Welcome home, Ashen One. What is thy desire? Art thou all right? Thy face seems... sullen,
Ashen One. Did something happen to thee while thou's travelled to fulfil thy duty? Come,
sit with me then. Thou can share more stories of thine travels if thy wish.
Oh, Siegbrau. Ashen One, this is the first time thou has offered me something, let alone
a drink for thy story-times. However, I graciously accept thine gift. By the flame, much stronger
than drinking Estis. However, it's oddly satisfying a taste. So then, tell me what happened this
time in thy travels. I remember the last time thou returned home. Thou hast brought back
the cinders of Prince Lothric. I christened thee the true air-fire, and yet I still sense
the flame has not been linked. What was it that shook thy resolve? A hint segment within
Lothric Castle. I remember the tales of Prince Lothric's father vanishing shortly before
the Bell of Awakening, when it summoned forth the past laws of Cinder, but I didn't expect
that the former king would have been locked away. I even remember hearing some disturbing
rumours that King Osiris delved into horrific methods to try and sustain the flame in his
own way. What was it like? A garden full of... corruption? That's disheartening, but not
surprising. More of those passive man-creatures stalked this garden? Ashen One, was thou
injured? Forgive me, I know thou art far more resilient than anyone I know, but I cannot
help but be concerned for thee. Thou art my champion after all, my only companion, the
only one who actually speaks with me or keeps me company, even if all we do is sit and watch
the bonfire. Thou hast seen the grave of the firekeepers here at the Shrine, yes? How many
of my sisters served their duty, perhaps never meeting their champions? Just how many did
meet their champions and were simply used for their power to bind onerous souls and
simply thrown away once their youthfulness was spent? I'm sorry, Ashen One, I interrupted
thee with my own concerns. Please, continue. My word. King Osiris became a dragon? A paltry
dragon, even? That's monstrous. To delve into such abhorrent research to try and sustain
the flame, he kept calling up for a child. No, I don't remember there being another
child after Prince Lothric and Lorian were born. Art thou sure you weren't imagining
these unsettling infant whales thou heard when thee faced the consumed king? Yes, thou
art correct, it matters not if it was real or fabrication, all that matters is that you
survived. So then what happened after your battle? Was the Mad King protecting some sort
of treasure? What? The Cemetery of Ash? But Ashen One, that cannot be. The cemetery is
right outside the shrine. It was dark? That's even more preposterous, dear Ashen One. I
can feel the sun on my skin when I walk outside to hear the sea and wait for thee. What is
this thou gave me? This warmth? It cannot be a coiled sword fragment. So then it was
true, those untended graves silent in the dark, the flames spluttered and faded. No,
Ashen One, I do not think thou would lie to me. It's just very difficult to process
this. I know the stories of your travels would seem very fantastical, but a firelink shine
identical to ours but lost in a void of empty darkness. Is it a memory of the past or perhaps
a warning of the future? I am frightened, Ashen One. I am frightened that all this time
on thine efforts my own duty has been for naught, that my sister's sacrifices through
the ages to keep the first flamelink was nothing more than meaningless toil. Please hold me,
Ashen One, for I am terribly frightened. I think of thee, Ashen One, thy embrace has
always gone me, more so than the bonfire. Still, to think a firelink shine locked within
time neither present nor future, it's almost more preposterous to believe than thy story
of how thou'st travelled to a frozen world through that scrap of painting, or how you
found the long lost city of the Pygmy Lords. Ashen One, may I ask thee a favour? May I
touch thy face, please? So soft feel thy face, and think the flame thou hast not hallowed.
Thy lips feel so soft in my touch. I'm sorry I'm always tending the flame, so I apologise
that my hands are cupped and soaked in, not enjoyable with all my wrappings. Ashen One,
thy hands, no, not at all, I don't mind, please, touch me back. I am here for thee and thee
alone. Only thee is allowed to touch my face gently like this. Is this perhaps what some
of my sisters felt with their champions through the centuries? It's not entirely unpleasant.
Thou'st found something else in that darkened firelink shrine? Hot at my hands? Of course,
as thou bidst. Ashen One, are these, are these eyes? How gracious of thee, Ashen One, the
very things we firekeepers have been missing. Ashen One, you have my dearest thanks for
the eyes thou'st has given, but firekeepers are not meant to have eyes. It is forbidden.
These will reveal through a sliver of light frightening images of betrayal. A world without
fire? Ashen One, is this truly thy wish? Of course, I serve thee and will do as thou
bidst. This will be our private affair. No one else will know of this. Stay thy path
and I will blindly tinder fling until the day of thy grand betrayal. One moment, Ashen
One, please turn away an eye. I will do what must be done with these eyes.
Ashen One, I, I can see for the first time in so many years, I can see. Ashen One, I
can see. Ashen One, forgive me if this sounded strange. The eyes show me a world without
fire, a vast stretch of endless darkness, but is different to what is seen when stripped
of sight. In the far distance I sense the presence of tiny flames, like precious embers
left to us by past lords, linkers of the fire. Could this be what draws me to this strangely
enticing darkness? However, Ashen One, if thine heart should bend, kill me and strip
these eyes from my person, I will return to the firekeep I once was. As it has always
been, I would rather die blind than see the darkness and remain without thee. Thy hand,
Ashen One. No, I, I welcome thy touch. I will always welcome thee. But please, will
I cherish the gift thou hast given me to be able to see thee? I, I fear that if thy wish
for a world without fire were granted, that thou would leave me to walk over dark alone.
Please, Ashen One, don't leave me to that enticing darkness. Must thou let me stay at
thy side? What, always at your side? Ashen One, art thou saying what I think? Thou art
fond of me? No, I, I have, I have grown quite fond of thee as well. It's just very sudden
to say such things after I told thee to kill me, if thou wavered from thy path. May I
touch thy face again, please, Ashen One? It's far more enjoyable to touch thee when
I can see thy face now. Have thy lips part when I run my fingers on them? The look thou
giveth me, like thou was hungering for more souls. Hungering for me now, are we? No, Ashen
One, I enjoy thy gaze. I was able to sense it even when I couldn't see, especially when
I would toil for thee. I can still see thee through my crown, but please, for now, may
I keep it on. I think of thee for being patient with me, my dearest Ashen One. Ashen One,
before thou departs to the kiln of the first flame in my eye, may I thank thee for granting
me my eyes. I know I said all those things, but I am still grateful to be able to see
thee, my champion. Come over here, in this alcove we shall not be disturbed. Let me just
lay out the bedroll. And now, Ashen One, may we perhaps begin with a kiss? Yes, I have
been craving to embrace thy lips whenever I touch thy face.
Yes, thou tastest so wonderful, Ashen One, please. Oh, let us say for this moment, even
if the flame were to fade as long as I have thee right now, I fear not the coming of
the end of the world. Even if thy grand betrayal were realized, I shall serve thee always.
Ashen One, please.
Dear Ashen One, please, remove thy gear. I wish
to touch thee. By the flame, Ashen One, so many scars. Of course not the one I do not
find them detestable. It complements thee. Thy body is a canvas, and these scars are
the paint of thy journey. This one here on thy neck, how didst thou receive it? A cross
bolt from an invading phantom, well, shall I see thee? And this one on thy shoulder,
a dog wraith, oh dear, I surely should use that one as well. This one here upon thy stomach,
a king riding a storm drake, well impressive conquests, Ashen One. And this one here on
thy chest, the dark sign, the mark of the curse of the undead. As much as a condemnation
it would be when I gaze upon thy dark sign, I feel only comfort, comfort knowing the heart
of my champion beats beneath. I can see that thy sunlight spear is ready to battle. Just
a jest, Ashen One. A lady can't help but laugh at her lover from time to time. My turn
then, yes? Wait, Ashen One, let me turn around. Please, disrupt me slowly. I wish to feel
thy touch as thou reveals me. Thy, Ashen One. I love the warmth of thine hands, Ashen One.
I feel thy warmth of the flame. Ah, well, here I am, ready for thee, Ashen One. I know
My body may not be the most attractive, but if thou could have me.
My dear champion, may I give you succor?
I think the sweet ashen one, please forgive me if I have not adepted this.
I have no experience in these matters, but I will do my best for thee, for my champion.
Please, ashen one, stroke my hair.
Praise me as thou would praise the sun. Am I pleasing thee?
Good, I am glad I can be of use to thee, my dear champion, even in this way.
Wait, no, please, not quite yet. Let me keep my crown on for just a little while longer, ashen one.
Ah, ah.
Ah, ah.
Ah.
Ah.
Ah.
That's enough, Ashen One, I can't wait any longer. Please, take me. Not as firekeeper but as thy lover. Here, let me lay back for thee.
Yes, I still bear my sister's soul within my bosom. I can feel the humanity under my skin writhing, but thy presence calms it.
Oh, Ashen One, thou jest very well. Just this once I will say it in such a lewd manner. Please, my Ashen One, touch the darkness within me.
No, I'm fine, my dear champion. Just please give me a moment to adjust thee. Please just go slow. I shall let thee know when I'm better.
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!
Now Ash, when I think, I think thou can go fast enough, it doesn't hurt any more, it's
actually quite pleasant, feeling thy weight on top of me, your warmth, your touch, it
makes me feel so safe, thou may remove my crown now if you wish, I too crave to gaze
upon thee.
Ah...
Ah, Shen Wan...
Y-Yes...
Ah... Ah... Ah... Ah... My champion...
Ah... Ah... Ah... Yes... That's it, my dearest... My dearest champion...
Go fast and please... Deep within my darkness... I wish to feel all of me...
I wish to belong to thee in thee alone... I will stay at thy side come what may, my beloved Ah Shen Wan...
Link to flame of... Quent... Betrayal... As long as... As long as thou doesn't throw me away...
Ah... Ah... Please... Please, Ah Shen Wan... Hold my hand and look at me... Yes... Yes, like that... Ah...
Let us gaze upon another and enjoy this... Please... Harder... Harder, my champion... Please... Skewer me with your spear...
Ah... Ah... Ah... Ah... Yes, my champion...
Ah... Ah... Dear Flame... Ah... Ah... Ah... Ah... Ah... Ah Shen Wan, I... I guess that will increase thy strength a great deal...
deal. It explains why thou would wield such cumbersome weapons. Although I believe the
spear thou'st is skewing me with is thy most fearsome of all weapons. Please let me wrap
my legs around thee. Don't hold back my beloved ashen one. Please give me all that thou hast
to give and I shall give you my all in return. That's it. Yes, my champion, please. Please
a little more, hold on. Let us release together. Yes, ashen one, ashen one, my champion, my
champion. Yes, I can feel it coming, ashen one. It's like a soul geyser within me. Please,
please release with me. Allow me to feel your warmth, the warmth of the earth candles. Please,
please, ashen one, yes, yes, by the flame, by the flame, please, please, please, by the flame.
Ashen one, yes, yes, by the flame, please, please, by the flame, yes, by the flame, yes,
by the flame, that was to life. Thank you, ashen one. I said you. Well, I suppose there
isn't much need for formality, is there, my beloved? I want this moment to last even beyond
the flames fading, but perhaps there is too much to ask of the gods. Would they even listen?
Would they even care? Are they even still around to hear such idle prayers?
It matters not, as long as I have you, ashen one. Come, let us clean up. You still have your final
duty to fulfil, and come, what may I shall stand with thee? Does that wish to enhance thy strength?
Has that wish, my love, touched the darkness within me? Let these souls withdrawn from their vessels,
the manifestations of disparity, elucidated by fire, burrow deep within me, retreating to a darkness
beyond the reach of flame. Let them assume a new master, inhabiting ash, casting themselves
born new forms. Farewell, my ashen one. Mayst thou thy peace discover.