I step out of the godless cathedral, still marked by the last deadly confrontation, into the darkness of the cursed swamp. The former spiritual gravity of the place quickly fades in the stuffy, acrid air. There is no room for faith here – only decay and poison, which constantly gnaws at my body. Every step I take, I sink into this viscous, poisoned broth that makes me sluggish. But I fight my way forward, my scythe clutched tightly, while the stench of decay almost deafens me. The path to Farron Keep is relentless, and I know: the poison wants to break me.
The water shimmers ominously, riddled with toxins that weaken even the strongest warrior over time. Purple moss is a rare comfort, the power of which I have needed here more than once. But the poison is just the beginning. Lurking in the shadows is something far worse: the ghrules. Rotten creatures that seem to have crawled out of a dark depth, they rush at me, their crooked claws ready to tear my flesh apart. They are diverse, cruel – and unpredictable. Their fiercest among them, the jumpers, are just waiting to make the deadly leap, their movements so fast that they can penetrate shields. They don’t know what’s coming to them. From a distance, I cut them down before they can even land their killing blow.
Between the quagmire and the eternal poison, I discover ancient ritual sites, hidden in the darkness. The fires that burn there flicker restlessly, as if mocking me. I know that I have to extinguish them to penetrate deeper into the heart of this rotten fortress. But there is something ancient about these ruins, something that extends far beyond this swamp. The reliefs on the walls, faded and marked by the years, speak of long-forgotten wars and powers that once ruled this world. A connection to the Lord Souls of times gone by, perhaps? The meaning remains hidden from me, but I can feel the weight of the legends that are condensed here.
Finally, I reach the perimeter of Farron Keep, a deceptive sense of security in the midst of this darkness. A beacon flickers before me, its warmth drawing me in like the last hope in an endless nightmare. Here, at this fragile point of peace, I gather my strength. I know what comes next – the Abyss Watchers. They await me, and my scythe hungers for their blood.
I feel my muscles stretch, the cold of uncertainty in my bones. My skills are rusty, my reflexes dulled. My enemies’ attacks were faster, more precise than I remembered. But it was enough. I’ve come through this fine, still alive and hungry for more. The swamp didn’t break me. And what lies ahead, the Catacombs of Carthus, won’t either. After the swamp, comes the tomb. And I’ll be ready.
Lythias bloody journey can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQRPy70pDgKVEzqUBOLF7KTHCTDX4riF7
#DarkSouls3 #Luthia #GreatCorvianScythe #Scythe #FarronKeep
