Gurranq, Beast Clergyman and D

After Max tested for quite a bit, he managed to find, what he believes to be the urgent heal version of this incantation. The reason for that would be that this version of the incantation doesn't fully heal the wounds, but instead just enough for it to keep functioning.

'The normal heal incantation isn't really suitable for battle at the moment because the consumption is just way too much. If I use it, I might risk running out of mana, and then I would have to use my only cerulean tear flask. So, in order to delay that case as much as possible, while I am in battle I will only cast urgent heal when necessary, as the consumption isn't that high...'

The next day early in the morning, Max asked Melina to take them to the church of Marika where the hidden portal was.

"Alright, please let my hand rest upon thee, for but a moment.", said Melina.

Soon, they found themselves at the desired location and Max immediately stated going directly towards the portal.

"Why are you climbing out of the window? Just take a few more steps and go through the front gate.", stated Melina.

Max was puzzled at her reaction, and just said,"But it is faster this way, besides this church is not in a fantastic state, but instead it is in ruins, so who cares?"

Melina nodded at his answer, but still took the front gate and then rejoined the tarnished soon after. The two then entered the small swamp and got their feet wet, and then started searching for the portal.

In truth, it is actually really tricky to find it, but for Max, who had used many times and is basically able to find it with his eyes closed, that wasn't a problem at all. Standing before it, Max additionally stated:

"Alright, if I am not mistaken, going through it will take us all up to northern Caelid..."

Just when Max wondered how you really use the waygate, he put his hand into the silver substance, he was getting sucked into it. Before he even knew what happened, he found himself before the Bestial Sanctums huge doors. Using this portal had some consequences, as he was feeling dizzy for some time. Very soon, Melina appeared beside him and as he looked at her, Max didn't get the feeling that she was feeling dizzy or anything like that at all.

'I guess, I just have to get used to it, and then it should go away.', concluded Max.

He then looked around and when he saw the big black Gargoyle behind him, he couldn't help it but to quickly look away. Even though Max knows that this one won't attack him if he himself doesn't do so first, but he doesn't want to risk it.

Back in his first life, he had a love and hate relationship with this kind of boss. While he finds the Gargoyles move set pretty cool, but that would also be everything. He just finds it very appeasing to the eye to look at, but fighting against it is horrible, because the damage they deal with each hit is absolutely insane. Fighting one of them at a time is already really hard, and if Max could, he would like to avoid fighting them at all.

The tarnished then opened the huge door and entered the Bestial Sanctum. The room was very gloomy and dark, the only thing that created the possibility to see was the fire. This created a somewhat mysterious and tense atmosphere. At the back of the room was Gurranq. Max then went towards him and while he did that he took out the Death Root.

"... I smell it... Death... Feed it to me...", said Gurranq in his deep, hoarse, bestial voice.

Max complied to his wishes and gave it to him. After devouring it, Gurranq continued talking:

"Tarnished... bring more... Death. I shall grant thee... eye... and claw. Feed me... more."

The Beast Clergymen gave him a stone like eye. The murky violet iris writhes as if alive, and it also radiates a feeling of hunger. Furthermore, he also gave him the sacred Claw mark seal.

Upon receiving those gifts, Max quickly left the sanctum and told Melina the following:

"Let's go back to the Roundtable, I believe there isn't any other reason for me to be here."

Back at the Roundtable, Max went straight to D in order to report to him.

"Hello again D, "

"You've met Gurranq, I take it?", said D.

"Yes indeed."

"Alright, that means that we are now comrades-in-arms. "

D was relieved that he finally found someone who could take his place and that the beast accepted him.

"By the way, I have heard of a certain catacomb in Limgrave and that there was also a Death root... So what do you say, do you perhaps want to weed it out with me? As my comrade-in-arm?"

"A catacomb, you say? Do you know a little bit more about it? More importantly, do you, who is protecting it?"

"From what I know, it should be some skeletons and a black knife assassin, but she could be already dead or is certainly weakened because the door had been shut for a long time..."

"A black knife assassin, you say?", asked D.

"Yes, in truth she is the reason, I am asking you to fight with me, because without her, I would just do it myself. As you might know, one shouldn't underestimate these women.", explained Max truthfully.

In response, D nodded and spoke:

"Yes, indeed, one should always be careful with legendary figures of the past. But how do you know that there is a Death Root? Have you been there already?"

Max shook his head apologetically and then told D:

"No, unfortunately I haven't been there yet, and I am really sorry, but I also can't tell you how I know what I know. I need you to trust me and believe what I just said."

D remained skeptical, so Max continued to try to convince him. After a while, D grew tired of it and therefore proposed a deal to Max.

"Fine, I will go with you to that catacomb and if there really is death root, since it is my job, I will help you to weed it out, but this will be the last time I do so. For the future, you will have to do it alone. Do we have a deal?"

"Yes, of course, this works fine with me. Thank you.", Max accepted the deal happily.

'Actually, I was not even planning to ask D for help for the other death roots either way. Besides, he is going to die at Fia's hand soon anyway, so it would be a shame, if I don't make use of your fighting force.', thought Max.

"Oh right, I almost forgot t ask you. Did Gurranq also give you a seal?", asked Max.

"Yes, he did, but why are you asking?", D was curious at what Max was heading at.

"Well, I got one too, and I was wondering if he taught you some special incantations?", Max already knew the answer to his question, nevertheless he still asked.

"Yes, actually the beast taught me multiple bestial incantations, when I gave him some Death roots, in order to reward me for my service.", explained D.

"Awesome, you see, I was wondering whether you could perhaps teach me some of these incantations?", asked Max, as he finally arrived at the question he really wanted to ask.

'If D can teach me those bestial incantations, I won't even need to collect Death Roots, and give them to Gurranq. That would be amazing, as it would not only save me a lot of tears, sweat and blood, but also add some powerful incantations early on.', thought Max with a friendly smile, that hid his greed.

Unfortunately for him, his hopes were mercilessly crushed by D.

"No! I do not have the right to teach you those. If you want to learn them, you will have to give the Beast Clergymen Death Roots for it.", answered D furiously.

He obviously didn't want those incantations for free, for which he had to work for.

"Alright, alright. I was just asking. So shall we go now or later?", as Max saw D's reaction, he quickly wanted to change the topic. He had expected such a reaction from D, but he still wanted to try, because if D was willing, the reward would be huge.

D took a few deep breaths and eventually calmed down.

"I would prefer if we were to go now, where in Limgrave is that catacomb?"