literature

The First Flame

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I shield my eyes as the mighty stone doors creak open, and a blinding light pours out from behind it. I look through the door, and beyond the large entryway was a staircase completely enveloped in a white light. Ghosts of the past march solemnly through the mostly empty space as a strange, haunting sound echoes throughout. I steel myself and begin my descent down towards the other end of this strange hall and soon the Firelink Altar is a mere speck in the distance. Now, the scene surrounding me was much different. It was quiet, serene, almost like this area was frozen in time. Ash fell from the sky like snow and covered the area completely. In the distance, I see a Black Knight standing motionless. There was a time where these phantoms terrified me, but now the haunted suits of armor served as little more than a nuisance. I have defeated towering demons, unthinkable monsters, and many of the gods themselves. These empty husks pose little threat to me anymore. I ready my weapons and continue towards it. The spectre notices my presence and attacks, but it's far too slow. I impale it on my sword and kick it to the ground; once it disappears I move on only to see another, this one wielding a greatsword. "So even in this state, you're still loyal to your master..." I sigh and dispatch it as easily as the last. The path I followed eventually leads me to the top of a large staircase circling down towards an entrance to the Chamber of The First Flame. Amidst the gray of the ash and stonework, I spot a golden light on the ground. "Ha, so he's still alive..." I think to myself, "Sorry friend, but I can't ask you to help me this time. This is my fate: I'll face it alone."

I ignore the Sunlight Warrior's signature and continue on, exterminating the last of the Black Knights defending the chamber. The wall of fog stands before me and as I stand before it, I can feel my heart racing. The Witch who tried and failed to recreate the First Flame, the four foolish kings who fell to Dark, the Gravelord who outlived his usefulness, the Scaleless traitor, the knights of Gwyn, his last remaining child, the Father of the Abyss, and the dragon that even the mighty Anor Londo feared. "I fought and defeated the most powerful beings the world had to offer. Most would have gone hollow by now, but I have faced death countless times without losing myself. And yet... Why do I still feel such fear? Perhaps I'm afraid of facing the legendary Gwyn. Or maybe I'm afraid of what will happen should I defeat him. Can I even defeat him?" I shake my head, "No, such thoughts will not help me. I have to do this. If not for the world, then for myself..." I let out a sigh and march through the fog, and I am taken back by what I see, and my shock and fear quickly turns to anger. "Here I expected to find the mightiest of the gods awaiting me, but what do I see before me.... but a feeble old man cowering in fear of the dark? Lord of Sunlight.... No, such a title no longer suits you. Like the flame you protect, you have faded until naught but cinders remain. Ah, yes. That shall be your new name." I point my sword at the husk of Gwyn, my voice echoing through the empty chamber, "Hear me, Lord of Cinder! I am your opponent! Take up your sword and fight me!" He says nothing, but he acknowledges my challenge. Out of respect for the man he once was, I cast my shield into the abyss behind me; I wish to defeat him in an honorable duel. He deserves that much, at least.

I charge at him, and he responds in kind. Our blades clash again and again, the sparks flying through the air as they dance to the symphony of battle. He slashes at me again, this time he connects and tears through my armor. I respond with a downward slash aimed at his shoulder. To my surprise, he catches my sword and tosses me aside. I get up, wiping the ash off of my face. "Even faded as he is, Gwyn truly lives up to his legacy..." I think to myself as I ready for another attack. I resume my offense, slashing and stabbing the old god in an attempt to keep him off-balance. None of my strikes even phase him however, and he grabs me by my throat and hoists me up. Moments later, fire erupts from my body. The pain is almost unbearable; every part of me feels like it's going to melt. To think that he could create a flame more intense than Kalameet's... He tosses me to the ground and waits for me to get up. I stagger to my feet, my eyes and heart now burning with rage. Perhaps it was from madness, or desperation, or even a sense of wounded pride, but I found myself overcome with an intense desire to remove his head from his shoulders. I no longer notice the pain as I attack him once more. He blocks my strike with his own, and I hear the sound of metal shattering. I look at my sword only to notice that it's been broken in two, with the other half landing a few feet behind me. I'm truly at my limit now... In one final desperate move, I charge Gwyn head-on. He swings his sword with the intention of taking my head off, but he's slow. Far too slow. It felt as if time stood still, the god appeared practically motionless, his empty eyes aglow with a passionate flame I did not notice before. With a final shout, I bury my broken sword into his throat, and everything falls silent. Gwyn collapses to his knees, and his body disappears.

I let out a sigh of relief and look onwards towards the First Flame. Gwyn, the Lords, the Knights, and all the people of Lordran. They all went mad because of this little flame. I close my eyes, and silently leave the chamber. The serpents hail me as the Dark Lord, but I desire no such title: I merely wish to end this ever-dwindling age of twilight. There will inevitably be another poor fool sent on the same pilgrimage, who was given the same goal as I, and who will eventually come to link the flame as I did. I will likely have gone hollow by then, and my successor will see me in the same way as I saw Gwyn. However until that undead is chosen, I will remain and watch over the world and protect it as best I can as its guardian. I believe that is my duty, for not all that is Dark is evil...
Some Dark Souls writing stuff I did. I decided that a first-person narrative would best suit Dark Souls, and I left as much as I could about the Chosen Undead ambiguous as to let the reader insert themselves (or their characters for anyone that played DS1) into the role with little issue. Anyways, I hope you enjoy reading! May The flames guide thee. :D
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