Chapter Text
Chapter 13:
Charisma: +1, Constitution: -2, Dexterity: -1
- Dark souls is owned by From Software.
- “Talking”
- “Thoughts”
“Demon/deity speech”
Solaire and Garret trudged their way back into Andre’s shop, meeting up with the rest of their group, “Hey guys,” Oscar and Siegmeyer waved, “Thanks for not using the bonfire, saved us some trouble”.
Siegmeyer replied, “No problem my friend. Was it a lucrative trip?”
Garret shrugged, “Eh, got some souls, got a special soul, suffered a nervous breakdown,” he then waved a hand when Siegmeyer voiced some concern, “Don’t worry, Solaire set helped me out of that funk. Speaking of, want to show Andre what we found?”
Solaire nodded, “Quite”. He walked over to Andre, who looked on with interest. His mouth parted in awe at the sight of the white ember.
“Why, why that’s” he rubbed his eyes, “That’s the ember of a divine blacksmith,” he reached for the ember, paused, the grabbed it at Solaire’s nod. He was silent as he moved it in his experienced hands, “Oh yes…I can make some divine weapons with this beauty”.
Garret smiled, “Great! That will be of great use later down the road, but right now we need to heal up, and then head down”.
Line Break
Oscar shook his head as Garret picked at the titanite lizard, “That’s another supposedly ‘rare beast’ that we have come across…You know, back in my hometown, all the children would gather around the old bard as he described the time he thought he saw one of those things”. Garret just smirked, which then deepened as he picked off a piece of Twinkling Titanite. Oscar shook his head with a sigh.
Siegmeyer patted his back, “Chin up friend. Besides, when we finish our quest, odds are we will have enough Titanite to start our own trading business”.
Solaire chuckled, “Yes, with Garret as our ‘expert miner’”. The three laughing knights did not notice Garret’s smile turn into a frown.
“Yeah,” the sorcerer scoffed, “Cause this will only end well for me”. He shook his head; “C’mon” he said aloud, “there’s some stuff I need to get.
The group walked further down. Siegmeyer pointed to a light glowing on a ledge below them, “Is that it?”
Garret nodded, “You guys head down the normal way, “I’ll only be a second”. The three walked ahead as Garret prepped to jump. After bouncing on his heels for a few seconds, then hopped down. The impact jarred his body, but he was okay overall.
He picked up the Hunter’s Set (sans hat), as well as the longbow and feather arrows. He immediately got out of his shoes and robes, putting the leather boots and armor on. He stretched, satisfied with the snugness of the piece, and hopped down the ledge.
Upon meeting up with the knights again, Oscar had this to say, “I’ll admit, that looks good on you, but the ensemble is offset by the helmet”.
Garret shrugged, and then pointed down the cliff, “We’re going to get rid of the knight first. I’ll head down, get him angry, then lead him up here. Solaire,” he nodded, “you stay here to help me deal with him. Siegmeyer, head up the ledge I was just on, you’re going to drop down on him when you get the chance”.
“What about me?”
Garret tossed Oscar the longbow and new arrows, “Target practice,” he grinned. After that, everyone moved out, preparing for the confrontation.
Line Break
Garret inched further down the basin, and stopped once he saw that the knight was directly below him. With a nervous breath, he leapt, swinging his sword down, a ferocious cry echoing across the basin. Too bad he missed.
Chuckling, Garret looked up at the knight, “Don’t suppose you’ll just let me do that again?” he then dove under the knight’s legs as its Halberd slammed into the ground.
Picking himself up, Garret ran upward, occasionally diving to avoid a particularly close swing. After Garret got back to even ground, the knight lunged forward, but was blocked by Solaire, who managed to sneak in a few blows. The knight roared in challenge, and swung its halberd in a wide arc, pushing Solaire back towards the wall. It started to stalk forward, but turned around and raised its shield as Garret swung his blade. It then hopped forward to avoid another blow from Solaire. It then jerked to the side as an arrow dug itself into its arm. It turned its head, and spotted Oscar some feet away, nocking another arrow. Catching the shine of a blade, it lifted its shield and held both Garret and Oscar at bay. A loud cry made it look up, and it visibly stiffened as Siegmeyer came crashing down, his blade slicing into its back. The dark knight shuddered, then roared as another arrow hit it, this time in the helmet. It turned towards Oscar, a stupid move all things considered, as it allowed the three behind it to strike hard and fast. It died soon after. Garret was saddened by the fact that it only left behind titanite, but quickly got over it.
“All right boys,” he clapped his hand, “There is a bonfire down where the knight was guarding, as well as an elevator that leads to the Valley of Drakes, and before anyone asks, I’m going alone. This is just an item run, I’m not going to try and kill anything, not yet at least”. The three all agreed, with varying degrees of reluctance.
As they went down, Garret noticed the Grass Crest shield he ignored in his panic. Picking it up, he turned to Siegmeyer, “Here you go,” he said, handing it over, “It blocks about as well as your shield, but also decreases the amount of time it takes to regain your stamina. Since you swing bigger weapons I figured, you know”.
Siegmeyer took the shield, “Thank you friend”. As he put it on his back, he noticed that, well, “…I’m glowing green”.
Garret shrugged, “Yeah, well, that’s how you know it working, lots of things glo-” he froze. He then sharply turned his head to Oscar and peered at the knight, who began to grow uncomfortable. “…Give me the ring”.
“Pardon?”
“The ring you picked up from the grave robber, Artorias’s ring,” confused, Oscar took the ring off, handing it to Garret.
Garret took his helmet of, scrutinizing the ring. After a few moments, he dropped it, eyes wide in shock, “It’s a fake”.
Oscar gasped, “Wait, what? How?”
Garret bent down, “It doesn’t feel magical at all. I could forgive the lack of a glow-hell, I original chalked it up to not everything in game being perfectly replicated-but then the shield caused Siegmeyer to light up like a titanite lizard. And checking it over, I can confirm, this thing,” he held the ring close, “is an imitation”.
Solaire spoke up, “So, are you’re visions now becoming less accurate, due to your interference?”
Garret brought his fist to his chin, “Maybe, maybe not…too early to say,” he shook his head, “For now, let’s just ignore it”. He gave Oscar an apologetic glance, “Sorry buddy”.
Oscar sighed, “Its alright. I had a feeling it was too good to be true anyway”. The quartet then walked into the nearby cave, and rested at the bonfire.
Line Break
Garret was once again naked (save for a loincloth) and descending deep into the earth. “Okay, first I’m going to get that armor. I might never wear it, but my GOCD (Gaming Obsessive Collecting Disorder) is killing me.” Nodding his head, Garret dashed out of the elevator and ran straight for the bridge.
The nearby drakes perked their heads, then hissed as they saw Garret run into view. One of them heaved a great breath, and let loose a shrill cry as lighting flew from its maw. Garret rolled to the side to avoid getting stung, and dashed right past the attacking drake. He made it halfway to the bridge, and stopped to pick up the gear. He cried out in pain as a drake swooped in and raked him with its claws. Shuddering, he ran forward. One of the three drakes by the gates of New Londo raised its neck and bared its teeth, stalking forward. As Garret neared, it lunged forward, jaws prepped to take a bite. Imagine its surprise when Garret jumped on its head to get an extra boost, stumbling just short of the ladder.
After collecting the soul at the top of the tower, Garret frowned as he looked down at the three drakes hissing at him. “I could jump, take the risk that I won’t die, and run back to the elevator…I could jump onto one of those things, mitigate the damage I would take…I could also use a homeward bone, save myself the trouble,” Garret chose took the third option.
Line Break
Garret inched his way forward, scrunching his nose as rot and decay assaulted his nostrils. He looked at the sword and shield lying right next to the dragon corpses claws. With a whimper, he decided to go for it. He slowly crept forward, trying not to gag, and froze right in front of the gear. With a shuddering breath, he grabbed the items and immediately rolled away. He started to run, but stumbled in combination to the beast’s roar and thrashing. It turned its head and opened up its rotted jaw, spewing what Garret assumed to be what was left of its internal organs at him. He was unfortunate enough to get sprayed, but managed to get away before a claw smashed into him.
After calming himself down, he laughed, “HAHAHA! SUCK IT YOU LEG-LESS LIZARD!” With a jaunty step, he moved towards the bridge. About halfway through, he lurched forward, feeling terribly sick, “Ah shit, toxic,” he turned to look at the undead dragon, “SCREW-” he had to stop himself from falling over the ledge, “YOU! Oooh, I hope I have some blooming moss”. He did not. “Dammi-!” another wave of nausea, “Okay, minor setback. I’ll just have to book it past the fattys and grab the key. Thank whoever designed those things that they like to roar every few seconds”.
Taking a second to drink from his Estus, Garret charged forward. He sidestepped the first enemy, and the second, but the third one clued in faster than its brethren and swung its club at Garret. Garret, a little disoriented due to the toxin seeping through his entire body, was struck in the back. He was sent flying by the blow. He managed to drink a bit of Estus, to keep himself from keeling over, but could barely manage a hurried walk. He crossed the shoddy bridge and fell onto the chest. He heaved with all his might, opening just enough for him to grab the key it held. He grinned, even as a shadow enveloped his shaking form.
Line Break
Garret opened his eyes, his mind in a haze. He groaned, “Garret,” he turned to see Siegmeyer leaning over him “are you all right?”
Garret slowly nodded, “Yeah, yeah. Just, after this, we are going to farm the heck out of purple moss,” he started to put his armor back on.
Oscar frowned, “Are you sure you want to move right now,” he noted that Garret was a little slow in putting on his boots, “You still seem out of it”.
Garret waved a hand, “I’m fine. Besides, I’d rather just get this over with.
Line Break
Garret hid behind another tree as on of the Hydra’s heads shot forth a magic blast. It was not needed though, as the actual attack went far left of his direction. It was times like this Garret thanked whatever god would listen that his hunches were correct. As it turns out, the Hydra is unable to do proper attacks when it is forced to divide its attention between multiple foes. You’d think having more than one head would help in that regard, but from Garret could surmise, it was more of a singular entity than multiple brains processing different information.
“C’mon you foul creature!” Siegmeyer yelled, “I’m right here!” He laughed as one of the heads tried to ram into him, only for another to smash into it as it tried to dodge a lightning bolt. Both heads crashed into the water, and he was able to cut one off.
Solaire grunted as he missed another shot, but was ultimately pleased, as it seemed to assist Siegmeyer’s endeavor.
Oscar, not for the first time since their adventure started, felt that he would have served the Astoran army just as well had he chosen to work as an archer. He mused that he was something of a natural, as he sent an arrow flying to an eye, where it stayed.
Five minutes of, well, calling it a fight would be overstating it, let’s call it a pummeling…yes, five straight minutes of pummeling later, and the Hydra was no more.
Garret and the others trudged through the water to meet up with Siegmeyer, who was staring at something in his hand. Upon questioning, he held up an ornate ring with a green gem, “This flew at me as the beast died, what is it Garret?”
Garret took the ring, “This thing belonged to the princess of a now dead kingdom, Princess Dusk of Oolacile”.
“Dusk?” Solaire snapped his fingers, “Was that not the young maiden saved by Knight Artorias before he died halting the Abyss?”
Garret chuckled, “Sure, let’s go with that. C’mon,” he pocketed the ring, we still have things to do”.
The group (sans Siegmeyer, who still wore the ring) plodded forward, moving past the waterfall, stopping in front of a small cave with a golden golem milling around.
“Solaire?” the knight grunted, “How many lightning miracles you have left?”
Solaire pursed his lips, “Two I suppose”.
Garret grinned pulled off his helmet, “Let ‘er rip”.
The golem staggered as two lightning blots pelted its chest. It tried to move, but a spiked mace struck the spot where the bolts hit. With a grunt of effort, Garret pulled the mace out, then slammed it atop the things head. It started to disappear in a flash of light. He then dropped the mace, and then let out a breath as he caught the body that fell from the air. He struggled, but ultimately fell on his ass, though the figure in his arms did not touch the water.
The person, a young woman, shook her head and rubbed her temples, clearing her mind of the haze of magical captivity. After that, she realized she was sitting on something rather firm. Looking down she saw that she was on someone’s lap. Looking up caused her to blush, as she now understood that she had fallen into the lap of a young man.
The young man smiled, “Hello there”.
The woman felt her heat flutter, and stammered back, “G-greetings. Thou must be my rescuer. I am Princess Dusk, of Oolacile”.
He chuckled, “And I am Garret, of, well, that’s not really important right now. Besides, I can’t take all the credit,” he jerked his head back, “they helped too”.
Princess Dusk shifted her gaze and saw three of knights, 2 of which were dressed in the oddest of armor. “If you don’t mind princess,” she turned to Garret once more, “This water is kind of cold”.
She blushed once more, deeper this time, and quickly stood up, “Of course!” After standing she cleared her throat, “Now, I do not have much time, for my place is-”
Garret interrupted her, “Far into the past, and you cannot stay here, for reasons I will never understand”.
Princess Dusk blinked, “Yes…How dids’t thou know that?”
He smiled, sending her heart racing once more, “I have the gift of foresight, and therefore know many things. I am also something of a sorcerer, and I know you have some spare spells”.
She nodded, “Yes, I would be willing to trade my spells in return for thine help. Thou need only ask”.
“Well consider yourself asked. Oh, yeah, there is this,” he pulled out a small ring, and she gasped when she saw it was hers, “We…found this just a little bit ago, thought you might want it”.
She gingerly took it in her hand, “This…I lost this ring shortly before my capture. But, why give it to me, surely thou must know it holds a powerful enchantment?”
Garret shrugged, “Yeah well, it’s your birthday gift. It doesn’t feel right to just keep it”.
Her blush had returned full force, “I, thank thee once again”.
Garret pouted, “Before you go, is there a way you know of that I can just summon you on the go. I mean, I know you’re going to set a sign down over by the shoreline, but there are going to be a lot of enemies that reappear whenever I’d want to see you again,” he then raised his hands in front of him, “Not that it wouldn’t be worth the trouble”.
Princess Dusk thought on the matter, which was a strenuous task, as she could feel the pull of time try and force her back. She looked at her ring, “Ah! This ring has a place in both my time and tine. It will serve a constant with which thou can call upon me if thou is in need of assistance, at the cost of thine vitality though,” she added, aware that that would be a dealbreaker.
“Cool, sign me up”.
She blinked owlishly at him, “Art thou sure? Every passing moment would brings’t thou closer and closer to agony”.
Garret shrugged, and another heart-melting smirk grew on his face, “I’m sure you’ll be worth it”.
Princess Dusk quickly shifted her gaze to the water beneath them, muttering a quick incantation. The ring glowed, and she handed it back to him. She started to float upward, “Farewell my rescuer!” she waved.
Garret waved back, “See you soon!” With a flash of light, she disappeared. Sighing, he turned back to his companions, who were staring at him in silence. “…What?”
Siegmeyer chortled, “Ah, to be young again”.
Line Break
“Oscar, I swear to whatever god is listening!”
Oscar spread his arms wide, “What? I’m just saying, maybe you should call your friend now, she certainly would like to see you again”.
Solaire decided to join in on the ribbing, “Yes, and I don’t think the feeling is exclusive”.
Garret blushed and tried to pull his boar helmet down to cover to rest of his face, then immediately regretted is as he started to gag.
“Come now you two,” Siegmeyer chided the knights; “Do no tease the young man so”. Garret gave his thanks, “He has enough on his plate, courting royalty and all,” the three laugher uproariously.
Garret scowled, “Screw you guys!” They then made it to the base of the tower where Havel was imprisoned, and the joyful mood died down.
“So,” Oscar let out a breath, “Bishop Havel the Rock is in there”.
Garret turned around, “Yes, and it’ll be a little tough, especially since he has some of the best armor you can find, and it absorbs most magical attacks. And don’t even get me started on that damn hammer”. Garret started to talk strategy, when Siegmeyer noticed a shadow coming from beneath the doorframe…it was getting larger.
“Gentlemen,” all three turned to him, “I believe the good Bishop is coming to us”.
Garret started to panic, “Wait what! That’s not a thing!” His hysteria heightened when the door began to creak open.
“Oh,” a soft, feminine voice said, “I thought I recognized that voice”. The four were dumbstruck (but none more than Garret) when the door opened fully to reveal Beatrice, the witch who helped them kill the Moonlight Butterfly. She fidgeted as awkward silence permeated the basin, “Um,” she took off her hat, revealing brown hair and hazel eyes, “won’t you come in?” She jumped as a thud echoed in the ravine. She leaned over to see that Garret had fainted.
Oscar let out a weak chuckle, “Well…that’s certainly the most…extreme reaction he’s ever had”.
A/N: Dun, dun, dun! What is Beatrice doing there? How does that fit in with the timeline? Why even show up in the first place? All these answers will hopefully be answered in full come the next chapter (which may or may not be in like, three or four months, depends on when I can get myself a copy of DS3 and play it, along with any DLC [because there will be DLC] in its entirety). Also, Dusk has a crush on our young hero; let’s see where that road takes us. Be sure to leave a review. Later.