The Asylum Demon killed me six more times. I got to the point where I could plow through the four undead that stood in my way without taking a single point of damage, and against the Boss I perfected the tuck-and-roll, as well as my timing in dodging the club attacks and running around behind it to get a clean hit. On my best run, I got it down to about 25% of its total health, but it knocked me out while I was drinking an Estus potion (I finally got around to reading the Estus description: “Fill with Estus at bonfire. Heals HP.”)

On my seventh run, I did what I knew I should have done in the first place, which was read the sign just outside the fog gate. “Falling attack for extra damage.”

I plunged through the fog gate and leaped off the ledge. I held my sword point down with both hands on the hilt, and that first attack did a whopping 300 damage, knocking off 25% of the Demon’s help in one fell swoop. From there, it was easy enough to dodge the club and run around behind it to attack.

VICTORY ACHIEVED

My Souls total soared to 2480 with the Boss’s death, and I received one Humanity and a Big Pilgrim Key. I looked at the descriptions of both.

Humanity: Use to gain 1 humanity + greatly restore HP

Big Pilgrims Key: Opens inner door of Undead Asylum main hall

I tried it on the square set of double doors, and they opened up to reveal a grassy hill littered with stone rubble and crumbling arches. A path led up to a ridge that overlooked the edge of the cliff. It was beautiful and haunting, and when I peered over the edge I heard the sharp caw of a raven.

I looked up just in time to see an enormous black bird swoop down to pick me up in its talons. I yelped, but there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t reach my sword, and I could barely even wiggle under the tight grip of the bird. It didn’t seem to be hurting me though, so I did my best to relax.

Then I heard a voice, the same woman’s voice I had heard at the beginning of the game.

“Only in the ancient legends is it stated that one day an Undead shall be chosen to leave the Undead Asylum in pilgrimage to the land of the Ancient Lords, Lordran.”

For a moment I glimpsed a sprawling city. The raven dropped me at a bonfire at the center of a stone circle.

The area was thick with knee-high grass and moss-covered stones. It looked like the bonfire had once been a meeting place. It was ringed by stone steps and crumbling stone walls. A lone knight sat on a rock, gazing blankly at the bonfire.

In Lordran, level up and kindle at bonfires.

The bonfire was already lit, and as I approached I was shown multiple options: Leave, Level Up, Kindle, Reverse Hollowing. I was curious about all of them, but I started with Level Up. For the first time, I viewed my stat sheet. I was level four.

Vitality: 11

Attunement: 8

Endurance: 12

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Strength: 13

Dexterity: 13

Resistance: 11

Intelligence: 9

Faith: 9

Humanity: 0

True to my promise, I plugged all my Souls into Strength and raised it three points.

I selected Kindle next. Cannot Kindle while Hollowed.

Okay…Reverse Hollowing. No humanity.

Huh. I opened up my inventory and reviewed the Humanity I had received from the Asylum Demon. I used the item, and a counter near my health bar went up to 1.

I tried Reverse Hollowing again. Offer humanity and reverse Hollowing? Yes.

HUMANITY RESTORED.

Still at the bonfire, I unequipped my gloves; I nearly wept. Gone was the taut pink skin that marked me as Undead. I was myself again, skin and all.

When I calmed down, I approached the knight. He was sitting on a rock, his hands resting on his knees. He wasn’t wearing a helmet, and I could see in his eyes that he was troubled.

“Excuse me,” I said hesitantly. Before I could ask where the hell I was, he launched into speech.

“Well, what do we have here?” He asked, his tone lightly mocking. “You must be a new arrival. Let me guess. Fate of the Undead right?”

“Yes,” I replied hesitantly, recalling the woman’s words.

“Well, you're not the first. But there's no salvation here. You would have done better to rot in the Undead Asylum... But, too late now. Well, since you're here... Let me help you out. There are actually two Bells of Awakening. One's up above in the Undead Church. The other is far, far below in the ruins at the base of Blighttown. Ring them both and something happens... Brilliant right? Not much to go on, but I have a feeling that won't stop you. So, off you go. It is why you came, isn't it? To this cursed land of the Undead? Hah hah hah hah…”

Okay, I thought. Two Bells of Awakening. Ring them both and…something happens.

I backed away as he cackled, nearly tripping over a corpse that was draped over an overgrown stone wall. At the center of it was the silver orb that signified loot, and I gained three humanity.

“Um. Thanks,” I said. I wasn’t sure if there was some sort of courtesy or etiquette for a situation like this. I mean, the dead guy wasn’t real, but…still. I reached out as if to pat the poor fellow on the head…thought better of it…and continued on my way.

Up the stairs and through the first archway, there were three paths. Just for the hell of it, I chose the middle one. There would be plenty of time to explore all of them over the next year.

I paused at that. I had agreed to the terms because I needed the money, and because the contract was dependent more on time than progress. But for the first time, as I wrapped my mind around the Fate of the Undead and my mission to ring the Bells of Awakening, I found myself genuinely enjoying the game. So far the game was a bit dreary, but it was beautiful too.

Around the next corner, I was surprised to find another knight. He had a blond bowl-cut and a serious look in his eye. What stuck out to me was his shield, which was blue and red. Aside from the orange of the Estus flask, those were the brightest colors I’d seen yet.

I waved at the man and approached.

“Hello there. I believe we are not acquainted? I am Petrus of Thorolund. Have you business with us? …If not, I’d prefer to keep a distance, if possible.”

“Excuse me? That’s a bit rude, isn’t it?”

“Hello there,” Petrus said, “I realize that I have requested that we retain our distance, but I also want you to know it is not meant in ill will. Here, take this as a token of peace. No, go ahead, it’s for you.”

He gave me a copper coin. I examined it. Copper coin of Old Man McLoyf.

“Who is Old Man McLoyf?” I asked.

“Oh my, you again? Oh, I know, how about this. I have to await my companions here anyway, so what if I were to teach you some miracles. Would that please you?”

“Uhhh, sure!”

“Very well. Then first, a Covenant with the Gods.”

Join Covenant? (abandons former Covenant)