Journey's Beginning 5
You look at the door. You look at the man. You look back at the door. Then you glance at the wall to the door's left, made of the same gray, lifeless cobblestone as everything else around here.

The door may be locked, but there's nothing stopping you from going around.

With a quick leap, you find yourselves above the wall, and in what seems to have once been a building of some sort, having long since fallen into disrepair until all that was left was a series of stone archways. Maybe the whole area was once a single building? With all the stone arches surrounding the area, it could be possible. It's only a quick walk before you find yourself hopping back down near the other side of the gateway. Oh, and there're even more gravestones here too, because of course there are, you're not even a little surprised by this point.

Up ahead of you is a cobblestone path leading up to the building you spotted earlier. To the left of it is an area filled with coffins, gravestones, and zombie-people. These ones just sit in place, moaning audibly. Too audibly, perhaps. They don't seem to be stopping, and it's very loud. Well, at least the grass is alive, so that's something.

To the right is a small ledge, with a single zombie-person standing, staring emptily at the large structure in the distance. You really want to call it a castle, but with the sheer scale of it, you really don't know what to call it. Maybe the zombie-person might have a clue as to what it is?

"Excuse me, sir?" you call out to him. You wait a few seconds, but get no response.

Annoyed, you walk up and tap them on the shoulder, but they don't respond to even that. The zombie-person just continues to blankly stare at the structure, oblivious to everything else. So that plan is not going to work.

Reluctantly, you continue up along the path, avoiding the tree branches lying scattered all around the area. They're gray too, because of course they are. When the most color in the area comes from the moss growing on the stairs, you feel like there's a problem that might need to be addressed.

You soon find yourself at the entrance to the structure, a crumbling gray archway, with two lit torches off to the sides. Even before entering, you get a glimpse of what looks to be a large chair of some sort. It looks more like a throne for a king to sit in, but it's way too big for even that. It may be able to seat that man with the fancy armor from earlier, but you're not sure. To the left, there looks to be a path which leads to that tower you spotted earlier. There's also a path to the right, although you don't think it leads anywhere, if what you remember from earlier is correct.

[] Head inside, maybe there'll be people?
[] Take a left; always go for the side objectives first.
[] Take a right, maybe it'll be worth it?
[] Maybe you should head back? You have a feeling that sword may be important...
[] Write in
 
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Sorry for just kind of vanishing, finals week burned me out completely, and I couldn't get myself to even try to write anything. But now that that's over it should be smooth sailing from here, besides whatever I just tempted fate into providing to ruin that, of course.
 
[X] Head inside, maybe there'll be people?
I have a feeling the keeper won't be exactly happy that we didn't grab the sword. We do kind of need that, you know.
 
Firelink Shrine: Crestfallenly Dramatic
Your body aches, your head is pounding, and all you want right now is to have some idea of what is happening. With that in mind, you enter the building.
You just wish you understood why you feel so empty.

The first thing you notice is the dust. It coats every surface in some way, whether thin or thick a layer. It's as if nobody has so much as stepped inside this place in years. The room is as magnificent as it is depressing. You stand overlooking a pit that is filled with ash, that piles up to varying heights. On the left and right, there are two short staircases that lead upwards, each splitting into another pair, which each lead around the pit in a circle to either where you're standing or around the back of the five thrones that stand across from you. The thrones are arranged in a half circle, with the first and fifth being on the first level, the second and fourth on the second, and third being raised the highest.

On the right side, seated on one of the stairs, you spot a man wearing a weird mix of plate, chainmail and leather, with a large sword on his back. He's staring at the ground, as if he's given up on everything already. As you walk closer, he seems to notice you approaching, as his body tenses, but he doesn't turn to look regardless.

"Ah, another one, roused from the sleep of death?" he says as you get close. The man finally deigns to raise his head up and look at you, before he freezes. He stares at you for a few seconds, before shaking his head and letting out a dark chuckle.

"This is how far they'll sink? They really must be getting desperate."

"What are you talking about?" you ask, flatly. "Do you know what's happening here?"
You should be angry, or scared about what is happening, but there's no heat to your words.

The man lets out a loud sigh as he rubs his head, before he speaks.

"You're an Unkindled, woken in Lothric to bring the Lords of Cinder back to their thrones to restore the Flame."

You have no idea what any of what he just said is supposed to mean. Although, there's something about this flame that feels important, almost like it's calling for you.
Yet you feel no concern for it.

"Unkindled? Flame?"

"Yes, us Unkindled are worthless, can't even die right. Gives me conniptions." He shakes his head "And they would have us seek the Lords of Cinder, and return them to their moulding thrones. But we're talking true legends, with the mettle to link the fire." His head falls back down. "We're not fit to lick their boots."

He raises his head up slowly, looking into your eyes as he continues. "Don't you think?" He lets out another chuckle.

"If you want to know anything, I'd suggest asking the Fire Keeper. She's bound to know more about this whole mess than a Legion deserter."

It's then that you hear what sounds like muffled footseps. Turning around, you spot a woman walking towards the center of the room. She has long, pale blond hair, and is wearing a heavy robe that covers most of her body, along with a mask that more resembles a crown that covers her eyes. You suppose this must be the Fire Keeper?

Eventually she reaches the center of the room. As she does, she turns to look at you and speaks.

"Welcome to the bonfire, Unkindled One. I am a Fire Keeper. I tend to the flame, and tend to thee. The Lords have left their thrones, and must be deliver'd to them. To this end, I am at thy side."

She seems to examine you, although she shouldn't be able to see you. After a few awkward moments of her staring at you, she finally resumes talking.

"Thou hast yet to reclaim the Coiled Sword. Ashen One, thou must return and face the Judge. 'Tis a necessity for the journey ahead."

There's something about what she's saying that feels mesmerizing. You feel compelled to agree to the request, as if there's something that draws you to it, like it was something meant for you to do. Some part of you is reluctant to do so, but the compulsion remains strong.

[] Accept
[] Refuse
[] Ask for some more information.
- [] About what?
[] Write In
 
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[X] Ask for some more information.
- [X] Ask about the Unkindled, the Flame and the Lords of Cinder.
- [X] Also ask what 'Linking the Fire' means and why you need to do it.

Hawkwood gave us quite a few pieces of info without explaining any of it. I'd imagine that Sayaka would want to know about those, given that she knows literally nothing.
 
[X] "Why should I listen to a creepy blindfolded lady? I just woke up, and you're telling me to do shit for you without giving me a reason? I don't know who you are, and I didn't agree to anything."
 
*Thinks on Sayaka* *Thinks on the situation*

Unfortunately I can't see her bothering to do much of anything until she actually is given an objective reason why she should beyond "Because you're supposed to."

She's rather first impression oriented and having emptiness problems or not I... have trouble with her seeing the importance with Fire when she's the rising tide and swelling tempo, being sword, water, and music oriented in her nature.

I'm actually wondering what getting an Ember in to her would do.

Beyond that, and maybe especially because she's empty, she'd be rather more objective about having been gotten fucked before by Kyuuby and that whole situation.

[X] Ask for some more information.
- [X] "Timeout. What kind of trial would I be facing, what is this Journey about in more detail than that guy offered please, and why should I care? Not trying to be rude, sorry, just why should I honestly."


That... might be a lengthy conversation.

Ashen Ones are normally failed kindling so they already have some deep seated instinct to go after the Cinders and light the fire. Sayaka... doesn't have that.
 
Ashen Ones are normally failed kindling so they already have some deep seated instinct to go after the Cinders and light the fire. Sayaka... doesn't have that.
Just to clarify a little bit, in this scenario Sayaka can be considered to be a full Unkindled, with the instinct and everything. There is a reason for that, but I would like to have some surprises to save for later so I'd rather not just up and reveal it. I planned out most of the background, but I've left pretty much everything else open, because it is still a quest.
 
Just to clarify a little bit, in this scenario Sayaka can be considered to be a full Unkindled, with the instinct and everything. There is a reason for that, but I would like to have some surprises to save for later so I'd rather not just up and reveal it. I planned out most of the background, but I've left pretty much everything else open, because it is still a quest.
She doesn't seem to then. She didn't react at all when the Fire was mentioned by what's-his-name. I was kinda working off of that.

I mean I suppose I could see her body and soul smacking down somewhere and people on people throwing duty shrug and throw her into the flame anyway, but idk how else she'd be part of an unkindled properly (as in burned to Ash in the Fire and decided to get up and walk around again after).
 
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She doesn't seem to then. She didn't react at all when the Fire was mentioned by what's-his-name. I was kinda working off of that.

I mean I suppose I could see her body and soul smacking down somewhere and people on people throwing duty shrug and throw her into the flame anyway, but idk how else she'd be part of an unkindled properly (as in burned to Ash in the Fire and decided to get up and walk around again after).
Edited it in. Sorry for the hassle guys. I was afraid of seeming like I was trying to railroad, although in hindsight I probably should've just been more clear about things. I'll keep that in mind in the future.
Thanks for all the feedback, by the way, I really do appreciate it.

As for how, she never did. But there is a reason for it nonetheless.
 
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[X] Ask for some more information.
- [X] "Timeout. What kind of trial would I be facing, what is this Journey about in more detail than that guy offered please, and why should I care? Not trying to be rude, sorry, just why should I honestly."
 
[X] Ask for some more information.
- [X] "Timeout. What kind of trial would I be facing, what is this Journey about in more detail than that guy offered please, and why should I care? Not trying to be rude, sorry, just why should I honestly."
 
Edited it in. Sorry for the hassle guys. I was afraid of seeming like I was trying to railroad, although in hindsight I probably should've just been more clear about things. I'll keep that in mind in the future.
Thanks for all the feedback, by the way, I really do appreciate it.

As for how, she never did. But there is a reason for it nonetheless.
It's fine. My write-in still works in this case, but it's a bit easier to answer and of a bit of a different context now I suppose.
 
Firelink Shrine 2: Q&A with the Fire Keeper and Hawkwood
More cryptic nonsense that seems to just flow past you, and nobody has the decency to even try and explain it.
"Timeout." you interrupt. "What kind of trial would I be facing? And what is this Journey you keep talking about, and why should I even care? That other guy-"

"I have a name!" the man loudly grumbles, his arms crossed against his chest. Not too surprising that he can hear you; you're more surprised that he's even bothering to talk.

"Ah, Hawkwood, I had not realized thou were still here. I assumed thou would have crawled back into thy grave by now." the women states flatly.

"Not like I have anywhere else to go." The man, you're assuming his name is Hawkwood, retorts, "And my apologies for not wanting to get myself murdered endlessly trying to hunt down those who I could never hope to match."

"It is for the good of the world."

"Ah yes, that makes things so much easier doesn't it?" Hawkwood sneers.

"You two are doing it again. " You're starting to get annoyed.

"My apologies Ashen One." the Firekeeper says. "What is it thou wishes to know?"

Finally, you're getting somewhere. "What is this trial that that I need to face?"

"To proceed to Lothric itself, thou must retrieve the coiled sword from the Judge of Ash, Gundyr. To do so, thou must defeat him in single combat to prove thyself worthy."

You assume this Gundyr must be that guy with the strange armor you found earlier. Not many other options for a 'judge'.

"Wait, would I have to kill him?"

"Gundyr has long since become a hollow."

"Hollow?"

"To become a hollow is to lose control of oneself, as any desire to continue on has long since faded away. It is a gradual, painful process that leads to the loss of oneself beyond the most basic of aspects. Many of those you passed to get here were either in the process of or had already become hollow. By the end, all that is left is an affinity for what is most familiar, and a hatred for all else."

That's horrible! "And there's no cure?"

"None that is easily available, at least anymore. Those who are Undead must simply strive not to lose their purpose."

"You would be doing him a favor." Hawkwood adds. "To be left in such a state is to be reduced to that of an animal, lashing out at everything around you without any trace of thought or reason. I've known many who have suffered as such, and it is one of the worst possible fates."

That still doesn't sit right with you, but it doesn't look like you have much of an option.

"And what is this about a journey? Why am I even needed here? What are you talking about with this fire and what not?"

Both the Fire Keeper and Hawkwood look at you strangely, as if now you're the one rambling on about nonsensical garbage. After several awkward moments of this, the Fire Keeper begins to speak.

"Thou art Unkindled." She pauses, as if thinking that should explain everything, before seeing the confusion written across your face and continuing. "That means thou attempted to link the First Flame thyself." The words first flame stand out to you, but you don't know why, as if you've heard them before. "Thou failed, and instead of Cinder, thou became Ash."

What? You think you'd remember being set on fire if you had bee-
-an inferno erupts all around you. The flames swallow you and-
A wave of nausea hits you full force, causing you to stumble forward, nearly falling over, as your mind drifts back to those memories that continue to haunt your mind. Thankfully, it ends as quickly as it came, leaving nothing beyond looks of concern being thrown your way.

"You alright over there?" says Hawkwood, with a hint of concern in his voice.

"I'm fine, just... memories." you reply after a brief moment of catching your breath. "So, what else?"

The Fire Keeper seems a bit reluctant to continue after your near collapse, but after a bit of prodding she does so. "The Lords of Cinder, those who have linked the flame, have left their thrones, and must be brought back here, to Firelink Shrine, for the flame to be linked once more. The First Flame is that which grants life to the world, for without it the darkness would smother the world, swallowing it all into itself. To link the fire is to renew the strength of the flame, and thus allow for the continuation of the Age of Fire."

Well, that sounds... good. Actually good, like the goal of some hero of legend. "So, it's basically saving the world?"

"You could say that, yes. Now, do you have any other questions, Ashen One?"


[] Yes
- [] What else would you like to know?
[] No
- [] Head back to Gundyr to retrieve the coiled sword
- [] Explore Firelink Shrine
[] Write In

[] Give up and sit around with Hawkwood
 
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Heh. We could sit around waiting for another Ashen One to stumble in, but... eh. It seems that one Hollows very slowly so long as they don't die too.

Anyway, we should probably try transforming before we get there. Should make sure our magic works at least. And probably see if we can more than just a cutlass, not really that great for armor. You'd want something that either crushes more or single-edged with a straight tip so you can half-hand it (putting your off-hand a decent way up the back of the sword to steer it) to better get it in the gaps of the armor.

We'll probably want to ask about the First Flame, but Sayaka's also probably not wanting to think about how Kyouko blew them both up right now, so that can wait.

[X] No
-[X] Head back to Gundyr to retrieve the coiled sword
--[X] Best to try transforming outside first. It'd be stupid to walk into a fight not knowing if you were still even good for a fight. And see if you can make a sword to deal with the armor that guy was wearing better.
 
[X] No
-[X] Head back to Gundyr to retrieve the coiled sword
--[X] Best to try transforming outside first. It'd be stupid to walk into a fight not knowing if you were still even good for a fight. And see if you can make a sword to deal with the armor that guy was wearing better.
 
[X] No
-[X] Head back to Gundyr to retrieve the coiled sword
--[X] Best to try transforming outside first. It'd be stupid to walk into a fight not knowing if you were still even good for a fight. And see if you can make a sword to deal with the armor that guy was wearing better.
 
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