Chapter 470: When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you. |
Such a rotten world and despicable king, are they even worth challenging?
Looking into Hawkwood's gray eyes filled with exhaustion.
Gray Explosion seemed to feel for the first time the despair and anger rooted deep within Hawkwood's heart.
"...I don't know,"
Gray Explosion said.
I'm just an ash awakened by the bell, craving the flame.
The Lords of Ashes refuse to continue the First Flame for various reasons, and what I must do is bring the Lords of Ashes back, or bring back their embers, to continue the First Flame and sustain the world.
That is my mission, my innate craving for fire as an Unkindled Ash.
When the flame was about to extinguish, I threw myself into the furnace, burning my soul, humanity, and even my body.
So I cannot understand how utterly despicable this rotten world and its king truly are.
As the dispatcher of the Lords of Ashes, all I believe in is my mission.
And speaking of which...
Gray Explosion looked at the greatsword carried on Hawkwood's back.
It was a sword similar in appearance to the wolf sword, but it had always been wrapped in its scabbard, never drawn by Discouraged Bro.
During the days and nights at the Bonfire Ritual Grounds, he had always held his shield, sitting dejectedly on the steps sighing,
Until this moment, when the two spoke so much for the first time, Gray Explosion noticed that Discouraged Bro's greatsword seemed particularly familiar.
"...Perhaps... could you tell me about the Fran Undying Host?"
Gray Explosion's gaze withdrew from the hilt of Discouraged Bro's greatsword.
It wasn't hard to notice that Hawkwood's sword was the Fran Greatsword—identical in style to the clusters of greatswords planted beside the empty throne engraved with "Lord of Ashes - Fran Undying Host."
But undoubtedly, he must know something about the Fran Undying Host.
Hearing this, Hawkwood looked deeply at the Ash.
"...What a fool...
Even so, you still insist on continuing your mission?
For a moment, he couldn't see the true nature of this Ash before him.
When they first met, he had thought this poor unburnable trash was merely a disciple of the Fireguard Maiden, willingly becoming a tool manipulated by others for the so-called 'great cause of kindling the flame.'
But at this moment.
He seemed to see something in Gray Explosion's eyes as well.
What was it?
Hope? Sincerity?
Or a faint yet glowing spark of ember?
Like Gray Explosion's answer—he didn't know either.
Perhaps at this moment, he who knew the past of the Lords of Ashes, like the amnesiac Gray Explosion, was just an ignorant and confused blade of grass regarding the world.
Perhaps at this moment, the faint yet intense flicker in Gray Explosion's eyes slightly shook his heart.
Swish—swish—
Treading over dry, withered yellow weeds, Hawkwood left the wolf sword grave and walked toward the Bonfire Ritual Grounds.
"...Outside Lothric city, in the lower levels of the Undead Settlement, I hear there's still a path that can be taken,"
"That's the road for transporting living sacrifices to the deep church, follow the road and you'll reach the Fran Fortress..."
At this point.
Hawkwood's voice paused, as if distracted, his tone somewhat lost:
"The Fran Undying Host is a legion composed of undead, we..."
"They swore an oath to the wolf's blood, monitoring the abyss, willing to destroy an entire country at the slightest sign,"
"That's the kind of people they are.."
"And to join the Fran Undying Host, one must pass a special trial—"
"Extinguish the three wolf smokes of the Fran Fortress, and the gate to the wolf's blood will open..."
After speaking.
Hawkwood shook his head, as if finding it pitiable, yet also incredibly laughable:
"...Even cursed undead still believe they're special, how pathetic..."
As he spoke.
The two returned to the Bonfire Ritual Grounds.
Swish.
Discouraged Bro sat back in his usual spot, looking at the weakly burning, flickering campfire, and sighed,
Then, he took out a heavy gem from his chest and handed it to the Ash:
"Take this, I have no use for it anyway..."
"Reckless fool, if you insist on experiencing what it means to not turn back until you hit the wall, then go,"
"I'm afraid you'll return just as discouraged."
Having said that.
Discouraged Bro fell silent, quietly gazing at the throne draped in dark red cloth, surrounded by countless Fran greatswords,
A mournful, low chant echoed through the Bonfire Ritual Grounds.
Ethereal and sorrowful, carrying the distant, dusty taste of ages.
As if crossing the river of countless days and nights, finally exhausting the last bit of strength, lingering and slowly swirling in this ritual ground.
Or like the flying ashes of flames that burned year after year over the Fran Fortress but were extinguished at this very moment.
Rumble—
Pushing open the long-sealed stone door, everything witnessed along the way deeply shocked Gray Explosion,
This was the first time he felt the despairing impact of "the fire is fading, yet the throne lacks its king."
The Undead Settlement was filled with severely hollowed undead.
As the First Flame grew weaker and exhausted, humanity and memories continuously drained away, plunging all of Lothric into the shadow of despairing hollowing.
To handle the increasing number of undead, the originally most prosperous, lush, kind, and efficacious divine tree at the town's bottom became the best place to bury the undead.
Until the divine tree was also eroded, becoming the cursed tree of erosion.
Everywhere was filled with confusion and despair.
Like the pilgrims kneeling and sitting in meditation on Lothric's broken bridge, gazing toward the direction where the flame reignited, yet powerless before the chasm-like broken bridge.
Of course.
The world wasn't entirely dead, gray, filled with loneliness and complete despair.
On the road, he encountered a strange person.
Not tall at all, even somewhat comical, the bloated armor set on this person made him look chubby, like an onion with legs.
Completely opposite to Discouraged Bro.
Onion Bro was always filled with optimism and carefree emotions, even in encounters with demons where he himself was injured, he would kindly warn him not to be reckless while shielding him behind.
After finally achieving victory, he would pant heavily, sit down and drink with him to celebrate, raising his cup heartily: [Long may the sun shine!]
Along this journey, the Ash witnessed the world's darkness, but also saw the shining brilliance of humanity within the dark world.
Perhaps the world would eventually fall into prolonged darkness one day.
But the radiant light within humanity would burn eternally like the morning star, never extinguishing,
Until within that darkness, a small, hopeful flame reignited.
Accompanied by the rumbling sound of the door opening.
Before him, a massive altar paved with blue stone bricks was revealed.
"Phew—"
The Ash waved his hand to fan away the falling dust, but suddenly heard continuous clashing sounds of blades from within the altar—
Liu Liu's gaze followed the winding bloodstains ahead, looking toward the direction of the sound.
Buzz—buzz—!
Clang—!
Blades and swords clashing!
At this moment, two warriors in identical uniforms were brandishing their massive sword blades, fiercely launching swift and even terrifying attacks at each other!
And the next second!
Greatswords crossed!
The greatsword warrior on the left swiftly dodged, avoiding the opponent's attack, then sidestepped, his sword blade cutting through the opponent's chest like lightning, followed by a backhand stab!
Thud—!!!
The bloodstained greatsword pierced through a warrior's chest, then slowly withdrew.
Thump.
Only one warrior remained in the altar.
He wore a pointed war helmet, draped in a dark red cloak.
His battle armor was mottled, emitting dangerous and sharp glimmers under the dim brazier's glow.
His right hand held the same Fran greatsword as the one on Discouraged Bro's back.
But his left hand didn't hold a shield; instead, he gripped a rugged, bloodstained dagger in a forward grip.
[Abyss Watchers - Fran Undying Host]
The night wind was grim and killing, wolf smoke billowing.
In the deep altar grounds, Fran Undying Host members' corpses were scattered everywhere in disarray.
Noticing the Ash's arrival, the sole remaining member slowly raised his greatsword, pointing it straight at the Ash,
Meanwhile, his other hand held the dagger in a forward grip, resting against his right shoulder.
This was the Fran Undying Host's duel etiquette.
At this moment, players felt goosebumps all over—
Holy crap—this is so badass—
So Discouraged Bro was originally a member of the Undying Host but later defected?
"It seems so?"
Scalp tingling, this scene is really full of ritualistic feeling
This salute is really despair-inducing, the Undying Host clearly understood Gray Explosion's mission, but at the same time Gray Explosion extinguished the braziers and swore to the wolf's blood, meaning Gray Explosion is also a member of the Undying Host, hence this duel salute
This is GW's game alright
So shocking, honestly the grand distant view of Lothric city didn't shock me as much as this duel salute did, it really gives me goosebumps
Sense of destiny is really the core of Old Thief's games, right?
Life-and-death duel within bleak destiny, this narrative tension and scene construction, who can withstand this...
I can only say Old Thief really gets it...
'Sick as hell...'
And accompanied by players' exclamations!
The next second!
—!!!
Suddenly, the Undying Host member who had saluted lunged forward!
Swinging his Fran greatsword, a swift and fierce sweep aimed straight at Liu Liu's neck!
"Hey hey hey—! Oh my god!"
Clang—!
In panic, Liu Liu raised her shield.
Though barely blocking the Fran greatsword's damage, she couldn't offset the heavy impact!
With a sound!
This thousand-jun heavy strike actually sent Liu Liu staggering back five steps!
Holy crap—! So strong—!
As the first of the four Lords of Ashes to appear, the Fran Undying Host's strength was clearly higher than the BOSSes she had defeated before!
Though he lacked both the massive size of the Ice Dog and the troublesome arcane methods of the Crystal Sage.
But his oppressive presence was unprecedentedly strong!
As a humanoid BOSS of similar size, his attack frequency and aggression were even more aggressive than the enraged Ice Dog!
And!
This damn BOSS's attack movements are really too bizarre!
The huge sword blade was wielded effortlessly in his hands, whether it was the momentum-transferring triple slash or the delayed fierce dragging sword strike, almost every attack, even every movement, was beyond Liu Liu's expectations.
Even, this guy actually had aerial "cyclone lightning slash" and heavy "thunder crescent slash."
His poses were graceful and bewitching, dynamic and powerful, his movements sharp and bizarre, completely unpredictable.
Amidst the rumbling slashes, Liu Liu scrambled around like a wolf or rat, while the audience climaxed—
OHHHHHHHH..... so badass Fran bro....
These moves, these poses, these combat skills... damn, they're all ground moves...
'《This is Street Dance》'
"Hahahahahaha goddamn This is Street Dance"
Holy shit this is so hard..
Discouraged Bro (promax enhanced version)
Fran Fortress (×) Fran Dance Studio (√)'
"If you want to fight, go to the dance studio to fight, right? (dog head)"
Too damn funny.
"Sis is already beaten dizzy, completely can't predict the attack intervals, these moves are really too brutal"
Seeing the street dance team's size should have made you more careful
Indeed, in Sekiro all humanoid enemies are strong so giant BOSSes stand out, like Lion Ape and Onryoki, so conversely in a game like Dark Souls where giant BOSSes are everywhere, when you see a BOSS with similar size to yourself, you should be mentally prepared...
Compared to the Undying Host, Master Gudda's attacks are simply kindly
After all, he's the entrance teacher
This is pure military training...
......
Too fierce!
Liu Liu didn't even have time to catch her breath!
Even, from the start of the BOSS fight until now, she had already drunk four estus flasks, yet hadn't landed a single hit!
No opportunity at all!
The Undying Host's offensive was so peculiar and fluid.
She could hardly find any attack rhythm, mostly just about to strike when the Fran greatsword came down.
Or thinking the Undying Host was about to attack but actually missing the opportunity.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Another triple combo!
Liu Liu was slashed repeatedly backward, her stamina bar rapidly depleting,
Forced, she had to temporarily lower her shield, otherwise the guard break stagger would be even more fatal.
However!
Just as she released her shield with her left hand, before she could even catch her breath!
The Fran Undying Host actually performed a backstep, then swung his greatsword into a charging thunder crescent slash!
Whoosh—!!!
Bad!
Liu Liu's heart sank!
At this moment, she had no stamina left to block.
And this heavy strike, if it hit her, with her remaining one-third health, she'd most likely be returning to sit at the bonfire.
Watching the Fran greatsword's blade getting closer and closer!
At this critical moment!
Slash—!
Thud!—!
.......
Boom—!—
With a powerful thrust!
Hawkwood watched as the greatsword about to cleave his forehead flashed away!
And the deranged comrade with terrifying red glowing eyes, intent on killing him, was sent flying with the sound!
Immediately after!
The comrade who saved him didn't hesitate, swiftly stepping forward, twisting his body, his greatsword slashing through the air!
Thud—!!!
Blood splattered!
The red-eyed comrade's head rolled off, the headless body thumping to the ground motionless.
As clanging sounds continued, Hawkwood looked around—
One after another comrades with flashing red eyes brandished their greatswords like frenzied walking corpses.
While other comrades like himself continuously slaughtered their insane red-eyed companions.
[When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back into you]
No matter how powerful the Fran Undying Host was, during their daily monitoring of the abyss, they couldn't avoid being corroded and invaded by the abyss.
And the reason the Fran Undying Host was so powerful was because they shared the same bloodline and even soul.
Thus, the abyss's invasion spread through their ranks like a plague.
If one was infected, kill one; if two were infected, kill two; whether ten, twenty, or a hundred.
As abyss watchers, they would spare no effort to eliminate even the slightest abyss invasion, even if it meant destroying a country.
But as the First Flame faded, the abyss's erosion intensified.
Thus, fratricide became the main theme of the Fran Undying Host.
Hawkwood trembled as he collapsed to the ground, watching comrades in the same uniform kill each other in this narrow courtyard.
The comrade with his arm chopped off was a good friend who swore to the wolf's blood with him in the same batch; the comrade pierced through the chest was a brother who stood guard with him just yesterday.
Elder brothers bisected younger brothers, sons' blades piercing fathers' hearts.
Cruel fratricide eternally cycles before the abyss's gate.
Is this what being a king means?
The greater the power, the deeper the misery, is this the curse kings must bear?
He couldn't understand.
Is this what being a king means?
They who would rather kill each other yet vow to suppress the abyss, are they the same as despicable drowning pigs like Eldritch who create chaos?
He couldn't understand.
Is this what being a king means?
The coldly observing world never pities their curse, only throwing them into the furnace when the fire fades to extend this rotten world's life?
He couldn't understand.
Lord of Ashes.
Kings who burn themselves to extend the entire world.
Shouldn't they rightfully possess the most noble souls, receive the most noble reverence, and enter that initial furnace as heroes under expected gazes, burning themselves to relight the world?
Looking at the dripping blood like a river of curses before him, and the scattered severed limbs from continuous slaughter.
Hawkwood's pupils trembled.
[Does this rotten world and such despicable king deserve your heroic challenge?]
And at that moment!
Whoosh—!!!
With a tearing screech!
The comrade who had just saved his life now turned back, swinging his Fran greatsword, fiercely slashing toward him!
And in his eyes shone the vicious red light of abyss corruption!
The sharp blade clad in swift wind strikes.
Hawkwood, deeply versed in wolf sword technique, instinctively tightened his grip on the hilt.
But at this moment!
He felt as if his memories had been drained, unable to muster the courage to thrust the blade into the chest of the comrade he had just fought alongside.
Clang—!!!
The Fran greatsword's heavy strike came down like lightning, emitting a piercing metallic clang!
Boom—thump thump thump—!!!
Hawkwood was violently thrown back, stirring up dust as he rolled far away!
In his hands, he tightly clutched a shield picked up from the ground in panic.
Wolf sword technique never uses shields.
Hawkwood barely climbed up from the ground, for the last time tightening his grip on the Fran greatsword in his hand, then sheathing it on his back.
Then, clutching the shield tightly, head bowed, he limped out of the gate.
And disappeared into the bloody night of the Fran Fortress.
Call me a traitor if you will.
Call me a coward if you must.
I will gladly accept and forever bear it.
Because I cannot accept swinging my blade at comrades who swore to the same wolf's blood, and I cannot bear this despairing curse called Lord of Ashes.
From this day on, I will no longer be an abyss watcher wielding the Fran greatsword.
Picking up the shield, I am no longer worthy of using the offensive-focused wolf sword technique.
I am Hawkwood.
One who failed to become a Lord of Ashes due to cowardice and self-doubt—
The Despondent...