182 The sad origins of Anastacia of Astora

??? "T-thank you."

Hearing this Reima feels even worse about forgetting that she even existed... He grips the metal bars that imprison her intent on tearing the cell open and giving her freedom.

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??? "W-wait! Forgive me for speaking my thoughts but I am to be imprisoned here until the final embers burn out." She says as if she honestly believes what she's saying... Who would imprison someone here basically until the world ends, ah, of-course it's Gwyn again.

Reima kneels down to her level and slowly asks, "What's you're name and who sentenced you here?".

The young woman looks up revealing locks of blonde hair and dark green eyes flecked with small black spots, the result of being a Fire Keeper Reima muses. "This lowly one is referred to as A-A-Anastacia of Astora... I-I was imprisoned here by Lord G-Gwyn's retainers, I was impure so I had to serve... I'm sorry if I've offended you, I'll continue to tend to the fire, I will take any punishment I have earned." she says sincerely and with hands clasped together in prayer.

Reima shakes his head, thinking of all the ways he could butcher that arrogant douche Gwyn. "Don't worry Anastacia you haven't offended me in the slightest, I wish to free you and take you somewhere safe... Your duty to the gods has been fulfilled."

Her eyes open wide, as he presses, "M-my duty to the gods is to be a lifetime of service, I c-cant leave..."

It seems he isn't going to get anywhere like this, he ignores her shocked and worried words of protest as he grips the bars and channels Armament Haki into his arms before bending them open. Reima does this until a person Anastacia's size could fit through. "Climb out, I promise, your role is over. Now it's up to me to finish what Gwyn started." he says while signalling her to climb out.

Anastacia of Astora can't comprehend her current situation... (Flashback!) She once served the way of white before she was found to have special abilities, her Miracles never worked but she was able to imbue some sort of black energy into elderly people that prolonged their life span. It was only after the people she treated got cursed with the Dark Sign and became undead that the church shipped her off to Anor Londo to be judged by the gods. While the city was bright, opulent and rested above the clouds she couldn't admire it as she was in a cage and constantly on display. The common people would throw whatever they had on hand at her, buckets of waste and refuse, rotten fruits and rocks number only a few. She had thought her prayers to the gods were finally answered when she was presented to Lord Gwyn, Princess Gwynevere and the Knight Captain that was armoured in gold and wielding a large spear. The Silver knight who was ordering the giant that was pulling her cage saluted and almost shouted, "Knight Bertrand presenting Anastacia of Astora!" he pulls out a parchment with writing too small for her to read. "Her crimes include, spreading the Dark Sign willingly and knowingly, conspiracy to commit treason and blasphemous diatribes against the Gods!"

Lord Gwyn seems to smile atop his golden throne, "And what say the convicted? Do you admit your guilt or do you deny the allegations towards you."

Anastacia looks up at him determined to be set free, "My Lord I am true to my faith and haven't strayed from the path of enlightenment, I have never spoken a single Blasphemous word and the only intentions I have towards Anor Londo are pure, prayers for the gods to continue the golden age they have ushered... I admit, the people I treated were cursed but I had not known that would be the result of my intervention, I beg of thee to have mercy!" she says clearly and confidently before bowing deeply, feeling secure that the gods are just and will see reason.

Gwynevere speaks up from her prone position, "If anything she's got a mouth on her despite being impure." Anastacia looks up from her bow confused, "Don't act like you haven't an idea of what you actually are... Sickening Humanity flows through you, part of the Dark Soul you have inherited. It's you and your kind that have caused the Dark Sign to appear." She says eloquently despite knowing it was her Father Gwyn that linked the fire causing the Dark Sign to appear... But they must have scape-goats to keep the peasants devoted.

Anastacia wishes to dispute this but is jabbed in the side by the blunt side of a spear, the knight glaring at her viciously, "Do not talk over the Princess, lest you be executed immediately."

Gwyn raises his hand causing the Knight to back off, "I've come to a decision, I find you guilty of all crimes. You will be imprisoned under Firelink shrine to tend for a fire with your impure powers, this will be your duty until the flames finally die out or your impure powers are cured by the fire.

(Flashback end)

And so she had been imprisoned here for... Who knows how long, the only thing that told her of times passing is the erosion of stone by the wind, that is until now. This peculiar man donned in a strange white cloak, white hair and enthralling Green eyes attempting to free her, she can't accept this can she? What if she's caught! The man bends the bars open and her resistance finally stops, she crawls out of her cell and finally feels the dim sun on her face, breathing out a sigh she drops back onto her knee's due to not walking for centuries. The man helps her up and supports her before introducing himself, "I am Reima Ludvig, a Witcher. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Anastacia of Astora, I want to show you my family. Are you fine with that?"

She nods hesitantly, such kindness. Do I really deserve this? Her thoughts are interrupted when the scenery around them suddenly changes, looking around she spots two women, one with the lower body of a spider and the other a crab. She starts hyperventilating in fear as the spider scowls at her but is calmed when the man called Reima rubs her head.