You've come too far... too far to stop now, you've made your journey, defeated all sorts of enemies and powerful creatures, you yourself became very powerful, defeating Velstadt and killing Vendrick with the giant souls you collected, Vendrick was in a deplorable and unrecognizable state, he didn't even look like the King everyone said he was.

However, at the back of the arena, you managed to see Vendrick's armor shine, a soft golden glow, you quickly knew that the Ashen Mist Heart would be useful now... as you approached the armor you were teleported to the same place, however... in front of you, you saw something surprising... King Vendrick, sitting with his back to you, not in a deplorable hollow state, but in his still human time.

"Seeker of fire, coveter of the throne. I am Vendrick, ruler of Drangleic."

"Seeker of fire, deliverer of crowns. What do you see in the flames? Find the crowns, and your own answers. The crowns hold the strength of lords from time long past. Seek adversity. As befits you, seeker of fire, coveter of the throne. I am no king. I am more fit to be a jester… I was unaware of my own blindness. We are feeble vessels, with feebler souls. We would cast aside the prop of life, only to face greater hardship. Are you another such fool, or something more? I fail to see your design, young moth. But I see very little, these days…"