Flynn

SL80 - 37 VIT - 23 ATT - 23 END - 36 STR - 12 DEX - 10 RES - 9 INT - 11 FTH

Resa

SL80 - 23 VIT - 23 ATT - 15 END - 12 STR - 30 DEX - 11 RES - 8 INT - 40 FTH

Resa

The door was...open. I'd noticed that something was off when we'd gotten back to Firelink, and now...I suppose that made sense. Clearly we hadn't opened it, Seath's soul still held safely at my side. Someone else had, however...but who? I thought back to the black eye orb I still held onto. The two events had to be related...there was no way they weren't.

Flynn turned to me. "We might as well do what we came here to do...unless someone else beat us to it. Should put Seath's soul in the Lordvessel...just in case it matters.

It made sense, in a way. I didn't know what sort of strange powers were being the now-open door, and whether they would care if we'd collected the pieces for the Lordvessel or not. I took Seath's soul from my belongings, tossing it into the Lordvessel.

The door rumbled with power, the frame flashing white for a brief moment before pushing outwards, both halves slamming against the wall. They were already there, however...I'm sure it would have had a much greater effect if the door was shut, as it should have been. After that, it seemed to go quiet...we were ready.

Behind the door, however, was quite the odd sight. Wisps of humanity all cloaked in armor walked across the stairway that was hidden behind the door, each carrying various weapons...swords, axes, even the stray greatsword. Their form was mostly indiscernible as their wispy gray selves faded in and out of reality. And yet, at the same time...the shape of their armor, the curvature of their weapons...it seemed familiar. I couldn't quite place it, though...not from the vague forms in front of me. Whatever they were, they seemed to not mind us at all from afar, simply walking across the stairs in complete silence...creepy.

Flynn was the first to start venturing down the stairs, his axe and shield very much ready for combat. He took it slowly, steadily, each footstep waiting to see just what the ghostly figures that now surrounded us did. However, there seemed to be no reaction...I didn't quite know if that was a good or bad thing.

At the bottom of the stairs we were met with a desolate wasteland, sandy dunes rising and falling in front of us, stone pillars crumbled and fallen in the middle of them. However, there seemed to be no other creatures here...perhaps whomever had opened the doors had no intention of finding what was inside. If that was the case, why...and how? Chills ran down my spine even amidst the dry heat. Something wasn't right here, and the fact that I had no clue just what was wrong was starting to drive me insane.

Flynn continued forward, eventually coming up to the first downed pillar. From behind it, I heard a shift in the sand, something that didn't come from either of us. "Be careful. Something's here."

Not just any something...a black knight. It deftly slipped around the corner of the pillar, its weapon coming down hard on Flynn's shield. He was ready, however, holding fast from the strike, shoving his shield forward to knock the knight off balance. That was what the ghosts had reminded me of...black knights. The fragments of their armor perfectly matched the foe before us, I just hadn't recognized it. It had been a while since we'd seen one, and I'd done my best to push the memory from my mind.

Flynn kept on the offense, pushing forward even more, sending the knight toppling into the sand. He slammed his greatshield down on top of it, stunning the knight just long enough to get a clean attack in with his axe. I wasn't far behind, plunging my blade into its stomach before it had a chance to react.

That was all I got a chance to do, however, the knight throwing both of us away and leaping back to its feet, charging towards Flynn. The sword now seemed to moved faster than before, able to weave around Flynn's massive shield. It wasn't necessarily getting deep cuts in, but slashes started to form on Flynn's armor, blood trickling from the wounds. At the same time the knight fended me off, its shield blocking my attacks from behind.

I finally got one good strike in, weaving my holy blade arounds its shield and plunging it into its side, holy power surging through the knight once again. This opened it up to attack, Flynn switching to his demon blade, smashing the giant sword into the knight. From there, we took it down...there was little it could do to fend off the both of us.

"That...that was rough. I know it's been a while, but they didn't fight like that earlier, did they?"

I shook my head. "It's tough to remember, but I don't think so. Do you need healing?"

He shook his head, reaching for his Estus flask. "Don't forget, we've still got Gwyn ahead of us. Save your miracles for when we need them, and I'll do the same with my pyromancies. If that knight put up that much of a fight just to defend Gwyn, Gwyn's definitely no slouch himself."

That was a fair point, the two of us walking further along the path, winding our way around the sand dunes and the pillars. Up ahead, another knight made itself known, this one wielding a massive two-handed sword, very similar to the one we'd fought so long ago in the undead church. It came charging towards us, Flynn once again taking the front while I stuck behind him...there really was no reason for that now, though. Flynn was right, my lightning spears would be more valuable against Gwyn than they would these guards. My blade, however, never ran out of energy.

Flynn grabbed his demon blade, putting his shield to the side for now. "I'll fight it they way it wants to fight...because why not?"

"Just...don't get yourself killed. Just this once, we might actually be rushed for time. I don't know what's happened, but we need to find out soon."

Flynn nodded, taking the initiative on the knight and swinging his sword up overhead. The knight blocked it, however, his own leg lifting up to kick my brother in the chest. I rushed up behind him as Flynn fell to the ground, ducking low to get a clean cut on the knight's leg while it was open. I continued dashing behind it, spinning about and landing another strike on its shoulder before retreating further.

The knight turned on me now, bringing its sword up overhead and slamming it down beside me, a timely roll saving my leg from being separated from my waist. Flynn caming running up from behind, demon blade plunging straight through the chest of the knight to stick out the other side.

Just one...I could spare one. I reached for my talisman, dodging to the left from the ground as the still-fighting knight sent its sword plunging into the ground right where I just was. Once I was facing the sky again, I hastily formed a lightning spear, hurling it at Flynn's sword.

I couldn't remember if we'd tried this with his weapon before, but it was amazingly effective. The knight went limp as Flynn's sword momentarily coursed with lightning, giving Flynn enough time to wrench it to the right and leave a gaping hole in the knight's chest. That was all it took, the knight fading away right in front of us.

"Two down." I meekly let out, my brother helping me back up to my feet. "I dare say they're getting better...I don't want to think about what's left."

"Well, you're going to have to. I can see number three isn't even trying to hide."

He pointed off in the distance, my eyes following him. Before us, the sand dunes came to an abrupt halt, instead replaced with an expansive void with only one way across. Several broken pillars had eroding walkways connecting them, barely enough space for one person to safely walk across. On the other side, however, was what had to be the Kiln of the First Flame. It was a massive circular object of old stone, crumbling away in the center of it. This was the first time Lordran had really shown its age...if this indeed housed the First Flame, that must have meant it was around near the start of the undead curse. Though Lordran itself was crumbling away in places, nothing seemed to come close to the barren expanse before us...just how long had Gwyn been here?

Flynn pressed forward, leaving the sand dunes and moving towards the shaky platform that led us to the Kiln. It was by no means easy, having to work our way around the pillars in order to avoid falling off, but it managed...it had to. I knew that the knight was on the other side of the upcoming pillar, likely our hardest fight of the three...solely based on the terrain.

"Flynn, when we get up there, want to vault me over him? Otherwise, you're taking the knight on alone. Actually...this pillar would do." I looked up towards the pillar, both of us stopping for the time being. The pillar blocking our path to the knight wasn't particularly tall, but it would give me plenty of space to target the knight once I was above.

"Instead of me taking the risk of throwing you into nothingness...how about you just climb up. Might be a bit of a jump." He got up to the pill and took a knee, holding his shield up over his head. I approached and stepped atop it, the tip of the pillar just in barely out of reach, drawing ever-closer as Flynn got back on his feet and pushed me upward. I let him know once I had a suitable handhold on the top, pulling myself upwards until I was perched safely on top of it. The knight was on the other side, this one wielding a smaller sword like the first one, immediately noticing my presence but unsure what to do about it. Once it saw Flynn wrap his way around the pillar, however, it had its target...so did I.

I threw myself from the pillar towards the open space behind the knight, landing just behind it. I pivoted about, bashing it with my shield while I still had the element of surprise. Flynn acted on this as well, thrusting his shield forward enough to tip the knight off balance.

"Good riddance." I swung low with my sword, aiming for the ankle, managing to throw one of the knight's feet off the ground just long enough for it to start falling over. Another swipe to the side was enough to redirect its path, its body now tumbling off of the narrow pathway. That was the last we saw of it...that was the last I wanted to see of it. We pressed on, now leaving the degrading platforms and ending on a spiraling staircase that bordered the Kiln.

We weren't done, however, as two more black knights barred our path. One of these carried a weapon I absolutely didn't recognize, a long-handled spear with a bladed tip. The other, however, seemed to mirror the one we'd found in the Catacombs, a massive axe that dwarfed even what Flynn carried.

"Which one do you want?"

I turned to my brother, shrugging. "I'm guessing you want to take a stab at the...whatever that is?"

"It's called a halberd, sister. And yes. Yes I would."

"Then go for it. I'll take care of the other. Race?"

At that, I got a chuckle from him. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

That was all the convincing Flynn needed, both of us spreading out as the knights started their dual approach. Both of them started approaching Flynn, quickly changing once I circled around both of them, getting a free hit in on my target. My blade struck true as holy power surged through the metal beautifully.

The knight reacted faster than I expected, spinning about as soon as I dislodged my blade, the head of its axe colliding with my face. I was knocked to the side, another vertical slash coming quickly thereafter from so massive a weapon. I tried to dodge out of the way, but was far too disoriented from the previous blow to react fast enough. The axe dug into my shoulder, shredding the armor as if it didn't even exist and reaching nearly to the bone. The knight opted to retrieve its blade simply by kicking me away from it, sending me tumbling backwards.

I regained my composure, holding up my shield to block the next strike that came at me, my brittle shield barely able to hold back the assault. However, it finally turned the tide slightly in my favor, my sword striking out to get a quick slash in while I wasn't heavily disadvantaged. The knight backed off this time, allowing me to get yet another quick strike in before the fight reset. After that I drew back as well, both of us now on guard and wary of the other.

The knight was the next to act first, a blindingly fast horizontal swipe catching me off guard, my shield accidentally blocking it solely by accident. However, it was far from a clean block, as my arm carried through with the momentum of the axe, leaving me wide open for a follow up strike. I dove forward in anticipation, rolling around the the knight as its weapon swung at air, a quick slash on its ankle attempting to show it which one of us was in charge.

Unfortunately, that wasn't me, the knight kicking back and sending my roll wildly off center. My curl ended with me on my back rather than my feet, now very open to an attack. Again, I tumbled out of the way right as an axe landed where I just was, quickly leaping back to my feet before the knight had a chance to react. It kept up the strike, another swing coming for me that I anticipated and ducked under.

Now was my time to strike, my entire body lunging forward as Ieft a massive slash across its side that wrapped around the back where I plunged my blade through the armor. As I pulled back the knight swung again, more frantic this time, an obvious strike that I had no problems avoiding. Another slash came down this time, plunging into its side.

I didn't know if it was getting desperate or I was just learning its attacks better, but it was struggling to land even a glancing blow on me. It tried to kick me away this time, my body almost instinctively dodging out of the way and countering shortly thereafter. I perforated its armor with two more quick jabs before sliding to the side to avoid a vertical strike. I had it on the ropes now...I intended to make full use of it.

The rest of the fight was a quick close, a series of concentrated strikes followed by a dodge, a rhythm that I was beginning to get use to right until my sword hit air. The knight vanished into souls around me, and I immediately turned towards Flynn...the same had happened, the telltale white mist showing that he'd also just felled his opponent.

"I guess we can write this one up as a draw...not bad."

I nodded, moving back towards my brother, still thinking about the black eye orb. "Whomever opened that door, assuming they are the ones that left that orb...if they're here, then they're inside the - "

I immediately paused, my hairs standing on end. I felt something change...something that I wasn't aware of. Instinctively, I reached for the orb, finding that it had changed. Just like before, the eye was no wide open, a brilliant yellow glue illuminating the space around us.

I remembered what we had to do. Throw it onto the ground, and we accept the challenge. Unlike last time, however, we had no clue who was on the other side, what the terms of the challenge were...anything. And yet, we'd been issued the challenge for a reason. As dumb as it was, I wanted to accept out of curiosity more than anything else.

I held out the orb, waiting for Flynn's opinion on the matter. "Do it." That was all he needed to say...we were in this until the end. Without further contemplation I dropped the orb, watching as it fell to the ground at my feet. The world warped and distorted once more, eventually the two of us appearing at a location that was functionally the same as our own, though perhaps everything seemed more...grim.

There was nothing around except for the two of us, still on the final steps of the stairs. Whomever challenged us had to be waiting in the Kiln. Cautiously I stepped forward, wanting to know just who this mysterious person was. At the end of the staircases I made a sharp turn, walking into the entrance of the Kiln.

I couldn't believe my eyes...I didn't want to believe my eyes. A familiar suit of Astoran armor was the only other object in the room...the same suit of armor that we'd met at the beginning of all of this. Oscar of Astora.

"Greetings Flynn, Resa...I suppose if you're here you've gotten my message...and saw the pleasant surprise I left for you. You know, I didn't really like Anor Londo when I first got there...it was always just a little too bright for my liking. So, I darkened the place up, made it feel a little bit more, shall we say, homey? It's unfortunate that Gwynevere had to pay the ultimate price for that to happen...well, an illusion of her, at least."

I didn't know how to respond. This man, who had saved us from our cell back in the Asylum was now gloating over killing Gwynevere? Nothing made sense. I wanted to blame it on hollowing or something, but I didn't know if that was the case. Perhaps he was insane, not as a hollow, but as a person. I noticed something different about his belongings, something that I certainly didn't see on him earlier. He had twisted wooden staff across his back, something that seemed vaguely familiar, like I'd seen it just recently. However, try as I might, I couldn't quite place my finger on it. He had something else at his side, though, something I did recognize. It was a bundled piece of brilliant white cloth...a talisman. Where he got these, and why he had them, I wasn't quite sure I wanted to know.

"I suppose that's a bit forward of me...you probably thought Gwynevere was real. That's...a lie, truly. The being that gave you your precious Lordvessel was a mere illusion, conjured by another god that I doubt you've ever met...I killed him as well."

He paused for a moment, perhaps just to gather his thoughts...I wasn't sure. "I've been one step ahead of you the entire time, you know. Laurentius, Griggs, Lautrec...they were useful, each serving their own purpose. However, once that purpose was done, I left the scraps for you. You see, you two were my greatest creation...I saved you, do you remember that? I saved you because I wanted to watch you grow, watch just what you'd turn into...I wanted to save you for last."

He kept going, though I wanted him to stop. None of this made sense, and I didn't want it to. He seemed intent on explaining, however...I didn't have the confidence to interrupt him. He sounded insane.

"You made things too easy sometimes...you took care of Lautrec for me, as well as Petrus. Even Reah, though I don't particularly want to know how that happened. Her talisman, however, my oh my does it make miracles sing sweetly."

Now I was furious...he'd looted Reah's body? "What do you want, Oscar?"

Blindingly fast Oscar reached for the wooden staff on his back, an orb of blue energy forming at its tip and rocketing my way. I was completely caught off guard, the sorcery knocking me backwards. "You will speak when I wish for you to. As I was saying...you made some easy. Others required a bit more of a...shall we say, nudge? Kirk needed to be set against someone...that wasn't too hard. Griggs simply needed the push to find his master, a journey that he was ill-equipped to take on...I doubt he made it out of that fortress. Even Laurentius needed a push...as well as a pull." At this Oscar held up his hand, a ball of fire swelling to life. "I took it from him...he didn't put up much of a fight. I doubt he even recognizes me...nondescript Astoran armor has its perks.

"You...you...no. No. No!" Flynn started running forwards, another blast of blue energy rocketing from his staff, stopping Flynn in his tracks. Several more followed, keeping Flynn down. I was terrified...Oscar was a madman.

"Settle down, child. Your time to fight me shall come soon enough. Do not forget about why you are here. Now, where was I...yes, all the people I've brought down. Some did require a nudge in the right direction...others I simply dealt with outright. Solaire, or at least what was left of him after Anor Londo went dark before his very eyes...oh how I wish I could have seen the expression on his face. Logan as well, though by the time I got to him there wasn't much left. His staff, however, came in handy, as well as some of the spells he'd stolen from Seath." Oscar twirled around the wooden staff...that was why it was familiar. It was Logan's.

I didn't dare speak anymore, not until he was finished. I doubted I could even cast a miracle safely right now, let alone try for my Estus Flask. I would wait until he was done, and then act...however I could.

"That leaves me to you two, the only loose ends left. Don't take it personally...it's not. I just wanted to see how my creations were, and how they compare to your master. That's where this challenge comes into play. The terms are simple, you defeat me before I defeat either of you. If you lose...well, the First Flame's guardian is a frail old man. I can put out the flame before you even get close and end humanity's chance at survival. Combined with the undead that you've helped me dispose of...I'll be all that's left. Next time I come for you won't be within the confines of this challenge. It will be for real."

After that, the room was filled with silence. "You may speak."

Flynn spoke before I got the chance to. "And what if we win? Are you just going to walk away? You're pathetic, Oscar. We trusted you, perhaps even looked up to you at some points. Now, I wish I'd never met you. And what's this about ending humanity's chance at survival?"

Oscar chuckled. "Then you would still be rotting in that cell where I found you, slowly devolving into hollows until you didn't even know your own name. You should be thanking me, and yet here you are fighting back...such is the life of the master. As for humanity...I suppose you don't know the whole story. I'm well aware you spoke with Kaathe, and was quite pleased with the outcome of that...it seems you've resolved those conflicts, however...surprising. Let me explain."

"Kaathe preached to you a false tale, one that would sway you to do his bidding, Resa. Snuffing out the fire does not save humanity...rather, it dooms it. Without the fire, the Abyss will grow and consume as it always has, engulfing the world around us. The humans that are subjected to this? Well...they suffer a fate worse than hollowing."

"And why do you want this?" I was trying to fight my anger for Kaathe right now, instead channeling it towards Oscar, which wasn't hard given the circumstances.

"Because...the humans are inferior. They do not have this gift of immortality that we do, but are rather frail and weak. Since you've been here, generations have risen and fallen...time is meaningless for us undead. Snuffing out the fire ends humanity's tenuous reign over this world, while also ending the undead...only the strong will prosper, and I will be there to lead the powerful into the future."

He kept going...I wanted to punch him, make him stop talking, anything...but not yet. We'd take him on as a team. "As for if you defeat me, well...clearly I've raised entities more powerful than myself. If your will is not my own, there is little I can do to stand in your way. My power over your life is coming to a close, as you are at the end of your journey. It is time...have you usurped your master?"

Flynn shook his head. "You're not our master, Oscar. You never were. You saved us once, and we tried to repay that debt by saving your life. Now, however...I wish I'd left you to rot in the Asylum. You're nothing more than a power-hungry monster that's about to meet his end. You deserve a fate far worse than death."

Flynn turned to me. "Are you ready to do this? Don't hold back."

I smirked. "Like I was planning to."

Oscar simply nodded. "I will put you in your place, insubordinate pests. You shall learn your place."

With that, he began walking forward, reaching for his sword. In that regard, he hadn't changed a bit, still carrying the same trusty weapon he had when we first met him. However, it was also clear that we were now coming up to face a very skilled fighter, someone that was fluent in miracles, sorceries, and pyromancies. Oscar would be unpredictable...fitting.

Flynn

Oscar was going to get what he deserved...death. If I could give him one thousand deaths I would, but I planned on making the first one count for as much as I could. He'd betrayed my trust. For that, he wouldn't stand a chance.

I charged forward, axe ready to strike. I wasn't even thinking about Gwyn right now, about the fact that I needed to be prepared for more once we'd dealt with Oscar. Every pyromancy in my arsenal was going to be trained and ready for this monster right in front of me.

Before he even got close I swung my axe to the side, unleashing the hidden power within it that I so seldomly used. A blast of wind surged from the blade towards Oscar, catching our target perfectly off guard. He stumbled back a few steps, leaving him open just enough for me to get the first strike. My axe slammed into his shoulder, ripping away with a sizable chunk of metal and flesh. I followed it up with a slam from my shield, sending his entire body twisting to the side.

I was ready to keep going, but I had no clue just how powerful our foe was. He reached for Logan's staff, quickly summoning six crystalline orbs that began to circle behind his back, one-by-one firing off towards me. Each one felt far stronger than I expected it to, sending me staggering backwards. After the fourth I fell to one knee, hiding behind my shield in an effort to keep going. However, they seemed to have a mind of their own, flying past my shield and into my shoulders, pure magical energy burning through me.

"You are weak, Flynn. You wear armor to protect your frail body. You will fall to my sorceries." He kept casting more, an ominous blue aura beginning to coat both his weapon and his shield, each one glowing with potent magical energy. He wasn't done though, continuing by firing a spear of crystalline energy directly towards me. Even though my shield was in the way it didn't seem to matter, the brunt of it phasing through my armor and into my flesh. My whole body burned in an indescribable way, potent energy making quick work of me.

I felt Resa's miracle start to work on me, however, quickly restoring my ruined body. "I may not be the most resilient, Oscar...but I'm the most persistent." I leaped back to my feet and dove straight towards him, foregoing my shield for now to call forth my pyromancy flame. I wrapped both hands around him as we both tumbled to the ground, hurling a chaos fireball at our landing location. It erupted around both of us, Oscar on the bottom, my body beginning to burn...but so was his. WIth Resa's Restoration miracle healing me, the wounds continuously opened and closed, a luxury that Oscar didn't have...or at least I hoped he didn't.

"Flynn, get back!"

I didn't have time to figure out what Resa was saying, it was too late. I didn't notice the familiar shell of force beginning to form around Oscar, but I absolutely noticed when he sent me flying across the room, my back slamming into the ceiling. Wrath of the Gods...I certainly hadn't been expecting that one. After I hit the ceiling I came crashing down to the ground, now landing face-first into my own pool of lava...this was going worse than I expected it to.

Oscar was there to follow-up, plunging his sword into my back, magically enchanted to cause as much pain as possible. I heard the sound of lightning spears whizzing overhead, though I didn't actually know who they were coming from. If Oscar was a Warrior of Sunlight...I didn't even want to entertain the possibility.

Oscar ripped his sword from my back, giving me just enough time to roll out of the way to avoid the assumed follow-up strike. I jumped back to my feet, my shield now nowhere close. I reached for my demon blade, going on the defensive as Oscar came at me with a furious barrage of sword strikes. "You are not worthy to succeed your master. Fall, and learn your place."

I countered, catching his blade and sending it flying with a twist of my own, leaving him completely open for the briefest of moments. I swung my blade, the edge crashing into his side and sending him toppling to the floor. Resa kept up the barrage of lightning spears, each one aimed precisely where the previous one hit, starting to burn a hole in his chest armor. Oscar rolled to the side just as I went for a follow-up strike, countering with a quick blast of magical energy that caught me off guard. This game him enough time to leap back to his feet, sheathing his sword and reaching for his pyromancy flame...or perhaps, Laurentius'.

"I know you pride yourself on your pyromancies. I doubt you'll even make me sweat."

I chuckled, sheathing my sword and unfurling my flame, my other hand now grabbing my axe. "That's because corpses can't sweat."

I called forth my whip, striking Oscar with the fiery braid several times in quick succession, each time. Once that one ran out I called forth another, this one snaking its way around him, winding through his arms and legs to restrict his movement. Once he was restrained, I hurled several more fireballs at him, each one blasting him directly in the chest. Once he fell over I began casting my third and final pyromancy...it was time.

I felt like I had complete control over it now, each of the pillars of fire erupting almost perfectly underneath Oscar. It swallowed him whole...or so I thought. In his hand was his talisman, a steady sheen of light surrounding him...miracles. He had to be healing himself, pushing through the pain. I kept it coming, however, eventually having to stop as my flame started to flicker. That left Oscar in the middle of the pool of lava that'd formed, my whip falling away.

"Not bad...not too good either."

Oscar charged towards me, leaving his talisman and calling forth his own flame. A burst of fire leaped from his fingertips towards me, a blinding display that caught me off guard. He kept them coming, the blasts of fire flying left and right from his hands, now starting to leap through the cracks in my armor and singe the skin underneath.

That was, until Resa jumped on his back, both arms wrapping around him as the two of them tumbled away. She threw him on the ground, plunging her sword into him several times until a blast of magical energy threw her away. I was quick to follow in her stead, however, sending my demon blade slamming down onto his prone body, crushing his armor across his midsection. I predicted the blast that followed, my blade already poised to absorb the brunt of the blow. I crushed him again with my blade, now again joined by Resa that plunged her holy sword into his head.

"Go to hell, Oscar." I slammed my blade down again, now severely twisting the shape of his midsection.

"This world is hell. I did what I could to make it my hell...a hell I could control. I see now...I'm as powerless as everyone else."

Resa plunged her blade into his skull now, striking him at the exact same time as the fourth and final swing from my weapon crashed into him...that was the end. The world again began distorting around us, fading out of existence only to come back a moment later. We were in our own world, now, everything as normal. This time, there was no distortion in the air, no prize to win...we'd simply walked away with our lives. Where Oscar was, I didn't know. If he planned to attack us, however...we'd be ready.

I looked to my sister...she was breathing heavily, as was I. That was closer than I'd wanted it to be, the control of the battle swaying several times. However, we'd emerged victorious, although the Kiln ahead of us made it clear we were far from finished just yet. "Let's take a breather for a second. I think we've earned it."

She nodded. "Couldn't have said it better myself." We both took a seat right outside the Kiln.

"So, what do you have left to work with miracle-wise?"

She shrugged. "A couple lightning spears, maybe one or two more doses of healing. You took quite the beating...I did what I could, and I don't regret it. You?"

"I probably have one whip left in me, maybe two. At most two fireballs as well. We'll make the most of them...we'll have to."

She nodded, the two of us then slipping into silence for a bit. We had a lot to take in...a lot to process. Oscar wasn't the man we thought he was, but in reality about as far from that as possible. What was, and wasn't real anymore...I wasn't quite sure.

Eventually, I'd had enough. We'd come this far, it was time to finish the job. I stood up, brushing myself off, and adjusting my weaponry. A sword, an axe, a shield, and a couple fireballs. That was all I had to fight the king of the undead...I didn't know why I felt confident.

"You're ready?"

I nodded, helping my sister to her feet. "After hearing what Oscar said, assuming it is true...I think my decision with the First Flame has been made clear."

Resa nodded. "I don't even see it as a decision. I thought putting out the fire would help humanity, but it sounds like that's just the opposite. We keep the fire burning."

"Together."

I walked towards the Kiln now, passing through the low entryway. The inside wasn't at all a surprise, as we'd just been here. However, in this instance of the Kiln, a glorious bonfire burned in the center of it...the first flame. Before it was Gwyn, clearly. He was an older man, no surprise there, a twisted and thinned metal crown adorning his head. This was the King...a hollowed man that has kept the fire burning longer than anyone thought possible. And yet, here we were now to relieve him of this duty, something that wouldn't be easy.

Gwyn immediately took to the defensive, leaping into the air with surprising speed for a man that was possibly centuries old. He propelled himself towards Resa, his sword plowing straight through her chest and right out the other side. Without so much as a word, he kicked her off his massive blade, discarding her onto the ground.

She was still alive, I knew that because I was, but I didn't know if that would continue to be the case. I rushed to interpose myself between the two of them, hopefully buying her time to heal herself through whatever means necessary. I slammed myself shield-first into Gwyn, drawing his attention as my axe struck his shoulder in the same motion. He retaliated as expected, slamming his greatsword into me with the power of the deity that he was.

I held my ground...we were in too deep now. The First Flame wouldn't last if nobody succeeded him, and that meant we had to be the first. Especially now, with Oscar still potentially against us, we had to win now. I slashed back, the two of us going back and forth as I did my best to block his strikes, all the while attempting to deliver a few of my own. It wasn't easy, Gwyn maneuvering his sword to both strike my armor and block my own strikes, making each small scratch I got on him feel like a victory in its own right.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Resa get back up off the ground, stowing away her Estus flask. That meant she still had all her miracles left...that was good. She immediately used one, hurling a lightning spear at the god, causing just enough of a distraction for him to let me get one good strike off. I plunged my axe into his shoulder, ripping it away with a sense of pride...I was fighting a deity...and I was potentially winning.

I let my guard down as I went in for a second strike, something that Gwyn quickly capitalized on. He lifted up his free hand and simply grabbed my axe in the air, staring at me with hollowed, empty eyes. Again, no words were spoken...he might have become so hollow he'd forgotten how to speak. A second lightning spear came from Resa, this one having absolutely no effect on him as Gwyn simply threw my arm to the side, deftly moving his arm to wrap around my neck. He lifted me into the air with ease, an already superior stature accented as he made full use of it, eventually leaving my legs dangling in the air. He crushed the armor around my neck with his bare fist...I was in over my head. All that I remember next is seeing his greatsword plunge into my stomach, at which point I immediately blacked out.

Resa

Flynn fell to the ground in the same way I had just a moment ago, though he seemed to have taken a much more direct and planned hit than me. Before I even thought about Gwyn I sent out a healing miracle, perhaps my last one, hoping to bring him back from the brink. While that was working, however, I needed to buy him time, something I wasn't quite sure I'd be able to do.

Gwyn had certainly not forgotten my presence, my lightning spears reminding him of that, and he quickly turned on me once I was the only threat left in the room. WIth surprising speed he ran up to me as I dodged to the right, evading the thrust of his sword that would have ended my life that instant. Once I was back on my feet I got a quick slash in across his back, ducking and weaving around to try and land my own strikes will also dodging Gwyn's. He was fast, swinging a greatsword impressively fast and with great dexterity. Every time I felt like I had an opening I saw the sword just a moment away from sending me flying, causing most of my strikes to be much more brief than I would have wanted.

Gwyn's strikes became much more accurate as he learned my dodge patterns, getting to the point where I could barely even land a scratch on him before I rolled out of the way. After one dodge, however...the sword froze in the air. I didn't stop to think about it for the moment, instead opting to plunge my blade into his back, bringing with it a very real possibility that we might emerge victorious from this. The strike gave me time to see just what had happened...Flynn's chaos whip had wrapped around his arm. This only deterred Gwyn for a moment though as he simply grabbed the braid with his free hand, pulling on it with enough force to send Gwyn rolling on the floor towards me and Gwyn. I backed off, now that the both of us were back...it was time to do this together.

Flynn charged forward, blocking a heavy jab with his shield, retaliating with his own strike. Now that Gwyn was distracted, I had time to run up behind him, a deep cut arcing across his back before he circled around, catching me off guard as a hit from his blade sent me to the ground. Flynn punished him for this, however, his axe slamming into Gwyn's chest.

I hurled a lightning spear at the deity as I rejoined the fight, my hand cramping considerably...that would be the last of those. I still had at least one more healing miracle left, as well as...I'd forgotten about that. I ran up to Gwyn, already forming the shell of energy around me, unleashing it right as I got behind him.

He barely even budged...I was shocked. Wrath of the Gods did nearly nothing to him. I was accustomed to seeing undead be hurled across the room, but Gwyn...nothing. I suppose Wrath of the Gods, well...didn't affect deities. Gwyn spun around, ignoring Flynn as he plowed his foot into me, breaking my guard and slamming his sword into my shoulder. I was sent retreating, Flynn grabbing the deity's attention while I reached for my Estus flask. I ran it dry, simply opting to toss the empty bottle away, my wounds now fully healed. What was left, however, would have to come from my talisman, and I wasn't quite sure there was much left in that either.

Flynn discharged a fireball from his flame, catching Gwyn by surprise, allowing both of us to get one clean strike in on him before I had to retreat from his greatsword. We were starting to whittle him down, his strikes not quite as deadly as before, slight lag between the end of each thrust and the start of the next. However, we certainly were in the same position, my rolls not nearly as quick as they once were, and Flynn's strikes not carrying the same weight behind them as usual. two fights of this intensity back-to-back was more than we were use to, and it was showing.

Flynn blocked Gwyn's attack with his sword, countering with a fireball to the face. I got several quick thrusts in this time, Flynn landing a strike with his demon blade...it seemed he had the intention of ending this quickly. Without a shield to hide behind Flynn blocked with his blade, each brutal strike from Gwyn now chipping away at his resolve much more now that he wasn't using the familiar mound of metal to guard himself. I started using my shield, a trait I'd forgotten about in the past while, hurling the discs at Gwyn from afar. With these, I still had plenty, the barrage of energy clearly more than annoying to the deity, eventually forcing Gwyn away from my brother and towards me.

Flynn wouldn't have that, however, instead grabbing his axe, slashing in front of him. A gust of wind bellowed outwards, knocking Gwyn to his feet for just a moment...that was all I wanted or needed. I leaped forward, plunging my blade into his back perfectly, retracting and plunging it in again. Gwyn threw me off and sent me rolling to the side, only to have Flynn come up in my stead and slam his demon blade into the deity's chest.

That was it...the battle was now fully in our court. We just had to avoid squandering it. Gwyn struggled to get up with Flynn over top, going ahead and expending his final whip to wrap around his arms, buying just enough time to get another powerful blow in with his blade. I came up now as well, joining the assault with my holy weapon, simultaneously striking at him with my shield.

We overwhelmed him...I don't know which strike was the last, the two of us working in tandem to take him down. It didn't matter who got the final strike...we were a team, brother and sister. We won together. Slowly, Gwyn's body began fading away, burning away to reveal a powerful, burning ember of a soul behind. Flynn picked it up, holding it out in front for both of us.

"In the end...this was all anyone here was. We are souls, some more powerful than the next, others persisting long after others. We don't ever know the qualities of our soul...not while we're alive, at least. I think it's better that way...it allows you and me to fight a god, and emerge victorious. I - "

His thoughts were cut short as the lights in the room began to flicker and fade, its previous fuel now gone. I turned to my brother. "I agree...but we've got a job to do. Perhaps we won't find the true strength of our souls, but the people that come after us...they might."

He nodded, the two of us walking in solemn reverence towards the First Flame. After hearing just how horrible of a crime it would be to let this fire fade, there was no decision to be made. I held my hand out to the fire, trying to feel the familiar spark of connecting with a lost bonfire. However, I didn't feel it, instead feeling a warmth begin to flood my body. The hand that I'd held out had caught fire, slowly beginning to work it's way up my arm. Flynn was going through the same process, the two of us instinctively locking hands as the fire consumed us.

It hurt...physically, it burned like any fire would. However, mentally, I was at peace with this. This was the purest sacrifice a Warrior of Sunlight could offer...my body, my life, in exchange for the continuation of the lives of countless more undead, many of which I've never met and certainly will never meet.

The fire consumed both of us, slowly, After it passed our shoulders, Flynn stepped wholly into the fire, myself just a moment behind. There, we waited out the rest of our lives...the best way possible.

If you've made it this far, you've reached the end. Thank you so much...this has been my most ambitious project yet at 10 months of non-stop writing, as I began this for NaNoWriMo 2017. For NaNoWriMo 2018, I'm looking at doing my own project that wouldn't involve fanfiction, so I might be quiet for a while.

Something I want from you all, however, if you'd be so kind. I don't want to be done with Flynn and Resa...I've grown to love both of these characters. They represent my first two successful playthroughs of Dark Souls, the first being a female strength tank/pyromancer named Liss, the second being a male dex/faith hybrid named Sunny. These were the inspirations of Flynn and Resa, which is why I really don't want to give up these characters - they're very close to my heart in a game I've loved for years. For that reason, I'm thinking that sometime in the future, I might have a reprisal in Dark Souls 3, with the two of them being brought back as Ashen Ones to carry out their quest.

If this is something that interests you, let me know in a private PM (or comment, but I personally don't think that's the place for a response like that). Though I won't be actively writing on fanfiction for perhaps a while, I still get an email any time something happens (favorites/follows, PMs, etc.) I will know that there is support for this, and if I get enough of it, I will be willing to put off my next project in favor of giving you awesome readers what you'd want - it's your encouragement that keeps me going.

Carry on, undead, and I hope you enjoyed Twin Humanities.