Chapter 64: Ch 64:Ringing The Bells Of Awakening
Solaire and I were on our way to the castle as he said it when suddenly The Chosen Undead spawned in our journey, yeah this dude just spawned in between our journey and after some staring and hand gestures we were now on our way to ring the bells.
Arriving in the Undead Parish felt like stepping deeper into a world that thrived on despair. The air was heavy, the architecture crumbling, and the enemies were relentless. My two companions: Solaire, the beacon of optimism, and the Chosen Undead, a silent figure with a lot of determination.
The Chosen Undead didn't say much—in fact, they didn't say anything at all. But their actions spoke volumes. Whether it was a simple nod, a thumbs-up, or a shrug, they communicated everything they needed without words. Honestly, it felt like playing co-op with a buddy who only used emotes.
"So," I started, glancing at the towering cathedral ahead, "the Bell of Awakening is up there, right?"
Solaire nodded, his ever-present enthusiasm shining through. "Indeed! The first of two bells we must ring to set the wheels of fate in motion."
I turned to the Chosen Undead, who gave a small nod in agreement before adjusting their shield.
"Alright, team," I said, stretching my arms, "let's do this. But just so you know, I'm not carrying you guys if things go south."
Solaire chuckled. "Ah, Arthur, your humor is as radiant as the sun itself."
The Chosen Undead simply pointed forward, clearly ready to get on with it.
The climb to the bell tower wasn't easy. Hollows, Balder Knights, and those annoying Channelers made the journey a gauntlet. The Chosen Undead moved with precision, cutting down enemies like a seasoned pro. Solaire provided support, his lightning miracles stunning enemies and making my job easier.
Finally, we reached the roof. The Bell Gargoyles waited for us, massive, grotesque creatures that looked like someone's nightmare brought to life. The first one swooped down, roaring as it brandished its massive axe.
"Alright, team!" I called out. "Let's show them what we've got!"
The Chosen Undead charged in without hesitation, shield raised and sword ready. Solaire followed, lightning spear in hand, while I hung back, weaving a web between the spires to limit the gargoyles' movement.
"Let's see how you like this" I said, launching a web to ensnare one of the creatures. It screeched in frustration, struggling against the sticky threads.
With its movements restricted, the Chosen Undead landed a blow, slicing through its wing. Solaire followed up with a bolt of lightning, and I finished it off with a strike from Excalibur.
The second gargoyle descended, breathing fire in an attempt to scatter us. But we were ready. The Chosen Undead flanked it, striking at its legs, while I swung Excalibur to deflect its axe. Solaire's unyielding optimism shone as he yelled, "Glorious teamwork!" before hurling another lightning spear.
Within a minute, the fight was over. The gargoyles fell, their bodies dissolving into ash.
The climb to the bell was steep, but the sound of victory drove us forward. When we finally reached the top, the Chosen Undead stepped forward to pull the lever.
The sound of the bell reverberated through the land, a deep, mournful tone that seemed to awaken something ancient.
"Beautiful," Solaire said, gazing out at the horizon. "The first step toward our destiny."
I crossed my arms, leaning against the wall. "Destiny, huh? What if ringing these bells just makes things worse? Ever think about that?"
Solaire turned to me, his expression calm but firm. "Even if it does, we cannot ignore our fate. To stand still is to surrender to despair. Is that what you would prefer?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I get what you're saying, but sometimes it feels like fate is just another word for being someone else's pawn."
The Chosen Undead looked at me, then pointed at their chest before pointing at the bell.
"They're right," Solaire said. "Fate may guide us, but it is we who choose to follow. The path is ours to walk."
I smirked. "Alright, you win. Let's see where this 'fate' thing takes us next."
As we descended from the bell tower, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. The fight, the victory, the debates—it all reminded me of why I loved the world of Dark Souls. It wasn't just about the challenge; it was about the connections, the fleeting moments of camaraderie in a world that wanted to tear you apart.
The Chosen Undead remained silent but gave me a thumbs-up as we prepared to move on. Solaire, our the optimist, spoke of the next bell and the challenges that awaited as we made our way to Blighttown.
---
After fighting Capra Demons and packs of Undead Dogs in Lower Undead Burg, Gaping Dragon and Basilisks in the Depths we could finally enter Blighttown.
Descending into Blighttown was like willingly walking into a nightmare. Poisonous swamps, unstable platforms, and enemies lurking around every corner made every step treacherous. The air itself felt toxic, thick with despair and decay.
"You know," I said, sidestepping a precarious wooden plank, "whoever designed this place must have had a serious grudge against humanity."
Solaire chuckled. "Challenges forge strength, my friend. Perhaps that was their intention?"
I shot him a look. "Yeah, or they just hated adventurers."
The Chosen Undead didn't say anything, but their careful movements and wary glances told me they were just as unimpressed with the layout as I was.
My instincts kicked in every few moments, alerting me to incoming ambushes. Poison darts flew from hidden assailants, but I intercepted them with webs or deflected them with Excalibur. I even managed to catch one in midair, tossing it back at the attacker.
"Gotcha!" I grinned as the assailant toppled off a ledge into the abyss below.
"Impressive," Solaire praised, his lightning spear lighting the way.
"Thanks, but I'd trade some skills for a straight path and a decent map," I replied.
Eventually, we reached the swamp at the bottom of Blighttown. The ground squelched underfoot, and the air smelled worse than I imagined possible. Poison was everywhere—on the ground, in the water, and even on the enemies. But thanks to some antidotes I'd prepared earlier (props of being a Potioneer), we managed to keep the worst of it at bay.
"Stay close," I instructed, using my webbing and magic to create makeshift paths across the swamp. "No sense wading through this mess if we don't have to."
The Chosen Undead nodded, their silence almost comforting in this chaotic environment. Solaire hummed a cheerful tune, seemingly unbothered by the surroundings.
We encountered giant leeches and other monstrosities, but by this point, we were a well-oiled machine. Solaire's lightning attacks cleared groups of enemies, while the Chosen Undead and I handled any stragglers.
"You're pretty good with that shield," I commented to the Chosen Undead after they blocked a nasty attack.
They gave me a small nod, followed by a thumbs-up.
'Silent but deadly.'
At the heart of the swamp, we found Quelaag's lair—a grotesque nest of webs and lava. The Chaos Witch herself emerged, half-human and half-spider, wielding fire and fury.
Solaire stepped forward, readying his lightning spear. "A formidable foe, but nothing we cannot overcome!"
Quelaag's fiery attacks were intense, but with my swordsmanship and agility, I managed to keep her at bay. The Chosen Undead struck from behind, their blade cutting deep into her monstrous body.
"Keep her distracted!" I shouted, dodging a blast of fire.
Solaire unleashed a bolt of lightning, temporarily stunning her. That gave the Chosen Undead the opening they needed to deliver a decisive blow. Quelaag let out a final screech before collapsing, her body dissolving into ash.
The path to the second bell was eerily quiet after the chaos of the fight. As we climbed the tower, I glanced back at my companions.
"Two bells, one crazy journey. What's next, an elevator to hell?"
Solaire laughed, his optimism as unwavering as ever. "Whatever comes, we shall face it together."
The Chosen Undead simply nodded, stepping forward to ring the bell.
The sound echoed across the land, deep and resonant, signaling the next stage of our journey. As we descended, I couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get much harder.
"Well, guys," I said, shouldering my sword, "looks like we're in for a wild ride."
But first back to Firelink Shrine for some rest.
---Note
If you find any Writing or Grammatical errors, mention it in the Paragraph Comment.