Infinite Journey: Dark Souls

Xiao Yan still noticed the worry on Zhi's face. She touched her neck again, adjusted her voice slightly, and restored her usual cool and clear tone.

"I understand how my senior feels now."

Without any apparent reasoning, Zhi sat by the campfire, waiting for Xiao Yan to continue.

“But we are opposites. She has no head, and I have no body… while she had her Soul Gem shattered, and I am still alive because of my ashes… It’s good to be alive.”

"That bastard!"

"Forget it, it's just a very exciting way to die. Although it made me taste a tiny bit of despair caused by the difference in strength, as long as I don't die, I will always have a chance to return the favor."

Xiaoyan didn't tell Zhi that in the end, she tried to use her ability to see "the other's" past, but everything she saw was like the deepest nightmare. Just one glance was enough to make her want to fall into it. The feeling was like a bottomless abyss, drawing her in.

Is that guy still there?

"Let's go. Unless we hack back, we'll have to wait for her to hack back again."

Zhi had never missed those eyes that could see death so much as she did now. As a self-proclaimed knight, she was indeed too weak.

"It's about time we left. Without that guy blocking our way, we should be able to reach the Cursed Tree soon."

“That’s right… but I suggest we go back first. My katana… has been broken.”

"……All right."

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"Lord Ash, welcome back."

"……I'm back."

"Lord Ash, have a bowl of hot soup to relieve your fatigue."

"Thank you."

She felt much better after drinking a bowl of elemental soup, probably because she had subconsciously come to regard this safe place as her home.

Zhi felt relieved to see Xiaoyan's complexion improve, but she also felt a little disappointed when she saw Xiaoyan had turned into a phantom.

"I'm going to repair the katana. Xiaoyan, you should rest for a bit."

Watching the illusory figure of the weaver leave, she habitually looked around the sacrificial ground and found that although no one was talking, there were more people than usual.

Grandma Wolf lay on the steps as always, greeted Little Flame, and then lazily closed her eyes again.

The girl named Mikuru has disappeared; perhaps she has gone back to her own intermittent world.

The reason there were more people than usual was because not far from Granny Wolf, there were three figures lying or sitting. As you scanned their faces, you could see that they were A, a listless black-haired boy; B, a cold white-haired boy; and finally, a brown-haired girl with a blank expression.

She searched her memory and found that they were the same boys and girls who had surrounded Granny Wolf when she returned from the intermittent world of the Weaver.

I remember they were quite energetic back then, but now, although two of them couldn't tell the expression from their faces, the oppressive atmosphere surrounding them was still clearly palpable.

They must be young people who have suffered a lot.

She touched her neck, her expression twisting again.

"By the way, Lord Ash, a new colleague has appeared in the Firelink Shrine. If you have some free time, why don't you go to the crypt and take a look at the deep left side, directly opposite the entrance?"

The Fire Keeper's voice timely interrupted Homura, who was once again lost in memories of death.

"Oh, okay, I'll go check it out."

She glanced once more at the few people in the hall who showed no desire to communicate, and then, following the Fire Keeper's advice, entered the crypt.

After greeting Weaver, who was talking to the blacksmith, she walked to the location the Fire Keeper had indicated. Sure enough, she saw a new face there—a black full-length dress with thin armor covering the shoulders, which at first glance looked like a formal dress. The well-made mask covering the entire face added a touch of warrior to the whole outfit.

“Master of the sacrificial site, you have arrived… I am your last servant, and I am deeply humbled to have come to pay my respects at this moment.”

She followed the tradition of the group at the sacrificial site and, before Xiaoyan could speak, began to introduce herself.

“Everyone in the sacrificial site has their own function, as you are probably already aware of and understand the roles of my colleagues. And I am the same. As the last person to arrive at the sacrificial site, what I do is not as gentle as theirs.”

“They all pick up the minutiae of death, while I plunder all its remaining value. That’s why I appear so late, because I will only come to see you when you have truly embarked on this dark path.”

Another long string of nonsensical words followed. Xiao Yan patiently listened to her explanation and was about to ask what her job actually was when she was interrupted again.

"In short, after saying all that, you probably still don't understand what my purpose is, right? Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough."

She slowly opened her hand, chanting a very familiar incantation. When the awkward chant ended, a swarm of black insects appeared in her hand.

"This is... the spells of those mentors?"

“Strictly speaking, this is a miracle, an evil miracle unique to the Deep Cathedral.”

After Xiaoyan saw the demonstration clearly, she casually threw the insect-eaten thing against the wall, splattering a pool of blood.

"This is my duty: to plunder the power of this world through your killing. The more enemies you kill, the more magic, spells, and miracles you can obtain from me."

"Of course, these things come at a price. After all, I'm not like the Fire Keeper who can directly ignite your flames. I can only add these plundered things to your flames. If they cause your flames to deteriorate or even go out, there's nothing I can do to save them."

After she finished explaining, she lowered her head slightly, seemingly waiting for Xiaoyan, who had received so much information, to slowly digest it.

"...In short, you can teach me the powers used by the enemies I've killed, but you can't guarantee that learning these powers won't lead to any adverse consequences?"

"That's right, or rather, it shouldn't be said whether there will be adverse consequences, but rather that there will definitely be consequences. It's just that the strength, quality, and resulting changes in your situation in this world will be different."

"I feel that even if I accept your teachings, things will only get worse."

"That depends on how you understand the word 'power'—I can give you power, but is that power the one you want? That's your choice."

Xiao Yan touched her neck, remained silent for a while, and finally refused.

"If the power you're talking about is all at this level—"

She pointed to the bloodstains splattered on the wall.

"—Then I don't need it."

"As you wish."

The woman who called herself a servant did not insist. She bowed slightly, seemingly seeing Xiao Yan off, but then suddenly added a sentence.

"In fact, on the other side of the flame burning in your heart, there is still darkness lurking. Perhaps that is the power you truly need."

She turned around abruptly, but the guy had already returned to his original posture, standing there with his arms crossed and leaning against the wall.

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Xiaoyan returned to the blacksmith's place and met up with Zhi, telling her about the information she had obtained.

"Although I didn't quite understand, it seemed very dangerous. We'd better not contact her lightly."

Then Zhi also came to this conclusion, which was of little value.

"By the way, now that we're back, let's go visit the old lady and replenish our supplies."

Zhi retrieved the katana from her blacksmith and, together with Xiaoyan, went to the old woman.

"Oh dear, Lord Ash, you finally remembered to visit this old woman. It just so happens that I've acquired quite a few useful items, which I'd like to give to you... First of all, these two."

She rummaged through the pile of odds and ends beside her and shakily handed over two items.

One was a tattered piece of cloth embroidered with a blue moon, and the other was a pearl like a bright red eye.

After Xiaoyan accepted the answer, she continued her explanation.

"This piece of cloth is actually a kind of oath. When you equip it, it's like you've entered into an oath with the Blue Cult. When someone invades, you can seek help from the Blue Cult's guardians... The other one is exactly the opposite. By using the Crimson Eye Orb, you can invade other people's worlds. The fact that I was able to get this means that you've been invaded at least once, right?"

"Of course, there are many more oaths, but you'll need to find the corresponding places to make them to complete the others. I can provide you with one more, but that will have to wait until you're invaded again and someone is willing to help you, hehehehe..."

Amidst the old woman's meaningful laughter, Xiao Yan carefully put away the two items, but lost interest in looking at the other spoils of war.

"Wait, Xiaoyan, since you have a way to quickly change equipment and store a lot of items, I suggest you take out all your equipment and weapons for future use."

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Homura Akemi's Intelligence Compilation Manual

Additional information regarding the sacrificial site:

The role of the warrior-like servant is to plunder the power of enemies after they have slaughtered them, and provide it to the Ashes, but at a corresponding price.

The old lady maid's role: She can also provide some items for interacting with other worlds.

Chapter Thirty-Nine: We Detected an En route missile strike.

Anri revived at the campfire, but she clearly felt that her connection with Homura and the others had been severed again.

This is a terrible situation. I had finally made up my mind to struggle for my predetermined fate and see if I could find a breakthrough with her, but that guy ruined it all.

As expected, someone like her, who lives in the cracks, even if she sways between two sides like a reed in the wind, will always neglect one side and, if she's not careful, will become a sacrifice again.

I envy the other two types of ashes. One type has a clear mission, or rather, they were born for a mission. Although they are also bound by fate, they embarked on the path to becoming heroes from the very beginning. Regardless of success or failure, as long as they take the first step, they are already heroes.

The other is true ashes. These lives, which should have died long ago, should have scattered into various worlds, but by some twist of fate, they ignited their own flames and became entangled with this world. They walk their own path for their own flames, and as long as they can persevere, they will eventually emit a flame brighter than their original lives.

And what am I? I am both the First Ash, born in this world, and intricately connected to the Second Ash. I walk in the true Lordran, yet I know secrets far beyond those heroes. I do not come from another world, yet I am always at risk of becoming a sacrifice for those Ashes to truly usurp the power of this world.

Is the fate of a sacrifice always predetermined?

Even if she wanted to make some slight changes, she would be interrupted by some guy who suddenly appeared out of nowhere and had completely fallen into the abyss.

Although Anri knew that the person from the other side of the abyss had only killed her because she had said something out of turn, that did not stop Anri from making her the target of her hatred.

However, no matter what, the deed was done, and there was nothing she could do but curse the guy verbally.

"I don't know how long it will be before we have the chance to travel together again."

She stood up from the campfire at the end of the dilapidated bridge, casually pinching a ember to keep herself in the best fighting condition, and muttered to herself as she walked forward.

"However, given the extent of Homura Akemi's corruption, or rather, her spiritual vision—whatever it is—as long as she maintains the habit of not lighting a campfire immediately, she will eventually re-enter the real Lordran. That will be my opportunity."

She walked across the broken arched bridge, but at that moment, she felt an intrusion.

Startled, she stopped her wild thoughts, hid under the arched bridge, and secretly peeked out to scout the intruder.

The newcomer was carrying a flame-shaped greatsword, holding a round shield, and wearing a pointed helmet. His entire body was purple, and he did not suddenly transform into a real body, but was a normal, berserker spirit.

Anri was relieved. If it were just a resident of Rodland, she wouldn't be afraid at all. In fact, this guy's arrival was too convenient. She was looking for someone to vent her anger on, and it seemed she could finally enjoy the thrill of battle.

She raised her sword and shield and went to meet them.

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"Oh dear, Lord Ash, are you really going to take all my weapons? That's really capricious. Trying to do too much at once is a big no-no for a warrior. Just choose the weapons that are most suitable for you."