The Ashen One

Gundyr?

I'd not that long ago moved from the bonfire. I had moved on slaying some hollows along the way. I was walking down some stairs to an open area. I looked up, removing my steel helmet so I could see. I dropped it to the floor, my black hair following the breeze of the wind. I saw a large statue in the center of the area. I looked to my right and saw a large cliff drop. I walked to the statue and looked at it. It must have been of the Champion Gundyr. However something was off. A coiled sword was jammed inside it and some black tentacle like things where flowing around its back and coming out then front and back in again. But without thought I found my hand on the sword in the statue, I went along with it and slowly took it out. As I pulled the sword out I realised how heavy it was as the tip hit the floor. I lifted it to my shoulder and attached to my back. I don't why I did all this but my mind was telling me to. I began walking again, moving past the statue and moving the large door behind.

I placed my hand on the door, but I heard the statue start to move. I turned, drawing my long sword and raising my shield. This wasn't a statue, it was Gundyr himself. He stood up to 10 feet tall, his giant curved halberd in his right hand. He came running at me, leaping forward sending his halberd down. I swiftly rolled to the right avoiding the blow. But he was a champion after all, removing the halberd from the ground and swinging it my way. I raised my shield to the side, blocking the hit but it sent me sliding back a bit. Gundyr swung his halberd back around. I was ready this time, the second the halberd was connected to my shield, I sent my shield in the opposite direction. Gundyr lost his balance and collapsed to the floor, on one knee he remained. I ran over, long sword at the ready. I stabbed my balde into the his head, grabbing it with two hands and yanking it out with all my strength. Gundyr was sent back, landing on his back.

He wasn't so tough but something was off. I stood there and watch as he stood up again. But then something unexplainable happened. His back exploded with black goo and a large snake from on his shoulder and over his head. It was huge! But that wasn't the end, his left arm grew bigger and became more like a giant skeleton arm. He slide this arms claws along the ground and right at me. I was still shaken up by this transformation, only having time to raise my shield. But my shield stood no chance and I was sent flying backwards my shield breaking in an instance. I landed flat on my back, my sword landing just too far for me to reach. I looked up, the gains claw came crashing down upon me, crashing my bones and leaving me broken on the floor. I couldn't feel my legs, or my arms, blood was building up in my mouth. I spat it out and summed what little strength I had to reach for my Estus. My arm was killing me but I had to drink some to live. I placed the flask on my lips and drank about a thrid of the flask...Better! I stood quickly and rolled to my sword. Picking it up in my right hand I dodged again as Gundyr came down with his halberd slamming into the ground. His gaunt arm came for me again. I rolled forward, under the arm and ran at Gundyr. I slashed his leg, bringing him to my level. I once more slammed my sword into his head. I twisted the blade and pulled it out. As Gundyr fell over and jumped onto him and stabbed and slashed his upper body over and over. Soon the black snake exploded, sending me flying to the floor. Shaking my head however I stood back up to a dead Gundyr. Now I could press on. But this wasn't going to be my only challenge to face. I could feel it.