JOLLY!

The familliar scene of Reima and Solaire fighting increasing waves of enemies continues as more and more Black Knights stream from the large stone structure to attack them. This is all relatively easily fended off however as the two SunBro's have more than enough experience fighting armies together, they work like clockwork as they systematically dismantle any enemy that comes at them. Eventually only the sweaty two remain, the only thing showing that a battle was recently fought here are the many white glowing orbs scattered across the ash laden floor.

Solaire tries to catch his breath as he huffs, "I'd never thought so many of my fathers men had actually survived... I do dearly regret the state they're currently in"

Reima "Not much we can do about that, lets just concentrate on getting to Gwyn, we can be sentimental afterwards." he says bluntly drawing an irritated glance from his friend.

Solaire sighs, nods and they both start ascending the steep ash dune, it's actually significantly more difficult than regular sand ones as the softer ash causes it to be way more unstable. They spend atleast an hour trying to stumble up them trying to reach the stone tower in the distance, eventually Reima gets fed up and starts liberally wasting Mana to blink them both closer.

As they finally reach the structure Reima notes at the strange degredation that seems to have affected it, in stead of the typical Wind Erosion you'd expect for tall stone structures like this, it seems to have been partly melted instead... Some of the stone even looks charred, is that even possible? Indeed looking closer at the surrounding structure it looks as if the stone melted and the lava had dripped horizontally in one direction, as if the wind or gravity had caused it to fall and dry the wrong way. Reima can only guess this to be the First Flame to be the cause, only something that magical and hot could cause these unnatural phenomenons... Solaire doesn't comment on it or doesn't notice it, either way his friends frown only becomes more prominent the closer they get to his fathers location.

Reima "Are you ok? We can take a rest if you need it."

Solaire shakes his head, "Not at all... Just feeling nervous is all, I know how powerful my father was, even with splitting his soul and using the rest as fuel he'll still be a very difficult opponent... He was perhaps the only lord who valued skill as well as power."

Reima is confused, he'd remembered how easy it was to parry Gwyn in the games, someone like that can't be skilful right? "We'll just have to prove our superiority then." Solaire nods but stops replying.

Eventually the two descend the charred stone stairs and are confronted with one last knight, protecting the Fog-Gate leading to Gwyn. This one seems unique as it wields a sword in each hand, it's stance is typical for dual wielders, one weapon prepared to intercept, parry and block while the other is poised to strike quickly and accurately. Solaire starts to approach but is stopped by Reima, "We need to be at full strength when fighting Gwyn, lets just cheese this and continue." he says casting a couple Crystal Soul Spears at the knight. It somehow bats away the first one and barely dodges the second, it doesn't managed to do the same with the third Reima had added on afterwards. The Spear pierces the knights chest and it drops to it's knee, shocking Solaire and Reima when it begins to speak. "Ah.. Lord... Forgive this unworthy.. knight." he manages to gasp out before dissipating into white particles.

...

If they were ready to face Gwyn before, this knights words had made sure that Solaire wouldn't be afterwards, he dips his head and begins speaking, "I think I knew that man, he was the most loyal of all the knights and never left my fathers side, apparently even here he'd not gone hollow and attempted to protect my father... Could you let me process this for a moment?"

Reima nods and sits down nearby, preparing his own equipment for the fight with Gwyn. He'd be using his Silver Sword as it'd be more effective against Gwyn and his split soul, Reima doesn't actually know what to expect from Gwyn, there had been changes from the games here and there... Some bosses harder than others and drastically different amounts of enemies. Looking over at the contemplating Solaire he lets him compose himself for twenty minutes before walking over to him, he knows what he needs to do to cheer him up...

Walking over to Solaire, Reima glowers over him, after being noticed Reima lightly punches the man's shoulder before raising his arms up high into the air, "PRAISE THE SUN! FOR JOLLY COOPERATION!" and holds the pose until Solaire says something.

....

...

He holds the pose for more than a minute when Solaire finally reacts... "Hahahahaha! Hahahaha!" he starts laughing uproariously, "Hahaha!" he suddenly stands up and praises the sun with Reima, "Praise the sun! Let's go at this with some good old Jolly Cooperation my friend!" he says as he grasps Reima's forearm in a brotherly gesture.

Reima "Good, lets get ready then." he says as the two enchant their weapons, eat their herbs and confirm the condition on their equipment before stepping through the Fog-Gate to the Kiln of the First flame and Gwyn's final resting place.