The ash travels on... [stopped]

Arrival (Prolog)

Ashen One PoV:

Finally... the Soul of Cinder was no more. It was a hard fight and I died so often that I can't even remember the exact number of tries I needed for my victory. Sitting down in front of the bonfire I let out a small huff. I started thinking back on all the things that happened since I awoke on that graveyard.

Shaking my head to get those thoughts away I looked at what was left of the fire. Only a little flame was flickering in the bone dust of the bonfire, ready to go out any second. Taking a deep breath I steeled my nerves for what was to come because I may have died countless of times already but I never gave my soul to link a fire before, so I didn't know what would wait for me. Slowly I started to stretch out my hand, ready to link the fire.

Then suddenly, everything went black. It was as if I floated through nothingness. And then I heard her voice...

"Ashen One..." the Firekeepers voice echoed all around.

"I thank you for what you have done...but the truth is...even if you link the fire now it would be pointless..." Those words shocked me to the core. All the time it was said that linking the fire was the point of being an Ashen One and now suddenly Firekeeper says that.

"It doesn't matter why it's pointless...but this world will not last any longer...but to thank you I researched a very old ritual that will send you away..." At that point I was completely lost. I didn't understand what she meant with sending me away.

Suddenly something formed itself from the nothingness in front of me. It was the Firekeeper and she gave me little smile.

"Ashen One...I wish you good luck...may you find something you want to truly live for..." After that I saw a lone tear sliding down her cheek. I tried reaching for her but before I could even come any closer she spoke again.

"Farewell...Ashen One..." And she vanished. Before I could even comprehend everything that happened so fast, a bright engulfed me and I lost consciousness.

I do not know for how long I was out but as soon as I opened my eyes I was greeted by the sight of the wall of a house that was on the other side of some sort of alley I was currently in. Looking to my left I saw that the alley ended at a street which was filled with people. It was a strange sight for me to see so many people walking around with seemingly no care in the world.

After I stood up I checked if everything was in order. My armor was still there same as my sword which was strapped to my back along with my shield. Looking down I saw that my bottomless box was still located at my hip but I couldn't find my estus flask. Looking around to see if it fell to the ground I found nothing. Groaning I accepted that my estus was probably gone.

Steeling my nerves I took a deep breath and stepped out of the alley and onto the bustling street. Almost instantly all eyes were on me and many began to whisper. As I walked forward the crowd parted for me and I picked up some parts of the whispers.

"Look at that armor! That must have been expensive..."

" I wonder which familia he is from. Never seen him before..."

"He must be pretty strong to carry that armor on top of the sword and shield..." 

It seemed as if all the people thought I was male. In some ways I could understand them. I was taller than pretty much every one around me. I was carrying a full set of armor, a huge shield and a huge sword. And no one could see my face because of my hood like helmet.

Deciding to just ignore the I continued on my way to...somewhere. I didn't know this place so I decided to go to the most eye catching place I could see: a huge tower in the distance.

Well new world...here I come...