I teleported to the Stranded Graveyard and walked through the poison pit into the Fringfolk Hero's Grave. I needed to finish it this time and I was confident that I had all of the tools to do so this time. I had the fmes to make quick work of the Ulcerated Tree Spirit and the longbow to make quick work of the Chariot.

  I made my way down the hallway. Dodging the Chariot, I dropped down by the bridge and used Margit's Shackle to clear the way of fire traps. I then killed every fanged imp in between me and the elevator that leads to the ledge where I could destroy the Chariot. I took careful aim with my longbow and waited for the right timing. With a swish and a fwip, a rge jar of explosives fell down onto the Chariot, destroying it.

  I checked my inventory and found that I now had the Erdtree great bow. I then continued down the hallway at a leisurely pace, killing the exile soldier phantoms that periodically appeared. I came upon a T junction and decided to take the upwards path first. At the top there was a room with a single, elite exile soldier inside. I killed them with ease and looted the Dragon Communion seal from the pce where they disappeared after I killed them.

  I then went down the other path. At the bottom was an alcove with a fog wall.

  Time to fight the Ulcerated Tree Spirit.

  I drank my physick and prepared my soldier ashes. I already put my new dragon communion incantations into some memory slots. Specifically, the fme breath and dragon's cw. I would probably rely on the fme breath incantation, but having the soldiers would help draw attention away from me.

  I entered the fog wall and immediately summoned my soldiers and then I dodged to the left as a rge arm made of a combination of wood and meat came crashing down right where I was standing. I sprinted to the middle of the room and turned towards the Tree Spirit. It was a rge, almost snake-like sculpture of wood and flesh. It roared and began smashing my soldiers. I cast fme breath and then drank my fsk of cerulean tears to cast again. Too te I noticed that the Ulcerated Tree Spirit was charging up holy fmes, only to explode knocking me back and killing my soldiers.

  I got up and knew I wouldn't have the time to cast fme breath again before the Ulcerated Tree Spirit sets upon me. I rushed forwards and began sshing, my sword cutting through the wood and flesh with ease and yet there was so much vitality within the Tree Spirit.

  The Ulcerated Tree Spirit spun around and with a wide-open maw chomped on me and brought me up into the air. Holy fmes burning me, searing my flesh. After what felt like an eternity, the Tree Spirit spat me out onto the ground. In my pain-addled state, I almost missed the moment that the massive wooden arms came crashing down on my head.

  ...

  I opened my eyes. I was staring at the ceiling of the alcove before the Ulcerated Tree Spirit. A quick gnce over to the left showed me a Stake of Marika, the reason I was resurrected here instead of prior to the poison pit. I sat up, groaning. I knew that I could win, I could see that I reduced the Ulcerated Tree Spirit to less than half HP. I just needed a different source of fire.

  With a sudden lightbulb moment, I brought out my crafting kit and crafted some more fire grease, as well as several fire pots. I began preparing to fight again. I drank my Physick, I coated my sword in fire grease, I readied my soldier ashes, and I prepared to throw some fire pots. With a determined heart, I entered the fog.

  I summoned my soldiers again, then I dodged and began throwing fire pots at the Tree Spirit. I watched half the Ulcerated Tree Spirit's HP vanish under the relentless assault from my fire pots. As the Tree Spirit exploded again, and killed my soldiers, again, I rushed in to attack once more. This time I dodged when the Tree Spirit made its attacks and the fire grease on my sword dealt more damage than my sword did.

  I dodged another smashing of the Ulcerated Tree Spirit's arms and then I made a jump attack. The damage sent the Tree Spirit tumbling to the ground. I saw the guidance of grace showing me a critical weak spot. With a mad rush I stabbed the Ulcerated Tree Spirit in its weak spot and watched as the Tree Spirit fell down, dead.

  "??????????! ??! ????!"(???)

  With a deep breath, I rexed and collected my runes. I checked my inventory and saw that I had obtained a golden seed and the ashes of Banished Knight Oleg. I had enough runes to level up again now, so I returned to the first step and sat down at the grace. I soon felt a presence beside me.

  "Shall I turn your runes to strength? Let my hand rest upon you, for but a moment. Share them with me, your thoughts, your ambitions, the principles you would follow."(Melina)

  I increased my mind once more. At 16 mind I had 100 FP which would let me summon Either of the Banished Knights Oleg or Engvall.

  Once that was done, I decided to teleport over to the Castleward Tunnel before Castle Stormveil. I was ready to kill Margit and get access to Godrick the Grafted.

  "???????????!"(???)