Meanwhile.
Another instance.
Kiln of the First Flame.
The mournful piano piece, heavy with the weight of fate, gradually came to an end.
Clang—
Accompanied by the dull sound of a greatsword hitting the ground.
Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight, who had once ruled the entire world, shattered the ancient dragons' scales with lightning, and ushered in the great Age of Fire, finally slowly fell beneath Jian Li's sword. Jian Li took a deep breath, unable to hide her exhaustion.
Starting from the Northern Undead Asylum and passing through all sorts of chaotic places along the way had been no small burden for her.
Fortunately, it was finally over.
She had gathered all the Lord Souls and defeated the final boss.
Jian Li slowly rose to her feet and walked toward the center of the arena.
There, a feeble First Flame flickered alone.
And as she approached the First Flame.
The instance's final choice appeared.
Kindle herself, become fuel, and continue the world.
Or turn away, let darkness descend, and become the Dark Lord.
Jian Li paused slightly, then lowered her gaze.
She clearly had not expected the instance to give players a choice at the very end.
Along the way, she had seen Lautrec kill the Fire Keeper for Humanity, seen the dispirited Crestfallen Warrior, seen the Witch frantically hunt Undead to ease her sister's suffering—she had seen many NPCs.
She knew that fire brought more than light.
It also brought warmth, life, distinction, and hope.
The swamps of Blighttown, the traps of Sen's Fortress, Anor Londo's illusory sunset, the pitch-black darkness of the Tomb of Giants—she had passed through all those places.
And along the way, those mindless Hollows had once been Undead too. They had once carried some sort of hope, rung the bells, and moved forward step