I picked Sorcerer as my starting class. I heard magic didn't hit as hard, and I've never been a fan of the intimacy of using daggers. That said, I started Dark Souls II off with one so might as well do the same here. The opening tutorial parts were easy enough. Slash here. Dodge there. Backstab here. I was taught about using my weapon skill, then I hit my first wall challenge. That damn giant crystal lizard.

It took try after try to learn what to do and not to do. I was nearly heart broken when I finally got him down to a sliver, a few pixels of health, and I got greedy. I broke my rhythm and decided to stay and get a few more hits on him, because I was so close and wanted him to die. I died instead.

Why was I spending so much time on this one monster? He's not even a boss. It was a learning experience that took nearly a week to get past. I felt like this is what makes Dark Souls so frustrating and rewarding. I collected myself and reflected what I did to get so far. I had learned that patience was key and every little hit help. Chip away. I went back to the bonfire for the last round.

The last round started well, but I go hit hard early. Two flasks left. I managed to get a few hits in and dodge away for a good period of time, while switching to magic when he was out dagger range. I managed to methodically get him down past 50%, when family duties and the F1 Chinese GP called...I had to run away as fast as I could and hope he leashed back in time. I got back to the bonfire, and there the game sat for the next four hours.

When the kid finally went down for his nap and the race was over, I made a cup of coffee and went about trying to pick up where I left off in the battle I has started four hours ago. I ran back in happy to see his health below 50%. "Patience, you can do this." is what I told myself. Soon after I got hit by a jump then AOE move. One flask left.

I recovered. Dodged some more. I chipped away at his health more with a few well timed swings here and there. When he was far away, I switched to magic and hit him some more. I stuck to my plan and stayed patient. The reward was so sweet. It wasn't about the Titanite Scale any more. It was about sticking with this battle, finding myself as a player of a Sorcerer. My heart was pounding at the end, and it felt so good.

I continued on to the boss of the Cemetery of Ashes. I went into the fight was much more confidence in myself and less fear of dying on the first attempt or next few dozen. I did a few exploratory runs and composed my strategy, just dodge and Soul Arrow him to death. It died a handful of times, but Soul Arrow did enough damage that I didn't need my dagger. I took a few more tries, but I was able to beat the boss a few runs after figuring out what I needed to do. I wouldn't say the first boss was easy. I would say that I gained a lot from fighting the giant crystal lizard at the start, that prepared me well for the next challenge.

I finally entered The Firelink Shire. I had amassed over 18,000 souls and much more locked away in the souls I had in my inventory. It was time to level and move forward to the High Tower of Lothoric. I'm glad to be a Sorcerer with a fine dagger.