Git Gud Or Die Trying #39

"Now, let's see... where should I go from here...?" Sitting at the Site of Grace beneath the cliffs, Adrian immersed himself in the map, his brow furrowing in concentration. Every detail mattered as he scoured his memory for important locations and items. His fingers traced the paths and landmarks, navigating the possibilities that lay before him.

"There's another cemetery full of Golden Runes for me to loot west of here..." Adrian muttered, his finger tracing a path to a cemetery that wasn't far from his current location. 

 It would be his next destination, a place where he could further bolster his wealth, so he could purchase a few necessary items and tools from the merchants he intended to visit. 

"From there, I can teleport to the Gatefront Site of Grace and ride East toward the bridge..." His finger then moved across the map, tracing the path to the center of Limgrave. 

His finger then moved to the center of Limgrave on the map, indicating his next destination. "From there, I can teleport to the Gatefront Site of Grace and ride east toward the bridge..." Adrian's mind visualized the journey, imagining the Kaiden Sellswords dotting the path. 

His finger shifted again, pointing to a bridge eastward of Gatefront. "Along the way, I can activate the Site of Grace North of Agheel's lake and pick up the Determination Ash of War..." Adrian's eyes glinted as he spoke, remembering the many valuable items on the route he was 

"There should be a smithing stone in the middle of the bridge and a somber smithing stone on the other side..." Adrian's fingers carefully followed the path of the bridge on the map, his eyes scanning for the marked locations. 

His finger then traced a path southward from the bridge. "From there, I can head south, activate the Site of Grace South of Agheel's lake..." Adrian's voice held a pondering intent as he spoke. The Site of Grace would serve as a sanctuary amidst the challenges.

Nodding to himself, Adrian affirmed his plan. "There, I can rest and plan another route..." His mind whirred with possibilities as he envisioned the choices that awaited him. Flexibility and adaptability were necessary in his journey, and the Site of Grace would provide a moment of respite to reassess his strategies.

With a determined resolve, Adrian stood up from the Site of Grace and summoned Torrent, his faithful steed. He mounted the spirited horse, feeling the familiar surge of energy beneath him. The wind brushed against his face, carrying the scent of adventure.

"Let's go, big guy," Adrian said, his voice filled with anticipation. "There's looting to be done..." With that, he urged Torrent forward, ready to face the challenges that awaited him on the path ahead.

...

Adrian approached the kneeling corpse in the field of dried grass near the bridge, its presence casting an eerie stillness over the area. The body seemed frozen in a perpetual state of reverence, tightly gripping a pristine, claw-shaped smithing stone in its hand. 

With careful precision, Adrian reached out and retrieved the somber smithing stone from the corpse's outstretched hand and quickly stowed it away into his inventory. 

With his prize securely in his possession, Adrian walked to the cliff and turned his attention towards Agheel's lake below. The vast expanse of shimmering water stretched before him, reflecting the golden hues of the setting sun. 

He marveled at the abundance of aquatic plants that thrived within the lake, their vibrant green leaves dancing atop the gentle ripples.

His gaze then shifted toward the curious inhabitants of the lake. Freshwater crabs scuttled along the shoreline, their smaller counterparts mingling with the larger, more imposing ones. Adrian couldn't help but be fascinated by the sight of these creatures, their hardened shells glistening under the fading sunlight.

However, his attention was soon drawn to a peculiar gathering nearby. Wandering Undead nobles had congregated around the lake, their tattered garments and decaying visages contrasting against the beauty of the surroundings. They seemed engaged in a solemn ritual, lighting braziers and offering prayers to the flickering flames.

Curiosity piqued, Adrian watched from a distance, observing their actions with intrigue and caution. He wondered what they were trying to summon or what purpose drove them to this place of serenity.

After a moment of pondering, Adrian's eyes widened with realization. The pieces of the puzzle began to connect in his mind, like the interlocking gears of an ancient mechanism, forming a clear and profound picture of the lake and the purpose behind the ritual of the undead nobles. 

The tale Knight Bernahl told him of the wondering undead and their endless search for peace in death, the scorched trees, the enigmatic name of the lake, and the undeniable presence of the ferocious creature that Adrian knew haunted the lake's skys all coalesced into a breathtaking revelation.

"Holy shit..." Adrian muttered under his breath. It all made sense now. The Undead nobles gathered around the lake, lighting the braziers and praying we were not as witless as their appearance suggested. 

They sought peace in death, attempting to summon the mighty master of the lake.

As if responding to their desperate pleas, an enormous black dragon descended from the clouds with a thunderous roar. The sound echoed through the air, sending shivers down Adrian's spine. Its massive wings spread wide, casting a formidable shadow over the lake and its surroundings. The mere sight of the dragon's majestic form evoked a sense of awe and reverence.

As the dragon descended, its scales glistening in the sunlight, its presence commanded attention. The undead nobles, their faces etched with anguish and longing, looked up with hope-filled eyes. It was as if their prayers had been heard, their pleas answered by this mythical creature.

With a surge of power, the dragon unleashed its fiery breath, a torrent of flames that engulfed the undead nobles. The intense heat consumed them, turning their bodies to ash instantly. Their torment and suffering were replaced by a final moment of release, a release they had yearned for in their eternal wandering.

Adrian couldn't help but wonder whether the dragon, Agheel, was responding to the pleas of the wandering undead nobles out of genuine compassion and empathy or if it was simply defending its territory from what it perceived as threats. It was a question that lingered in his mind, intertwining with the awe-inspiring scene unfolding before him.

Ultimately, Adrian concluded that pondering over the dragon's motives would do him no good. He shook his head, clearing his mind from the mesmerizing sight, and focused on the task at hand. Summoning Torrent with a whistle, he mounted his steed and rode east, following the edges of the cliff.

As Adrian journeyed along the beaten path, his eyes caught sight of a peculiar scene unfolding before him after thirty minutes of riding. Two towering trolls, their gray-skinned bodies massive and formidable, lumbered on the road. What caught his attention were the black spikes protruding from their hollowed stomachs, connected by chains to an armored carriage.

Behind the carriage, a group of Kaiden Riders rode in formation, their presence serving as protectors for a gathering of wandering undead nobles. Dozens of these noble figures, each brandishing various banners, marched alongside the carriage. 

He slowed Torrent's pace, his gaze fixed on the unusual sight. The trolls, with their spiked bellies and chained burden, seemed to be transporting something of great importance. The Kaiden Riders, with their vigilant stance, ensured the safety of the procession, guarding the wandering nobles as they advanced along the road.

Adrian knew that the carriage held a valuable weapon. It was a decent greataxe, but the odds were stacked against him. The trolls guarding the carriage were formidable foes, and the Kaiden Riders provided additional defense, making it a formidable force to reckon with

Adrian weighed the potential reward against the risks involved in confronting the caravan. Ultimately, the greataxe wasn't enticing enough for him to fight a small army, especially considering that he planned to get his hands on a much better weapon that would cost considerably less effort. 

With a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders, Adrian decided to bide his time. Lingering on the edges of the cliff, he observed the passing caravan with a patient eye. He allowed the procession to continue on its way, intent on waiting them out. 

As the last of the caravan disappeared from sight, Adrian resumed his journey toward the Site of Grace south of Agheel's lake.