[Deleted]

Artorias found himself at home in training, even out here, as far from society as he could place himself. Out in these fields, he still felt like an outcast. Regardless, he had to prepare himself for his next assignment, swinging his heavy blade around in styles befitting a truly terrible beast, but containing just shreds of his humanity, attacks of swift grace followed by brutal savagery at the air. Artorias ensured he wasn't striking any significant plants or trees, keeping his swings away from houses, and ensuring he was contained out here. Unbeknownst to him, though, fear had spread of Artorias's arrival, and a hero had been called to try and stop such a 'fierce monster'.

In the farmhouses just outside the field, an older man stood, waiting for his coveted warrior to arrive to slay this mighty creature. The grumpy, disagreeably trustworthy man adjusted his glasses and stood on that cane, rolling his lips around to hold his dentures in place. A few toads stood by, performing menial labor. They didn't seem too bothered by the eight foot knight so far in the distance.

Speaking of that eight foot knight, finally, he'd stopped for a break, sitting down and resting his back against a large oak. It'd bee ages since he saw such grand foliage of a summer enjoying plant. By Lord Gwyn's throne... It looked like something he, Ciaran, and Sif would rest under in the evenings. He missed those days, truly. Artorias was reminiscing upon his old days, a faint smile under that cowl of sheer blackness...

[TartoonHand94]

	“Praise the Light!” A childlike voice that one wouldn’t associate with the position of Captain of the Guard chirped as he jumped out the door into the sky. Also unusual for his position was his attire. Beside his cuffs and laurel crown, he wore little to no armor on his person. Heavy armor would weigh his wings down. As if his wings had enough trouble, they could not fly on their own. They were completely dependent on the Miracle of Flight to keep him from plummeting to certain doom. Luckily this power was generously supplied by Lady Palutena, Goddess of Light, whom he loyally served. In fact, “So, what’s the mission today?” He dutifully asked his commander. “We’ve been receiving an influx of prayers today.” Lady Palutena began to answer. “According to reports, a fierce monster has been attacking the farmland.”
	“A fierce monster huh? How fierce are we talking?” The angel asked with intrigue. “Toothy? Fiery? Fashionably?” “It’s been described as 'an eight-foot-tall, blue and silver monster radiating powers of darkness’” Palutena recapped as if reading aloud from a telegram.“Sounds pretty fashionable to me.” “Sounds like the Hewdraw!” Pit associated the description with the closest monster he could think of. “You don’t think he grew back his other two heads, do you?” “Lucky for us, there’s no mention of any extra heads in the report.” “Phew. So at least it’s not gonna argue with itself.” Pit sighed in relief. “Your destination should be coming into view now” Palutena updated as she brought the angel to a descent below the clouds.
	“Hmm... Eight-foot-tall blue and silver monster radiating powers of darkness?” Pit asked again to make sure. “I don’t see a sign of it anywhere.” “Looks can be deceiving, Pit.” Palutena reminded him. “Try asking the spectacled gentleman just outside the field. He set today’s record.”
“Excuse me sir?” Pit called down as he passed just over the man’s head. Making a better landing a distance away he came back running up to the old man. “Sorry to keep you waiting. I am Pit, servant of the Goddess of Light and I’m here to help you with your monster problem!”

[Deleted]

"The creature, my dear hero, is that thing out in the field, see it..? Just under the tree... Wait, i-it's moving..!"

The presence of such a divine being spurred Artorias to finally approach the man. Perhaps with a sane mind among the mix, he could see about getting those toads to warm up to him finally. The essence of sheer, unadulterated power that radiated from Artorias was that of the Abyss, which in and of itself was a lot darker than the usual underworld baddies Pit might have fought in the past. Among it though, a purity, a sanctity, as if that evil was not by intent to be corroding or evil. It was dark, sure, but... moreso a welcome darkness. One that nibbled at the back of a mind to bring a curious mind forward. Morbidity.

"There it is! M-Monster! The monster is upon us!"

The sudden tinge of the air evaporated somewhat, the reverbing and corrupted voice of Artorias finally coming through. He'd seen a lot, judging by the weariness of his tone.

"Could'st thou pardon me..? Prithee, I do not know what you speak of."

"You heard me! You're a monster! Don't fill the angel's head with deceit you wretched thing..!"

Artorias would kneel down to view the old man, now hiding behind Pit and trying to discern the concern of the individual. It was clear Artorias was not a man to be trifled with, but the actions he held, aside from his limp left arm and generally injured look, made him seem relatively harmless until one gazed upon that massive blade in his right hand. That heavy sword was tingling with evil, but it obeyed its master despite its curse, tinging Artorias as some sort of fallen hero, perhaps.

"Art thou confused, milord? I mean thou no displeasure or discourse. Truly, I evaded thy fields and practiced away from thy home. If... I-If my presence is a nuisance, sire, I shall depart at once. Posthaste, and without quarrel." 

A toad piped up, deciding to speak out about Artorias's intent. The small, mushroom capped fella would immediately follow Artorias's claims with...

"Yeah..! He wasn't touching anyone! I mean, he looked more scared of us than we were of him..! The old man's just paranoid. This guy's actually kinda cool!"
"He can jump super high!"

That seemed to turn the mind of the old man around, before simply scoffing and pointing to the Knight of Gwyn, nudging Pit onward...

"Fine then, if he's so harmless, then this thing can speak to the hero about why he's here..! I doubt his purpose out here is any good..!"

Artorias steeled himself, remaining steadfast to now address Pit when he was pushed lightly by that old man, likely not even moving the angel. It was clear he was wanting to remain as approachable as possible, and he followed that act with a kind offer, one that few 'foul beasts' or the likes would ever dare give. Truly, this man was of a kind heart, but looks, as Palutena had told Pit, might be deceiving.

"Ser Angel, I know not your name, however, thou'rt of a kindred heart to my own, of honor, purity, and compassion, if your mission to slay some 'foul beast' is of any indication. I know not your intentions. Climb'st thou upon my back. I shall let thou rest thy wings and feet. Travel, even in my current... degraded state, can be cumbersome, and it must wear harder upon a creature of divinity such as yourself. I am Knight Artorias, I serve Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight, and seek to drive back the Abyss and its evils upon every corner, even now as I stand, tainted by its curse before you, milord."

 
So there he knelt, awaiting Pit's answer, the calm breath of a veteran warrior carrying through the still air of the farmland.

[TartoonHand94]

“Stay back, I’ve got this.” Pit asserted, stepping in front of the man for his protection. He could feel the essence of sheer, unadulterated abysmal power that radiated from it. A darkness he had not felt since the Underworld’s last uprising. Pit suspensefuly clutched his bow in hand… But was caught in an impasse of decision making. Should he draw an arrow or wait till he got a closer shot, split it in two and slice it with the blades? Much more to his confusion, the true question on his mind was not how to attack, but whether to attack at all.
The angel flinched at the creature’s corrupted voice, but the weariness in tone slowly raised his eyebrow. “Y-yeah! No deceit!” Pit parroted the old man. “Why so you talk so funny?” His first concerns seemed to be the dialect with which the monster spoke. “You almost sound like you’re…like you’re not a-” Pit’s contemplation was cut short when it knelt nearer. That’s it, arrows it is! He quickly drew an arrow of light back and held it at the ready. “St-stay back! You...You...” He quivered. He definitely didn’t want to start a fight within the range of that massive blade in its right hand. To think he thought the Buster Sword was intimidating. His words only served to confuse the angel more. Be all the more surprising, the toads behind him vouched for him. What were they talking about? Kinda cool? But look at him! He looks so…so…
	“Pit…” Of all voices to grace his ears now. “…Stand down for a sec.” His loyalty to Lady Palutena was much more certain than his own judgement at the moment. And thus, he withdrew his arrow and lowered his bow. “Let’s hear what he has to say.”
	And listen to what he had to say, Pit did. “…Come again?” Pit asked, utterly lost in Artorias’ higher dialect. “He said his name is Knight Artorias, Pit. And get this: He slays evil too.” Palutena translated, an impressed tone colored her voice. “No way…” Pit gasped in awe. “…And he’s also inviting you to ride on his back.” “Like a Yoshi?” The angel asked with a sudden burst of enthusiasm.

[Deleted]

"Aye, milord... I see thou'rt unaware of the Lords' tongue. I feel another presence among thee. One of grace and beauty. Thou'rt blessed by a being most familiar to my own land, though different, somehow. I shall try to speak in a more contemporary tone." The others had slowly dissipated, seeing an angel talk to seemingly no one, a disembodied voice, and this creature before them. Perhaps madness was rampant. Regardless, once the others were away, Artorias turned to offer his back to the angel. "Thou- Erm... You... are initiated to the ways of flight. I shall allow you that feeling without use of th- ehm, your, wings. Apologies for my stammering, milord, I'm unfamiliar with how to speak this way."

Regardless, now the heavy knight was waiting for Pit to climb on, his legs braced, that swelling mist cloaking his legs in shadowy malice. It was obvious this is how Artorias leaped so far into the air, if his claims were true. He shrouded himself in power and would simply bound away, but was this of any truth? Could Artorias really be some sort of... hero? It wasn't obvious, but he very clearly wanted to at least talk to Pit. "Come now, milord. Don't be shy. I know my presence is... intimidating. I apologize with great meaning. I do not wish you to fear me. It would be unhealthy for a hero, even as decrepit as I, to instill fear into a potential ally."

[TartoonHand94]

	“Another presence?” Pit quickly looked over his shoulder to find the others had dissipated. “But I’m the only one here.” “Ahem.” Palutena cleared her throat impatiently. When Pit turned back to Artorias, he found Artorias back looking at him.
“Uh yeah I know all about flying.” Pit nodded, the last remnants of his hesitation still making themselves known. “Why would I want to fly without my…” His voice trailed off as he gave up using that argument to protest. There was still something… uncertain about this. This was happening so fast. Sure, it wasn’t that Pit wouldn’t jump on the back of any random stranger he just met. But this stranger had…such an intensely dark aura about his person. Not emanating from his center, but just surrounding him. There was less to second guess about climbing onto Bowser’s back.
	But he seemed so sincere and trust worthy. Pit looked up to the sky one more time. “I say try it.” Palutena nodded with confidence. “What’s the worst that could happen?” “Well you pull me out if it does happen?” Pit asked under his breath.
“…Okay, I’ll do it.” Pit decided with a nod to Artorias back which he carefully climbed up onto, losing his footing briefly. Soon, he was securely holding onto the knight’s back.

[Deleted]

Artorias felt the resolve of the angel as that creature climbed carefully upon the stained back. The blackened mist feared Pit's heavenly aura, repelling the corruption at every touch of its cold, misty embrace. Artorias stood slow with Pit on his back, setting his sword back into that near invisible scabbard ring, grabbing onto Pit's legs to hoist him up, letting the angel drape his arms around the large neck of that knight if he wished. With that, Artorias took one step, and then...

BOOM!

Arorias leaped high into the air, feeling the wind in his helmet rush down his body once more as he flew into the air, falling steadily towards the tree out towards the far distance of the farm. Artorias spun briefly, bringing Pit to his chest and tucking in, rolling thereafter to a full stop, letting the angel go, and sitting up to drop himself right back down onto the back of that mighty oak he sat under. "Milord. I hope that was enjoyable. I never got your name." Artorias would extend his non limp arm to the angel... "T'would be my honor to shake hands with a hero of this realm."

[TartoonHand94]

Agreeing to mount Arorias didn’t completely dispel every shadow of a doubt he might have had about all of this. Even he could feel the dark temperature retreating from his very touch. Yet this did not seem to hurt either of them. How further intriguing.
Pit kept his hands conservatively upon Artorias’s shoulders, jolting at the feeling being hosted up by the legs. “So how does this work?”  Pit began to make pre-trip small talk.  “Is now the part where you open your wi-IIIIIIIIIIII”  Pit reflexively screeched as Arorias boomed high into the ear, desperately wrapping his arms around his neck to keep himself from blowing down off his back.
It was like riding a Dragoon, only bigger, darker, and hopefully not on its way to one-hit-KO anybody. The sheer gale force rushing against Pit, pulled by a force in front of him instead of behind him was exhilarating. Riding someone instead of gliding from yourself were two totally different sensations, and Pit’s ride was so fast he could barely take them in and process them before… They were doing down! Now Pit was at risk of flipping up out of Arorias grasp, but before he could say anything, the next thing he knew he was tucked and rolled around and brought to a stop under a tree.
“Iiiihihii… I Gotta do that again!”  Pit drooled in an ecstatic daze.  “I’m name is Light, Servant of the Goddess of Pit.”  He extended a wobbly hand to shake.

[Deleted]

Artorias heard the names backwards, clearly, before shaking his head and taking Pit's hand, laughing all the while... After letting go, Artorias corrected Pit's own dialogue. "I know your meaning, Sir Pit. It's a wonderful thing to know someone else serves Lady Gwynivere. I was almost certain she did not exist here. You may know her under a different alias, but I assure you, we speak of the same, bountiful woman." Artorias sighed in relief, reminded while complimenting of his true love Ciaran. Why how she made his heart beat. Brought back to reality, and simply sitting against that mighty oak, Artorias would be smiling under his helmet, not that Pit could see. If Pit were attuned to any sort of interaction, that angel could likely feel his smile.

With that, Artorias would gaze back to Pit, the dark visage of his helmet clearing, almost as though Pit could make out the outline of a face under there. Torn, scratched and scars. The face that had seen a million fights, and maybe more. True to his word, Artorias was older than anything around him here. "Sir Pit, this is the part where I tell you the tale of my being, isn't it? Or perhaps we should get further pleasantries out of the way? I feel as though you might need a bit of respite before I begin to rant to you about the events that have brought me here."

[TartoonHand94]

While Pit’s hand shook Artorias’, he shook his head and realigned his crown with his free hand. He played off his line flub with a sheepish land of his own. “Lady…Gwyniverse? I didn’t know she had a last name!” Pit echoed in confusion, met with nothing but a dismissive whistle on the other end of his communication. “Yeah…she sure is bountiful...” Pit swooned, imagining the whistler once again as he often would between bouts. “I’m her Captain of the Guard!” He postered proudly. “What do You do?” He asked as the knight sat down under the tree.

“Respite? Thanks, but I’m more of a Drink of the Gods man myself.” Pit shrugged at his suggestion. “It’s not every day you meet someone who prefers that over Mountain D-” “He means sit down, Pit. It’s story time.” “Oh boy!” Pit immediately popped a squat to listen to what the knight was about to say.

[Deleted]

"Thou'rt an inheritor of my old friend Ornstein's task to guard her. Gwynivere is a brave woman, but she requires protection. You are brave." Artorias sat tall, and placed his blade into the ground, bringing up the dirt around it, and letting a fire of the undead kindle in its warmth, ashes soon melding around the blade, forming a bonfire to tell his tale around. Artorias sighed, looking out towards the sky and back to Pit as he spoke. "My tale begins long ago, in the years of antiquity. My greatwolf, Sif, and I were recruited to fight alongside Lord Gwyn, and his three other knights." The fires whipped up, showing the outline of The Fabled Four Knights. Artorias was among them, but the three others were strange indeed. A lion armored warrior, a giant and an equally massive bow, and... a seemingly normal woman. "Ciaran." the woman's figure drew first, swinging her two blades much like Pit would, albeit with grace unyielding, and much faster. "My first true love, and the Lord's Blade. She sought those who would usurp Lord Gwyn's throne, and destroy them. Ornstein." The spear-wielding lion warrior appeared next, striking the air with leaping and sundering weaves and strikes. "His spear was mighty, and his power unyielding. After slaying the immortal dragons of antiquity, he served Princess Gwynivere with her trusted Executioner Smough, forming the Princess's guard. Gough." The next image in the fire was of the giant archer, who strung his bow back with mighty force... "The eternal foe to Black Dragon Kalameet, bringer of doom. Gough taught mankind to use Great sized weapons, such as my sword, or his bow. Gough was a good friend of mine, we'd spend days carving wood together." Artorias finally saw the last image, a knight with sword and shield from the embers, notably left handed. "Lastly. Me." Artorias would wave his hand once more, the fires stopping the light show. He sighed...

"Then, I succumbed to the abyss on a quest to save a princess from the township of Oolacile. Home of Dark Sorcery." Artorias was obviously not fond of this memory, trying to push passed it for the sake of telling Pit about his home. "My wolf, Sif, watched me fall to the darkness of the abyss. During my fight, I broke my left arm. I gave my shield to Sif, warding him. With one arm I braved the abyss alone, only to fall into its maddening grip. Just before my humanity was lost forever, the portal opened, and brought another chunk of my world here. To Li."

[TartoonHand94]

	“Pst, hear that Lady Gwynivere? He says I’m brave!” Pit secretly bragged apparently to himself. “You’re brave for calling me that.” Lady Palutena replied, not as amused.
Pit watched closely as Artorias lit a fire with nothing but his blade. He instinctively scooted back as soon as it ignited to protect his highly flammable wings. His eyes glimmered in the fire’s light as Artorias wove his tale. His face reacted to each and every of the nights and their descriptions. From, Ciaran’s blades to Ornsteins jumping to Gough’s archery.
Pit’s gawk of amusement died down when the fire did, but his attention was left completely intact. Noticeably however, his face of wonder and delight melted into one of concern and sadness, dripping tears by the end of his story.
	“No… The poor puppy!” The angel blubbered, reduced to snivelling sniffling pile of feathers. “And the poorer knight! It can’t end that way!” He bawled, looking up to the heavens. “Lady Palutena, we’ve gotta do something to help him!” His cries were met with nothing but the sound of someone equally choked up, blowing her nose.

[Deleted]

"So her new name is Palutena..." Artorias mused, idly shimmying over to sit behind Pit, suddenly bringing the angel into his lap, embracing the sobbing fool. Goodness, this was going to be an arduous journey if Pit ever dared to truly take the task of defending Gwynivere seriously. Regardless, he fit the shoes of Ornstein, so... perhaps things could be different now. The large, corrupted knight simply held Pit close. Within the two, their souls kindled, entwined, burned a little bit together...

As all eventually do in Lordran, Lothric, Drangleic, and those other fated lands, Artorias felt that true bond forming with Pit. Emotions entangled, and conjoined, coalescence of their beings was subtle, and clearly, Artorias shared in his own bit of wallowing. "I, too, miss my dear friend Sif. You are no fill in, or replacement, but sir Pit... You are a true friend to me. I embraced this world, seeking to keep my senses sharp, and to hone myself. I did not realize this journey would invariably bring my soul close to your own. Pit..." Artorias sighed, wrapping his arms around Pit close, bringing him into a hug. A small, speck-filled droplet dripped out of Artorias's helmet. A tear. When it fell to Pit's clothes, the specks remained there, fading to nothing thereafter. "Thank you. You've given me hope, something to strive for. Something to live towards. I shall not be self-destructive in my combative maneuvers, to preserve myself. If you ever need my assistance, for any activity, ask your goddess to speak to me. If... my assumption is correct, she speaks to your mind. Gwyn's connection to my own was not so different." 

Artorias could feel this bond forged deep in his soul. Pit could likely see his own soul, and Artorias's own, that blackened, twisted thing. It was given... a spark. A kindling hope from the far reaches of damnation.



Artorias will never forget this day.

[TartoonHand94]

Between incoherent tear-soaked murmurs, Pit nodded yes that his goddess’ name was Palutena now. It was the only name he knew her by besides Lady. Pit gave no resistance to being hoisted onto Artorias’ lap, but without a proper father figure in his life, this was an alien experience to him. Is this what male bonding is like? Most of Pit’s friends, whether from his native skies or beyond, were forged on the battlefield. There was no doubt that this knight had spent his fair share of time in the fray. And then some. And then some still. And for this, he had paid the ultimate price. It was something to which Pit could relate to on a primitive level. And at the same time, it was everything Pit had feared. What lied beyond the threshold of his loyalty to his goddess? And what would he find there had he crossed it. And yet here was sat on the lap of a knight who had very much seen the edge of darkness and had been soaked in it. Yet despite this, he had not allowed himself to become fully consumed by the darkness like other human knights he had met and fought.
Noticing the tears leaking from his helmet, Pit offered a cardboard tissue box shaped like an item chest. “I’m sorry Arto, it’s just, I’ve risked my life for the goddess countless times too…” Pit finally spoke up between sniffs. “I mean I’ve been bitten, beaten, shot at, zapped, shocked, burnt frozen, grabbed, squashed, dropped, turned into an eggplant, turned into tempura, turned into a ring, burnt my wings and was even eaten by the Lord of the Underworld himself! I can’t count the amount of times it all finished me off either, but you… you… Aw come here man.” Without another word Pit embraced the poor knight, unable to keep himself from doing so any longer.
	“Ring ring~” A new voice rang in Artorias’ helmet. “New phone, who this?”

[Deleted]

The two held that embrace for a while, clutched close under firelight and the sun's ever growing warmth. Artorias remained quiet. This one was like him, wasn't he? Pit was everything Artorias had been. Stoic, brave, daring... Naive. The kindness that Pit exuded was beyond that of even his own compassion, Artorias wagered. This boy was no boy at all, but a man in children's flesh. Artorias let Pit go thereafter, letting the smaller male sit upon his knee, the firelight casting light to the bottom of Artorias's face, a true look at who he was. Pearly skin dimly lit by trails of teardrops that had fallen. Scars of a million battles, barely visible like subtle patchwork on his face. 

That was all interrupted when the three-way call was made with Palutena's voice. Artorias let off a raspy, low chuckle. "You sound so much like my Lady Gwynivere. Milady Palutena. You do not remember me, and we may not be of the same time, but I assure you... I know what you stand for. Call upon me when your captain is given to danger beyond his expertise. If I am not busy defending my own life or another's, I will be at his side. I swear you this." With that, he took a tissue, only to wipe Pit's face with. "Dry up now, friend. You've no need to be mournful." Pit might notice the darkness that crept and nipped at Artorias's heels was just... sitting back. As if Pit's very presence drove it away. "Perhaps in time, you and I could crusade together. For justice. For your... no. For our lady." The fire faded after that, and Artorias stood, setting Pit down on his own two feet, gazing out to the horizon. "If you'd like, Pit, I could let you feel the wind across our backs once more. What do you say? Care for another flying leap?"