truer words have never been spoken! There most certainly... is NOT!!!”

The voice that suddenly called out from atop the wall just behind Ilia was decidedly gruff and thickly accented, commanding the attention of even the ruthless gargoyles! Cutting out the formalities, its source made himself known with a spectacular leap from the raised rooftop! His ordinary knight armor shone and shimmered a heroic argent under the light of the moon as his yellow scarf flowed behind him! The silver savior brandished spiked morning stars in each hand, aiming to bring them down on the nearest gargoyle! “Since you lot are so adamant as to deny these two honest warriors a fair duel... hraaahhh!!!” he cried out, smashing through the wings of the unluckiest gargoyle on his harrowing descent! He'd spin around and bring the other morning star into its rocky abdomen, shattering it to rubble! “...then upon my name as Sir Trout, I shall reduce each and every one of you all to dust under this most hallowed moonlit night!”

A wave of intense relief washed over LoveGame and Ilia as a mysterious, flamboyant stranger had apparently come to their rescue! “Thank the nine! My friend here nearly got us killed with his little detour! He's a little too curious for his own good!” Ilia addressed the hero.

“Hah! If that is the case, then I commend the man thoroughly! What is curiosity if not the spice of life, I say!” he'd jovially spout, turning on his heel and demolishing another gargoyle with a one-two strike!

LoveGame, still holding out against the trio on the far end, yelled back, “'Least someone sees it my way! Where the hell didja come from anyway, mister Trout?”

“That I am afraid I cannot disclose! I can say that I had been lying here in wait on this fated night, to assist those in need like yourselves!” Sir Trout answered, leaving the last of the initial group to Ilia and now sprinting over to assist LoveGame. “I had witnessed many a stalwart adventurer beset by these grotesque abominations! The belfry gargoyles shall terrorize you no more, fellow knights!” he'd say, laying waste to the first of the second trio while its back was turned! Its crumbling remains rolled off of the incline of the roof, into the abyss below! Another gargoyle took to the skies, but Sir Trout leapt right after it, landing on its back and caving its head in with his morning star, kicking off of its body and sending it crashing right back into the roof, chunks of stone scattering every which way!

Just like that, the odds had been evened! “Now, brave warriors! Repay my act in kind by smiting these foes in an honorable duel!” Trout commanded, holstering his spiked maces on each hip.

LoveGame and Ilia each shot the stranger a sharp nod, engaging the remaining winged beasts with a second wind of newfound confidence! The wayward knight sheathed his sword and shifted all of his weight into his left shoulder, pushing forth with his shield held out and delivering a mighty shoulder tackle to knock the creature on its back! Using his body weight to pin it down, he'd bring the bottom edge of his shield down and behead the stone menace, before bringing the wall of metal overhead and obliterating its torso! Ilia's scarlet scimitar began to glow a bright red as she prepared her special attack, spinning three-sixty as she slashed the final foe clean in two!

As the pair took a moment to regain their bearings, LoveGame felt another mighty surge of souls absorb into his being. Kicking a stray gargoyle claw out of the way, he'd approach Trout to give him his due thanks. He offered the unknown warrior a chance to join them in their quest, but he politely declined claiming he had his own duties to fulfill elsewhere. He bid the pair farewell, seemingly vanishing the moment they turned their backs. After collecting some spare souls and other supplies scattered around the Belfry and taking a brief rest at its resident bonfire in the adjacent tower, the two finally set their sights on Sinner's Rise.

Sinner's Rise

The trek back through the remainder of the Lost Bastille was unusually quiet. Not a single foe assailed as they made their way through the last few cell blocks toward the rear of the compound. Neither of them knew what this could've meant, but they were certainly not the type to complain about a moment to breathe after their last two bouts. The detour had not been for naught; the strength he'd gained from the reclaimed souls of the gargoyles blessed him with just enough strength to don the sturdy captain's armor he'd pilfered back in the forest, with its faded gold and bronze design complete with a plateskirt and a stark red cape hanging from its back. Knowing the opposition would only get tougher ahead, both understood the boon this provided.

They'd eventually reach a great bridge high above the prison compound that lead straight into the old Saltfort. After finding the lever that called the lift back up, they'd make their final descent down to that old, derelict waterlogged passage, the air thick with fog as they trudged through the water that increased in depth the further they pressed on. They were completely alone save for the bloated corpses of hollows that occasionally drifted about in the shallows. The open gate on the far end lead out onto a long, narrow bridge with shimmering black water on either side, which itself lead to a colossal, cylindrical prison tower that seemed to reach beyond their scope of vision straight into the side of the natural rock formation. Were it not for the unfathomable power coursing through the air, the beautiful moonlight glistening off of the darkened waters against the white cliffs would actually be quite picturesque.

Sure enough, this imposing tower's darkened face was set aglow by the radiating white light of a mist wall over its twin gates.

Our heroes felt their bodies pulsate and strain the closer they approached! “So this is the power of a Great Soul? Incredible! I've never felt anything like it!” Ilia exclaimed, feeling raw energy resonate deeply with her own soul.

“It's really somethin', ain't it?! My soul feels like it's burning red! I was a little half-and-half about facing down one of these big guys, but now I'm... I'm kinda itchin' for a fight! Maybe it's just because we've come this far in the first place, but I'm not scared at all anymore!” LoveGame said, holding his fist out in front of him.

“So you're really serious about this, then! Standing tall against one of the Great Souls at that... I think I like your vibe already, pal!”

The unseen voice came from a stark figure clad in white who stepped out from behind the twin staircases on each side of the tower, tossing a bright red stone up and down in his palm. His voice was roughly as deep as LoveGame's, yet carried a lighter inflection and the occasional crack. Every aspect of the man from his long, slicked back hair, his ornate platemail, and even his eyes were a striking pure white that seemed to almost glow against the darkened backdrop he stood in front of. Most interestingly of all, his face appeared unusually young for his stature. “Hail, travelers! Forgive me for butting in, but... it sounds to me like we seek the same thrill... a showdown with the sinner! Mind joining the side of righteousness with Asmundr the Tactician?” he'd offer, extending his white gauntlet. “I am pretty good... they say I'm the kind of guy you can talk to for hours about nothing!”

Though slightly taken aback by his sudden appearance, the pair of heroes dropped their guard at the man's unusually friendly demeanor. “Pleased to meetcha, Asmundr! I'm Knight LoveGame, and this here's Ilia! She's quite the astute one, you see. Meaning if she trusts you, then you're cool in my book... but, yes! I was sent by the lovely Emerald Herald to claim all four of the Great Souls... this is my first one, so I might need a bit of assistance.” he explained.

He's strong all right. I can pick up on his energy completely separate from the Great Soul... We lose here and both our quests are over. I'll trust him for the time being, but I hope for both our sake that I don't regret it... thought Ilia as she assessed the gleaming stranger. She'd size him up a bit, taking note of his unusual armor. The white metal featured deep engravings and pauldrons in the shape of angelic wings, which looked even larger affixed to the comparatively form-fitting platebody. Bright red cloth could be seen underneath its few gaps. Most intriguingly, he carried a grand total of four longswords, two sheathed on each hip. All four were identically unremarkable in their shape, but each of them glowed a different hue. One flickered in orange and red, one sparkled a golden yellow, one glowed an aethereal bright blue, and the last was shrouded in a dark purple haze.

“Well met.” Ilia said in kind with a light bow. “...Yeah, you two seem to have hit it off from the jump. Point of early advice, Asmundr. Don't let too much of my companion's reckless stupidity rub off on you. One of him is enough.” she said with a light smirk.

“There's that biting wit!” LoveGame said with a friendly point of his finger. “Ever the acerbic one, she is. Anyway, like I was saying,” he'd continue regaling Asmundr with the tales of his adventures up to this point, “turns out she was a lady that whole time! Not only was she quite the juicy looker... she completely flattened me, rolled me up, and tossed me aside! Next time though, it's gonna be different! I get my hands on this bad boy... who knows what kind of power will come with it.”

Asmundr laughed heartily, putting his hands on his hips. “Hah! And look at you, already back on your feet and blazing a trail, conquering the Bastille in a one night! I heard that bell from all the way over here!” he'd congratulate the pair. “I was beginning to worry even I wouldn't stand a chance, but standing side-by-side with legends in the making... I think we've got this!”

LoveGame smacked his armored fist into his palm and nodded. “Damn right we do! So what are we waiting for, my grand prize is right on the other side of the mist!” he'd announce, already checking over his gear and placing a few items on his belt for ease of access, Ilia doing the same.

“Oh, you guys really know what you're doing then.” said Asmundr, giving a stretch. “Then it's only fair I warn you... well, there's the matter of the Ascetics.”

Both warriors looked at him quizzically, Ilia raising an eyebrow. “...is there some kind of catch to this...?”

“Well, no... yeah... I mean, it was a complete accident on my part!” the white-haired swordsman explained. “I found a few of these artifacts during my travels in the kingdom. The ol' merchant hag told me they intensified the strength of any bonfire you fed it to, and well...” he'd continue with an air of nervousness, scratching the back of his head, “...I might've... sorta misinterpreted what she meant. I fed two of them to the bonfire back in the Saltfort, and well... heh.”

“...what are you getting at?” Ilia asked, dreading the answer just a little.

Asmundr drew a deep breath. “...it actually kind of... well, to put it in simple terms, it strengthened the souls of everything that lives here... aaand I mean everything.” he'd say, tapping his fingers together sheepishly.

“So you're sayin' whoever's carrying that Great Soul just got themselves a power boost?!” LoveGame asked. “I hear that right?”

“Heh... yeah... I burnt two of 'em before I realized what I'd done, so I'd wager the Sinner's at about double its original fighting strength. I swear, I didn't mean to!” he insisted, smiling nervously and holding out his hands. “It's the old hag's fault for speaking so cryptically!”

LoveGame stared off into the cloudy, moonlit skies. After a drawn out breath, he'd look Asmundr right in the eyes through the slit of his helm and ball his right hand into a tight fist. “...all that means to me... is that we'll get twice as strong when we kick this sinner's ass back to the slammer! What you've done, my shiny new friend... is made us an investment! Risky, sure... but we're about to get the payout!” he said, surging with unbreakable confidence and turning to his cohort, “You ready, Ilia?!”

Sighing and drawing her crimson scimitar, she'd nod back. “What's done can't be undone, I suppose. Not like I could stop you either way... and not that I'd ever want to! No chronicler worth her salt would miss the chance to witness history firsthand. I'm ready, boys. Just try to keep up.”

That confirmation was all the three needed to step forth with their weapons drawn, using their combined auras to dismiss the wall of mist, reforming just as quickly behind them in a much darker gray the moment they crossed the threshold.

Weak flames of burnt orange flickered eerily throughout the wide, circular cell, giving the three heroes a dim look at the macabre chamber. Countless rusted chains hung from the black abyss of the ceiling, still swaying ever so lightly with iron cuffs attached. Dried blood painted the cold granite floor in several spots, and the wavering flames illuminated what appeared to be endless scrawlings lining every inch of the walls, scratched in a tongue none of them recognized. The trio all felt their hearts pounding in their chests the closer they approached the shadowed figure stood in wait on the far end.

Though imposingly tall, they were most certainly something vaguely human. Covered only in horribly tattered cloth and corroded chains, they seemed to stare off into space, hardly acknowledging the three guests. Just then, the sinner began to writhe about, briefly bringing their face into the torchlight... or rather, the black iron mask that hid their appearance away, and their dark, overgrown, matted hair. They'd only just spy a small black insect crawling up the mask with its many legs, retreating into one of its eye holes the moment it had been seen! This sent the sinner into a fit of anguish, their pained scream echoing through the cell as they drew a greatsword nearly as long as their own body. Even the sturdy steel cuffs that bound their hands together didn't seem to impede them, gripping the blade in both hands and rearing back for a wide swing at seemingly nothing...

...and then there was nothing. As LoveGame, Ilia, and Asmundr stood close in the pitch black, the haunting realization washed over them – the sinner's mighty swing had created enough of a gust to extinguish the two flames behind them, robbing the warriors of their precious light. Now at the mercy of the sinner that stalked the shadows, all three stood with their backs to one another and took their guard. “This is bad...” LoveGame lamented, fruitlessly searching for their foe in the inky darkness. “That move was no accident... stay on guard. I don't even hear her moving... she's completely in her element.” LoveGame said in an uncharacteristically serious tone.

Trying to keep morale high, Asmundr piped up as he focused his energy. “I'm impressed, how'd you know the Sinner was a woman?” he asked.

“...I was a just a farmer back home. Had a lot of spare time to hit the books. Just wish I knew somethin' more useful than that.” answered LoveGame.

“Move, now!!” Ilia shouted, the dead silence giving way to a gale force of something moving through the air! There was just enough moonlight filtering through the barred windows for them to see a few inches in front of their face, and the sudden sight of the sinner plunging her blade down where they were stood just seconds before! The sparks she kicked up with her harrowing slice lit up her expressionless mask as she stared into their souls with black voids in place of her eyes!

Again and again, she'd descend on the heroes with frightening precision, and each time they'd avoid destruction by mere inches, disappearing back into the darkness before any of them could land a single strike! “Trying to look for her is useless. She's hiding her approach with those jump attacks... listen, don't bother relying on your sight. Focus, and feel her movements out through the air!”

“Heh.” LoveGame laughed to himself, overtaken by a sudden stroke of genius. “Not a bad idea, but I've got a better one...” he'd grip his silver blade, an overwhelming surge of sparks dancing down its length and giving it a golden glow. “...like, way better! Can't believe I didn't think of this one sooner! She psyched me out!” he said, marveling at the light he'd created. The electric aura was more than enough for them to see the next attack coming, and the wayward knight rushed the sinner the moment she landed, striking her in the side with his sword!

“Not like it's hard to psyche you out, but still... good going!” Ilia said, trying herself to boost the morale with a quip. She'd reach for a bundle of golden pine resin from her belt, her scimitar now set aglow with lightning as well! She spun on her heel just as the masked sinner made her next descent, not only deflecting the attack but landing a perfect counter, forcing her back into the shadows!

Seeing the pair showcase their incredible adaptability set a wide grin across the Tactician's face. “We've only just met, and the first thing you do is completely one up me...” he'd say, drawing two of his swords from either hip, the orange one and the golden one, “...I knew you had it in you!!!” he shouted before his twin longswords ignited to life, a mighty flame in his left and an electric spark of his own in the right! “...so I guess that means...” he followed in the pair's footsteps, crossing the two imbued blades to block the sinner's greatsword just as it came down on him, then giving them an extra surge of power to force her back! “...that now I'm the one who's in his element! Hah!” he delivered twin strikes of his own right down her chest as she recoiled and retreated!

No longer impeded by the darkness, the three heroes now knew well the sinner's cunning approach. Rather than walking, she'd move entirely through superhuman leaps, jumping so high that she disappeared into the void of the ceiling and coming down on their position with minimal noise. The next moment she landed, all three engaged her at once! Even outnumbered as she was, the sinner channeled all the white-hot strength of a Great Soul and tangled with the trio! She'd use the incredible length of her greatsword to block several attacks at once, delivering powerful roundhouse kicks with her long legs without losing focus for a second!

Even a Great Soul could be worn down by a strong enough resolve, and the sinner was no exception! She'd find herself forced on the defensive, and more and more strikes snuck past her defense until she was overwhelmed by the flurry of slashes that surrounded her! Weakened, she stumbled back and a faint glow of red lit up inside her chest, rapidly expanding into a fiery explosion that knocked the trio off of their feet, sending them flying back into the walls! They'd push themselves back up just in time to see the great torches ignite back to life behind her! Oil and embers pooled below each one, and a sickly red mist slowly manifested into a pair of aethereal crimson phantoms cloaked in heavy robes and brandishing a roaring flame in each hand!

“Good... it's like I said before... I never saw much honor in overwhelming my enemy like that.” LoveGame said with a pained labor in his voice, crushing a lifegem as he prepared for another round. “All we've got now is an even fight!”

Asmundr sheathed his orange blade and drew the blue one in its place, setting his sights on one of the spirits just as it lobbed a great orb of fire his way! “LoveGame, it's your fight! Clean up with the sinner and we'll put the fire out for you! Ilia, take the one on the right!” commanded the tactician, rushing toward the leftmost one with a longsword at each side! Ilia nodded firmly and darted toward the other mage with her scarlet shield held out, granting her nigh-immunity to the flame it swallowed in its draconic visage!

With a mighty roar of his blade's sparks, Knight LoveGame challenged the Sinner head-on. Even in her battered state, she'd prove more than capable of clashing evenly with the young knight, swinging her heavy blade as though it were no more than a common dagger! They matched blow for blow until LoveGame saw just the tiniest vestige of an opening, slamming the entire weight of his greatshield into her shoulder! Now knocked off balance, the sinner was swept off of her feet by a low heel kick! LoveGame rushed her down, reeling back for what he hoped and prayed to the full moon was his finishing move!

Though they commanded the might of the Great Swamp in their burning palms, the pair of pyromancers were easily eviscerated by Asmundr and Ilia's blinding blades the moment they closed the distance, ripping their ghostly robes to shreds and returning to ashes! Victorious, they'd both turn to witness the awe-inspiring sight of Knight LoveGame as he launched the Sinner high into the air with a devastating uppercut with his tower shield! “Since you seem to like it so much up there, allow me to assist ya!” he roared, making a great leap of his own to chase the masked warrior! “...here goes... this one's a LoveGame original! I'll call it... the Grand Prize!!! Hmmh!”

Just as he reached her height, he'd slash viciously at her careening, helpless body! Right at the peak of his jump, he'd spin around to his left and send the imprisoned Sinner careening back to the ground like a meteorite! The violent impact shook the entire cell chamber and smashed a modestly sized crater into the solid granite! With this final show of strength, the Lost Sinner, bearer of the First Great Soul had finally known defeat! Just like the many that had fallen before her, the masked foe faded into fleeting ash in the wind, leaving not a trace of her form behind.

Against all odds, the wayward knight and his sworn protector, along with their newfound ally, had finally taken their first step toward a fated audience with King Vendrick!

LoveGame tumbled to the ground, failing miserably to stick his landing and collapsed in a heap. Ilia and Asmundr were quick to rush to his side, both to celebrate their hard-earned victory and ensure he was still able to stand. The wayward knight silently reassured them he was fine, chugging down the remainder of Estus until streams of the golden liquid ran down his helmet. “Now that's what I came here to see! I don't think you realize what you've just accomplished, LoveGame... and another thing I forgot to mention about myself is... that I'm not easy to impress!” Asmundr beamed, giving his new friend a pat on the back.

“There it is, LoveGame.” Ilia said, pointing to the great mass of raw soul energy that glowed a brilliant yellow and orange as it levitated in the center of the cell. “Yours for the taking... the grand prize, heh.”

Dropping his shield on the floor and sheathing his silver sword, the knight approached the radiating mass of pure power and reached his gauntlet out. “Don't mind if I do- ...whuh?” he'd cut himself off, as the moment he extended his arm to hold it, his hand merely passed through, and it began to float toward him of its own accord. The Great Soul absorbed itself into the confused man's chest, as if merging with his own soul in that moment! He'd feel a lingering warmth build up inside of him, slowly building toward an unbelievably intense heat, prompting him to brace for an immeasurable pain...

...and settle out into a comforting warmth just as quickly. The cursed knight felt his muscles tighten! “Haah! Enduring this soul is nothing!” he boasted with incredible bravado, striking a series of exaggerated action poses. “Hah! Hyah! Was that the best you had?! Whatever those white knights do to me was way more intense! I feel motivated! Confident! Resilient...!”

“...and still a bit mentally stunted.” Ilia cut him off, holding her palm up. “...but no less of a winner, I suppose. You're handling that soul surprisingly well.”

“I'll say.” Asmundr chimed in. “His body woulda been ripped apart otherwise. There's a reason they refer to these things as 'a power beyond human imagination'...” he'd trail off, his face growing serious for a brief moment as he felt out the Great Soul's aura. “...ahem! I knew you were tough enough to eat that soul, LoveGame. I can already tell there aren't many like you.”

“For better or worse.” Ilia added, sheathing her weapon and crushing a lifegem.

“Come to think of it...” LoveGame piped up, a burning question simmering in his mind, “...what were you here for in the first place, Asmundr? You weren't after the Great Soul too? I mean, you didn't exactly try to stop me, and, uhh... well, aren't these things kinda one of a kind?”

“Oh, nah. I'm just in this for the thrill of a good fight.” the tactician responded in a completely casual tone. “I'm... heh, I'm sort of a really high-ranking member of the Brotherhood of Blood. We're a bunch of guys and gals who fight just for the fun of it!”

“Much respect to ya, guy.” LoveGame commended. “Keeps your mind and your skills sharp... and times like these, not many know the concept of fun anymore. Don't you dare go hollow on me, pal.”

Asmundr shook his head. “Wouldn't think of it, friend. Actually, I was wondering if I could accompany the two of you back to Majula. I've been needing to get back to our little base of operations in the Purgatory... but when I went to head that way, the whole path was like... well, it wasn't blocked off per se. It just... wasn't there. Weird, I know, but remember where we are. The Iron Keep's through that way as well, and you probably already know King's still holding onto a Great Soul, so we've both got to find a way through either way, you know? What's say we help each other out?”

“You made our lives a lot easier tonight.” Ilia said, giving a light bow. “I'd say it's only fair. I'm honestly still in awe that I got to see one of these up close.”

LoveGame grabbed his palm for a firm, if a little overenthusiastic handshake. “You kiddin'? We're practically bros now, I can't just let you walk off into the night! I can't think of a better way to get to know someone than to bust some heads alongside 'em. How do you think I hit it off so quick with Ilia here?” he'd say, meriting an eye-roll from the lithe blonde.

The defeat of the Lost Sinner had unlocked another large set of doors just across from the entryway, leading to an isolated antechamber. After pilfering a wealth of unusual treasures from a chest tucked away to the side, they entered to find nothing but a lone bonfire in the center, with its coiled sword snapped in two. Now imbued with the power of a Great Soul, Knight LoveGame lit the bonfire in a roaring blaze... and the world turned to a white void for the trio. The moment they next blinked, they found themselves suddenly and safely in the comfort of Majula.

Majula

It was the first time our heroes were truly able to take in the beauty of the ruined settlement on a clear night. The stars above twinkled on the undulating sea below the cliff, serving both as a marvel of nature and the perfect sounds of waves crashing in the distance to lull a weary adventurer to sleep. Indeed, when the trio returned, Vivi was already curled up beside the comfort of the bonfire, dead asleep. LoveGame, Ilia, and Asmundr stayed awake to trade stories for a bit, but all three of them eventually bid each other a good night and joined the spellcaster for some well-earned rest.

As morning arrived in Majula, the birth of its sunrise just as breathtaking as ever, Knight LoveGame awoke several hours ahead of his allies, determined to satiate his curiosity regarding the soul he'd obtained from the Dragonrider. He had little but his own speculative instinct to go off of, he'd set his sights on the very last cell block he'd passed through that lead out to the Sinner's Rise. Among the rare treasures he'd plundered from the Sinner's chamber was a long, sturdy tree branch that overwhelmed his nostrils with the scent of verdure and exotic spices. He'd pay the old merchant hag a visit after she'd found her way back home, noting she was carrying one of the pungent plants among her stock. She'd explain that they were rumored to have the power to bring a stone statue to life, and that was all the confirmation he needed. He'd use the network of lost souls that burned within each bonfire to warp himself from his new home back to the Lost Bastille. Now cleared out in its entirety, the eerie prison grounds made for quite the atmospheric walk back from the old guards' quarters to that last row of cells. There it was, blocking off the only open cell of the bunch. A grey stone statue of a wizened wizard frozen in time. He'd hold the tree branch up to its nostrils and feel the hard wood crumble to dust in his hands as the statue coughed to life! After freeing his throat of thousands of years' worth of dust, he'd introduce himself as Straid, a confidant of King Vendrick hailing from the old kingdom of Olaphis. Though he derided and mocked LoveGame, condescending toward him for his lack of intelligence and magical sharpness, he'd more than make up for his superiority complex by offering his unique ability to transpose mighty souls into legendary armaments. LoveGame didn't have to think twice about his choice, offering the Dragonrider's soul along with a modest soul fee and receiving its greatshield in return. It was far stronger and sturdier than his tower shield, wrought of a thick steel alloy and decorated with a pattern featuring Vendrick's royal crest engraved in a repeating pattern of dark gold all along its unique teardrop shape. For LoveGame's discerning eye, it may as well have been love at first sight. He lit the bonfire in old Straid's cell and warped back home as though he had never left.

After going about their morning routine, they'd split up to get a few things done before attacking the day. Ilia shopped around for extra utilities with Sweet Shalquoir, while Asmundr traded with the Merchant Hag for her seemingly endless supply of lifegems. Vivi had, quite characteristically of himself, already disappeared off somewhere. LoveGame started things off visiting the undead blacksmith, using the titanite he'd acquired throughout the first leg of his journey to reinforce his weapon further. After learning his new shield would need a special material to strengthen, he'd return to the bonfire to take a seat and decide what to do with all the wondrous souls he'd claimed thus far. “Let's see... there was the Last Giant...” he held the swirling mass of light aloft, crushing it in his palm and absorbing the wealth of souls it provided, “...There's that weird one I found back in the ship... the three sentinels... those damn gargoyles too...” he listed off, crushing them one by one. “...and last but not least, the Lost Sinner... I'd better-”

“I see you have acquired the soul of an Old One. That is more than many can say.” came the familiar voice of a woman just a foot away.

LoveGame jumped, nearly dropping the mass of life as he absorbed it back into his being. “Whoah! Emerald lady! Where'd you come from? I'm kinda still waking up over here.” he'd say, turning to see her in unusually close proximity.

“I shall always be by your side, until hope withers away, Bearer of the Curse.” answered the cloaked young woman plainly, sat on a rock and lightly swinging her legs. “You have amassed a fair number of souls, I see. I have nothing but faith that you will gain audience with King Vendrick.”

LoveGame tilted his head. “Huh, is that right? I've had much worse company, to be honest. You're a one-of-a-kind soul, Emerald Lady. 'Knight LoveGame' is fine, by the way. I'd go hollow if I had to hear that title over and over... hang on a sec, maybe you could help me and my new pal out. Got a minute?” he'd ask, turning to meet the redhead face-to-face.”

“It would be favorable to remaining idle here all day.” she answered. “What ails your mind, knight?”

LoveGame relayed Asmundr's earlier explanation to the Emerald Herald, figuring she might know something considering she had information on the other Great Soul bearers and seemed to be fairly reliable in pointing him in the right direction. Recalling that she'd mentioned the Iron King when they first met, he'd ask her about the monarch's whereabouts.

“So your memories remain strong against the influence of the curse. How reassuring.” she'd say, divulging what she could, “The timing you have asked me such a thing is... actually quite appropriate. As I had mentioned previously, the Iron Keep still stands defiantly to the east. Even I do not fully understand how one would gain access to such a place. The last known pathway would have been where you and your companion ventured out to the Tower of Flame. Though, as luck would have it... I was in the company of a woman who claimed to know her way through. We spoke for quite some time... she was, well... she was certainly the eccentric type, to say the least. She appeared modest, and yet one could not help but notice her...” the Herald began to recall, her voice wavering a bit as even she struggled to find the right words, “...well... that is to say her... large presence, in a sense. I must admit, I found myself puzzlingly... envious of the, ehem, bountiful assets she possessed.” she'd divulge with a light blush of insecurity.

“First off, ain't no reason you should feel like that! Channel that feeling into your own motivation and use it to get way stronger! Whoever she is, I bet she can't turn souls into strength like you can!” the knight jovially reassured her. “Remember what I said when we first met? I wasn't just hyping you up for fun, you know? I was a little jealous of my new pal over here, the guy's got like four swords and his technique is somethin' else! Between you and me, I think he totally outclasses me right now, but I ain't letting that slow me down one bit! Quite the opposite actually! Life's all about finding new thresholds to surpass, so go out there and... well, you get the point. Plus, you just gave me a huge step in the right direction! I think I've got everything need, Emerald Lady. Just lemme spend these souls on ya, and I'll be on my way.” he assured her, taking a knee as the cloaked redhead said her chant and the knight channeled his souls into a permanent reinforcement of his strength. Feeling incredibly reinvigorated, the wayward knight double-checked his inventory once more before regrouping with Ilia and Asmundr to prepare to attack the day!

As they gathered by Shalquoir's shop, which LoveGame still refused to enter, Asmundr asked him, “So was the Emerald Herald any help? I can never get a bead on that lady.”

“Just what I was hoping you'd ask, my fellow knight! Say... I've got a question for you! This headquarters of yours... did it happen to be.... through there???” LoveGame bellowed, pointing to the entrance that lead into the rotunda room that he and Ilia passed through on their way to the Tower of Flame.

The white-haired man gave a surprised look, before laughing to himself a bit. “I was just about to tell you, but yeah! Look at you, guy! Always one step ahead!”

“LoveGame, you didn't exactly need our fair lady to tell us that!” Ilia chimed in, peering over to the stone passage. “Don't you remember a damn thing about us going through there? That path behind the bars, and that strange mechanism in the center? If we could find a way to operate that thing, we'd get Asmundr back home and be right on track toward the next Great Soul!” she reminded him. “Its design was some ancient craftsmanship that could've predated the kingdom of Drangleic itself... even I'm stumped on how to get it moving.” she'd admit with a sigh.

“Well, it ain't much,“ LoveGame began, recalling the Herald's words, “but the Emerald Lady did say she met some gal that knew her way through. If movin' that switch has anything to do with it, then she might have just what we're lookin' for. 'Course, she was cryptic as ever...” the knight said with a finger on his armored chin. “Somethin' about an eccentric gal with a lot of assets. Maybe she's like, really rich and got herself a sweet new kinda lock?”

Asmundr's eyes briefly shrunk to pin tips, shaking his head as he snapped back to his confident self. “Ehem, you could be right! I mean, yeah. It doesn't make sense that one road would just appear outta nowhere like that. I always figured that little bit of machinery in the middle there was just some kind of decoration... like a religious sigil or something. The Lindeldt sect wears the same thing on their robes. Suppose it wouldn't hurt to give the room another look-over.”

Motioning over to the entrance with her head, Ilia added, “The light around it is a lot brighter than before. It's completely out of line with the way the sun's facing. Now I'm really curious...”

With little other choice, the three heroes made their way over to the inconspicuous entryway, descending the stairs just as they'd done yesterday morning.

...and when they reached the bottom... lit with the warm glow of torches on the rounded walls, they'd all meet the sight of a woman, assumingly the very same the Emerald Herald had spoke of just this morning.

She was a mesmerizing sight to behold even at first glance. Though she was shrouded from head-to-toe in sandy earth-toned robes, modest and elegant yet ripped and tattered on the edges of her long, saintly dress, her garments did little to hide her shockingly pear-shaped physique. Her tied belt caused her dress to bunch around her plush love handles that cascaded into staggeringly wide hips, and actually managed to further accentuate her massive, round, perky rear as it cast an equally big shadow against the torchlit room. Heavy black boots could be seen just below her dress, and the only her face remained uncovered. Though her features were decidedly more western, her skin had a smooth, dark caramel tone accented by what could be seen off her dark brown hair that framed her attractive, full face in a silky, voluminous side part, accentuated by a fold in the trim of her hood. Her hands were clasped together as though in prayer, covered by long brown leather gloves. In turn, her head was ever so lightly bowed, the most subtle of smirks adorning her somewhat thin, glossed pink lips and the light of the nearby flame bringing out the dark mascara that framed her dusky hazel eyes.

Before the mysterious woman could get so much as a word out upon sighting the trio, Ilia began to cough and gag in an unusually violent manner, clutching at her throat as if she was purposefully exaggerating. “Ugh! Ohh, what... what in Oblivion?” she'd exclaim through choked coughs as her eyes began to run in pained rivers of water. “It's like the undead curse itself had a... ahh, I think I've hit my limit...!”

As though completely brushing away the blonde swordstress' reaction, the full-figured woman spoke up in an incredibly refined English accent that complimented her relatively low, comforting voice. “Ah, are you lot from these parts? Where is it that you seek? Oh, pardon my manners, my name is Licia.”

LoveGame honored her with a small bow before accepting her greeting. “Can't tell you how pleased I am to meet ya, Ms. Licia! As it so happens, one of my best pals in the world told me about you! Not many can get her approval so easily, you know? Clearly you're quite something!”

Licia gave a light blush, just ever so visible on her caramel toned cheeks, and held a gloved palm over her mouth for a moment. “Well.~ Mmhm, my reputation does quite proceed me.” she'd say with a smile. “If I'm to guess... you're travelers like myself, seeking greater power in this accursed land. Then we're of the same mind, young knight. You see, I journeyed all the way to Drangleic from the safety of my home in the theocracy of Lindeldt. I relinquished my very origins, a sacrifice I was more than willing to make to spread my, er, their teachings. I seek only to assist others in gaining favour with the gods, and attuning their faith to gain greater enlightenment.”

“To tell you the truth, Liss, I was never much of a religious fella growing up... mainly 'cuz my old kingdom never did get around to building that church, but still.” LoveGame said, gesticulating a bit with his right hand. “Coming here gave me a bit of, shall we say, newfound appreciation for a higher power. The dreams that lead me here, the things I've faced and lived to tell the tale... and how about the fact that I can come back if I die? Whoever they are, something's definitely watching over me. I'm pretty good, but even I wouldn't make it this far without some divine intervention.”

Ilia was nearly collapsing at this moment as she continued to choke. “LoveGame, seriously?! You don't... ah, I can barely even talk!” she coughed out, the knight's confused head tilt causing a realization to set in. “...oh, of course you don't notice that unholy scent, you have a helmet on! Gods-damned, lady! The marsh I live in is more refreshing than... this! Did you deep-fry one of those undead pigs or something?!”

Licia gave an adoring scoff at the man's tenuous understanding of faith, still not giving Ilia so much as a passing glance. “You're exactly right, kind warrior! Which is why I came here to begin with. Of course, my first destination was the Cathedral of Blue... I expected it would be bustling with souls come to repent and accept a new faith... but instead I found the place bereft of life. How unfortunate; it would've been the perfect spot for me to gull the gullible- EHEM! Ohh!” the enrobed lady cut herself off with a rough cough, as though to mock Ilia's asphyxiating plight. “That is to say, help those who lacked understanding on the true nature of faith. That is my only wish Truly, what cause could be more selfless? Granted, I do not offer my miracles to just any passers-by. No, I can sense that you've gathered quite the massive bounty of souls already! What a wondrous feeling that must be... eeh-heeheehee!~”

“You must be pretty strong yourself if you can sense me with that kinda accuracy.” LoveGame said, “I'm the proud owner of a Great Soul as of last night! The Sinner's totally toast!”

“Is that right?” she'd ask sweetly. “Certainly an... aptly titled woman, to be sure. One does not simply go and... attempt to recreate the divine power of the First Flame without suffering divine unpunished!”

The suffering Lord Protector grabbed at the red cloth hood she normally kept around her shoulders and bunched it around her nose and mouth, tying the back in a desperate attempt for reprieve against the cursed miasma that permeated the room. “...and just what do you know about the First Flame, bitch?”

“To defeat the bearer of a Great Soul... I can tell you are more that suited enough to bear witness to my wealth of... Miracles.” Licia lingered on that word, pressing her thumb to her lip and still treating Ilia like an unseen spirit.

“I could use a miracle or two right about now, come to think of it.” LoveGame said. “Coulda used one when I got here, but better late than never.”

Licia's smile grew wider at his answer. “They're simply far too divine to pass up, you see? Allow me to retrieve my collection for the discerning eye...” she'd say, reaching deep into her long, flowy dress despite that it seemed to lack any noticeable pockets. “...with these scrolls, the possibilities are limitless! One could heal their most grievous wounds with the simple call of a sacred chime! Why not smite your foes with the divine punishment of a mighty... oh, goodness!” she'd say, dropping the pile of glowing parchment rolls and bending downward to gather them up in an almost deliberate manner. “...thunderclap! The most astute schools of sorcery only dream of sending their enemy to the afterlife with a massive shockwave! These are no ordinary incantations, you lovely thing. You won't easily find such rarities anywhere else... and it's quite the ways back to Lindeldt.”

LoveGame blushed a little, holding both his palms out in polite refusal. “That collection of yours is huge! Those must've been the blessed assets the Emerald Lady was tellin' me about. Thing is, none of us can really use anything like that! We're kinda the up close and personal type, you feel me?” he'd say, tapping the hilt of his sword on his hip. He'd suddenly feel his comrade tugging desperately on his shoulder.

Ilia didn't believe a word the woman was saying, but decided to stow her thoughts for now after remembering what they'd pilfered last night. “LoveGame, quick! You still got that fragrant branch we found when we beat the Sinner? I could... really use it right now!” she pleaded, reaching through his bag.

He'd wag his finger and give an apologetic shrug. “Sorry, I got rid of that thing this morning. Not for nothing though; how do you think I got my hands on this new shield? I used it to revive this wizard that got turned to stone, you see. He turned the Dragonrider's soul into a perfect copy of its greatshield! Sounds crazy, I know, but it's pretty impressive, huh? But yeah... the entire thing turned to dust.” he explained, much to her increasing dismay as she took the next best option of stuffing a twilight herb into her makeshift shroud.

“No need for miracles? Careful, it is said that the gods tends to... frown upon such a... ehem, well.” Licia trailed off.

“What'd really be a miracle is if you could help us with this weird room we're standing in!” LoveGame said, pointing over to the barred window. “You think one Great Soul is impressive? Lemme get through there, and I'll bring back another.”

“Ah, you wish to journey to the Iron Keep?” she'd ask with a tilt of her head. “Then I'm sure you're undoubtedly aware by now... of the nature of the rotunda. That's right, this room has two pathways leading out, not simply one... and only this...” she'd continue, tapping the square stone mechanism affixed to the central pillar, “...lovely thing can reveal the other path... and this... hmm, you lovely thing.~ It many only awaken when I, Licia of Lindeldt, perform a most wondrous miracle!”

LoveGame pumped his fist in anticipation. “I knew we'd get somewhere! I like your vibes, lady! Let's see it then, all eyes on you!”

She'd strike out her wide hips to the left, placing her index finger on her chin. “Hmm... hmmmm... yes, that's a feat well within my power! I'd be honored to assist you in furthering your fated journey, only... Well.~ A miracle this divine requires a modest number of souls, you see! If you could simply spare... let's say, two-thousand, it would grant me just enough power to reveal your path. That is, if you're comfortable parting with them, of course.” she'd offer, swaying her hips to the other side. “Consider it a small charity to the gods.”

“Well, I just so happen to have a few extra from my little detour last night. You ever visit the Belfry Luna? It's full of folks who could... use a little divine guidance.” LoveGame said, approaching the robed cleric and handing her a glowing white orb of amassed souls. She'd lean in very close to take them in hand, snatching an additional five-thousand without him taking notice.

“Mmm, that's more than enough. My thanks, kind knight.” she'd say with a devilish smirk, stashing the precious souls in the unseen depths of her dress. “Now, now.~”

“LoveGame, hold on! You can't just- did she-?!” Ilia stuttered out through her muffled visage.

The wayward knight reassured her with a pat on the shoulder. “It's fine! Those were just the extras we got from my little detour earlier. I knew they'd come in handy. Now, let's see this miracle!” he said excitedly, turning his attention back to Licia.

“Very well. Bow your heads and prepare to bear witness to something truly heavenly.” she said calmly, clasping her hands together in prayer.

Heh, this is great! She doesn't even realize I can totally see her through my helmet! I'm gettin' a full view of this whether she likes it or not! What's a few extra souls if it means a little fun here and there? Thought the knight to himself, his smile widening under his royal helm. Ilia refused to humor Licia's request, but she seemed not to mind in the slightest.

“Now... Sioucspirimicia!” she called out, ringing her black bell chime and... in an impossibly fluid motion, slowly sway her sizeable hips away from the rotunda pillar, elegantly whipping her lower body in the opposite direction and smacking the side of her massive, round butt into the side of the pillar where the mechanism was embedded with a reverberating slap...

...and just as Licia's saintly hip check made its perfect mark, she'd quickly tap the side of the white stone with her palm before snapping perfectly back into position. The entire chamber began to quake violently as the walls turned and grinded against themselves in a slow, clockwise motion. Before their very eyes, one path shut itself away and another made itself known. Licia gave a sultry smirk. “Will that miracle suffice? I did very well give it my all.~”

Underneath his helm, LoveGame's jaw had dropped in sheer amazement at the spectacle he'd just bore witness to. He could hardly gather the words to honor the full-figured cleric's feat. “I, uhh... that was kinda the most amazing thing I've seen so far... and that's sayin' something! You're really powerful, miss Licia!” he'd compliment her, once again somehow blushing through his helm. “Hey, Az! You see that? She just-” he'd ask before looking over his shoulders, his new friend nowhere to be found. “...Asmundr? Where'd you go? Coulda sworn he was just right here... whuh?”

He'd finally spot the tactician on the far wall, curled tightly into a ball and somehow looking even more ghostly pale, no longer emanating the white glow he had before. “N-never again... LoveGame... Ilia... please get me away from her... I can't...”

Before the knight could even begin to console his pal, another voice made him flinch. “LoveGame, you can't be serious right now....” Ilia said, her face buried in her open palm. “All she did was use the... lady, you didn't do EITHER ONE of those things just then! What kinda cheap excuse for a miracle is that?! You've been lying out of your fat ass since we started talking. Gimme back- ehem, give my friend his souls back right now!”

LoveGame felt the tension building in the air, quickly turning his attention to the newly-revealed exit. “Ilia we should probably head that way... you know, we're tight on time and all that...!”

“My, my! It would seem your friend here is rather lacking in faith! She doesn't believe at all, does she?~” Licia asked, gesturing her hand over her mouth. “Quite unbecoming, fair lady.”

Ilia gnashed her pearly teeth at the pear-bodied woman. “Oh, NOW I exist?! Name's Ilia, by the way! Kinda the reason this guy got this far in the first place, so I'd say I've got plenty of faith! I've probably met more gods than you've prayed to, healslut! I bet all that extra meat you're packing back there is fake anyway.” she said in an insulting tone as she turned to leave through the exit the woman provided.

“Oh? Is that so?” Licia said plainly, swaying her large hips, biting her lower lip and placing a finger on her chin. “I assure you the fruits of my labour are quite genuine, but if you remain unconvinced, well...~” she'd say, bending down to lift the tattered hem of her dress, only to be very quickly refused.

“NO! No, please, f-fuck no! I believe you, okay?! By the Nine, what's wrong with- ...let's just get the hell out of here...” Ilia resigned, lacking the patience to deal with these theatrics. “Nasty bitch...” she growled as she began to walk away.

“It does not surprise me that you would react with such adamant skepticism, ma'am.” said Licia just as Ilia was leaving. “There is this ancient Lindeldtian proverb... how did it go again? Ahem... so sayeth the most exalted diviners of the heralds... 'faith is stored in the arse'. Such a crude way of phrasing it, but it seems to ring ever true...” she'd look over her shoulder at the swordstress' comparatively lithe frame, “...seeing as to how you appear to possess none at all.~” she'd say, her silver tongue dripping with sultry venom.

“Ohh, that's IT!!!” Ilia roared, pivoting on her heel and tightening a fist as she bore her teeth angrily. “I'm gonna give you something to remember! Bring it, fatass! I'll show you a miracle so divine you'll get to meet the gods up close in the afterlife!!!” she roared as her fair face turned red, her primal anger reaching a fever pitch! “I'll-!”

Ilia suddenly felt an incredible force pulling back on her as LoveGame subdued the fiery woman in a full nelson. “Simmer down there, sis! No sense dragging this out when we've got another Great Soul to snatch up! Let's just g- whoah!!!” he unsuccessfully tried to reason with her before his grip was rendered useless by a sharp elbow to the head!

“Fine! Since you seem so content with her wonderful help, then you CLEARLY don't need mine!” she'd say, freeing herself with little effort and dusting herself off. “How about this for the next test of your awesome power, LoveGame?! I'm gonna let you get the next Great Soul all on your own! You ARE up to it, right? You'll have our new friend Asmundr right there with you to back you up... once he recovers from that woman's vile aura, that is.”

“Ilia, w-w-wait!!!” the knight pleaded, reaching his palm out in protest as his protector stormed back up the staircase.

“Didn't quite catch that, LoveGame! You got this!” she'd say as her metal greaves echoed, ascending the stairs and departing the rotunda, leaving the two men to their own devices.

Licia gave an airy laugh. “My apologies. I thought it more becoming to hold my tongue for a spell... and I assumed I had made a fair assessment. Your ally could do with a greater understanding of faith... and perhaps a sense of humour. No need to be so dreary and serious when the curse already casts its shadow long. Goodness...” she'd say breathily.

“See, that's my kinda thinking. Ilia's not so bad once you get to know her, really! The lady's gotten me out of more than one bind, and I've barely known her a couple of days.” the wayward knight assured Licia. “This... is just kinda how she is... for better or worse. She's more fiery than she looks, you know? No sense in goin' after her while she's still burnin' red, so I'd say give 'er a little time to cool off. If there's one thing I know about Ilia, it's that she wouldn't do somethin' like this if she didn't know for damn sure that I could handle whatever's past that path you just opened for me. You think I've got this too, don't ya?”

A warm smile melted across Licia's face. “I have nothing but the utmost faith in you, Knight LoveGame. I expect to hear great things upon your safe return.” she said eloquently with a light bow.

“Thanks a bundle, Liss. I'll be sure to tell you alllll about it when I get back. Then it'll be you who gets to witness a miracle.” LoveGame answered confidently, turning to take the path the curvy cleric had created and bidding her farewell. “Come on, Az. We'll get ya nice and freshened up before ya know it! Right this way, now! It's like ya said... betcha can't wait to get back home!” he'd say, using his undead strength to drag his paralyzed pal along with him. “Now, how do ya unfold a knight...?”

Heavens, the man's so thick in the head that it loops right back round to being downright endearing. Licia thought to herself as LoveGame left with his petrified partner in tow. Dare I say cute, even. Surely he and that feisty polearm aren't some sort of item together... Well, that is to say... not that I'd consider him in that sense anyhow.

The path Licia provided was a completely natural cavern, completely distinct from the underground sewerway they'd traversed to reach Heide's Tower. There was little of note aside from a few scattered supplies left behind by less fortunate adventurers, which LoveGame didn't hesitate to take for himself. Just before reaching the mouth of the cave, they'd spy an old wooden chair curiously facing a blank stone wall. Seated completely still was an older fellow draped in oversized, dark cloth mage robes, muttering something to himself about the dark. He refused to speak to LoveGame, who decided not to pry further and dragged Asmundr out of the cave with him, emerging on a scenic cliff overlook. It was a gorgeous view no doubt, but most puzzlingly, it appeared that night had already fallen even though the knight could've sworn it was only around noon when they'd left...

His mood lifted ever so slightly when he'd spy an abandoned campsite set up just on the edge of the cliff, complete with an old cloth tent, a handful of long-emptied supply crates, and most fortunately of all, the familiar sight of a toasty bonfire. “Now we're talkin'. Okay, Big Az... just a little further and... there!” he'd say, dragging his friend close to the comforting embers. “Nothing one of these can't cure shy of the undead curse itself. This'll getcha right together!”

As though thawing out next to the flames, Asmundr at last began to stir a bit, uncurling into a more relaxed state and leaning on the tent pole for support. “Mmh... I-is... is she gone?” the tactician said, his strength rapidly returning to him as he rubbed his forehead. “LoveGame... I'm your friend, aren't I?” he'd ask seemingly out of nowhere.

“You don't even have to ask, Asmundr! Not for nothin', but a friend seems like a rare commodity in this kingdom. I know we just met and all, but I've got a great feeling about ya!” he'd say with utmost confidence, flashing a thumbs-up.

The white-haired swordsman gave a light chuckle. “...then please, on your honor as a knight and a true friend... promise me one thing, LoveGame.”

He'd give several sharp nods in a row, not having to think twice about his response. “Anything ya want, pal! So long as you ain't tellin' me to give up, cuz you'll have to make me!”

Asmundr pushed himself to his feet and stretched his legs. “Nothin' like that, but... about what just happened back there... the whole miracle thing and, uhh... her? Promise me we won't ever talk about that again. Please?”

LoveGame put his hand on the back of his armored head. “Whuh- ohh! You mean with Liss-! Mmph!” he'd say, only for Asmundr to place his finger over the front of his helm where his mouth would be. “...oh, right! Gotcha, never again! My solemn promise!” he'd assure him with a laugh, quickly turning his attention elsewhere. “...and wouldja look at that, out of one cave and into another! Onward, my radiant friend!”

Indeed, just a few paces past the old campsite was another cavern obscured in darkness. They'd ready a few supplies on their belts and head straight inside... only for LoveGame's heart to nearly jump out of his chest when he heard a distorted, broken laugh just beyond the black void! Drawing his blade and swinging it in a panic, he'd eventually strike down the source – an emaciated hollow stripped down to a shredded loincloth. As the bisected corpse flashed with residual sparks, LoveGame caught his breath just enough to utter out, “Th-that wasn't funny at all...”

“Easy there, LoveGame.” Asmundr assured his thoroughly spooked comrade, “My home turf is kind of crawling with hollows. Lucky for us, most of 'em don't even have the will to fight anymore.” he explained. “I'd be more worried about the enemy above us. Look.” he'd warn, guiding the knight's view up to the cavern's ceiling.

The knight failed to notice anything at first, his helm doing him no favors as he squinted upward and tried to let his eyes adjust to the light... until something unusually bright orange came into view... a pair of wings! “Whuh? I don't... oh! Man, you weren't kidding when you said the darkness hones your senses. Damn, you're good!” he'd say in amazement of the man's incredibly sharp vision. “Remind me never to sneak up on you at night! Say, what am I looking at?”

“Some call 'em butterflies, but they're more like moths to me.” he'd explain to the knight. “No one knows a thing about where they came from, but we should be more worried about getting poisoned. They'll see us coming one way or another, and neither of us has anything to hit 'em when they're perched up that high unless you've got some wings of your own.”

LoveGame nodded along, finally making out the more detailed shape of winged insects clinging to the cavern high above. “'Least they look good doing it. Well, you know this place better than me, what's the plan then?” he'd ask, surveying the path ahead through the cave.

“Oh, that's the easy part. We make a run for it.” he'd answer with an air of confidence. “Just a few of those annoying little guys can fill the whole cavern with their poisonous powder, and it sticks around for a good while. When I give the go-ahead, just sprint for your life and don't think about it. If memory serves, this cave isn't too big and it's a straight shot through to the other side. What say you, LoveGame?”

“Sounds like a plan, Az!” the knight answered with a hearty thumbs-up, already stretching his legs and leaning forward into a sprinting position. “On your mark...”

“GO!” Asmundr shouted suddenly, rocketing forth in a bolt of white lightning! LoveGame shot quickly after him, surging his undead strength to offset his weighty equipment! He'd hear a sickly ringing from above and moments later a vile green powder sparkled as it sprinkled down, dispersing every which way! Though it was a bit of an uphill climb, the knight didn't let the slope slow him down for a second as he narrowly evaded the deadly blanketing! The cavern's floors were unnaturally and mercifully smooth, lacking any obstacles for him to be tripped up on as he barreled forth as fast as his armored boots would carry him! Before he knew it, he'd reached salvation on the other side, now staring out at the dusky skies once more with Asmundr close by his side...

Huntsman's Copse

Named for a seldom-used word that described a dense thicket of trees, each acre of this darkened expanse of woods was more eerie and foreboding than the last. Anyone who lost their way under the umbral green skies would find themselves easy prey for the myriad of terrors that stalked the hunting grounds. Unsavory rogues cloaked themselves in the long shadows of the towering treeline, lying in wait to ambush anyone caught alone. Black-armored torturers brandished whips fashioned after vines of thorns, fiercely guarding the old purgatory colosseum where undead fought endlessly for some twisted sense of glory. Burly undead of artificial creation patrolled the woods, their origins shrouded in mystery. Though it had not been witnessed in quite some time, most frightening of all were rumours of a great undead chariot that rampaged throughout the woods. It was said to only pursue those it deemed sinners, but anyone that drew its ire would be hunted for the rest of their waking days.

A great wooded expanse lay before them, spreading out in all directions with gnarled trees that persisted on the verge of death casting shadows that further obscured their path ahead. All manner of awful things could be faintly heard shuffling through the foliage out in the distance, echoes of guttural growls sending chills down even their spines. The elevated walkway they emerged onto separated them from the forest with a wide chasm, but they'd find a condemned building to their immediate right. Making their way through the darkened abode, the swordsmen would smash away the boards shoddily nailed to the windows to allow in some much-needed light. This inadvertently gave them a bit of an advantage as they fought their way through, as the hooded hollows had their ambushes exposed by the meager light that filtered in. The center of the unknown building housed a seemingly bottomless hole, the purpose of which neither of them desired to figure out. They'd eventually reach the other side of the chasm, with LoveGame filling the gap in with a makeshift bridge by delivering a mighty roundhouse to one of the rotten trees. Both men surveyed the area carefully.

“Say, Asmundr? You know a hell of a lot about this place, so I was wondering... clearly you noticed it's the dead of night here, right? It was barely high noon when we headed out, what gives?” LoveGame asked.

The tactician sighed. “Don't quote me on this one, but there's an old saying about these lands... I hate sayin' it because it sounds so corny, but... they say... 'time is convoluted'. Anytime anything weird happens with the temporal flow, that's how they explain it. Between you and me, I think there's more to it, but I don't have time to research that kind of stuff these days. Might wanna relay that to Ilia once you guys are on speaking terms, heh.”

“Anything to get her mind off of earlier.” said the knight with a nod, taking point as they headed out further into the copse. After a few rogues nearly got the jump on the heroes, they'd easily dispatch the cloaked foes and come across a set of stone bridges across the smaller chasms. As they trekked through the copse, LoveGame would feel the sudden urge to speak his mind. “You know, ever since I got my hands on that Dragonrider's soul, it had me thinking I could do more than just crush it. The weapons these mighty souls wield aren't just any – they're the regalia of legends. This shield feels like it was made for me. I can't quite explain it, but I feel like my soul resonates with it.”

“That right?” said Asmundr inquisitively. “It looks impressive, that's for sure. I can't believe it doesn't slow you down at least a little, but you've got an eye for fashion if nothing else... hey, LoveGame. Dead ahead.” he'd quickly change the subject, taking note of a burly, rotund figure toting a pair of great sickles in the shape of crescent moons with its back completely turned.

“I see 'im.” he'd nod confidently, approaching the pale monstrosity with a light step. “Y'know, when I first left on this journey, I didn't even have a shield. Our king was too tight on his budget to issue one. Ever since, I've made it a little side goal of mine to search this kingdom for the perfect shield...” he'd begin, raising the golden bronze armament high just as he got into striking distance, “...and now I've found it! Hyahh!” he brought the pointed end down onto the unsuspecting undead, pinning it to the ground under it's oppressive weight! “See, this thing's got a crazy shape to it! I can use it for all sorts of... unique application! Now, Asmundr! What's say you take this free kill for me?!”

The silver-haired tactician darted forward, bringing out two of his longswords to cut the bloated hollow down in a single strike! “I'm starting to see what you mean! Still, you know the old saying... the man makes the gear? If you feel that strongly about it, then you've got to master every facet of its use!” he'd advise the man, looking over the path ahead. “Let me take point from here if you don't mind. I don't get out as much as I used to, but this place is still my home. I kinda remember my way around at least.”

Having no objections, Knight LoveGame followed close behind Asmundr as the duo carefully treaded forward through the foreboding forest. They'd find opposition just few and far between enough to keep them on their toes, scanning every treetop for more of those poisonous moths that dusted the foliage with their toxic spores. They'd pick off the wandering undead one by one, never going longer than a few moments without a cautious look over their shoulders. Coming up on a second, smaller stone bridge, Asmundr piped up once more. “This way leads back to my spot, but if you're headed for the Iron Keep, we've got a little more ways to go. Follow me!”

“I can't do you like that, Az! If you need to head back, then by all means! I can figure out the rest myself, really!” LoveGame kindly protested, only to be silenced by Asmundr.

“No, don't worry about it.” the tactician reassured. “There's a couple of guys hanging around over there that I've got a serious bone to pick with... no pun intended. They call them the Skeleton Lords, and they just posted up in the Copse not long ago acting like they own the place. These grounds are kinda sacred to the Brotherhood of Blood, so I'm not about to take it lightly.” he explained.

“I understand now. I won't let anyone stomp around on my pal's turf like that, so I'm right here with ya... no bones about it.” he'd say with a smile under his helm. “I've got a few jokes too, you know?”

With a mutual understanding of their goals, the two men carried on through the shadowy thickets. The wooded pathways seemed to blend together, with LoveGame quite impressed that Asmundr could seemingly traverse them with such relative ease. The dense forest lead out to yet another wide chasm, with a great bridge of black iron connecting each end... only, it was raised high in the air, rendering it woefully inaccessible to the two. LoveGame looked over to Asmundr, who appeared completely confounded. “What the... I've crossed this bridge like a hundred times... I didn't even know it could be raised like this... who could've...” he wondered, getting closer to the metal struts, running his palm over them to look for some sort of mechanism. “Is there some kinda- Ahh!” he'd suddenly feel a hefty force tackle him from behind, shoving him into the verdant brush as he was crushed by an insurmountable weight of well-meaning intent.

“Hit the ground, Az!” LoveGame shouted, revealing himself to be the source of the force. “Some poorly mistaken fool thought he had a bead on us!” he'd warn, lifting himself off of his friend as he turned around with his greatshield raised. Indeed, the first thing Asmundr saw when he brought his head back up was a steel-tipped arrow embedded in the dirt mere inches from his face. LoveGame glared directly up at its source, one of those hooded rogues perched atop a dome-shaped structure, brandishing a longbow. Taking cover behind his greatshield, the knight zeroed in on the shrouded sniper and tossed a black firebomb up at his position! “Go on somewhere! Fight me with honor, or the next one won't...!” he shouted up before being jolted by the ground beneath him quaking suddenly.

Slowly but surely, the great iron bridge began to grind with a series of metallic clanks, lowering to allow passage and making a light cloud of dust as it settled its end into the loose dirt. “...miss...” LoveGame finished, beyond puzzled as to how the mechanism seemed to have activated entirely on its own. “...the hell? I mean, not that I'm complaining. Hmm... maybe the bridge recognized our incredible strength and bowed in our presence! Heh!” he'd say in an attempt to light up their morale in the face of the thwarted ambush.

“What else could it be?” Asmundr asked, equally dumbfounded at the turn of events. “That was pretty good, man. You actually saw something I didn't... my vision must be going.” he'd remark, dusting himself off.

LoveGame pointed a finger back at the white-armored warrior. “What can I say? I learned from the best, you know?” he'd return the compliment in kind before the pair crossed the newly-lowered bridge, no longer impeded.

It lead to another small encampment just as abandoned as the last, dotted with even more of those strange domes containing little of interest. The sound of rushing water could be heard below, a narrow river barely visible in the void. They'd continue up the grass path and gather anything useful along the way until they came upon a sheer cliff side. Seeing no other way forward, they'd sidle along the path, taking great care to keep their balance as it grew more narrow with each step. Another pack of hooded thieves launched a surprise attack around the halfway point, taking advantage of their knowledge of the turf to leap from above and pincer the pair in from both sides. Fortunately, LoveGame and Asmundr were still on high alert, cutting down the hollowed rogues and sending them tumbling into the tempest below. Unknown to the heroes, a handful of undead necromancers watched them from across the river chasm in their ragged robes of the occult.

The narrow cliff path eventually terminated at a roaring white waterfall, cascading right over an old mausoleum built into the cliff face as it fed the dark river below. Asmundr motioned over to the entrance bordered in black stone, raising his voice over the waterfall. “Here's where those self-important skeletons shacked up. They got their hands on a wondrous soul and think they own the place all of a sudden.”

“It... was gonna be my first guess. Look!” LoveGame answered, pointing out the barrier of white mist that obscured the entrance.

“This is about as far as I can take you for now, man. You up for one more fight, side-by-side with your new pal? It'd be a shame to waste this opportunity.” the tactician said confidently, stretching his legs and warming up a bit as he looked over his quartet of longswords.

LoveGame took a deep breath and crossed his arms. “You know, I read back home that finding a waterfall was good luck... some of 'em even hid all sorts of treasure, but this one's got a battle waiting for us. Hmm... the way the mist is hittin' me here reminds me of that morning I sailed my way to Drangleic.” he reminisced, cracking his neck. “I'd love nothin' more! If we've gotta go our separate ways for now, then we'll make this a memorable one. Let's crack some skulls, Az.”

Shooting each other smiles, the two swordsmen strode forth with the roaring waters at their backs, dissipating the mist as they entered the mausoleum together with their weapons drawn.

The deathly chamber was so inundated with mounds upon piles of bone that whatever the floor was could no longer be seen underneath. Bones of every creature imaginable and some unidentifiable littered every inch, crunching to dusty shards below the heroes' armored boots with every step. In the center of the room, atop the highest mountains of collected corpses sat the three skeleton lords, their monstrously gaunt forms adorned in long, pitch-black ceremonial robes decorated with all manner of beads and bone jewelry of a long-lost culture. They levitated eerily from their makeshift thrones crafted from limbs of varying lengths, making a hauntingly graceful descent as they called forth their weapons to challenge the pair.

Wasting no time with the formalities, LoveGame and Asmundr split off, rushing toward the undead trio with blinding speed as the discarded bones ground to fine dust beneath them! Asmundr set his sights on the ring leader that brandished a great scythe! He'd deftly evade the wide sweeping attack as he closed the distance and delivered a cross cut with his red blade, its flames singing away the feeble cloth and making a deep cut! Not about to give his foe any breathing room, he followed up with a harrowing side slash with the blue sword, its magical imbuement allowing it to rip through the skeleton's hardened ribcage like rotted wood! The great skeleton stumbled forth as its integrity began to collapse in on itself, crumbling in defeat before the white-haired tactician!

Feeling a sudden heat growing behind him, Asmundr pivoted on his heel and kicked off toward the next Lord, who wove a barrage of fireballs his way with a sickly staff of bone and viscera! He'd effortlessly dodge each one, feeling the mausoleum rock as they landed behind him in spectacular explosions! The mage attempted to float backwards in an evasive maneuver, but his sluggish movements were no match for the tactician's raw speed and power as he sliced the second Lord down, now a mere addition to the growing pile underneath! “After all that bluster they put on when they came here... I'm almost disappointed! Figures they'd be all show! This is the home of the finest warriors in Drangleic, the Brotherhood of Blood! If you can't fight, then there's no place for you here!”

LoveGame, meanwhile, tangled with the third Lord, who swung down on the knight with a great halberd of bone! The might of his Dragonrider's greatshield was more than sufficient to repel even the superior reach of the undead armament! He'd easily get within striking range and deliver a hefty bash with the center of his shield, outright shattering an entire section of the skeleton's ribcage and bringing his white blade down on the stunned foe to dish out a crushing defeat! “Heh! Guess those nice threads were just for show after all! Ilia's not missin' out on much!” boasted the knight, kicking stray bones out of his path. “You're tellin' me these chumps thought they could take the place over?”

“Undead aren't exactly known for thinking ahead, LoveGame...” Asmundr said back, keeping his guard up as though he sensed it wasn't quite time to celebrate. A crescendo of low aethereal hums broke the silence as several barrages of ghostly black flames erupted from beneath the piles of bone, arcing upwards and bursting on their descent! “...see, what they lack in a strategic mindset...” he continued as the dark embers fizzled away and permeated the deepest layers of the dead! Hardly a moment later, they'd both feel the bones beneath them shift and stir! The sickly grinding giving birth to a horde of skeleton warriors, sprouting one by one as they brandished curved, rusted swords! “...they try and make up for it in their sheer numbers! Look alive, LoveGame!”

The knight felt not fear, but a growing excitement within him as he took his guard and dug his heels into the bone dust! “I'm more alive than ever! You ready for the cleanup round, Az?” he'd say with pride, already starting to lay into the skeletal horde as Asmundr gave a nod and rushed the other side! Each one crumbled and split with a single strike, LoveGame crushing several at once with a weighty slam of his greatshield! Their own round shields proved no match for the tactician's blessed longswords, even their attempts to parry his blows were thwarted when he shifted to each side and slipped past their defenses! This small army of undead proved light work for the determined duo compared to the horrors they'd faced the night before, rapidly thinning their numbers as the clash drew closer to its close!

As the heroes met atop the hill where the thrones of bone sat empty, all that remained among the undead ranks were four strange skeletons with their bodies seemingly affixed to a wooden wheel with steel spikes running down their sides! Asmundr would recognize these fiendish nuisances anywhere. “Ah, wonderful! Bonewheels! I was beginning to wonder where they'd show up! Careful, LoveGame! Those things land one hit on me and I'm shredded!” he'd say, focusing his attention on the wheeled menaces as they spun up to speed!

“Not happening! I won't let 'em lay a bone on ya! Hmmh!” LoveGame growled, rushing in front of his comrade and slamming the edge of his shield down below, wedged firmly into the ground bone! He bashed the edge of his blade against the face of his greatshield as though to taunt the spinning undead. “Ain't no way you're getting through this, but you're welcome to give it a go! Roll me over if you think you got it in ya!” he bellowed with his blade held out!

The four bonewheels blazed a trail toward the stalwart knight, bits of bone kicking and scattering every which way as they spun forth! The mausoleum rang out with a chorus of rapid dinging of steel against steel, echoing as the undead attempted to tear down the man's defenses! “Now, Az! Get behind em!” he commanded, feeling his arm begin to buckle under the bombardment!

“Already on it, man!” he called back, sprinting from behind the safety of his ally and circling around to face the four foes! They'd sense the swordsman coming, but it was far too late! The sheer amount of momentum they'd built up forced them to commit to their rolling assault, and the moment they showed even a small sign of slowing down, Asmundr rushed forth with his blades set aglow, decimating the defenseless bonewheels and bringing the battle to a spectacular end! “Hyah! Don't even think about rolling up on my humble home ever again! That's how it's done!”

After LoveGame collected the soul they left behind, he and Asmundr took a well-deserved moment to celebrate, linking arms and quite literally dancing on the graves of their fallen foes as they toasted their Estus and swigged them with glee until the orange liquid ran down their faces! “Ha-haaaah! Yeah! No stopping us now! Nowhere left to go from here but up! I'm bringin' home all the Great Souls, Ilia! Just you wait!” he cheered with a hearty laugh, basking in his victory just a bit longer.

After the brief festivities, he'd check his gear over and note his shield had only sustained a few scratches. They'd spy a narrow opening on the far end of the mausoleum, squeezing through and emerging out at a wide vista, connected by a raised metal bridge identical to the one they'd crossed back in the copse. “...so is this one' gonna just...!” LoveGame thought aloud before the bridge lowered itself autonomously yet again. “...duly noted.”

“Well, Knight LoveGame...” Asmundr began, putting a hand on the knight's shoulder. “...it's been real. I haven't had this much fun in a whole minute. Thanks for that. I've gotta meet up with my guys at the Purgatory, so this is as far as I can take you. Harvest Valley's dead ahead, and it'll give you a straight shot into the Iron Keep. Can't miss it.” he said, pointing over the bridge. “Go out there and take that Great Soul for yourself, and don't even dare think of failing and going hollow on me, or I'll put you down myself! Heh.” he'd say, pointing his thumb to his chest. He'd produce a white bone from his bag and kneel down to bury it, warping back home as LoveGame bid farewell.

“Hey, you can count on it... I'm way to hardheaded to fail anyways...” he'd say as he watched his friend fade into the aethereal winds and transport safely home. As he stared at the path laid out before him, he'd replay the tactician's words in his mind. “...wait a sec... did he say Harvest Valley?! Man oh man, this day just got a lot better!”

With those words, the wayward knight rocketed across the bridge faster than he ever had before, the world around him whipping by so quickly that he couldn't slow down soon enough to see a short drop ahead, falling straight past the ladder and landing square on his chest! Feeling nary a slight pain from the sudden impact, he sprung right back to his heels and gazed out at the hallowed grounds on which he'd just emerged. “So everything up to now... it was all worth it for this. That's to say if I'm right... and I know I'm right...”

“Harvest Valley, here I come!!!”

Salutations, my most honored reader. Licia of Lindeldt, charmed to make your acquaintance. If you're reading this, it would appear as though you have made it through this rather long and arduous entry into the book of fate. Goodness, you must have quite the unending endurance, you lovely thing.~ I do hope you thoroughly enjoyed my miraculous debut. Regrettably, I will not make an appearance in the following chapter, but I am sure we will cross paths sooner or later, should fate smile upon us. In the meantime, I will provide the outro! Now entirely on his own, Knight LoveGame must claim the next Great Soul that burns brightly in the heart of the Iron Keep! All that stands in his way is the Harvest Valley, now overrun with a toxic miasma... I cannot begin to fathom how awful that must be on one's senses! Granted, the man hardly seems to mind, given the prize he's after. Quite a discerning taste he must have. Of course, I must keep the most wondrous part a secret. If you wish to know more, I'll require a modest payment... and I'll only accept souls. Coin has no value in a world on the brink, you see.

Next time: A Red Hot Demon's Soul! Now, about that deal we had...!

Chapter Text

Chapter 8
A Red-Hot Demon's Soul!
“I get the chills every time I look at it!”

Harvest Valley

Though some adventurers often jested that the once prosperous vista bore a name more befitting of perhaps a granola bar – especially when discussed with its terminus at the Earthen Peak – this defiled valley of pestilence and disease was far from a laughing matter. A sickly miasma of green blanketed the lowest lows of the rocky terrain, and our hero, now finding himself alone for the first time in quite a while, would carefully tread around the revolting pools of toxin to take a much-needed respite by a bonfire. Up above, a great and imposing windmill lorded over the valley like a malevolent deity, still turning despite the land having long since lost its suitability for a proper harvest.

...and yet, our hero knew exactly why he was here... and it was this purpose that overrode his fear of the encroaching toxins...

“...and it's exactly how I imagined! The books I had weren't even too far off; how 'bout that?” the knight mused to himself in his deep tone, the habit of talking to oneself running persistently in his blood. “Harvest Valley was... was the last known location of the Heirs of the Sun! Never has a more righteous band of heroes rose to the occasion than those guys.”

If only wayward knight had known the history of what he had so eagerly read, equal parts embellished and muddled, he'd find himself aware of the far more humble truth; the efforts of a single man as misguided as he was determined and pure. As much as the hero wished for it to be more, the sun was but another star in an endless sea.

“...and their technique was incredible! A perfect balance of finesse and raw power,” he continued as he checked over his gear and clambered out of the small cave of respite. “...though I don't see myself being much count with those lightning miracles. Maybe miss Licia could teach me, huh...”

Making his way up the nearby hill, its crest overlooking a vast vista of miasma, he'd come across another traveler; a woman had set up shop trading valuable titanite, of which the valley was rich. Her long, green dress was an unusual fashion statement, her ample bosom nearly fully visible in the low neckline. After their exchange, she'd bring up her father, attaching a very familiar description to her tale. “...come to think of it, the old man might've already begun to go hollow. Not that it'd stop him, heh. His life is so sedentary that he may as well be.” she'd say wistfully, her voice carrying an English accent. “...and he's got the nerve to chide me for spending my life in transit! Reckless, he calls it. You don't get anywhere in life without being reckless.” she'd vent before her voice returned to a calm tone. “...still, I miss the old sod. Perhaps I'll pay him a visit if...” she'd say before being cut off by the knight.

“Ol' Lenigrast! He's hammered these bad boys into shape more times than I can count!” he'd happily oblige, tapping his armor on the chest and making the connection that her father was the same man he'd been seeing for blacksmithing back in Majula. The brunette introduced herself as Cholanne, departing for Majula now that she'd been pointed in the right direction. He'd make a note to visit with her when he returned.

Making his way down into the vista, a low fog of deathly gases visibly blanketing the floor, the knight repelled a small ambush of skeleton warriors. Finding that if he was able to hold his breath for a time, he'd have the chance to reap the valley for raw titanite; Chloanne's lead had been a good one. Hulking, warped hollows with their faces shrouded in rags hurled crude dark energy at LoveGame, who evaded just narrowly enough to see the spell erase everything it touched. Getting in closer and drawing his blade, he'd notice that the larger being was mounted by a small, frail hollow giving commands to its grotesque mount. Once one had been cut down, the other fell alongside it.

“...now, if memory serves... they dumped the altar here in the valley for some reason!” he continued to think aloud, trudging up the rocky path and taking everything not already claimed by the land itself. “...even I'm stumped on that one. These guys were all about helping the weak and downtrodden, even if there wasn't so much as a reward in sight for 'em. I think we should all strive to be so selfless.”

The trek led our eager hero through another narrow valley, cutting down the odd hollow as he made the push to the windmill's base, taking care not to plummet into one of the many holes in the ground that lead into the choking miasma below. A set of stout metalworker undead moved in on the knight, their rotund forms swinging a great hammer with lethal intent. He'd clear the last of them before making a detour down the edge of the valley, sidling across the thin walkway until he reached a verdant, mossy cavern having evidently been spared the poison's oppressive grasp.

Within its deepest reaches, a brilliant ray of golden sunlight valiantly pierced the cracks of the cavern's ceiling... casting their holy light onto the crumbled, broken ruins of the statue of a proud warrior. Now, only its feet stood intact, the rest of its body carelessly scattered about the lush floor below. “...and whoever brought it here decided they didn't like it very much!” he half-joked. “It might not look like much anymore... but its purpose is what really matters.”

The young man shut his eyes tight for a moment, taking a deep and contemplative breath. He was neither a devout practitioner of religion nor did he forsake the higher powers – he simply felt such matters beyond the scope of his understanding until now. Sure of himself that this step was integral in fulfilling his mission in this forsaken kingdom, LoveGame approached the statue's base, letting the warmth of the sun caress his being.

He didn't utter a word. He didn't have a single thought. He merely knelt in silence and let the comforting, life-affirming rays take him over.. He needed no further confirmation than the slight intensification of the warmth felt on his skin to know he'd been sworn in as an Heir of the Sun.

He couldn't quite parse what happened next; he felt faint, though comfortably so, as though beckoned for a long slumber. Only moments had passed, yet the man felt he'd gotten a good night's sleep all of a sudden. Placed perfectly into the ground before him, illuminated by the golden rays as though it were beckoning the man, there laid a sword of pure, brilliant silver untarnished by time. Simple, yet elegant in its design, its sole defining feature was the engraving of a white silver sun on its hilt at the crossguard. Reaching for the new armament he'd been so generously granted, he'd feel that tingling surge of lightning – something he'd just nearly gotten used to – leave his body entirely. Replaced at first with a bitter, metallic chill that gave way to comforting warmth, traveling up the length of his sword arm into his undead heart.

He'd take a moment to look the blade over, christened rather simply as the Sun Sword. Upon closer inspection, its blade was unusually shaped, tapering the further it got to its tip without compromising structural integrity. He couldn't fathom what hands shaped such immaculate work. Its unique weight distribution combined with its shape lent the blade more to repeated stabs, traditional to a razor's edge. Just as the man had stated, a blade like this demanded equal parts finesse and raw strength.

“Humbled, I am, truly,” began the knight, sheathing his new prize away. “...to be in the presence of the regalia of legend.” He'd hold his old blade in both hands, that same sword he'd obtained from besting that enigmatic white knight back in the Forest. “You've done well enough to get me this far, old pal. I'd say you earned a little rest.” he said, stowing his old weapon away in his bag. “Now... much as I'd love to bask in the rays here, I've still got a job to do. Let's get back on track, my shiny new friend. I've got plenty of willing candidates to introduce ya to!”

Emerging at the base of the old windmill, LoveGame steeled himself for the grueling and arduous path ahead. He'd take a brief moment to gaze up at the stone giant, one large fan that rotated eerily slow and several smaller ones to the sides evoking the image of a wilting bouquet. He kept to the high road, evading the mounted gargantuans that patrolled the vile valley below, evidently immune to its choking miasma. Clouds gathered above; a storm likely rolling in sooner than later. Armed with the Sword of the Sun, Knight LoveGame entered the base of the windmill, numerous pairs of footsteps in the distance being all the motivation he needed to draw his brand new blade.

Majula

Resting at the Far Fire, the closest place she had to home for the duration of this journey, Ilia warmed herself as she cooled off. Serves him right. She thought, He can just consider this a part of the training, that's all. I'm not even that upset, really.

Resting and letting herself melt into her thoughts, she'd recall fondly of her days with Master Xoxar and the highs and lows of their intricate relationship. Her refusal to accompany Knight LoveGame on this leg of the journey was, almost perfectly to a T, the treatment she had endured once under his tutelage. Despite their seemingly wholesome and inseparable bond, the master and student were not unfamiliar with disagreements in their methods. Time and time again, they'd agree to part ways and keep to their own devices for a day or two, allowing both sides to reflect and cool off. For Ilia, this was how she'd shape herself into an independent adventurer in her own right.

...and she could almost feel her presence the moment she got comfortable. So much for that.

“What ails you, Lord Protector?” the Herald inquired in her calming, motherly tone, taking a seat next to Ilia. “Why has the Bearer of the Curse left your side?”

The blonde swordstress cocked her head lazily, giving the redhead a side glance and turning her gaze to the vast sea. “...and what's it to you?” she'd sigh out dismissively. “You want my life story or something, lady?”

Though surely a rhetorical question, the slim, emerald-hooded gal answered with utmost sincerity. “...I have nothing but time in this dying world, Lord Protector. Indulge me if you would.” she requested, kicking her legs lightly, an act she found calming.

Ilia drew a long breath and exhaled it as a sigh. “...alright. Just don't miss any details when you tell it to the next weary traveler.” she'd say, the two ladies preparing some tea over the bonfire as Ilia began to regale her of everything she knew...

Earthen Peak

The first adversary the young knight had encountered to test the temper of his brand new blade was... not exactly the most worthy measuring stick. Indeed, this wrinkled, rotund entity LoveGame did battle with was the furthest one could get from any description of a stick.

Repulsive as this sorry excuse for a demon was, its vile and ravenous grin was the strongest thing in its arsenal. Clumsily dragging its corpulent form forth with naught but a pair of nigh-useless stubby arms to assist his sluglike body. Its natural heft was equal parts its strongest weapon and its greatest hindrance, the bloated demon finding itself nearly crushed under its own weight. Its ultimate technique, in which it thrashed and flopped like a freshly caught fish, was entirely ineffectual in harming the knight, but it was certainly something fascinating to look at.

Coiling back, the demon lurched forward rather suddenly and rapidly so for its size! The swordsman too threw his weight around, evading the mass of distended flesh, but crashing to his feet from the impact it made upon landing! The bloated menace whipped its body around, not missing on the return trip! It opened its jagged, fanged maw wide, devouring the wayward knight in a single bite! The demon's mighty momentum came to a stop, and...

...at that moment, its beady eyes nearly bugged out from their deep recesses.

….from within the prison of vile flesh... a muffled and slightly dimwitted voice made an unusually astute observation.

“...you're kiddin' me, right? This guy... he's got a long way to go! You gotta unwrap me if you wanna get to the sweet stuff inside!”

His voice preceded the sickly tearing of viscera and the torrential spray of the blood of a demon! Knight LoveGame had carved his way out of the belly of the beast, taking quite the effort of his enhanced undead strength to slice its thick hide from the inside out.

Perhaps it was a fitting test of his new sword after all.

Knight LoveGame had made respectable headway in the heart of the great windmill, its corridors laden with every manner of trap and ambush along the way. Stone pressure plates blended deceptively well into the floor; the knight would have to take his guard just in time to shield himself from a barrage of poisoned arrows. Undead ninja, relieved so generously of their own heads swooped in from dark corners and unseen perches, proving to be one of the knight's most persistent challenges. They'd often attack in coordinated groups, unusually tactical for a hollow, much less one lacking a brain altogether.

He'd inevitably find himself inundated with toxins as he made his ascent, be it at the tip of the mankin's knives, the pools of viscous pure poison, or a well-hidden pressure plate calling forth coated arrows. His memory not betraying him, he'd grind the green medicinal moss between his fingertips and inhale its fine, tasteless dust. This miracle antidote was one of the few surviving cures of its kind, uniquely thriving in the dank recesses of this rotted kingdom. He'd brought a handful with him upon outset – leftovers from his provisions as a knight – and took care to harvest the stuff throughout his travels with Ilia.

The treacherous layout of the windmill fortress proved just as much of a grueling challenge as its stalwart guards. Deeper inside, the headless ninja had been backed up by the grave tenders, their faces obscured in featureless gray cloth. The gaunt beings crossed their silver spears with Knight LoveGame, who pushed past their offense with his greatshield and knocked them into the seemingly endless pit of poison below. He'd climb numerous ladders that all looked the same, detouring on the outer walkway once he reached the top. The peak afforded the dark-haired man quite the view – he could clearly make out the exact point he'd entered, the stone path now but a thin wisp of a line under the fog.

Making the push through, he'd happen upon several metal switches embedded into the wall. Ever the risk-taker, he elected to give each one a pull on his way past. His curiosity was rewarded as the iron gates raised allowing him further passage, boarding a particularly tricky wooden lift just before it left without him. He hardly had time to plunder the chamber's treasures before a trio of those beheaded rogues descended upon him! Overwhelmed in an instant and with little room to evade, LoveGame tore from his belt a glowing beetle, cramming the insect straight through his helmet and feeling his vigor surge to heights yet unseen! A golden aura of soul energy cloaked the knight, no longer feeling the burden of his armor or his shield! He'd find that tearing down the headless hollows was more than enough to work the sudden surge of raw energy out of his system.

Indeed, the sight of another bonfire past a small mist gate worked wonders in allowing his undead body to settle out and regulate the wild flux of energy he'd just subjected himself too. He sat crosslegged and took a brief rest... until he was snapped out of his relaxation by an unusually familiar scent! Carried upon the breeze - and quite the welcome reprieve from the toxins and death – was the distinct bouquet of numerous fruit blossoms! Something LoveGame knew like the back of his hand as a farmer. A sweeter and more varied mix had never assailed his senses.

“Come to think of it... I haven't actually felt the need to eat since I became undead. That being said... a little reminder of home could boost this knight's morale, and considerably so.” said the southerner to himself. He'd take the initiative to peek ahead, spying a long, narrow trench of that viscous poison fluid, opaque to the point he couldn't even discern its depth. Not looking forward to taking another dip, he'd elect to follow his nose outside, just a few paces back from the way he came. He'd noted the supernatural phenomenon that bound the souls of the undead to their domain; he didn't quite understand what it meant just yet. Dispatching the reborn rogues, he'd find the tower's wooden outer railing had been shattered in the skirmish. Checking his surroundings for any comedians who might find it a laugh to push him from the edge, he peered out, noticing an entire walkway he'd neglected earlier on account of fending off the headless fiends.

The stone path was narrow, but plenty stable and well out of the blinded gaze of the windmill's denizens, offering a breathtaking view of the desolation and sickness below. That assailing scent of fruit blossom snapped the knight's attention to his left, no doubt getting closer to its alluring source. He'd follow the outer walkway down a bend that led him to a lower platform... and a brand new, yet strikingly familiar sight for the knight.

Dressed in unusually pristine robes of silken cream and resplendent white, she appeared to be a priestess of some description. LoveGame drew closer, sheathing his blade and placing his large shield on his back to show he meant no harm. Getting a closer look at the lady he was now very sure was the source of the floral bouquet, he'd notice she was quite lithe and svelte, cutting a figure not to dissimilar to his close companion... were it not for her staggeringly ample chest. Fully and modestly clothed, she allowed her breasts to breathe through the very narrow, barely visible neckline of her robes, though no amount of cloth could hide the sheer prominence of her endowment. The soft, comforting features of her caramel-kissed visage were framed with elegantly light brown hair neatly styled into a middle part. The cream-colored hood of her immaculate robe even folding right in the center as if to echo her straight, shiny locks.

“You there!” she'd call out in a posh English accent, her voice airy and light with amicable delight. “Still have your wits about you, do ya'? Wonderful! You wouldn't be trying to kill me, would you?” she'd ask him in a jubilant tone. “Everyone around here's so unusually hostile for whatever reason!”

Shaking his head and holding a palm out, he'd reassure the busty robed stranger, “No way! You kiddin'? I haven't had anyone to talk to since I made my way out here.” he'd say in a friendly tone, trying his best to assure her after the rather forward question. “The name's LoveGame, by the way! A regular ol' knight. I'm still a little new to this undead lifestyle, but I'm getting the hang of it. Already nabbed myself one of those Great Souls... and the next isn't too far off, so says a certain someone.” he introduced himself. “You're pretty strong if you've made it out here, err... sorry, I tend to really ramble when I haven't talked to anybody in a minute...?”

The buxom gal cheerfully clasped her hands and gazed her shimmering hazel eyes through the slit of LoveGame's helmet. “Oh, where are my manners? Aicil is my name!” she sweetly declared, an rosy blush just lightly visible upon her darker skin. “Nothing more than a traveling cleric on an eternal mission to help those in need! Did those abhorrent mankin assail you earlier? I'd be more than happy to mend you right back into shape!” she obliged, overflowing with unfiltered kindness. “...Oh, I'm from a wonderful place called Lindeldt!” she added happily, “I lived atop this most pleasant golden-white tower, and my people are very attuned to the gods, we are!” Aicil continued, eager and optimistic to tell the stranger about her. “...which means... I'm well learned in the art of miracles! Here, you look positively knackered! Let Aicil mend your ailing wounds.”

She'd pull the knight in, inevitably bringing him rather close against her ample chest. “Umbasa!~” she chirped as a golden light enveloped him, her enchanted robes radiating an iridescent sparkle as the magic bound to its thread breathed to life.

The young knight pulled back gently, blushing through his helm as he felt the healing warmth overtake him. “I'm... oh! Hey, I feel fresher than ever! You're pretty good... Aicil.” he'd compliment with sincerity, giving a light bow of his own.

“Free of charge, of course. The wisdom of the gods is priceless, after all, as is the life of another.” beamed the friendly cleric.

Only now had it occurred to the wayward knight... “...uhm, lady? Er, Miss Aicil? You're not gonna believe this, but, I uhh... how do you spell that? See, I just met this gal a few hours ago, that like...” he began before being cut off by her gasp that preceded a light giggle.

“...Oh! Yes, how wonderful! You've met with my dear sister, Licia!” she perked up, delighted. “Of course you have, how else would you be here? She's always been so helpful in moving that puzzling hidden path for travelers like you. You see, our mum wasn't very creative when it came to naming us, mostly because she didn't like us very much!” Aicil divulged with almost too much optimism. “...but sis and I have always gotten on rather well all things considered. She can be a bit... unladylike and well... perhaps not the most modest! She's rather proud of those generous assets she was blessed with and, err... she isn't entirely honest with her practices.” she'd continue, her expression not faltering from a ray of sunshine. “...and goodness, that diet of hers could use a few amendments... perhaps a bit less reckless indulgence in all those fried meats she so adores. Not to disparage, of course. Merely me looking out for my sister, is all. Miracles are no substitute for proper good health!”

Aicil's words merited a light laugh underneath LoveGame's crested helm. He paused for a moment, not quite sure how to respond to the cheerful, top-heavy maiden. “...that's, uhh... no kiddin'! Not sure if you've taken a good look around here... but lemme tell ya, you're a wellspring of it.” he told her against a backdrop of decay. “The deeper I get into this place... I barely take a damn step without dunking myself in all that gunk! You've made it this far; what, uhh...” he though for a moment until something came to him. “...just what's the deal with this place anyway? My best friend back home is real big on record keeping.”

Finding an unusually rare comfort in his company, she was more than happy to regale him. “Very well! Licia and I know much about the finer details of this land – we stayed here for a good while after the incident! You seek the Great Soul of the Iron King, don't you? Well, wait until you hear the drama he's found himself embroiled in! You see, Queen Mytha was enamored with him, but he did not return the affection as he had eyes for another. This jealousy consumed her, twisted her very being into that of a venomous serpent. It's no coincidence that her obsession lead her to subjugate everyone under her command to hide their unworthy faces.” Aicil explained. “No doubt in my mind she's still holed up atop the windmill here... steeping in her own vile juices. The thought is enough to make one's skin crawl!”

Taking as many mental notes as his hollowing mind could carry, LoveGame told her, “...I knew there was somethin' more to this place. Actually, yeah... I'd love to march up there and show the queen a thing or two. I could care less about her lil' love triangle action, if I'm being honest, but I can't have her defiling this place.” he'd elaborate, “It's a long story, but these are sacred grounds for a guy like me. Just wish there was an easier way up... I slip up once and I'm sippin' on a death cocktail soup.”

Once again, Aicil's innocent visage lit up with elation. “I know exactly the solution! Though... are you sure you wish to face against Queen Mytha? She was formidable even in the past, and now that she's feasted upon every last soul here – goodness, save for my own – I cannot imagine she would relent without a fight.” she'd warn him in earnest. “However, should you still wish to face her... all you'd need to do is set that windmill alight with flame!” she'd point behind him, the slowly spinning blades barely accessible thanks to a destroyed segment of the wall creating just enough of a makeshift ramp to clamber up without falling to one's doom.

As luck would have it, the destroyed wall was a mere few paces from that bonfire he'd just taken refuge at, and he'd held onto a generous bundle of torches to get the job done. “You know what? I'll give it a go, just for you... Miss Aicil! How much is that juicy hint gonna cost me?” he'd ask, rummaging through his spare souls, his collection having grown even more as he made his ascent. He'd quickly find his charitable offer declined, however.

“Oh! No, no. I'm not like... er... I'm simply doing my good deed for the day.” she chimed, pushing his hand away politely yet insistently. “...by the way, did you know my dear sister Licia once sat on the Sacred Texts of Lindeldt? Thought we'd lost them for days! Entirely unintentional, of course. Oh, her and I had such fun back then!” she reminisced with glee. “Do tell her I said hello when you return, won't you? ...oh! I see that look of yours under your helm. Don't worry about this righteous gal in the slightest! I've made it this far on my own... and I'm quite invincible so long as I'm attacked from the front.” she assured the knight. “Once I wrap up my unfinished business here, I might just return to Majula and pay my dear sister a visit. Perhaps our paths will cross then, Knight LoveGame.” she'd say with a polite bow.

“See ya there, Miss Aicil! This fated meeting of ours was a refreshing one.”

Following the buxom priestess' instructions as closely as he could, the knight immolated one of his many torches – a simple thick branch wrapped in oil-soaked cloth on the far end – against the eternal bonfire that carried the essence of every soul to feel the comfort of its presence. He'd hold it alight as he cautiously climbed up the ruined wall, his heavy gear proving difficult to keep his balance in. Standing on the edge, precariously close to the blades, he'd outstretch his long arm to its limit, just far enough that the enduring flames could lick at the axle. A single spark was all it took, rapidly roaring to life as a mighty ember that consumed and devoured the deadly blades, stopping whatever malevolent mechanism was responsible for pumping the endless poison into the valley below.

That could be his good deed for the day, he thought.

Aicil, huh? I tell ya, I couldn't get a bead on that lady for the life of me.

Majula

Though her distant mood did its best to mask the fact, Ilia found her conversation with the Emerald Herald to be unusually enriching, a sentiment the hooded redhead echoed. She was impressed with the Herald's vast knowledge of Drangleic's well-kept secrets, not so subtly taking notes to add to her compendium.

Neither of them made eye contact, their gazes affixed on the melancholy horizon. She spoke briefly of what little she knew of the First of the Dead, after which both women fell silent for a spell, meditating on the thought as the faint sounds of the sea grew more noticeable. Pondering for a moment on what to say, the Herald asked Ilia, “I'm curious. Do you find my company to be a bore?”

The lithe girl raised an eyebrow. “You kiddin'? I've been itching to discuss this kind of stuff with someone who actually cares. It's a refreshing change of pace from my usual company,” she'd answer in earnest, the cloaked lady knowing exactly to whom she was referring.

She paused briefly, her expression unchanging. “...Hmm. Tell me this, then. Do you only accompany the wayward knight out of obligation to do so? Or perhaps, do you see the same merit in him that I do?” she'd ask Ilia, her soft, soothing voice retaining its calm, breathy tone.

“...kind of a loaded question there, lady. What do you want me to say, it hasn't even been a week yet.” she'd respond matter-of-factly, giving her a brief side look. She'd respond wordlessly, tilting her head and giving a slightly inquisitive look. “I don't think so, anyhow. Time seems to blur pretty liberally here. He's... grown on me. It ain't like he's boring either – he runs his mouth too much if anything – and sometimes I think he's being vague on purpose... no wonder he was into you for a minute there.” she half-joked.

No response aside from the the faintest of smiles.

“...look, I'm not sure what you're trying to get out of me, but...” she began, her attempts to get a bead on the cloaked Fire Keeper proving futile, even for an analytical mind like hers. “...I wouldn't even entertain the idea of letting him go it alone like this if I knew he couldn't handle it. I mean, it goes without saying he loves fighting, and... well, you didn't hear it from me, but I think he has the potential to surpass me. Back in the heart of the forest... heh, I still can't believe I let that lumbering giant outmaneuver me like that, but then I saw LoveGame use this crazy technique and finish him off in one go. The dude gets stronger every time we take one of those souls down. It's almost frustrating, but... it also gives me just a little more hope.”

“How do you mean?” asked the Emerald Herald plainly, giving another light head tilt.

Ilia waved her palm lightly. “I mean what I just said, lady. I'm only sticking around this kingdom as long as I have to. I've got a whole other world of things that need getting done back home.” she told the hooded woman. “LoveGame, though... he's settled pretty well into the undead lifestyle. Take a good look at this place, and tell me you don't think it could use a ray of hope like him.” she'd tell the Herald, looking her in her uncovered eye. “Just some food for thought, that's all.”

The Emerald Herald meditated for a moment on the platinum blonde warrior's words, gazing back out at the sea. “...I see. That is all I wished to know, Lord Protector.” she'd say, reclining back against the warmth of the Far Fire. “How curious, that you two have far more in common than you realize.”

Ilia echoed the Emerald woman's words, quite intentionally so. “...how do ya mean?”

“...you've both granted me with more insight over the past few days than I have learned across all of my travels.” she'd tell her. “A wise woman such as myself still has much to learn yet about the nature of the soul.”

On that note, the pair of women parted ways, Ilia returning to the mansion's basement, eager to add to her notes and delve back into the wealth of books stored within.

Earthen Peak

Thanks in no small part to the amazing advice of Aicil, the final leg of Knight LoveGame's ascent was not as much of a grueling slog as it had been up to that point. No longer impeded by the poison pools, he'd cut a path through the upper floor of the now-dormant windmill. Faceless guards in both flavors assailed him on his way up, but he knew well his way around these foes by this point, and his brand new blade smote them without much toil. The tower's innermost chambers were patrolled by the alluring pyromancers of the Jugo desert, hurling volleys of enchanted flame at the knight that nearly cooked him in his armor as they found their mark. Closing the distance, it was not lost on the wayward knight that the provocative, red and gold garb they scantily adorned their bodies with was the very same worn by Melanie the Graceful... granted, these comparatively svelte sorceresses failed to fill out the ensemble nearly as voluptuously as his rival.

Having reached the heart of the accursed windmill tower, he'd come across a familiar signature of brilliant silver runes etched across the stone floor just before another sight he'd come to expect – a shimmering wall of mist obscuring the gate before him.

Had he taken Queen Mytha on alone, Knight LoveGame might have had another harrowing tale to add to his anecdote he'd regale Ilia with when he returned.

The concerted and unrelenting efforts of the eccentric and brazen man he'd brought forth with his signature sign would... overwhelmingly tip the odds in LoveGame's favor. He'd introduce himself as Thomas, his jolly greeting muffled by a metal mask more at home in a stage play.

Adorned from head to toe in lively red and yellow livery, this eccentric jester was the furthest thing from a joke. Though LoveGame did make a fair and valiant attempt to land the occasional swipe against her scaly hide, he found it far more effective to serve as a distraction as the serpentine queen lunged her sickly green body in an attempt to squeeze the life out of him. After all, even as the baneful queen assailed him with her disembodied head held tightly in her grip by her voluminous jet-black locks, he was far more weary of being immolated by the destructive aftershocks of the forbidden suns Thomas hurled at the mutated monarch with impunity. True to the spell's name, each colossal orb of white-hot primal flame found its mark rather easily.

It hardly felt as though a single minute had passed before Mytha was reduced to but a heap of royal ash, deprived of the very thing that gave her eternal life thanks to the advice of that buxom priestess. Perhaps there were good people left in this accursed kingdom yet.

Emerging on the other side of her circular chamber, now drained of its venomous influence, Knight LoveGame would take the opportunity to shake himself dry like a dog, painting the stone walls with a light coating of sickly green. Feeling a surge in his morale, he'd offer Thomas a firm handshake, a mutual respect evident between their masked gaze. “Phew! Quite a show you put on there, Thomas. Not for nothin', I'm just glad you're on my side!” he'd give the jester genuine praise.

“Hah! It's merely what I do!” he'd tell the armored man with equal conviction, giving a pair of thumbs-up. “I cannot remain for too long, lest I miss the call of others who may need my assistance.”

LoveGame gave the colorfully dressed man a sharp nod. “I got ya. I'm runnin' a little behind on my own thing here, so...” he'd offer a handshake, only to burn his palm on the pyromancer's flame and settle for a light fist bump instead. “I'll leave you to it. ...Er, praise the sun!” he'd finish his sentence with the traditional mantra of the Heirs of the Sun, waving goodbye as the masked apparition faded away, returning to his world.

Now left to his own devices in an empty and rather featureless room, he'd spy his ticket out of this poisonous peril once and for all – a wrought iron elevator in unusually immaculate condition compared to the crumbling structure he'd just ascended. With little other option, the wayward knight stepped inside and pressed his boots on the pressure plate below, the gears and chains clanking to life as he was brought upward.

Though the ride wasn't much longer than the myriad of other lifts he'd taken up to this point, the ascent left LoveGame feeling uncharacteristically lightheaded, as though he'd been very briefly reminded of his humanity...

The Iron Keep

Had the wayward knight known a lick about the Old Iron King's past, steeped in all-consuming greed and short-sighted hubris, he might have far less reverence for the man. After all, had the once-powerful monarch not reaped the plentiful iron of Harvest Valley with such impunity, he'd have never unearthed the poison that bled from its recesses. As if in defiance of the gods, he'd erect a kingdom that rivaled Vendrick's own in might and glory atop an active volcano. With the help of his most trusted ally Sir Alonne, a warrior from the east with a past shrouded in darkness, the King raised an army of knights clad in refined black steel and armed with superior weaponry. The King's glory days, however, were short-lived. He was perhaps a bit too fixated on his own greed to notice his impenetrable fortress of pure black iron had begun to sink into the searing lava below, and the mysterious ally had long since left his side. He'd not have much time to contemplate this dilemma either, as after unearthing a remnant of the Old Chaos deep below the Iron Keep, the King was never heard from again.

Though truthfully, it wouldn't have mattered if he'd been a righteous and magnanimous ruler with a kind soul and a heart of gold. Even the most resilient of things built upon this accursed kingdom were doomed by the Cycle of Flame. That was the true hubris.

Knight LoveGame's method of arrival to the Iron Keep defied all logic, as if reality and the land itself had decided to play a trick on the man's mind. In the near future, some especially devout scholars would make this a point of heated discussion for years to come.

...and so naturally, LoveGame did not give it so much as a second thought. He had far more pressing matters ahead of him, and he was running late as it stood. Before the wayward knight could even get a good look at the new locale, he'd feel a sudden surge of raw soul energy strong enough to nearly bring him to his knees! “No two ways about it...” he'd say to himself, feeling his own soul resonate off of the aetheral pulse. “...one of those Great Souls isn't too far off. It's even more intense than the last one... I'm expecting damn near anything at this point.”

A mere few paces out of the elevator, he'd spy the comforting sight of another bonfire beckoning him to a lower platform just at the edge of the lavaflows. Praising the searing red sun that hung above the surreal tapestry of a blackened orange sky, he'd waste no time lighting the coiled blade, taking a brief respite and sorting through the spoils he'd picked up on his way up. Afterward, he'd spy something on a distant rock floating on the molten earth, thinking he may be able to reach it if he broke into a dead sprint.

He most certainly couldn't.

One lethal lesson learned later, he'd find himself a mere few paces from where he started, breathing a defeated sigh and shoving one of his Effigies into his chest, restoring his flesh once more. “'Least nobody saw that one. Now, let's see here...”

Ahead of the wayward knight was a broad, curved bridge that granted him passage into the Keep. The imposing fortress of iron as black as night casts its long shadow over him, as though daring the hero to enter its walls. It was a structure more daunting and complex than anything he'd come across in his journey thus far, each tower tipped with a spire like the fang of an ancient dragon. The mighty keep had indeed begun to sink into the vast sea of molten earth. Numerous structures in the distance had already been reclaimed by nature's ceaseless wrath, no longer accessible by mortal man. The great bridge led him straight into the keep's quarters. It wasn't long before the Iron King's loyal knights took notice of the undead intruder, a pair of them rushing him down with their katana of jet-black metal that seemed to glow against the searing sunlight! Formidable as the king's knight's were, standing a head taller than the hero and seemingly armored from head to toe in layered dark steel... LoveGame found himself quite comfortingly in his element!

Sure, these eastern swordsmen were a bit more deft on their feet than the average training dummy he honed his skills on in his youth, but he'd pinpoint the gaps in their armor just as well. His prized Sun Sword's craftsmanship lent itself to deep stabs, each one sneaking past their defenses and skewering their undead flesh within! After his dealings with the King's welcoming committee, he made his way into the knights' quarters and took his guard, the sound of metal footsteps keeping him on his toes.

It was more of the same song and dance, though this encounter introduced LoveGame to another of the Iron King's greatest steps in the arms race – a great lance with barbs running down its length embedded itself into the Dragonrider's Greatshield! One of the dark-armored knights had perched himself in an alcove high above, firing from the darkness what could've been a hefty spear in the hands of an average warrior. The taut stretch of sinew against black metal echoed through the corridor as his assailant nocked an iron greatbow. LoveGame evaded death from above, ducking into the first doorway he spied. He'd briefly be treated to an unexpectedly scenic view of the fiery expanse, but opted not to take too much time drinking the sights in. As cool-headed as he'd been against the armored onslaught, the stalwart man began to bake profusely in his own metal armor as the heat rose rapidly through the very floor he stood on.

The Estus did provide basic hydration, but the real relief came when he spied another one of those face-shaped contraptions. He'd held onto two or three of those intricate little lockstones, one of which he'd place into the mouth. His curiosity was rewarded a million fold – the eyes began to cry streams of pure, untainted fresh water. Though the bonfire's universal healing properties had cleansed his body of all traces of the toxins he'd trudged through, his armaments weren't so lucky. Making sure to scoop out some of the crystal clear water with a spare jar, he'd splash his entire body in its cooling embrace before giving his new blade a thorough washing, lest it rust in its sheath.

Finding little else of use in the soldier's quarters, LoveGame made his way out to the Keep's central chamber, its courtyard long since submerged in the searing heat. He'd hardly managed to take a step outward before another black iron greatarrow landed just shy of his leg, kicking up debris as it made impact. Taking cover behind a nearby strut, he'd spy three guard towers around the Keep's perimeter, each one occupied by one of the King's archers, each one strategically positioned perfectly to counter the others' blind spots.

Though it was not the young knight's forte, he'd try his hand at a more methodical approach this time around, stifling his personal feelings on a knight betraying his sense of honor by attacking him cowardly from afar. He'd sprint serpentine between each shot, quickly ducking under the lower walkways out of sight. A handful of knights rushed him with their katana drawn, thought the knight was able to dispose of them with relative ease now that he was out of sight of the snipers. He'd use the temporary reprieve to better assess the fortress' layout. Directly in the center was a furnace, still fully operational and no doubt smelting away at raw iron harvested from below. The only viable method of crossing the chasm of lava was a thin, narrow bridge... currently inaccessible as it hung high in the air, suspended by a set of chained hoists.

Carefully making his way back up the metal staircase, the knight would spy a lever a few paces ahead, giving the hefty metal mechanism a proper pull...

“...whoah there!!”

...the motion of which led LoveGame to inadvertently, but very fortunately evade an incoming greatarrow!

Metal ground against itself as the iron bridge indeed lowered, granting the swordsman passage over the precarious pit. Unfortunately for him, the resounding thud attracted the attention of another detachment of Alonne knights! His memory of the Bastille not betraying him, he'd thwart the armored foes by funneling them all down the narrow staircase. Using his greatshield to knock them off balance, he'd best the better part of the king's soldiers; those not cut down by his blade were sent tumbling into the fiery abyss, vaporizing. Each one granted the knight an unusually high volume of souls, almost making up for his embarrassing mistake from before.

Refusing to let the intense heat get to his head, LoveGame found ample cover from the eagle-eyed archers back on the lower walkway. He'd take a moment to get his bearings straight, picking up a few useful goodies as he ambled toward the active furnace in the center. The iron staircase below had already begun to deteriorate as it sunk into the lava. The wayward knight made his way around the forge even as it spewed jets of ember from the smallest of cracks. Still out of the snipers' line of sight for the time being, he spied a wheel crank on the side of the structure. At this point, our hero wasn't going to be satisfied until he touched every last contraption he came across, as though it were second nature. Standing back and dusting his hands, he'd draw a deep breath and stretch his upper body. “Alright, LoveGame. Put your back into it.” he said, psyching himself up as he gripped the terribly corroded crank with his gauntlets.

“...hmmmmhhh!!!”

Though he was met with resistance at first, the old wheel relented, spinning smoothly to the right until it came to a stop, deactivating the bellowing heat within. Giving it a moment to cool, he'd open the heavy door, rewarded with a wealth of unrefined titanite and even a thick petrified bone of unknown origin. Curiously, the kiln had another doorway leading out into a second set of walkways. LoveGame only peeked through, taking the cautious approach. His faith in his instincts was rewarded as he saw a pair of archers patrolling the outer walkway. Now that he finally got a better look at them, their ornate, reinforced armor and tall-crested helms denoted they were the Iron King's elite. Though it appeared to be a straight shot into the heart of the fortress, it'd have left him wide open in the line of fire, and closing the distance in time would've been a dubious prospect. After weighing his options, LoveGame backtracked the way he came, making his way onto the upper platform where the bridge had lowered.

Taking one last deep breath, he'd break into a dead sprint toward the upper walkways and across the chained bridge, the destructive impact of each greatarrow mere inches behind his step being all the motivation he needed to keep going. Just across the bridge, he'd spot another one of Alonne's captains taking aim at him with a greatbow of black iron! Knowing he'd be pinned like a butterfly if he paused even for a second, he kept to his feet and set his sights on the nearest doorway a few paces from the bridge's other end. The only thing that stood in his way was a lone captain, already nocking an arrow and taking aim at LoveGame. Quite literally thinking on his feet, he'd take advantage of the greatbow's one drawback – being incredibly slow to draw – and dash behind the captain! Planting his armored foot on his foe's back, he'd press the whole of his weight forward, forcing the archer into the execution position. He'd surge all of his power into a harrowing backstab, slipping past the black armor and tearing through it with his sword. Falling in line with his comrades, his entire being dissipated into the aether... only this one, rather curiously, leaving his helm behind in the material realm. The heavy steel headgear had only just clattered to the floor as the wayward knight scooped it up in his hands with a twinge of excitement.

Hugging the wall close, the wayward knight found himself mercifully out of the snipers' line of fire for the time being. He'd allow himself a moment to decompress his heated nerves and inspect the spoils of war.

“Oh, wow, it's...” he'd pore over the intricate, layered craftsmanship. Its smooth, jet-black steel shone an unusual shade of purple under the burning sunlight, its tall crest splitting into a forked design at the top. Gazing into the darkness of its opening, he'd see himself almost as clearly as he had in that effigy the day he arrived in the accursed kingdom. “...something about it resonates with me. It reminds me just a little bit of home.” he'd say aloud.

Undoing the leather strap behind his neck, he'd remove his own helm for the first time since his last slumber. His long, jagged black locks were thoroughly inundated with sweat, matted down from the pressure of steel. Retrieving his jar of water from his belt, he'd pour its entire contents over his head, letting the crystal clear liquid drench and cool his undead flesh. Shaking out his hair and pushing it away from his eyes, he'd wipe his face with the worn crimson cape of his armor before turning his attention to his old helm. Its once finely polished steel had corroded and chipped from all he'd been through up to this point, ironically now resembling the ragged one he'd pilfered back at the start of his journey.

These sentimental thoughts served only to delay the inevitable. Without even turning to face it, he could feel the ghostly chill of the mist wall's aura from the entrance to the chamber he rested against. Behind it, the overwhelming power he'd sensed on arrival was now resonating with his soul.

LoveGame made the usual preparations, inhaling an invigorating green blossom and applying a fistful of golden repair powder to his prized sword. He'd don his shiny new helmet and secure it in the back, steeling his nerves for whatever unworldly soul awaited him beyond the mist.

The chamber was perfectly circular, a ceremonial rotunda wrought of tempered iron inlaid with intricate engravings along the ring patterns on the floor. Standing guard in the dead center with both colossal claws gripping a mighty blade, the cursed knight's foe towered over him by at least double. Unmistakable as a greater demon, every inch of its intimidating form was cast purely in obsidian black iron and steel with jagged spikes and ridges all over. The span of its twisted horns passed even its broad shoulders, the right a bit shorter than the left, and its face was but a gaping black void. Most strikingly of all, its torso was entirely separated from its legs. Suspended together at the abdomen by the raw, exposed core of its very soul that gave off the faintest, pulsing glow.

Exhausted from the heat of battle, Knight LoveGame opted for an informal greeting, to cooked for anything more eloquent than, “...that's one helluva look you got going on there. So you're no bull, huh?”

His words echoed lightly through the circular chamber, a tense pause before he was dignified with a response from the behemoth. “You are...” he bellowed in a distorted, low growl, “...a bearer of the Darksign. What is it you seek within these doomed walls?”

“That's easy.” said LoveGame, holding out his fist. “The Great Soul of the Iron King. Soon as I felt it resonating off of my own soul... I knew I had to have it!” he'd exclaim to the demon. “They call me LoveGame. Knight LoveGame of Wes'Sv'Urginiah!”

“The Iron King...” repeated the demon wistfully. “...the forge has gone dormant. Why did you forego the path below?” he inquired with a reverberation to his twisted voice.

The knight was already stretching his legs to limber up. “Oh, yeah! That, I.. er- I honestly just didn't feel like takin' my chances with the King's snipers.” he'd say matter-of-factly. “Those guys mean business, lemme tell ya! If you ask me, though... there's no honor in fighting like that. What, are they afraid to get up close and personal? If y' ask me, the best way to get to know your enemy is crossing swords with 'em. Somebody told me once, it was like havin' a conversation in a way. I kinda get it, y'know?” he'd ramble for a moment. “...sorry, those kinda things tends to set me off. Who are you, big guy?”

In some twisted, roundabout way, the wayward knight's words resonated with the Demon's burning soul. The deep grooves of his armor began to glow a fiery orange. “I am the Smelter Demon born of the Old Chaos...” he'd introduce himself, the great brazier behind him igniting to illuminate his imposing form. “...and it is I who bested the Iron King in battle long ago.”

LoveGame suppressed a gasp, staring the demon down.

“...if you wish to know the truth of the Iron King's fate, then face me here and now.” challenged the low rumble of his voice, his greatsword igniting with veins of magma. “Your sense of honor is admirable, not unlike my own. Duel me to the death, and the victor shall claim the soul of the fallen.”

Tensing his body and channeling the energy of the souls he'd gathered, Knight LoveGame drew his Sun Sword and twirled it in his hand. “... a demon, huh? ...careful, big guy. I'm a pretty spicy one myself... and in some circles, I'm known not to hold back when I get even a little excited!” he'd limber up, assuming a fighting stance. “Funny, they say I'm s'posed to be the next monarch around here, but I just don't see it.”

“Whew...say, big guy... is it hot in here for you?”

“Perhaps slaying a would-be monarch might leave me satiated. Very well!” the demon bellowed in agreement, tearing his sword from the floor as iron ground against itself. “If your honor does not betray you, than come at me with all of your resolve!” he'd shout, brandishing the burning heap of iron as though it were no more than a twig. Without another word, he'd charge toward the knight and make the first move in an attempt to overwhelm him with the oppressive reach of his blade!

“You kiddin'? I'm all kinds of resolute right now!” the knight answered back, taking a great leap over the harrowing slash! “This is the kinda thing I came here for! Hmmmh!” he'd seize the opening and use the momentum of his descent to stab straight through the demon's iron body!

Giving a guttural growl, the Smelter Demon shifted its crushing weight forth and brought his searing blade down vertically, sending LoveGame crashing into the floor below! Just before impact, LoveGame struck out his greatshield and surged the whole of his undead strength into his left arm, recovering to his feet with a rough backflip! He'd kick off the ornate iron and slash at his legs, the sun sword wearing down at the solid iron!

Choking, searing heat continued to rise throughout the chamber as the duel raged on with no sign of a clear victor. Both swordsmen exchanged even blows, but Knight LoveGame held the advantage in speed and tenacity! For every brutal swing he took to the chest, he'd swig his Estus and come back swinging twice as hard! The horned demon's overwhelming offense was met blow for blow by LoveGame's unyielding strength! A surge of primal flame grew between the combatants as they clashed! Using his foe's size to his advantage, LoveGame slowly began to adapt! He'd throw his body to the ground, just under each mighty swing of the demonic blade! Even when he failed to evade in time, his Dragonrider's Greatshield took the brunt of the iron assault!

However, just as he'd begun to gain the upper hand against the fiery colossus, he'd be knocked onto his feet by a searing shockwave of raw soul energy from the demon's core! “Enough of this courtesy, cursed one! Facing me at anything less than full strength... I could think of no greater insult! WRRROAAARRR!!!!” the Smelter Demon bellowed as its burning core ignited into a blinding swirl of yellow embers! His entire form had been cloaked in endless flame! “Resolute...REACTOR!!!”

The sheer headrush LoveGame felt in this moment was indescribable; he was in sheer disbelief, yet couldn't have felt more excited at what he'd witnessed. “Wheeew! I can't quite place it, but I recognize that power!” he'd say, springing to his feet and dusting himself off. “Sorry 'bout that; I was still kinda warming up! Those other knights were tough, but I don't think anything coulda prepared me for this!” He'd quickly snatch a bundle of Aromatic Ooze from his belt, coating his Sun Sword in raw magical essence. He'd once again assume a warrior's stance, heels dug in and blade held out, channeling his energy until a faint glow of azure surrounded his body. “Hmmmmhh...! ...Hah! ...this is the best I can do for the time being. I'd hate to disappoint you, big guy. Let's just hope that move of yours won't make you burn out too early.” he quipped through deep breaths. He probably thinks I'm playin' with him. This really is all I've got for right now... I thought for sure I'd have busted out one of those new techniques by now. That white knight back in the Bastille didn't even leave me so much as a hint...

“Whoahh!” he'd shout, being snapped out of his thoughts just in time to leap out of the way of the Demon's blade crashing down upon him, nearly toppled again from the aftershock! Sticking his landing a good distance away, he'd kick off and go on the offensive again! Every moment he spent near his foe's fiery barrier, he'd be scorched relentlessly! No longer able to recklessly rush the Demon down, LoveGame calmed his nerves the best he could and took his guard, his mighty shield still withstanding the heap of raw iron that crashed against it! Taking every precious opening he saw, he'd dash forth and cleave into the Demon's solid iron hide, the blessing of magic bypassing his defenses! Though the metal menace would land the odd strike here and there, but he'd once again find himself on the backfoot against the stalwart undead!

Uninhibited by his oppressive weight, the Smelter Demon leapt high into the air, plunging his magma-infused blade down toward LoveGame! He'd throw his body to the side just in time to save himself from a skewering, but another shockwave of primal flame sent him crashing into the wall! Just before impact, he'd transfer his hefty momentum and kick off of the wall, landing once again on his feet and catching his breath as he took another generous swig of Estus. “A valiant effort thus far, young knight.” spoke the Demon, grasping his mighty blade in both claws. “You have the resolve to inherit the strength of a King. However, I cannot allow you to continue down such a foregone path. Be burned in the everlasting hellfires of the First Flame!” he'd bellow with a bestial roar, thrusting his blade clean through the core of his very own soul!! The demon stood tall through the searing pain, his searing sword now cloaked in the flames of the Old Chaos!

By the time LoveGame had shaken off the aftershock, the Smelter Demon's blazing blade was held high above him! “...return to ash by the primordial flame!!”

“I CLEAVE THE DIMENSION!!!”

“Not gonna happen, big guy!!-” roared the undead knight in defiance as he threw his weight to the right, easily evading the devastating swing and...?!

...Reality itself tore apart at the seams. The knight's vision was split into a seemingly infinite splintering of every point of view. As though staring into a shattered mirror, everything he'd possibly ever see in this moment left him without recourse. No matter how strategic or agile or lucky he was, he'd take the fiery destruction head on!

The Demon's blazing blade made its mark, cutting cleanly across the wayward knight's abdomen! He cried out in raw, visceral anguish as his undead flesh was burned to ash by the surging strike! The crackle of flame preceded the shrill twist of metal - were it not for his armor, LoveGame would've easily been bisected then and there! As reality returned to normal, he'd be sent careening back into the chamber's solid iron walls, this time much too dazed and rocked to recover! Every inch of his body pulsed with searing pain as he struggled to push himself from the floor, his vision hazy and inundated with heat waves. “...I don't...” he'd manage out through bloodied coughs. “...I don't get it. You were... on fire a minute ago. Now yer' tellin' me to give up? ...is that what I'm hearin', or is the heat just gettin' to me?”

“No such thing, Cursed One.” the Demon bellowed back as he advanced on his fallen foe with a heavy stomp. “I have lived through the rise and fall of many a King. One said that no one wishes to go on. My kind disagreed...” he'd tell him in earnest. “...young knight, my sole purpose in your corporeal realm is to do battle as a guardian. What steps you take beyond this point are none of my concern... should you surpass me, I shall no longer exist to hear the echo of your footsteps.”

“...that so, huh?” LoveGame choked out, using the heft of his shield to push himself back onto his feet. “...is that really what you're concerned with the most?” he'd crack a smile under his black helm.

“C'mon, big guy. You don't even have a face, and I can read ya like one of my books back home! What's really goin' on?”

His voice underscored by the crackling of embers, the Demon indulged him, “It is my understanding that those who pass this point seek to link the fire, delaying the inevitable day it is extinguished. Even should you refuse, you shall relegate this world to a slow and painful demise.” the colossus said, making a slow advance toward LoveGame as each step shook the earth beneath them. “Should you inherit the strength of a monarch... you merely contend with two sides of the same coin. Would you be willing to shoulder that burden?”

“WILL YOU SURVIVE UNTIL THEN?”

Tensing his body until his legs were no longer buckling, Knight LoveGame downed the last of his Estus and crushed a large lifegem to supplement the swig. “...you kiddin'? Of course I will. See, at first I'd just come here just to cure my curse... but I've already met folks way more interesting than anyone back home... plus I finally learned how to fight. Once I took down my first giant... hoo-wee, lemme tell ya! It was like I was addicted all of a sudden! Not to killing or anything, mind ya. It was that insatiable desire to take on someone stronger that kept me goin' for a minute there!”

The azure aura that cloaked Knight LoveGame grew in its intensity, stunning even the Smelter Demon for a brief moment!

“...but with every step I took through this cursed Kingdom... well, I started to feel for what its people had gone through.” he'd say, reinvigorated by the sudden surge of souls. “...would I do it for the rest of my life? Nah, probably not. Thing is, the further I get... the more I hear the cries of every soul that's tried to make somethin' of themselves by comin' here!” He'd dig his heels in with all the tenacity in his being, brandishing his silver blade as he gathered energy from the raw heat in the air. “Sometimes... I can even hear their screams. I don't know how to stop 'em just yet, but the least I can do is make sure all the souls here can rest peacefully... but now I feel like every step I've taken has brought me that much closer to figuring it out! Hell, I already see where some of 'em are coming from. Sometimes, a means to and end is just the way to go.” declared LoveGame, striking his silver blade out before him as it too glowed a mighty blue! “...to that end...! If I've got to bring forth one atrocity to prevent another... I'll gladly take up that mantle.”

Without another word, the Smelter Demon barreled toward LoveGame, an unstoppable mass of living iron! With both his body and his blade set ablaze, he put his soul into a surging strike of volcanic proportions! His voice erupting in a mighty roar, he brought the blazing greatsword down where he stood!!

…!!!

“...and so I'll be that coin... THAT LANDED ON ITS EDGE!!!”

Knight LoveGame surged all his strength into a death-defying leap, both swift enough to avoid fiery doom and high enough to clear the arc of the hefty swing! His left arm cloaked itself in blinding blue, sending his Greatshield hurtling straight for the Smelter Demon! Its teardrop shape cut through the shoulder of his armored form at its pointed tip, stunning him and throwing his balance off! It was the exact opening LoveGame needed to descend on his foe, latching onto the Demon's twisted upper body and thrusting the Sword of the Sun directly into the burning soul core!

...only, the moment he did so, the bright blue glow that emanated from his left arm faded entirely... and he'd find his right overtaken by a wildly undulating aura of shimmering ruby red interspersed with inky veins of pitch black! In that moment, Knight LoveGame felt as though his flesh were being mercilessly wrung out by claws of solid ember...!

...and yet, his unrestrained ecstasy, the thrill coursing through his very being overpowered the searing anguish! “...whew! A red-hot demon's soul, as I live and breathe! It gives me the chills every time I look at it!” LoveGame said, completely awestruck as he reached deep within the demon's core and began to tear it out, absorbing the soul into his own! “This knight thanks you for an honorable duel... and for upholding the promise we made! Sure you won't mind if I take that armor off your hands too! It's kinda calling out to me right now!” he roared in triumph, his left arm once again set aglow, tearing straight into the solid metal! “...so here I go!!!” he'd shout, surging the unyielding strength of his soul into separating the demon's body from it's incorporeal spirit! “In remembrance of a Demon that fought with integrity, I'll call this one... Winner Takes All!!”

One final roar echoed throughout the rotunda chamber as the Demon's soul destabilized from its body, sending a series of searing shockwaves that flung LoveGame several feet back, landing on the iron floor with a resounding thud! His body rattled, he'd push himself up just in time to witness the Smelter Demon meet his demise in a violent eruption! Even through his helm, he'd shield his eyes from the blinding sight, as though a mighty star had breathed its last.

Though it had taken everything the knight had... somehow, he'd won. Casting his helm aside and spitting out his blood, he'd say after desperate gulps of air, “...so that's what a Demon's soul's capable of. Heh... man, I've gotta get me some of that.”

Left in the Smelter Demon's stead when the embers cleared at last was the armor born of the wayward knight's desires. A perfect replica of the twisted black iron platemail, perfectly sized to fit a human. It was accurate down to the last detail, leaving his abdomen almost completely exposed! Yet LoveGame donned the new armor with pride, welcoming the cooling sensation of air against him as the demon's aura was no more.

The sight of another bonfire just up the metal staircase sent a wave of relief over LoveGame, lighting it and collapsing beside it to take a well-earned rest. Thanking the gods for his undead blessing, he'd be back on his feet in no time, feeling as though he'd just taken an energizing nap! He'd take a moment to acclimate to his new armor, even weightier than the set he'd only just gotten used to. The gauntlets bore the advantage of giving him a much firmer grip of his armaments. He'd take a moment to look over his old set, its cape tattered to shreds and its once pristine steel mangled beyond repair. While his flesh had recovered from the deep wounds and searing burns by the soul-steeped bonfire, his armor wasn't so fortunate. He'd leave it behind in the center of the room out of respect, a memorial for his fallen foe.

Just as the Smelter Demon had said, his chamber granted safe passage into the heart of the keep, completely out of sight of those abhorrent archers. The last remnant of the king's men were all that stood in his way now.

LoveGame found himself crossing yet another steel bridge suspended over a pit of lava, fighting his way past another of those turtle-shaped soldiers, more polished than those he'd seen back in the forest. He'd send them to their fiery doom before they could break the bridge apart! He'd soon find himself in the depths of the Keep's forge, urns of molten metal hanging from the iron girders high above. Taking the slow approach the moment he spied another archer, he'd dash into the open and yank the nearest lever! His curiosity rewarded him; the nearest archer taking a surprise dip in the lava! Spying an exit on the far end of the forge, he'd sprint to the upper walkways and over the precarious platforms, his final obstacle appearing in the form of bull-headed statues that belched fire. He'd time his approach to evade the occasional greatarrow and dash past the flames, reaching relative safety in the dark, narrow corridor he took refuge in.

Racing down a corridor of black iron, the Great Soul's overwhelming power resonated off of LoveGame's own soul the further he traversed. Another of the turtle-clad guards stood in his way, but he'd topple him over with a weighty kick and let the guillotine trap he'd set be his own undoing! Just past another set of those bull statues billowing flame, the knight saw salvation in a nearby ladder! He'd quickly clamber upward, escaping the fiery jets below. One equally lengthy ladder later, he'd be rewarded with yet another bonfire! Fortune had truly smiled upon him, as he'd operate another nearby lever that quelled the flames of those awful bull statues.

LoveGame would light the twisted sword, seat himself for a brief respite as the comforting warmth once again caressed his body...

...and he'd feel his entire being rocked with a raw energy of souls that was all too familiar. It was the unmistakable aura of a Great Soul! Even from such a great height, the ground beneath him quaked violently! Crashing of stone set against the distorted crackle of sorcery through the air... he'd take a deep breath, exhaling a relenting sigh.

“...shoulda known there'd be no breaks in this marathon. Alright, gimme a second...”

LoveGame stretched his body and cracked his neck. Taking to his feet and peering out of the twin windows before him... he'd gaze upon a terrible sight on the horizon. He could hardly make out the details from such a distance, but he'd spy the shadow of a great winged terror razing the ground with hellfire... and the tiniest silhouette of someone facing the monstrosity head-on with an assault of spells! “...the hell is that thing? You kiddin' me?! It's the size of my house!” he'd exclaim, making a break for the ladder and sliding down as fast as his weight would carry him. Move it, LoveGame! Looks like someone went and started the fun without me... he'd think to himself as he descended, rushing down the second ladder with equal haste. Hang in there, whoever you are! I'm'a comin'!

LoveGame barreled down the narrow iron corridor with all the strength his legs would allow! All that stood in his way now was one last ironclad turtle solider! With no time to draw his weapon, he'd topple the heavy-armored guard with a flying kick from his black metal boot, toppling it on its back! He'd leap right over, emerging on a crumbling rooftop that gave him a better view of the desperate duel already underway! Its broad, rippling shoulders dominating the horizon, the towering monstrosity slammed its fist of raw iron on the stone floor, sending shreds of stone and metal all about. It dwarfed anything the knight had faced thus far!

LoveGame slid down the tiled roof, rolling onto the crumbling floor below. Much of the heart of the Keep had been reclaimed by the lavaflows, affording him little in the way of footing! He'd sprint for the ruined structure that served as the site of the showdown, clawing through the wall of mist without a moment of hesitation! At last, he'd meet the bearer of the next Great Soul face-to-face! His demonic visage was framed with a pair of curved, sharp horns, its eyes as black as the abyss and its teeth gnashing in multiple rows. Its rugged, earthen body, wrought of perpetually smoldering iron, glowed with veins of red-hot magma! The entire lower half of the nightmare's body was submerged in the rolling lava; he'd wade through the molten sea as though it were a hot spring, advancing on his foe's position!

Fortunately for our hero, the twisted, soul-engorged form of the Iron King had his sights set firmly on his foe! Shifting his gaze to the high wall of the ruins, LoveGame recognized the King's challenger in a near-instant! That iron helm with the red plume... that peculiar armor with its large shoulderguards and cloth tassels... and that curious ringed battlestaff, from which a volley of blue soul arrows erupted, striking the Iron King in his chest!

Come to think of it, I've always wanted to swoop in and save somebody at just the right time, just so I could say somethin' like...

“No way in hell I'd miss out on this!” he'd shout with bravado, drawing his armaments once more and staring down the insurmountable Great Soul. He'd shout up at the armored mage, “Hah, no way! Viv! Is that you, man?!”

He'd stare back down at the knight for a brief moment before leaping high into the air, evading the Iron King's fist! “...and just who were you expecting?! ...LoveGame, was it? You certainly look different.. but I'd recognize that grating voice anywhere.” he shouted back down in a voice as dry as the stifling heat around them. “I'd nearly had this behemoth handled! Assist me here, and we'll have plenty of time to hash out the formalities!”

LoveGame gave the wizard a sharp nod, readying his blade just as the King breathed a flurry of flames toward them both! “No objections there, pal! Looks like you've done a helluva job softening him up, but... I kinda need his soul for myself! Lemme show ya just how I can earn that soul fair and square!” he'd taunt, dashing straight for his hulking foe, slipping between the flames and slashing deep into his arm with the Sun Sword! He'd follow up with another deep cut before the corrupted king could retract his clawed fist!

“No need to waste time with flourish, knight!” Vivi responded, already charging another spell at the tip of his crystal staff. “The King's soul means little to me. If you must, consider it repayment for being so doggedly distant before! Hah!” he'd fire off a mighty soul spear, tearing through the King's chest! He'd swat at the mage, who leapt away with little effort and brought another barrage of soul arrows down on him! Though he was well out of the way of the weighty slam, LoveGame was nearly taken off of his feet! He'd leap to the side, avoiding a dip in the lava as he navigated the tiny platform they'd been relegated to. The Iron King gathered energy in its palm aiming toward Vivi as he made his descent! “Now! The King's audience is with me! Here's your opening; strike down this disgraced monarch and claim his burning soul as your own!”

LoveGame's right arm burned red once again; he'd cloak his entire being in the primal flame as his blade burned with the intensity of the sun! “Hah, you got it! For some reason... I couldn't muster this one up for the longest... but I'm kinda feelin' it now!!”

Sprinting forth at breakneck speed and leaving a trail of flame behind him, Knight LoveGame brought his sword arm back, kicking off the moment he closed the distance as an explosive flame propelled his harrowing ascent! “Hmmmmh!”

“...Volcanic...VIPER!!!”

Just as the Iron King struck his palm out and fired a beam of raw heat at Vivi, LoveGame swung his sword upward with all his might, leaving a brilliantly burning contrail! Aiming squarely for the King's horned head, he'd find his mark on the chin and cleave straight through his skull, a staggered series of searing explosions echoing the decisive slice!

His fiery aura faded as he hung in the air for a moment, witnessing the Iron King's demise as his gargantuan frame crumbled, sinking back into the unforgiving sea of fire! “...Hoo-wee! Tell me you saw that one, Viv!” he'd gleefully gush, ignoring for a moment that he was about to make a meteoric descent!

“...It takes quite a lot to impress me. Well done! Now...” he'd prepare another spell, this time aiming for his armored ally. “...get down from there this instant, lest you be crushed under your own weight!” said Vivi, casting Fall Control just in time to make LoveGame's fall relatively painless.

Feeling his energy stabilize, he'd push himself to his feet, where a Great Soul floated just before him, its unyielding warmth beckoning him to reach out. “Did you just... whoah... it's not any less breathtaking the second time.”

Vivi leapt down from the crumbling ruins and joined LoveGame's side, giving a light stretch. “Brilliant, isn't it? We've only just become acquainted, really. Yet, we've just bore witness to history here, LoveGame. If that isn't fate, I couldn't fathom what is. Now save your sentimentalities and claim that Soul as your own.” he'd say with the faintest smile under his iron helm.

“Hah! As if you'd need to tell me twice!” he'd say, his confidence only partially masking his apprehension as he reached out his gauntlet, allowing the deified soul passage into his own. The intense heat he'd feel upon absorbing the soul was doubled this time, yet so was the wave of cooling relief he'd feel moments later. “Whew... hah... halfway there, man.” he'd say, catching his breath as his soul stabilized the incredible energy. “Viv, lemme tell ya... I got... I got so much to tell ya.”

His slurred words made Vivi chuckle more than he had in quite some time. “Heh. The heat must be getting to you. Let's get you right through here...” he'd say, leading LoveGame into the depths of the ruins, where another primal bonfire awaited them. It was identical in every facet to the one he'd found in the Sinner's chamber, its coiled sword cleanly broken in two. “...and we'll have ample time to catch up back home. Believe me, Knight. I'm just as fatigued. I feel as though my skull could rattle free from my helm.”

“You know, Viv?” LoveGame said as he reached his palm out, igniting the primal flame and opening their conduit to a safer place. “...I really dig the way you think.” he'd say as the two warriors locked eyes through their helms, a familiar warmth washing over them both as they were brought back home.

Majula

By the grace of the primal bonfire, the pair had been sent back to the seaside settlement just as night had fallen, the starry sky reflecting from the ocean's undulating waves as the silver moon hung high above.

...and of course, LoveGame would materialize at the Far Fire to grace Ilia's sight just as she'd settled into her evening meditation, having nearly forgotten her source of stress altogether. Returning with another armored man in tow, he'd light up at the sight of his sworn protector, unable to contain his mirth! “Man, as if this evening couldn't get any better! It's a rare comfort in this cursed kingdom to share a moment with old and new friends.” he'd say before turning to her. “Ilia! How we doin'?! Say... didja get a chance to cool off? Cuz lemme tell ya, you wouldn't like where I've been...!”

Ilia likewise shot her ally an unusually warm smile. “...LoveGame? Hah! You kept me waiting for a minute there... say, s'that you? I hardly recognize you in that goofy getup.” she'd add, noting his striking change in appearance.

With a laugh of his own, LoveGame removed his helmet and let his jagged, jet-black locks hang loose, shaking them out. “Well yeah, I...” he'd begin before his mind shot back to their earlier split-up. “...say, you ain't still upset with me, are you? I was just havin' a little fun, rea-” he'd begin before he was cut off by the firm, comforting embrace of Ilia's warm hug.

“Not even a little bit! You ought to know, LoveGame... that this was just all part of X- ehem!” she'd say before biting her tongue. “...Ilia's one-step plan! Step one, show me you can handle yourself on your own! I don't plan on staying here forever...” she'd say with unusual bravado, “...but as long as I'm here, why don't we make the most of it? That's what your girl over there thinks, anyway.” she'd motion over to the Emerald Herald, deep in slumber and using her cloak as a blanket.

With a reflective pause and a deep breath, LoveGame looked Ilia in her emerald eyes. “...you got it, sis!”

“...and I'm...” Vivi began before cutting himself off, endeared by the moment they shared. “...well, it seems the two of you have unresolved business. Slumber is calling me as well. I'll remain here this time, so that we may reconvene in the morning.”

Weary and exhausted, LoveGame and Ilia were not too far behind the wizened wizard, resolving to catch each other up on the finer details tomorrow. The knight, the swordstress, the mage, and the Herald all curled up by the crackling flame and drifted off, their dreams a muddled mess of the what the future held.

...and in the near distance, just a few paces from the curious cat's little shop, two enrobed women watched the reunion with a pair of warm and satisfied smiles. “...did we do well, dear sister? They look ever so peaceful, and I've a feeling tomorrow will grant them a boon of good will!” said the buxom, polite priestess with unbridled glee.

“I'd say we did just lovely.” purred the pear-bodied, curvaceous priestess, putting an arm around her top-heavy counterpart. “Though I do hope they're ready for what tomorrow brings. Even I hadn't the heart to tell them.”

“Quite alright, dear sister!” beamed the busty lady. “It'd be rather the bore for them if we didn't leave anything up to surprise!”

The plump gal returned her sister's embrace, her plush hips pressing against her. “Then we're of the same mind, sister.~”

With the sound defeat of the Old Iron King, Knight LoveGame had wrested the second Great Soul from its mighty host! Now halfway toward what seemed only yesterday to be an insurmountable goal, the wayward knight now surrounded himself with powerful allies, each of which would prove instrumental in furthering his path to King Vendrick! However, LoveGame had conveniently left out one crucial detail of his greater plan when catching them up... and it was this peculiar gambit that would change the course of his destiny once more!

Greetings once more, you lovely thing! Licia of Lindeldt speaking once more. You may have realized I'd explicitly told you I would not appear in this chapter, and while such remained true for the greater part of it... I'm also quite the unashamed liar. It adds wonderfully to my allure, wouldn't you say? Well.~ Onto the next chapter, wherein... say, isn't that my dearest friend? ...Oh! Well, I cannot say any more, lest I risk spoiling this rather explosive next chapter. I require no payment this time; your most gracious attendance is enough! Next time: The Heir Engine! Witness history in the making, you lovely thing!~

Chapter Text

Chapter 9
The Heir Engine!
“If you're the real deal, then show me!!”

Majula

Knight LoveGame was never in love with the idea of rising at the first sight of Dawn; given the choice, he'd sleep til noon and then some. Yet this morning, just as any other, he'd awaken as though called by the crow of one of his loyal roosters. It was merely his nature, even well before he'd become undead. He couldn't help but smile a little seeing his three allies all soundly asleep, believing in his righteous heart that each one deserved their brief rest given what they'd been through up to this point, and what they'd likely endure in the coming days.

His gaze rested, albeit briefly, on the Emerald Herald. She was certainly still her, yet... something about her was different. More substantial, as though she'd attained a greater power of her own since their last meeting. Though intriguing to his mind, he could not dwell on the thought for long.

Without a sound, he'd reach out to the Far Fire and command his very soul to yearn for the Lost Bastille once more.

It wasn't necessarily that he wanted to keep his plans to himself either; he merely lacked the patience to contend with his allies should they try to talk him out of what he was about to do. He'd materialize in that old darkened prison cell, a mere few paces from that haughty old wizard calling himself Straid. From beneath his hood as black as the Abyss, he couldn't help but shoot a grin LoveGame's way, his trimmed black mustache framing his curling lips as he condescended toward the knight like usual. He'd sneer another unwarranted observation on his intelligence, exaggerating a bit in hopes of ruffling the man's feathers a bit, to no response as he was occupied digging through his supplies.

The old wizard was only mildly annoyed.

Mostly because he was overcome with sheer amazement at the soul Knight LoveGame had presented him with. He took several measures to ensure he hadn't been to deep in the Rouge Water, as he'd need some left over to wash down his words of exasperation. It was the real deal – the soul of a Demon, and not just any!! What he presented him with, was none other than a Red-Hot Demon's Soul!!!

Straid had his own hesitations at first, but they were stifled by his desire to take any opportunity to show off. He was just making sure LoveGame was worthy of such a legendary armament. The Smelter Sword was bestowed to him, a great heap of pulsating raw iron, orange veins of surging magma running up its length. Nearly as tall as the man himself, he'd take a moment to adjust to its sheer weight. He called upon the strength of the souls he'd claimed thus far; lest all that he carried crush him underneath.

He'd give Straid a warm farewell, either ignorant or uncaring of his disposition.

After pretending to be asleep for a little longer, he'd awake with the rest. Ilia washed off using the well behind the mansion, joining LoveGame and Vivi for the all-important morning stretch. LoveGame paid Lenigrast another visit, having brought back a respectable heap of titanite to reinforce his gear with. Once it was his turn to bathe, he'd cast his new armor aside by the Far Fire and disappear. Ilia, dried off and geared up, decided to take a closer look at the bizarre open-chested mass of black iron.

As well-traveled as Ilia was, she had never encountered a true Demon. While some of Zamorak's servants she'd clashed with bore the title as a species, these were distinctly different. Beings with a power beyond human imagination, born from the Old Chaos, during a cataclysmic event that aroused the ancestral Old One. How much of this history was lost to time depended on who you asked. She'd run her armored hand over the complex carapace, her mind wandering as she traced its many grooves...

“Hey! Come on now, hands off the goods!”

Ilia was snapped out of the comforting, meditative lull she'd let her mind sink into; she should've known better. “It's the real deal, huh? I've never seen one yet, but this time I'll take your word for it...” she'd say, retracting her hand and laughing a little.

It wasn't often they got a good look at LoveGame's actual face. Why he was so averse to showing it was arcane, unknowable lore locked deep within the complexities of his mind. He'd stroke his jet-black goatee, noting it hadn't grown since becoming undead. He'd fit the hunk of metal over his shoulders, popping his head out and smirking at her. “...yeah, it is! Heh, I thought you said it was stupid-lookin'.”

“Anyhow, your friend here?” she deflected curtly, taking a seat next to Vivi. The armored wizard was too absorbed in thought to notice, only snapping back into reality when Ilia snapped her fingers in front of him. “...guy? You awake in there? I'd love to hear your side of the story. My friend here has something of a... penchant for embellishing things.”

“Just tryin' to give you more to work with, miss Chronicler.” he'd quip, resting on his side with his head in his palm.

“Ehem... the Knight and I are already acquainted somewhat, but...” he began, rising to his feet momentarily. “I'll be nice and grant you a formal introduction. I'm Vivi the Black. An undead, like him.” he'd say, giving them the faintest head tilt in lieu of a bow. “It looks like our paths align for the time being. Assuming you're also seeking passage into Castle Drangleic, I'll fight at your side. Look at you, two swordsmen having made it this far without a proper mage.”

Many names were given to the icy blue energy that lay dormant in most sentient beings. In most schools of magic, it was recognized as an imitation of the long-lost Soul Arts, albeit never reaching a fraction of their strength. Some referred to this energy phenomenon as Ki, while it was occasionally referred to by the more archaic moniker of Soul Beat. Whatever one chose to call it, in the hands of a wizened wizard, it could still topple an army.

LoveGame caught the uncertain look on Ilia's face at Vivi's rather assertive offer. “Hey, the guy's good! I could see the spells he was shootin' off all the way from the top of that bull idol. Hate to admit it, but... he got most o' the good hits in on the Great Soul before I could get there. Buuuut I did use one of those cool finishers to seal the deal, so that probably gives me at least half the credit.”

“You get a third” Vivi snipped.

“A real man fights his battles up-close!” LoveGame half-jested, too committed to his superficial ideals not to say anything. “There's no honor in pelting your opponent from the safety of your perch!”

“I rescind my offer.” said Vivi dryly, removing his iron helm and looking the knight in the eye. He was an inhumanly striking sight at first, as his skin was pure black. Not as though he were from a foreign region; he appeared as jet-black as the night itself, lit up by the pair of stars that were his golden-yellow eyes, lacking a visible pupil. He appeared completely bald, his visage smooth and otherwise handsome. Blood-red runes were visible just below his eyes. “Tch.” he scoffed. “Quarter-wit. To think I once idealized the life of a knight.”

LoveGame's dark brown pupils swelled in surprise as he wrestled with his mind for the right words to ask Vivi without coming off as... out of line. “Say, uhh... not for nothin' but, uhh... what's up with your skin? I don't mean like-!”

“LOVEGAME!!” Ilia snapped, ready to yank him up from his comfy resting position, before deciding it wasn't worth the effort. “Shh... you're oh-for-two with this guy so far.”

Vivi crossed his arms and gave the tiniest hint of his smile, his mouth mostly disappearing into the shadow of his visage. “...skin condition.” he quipped with a bitter bite, exhaling sharply from his nose. “How do you expect me to know? Everyone who comes to this kingdom has a... let's say a proclivity for losing their memories.”

“...hang on a sec!” LoveGame piped up. “All the bridges lowering themselves back in the woods...?”

“All me.”

Ilia leaned forward, her inquisitive mind taking over. “Back up a few steps there. I missed out on this whole thing, so... catch me up, if you would? I like to take notes on this kinda stuff.”

“Hah, missed out of your own choosing.” LoveGame jested.

“You were saying, Viv?” Ilia brushed him off, not wanting to get started on discussing Licia.

Knowing as well as anyone that time was critical, Vivi offered the small gathering a condensed, yet concise regaling of just about everything he knew. First, he'd recount the showdown with the fearsome Old Iron King, with LoveGame interjecting to tell of all that lead to the acquisition of his brand new gear, including the greatsword that housed the red-hot soul of a Demon.

Vivi the Black was an enigma even to himself. Everything before his arrival in the cursed kingdom of Drangleic was a complete blur of vestigial memories. He was given largely the same spiel as LoveGame upon meeting the shrewd old Fire Keepers, seek King Vendrick and put an end to the Darksign's curse. Among his few fleeting recollections, Vivi initially aspired to be a knight, inspired by the heroes he read of in books to slay the unspeakable horrors that plagued this once-prosperous land. He'd even dismissed the words of the old women as mere exaggerations of some old lord's tale, though this would prove a grave underestimation of what he was up against.

Despite his best attempts to temper his swordplay against even the lowly, shambling undead, Vivi could not come to grips with it, even as he attempted to adapt his strategies and regroup. In defeat, he discovered that he could indeed return from death at the eternal bonfires, staving off the loss of his mind with a supply of those curious effigies. At his wit's end, he discovered by what he believed to be complete chance that he was a natural with the arts of sorcery, able to harness the raw blue energy as though it were second-nature. He'd tell of many locales familiar to the traveling duo, honing his magical prowess against the King's shambling soldiers in the Forest of Fallen Giants, his triumph over the fearsome Old Dragonslayer in Heide's Tower with his soul shown as proof, and even encountering some fellow undead adventurers in the Lost Bastille. The Herald listened in as well, but opted to remain silent and munch on a bread loaf.

In kind, LoveGame and Ilia each shared their own stories in a similarly condensed manner, the unlikely bunch forming the vestiges of a bond as it became clear just how their destinies converged for the time. Vivi recounted the showdown with the Old Iron King, throwing LoveGame a bone by commending his finishing move, but making sure to add that he would've been undead oatmeal if it weren't for the wizard's timely intervention.

“...so there you have it. Kind of full circle from there.” Vivi concluded. “I won't contest you for the Great Souls. I'm merely here to find out who I am.”

LoveGame looked up at him with a genuine grin. “Now that's the kinda thing I like to hear. An honorable pursuit of oneself. We'd love to have ya along, Viv, but... I'm not totally sure where else to go from here. Ehem, that is, uhh... unless you wanna go ask that sweet cleric gal with the big butt to open another- hwoah!”

“Already took care of it for ya, honorable Knight LoveGame!~” His words were cut off by the sudden stab of Ilia's steel greaves into LoveGame's free hand that had been resting in the brush. “Wouldn't want to have to... trouble anyone.”

LoveGame's idea would have been for naught anyhow; Licia's gimmick was limited to one path per cheek, the Outer Gods limiting her destructive potential for the time being.

As LoveGame shot up from his shattered relaxation and blew on his hand, Ilia crossed her arms and demanded the two's attention. “What? Did you think I just sat on my ass the whole time you were off on your grand expedition? Not only did I get us on track for the third Great Soul...” she announced with a sparkling smile, pointing her blade in the direction of the path they'd very first arrived from, the sun glinting off of the garnet metal, “...I found us a straight shot to Castle Drangleic!” she'd add, meeting LoveGame at eye level with a confident smirk framed by her platinum fringe. “...which means you can put off going down that pit for one more precious day.”

Sure, she was a little facetious about it, but Ilia was all too right. He knew not what slumbered below the one place he could sleep comfortably, but even looking at that circular abyss in the center of Majula overwhelmed the young knight with a sense of dread. His reaction was not entirely pure instinct either; among the precious shards of information he gathered on this kingdom, he had studied a word or two on the old shanty town that once shared the same fate.

“Ah, that old ruin down the way?” Vivi piped up, fastening his iron helm back on and motioning over in the same general direction. “I was curious of the spot myself. I'd stumbled on it by accident trying to find my way back to that limbo... it does seem to lead that way, but I didn't make it too far, thanks to that damn gate. What's especially frustrating is that the mechanism taunts me in plain sight, but I've been beaten to the punch by this strange statue of a woman.”

“Didn't you hear me? I said I took care of it. She's over there snoozing from the looks of it.” she'd now point her crimson blade toward the tall monument that overlooked the Northern Sea. “Wakes up and goes right back to sleep... poor girl had nothin' but rags on, so I donated some of LoveGame's old gear. Hope you don't mind.”

Indeed, a statuesque woman with long, black hair and olive toned skin had dozed off slumped against the monument, decked out in the man's old armor.

“You could've asked!” he barked, getting up and leaning on the Smelter Sword. “...woulda said yes anyway.” he added with a grumble.

“Then I don't see a problem.” Ilia quipped with a shrug.

These two sure are something. Then again, no one sane would seek the King. What does that make me then, hmm? Vivi mused in his mind as he held up an armored palm. “Hold a moment... that statue was a-”

“-a person, yeah?” LoveGame interjected, recalling his first encounter with old Straid. “Yeah, Vivi! 'Fraid it's a real thing around here. That ol' wizard I got the Smelter Sword from was a statue too, and get this – he was blockin' off a perfectly good bonfire! Somethin' told me to use that weird twig I found, and it perked him right up. Hang on – where'd you get another one?” he asked with a tilt of his head.

“Full of questions...” Ilia sighed. “After our earlier... ehem, encounter, which doesn't need elaboration right now, I found myself in dire need of one of those particularly fragrant branches to soothe my ailing senses... actually...” Ilia paused for just a moment. “...yeah, it was LoveGame that tipped me off when I asked him for his...” she bit her tongue again, and then the realization set in. So in a roundabout way...

…

…..

…....

...that bitch actually h e l p e d ?

Ilia's pupils shrunk to pin tips, but returned to normal just as quickly. She refused to believe that tart orchestrated this. She definitely would've figured out anyway, she thought.

“...and thanks to LoveGame's awesome and resourceful insight, I knew exactly where to take it. Like I said, I did a little poking around of my own while you two were off having the time of your lives. Rosabeth's her name, by the way.”

“Excellent work, my dear Ilia!” LoveGame exclaimed, giving a stretch as he strode off in the direction of the looming castle of obsidian. “I'll say hi when we get back, but we're burnin' daylight trading war stories over here. Let's head 'em up and move 'em out!” he bellowed, motioning over to the other two, before stopping in his tracks and giving a curt bow Ilia's way. “...ehem, lead the way, girl.”

Nestled in the Majula cliffside, the old ruins lead out to an undated temple, the aforementioned gate now opened courtesy of Ilia. The trio were lead down a fairly lengthy, winding path patrolled by undead steeped in poison and the hollowed remnant of an ill-fated detachment of Volgen falconers. Vivi had proven his value from the jump, his magical prowess an effective counter for the falconers that hung back and pelted them with bows modified to fire multiple arrows at once. The crimson-clad soldiers were evidently at quite the advanced stage of hollowing, shuffling their legs along in an awkwardly unnatural manner that would dislocate the hip of most.

Scavenging for anything useful as they pushed forward, they'd happen upon another ruin, identical to the one they'd just emerged from save for a conveniently placed Bonfire just in the center. Taking a minute or two to refresh themselves, the trio would note the staircase ahead that lead out to not one, but three distinct exits. They'd each a moment to survey the potential pathways. The leftmost was the obvious road to Castle Drangleic itself, following the old aqueduct's direction. The center was a simple grass road, and the rightmost path, inundated in an obscuring mist of silver...

“...this is the one.” Ilia said, motioning over to the misty path. “There's no mistaking that kind of power; another Great Soul... it's no less astounding a second time.”

Her choice words made Vivi give a sharp exhale from his nose, smirking a little under his iron helm.

“You...” LoveGame began to ask, hesitating a little. “...uhh... wanna split it three ways? We could always regroup if we hit a dead end.”

“Tsk.” Ilia shook her head and wagged her finger. “Not this time. Just because I'm not as reckless as you two doesn't mean I don't get restless too.”

She's not undead, and yet... she can sense out raw soul energy like some kind of bloodhound. Vivi pondered to himself, still gazing up at the jet-black tower that pierced the clouds of a growing storm.

“Look at her, fixin' for a fight. Well, far be it for me to deny that!” LoveGame said with a stretch of his arms. “What about you, Viv? Nothin' the three of us can't h-”

Vivi held out his palm and turned away. “You two can go on ahead.” he calmly insisted. “I know I said I'd join you, but... well, think of it as... ehem, earning a little mutual trust. I know I won't be able to breach the Castle's gates in our current state, but I believe I can find us something useful.” he'd turn back to them and put his hand on his chin. “Tell you what. I'll take the other two myself. When the two of you return to Majula, I'll join your side as long as we remain here.”

Ever ahead of the curve, Vivi already knew how to mercilessly appeal to LoveGame's honor.

“After all that preamble, you go and... aww!” he'd relent. “You know, when you put it that way... alright, but you better not even think about goin' hollow before then! I'll have to be the one to put ya down if you do!”

Vivi couldn't help but snicker. “Even with my reflexes reduced to that of a hollow, I'd still win.”

“I like this dude already. Fiery!” LoveGame said as he prepared to part with the wizard for now. “Hope I never have to hold ya to that, guy.”

“...good luck, both of you.” Vivi said in earnest as he strode forth toward the leftmost road.

“...You too.” the pair said in unison as their silhouettes disappeared into the oppressive fog.

The Shaded Woods

Thought to be one of the oldest standing ruins in all of Drangleic, the Shaded Woods brought an atmosphere equal parts serene and foreboding. A permanent mist blanketed the dense thickets, which LoveGame and Ilia made their way through with a cautious approach, and rightfully so. These woods were home to a band of thieves that cloaked themselves with a rare translucency spell that made them nigh-invisible against the low, shifting fog. They'd use their subterfuge to get a few cheap hits in on the pair of adventurers, but their light leather garb made them light work for a well-tempered blade. They'd stay practically back-to-back, hugging the left wall until it eventually lead them up a natural ramp and minimizing their time spent in that miserable mist.

Leaving the ghostly assailants behind, the pair emerged in the Shaded Ruins, its weathered structures swallowed by an overgrowth of verdant vine and moss. An eerie presence assailed their senses, quite ironic as they found the ruins to be completely bereft of life. Those who came before held strongly to the theory that this was related to the sudden appearance of the enigmatic Lion Clan, a race of beastmen with no known record in history. Among the scarce information on them, it was known that the burly creatures were known to harbor a deep hatred of their own appearance, hiding in shame and aggressively slaughtering outsiders that dared look upon them.

By the time LoveGame and Ilia arrived, all that was left of them were statues. Each one frozen in place, shielding their maned faces with their arms. Some even retreated to corners in their final moments. It was hard to tell, but an especially observant eye could pinpoint the fear in theirs.

...and they knew better than to awaken them.

The pair nearly lost themselves in the unusually serene atmosphere of the ruins. It had been quite a while since they could spare a moment to take it all in. The thin drifts of mist cooled their bodies, occasionally revealing fleeting apparitions from across time. It was... comfortingly lonely, and mostly quiet. That is, except for that damn laughing carried on the wind.

“Think it's these crazy-lookin' jars?” LoveGame mused over his shoulder as he carefully tossed a spare firebomb at a cluster of clay ceramics each inscribed with a horrific grin. “That did this to these lion fellas, I mean. I'd read back home that a high enough concentration o' raw curse energy leaves a statue behind of... well, their last moment. How d'ya think they get it to stay in a jar like that? Is it like, literally fulla hexes and bad words?”

Ilia stayed on high alert, wary of the unusual absence of soul-starved undead and other unsightly horrors charging them down with reckless abandon. Taking a handful of throwing knives from her belt, she'd toss them in a perfect rhythm, three more cursed jars shattering to dust. “...something like that. It's because no human has ever been able to harness that kind of energy directly. You can't even imbue a weapon with it. Leaving a trap like this must've been the next best thing. Who, though...?” she mused, scanning over the arches of the ruins, too worn and weathered to leave behind any clues.

“Beats me... hey, you're not still steamed, are ya? Like I said, sorry 'bout earlier.” LoveGame said in earnest, scratching the back of his head.

“Tch. You got some kinda apology fetish, guy?” Ilia joked a bit at his expense. “Don't tell me you're questioning my plan. Told ya, it's all behind us.” she'd limber up with a leg stretch. “I'm thrilled to be by your side again, LoveGame, it's just... maybe I'm on edge cuz I'm actually kind of itching for something to fight.” she'd admit, having yet to test her newfound strength.

“Might be somethin' for us in there, look.” he motioned over to a rare sight within the ruins – a mostly-intact building, save for the guts of its inaccessible upper level showing.

The reunited pair made their way through the stone structures, clambering over crumbled walls and columns until they emerged outside once more, the remains of the ruins overlooking a large, perfectly square pit of sand. This would be a peculiar landmark even on its own, yet it was a mundane sight compared to its sole occupant. He was half-man, half-scorpion, and completely silent, either ignorant or uncaring of the heroes' presence. He was fearsome, his upper half decked out in spined, polished black armor, and conjoined at the torso to a black carapace boasting a set of claws that could crush a man with little resistance.

“Get a load of that guy.” LoveGame mumbled to Ilia, eyeing the beastman up. “Whatcha thinking?”

Ilia did much the same, having never seen anything like this in all her travels. “No way he hasn't seen us yet. Hmm.”

They chose not to engage, both because he hadn't shown hostility and because neither one of them wanted to take their chances with this chimera being, who upon closer inspection was brandishing a black warspear, further arming him to the teeth. Why, then, was he so docile?

The pair poked around a little more, but found the only other path obstructed by those petrified beastmen. With little other choice, they slid down into the strange sand pit and approached the insectoid with extreme caution. They'd both introduce themselves, only to be met with silent gesticulation from the upper half. He was clearly trying to say something, however...

“...oh! Hang on... here, I got you one too.” Ilia said, reaching in her bag for a pair of silver rings inlaid with sky-blue gems and handing LoveGame one. “I shopped around with the cat lady, she called it a Ring of Whispers. Our ticket to a little interspecies communication.” she explained further.

“Tch. Wish you hadn't told me it was from her. That kitty's hiding something, I'm telling ya.” he'd half-joke, slipping the ring on. “Ehem... guy? Sir? If you can understand us, I wanted to say, uhh, thanks for not trying to kill us. I'm Knight LoveGame, and this here's my guardian, Ilia.” he introduced the pair at last, to the chimera who was likely becoming further confused by their banter about cat people.

“Manscorpion Tark. It's my honor... and I'd say the very same of you. Most travelers attack me on sight... not that this place has seen many in quite some time.” now fully intelligible, he introduced himself in a low, sullen tone. “Hm. Not hollow, from the looks of it. The lady's not even an undead... what might have brought you to these ruins?”

“Easy, that juicy Great Soul.” LoveGame said with a bit of subdued pride. “My third one, as a matter of fact, so as you can see... we mean business, guy.”

“My master.” he'd pipe up the moment he heard those two words. “Or more accurately, my creator. My appearance is a result of arcane experimentation.” he'd draw a sharp breath before adding, “...of course, by this point he's taken a great many forms; so I've no idea who or what you'll face on the road ahead.”

LoveGame and Ilia gave Tark the rundown on what they were about, and the arachnid warrior directed them just down the road to the old camp at Brightstone Cove. It just so happened that the only way there was through the Doors of Pharros, where the nomadic Gyrm had made a hidden tunnel leading to the campsite. In what was truly a mutually convenient coincidence, the path was currently guarded by Tark's bride-to-be, who needed a good slaying now that she'd gone mostly hollow. Some say it was from those damned sounds of laughing jars.

Having sufficiently warmed up, and feeling especially pumped about their prospect with this walking armory on their side, the pair followed Tark a ways back. They'd reach a pair of crumbling towers, the space between just enough to hide a pathway up. Grass gave way to sand as they reached the top of the hill, the remains of some undated structure half-buried in it. Though there was a sufficiently sized hole busted into its side, it had seen a bit of a supernatural repair job in the form of another shining wall of mist.

At least they were going the right way.

The trio entered in unison, emerging in a much larger sandpit with low rolling dunes and bits of black stone debris embedded in the ground. Dead in its center, as if lying in wait for her prey, they spied what was certainly a woman of sorts. Her skin was the shade of decay, and her expression was nonexistent. She drew a black battlestaff and cast a homing soulmass, five orbs of raw soul energy surrounding her in an arc!

Though Tark tried to warn him that this was one of her most infamous tricks, LoveGame was the first to strike, knowing he could outrun the scorpioness' sorcery even in his new armor! So long as he could close the distance...

...only, the moment he drew his sword arm back... he'd be sent careening into the air! The full form of Scorpioness Najka had burst forth from beneath the dunes as the other two shielded their eyes! True to the species they were spliced with, the female was a great deal larger! Her twin stingers were as thick as mahogany trunks, each one steeped with dripping green toxins. LoveGame landed in a faceplant, pushing himself up out of the sand just as Tark rushed his betrothed! What he lacked with his tiny stinger, he more than made up for with his vicious, colossal claws. He'd evidently made peace with putting the arachnid out of her misery some time ago, having no reservations about rending her carapace asunder.

Ilia rushed her side while she was focused on her marital dispute, circling around her as she deftly evaded the barrage of sorcery! She'd divide her attention between the two as they traded blows, slowly forcing her back! LoveGame clambered and stumbled forth in an attempt to catch up, struggling to keep his footing in the loose sands as they shifted with every step! It was an undignified gait, but the newly decked out knight managed a few stabs into her other side! The soul-starved scorpioness tensed her tails to the side in an an attempt to sweep away her attackers!

...however, Ilia had read her foe's move to a razor's edge! Her crimson scimitar glowed to life as she kicked off just before the venomous appendages closed in! Ilia surged all the momentum of her daring leap, spinning in the opposite direction with a vicious swing! LoveGame and Tark each took a mighty blow, nearly knocking the wind clean out of them both as they were sent skidding back... but the resounding thud of severed tail against sand meant it was more than worth it!

Now backed against the ruin wall and down one stinger, Najka unleashed a barrier, sending out a shockwave to repel her foes as she cloaked her carapace in the blue flame of soul energy! She wasted no time reminding them just what her species was capable of, as the wall was but a minor setback for her eight razor-sharp legs! She'd scuttle away at an unusually blinding speed, climbing the stone wall as her rigid legs dug in like ice picks, securing her to what was left of the ceiling! Now entirely out of reach, she'd lock into position and shower the sand pit with a ceaseless barrage of soul arrows, forcing the trio to scatter!

Just like that, all three of our heroes were forced back onto the defensive, but they knew well that this was the scorpioness' final gambit... which meant she was on the ropes! Ordering Ilia and Tark to draw her fire, LoveGame drew energy into his sword arm, the azure flame igniting down the length of the Sun Sword! At the apex of his harrowing swing, he'd let go, launching the gleaming white blade toward Najka! The gamble was as unwieldy as it was daring... but she'd find her legs dug in too deep, unable to free them in time to evade the blazing sword as it flew true and righteous, even slicing a path through the azure assault!

...and when the mist of blue cleared away, the Sun Sword found itself comfortably embedded right into her blackened heart. As her carapace became ash in the wind, the prized weapon fell back into the sand hilt-up.

Tark didn't remain much longer, thanking the pair of heroes for giving him the kind of closure he wanted, and rewarding them with another of those strangely effervescent branches. Those things were coming in awfully handily as of late. He'd wish them luck on smiting his former master before leaving on his own journey, the goal of which he was unusually coy about.

“Wheeeew! If that ain't one way to get the blood pumpin'.” LoveGame said, taking a seat on a nearby chunk of wall and taking a sip of his Estus. “I was actually kinda getting into it there, y'know? Not that I wasn't before!” he'd add with a chuckle.

Ilia had joined him on the makeshift bench, even more invigorated as she absorbed a portion of the scorpioness' soul herself. She'd swipe the emerald flask and take a few sips of her own. “Well, I mean... these things aren't getting any weaker. Even I'm amazed at the kind of power we've gotten our hands on since we started this whole thing. Hate to say it, but I'm starting to see where you're coming from.”

LoveGame stretched, cracking his back as he prepared to retrieve his blade, not daring to leave his cherished possession behind. “'Course you do, Ilia! It's only a matter of time before the whole world starts to see it my way.” he'd say with an air of satisfaction, “Take this brawl for example. What I did mighta looked like a risky move, but the thing of it is that the key to success is to t-”

…

!!!

“AAAAAUUUGGHHHHH-GHHH!”

Whatever sage advice LoveGame was about to so generously dispense would be viciously silenced by the surge of searing pain that tore into his chest!!!

...and with it, a voice he swore he recognized roared in a tone steeped in catharsis and venom roared,

“YOU FORGOT THIS!!!”

...there she was again. Her plump body heaving as she caught her breath, her arm still struck out before her as sand shed off of her shoulders, shaking off the rest from her tied blonde locks. Still clad in the same scandalously minimalistic scarlet skirt that hugged her huge hips, her top remaining little more than a metal bra that dismissed modesty as a concept, and her wine-red gloves still swallowing her arms up to her well-toned biceps.

As if to flex on her foes, Melanie the Graceful was, once again, a step ahead of our heroes!

Blowing a stream of sand from her nostril and shaking her head, the bottom-heavy gal glowered in their direction, still taking a few gulps of air. “Mmmmf! Man, I gotta say... I wasn't expecting to have to stay buried that long! Seriously, you two must move like pond water!” she'd taunt, turning her attention to a slab of obsidian black metal jutting from the sand inches away. She'd curl her toes and raise one thicc thigh, sending as urge of souls up its length!

“...and lemme tell ya...!”

She'd deliver a hefty kick to the mass of steel, tearing it out of the ground and swiveling around her neck before she caught it with one hand on its... handle. Indeed, what appeared as a heap of raw black metal had taken the relative shape of a sword! “...waiting that long... …really gets up my fat ass!!!”

She'd bite those last few words with a little more contempt than usual.

Ilia was already glaring back at her with gritted teeth, her hand taking a firm grip on her blade at her hip.

“I-I... thought it was the remains of a well...!”

LoveGame, his adrenaline overcoming the injury he'd just sustained, pushed himself up just enough to lay eyes on her.

“Melanie... I'll be damned...!”

Pushing himself to his feet even as his body shook and his legs buckled. “Cordial of ya to join us... rrrgh!” he'd choke out as he spit blood on the sand through his helmet. “Figures... I just got this new gear. Leave it to someone like you to... hrrgh... go for the jugular...!”

“'Course I did. You've got a nice chest.” she'd tease back.

“LoveGame! Hang in there...!” Ilia cried out, wincing a little at the vicious surprise attack! “What do you want, bitch?” she demanded, her platinum bangs framing an absolute death glare at Melanie.

“Oh... mmm, nothin' with you.” she'd retort. “Your homeboy here on the other hand... well, if I'm not mistaken, he's two-for-two against the legendary Great Souls, right? There's no doubting it anymore, lady...!”

She'd sling the colossal blade across her shoulders and point a wine-red finger at LoveGame! “...can't you feel it?! This guy... is using the power of the Heir Engine!!!”

Ilia looked more puzzled than shocked, despite the fanfare the plump gal likely intended. She'd never heard term in her life.

Then there was LoveGame, who's gasp could be heard through his helmet, despite the fact that he was just as clueless. “...the whuh now?” he'd say as he spat out blood and took a healthy swig of Estus, his chest wound rapidly closing in response. “...Hang on a minute... you're talkin' about those...”

“Ooh, now you're quick.” Melanie chirped. “All those wild moves you've been throwing out, yeah. Gotta say, even I wasn't sure at a glance, but... for what it's worth, your execution is somethin' else.” she'd say, balling up a fist as her glove audibly stretched. “The thing of it is...”

“...nobody could get that good that fast!”

She'd calm herself. “...Actually, you wanna know the exact moment it hit me? The way you caught me back in the old fortress. No regular joe would've thought of that, y'know? Let alone actually pulled it off.”

“So... what?” LoveGame asked, cracking his neck and doing some leg stretches as he sheathed the Sun Sword that had been so generously returned to him. “I think I caught the gist of that admittedly well-worded spiel you went on before I completely conked out. I gotta fight you again to prove myself? Somethin' o' that nature?” He'd take a grip instead on the Smelter Sword that surged with the heat of a Demon's Soul on his back. “Time is kinda of the essence here, so if you could just give us the key points here... we'll get right into it.”

Melanie rested her index finger on her chin. “There ya go! I like that energy, but... don't cha wanna at least know a little about the kind of raw power you're slingin' around? Hah! A gift like that's a complete waste on some dork who doesn't even realize what he's packing.” she'd say with an air of lamentation, “C'mon... you gonna act like you're too cool to care?~”

“Go ahead n' satiate my curiosity then, lady.” LoveGame said in earnest, channeling every ounce of willpower to remain calm on the surface even as his mind raced with a million questions, each more urgent than the last! “What's the skinny on this... what'd ya call it just now, Air Engine?”

“Heir, with an H! Dumbass...” said Melanie with exasperation before snapping back to calm. “Inheritor of the…. actually... whatsyerbitch over there?” she'd turn her attention to Ilia, still poised to strike. She scowled at the choice words. “Ilia, I think? You're kinda a natural at sensing out raw soul energy. Seems like by now you woulda picked up on the walking concentration of the stuff right next to ya!”

I did pick up on... something back in the forest, that first day we met. It was only for a moment, but...

Ilia was snapped out of her thoughts when Melanie picked up on her pensive stare. “...that's all the Heir Engine is! Just an armful of pure, raw soul energy! When it comes into contact with... say, somethin' like the Darksign? Well, I shouldn't have to tell ya what it's capable of! Lemme guess, you learned those moves after you met a couple o' white knights? Big headache too?~” she'd pry. “It allows the user to imprint the memories of certain... legendary figures right into that mooshy brain of yours. That make sense?”

“As much as anything else since I got here, I s'pose.” LoveGame relented. “The hell does it have to do with the curse? That part, I don't get.” he'd say, keeping on guard.

“Tsk.” Melanie chided. “Thought for sure somebody... that Emerald lady at the very least, woulda told you. Each bonfire is kept going by the souls of those who came before us. The more times ya die, the more of your soul is sprinkled into the mix. That's like... way too many memories all smooshed together... and I'll go out on a limb here and say you've taken more than a few spills. To tell ya the truth, even I don't entirely know why it only manifests in undead. I did a lil' research back in Lindeldt, buuuut...~ well, that got cut short, sucks to say.” she'd elaborated, ending with a tilt of her head.

LoveGame, though racking his own brain with questions, managed to maintain a calm facade, perhaps still surging from the clash with the scorpioness. “That's a lot to throw at a guy still gettin' his memories back. What's it mean, though? Am I some kinda chosen undead, somethin' like that?”

“You want my vote, I think the Gods are just throwin' you a bone. I think even you can admit ya didn't come this far on skill alone.” She'd say, stretching her phat thighs and gripping her greatsword with both hands. “I could tell ya a little more... but I need to know how bad you want it. Our first couple brawls didn't really do it for me, so now that you got a little insight...”

“Let's kill each other for real!~”

LoveGame drew a long and steady breath, pausing before his response. “Why not? If I've really got this kinda crazy power you're goin' on about, I'll just use it on ya and wrap this up!” He'd draw at last the sword of the Smelter Demon. “Haven't really had a chance to break this bad boy in yet!”

Melanie planted her own greatsword back into the ground momentarily just to clap with jubilant glee. “Ohh, LoveGame, sweetiepie, that's exactly what I had in mind to a T!~” she'd say with sugary venom. “Yuh, actually... how 'bout this? Honor's your big thing, right? I really, really want you to take the first shot at me... so long as platinum pussy over there doesn't interfere in our duel.” she'd challenge him, Ilia growling a little under her breath.

“...and you gotta open with one of those sweet moves, that's the condition.~” she'd add, slinging her hefty blade over her shoulder once again and taking a wide stance. “I just have to see it! That is... unless you don't have any left.” she'd further taunt.

“Lucky for you, I was thinking pretty much the same thing.” LoveGame heartily agreed, channeling his souls through his body as he too poised himself for combat. “Yeah... this works out great! Our record's even so far, the way I see it... so let's make this one the grand prize.”

The Smelter Sword ignited, a mist of magma surging from its veins. “...and I've still got a few saved up.”

...yeah, good one LoveGame! Sure I do, the same ones I couldn't figure out yesterday! ...but I've gotta try!

The black-clad knight tightened his focus, feeling his body limber up. He'd strike the Smelter Sword out with one hand and zero in on the memories imparted upon him by that white knight who brandished a silver spear!

A disgraced King clad in royal blue... who tragically lost an eye... and with it, his very kingdom! In his darkest hour, he sought salvation in his closest confidant... and he too would rise from the dead!

His body surged with a shockwave of energy, lifting some of the sand around him as he prepared to call out the name of Atrocity! Melanie stood her ground as her dress whipped up slightly. Only...

...when Knight LoveGame opened his mouth to speak the King's mantra, not a single word came out! The overload of souls seemed to collapse in on itself, leaving the knight overcome with searing pain! His muscles seized up, he felt as though he was being ripped apart from the inside! Just before the threshold of shock, it happened. Quite unmistakably, LoveGame's heart had exploded. A veritable torrent of blood gushed from his helmet, and he toppled over like a busted statue moments later! Just as he had back in the Forest, his body blew away as silver ash in the wind.

“LOVEGAME!!! Dammit! The hell did you just do to him?!” Ilia roared with conviction!

Melanie watched the gruesome display with elated surprise, giggling to herself a bit with her hand slightly over her mouth. “Tch.... hah! Oh, this is almost too rich! Your boy must've really pissed off the gods in a past life!Looks like they gave him the unfinished version!” she'd say jubilantly. “Oh, shit! Yeah, the limiter.”

Ilia ran Melanie's words through her head a few times, trying to make sense of any of it. “...Grr... and what's that mean exactly, bitch?!” she'd demand her answer, her stance unflinching!

She stared back into her with a delightfully cathartic smile, giggling to herself. A few locks of her hair fell and rested between her scarlet eyes.

“...IT MEANS EVERYTHING'S COMIN' UP MELANIE!!”

She'd cry out, cloaking herself in an ember of sparking violet that letting loose her latent energy! Lightning danced across her body up the length of her blade as she drew energy, patches of sand around her turning to glass! Rhythmic shockwaves whipped up around her, billowing her dress!

“...whatever that means.” Ilia retorted, still poised perfectly to counter. “You and I both know LoveGame isn't really dead. No doubt he's already making a beeline for you... but I think I'll save him the trouble and lay you out myself! It'd be a nice surprise for him when he gets back!” she'd taunt.

“Oh, and it would!~” Melanie condescended. “I'd like to see that myself, really. Too bad I won't get the chance! Ain't you just a regular-ass human? An undead like myself is well above your weight class, girly.”

“Got that right...” she'd sigh, her patience having run dry. “You know, you kinda remind me of him in a way... that is to say... you both sure do talk a lot! Gimme your thoughts on this, you self-important slut!!”

With that, she kicked off in Melanie's direction and... vanished in a flash of burning blue! Even the she couldn't sense the knightess out! Had absorbing even a fraction of the mighty Great Soul bestowed her such blinding speed?!

Before Melanie could so much as blink, Ilia had already landed a clean cut across Melanie's chest, reappearing at her side! She'd been stunned just long enough for the gambit to work – Ilia followed up not with her scimitar, but her shield! From its draconic maw of metal, a destructive deluge of flame erupted forth! “Pure, concentrated dragonfire! Not even you can stop it!!” The embers were relentless, spreading as it sought to engulf her opponent, illuminating the entire chamber in a brilliant rush of red and orange!

When the firestorm finally ceased, Ilia drew back from the aftershocks with an elegant backflip. Smoke filled the other side of the arena, billowing out of the holes in the ceiling. She'd remain at the ready, knowing better than to assume a one-and-done victory.

...and as the smoke cleared, she'd be proven woefully right. Unbelievably, Melanie remained largely unscathed by the searing flame! Even the wound on her chest had already begun to close itself! “Whew.” she'd whistle. “Damn, girl! If I hadn't clenched at the last second there, that move mighta singed one of my ass hairs! Where'd someone like you get your hands on actual dragon fire? That's crazy work.” she'd say with a casual air, stretching a bit and dusting away the ash and sand.

...but how'd she... that was a full charge of pure dragon flame... Ilia's jaw hung agape in disbelief. Such a move would've left anyone else a distant memory.

“...so do you get it now?” Melanie asked in a venomous tone. “The gap between us is bigger than... well, you know where I was gonna go with that. I was already the strongest back home, even as a human. This undead upgrade's everything I've ever wanted and then some! A gal could get used to this kind of juice-up.” she'd give Ilia no more quarter, bringing the black blade back behind her, surging it with violet sparks. “I'm the elite of Lindeldt, Melanie the Graceful! Now let's see what we're working with!”

“Azhdaha!!!”

Just as she had back at the lighthouse, Melanie vanished in a shower of lightning and reappeared behind Ilia, meeting her with an explosive slash to her side! “...and that'll do it!! Now, eat it up real good!....” she'd growl, raising her greatsword for a devastating followup! “NIDHOGG!! AHAHAHA!~”

Melanie swung down at her opponent with every ounce of spite in her pear-shaped body! A great column of lilac lightning surged from the deafening point of impact as a series of shockwaves rippled across the sand. She relished in the catharsis of a direct hit!

…!!!

...and yet, when the sparking smoke faded, giving way to the subtle wind... it was Melanie who'd balk at the knightess standing before her unscathed! Moreover, she found herself unable to utter a word, as the wind had been knocked clean from her lungs, courtesy of the silver boot now embedded deep into her abdomen! Ilia's counterattack left droplets of crimson blood trickling down the finely polished steel.

“It bears repeating, lady... You sure do talk a lot.”

She'd channel her souls into a straight burst down her right leg, not only freeing her bloodied boot, but sending Melanie back several feet!

Melanie clutched her chest, reaching for a spare lifegem as she caught her breath. “Rrrgh... you actually hit me?! There's that raw bitch energy! A counter like that shouldn't have been possible, but... well, here we are.” she'd say as her wound began to close as she slung her blade back over her shoulder and took a low stance, stuffing her frustration for now. “It's a little annoying, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't kinda getting into it! Okay, if you can eat this next one up, you gotta tell me what you're working with. I mean... I'm gonna suss it out myself at some point, so you might as well.”

The two women kicked off at breakneck speed, clashing in the center of the ruins as their swords rang out in defiance! Ilia's aura took on a swirling haze of blue and white! This time, she'd not only deflected Melanie's attack, but landed a clean cut on her thigh, shreds of her red dress drifting through the dusty air amid the spray of blood! She'd backflip in a wide arc, evading a potential followup and bearing her teeth.

“...seriously, girl?” Melanie chided, riding out the rush of adrenaline to dull the pain and tilting her head. “I'm not entirely adherent to the finer restrictions, but I know when someone's being backed up by divine intervention. Lindeldt's pretty big on that subject... so how'd you do it?!” she'd demand, equal parts ecstatic and dumbfounded.

In any other instance, Ilia would go to any length not to reveal her trump card. She was also never known as the luckiest lady in any sense. She'd wipe her forehead, letting her platinum bangs fall back above her emerald eyes before reaching into her bag for a glass vial filled to the brim with a viscous cyan fluid. She'd bite the cork off and spit it out, slugging the entire concoction down in one go, tossing the empty vessel aside. “You're quicker on the uptake than he is. Truth be told, I don't cling to any particular faith. Seems like one always contradicts, or overlaps the other.”

“Quit being facetious! You know damn well what I meant.” Melanie growled, ripping her sacred chime from her hip. It's worth a try... given I've been right about everything else. Her thoughts echoed in her head for longer than usual as she once again channeled a sparkling vortex of lightning around her, planting her blade back into the sand and taking a firm grip on her chime, striking her forearm out. “This one's a lot bigger than what I threw at ol' lover-boy! Taste this, girly! My Argent Sunlight Spear!!!”

Melanie let loose the blinding miracle in an instant! Even in her heightened state, Ilia was struck without recourse! Yet again, an explosive thundercloud followed... and yet the result was the same. Ilia remained pristine, her armor gleaming under the trickles of sunlight and her blonde locks lightly carried on the wind, much to Melanie's chagrin. “Did you narrow it down yet?”

“Think I've got the gist... but I could do with getting a few more licks in.” Melanie said with a coy smile and the slightest hint of frustration. That aura around her flashed for a second there. Don't tell me...she'd think to herself, reaching for her greatsword again. “So who's your main squeeze? C'mon, everyone has a favorite. My gal back home was adherent to Quella, but there's just so many sweet picks that it's hard to choose!”

An unusual whirring filled the dusty air as Ilia's scarlet scimitar glowed to life. “I've got one or two I like. It just so happens in this case... that the light of Saradomin owes me a few favors!!!” roared the knightess before kicking off and vanishing in a burst of blue and white!

She'd reappear at Melanie's side once more, delivering a devastating slash deep into her! Melanie countered with a wide swing of her ebony greatsword, repelling the attempt at a followup! Ilia narrowly parried the blow with her shield, her arm nearly going numb from the impact! Ilia ripped three more vials from her belt, one between each set of fingers. She'd yet again tear the cork from each one, chugging their bitter contents in rapid succession and infusing each one with a small surge of souls, hurling the glass at her adversary! Though she appreciated the gesture, she'd evade with a simple backstep. “I see it now! Girl, you had me going for a second! Is that really what it's come to? Feeding the energy of your own soul to the Gods? You're hardly above a demon using a tactic like that, you know?” she'd taunt, keeping her thoughts to herself.

Saradomin... how the hell does she know about...?

“Took you a minute. Still, not bad.” Ilia remained stalwart, launching another attack as Melanie met her in the middle! The two ladies clashed evenly, though for all of Melanie's effort, she may as well have been whaling on a wall of solid steel.

Dashing backward, Melanie curled her pink lips into a smirk. “...real unfortunately for you though? I know how those things work. Using that many at once must be sucking you dry. Tell me... Ilia.” she'd begin, igniting her greatsword with a purple ember. “Exactly how much juice do ya got left, hm?~”

“Just enough, from the looks of it.” she'd say with unwavering confidence. “For what it's worth, you're right about the undead. Anywhere else, it'd be seen as a pure detriment, but here, though... must be some kind of serious magic in the air. I intend to survive long enough to make it back home with every dark secret this kingdom keeps. To that end...” she'd say, the swirling aura of blue and white growing around her, and her scimitar once again cloaked itself in a glimmer of ruby red!

“I realize I might just be a pothole in the road to you, big girl...”

The lithe swordstress kicked off, leaving a spray of sand in her wake!

“...but I'll make sure it's one hell of a deep pothole!!!” she'd roar with all the defiance in her heart.

Melanie could scarcely blink before she was on the receiving end of another clean cut. Ilia seized the opening and reared back with her shield, decking Melanie square in the jaw with the slab of red metal! Yet in this instance, Melanie's adaptability shone through when she landed a vicious counter with her greatsword, nearly tearing through the silver platemail as both women careened back from the force of impact, each narrowly landing on their feet.

“Hah! You didn't swap 'em out fast enough.” Melanie said with a sharp tongue. “Careful! That could just as easily be your last mistake. Ain't no way you're this hard-up over him, right? Don't tell me... what is it you've got to prove?” she asked, already charging an orb of lightning in her left hand.

“To you?” Ilia began, crushing a lifegem. “Not a damn thing. I'm just keeping a promise I made to my master. As a matter of fact...” she'd continue, her red blade igniting with searing energy! “...I'll finish you with a move he taught me!”

Melanie hurled the crackling miracle her way, but it sailed straight over her head and instead galvanized the glass where she'd stood moments before! Ilia left a series of afterimages in her wake, almost as though she'd split into three! She'd close in for a harrowing slash from several angles, surging all her strength into a single divisive blow divided into many!

“Dzrak!!”

...yet moments before she could deliver the fateful final payload, Ilia felt a crushing grip around her throat! The world became a blur around her as her body was slammed into the sand below!

“Caught you with that one, huh?~” Melanie chirped. “Rahab!!” she'd then call out, twirling her body in a violet inferno and rending Ilia with her obsidian greatsword! Ilia felt herself shoveled out from below, tumbling back down as her soul cried out in visceral pain! She'd defiantly reach for another lifegem, smashing it into shards of light with her gauntlet, forcing herself back to her feet as her body quaked as if to defy her iron will!

“Credit where it's due, lady. For someone as woefully outclassed as you are, you sure winded me somethin' fierce.” Melanie admitted, slugging an Estus and sauntering toward her foe at a relaxed pace. “You look tired. You sure you're good to just walk that one off? I dunno how I feel about killing you, you know? But this next one might be 'bout it...”

The caress of fallen souls freed from the yellow gem as it was crushed did their best to seal her wound, but it took every ounce of Ilia's adrenaline to fight the agony her body was in! “What's... wrong, bitch? Don't... rrrghh...” she'd say through bloody coughs, meeting Melanie's gaze with a damning, defiant smile. “...don't have it in you to go all the way? Even an undead feels fear.”

Melanie readied her blade once more, drawing a deep breath and exhaling it as an exasperated sigh. “...please. I get what you're going for, but you do realize I coulda taken you out back at the lighthouse, right? I guess I put too much faith in ya. Actually kinda bummed I didn't take the chance, looking back at it. So what's it gonna be?”

...

...yet in that moment, fate intervened in the fiery form of one man's burning resolve!!!

“I'm right there with ya!!! Hrrrrrrgghhhh!!!”

Both women were far too absorbed in their heated clash to notice the rocketing return of Knight LoveGame, slamming into Melanie's side with a full-body tackle with his greatshield raised! The heap of patterned, faded gold metal crashed into the plump gal, sending her careening back as she narrowly teched back to her feet!

“...I hate missin' out on stuff too!” he'd bellow, landing near Ilia with his Smelter Sword slung over his shoulder. “Like for example... Y'all two seriously couldn't wait til I got back to duke it out? Man, I wanted to watch!” he'd add with a tone of wonder, shifting his gaze to Ilia. “You went and softened her up, didn't ya? Told ya those Great Souls were a real kick. That said....” he'd reach for an especially large lifegem and toss it Ilia's way. “...I'll go ahead and tag in. We never actually got to fight, huh... say, what was the deal with my... attack, er, blowin' me up?”

“Sweet, you're back!” Melanie happily chimed. “How'd I do setting you up for the dramatic entrance, by the way? I had a few lines I was mullin' over... but yeah! That whole thing, see...” she'd begin, planting her greatsword back into the coarse sand and leaning against it with her finger on her chin. “The first few people to manifest the Heir Engine sorta got the shit end of the stick. It was way too volatile and unwieldy, too imperfect to reach its real potential without overloading the user. Your case is one I haven't cracked yet, though. Either you're way older than you look, or there's something you ain't tellin' me.”

...and I think I know what that is. I'm even more excited now! Call it a gut feeling.~

“...I'm starting to get the picture, but... I still don't completely follow. What's it got do with that?” LoveGame asked as he did a few preliminary stretches in his newly re-formed body. “I tried to use the move same as I always do.” he'd say with a shrug.

Melanie sighed and placed a hand on her plush hip. “...everything. In the state it's in now, the Heir Engine has a few kinks to work out. To be specific, it's bound to the weapon you're using. Both your weapons are swords, and from the looks of it, the move you were calling for was a spear-type. The body doesn't know what to do otherwise.” she'd hold her palm out. “You could try releasing the limiter if you know how, but I'd seriously advise against it. Tends to cause way more trouble than its worth, you feel me?”

“That white knight back at the Bastille did warn me. I knew it was gonna be some potent stuff, but... whew! You know?” LoveGame said, staring her down through his black helm. “How d'ya know so much about the Heir Engine then, lady? Is that the real reason you're so into me? Here I thought I was just a cutie all on my own.”

Melanie side-eyed him. “Pfffrt, aren't you full of questions? Tell ya what, I'll dazzle you somethin' extra with the answer, but I'd better see you impress me, no matter what!” she'd challenge him, kicking her greatsword and catching it as lightning coursed around her body. “I don't do charity, sweetie!”

“Wouldn't have it any other way!” LoveGame bellowed back, his armor burning a faint blue from head to toe. “On my honor as a knight, I'll make the first move on your signal. Let's make it a good one, then!”

The blonde cleric drew a long, contemplative breath, shutting her eyes and raising her left arm skyward. “I didn't pick these kinda gloves cuz they looked hot. I mean, I kinda did, but that wasn't the main reason. It's really cuz I'm rockin' one of 'em too!~” she'd taunt with a sugary venom dripping from her tone. “Difference is, mine isn't bound to the same annoying restrictions. It's refined... elegant... one might even say graceful?~ Hah!”

A faint golden glow peeked from her long leather glove as the accessory slowly began to tear and split in several places, flooding the ruins with a blinding flash of angelic light!

“I'm the Elite of Lindeldt, Melanie the Graceful!” she shouted as the lightshow stabilized, coalescing in a gleaming spiral of pure gold and pitch black running down the length of her arm! “”Now bear witness to the real thing! The Heir Engine Regalia!!! Ain't it something?!”

As if to punctuate her declaration, a shockwave rocked the ruins, nearly taking both LoveGame and Melanie off of their feet! Yet they each refused to be toppled!

“Whew, incredible! Really, I live for stuff like this!” LoveGame shouted right back, his excitement mirroring her own. “Are users of the Heir Engine drawn to each other by some higher power? I mean, it's not every day you run into a standup guy like me. Actually, shoot, I did have one more question. This Regalia... can it stand up to the Soul of a Demon?!” he'd say as his greatsword surged with the flow of lava!

“Fuck it, we got time! Why don't we find out?!” she snarled, kicking off toward LoveGame and giving him no more quarter! “I'll start things off with a timeless classic! Azhdaha!”

Just as before, she'd vanish in a cascade of lightning, only to reappear behind him and close in for a slash!

Only, this time she'd find herself swinging at the dusty air as LoveGame leapt high above, stifled sunlight glinting down the side of his greatsword! “'Fraid I can't let you get me with that one twice!” he'd shout from overhead as he made his descent. “...and this next one's a real spicy kicker! Hmmh!” his sword roared to life, cloaking his entire form in scorching orange embers! “Bandit... Bringer!!!”

The knight's meteoric descent was unrelenting and tireless in its pursuit; Melanie found herself unable to evade despite her blinding speed! He crashed himself into her blade-first! She tumbled back once more, but yet again she teched the attack and landed on her feet, shrugging off the residual flame. “There ya go! Where was that back at the tower? Don't tell me you're holdin' back.” she'd say, catching her breath and rearing back with her free hand before slinging a swirling mass of violet energy his way! “Voiuvre!!”

LoveGame swatted away the purple orb with his greatshield, sending it into the ruin wall and creating a small explosion that loosened a few bricks. “Hah! See? I'm startin' to put two and two together about this whole thing. My version here can only use each o' those crazy moves once, from the looks of it. Would you believe I blew my biggest finisher on my first real fight? Boy oh boy, I've got a ways to go if I wanna master this Heir Engine.” he'd say before drawing a deep breath and surging his souls around him. He'd stomp his metal boot into the sand and take a low stance, readying the Smelter Sword! “...better be taking notes, Ilia. Cuz this... is Knight LoveGame's crash course on making history! Hrrrrgghhh!” he cried out, launching his body toward Melanie with his blade held high!

“Alright... you're starting to get it, sweetie! I can hurl these at ya as long as I want!” she'd shout back, launching an assault of pure purple energy his way, both from her free palm and the tip of her obsidian greatsword. “...and again! C'mon, isn't this light work for you?!”

His stride was unbroken, sprinting past every last blast as the Smelter Sword burned through the blonde's defenses! “Don't put so much faith in me, lady!!” he bellowed, his searing blade tearing into her! “I'm just a humble farmer... meaning I know how to do a lot with just a little! You're outta your element!”

He'd rear back for a devastating followup, only for Melanie to counter the blow as the two crossed swords in a gridlock! “Oh, you'll find that I'm quite adaptable! I happen to be channeling the technique of the legendary Black Gale, after all. Goes down smooth, don't it?! Vritra!!” she'd call out, landing a clean cut into LoveGame and sending him crashing into the sand below. “Now... Sirrush!!” she'd appear to surf atop her sword, crashing into his body!

Though rattled to his core, LoveGame would meet Melanie's strength as he too teched the attack, backflipping onto his feet! “Okay, okay!” he relented, slugging an Estus. “I stand corrected, albeit partially. You clearly know what you're doin'. That said, I've got a good feeling about this one. Why don't we cut the chatter and see who's still standing at the end?” he'd throw down the gauntlet for real.

“Someone's in a good mood, huh?” she'd tease. “Gotta say, dude... you are the first one to push me this far, for what that's worth. Til we did our dance here, even I didn't realize the kind of power I was packin'. Really sucks for you, stuck with that failed abortion of the real thing. Unless you can pull somethin' outta your ass, I'd wager you're cooked, cutie.”

“Might be. For the moment, though...!” he'd begin, already charging forth for another round, ready to evade at a moment's notice. “...I'm still cookin'! Sunflame!!!” he roared with a booming reverb to his voice, stabbing his Smelter Sword into the sand! The strike landed inches from Melanie, but the roaring pillars of flame that chased ahead made their mark with enough scorching pressure to send her careening back once more!

“Gods damned, you're a fiery one landing that on me!” she'd say as she caught her breath, already rearing back for another strike. “I really, really wanna go all out on you... but also, there's still so much more I wanna know about you! Do ya girl a huuuge favor and try to hold out, okay?” she'd request in a sickening-sweet tone before kicking off with a, “Dahaka!”

“Anything less would be a black mark my on honor!” he'd meet her energy without hesitation! “To tell ya the truth, I've been chasing this kind of rush all day! How could I dream of turning down...” he'd raise his greatshield, repelling Melanie's vicious swing without losing an inch of ground, “...a chance like this?!” he finished, following up with a scorching strike from his blade of magma!

She'd recoil and recover once more, cloaking her body in golden sparks. “Yeah, that's it!! Let's make some memories, shall we?!~”

With that, the undead rivals rocketed toward one another, meeting in the middle of the ruins as sparks showered from the sheer pressure of iron against iron! They'd both pull back and close in for a counter, only to be met with each others' blades time and time again! Ilia watched the unending clash with great intent, still absorbing what Melanie had revealed to them. How had she gone this long without knowing...?

The unceasing rhythm of clanging was slowly but surely disrupted as the pair began to find precious openings in their precise parries. Per LoveGame's request, they'd cease their banter for the time, trading blows evenly for what felt like forever to all parties present! Again and again, the two would rush each other down, and each time they'd meet in the middle! The breakneck impact of their mighty blades gave way to rippling shockwaves that kicked up a ring of dust around them, the vibrations of which rocked even their enhanced bodies!

Feeling out one anothers' rhythm, they'd both begin to sneak a slash or two, eroding at their immaculate defenses! Ilia had to focus her souls just to keep up with their movements, gritting her teeth and praying that the man she was sworn to protect would finish what she started. Her ears still ringing from the thrashing she'd so convincingly shrugged off, she'd do her best to make sense of everything. Funny. Even now, I can't decide if I'm worried, or... thrilled. This is certifiably the most unusual thing I've ever gotten myself into, but... if I make it long enough to document all this, I can rest easy once I get back. Still, these two are gonna kill each other at the rate they're going.

The endless assault of honed metal was little more than a war of attrition at this point! LoveGame, now push beyond even the limits of his undead strength, began to tire out and falter in his swordsmanship! For every slash he snuck past Melanie's defenses, she'd land two! He'd gain just enough ground to crush a lifegem or two, but their gradual healing only did so much against the raw dark energy she imbued into each brutal swing! She'd slice just shy of his sturdy shield, dazing him just long enough to follow up with the perfect move! “I'd get it together if I were you, guy! Naga!!” she'd growl with equal parts fascination and catharsis, landing one vicious stab after the other on the knight, each creating an explosive aftershock as it sent him reeling back several feet!

...and yet, even as he endured the assault head-on, LoveGame remained firmly on his feet! “Damn, you're right. I s'pose it's now or never for lil' ol' me. Anyone else, you'da worn down their patience, y'know? Me, though? I'm just some simple farmer. I can wait all day.” he'd begin, sustaining his strength as the lifegems went to work. “...heh, you should've seen how ornery I got the first time I planted an asparagus, I must've been yellin' at that thing like a captain or somethin'! When I finally decided to shut up and let it do its thing... wheeew! What I wouldn't give for another meal that succulent.”

“Aww, ya gettin' hungry now? Us undead are s'posed to be above such a hindrance. Not that I don't enjoy a nice treat, if you couldn't tell.” Melanie jested, impressed at the man's resilience even if she wouldn't say it out loud.

He'd shake his head and plant his sword into the sand for a brief moment, just to wag a finger. “Shoot, I almost wish it were that, but no. What I'm sayin' is... even though I'm on this journey without rest, I can push past damn near anything if I just sleep on it for a little!” he'd shout, raising the magma blade high. “Got a helluva lot riding on this one, so I hope you don't mind if I do something a little crazy. Consider this my thanks for keeping me on my toes as long as you did!”

With that, LoveGame's Smelter Sword ignited in a dazzling glimmer of blood-red, fueled by the aura that surged the length of his arm! “...thing is, I'm past the halfway mark as it stands! I'm on pace for an audience with the King himself, so as much as I appreciate your tenacity, I can't let you stop me just yet!”

“MMM-mmf!~ Is that a fact?~” Melanie chimed with jubilance, though her pear-shaped body quaked with anticipation that she was indeed right. “I'll give it to ya, your bootleg Heir Engine isn't a total write-off. I-I... goodness!~ I can't contain it anymore, so indulge me, right now!! How the hell are you thinking you're gonna endure the wrath of the Gods, mmm?~”

“Easy! You gave me the solution without even realizing.” LoveGame said as the pulsing anomaly continued to draw energy from his soul. “You said this thing imprints the memories... the moves of anyone who used it before, right? Now maybe I'm gettin' a little too ahead of myself here, but the way I see it...!” he'd begin with a long and deliberate breath, slowly bringing his body into a zen-like state. “ ...if I can't use the rest of the ones I got... I'll just make up my own!"

“Even if I fall at some point... it'll be a real kicker for the next guy, huh?”

…!

“...That said, I don't plan on biting it anytime soon! I think you're gonna love this next one! On my honor as a knight, HERE I GO!!! ”

Crying out to the heavens, LoveGame raised his Smelter Sword skyward! Scarlet sparks mixed with flames of pure obsidian, traveling down the colossal sword's length and cloaking the knight from head to toe in a mystical aether.

Though Melanie nearly lost her footing at the breathtaking display of latent power, she'd chide the effort no less. “Make up your- guy, that has gotta be the dumbest thing I've heard outta you yet, and that's sayin' something. Still, you did make it all the way to the big finish. By all means, try to eat this one up. You'd certainly be the first!” she'd shout with voracity, hurling an excessive barrage of those vicious violet spells his way, mixing in a few lightning spears just for a bit of sadistic spice! “Even you can't come back from this one! Hah!” she'd kick off, chasing after her own magical assault and reaching LoveGame through a dense purple haze!

“ Bahamut Gale!- …!”

Yet mere moments before Melanie could launch her attack, she was wracked with a searing pain through her shapely legs! Twin fangs of flame had sprouted from the sand below, skewering her in place! LoveGame did not revel in the sight, nor did he take pleasure as he announced the decisive finish! “Right now, my soul burns a beautiful shade of red! It's begging me not to give up on my path to the King! I'm so overcome... that I've just gotta show you... how an honorable demon...”

He'd meet her crimson eyes through his jet-black helm, staring into one anothers' souls.

“...can overcome a god!”

“ Like hell am I gonna give up!” roared Knight LoveGame, bringing down his blade of erupting obsidian!

“ Endure this! My righteous love! My knight's honor!! As sure as the sun will rise again... I'll burn through with my own path!”

The Smelter Sword found its mark with a mighty crash of magma and embers! “ Resound!!! A Red-Hot Demon's Burning Road!!!”

“Hmmmh!!!”

He'd deliver the first harrowing slash without hesitation, rocking the arena with a white-hot flame that rendered the world around them incomprehensible!

“Hah!!!”

His follow-through proved even more destructive, slicing into his stunned rival and knocking loose several ancient stones from the back wall!

“Hrrrghh!!!”

Sealing the deal, LoveGame planted the searing greatsword straight down in front of him, loosing a scorching series of shockwaves that sought to completely level their makeshift arena! The relentless waves of molten rock overtook the coarse sand beneath, giving way to a rolling smoke cut with lingering flames abound! He'd nearly blinded even himself with the display of his soul's full potential.

His surge of searing stone found its mark quite handily! “ The Heir Engine is... simply sublime!” she'd manage out as she faced the fury of her own hubris head-on.

He was only bleeding a little on the inside this time, as luck would have it.

Time felt as though it stood still for many minutes! The three of them could all hardly breathe... and yet, each one knew very well when enough was enough. LoveGame's arms felt like pure jelly, prompting him to drop both armaments before proceeding to drop to his knees, exhausted to the highest degree.

There she lay on an unassuming dune of sand, Melanie the Graceful. The Elite of Lindeldt, eviscerated quite convincingly. The fact that she was still breathing spoke volumes on the resilience of the undead.

Granted, of course, the sly gal had palmed an especially large lifegem just before taking a greatsword to the dome, which he had just enough finger strength left to crush.

…

It felt like an eternity before any one of them would utter a word.

…

“Savor... these words, both of you.” Melanie said weakly as her flesh reformed, granting her the strength to stand once more. “LoveGame... and you too, Ilia. Never had anyone juice me dry like that. ...as far as this fight is concerned... I concede.” she'd admit, dropping her weapons as well and crossing her arms. “...and I mean it. None of that crap about coming back to haunt you. Actually, yeah...” she'd continue, already restored enough to saunter back and forth a little. “...I understand now, that the two of you have exactly what it takes to make it in this accursed kingdom. From here on out,” she'd begin with an unusual salute across her ample chest. “...I won't pursue you any longer. The undead curse... I hate it just as much as you do, if not more. Let's clean this whole mess up together, huh?”

The aura of the Heir Engine Regalia had died down entirely as Melanie extended her bare palm toward LoveGame.

…

…....

….......

The slap of leather on skin was felt around the world.

Ilia reluctantly followed as LoveGame slugged his last Estus. “You've got a certain kinda appeal, lady. I'll figure out what the hell it is one of these days.” he said, weakly at first until his strength returned to him, courtesy of the undead favorite. “Gonna assume there's a catch?”

Melanie, recovering enough to retrieve her obsidian greatsword and sheath it upon her back, answered in earnest, “There is, but it's in your wheelhouse. You said you were already halfway there, right?” she'd ask. “Just go get those last two Great Souls, like you were gonna do anyway. You two have it in you, right? So if you're still up for the challenge...” she'd say, a golden glow surrounding the sand beneath her body. “...let's all meet again at Castle Drangleic. I'll fight by your side 'til we get this all figured out.” she'd say, flashing them both a smile before reaching for something half-buried in sand. “Oh... yeah. Don't forget this.”

She'd return the Sun Sword to LoveGame in a light underhanded toss, landing point-down a few feet in front of him. He'd dust his prized armament off a little before sheathing it on his hip.

“Les'see... if you've got two souls left to go... two days should cut it! Meet me at Drangleic Castle by then, and don't you dare be late, sweetie!~” teased the thicc gal, the two fingers she held out doubling as a peace sign that signaled her farewell.

LoveGame met the gesture with a solid thumbs-up, made larger-than-life with his bulky demon's gauntlet, holding the pose as Melanie vanished from their presence.

“Ilia, say... would you... give me a minute or two?”

...and the moment he knew she could no longer lay eyes on him, he proceeded to promptly collapse into the sand.

Still breathing. Good, she couldn't imagine him any more braindead.

The path to the third Great Soul lay bare before them, patiently awaiting the wayward knight to return from his impromptu slumber. He'll walk it off as he's always sure to do, after all. He had to. The enigmatic nature of the Heir Engine brought about questions and answers in equal amount. Should Melanie keep her word, the next time they met, it would be as allies. Neither of our heroes could shake the feeling that she still knew a bit more than she let on, wondering what revelation awaited them upon claiming the final Great Soul.

---

Licia of Lindeldt, charmed. Goodness, it would appear all three of them are, ehem... far too depleted to do a proper outro. I'll simply have to take over again, given it appears I won't be present for the next three chapters. How do I know this? Well.~ Y-you're not ready to comprehend it yet, I'm afraid. What I can tell you is that our heroes unearth a bit more than they bargained for when they follow in the footsteps of the Duke that dug too deep! Next time: The Writhing Ruin! 'I'm kind of a big deal, you know?'“ We'll meet again before you know it, you lovely thing!~

Chapter Text

Chapter 10
The Writhing Ruin!
“I'm kind of a big deal, you know?”

At least that nap wasn't as long as the last one. The poor knight couldn't afford to lose any more time, after all.

Doors of Pharros

Luckily for our heroes, the ruins had crumbled away enough to reveal the entrance to the forlorn tunnels spoken of by their arachnid ally. Leaving the misted woods behind, they'd begin their trek through the waterlogged caverns that the nomadic Gyrm called home in these desperate times. The so-called dwarves were forced underground by human oppression in a distant time before Vendrick ruled. Reclusive but resourceful, the Gyrm eked out a life in the intricate network of stone tunnels, utilizing the strange mechanisms built by the inventor Pharros to set off traps to deter intruders. Whether the two ever coexisted was entirely lost to history, and the inventions proved impossible to replicate through modern methods.

Of further intrigue, the Gyrm had formed an alliance with the reclusive Rat King and his burrowing brood. Much of the damp, dank tunnels had fallen under his domain, under the fierce guardianship of their Authority.

It was a good thing the pair could, and very much did choose to skip the detour of traps and toxicity.

The welcoming committee consisted of a towering, tusked Mastodon halberdier and a wily mimic, both of which were dispatched by the duo before dragging their feet out of the shallows and up a set of stone carved stairs. Slumped against the back of the raised alcove and flanked by rows of stalagmites, a shadowed figure slugged at a stein of ale. He was what one might consider an absolute unit, as broad as he was tall, and covered nearly head to toe in thick, dark ochre colored plate armor. What little of his face peeked from his stove-faced full helm was completely obscured by his thick, dark beard that grew well past his belly. He either hadn't noticed them yet, or more likely was too drunk to care.

As amicable as ever, Knight LoveGame greeted the mountain of a man without even the slightest consideration that he could be an enemy. “...Say, guy? Whatcha sippin' on there?” his casual inquiry echoed off of the damp walls before Ilia could interject.

Inhumanly deep, the man's voice grunted a simple, but decidedly effective answer. “Ale.” He'd pause from his drink and scratch at his beard. “...who you? Me? Gavlan.” he'd state, his speech rough, dull and simplistic, as though blending into the belch of his brew as he went right back to it.

“The name's Knight LoveGame, and this here's the illustrious Ilia! A certain gallant scorpion told us we'd need to make our way through here, so d'ya mind pointing us in the direction of a Great Soul?” he'd humbly request.

“Soul! Yes, Gavlan got soul. Many... many soul.” Gavlan grunted. “Through door behind me. Waaaait. First, Gavlan deal. Trade!” he'd insist, dragging a leather sack even bigger than himself in front of him. “Whaaat you got, human? Deal, junk.”

Whether on purpose or not, both LoveGame and Ilia had accrued their fair share of useless gear and other items of disinterest throughout their lengthy trek that taught them well to leave no stone unturned. Both began to wonder if they'd ever be able to sell any of it after each and every vendor they encountered had been so quick to decline.

Even that cat lady.

Though the pair were mysteriously blessed with the ability to carry to their hearts' content since entering this land that laughed in the face of natural laws, it was just as much of a blessing as it was a hindrance, much of their time eaten up shuffling through an endless void of mostly junk to find what they wanted, similar to real life.

One by one, the pair handed in their goods, Gavlan giving them a modest but respectable reward of souls for each and every odd set of gauntlets and especially anything remotely magic. “Gyrm brothers up ahead, big heap stupid. I tell them hold off.” He'd say, waving the adventurers through and ensuring his anvil-toting allies would leave them be. Upon inquiring to the Gyrm on how he obtained such a wealth of souls, to which they were met with a mantra of firm, dependable simplicity.

“With Gavlan... you wheel, you deal.”

Though a bit precarious thanks to years of erosion, it was a mercifully short walk through the cavernous cliff face that lead them exactly where they needed to be.

Brightstone Cove Tseldora

Long ago, under unusually dubious circumstances, a detachment of Vendrick's knights were sent on a march to Brightstone Cove, purportedly to stand guard over an important mining operation ordered by the Duke of the neighboring Tseldora. The gleaming white stone for which the ravaged sinkhole was named was fairly valuable, even in a time where souls were the only currency worth anything. Under the command of Boyd, the Ashen Knight, Vendrick's men set up camp just on the edge of the mine as the Tseldoran peasant workers hacked away at the veins.

The soldiers would never report back, nor would the small company of mercenaries sent to check in on them. Whatever otherworldly horror was unearthed at the accursed site had overrun them; the entire operation had been for naught. A voracious, writhing parasite had been disturbed from its slumber. None entirely knew how the seemingly simple mission had gone the shape of the pear so easily, but the scant survivors speculated it had something to do with Duke Tseldora's increasing, concerning obsession with spiders...

Letting their eyes adjust to the gilded rush of sunlight, LoveGame and Ilia emerged at the weathered, time-ravaged campsite. Sturdy hide tents stood tall, yet tattered and billowing in the wind. Much like the rest of the accursed kingdom, the camp was still stalked by the hollowed husks of Vendrick's men and the Volgen falconers, their bizarre gait making them slippery targets as they sauntered forth to subdue the pair. Unlike the sluggish hollows they'd hacked up by the dozen, these red-clad undead still retained a good deal of their skill in the afterlife, their fingers still dexterous enough to pelt the heroes in rapid succession. They'd repel the barrage as they cleared the campsite, cutting down both the falconers and their vicious, feral hogs that rushed their feet in the center. They'd decimate the crude, rotted wood that made up their shoddy sniper towers, smashed to splinters with a synchronized roundhouse courtesy of their armored boots. Their occupants crashed onto the hard ground, fading to dust on impact.

Finding respite in the form of another bonfire just inside the largest, centermost tent, LoveGame and Ilia opted to rest and take inventory. Noticing his Smelter Sword was visibly cracked and weathered, Ilia retrieved a small satchel of glowing gold powder she'd picked up from the Blacksmith, sprinkling the dust down its length as the raw iron began to heal. “...there, good as new. You ought to take care of this thing if it's that powerful.” she'd say, her voice distant before she drew a long, hesitant breath before voicing the thoughts that had lingered since the spectacle she'd bore witness to. “LoveGame... what do you make of all this? I mean, I always knew there was more going on with you than even you realized, but... damn, here I am all shaken up when I should be excited, seeing all of this firsthand...”

LoveGame leaned forward from his crosslegged seat, dragging the prized demon blade back to his side. “Appreciate it, Ilia! Don't go selling yourself short, though. You're doing a lot more than witnessing... you're shaping history right along with me, you know? Shoot, actually... you gotta give me the details on how you put those skills to work roughing up Melanie after I bit the dust!” he'd eagerly demand. “That Master of yours clearly knows his stuff.”

Ilia smiled at his almost childlike enthusiasm. “Easy, I just called upon the light of Saradomin.” she told him, noticing his confused head tilt. “The God of Righteousness. ...like I mentioned, I spent a lot of time honing my skill in the realm of Gielinor. I can channel my connection with them to give myself an extra push or two. I never really had the...” she'd say as her voice trailed off with uncertainty, “...actually, no. Truth is, I keep a few techniques hidden for a reason. Can't show my whole hand all at once, even to you. Just in case...” she'd trail off again, the dreaded thought she'd done her best to stave off since she arrived in this cursed kingdom. That damn persistent shadow of inevitability that never fully faded.

So long as the Darksign remained in this world, even the most stalwart and determined warriors knowingly faced the prospect of hollowing. It was a mercifully gradual process, granted, but each death and rebirth brought one closer to losing their purpose, no matter how great in scope. Even the familiar warmth of an Effigy could only put it off for so long, and if the wayward knight were to ever cross that threshold of no return... it would no doubt fall upon Ilia to...

“...oh, like if we ever dueled!” LoveGame's jovial voice snapped her out of the morbid thought. “Ilia, you sly fox! A tried and true strategist, just like this guy!” he'd say, pointing his right thumb to his chest. "I know our time's kinda in the negative right now, but if we get through all this... we gotta throw down for the crown! You know... so I can see those moves.” he challenged her.

“...I... yeah, I'll take you up on that, LoveGame.” Ilia said with a light stutter. “I could do with venting a few of my more particular frustrations.” she'd add with a smug grin, stifling her concerns for the sake of their mission. Hell, she'd been too absorbed in thought to bring up the one thing she'd been putting off. “I'm... fine with going ahead as we are, but I'm still not too big on this Melanie bitch. Goes without saying that she isn't to be blindly trusted. How do we know she wasn't talking out of her fat ass-”

LoveGame's stifled, boyish giggle as he blushed through his helmet again threw her off.

“...what, do you- don't tell me you're actually into that look.” Ilia said, smirking as she raised an eyebrow in concern. “Pfft... unbecoming.”

He'd give a light chuckle and an upward nod. “What's that matter to you, anyways, huh?”

“Shush.” Ilia warned with a sharp gleam in her emerald hues. “Point being, all that stuff she was going on about... the Heir Engine? You're awfully relaxed about that revelation.” she'd bring the topic back. “You sure this truce isn't just some trick? She wouldn't be the first person to try to pull something slick on me, all things considered.”

LoveGame folded his armored hands behind his head and leaned back. “It is what it is, Ilia. Not for nothin', but this kinda destiny stuff gets mundane around the third or fourth time you hear it. I mean, not to say I ain't excited! I guess what I'm gettin' at is...” he'd begin as he pushed himself to his feet, stretching his back and pointing skyward, “...the Heir Engine is just another addition to this knight's arsenal! I'm thankful. Humbled, even. As for Melanie... well, if you ask me, scheming somethin' against us just ain't her style. She's way too blunt. Even if she did try somethin', well... as much as I still don't wanna hit a lady, I'd... no, we'd just defeat her again, right? Actually, you never did tell me how it went down!”

Ilia pushed herself up and dusted her shield off. “Fair enough... the both of us got something of a crash course here, so... let's keep up the momentum.” she'd declare, pointing toward the tent's exit. “We make it out of here with Great Soul number three, and I'll reward you and Vivi with a nice bedtime story.” she'd say with a sincere half-smile. “Think I spied a chapel just down the road. We cut a path down through there, and I can recharge the holy spirit for another round.”

They'd depart the campsite after surveying the area, picking up anything relatively useful as they started down the rugged grass road that overlooked the long-abandoned mining operation. Across a seemingly endless chasm, wooden scaffolding and ladders tied together with twine were built upon the rocky cliff face, the mining operation evidently having made substantial headway before being devoured by the ruinous soul. Colossal outcroppings of valuable Brightstone, the brilliant, gleaming white ore for which the Tseldoran village was named were fully unearthed, twinkling with temptation in the distance.

Even Ilia couldn't help but think aloud at the prospects of taking a chunk or two of the treasure home. Sure, the only currency that mattered in this kingdom was souls, but back home was a different story... and that was to say nothing of its potential as a magical conduit. “Hey... get an eyeful of those!” she'd push on LoveGame's shoulder, bringing his attention toward the stark white gems. “What do you figure it's all worth?” she'd ask.

LoveGame gave an impressed whistle as he eyed up the distant goodies. “...I, uhh... don't think I can count that high!” he'd answer bluntly. “Not for nothin', but I know when somethin's too good to be true. No one would leave that behind without a good reason. Actually, this is more your bag. What do you figure went down here?” he'd ask the chronicler her on her take.

Gazing down at the abyss that separated them from the bounty of Brightstone, swallowed in shadows, she'd surmise, “Suppose someone just dug too deep. It occurs to me that we've got practically nothing to go on here, but it wouldn't be the first time I've seen something like that.” she'd tell him, recalling the hubris of past would-be kings. “Hate to admit to being stumped, but we might have to cut a little deeper to get our answers.”

“That's what I like to hear! Funny you should mention it,” LoveGame began as he made his way down the narrow cliff edge. “A certain demon told me the Iron King did the same thing. 'Least this place isn't soaked in that poison gunk. Honestly, Ilia, you weren't missing out on anything worth a damn. Even the mighty Asmundr wasn't touching that one... and if I had to endure it so no one else does, so be it.”

Ilia followed close behind, getting a better look at the undated sandstone chapel, standing tall and pristine compared to the crumbling land it was situated into. “You and the wizard owe me that bedtime story when we get back. Still, unusually selfless of you. Here I was thinking-!”

Whatever it was she was thinking was cut off by the rumbling of stone as LoveGame carelessly stopped to pilfer a shiny object just ahead of him, little more than bait for a brutal trap on the ledge above as an undead worker pushed a colossal boulder below, careening toward the unsuspecting knight with intent to crush!

Kicking off with a blinding dash, Ilia growled, “...I had to say something...!” before rocketing into the round boulder with a flying metal kick, shattering it into shards with enough force to send the undead who'd pre-emptively jumped down to finish the job sailing into the chasm with her shockwave!

LoveGame thanked his protector with a proper bow before the pair moved further down the cliff side, keeping a slightly closer eye on the upper ledge this time.

The sight of their opposition as they made their way toward the church was more than a bit disheartening, the very peasants employed to undertake this failed campaign were now upon them, clumsily hacking at the heroes with their rusted pickaxes. The workers appeared extremely withered even in undeath, their visages paper-white and horrifically sunken in. The pair put them out of their misery with little thought before proceeding into the strange chapel. Neither of them were exactly enthused with the intricate engravings of spiders that adorned the emerald doors.

The sandstone walls within were thoroughly burrowed through, and whispers of movement could be heard below their breath. They'd tread lightly, yet nothing stood between them and the decorated double doors that lead to the inner sanctum. A distorted hum could be heard just beyond the door, an unholy sermon unheard by any god left behind to listen. From the seams around the doorway, a familiar white mist escaped to beckon them.

Yet the undead congregation that awaited them on the other side, even empowered under their apparent leader, a shaman draped in ragged black robes and wearing the skull of a long-gone animal with twenty twisted horns... hardly offered a challenge to the battle-hardened pair as they hacked away at the doomed mass with haste!

Though the head magus was flanked by two white-robed deacons, common sense dictated cutting them down in tandem! The skull shaman put up a bit more resistance, conjuring a storm of deep purple hexes, but LoveGame and Ilia closed the distance in a blinding rush, shredding the ebony cloth to ribbons! Much of the congregation itself were especially withered hollows, reduced to crawling and feeble swipes at their feet, which did little to deter the pair as they cut each one down until the hallowed chapel fell silent! In their place was presented a hefty slab of raw titanite, which LoveGame didn't hesitate to pocket before proceeding.

After Ilia made a stop at the altar, channeling its divine blessing to restore her conduit to Saradomin, she and LoveGame departed the chapel, nearly stumbling down the sand dunes that swallowed the structure. Super-sized spiders assailed them on their descent, confirming what the two already assumed the moment they spied those telling doors. Though swift and vicious, the arachnid spawn each went down with a single slash, their carapaces fading into the dusty wind that whipped up as they emerged from the chapel.

“Say, LoveGame...” Ilia gave the knight an upward nod as she came to the logical conclusion, “Call it a hunch, but I think we just found exactly what shut down the...” she'd cut herself off, noticing he wasn't entirely listening, entranced with the sight ahead of him. “LoveGame?”

The heavy rush of white noise overtook their senses as they were greeted with the unusual sight of a ravenous sinkhole just beneath them, sands swirling endlessly in an insatiable abyss. The heroes were afforded little in the way of footing, with only the precarious outer edges of the sandstone buildings spared from being swallowed. Worse still was the presence of hollowed mages in tattered white robes, perched on just about every vantage point possible! Their incantations of horrifying reversed speech called forth a persistently homing spell the moment they sighted the two!

In an unusual stroke of luck for the pair, whoever had traversed this treacherous pit previously had taken the initiative to erect a set of taut rope ziplines that connected one ledge to another. Seeing no other way to evade the oncoming orbs of energy, LoveGame latched onto the nearest rope and slid forth, the sheer weight of his armor affording him enough speed to outpace the arcing orbs and cut down the caster on the other side on the descent! Seeing little in the way of alternatives, Ilia followed the knight's lead, never more thankful that the both of them were wearing gauntlets.

LoveGame took cover inside the sand-filled structure, snatching an Estus shard to bring the Emerald lady as he raced toward the next zipline with his Sun Sword at the ready! His angle was perfectly positioned to skewer a pair of sorcerers, sending them careening into the quicksand below! Satisfied with himself as he stuck the landing, LoveGame proudly proclaimed to Ilia, “Whew! You see that?! I think I just invented a new fighting style! Not too bad for somethin' I came up with on the fly, eh?”

Ilia sighed before sliding down the rope to join him. “For anyone else, a great way to get yourself killed. You, though? Sure, it'd be the most mundane thing I've seen all day. Now move it!” she commanded, motioning toward a mostly-intact building on the edge of the swirling sands. One more zipline brought them to ground level, where they sidled along the edge of the sands, keeping their distance from the swirling sands where more spiders and other awful things burrowed. After avoiding an especially explosive bug and making their way through the half-buried building, they were brought straight into the heart of the former village of Tseldora. Save for one door that was impossibly heavy, they plundered the abandoned dwellings before proceeding along a plank bridge leading to the Duke's dilapidated palace.

Past its protective wall, the pair were met with a decidedly depressing sight; the last ragged remnants of the peasant miners were still hacking away at the stone quarries, knee deep a field of natural spikes that surrounded either side of the wooden bridge. Even as they audibly dug into the hollowed miners' flesh with each movement, they toiled away at their eternal duty without so much as a hint of reaction. They showed no awareness of the two heroes as they crossed, their pickaxes being the only thing to break the silence of their approach. They'd make a combined effort to shove open the grand double doors sporting a similar spider engraving, drawing their blades in an instant as a small army of arachnids descended from their silken strands above! Channeling their souls, the pair shredded through the bugs with no time to waste, only opening the pair of emerald passages once they were sure it was safe.

Yet the moment they did so, they were nearly pinned by the harrowing descent of two twisted hollows with those abhorrent spiders affixed to their back! Though more formidable than the bugs they'd just faced, each one was cut down with precision, though not before clawing at them with spindles as sharp as obsidian as they collapsed and faded away. Such a sight was all the confirmation the pair needed to piece together a picture of what tragedy occurred here. They'd proceed up a pair of ladders, leading them deep into the heart of the dilapidated palace.

The innermost chambers were exceptionally worse for wear, their natural walkways completely crumbled away and most of the structure reduced to a skeleton of stone pillars supporting what was left of each layer. Scant rays of light illuminated their solution in the form of thick, taut bridges of gossamer that glowed a beautiful jade before them, further brought to light as Ilia sparked a torch behind LoveGame to stave off the pitch blackness, which extended far down the perilous pit, obscuring its bottom, if there was one. Daring not to look down, the duo proceeded as LoveGame took point, never lowering his shield.

The spiders' silk was as sturdy as the rumors often said, not giving an inch even under the weight of two armored adventurers. That said, it was nothing short of nerve-wracking to traverse, even for two seasoned adventurers. They were in their domain now. The footing proved annoyingly gummy and viscous, slowing their approach to a sluggish walk as their metal boots did them no favors. The overgrown spiders patrolled the underside of the massive network of webbing, lying in wait to ambush any unwelcome guests. Though they were cut down in a single blow, the spiders demanded every ounce of LoveGame and Ilia's focus, attacking from the shadows without a sound! The emerald webbing was only just wide enough for one to cross, forcing the pair into a single-file advance, which came with the risk of plummeting to their doom if a single spider made its lurching mark.

Curiously, they seemed to lose all will to fight the moment Ilia brandished her torch, cowering away at the sight of the enduring flame.

Repelling the arachnid menace long enough to continue their descent, they'd at last lay eyes on the relieving sight of the ground floor. LoveGame and Ilia felt that first familiar wave of raw energy that only a Great Soul could exude. Their confidence renewed upon picking up the unmistakable signature, the heroes hurried down the silk woven ramps that allowed them a proper descent. They'd nearly made it to the ground floor when a voice called up to them in something of an excited shriek, “You, up there! You're exactly what we need! Those icky spiders didn't dare lay a leg on a fellow Sun Buddy, did they?! I'll eviscerate them all!”

A second voice followed the violent declaration, this one far more subdued and dismissive, carrying an air of too-cool-to-care. “Simmer down there, Moon. Somebody's made it this far, no sense in scarin' 'em off.”

Indeed, Ilia's torch illuminated the silhouettes of a pair of men, both slender and steeled for battle. Before either of the heroes could interject, the first stranger cut in, “Oh, hush! You said it yourself, they know what they're doing. Ehem! As my cohort said, I'm the one they call Moon!” he'd introduce himself, a rather unusual sight clad in little beyond ragged black robes, his skin smooth as porcelain and as white as chalk. Though he was entirely bald, his complexion was unusually youthful, his eyes aglow with a yellow light that lacked pupils. Upon his back was an intricately wrought, silver metal staff with a sky-blue crystal inlaid as its focus. “I think, anyhow. This undeath has overstayed its welcome, I think. I've been stuck here without recourse as you can see, with no other company beyond-”

The second man, a knight clad in full regalia of Vendrick's royal soldiers, down to the very same helm LoveGame once had, extended his hand. “Boyd. Ashen Knight Boyd. Y'all should know me by now.” he'd introduce himself with a pose that looked cooler in his head. A long, slender Estoc was sheathed on his hip. “If you're all the way down here, you've probably put it together that we-” he'd begin only for his excitable ally to interrupt, unable to contain his glee.

“We're here to slay that damned Writhing Ruin... in the name of the Sun!” Moon declared, stretching both arms upward. “I sensed- ehem, we both sensed you coming! You're...”

Ilia met the gesture in kind, giving him a cordial handshake with mild reluctance. “Er... well met. I'm Ilia, the Chronicler of Black Marsh. I'm here to document all sorts of...” she'd introduce herself, raising a blonde eyebrow at the unusual duo, “...interesting things this kingdom has to offer. My master ordered me to make sure this guy gets where he needs to go.” she'd say plainly, thumbing over at LoveGame. “For the time being, anyhow. I needed to stretch my legs a little.”

“They call me LoveGame. Capital G and all that. Knight LoveGame of Wes'Sv'Urginiah.” he'd introduce himself in turn with a knightly bow to them both. “I'd be here all night tellin' you what I'm about, but the skinny of it is-!”

“There's no mistaking it, I know an Heir of the Sun when I see one! Praise be!” Moon joyfully exclaimed, placing two fingers to his forehead and giving a look of deep focus. “My senses are never wrong even a little bit... and that sword seals it, no? It's high time I run into another righteous believer in what's good... truly a light in the darkness that devours this awful place.”

LoveGame lit up at the prospect of a kindred spirit, instinctively hugging Moon, who didn't hesitate to meet the brotherly gesture. “Good eye! No wonder they're glowin' like that. Yeah, no two ways about it... I've looked up to them as far back as I can remember. I only just swore in yesterday, but I'm already feeling the warmth of their selfless heroism flowing through my soul! Can't tell ya how stoked I am to meet a fellow sun brother.” he'd say, striking the signature 'Y' pose of the brilliant covenant, which Moon mirrored with merriment.

Their jovial gesturing merited an extremely exasperated sigh from Boyd, shaking his head and placing a palm on his armored forehead. “Another one of these obnoxious... sheesh, being stuck down here with just one of 'em is enough to hollow me out... more than I already am, I mean.” he'd say with an annoyed groan. “It's just... you know, fight for whatever you believe in, be my guest, but it's all I ever hear about! Jolly co-operation this, praise the Sun that!” he'd vent a little, holding onto his composure.

Moon gave a coy smile, smothering Boyd in a brotherly hug, which he notably didn't resist. “Love you too, sun-bro!”

Wiggling out of his ally's embrace, Boyd mumbled something under his breath and tried to re-rail himself, “I'm not... one of them myself, but I've got more than a few accolades under my belt.” he'd say, shifting his gaze toward Ilia. “Yeah... I'm kind of a big deal, you know? A chronicler like you ought to know all about my many successful campaigns, and perhaps later we could a-”

Ilia crossed her arms and shook her head, not about to humor the Ashen Knight's attempt at an advance.

“Not for nothin', man, but I tried that earlier myself. Might wanna go for a more fruitful endeavor, y'know.” LoveGame said, unusually bluntly.

“Worth a try.” Boyd said with a shrug, backing away.

“Now, like I was sayin', I'm just here for that shiny Great Soul.” LoveGame moved onto things more pertinent. “The raw power resonating down here tells me we ain't got much further to go, and I have faith that the four of us can crush whatever it is. You're thinking the same, right?”

“Why, yes!” Moon confirmed with urgent haste. “That damned Writhing Ruin has us beset! Boyd and I managed to land a blow or two, but that abhorrent horde of spiders overwhelmed us in the confusion. That thing, it's... I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!” he'd shout with a bit of a crack in his already fairly high voice. “Join us, won't you? This time, we'll be doing the overwhelming!”

Boyd nodded and gave a very subtle bow. “Now you're talking, big Moon. These two seem pretty strong, his goofy lookin' armor aside,” he'd say with a slight dig at LoveGame, who crossed his arms, convinced he was the height of fashion, “I'd say the four of us could close this out convincingly. Just don't get too attached; we're kind of in a hurry.”

“You and us both, Boyd.” LoveGame assured him. “Gotta say, the two of you don't strike me as pushovers, far from it... oh! Just one little condition. Lemme finish whatever this thing is once we've got it nice and weak. It's soul is mine alone.” he'd add with a bit of his own flavor of conviction.

Offering a handshake, Boyd did not protest. “I hear ya loud and clear. I can't say much else, but we're not here for that.” he'd say plainly, LoveGame meeting his gesture as Ilia too shook Moon's pale palm.

“I'm actually kinda stoked to see you guys in action...” LoveGame said, warming up a little and smacking his armored fist into his palm, “...so if there's no more questions... then let's see what you've got.”

Moon's pale cheeks lit up in a blush. “Oho! You hear that, Boyd? We've got to put on a show for them!”

Though he rolled his eyes underneath his royal silver helm, Boyd couldn't help but return his ally's energy. “You're damn right we do! I'm at my best with an audience, however small.”

The wall of mist had its usual shimmer swallowed up by the devouring darkness, but even in the pitch black, one could not mistake the stifling surge of soul energy that only a Great Soul could resonate. All four warriors drew their weapons as they strode forth in formation. The natural caverns had completely reclaimed the duke's palace by this point. A wave of cool, damp air overtook them as they parted the mist, sealing itself up the moment they all crossed.

...and the brief silence was quickly broken by the echoed rustling of a thousand awful things scuttling down from the invisible ceiling. The newly-formed party remained on guard, but the teeming horde of pitch-black arachnids would ignore them entirely, choosing instead to rush past them with unusual haste, drawn by a greater purpose. They'd all converge near the shining strand of jade gossamer on the far end, making their way up the webbing and burrowing their way into a mass of... something. The darkness made it unclear, but the faint reflection of green on its surface suggested it was another unfortunate victim to be made into many meals.

Alerted by the ritual of the endless hivemind, their defied abomination descended, quaking the cavern with every sinister step. The Writhing ruin was upon them, its array of scarlet eyes set aglow with bloodlust! Letting loose a deafening roar more akin to a savage beast of the jungle, it leapt suddenly from its nest, landing in the cavern's dead center with a shockwave that nearly took the adventurers off of their feet! Rather appropriately, the unworldly terror had taken the form of a colossal spider, towering before them with its jagged exoskeleton reflecting an obsidian sheen from what scarce light intruded upon her chamber. As though summoned by their frenzied queen, the small army of spiders rapidly regrouped around her body, brandishing their front legs like a sea of swords.

“This is exactly how it went last time!” warned Moon, already charging his crystal staff as Boyd backed him up with his slender, shining estoc. “Listen well, newcomers! Those pests are great in number, but they fear fire above all else! Miss Ilia, would you kindly put that torch to use? You and the black knight have to thin those things out, or else I can't line up a shot worth a damn without them nipping at poor Boyd and I!”

Boyd dashed around the eight legged fortress and eyed up his target. “I'd get to it! He's not usually this serious about anything. Keep these things off of us for just a spell, and we'll soften her up until you two jump in!” he'd shout, aiming for what they quickly realized to be the beast's second head positioned on its rear! “Don't think she can't see you!”

Ilia brandished her persistently burning torch, the sea of spiders parting at her fiery command! LoveGame joined her in mowing down the skittish horde of parasites, unable to retreat against their unrelenting chase! “Look at us, Ilia! Reduced to a distraction... but no less vital to our victory!” LoveGame shouted to lighten the mood a little as his Smelter Sword incinerated several spiders with each swing. Another clump of them all lunged at him, but he'd use his momentum to bring his greatshield around to shove them away!

Ilia, perhaps energized in the presence of a Great Soul, flashed him a brief smile amid the rain of razor sharp legs and viscera as her scarlet scimitar thinned their numbers. Trading her shield for a blazing torch only served to lighten her own load! “These things aren't half as tough as Fever Spiders, but they're even more persistent! On the plus side, this answers most of my questions.” she'd reply before addressing Moon and Boyd. “The both of you better give us one hell of a show, relegating us to cleanup duty!”

“You hear that, Moon?! These fine warriors want to witness greatness!” Boyd shouted over, a wide grin under his helmet as he thrust a flurry of stabs into the armored arachnid's second head, each landing cleanly as she shrieked and recoiled! “For you? Only the best!”

Moon's pale face lit up as his staff surged and crackled with blue soul energy, weaving between the monstrosity's legs as they stomped about and stabbed the ground, kicking up rocks in all directions. “I'd love nothing more! In the presence of a fellow sun brother, my power is insurmountable! Look, the soul of Moon glows in defiance of darkness!” he cried out with elation, brandishing his crystal staff and unleashing a barrage of sparkling sorcery that snuck past the spider's defenses, striking its other head in succession! “Last time was merely a formality! This is the real thing!”

Ilia sensed a sudden spike in both of their souls! In spite of her earlier doubts, these eccentric warriors were clearly more than capable of pulling their weight. Once she'd shredded through the bulk of the horde and their reinforcements, she eyed their movements with analytical precision. Boyd, for all his bravado, showcased inhuman reflexes as he evaded the Writhing Ruin's unceasing onslaught. Each time it brought its razor edged appendages down with frightening speed, he'd deftly evade and close in for a counter! It attempted to immobilize him in projectile globs of webbing, but he read each volley and sprinted right past! Even when one of her legs ran him through, he'd shrug off the attack and slug his Estus before returning into the fray!

Moon appeared expressionless, his body achieving a trancelike state as he commanded crystal sorceries with pinpoint precision, aquamarine light tracing the barrage of bejeweled bolts as they snuck past the spider's legs and struck the head from beyond the reach of her pincers! The pale sorcerer's movements were nearly imperceptible, fading in and out from flashes of blue and white!

Clearly, neither one of them took kindly to defeat!

Having subdued the stampede of spiders enough to force a lull in the waves, LoveGame and Ilia turned their weapons toward the towering menace! LoveGame ignited the Smelter Sword and swung straight into the nearest leg! He'd perhaps thought too soon at the appendage would snap just as the smaller ones had, his expectations shattered as he felt his entire body rattle as though he'd struck solid steel! The twin-headed horror shrugged off the flames like a light breeze, striking at LoveGame with the very same limb he'd tried to destroy!

“Did all that staring at the sun melt your mind, man?!” Boyd shouted over his shoulder, “If we could break her legs, we'd have done it by now! The heads are about all you're gonna be able to hit, so pick one and get in there!” he ordered, kicking off with his Estoc shining under the trickles of light.

“Could've lead with that... alright, lemme just get my bearings straight!” LoveGame shouted right back, rubbing his forehead through his helmet and shaking off the recoil. “Alright, you big bug! Which one do you wanna lose first?”

Ilia, meanwhile, focused her souls to bolster her superior speed, darting past the spindly defenses and aiming for the head Moon had already engaged, covering for him while he took a magical smoke break of twilight herbs to restore his magical conduit and psyche himself up even more. She'd land a few initial strikes, just shy of taking a few eyes out, but the Writhing Ruin struck back with its twin razor mandibles, wielding them as swords of her own to parry the attempted followup! Though the colossal spider didn't have the same aversion to fire as her spawn, Ilia's torch still staved off enough darkness for her to defend herself as she snuck in another slash with her scimitar! Now fully fortified, Moon sent his second wave of support up with another volley of snaking crystal sorceries!

LoveGame sprinted for the opposite head, backing up Boyd as the both of them contended with her vicious mandibles. Each one slashed and stabbed at a different knight, deflecting both blades like a seasoned swordsman. The arachnid demigod's twin heads operated independently with relative ease and frightening dexterity, taking on all four opponents without breaking its quaking stride! Thinking on his feet, LoveGame wedged his greatshield between the menacing maw, forcing an opening to deliver a flaming strike across its grotesque face! It was a clean hit, burning through her hardy exoskeleton, but he'd put too much weight into the attack to have any hope of evading! The nightmare's distorted shriek echoed through her domain, but she had more than enough time to swing her entire body away from LoveGame... toppling both Boyd and Moon as she brought herself back with the force of a slingshot loaded with a mountain!

A cacophonous crash nearly deafened the combatants, intermingling with the sickly cracking of bone as LoveGame was hit with enough force to reduce him to a blur of black and orange as he shot into the cavern's floor! Ilia, though nearly brought to her knees from the aftershock, looked over with concern through gritted teeth. Yet again, his armor and his blessing of undeath had spared him another step toward hollowing. As stubborn as the man was, his arms still worked enough to chug down some Estus in defiance and push himself up from the rocky wreckage. “Hoo-wee! Not bad, she actually blacked me out for a second there!” he'd say, spitting out blood through his helm and pushing himself back to his feet with his armaments as leverage. “I'd expect nothin' less from a Great Soul. Still, my usual approach doesn't seem to be workin' out...”

Having made enough distance between them, the Writhing Ruin's entire body began to draw energy, its carapace set alight with a strobe of raw and blinding blue! Sparks gathered at her mouth!

Moon had already taken to his feet again, undeterred by the attack. “Behold, friends! The Writhing Ruin's ultimate technique!” he exclaimed.

“Oh, what the-?! Don't hype her up, Moon!” Boyd growled back, already taking a wide stance and preparing to evade.

Returning to his trance, he'd gather energy as if to deny the spider hers! “I was not!”

From her gaping maw, the arachnid expelled a glowing stream of pure souls, sweeping in a wide arc in a ceaseless discharge of scorching energy! It targeted Boyd first, but he'd roll right under the beam and rush in to skewer her other head! Refusing to budge, the Writhing Ruin turned her sights on Moon and focused her beam!

“I just... thought it'd be all the more impressive...” he'd say in defiance, his staff emitting a series of flashes as he held it in front of him and fired back! “...to unleash the perfect counter... so that my Sun brother can get those last few licks in, hah!” he'd finish as his catalyst shot forth a crystalline beam of forbidden sorcery, meeting her halfway on the warpath as the two streams of souls struggled for superiority! “LoveGame, was it? I get real bitchy when things blow up in my face, so you'd best walk that off and get in there! Now! Show me your true potential as an Heir of the Sun and put away that demonic blade! Draw your sunlit sword this instant and show her that righteous light can penetrate this overbearing darkness!”

LoveGame placed the Smelter Sword upon his back and brandished instead his silver Sun Sword! “It hasn't let me down so far. You were just hypin' me up, weren't ya? Flattery will get ya everywhere, Moon!” he'd yell back, setting his sights on her head as it spewed souls at Moon's majestic beam. “Okay, in that case... here I go!!! I've never actually got to use one of those sweet moves with the Sun Sword yet, so who am I to pass up an opportunity?! You kinda put me on the spot here, so I hope the name's good enough for ya.”

He'd rear back in preparation to kick off, his silver blade taking on a golden glow that traveled up his arm, resonating with the Heir Engine once more! The Writhing Ruin responded with a resounding roar from its other head, summoning a horde of reinforcements from beneath the dark chasm, but Ilia and Boyd shut their ambush down before it could begin, smiting the spiders and sending them tumbling right back down the pit! Ilia's spine tingled, now knowing exactly what to sense out.

Some things were especially hard to tune out once you'd noticed them at all.

Golden sparks traveled down LoveGame's leg, granting him a spectacular kick-off as brilliant arcs of red and gold trailed behind him! “I'll repay your unending kindness... with my Piercing Sunbeam!! Hah!!!” he roared as the light emanating from his armor nearly blinded the others at its apex, his gleaming sword tearing straight through the monster's head and ripping it clean off! Though the triumphant blow secured victory, reducing the almighty Writhing Ruin to ash in the chilling wind... LoveGame's momentum betrayed him yet again, soaring straight for the edge!

Boyd cracked his neck and grinned a little under his crested helm. “Can't say I won't enjoy this just a little...!” he'd announce, leaping high into the air with an acrobatic flip! “...but it really is for your own good! Rrghh!” he'd meet LoveGame's height, delivering a forceful kick of steel to his back and sending him crashing safely back onto solid ground!

Dusting himself off as the aura of the Heir Engine faded for now, LoveGame flashed a thumbs-up to all three of them. “Nice save!” he cheered at Boyd. “...and you too, Moon! A counter so precise... I'd expect nothing less from a fellow Sun brother. That said... I think I speak for everyone when I say I've had my fill of this place, so... I'll be taking that, if there are no objections...”

Though he and his allies all absorbed a generous wealth of souls, the Great Soul revealed itself a few paces ahead, directly under the unidentifiable mass of webbing at the end of a perfectly straight strand... which Ilia shone her torch upon to identify. Her eyes widened as she gazed upon something she'd only read about in old lord's tales... was it...?

...an Ancient Dragon? One of the originals... could a Great Soul really subdue that...?

Regardless, just as before, LoveGame would reach out his palm and embrace the third Great Soul into his being. It was no less invigorating the third time, he found. He'd take several deep breaths, so as not to faint from the intense headrush. “...Whew! Unless I lost count, that's just one more to go. Moon! Boyd! That combo move was incredible! Like, the way you-!” he'd begin to congratulate the pair, only to realize they'd completely vanished from sight. “...man, they're quick.” he'd sigh.

True to their word, the pair departed without so much as a goodbye, having their own duties to fulfill and with little time to waste.

Not keen on sticking around, LoveGame and Ilia made their exit through the narrow corridor that revealed itself once the gray mist was banished. It lead back into what was left of the palace, Duke Tseldora's own private chambers. Strewn with books and unknown implements, the room was splattered with the Duke's blood, his sad husk of a body splayed in the center with all his valuables long gone.

A small steel cage hung from the upper-right, its small bars torn open in a relatively violent manner from the looks of it.

Another small hallway lead to a familiar and comforting sight, the Primal Bonfire with its coiled sword twisted away and snapped. They'd reach out in unison, igniting the spectral flames that brought them back to the melancholic ruin they called home.

Majula

Once again, night had fallen upon the seaside settlement, the reflection of the silver moon on the rolling sea no less enchanting as before. Thoroughly exhausted, the pair of heroes unpacked and prepared for a rest well-earned. Vivi had already settled in for slumber, just lucid enough to greet the two with a subtle wave upon arrival. Assuring each other they'd all catch up at sunrise, all three curled up by the Far Fire, the Emerald Herald having dozed off hours ago.

Ilia, keeping her own promise, regaled the two with the exciting tale of her duel with Melanie until she too was rocked to sleep by the white noise of the waves.

They'd never take a quiet night for granted, to be sure.

Victory never felt closer for the wayward knight and his companions. All that stood in the way of their audience with King Vendrick himself was one final Great Soul... and the dreaded thought of descending down that abhorrent pit to retrieve it would've given LoveGame nightmares if he wasn't already out like a light, likely already dreaming about spiders. Now fully united as three, our heroes would face down the bearer of the fourth Great Soul together, even if it meant taking a leap of faith into the howling dark.

Or merely taking the plunge.

~

Well.~ Exactly what are you doing up this late? Did you stay up merely to see I, Licia of Lindeldt, speak the outro? A lady could almost get used to these, heehee.~ Now accompanied by their magical ally with a rather murky past, LoveGame and Ilia shall descend the dreaded Majula pit, plumbing the darkest depths of the... ehem, the world. What horrors could be so vile and repellent as to be discarded and refused by even the undead? Next time: Going In Deep! 'It's the kind of duel I saw in my dreams'! Though it takes great restraint, I'll refrain from making a rather obvious joke, just this once. Don't you dare go hollow, you lovely thing!