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Naruto: The Chosen Undead

Reader mode
Chapter no.57 Dark Souls New
  • Threadmarks
    • Chapter no.57 From Sin to Salvation

    Nothing.

    Ringing the first Bell of Awakening had done nothing.

    Naruto stood there in stunned silence, staring up at the massive bell as if waiting for the heavens themselves to shatter open and answer him. He still could not believe it. In Lordran, every action always carried a consequence. Yet after the Bell of Awakening had rung, something so widely spoken of throughout the land, nothing had happened at all.

    Do I need to ring both bells before anything changes?

    "Can you believe this?" Naruto muttered as he glanced down at Oscar.

    The small crystal lizard lay limp in his arms. The little guy gave no reply, only a soft, rumbling chirr in his sleep.

    Naruto sighed. They had waited long enough for something to happen that the world had reset around them, time and the world pretending as if nothing had occurred at all. If fate was going to spit in his face, then he might as well enjoy himself while it happened.

    And so he decided to climb down the great ladder of the spire in style.

    He hooked one arm loosely around the rung and let his weight drop, boots scraping along the wood as he slid down with a reckless grin. At the last stretch he twisted his body, letting go entirely, spinning once in midair before landing lightly on his feet as though gravity had been nothing more than a suggestion.

    Oscar stirred at the motion, blinking awake, little claws clinging to Naruto's glove.

    Naruto chuckled and gave the creature a quick scratch along its side. That was when he noticed the presence waiting for him below.

    He stopped dead in his tracks.

    A man stood near the entrance to the spire. His entire form was draped in black. A long coat fell to his boots, with a cape-like mantle spread wide across his shoulders. His gloves were as black as the rest of him, fingers curled and rigid as he stretched both arms outward, as though embracing the world or mocking it. The gesture was strangely theatrical, like the familiar posture of one proclaiming Well, what is it! but delivered with an aura that made it feel more like a challenge than a jest.

    Naruto froze, instincts prickling.

    Is he here because I rang the Bell of Awakening? he wondered, keeping his movements cautious, sidestepping slowly along the wall while adjusting Oscar in his arms.

    The man's face was a study in unease. Pale, almost bloodless skin, a mask of lifeless calm that betrayed no emotion. Long strands of silvery white hair spilled down from beneath his helm, veiling part of his features.

    The helmet itself was striking. It crowned his head in dark metal, adorned with curling golden patterns that traced across its surface. At its center a sharp piece of metal ran down between his eyes, narrowing into a cruel point along the ridge of his nose. It lent the impression of a bird of prey. The longer Naruto stared at him, the more oppressive it felt, as though the helmet itself was watching him.

    Creepy, Naruto thought, lips pressing thin as the air grew heavy with awkward silence.

    Oscar gave a chirp.

    "No, don't shoot him," Naruto hissed in warning, clutching the little lizard tighter.

    Oscar grumbled, clearly displeased at being denied the chance to shoot someone.

    That was when the man spoke.

    "Greetings."

    The word carried through the ruined spire like a tolling bell, deep and sonorous, resonant enough to crawl into the bones. It was not a shout, yet it filled the chamber all the same.

    "Yo," Naruto replied quickly, voice casual and clipped, if only to cover the tension crawling up his back.

    "I am Oswald of Carim. The Pardoner."

    "A pardoner?!" Naruto blurted out, the echo bouncing off the ruined stone walls.

    Oswald tilted his head slightly, as though surprised by the boy's tone. "Thou dost seek to recognize me?"

    "Yes… no. I mean, I don't even know who you are, dude. But I do know pardoners… they deal with sin, right?"

    Oswald gave the faintest nod. "Cometh thou to confess? Or to accuse? For indeed, all sin is mine domain."

    Naruto's eyes lit up. He stepped forward with sudden eagerness. "Rank. What's your rank?"

    "Bishop of Velka."

    The words struck like lightning.

    A wide grin spread across Naruto's face, his voice bursting with excitement. "Yo, looks like lady luck finally smiled on me. I didn't even know where to start looking for you guys!"

    For once, Oswald's voice held a trace of uncertainty. "Hast thou been seeking mine services?"

    Naruto nodded so fast it nearly became a bow. "Yes! Yes, absolutely! I need you to pardon a sin against the gods themselves!"

    Oswald grew very still, his helm tilting as though he peered straight through the boy. "Heh heh… Now that is no small transgression. Few dare to walk so boldly. Yet all sin, no matter how black, may be absolved…" He raised one hand, fingers curling inward, beckoning as though drawing a soul to judgment. "For a price, of course."

    "I figured. Didn't think something that heavy came for free."

    "Then speak it," Oswald intoned. "Confess thine misdeeds, that Lady Velka might weigh them."

    Naruto threw up his hands, shaking his head. "Whoa, no… not mine. I'm clean. This is for a friend. Firekeeper Anastacia."

    The name made Oswald's head incline with recognition.

    Naruto's tone sharpened with determination. "She sinned, right? Her punishment was having her tongue cut out. Last time, I healed her… and some bastard crow tried to rip it out again. After talking with Rickert, he told me I'd need someone from the Church of Sin to step in."

    For a long moment, silence clung to the spire. Then, Oswald's voice returned, smooth and unhurried. "Ah… intercession. How noble. Few there are who would bear the burden of another's stain. Bring this friend before me, and I shall see what strings of sin may yet be untied."

    Naruto gave a firm nod, his eyes burning with resolve. Without waiting another second, he turned, sprinted across the rooft, and vaulted down the church.

    "Quite the curious soul, that one," Oswald murmured, tone heavy with dark amusement. The sin of murder bled thickly from the boy's soul, yet twined with it was the karma of a savior, glimmering like a halo. "Thou art no saint. Nor art thou a mindless butcher. Just a human… flawed, fractured, yet striving."

    The words lingered as he gave a soft chuckle.

    "Despite being a dragon. I see that you are still human. For it is only human… to commit a sin. Heh heh heh heh…"

    "Guess Anastacia can finally be free," Naruto said, and Oscar gave a short, bright nod in reply.

    The elevator rattled and creaked as it descended toward Firelink Shrine. The motion was familiar now, the chains and gears almost like background music.

    Oscar peered over the open back. Below, in the broken church, Petrus stood with several others. The crystal lizard chirped softly, trying to call Naruto's attention to the gathering, but the boy was somewhere else entirely.

    Naruto's gaze was downcast, his thoughts circling.

    Oscar chirped again, a curious note, almost like a question.

    "Nothing," Naruto muttered. "It's just… I was honestly expecting more from the bell of awakening, you know?"

    Oscar tilted his head, confused.

    "For most of my life, my dream was to become Hokage." Naruto's voice was low, almost wistful. "That dream kept me going no matter how many times people laughed, no matter how many times I failed. And when that dream got replaced with the bells of awakening… I wasn't even sad. The bells became my reason to come back to Lordran, to keep going forward. To fight." He drew in a breath, slow and heavy. "And Lordran has changed me a lot."

    The elevator clanked on.

    "But now that I've rung one of the bells, I think I finally get it. The bells were never really my dream. They were a promise to my master… but not mine. At least being Hokage was my dream, right? That was mine."

    Oscar chirped again, his tone curious.

    "My point is…" Naruto looked at his hands, fingers flexing slightly. "I feel lost. Like I'm just drifting down the river of life, letting the current push me wherever it wants. Doing one thing, then another. But there's no end goal. No Hokage at the finish line anymore."

    Oscar trilled in a questioning note, almost like he was asking if such a goal was even necessary.

    "I don't know. Maybe it isn't. But me… I like having something big to reach for. Something worth bleeding for. Maybe I should make it about my clan. Maybe that's the answer."

    The conversation stilled as the elevator door creaked open. A woman stepped in quickly, clutching an ivory talisman close to her chest as though it might shield her from the curse of the land.

    Her presence struck Naruto immediately as unusual. She was no warrior. Her long, plain dress brushed her shoes, beige with a faint brown panel running down the middle. The trim was modest, tied at the waist with a rope-like belt. Draped over her shoulders was a hooded shawl, shadowing her face, leaving only the pale outline of her cheeks and the glimmer of her wide, earnest eyes visible. Her brown hair was tucked neatly beneath the hood. Her features were soft, fragile, touched with the solemnity of prayer.

    [Name: Reah of Thorolund]
    [HP: 1,433 / 1,433]

    Her lips moved faintly, a prayer whispered to whatever higher power still lingered in Lordran.

    The door clanged shut, the panel clicked into place, and the elevator began to rise.

    "Look, lady," Naruto said. "I know you seem in a hurry, but I was just about to get off."

    Her prayer broke. She turned to him with a start. "Y-you… you speak? You are Undead as well? Then… Petrus, he… oh, Flame preserve me. He lied to us."

    "Petrus? What are you talking about?"

    "Brother Petrus did speak to us of a crazed Hollow he had encountered. He claimed it was relentless, dangerous… that it must be put down. He asked for our aid."

    The truth dawned quickly on Naruto, and his voice hardened. "So you were planning an Undead Hunt. On me?"

    Her hands trembled, but she did not falter. "Aye… such was the plan. I was to ride with you upon this lift, and when the time was right, to strike with Force and push you down. And if you survived the fall, Petrus and the others below would end it."

    Oscar's body rattled with a warning growl that made her flinch.

    "That's a clever plan. So why are you telling me this now?"

    Her gaze lowered, shadowed by her hood. "Because to raise my hand against another Undead, one who yet bears his humanity… that is a grievous sin. I was deceived, and my weakness near led me to carry out a wicked deed. I cannot abide it. Better to confess my failing, and accept the burden." Her eyes lifted, clear but sorrowful. "I thank thee for lending me thine ear. Most would have struck me down without pause."

    Naruto studied her in silence before letting out a long breath. "If you had attacked me, we'd be having a different talk. But you didn't. Which means you get to walk away clean." His gaze hardened, mouth twisting into a sharp grin. "As for Petrus… this is the last time I let that scammer slide."

    "Scammer?"

    Naruto snapped his fingers. A shadow clone burst into being, already crouched and ready. "Tell her," Naruto ordered. The clone nodded and began to speak, recounting Petrus' endless lies, his greed, his schemes, the trail of betrayal he left behind.

    Reah listened, horror dawning on her features as the truth unraveled.

    Meanwhile, the real Naruto adjusted Oscar on his shoulder and stepped toward the open edge. "That's enough for me. I've got justice to deliver." Then, without hesitation, he leapt from the moving elevator.

    Reah stood alone in the rattling lift, her ivory talisman pressed tight against her chest. Her breath trembled as she whispered a prayer, but it did little to steady her. "By the Flame… who, or what, have I spoken with this day?"

    The words hung heavy in the air, echoing her fear and her awe.

    Using wall-walk to run vertically along the shaft, Naruto created a shadow clone and ordered it to plummet like dead weight. As the clone fell, it activated the Force miracle, a shockwave of white light echoing through the stone shaft. To Petrus and the others watching, it looked like their plan had worked.

    The shadow clone splattered against the stone floor with a resounding crash. Smoke filled the tunnel, curling like a thick fog around the chamber where Petrus, Vince, and Nico waited with weapons drawn.

    "What is going on?" Vince asked, his voice tense, when suddenly the fog split with motion.

    Naruto burst out of the haze, descending like a predator, both legs extended in a double flying kick that smashed into Petrus's chest. The blow sent the rotund cleric flying back, into the hidden area beyond.

    Before Vince or Nico could react, jagged crystal shards erupted from the ground, impaling the floor around them and staggering them off balance. Two shadow clones lunged in, reinforced clubs whistling through the air, cracking against their skulls with brutal precision. Both clerics dropped like sacks of meat, unconscious before their bodies even hit the stone.

    Meanwhile, on the outside, Petrus grunted as he forced himself back onto his feet, clutching his morning star. His round face twisted into a sneer.

    "You must be Naruto's older brother."

    Naruto sweatdropped, scratching his cheek. "…Do I look that different?" he muttered, glancing back at Oscar. The crystal lizard tilted his head and chirped, as if to say a little.

    Petrus used the moment of distraction to lunge. The morning star whistled through the air, a vicious overhead strike meant to pulp Naruto's skull.

    CLANG.

    The impact rang out like a church bell as Naruto caught the strike with the flat of his Zweihander, angled in a high guard so the force slid down into the ground rather than against his body. Sparks spat from the steel as Petrus staggered back from the recoil, his arms trembling from the sheer weight of the blow rebounding against him.

    Petrus grit his teeth and came again, this time trying a sweeping horizontal strike. Naruto sidestepped, the morning star smashing tiles into rubble, and countered with a cross-cut. The Zweihander's massive blade smashed into the haft of Petrus's weapon, twisting it violently to the side, forcing the cleric's arms open and leaving his chest exposed.

    Naruto stepped in, delivering a brutal mordhau, gripping the Zweihander by the blade and slamming the pommel into Petrus's helmet. The iron cap rang like a drum as Petrus reeled, blood dripping down his face.

    Petrus screamed and thrust forward wildly, aiming the morning star like a spear. Naruto dipped low, pivoting his body to the side, and drove the flat of his greatsword into Petrus's ribs in a brutal set-aside counter. The air blasted from the cleric's lungs as he was thrown back against the stone wall.

    He coughed, wheezing, yet still swung again. This time Naruto didn't even bother with elegance. He shifted into a low guard, the Zweihander low and ready, and when Petrus came crashing down with another overhead strike, Naruto simply rose upward in a descending cut.

    The morning star's shaft snapped in two. The spiked head of the weapon went spinning across the stones.

    Petrus froze, eyes wide, unarmed.

    Naruto advanced, pressing his advantage without pause. The Zweihander whirled in his hands like an executioner's blade, driving Petrus back step by step. Each strike was calculated: a horizontal cut that smashed into Petrus's failing shield, a rising cut that nearly split his arm open, a crushing shoulder-check that slammed him against the wall again.

    By the time Naruto stopped, Petrus was on his knees, his shield shattered, his face bloodied and gasping for air. The Zweihander's point hovered at his throat.

    Naruto stared down at the man, eyes sharp, Zweihander's tip hovering just above Petrus's chest. "Wow," he muttered, voice flat. "That was pathetic. I was hoping for at least something from you. But you're nothing but a fraud."

    "P-please… spare me."

    Naruto snorted. "This would be funny if it wasn't so damn pitiful."

    The cleric pressed a hand to the ground, his other held aloft in a desperate gesture of supplication. "I… I have given you so much, have I not?"

    "Yeah," Naruto said coldly, "you lied, scammed, and tried to kill me. Real grateful for that last one."

    "No, wait, listen. You like Miracles, yes? I can give you more. So much more."

    Naruto tilted his head, feigning interest. "Oh yeah? How?"

    "M'lady Reah," Petrus said quickly, words spilling out like a drowning man clawing for air. "She is of noble blood, high ranking in the clergy. She knows many Miracles. If I had her trust, I could… extract them for you."

    "So what, I steal them from her?"

    Petrus shook his head furiously. "No, no. Leave that to me. I will say I slew you. With Vince and Nico gone, M'lady will turn to me. In her grief, I shall coax her to part with her teachings. And then, you and I… we shall share in her treasures."

    Naruto gave him a blank stare, the silence stretching until sweat dripped down Petrus's temple.

    Panic overtook him. "And… and more! Once she is pliant, you can do as you wish with her. A noble girl without her station is nothing. Worthless. Yet… pleasing enough to warm your bed."

    Naruto's eyes went wide, his grip on the Zweihander tightening. "What did you just say?"

    "I-I meant no offense," Petrus stammered, scrambling backward, his voice breaking. "It is merely… she is no use otherwise. A trinket for pleasure, nothing more. You..."

    "Shut up!" Naruto roared. His fist shot forward, smashing into Petrus's jaw with a sickening crack. Bone snapped, teeth scattered across the stone, and the cleric collapsed, a mangled ruin of blood and spit where his smug face had been.

    Naruto lifted him with a single motion of his telekinesis, Petrus flailing weakly in the air. The boy's palm glowed gold as he forced the Heal miracle into the cleric's body. Flesh knit together, bones reset, and in moments the man was whole again, only for Naruto's killer intent to cut him deeper than any wound.

    "I… I am sorry!" Petrus gasped, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Forgive me! I did not mean to offend. It was a slip, a fool's thought!"

    "Shut the hell up, you scum," Naruto spat. "Oscar. Crystalize this bastard's soul."

    The crystal lizard chirped once in acknowledgment.

    "No, no! Wait! Please, wait! I beg of you!" Petrus cried, thrashing. "I will serve! I will do anything! Spare..."

    Oscar's body pulsed, a beam of pure crystal light bursting from his maw. It struck Petrus in the chest, freezing his scream in his throat as crystal spread across his body like frost. His eyes widened, terror immortalized in stone as the creeping crystal devoured him whole.

    With a final chime, Petrus was no more than a grotesque statue. Then, with a sound like shattering glass, he broke apart into a thousand glittering shards, scattering across the dirt floor.

    Naruto let his telekinesis drop, dusting his hands off as he stared down at the pile of broken crystal. His voice was quiet, but carried venom. "Good riddance, you worthless scammer."

    Oscar chirped in agreement.

    [You have acquired:]
    [100 Souls]
    [2 Humanity]
    [Thorolund Talisman]

    "Wow," Naruto muttered, shaking his head as the last motes of Petrus's soul drifted away. "Your soul drops are even more pathetic than Mizuki's." He crouched, plucking the talisman from among the shards.

    [Item: Thorolund Talisman]
    [Description: A medium for casting Miracles of the Gods. This talisman is only granted to high-ranking Thorolund clerics. Its miracle adjustment is high, and thanks to divine protection, is not dependent upon faith.]

    Naruto twirled it once in his fingers and slipped it into his belt. "Guess I've got a new and stronger talisman to work with. That's about the only useful thing from this mess."

    From the tunnel, soft footsteps echoed. Reah of Thorolund emerged, her shawl drawn close, her face pale. Her hands still clutched her ivory talisman as though it were the only anchor keeping her upright. "I… heard everything."

    Naruto gave the woman a sympathetic look.

    "I had my doubts about Brother Petrus. I wished to believe he was a man of good heart, that his cold manner was but formality. I thought perhaps this undead hunt was but a misunderstanding, that my own inexperience clouded my judgment. Yet to hear such words with mine own ears… to be so swiftly bartered as if I were chattel…" Her shoulders shook, her talisman rattling faintly as her voice broke. "It rends my faith to tatters."

    "Hey." Naruto's voice cut sharp through her grief, making her head snap up. "Don't give scum like that your thoughts. Trash like him isn't worth a second of your mind. Don't let him live in your head rent free."

    Reah blinked, tears glistening but held back. Slowly, she bowed her head and whispered a soft prayer. "Your words are firm, Brother Naruto. You defended my dignity as a Sister of the cloth, and you brought justice upon someone who twisted the Gods' name for his own greed. For that, I'm deeply grateful. I owe you more than I can say."

    Naruto gave her a lopsided grin and a thumbs-up. "Don't mention it. But… actually, Sister Reah, I do have a small request."

    "You have only to ask. What is it you want?"

    "Can you teach me the Great Heal miracle?"

    A few minutes later, Naruto found himself back at the same broken church area where he had first met Petrus.

    The boy sat on the worn stone stairs, leaning back against the wall with his helmet tucked at his side. He was trying to balance a coin on Oscar's snout, the little crystal lizard blinking rapidly as he fought the urge to sneeze it off. The simple game was enough to keep Naruto distracted from the uncomfortable atmosphere that hung over them.

    Nico and Vince stood nearby, their eyes fixed on him. Their hands twitched near their weapons out of habit, but they did not move.

    After all, it had only been minutes ago that the two of them had been planning to kill him, and now here they were, standing awkwardly while their so-called comrade Petrus had been reduced to shards.

    "You two should probably get checked for brain damage. I did knock you both out pretty hard."

    The two paladins clicked their tongues and looked away in unison. Their pride had clearly taken a greater wound than their skulls. Naruto smirked faintly. He honestly did not care. Let them stew. His attention shifted when he noticed Reah finishing the last strokes of ink on a parchment scroll. The soft glow of divine light shimmered faintly across the completed prayer.

    "I am done, Brother Naruto," Reah said, taking a careful step forward. But Vince immediately moved in front of her, blocking her path.

    "I will deliver it to the knight. You should keep your distance. He is dangerous."

    Reah blinked, her face calm but her tone carrying quiet reproach. "Vince. Sometimes your protective side overwhelms your judgment. Brother Naruto has shown no malice toward us. He does not mean harm."

    Vince's jaw worked, but before he could argue further, Nico placed a firm hand on his shoulder. Nico's only response was a low grunt, but the meaning was clear: if Naruto had truly been a threat, we would already be dead.

    Vince hesitated, then stepped aside with visible reluctance.

    Reah approached Naruto without hesitation and held out the scroll with both hands.

    Naruto grinned as he accepted it, unrolling the parchment slightly to scan its contents. The prayer was long, the script tight and complex. He gave a low whistle. "This is a big one. Guess I better start practicing."

    "I hope the miracle serves you well, Brother Naruto. And once again, I apologize for Petrus' actions against you. His betrayal is a stain on us all."

    Naruto rolled the scroll and tucked it away in his inventory. He shook his head. "You don't need to apologize for someone else's sins. He made his choices, and he paid the price. That's all there is to it. Besides…" He stood, stretching his arms, his grin returning. "I finally got the miracle I wanted."

    As Naruto made to leave, Reah hesitated. "Brother Naruto, wait… Do you require something else?"

    Naruto paused, scratching his chin. "I don't know. Do you have anything stronger than Great Heal? Something better for healing a comatose patient?"

    Reah's brows furrowed slightly as she thought. "The Great Heal is among the highest miracles taught to clerics. It is advanced and rare, known only by high-ranking members of the Church. In terms of healing, it is surpassed only by the miracles said to come from the Goddess Gwynevere herself."

    From within her robes, she drew a small bottle. The others shifted uneasily as she presented it.

    The item was beautiful. Long and thin, shaped like a stretched teardrop, its body made of flawless glass. The lower half was wrapped in ornate golden work, sculpted into twisting flames that seemed to climb up its sides. The neck was narrow, capped with a small rounded stopper. It radiated purity, and even from a distance Naruto could feel its warmth. A divine light hummed quietly inside.

    "This," Reah said softly, holding it out with reverence, "is holy water, blessed by the Goddess Gwynevere herself."

    The chamber went still.

    "Cool. I can already feel it's got some serious power. So… how much do you want for it?"

    Reah shook her head. "No price. I would give it freely."

    "What?" Vince barked, stepping closer. "Reah, what are you doing? That divine blessing was a gift from the Bishop for our mission. You cannot simply hand it over to a stranger!"

    "Brother Naruto is no stranger," Reah said firmly, her usually gentle tone carrying a rare strength. "He is a knight who defended my dignity when it was so nearly profaned. That alone is reason enough. I would grant him this blessing, for such power should be placed in the hands of one who will use it for the sake of others."

    Nico and Vince looked at each other in disbelief, their mouths opening in protest but no words escaping.

    Reah extended the flask to Naruto.

    Naruto scratched the back of his head, giving an awkward laugh. "Thanks, sis, but I don't wanna take advantage of your kindness. I'd rather earn it."

    "Then let it be a fair exchange. A thousand souls will suffice."

    Naruto's jaw dropped. Beside him, Oscar chirped in equal disbelief. "A thousand? That's… you're basically giving it away."

    "What good is a treasure if it rots unused? A gift given to one in need is of greater worth than a relic sitting idle."

    "Alright, how about this... we make it a barter instead."

    Vince's hands tightened into fists, and Nico shook his head with disbelief. The gall of this boy after being offered a divine blessing for next to nothing, and he still haggled?

    "Very well. What dost thou offer?"

    Naruto selected an item from his inventory, and with a faint shimmer, a crate materialized in front of them. The three clerics froze as he shoved it forward with his boot. The sound of clinking glass filled the chamber.

    Inside were rows upon rows of Estus flasks.

    The sight left Vince and Nico speechless, while Reah gasped outright, her composure breaking for the first time. "By the gods… how did you come by so many?"

    "Hollows. Everywhere I go, they've got one of these strapped to their belts. I just take 'em after I kill the hollows. I've been storing them up. Guess you could say I've got a collection."

    The clerics stared at him as if he were insane.

    Reah, however, studied the crate quietly, then gave a single nod. "This is more than enough. A divine blessing in exchange for such bounty will serve our mission well. Then it is settled."

    [ Item Acquired: Divine Blessing ]

    [ Description: Holy water from Goddess Gwynevere. Fully restores HP and cures all irregularities. The Goddess of Sunlight, cherished daughter of Lord Gwyn, is revered as the symbol of bounty and fertility. ]

    Great Heal, Estus, and now a Divine Blessing. No matter what, I'm going to save Hinata's mother, one way or another.

    Naruto smiled faintly, looking up at Reah. "Thanks for the stuff, sis. I'll make good use of it. Guess I'll see you around."

    "Then may you be safe, Brother Naruto. And may the light of the gods guide thy steps. Vereor Nox."

    "What does that mean?"

    "It is an old benediction. It means: Fear the dark. For within the dark lies the hunger of humanity. The light must always be earned, lest we fall to the shadow that sleeps in us all. Vereor Nox… fear the dark, and walk ever toward the light."

    Naruto's grin faltered slightly. Something about her words struck him deeper than he expected, like they carried more weight than a simple blessing. It felt less like a prayer and more like a warning.

    Still, he gave a wave over his shoulder and started down the steps toward the bonfire. "Got it. Fear the dark. Easy enough."

    Oscar chirped and scurried after him, though the little lizard kept glancing back at Reah, who remained still with her talisman in hand, her lips moving in quiet supplication as the knight and his companion disappeared into the Firelink Shrine below.

    The climb back to Firelink Shrine was quiet, save for the crunch of boots on stone and Oscar's occasional chirps. Yet the silence shattered the moment Naruto stepped past the crumbled archway into the shrine.

    A staff rose immediately, its tip glowing faintly with blue sorcery.

    "State your business," Griggs demanded. His voice was firm, but it wavered at the edges, like a man unsure if he was about to face friend or foe.

    Naruto threw his hands up. "What is it, huh? I grow my hair out a little, get taller, my eyes start looking cool, and suddenly everybody wants me dead? That's discrimination!"

    Oscar blinked up at him, then gave a low, unimpressed chirp.

    "Don't give me that look. You're just jealous you can't pull this off."

    The crystal lizard tilted his head, chirped again, and flicked his tail in a way that definitely felt like mockery.

    Naruto muttered, "Great, even my pet thinks I'm too handsome for my own good."

    Griggs' eyes flicked to Oscar, and recognition dawned. "That creature… yes, I know it. You are the companion of the boy Naruto. Then…" His staff wavered as he studied the tall, armored knight before him. "…who are you?"

    "I am Naruto."

    The sorcerer blinked rapidly, as though struggling to reconcile what he saw. "What… what happened to you? Your body bears the marks of something unnatural. It is etched with resistance, as if sorcery itself cannot grasp you. You stand like an archtree, immovable."

    "Dragon scale grafted onto my soul. Changed my body. Taller, tougher, stronger. It is what it is."

    Griggs' grip tightened on his staff. His mouth went dry. "By the scholars of Vinheim… you should not be alive. Countless experiments were tried in ages past. A human soul cannot withstand the weight of a dragon scale. Every attempt ended in death. You should have perished."

    Naruto tilted his head. "That's a rude thing to say."

    "No," Griggs insisted, his voice shaking. "You must understand. Souls collapse under that strain. They dissolve, or worse, they fracture into madness of the abyss. The flesh fails, the mind breaks. But you… you endure."

    "Guess I got lucky. Or maybe I'm just stubborn. Either way, I'm still here. Dattebayo."

    Griggs shook his head, disbelief written across his face. "This is beyond me. Master Logan… yes, only he might make sense of this. He is unmatched in his knowledge. He must see you."

    Naruto shrugged. "Then you can tell him when you find him. I have my own work to do."

    The sorcerer's voice cracked, almost pleading. "Naruto, wait. Give me just a moment. A glimpse, a measure of your condition. Even the smallest detail could advance the study of souls. Please, allow me this chance."

    "Not happening. Maybe another time, but not today. I'm busy helping my friend."

    "…Very well. I will not press. Then I wish you luck in what lies ahead. May you remain whole, for as long as fate allows."

    Naruto gave him a casual thumbs-up. "Thanks. You too, Griggs. Try not to get yourself Hollow chasing answers."

    The knight walked off, Oscar padding faithfully at his side.

    Griggs stood rooted in place, eyes haunted. His hand twitched toward his staff, the temptation to open Soul Sight burning in his veins. To look. To know.

    But the old warnings whispered in his mind. To peer too deeply into the soul is to risk one's own.

    He shut his eyes and muttered to himself. "Not worth it. Not worth the madness."

    And yet, as the boy's silhouette faded from view, the thought gnawed at him. A human carrying a dragon's scale. An impossible survivor. A living contradiction against all that Vinheim's scholars believed true.

    Naruto made his way to the familiar cage nestled beneath Firelink Shrine.

    He hadn't expected company.

    Casually sitting near the bars was Lautrec of Carim. His arms draped over his knees, golden armor faintly gleaming in the gloom. His eyes weren't on Naruto, but locked forward with a hollow stillness, focused on Anastacia.

    She sat inside the cage, cradling the tiny crystal lizard Naruto had once brought her. The creature trembled slightly under Lautrec's gaze, pressing into Anastacia's hand for comfort. She too looked wary until she saw Naruto. Her face lit up immediately, and the little lizard practically sparked with joy, chittering as it spotted Oscar behind him.

    Oscar gave a hesitant chirp and then dipped his head low, awkward and shy. The female crystal lizard raised her tail in the air and twitched her head side to side in a figure-eight, glowing faintly with bright blue energy. Oscar blinked, fluffed up his little frills, and puffed out his chest proudly.

    The two lizards began a tiny ritual, Oscar thumping his tail softly on the ground while the female circled him in spirals, stopping to nuzzle his chin.

    "Yo."

    Lautrec turned slowly, as if remembering the world outside his own head. "Ahh… hello there." His voice was smooth, almost warm, but the edge beneath it stayed sharp. "I heard the bell ring. Congratulations. You're well on your way to becoming the Chosen Undead."

    "Yeah, I don't really care about that. I just rang the bell to fulfill my late master's wish."

    "Interesting…" Lautrec murmured, as he pulled a small, gold-plated medal from within his armor. The symbol of the sun gleamed on its surface. "I have your reward. Please accept it. I am… grateful to you for freeing me. Keh heh heh heh…"

    Naruto took it and glanced down, watching as it shimmered and faded into his inventory.

    [ Item: Sunlight Medal ]

    [ Description: This faintly warm medal, engraved with the symbol of the Sun, is the ultimate honour, awarded to those who summon the Warrior of Sunlight and complete a goal. The symbol represents Lord Gwyn's firstborn, who lost his deity status and was expunged from the annals. But the old God of War still watches closely over his warriors. ]

    Huh… did he get this from Solaire?, Naruto thought.

    "Not enough for you? Let's not be greedy now… keh heh heh…"

    "What? Oh, no, the reward wasn't even needed. I was just… thinking."

    "Hm," Lautrec hummed, unconvinced. "Strange boy."

    Oscar's happy chirp broke the awkward silence. He was gently rubbing his forehead against the female crystal lizard, producing a faint shimmer of light where their crystals touched.

    "Awww," Naruto giggled again. "Get a room, you two."

    "Ah… love," Lautrec said, wistfully. For a moment, his voice was gentle… almost human. "How fragile. How dangerous." He stood and stretched lazily. "Well, that's enough rest for now. If fate has plans for us… we shall meet again."

    He gave Anastacia one last lingering glance, then went to the Undead Parish.

    Naruto exhaled, the air suddenly feeling a little lighter with the man gone. He stepped closer to Anastacia's cage, crouching near the bars. "Hey. Like the new hair?" he asked, brushing back a few long golden strands now reaching past his shoulders.

    Anastacia nodded, her eyes crinkling with something that might have been amusement.

    "I'm thinking of keeping it," Naruto mused. "Or should I cut it?"

    Anastacia raised her hand and gently patted his head, fingers brushing against his scalp with silent affection.

    That was answer enough.

    "Guess long hair it is."

    Anastacia gave a soft, hopeful nod when Naruto knelt beside her cage and asked, "I want to talk to my friend."

    She lowered her eyes, shame creeping into her expression as the memory of her sin returned to the surface like a splinter she couldn't remove. Naruto reached through the bars, gently lifting her chin so she'd meet his gaze.

    "I found a way to absolve your sin."

    Anastacia inhaled sharply. Her lips parted, but no words came… only a small shake of her head as she tried to look away again.

    "You don't think you deserve to be freed, do you?"

    Another silent nod.

    "Well, that's stupid."

    The word struck like a stone in still water. Anastacia stilled, wide-eyed.

    "I'm serious," he continued. "Anastacia, tell me… at what point is a punishment enough for a crime? A year? Ten? A hundred? Because from where I'm standing, you've paid for it a thousand times over. Whatever happened in the past… you've suffered more than enough."

    Her eyes dropped to the small crystal lizard curled beside her. It chirped, nuzzling her hand with innocent affection. She looked up at Naruto again, eyes shining with uncertainty, then nodded.

    "Good."

    Without hesitation, he gripped the iron bars and bent them outward with a soft grunt of effort, his muscles straining as metal groaned. He paused for a moment, glancing at Anastacia's legs that were twisted and lifeless. He raised a hand instinctively, considering a healing miracle… but stopped.

    No. Healing her now might only draw attention from the gods. Right now, it's better that the world still sees her as broken. Safer.

    "I'll carry you."

    He lifted her bridal-style, slow and careful. Anastacia trembled in his arms from fear. The world outside the cage was bigger than she remembered.

    "Anastacia, don't be afraid," Naruto said, voice soft but confident. "A knight is here for you."

    It was corny. He knew it. She knew it. But it worked.

    Her breath steadied. The lizard climbed up onto his shoulder, nestling close to Oscar, who rode perched on Naruto's other shoulder.

    Naruto made his way back toward the bonfire, ignoring the shocked gasp from Griggs as he stepped into view. The sorcerer opened his mouth but Naruto was already moving, heading toward the elevator. He passed Reah and her group on the way. Vince and Nico immediately tensed at the sight of Anastacia in his arms.

    "Brother Naruto… what are you doing with the Firekeeper?"

    "Oh, I'm taking her somewhere," Naruto replied casually, not even breaking his stride.

    "But if you take her away, the bonfire here at Firelink Shrine will go unattended. Do you understand what that means? Without her presence, the flame could fade, and the Shrine would lose its heart."

    "Relax, we'll be back in a few minutes. I'm just getting her a new pair of shoes."

    Reah blinked at him, her expression one of pure confusion. Vince and Nico exchanged baffled glances, clearly unsure if they had misheard him.

    The joke fell completely flat.

    Naruto didn't slow down. He stepped onto the elevator, shifting Anastacia gently in his arms as it began to rise with a grinding rumble of chains.

    "Before you leave!" Reah called after him, raising her voice so it would carry over the sound of the elevator's ascent. "I must tell you something important. My bodyguards and I—we will remain here at Firelink for a time before continuing onward. Our mission is to descend into the Catacombs. We seek the Rite of Kindling… Brother Naruto, I would like to formally invite you to join us on this expedition. You have proven your strength and your character. With you beside us, the task may truly be possible."

    Naruto leaned against the railing of the rising platform and cupped a hand around his mouth. "I can't hear you!" he shouted back, his grin wide.

    The elevator carried him higher, the distance swallowing his words. But Reah caught only fragments as he turned his head and muttered something else.

    "…joining the Warriors of Sunlight after this… don't know how that's going to go…" His voice grew fainter, carried away by the rising platform.

    Reah lowered her hands slowly, her shoulders sagging as she stared upward until he vanished above.

    "What did he say?"

    Nico shook his head. "Couldn't make it out."

    Vince grunted, folding his arms. "Whatever it was, he isn't staying with us."

    Reah stood in silence, her lips pressed into a thin line. Then, she whispered a short prayer under her breath. "Let's wait a few more minutes before we move onto the Catacombs. Make sure your weapons are ready to strike down some necromancers."

    "This is… interesting," Oswald murmured, his gaze following Naruto as he stepped into the bell tower with Anastacia held in his arms. Her eyes were wide, shimmering with awe as she looked upon the world from such a height for the first time.

    "Okay, Mister Oswald, can you pardon her?"

    "Of course," the Pardoner replied. "Though I am surprised thou wouldst bring such a sinner before me."

    Naruto narrowed his eyes, his jaw tightening. Anastacia's face fell toward the ground, shame pressing her lower as though invisible chains were still fastened to her.

    "Just help her," Naruto growled.

    "Indeed, indeed… for a sin is ever a sin, no matter who commits it."

    From the folds of his black robe, he withdrew a small crimson ledger bound in strange, taut skin that shimmered faintly under the light. The cover bore the sigil of Velka.

    "Confess," Oswald intoned, and the air itself seemed to hush. Even the wind that whispered through the bell tower stilled. His voice no longer carried the lilting amusement from before, but the solemnity of a priest upon his altar. "A Pardoner standeth before thee. A servant of Velka, mistress of retribution, whom the very gods cast aside. Yet she seeth all falsehoods. If thy soul tremble with regret, it may be cleansed. But beware… absolution cometh not without cost."

    The mask turned toward Naruto. "Dost thou understand? Pardoning a sin—any sin—demandeth a toll."

    Naruto met his gaze without hesitation. "Tell me the price after this. I'll pay it."

    Oswald inclined his head, a slow, solemn nod. Then he turned to Anastacia, the ledger shifting in his hands as though it pulsed with unseen life.

    "Now, Firekeeper. Confess, in full. Or speak not, should thy tongue falter. Thy silence shall bear thy guilt, for the ledger itself will hear thee, and the goddess of sin shall know."

    Naruto felt Anastacia stiffen in his arms, her whole body trembling. Immediately, he rested his hand on her shoulder, his grip gentle but steady.

    "You deserve this forgiveness. If the gods want to say otherwise, I'll punch their faces until they get the message. But as your friend… all I can do is stand here and make sure you know you're not alone."

    Anastacia's expression was torn between disbelief and fragile hope.

    Oscar made a sound that caused the smaller female lizard to nudge Anastacia's side gently.

    For a woman who had been told her entire life that she was a sinner, cursed and unworthy, the gesture was overwhelming. In that moment, Anastacia did not feel like an outcast or a burden. She felt love. She felt companionship. She felt… seen.

    For the first time in what seemed like eternity, she allowed herself to believe that perhaps she was worthy of forgiveness. Not because of a decree, not because of ritual, but because those around her had chosen to love her as she was.

    Her face pressed against Naruto's chest, muffling the sob that tore its way free. She tried to stifle it, but the tears came anyway. Her breath shook against him, her hands clinging to the fabric of his armor. Then, as her eyes slid closed, the atmosphere shifted. A current of wind stirred through the tower; subtle, almost imperceptible, yet unnatural in its stillness.

    The ledger pulsed faintly in Oswald's hands, its crimson surface alive with iridescent light. "Speak, Firekeeper. Let Velka weigh thy silence. Let her raven wings judge what the gods have abandoned."

    Suddenly the pages turned on their own, flipping with speed and force, then slowing until the book opened to a blank page.

    Anastacia did not speak, but her soul… weighed down by guilt, by a sin old and deep… began to unravel itself in the presence of the goddess's pardoner.

    Her sorrow bled into the air like ink into water. And under the gaze of Velka's servant, she let it go.

    The pages of the ledger lit with violet fire, burning but not consumed. A final breeze stirred the tower, and a small halo of purple shimmer surrounded Anastacia, then faded like dusklight.

    "Anastacia of Astora," Oswald intoned. "For the sin of thy birth… for the silence thou didst choose… for the life thou didst bind thyself to… thy burden is lifted. Velka hath heard thy sorrow." He pressed a gloved hand to the book's cover. "Thy name remaineth, yet the stain upon it is no more. To the world, thy sin shall be but a shadow faintly remembered. To thy soul, it shall endure only as wisdom dearly bought. Thou art… absolved."

    Anastacia broke. Tears fell freely. She did not cry aloud, but her sobs shook through Naruto's arms like tremors. She clung to him, burying her face into his shoulder.

    Naruto held her close, rubbing her back slowly, quietly.

    Oswald stood over them, unmoving, like a priest who had completed a sacred rite.

    Finally, Naruto glanced up. "Thank you," he said simply.

    "I am but doing mine office. For the right price."

    "How much?"

    "Seven thousand souls. A steep toll, yet fitting for so deep a sin."

    Naruto gave a quiet nod, forming a shadow clone that gently guided Anastacia outside while he remained behind to settle the toll with Oswald. The exchange was short, the Pardoner's hollow voice fading behind him as the boy made his way down the winding steps once more.

    When he finally emerged from the spire into the open air, he found Anastacia sitting at the edge of the tower's rooftop. Her eyes, wide and shimmering, were fixed on the horizon. For years she had known nothing but the suffocating walls of her prison. Now, the sky opened before her in endless breadth. Pale clouds stretched outward like brushstrokes across a canvas.

    To her, it was not merely a view. It was freedom. It was life.

    She blinked rapidly, as though afraid that looking too long might cause the vision to vanish. Then she sighed, a fragile, trembling sound, and lowered herself onto her back against the rooftop. Her gaze never left the expanse above.

    Naruto stepped closer, his armor clinking softly, and crouched beside her. "Now that you're free," he said with a small smile, "you can look at the sky whenever you want. No more cages. No more bars."

    Her lips parted slightly, but no words came. Instead, a quiet noise escaped her throat, halfway between a sigh and a hum.

    Naruto watched her for a moment, then asked gently, "So… should I heal you?"

    Anastacia gave a faint nod.

    "Alright," Naruto murmured. With a thought, the menu shimmered into existence before him.

    [Item: Great Heal]
    [Description: Great miracle cast by advanced clerics. Restores high HP. Great Heal is a long tale, only learned by a select few. No caster will be disappointed by the bountiful life that it yields.]

    [Requirements: Faith 24]

    Naruto pulled every soul drop from his inventory, setting them before him in a small glowing pile. He reached into the system, willing his status screen to open and update. For a heartbeat he expected the familiar flicker of light and the rush of growth whenever he updated his stats. Instead, nothing happened. His stat screen appeared duller than before, the colors muted as though the very system itself had gone stagnant.

    He blinked, confused. What…?

    "Thou art going to need thy Firekeeper for that."

    Naruto spun around to Oswald and asked, "What? What does Anastacia have to do with this?"

    "The souls of the dead are fuel for strength," Oswald said. "But the question is not whether thou usest them. It is how thou usest them."

    Naruto frowned. "I know that. Affect the soul, and you affect the body."

    "Indeed," Oswald replied. "But ponder this. How is it that humanity alone is able to draw upon the essence of souls? An ability not even the gods themselves possess."

    Naruto's brow furrowed. "I… don't know." He said it bluntly, though in truth his thoughts strayed to the system of the furtive pygmy that he had. He kept that to himself.

    "The Dark hath the power to bend souls, to shape them into strength," Oswald revealed. "Yet what humanity carries is but a shard, a fragment of that abyss. For men and undead to wield souls as power, they cannot act alone. They require a Firekeeper. She is bound to the bonfires, her spirit laid bare beneath the weight of infinite humanities. Through her burden, thou art granted the gift… to use the soul's power for thine own becoming."

    Naruto drew in a long breath, the truth of Oswald's words sinking into him. He turned, his eyes resting on Anastacia. "Hey… I guess all this time I've been getting stronger because of you."

    In all her years tending the bonfire, few warriors had ever spared her more than a passing glance. None had spoken her name with kindness, none had given her credit for their power. Yet Naruto was different.

    Her chest tightened, the feeling strange and overwhelming. Slowly, she lifted her hand toward him, offering her strength. Though the Way of White had forced her into the role of Firekeeper for all undead warriors who came to Lordran, in that moment she chose for herself. She would be the knight's Firekeeper.

    "If thou didst not know the worth of a Firekeeper, then why all of this toil? Why carry her so far? Why ask for her absolution?"

    Naruto replied, no hesitation in his voice. "Because she's my friend."

    For a moment Oswald was silent. The Pardoner had witnessed lords burn and kingdoms fall. He had seen men trade faith, family, and flesh for the smallest edge of power. Yet he had never once encountered a soul that spoke so simply, so surely, and believed it. His gloved hands tightened slightly on his crimson ledger, though his face betrayed nothing.

    Naruto clasped Anastacia's hand.

    The system stirred.

    The dull, lifeless screen that had refused him before now blazed with fresh light.

    [ Name: Naruto Uzumaki ]
    [ Level: 54 → 61 ]
    [ Faith: 18 → 25 ]

    The power of Faith was always difficult to describe, but this time Naruto felt something entirely different. It was not just confidence. It was not just clarity or assurance. This was heavier, stranger, as if the very fabric of reality bent a little closer to him, like he could mold it with his will.

    He compared it to Soul Sight. That same overwhelming awareness pressed at the edge of his mind now.

    Faith and magic, he reminded himself, truly were two sides of the same coin. Both let him touch the unseen, both let him grasp what was not meant to be grasped.

    Naruto took out the scroll of Great Heal and began to attune it. The system pulsed in response. His vision blurred, and suddenly the world tilted into the visions he got every time he attuned a miracle.

    This time, his vision caused him to feel pain flood through his body. For a moment, his breath caught in his chest. He had endured plenty before, but this was different. It felt real in a way that went beyond his flesh, as though his very soul had been crushed.

    Through that pain, a light broke through. White, soft, and blinding. And within it, a figure emerged.

    At first, he could only make out the outline of a woman standing before him. The pain receded, replaced by warmth that flowed through every vein. Her presence alone soothed him, as if the simple act of existing in her radiance was enough to heal.

    Then his vision sharpened, and before Naruto stood a vision that blurred the line between mortal woman and goddess. Her face was serene, framed by silken streams of brown hair, her eyes warm yet mysterious as if they knew every truth about him and still chose to accept him. A faint smile touched her lips, tender and knowing, crowned by a circlet of gold that marked her as something far above the reach of men. White cloth trimmed in gold wound around her body in deliberate artistry, hugging her curves while leaving her midriff bare, every line of her form sculpted to perfection. Her chest was framed with teasing dignity, her hips flowing into long, graceful legs draped by loose folds of fabric that pooled at her bare feet among blooming roses and sunflowers that seemed to glow in her presence. Pale skin shimmered like moonlight over marble, soft yet commanding, and when her arms extended in quiet benediction, Naruto felt as though he was looking at a goddess of bounty and beauty, sacred and sensual in equal measure.

    Naruto's heart stuttered. He had once thought Sakura was cute. He had even found Haku more beautiful than he would ever admit aloud. But this… this was something else entirely.

    His lips parted. The words slipped out without thought. "Who… who are you?"

    "Gwynevere."

    The vision shattered like glass. The warmth faded, the flowers and light gone. Naruto gasped, pulled violently back into the present.

    So that is… Gwynevere? Naruto swallowed hard, his chest tightening at the memory. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and the thought stirred feelings in him he hadn't even known were there. But his mind quickly shifted to the strange part—why did using regular Heal and Great Heal excerpts give him visions of the Allfather, yet Great Heal itself showed him Gwynevere?

    [ Great Heal has been attuned. Emit Force Miracle removed. ]

    The system message finally brought the boy fully back to the present as Naruto took out his Thorolund talisman and cast the spell.

    A wave of blinding white radiance exploded across the rooftop.

    When it faded, Anastacia exhaled softly. She looked at her legs, then to the world below, eyes full of awe.

    "It feels like a dream I don't want to wake up from," she said. "I just want to stay here… under the sun."

    "Then stay as long as you like."

    He walked over to Oswald and said, "Thanks for the help, man."

    "I serve only judgment. Thanks and condemnation alike are not mine to give."

    Naruto shifted, uneasy, before asking, "If it's not too much to ask… what was her sin?"

    The Pardoner was still for a long moment. "The sins of another are not thine to know. Confession is sacred. What is spoken to Velka is veiled forever. Heh heh heh…"

    Before Naruto could reply, Anastacia's voice rose from behind. "My sin was to be born."

    Naruto turned. She hadn't moved from her place by the wall. Her eyes were fixed on the far horizon, the soft breeze brushing strands of her hair across her face.

    "My parents… I can't even remember their faces," she said. "But they were worshipers of Queen Rosaria."

    She gave a hollow laugh as Naruto remembered how the Nameless King cut the tongue of Queen Rosaria.

    "I don't know why, but the church branded them heretics. They were executed. I was just a child, but my soul could tend to fire. That made me… useful." Her voice tightened.

    "They spared me, but punished me for my blood. My tongue was cut so I could never speak heresy. I grew up in chains, in silence, carrying a sin I never chose."

    There was a long silence.

    Naruto didn't speak. He just stared, jaw clenched.

    Anastacia turned her head. "Can we go back to my cage now?"

    Naruto looked at her, then silently nodded. He summoned a shadow clone, who stepped forward gently and knelt beside her.

    "Hey," the clone said softly. "Just remember… you always have a choice now. If you ever want to leave that place, just say the word and I'll take you somewhere even the gods won't find you."

    Anastacia didn't answer. She simply leaned against the clone's shoulder, resting her head there as her eyes closed.

    "Let me enjoy this dream a little longer, my dear friend."

    The rooftop grew quiet again as the wind carried the silence away. The crystal lizard chirped softly, nestled in her lap.

    Naruto stood still upon the spire, watching the trio leave. When they were gone, he exhaled sharply and clenched his jaw, trying to quiet the storm boiling inside him.

    Oscar brushed against his leg with a soft chirp, a gesture of calm.

    "Tell me, art thou wrathful at the gods?"

    Naruto shook his head, though his eyes burned like flint. "No. I'm angry that people suffer for things they never chose. That someone can be branded with sins that aren't theirs, and still be forced to pay for them."

    "And what is it thou intendest to do with such fury?"

    Naruto was quiet for a moment. Then he spoke with a steady voice. "Anastacia's punishment is gone. That was the goal."

    "That is not what I asked. I ask what thy will desires, not what thy hand hast done."

    Naruto glanced down at his gauntleted hand, slowly laying it against his chest. His words came low, but firm. "Precept number fourth. It is a knight's duty to rise for the innocent. To bring justice not with rage, but with a blade tempered by honor. Even should evil wear a crown or a halo, the blade must not falter."

    The Pardoner gave a quiet laugh, the sound echoing strangely in the spire. "How quaint. A nameless knight who speaks of challenging crowns and halos alike. Heh heh heh… I wonder how thy gods would greet such defiance."

    "Even without my defiance, I don't think the gods would look at me favorably."

    "Of course. Thou art… one of a kind."

    Naruto's eyes narrowed. There was weight behind those words. Oswald knew a lot more. Testing the waters, Naruto asked, his tone edged with suspicion, "What do you know of a crow that punishes sinners?"

    "Crows are ever the messengers of gods… and sometimes, their talons. Some bring pardon, some bring ruin. To know which is which? That is a matter of faith."

    "And what god would call Anastacia's silence justice?"

    For a moment, Oswald's amusement faltered. His tone cooled. "That, I cannot say. The courts of the gods are barred to me. I am no longer welcome. Branded heretic, my wings clipped long ago. I dispense judgment still, but I sit not at their table."

    Naruto stood in silence, studying him. Then he gave a single, slow nod, and turned away with Oscar following close.

    Behind them, Oswald lingered in silence. When Naruto's presence had fully faded, the Pardoner slipped a hand into his robes and drew out a Ring of Sacrifice.

    "It seems that my words were insufficient to gain the boy's trust."

    A voice answered in his mind, smooth and sharp. Trust doesn't matter. As long as that fire burns in him, he is worth the gamble.

    "I see it now. The boy has the makings… of the Chosen Undead."

    Velka's voice came again, tinged with amusement. Praise, from you of all people. That's rare.

    "Not praise," Oswald replied, fingers tightening on the ring. "Truth. That boy's power to split himself into many clones is perilous. A lone warrior with the cunning of a sorcerer, the faith of a paladin, the blade of a knight, and the strength of a soldier. He is not one, but many. If the gods had sense, they would fight to claim him or seek to destroy him before he grows beyond their reach."

    But that's not what impressed you, is it? Velka's voice pressed. Even Alastor never managed to stir you. And yet this boy does?

    Oswald let out a slow breath. "His character. He risked so much… for a single friend. That heart of his will become his greatest strength. And his undoing."

    Velka's tone shifted, almost contemplative. I agree. But Lordran was never kind to hearts like his.

    Oswald's grin sharpened. "And yet, I expected you to order me to bind him to our cause."

    A pause followed, long enough that the wind itself seemed to still. Then her voice came again, soft but edged with certainty.

    Oswald… the gods claw at the Age of Fire, desperate to keep their flame alive. The serpents hunger for the Age of Dark, whispering of destiny and inevitability. And the boy… one day, both sides will try to shape him. They will feed him promises, burden him with prophecies, twist him for their own designs.

    Her tone hardened, carrying the weight of inevitability. But they will all miss one truth.

    "And that is?"

    You don't tell a dragon what to do.

    Oswald's grin widened, shadow stretching long across the stone. He glanced downward, watching the blonde knight make his way toward the Sunlight Altar of the Nameless King.

    "No. You do not. Heh heh heh heh…"

    Author Note: Honestly, the chapter itself is pretty straightforward, but since you guys enjoy the Q&A sections, I'll give you one here.

    Q1: What is Vereor Nox?

    Answer:     I have always been interested in what exactly is worshipped by the Way of White. It is clear they serve the gods and their mission is to kindle the flames that sustain those gods, but what do they really believe about themselves?

    Reah is such an interesting character in Dark Souls because she does not say much. After becoming Undead, her life spirals downhill. She despises her mission and openly despairs over her purpose. But what really stood out to me was her farewell line: "Vereor Nox."

    At first glance, you would think this translates to "I fear the night" or "The night is feared." That is how most quick translations interpret it. But if you look at the Latin more closely, it gets more complicated.

    "Vereor" is a deponent verb. That means it looks passive, but it is actually active. It is first person singular, so it translates as "I fear." Then you have "Nox," which is nominative, meaning "night" or "darkness." Here is where it gets strange: you cannot really make "fear" into a linking verb, so the phrase does not line up with a simple "I fear the night." What it more likely means is that the subject and object are the same, and the reflexive direct object is omitted, which is common shorthand in Latin.

    That gives us: "I, the Night or Darkness, fear myself."

    It is worth noting that this may not be the only meaning. Medieval or church Latin often bent grammar, and sometimes phrases were translated loosely. But I personally like this interpretation because it fits so well thematically.

    The Way of White believes that humanity harbors the Dark Soul, and they fear it. Their entire mission is feeding fire to stave off the darkness inside every human. Their undead hunts make sense if you think of it this way, because Undead who do not serve the church are treated as heretics who would disrupt the balance between light and dark.

    And remember, the leaders of the Way of White ultimately serve Gwyn and the other gods, who themselves feared the darkness of humanity. So Vereor Nox works almost like a coded blessing or curse, a quiet reminder of how deeply this fear has been taught: humanity told to fear its own dark.

    Q2: Are Firekeepers the reason the player character can level up?

    This is a question some of you might already know the answer to, or at least think you do, but I wanted to take the time to break it down. It is one of those little details in Dark Souls that is both ambiguous in canon and fascinating in lore.

    In Dark Souls II and Dark Souls III, the games make it very clear that the Firekeeper, like the Emerald Herald or the Firekeeper in DS3, is the reason the player can level up. Likewise, in Demon's Souls, the Maiden in Black serves this purpose as the "level-up lady."

    But in Dark Souls I, things are a little different. Anastacia of Astora does not act as the level-up NPC. The player can level up at any bonfire. Honestly, I always found this a little disappointing, because it feels like a missed opportunity. Imagine how horrifying and impactful it would have been if Lautrec killed Anastacia and suddenly you could not level up until you reached Anor Londo. That would have made her death not only emotionally devastating, but mechanically crippling in a way that reinforces the story.

    So, how does Anastacia—or any Firekeeper—actually tie into leveling up in lore?

    The truth is… we do not know for sure. The game never directly tells us. But, like always, I have my own speculation backed with some evidence, so let's get into it.

    The Lords and the Dark Soul

    Consider the four Lords of Dark Souls: Gwyn, the Witch of Izalith, Nito, and the Furtive Pygmy.

    Gwyn took the Light Soul, granting him dominion over lightning and holy flame.

    Izalith took the Life Soul, which gave her power over life and creation.

    Nito claimed the Death Soul, ruling over decay and the domain of the dead.

    The Furtive Pygmy took the Dark Soul, which split into fragments known as humanity.

    So what did the Dark Soul actually give the Pygmy?

    The answer: the power to absorb souls and grow stronger. That is what separates humanity and undead from the gods.

    And here is the evidence: only humans (and those tied to the Dark, like the primordial serpents) are shown to be able to truly use souls for growth and power.

    Now, let's bring in this item description:

    Soul of a long-lost Fire Keeper
    Description: Each Fire Keeper is a corporeal manifestation of her bonfire, and a draw for the humanity which is offered to her. Her soul is gnawed by infinite humanity, and can boost the power of the precious Estus Flasks. It can be used to gain Humanity and restore HP at the cost of losing the Fire Keeper soul to reinforce the Estus Flasks.

    Focus on this line: Her soul is gnawed by infinite humanity.

    Humanity is literally fragments of the Dark Soul. An "infinite humanity" is essentially as close to the original Dark Soul as anything could get.

    So yes, the reason Firekeepers can help people level up is because their souls are constantly being gnawed at by the Dark Soul. That connection lets them channel that power and basically turn regular souls into stat boosts.

    Which means, in this story, all of Naruto's current strength is thanks to Anastacia. Every time he sits at a bonfire, he is unknowingly linking himself to her soul, and that is what actually lets him grow stronger.

    Q3: Is Anastacia's sin really that her parents worshipped Rosaria?

    Nope, that is completely fanmade for this fic. Nothing in the actual lore says that. I just added it as part of my story to flesh her character out more.

    Q4: Why did Naruto get a vision of Gwynevere when he attuned the Great Heal miracle?

    Because Gwynevere is the Goddess of Sunlight, and she is directly tied to healing miracles and divine blessings. Now, the interesting thing is… why does Great Heal connect to Gwynevere, while regular Heal and even the Heal excerpt feel more tied to Allfather Lloyd? That is an excellent question, and I promise it will be answered later. Let's just say I have got something big cooking with the Way of White, and they are going to play a much larger role in the future of this fic.

    That's It… For Now.

    And if you can't wait for the next update, the next chapter drops on Sep 5th! You can read ahead to Chapter 99 on Patreon.

    As always, I want to thank you all for taking the time to read, comment, and follow along with this story. Your feedback means more than you know, and it helps push me to make each chapter bigger, sharper, and more true to the worlds of Naruto and Dark Souls.

    Until next time, Be safe, friend. Don't you dare go Hollow..

    —Adam
     
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    • Adamos_Amet said:
    Focus on this line: Her soul is gnawed by infinite humanity.

    Humanity is literally fragments of the Dark Soul. An "infinite humanity" is essentially as close to the original Dark Soul as anything could get.

    So yes, the reason Firekeepers can help people level up is because their souls are constantly being gnawed at by the Dark Soul. That connection lets them channel that power and basically turn regular souls into stat boosts.

    Which means, in this story, all of Naruto's current strength is thanks to Anastacia. Every time he sits at a bonfire, he is unknowingly linking himself to her soul, and that is what actually lets him grow stronger.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    That is an interesting take. I personally always took that line to mean something similar but more in line of being linked to every single fragment of the Dark Soul due to mutations we don't see in the gods because they don't reproduce enough for it pop up, the linking of the souls of fire keepers to all the fragments of humanity and thus the soul of every human being why they can help level up in first place so easily when soul magic is typically so hard. This also explaining why they don't create giant abysses like what happened with Manus and Oolacile, the Dark Soul still being spread around yet still connected. At least, that's my interpretation.
     
    Chapter no.58 Dark Souls New
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    • Chapter no.58 The Cat, the Wolf, and the Dragon

    The head of an Undead soldier clattered down the stairwell, bouncing once before rolling to a stop at the portcullis. Naruto exhaled and gave his blade a sharp flick, blood flying from the edge of the uchigatana before he sheathed it.

    The duo paused as they saw Solaire. He was seated cross-legged near the bonfire, his helm tilting just slightly as if listening to the quiet crackle of flames.

    "Sorry for being late."

    "Ah! No need to worry, my friend," Solaire said. "I only just arrived myself. Quite the coincidence, wouldn't you say?"

    Naruto hummed, his eyes drifting toward the bridge. Hollows shuffled there, their heads twitching toward the fire and then away again. His hand drifted to his weapon, but before steel could leave its sheath, Solaire raised a hand.

    "Peace, peace," he said. "Hollows will not come close. Even they, in their broken state, remember the warmth of the bonfire. It is their home, in a way. A hearth for the weary, even for the lost."

    Naruto paused, then nodded, letting the tension ease from his shoulders. He stepped closer and sat down by the fire, stretching out his legs. The heat of the flame kissed his armor, filling him with a drowsy calm. With a sigh, he laid flat on his back against the stone, arms pillowed behind his head. Oscar wasted no time climbing onto his chest, curling up comfortably with a faint hum.

    The silence stretched for a time, filled only by the crackle of the fire and the muted shuffle of hollows beyond.

    "Now then," Solaire said, removing his helm and setting it beside him. Golden hair spilled loose, tied neatly in a ponytail, his blue eyes gleaming like polished glass in the firelight. "Is there a reason you wished to meet me here, my friend? Or is it just the joy of jolly company?"

    Naruto tilted his head, then chuckled faintly at the sight. For just a heartbeat, he wondered, Was my father from Astora? But he shook the thought off and let it drift away.

    He drew in a slow breath, his gaze flicking between the restless flames of the bonfire and the moss-stained ceiling high above. The words were heavy, and for a while he struggled to let them out. But then, quietly, he began to speak: of Sasuke, of Sakura, and of the weight pressing against his chest every time he thought of them.

    "And despite knowing this decision is the right one, it still gnaws at me," he admitted. "They are safer in the Elemental Nations. Safer than they could ever be here. I die all the time in Lordran. I wake up again, but I'm Undead. They wouldn't. Sasuke, Sakura… they would be destroyed here."

    The fire cracked again.

    Solaire was silent for a long moment, eyes fixed on the flames. "Ah, my friend… your choice is not weakness. It is care. It is protection. To shield those dear to you from a fate they cannot endure… why, I daresay that is the mark of true strength. A heavy path, yes, but a correct one."

    He smiled faintly. "You doubt yourself too much. Even the brightest star questions its light… but the sun does not falter. It shines because that is its nature. And you, Naruto, have already shared much of your light."

    "You think so?"

    "Aye. Doubt is natural, but remember… doubt often walks hand in hand with love. The choice to protect, even when it costs your peace, speaks not of failure but of devotion. That is the bond of a knight to his fellows."

    For a moment, the weight in Naruto's chest eased. He gave a small nod, though uncertainty still lingered at the edges of his expression.

    "You know," Solaire said, "trying to bring Sasuke and Sakura into Lordran is a bold thought indeed! But I fear it may not be yours to act upon."

    "What do you mean?"

    "Lordran does not simply open its doors to anyone. No, no, this land is peculiar! Twisted, strange, alive in ways we cannot fully understand. It calls to champions, my friend. It chooses them. Unless it calls to Sasuke or Sakura, they will never set foot here, no matter your will."

    "So… I was chosen?"

    "Why, yes! I believe so," Solaire said with quiet cheer. "But what a strange choosing it is. Stranger still that you are able to return home. Lordran does not allow such things lightly. In fact, I'd say it's practically unheard of!"

    "Because time's messed up?"

    "Hah hah! Most likely," Solaire admitted. "Time here is a wounded beast. It limps and stumbles. Centuries-old heroes walk as if they never left. Dreams turn into reality, then rot. Yes… I would say you slipped through a tear in that wound."

    Naruto chewed on that. "Then… there's a chance. However small. That I could bring them here."

    "But do you truly want to?"

    Naruto winced. "…No."

    "Then there is your answer!"

    "Then why do I still feel like shit?"

    Oscar smacked his cheek with his tail, chirping loudly. It was almost as if the little crystal lizard was shouting at him, pull yourself together already!

    "Ah, what a faithful companion you have there. Even he can see what you cannot. It is something far simpler."

    "Why did I lie to them? That's what's been gnawing at me. I hate lies. You know, I literally turned into a half-dragon just because I was furious over a lie. And yet when it came to my friends… I lied without a second thought. I could have told them the truth, but I didn't."

    "Because you were afraid. Afraid they would look at you differently. Afraid they would not accept you if you offered them nothing in return. That fear is not uncommon, my friend. Many would rather carry a lie than risk rejection."

    Naruto swallowed hard. "That's been me my whole life. I was hated in Konoha unless I acted like a clown, unless I gave people something to laugh at. Guess I never shook it off. Even here… even with Sasuke and Sakura. Deep down, I still feel like if I don't give something, I won't be worth anything to them."

    "Ah, but that is where you are mistaken," Solaire said firmly. "A lie does not always come from malice. Sometimes, a lie is born of fear or even love. What matters is the heart behind it. Your intent was not to deceive your comrades. You only wanted to protect them and, perhaps, yourself. That makes you human, not faithless."

    "So what do I do then? How do I make it right?"

    "Simple!" Solaire's voice rose with optimism. "You apologize. Speak from the heart."

    Naruto tried to laugh, but it came out bitter. "Wouldn't they just see me as a selfish brat. I like being special. I like that this world chose me. I know that's dumb…"

    "It is not dumb at all, my friend!"

    Naruto looked at him in surprise.

    "There is nothing wrong with wanting to be special," Solaire continued. "It is a deeply human thing! We all wish to be the sun in someone's sky. You think yourself selfish for wanting that, but I see someone who has already given. Did you not give Sasuke a claymore? Teach him swordplay? Did you not arm Sakura with an axe and even gift her humanity? You have shared much already!"

    "…Yeah," Naruto admitted quietly.

    "You gave, and still you doubt yourself. But listen well, my friend. If Sasuke and Sakura cannot accept your decision, whether you bring them to Lordran or not, then they are not truly your friends. They would be seekers of power, nothing more. And such people do not deserve the bond you have already offered them. True comrades will stand with you, not for what you can give, but for who you are."

    "That sounds… too easy."

    "Life is rarely easy," Solaire admitted with a chuckle. "But sometimes the hardest thing to do is also the simplest. Do not fear it. Remember, even the sun cannot grant its warmth to every soul at once! Hah hah hah!"

    Naruto hummed, and for the next few hours the two warriors spoke of their journeys. Naruto recounted the Wave mission in detail, speaking of Zabuza, Haku, and the villagers who needed hope. Solaire, in turn, spoke of his travels through the ruins of Oolacile.

    Naruto also added his adventures in Lordran and all the wonderful people he had met.

    "That was… probably way more than I meant to say," Naruto admitted at the end, rubbing the back of his head.

    "Well! That was certainly an eventful tale. But tell me, after all of it… are you glad it happened?"

    Naruto fell silent. He thought about it, eyes reflecting the bonfire. "I'd probably change a few things," he admitted softly. "Yeah, there are regrets. Always regrets. But… I'm glad. I'm glad I walked this path. I'm glad I got strong enough to survive it. Even if I don't have a big dream like yours."

    "Does that matter?"

    "Maybe it does," Naruto murmured. "Maybe it doesn't. I think I've started to appreciate just walking the road itself. Sometimes you gotta stop, look back, and realize how far you've come."

    The fire popped and cracked between them.

    "I am thinking of heading into the Depths," Solaire said suddenly.

    "The Depths? That place is a damn labyrinth."

    "Yes indeed. All the better! Something calls to me down there. Perhaps I might find my sun. The sun shines brightest after the darkest night!"

    Naruto groaned. "You're really going to chase your sun into that muck?"

    "A sun may fall, but it always rises again! Hah hah hah!"

    "Good luck, Sunbro."

    "Will you join me?" Solaire asked. "The path would be warmer with two."

    "I'd love to," Naruto said, sitting up. "But… I've got something else to do first. I need to find Princess Dusk. She can slip through time, and I don't want to miss my chance to learn from her."

    "Then I wish you fortune," Solaire said warmly. He carefully handed Oscar—still dozing—back to Naruto. The little crystal lizard stirred, chirped once, then flopped back to sleep with a puff of breath.

    "You leaving now?"

    "Of course!" Solaire said, rising with a stretch. "No time to waste. I find the road ahead most exciting. Hah hah hah!"

    "If that's the case," Naruto grinned, "I want to join the Warriors of Sunlight."

    "Oh! Magnificent! I knew you would fancy it! Righteous knights, guardians of all that is good, in the name of the Lord of Sunlight! It fills my heart with joy! Come, my friend, let us make it official."

    The two walked out together toward the broken statue of the Nameless King.

    "And there we are," Solaire said. "Now, simply say a prayer at the Altar of Sunlight. Then you shall know the brilliance of our Sun!"

    Naruto knelt before the broken statue, his hand pressed to the stone. Last time nothing had stirred, but this time he felt it. His faith reached out and the sunlight above seemed to answer, carrying with it the test of the nameless knight.

    You must bend them, Naruto thought, narrowing his eyes. He raised one hand slowly, his faith pulling at the world around him. The light bent, gathering, shaping. A sphere of golden fire hovered in his palm, a small sun that pulsed with life. Then came the voices. A chorus, countless and layered, men and women, children and warriors, the sound of Warriors of Sunlight bound together in faith. It was the divine call of the god of war, leading him toward the covenant of sunlight.

    The words formed in his mind, and Naruto spoke them aloud, his voice steady:

    "I carry the flame of the sun in my hands.
    I will raise it high to guide the lost.
    I will wield it hard to break the foe.
    I will share it freely with my brothers.
    So long as the sun burns, so shall I."

    The orb of light shuddered and collapsed into form, folding itself into parchment. A scroll of blazing gold fell into his hands.

    [ Covenant Established: Warrior of Sunlight ]
    [ Reward: Miracle Lightning Spear ]

    Naruto rose to his feet, clutching the scroll, his chest still burning with the power of the vow.

    "Exhilarating, is it not?" Solaire's voice rang out, bright and proud as he held Oscar in his arms. "The power of the Sun! Hah hah hah!"

    "Yeah… it's awesome," Naruto said with a grin, catching Oscar as the little lizard leapt back into his arms.

    "I am blessed to have found such a brave companion!" Solaire declared, throwing his arms out wide to the sky. "But I must leave for the Depths. There is something down there that calls to me. If at any point you are in need of some jolly cooperation, write my name with the White Sign Soapstone and I shall aid you without hesitation!"

    "Then I definitely want to see your face when I show you my world's sun."

    "Oh-ho! I look forward to it, my friend!" Solaire said. He raised his arms in his familiar gesture, praising the sky. "Praise the Sun!"

    Naruto laughed, joining him, and Oscar even stretched his little forelegs up in mimicry.

    When their laughter faded, Naruto watched as Solaire strode toward the bridge. He unsheathed his sword in one fluid motion, sunlight catching on the blade, and marched forward to meet the hollows.

    "Come on," Naruto whispered to Oscar, moving back toward the bonfire. "I have an idea."

    Oscar chirped in agreement as they sat before the flame. Naruto opened the scroll and began to attune the Lightning Spear miracle. And just like always, the world began to blur. A vision was coming… but this one felt different.

    Naruto found himself standing in a room that was not a room at all, but an endless void of black. His breath echoed in the stillness, and then the silence broke.

    A rumble rolled across the heavens above, deep as a growl from the belly of the world. Thunder roared, and a split-second later lightning fell, white and merciless. It struck the darkness ahead of him, and in that violent flash, Naruto saw him.

    The figure was a giant of a man.

    His frame was cut sharp with strength earned through uncounted battles. His skin was shadowed like stone against the night, and his hair blazed white, wild and untamed, leaping skyward. The man's face was hidden by shadow, but his bearing spoke louder than features ever could. His head bowed slightly, not in weakness, but like a mountain leaning forward.

    The presence that bled off him made Naruto's pulse quicken.

    He was clad in battered armor. Jagged carvings scarred the chest plate, scars etched by storms. His shoulders were broad, his arms half-bared but wrapped in cloth and leather, every scar a mark of survival. From his waist hung tattered plates shaped like scales, iron biting into cloth, strips of fabric torn and whipping as though a wind belonged only to him. His legs were armored in greaves fitted for war, boots planted with the weight of unshakable will.

    And in his hand was a great spear.

    Lightning danced across its length, crawling up and down the shaft, exploding from its tip in furious streaks. Behind him, tatters of a cape trailed, whipped by an eternal gale. He was storm incarnate. Not man. Not mortal. A god of war.

    Naruto's breath caught. He knew, without words, who he stood before.

    Gwyn's Firstborn.

    The Nameless King.

    The figure stirred. Slowly, he lifted the spear, the lightning crawling brighter. He swung once, and the thunder cracked like the world itself splitting apart. The lightning shaped into a spear and shot forward, faster than thought, a line of light burning through the dark.

    The Nameless King turned as if to leave, as though daring Naruto to prove himself.

    Catch it.

    Naruto's grin spread. His heart pounded, his body tense, but his mind raced ahead. The spear was too fast to chase, too heavy to stop. But its angle, its course, the place it would strike... he saw it, clear as day. All that was left was to believe.

    Faith.

    Faith was more than prayer. Faith was bending the impossible until it bent to you.

    Naruto had faith in himself. He had faith that his hands could grasp what no mortal should ever touch. And so he leapt. His body arced through the void, and when the lightning spear came, he reached.

    And his fingers closed around it.

    White fire erupted across his arms, a thousand knives of light stabbing into his flesh, but he held. His boots slammed into the ground, sparks scattering, his arms trembling but unbroken.

    His voice thundered as he planted his feet.

    "My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I am the squire of Oscar. I am a knight of Konoha. I am a warrior of SUNLIGHT!"

    The Nameless King turned back at the words. His shadowed face lifted, and his storming presence surged. He raised his own spear once more.

    Naruto bellowed and hurled the lightning spear with all his strength. The air tore, and the storm roared. The Nameless King swung his weapon, and the two spears met midair.

    The collision was not sound.

    It was light. White and endless, blinding. The explosion swallowed everything, thunder and lightning pouring into every inch of the void. Naruto's eyes burned, his body rattled, and then... he blinked, and the bonfire was before him.

    The flame crackled gently, as if nothing had happened, but his body still hummed with lightning. Unlike the Way of White, Naruto felt nothing but pride. He was a warrior of sunlight now. He had earned it. He thought of the Nameless King's presence, towering, eternal. His lips curled into a grin.

    He is the coolest guy ever, Naruto muttered, remembering the storm made flesh.

    Oscar's chirp snapped Naruto back to the present. He glanced up and spotted a hollow charging recklessly toward Solaire.

    Naruto clenched the Thorolund Talisman in one hand, steadying his breath. Warmth pooled in his chest, gathering at his palm until it felt like his very soul was straining against his skin. Then, with a sharp exhale, he raised his hand.

    Light swirled into shape.

    It was at first a glow, then a spear of pure light, weight given by lightning itself. Crackling arcs leapt from its shaft, the smell of ozone flooding the air.

    A lance of yellow lightning thrummed against his skin.

    "Oh, Sasuke is going to be so jealous, dattebayo!"

    Oscar giggled.

    Naruto pulled back and hurled it.

    The Lightning Spear ripped forward with the sound of thunder.

    The hollow convulsed violently as the spear struck, its body locking rigid in an instant. Lightning tore through it, searing flesh and boiling blood beneath the skin. The hollow's weapon dropped from its grip with a hiss, metal glowing red before clattering uselessly on the stone. The smell of burnt hair and cooked meat filled the air as the corpse twitched, veins lighting up in branching patterns across its arms and neck. Its chest burst open with a wet crack, smoke rising from the cavity as the body collapsed to the ground, blackened and twitching before finally going still.

    Naruto's jaw dropped. "Holy shit."

    Solaire turned, and even behind the helm Naruto could feel the wide, proud smile of a man who had just witnessed his brother claim the sun's power.

    Neither spoke. They didn't need to. The silence said enough. Side by side, they turned away, walking their own paths with the unspoken certainty that as warriors of sunlight, their journeys would cross again. And when they did, it would be for jolly cooperation.

    Naruto walked down the stone steps into the workshop. Sparks crackled from the forge, but Andre wasn't hammering. Instead, the old blacksmith sat on a stool with a pair of scissors in one hand and a comb in the other, trimming his thick beard with surprising care. He clicked the scissors shut and brushed the trimmed hairs away before snipping carefully at his mustache, keeping it neat so it wouldn't catch on his lips.

    "Old man," Naruto called, raising a brow at the sight. "Where's the princess?"

    Andre didn't look up right away, setting the scissors on the bench before replying in his deep, steady voice. "She's gone. You were away for quite a while."

    "Oh." Naruto's shoulders sagged a little. His gaze fell to the floor, guilt tugging at him. "Did she… did she leave behind any spell scrolls for me?"

    Part of him felt guilty for not being there when she left. Dusk deserved someone to listen, someone to give her peace of mind that Oolacile's legacy wouldn't be forgotten. But another part of him felt relief. If she was gone, then he wouldn't feel guilty about keeping his distance, about not letting himself get close to someone who was fated to die in the past.

    "What are you talking about? The princess didn't leave on her own. She was taken by her friend."

    Naruto's head shot up, confusion written across his face. "What?"

    "They found out Dusk was here, and they came to get her." Andre crossed his arms. "If you're keen on meeting with her again, and learning what she has to teach, you best get moving. Head down to the Darkroot Basin. There's a ladder by the waterfall. Follow it, and you'll find where they've gone."

    Naruto stood still, lost in thought.

    "Hurry up, boy," Andre said. "You don't have much time to waste."

    "Yeah, yeah," Naruto muttered. "It's just… if Dusk's friend has lived all the way from the past until now, then they must know what happens to her back then. So if they meet her here, now… does that change the past? Can the past even be changed?"

    "Boy, I'm just an old man who loves to make weapons. I ain't no scholar and I sure as hell ain't a mage. If you've got questions about time, you're asking the wrong fool. Better you go find the princess and her friend and ask them, instead of wasting breath on a drunk old smith like me."

    Naruto smirked and gave the blacksmith a pat on the back. "Don't put yourself down, Andre. You're smarter than you let on."

    Andre gave him a sharp look that said he wasn't buying the flattery, but before he could speak, Naruto straightened.

    "Alright, fine. I'll get going."

    "Oh, and before you leave," Andre called after him, "congratulations on ringing the Bell of Awakening."

    Naruto waved a hand without looking back. "Yeah, that did nothing, by the way. But I did manage to get Anastacia's sins forgiven, killed a scamming cleric, and joined the Warrior of Sunlight covenant."

    Then, with Oscar at his heels, Naruto broke into a run, heading toward the Darkroot Garden.

    Andre sat there blinking, the words slowly sinking in. Then he let out a deep sigh, shaking his head with a smile tugging at his lips.

    "Always something up with that boy," he muttered, rubbing his beard.

    The duo reached the waterfall in a few minutes, stopped only by the collection of crystal golems.

    Naruto never noticed, but the waterfall that created the lake of Darkroot Basin was massive, crashing down from a cliff veiled in moonlight. The cascade shimmered like liquid silver, the full moon above catching every drop. Mist rolled out from the base, curling around the rocks, and the wind carried the constant roar of falling water.

    Naruto stepped forward, eyes narrowing as he scanned the edge. And there was a barely visible ladder behind the waterfall's curtain, carved directly into the stone face of the cliff.

    "I have to climb that?"

    Oscar hopped onto his head, chirped once, and pointed his claw straight ahead.

    "Actually… I have a better idea."

    Oscar blinked. Then his eyes widened in realization and horror.

    "Go long," Naruto said hurling Oscar skyward like a ball.

    The little lizard screamed, not in fear, but in outrage, and flailed as he soared past the waterfall.

    Naruto bent his knees, chakra pooling in his calves. He took a deep breath and launched. The force cracked the rock beneath him as he shot into the air, wind tearing at his armor.

    For a few breathtaking seconds, they were suspended midair.

    The waterfall roared beside them like a living wall, sparkling silver under the moon's gaze.

    Oscar flailed midair, spinning like a throwing knife. Naruto laughed, wide-eyed and alive, his arms spread as if to embrace the sky. The wind whipped through his long hair, and his smile glowed with boyish freedom and unshakable will.

    "I could get used to this!"

    Oscar screamed back, more shriek than chirp.

    Naruto grabbed him midair and spun, feet landing hard against the cliff wall. He bounced once, then flipped backward while grabbing hold of the ladder with one hand. They hung there, breathing hard, the world roaring beside them.

    "...Totally worth it," Naruto whispered.

    Oscar groaned and went limp in his arms.

    The boy couldn't help but laugh at his partner's melodrama. Oscar flailed in protest from where he dangled under Naruto's arm, his limbs splayed like an indignant cat. They'd just landed their wild leap, and Naruto, still catching his breath, looked ahead.

    Above the waterfall, cloaked in mist and bathed in pale moonlight, stretched an old wooden bridge. It was nothing grand, just a weathered thing of dark planks and sagging ropes, tied to posts that leaned slightly with age. Moss crept along the wood. The bridge swayed faintly in the mountain breeze, groaning with the memory of every soul who'd crossed it before.

    But Naruto's eyes weren't on the bridge.

    They drifted down to the river as he followed it.

    "Guess this river connects to where I do my weed collection," Naruto muttered, smirking.

    Oscar tilted his head, confused.

    "Green Blossom," Naruto clarified with a grin. "You weren't there with me, but down in that hidden grove in the Darkroot Garden where the Wolf Ring was. The Green Blossom takes a year to grow, but due to Lordran's convoluted time, I can farm these herbs every time I come. Been sending clones there for the past month. Hehehe."

    Oscar heard the information and just made a noise. Naruto ignored the little guy's attitude as he looked up and squinted.

    Far above the wooden bridge was a second structure. A graceful arch made of stone, half-swallowed by shadow and ivy.

    A forgotten road of Oolacile, perhaps.

    Suddenly, Oscar scrambled from his arm and scampered ahead across the wooden bridge.

    "Oi! What did you find?"

    On the far side, by the lake's edge, lay a corpse. Not just another rotted shell of armor and regrets. This one looked fresh, or at least freshly killed. The body was half-submerged in the mud, its hand still clenched around a broken claymore.

    Naruto knelt beside it, gently prying the soul drop from its chest.

    [Soul of a Brave Warrior]

    "Were you trying to escape?" he murmured, eyes lingering on the silent face. "Or were you trying to protect something?"

    He stood slowly, thoughtful, then noticed another ladder. A narrow one carved into the dirt wall, winding up toward the stone bridge above.

    "Be on alert," Naruto said, scooping up Oscar.

    The little lizard chirped, now perched alertly on his shoulder.

    With a single chakra-fueled leap, Naruto soared up the ladder path and landed gracefully atop the stone bridge. From here, he could see two diverging paths: one led into a twisted grove where trees hunched. The other opened into a wide clearing under the full moon.

    "Which way?"

    Oscar pointed his tiny claw forward.

    "Alright then. Into the open."

    The moonlight spilled over the clearing. It should have been peaceful, beautiful even, but Naruto's nerves were on edge for one simple reason. The forest was too quiet. The kind of silence where every breath sounded too loud, where the thump of your heartbeat echoed in your ears. Then, carried on that silence, came the sound of a hissing cat.

    From the top of the clearing, figures began to move. Huge, sleek shapes with dark grey fur and glowing yellow eyes. Feline forms slinked from the upper ledges, each muscle in their bodies taut like coiled springs.

    [Name: Giant Feline]
    [HP: 1500 / 1500]

    One of them let out a deep, ear-splitting hiss and rose onto its hind legs like a bear. Then, without warning, it tucked into a blur of motion, rolling toward them at incredible speed, fangs bared.

    Naruto hurled the lizard into the air just in time and sidestepped as the beast crashed where he'd stood. Before he could draw breath, a second feline lunged for his side with a snapping bite.

    Too slow.

    The feline's jaws snapped shut around an afterimage. A heartbeat later, Naruto's fist slammed down onto its skull, breaking its poise and staggering the massive cat with a loud crack. The third feline came barreling in, claws extended. Its momentum crushed rocks beneath it, but Naruto wasn't aiming to block.

    From above, a beam of focused soul energy lanced down, striking the first feline just as it tried to recover. Bright, glassy spikes jutted from its back, pinning it in place as it howled in pain.

    Naruto landed, already drawing an arrow. It snapped forward with a thunderclap, a sonic boom trailing in its wake. It hit the cat square in the eye with a crunch but didn't pierce through.

    "Damn tough bastard," Naruto muttered as he made a handsign.

    The explosive seal on the arrowhead flared.

    Boom.

    The explosion rippled outward, and the giant cat's skull was vaporized. The other two hissed sharply, took one look at the battlefield, and ran.

    "Yeah, that's right!" Naruto shouted after them. "Run, fluffballs!"

    Oscar fell from the sky with a triumphant chirp. Naruto caught him in one hand, his other still holding his greatbow. The lizard growled in his arms, eyes flicking toward the fleeing foes with bloodlust.

    "Calm down, dude. We're not here for revenge or anything."

    Oscar gave a reluctant chirp, his body tense, but slowly settled as Naruto scratched the back of his head. Suddenly, something caught Naruto's eye.

    A flicker of red and white disappearing into the trees.

    "What was that?"

    He didn't wait for an answer. Instinct gripped him as he broke into a run. The path ahead wove through the woods as the trees parted, and soon they found themselves standing at the edge of a valley. A river ran quietly below the valley. Moonlight poured down from above, casting silver outlines on the humanoid figures in the forest.

    Is that a Mushroom? Naruto thought as his hawkeyes activated.

    They stood motionless on the forest floor. Strange, lumbering beings with bodies shaped like tree trunks and heads like giant mushroom caps.

    The larger one, clearly an adult, had skin like rough bark, pale grey and knotted with age. Its arms hung low and heavy, fingers thick and stubby like clubs. The mushroom cap atop its head was dark brown, nearly black at the edges, with a pale underside speckled in spots like spores. Beside it stood a smaller version. Its child, no doubt. Rounder, smoother, with skin more like the inside of a fresh mushroom. Its cap was curved, like a dome still forming, and it clung tightly to the adult's hand. Tiny feet poked out from under its round body as it shuffled in place.

    Unlike the adults, the children had no eyes, yet they were staring at Naruto and Oscar with innocent wonder.

    Naruto was still taking it in when the adult let out a sound that didn't match its sluggish appearance.

    A screech.

    Not a simple cry.

    It was sharp and resonant, echoing through the forest like a warning bell.

    Suddenly, dozens of tiny mushroom children were gathered behind the pair. Hidden at first among the underbrush and tree roots, now exposed by the call. Their caps wobbled as they peeked from behind moss-covered stones and snapped branches. Some huddled behind their siblings. Others pointed at Naruto in awe.

    Both adult mushrooms turned toward the same tree. They raised their heavy fists in tandem and punched.

    The tree splintered, groaned, and fell.

    A wall erected between the children and the strangers.

    A deliberate warning.

    "Parents protecting their kids. I get that," Naruto said quietly, a strange warmth blooming in his chest. For a moment, he wasn't a warrior in a strange forest. He was a boy watching something he never had but always wanted.

    "Come on. Let's not be the monsters in their bedtime stories." Naruto turned to Oscar. "Tell them we mean no harm."

    Oscar looked up at him slowly. His expression said: Are you actually stupid? I don't speak mushroom.

    Naruto sighed. "Fine."

    He took a cautious step forward, hands raised, moving along the edge of the valley… careful not to step too close. Every step was exaggerated, calm, non-threatening. He kept glancing back at the mushrooms, hoping his intentions were clear.

    The adult watched but did not move.

    And then, just as Naruto turned to leave them be, he saw something.

    A bridge.

    It stretched ahead like the threshold to a forgotten age. Short but solid, it was made of thick stone blocks. The sides were built with low walls from the same material, waist-high, enough to offer cover if battle came. The bridge led directly to a massive, looming, sealed door. Twin slabs of grey stone towered ahead, with a vertical line of glowing white light splitting them down the middle.

    "This is the place, right? Dusk should be here."

    Oscar gave him a long side-eye, clearly unconvinced.

    "Okay, fine. I just wanna check it out," Naruto muttered as he placed both hands on the cold, dust-covered surface of the massive stone door. A few dozen tons at least. He could feel the sheer weight of it thrumming through his bones. Whoever had built this door hadn't just wanted to keep something in or out. They'd wanted it forgotten.

    With a grunt and a deep breath, Naruto focused his chakra, flooding his muscles with raw power. Veins bulged, muscles strained, and the ancient stone groaned in protest as he slowly forced it open. Dust exploded outward in a fine mist. The sound of stone grinding against stone echoed through the trees.

    Naruto staggered forward, panting. But the sight before him pushed the fatigue from his mind.

    Low dirt ridges framed the area, and a narrow stream trickled along one edge, murmuring softly to itself. The air smelled of moss and wet earth. But what truly captured Naruto's eyes was at the center of the field.

    A giant gravestone.

    Nature had begun its slow conquest as vines clung to its sides. Deep engravings once filled with meaning now faded into near-obliteration. Chunks of the structure had fallen away, but it still stood tall. Defiant. Like the soul it memorialized refused to be forgotten. Around the grave, swords jutted from the ground. Long swords. Short swords. Broken blades. Each one hammered into the soil as if left behind by warriors who once stood guard. Some blades were rusted beyond use. Others looked ceremonial. Others still glinted with a faint magical light.

    Grave markers. Or offerings. Perhaps both.

    Several smaller stones were scattered nearby, each bearing signs of sword-stabs straight through them, making the entire scene feel more like a battlefield than a graveyard. But at the heart of it all, half-buried in a nest of solemn steel, lay a giant greatsword.

    It was beautiful.

    The blade was long, straight, and wide, colored a deep frost-blue. The guard curved downward like demonic horns. The handle, long and wrapped in tight black leather, invited a two-handed grip.

    The weapon practically demanded respect, reverence, and fear.

    Naruto gulped. "Let's be careful in this place," he whispered.

    Oscar chirped beside him, just as wary. The sense of being watched settled on them. Rather than walk straight to the sword, Naruto circled along the edge, stepping silently beside the stream.

    The forest and the grave watched while something ancient waited. And then he saw it on the back side of the monument, nestled in shadow.

    A corpse.

    It lay slumped against the back of the grave, body curled protectively over something clutched in its hands. Time had long claimed the flesh, but the posture remained as if she had died holding on to her last purpose. In her grasp were two things: a slender, silver ring inset with a hornet insignia that gleamed unnaturally. And a three-pronged kunai, etched with advanced fuinjutsu.

    [You have picked up]
    [Hornet Ring]
    [Three-Pronged Kunai of the Yellow Flash]

    Naruto blinked.

    Then blinked again.

    He had to reread the glowing message twice just to be sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him.

    [Item: Three-Pronged Kunai of the Yellow Flash]

    "Eh…? Why the hell is the fourth's kunai here?" Naruto muttered aloud, voice tinged with disbelief.

    [Item: Hornet Ring]
    [Description: One of the special rings granted to the Four Knights of Gwyn. The Hornet Ring belonged to the Lord's Blade Ciaran. By boosting critical attacks, its wearer can annihilate foes, as Ciaran's dagger laid waste to Lord Gwyn's enemies.]

    Naruto exhaled sharply, almost laughing in disbelief. That made it three now. Artorias's Wolf Ring, Gough's Hawkeyes technique, and now Ciaran's Hornet Ring.

    Naruto chuckled under his breath as he had gained something from three out of the four knights of Gwyn, which made him wonder if he would get something from the fourth. But his gaze drifted down toward the motionless body at his feet.

    Naruto furrowed his brow and tapped on the next item.

    [Item: Three-Pronged Kunai of the Yellow Flash]
    [Description: A uniquely shaped kunai once wielded by Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage of Konohagakure. Marked with a Flying Thunder God seal, it allowed its master to bend space itself, striking faster than thought. Those who saw the blade vanish knew death had already arrived. A symbol of unmatched speed, devastating accuracy, and the legacy of Minato Namikaze.]

    "...So it's the real deal. So… the Fourth really was here? Or at least his legacy reached Lordran?" Naruto's eyes narrowed. "That would explain the Darksign being sealed away in the Forbidden Scroll of Seals. Did that mean that minato namikaze was from astora?"

    It was a theory.

    But one he couldn't ignore.

    Naruto exhaled, then knelt beside the body of the Lord's Blade Ciaran, he now realized. She had held onto the kunai even in death. Maybe she had found it… or maybe she had fought the fourth hokage. Or helped him. Whatever the story was… she deserved rest.

    "Thanks," Naruto whispered, as he gently folded her arms over her chest. Then he buried her.

    Wordlessly, he began to gather stones. One by one, he laid them over her resting place, hands moving with care but no hesitation. Oscar joined him, carrying smaller rocks in his mouth.

    Together, they built a cairn.

    "Rest now," Naruto murmured as his blade scraped across the stone. Each stroke carved steady, deliberate letters: Here lies Lord's Blade Ciaran.

    When the last line was cut, he leaned back, brushing the dust away with his hand. His voice dropped to a whisper meant only for the grave. "You're not forgotten."

    With that, the duo stepped around to the front, where a massive slab of stone jutted from the earth.

    He knew what this was now.

    A greatsword that marked Artorias's grave.

    Naruto stepped forward slowly, heart pounding. He touched the Wolf Ring. He had worn it through so many battles. Felt it anchor him when the world tried to break him. He owed this knight a debt.

    Naruto dropped to one knee and bowed his head.

    "Thank you. I don't know if I deserve what I've been given… but I'll carry it forward. I'll fight like you did with a greatsword and a will that shall never be broken."

    Oscar, solemn beside him, imitated the motion and bowed his tiny head.

    In that quiet moonlit grove, before the tomb of the Abysswalker and the grave of the Lord's Blade, Naruto and his companion stood in silence. The breeze stirred the trees. The waterfall roared far below.

    The moment of reverence shattered like glass beneath a low, rumbling growl.

    Naruto's body tensed. The hair along the back of his neck stood on end. Slowly, he turned toward the massive gravestone ahead. A silhouette stood before it, backlit by the cold moonlight.

    A giant wolf gazed down from the Greatsword of Artorias.

    Naruto's eyes widened.

    [Name: Great Grey Wolf Sif]
    [HP: 6000 / 6000]

    It has more health than Stormrend?!

    The wolf moved. With one smooth motion, it gripped the sword in its jaws, tugged it free with a clang of steel on stone, and stepped into the open field. The blade was longer than Naruto was tall, yet Sif wielded it with the casual grace of a warrior like a dog with a stick, imitating its master.

    Then Sif lowered its stance, sword angled, body coiled. The eyes met Naruto's.

    It wasn't just majestic.

    It was terrifying.

    Naruto had always been reckless, always believed that no matter the odds, he could scrape together a win. That was just who he was. But there were three opponents in Lordran that made even him feel the chill of fear deep in his bones.

    Stormrend.

    Havel.

    And now, Sif.

    This was different from sparring Kakashi back home, where clever tricks and grit could bridge the gap. Against Sif, he could not see a path to victory, could not even imagine how to survive. The sheer size, speed, and killing intent radiating from the wolf froze his gut in a way nothing else had. Oscar chirped, low and fearful. Even the crystal lizard, who had seen horrors beside him, sensed it: this fight was one they would not walk away from.

    Naruto swallowed hard, forcing his breath steady as he drew the greatbow. The string creaked as he notched an arrow, pulling until the bow trembled.

    Ahead, Sif jerked his massive head to the side, taking his stance. The blade of Artorias gleamed in his jaws, and with a single step forward the ground shook beneath his paws.

    Naruto did not aim at the wolf. He turned his bow, drawing the arrow down until it leveled with the moss-covered grave.

    Artorias's grave.

    "Yeah," Naruto said, voice sharp and steady despite the fear clawing in his chest. "Unless you want your master's grave blown to pieces, stay right there like a good dog. Or else."

    To emphasize his threat, Naruto shifted the angle ever so slightly up and down, making it clear he was not bluffing.

    Sif froze, lips pulling back in a guttural growl that rumbled through the clearing. His ears flattened, his golden eyes locked on Naruto.

    Naruto did not flinch. He kept his aim fixed on the grave and let one hand flash through a single-handed seal. Beside him, a shadow clone burst into being, already performing the Homeward miracle. The golden glow began to spill over Naruto, Oscar, and the clone, wrapping them in the promise of escape.

    But Sif moved.

    The wolf's body blurred in a flash of silver and grey. He lunged with a horizontal slash, the greatsword sweeping with such speed and force that Naruto's mind barely kept up. The truth hit him in that fraction of a second: if he did nothing, the blade would separate his head from his body before the miracle could finish.

    So he did the only thing he could.

    Lightning Spear.

    Faith surged through him, crackling down his arm until it shaped itself into a lance of blinding light. At the speed of lightning, it should have been unavoidable.

    But Sif was no ordinary beast.

    The wolf twisted with impossible grace, leaping skyward. The Lightning Spear tore past his belly, searing the air. And in mid-leap, Sif swung the greatsword in an arc that traced a crescent moon against the sky.

    Naruto's eyes widened. There was no way out.

    But Oscar roared. From the small body of the crystal lizard erupted a wave of chakra, spilling outward in jagged shards of light. The ground in front of them erupted, rising in a wall of gleaming blue-white crystals.

    Crsytal Release: Crystal Encampment Wall.

    Sif's strike crashed into it. The sound was like a mountain splitting in half, shards flying in every direction as claw and steel gouged a deep gash across the crystalline surface. But it held. Just enough.

    The golden glow of the Homeward miracle flared, and in the next heartbeat, Naruto and Oscar vanished in a flash of light, leaving only empty air where they had stood.

    Sif landed heavily, his paws digging furrows into the ground as his sword carved a trench across the earth. He growled, golden eyes flicking toward the lingering scent of the boy. He could follow it. He could chase the intruder who had dared threaten his master's grave.

    But Sif did not move.

    Instead, his gaze shifted to the cairn of stone. The wolf's ears twitched at the silence that followed, at the stillness of the clearing. The scent of the boy faded with the wind, and Sif huffed out a slow breath. With a groan, the giant wolf curled into himself, his body settling into the moss, his nose brushing the base of the grave marker.

    Sif closed his eyes.

    And in dreams, the silence broke. He was no longer alone. He was running across fields bathed in moonlight, his paws pounding alongside a knight in blue armor. He could hear the clash of steel, the bark of orders, the ringing laugh that once carried courage into battle. The weight of the greatsword was gone, replaced by the joy of a hunt, the thrill of loyalty, the comfort of never leaving his master's side.

    Sif breathed deep, and for a moment, the world was whole again.

    What more could a dog want than to guard his master, in life or in memory, in waking or in dream?

    And so, beside the grave of Artorias, the Great Grey Wolf rested.

    The golden light of the Homeward miracle flared and then dimmed, depositing Naruto and Oscar at the bonfire above Andre's workshop. The boy stumbled forward, dropping to one knee with a gasp, while Oscar sagged limp in his arms. The little crystal lizard was trembling, his body slack, his energy drained completely from forcing out that jutsu.

    "That was way too close," Naruto muttered, stroking Oscar's back with gentle hands. The lizard gave a weak chirp, too tired even to lift his head. "You did great, buddy. You really saved us back there."

    The sound of boots echoed on the stone steps, and Andre's eyes fell on the pair and narrowed with concern. "What happened to you two? You look like death warmed over."

    Naruto lowered his head, still catching his breath. "We ran into the Great Grey Wolf, Sif." He exhaled slowly, remembering the massive blade and the speed with which it had nearly taken his head. "We just barely made it out. Thought it was safer to catch our breath here before looking for Princess Dusk again."

    "By the gods… Sif. That is no ordinary beast. You crossed paths with a living legend, boy. The partner of Knight Artorias himself." The old blacksmith sat down heavily on a nearby stone, shaking his head as if he could hardly believe it. "There are those who say Artorias loved that wolf so much that when Lord Gwyn asked him to choose a symbol, he chose Sif. The wolf became his banner, his shadow, his pride."

    Naruto blinked, his gaze dropping to the ring on his finger. The carved wolf insignia glinted faintly in the firelight, and he sighed, thinking back to the animal's stance. It had not been some wild monster's fury. It had been loyalty. A wolf imitating its master's form even in battle. "He really was a good boy… just protecting his master's grave." He gave Oscar a thoughtful look and chuckled softly. "Hey, do you think one day you'll mimic my fighting style too?"

    Oscar gave a tired noise, very clearly a no.

    Naruto's grin widened mischievously. "Come on. You've got all six arms in your ravenous crystal lizard form. Surely you could handle a greatsword. Imagine it, Oscar the Crystal Knight, wielding a zweihander bigger than your body." His eyes sparkled at the thought.

    The lizard rolled his eyes, or at least made the noise equivalent, and finally gave a reluctant chirp of yes.

    Naruto laughed aloud at the image, but the sound faded as quickly as it came. His thoughts turned back to the grave, and the loyal wolf standing guard over it. "Sif wasn't our enemy. He was just… keeping his promise. Protecting the one he loved." His voice softened, and he looked down at Oscar in his arms. "If I died… would you guard my grave too?"

    Oscar's head tilted, his exhausted eyes fixing on Naruto with a look that needed no words. It was a stare that said more clearly than any speech: How can you even ask me that? Of course I would.

    Naruto's heart warmed, and he pressed his forehead gently against the lizard's crystal snout. "Thanks, buddy." He kissed the top of Oscar's head and then straightened, determination lighting his eyes again. "Next time we meet Sif, we'll have to apologize. We'll make it right. But for now… let's focus on finding Dusk."

    Oscar gave a faint chirp, as though agreeing despite his fatigue.

    Naruto turned, giving Andre a little wave of farewell. "Thanks, old man. We'll be back." Then he planted his foot, invoked the Fist of Peregrine, and vanished in a burst of speed, his body flickering forward faster than the eye could follow. Oscar dangled from his arms like a flag whipping in the wind, chirping in protest but too tired to resist.

    Andre stood there, watching the blur vanish into the garden paths, and shook his head with a rough chuckle. "Always something up with that boy."

    Naruto flickered back into the forest near the grave of Artorias. He scanned the woods, wondering if any path might lead him toward Dusk, when something caught his eye. A glow, soft and azure, burned faintly in the distance.

    He moved toward it, leaping from tree to tree, until he came upon a strange sight. Mushroom children clustered together, echoing odd noises, while the two giant mushroom parents stood guard. And there, in their midst, was Dusk, cradling an ornate bowl with an azure flame flickering within. She smiled at the little ones, bowing her head as though listening to their voices.

    Naruto tilted his head. "Are they… talking?"

    Oscar, slumped on his shoulder, let out a groaning noise that sounded like a dying animal.

    "Don't be so dramatic," Naruto muttered, then dropped down without warning. "Yo, Princess. Sorry for being late."

    At once one of the mushroom parents surged forward, its fist cutting the air in a blow that could have flattened a boulder. Naruto's instincts kicked in, muscles swelling with chakra as he moved to dodge and counter. But before the strike landed, the creature halted, tilting its massive head. It rumbled lowly, then turned away without another motion.

    Naruto exhaled and eased his stance. "Well… thanks for the save."

    Dusk shook her head gently, her voice soft and calm. "Nay, Sir Naruto. I did not intervene. The fae didst judge thy presence akin to that of a tree. And fae… ever do they gather in the hollow roots of the archtrees."

    "My presence is like a tree?"

    "Yes," she replied, her brow creasing faintly. "So they told me. I know not what deeper meaning lies within their words."

    "Maybe they sensed my chakra or something," Naruto muttered, scratching the back of his head. "So… what are the fae, anyway?"

    "The fae are the eldest beings of this forest. They dwelt here long before Oolacile was a kingdom. When the first of my people did find them, they sought no conquest, but peace. To aid the mushrooms, Oolacile birthed its first sorcery… Cast Light. A gentle magic to nurture rather than to harm. From this gift a bond was forged. The mushrooms gave sanctuary and strength, whilst Oolacile gave wisdom and light. Though the kingdom lies in ash, still the fae remember. Still they honor the pact."

    She glanced down at the mushroom children, her voice trembling faintly. "As one of Oolacile's last heirs, they lend me their respect. Yet I think it more than lineage. I think they remember, even if they cannot give it voice."

    Naruto's eyes dropped to the flame in her bowl. "And that is a blacksmith's ember?"

    The princess extended the vessel toward him. "This is the Enchanted Ember. The fae safeguarded it for generations. Its azure light nurtured their children. When I revealed I still bore the sorcery of Cast Light, they deemed me worthy to carry it forth. I swore to leave behind a sustained light of mine own, that their children may yet flourish."

    Naruto accepted the bowl carefully, feeling the warmth pulse through his palms. "Why give it to me?"

    "Because thou art a knight, and knights must needs power above all else. The magic of Oolacile was never meant to slay. It is magic of change, of grace. The enchantments wrought by this ember may serve thee far better than destruction ever could. This is our legacy, and I would see it live on."

    Naruto stared down at the azure flame, then smiled faintly. "That's really thoughtful of you, Princess. Thank you, dattebayo."

    Oscar chirped weakly, as if to second the words.

    [Item: Enchanted Ember]
    [Description: Ember required for weapon ascension. This enchanted ember, a form of sorcery, is a vestige of the lost land of Oolacile. Ascends +5 magic wpn to enchanted weapon (enchanted weapon can be magic reinforced to +5). The sorcerer's enchanted weapon that inflicts magic damage and is boosted by intelligence.]

    Naruto's eyes gleamed with thought. Rickert's gonna love this. Wonder what happens if I add chakra to an enchanted magic weapon? Would it hold or shatter under the strain like the magic weapon or something else?

    "While I look forward to testing an enchanted weapon," Naruto said as he carefully placed the sleepy Oscar into Dusk's arms. She glanced down at the little lizard with worry, but Naruto continued with a small grin. "I think Oolacile's magic is going to help me even more."

    "Oh, I am gladdened to hear that," Dusk replied, her lips curving into a gentle smile before her expression softened with guilt. "Also, I must beg thy pardon. I ought to have left thee a note, so that thou wouldst not worry when I went to meet my friend. And… congratulations, Sir Naruto, on ringing the Bells of Awakening. Alvina hath spoken much of how momentous a feat it is within this age."

    Naruto hummed thoughtfully, tilting his head. "Can I meet this Alvina person?"

    Dusk nodded and led them toward the edge of the forest, where the trees parted to reveal the ruins of an old stone structure. A stairway wound its way up along the side, curling toward a high-set doorway framed by broken stone arches. A narrow bridge of weathered rock connected the stairway to the entrance, and beyond the doorway, only fog stirred faintly, as though guarding the threshold.

    "Thou wished to meet me, strange knight?" A voice purred from above.

    Naruto raised his head. There, upon the window ledge of the ruin, sat a great grey cat.

    "Sir Naruto," Dusk said with a small smile, lowering her head slightly in respect. "This is my friend, Alvina."

    "Your friend is… a fat cat?"

    Alvina's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. The air vibrated with a low sound that began as a chuckle and swelled into rolling laughter, a rumble so deep it made the very stones tremble as though the ruin itself laughed with her.

    "A thousand pardons!" Naruto yelped, waving his arms frantically. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I take it back. You are the most beautiful, elegant, and amazing cat I have ever met!"

    The trembling stilled. Silence fell. Alvina blinked once, slow and deliberate, then raised her chin with the dignity of a queen. "But of course. Such I am. And mark this well, boy. Never again speak to me with such impudence, lest thou regret it."

    Naruto gulped and nodded so quickly he nearly lost his balance. He leaned toward Dusk and whispered, "What exactly… is she?"

    "I am Alvina of the Darkroot," the cat declared, her voice ringing like a bell in the silence. "Guardian of these woods, white shadow of the fog. Mistress of the Forest Hunters, whose claws dost rend the defilers from their graves. All who profane this place shall fall to mine kin."

    Oscar chirped in admiration and clapped his claws together. Naruto joined in with an awkward clap of his own.

    Alvina licked her paw slowly, drawing it across her face with regal precision, as though their praise were beneath her notice, though her tail swished high with pride.

    "Thou seemest to have many questions for me."

    "Yeah, but first," Naruto said, grinning, "can you stop with the whole old-timey talk? I met a witch who fixed her speech in seconds. I'm sure a beautiful, highly intelligent cat like you can manage the same."

    "Very well. Just for today, I will grant you that honor."

    Dusk tilted her head curiously. "Should I, too, change my manner of speech?"

    "We will work on it if you want, but," Naruto said, glancing at Dusk. "Princess, can you give this estus flask to Oscar and let him run around the forest a bit? I think he might be getting fat."

    Oscar glared at him.

    "Do you not know, boy," Alvina purred, her tail flicking lazily, "plumpness is the mark of wealth and fortune." She gave Oscar a sly wink.

    The little lizard gave a nervous chuckle before patting Dusk's hand, urging her to move along.

    "Then I shall leave you both to speak," Dusk said softly, bowing her head before retreating toward the mushroom children.

    Once she was gone, Naruto folded his arms and looked back at the feline. "You know Oscar has a girlfriend… I think."

    "Mind your tongue, boy."

    "Sorry, sorry," Naruto said quickly, raising his hands in surrender. "It was just a joke." His expression sobered. "On a serious note, what exactly is your connection to the princess?"

    Alvina licked her paw slowly, dragging her tongue across the soft fur before replying. "An acquaintance, if one must give it a name. I was a companion to Knight Artorias and the wolf Sif. When they came to stand against the Abyss that consumed Oolacile, I became familiar with Princess Dusk."

    "I'm sure the princess has told you about me," Naruto said.

    Alvina's whiskers twitched with amusement. "Of course she has. In truth, it was her godmother who bid me to watch over her should she walk this future age. Yet the princess would rather remain close to the knight who saved her."

    Naruto flushed, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "Well… I am learning Oolacile's magic from the princess."

    Alvina's golden eyes gleamed, her tail curling in the air. She smirked in a way that only a cat could, as though she knew more than she would ever say aloud.

    "Now, a question of mine," she said, her voice dipping into a low purr. "How comes it that you bear Artorias's ring?"

    "I found it on a corpse in the Darkroot Garden. Did Artorias lose it or something?"

    "No. It was stolen from him, when he lay gravely wounded in the battle against the Abyss."

    Naruto hesitated, then pulled the wolf ring from his finger and held it out toward her. "Then take it. This ring belongs to Artorias. You're the closest to family he has left. Give it to Sif… and tell him I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wander near the grave, I wasn't going to harm it. I just didn't want to be killed. That's the truth."

    He explained the encounter, how he had nearly been cut down, and how he had fled with Oscar at his side.

    Alvina sniffed the ring, then sat back with a slow swish of her tail. "I will pass on your words to Sif," she said. Her gaze locked onto his, steady and piercing. "And I bid you keep the wolf ring. I knew Artorias well. He would have wanted his ring in the hands of an honest knight who bears both strength and truth, not buried in dust."

    Naruto lowered his head respectfully. "Thank you."

    The cat's whiskers twitched, and for just a moment, her golden eyes softened. "Oh, young knight… you are a strange one. Still, I find myself liking you. What do you say? Will you not join us? I think you'd fit in well."

    "Join your covenant?"

    "Yes," Alvina said smoothly. "Join the Forest Hunters, and you will have allies in the shadows, and the beasts of the woods at your side."

    "Yeah, no thanks," Naruto replied with a sheepish grin. "Already part of the Warriors of Sunlight."

    Alvina's tone cooled, but it wasn't harsh. "Then tell me, bold one… how do you intend to bear responsibility?"

    "…Huh?"

    "You wear the ring of Artorias. By that right, you walk where only a few dare. That carries weight. It is only fair you help guard the graves and secrets he left behind."

    Naruto nodded slowly. "I'm down to help. I don't wanna join the Forest Hunters, but I won't turn away if you need me either."

    "A wise compromise," Alvina said. "Then let it be known: you are not bound to the covenant, but you will be called upon when the forest has need."

    A faint glimmer of light shimmered before her. A ring, pale as moonlight and smooth as pearl, hovered in the air.

    [You have acquired: Cat Covenant Ring]

    "If you wear that ring," Alvina said, "I will call on you when you're needed. If intruders defile this sacred ground, you will be summoned. Drive them out, brave knight. That is all I ask."

    Naruto gave a firm nod, his voice serious. "Well, I'm always happy to help. Dattebayo."

    Alvina paused, eyes narrowing slightly. "That tick at the end of your speech… curious."

    "Something wrong with it?"

    "Nay," Alvina replied, her tail flicking lazily. "It is not wrong. Only… familiar. I have heard something like it long ago, from shinobi who hailed from your village, Konoha."

    Naruto's eyes went wide. He gasped and immediately pulled the Fourth's kunai from his inventory.

    "Yes," Alvina said softly. "I remember that trinket. It belonged to a man swift as lightning, who once walked beside Knight Artorias. He was called a savior by some, a calamity by others. I remember him well enough."

    Naruto's heart pounded. "You… you met the Fourth Hokage? Did he say anything? Did he leave behind anything?"

    Alvina's gaze drifted, far away, as though she were recalling a memory blurred by centuries. "I apologize, boy. My meeting with them was brief, so brief I scarce knew them. Yet their power was undeniable. It was by their strength, together with Artorias, that the Abyss was beaten back. That much Elizabeth told me, for I was grievously injured and saw little with mine own eyes."

    Naruto's shoulders slumped. It wasn't the answer he wanted, but it was something. Still, he pressed on. "Wait. Them? You said them. There were more shinobi?"

    Alvina inclined her head. "Aye. A blonde man, and a red head. That is all I recall. They appeared as though from nothing, like spirits. And when the deed was done, they vanished just as suddenly. Many give Artorias alone the credit for vanquishing the darkness, but in truth… it was the work of many. Heroes forgotten, their names erased by time. I am sorry, child, if you hoped for more."

    Naruto let out a slow breath, staring down at the kunai. "No, it's fine. I just… I'm confused. If they really were shinobi, then they were from my home. And if the Fourth Hokage came to Lordran, maybe he left behind a way for me to follow. But why? Why me? Was it for me? Was Lordran why he sealed the nine tails in me?"

    "You will find your answers in time. All things are revealed when the hour demands it."

    Naruto gave a quiet nod. "Thanks." He hesitated, then looked up with a grave expression. "Alvina, do you… do you know how Dusk dies?"

    The cat's ears flattened slightly. "Nay. After Artorias drove back the Abyss, I departed Oolacile to carry word to the gods. What befell the princess after… I cannot say."

    Naruto frowned deeply, then unburdened himself. He told Alvina everything: the mystery of Dusk's corpse, the confusion of seeing her alive while knowing her fate, the fear gnawing at him. By the end, he was slumped forward, as though the weight of his own words dragged him down.

    For a long moment Alvina watched him, her tail curling about her paws. Then, with surprising gentleness, she said, "You are a good child."

    "What?"

    "You wish to save her."

    "I mean…" Naruto looked away, cheeks heating. He sighed heavily. "Yeah. I don't want her to die. Not in this world, not in a place where people can linger forever, cursed or not. I don't like that I already know her fate. I don't like that her corpse is sitting in my inventory like some cursed reminder. I don't like not knowing if she died in peace… or in despair. Why did she die by that lake? What happened to her?"

    Alvina rose from her perch, padding lightly down to him. With one soft paw, she brushed his head, almost like a mother soothing her kit. "Everything dies, Naruto. The everlasting dragons, the Age of Fire, the Undead. All things end. That is the nature of the world."

    Naruto's lips parted, a protest forming, but no words came. He wanted to deny it, to argue, but the truth weighed too heavy.

    "But listen well," Alvina continued. "Just because all things end does not mean you must hold yourself apart, as though love or friendship will shatter if you touch it. You need not bear the burden of saving everyone. What matters is not the end, but the time before it."

    "Then… what do I do?"

    "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present," Alvina said with a slow blink. "Cherish the time you have with her. If death must claim her, then let her go knowing she was glad to have lived, to have seen, to have known companionship. That is no small thing."

    The boy's chest loosened, tension draining from his frame. "Thank you. That… actually helps."

    "Good." Alvina gave a satisfied flick of her tail, then turned her back to him. "Now then. A knight should not wander while his princess waits. Go to her, boy. Let her see that loyalty burns brighter than despair. Carry on the legacy of Oolacile."

    Naruto smiled faintly, then bowed his head in gratitude. "I will."

    Naruto hesitated for a moment, then leaned forward and rubbed Alvina's head as though she were any ordinary cat.

    The great feline froze, but instead of anger a deep, vibrating purr rolled out of her chest. Naruto grinned at the sound, scratching lightly behind her ears before pulling his hand away.

    When he turned and walked off toward the forest, Alvina remained perched where she was, tail lashing once before curling neatly about her paws. She watched the boy's back retreat into the shadows, her whiskers twitching. What manner of creature art thou, young knight? she wondered. A dragon in spirit, yet kinder than any human I have known. Within him stirred a power beyond even gods.

    "I look forward to seeing what thou shalt carve into this land, young dragon," she murmured to the silence.

    Naruto emerged into the clearing where laughter rang faint and bright. Oscar was scrambling up a tree, claws scraping bark, while a gaggle of mushroom children below waved their stubby arms and let out chorus-like squeaks. Dusk stood nearby, her hands folded, giggling softly at the scene.

    "Sorry for keeping you waiting," Naruto said, shaking his head as Oscar leapt onto a high branch, tail flicking smugly at his pursuers. "My lizard's got a real habit of mocking people lately."

    "Think not of it," Dusk said. "I trust thou hast resolved thy questions with Lady Alvina?"

    "Yeah, more or less," Naruto answered, rubbing the back of his head. "Well… let's get to work on magic. I was thinking I should learn that invisibility spell. That one's perfect. I'm gonna prank the hell out of Sasuke with it." He laughed to himself, then forced his grin down into a more serious look. "But before that… just hand me all the spell scrolls you have. We don't know when time's gonna drag you back."

    "Nay, Sir Naruto. Worry not. I was not pulled hither by a slip through time. I was sent forward in truth. Mine existence here is not so fragile as thou dost fear."

    Naruto blinked blankly, his jaw opening as if a thousand questions suddenly wanted to pour out. He shut his mouth, groaned, then spread his hands in defeat. "Okay, fine. At this point, just tell me you aren't a cute princess but actually I don't know, a humanoid lizard or something ridiculous."

    Dusk tilted her head, lips parting slightly. "Thou thinkest… I am cute?" she asked, her cheeks tinged faintly pink.

    Naruto froze, eyes going wide, then threw his arms in the air like he was ready to strangle himself. "That's what you take from all this? Every mystery makes my brain hurt and you're over here worrying about being called cute?"

    Oscar gave a low, wheezy chirp of laughter from his perch above, clearly enjoying his master's suffering.

    "Just… just teach me how to turn invisible so I can cry where nobody in the world can see me."

    Dusk brought her hand to her lips, stifling a small laugh of her own, then sighed. "Very well, Sir Naruto. If it is thy wish, I shall teach thee the sorcery of Invisibility. But I pray thee, do not use it only for mischief. For the magic of Oolacile was never meant to harm, but to enlighten."

    "Yeah, yeah," Naruto said with a half-hearted wave. "I promise. Mostly."

    A few hours later, after finishing a long training session with Dusk, Naruto used the Homeward Miracle to come back to the camp in the Wave Country.

    "Looks like we're late," Naruto muttered, yawning as he scratched the back of his neck. He was just about to go to sleep when he heard something odd.

    Giggling.

    His brow furrowed. Giggling wasn't a normal camp sound, especially not this early, and not out in the woods. Curiosity piqued, Naruto crept toward the sound, suppressing his chakra as he moved through the underbrush. And that's when he found the source.

    Jiraiya, crouched in the bushes, notebook in hand, eyes gleaming with the sort of sleazy delight that made Naruto's stomach turn.

    The young knight followed the old man's line of sight.

    In the stream ahead, waist-deep in the glittering water, was Tsunami. Her dark hair was undone, cascading down her back in soaked waves. The morning light caught the droplets on her skin, outlining her form with a silver sheen. She reached up to wring her hair, her collarbones catching the sun, and the water lapped gently at her waist as she moved with a quiet grace, unaware of the eyes on her.

    "So that's what you're doing, huh?"

    Jiraiya didn't hear him, too busy scribbling notes, his tongue poking from the side of his mouth.

    Naruto glanced at Oscar, who had already slinked up beside him. The crystal lizard gave a deep, guttural chirp, a sound Naruto now recognized as his I'm ready to commit a war crime noise.

    "Yeah," Naruto said, his voice like steel. "I think we're gonna have to kill this guy."

    Oscar chirped.

    Author Note: Well, that's that. Sorry for the late upload guys, I had to deal with an ear infection which had me bedridden for the last few days.

    Now enough of that, let's get into the Q and A.

    Okay, I know what you're all thinking. Is Minato somehow from Lordran? Well, the how will be tackled later in the story, but the reason I bring this up is because of a really sharp review from reader Rein Tenebres. He suggested that maybe Tobirama, not Minato, was the one originally tied to the Darksign in the Forbidden Scroll.

    Here's his review for reference: I know you're trying to guide the readers into thinking Minato was the original person to develop the Lordran contract and go there. Calling the original person a "Flash." Having Onoki call Minato "Calamity." But everything keeps fitting Tobirama better. First, Tobirama developed the Impure World Reincarnation technique, which is adjacent to the Darksign. Second, Tobirama is the originator of the Flying Thunder God technique that led to Minato getting his Yellow Flash moniker. Third, as you put emphasis on in this chapter, the Leaf has the Will of Fire. Tobirama is one of the originators of this faith. Perhaps he was trying to be more literal with this, and connected to the First Flame.

    Now, Rein Tenebres, I've sent you a PM on with a more detailed response to your points, so definitely check that out. Much obliged for the thought-provoking review.

    Q&A Time

    1 – Did Sif use Leaf Style: Crescent Moon Dance near the end?

    Yes. For those who might not remember, the Crescent Moon Dance is a kenjutsu style used by Hayate Gekkō during the Chunin Exams against Baki. It relies on afterimages and clone feints, striking in a crescent formation. Sadly, Hayate didn't survive long enough in canon to really showcase it, but here, Sif used the technique.

    How did a giant wolf manage that? Don't worry, it will be explained later. Let's just say this is one of many threads tying Sif, Artorias, Naruto, and Konoha together.

    2 – Can you actually get the Hornet Ring without fighting Sif?

    Yes, you actually can. For anyone who doesn't know: if you enter Sif's area and hug the side paths, avoiding Artorias's grave, you won't trigger the boss fight. Instead, you can find Lord's Blade Ciaran's corpse and loot the Hornet Ring from there.

    Try it out if you don't believe me! And yes, the Hornet Ring is going to play a very interesting role in this story. I'll even open this up for ideas. If any of you want to throw wild suggestions on how a ring that boosts critical strikes could shape the plot, I'd love to hear them.

    3 - Why did I call the mushroom people fae? And is the lore about the Cast Light miracle correct?

    So, here is the thing. Mushroom people in Dark Souls are one of those common enemies you run into that FromSoft never really gives a huge lore dump on. They just… exist. I spent hours digging for something official, or at least a strong fan theory, and came up pretty dry. There was one theory I stumbled across, but it felt way too out there. So I decided to add my own spin.

    Why "fae"?

    First, let's define the term.

    In folklore, the fae are otherworldly beings tied to nature. They are not just the winged fairies you picture from cartoons. In older traditions, they are spirits of the land itself: stones, rivers, trees, and yes, mushrooms. They can be mischievous, dangerous, protective, or helpful. They live in liminal spaces where the natural and supernatural overlap.

    Why does this work for Dark Souls? Because the mushroom people fit that bill almost perfectly.

    In folklore, fae are tied to mushrooms through fairy rings. These are circular formations of mushrooms where fae were said to dance or gather. Step into one, and folklore says you might get whisked away into the fairy realm or cursed. Now look at Dark Souls: mushroom people live deep in Darkroot Garden, which is pretty much an enchanted, liminal forest. That is exactly the sort of place folklore would say fae live.

    To put it another way: if you are a D&D player, the mushroom people are basically the fey of Lordran. They embody nature's magic, the weird beauty of growth and decay, and the idea that forests have spirits that defend them. The small mushroom children act like mischievous sprites, while the giant ones act like guardians or druids. Elizabeth, with her knowledge and calm voice, fills the archetype of the wise fae matron perfectly.

    So yeah, it is not official lore, but it fits the vibe and makes the mushroom people more interesting than "big punching mushrooms."

    As for Cast Light, I played with the idea that the spell itself could be a gift tied to the mushrooms, since in folklore fae and humans traded boons. It gave me a reason to connect Oolacile sorcery to the natural magic of the forest and the mushroom people.

    4 - Why is Jiraiya peeking at Tsunami?

    This is probably a question no one asked, but I want to explain. A lot of fanfics scrub away Jiraiya's pervy side because they don't like that gag in Naruto. And fair enough, I get it. Personally, I am not the biggest fan of it either. But since my goal is for this story to stay canon adjacent, I am keeping that part of his character. The point is not to glorify it, but to show him eventually improve.

    So yes, Jiraiya is still Jiraiya. But he is also someone who grows over time.

    Now, let's talk about Naruto and Jiraiya's first meeting in this fic. Did it feel in-character to you? What are your expectations for their dynamic? And most importantly, what do you expect from Naruto vs. Jiraiya?

    That's It… For Now.

    And if you can't wait for the next update, the next chapter drops on Sep 15th! You can read ahead to Chapter 102 on Patreon.

    As always, I want to thank you all for taking the time to read, comment, and follow along with this story. Your feedback means more than you know, and it helps push me to make each chapter bigger, sharper, and more true to the worlds of Naruto and Dark Souls.

    Until next time, Be safe, friend. Don't you dare go Hollow..

    —Adam
     
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