Author note: For those who are reading, know that this is my first ever story as well as myself being an amateur writer. Whatever the case, whenever I read Dark Soul crossovers, I never at all see any involving the Painter woman from the Ariandel Chapel, which is quite the shame. Unless there is a fanfic that contains it, then I will be lamenting for the rest of my damned days. Furthermore, I'd appreciate any criticism since it might improve my skills as a writer! Anyways, back onto the crossovers, I shall try my hand at making a decent (ish) story between the Dark Souls universe and RWBY. Without further adieu, enjoy! (probably...)

Also, Dark Souls and RWBY belong to their respective owners, I don't own squat!

It was done, The ashen one had finally come to an end to his long and brutal journey. He had slain his former fellow Gael, who had been corrupted for the search of the Dark Soul of man. The ashen one had dealt with the Soul of Cinder, he slew the Forgotten King, he ended the life of Midir, he granted a swift death to Gwyn, gave peace to Artorias, and killed Manus. Even more so is that he had finished Nashandra, the usurper. And now, all he has to do is to return to the painter in Ariandel and bring a close to his continuous quest.

But the question remains, what will he do after this is over? His body is slowly becoming decrepit and old, shall he rest for a while and ponder on what to do next? The ashen one knows that the cycle could never be broken, nor will it ever end. His sunset armor is charred to an abysmal black, now he knew how the Black knights felt after their armor changed to such a hue. He cast away his helmet for a leather hood and mask, to protect his face from the oncoming ash and dust from the Ringed City. Underneath that hood, is a face marred by age, black irises and greying long hair tied in a ponytail. An unkempt beard shields his face, something that he was quite proud of.

He walked back to the temple of Filianore, or rather, what was left of it and the dead woman. There, he saw the bonfire that kept him here, and the ashen one signaled it to return him to Ariandel.

This was the most profound feeling he always gets from traveling via bonfire. At first, upon receiving the lord vessel and traveling, it was woozy, blurry, and most of all, unsettling.

Of course, it wasn't instant, he would have to wait for a few hours before reaching his destination. To use this time, he remembered his talk with the Firekeeper, the one who helped him alongside his journey, even after he lost the power to gain more strength from his collected souls, she did so for him.

"Doth something troubles thee, ashen one?" She asked, with a hint of concern.

"No," he replied, "you are too kind to be concerned over me."

She walked toward him and sat upon the staircase next to her champion.

"Please, allow me to aid your woes, however small it may be," she said, placing a hand upon his scarred gauntlet.

The Firekeeper reminded him so much of Shanalotte, a previous keeper who did the same thing as her, yet she fell for Oceiros, who became insane for the search of knowledge, especially of Seath the Scaleless. What had irked the ashen one was how Ocerios tossed away Shanalotte, and instead, looked after an imaginary child named Ocelotte.

Such memories don't deserve to be remembered. He had been given many titles over the centuries: The Chosen Undead, The Cursed Undead, The Ashen One, The Sunlight Warrior, and many more that had been lost to time. Yet, there are names that will always be lingering in his mind.

"You may hide behind your titles, your names, and your armor, but, in truth, you will always be…. A monster. A killer. A deceiver. A betrayer."

"No," he said to himself, "that was in the past, a long forgotten past. I am so close the end, just a few more hours, and I will be free of all this torment."

He awakened to the Ariandel Chapel and ascended the ladder, where he saw the Painter Woman or child in this case. There she sat, always stroking away at her brush upon a large canvas.

"Ah, ashen one, you've returned! But, where is Uncle Gael?" She asked, looking behind him, hoping to see her relative. "Where is Uncle Gael, ashen one?"

The knight showed her the pigment of the Dark soul and explained to her that Gael had succumbed to madness in search of it.

"I… I see…. Then… his sacrifice will not be in vain, allow me to show you what I have made while you were away!"

She was about to show him a smaller canvas, one where she painted herself, Gael, Friede, and the Ashen one in it, looking joyfully pleased to be together.

As she was about to unfurl the cloth that kept it covered, a summoning circle appeared around the two of them, it instantly swallowed both of them hole, and there was darkness. All around them, like the abyss, had taken hold of their senses.

And that is the end of the first chapter!