Looking up and down and truly taking in the design and details that had been engraved on the different parts of the armor, Sunset inspected everything about the armor to know exactly what parts could leave her vulnerable. Once she finished the inspection, she had to be sincere about the armor. The level of protection it granted was superb, allowing enough movement freedom for Sunset to move around the field and still sturdy enough to let her absorb damage. Andre was a complete genius and Madeleine was amazed at the kind of work he did in just a couple of days.
The armor covered her whole body, with the exception of the face and part of the neck in the front, but it was clearly not something off the shelf, because it was molded to Sunset’s body while still keeping her padded like her original robes. It was a teal green, almost jade and on top of it, there was a long cloth, probably what remained of Sunset’s robe alongside the pockets and holsters that the undead had used to keep different objects with her. It had engravings that looked like ivy, but it didn’t look excessive or out of place, like many armors that were made to be used as statues or simple trophies. No, this armor was made to receive damage and look good in the battlefield all at the same time.
Sunset, who knew next to nothing about armors in general, was also incredibly happy about what she just gained. Back in Equestria, she never took interest in the armor of the guards, nor the enchantments that had been casted on it. After all, to her, the guards were just a formality, remains of an era long lost. Equestria hasn’t always been peaceful, but with long years under the protection of the sun, well, people usually grew complacent and now guards were just for decoration really.
This armor was simply marvelous, being made specifically to her size and done with enough care that it would be an invaluable companion to her throughout the rest of her trip. It was a little painful to say goodbye to her worn robes since she got used to them, but she was still happy that she could keep her pockets and useful space with this new robe.
Moving her arms in a circle, she was amazed at the amount of movement range that she had with such an armor, so she could have no problems walking around, although things like acrobatics and rolling around were still pretty much a lost cause for her with something like this on. She left such tactics to Madeleine who always seemed like a cat in her movements. Maybe more like a panther, considering how dangerous the woman was.
“It is indeed a great job that you did Andre, truly a perfect gift for our little sun,” the pleasant voice of Solaire traveled across the room, clear even with the sound of Andre’s hammer. Sunset smiled a bit at the man’s nickname for her. There had been no one in her life who have gave her a nickname before and while before all this she would have tried to break the neck of whoever have uttered the nickname, now it felt… nice. It was proof of friendship, companionship, and it felt right.
“Probably one of my best works if I say so myself,” Andre said with a rumbling that was supposed to be his laughter, but it was clear that he was proud of his job and he had all the right to be. “It is slightly heavier than a normal knight armor, but considering I took inspiration from the Berenike knights, I think the end results will go well with your way of fighting.”
Way of fighting? Sunset had no way or style. She simply ran up to the enemy and then used her weapon like a madman. So far she had been lucky, only dying a couple of times since she had someone watching her back, but maybe she should try to gain some experience with the weapons she had. Maybe next time she could use her claymore and shield, or maybe only the big sword with both hands now that she could withstand some damage.
“Berenike knights? Like that giant in the cathedral?” Sunset took off the helmet of her new armor and was surprised to see her hair regaining the volume she was used to. No matter the kind of magic Andre had used to make the armor, just for that simple fact she already loved her new armor.
“Indeed, we already took care of one of those things, but there are more all around the place, probably idiots that accompanied Tarkus in his travel to Anor Londo. Now they are ghosts of a long lost place too.” Madeleine truly loved to make melancholic speeches, but just the idea of many knights of those dimensions made Sunset shake. If they had problems with only one, what would she do if she was ever in a fight with many of those things?
“So, who’s Tarkus? Another hero from another age?”
“You’re learning Sunset. Basically, he was a knight that did a pilgrimage to Anor Londo and apparently was powerful enough to gain entry to the city, but after he went in, well, nobody knows what happened. Some say he met his end at the city, others that he arose alongside the gods when they left Lordran. Some even claim that he simply went home.” Too many mysteries in one city for Sunset, who by herself was very bad with mysteries. Just look where she was because she couldn’t resist not knowing about one mystery.
“Not only was he strong, but he survived Sen’s Fortress, the only known access point to the God’s City, and we are close to it.” Solaire still didn’t put his helmet back on, clearly wanting to see his companions face to face. Sunset preferred it that way. It felt a little too impersonal to always talk to someone underneath a mask. Well, Madeleine was an exception since she was always using that masquerade of hers. Besides, it did suit her.
“So, if there is a way to get into Anor Londo faster, why are not we using that route? I mean, if it’s supposed to be the city of the gods or whatever, maybe there is an answer to the undead curse there after all, or of why the Bells of Awakening are so important.”
“Sunset, if it were so easy, Sen’s Fortress wouldn’t be such a dark place. The problem is that the door to the fortress is forever closed and no one has an idea of how to open it. And believe me, getting into Sen’s Fortress IS the easy part. You don’t wanna know the kind of dangers you could find inside my dear.” For Madeleine to be saying something like that, well, it must be horrible inside.
“Well, guess I have no choice but to go for the next bell then… right?”
“Sunset, what is it? You’ve been a little… I don’t know, pensive. Something on your mind?”
“I don’t know, I… well, I think I heard something, like when we were getting closer to the cathedral, something like a call, or maybe magic? I’m not sure, I’m not an expert in Lordran’s magic,” Sunset explained, though she herself wasn’t so sure about that last statement, especially when she already showed that she could not only use Pyromancy, but that she could detect and break locked doors and enchanted places? Both Madeleine and Solaire looked at each other and like one took their weapons and got their own armors in order.
“Well, why didn’t you say so earlier? If you think something is bizarre, then the only thing we can do is go and check it out, don’t you think? So where exactly did you feel that?”
“At the hall, where we fought that Titanite Demon-wait, just like that?”
“Because we trust you,” Solaire said, his voice now echoing slightly underneath his full helmet.
“And think about what we could find. Maybe some long lost artifacts? We already found Havel. Just imagine what could be underneath this place, so let’s go.” Sometimes Sunset was truly surprised about the energy Madeleine had all the time.
“Yeah, sure, why not? Andre, thank you for the armor, I’m grateful for your help.”
“Well, what else could I do except keep my abilities from rusting? Now, you be careful out there Sunset of Equestria. Don’t go and become hollow on me okay? Neither of us would like to see that happen.” And like that, the three went on, taking their first step into garden and closer to Sunset’s destiny.
:( i fear them encountering sif
I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again...I really want to more fan art of Sunset in her different outfits with her weapons.
8856750
Why? If anything (And especially if Ratedoni covers an Oolaciel Arc and Sunset sees first hand why you don't mess around with Literal Dark Magic) I get the feeling that that would be where this story takes its first major turn from the Dark Souls game, and rather than Fighting the giant puppy she Befriends him and figures out some other way to traverse the void... (Fingers crossed, knock on wood)
In fact, that's something that never really made sense to me the first time I played the DLC. Why in Luna's name would you need Artorias' Covenant Ring if you'd done the DLC side story before going to the end of the Forest where Sif is? You'd already traversed the Abyss, and done a right better job of it without the ring than Artorias did with it...?
Though, with the way Fanfictions can work, Ratedoni has the ability to slip in an ontological paradox with Sif already recognizing her if he does send her to Oolaciel later on...
I actually do want her to fight Sif because I remember fighting Sif and just realizing how brutal the world of Darksouls really is when you find out Sif wasn't evil she was just trying to stop you from facing the same fate Artorias did. And I want Sunset to go through that turmoil, I don't believe things should ever be easy for her I mean this is Darksouls a game that is never supposed to be easy for you. I think that should also apply to Sunset and that she shouldnt get a happy ending until she reaches the end.
i hope sif lives.
while some would say the reveal that sif was just trying to protect its master's grave and to prevent their new friend from falling to the abyss i just want some good things to happen got the people in that would who deserve a break. it would show that sunset being their IS changing things and it's not just following the games plot step by step with now change but with sunset as the chosen undead.
though in the end this is the authors story and i'll still read it no matter what because it's so good.
also i wonder if this story will talk about Gwyn's sin. the thing that fucked everyone over and it showing he's not the great man he paints himself.case in point the stuff in the ring city and how Gwyn fucked over all humans and kept them from their birthright. the humans could use the Dark without worry, to the point we could make weapons and armor, and where strong enough to kill dragons and use their heads as shields. but Gwyn placed the darksign on them, witch messed up out connection to the dark and now we go hollow! and worst of all he covered up our history and made it look like we did nothing in the war!
and that no matter how exquisite, a lie will remain a lie!
8856857
well its more to do with my own guilt over fighting the big ol sword wielding pup but beyond hat i am curious how the story will go when it hits that point.
that i a good question for the dlc but i never did that for myself. i tried it on a new game and got myself stuck on artorius and was too stuborn to farm some souls..... personal shame
Man. I'm always excited to see an update, but I'm always disappointed at the same time, because they are so damn short.
8857700
I mentioned my main character I use to replay the first game Here 8684421. Now, under normal circumstances (IE Anything that doesn't involve PvP, because no matter what game type it is or how baddass a character I'm playing, I'm total pants at PvP), this character is a total badass.
Artorias is still a total bh of a fight where I usually have to restart a few dozen times before I finally bring him down.
His fight is all about timing and learning his patterns, much like all Dark Souls Bosses, but the difference between him and the rest is that there's a shorter interval between when he telegraphs his next attack and when the actual strike lands so your reflexes really have to be on point. To use Austin's analogy of music, he still uses 4:4 timing, but rather than each strike being measured in quarter notes, most of his strikes are measured in eighth notes with a quarter note wind-up/cool-down between strikes. Also, you really have to watch for the phases where he charges himself and try to break them before he finishes, otherwise he does double damage until it wears off
>Forest of Shadows
Ahhh hell, this'll end wonderfully
8858142
the only goal i had for my new character was to wield artorious' greatsword and specked towards that and negrected all other stats which left me in a bad situation when i reached him, only myself to blame.
learning his patern is the fun part of dark souls imo (same goes for all of the bosses) his speed and power were overwhelming and made me happy he couldnt use his other arm. that said the fight wasnt impossible i just kept loosing my focus and panicing resulting in a quick death. his change dance probably did play a part in the dificulty i found in the fight (i did watch that video, was awesome) and i was never able to interupt his charge up. before i was ready for yet another attempt on him i got DS2 and forgot all about it until this chapter.
8856750
They don't have the crest, so is impossible to get inside, they will get it later on in another way, not from Andre.
8856824
You are not the only one, but I don't have money to hire an artist, nor I know anyone that will make fanart of the fic, no matter how much I will love to see them create art for this dimension.
8856857
First, yes, there will be Oolacile like you'll never seen before; second of all, I always thought that the whole 'you need the accesory to fight the kings' was a little stretched, but I will give a explanation to that, in fact, it is a big freaking plot point to not only this, but the whole multiverse that it had been build around Sunset. No ontological reasons, although the Creator and Noche's struggle will continue in the void.
8857147
Oh, the punches to the gut haven't started yet, believe me about it, there is going to be even worst pain than just Sif, if it goes that direction.
8857650
Gwyn is not the only one that is guilt of what is going on, you can also place the blame on those stupid serpents; the darkness and the usag eof humanity is really bad for everything that is human or close to human, but there are worst things than just Gwyn and it just simply piled over and over. Besides, Oolacile is a very good proof that using the power of humanity without restrictions is as bad as not using it, which again, points a huge finger in the way of the serpents, so expect many surprising things, because the only thing from now that will be like the games was the First Bell Arc, from here on out we are riding the rollercoaster.
8858072
Sorry, is just that I work on them fast to get what I am thinking, but things will start to pick up now so, hope you enjoy the next couple of chapters.
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Or become a sorcerer and kick his butt completely, which is something that I did by mistake when I did a Priest of Velka type f character; mainly I focused on INT and DEX to make a fast character with thin armor (I got the Velka set on the portrait, yes, I did the portrait just for those items to finish the build) and I used parry all the time. I did that build to force myself to actually master the parry, but when I fought against bosses I just used magic. The fight ended pretty quickly with magic, which is a shame because the fight has a lot of symbolism and it is an enjoyable fight.
8858590
No, things won't go right this time around.
8858881
No it's not. There's a back-way in down by the Hydra.
8858776
I actually usually end up Switching to Artorias' Greatsword during that fight simply because "Heavier" weapons have enough poise damage to stagger him out of his charge-phases. The thing is, you have to already be rushing at him when he starts and stick to mostly heavy attacks, otherwise you won't get enough damage on him during the phase to knock him out of it. Melee characters should try to stick to a middle-close distance to him at all times and only try to sneak in one or two attacks at most during his wind-down after he attacks, otherwise you're going to be caught in a chain. Ranged or Magic builds, have it somewhat easier to avoid his attacks and can see his telegraphs from further away, giving them more breathing room, so breaking his charge-phase isn't as important.
8858881
but wasn't the whole thing with Oolacile AFTER he put the darksign on humans witch mean humans couldn't use the dark like they use to during the war with the dragons? also i thought the games showed the difference of the dark and the abyss. the abyss being a twisted version of it after manus was driven mad by the Oolacile people, who did that because one of the serpents told them too?
also ya i agree, screw those stupid snakes.
i just hate gwyn for the fact that he used humans and tossed them away and fucked them over
Gwyn used the power of his soul to place a seal of fire over early humans, namely, the Ringed Knights, trapping in their dark sigils that leak humanity, by possibly burning the humanity once it leaked out. This seal became a landmark sign that one who bears it, bears the curse of undeath. Whether intentional or not, Gwyn created this curse upon humans that would make them die and live again, with every death leading them closer and closer to hollowing, losing their humanity, and possibly their sanity.
but i agree that other people where also the reason for the world going to shit, i guess i'm just hoping that gwyn in some way, even if it's not in his face, gets called out for his shit.
but still great story man! can't wait for more and i hope i wasn't to annoying with my comments.
8858991
this info would have been rather handy some time ago XD
8859973
There is always something new to learn in these games
8859732
Tarkus
Tarkus
Tarkus
8860106
this is true and is often a fun proscess ...... even if there were moments i wanted to rip my hair out
8860905
Sunlight Spear requires you to have joined the Warriors of Sunlight, which, though not difficult to do with a high enough Faith, was out of my reach on my first play-through on account of being a Dark Souls Noob and focusing on other stats as well as not having any Internet at the time to lower the Faith requirement via summons. Sunset is going through a similar "First Play-through, No Summons" scenario, and what's more is apparently going the Lvl 1 Pyromancer route, so a high enough faith to use Sunlight Spear might be beyond her even with Solaire as a friend and companion. Now, if they detour through the Valley of the Drakes on their way back to Firelink Shrine, then they could pick up the Astora Straight Sword, but again, on my First Play-through I didn't even know that that was there until I was backtracking to Firelink after ringing the second bell and found the alternate route out of Blight Town, and Ratedoni has said in a previous reply to my comments on the route he plans on having them take that they'll be going through the sewers and Blight Town Proper on their way to the second bell, so there's a good chance they'll miss it entirely like I did.
Now, I actually held off on going through the catacombs until I was heading to the Tomb of the Giants to kill Grave Lord Nito, so I didn't even get the Rite of Kindling until I was already half done with the game. Nowadays since I know better the Catacombs is one of the first things I do as soon as I get a divine weapon.
8860960
8861011
I don't remmeber doing a Faith run anytime, never been much for the monk style or even a Sunlight build; if I want to do spear I usually go for Velka's Talisman since it works with Inteligence instead of Faith, which really fits into the lore of the item and who it belongs, since Velka is one of the few things that make gods tremble in fear and it allows me to use both spear and soul arrow. Sadly the Velka build is not recommendable for a new player or someone that doesn't know much about the build or how to get the pieces since it needs backtrack into Undead Asylum and then diving into the Portrait World, which new players won't even know it is possible.
For Sunset, although she has been growing her strenght and her endurance thanks to abosrbing souls and training (plus the rings help in her case) she cannot use any kind of faith magic, since she, well, doesn't have any Faith for any kind of figure. Which really, it fits into the usage of Faith since Solaire is capable of using a particularly strong spear due to having high faith, which again, ties perfectly well with the character since Solaire has complete faith on his quest and the sun, not in any particular god,yes he is respectful with Gwyn and all that, but he worships the sun and what it represents.
8861211
I RP my faith builds similar to what Solare does: Complete Faith in Self and Quest, since I usually make a trip to kill that little twerp Gwyndolin to grab a copy of the Sunlight Blade spell every play-through, which I guess makes me a godless bastard as far as Dark Souls lore goes.