Hell's True Monarch (Dark Souls 2 X Helltaker Crossover)

Shattered Soul

"So... hot... Can't... breathe..."

Feeling utterly suffocated, Alinoth hastily removes his helm, desperately gasping for air. The Bearer of the Curse ignores the chaos of the war raging around him, collapsing to his knees and using his Moonlight Greatsword as a crutch. His lungs strain to draw breath, but the effort is proving futile.

The air in the Old Chaos was thick and stiflingly oppressive. The infernal heat from the surrounding waterfalls of primordial lava - far worse than even Iron Keep - mixed with the foul stench of brimstone as both filled Alinoth's nostrils. In this demonic realm, even breathing had become a battle, another arduous trial for the Bearer of the Curse.

A primal roar suddenly pulls Alinoth from his trance. High above him, a Charred Loyce Knight, corrupted by the flames, raises its great halberd, preparing to strike. The corrupted knight swings down, intent on cleaving Alinoth's head from his shoulders.

Cursing inwardly, Alinoth lifts his Moonlight Greatsword to defend, but the blow never lands. In a flash, a Soul Arrow whizzes past him, striking the Charred Knight squarely in the head and instantly decapitating it.

Turning, Alinoth is met by the sight of an uncorrupted Loyce Knight, one of the many who had entered the Old Chaos with him. The knight's silver armor gleamed in the eerie glow of the lava as she hurried toward Alinoth.

"My lord! On your feet!" the knight shouted, grabbing Alinoth by the arm and pulling him upright with no hesitation. Once on his feet, the knight quickly inspected Alinoth for any injuries.

"I'm fine, soldier. I-"

Before Alinoth could finish, another Charred Knight in the distance hurled a fireball toward them. This time, Alinoth was faster. He shoved the uncorrupted knight out of the way and swung his Moonlight Greatsword, releasing a wave of pure moonlight. The wave sliced through the air, obliterating the fireball before cleaving the charred knight cleanly in half.

On the ground, the Loyce Knight watched everything in awe as Alinoth approached.

"...I appreciate you for your concern and your help, soldier." Alinoth said, offering his hand and pulling the knight back to her feet. "But we cannot afford distractions now."

The knight gave a sharp nod, gripping her sword and shield with renewed determination.

Alinoth allowed himself a brief smile before refocusing on the battlefield. His Moonlight Greatsword and Blue Flame were tightly gripped in his hands as his gaze scanned the carnage once more.

The sounds of war echoed throughout the Old Chaos - a cacophony of clashing steel, roaring spells, and the agonized screams of the dying. All around them, Loyce Knights battled fiercely against an endless horde of Charred Knights, their own corrupted brethren, twisted by the flames of the Old Chaos lifetimes ago. Trained from birth, the uncorrupted knights fought with the sole purpose of extinguishing those flames and freeing their fallen kin - now with Alinoth as their new leader.

Alinoth raised his Blue Flame, casting Homing Crystal Soul Mass. The crystallized orbs hovered above his head as he charged toward a group of Charred Knights overwhelming a smaller band of Loyce Knights. The soul masses shot forward, piercing several enemies, and Alinoth followed close behind, dispatching the remaining foes with swift, precise strikes. His movements were fluid and unrelenting, giving his enemies no time to react.

This pattern repeated across the battlefield. With a deadly combination of physical prowess and arcane mastery, Alinoth cut down the Charred Knights faster than the rest of the Loyce army. Both his swordplay and spell usage - effortless yet devastating - were a spectacle in itself, with each swing of the blades and spells casted brimming with supernatural speed and precision. It was as if Alinoth was dancing amidst the carnage, finding a strange solace in the heat of battle.