Talk:Dragon Slayer Ornstein/@comment-58.169.217.78-20170424161658

It is heavily implied that Ornstein, in the first game, is one of Gwyndolin's illusions. And that Smough was the only one you really fought. Ornstein's abondoned armour later on in III, and a few items, suggest that Ornstein forsook his human form, to become the Nameless King's dragon. That being the reason why it has lightning abilities, and is able to be disposed of to grant the Nameless King more power, similar to the Original game's fight with the "fake" Ornstein and Smough. And why the Nameless King is so agitated when he must do so.

This is obviously a ret-con for the sake of continuing the story from the first game. However, considering that Miyazaki's involvement was not apart of Dark Souls II's development, the appearance of "Ornstein" is simply fan service to give familiarity to veterans of the first game.

Gwyndolin being in Dark Souls III is possibly the result of your fight being with his illusion in the first game, while he rested in his chambers. As he was regarded as being weak and frail, and these reasons being why he did not leave for Lothric with the other Gods. Or another possibilty, is that his corpse was taken by Sulyvhan and thrown into Aldrich's tomb, as a snack for when he woke up.