Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, and all rights for characters, plots and settings belong to G.R.R. Martin and FromSoftware. I have no ownership
"Ah. As I had hoped. I was entrusted this, for thee. By Torrent's former master. Tis a bell for calling forth spirits.Summon them with it, from ash unreturned to the Erdtree."
Ranni the Witch
The Lands Between, Limgrave
Aerion/Jon
He didn't know how long he'd been sitting at the Site of Grace after Melina vanished into thin air, but he wasn't in a hurry, especially since this place, like the others, seemed to exist outside of time. Moreover, he had much to think about. With the new challenges that had unfolded before him in their full glory during their last conversation, thoughts of his family and friends who remained in Westeros inevitably returned to him.
For the first time since arriving in the Lands Between, he felt tears streaming down his cheeks, realising the loss he had experienced and the hopeless state in which he had left things in the north and on the wall. He wiped his tears with his hand, gathering himself. Instead of grieving, he should honour the memories of his comrades and family, channelling the pain and loss into strength.
"Time to test my body's new capabilities in a fight," he stated with determination, rising to his feet and leaving the safety of the Site of Grace. He headed for the nearby camp of Godrick's soldiers. He didn't know if his mental state was that weak right now or if he was simply too overwhelmed by it all; the last thing he wanted to do right now was sneak into the camp like a thief.
He didn't have to wait long for the three guards guarding the northern entrance to the camp to spot him. They must have mistaken him for one of their own, likely due to the armour he wore, as they simply watched him intently. So, with a calm and steady gait, he continued his march. When he was just a few steps away, he summoned the Ornamental Straight Sword, which immediately alerted them.
Jon suddenly leaped toward the soldier on his left, almost losing his balance in the process. He was faster. Considerably faster than before, faster than a normal human should have been. Moreover, the previously somewhat heavy sword now felt as light as Valyrian steel, like his Longclaw.
He was instantly at his opponent, slashing diagonally from below before the man could even react. Before his opponent's dismembered body could disintegrate into golden mist, which his eye absorbed, he was already at another soldier, sinking his sword blade into the enemy chest. The third might have tried to retreat, but Jon didn't give him the chance. In the process, he ripped out his sword blade, slicing the right half of the impaled soldier's chest and, with the same slash, decapitating the third man.
It all lasted no more than a second, maybe two. And he felt ecstasy and a sense of power fill him. The ease with which he dispatched the three soldiers was as surprising as it was dangerous. But the last thing he wanted was overconfidence in a land where practically anything could kill you. A moment's inattention was all it took.
Shouts and the sound of horns reached his ears, more than one blaring from the ruins. There was a click, and a bolt flew toward him, fired from the crossbow of a soldier standing maybe thirty metres away. Without even thinking, he instinctively reached out, catching it in midair, a few centimetres from his left shoulder.
Although slightly dazed by his own display of skill, he quickly regained his composure and moved towards the crossbowman, slightly dodging another bolt fired from a different direction. However, before he could reach
To his target, three wolfs rushed towards him from between the ruined walls, and several more were already running from behind the crossbowman along with other soldiers, and among them were two well-armoured knights.
When the first wolf lunged at him, he deftly avoided him, slashing his sword across his open muzzle, removing the top half of his skull. The next two met a slightly better fate, and in the meantime, having managed to pick up a stone from the ground, he hurled it at the nearest crossbowman with a force that shattered his face.
With each passing second, he also began to become more accustomed to his stronger and more agile body. With each movement, he gained confidence and precision. Unwilling to fight a larger group of soldiers, and above all, even better-trained knights, in the open, he rushed into the ruins, slashing left and right at any enemies he encountered along the way.
Two of Godrick's knights came at him from the left, and when the first thrust his spear towards him, Jon was ready, moving slightly out of the spear's path by twisting his torso, and then in an instant, catching it in his left hand while thrusting the blade into the narrow visor of the man's helmet.
You have slain Godric Knight.
You receive 2,600 runes
You receive Partisan x1
You receive Godrick Knight Gauntlets x1
He didn't have time to examine the inscription on his newly acquired items, however, as the second knight was already upon him, swinging his spear. Jon parried it downwards with his sword, then, demonstrating his newfound strength, stomped on the shaft with his foot, breaking it in half.
Then he delivered a second straight kick, which, although the knight absorbed it on his massive shield, knocked him back, throwing him off balance.
Jon wasted no time, summoning Partisan to his free left hand and thrusting it at his opponent's face, but he shielded himself again. Without losing momentum, Jon, however, swung the repelled spear around, striking his opponent's ankles with such force that he tripped him completely.
He immediately leaped to his fallen opponent and thrust his Ornamental Straight Sword into his opponent's visor. This seemed to be the weakest point in their armour, which protected their bodies rather well. To his disappointment, the slain knight only gave him runes.
Although the entire exchange lasted only a few seconds, the pursuing wolves were almost upon him, followed by nearly two dozen soldiers and three knights, while more were rushing in from other directions, cutting off his escape.
His eyes quickly scanned the surrounding area, and it was then that he noticed, a few metres away, beneath one of the ruined walls, a staircase leading down, as if to an underground room or complex.
Of course, there was a chance that more soldiers were below, but it would certainly be easier to fight more enemies in the narrow corridors, where they would have to attack individually.
He then moved towards the basement entrance, killing two wolves blocking his access along the way.
He then ran down the stairs, but the basement turned out to be much smaller than he expected. At the end of the stairs, which stretched for several metres, an open door awaited him, and beyond it a small chamber, the only distinguishing feature being a locked chest lying in the centre.
Spanning into the room, he spun on his heel, summoning a Partisan from his inventory in his right hand and a Golden Beast Crest Shield in his other. The shield was so massive that he positioned himself with it in the entrance, bracing it against the ground and crouching slightly.
One of the wolves that had rushed in behind him slammed his body into the shield, but Jon barely felt it. He pushed the Partisan forward, hidden, and pushed him forward. Because the stairs weren't built straight but rather on a slight curve, he didn't have to worry about the crossbowmen approaching him, as they would have to be within his own spear range to fire.
Six more followed the first wolf, but none could penetrate the shield, and Partisana quickly found her target in their bodies.
Godrick's soldiers then attempted to attack him, but when the one hidden behind the shield killed five of them, and even another knight who tried to ram him with his own shield, they retreated.
Over the next half hour, he repelled two more attacks, felling four wolves, nine soldiers, and two knights. After these losses, his opponents clearly concluded they couldn't defeat him this way.
Time passed, and he was convinced that an hour or even two must have passed since the last attack. His muscles were tired and aching from constant alertness. He knew, however, that escaping was out of the question. At the top, at least several dozen enemies were likely waiting for him.
Consumed by curiosity, but keeping his eyes on the stairs, he backed away from the locked chest to see what might be hidden inside. It gave the impression it contained something valuable, but he couldn't be sure.
Keeping the shield in front of him, he crouched down by the chest and, placing the Partisana beside him, reached out and opened the lid. Inside, he found a strange knife, seemingly made of white stone, and a small sphere of compressed white light.
He reached for both cautiously, waiting for a messages, and they indeed appeared.
Whetstone Knife
Whetstone with a cipher inscription, made to look like a small knifeblade.
Allows the use of ashes of war at a site of grace to bestow new battle arts and affinities to armaments as skills.
The battle arts and affinities will depend on the ashes of war used.
Ash of War: Storm Stomp
This Ash of War grants an armament the Quality affinity and the following skill:
"Storm Stomp: One of the skills that channel the tempests of Stormveil. Stomp hard on the ground to kick up a momentary storm."
Usable on all melee armaments.
Jon looked at these words in surprise. Then he summoned the Whetstone Knife to his hand, examining it carefully. If he understood correctly what these Ashes of War were, based on the one he had just acquired, then this knife was priceless.
Access to some magical abilities, or rather, creating weapons with magical or special powers from ordinary weapons, was incredible, and he felt the excitement growing within him.
However, he had become so excited by this discovery and focused his attention on it that he made a mistake. His opponents were keeping an eye on him, probably watching to see if he had left his position.
Now, shouting, they were running down the stairs, led by two wolves, who inevitably attracted his attention. Before he could deal with them, Godrick's soldiers, including three Godrick Knights, were pouring into the chamber.
He knew at that moment that there was no chance of escape, or even of winning this fight. If he was going to die, however, he wasn't about to sell his skin cheaply.
He sent his shield and partisan back to his inventory, and the Ornamental Straight Sword appeared in both hands. Crossing them, he activated the weapon's special skill – Golden Tempering.
The blades were enveloped in golden light, radiating the aura of something holy. He no longer considered defence, rushed at his enemies and was astonished to see the shield of one of the knights who had attempted to block his blow sliced in half, along with the man's forearm.
Gaining confidence, he began slashing left and right, careful to maintain proper technique. However, a moment later, he received the first blow of a spear to his right shoulder, followed by a sword strike that reached his left thigh.
He managed to slain down three soldiers, but a blow to the head ended his life. Only two words remained, seemingly mocking him.
You Died
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Miraculously recovering his runes, he unfortunately perished once again, losing them and having to retrieve them again. Fortunately, everything was made easier by the fact that each time the number of enemies in the camp decreased by those he killed, and after his second death, only 14 enemies remained, which he then finished off.
By clearing the camp, he not only gained a huge number of runes—71,190 to be exact—but also acquired a considerable amount of weapons, including new weapons found in two chests: a flail and the Lordsworn's Greatsword. In addition, he managed to collect almost a full set of Godric's knight armour, excluding the helmet.
He was sitting at the Site of Grace, examining all his loot with curiosity and an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
Flail
Weapon consisting of a bludgeoning head attached to a handle by chain. The iron ball is spiked and induces blood loss.
Blows from this weapon cannot be parried. The charge attack whirls the iron ball around for increased force before striking.
Lordsworn's Greatsword
Well-crafted straight sword with an illustrious design, wielded by regulars of a lord's army.
Through blackened and damaged by years of use, it appears to have otherwise been kept in a serviceable condition, despite the soldiers having long since lost their minds.
Godrick Knight Armor
Armor worn by knights loyal to Godrick The Grafted.
Its left breast is emblazoned with a two-headed war axe, an emblem of the golden lineage. The knights surely boasted of their strength in days long gone.
Godrick Knight Gauntlets
Gauntlets worn by knights loyal to Godrick the Grafted.
Time has yet to dull their luster.
Godrick Knight Greaves
Greaves worn by knights loyal to Godrick the Grafted.
Time has yet to dull their luster.
Unfortunately, he was unable to summon Melina, as she continued to refuse his summons after her disappearance. However, he learnt that he could now increase his levels on his own, without direct contact with the female spirit.
He couldn't help but smile at the sight of his stats once again increased. Although the increase was not as significant.
Name: Aerion Sand
Level: 43 → 53
Runes: 6176
Runes required to level up: 8440
(…)
Focus Points: 260/260
Attributes:
Vigor: 17 → 20
Mind: 20
Endurance: 17
Strength: 18 → 20
Dexterity: 17 → 20
Intelligence: 20
Faith: 30 (+10 from Eye of the Grace)
Arcane: 15 → 17
Resistance:
Poison - 17% → 20%
Scarlet Rot- 17% → 20%
Madness - 30%
Sleep - 30%
Blood Loss - 17%
Frostbite - 67% (+50 from Song of Ice & Fire)
Death Blight - 15% → 17%
Damage negation:
Holy - 15% → 17%
Fire - 67% → 70%(+50% from Song of Ice & Fire)
Lightning - 30%
Magic - 20%
He glanced toward the Erdtree, which was visibly beginning to glow brighter, which he supposed indicated dawn was approaching. It would certainly take him a while to adjust to the fact that this golden tree was responsible for both day and night in the Lands Between, depending on how brightly it glowed.
Finally, using his newly acquired Whetstone Knife, he bestowed the Storm Stomp Ash of War on the Lordsworn's Greatsword.
Knowing that for now he had no intention of pressing on toward Stormveil Castle or following the road south-east, he decided to return to Kale. He had to go to the church of Elleh, so a few kilometres through the forest awaited him.
Returning, out of pure curiosity, he decided to examine the strange black stone tablet, covered in inscriptions, rising from the ground in the centre of the camp. He had only glanced at it earlier, too excited by his discoveries and the runes he had acquired.
Stopping at the obelisk—for he didn't know what else to call it—he reached out to touch the faintly visible carved symbols and something that resembled a drawing, or even a map. But when his fingers touched the surface, his eye flashed with light.
You receive Map: Limgrave, West
He had acquired some kind of map, but no new items had arrived in his inventory. Instead, a flash of information appeared in his mind, as if this knowledge had been infused into him by something, or someone, about how to activate a new ability.
As he did so, a beam of light shot from his left eye, materialising before him a map seemingly composed of multicoloured light, though most of it seemed obscured by fog. Only perhaps a twentieth of the map was revealed, revealing the area he was currently in.
He saw the Site of Grace marked on it, which he had already activated. The Church of Elleh and the Stranded Graveyard were located to the south. He tried to memorise every detail of the map, observing the terrain and the potential hiding places for unmarked ruins, camps, etc.
Guided again by intuition, or perhaps by some invisible hand, he reached out toward the Church of Elleh Site of Grace, touching the golden circle symbolising the location with his index finger.
Do you wish to travel to this place?
Equally surprised and excited by what he assumed was some magical way of travelling, he nodded and said, "Yes, I do."
Whether a verbal command was necessary or not, he didn't know. Perhaps the thought alone would have been enough. But he knew one thing. It was working, for a golden light blinded him, and a moment later he found himself in the Church of Elleh, sitting by the Site of Grace.
He rose and stepped away from the Site of Grace, but something was wrong. A strange tension hung in the air, and his instincts told him danger lurked nearby.
He glanced at Kale's sleeping form and then spotted her. The strangely dressed woman sat on a collapsed section of the church's northern wall.
She had pale blue skin and shoulder-length blue hair and wore an elegant snow-white dress beneath a voluminous fur coat lined with two long brown braids and an oversized, floppy-brimmed witch's hat.
But that was only the beginning, for she had four arms, and next to her main face was a spectral, transparent second face, giving her a ghostly appearance.
One of her eyes, similar to Melina's, was sealed with an azure symbol, while the other glowed cyan.
He carefully approached the woman, looking at her more closely, and then he noticed that there was something wrong with her body, which did not belong to a living creature, for it was more like a doll, similar to the one Sansa had once received from her grandfather Hoster Tully.
"This way, Tarnished. May I have a word?" The woman spoke, startling him a bit, confirming his conviction of two things. First, that she was alive, or at least a sentient being, and second, that he was dealing with someone dangerous.
Her voice held a certain magical allure, for he felt something gently, almost imperceptibly, pressing against his mind. However, his left eye glowed with a faint golden grace, as if in displeasure, and blocked the attempt.
The woman, ignoring his lack of response, continued. "A pleasure to meet thee, Tarnished. I am the witch Renna. I'd heard tell of a Tarnished hurtling about atop a spectral steed. And upon looking into the matter, the talk, I surmise, is of thee. Thou'rt possessed of the power, no?
To call forth the spectral steed named Torrent."
"Yes, I can. Torrent answers my call," Jon replied, and to prove it, he blew into the ring on his finger. Immediately, a bluish mist materialised before him, which a moment later formed into his mount.
It was also the first time Jon himself had seen his new companion. His mount's body was covered in grey-brown fur, with a thick silver mane. However, its most distinctive feature was two short, curved horns, giving it the appearance of an overgrown wild goat.
Jon placed a hand on Torrent's neck, stroking it, then looked at the witch. "As you see, my lady, Torrent has come at my call. But what of it? What do you want from me?"
Although his tone might have seemed a bit harsh, the attempt to influence his mind did not sit well with him.
"Ah. As I had hoped. I was entrusted with this for you. By Torrent's former master. This is a bell for calling forth spirits," the woman said, ignoring the tone of his reply, clearly pleased to have found the person she was looking for. In her outstretched hand she held a silver, beautifully decorated bell, the size of his palm.
Jon looked at it curiously, then walked closer and took it in his hand. He then read the description of the item and the Spirit Ashes he had acquired at the same time.
You received Spirit Calling Bell
You received Lone Wolf Ashes
Spirit Calling Bell
A bell capable of summoning various spirits from ashen remains. It usually requires FP to use.
Lone Wolf Ashes
Ashen remains in which spirits yet dwell. Use to summon the spirits of three lone wolves.
Spirits of wolves chased from their pack. They later encountered a nameless Tarnished, who welcomed them as hunting companions.
The wolf spirits overwhelm enemies with their agility, aiding the summoner in combat.
Reading these descriptions, he immediately pictured the previously acquired Legendary Spirit Ashes of Rick, Soldier of God. If these spirits could aid him in battle, then this Spirit Calling Bell was a truly priceless and undoubtedly useful artifact.
"Summon them with it, from the ash unreturned to the Erdtree. The spirits will obey thine command but briefly, as they recall past battles. Now it is thine. To do with as you wish," the woman added, explaining little more. Instead, her silhouette began to dissipate into particles of blue light.
Only her final words remained with him, "Forgive mine intrusion, Tarnished. I doubt we shall meet again. But all the same, learn well the Lands Between. How long will it be, I wonder... Before the Tarnished tire of obedience to the Two Fingers?"
When the witch disappeared, he was left alone with his thoughts, except for the sleeping Kale and his mount, Roach, of course. Torrent, on the other hand, impatiently placed his muzzle under his hand, demanding to be petted.
Jon laughed at this behaviour, remembering how Ghost used to do the same, especially when he was younger. He began to pet Torrent's muzzle, wondering what his new mount was. It was probably an animal native to these lands.
"I see you've gained a travelling companion," Kale's slightly sleepy voice came from beside him. "I can personally attest that a devoted mount is an indispensable companion in these lands. If it weren't for Roach, I would probably have died many times over."
"Yes. I understand perfectly well how loyal animals can be. I had an animal companion, a large white direwolf, who was like a member of my family," he replied, the pain of losing Ghost resurfacing within him.
"Hmph. Direwolf? I think you'd get along with the First-Generation Albinaurics. They have excellent archers who ride direwolves into battle," Kale replied, catching Jon's attention.
"Hmh." he grunted in response. Were there people here who rode direwolves? He'd never tried it himself, fearing Ghost's build wasn't suited for riding. He'd be happy to meet some of these people, though, if they didn't try to kill him like the rest of them had so far.
Kale's yellow eyes scanned his new armour. "I see you no longer need armour. However, you might be interested in something else I have for sale. As agreed, everything is half price."
Jon sat down across from the merchant without hesitation, having indeed seen a few things at Kale's earlier that caught his eye.
"Show me what you have," he said, remembering how many runes he currently had in his possession.
He spent the next few minutes considering what to buy. Ultimately, he decided on 40 Throwing Daggers at 20 runes each. The other items were Cracked Pot x3, Nomadic Warrior's Cookbook - Parts 1 and 2, Missionary's Cookbook - Part 1, and forty arrows and bolts each.
In total, it cost him 3,450 runes, leaving him with 2,726 runes.
Cracked Pot
This empty pot somehow mends itself when broken.
Essential vessel for crafting cracked pot items.
The materials and magics sealed within deploy their effects when the pot is thrown.
Nomadic Warrior's Cookbook [1]
A record of crafting techniques left by roaming nomad warriors.
Contains knowledge for surviving in the face of utter scarcity.
Acquire the knowledge to craft the following:
- Bone Arrow
- Bone Arrow (Fletched)
- Bone Bolt
Nomadic Warrior's Cookbook [2]
Acquire the knowledge to craft the following:
- Glowstone
- Invigorating Cured Meat
- Invigorating White Cured Meat
Missionary's Cookbook [1]
A record of crafting techniques left by a man who, unable to become a Finger Maiden, instead became a missionary, and went forth to spread holy teachings.
Acquire the knowledge to craft the following:
- Holy Water Pot
- Roped Holy Water Pot
"Hmh. Interesting. It might be useful." he muttered under his breath, carefully examining the objects.
"What are you planning now? I feel you've grown stronger. I'm a certain of it, but I don't think you're planning on heading straight for Stormveil Castle. So where? Weeping Peninsula?" Kale asked, his tone clearly suggesting that heading to Godrick's lair wasn't a good idea at the moment.
"For now, I plan to explore the Limgrave area. You mentioned recently that caves and catacombs north of here might hold some secrets or treasure. I think I'll explore them, and then we'll see what happens.
I'd also definitely like to see that dragon that lives in the lake and possibly explore the Fringefolk Hero's Grave in Stranded Graveyard, since, according to you, it holds incredibly powerful artefacts."
"Good, there's no need to rush. These lands have broken too many, including your kind," Kale replied, pain in his voice, likely recalling some unpleasant events from his past.
"However, I also have two new pieces of information for you that might prove useful. While you were out recovering the runes, one of my kinsmen wandered through here, sharing with me the news he'd heard.
Apparently, A Flask of Wondrous Physick is located in the Third Church of Marika, north of the Mistwood, east of here."
Jon raised an eyebrow at the curious-sounding name. "From the name, I gather it's some kind of magical artefact, right?"
"Yes, it supposedly belonged to Godwyn the Golden, and when you mixed the right ingredients, drinking it granted extraordinary blessings, such as greater resistance to damage, increased strength, dexterity, and vitality. I've only heard legends, but if this is true, it could be indispensable on your journey, my friend."
Jon had to admit that, if it were true, he had to get his hands on that flask. He looked back at Kale and asked, "And this other piece of information?"
Though he couldn't see his face, he had the impression Kale smiled beneath his scarf. "You said during our first conversation that you'd love to learn claystone magic... Well, now's your chance. Apparently, some witch lurks among the Waypoint Ruins on the roads through Limgrave. Perhaps she'll teach you something."
Jon smiled in response. Things were starting to fall into place. He gained strength and a growing knowledge of these lands, and he began to draw plans for the near future. Maybe what awaited him wouldn't be unbearable.