Chapter 6 - Exploring Limgrave

While riding Torrent, I took out the Limgrave map piece and looked at it. I think I'll explore the edges of the region and then ride further into Limgrave. I rode for a while until I found a wooden door hidden behind a small rock wall. 

I left Torrent and approached the door, equipped my Silver Serpent Ring and Golden Serpent Ring and opened it. I saw some stairs leading down.

It seemed to be a type of catacomb, as I went down the stairs I found a site of grace; I touched it and continued down through the catacombs. Entering a path to the right, I found a closed door and a path that led left down some stairs.

Going left I reached a larger room with a stone corridor ahead, passing through that corridor and turning right, I stopped short when I saw the wall of flame coming towards me.

I jumped back, the flames lightly burning my robes. That was close. I heard the noise of something behind me, and looking back where I came from, there were two small creatures made of stone. 

I took Rogier's rapier from my bag and I pierced each creature, they died immediately. Was the rapier already upgraded? If so then I need to thank Rogier later.

Looking at the stone creatures I saw that one of them had left a forked ax, I put it in my bag. Now I need to go through the fire, approaching the corridor I calculated the interval between the jets of fire. I think I got it.

I was ready to run, and when the current jet of fire was about to end I ran, the jet of fire stopped. However, as I ran, I saw the fire forming again in a type of pillar ahead. 

The jet came towards me; I rolled into a hallway on the right, only to grab the wall, preventing me from continuing forward, as another jet of fire almost hit me.

I repeated the same process, and when the jet was about to end I ran again, I managed to get into the same room where the pillar was, I took the materials that were on a corpse. Several of these stone creatures jumped from the walls and came towards me. 

Looking to the fire-throwing pillar, I had an idea. With the creatures behind me, I ran towards the corridor, when the fire was released, I rolled to the left entering an area with a ladder leading up.

I got souls and runes. I saw something shining on one of the dead creatures, it had a cat-shaped head, and I dragged the body close to me and saw that the cat's head was hollow and served as a helmet. I put it on my head and felt something different, this equipment was enchanted, and I feel that my intelligence has increased.

Going up the stairs I reached an upper area of the catacombs, leaving a corridor and looking to the side, I parried the ax blow with my rapier; one of those small gargoyles was waiting for me on the exit of the corridor. 

I kicked the creature from where we were, I heard the sound of stone breaking below. Moving forward, I killed another one of these creatures and entered a room with a corpse next to a stone coffin.

There was something in the hands of the corpse, approaching it, I saw that it was some Spirits Ashes, it seemed to be a group of people, and I took the ash and kept it in my bag. Leaving the room and looking at an area further down, I saw a lever. 

I jumped to the area and pulled the lever, I heard the sound of a door opening, returning to the locked door room, going through the door and down the stairs, and I saw a wall of yellow fog. I think it's time for a notable enemy.

I passed through the fog wall and came to a large room with pillars on the sides, on the other side, I saw a strange creature, it was the statue of a cat wearing a cape, a sword, and with fire on the tip of its tail. 

The statue's eyes shone and it jumped towards me, which was strange since it jumped without moving, it was as if it was floating.

The statue brought the sword down towards me, I simply jumped back. Using the ashes of the war of the rapier, small magic swords floated above me, five swords in total, they flew towards the statue, and they all hit it. The statue tried to hit me again, I rolled backward dodging the blow. 

This is surprisingly easy. I launched Fire Orb at the statue, stunning it. I saw something orange glowing on its chest; I immediately hit the spot with the rapier.

The statue shook and fell to the ground disappearing in runes and souls. In the place where the statue fell, was a spirit ash. I picked up the ashes, it seemed to be a sorcerer. I kept it in my bag and left the catacombs.

Outside, I called Torrent. 

"Come on Torrent, let's continue our exploration." I said while stroking Torrent on his head, he gave a neigh of happiness. So let's go!

-XXXXXX-

We arrived at a small cave between the trees, I entered the cave, touched the grace, and went deeper. I reached an elevated area and when I looked down, I saw several wolves around a fire. I threw a Chaos Fireball in the center of the group. 

The explosion of the fireball followed by the lava killed most of the wolves, one of them climbed the cave paths, running towards me, the wolf jumped with its fangs bared, aiming at my neck. I rolled to the right and pierced the wolf's neck with my rapier; the wolf struggled, and soon stopped moving.

At the end of the cave, there was another wall of yellow fog, passing through it I came to a large open area; it seemed to be a kind of camp. In the center of the room there was a creature, it looked like a mixture of a human and a dog, the creature carried a great cleaver, wore leather and cloth armor. The beast roared, and came towards me.

The creature swung the cleaver horizontally, I rolled back and launched a Fire Orb, and the orb hit the creature squarely. The creature then pulled the cleaver back and pushed it towards me, I rolled to the left and taking advantage that the creature still didn't recover from its blow, I cut the right side of the creature repeatedly. 

It roared in pain, and then swung the cleaver with both hands aiming at my chest, I rolled to the right, dodging the blow. I stretched out my hand and used Fire Whip. The spiral of flames burned the creature, reducing it to runes and souls. 

The creature left a talisman on the ground; it was a talisman with the drawing of a red dragon. I stuck the talisman in my robes, more specifically on the left side of the chest; I felt the magic of the talisman taking effect.

I left the cave, called Torrent, and moved on.

-XXXXXX-

I passed the soldiers' camp at the ruined gate, heading east, but suddenly I heard someone calling me. 

"Hi! You there! Can you help me?" 

I looked around. Who was calling me? 

"You, yes, you there! Stop pretending you can't see me. Why no one looks me in the eye? I'm not that ugly." 

I followed the voice until I came close to a tree.

I walked around the tree, I'm sure the voice came from here. Hm… I kicked the tree, imagine my surprise when the tree disappeared, and in its place there was a monkey-like being wearing clothes, he was on the ground moaning in pain. I think I kicked him too hard.

Then he got up and talked to me "Ouch! Why did you do this? Hmm? Oh yes, I remember. I was turned into a tree. You were just breaking the spell, weren't you?" 

Of course, of course I was… I thought as I looked away.

"Thanks! My name is Boc, I was kicked out of the cave, and they told me not to come back, never. Therefore, I ended up like a tree, lucky you came. Boc, the tailor, at your service, master." Boc said as he bowed.

"Nice to meet you Boc." I said, bowing too.

Then Boc started checking the pockets of his clothes. "Oh, what a shame, when they threw me out of the cave, they took everything I had, so that's all I have to be thankful for. I hope you forgive me." 

Boc said as he handed me some mushrooms, I put them in my bag.

"No problem at all Boc, but thanks for the mushrooms anyway."

Boc then looked around, he seemed to think of something "Or, if you could just wait a bit, I could sneak back into the cave and bring you something of real value. So I would be of some real use to you, I think." 

Why is he so determined to repay me?

"Do what you think is best, Boc." I told him.

"Okay, but I'm going to need a moment, I'm scared of them… Therefore, I have to pull myself together. My knees start to tremble… just thinking about that horrible cave on the beach." 

Cave on the beach? I see… Better, check this later to see if he's going to be okay.

"Very well so I'll be on my way, see you later Boc." I said, calling Torrent again.

"Oh, are you leaving so soon? Please be safe on your journey." Boc said as he waved at me, I waved back and kept riding.

-XXXXXX-

I came to a hut, and near this hut, there was a site of grace, I touched it and I entered the building, and inside it, there was another bright painting, touching it, the place that the painting represented did not leave my head, I need to find that place too. 

I called Torrent and kept riding.

While riding I came to a ruin that served as a bridge, on top of this ruin was a man shouting at the top of his lungs 

"Hello? Is anyone there? Anyone who might be interested in rescuing the great Kenneth Haight? Servant of the true Order and famous repudiator of the false! O Erdtree! Grant me help!"

I approached the man, but he hadn't noticed me yet, I gave him a little tap on the shoulder. The man gave a surprised cry and quickly turned to me.

"AAAHHH!" 

I believe that the helmet I'm using is not exactly inviting, as the man looking at me jumped back, the problem was that behind him there was nothing, just a fall that would lead to his death. One of the man's feet stayed out of the ruin, causing him to lose his balance and fall backward. 

In a few seconds, I ran forward and grabbed him by the collar of his robes. The man was leaning back, with only one foot in the ruin and his arms dangling, the man then decided to look to the side, seeing the size of the fall he looked at me and screamed.

"PULL ME BACK! PULL ME BACK!"

I did what the man said and pulled him back to the ruin, the man called Kenneth was now on the ground breathing heavily and with one hand on his heart. Kenneth then stood up, looked at me, cleared his throat, and said.

"Oh, you came to lend me your help, didn't you? Well, that's very kind, but, um… No, no. Help is greatly appreciated. Even from a Tarnished one. Despite appearances, nobility is not a prerequisite for serving the true Order. You may have heard of me. Kenneth Haight. Next in line as the rightful ruler of Limgrave."

"No, I've never heard of you." 

Kenneth lowered his head at my statement. Did I say something wrong?

"Young Tarnished, you arrived as a blessing. I want you to take back my fort. It is to the south, beyond the Mistwood. A Knight Commander of Stormveil took it. A fool and lunatic. Simply obsessed with blood!" 

Take a fort? How did you let the fort be taken to begin with? Since you own the fort, shouldn't you be the one to take it back?

I seemed to have been silent for a long time as Kenneth began to complain to me. 

"What are you waiting for? A goodbye kiss? My fort is south beyond Mistwood. Take it back to me. Ah, I see. Do you wish to know the reward? Don't worry, the great Kenneth Haight is known for his considerable generosity. The celebrations will indeed be lavish, at the dawn of my fort's recovery."

Reward? Now I'm interested. From the top of the ruins, I could see a fort in the distance, it was beyond the forest, so that's where I should go. 

"I accept it, I'll take your fort back."

"Hmph, yes, now allow me to give you a little advice. I would be very careful to avoid Godrick's Tarnished hunts if I were in your shoes. These perverts are obsessed with sacrificing tarnished like you for the sake of the graft. Honestly, Godrick's nothing more than a jumped-up country bumpkin. Lord? Don't make me laugh."

"You don't know? Godrick is dead." 

Kenneth's eyes widened at this information, and he suddenly burst out laughing.

"That doesn't surprise me. Honestly, Godrick is nothing more than a country bumpkin. Lord? Do not make me laugh. First, he hid among the women to escape the capital, and then he hid from Radahn in that castle… Then he insulted Malenia, lost to her in battle and to the mysterious warrior who bravely decided to face them. Only to lick her boots instead of die like a man. Moreover, to think he's Godfrey's blood! Last of the golden bloodline, though you hardly know it from looking at it. I almost feel sorry for the man the more I think about it."

Licked her boots? If I remember correctly, Malenia wore sandals that left all her toes exposed. So you mean… I shuddered at the image that popped into my head. Godrick the Hateful Toe Eater. And Mysterious Warrior? I think he's talking about me. Maybe I shouldn't have entered Godrick's memories 

"Can you tell me more about this mysterious warrior?"

"Oh! The mysterious warrior is considered a legend in the Lands Between, appearing at different times in history, facing demigods, and mysteriously disappearing soon after, his identity remains a mystery, but there are theories about him. Some say he is a demigod related to Lord Radagon, due to possessing red hair and bright yellow eyes. A distant relative perhaps? Others say that he is not one person, but several who have taken up the mantle of the mysterious warrior throughout history, due to the moments of their appearances being centuries apart."

It seems that I will interfere a lot in the history of these lands.

"My favorite is also the most outrageous, the theory goes that the mysterious warrior is a bastard son of Lord Radagon, born from an extramarital relationship. It is said that when these rumors reached Queen Marika's ears her screams of rage could be heard throughout the capital, soon afterward Queen Marika led a hunt for the mysterious warrior, but never found him."

I sweated at this statement. I hope I can apologize for the trouble if I find Radagon. Maybe together we can clear up this misunderstanding.

"Thanks for the information Kenneth, soon I will bring you news about the retaking of your fort." I called Torrent and rode towards the fort.

-XXXXXX-

On the way to the fort, I got a cookbook in a cemetery, and I killed a beetle near a river. I got a new ash of war, it was a sword shining with golden light and releasing an energy cut. 

Further on I saw a church, if I remember correctly, one of the pieces of information I bought from Kalé said that there was an important vial in this church.

I touched the grace in the Church and went towards the statue, it was the statue of a woman with open arms, and this must be Marika. On the floor near the statue, there was a vial, it was a transparent vial with a golden liquid inside, and I kept it in my bag. 

Inside the church I also found a golden chalice and a small red crystal ball, I kept it all in my bag too. I decided to rest a little in the site of grace, and when I sat down, Melina appeared.

"Hello, Alden. How are you?" Melina asked with a smile.

"I am fine. Roderika told me that you were the one who took me to the Round Table. Is that true?"

"Yes. It's has been a long time since you went to Stormveil, I was worried so I decided to look for you. I found you extremely wounded next to Godrick's corpse. Demigods are powerful, even though Godrick was the weakest of them, facing him must have been difficult." Melina said worriedly.

"It wasn't Godrick who hurt me like that." I said, looking up. 

It was getting dark. I'm still not used to the passage of time here. No permanent sunrise, no stars standing still in the sky, no night of incessant rain. Someone must have sat on Drangleic's Throne after I was sent to these lands.

"So who was it?" Melina asked me.

"Malenia, Blade of Miquella." 

Melina tilted her head and looked at me confused.

"That's not possible."

"Why not?"

"Malenia disappeared after her fight with General Radahn, there's no way she would suddenly appear without the news spreading through the Lands Between."

I stopped to think for a minute, I don't think it would be a good idea to mention that I can travel through time using memories. Who knows what might happen?

"You're right, maybe I was hallucinating from my injuries."

We both went silent, that was uncomfortable.

 "Melina?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you for taking me to the Round-table and for healing me." I said with a small smile.

"You're welcome." Melina replied, smiling too.

Another uncomfortable silence

"Melina?"

"Yes?"

"Could you answer some questions?"

"Of course Alden, as your Maiden I am duty bound to help you, so ask your questions, and I will try my best to answer them."

"Thanks." 

I took from my bag the vial with the golden liquid, the small red crystal, the golden seed, and the golden chalice. I also took out the vials of blue liquid and red liquid. 

"What are these things?"

Melina stared at me; I was getting tired of people staring at me for not knowing some common information about this place.

"The vial with the red liquid is called flask of crimson tears, it serves to heal your wounds, the vial with the blue liquid is called flask of cerulean tears, and it serves to restore your magic. The vial with the golden liquid is called a vial of wonderful physique, the effect of this vial can be modified according to your will, and you only need a crystal tear, which is the small red crystal you found."

So you mean all this time I was walking around with magic flasks?!? Good to know, since my estus isn't filling when I rest in the site of grace, I'll save them for emergencies.

"The golden chalice is a holy tear, with it; you can strengthen the effect of the flasks, while golden seed increases the number of uses."

Great!

"Could you upgrade the flasks for me? I have no idea how to use these things." I said while giving Melina an ashamed look.

Melina looked down as she sighed. She took the vials, the holy tear, and the golden seed and turned her back to me. What is she doing? I tried to look over her shoulder, but Melina always turned around blocking my view, so we stayed like that for a few minutes, spinning in circles.

"Let me see it!"

"No! This is a secret art passed down by finger maidens for generations, not meant to be seen by non-maidens!"

Once again, we ran in circles, until finally she finished upgrading the vials. In terms of appearance, they hadn't changed, but I felt a slight increase in the magic of the vial. 

Melina handed me the vials and I hung them on my belt. So we went back to sit in the church. When I looked at Melina, she seemed to think about something. 

"Alden, spoken echoes of Queen Marika linger here as well. Shall I share them with you?"

Echoes? Like a message? Why not? 

"Yes, please."

"Right. In Marika's, own words. My Lord, and your warriors. I deprive each of you of your grace. With your eyes darkened, you will be driven out of the Lands Between. You will wage war in a distant land, where you will live and die." 

"Well? Perhaps this could serve you in place of a maiden's guidance."

Perfect! More information! Therefore, that means Marika sent one of her consorts away. Godfrey I assume, if what Gideon told me it's true. 

"Thanks, Melina, you just cleared some of my doubts."

"I'm happy to help. Alden if you don't mind, could you tell me some stories about your adventures?" 

Hm… Maybe I can, but I'll have to omit some facts. Melina has only been kind to me, I think I can do her this little favor.

"How about I tell you about the time I found a sanctuary city lost in the depths of the earth and fought a venom-spitting dragon?"

"Seriously? I would love it." 

Melina's voice got more excited and she leaned forward. I heard a neigh at my side, looks like Torrent has decided to join us. Well, let's start!

"Many monarchs have come and gone."

"One drowned in poison, another succumbed to the flames."

"Still another sleeps in a realm of ice."

"This is the story of the Old Sunken King."

"That when finding a sleeping dragon in the depths of the earth."

"Built a shrine around it to worship."

"But that worship would soon come to an end."

"Because those who coveted dragon blood."

Then during that night for the first time, I told a story, and there was someone to listen to. I don't know why but I felt something different inside me. A pleasant feeling.

-XXXXXX-

I was riding through a forest, heading towards the fort, before leaving, Melina told me something interesting, a man named Patches received a large number of items overnight, weapons, armor, staffs. 

It seems I found who stole my equipment, according to Melina, he is hiding in a cave beyond the lake of Limgrave, when I finish my current mission I will pay him a visit.

On the side of the road, I found a corpse, and in his hands another cookbook. Further, on, I found another tombstone with a piece of a map. I placed the two pieces of the map on the ground and cast Repair, the two pieces came together, forming a bigger map. However, it was incomplete, its edges were torn, and more pieces fit there.

In the forest, there was a tree much bigger than the others, and it wasn't difficult to notice. Approaching it, I saw several giant jars around the tree, near the tree there were altars, and in these altars, I found other crystals tears, one green and the other white and pointy. I kept it in my bag.

I headed west of the giant tree, and down the hill I found another beetle rolling a dung ball, I attacked the beetle with the rapier, it hadn't died and it ran down the hill. 

"HA!" I yelled for Torrent to go faster. 

The beetle reached the road in the middle of the forest, on this road there were creatures carrying clubs, I didn't pay them much attention, I cut the first's throat with the rapier, and I cast a Dark Orb on the second's. The third came running towards me with a raised club, I used my flame and cast a Fire Orb towards him, and he fell burned to the ground.

Nevertheless, the beetle was still running away. 

"HA!" 

Torrent shot after the beetle, I finally managed to reach it, with one last hit the insect died and I got a new ash of war.

I was startled from my celebration by the howl of a wolf, looking around I realized that I followed the beetle to a ruin, and the howl continued. Was it coming from above?

I searched for the source of the howl while looking up, not paying attention to where I was going I ended up bumping into something big and furry, when I looked ahead, I saw the biggest bear I'd seen in my life. It got up angrily, it looks like I interrupted its nap.

The bear swung one of its paws towards me, I rolled back, and the blow of its paw was strong enough to knock down one of the walls of the ruin. I cast a Dark Orb towards the bear, he ignored the wound from the spell and came running towards me. 

The bear opened its mouth and tried to bite me, rolling to the left, I managed to dodge the blow and launched a Chaos Fireball at its back, the bear roared in pain as the flames and lava burned its fur and exposed its muscles. 

This made it furious, the bear attacked me frantically with several swipes of its paws, its claws almost disemboweling me.

The blows came from the left and right, one after the other, until one of them managed to hit me, I flew towards the stairs where the bear was sleeping, and while on the ground, I saw the bear get up on its hind legs, lift both front legs and descend them towards me. 

I rolled into the stairs, my body colliding with each step, causing pain with each impact. I finally stopped falling when I hit a metal door at the bottom of the stairs, the bear stuck his head in the stairwell, but he was too big to enter.

Taking my chance I approached the bear and used Fire Whip directly on its face, the bear let out a deafening roar as it died and disappeared into runes, I summoned warmth, and let the flame heal me. Looking back, I saw the metal door. 

I opened it I went into a room with a chest, I hit the chest, nothing happened, opening it I found a talisman in the shape of an ax, I hung the talisman on my chest, just below the talisman I got by fighting the creature with the cleaver, I felt the talisman's magic taking effect.

-XXXXXX-

Finally, after so many setbacks I arrived at the fort. Before entering the fort, I touched the grace to the west, and I took a golden seed just in front of the fort. The seed was in front of a small golden tree. 

Didn't I pass some of those trees on the way to Stormveil? Well, I have Rogier's favor to fulfill on Stormveil, I pick up the seeds on the way.

As I approached, from the fort a monster came running towards me. It was humanoid and carried a flail on a chain; its most notable feature was the pumpkin-shaped helmet it wore. 

"HA!" I yelled as I shook Torrent's reins. 

Torrent shot forward, and as I approached the monster, it swung its flail towards my head; I bent down and slashed the monster on its right side.

The monster roared and ran towards me again. It looked like I would need a bigger weapon; I put away the rapier and took the great sword from my bag. 

With the sword in my right hand I lit my pyromantic flame and cast Flaming Weapon, the flames left my hand and climbed up the sword, engulfing it in flames.

With the staff in my left hand I cast Affinity, and fragments of darkness appeared above me. 

Once again, we faced each other and this time the monster tried to crush me with a head-butt using its pumpkin-shaped helmet. The fragments of darkness shot towards the monster, hitting it a few moments before its helm collided with the ground.

"GHAAR!" The monster screamed, as it recovered from the blow. 

I turned Torrent around, and faced the creature's back. 

"HA!" Torrent advanced one last time. 

I prepared my flaming sword and when I approached the monster I pierced its back, with a roar of pain, the monster disappeared in runes leaving his flail on the ground. I took the flail and put it in my bag.

Time to enter the fort.

As I approached the stairs leading into the fort, four of Godrick's soldiers emerged from the fort's entrance, three carrying swords and shields and one carrying a spear and shield. This will be easy.

The men with swords and shields ran towards me, one on the left, one on the right, and one in front of me, I cast Wrath of the Gods, when the shock wave crashed into the soldiers, they all fell to the ground bleeding from their mouths, noses, and ears.

The remaining soldier tried to hit me with his shield, I jumped to the left, dodging the blow, due to the impulse of the soldier's blow, he ended up passing me, taking advantage of his carelessness, I cut him from behind with the great sword. The soldier was decapitated and his head fell to the floor.

Entering the fort I was greeted with a firebomb flying towards me, I rolled to the left dodging the explosion. I cast Dark Orb towards the soldier in an elevated area, the Orb hit him in the chest, and the soldier fell dead to the ground.

Climbing the stairway of the fort, another bomb was thrown towards me, this time by one of Stormveil's hooded men. I rolled forward, the bomb flew over me and exploded on the lower steps. 

Running towards the man, I pierced him on his chest with my sword, placing my foot on his chest, I ripped the sword from his body.

I kept going up until I reached the walls of the fort. There was a knight of Godrick. He wore full armor and carried a great shield and a greatsword. The knight ran towards me, his sword surrounded by a red liquid. Was that blood? I'll worry about that later.

I cast Dark Hail towards the knight, but he blocked with his shield and advanced, trying to hit me with it. I rolled to the right, but the knight raised his sword and turning his body, lowered his blade towards me. 

The sword hit the ground a few inches behind me, and as I stood up, I thrust the greats sword toward the knight's head, he leaned back, the blow grazing the front of his helm.

We took distance from each other, the knight put his shield on his back and held his sword with both hands, and blood was still flowing through the blade. I also grabbed my sword with both hands. 

We stared at each other, waiting for who would do the first movement, with a cry of fury, the knight raised his sword and advanced, I decided to return the gesture in a similar manner.

Our weapons collided, both swords sparking as they met, we continued to exchange blows, the soldier stepped back and swung his sword horizontally, I ducked, the blow passing over my helmet.

I quickly grabbed my staff and caste Dark Orb, the orb hit the knight in the chest, he staggered back, but recovering from the blow, the soldier put the blade of his sword in his left hand, and then he slid it, cutting his palm.

A cut of blood surged from the sword and slashed my chest.

"AAAHHH!" 

I think it's time to find out what the ash of war on my sword does. The soldier repeated the same action as before, when the blade approached me, I used the ash of war. 

I took the hit, then swung the sword in a vertical arc, the blow hit the knight throwing him up, when the knight fell on his back, I stuck my sword in his chest, and the knight raised his hand towards me, trying in vain to make a last attack. Soon the knight's body disappeared in runes. 

In the place where the knight was, there was an ash of war, it was someone swinging a sword with a cut of blood being thrown forward. I kept the ash in my bag; it might be useful if I find it the right weapon to use it.

Looking around I saw that there were no enemies left. I let's see if I can find something interesting here.

-XXXXXX-

Well, I got a cookbook and half a medallion. I wonder what it's for. I used the grace near the fort to transport myself to the grace near the hut where I found the painting. Climbing up the ruin, I found Kenneth.

"Hey Kenneth."

 "Hm? What is it, kind sir?" Kenneth said, turning towards me.

"I've taken back your fort, you don't have to worry about the knight anymore."

"Remarkable! The Knight Commander is dead. A blessing if I ever came across one. Good job, good job indeed. I doubt that was your intention, but the deed is done, and I congratulate you. Now, this is your reward. Go ahead, it's yours to keep."

Kenneth smiled as he spoke in a pompous tone and handed me a golden dagger adorned with a crest in the shape of grass. 

I took a few swings in the air with it, great for close-range combat. I also felt an ash of war on the dagger. I put it in my bag.

Kenneth passed by me and walked towards his fort, after some distance he turned to me. 

"Oh yes. I wanted to ask. Would you like to join my service? I see bright things in your future, stalwart warrior. Enter my service and learn the workings of the true Order of the Erdtree. Moreover, who knows, maybe at some point, golden grace will return to those Tarnished eyes of yours? What do you say? A nice deal, isn't it?"

Kenneth held out his hand as he smiled. Should I accept? Kenneth is pompous, cocky, and arrogant, but I don't think he's a bad person. I'll accept and see what happens. I accepted Kenneth's hand giving it a squeeze, Kenneth's face contorted in pain.

"OUCH!" Kenneth broke our handshake and started massaging the aching hand. 

Did I grab his hand too hard?

"Very good. Very good indeed. I knew I saw something in you. I will wait for you in my fort. We'll hold your naming ceremony there, I think. I see great things ahead of us. We are truly blessed by Erdtree." 

Kenneth said as he pretended nothing had happened and set off towards the fort.

I never thought this would happen. Me, named a knight? As far as I know Undead are only knighted before the curse mark appears on their bodies. After that, if they become Undead, they will be considered a disgrace to whoever named them. 

Maybe things here are different?

-XXXXXX-

This time I decided to ride towards the south of the lake, I needed to find Patches. Up ahead I could see a big wagon pulled by two giant monsters, there were iron spikes inside their bodies, and these spikes were attached to chains that served to pull the wagon. 

Well, I have no reason to attack them; I'll just pass by their side.

I passed by the side of the carriage, but behind it, there was a procession of men. They carried swords and rapiers, they were thin and wore rags. It seemed that one day these clothes were noblemen's clothes. 

I was willing to ignore them, but one of them decided to try to cut me with his sword. Why can't we settle things peacefully?

There were six men in total, nothing too difficult. I leaned back to dodge the blow, took the flail from my bag, and swung it towards the man's head. The blow was so strong that one of the man's eyes popped out of his head, the corpse fell to the ground with its skull open.

The other men looked at me startled. 

"So who wants to be next?" 

One of the men raised his sword and advanced, screaming like a lunatic.

I took a throwing knife out of my bag and threw it towards the man, the knife lodged in his throat. Then he fell backward with his hands on his neck, trying to pull the knife out, he tried to scream while drowning in his blood, soon he stopped moving.

"Somebody else?" I asked.

The group looked at each other, coming to terms; they all dropped their weapons and ran. Unlike Godrick's soldiers, they knew when to give up the fight and run away.

I left Torrent and opened the chest at the back of the carriage. I found a great ax. Looking at the front of the carriage, the two monsters stopped walking, I looked at the chain that attached them to the carriage. 

Lifting the great ax, I cut each chain, the now free monsters looked at me, and they just nodded their heads and walked away. I waved goodbye at them.

It seems that there are intelligent monsters here in the Lands Between.

Looking to the side, on top of a hill there were some ruins. According to Kalé's information, someone is hiding there.

Entering the ruins and going down the stairs, I found another wall of yellow fog. What is waiting for me on the other side? Well, there's only one way to find out.

Passing through the fog, I found another one of the monsters with the pumpkin-shaped helmet, only this one was bigger. The monster roared and readied its flail.

Casting Sunlight Blade with my chime, I dragged it on the great ax blade. The lightning engulfed the ax right after. I also decided to use the ax's ash of war. Letting out a roar, I felt an increase in my strength and was enveloped by a red aura. 

All right, time to fight!

The monster swung its flail twice, the blows came from the left and then the right, and I jumped back dodging the attack. The monster leaned back and brought the flail down towards me. 

I rolled to the monster's right side, and the flail hit the floor behind me an echo through the room. When finished my dodge, I cut the monster on the left side of its body.

Three blows with the ax, cutting deep, the lightning causing the monster to spasm. Its body thrashed with each blow. 

The monster spun around with its left arm outstretched, trying to hit me. I bent down and the arm passed over my head. Getting up, I cut the monster belly, making it roar in pain.

"ARGH!"

The monster leaned back again and tried to crush me using his pumpkin-shaped helmet, I rolled towards the blow, passing the monster and getting behind him. 

Casting Great Lightning Spear, I hurled it at the monster's back, he screamed in pain, but kept fighting. Recovering from the attack, the pumpkin head, turned towards me.

The pumpkin head spun the flail behind him then swung it in an arc. I used the ax ash of war once more, letting out a roar, my strength increased.

The flail came towards my head, rolling forward, I started my attack. The first a right-to-left slash, the second a left-to-right slash, the third a top-to-bottom slash. 

Now the last one. I spun my body, jumped with the ax raised and slashed the monster, the blow opening the pumpkin head's belly and chest.

Blood spattered with each cut, and the pumpkin head fell to the ground, disappearing in runes and souls.

The wall of fog on the other side of the room disappeared, and behind it was a smaller room. Entering the room, I saw tables, piles of books, and a person wearing blue robes and a strange stone helmet. 

I can't judge, after all, I'm using one too.

"Tarnished, isn't it? A wonder you showed up here. I am Sellen, a sorceress. Why are you here?" 

Therefore, her name is Sellen. Nice to find a sister sorceress around here.

"Nice to meet you Sellen, my name is Alden. I just followed a piece of information I bought, I had no idea that you was living here."

"Then let me get this straight. Did you travel to these ruins and fight my pumpkin head, simply because of information you bought?" 

I nodded.

"Your foolishness surprises me. Leaving that aside, I see that you are also a sorcerer." Sellen said as she pointed at my Sunset Staff.

"Would you be interested in learning sorcery?" Sellen asked me. 

This would be a great opportunity to learn about the magic of these lands.

"Yes, I'm interested."

"Fine, reach out your hand, let me test your aptitude." 

I held out my hand to Sellen and she took it. Sellen went silent for several minutes.

"Sellen…"

"Sellen…"

"Sellen…"

No reply.

"SELLEN!"

Sellen released my hand and jumped back in shock.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Y-yes… Well, your aptitude seems… passable. However, one must choose their masters wisely. I was exiled from the Academy of Raya Lucaria, an apostate and witch. Do you still wish to learn from me?"

"Of course, I don't see any problem with you being a witch."

"Very good. You are now my protégé in glintstone sorcery. Nevertheless, I refuse to pamper. Alternatively, throw kind words. Never. Anticipate grievances, young apprentice."

"Of course, you remind me of my old sorcery teachers." 

This seemed to capture Sellen's attention.

"Hm? And who would they be?"

"Carhillion of the Fold and Straid of Olaphis."

"Never heard of them, but they must be competent with their sorcery judging by your potential, but enough about your teachers, you're my protégé, let's learn about sorcery."

I agree, let's see what she has to teach me.

-XXXXXX-

Some of these spells were too basic for my interest, but a few caught my eye, Glinstone Stars and Glinstone Arch. Nevertheless, I've been here long enough. I need to continue my journey.

"Thank you for everything teacher, but I need to continue my journey, I will come back again when the time is right." I said as I bowed slightly to Sellen.

"Very well, I wish you a safe journey, but don't let my teachings go to your head, you still have a lot to learn." Sellen waved goodbye to me.

On the way out I touched the grace in the room I fought the pumpkin head, and outside the ruins, I called Torrent and rode away.

-XXXXXX-

Well, he left. I waited a few minutes to see if he would come back, and five minutes passed. I think that's good enough. Taking a deep breath, I slammed my fists into my desk and let out a cry of frustration.

"AAAAAHHHHH!"

What was that?!? How can someone have such magical power? He? My protégé? There's nothing I can teach him that he can't learn on his own! Alden is already at the advanced level! How is such a powerful person not in Raya Lucaria? 

If someone is to be protégé then I should be his protégé! When I took his hand and felt his potential, I couldn't identify any of his sorcery! What was that blue light? What was that darkness? Two completely unknown types of sorcery.

I took a deep breath to calm myself down; when Alden returns I'll ask him about where he comes from, his sorcery, and his teachers. Maybe Alden can help me with my goal. Only time will tell.

END OF CHAPTER