Of Light and Dark

No Light Left Within

      He woke up inside of a giant tree. He looked around and saw nothing but roots and the dirt which he laid upon. Artorias stood up and though he felt no pain he knew something was missing. His sword, his armor, and his mind were with him but the broken pendant was gone. Artorias did not know a way out of this place nor did he want to. He was sure that once the dark was banished from this place then he will find his way out. Artorias did not know how to get out of this tree; he picked up his sword and brutally sliced a opening in the tree. He walked out into a swamp. Never before was Artorias so lost. This land was new to him and he did not know where to go. From far away he saw the flickering of light, he followed the light until he reached an amphitheater. He had heard so much about amphitheater in other lands. In his land human brawling was forbidden. Once a glorious and magnificent structure it was now overgrown with grass and abandoned. He heard foot steps behind him as he turned around there was a creature standing silently. It looked quite gruesome he thought. It was almost identical to the creature that came to the town. Disgusted by the looks of the abomination Artorias drew his sword, but the creature did not attack it simply  turned around and started walking out of the amphitheater. Artorias was surprised by the creatures action, Artorias followed hoping to discover answers to his questions. "This thing looks almost human." He said. "I just don't understand what could cause such degradation-" As the question began he was cut off. He didn't notice there were more glowing red eyes appearing in the darkness. Artorias stopped and drew his sword. As if realizing that they have been spotted by the intruder he creatures leaped, screaming, and began their assault.
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      Artorias could not count how many there were, but he was ready. He came to save this kingdom at all cost and if it meant killing thousands of these despicable creatures then he would do so without a doubt. He swing his sword and five creatures that were too close had their torso's departed from their leg's. Every swing of his holy sword drew blood upon the battlefield which was now covered in corrupted limbs. Those creatures that were lucky enough to hit Artorias would not have the fortune of penetrating his holy armor. The gruesome heads were flying from the monsters bodies. The stench of blood has filled the air' hundreds of his foes have been decapitated now. Artorias felt no pain or fatigue as long as the light was with him. The battle lasted half a day and the sun had set. In the midst of battle Artorias wondered how many more does he have to slaughter. At last his answer came to him, a howl filled with terror shook the battlefield. Before he knew it Artorias was all alone surrounded with decrepit corpses. Now Artorias saw that one of then was able to find a weak spot in his armor and wound his right shoulder. Although Artorias did not care he had to find the source of the curse. He went through the alleys of a ruined kingdom and came to a giant black gap he could not see what was beneath, but he felt a need to plunge into the darkness.
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      He felt no movement as he fell, nor time go by. He simply descended into the abyss, the very darkness itself awaited. The place that has never seen light or life. He wondered why he was there, and why he traveled so far from home. The answers did not come. He felt that he could walk now though he could not see the surface. Everything was dark. Far away he saw a white dim of fur, he slowly walked towards it as he reached the creature, he saw it, and it was a small white wolf. Artorias could not imagine how an animal so small did not get corrupted by the dark.  The wolf did not show any signs of life until Artorias touched him. The wolf slowly raised his head and looked at Artorias. Artorias saw a sparkle of hope in the wolf's eyes. The wolf rose to his feet and now he looked a lot greater than before, the magnificent beast was emitting light. The wolf sniffed the air and tensed. Artorias knew that something great and powerful was coming at last be saw giant red glowing eyes. The monster advanced and now Artorias could see the full sized demon in front of him. The demon was covered in darkness in his right hand it had a giant black chine, the left was the hand that grabbed Artorias and pulled him into this world. The demon had horns and a tail covered in spikes. At last the demon spoke
          " I am manus, the father of the abyss" dark flames began to arise around them "I am darkness, I am death" finishes the demon. Artorias stood in a defensive stance and prepared for the demon's attack. The demon leaped toward him and Artorias expertly dodged the incoming blow. He was now behind the demon. Not wasting any time m given to him, Artorias slashed at the demons back and a dark blood started flowing. The wolf also attached the demon. He jumped Knut the demon and tore a chunk of skin out of it's neck. Manus laughed, but leaped into the air. As he landed the wolf could not hang on,not fell onto the invisible dark floor and laid there still. Artorias grieved and knew that now it was him and the dark lord. Quickly Artorias slid between the demons legs and slashed its stomach. More blood spilled to ground. The demon staggered for a moment but quickly recovered. He grabbed Artorias and smashed him down with his paw. Artorias tried to get up but was out of breath. The second blow fillers as the demon raised his chime and brought it down upon the knight. Artorias felt his right arm being crushed into pieces, only his armor stopped it it from falling apart. Artorias knew that he was losing the battle but he was so tired. There was no light in this cursed place, all his power had left him. The demon slowly backed away a grin spread across it's face. Well what are you now?" It mocked him. Artorias found the last bits of his strength to get back on his feet. Silently Artorias prayed the the gods to help him win this fight, may it be his last m, but he will prevail over the God of dark. As dark as it was in this place Artorias felt light inside of his heart, he knew that this is the time to end it all. He raised his sword high and jumped flipping towards the demon. The sword ended up in manus's head the blood flowing as the demon started collapsing. For a few seconds Artorias felt triumph. He was victorious. He ran to the wolf still on the ground, as he approached the wolf it ran to him. Artorias sat petting the wolf when something appeared. The cat had come to the abyss.
          "Good victory to you great warrior, and yet you are not allowed to leave this place." Artorias was shocked by the cat's words.
          "Why?" He asked. The cat answered
          "Because without my blessing no one is allowed to traverse the abyss without consequence" Artorias stood still trying to think of a way out. The cat continued "if you leave the abyss then you will lose your mind, your life, and your soul. The wolf is allowed to come with me back to the forest because he is not guilty of your crime." Artorias looked at the wolf but the beast stood still right next to it's new friend. Artorias knew that spending too much time in dark such as this will corrupt ones soul, he say in front of the wolf and looked into it's eyes and whispered.
          "Go now for I acted rashly, and you deserve no punishment for my actions." The wolf hesitated, but slowly stepped towards the cat. They both dissipated and now Artorias was alone in the dark. He did not know how to get out of this place. He noticed that his memories slowly started to leave his mind. He looked through his pockets and found a peculiar object. "A homeward bone!" He was surprised that he kept it all this time. Artorias put the bone in his palm and kneeled.
          "Crushing the bone would take you back to the light." He muttered to himself remembering the merchants words. He crushed it and appeared in the amphitheater. As he was about to exit it a dark voice spoke inside of his mind.
          "Do you really think that you can kill me and walk away?" He hears the voice laughing "I am a part of you now and shall rule your mind as I please." Artorias heard a voice, this time not dark and harsh but soothing and pleasing he turned around and saw Chandra.
          "I followed you as you left Lordran" she said. Artorias could not open his mouth to answer. His arm rose instead and drew his sword. Chandra was surprised by his action, but only stepped closer. Artorias found strength in himself to yell
          "Stay back!" Chandra did not understand
          "Why?" She asked. Artorias could not answer. With his sword in his left arm he advanced towards her, ready to slaughter the love of his life. No he would not. The demon was now taking full control of Artorias. Chandra backed away not knowing what to do. She knew that something was wrong with Artorias. As Artorias raised his sword to kill her, he stopped and plunged it into his own heart. He wasn't scared of death, but the demon was. Chandra screamed as tears appeared in her eyes, she rushed towards him as he fell to his knees he saw the light now in his word. He knew that his soul was very powerful and he may yet be granted a chance to come back to this world. Chandra grabbed him by his shoulder and whispers to his ears.
          "I will always remember you. I will tell everyone of what you have accomplished here in this cursed land. All kingdoms will remember you." Artorias could barely hear her words. His life was leaving his body. At last she kissed him and as it happened he departed from this world and into another.