It was this time 8 years ago I dove into this series. I was in the darkest pit I have ever been in my life. My fiance had just left me for my at the time best friend, they took everything from me my home, my pets, most of my belongings. Luckily a few friends took me in, all I had in the world was their couch and a PS3. I could barely drag myself off that couch everyday, they would come into the place I worked and flaunt it in my face they were together. The place I was staying was only down the street so I'd see them drive by everyday. There was no escape and I was the closer to trying to end it all then I like to think about.

I needed something to take my mind off everything and on a complete whim I bought a pre owned copy of Dark Souls.

It didn't take long before my sleepless nights changed from because of terrible thoughts to because I was exploring this world of what at the time was infinite possibilities, searching every nook and cranny for new items and weapons, forcing myself not to use guides and learning this world for myself.

I can still vividly picture that first time beating O&S, getting the lord vessel and just feeling this overwhelming sense of accomplishment and self pride, and almost all at once all the pain of what happened in my life lifted off of me.

I can honestly say Dark Souls saved my life, and it tought me to truly imbrace so many lessons. Life isn't easy, it isn't supposed to be. Bad things are going to happen, sometimes you are going to get sent back to what is essentially the beginning with nothing. It's up to you to learn and adapt and persevere through it. The world won't change for you and will hardly ever help you. It's going to feel unfair, like everything is against you, and that's OK. It's what you do about it that matters.

You can fall down as may times as needed, as long as you stand up one more.