I AM INCREDIBLY LATE!
Alright guys, big apologies for the super late update on this chapter. Laptop broke on me and had to get a brand new one, so I had to start back up on things from scratch. And a trip to Germany definitely made it a bit hard to focus on hoping back on writing things up.
I'm gonna keep the pre-comment short this time around because I'm rushing to get this baby out.
Hope you guys enjoy the new chapter.
Warning: There is a chance this chapter is infused with the rage of Supreme Gamer due to fate suddenly deciding to destroy his laptop. If you suddenly find yourself exploding with unending hatred the likes of which the world has never seen, know that we take no responsibility. You have been warned.
Ash Lake
"It was that witch. Velka." Oscar said vehemently. "I battled her, and she revealed to me that the Prophet is alive, but imprisoned. He and the goddess aim to wage a battle with all of Anor Londo without killing any of them."
"Hm. I see…" Yuria said with a nod of understanding. "If that is what he wishes done, then we-"
"The Prophets intentions are the least concerning matter I've learned about. Velka revealed a far more pressing truth to me in our talk."
"Did she now. And pray tell, what truth would that be?" Yuria asked with a smile. "And please, try to keep the reveal focused more on my lord and less on whatever Velka has going on."
"Oh, it's less to do with him and more to do with you, woman." Oscar said with a glare. "You were there during the battle, weren't you. You fought the Prophet within Anor Londo and then took everything from him. Nearly turned him in nothing more than a hollowed husk. It's your fault that he's been sent to their Painted World right now!"
Yuria frowned at the accusations being thrown at her, but she maintained her composure for the most part. Placing both her hands behind her back, she chose not to dignify them with a response.
Her silence only served to anger Oscar that much further as a grey wisp of air began to emanate from his body.
"I knew you were not sound of mind, but this? This is unforgivable." the knight said through narrowed eye's as he flexes his fingers into claw-like positions. "Did it amuse you? To spout your lies and play your little games of servitude, all the while hiding your true nature as a soulless abomination and allegiance to Kaathe?"
"...You think my loyalty to my lord is just a game?"
Yuria's expression remained hollow and cold as Oscar's eye's grayed and sharpened. There wasn't much friendship between them to start with, but now that he new what she had done and what she was, he saw little reason not to tear her limb from limb.
However, before any blood could be spilt between them, Yuria took in a deep, slow breath and exhaled it just a slowly. But it wasn't enough to bring her emotions down. He couldn't see it due to her placing them behind her back, but her hands were currently quivering with hatred.
He had insulted her position, her love for her lord and had dared to say that she served another. The audacity. The gall to even think such a thing was enough to make her make her want to gouge his eye's out and that would only be the beginning.
Stepping forward and closing small the distance between them, she locked her gaze with his. Oscar, not willing to show any fear or weakness, tensed his muscles and readied himself to strike. But Yuria did not seem to care in the slightest as she came directly within his personal space.
Her eyes had a deadness to them, a stillness. Silently delivering a threat on his life without a single word leaving her lips. The icy stare would last only as long as it took her to think of the most brutal punishment for his slight.
"I told you before to watch what you say, did I not? So why is it that you are so intent on testing my patience?"
"To hell with your patience." Oscar said as the faint visage of a dragon's head appeared behind him growling lowly. "You're nothing more than a filthy Darkwraith playing pretend."
"Do not call me that." Yuria growled as a trace of dark trailed across her hands. "Revealing my great sin would have served little purpose other than to distract you from your task, so of course I did not speak of it. But I am nothing like those wretched puppets wallowing beneath that pathetic serpent. The honor I am granted is beyond anything they ever hope to achieve. I am the faithful and loyal tool of my lord. I am-"
"You're an obsessed lunatic and you almost killed him!" Oscar said pointedly, causing Yuria to visibly grimace at his words. "In what world do you think you have any place trying to reach him after what you've done, let alone fabricating some pathetic position of servitude? You better off dying here because the Prophet would never want something like you anywhere near him. Servant or fucking otherwise."
At this, Yuria's expression fell faster than a corpse with cement boots. Her breath was suddenly caught in her throat as her eyes took on the expression of a kicked puppy.
"You think…my lord wouldn't want me as his servant?" she said vacantly, as her thoughts try to comprehend such a terrifying prospect. But before her fears could flourish, she pushed away such a nightmarish thing from her mind and hardened her eye's once again. "What the hell do you know?! You're just a discarded nobody my lord picked up out of pity! I know him better than any of you! If I work hard and prove my allegiance, he will extend mercy upon me. He would not see me as just another shadow of Kaathe."
With that outburst said, the former Darkwraith turned around and began to make her way towards the exit of the dragon's home.
"HEY! WE'RE NOT DONE HER-"
"YOU NEED TO STOP WASTING TIME AND GATHER MORE POWER!" Yuria snapped as she turned herself around mid-step, hardly believing she was wasting time to tell him the obvious. "You've defeated seventy-six dragon apostles, but you need to kill eighty to gain the full strength of a transcendent being. I must gather my lords forces for the coming battle, so make yourself useful and kill the remaining apostles already. And if you follow me and leave before you do, know that the entrance to this place will be displaced in time and you will never be able to return to gain more strength!"
"You just made that up!" Oscar accused with a furrowed brow.
"Then go ahead and try to follow after me then! I don't care either way, you useless stray!" Yuria said as she turned back around and stormed off. Completely heedless of Oscar decision of whether he should kill her or not.
In the end, the knight begrudgingly did not impede her from leaving. Chalking it up to not feeling right about striking her when her back was turned. Though he was left feeling further annoyed at having been summarily brushed off without concern as he watched her walk away and out of sight.
Blighttown
The word distraught did not even begin to describe what Yuria was feeling right now.
She knew what she had done. Of course, she was aware of the unforgivable, disgraceful, shameless sin she had made against her lord. Even if a part of her still salivated and shivered at the thought of his life entering her body, she knew it was an act worthy of death thousands of times over.
But what Oscar had said was…horrible.
"It's okay. He's just jealous of my position to my lord. I cannot doubt myself or the duty I have to him. I will be forgiven. My master will not forsake me."
She tried to reassure herself but couldn't quite calm the fear in her chest. Her fingers were shaking rhythmically, as if in spasm. Her gaze remained stiff and afraid even as her bare feet feel into the poisonous yellowed water of the great under-city.
Being shunned and turned away by her lord….
"Please…don't let that happen. Not that." She prayed as she placed her arms around her body. "I am not one of them, my lord. I would sooner gouge out my own eye's than serve under the banner of another again. I wish to be used only by you. Only you…"
It was then that she halted her thoughts and dwelled upon memories that did not belong to her. Like a child clenching to a security blanket, she took comfort in knowing what he knew and reminiscing on his strife's.
She then stopped in place and huffed to herself.
"What am I thinking? Allowing Oscar of all people to get me riled up in such a manner. I meant to reveal my actions to the great one regardless anyway. This merely means I must work that much harder to prove I truly belong to him." Yuria said as she steeled her resolve. "The great lord is merciful. He will receive me if I show him how unfaltering I am to earn a place next to him. I just have to push forward, reach him and beg for his forgiveness. It's as simple as that."
She nodded enthusiastically to herself. Glad to now have a solid plan of what she would do when she met him again.
She then made her way through the waters with determined footsteps, intent on making her way back towards the giant wheel that marked the cave that lead back toward Firelink Shrine.
Firelink Shrine
With her dark given speed and strength, it did not take long for Yuria to cut her way through the slugs and other monstrosities of Blighttown. With her lords knowledge, there was no chance of anything there catching her off guard.
Within an hour, she found herself back walking within the Ruins of New Londo and ascending up on the great elevator that would take her directly to the sanctuary of the shrine.
Just as she had made her way up the wore path behind the shrine and just outside Anastacia's former prison, she heard a multitude of distressing words.
"Holy shit. Ho~ly shit." The Merchant said. Absolutely beside himself with panic.
"Oh gods…." Vince said in utter disbelief.
"O-Okay. Lets all just calm down and-" Reah started.
"Calm down? Calm down?! Are you mad?! Did you not here a single word she said? We're all completely done for! There has never been a more appropriate time to panic!" the merchant exclaimed, not even trying to calm himself down. "Oh, but I guess its of little concern to a god what happens to us. She got her humanity so she could save her little Boy-toy. For all she cares, the rest of us can go rot."
"Stop panicking. There's clearly more going on than we know. They must have something in motion to safeguard all. The fact that they imprisoned the Prophet is proof of that." Reah retorted, trying her absolute best to reassure the group. Though, truth be told, she was hard pressed keeping her own composure together as all the pieces fell into place in her mind.
With everything Velka had told them all, this must have been what Oscar was hiding from her and what he said she was better off not knowing. Darkness unending threatening to consume the world and everyone in it.
"Prophet…" Anastacia said deftly as she still mulled over everything she'd been told.
"Ah, yes, "Prophet". Never mind the end of the world because of darkness or whatever, its "the Prophet" we should really be worried about, Keeper. Clearly both you and Velka have your priorities straight." the Merchant said, feeling like he was losing his mind all over again with everyone around him talking nonsense. "I should have never gotten involved with that guy. Being half hollow is far more preferable to this sort of madness. In fact…to hell with this place."
Having reached his limit, the Merchant began to gather all his wares within his bottomless box so that he could get as far away from Firelink Shrine as possible. Sanctuary though it may be, this was all just too much for him to deal with.
Hearing all this, it didn't take much for Yuria to piece together what must have happened.
"Oh? Velka revealed the truth to them? To gain a bit of humanity from Anastacia it seems. No doubt for my lord's restoration. Good to see she's taken on the role of concubine in earnest. We've all got to do our part after all." Yuria said, nodding to herself in approval of the god's actions. "But I must say, it is quite sloppy to go through all the trouble of explaining things and not make use of the pawns here. I suppose it is up to me to correct this blunder."
Straightening out her robe and smiling faintly to herself, Yuria prepared to do just that.
"Are you really just going to flee?" Reah questioned.
"Yes! Unlike some people, I've got enough sense to know when to do so." The Merchant said as he got everything inside his own personal bottomless box and prepared to depart. "You all can go jump off a cliff for all I care, but I'm leaving and washing my hands of all this."
Just as the words left his lips, Yuria chose that moment to show herself and cause each individual left within the shrine to freeze in place at her abrupt appearance.
After all, it wasn't every day that a pale, barefoot woman, barely clothed woman with ashen hair came around strangers without a hint of worry in her demeanor.
"Well now, it seems I've arrived at a very delicate time, haven't I." Yuria commented with a smile.
"For the love of-. Don't tell me, you're here because of something to do with the Prophet, aren't you?" The merchant said with a disbelieving shake of his head.
"Indeed. He and I have a special relationship with one another." Yuria replied simply, very much holding the attention of the keeper above all others. Seeing this and knowing the question that must have been on all of their lips; the pale woman raised the sides of her dress and took a elegant bow. "I am Yuria of Demacia, a faithful servant of Kaylen of Demacia. It is a great pleasure to meet you all. Especially you, Anastacia."
"You…know who I am?" the keeper questioned.
"Oh, yes. I am aware of who each of you are. You will find that I have knowledge and abilities akin to my Lord. Though I am of a much lesser power than he." Yuria explained. "But I suspect that is of little concern to you all now. Since it seems that you've just been let in on a very big secret, right?"
At this, each of the human's present gave only silence as a response. Much to Yuria's amusement.
"Heh, heh, I'll take that as a yes then." She chuckled lightly. "Might I ask just what was told to you all exactly. Wasting time repeating things would serve little good."
Each human looked to one another to step forward, but it was the most sheepish of them, Anastacia, who boldly stepped forward and took up the task.
"The world is falling to ruin. Velka and others of her kind seek to appease a flame to stave off the darkness. The Prophet…is in danger because he knows too much of their secrets." The keeper said, the concern written plainly across her face. "A battle has took place and he was harmed greatly. Velka aims to help, but there may be repercussions to doing so. She may have to face others of her kind to see him to safety.
At this, Yuria smirked in a bemused manner. Velka seemed to have told them only the bare minimum of the bigger picture. Which worked perfectly for her intentions. It would make them that much easier to sway to her lord's will.
All that she needed to do was play off of their ignorance and fear.
"I see. So you all have a fine grasp on the situation then. So…what do you all plan to do about it?" Yuria asked politely. Though she could already guess what each of them were thinking on the matter. The merchant wanted to flee, Reah simply didn't know what to do next, Anastasia was probably panicking internally over whether the Prophet would survive and Vince…was currently eyeing her in a not so subtle manner.
Yuria was not shy meeting his gaze head on. From the way he blushed at the mere sight of her, it wasn't difficult to guess what was on his mind was currently focused on.
Interrupting the two's silent standoff, Reah spoke openly her thoughts on things.
"The Prophet. He is the key to all of this." The cleric said, speaking up to the newcomer at last. "I know not of all this talk of…well… this grand game of darkness and light. But he does. He told me some time ago that he had the intention of ending the undead curse. With his knowledge and unique sight, if anything is to be done, it will have to involve him without question."
"Well, look at that. Its good that you're able to tell who's really important in all this, Reah." Yuria complimented genially. "And you are completely right. In so many words, my lord is the greatest hope for this world and all within it."
"Well, that's nice. You all have fun with that." The merchant said as he turned to leave once again.
"Are you prepared for what may come should you leave, merchant? I'd think it over for a moment if I were you." Yuria said as she leaned forward in a playful manner.
"Whatever. There's always a chance of dying in Lordran anyway. I'd rather take my chances with the demons and hollows than anything you people have going on." The merchant said, making his stance of things plain for all.
"Dying? Heh, heh, no no no. That's not what's going to happen if worst comes to worst." Yuria laugh, causing the merchant to turn back to her with a questioning look in his eyes. "The abysmal dark is not an influence that destroys…it corrupts."
Once again, there was silence among the group as they all focused on the smiling woman. Yuria took this silence in stride and strode into the middle of the group.
Choosing to directly approach Vince of all people, she spoke with an impish smirk on her lips.
"It is not strange for you to not know, but the dark is a part of humanity. Although most only have the most minuscule trace of the real thing, we are all one with it. So you all should take comfort in knowing that it is not impossible to survive or even thrive within the darkness. Heh, heh, for the strong that is. But for those who are too weak…" She ran a hand across Vince's cheek with a loving smirk on her lips, all the while keeping her eye's locked with his. "The dark will take you, body and soul, and defile everything you are. You will be torn apart from the inside out, again and again, until it decides to spit you back out as some writhing monstrosity. Heh, and that's if your lucky. But I assure you, whatever the case may be, you will be alive for each and every second of it."
Hearing this, the merchants face slowly began to grow pale. Meanwhile Reah could not help but swallow nervously, while Vince's breath seemed to be caught in his throat.
"The only person trying to put something together to prevent this fate upon millions is my master. If he falls, all is lost. So if you want to run and spend your life waiting for eternal torment, then go ahead and leave." Yuria said as she swept her gaze across everyone in the vicinity. "However…if you want to do something about such an unfair fate, then I bid you join my masters forces. Aid him in changing things for the better and before you even think otherwise, those that step forward will be greatly rewarded."
"We can't do that. I may not have a deep grasp on things, but I know that this is far beyond mortal hands. We must hold strong and have faith. The gods must have plans in motion to combat the threat presented upon the world." Reah said, hopefully. "I know not what Velka intends with the Prophet, but the rest of the gods-"
"Oh, poor little cleric. And I thought you were a bit smarter than the rest. But it seems you can't even notice the obvious about those old fools." Yuria said as innocent smirk on her lips, glad to shatter any faith the cleric may have in such beings. "The gods have long since fled, Reah."
At this, the cleric's eye's, as well as everyone else's, went wide with surprise as they all froze in place.
"W…What?" Reah questioned with wide eye's. "What do you mean they fled?"
"Should I spell it out for you? Very well. But only because you asked me." Yuria said happily as she approached the cleric and placed an arm around her in a personal manner. "The gods you have placed so much faith in are g-o-n-e. They've run away, split, hit the old dusty trail. All that remains are just a handful of puppets intent on waiting out the end of the world with their thumbs up their asses."
At this, Reah looked Yuria directly in the eye and her heart fell silent.
"No…your lying." She said in denial. But then she began to think why was it that the Prophet felt he needed to do something in the first place? Why was it that Velka seemed so desperate? A line of doubt began to make its way into her mind she couldn't quite brush off as nothing.
"Aw, don't take it too hard, Reah. Honestly, what have any of those deadbeats done for you anyway? I assure you; my master is far more deserving of worship then those cowards." Yuria replied with an encouraging tone, completely spitting in the face of the cleric's faith. "But I believe I've spent enough time here. I've got to go let the rest of my lords party know that the time to fight is upon us. I suggest you all think carefully about what your next move will be. Who knows. Maybe it could be the one that happens to save the world."
Having herself a small chuckle at the thought that anyone here could make any such difference, Yuria began to move past the group and towards the cliffside.
"Wait…" a female voice called out lowly. Turning around, Yuria was surprised to find that it was Anastacia who had stepped forward. Though with the visible fear written across her face and her hands stiffly sitting at her sides, she was far from the picture of bravery. "I-I'm coming too."
"Oh?" Yuria said curiously.
"What?! No, you most certainly are not." Reah said, having developed an attachment with the keeper through her teaching of miracles. "Anna, do you understand what she's saying? She's going to Anor Londo to find the Prophet. The path their alone is a perilous one. It is far too dangerous for you to be involved in."
Hearing this, the keeper hesitated. Of course, she did. There was no denying that she was afraid and probably the least fit out of anyone to head into a fight. She was practically shaking in her dress right now and she hadn't even left the shrine yet.
But still…
"I have too." She squeaked out as she turned her gaze to the ground. "This could truly be it. A-Anything could happen to Velka or the Prophet. They will both be fighting and with everything I know now, I…I can no longer stay here and do nothing. I have to go and fight with them. To protect what I care about too."
As if it were a mighty weapon of some sort, Anastacia held forth a ragged looking piece of cloth that honestly took Yuria a moment to realize that it was talisman for miracles.
Frankly speaking, the prospect of her coming along was a ridiculous one. What was one keeper, who probably never even threw a punch in her life, going to do in a grand battle with gods and who knows what else?
But still, Yuria's heart was truly moved by the gesture. As her lords chosen concubine, it was more than expected that she should be ready to give her life in service of him. To her, it was a beautiful thing to see Anna living up to her position even if she knew she was a weakling.
"Anastasia…you are indeed a woman worthy to bear my lords children."
"What?!" Anastacia said her cheeks turning a shade redder at the woman's words. "W-Why would you say something like that?!"
Turning around fully, Yuria examined the keeper from head to toe. Seemingly focusing especially on the shape of her body and chest region. Anastacia was more than a bit taken back about being leered at so openly, but still did not retreat from her gaze.
"Forgive me. I have not shown the proper respect to my lords kept woman, have I? For that, I would offer apologies….as well as my thanks." Yuria said with genuine care as she stepped forward and gently took the keepers hand in her own, before speaking in a gentle tone. "It is all because of you that my lord was able to find a reason to make this world his own. Whenever there was a moment when he doubted himself, you would be in his thoughts. Your aid to his development cannot be understated and I would see you treated as royalty for it. However, I am sorry to say that to bring you with me would put your life in danger. Danger my lord would very much disapprove of. As such, I cannot allow you to travel to with me this day."
Though she knew she was being flattered in a strange sort of way, Anastacia's eye's hardened slightly before speaking once again.
"I see." She said as her gaze's scanned the earth at her feet in thought for a moment. "If that be your decision….then I will go to the Prophet on my own."
Straightening herself up with all the resolve she could muster, Anastacia turned toward the merchant and spoke.
"Please grant me a knife….I can purchase it with humanity." She said as she willed a single sprite from within her body.
Now let it be know that the merchant was never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but even he wasn't so cold as to feel nothing at this. Everyone and their mother knew the keeper wouldn't last long on her own. In fact, he'd even wager that if he gave it an hour tops, he would probably be able to get his knife back from her corpse.
Before anyone could speak a single word about her intentions, Yuria strode up from behind and wrapped her in a loving embrace. Completely invading her personal space and making the keeper look to her with a bit of a blush on her cheeks.
"You poor, poor thing. Such fear. Such desperation. All for the sake of seeing my lord once again. The world could do with far more people of your nature." Yuria said, feeling a great sense of warmth in her chest at both the keepers fear and her resolve. She might even say that, if she were not her lords lover, she would feel inclined to consume and add such adoration to her own. "Very well then. You seem intent on going, be it alone or otherwise, so I will provide you escort. Stick close to me and none shall lay a hand upon you, save for when you are inevitably bedded by my lord. Oh, and leave the knife. You'll find that there are very few things that could ever hope to defeat me along the way."
As if what she was doing was the most natural thing in the world, Yuria gave the keeper body one last caring squeeze before releasing her hold, gesturing her to follow behind her path and wondering away towards the mountain path. Anastacia hesitated for a few moments to allow the surprise of what she'd heard wear off, before following in her footsteps.
Taking one last look at everyone in the group, she gave a small bow of her head and offered a few last parting words.
"Um…thank you all for everything. Be well."
With that she followed behind Yuria with talisman in hand. Leaving everyone else that remained staring, fully expecting the keeper to change her mind at some point out of fear. But as she got further and further away, they each came to realize that the keeper was serious and that she wasn't going to turn back.
Undead Burg
There was no conceivable way the slow shambling hollows within the township would be able to kill Yuria. She was practically just going for a stroll as she casually sidestepped arrows, swords and spearheads.
Anastacia stayed back through the entirety of the fighting. Once all was settled, she could do little but offer to heal Yuria's body. Of course as there was even a scratch on her, her offers were politely declined.
Soon enough, the two reached a fork in their path. A doorway that would lead further into the township and a metal gateway that would take them to lower Undead Burg. Yuria knew both paths intimately and was intent on heading further into the upper levels. But was stopped by a low speaking voice.
"Um…If I may ask…where are we going?" Anastacia asked.
"We're going to retrieve Siegmeyer and Solaire." Yuria explained. "My Lord sent that oaf from Catarina to kill the Havel and take his armor. Since Solaire was not with Oscar, I assume he traveled with him."
"Solaire?" Anastacia said. "Reah spoke that he is remains in a lower area with someone called Mildred. If that helps."
"Did you say Mildred?! As in, the Maneater Mildred?!" Yuria said in surprise, earning a nod from Anastacia. "Well….not my first guess of how he might turn out, but I suppose it is of little consequence. We know where he is. And what of Siegmeyer?"
"I do not know. But he has not come back to the Shrine."
"Ugh, great. That could only mean one of three things. Either he's dead, asleep or…" Yuria moaned with a sigh and roll of her eye's. "…he went through the damn door."
"What door?" Anna asked.
"The door that would make retrieving him far more of a hassle…and possibly require me to kill quite a few people." Yuria explained before walking forward, making the Keeper jump to attention at her words before following behind.
Killing the few groups of hollows that stood in their path, the two women made it through the rest of the township without much issue until they came upon a tower.
Heading inside, Yuria did not hesitate in leading them down a circling stairway. They traveled further downward for quite some time before reaching the final level.
Once at the bottom, the two were met with the unmistakable sight of the aftermath of a great battle. The stone of the floor and walls held great fractures in multiple area's, as if a massive had force struck certain places in the room. Though what currently drew Yuria's attention was what was laying in the center of the room.
"What in the-. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Yuria exclaimed, having suddenly reach peak annoyance. For laying upon the ground, as dead as dead could be, was the body of the legendary Havel the Rock. Only now the armor that Yuria knew was one of the strongest around was completely shattered.
Aside from the missing left-hand gauntlet, greaves and Dragons tooth weapon, the remnants of Havel's stone armor was left in crumbling pieces. Approaching the body and checking both of the corpse's hands, Yuria was quick to note that his ring was taken as well.
This should have been good news overall, for it meant that Siegmeyer was victorious. But red robed servant could only pinch the bridge of her nose as frustration bubbled up within her.
"He was given the simplest task. An absolutely idiot proof mission. Go to the tower, kill Havel and take his armor and weapon. And that useless waste of meat somehow manages to shatter it?" the robed woman mumbled, trying her best to not get upset. "How are you going to defeat Seath in my lords name if you don't have the equipment to the job? I swear, If I find him sleeping somewhere, I'm going to rip his goddamn heart out."
Moving away from the corpse and turning toward the sole doorway within the room, Yuria proceeded to angrily fling the door open and, much to the confusion of her tag along, revealed that what lay beyond it was a darkened forest.
"Where does this lead?" the keeper asked.
"Into the territory of a lazy and foolish feline." She instructed, completely disregarding both Reah and Vince. "Stay near me. The dangers here are bit trickier than the one's from before."
Doing as told and clenching her talisman in the same manner as a security blanket, Anna stood directly behind Yuria as she made her way through the entrance.
Moving along a well-worn trail where vines and greenery lined the earth, the two walked unimpeded for a handful of minutes before coming upon a second incredible sight. This time even Yuria had to give pause.
"Oh my goodness…" Anastacia said in awe.
"Hm…" was all Yuria would say.
Laying in a blood heap upon the earth in front of them was the body of a multi-headed beast that could only be described as a leviathan. Even at a distance, the size of its form alone was enough to make Anna feel as if her heart was going to beat out of her chest.
Bloody chunks of its flesh were scattered across the bank of the small lake it main body floated in. Each of its multiple heads were smashed into paste, causing a deep crimson red to overwhelm the natural blue of the water. When it was alive, it would have doubtlessly been the picture of strength and power.
But now it was just a hefty mass of crushed meat.
"That's a Hydra." Anna exclaimed said, connecting the dots on what he was looking at. "A legendary beast of the sea spoken in tales. But they are meant to be but stories. Did Siegmeyer kill it alone?"
"Hmph…Well, for a general of my lord, this much is to be expected. But such a beast is hardly "legendary", if you ask me. Especially given that he would be the general specifically meant to slay dragon kin." Yuria said, refusing to acknowledge Siegmeyer apparent achievement. "If he manages to do this to someone like Seath or the Gaping Dragon, then perhaps I may be impressed."
"But how is this possible? It is enormous. He should have been completely outmatched. How did he-UMP!" Anna started, only for Yuria to place a hand over her mouth and motion for her to be silent.
Soon enough, they all realized why she had done so.
Two men, garbed in flimsy pieces of armor, walked out into the open and moved towards the corpse of the Hydra.
"Bloody hell…What does Alvina even want with pieces of this thing?" one of them asked.
"Don't know. Maybe she'll eat it or something. All that matters is that Shiva said to bring whatever we could scavenge from it and bring it back to her." The other replied. "If we're lucky, maybe the old cat will make us more magic tools to use?"
Seeing these two men, Yuria was quick to understand that they must have been members of that accursed feline's Forest Hunters.
Let there be no mistaking it, Yuria bore no personal interest in such a covenant. However, she understood quite well the Prophets disposition of them.
Save Alvina herself, her master would have rather have each and every one of the hunters wiped out. Killed. Butchered. To him, there were all nothing more than bandits and scum of the earth. They kill others and strip their bodies of any valuables, all the while using the excuse of protecting a grave of a long dead knight to justify their actions.
But of course, those little details was of little concern to Yuria. It didn't matter what they did or why exactly her lord hated them. The only thing that mattered was that he wanted them dead.
Stepping forward with a smile on her face and cursed knife in her hand, Yuria was more than eager to comply with his desires.
She did not attempt to hide her approach, so when she stepped on a random piece of foliage and gave herself away, it was of little consequence. The two bandits were quick to turn around and see the pale woman walking towards them in a pleased manner. To their eye's she was just a lone woman, one that was very eye catching.
In fact, it didn't take much for them to take note that her form seemed quite bare. The Red robe covering her body seem a little big and hung loosely around her, giving them both a fair understanding that she wasn't wearing anything beneath it.
Pulling free an axe and a mace respectively, they ignored the small knife she carried and walked forward to meet this new face.
"What do we have here?" the one wielding the axe said. "Take a wrong turn, old girl?"
She didn't say a word. Just kept walking forward at an unbothered pace, merely a few paces away.
"Well, no need to worry. We're happy to give you all the help you need. Now…drop the knife and get down, or else we're-"
Just as the bandit was finishing his threat, Yuria closed the remaining distance between them and cut at the one wielding the axe.
Not having his guard up in the slightest or even preparing for any sort of resistance, the bandit only just barely managed to attempt to dodge. But Yuria merely mutated the cut into a thrust, stabbing the bandit through his collar bone.
His friend, after recovering from the surprise of the woman being quick with a blade, raised his mace and attempted to bash Yuria's skull in. Only for her to turn and grabbed him directly by his wrist. Then, with strength one might expect from a bear, she easily twisted his arm and weapon downward before using the base of her knife to backhand his nose. By the loud crunching sound that came after and the flash of blood that spilled, it was easy to assume that his bones had crumbled beneath the force of the blow.
Though Yuria had no plans to left him off so easily as she pulled her blade back and stabbed it through his gullet.
A single stab wound might leave one frozen in disbelief, but since Yuria found it necessary to give her knife slow twist, the bandit could not hold back an agonizing scream. All the while looking him directly in the eye's to truly enjoy the moment.
Sadly, she did not get to enjoy the sight for long, as the remaining bandit had recovered from being stabbed and rushed to raise his axe high to cut the offending woman down. Only for her to rip her weapon free from his comrade and plunge it deep into his exposed chest, puncturing his lung.
As a cold feeling swelled up within his body, likely from blood filling up his now punctured organ, Yuria yanked her weapon free and allowed him to fall to his knee's with wide eyes. Watching on, she smirked at the sight of him attempting to put pressure on the wound in a vain attempt at survival.
"Ah~…I needed this. There is simply nothing I love more than to have a man on his knee's clinging for life." Yuria exclaimed in a refreshed manner as she grabbed the kneeling bandit by his hair and forced him to look up to her, admiring the look of fear now in his eyes. She then proceeded to place her blade to his throat with that same pleasant smile on her face she had before. "Don't worry. You will not meet death alone. The rest of your covenant will soon-."
"STOP IT!" a voice called out desperately. Drawing her attention, Yuria turned her gaze away from the bandit to see that it was Anastacia who had spoken up. She was shaking, clearly afraid and distressed about what she was seeing. But still, she found the courage to speak up. "S-Stop this. Their dying."
"Well, yes, that's kind of what I was going for." Yuria said in a confused tone, still holding the knife to the man's throat.
Hearing her say this so unflinchingly, Anastacia looked to the ground uncertainly for a moment before walking forward, talisman in hand, and stood over the bandit that Yuria had first taken out. He was still alive, but in a great deal of pain from having his kidney blended by Yuria's knife.
Kneeling next to him and closing her eye's, a light emanated from Anastacia's body as she proceeded to heal the bandit's wounds with a miracle.
"What are you doing?" Yuria questioned as the bandit within her grasp saw what the keeper had done and began to choke out desperate pleas for help as well. Though no words managed to get through all the blood, the panic in his eye's as well as his outstretched hand was more than enough to figure out that he did not want to die. "Listen, I know your hearts in the right place, but they're scum, Anastacia. Murderer's. They'd kill you in a heartbeat if they got the chance and that's only after they've had their way with you. There is no reason to-"
"We don't have to kill them." Anastacia countered. "We should not act to take life if it can be helped. This isn't right."
"What?" Yuria exclaimed, never having been more befuddled in all her life. "Didn't you hear a word I just said? What part of "Murderers" and "Have their way with you", did you not comprehend? Blind compassion will get you nothing but."
"The Prophet wouldn't just resort killing people like this." Anastacia interrupted passionately, for the first time stopping Yuria's arguing in its tracks.
Seeing that the bandit had maybe moments left before he died of oxygen deprivation, Anastacia moved over toward the two of them, raised her hand over his person and proceeded to use a miracle to heal him as well.
Yes, she had understood what Yuria was saying and she was no fool. If these people were murderer's or sought to use women solely for their own depraved desires, then she could understand why she would have no qualms about killing them. Perhaps they even deserved it. But she couldn't just let a life be taken in front of her like this, could she?
There was a feeling in her gut that said, "yes," but another in her heart that said, "no."
To take another's life should never be so simple or readily decided. This could not have been the right thing for them to do. And what were they if don't fight to find the courage to do what is right? If these men were trash and scum, they should be better than them.
Once she had healed him the man's wounds and watched as he coughed up the remaining blood in his lungs, the keeper took a few breaths to calm down her pulsing heart.
"Even if they are what you say, we should not sink to their level. We should rise above their cruelty and barbarity if we can help it. Otherwise, we would be no better than they are." Anastacia exclaimed, putting on the bravest expression she could manage despite her own apprehension. "If the prophet were here, he would not wish things done this way. So…I think we should try and follow his example."
At this, Yuria froze up and had to take a moment to think.
That can't be right. Her lord hated these people. She had a part of him inside of her that confirmed and told her such. But what was this disconnect she was feeling? He did hate them, and he wouldn't find much qualm in killing them, but…she could feel that Anastacia was right.
Her lord wanted them dead…but he would not indulge in their way of things. He would not lower himself to be exactly like they were and tear them apart so coldly.
She should destroy them. That was apart of her duties. But…would it displease her master to know that she had done so in a manner that he disapproved of?
"No, no, no, what am I thinking? They are the enemy. It is only right that they be disposed of like the filth they are…but I am on thin ice as it is. Monsters are one thing, but killing people without a care is another for him. What if she's right and the great lord finds out and scorns my actions? With everything else I've done, it would ruin any chance I have with him." Yuria said fearfully as she rambled to herself. "But I can't just let them roam about unpunished. That would be counterproductive to his grand design. Oh~, this is conflicting, my master. What is the best way to deal with such pathetic vermin who are not fit to lick you boots?"
Hearing her indecision and seeing how she currently looked like a frightened schoolgirl, Anastacia chose to place a hand upon Yuria's shoulder and spoke in a calm tone.
"Let's just calm down. I'm promise you; the Prophet would find showing these men mercy an act worthy of praise." The Keeper said with care. "Let us just try talking it out instead of fighting."
With that, Anastacia turned towards the man who was currently trying to work his hair out of Yuria grasp, though she didn't even seem to have to focus directly on him to overpower any such efforts.
"Um…greetings, kind sir."
"Greetings?! She almost just killed me!" the man exclaimed, causing Yuria to tighten her grip a bit on his head as a way of telling him to watch his tone.
"Y-Yes, and we sincerely apologize for that. However, you and your friend should not have approached with ill intent as you did. It was not chivalrous, nor honorable. But I believe we should all put that in the past and do better for the future." Anastacia said, genuinely meaning every single word of what she just said. Honestly, her words were so pure and innocent the bandit cringed a little on the inside.
Seeing that the two women were distracted at the moment, the bandits now healed ally thought to use the distraction to attempt to sneak a strike at their legs. However, as he was reaching for his weapon that lay on the ground at his side, Yuria gave him a dark sidelong look. Seeing her hold his comrade by his hair with a single hand and experiencing just how strong she was, he quickly decided against antagonizing her any further.
"We are currently looking for someone. A man named Siegmeyer. He is large, wearing quite bulbous armor on his person. Would you two happen to have seen him?"
The two bandits glanced at one another for half a second, before the one in Yuria's grasp spoke up quickly.
"If you're talking about the guy carrying the massive mallet thing, then we've definitely seen him." The bandit said, becoming surprisingly cooperative on the matter. "He's been fighting in our territory for the past few days with some woman."
"Woman? In the Darkroot Garden?" Yuria thought to herself before the answer struck her like a bolt of lightning. Searching the area of the forest for a few moments, she managed to spot a key item of interest.
Hidden beneath the foliage of grass and dirt were golden shards of what looked to crystals. The remaining pieces of what she knew was one of Seath's golem's.
"There's a ladder near the waterfall just down the way that will lead you to the forest and to him." The bandit explained happily.
"Oh! Thank you very much!" Anastacia said happily with a small bow, feeling quite proud of herself. "See, Yuria? This is what showing compassion can accomplish. There is no need to-"
"Wait." Yuria interrupted as she stared at the bandit with narrowed eyes. "Why are you helping us? The penalty for betraying your covenant is death."
"U-Uh, to return the favor to this saint for saving my life. She seems like a kind soul. So I feel that the least I could do to repay her kindness would be-"
His words were cut short as Yuria pressed her knife against the flesh of his neck with just enough pressure to draw blood.
"You wouldn't risk your life for just that. Moreover, you say Siegmeyer has been fighting you people for days? Why? He holds no desire to come for any of your kind. Not to mention he would have had no reason to travel further within the forest. Somethings not right." Yuria questioned gravely, earning nothing but silence from the bandit. "Tell me the truth of things or I will slit your throat and have your friend here tell me instead."
He whimpered and pleaded with his eye's, even looked to his friend to do something to help him. When all he got was a panicked shake of the head, he could feel the helplessness and fear sink in.
At his silence, Yuria only gave a shrug of her shoulders.
"Very well." She said as she pressed the knife harder ever so slightly.
"Wait, wait, wait, okay, okay!" the bandit cried out just before she could move and kill him. "There's magic in the forest. If you are not one of us, you will just be trapped in a never-ending stretch of woodland within once you go too deep inside. It is meant to deal with trespassers that managed to make it too far inside. We lured the big guy inside and now he can't leave."
The piece of information caught Yuria by surprise. She knew her lord had no knowledge of any such magic within the Darkwood Garden. Had he gone there; he would have been caught unaware and fell completely within their trap.
"How do you make it through? Don't you dare tell me you don't know." Yuria questioned before the part of her that was tailored to her lord memories began to guide her instincts to find the answer. Glancing down towards the bandit's hand, she saw that he wore a smooth, golden ring with a white pearl held in the center. "The Cat Covenant Ring. A mark of the Forest Hunters….Could it be…?"
"No, wait, don't-OOF!" the bandit started before Yuria drove her knee directly into his skull, knocking him unconscious flat on the ground.
She then kneeled down and took the ring right off his finger, giving it a quick once over in her hand.
"How very foolish, Alvina. To have every jailer walking around with the key to the Prison." Yuria said, taking the bandits distress as confirmation of her suspicions.
"Oh my. Did you really have to do that to him?" Anastacia said worriedly, seeing that blood was starting to come from the man's ears and a bit from his nose.
"Not to worry. He's very much still alive. Perhaps a bit of brain damage, but alive none the less. And this way, he won't be bothering us any time soon." Yuria said, feeling a little pleased to have delivered a form of pain upon her lords' enemies that the keeper could not object too. "But more importantly, we have what we need. This ring is given only to those of their covenant, the Forest Hunters. If my guess is correct, this will allow us free passage through the forest. The only problem is that it may allow the covenants leader to summon the one who wears it, but that's a risk we'll have to take. You hold on to this one."
Yuria casually tosses the ring towards the keeper, who only just barely manages to react and catch it in her hand.
"As for me…" she said ominously as she turned and loomed over the remaining conscious bandit.
CRACK
"AAAAAHHH!" the man screamed in agony as Yuria casually placed her foot over his knee and pressed down sharply with a twist, using as much force as she could manage to fracture it.
"Why did you do that?!" Anastacia cried in objection.
"What? Heh, heh, you said not to kill them and he is most definitely still alive." Yuria exclaimed with a smile and an innocent shrug, before taking pillaging the second bandits ring from his finger. "Honestly, I think I get it now. Killing outright would be far too disgraceful to my Lords name. He would not approve of mindless killing and death. There should be meaning behind our actions. To see them sufferer and repent for their misdeeds is a far more fitting punishment. You've definitely got the right idea."
"But that's not what I-"
"And good work on thinking to question them. I almost acted without thinking and would have gotten us ensnared in their trap. I will learn from this so as to not waste precious knowledge my lord can use." Yuria exclaimed as she turned away from the squirming body of the bandit and began to walk along the edge of the lake, seemingly ignoring Anastacia's attempt to explain. "Lets get back on the move."
The young keeper raised a hand to voice her concerns, but the comment didn't seem to form as she wished it too. So she instead chose to give a sigh and look down towards the two men still lying on the ground.
"UUUgh…please…could you fix my leg? I think she broke it." the bandit asked with pain pulsating through his body.
Anna looked to the bandit, then to Yuria's retreating form and then back to the bandit again.
"Sorry." She apologized as she gave a quick bow and followed behind her escort. Giving one last comment as she left him behind. "We will return for you later."
As the two women walked away and up the hidden ladder near the waterfall, the man had the thought that he never should have set his sights on that monster of a woman.
At least in this defeat he couldn't be killed by the others for betrayal.
Elsewhere
"Mmm…..Hrmm….Mmmm…"
He looked to his left. There was tree's.
He turned to his right. Still more tree's.
"This is quite a fix…quite a fix indeed…"
He hefted his great weapon upon his shoulder. It felt as light as a plank of wood in his hands. Though the blood and gore currently splattered across it painted a frightening picture, he didn't let it bother him.
After all, it only happened because those people keep appearing and attacking him.
"….We have to be nearing the end of this accursed forest by now." The knight said.
"I do not mean to attack thy optimism, but thou said same thing over four days ago, Siegmeyer." A woman in a flamboyant gold dress said.
"Yes. But this time I feel certain of it." The knight said staying positive. "Besides, you said that you won't stay in this time and place for long. Perhaps you will return to your home and age soon without any worry."
At this, the woman looked to the ground guiltily.
"Aww, don't look so ashamed. 'Tis the fate of vanguards like I to run into a bit of danger every now and again. I'll think of something to find the way to freedom, even if you suddenly disappear." He said heartily. "For now, let us focus on overcoming this, together!"
Turning on his heel and picking a direction, the large man led the way further inside the seemingly never ending forest.
However, he got no further than a few feet before a person seemingly faded into sight right before his very eye's.
"You two have made quite the mess of things."
"Hm. I take it you are an ally of those other fellows." Siegmeyer said as he rolled his muscles in preparation for what he knew would come next.
"I am Shiva of the east, captain of the brigand. And you two have gained the attention of every single clan we have. I've come to put an end to things." The man said as he drew a giant curved weapon from its sheath. The two stared one another down, measuring the strength of their foe for a moment.
"Come closer and have a look at my sword, for it's the last thing you'll see!"
At last, Shiva launched forward and like an immovable mountain, Siegmeyer stood his ground and met the attack head on.
The old Forest Hunter had no idea just how out of his league he currently was.
OKAAAY! HOLD IT! JUST GIVE ME ONE SECOND PLEASE!
Firstly, I will say, I was a bit conflicted on this one, boys. Believe me, I wanted to give the Prophet his big pow wow with old Jerry. I literally have an nearly completed chapter on the whole thing. But after writing out the battle between the two pyromancers out, It felt really...unfulfilling. The payoff wasn't as epic and grand as I wanted it to be. Don't get me wrong, I'm satisfied with the fight, but the aftermath of the REAL fight with gods vs humans is what got me.
This is the goddamn Prophet. When he shows himself again, more powerful than ever, I feel that the whole of Anor Londo, both gods, humans and readers alike should be holding their breath to see what he's made of. But after writing the fight with Jeremiah, I realized that there would be no surprise of strength. No grand epic entrance where everyone holds their breath for hype train that is the Prophets return.
So I decided that his reveal and the results of his battle within the Painted World will be the highest point of the battle of Anor Londo, instead of just another battle to tell. I'm going to let the boys have their highlight in the assault on Anor Londo, then once the battle reaches it apex, have the Prophet in all his glory come in with new god tier powers to match his regained knowledge. There was just a lot of things story wise I didn't want to skim over or backtrack too before the big fight.
Secondly, yes, the entire time everyone's been getting ready for the battle, Siegmeyer's just been stuck in the Darkroot Garden fighting back to back with majority of Havels armor destroyed. But the main feature I plan to focus on is the great power of Havels ring and weapon, rather than the armor itself. If it was strong enough to make the old knight overcome dragons, I think I would make sense for it to be a little OP in terms of abilities. So expect Siegmeyer to be top tier strength wise, even compared to gods.
But I will say expect the appearance of Dusk to yield some very dangerous information about the future and what happens in Oolacile, boys.
Thirdly, before anyone says anything, I want to say that where Anastacia's concerned, I want her to be the moral peak of the group. She see's the good in just about everyone and likes to hold out a forgiving hand. But don't think I don't have plans for the little firekeeper. I won't say much to spoil anything, but after looking things up, I found that the miracles of Oolacile work very different from the miracles of Lordran. I plan to have Anastacia find her own form of power to match her pacifist type nature.
And lastly, I have no idea just yet what I'm going to have Yuria do to Alvina just yet. The way I see it, the old cat is just as guilty as the gods are with her complacency. So that matter is still up inn the air. And don't even get me started on what I plan to do with Sif now that the opportunity is there. It hurts the soul every time I think of the old doggo taking a face full of Dragon Tooth and killed, but it might gotta be done. ;-;
Alrighty then, you fine readers, thats all I got to say this time around.
As always, feel free to leave a review and tell me what you guys thought about this chapter of the story. Was Yuria behaving as a proper servant? Was bringing Anastasia along a bad move? Did Siegmeyer soloing a Hydra seem like a bit of a reach?
Honest opinions are always appreciated as I'm always looking to improve my style of writing to make this story a bit more interesting for you guys. so don't be shy in telling me your thoughts about how things are going so far. Outside opinions will have a huge effect on how this story will play out.
This is Supreme Gamer, Signing out.
P.S. Seriously guys, I have just about the whole fight between the prophet and jerry sitting on my new laptop. I was so conflicted about whether to upload it before this chapter or not. Not gonna lie, if you guys feel that I should, I might not be entirely against. Feel free to me know what you guys think on the matter.
P.P.S. Just in case anyone was wondering, Yes, Yuria is pretty much walking around with no underwear and a very loose fitting robe around her body. So she's crazy, a darkwraith AND a pervert/tease. Truly irredeemable.