Git Gud Or Die Trying #32

Adrian's mind overflowed with reflections on the knowledge Melina had imparted to him as he made his way toward the portal. The weight of his ignorance hung heavily upon him. In his previous life, back in the real world, his single-minded obsession with defeating Margit had caused him to disregard the importance of understanding the world he was now trapped in. He skipped most dialogue and only concerned himself with gathering runes and Equipment. 

As he arrived at his destination, the memory of Melina's exasperated expression resurfaced, fueling a deep sense of embarrassment within Adrian. The ever-familiar urge to bash his head against something solid surfaced within Adrian's mind as he looked at the portal.  

However, he quickly shook his head and pushed down the intrusive thought. Rather than allowing shame to consume him, Adrian resolved to rectify his past mistakes and learn as much about the world as possible throughout his journey. 

The portal stood before him, its circular stone structure emanating a pulsating aura of swirling magic. Taking a deep breath to steady his resolve, Adrian reached out without hesitation, his hand disappearing into the currents of power that danced within the portal. As his hand made contact with the magic, a tingling sensation coursed through his veins, and he felt a strong pulling force dragging him into it. 

With a surge of energy, Adrian disappeared, his entire being engulfed in a whirlwind of colors and sensations. The world around him shifted and warped, reality-bending and reshaping itself as he traversed the threshold of the portal. The sensation was exhilarating and disorienting, a kaleidoscope of emotions and colors intertwining within his consciousness.

As the vortex of arcane energies gradually subsided, Adrian found himself standing in a new landscape, the familiar lush greenery and sounds of Limgrave giving way to a different realm altogether.

He had crossed into the scarlet-infested region of Caelid, where corruption seeped into every crevice and tainted the air he breathed. The once vibrant and verdant land was now suffocated by the stagnation of scarlet rot, casting a desolate and eerie scene before him.

The air was thick with stagnation, the oppressive weight of corruption hanging heavily upon Adrian's senses. He could feel the tendrils of the scarlet rot weighing his lungs with each breath, a constant reminder of the perilous nature of this land. The sky above shimmered with a dull scarlet glow, casting an eerie pallor over the desolate landscape.

Adrian's gaze fixated on the sanctum before him, its towering presence commanding his attention. The ancient building stood tall, constructed from weathered gray stones that exuded an aura of timeless wisdom. Intricate carvings adorned its front, depicting scenes of long-forgotten legends and esoteric symbols that whispered secrets of the past. A large dome arose, tt the top of the structure, its curved form reaching toward the heavens.

With a sense of anticipation and trepidation, Adrian took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay beyond the threshold. Moving forward, he approached the ornate wooden gates that guarded the entrance. Gripping the metal handles, he pushed the heavy gates open, their hinges creaking in protest as they gave way.

Stepping inside, Adrian found himself immersed in a grand hall that seemed frozen in time. The air was heavy with the scent of ancient incense, mingling with the subtle fragrance of decay. Braziers lined the walls, flickering flames sheddin dancing shadows on the ornate pillars. Strange statues of beastmen clung to the posts, their features distorted and otherworldly. 

As Adrian ventured deeper into the hall, his footsteps reverberated against the polished stone floor. Each step stirred up a cloud of red dust, giving the chamber an otherworldly ambiance. The thick layer of dust hinted at the passage of time, an accumulation of ages past.

The walls of the grand hall stood far apart, adorned with dragon-shaped stone pedestals that held flickering torches. The flames danced within the stone maws of the dragon sculptures, casting an eerie glow that bathed the surroundings in a red glow reminiscent of the scarlet-tainted skies of Caelid. The interplay of light and shadow painted a tapestry of mystery upon the chamber's walls.

At the end of the hall, Adrian's gaze turned to a towering figure seated in a hunched position. The figure was clad in tattered gray rags that covered its entire body, obscuring its features. It emanated an aura of enigmatic presence, as if it held secrets untold.

Flanking the seated figure were two peculiar statues, their forms resembling a hybrid of man and beast. Their stony gazes seemed to fixate on Adrian, their expressions frozen in eternal vigilance. Intricate carvings adorned their bodies, depicting scenes of battles and ancient rituals, the symbolism lost to the sands of time.

With measured steps, Adrian closed the distance between himself and the haunched figure, his hand securely holding the Deathroot he had obtained. The air tickened around him, and a faint tremor reverberated through the chamber, indicating Gurang's awakening. The beast clergyman, adorned in tattered rags, stirred, his senses attuned to the presence of the Deathroot.

In a rumbling, growling voice, Gurang spoke, his words carrying an eerie resonance. "I smell it... Death... Feed it me..." 

Adrian furrowed his brow, struck by the unsettling nature of Gurang's request. However, he opted to remain silent, understanding that actions could speak louder than words in this encounter.

With a deliberate motion, Adrian presented the Deathroot to Gurang, his actions akin ot an offering. The beast clergyman's eyes glinted with  hunger and anticipation as he extended his clawed hand, snatching the rotten-fruit-like Deathroot from Adrian's palm. 

Without hesitation, Gurang brought the Deathroot to his mouth, his teeth tearing into its decaying flesh. A low growl escaped his throat as he devoured the offering, his primal instincts sated for the moment. Turning his gaze back to Adrian, Gurang's eyes bore into him, intense and unyielding.

"Tarnished... bring more... Death," Gurang spoke, his voice carrying a strange mix of authority and longing. "I shall grant thee... eye... and claw. Feed me... more." 

With trembling hands hidden within his rags, Gurang retrieved two items, each holding a distinct aura of power. The first was a stone seal, its surface marked with deep claw scars and adorned with tufts of fur that clung to it as if imbued with a primal essence. 

The second item was a Claw-marked stone eye, its surface etched with intricate patterns that seemed to wriggle and shift, its murky violet iris writhing and darting around as if alive.

Gurang extended the items toward Adrian, his clawed fingers slightly unsteady. As Adrian took hold of the stone seal and Claw-marked stone, he could feel a subtle energy emanating from them, a pulsating presence that resonated with his own being.

"The Beast Eye... will... tremble... when in Death's... presence," Gurang rasped, his words carrying an otherworldly weight. The significance of the Beast Eye became apparent, a symbol of heightened perception and awareness that would guide him to more Deathroot.

Gurang paused, emitting a low growl that seemed to emanate from the depths of his being, before resuming his speech. "The Claw Mark... seal... will draw power... from strength... not faith..." His voice reverberated in the chamber, the words holding a profound meaning that pierced through the silence.

Adrian studied the stone seal, its claw marks serving as a reminder of the trials he had endured and the strength he had garnered throughout his journey. It was a conduit to tap into his own inner power, an emblem of resilience and unwavering determination, or so he felt while holding it. 

As he examined the Claw-marked stone, its shifting patterns and living iris spoke of a connection to the primal forces of the Elden Ring. It promised to harness strength and fortitude, independent of religious devotion, opening up new avenues of power for Adrian to explore as he had zero faith in the higher entities that governed this world. 

tisfied with the two prized artifacts in his possession, Adrian's hunger for knowledge continued to burn within him. With a mixture of curiosity and concern, he turned his attention back to Gurang, his voice calm yet filled with a desire to understand.

"Why do you crave the Deathroot?" Adrian asked, his gaze steady as he sought to uncover the beast clergyman's motivations.

Gurang's growl held a tinge of annoyance, his eyes narrowing as he regarded Adrian. "I won't forget... my appetite," he rumbled, the weight of his words resonating with a deep sense of remorse. "Mine sin... I must have more..."

Gurang's voice carried a mixture of urgency and plea as he continued, his words echoing through the chamber. "Bring me... more..."

Adrian recognized that further questioning would yield little more than the cryptic responses he had received thus far. With a nod of understanding, he acknowledged Gurang's insatiable hunger, accepting that some answers lay beyond his grasp for now. 

With that, he shook his head and turned around, heading for the Sanctum's exit.