Blue Ash (Dark Souls III/PMMM)

[RecurringExtra]

Gained 1 Wyvern Scale.​

---

The two of you descend into the building, and find yourselves in what seems almost like a break room, or a lounge of some kind meant for the guards. There are a bunch of tables with cups and bowls all over the room, with countless boxes practically littering the area. In the center of the room is a hole that leads down to a lower level via a ladder.

The other end of the room has a barred door that is blocked by a large pile of stones. You might be able to force it open, but you can see a path that also leads there in the corner of your eye. Looking around, you see that the path seems to continue on through an open doorway across from the sealed off door. You also spot one of those large clumps of souls, lying on a corpse out in the open. You're not going to question the significance of that.

A brief search finds no hostile hollows, which explains the rush of enemies earlier, but Hawkwood stumbles upon 2 urns that he says are 'firebombs'. Apparently they explode if you throw them, which you'll admit sounds neat. You, meanwhile, manage to find some weird thick goo that lets out sparks when you put your hand near it. It's apparently called 'Gold Pine Resin' and coating something in it will electrify it. All in all, a pretty decent haul in your books, but you don't really know much of what is essentially the looting of public property.

Huh, when you think of it that way, it's actually kind of awful.

Turning your attention over to Hawkwood, he doesn't seem injured at first glance. There are no visible wounds, or splashes of red that you can see. However, you can tell, with how he's leaving his right arm limp, and the slight limp in his left leg, that he was still injured. "Hold on, are you actually alright?" you ask him, a note of concern in your voice.

"It's nothing I can't handle." he says. "Besides, we shouldn't waste Estus this early on." And while you're sure that's true, it doesn't make sense to just leave him like this.

"There's a different way for me to heal you." You say.

"What, do you know a miracle of some kind?" He says jokingly.

Biting your lip, you shake your head. "No, it's... something different."

"Oh?" The curiosity in Hawkwood's voice is unmistakable, although you're unsure whether that bodes well or ill.

You take a deep breath, and shut your eyes. You empty your mind. You see notes, floating through the void. You feel the tempo, the space in between the beats that make up the rhythm. You hear the melody playing all around you. All of this, and so much more, makes up the song that plays for you, and with a thought you direct it towards Hawkwood. When you open your eyes, barely a moment has a passed, and yet you see Hawkwood ease up significantly. His eyes widen in what you think is surprise, but realize is actually shock.

(The Hawk's Eye: 29)
(The Wood's Grace: 99)
Hawkwood regains 5 Health.
Sayaka gains +150 Abyssal Corruption (160/2000)
​

Hawkwood seems to bite something down, a grimace appearing on his face for a brief moment. After a moment and a deep breath, he looks at you, his eyes completely serious. "Once we find somewhere safe, you're going to explain to me how you learned techniques such as that, understand?"

You nod, taken aback at his sudden forwardness. Without another word Hawkwood turns around, and begins descending down the ladder in the center of the room. You just drop down, the fall being rather short (for you). Hawkwood just stares at you for a moment. "You're going to explain that too. I've seen some weird Follower techniques before, but nothing like that." He finally says, before he continues on. Follower? What?

You take a moment to look around at the lower level, which is composed of a small room split in half by an iron barred wall. The door that allowed access through seems to have been broken off, as it lies on the floor collecting dust. It seems like this place was both a storage area, and a fortified area in the event of a siege of the walls. Running forward, you quickly join Hawkwood at the other end of the room which leads to a doorway back outside.

Hawkwood motions for you to take a look outside, which you do carefully. You see two Hollows standing guard at a split in the path. One is a staircase that leads back up to the higher level, which you assume to be where the blocked path originally lead to, while the other continues on to a different staircase that leads up to a further location. Around the second staircase are a large group of Hollows milling about in the open.

"Another split." Hawkwood sighs. "Well, which way shall we go now?"

---

You decide to go...
[] Take the first staircase up, there's loot there, and the path seems to continue there.
[] Take the other way up, it probably leads to the area after the next building, so you'd just be saving time in the end.
[] Go back and check out the other ways that you skipped.
-[] The staircase downwards.
-[] The familiar noise.
[] Write in

---

While you walk, you talk to/ask Hawkwood about...
[] Write in

---

Stats
Party: Full Health and FP
Abyssal Corruption: 160/2000​

 

[RecurringExtra]

You decide that it makes more sense to just take the further staircase, seeing as it will ultimately lead to the same destination anyway. Hawkwood gives a brief nod in agreement, and you both head out towards the two hollows standing guard outside, who both spot you as soon as you take a step out.

Combat 1st Round
Hawkwood: 70 + 22 = 92
Sayaka: 16 + 20 = 36​

Hawkwood lunges for the Hollow near him, and with a quick slash leaves it on the ground clutching at the ruined remains of what was once its throat. His precision with what should be a two-handed weapon is, frankly, ridiculous.

You, on the other hand, make a mistake. Perhaps you got used to the Hollows not putting up much of a fight, or maybe you just got overconfident. You're reminded here that regardless of what they are now, they still were once soldiers, when the Hollow you charge at manages to move his shield up in time to block your slash, managing to deflect your swing. Taking advantage of your surprise, the hollow takes the spear in its other hand and jams it into your side. Blood splatters against the ground, painting the area red as a hiss of pain escapes your lips before you can deaden the feeling.

Sayaka takes 2d3 (3 + 1 = 4) damage. 16/20

Combat 2nd Round
Hawkwood: 40 + 22 = 62
Sayaka: 36 + 20 = 56
​

Luckily, Hawkwood seems to have already finished off his opponent, and quickly moves to assist you. Annoyed, you hear what sounds like the flapping of wings before you move in for anothers swipe, only to be matched once again by the hollow as it deflects you once more. The sudden competence the hollow seems to be displaying surprises you, and you realize now how Hawkwood was overwhelmed earlier. Unfortunately for it, competence isn't enough to handle a bastard sword slicing into their spine, and the hollow quickly crumples to the ground.

Before you can celebrate, however, Hawkwood turns to look at you, and shouts one word.

"Run!"

Your confusion vanishes a moment later, as a loud screech causes the ground beneath your feet to shake. Turning to look, you see a Wyvern, much like the one you saw earlier, except this one is both very much alive, and very much angry as it flies straight towards you, its mouth wide open.

Before you even start running you can feel the area heating up, and you quickly join Hawkwood in a panicked dead sprint down what is essentially an alleyway. The group of Hollows sees you coming, and seems to try and form a cohesive wall of meat to block you, but stop upon the first jet of flame making contact with the stonework, and begins moving towards them. The two of you quickly push past them, as the hollows try and turn to flee themselves, but the wall of flame quickly overtakes them. The two of you manage to make it up the staircase before the wyvern seems to run out of flames to spew. It instead flies back around, and lands atop the roof of the building you had just skipped over, perching over it and leaving the two of you to catch your own breath.

Avoiding the Flames
Hawkwood: 57 + 22 = 79
Sayaka: 20 + 20 = 40
​

Hawkwood, having had a head start, manages to make it out fine, beyond being left out of breath. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for you. The slight delay you had means that while you did make it out, the last stream of heat managed to roast your right leg, making you thankful to be able to simply deactivate sensation once again. Hawkwood appears concerned, but before much can come of it, you hear more footsteps.

Sayaka takes 1d6 (4) damage. 12/20​

You see what looks to be a knight, wearing heavy armor exiting what appears to be a keep of some sort. He spots you, and with a grunt, begins moving towards you. As he does, a group of hollowed soldiers stands up, having been laying around the area, jump up to join him. You aren't sure whether they actually were ambushing you, or if it was more a coincidence, but regardless you're still not exactly happy about it.

Combat 3rd Round
Hawkwood: 83 + 22 = 105
Sayaka: 93 + 20 = 113
​

Yeah, no thank you. You're not in the mood for this. You match the Knight who charges you, and let out a frenzied flurry of sword swings that quickly forces it onto the defensive. While it manages to block hit after hit, you give it no room to so much as try and make an attack of its own. Slowly, the knight is forced back, your onslaught of strikes almost pinning it in place as it has to focus entirely on defense. While this is happening, you hear the sounds of Hawkwood slaying the other hollows that litter the area.

Eventually, the knight seems to grow tired of your endless attacks, and tries to take the initiative for itself. With skill nothing that decrepit has any right to have, it knocks your sword away with its shield, before attempting to skewer you on its blade. This proves to be an awful idea, as while it is (or at least was) a fully grown adult in a suit of armor, you're a teenager who isn't. You roll out of the way of its thrust, before you counter with one of your own, your sword piercing through the eye-slit of its helmet. Defeated, the knight's corpse slumps over as you pull your sword from its head.

While you're left panting, with your right leg burnt and your left shoulder bloodied, Hawkwood seems none the worse for wear as he comes up to meet with you. He seems to eye you over, while you stare back as you catch your breath.

"There's a bonfire up ahead." He says seeming a bit surprised. Must've been expecting a further distance between them. You're not sure why, but you feel like you can sense its location too. The two of you enter the keep, and find it to be dark and dusty, with floors made of aged wood that, in some places, had already collapsed. While there is a staircase leading downwards, Hawkwood directs you to a side path to the right.

After climbing a flight of stairs, you emerge out onto a rooftop. While the sight of more corpse-trees sends a shiver down your spine, seeing another bonfire is comforting in its own right. The loud screeching coming from the Wyvern does, however, limit just how relaxing the experience is.

As soon as you get near, both you and Hawkwood nearly collapse down in front of the bonfire. As you do, that feeling of comforting warmth seems to swallow you once again. You can feel your wounds seem to fade away, and you let out a sigh of relief at regaining the sensation of your body parts once again.

Health set to Maximum. (20/20)​

After a few moments of winding down, Hawkwood brings reality right back. "So do you think you could explain what that was earlier?" he asks.

"Sure," you say, confused as to the significance, "but first, could I ask you a question?"

"Which would be?" Hawkwood shoots right back.

"Are miracles uncommon?" you ask, which is met with a puzzled expression from Hawkwood. "The Shrine Maiden had a healing miracle for sale," you continue, "cheaper than that sorcery spell, but you didn't sound like you thought I knew it."

"You were asking about sorceries earlier, not miracles, so I thought it safe to assume you didn't have access to any." He lets out a sigh, as his hand seems to hover near his side. You notice an oddly shaped sheath much shorter than his sword's, and realize he hasn't actually used the weapon he has there at all.

"Now," he says, his face seeming to darken as he speaks, "how and where did you learn those techniques you used before?"

---

You tell Hawkwood...
[] Everything; that you're not from this place; you just woke up here after you turned into a monster and were mercy killed by someone else; the magical girl system from what pieces of information you are aware of, etc.
[] Some things.
- [] What would you like to tell him, and what do you want to keep private?
[] Refuse to tell him.
[] Tell him something else? (Write in)

---

Stats
Hawkwood: Full
Sayaka: Full
Abyssal Corruption: 160/2000

Souls: 750​

Adhoc vote count started by RecurringExtra on Jul 4, 2019 at 11:32 AM, finished with 21 posts and 10 votes.

• ---

  6 people have voted

  [X] I'm not sure what to say honestly? This is just how magic is done where I'm from. I'd never even heard of Sorcery or Miracles until today. And even if you tell me I had to have burned in your First Flame to be here, I don't know anything about that. I know who's fire I burned in and Kyouko was a human like me. Yes, there's a story. No, I'm not going into it now.
  -[X] I wasn't the best magic user either, probably the worst actually of those I know, so I can't really answer much on it. Our magic is born from our souls and centers around a single Wish we make in exchange for needing to fight for the rest of our lives. I wished to heal someone important to me, so I get the ability to heal myself and others a lot better than others would be able to. Everything after that is some mix of instinct, skill, and experience in terms of developing it further.

  • ShadowAngelBeta
  • chocolote12
  • Prospalz
  • veekie
  • NMS
  • Hangman

  3 people have voted

  [X] I'm not sure what to say honestly? Not many Japanese people are even aware magic isn't a myth, and this was the only game in town. I'd never even heard of Sorcery or Miracles until today. And even if you tell me I had to have burned in your First Flame to be here, I don't know anything about that. I know who's fire I burned in and Kyouko was a human like me. Yes, there's a story. No, I'm not going into it now.
  -[X] I wasn't the best magic user either, probably the worst actually of those I know, so I can't really answer much on it. Our magic is born from our souls and centers around a single Wish we make in exchange for needing to fight monsters that make people kill themselves for the rest of our lives. I wished to heal someone important to me, so I get the ability to heal myself and others a lot better than others would be able to. Everything after that is some mix of instinct, skill, and experience in terms of developing it further.

  • Bête Noire
  • OctarineShrike
  • Nottheunmaker

  1 people have voted

  [X] Refuse to tell him.

  • Brainwasher

 

[RecurringExtra]

"I'm not sure what to say, honestly?" You rub the back of your neck, the awkwardness almost a physical force. "This is just how magic is done where I'm from. I'd never even heard of Sorceries or Miracles until today."

"And where are you from?" Hawkwood asks, devoid of any sign of emotion.

"Mitakihara, Japan." You reply. You'd like to hope that he'd somehow recognize it, but you really doubt that has any chance of happening.

Hawkwood's blank stare confirms that for you, and he lets out a quiet sigh. "You're not a Follower, are you?"

"I don't know what a Follower even is." You say with a shrug.

Hawkwood lets out a dark-humored chuckle. "Well, this certainly complicates things." His face quickly drains of what little warmth was present. "Tell me, what do you of the Abyss?"

"The what?"

"By the Flame, you really are clueless." Hawkwood says with a groan. "Er, no offense."

"And what is with this whole 'burning in the flame' stuff?" you ask. "I didn't burn in any 'First Flame' or whatever. I know whose flame I burned in, and it was a human like me."

Hawkwood's eyes widen. "Are you implying that you burned in the Dark Flames of Humanity?!" His hand moves to the strange sheath at his side in an instant, ready to draw.

"What? No! They were just flames. Like, fire flames, no 'darkness' or whatever! You know, orange and what not! What are you even talking about?"

Hawkwood seems to ease somewhat as you say that. "The Dark Flames of Humanity are born from the Abyss." Hawkwood shudders. "From what I know of the stuff, it can supposedly burn through anything."

"No, it was normal, ordinary fire." Or rather as ordinary as it could be in the situation...

"Ah, I see." He relaxes once again, no longer looking he he's ready to slit your throat and dump your body in a back alley. "My apologies, but you really need to word what you say better." He strokes in chin in thought as you shoot a glare at him. How can you word anything better if you don't know most of it even means? "Still though," Hawkwood continues, "to be an Unkindled you must have burned in the First Flame, and been reduced to ash. That's just how it works."

"Well, maybe there are some exceptions, seeing as I'm here."

"Perhaps?" Hawkwood shrugs. "I'm sure stranger things have happened before. Now, mind if we move back on topic?"

You nod. "So, I wasn't exactly an expert on how to use magic, especially compared to everyone else, so I can't really say much. How it works is we're granted a single wish in exchange for fighting these creepy looking monsters for the rest of our lives. Our magic is born from our souls, and combined with what wish we make gives a tool-set. In my case, I wished to heal somebody important to me, so I guess I got healing abilities to go along with that. Everything beyond that is just some mix of instinct, skill, and experience, really."

Hawkwood nods along as you continue explaining, waiting for you to finish before speaking. "Monsters, you say? What do you mean by that?"

"I mean, they look wrong, like they shouldn't even be able to exist. They hide in these dark labyrinths, and force people to kill themselves." You say, your fists tightning as you remember what witches did. "Although, considering what they are..." your hands go slack at your side, as your face darkens. You look down at the floor. "it's hard to not feel sorry for them."

"And what are they?"

You look back at Hawkwood. "People like me, who were duped into selling their souls away, only to turn into monsters themselves." You choose not to add that you turned into one yourself, because you get the impression that Hawkwood wouldn't feel very understanding on the matter at the moment.

As you finish, you note the look of sheer horror on Hawkwood's face. "So where you hail from," he begins, slowly at first, "they use children, children, to contain the Abyss? Wha- bu- I- Why?!" By this point, each word is flying out in a flurry of noise. "What possible reason could they have to even attempt such a thing?" Hawkwood spits out each word with a level of disgust that catches you off guard. "I've heard many awful ideas before, but by the Flame, what would you even accomplish with this beyond the creation of either more corpses or abyss-spawn?!"

"The whole thing is kept secret, so it's not like you can blame most people for it." You add.

Hawkwood just stares at you like you have two heads, before his hand meets his face with a loud slap. "Of course it is! Why wouldn't it be?" He takes a deep breath, trying to calm down, lest he have a stroke. "Alright, can we change the topic before the Wyvern gets bothered enough to come burn us to ash again?"

"Well, I still don't actually know what 'the Abyss' actually is." You say.

"It wasn't even explained to you?" He stares at you wide-eyed. "You know, this would be hilarious if it weren't so completely awful." He shakes his head. "Alright, listen carefully then."

Apparently, the Abyss is, at least according to him, the darkness that lurks within Humanity after it has been driven wild. Apparently human souls are of the Dark, which makes it easy for people to fall prey to the lure of the Abyss, and be swallowed by it. When this happens, it causes an Abyssal outbreak, and whoever was the cause of it is consumed entirely, leaving nothing but a monstrous beast behind that corrupts everything around it. Supposedly, the experience of being overtaken by the Abyss can be likened to having all of one's wants, desires, and fears combine together with the grief and anger within one's being until it overwhelms and spills out of the self. Whenever an Abyssal outbreak occurs, it leaves behind a Dark Chasm that must be cleansed manually, which was one of the jobs of the Abyss Watchers. Ergo, it was once one of Hawkwood's jobs.

You take all of this in while trying to maintain a calm face. Everything he's saying seems to line up with what you know about how the magical girl system worked, albeit with a few differences. However, the base concept is almost identical, except here it can happen to anyone. Well, not anyone, but anyone with enough 'darkness' in their souls. Wasn't there something about potential or something that Kyubey mentioned all that time ago...?

"Oh yes, another thing." Hawkwood says, pulling you out of your thoughts. "You said your powers are born from your soul, correct?"

"Yeah, why?" You ask.

"In that case, there's somebody you should speak to before anything else."

You squint an eye at Hawkwood. Before anything else? "And they would be?"

"Back at the shrine, there's a strange fellow by the name of Ludleth." You recall hearing that name before... "He was one of the Lords of Cinder awoken to relink the flame, but he chose to remain rather than depart. The poor fool had to drag himself to his throne. He's supposedly an expert in Soul Transposition, and maybe he has some idea what's going on with you." Hawkwood says with a shrug.

"Back at the Shrine? How would we get ba-" you freeze, looking at the bonfire. "It can teleport us back, can't it?" You ask, already knowing the answer. Hawkwood feels the need to nod to confirm it though, because of course he does. He doesn't even try and hide the small smirk of amusement on his face.

---

Agree to speak with Ludleth the Exiled?
[] Yes, maybe he knows something that could be useful? It's worth checking.
[] No, talking to another creep who sits around in the dark and dust is just going to be a waste of time.

 

[RecurringExtra]

"And you're sure about him?" You ask.

"He is a Lord of Cinder. He linked the flame, and then remained of his own volition to do so once more." Hawkwood replies, eyes narrowing slightly. "I'd be offended if I didn't know that you do not truly understand the meaning of such acts."

Well, if Hawkwood feels that meeting this 'Ludleth' is so important, and if there is a chance he has some idea about what exactly is happening, it would be smart to just go and see him. Besides, it's not like it's that big of a hassle.

"Alright, let's go then." You say. "So is it the same thing as last time? Just put your hand over the fire, think, and off you go?"

"Yes, although when you put it like that it does sound a tad bit silly." Hawkwood replies, the slightest hint of amusement visible on his otherwise dour face.

"Well, here goes nothing." You say as you reach over. As your hand closed near the flame, you feel a pull on your body, before you feel something pulling you in and-

You blink, and you find yourself at the shrine once more, seated before the bonfire. Hawkwood is across from you, although he seems a bit woozy as he sways slightly.

"I will never not hate that." He states flatly to nobody in particular as he stands up. You do the same, as you scan the room in hopes of finding this 'Ludleth."

"Lord Ludleth, we have come to speak with you." You hear Hawkwood say. You turn to see him on one knee before one of the thrones.

"Now, now, there is no need for such formality, Ser Hawkwood." Replies a calm, quiet voice. Raising your head, you finally see this Ludleth for yourself.

You can't be blamed for missing him, despite being in the same room as him for quite some time. Ludleth is a small, short man, with skin the color of burn wounds. Perhaps it'd be more apt to call his entire body a burn wound, seeing as he completely lacks legs entirely. The throne he is seated on is the same color as his skin, and the robes he wears are a dark orange, with the bottom a burnt black. Calling him small is a bit of an understatement really; seated as he is, he's unable to so much as reach the arm rests of his throne, and even if he still had his legs, you doubt he'd be even as tall as you. Resting on his head is a crown just slightly too big for his head. Yet as you look upon him you get an impression of regal authority; that the being in front of you earned the title of "Lord", yet it feels hollow in some way.

"Ah yes, my apologies." Hawkwood says almost abashedly. It's almost ironic, considering how he respecfully he speaks, that he wishes for others to not be so formal with him.

"I see the girl hath been returned safely, but for what reason doest thou have for such an event?"

"I'd like to request for you to examine her." Hawkwood begins. "She s made some rather... interesting claims that need to be verified, and I feel you would perhaps be the only one qualified to do such."

Ludleth doesn't actually respond verbally. He simply raises an eyebrow (or rather where his eyebrow should have been, instead being a pile of burn tissue) and motions for you to come closer.

With a quick leap, you reach the throne, and stand before Ludleth in all of his glory. Or you would, if he seemed to have much of any. He, in turn, examines you, his head resting on his linked hands.

"My, my. What have we here?" He finally says, sounding less confused than fascinated. "Thou'rt Hollow, and yet Unkindled.

You blink. "Excuse me?"

"Thine body is naught but a corse, lacking a soul in its entirety, yet thou art clearly ash." Ludleth says.

"There must be a mistake." Hawkwood says from below before you can even respond "You say she's Hollow, but there are no signs of such."

"Indeed, and while I am sure of thine expertise on the matter," Ludleth states, "it is fact nonetheless. As to how such an event could transpire, I am unsure..."

He seems to ponder the possibilities, before his eyes move to look upon your hand, whereupon they widen in surprise.

"What is that ring upon thine finger?" He asks, curiosity evident in every word. He points to the finger your soul gem rests on in ring form.

"It's my Soul Gem." You state. You slide the ring off and transform it back into its normal state. "Yes, the name is literal."

While you can hear Hawkwood's confusion being made evident in the many questions he's suddenly throwing at you, Ludleth raises a hand and he stops, although you can practically feel he how much he doesn't want to. Ludleth then reaches one of his small hands over to you. "May I?" He simply asks.

You once more part with your soul gem. Unlike the Handmaid who seemed to treat it more as a gem, the way that Ludleth holds it is much more academic in nature, as if he were studying it in some way.

(Hiding from a Master Craftsman: 6 - 30 = -24)​

"My word." He states in sheer reverence. "This truly is a masterpiece, one of the finest works of soul transposition I've ever beheld. Better than even the works of Master Ornifex." Ludleth looks back up at you then back at the gem, as if following an invisible trail. "And yet the soul remains intact in the process..." He pauses, as he seemingly has a revelation of some sort. He turns his gaze to Hawkwood, who raises an eyebrow in response.

Ludleth looks back to you. "Who could hav- no, 'tis irrelevant." He says with a shake of his head. He gently places the soul gem back in your hands, yet his eyes do not leave it, even as it returns to its ring state. "I see now, thine body is hollow for thy soul resides elsewhere. It seems the legends of the King of Want possess a grain of truth." A thin smile crosses his face.

"Can somebody please explain to me what the bloody hell is going on here?" Hawkwood nearly shouts, his voice echoing through the shrine hall.

"Patience, Ser Hawkwood, for there is much to discuss." Ludleth calmly states. "First, however, may I request thine departure, for I must speak with Lady Miki in private."

The look on Hawkwood's face, out of context, would look absolutely hilarious. His normally dour face practically vibrates with restrained energy, as he keeps himself back. After a moment he sighs and nods. "Fine, but when I get back, I expect answers." With that, he strolls out of the shrine, seemingly heading to wherever he went last time.

As soon as he's gone, you turn to Ludleth. "How do you know my name?" You ask, alarmed. You haven't even spoke to this guy before. Also, Lady Miki?
Ludleth lets out a light chuckle. "I merely overheard its mention whilst thou were conversing with Ser Hawkwood." He says. "I apologize, for there is little else that can be done seated upon mine throne."
After a moment you let out a sigh, before you speak.

"Fair enough." You say almost warily. While it is pretty creepy, you can't really argue against it. The dude doesn't have legs, it's not like he has much to do just sitting around all day. At least he isn't butting into other people's conversations you suppose. Still very creepy though, seeing as he just seems to keep quiet all the time.

"Now, whilst thine companion is away," While Ludleth's face and posture never seem to change, the tone in his voice does, cooling dramatically, until each word being delivered feels almost frosty, "mayst thou inform me as to why thine soul is abyssal in nature?"
Crap.

[] Try and come up with an explanation.
-[] Such as?
[] Come clean.
[] Write In.

 

[RecurringExtra]

You meet Ludleth's cold gaze, as you panickly try and think of some sort of explanation. However, nothing even brings to spring to mind. All that really appears is an indiscernible mess of stuttered noises and general panic.

After several torturous moments of painful silence, you bow your head. "Do you want the short version or the long version?" You ask, as anxiety fills your body.

"Long, if thou wouldst be so kind. " He replies, his form remaining perfectly still even as he speaks.

You nervously swallow, before giving Ludleth a nod. "Well, it all started with this weird rabbit-cat..."

---

It takes you quite some time to explain what you know about the Magical Girl System, but Ludleth listens intently to every word that leaves your mouth, his gaze never faltering.

Eventually, however, you reach the parts that you hadn't told Hawkwood. The blurry recollection of random moments of your last few days. The void in your memories filled only with misery and nightmares. Ludleth simply nods when you say that you'd rather avoid probing into it, while you try and hide any sign of tears from being noticeable.

"The last thing I remember is this massive burst of flame appearing, and then I woke up in the cemetery." You say, as you finally finish your recollection.

By this point, you'd guess you'd just spent the better part of an hour explaining as much as you could to Ludleth. Despite this, however, you do note that the light coming from the Shrine entrance remains constant and unchanging. Weird...

"So in summary," Ludleth begins, "thou became an Abyss-spawn, or as thou knew it, a 'Witch', only for thee to meet thy death shortly thereafter. Thou then awoke as Ash, no longer an Abyss-spawn, and with thy soul," He gestures to your soul gem, "once more whole. Is that correct?"

"Y-yes, that's right." You nervously nod in affirmation.

Ludleth remains silent for several seconds, each moment marked by a tap of his right index finger against his left hand, which is the only part of his body that seems to be in any sort of motion. Right before you feel the urge to ask him if something's wrong, he finally speaks once more.

"I would request some time to ponder this new information. Wouldst thou find that to be acceptable?" He asks.

"Sure, I guess?" You reply.

"Very good then." Ludleth says with a nod. "Now, might I advise thee to fetch thy companion?"

---

Upon exiting the shrine, you're met with the sound of loud barking off in the distance. Are there dogs here? You did see some back at the High Wall, but if these are more of the same, maybe you shouldn't. Those things earlier were pretty horrifying to look at from a distance, you'd much rather avoid getting near one.

You wander around for a bit, trying to find Hawkwood. First you turn to your right, and take a quick look around. Down a short pathway and up a staircase, you spot what looks to be a half naked man with a katana. You aren't sure if he noticed you or not, but you leave before you notice any sign of such. Crazy naked men with swords is something you can deal with later. Or never. You hope for the latter, but expect the former.

After several minutes of dead ends, hollows staring blankly at you everywhere you go, and general annoyance at how all the gravestones turn the area into what is effectively a maze, you finally stumble on Hawkwood buried away in a nook of the graveyard. Well, not really much of a nook, seeing as you find him kneeling in front of a gravestone facing directly off the cliffside, but that's besides the point.

Hawkwood hears you approaching, but he nevertheless remains still, eyes glued to the grave in front of him. The guy seems to really enjoy being dramatic.

"The poor wretched souls." He says as you get closer. "Be they Lord or Legend, the curse shows no mercy." He pauses. "What a sham."Hawkwood then turns to face you.

"Is it time, then?" He asks. "I've been stuck out here buried in memories for long enough, I feel."

---

What do you say?
[] Write in

 

[RecurringExtra]

You run over what Ludleth explained to you with Hawkwood, who nods along as you continue to speak. His face remains flat, as he already knew most of the details. But then you make what, in hindsight, was a pretty big mistake. You tell Hawkwood about your connection to the Abyss.

As soon as the words leave your mouth, before you can even react, you find yourself shoved against the stone wall by Hawkwood. He's holding a dagger, the one he must keep sheathed most of the time, to your throat, as he glares at you with hate filled eyes.

"Explain. Now."

You can feel your heart bashing against your chest as you try to resist the urge to hyperventilate. Distantly you're aware that you could take Hawkwood in a fight if it came down to it. Despite this, human instinct refuses to acknowledge the fact, magical girl or not, and so fight or flight comes into effect.

"E-explain what?!" You croak out as you struggle to breathe.

"How, by Nito's decayed balls, did you become an Abyss-spawn and then turn back?" Hawkwood grunts.

"I don't know, but I-I can control it as long as I'm careful!" You manage to choke out. "A-and I know how to cleanse the corruption!" Hawkwood pushes the blade closer to your throat. "I swear I'm not lying!" You cry out. "I wouldn't say any of this if I was!"

(Opening a Fanatic's Eyes: 79 + 10 for previous crit = 89)​

Several different emotions flash across Hawkwood's face. Fear. Hate. Sadness. Regret. The hand holding the dagger to your throat begins to shake as he clenches the hilt so tightly his knuckles begin turning white.

(A Hawk's Path: 42 + 10 for previous crit + 5 for previous success = 57)​

Hawkwood heaves out a sigh, practically deflating as the tension seems to drain out of him.

"...Fine." He spits out as he finally releases you. You slide to the ground, gasping for breath as Hawkwood carefully sheathes his dagger at his side. "You're sure you can keep it under control?" He asks.

"Yes, but what the hell was that for?!"

"I... apologize for that." Hawkwood says earnestly. "Old habits die hard."

"Yeah, well that doesn't exactly explain why you were threatening to kill me a moment ago." You say, anger written on your face as you glare at Hawkwood.

"Sayaka, I spent 9 years of my life as an Abyss Watcher. Our goal was to destroy any and all traces of the Abyss, wherever they were found. No price was too great, because even if we died we'd get back up and get back to work. So when you go and claim you turned into a literal Abyss-spawn, what did you expect was going to happen?"

"I didn't think you'd attack me! Do you think I look like a monster or something?"

"Not everything that crawls its way out of the Abyss looks like a monster." Hawkwood says, with a roll of his eyes. "Besides, didn't you say that you can get your neck ripped out and be perfectly fine a moment ago?"

"That doesn't mean I want it to happen." You grumble out in response.

"Look, the Abyss isn't something that can be played around with." Hawkwood explains. "There's a reason Thorolund was razed to the ground, after all."

"Wait, razed to the ground?" You ask. "The Abyss Watchers burned a city to the ground?"

"Well, yes, but Thorolund itself was a nation, not a city."

"You burned down an entire country?!" You stare at Hawkwood as you're unable to prevent your jaw from dropping. What the hell?

"Not entirely, otherwise Carim wouldn't be so prominent" Hawkwood mutters. "Anyway, It was before my time, so I don't know exact details, beyond there being a lot of fire."

"Weren't the Abyss Watchers good guys? Why go around attacking people?"

"It was done because it had to be done." Hawkwood says, his voice adamant. "The records were kept as a reminder to every Abyss Watcher who followed of the danger faced, and why such a response was necessary." Hawkwood sighs. "And really, you'd think a nation of clerics would be the last to fall to the Dark."

"If it's so dangerous, why are you willing to let me use it at all?" You ask.

"Because I expect you not to be stupid with it." You said you've been able to purge the corruption before, so as long as you practice restraint, you should be fine." Hawkwood explains. "That being said, if you face the risk of losing yourself entirely, I'll do what must be done."

Now isn't that a happy thought? Truth be told, however, you'd rather die than go back to being a witch. The bits and pieces of memories that are floating around are enough to be sure of that.

"Gods, it's a good thing none of the others are here to see me." Hawkwood mumbles to himself.

"Weren't you a deserter though? Why do you care so much about what they'd think?"

Hawkwood rolls his eyes as a response. "Let's just head back." He says, turning to head back to the shrine. While he does, you take the opportunity to get a closer look at the grave he was in front of. Lying on the gravestone is a large greatsword with a strange flower motif decorating the hilt and part of the blade blade. The gravestone itself is faded, making reading difficult. There are several lines of text, but you can't read it with a glance. You could probably decipher what it says if you took your time, but unfortunately...

"Are you coming?" Hawkwood's voice shakes you out of your focus.

"Yeah, I got distracted by something. I'm coming." You call out as you run over and catch up with him.

---

You both remain silent as you walk back to the Shrine entrance, despite the occasional Hollow moan and dog bark. When you finally make it back, the two of you walk back in. Ludleth turns to look at you, before his eyes widen (slightly) when he sees Hawkwood.

"Didst thou tell thy companion all that was discussed?" He asks.

"Yeah, was I not supposed to?" You ask with a tilt of your head.

Ludleth meets this with a dumbfounded stare, which slowly morphs into a small smile with a light chuckle. "Nay, if that is the path of thine own choosing, then thou must be sure to follow it." Ludleth states, his voice calm and steady.

With that, you and Hawkwood prepare to set back out for Lothric. Ludleth takes the opportunity to ask to see your soul gem once again. You hand it to him, and he seems to examine it once more, before he hands it back to you with a nod and a thank you. Or as he puts it:

"'I am thankful for thine assistance in this matter." Ludleth says with a small smile. It's hard to tell if he's actually smiling with how little his face seems to change, but you swear there's a bit of an upward shift.

"You're sure you don't want me to wait here so you can keep on taking a look?" You ask Ludleth while Hawkwood runs over to Andre for something.

"There is little more I can offer to ye at this moment." Ludleth's almost-smile disappears from his face. "Unless ye happen upon a Transposing Kiln, mine efforts would be for naught."

"Well, I'll... see what I can do?" You offer with a shrug.

"Do not fret thyself. 'Tis much to ask of thee to but stumble upon such. If thou were to happen upon such one in thy travels, then all I ask is for thou to bring it here." Ludleth says.

---

You and Hawkwood sit at the bonfire of Firelink Shrine. You decide to warp to:
[] High Wall of Lothric
[] Tower on the Wall

 

[RecurringExtra]

The warp back is thankfully much less stressful this time, and you soon find yourself back at the rooftop bonfire in Lothric, along with Hawkwood. Nothing much has seemed to have changed in the time while you were gone, with the Wyvern still standing guard over its newly claimed territory. Looking up towards the sky, you note that the Sun seems like it will be setting soon. You'd guess you have maybe 2 hours or so?

"So you said you were from Mitaki... hara, was it?" Hawkwood asks. "Is that a land from the east?"

"I mean, I guess you could say that." You say, thinking quikcly. Japan was in the East so it's technically not wrong, although...

"I never managed to travel east myself," Hawkwood says before you can correct yourself, "but I've heard many stories. The strange creatures that inhabit the lands, and the odd weaponry they use."

"What do you mean odd weapons?"

"There was a traveler from the East who showed up one day in Farron. The sword he bore, he called it a katana, was a work of art, but it was so very brittle it looked like it would snap if it was tapped against a stone." Hawkwood lets out a sigh. "That was so very long ago, I realize, but now that I think about it, it reminds me of your own weaponry."

"In what way?" you ask, curious.

"Your swords are very reminiscent of a Follower's sabre, yes, but the actual blade itself is forged more like that of an eastern blade, and that's not even mentioning the hand-guard." He continues. "It's a very interesting combination, I will admit."

So it seems there's a Japanese analogue here after all. Or maybe it's just general Asia?

"You mentioned strange creatures before?"

"Ah yes, the tales of the Oni, and those tasked with slaying them. The traveler had been one of those slayers, or so he claimed. He even carried one of the Greatbows with him, although he had none of the arrows remaining."

Well, that does sound like Japan. At this point you're not even surprised with how weird everything keeps getting. And if you keep sitting here, it's bound to keep happening...

"Well, I think that's enough sitting around." You say, rising to your feet with a stretch. "You ready to get going?"

"Yeah, good call," Hawkwood nods as he does the same, "the sun'll be setting soon, so we should keep going while we still have light."

The two of you descend the stairs, and soon find yourselves back in the keep, which is beginning to darken with the further descent of the sun. While the first floor remains clear of enemies, a quick look below reveals a large group of hollows on the two lower levels. The second floor has a group of three Hollows dressed in rags, with their faces covered. They're standing in a small circle, and you can hear faint whispering from them as they seem to be discussing something.

"So there's really one of 'em Darkwraiths down there?" one of them asks.

"Aye, it's down the elevator behin' the door on the lower floor." Another says. "That's why the door is locked, ya know."

"Wonder why its kept ova' there and not in the other cells." the third adds in.

"Ya mean the ones down the hall, by ol' Greirat?" the first replies.

"'It's kept there because it would break out otherwise." A fourth voice cuts in, clearly annoyed. "Lothric lost a great deal of knights just getting that thing sealed away. Keeping it where you lot used to be would be suicide."

You look towards where the voice came from, and find, leaning against a wall on the same level, another Lothric Knight. The Knight seems to be watching the group of ragged hollows, but wanting to avoid associating with them.

On the far side of the floor is an exit that leads back outside, but opposite it is a ladder that descend further down. From here, you can hear the loud stomping of heavy feet coming from the bottom level, which is confirmed to be one of the larger hollows that you spotted earlier after they finish climbing up the ladder. They greet the knight with a sloppy salute, who slowly nods their head before the hollow continues its stumbling patrol. You can still hear another set of footsteps from further below, which you assume must be another one of those large hollows.

---

What is your plan of action?
[] Write in.

After the fight, you head:
[] Further down,
- [] Down the hallway on the lower level
- [] Try and see if you can get the iron door in the corner open.
[] Take the exit on the second floor that leads back outside.

---

Party: Sayaka and Hawkwood: Full Stats
Enemies: 3 Hollow Thieves, 2 Large Hollows, 1 Hollowing Lothric Knight

 

[RecurringExtra]

As the group of hollows talk amongst themselves, you turn to Hawkwood. "I thought Hollows were mindless?" you whisper to him,

"Hollowing is a process, so some Hollows still have their faculties somewhat." Hawkwood explains. "Although exactly how much can vary quite heavily. They seem to have retained much of their personalities, "

"Would we be able to just, I dunno, talk this out with them? It wouldn't be right to just attack when we could avoid it."

"That's a risky move..."

"But it's the right thing to do." You softly elbow Hawkwood, who lets out a quiet sigh.

"Fine, but we need a backup plan if things go wrong."

"I'll take the small guys, you handle the knight, and then we take out the larger ones together."

"Sounds good to me. I'll wait here, they're more likely to be willing to trust you, after all.

Giving Hawkwood a nod, you head down the staircase, trying to appear as harmless as possible. You walk forward with your hands raised in the air in the hopes of appearing less threatening, although you're not exactly very threatening to begin with.

[Sudden Stranger: 27 + 0 = 27]
​

The group of hollows stare at you in silence, as if they don't quite believe that you're actually there.The silence continues until the Knight seems to come to a decision. Standing up straight, the knight takes out their sword and shield, and yells "Intruder!" at the top of their lungs. Everything quickly descends into chaos from there.

Combat 1st Round
Sayaka: 13 + 20 = 33
Hawkwood: 90 + 22 = 112
​

You weren't expecting things to go sour so quickly, nor did you account for the surprising co-ordination of the group of Hollows. Suddenly you find there are 3 knives piercing your chest as, as one, the group of Hollow thieves turn and each toss a throwing knife at you. You let out a hiss of pain before you cut off sensation to your newly punctured body. Your breathing grows ragged, and you realize they may have punctured one of your lungs. You tear the knives out of your body, your breathing returning to normal as the hole in your lungs is closed up by your magic before it can become a problem.

(Sayaka takes 3d3 damage. 20 - (2 + 2 + 3 = 7) = 13 Health​

Out of nowhere a shout echoes around the room. You look to see Hawkwood leap from the upper floor, his sword held in both hands. He quickly falls towards the ground, landing on top of the Lothric Knight, who soon finds a massive sword slicing through their shoulder, all the way down to the abdomen. The Knight lets out a gurgle as Hawkwood smashes their face in with his shield. As he pulls his sword out, however, the giant hollow lets out a roar and charges towards him. He avoids its first attack, and the fight continues on.

Combat 2nd Round
Sayaka: 83 + 20 = 103
Hawkwood: 46 + 22 = 68
​

The Hollow thieves stand maybe 3 meters away from you. They each have a dagger, ready and start moving in hopes of overwhelming you. You move faster, You butcher your way through the Hollow thieves like a blender, as they struggle to match your retaliation. Unlike the enemies before, none of them have shields or even armor to slow you down. You quickly find yourself panting, the hollows laying dead on the floor.

Hawkwood, meanwhile, finds himself struggling with the hulking hollow. The thing won't go down despite the many cuts on its body. Eventually, seeing an opening, Hawkwood moves in for a thrust, only to find himself unable to avoid the Hollow's arm landing on his shoulder in an attempt to grab a hold of him. It squeezes tightly, and you can hear Hawkwood let out a grunt of pain, but the Hollow leaves itself open, and finds a blade pierced through its heart. It's hand falls slack as the hollow's eyes dim, granting Hawkwood's shoulder a reprieve.

(Hawkwood takes 1d4 damage. 20 - 2 = 18)

Combat Final Round
Sayaka: 89 + 20 = 109
Hawkwood: 8 + 22 = 30​

You hear loud footsteps from behind you. Oh right, wasn't there another hollow on the lower floor?

Hawkwood shoves you out of the way of the wide sweep at the last moment, but finds himself unable to raise his shield in time to block the incoming hit. The halberd sends him flying, and he slams into the wall with a loud thud.

"Hawkwood!" you shout as he hits the floor with a loud thud. The giant Hollow turns to look at you, its face empty of any real thoughts. It raises its halberd for another swing, before it realizes that there is now something piercing its abdomen. It barely reacts as, with a roar, you drag the blade up through its flesh, before ripping it out with a spray of black-tinted gore. You pant as the giant crashes down to the ground, and run over to where you heard Hawkwood smash against the ground.

(Hawkwood takes 1d6 damage. 18 - 6 = 12)​

"Well that went poorly." Hawkwood says wearily, grunting as he gets back onto his feet. Guess he isn't in as bad a shape as you thought, although he is now sporting a fairly deep cut along his side.

"I didn't even want to fight them." You say, with a mixture of frustration and sadness. You turn to look at the slurry that was once thinking, moving people. You did this to them. It was self-defense, but still...

"Well, it IS their job." Hawkwood snarks. "Besides, they're Undead, so they'll be back before too long."

"Really?"

"Well, so long as they don't hollow completely."

Still, running around killing people isn't really what you were hoping for when you agreed to do this.

"By the way, what was with that weird falling attack?" You ask in hopes of changing the topic to something less dark.

"Oh, that?" Hawkwood snorts. "It's a simplified version of a Watcher technique, The Wolf's Plunge."

"Simplified?" You choose not to comment on how silly the name sounds.

"The normal version involves doing a front-flip off of a ledge and aiming to bisect your target. It's meant for Abyssal enemies, really." Hawkwood rolls his eyes. "It's not exactly a very useful technique. I've only ever seen Frost pull it off, and even then she only did it to show off."

"I mean, it's not much of a technique when it's just a falling slice." You snark back at him.

Hawkwood snorts. "You're not wrong there. Never was very good with much of the Farron sword style anyhow."

"Anyway, what's a darkwraith? Some kind of ghost?" You ask Hawkwood, in hopes of moving the topic away from self-pity before it's too late. You heard the hollows mention one earlier, and with how they were talking about it, they were clearly afraid of it.

"Ah, they did mention them, didn't they?" Hawkwood sheathes his sword and leans against the wall. "Basically, the Darkwraiths were a collection of humans who took to stealing the humanity of others to gain power." He explains. "There have been plenty of other groups who do essentially the same thing, but the Darkwraiths were the first. They had the power of lifedrain, a vile Abyssal technique of their creation, which lets them steal the humanity right out of other humans just by grabbing them. Nobody is really sure where they originated from, but I remember Frost always bet it was somewhere in Lordran, and she knew more about the subject than I do." Hawkwood sighs. "Anyhow, the Darkwraiths were extremely rare back when I was alive due to the fact that their numbers could only shrink, but actually doing so was both difficult and dangerous. They've been around for who knows how long, and have an obscene amount of combat experience. This makes them both excellent combatants and inhuman monsters of the Abyss. I've even heard rumors that they wear the bones of their enemies as trophies, but that was Davis who said that so it's probably just a rumor or something. From what I know, they do have a skeletal appearance, but whether it's just fancy armor or not, I'm not sure."

Well, with context the fear makes a lot more sense. So they're basically mass murdering psychos who can only keep surviving by taking by standing on the corpses of others. How could they just be left to run around? Were they really strong enough that nobody bothered to try and deal with them, or was it just considered too much to bother with? If anyone deserves to be punished, it'd be people like them, that's for sure.

"So where are we headed?" Hawkwood asks.

"Let's go and check out the lower floor, it looks like there's a door that may lead somewhere."

[Open Sesame: 87 + 20 = 107)
​

The two of you descend down the ladder, and find more of the same: boxes scattered everywhere on old and rotten wood planks. You notice a hallway that leads further into the keep, probably towards more cells as the knight said earlier.

You turn and look at the iron bar door. Now that you can actually see it, you notice an odd discoloration coating much of the hinges. As you get close, you realize what it actually is: rust. It seems that nobody's been taking much care of the area, but that kind of applies to the whole place to be fair.

It's not exactly hard to force the thing open, and you're greeted with a loud 'thump' as the door slams into the ground, leaving the doorway open.

Inside the room you find a weird platform with what looks like a button on the floor.

What.

Hawkwood notices your gaping with a bemused glance. "It's an elevator," he explains, "do you not have them where you're from?"

"I know what an elevator is, and this isn't an elevator."

"You just step on the button, and it goes down."

"But why is it on the floor?"

Hawkwood doesn't even try to hide his amusement, a smirk on his face. "This really bothers you that much?"

"Well, no, but it's just... why?" You sigh. Seriously, why would somebody design something like this? Better yet, how does it even work?

"Don't look at me, I'm no engineer." Hawkwood shrugs, unable to really provide much of an answer.

After a moment to calm down from seeing something that dumb, you turn to Hawkwood. "You ready to head down?" You ask, taking a step onto the elevator platform. The wood is surprisingly firm despite it's evident age. Guess this didn't see much use.

"Go down there?" Any amusement remaining with Hawkwood quickly vanishes. "You're not serious, are you?"

"Why not? May as well go and check what's down there."

"Sayaka, there's a darkwraith down there. One of those monsters I just talked about. I doubt they'll be in any sort of good mood after being imprisoned for who knows how long, and i'd rather not walk willingly to a pointless death that I could easily avoid."

Huh. That's actually a good point. Would going down there be worth it?

---

Descend the Elevator?
[] Yes, maybe what you'll find down there will be worth the risk, and for all you know the Darkwraith may just up and leave before you come back. You can't let a monster like that loose!
- [] Try and get Hawkwood to join you (Low Chance of Success)
- [] Go by yourself.
[] No, turn back. Darkwraiths are spooky and you doubt it'll be escaping any time soon.
- [] Head down the hallway on the same floor.
- [] Climb back up and take the path out onto the rooftops.

---

Heal?
[] Estus
-[] To whom?
[] Use your own healing.
- [] On whom?

---

Current Souls: 750 + 470 = 1220

Current Stats
Sayaka
13/20 HP
10/10 FP
160/2000 Abyssal Corruption

Hawkwood
12/20 HP
10/11 FP​

 

[RecurringExtra]

On second thought, you'd rather not get yourself killed. Even if there's a monster down there who deserves it, you doubt it's worth the risk at the moment. Besides, if they've been sealed away this long, what're the chances of them getting out anytime soon?

"Yeah, you're right," you say, noting the immediate relief from Hawkwood, "so instead why not check out what's down the hallway over there?" you suggest

"That would be a much less awful idea." Hawkwood nods. "First, however, we should probably do something about our injuries."

You look down at the puncture marks in your flesh. You may not be able to feel them, but you know that it would probably be better to do something about them now rather than later.

"Do you still have that Estus flask?" Hawkwood asks. You nod, and reach for the pouch Hawkwood found for you earlier. A moment later you pull out the orange flask.

"So how does this work exactly?" you ask.

"It's Estus, you drink it and it heals you. It's rather convenient, really." he responds.

Well, may as well give it a try. With a shrug, you uncork the flask, and take a sip out of the Estus flask. The liquid that comes out is... you're not sure how to describe it. It tastes like... warmth? That's the best way you could describe it, really. It's the same feeling one gets from laying in bed covered in blankets on a chilly evening, or lounging in front of a fireplace on a cold winter day, converted into taste form. It doesn't make much sense, but it's certainly a pleasant feeling. A moment later, you can confirm that most of your wounds have closed up now, and resume feeling in your chest once more.

Passing the flask to Hawkwood, you watch the process unfold yourself. He brings the flask to his lips, and you can see as the gouge in his side closes up, only the damage to his armor being proof that it was ever there at all.

"Wish I still had my old flask now, would certainly make this much easier." Hawkwood says with a sigh as he recorks the flask.

"What happened to it?" you glance at the flask in Hawkwood's hands. You hadn't noticed it before, but it looks absolutely ancient, covered in countless chips and cracks all over its surface. The fact that it can hold anything at all is bizarre with just how damaged it is.

"Hell if I know." He shrugs his shoulders as he passes you the flask back. You put it back in the pouch that Hawkwood found for you earlier. "I probably lost it in the Kiln, or some other such nonsense."

"What is this stuff anyhow?" you ask.

"What, Estus?" Hawkwood ponders for a moment before shrugging. "It's.. liquid fire or something along those lines. I'm not really sure of the specifics beyond knowing just how valuable it is, so be sure not to waste it."

Liquid fire? Well, it certainly explains the warmth, although you'd imagine if it were actual fire it wouldn't be healing you. Weird.

You and Hawkwood head down the hallway, and find yourselves in a storage room full of barrels that smell like... charcoal?

[Firebombs are fun kids: 77 + 0 = 77]​

Which promptly explode right in front of you. You see a Hollow on the other side of the room, holding a couple of firebombs. When they realize they've been spotted, they draw their broken sword and make a mad dash towards you, before being promptly put down by a swipe from Hawkwood.

"That.. could have gone badly." you say. Taking a brief glance around the room, you find a couple of throwing knives, much like the ones you had stabbed into you a little bit ago. All together you are now the proud owner of 11 throwing knives. You're not sure what use you'll find for them, seeing as you can just make swords appear, but may as well.

As you enter the next room, you see another one of those Hollow thieves, this one with their face resting against the wall. They raise their head and look as you enter the room, first looking at you, then Hawkwood, then at you again, then promptly turning back around to resume staring at the wall.

"Please leave." you hear come from the Hollow, albeit significantly muffled. You look at Hawkwood, who just shrugs, and the two of you continue on.

You descend down a staircase, and find yourself returning back outside. At the bottom is a small open area outside of a small structure.

"Hello?" you hear a voice call out from inside the structure. You and Hawkwood share a glance, before you enter. Inside you find a cell that seems to only have a single occupant, a pale man wearing a strange hood over his head. Also in the room is a table with a few plates of rotten food, several melted candles, and a mug of a foul smelling drink that you'd guess used to be beer.

As you enter, he stands up and walks up to the cell bars, examining both you and Hawkwood. After a moment, he nods. "Ahh, you two aren't jailers are you?" The hooded man says, hands holding the bars of his cell. "No, no, you're from far away. And judging by the bell... You must be some of that unkindled ash. Remarkable. If that's true, then I have a favor to ask."

---

What do you do?
[] Agree to hear his request. You may as well.
[] You don't know who this guy is, he's locked up, and the first thing he asks is for you to do stuff for him? Are you really going to trust such a shady dude?
[] Write in

 

[RecurringExtra]

Well, that's... direct. You have no clue who this guy even is, but you may as well give him a chance.

You turn to Hawkwood. "I'm fine with it."

Hawkwood gives a nod. "I have no objections myself."

"R-really?" He sounds surprised. He was probably expecting you to decline off the bat. "Oh thank heavens for you both. I am Greirat, of the Undead Settlement. Perhaps you've heard of me?"

You and Hawkwood exchange glances, before you both shake your heads.

"I thought as much." The dismay is audible in Greirat's voice. "I've been stuck in this cell for much too long." With that he gives the iron bar a kick to little effect.

"Anyhow" Greirat mumbles as he reaches into the first of several pockets he has loosely sewn into his outfit. After a bit of searching, he pulls out a ring with a deep blue gem.

"Below the High Wall is a musty little town, not the home any Lord, just a very old settlement of undead. An old woman, Loretta lives there. Please, give her this ring."

Both you and Hawkwood remain silent. Huh, that wasn't what you were expecting...

"I-I'm not asking for charity!" Greirat stutters out. "In fa-in fact, if you do this for me, I'll be sure to repay you in kind. I-I may be a petty thief, but I've more wits than most royalty."

"Is that why you're locked up here?" You ask. "For theft?"

You can make out Greirat's sigh, although his face remains obscured by the strange hood. "Yes, the locals are quite fond of clinging to what they have here, and they aren't the most forgiving of types after the fact, even for things they have no need of."

"What's a 'petty' thief doing in an isolated cell? Seems a tad bit overkill, if you ask me." Hawkwood says.

"Ah, that. Well, those who reside in Lothric proper don't take well to outsiders, especially not the unfortunate souls who reside below the wall. They see us more like vermin than anything, really. Tha-that's why I scaled the wall, you see, because who better to steal from than those who think themselves your betters? Take, for example, a ring of protection." He displays the ring in his hand. "Why, it was just laying in a cupboard collecting dust. But now, it can be put to use again instead."

You're reminded briefly of that old English story, the one about the guy who steals to help the poor. Robin Hood, you think. It wasn't your favorite story, since it was about a bandit who stole stuff, but you remember it. Whether this guy actually fits the description though, you really can't say yet.

"Excuse us for one moment." Hawkwood says as he pulls you aside. The two of you leave the cellhouse and end up back near the staircase you came down. "I don't think we can trust him." Hawkwood isn't exactly scowling as he speaks, but it doesn't look much better. "He hasn't given us much to go on here, and what he has is nothing good. He admitted to being a criminal immediately, and he's from a settlement of Undead. Any settlement of Undead is bound to be rife with problems." You get the impression Hawkwood is speaking from experience here. "Besides, I doubt we'll even make it below the Wall."

You scowl right back at Hawkwood. "Why're you so quick to judge him?" And is he giving up already? You've barely even started!

"Look," Hawkwood responds, ignoring your question, "if you feel taking the risk is worth it, then go right ahead. Just remember, if it explodes in your face you have nobody to blame but yourself."

"Why're you always like this?"

"Why? Honestly, I expected you to have given up already, like any sane person would have done, but evidently you enjoy trying to get yourself killed in some hopeless situation!" Hawkwood growls at you.

"Just because I don't want to give up so easily? If you don't think we even have a chance, why're you even here?"

"Because if I'm not there when a child is fighting for their life, then I would be even more of a failure than I already am." With that, Hawkwood turns to head back into the cellhouse, leaving you alone with your thoughts.

What is his deal? He's willing to help you, but at every turn it's like he wants you to just give up! Can he just make his mind up already and stop being such a dick? You let out a huff before you head back to the cellhouse yourself.

"So, have you made a decision?" Greirat asks, idly tossing the ring up into the air before catching it.

---

[] Agree to his request. Screw what Hawkwood thinks! He's always pessimistic and complaining about everything. You'd just be delivering a ring to an old lady, nothing sinister. Refusing would be the cruel option here.
- [] Try and break into the cell now. The bars look solid, but you should be able to force them in if you try hard enough. (Very Hard. Failing the roll will, instead of causing you to fail to complete the action, penalize you with Corruption, from 40 Corruption scaling up to 200 + 5d20 Corruption Cost on critfail)
- [] Wait until you can find the key. It's much less risky, and you'd rather not waste the energy at the moment.
- [] Don't let Greirat out. While you're willing to help him out, he's still a criminal.
[] Decline his request. Hawkwood's right, regardless of how much of an ass he is. Greirat is pretty shady. He even admitted to being a criminal without any hesitation! There has to be a catch here somewhere. There's always a catch, after all, you've learned that lesson quite well. Better safe than sorry.
[] Write in

---

Afterwards you...
[] Go and deal with that Darkwraith now rather than later.
[] Head to the upper floor and head out onto the rooftops.
[] Write in