Chapter 1
Blood…this was how everything started…ever since I was a part of the Church, I was told everything about the Old Blood. There was a civilization before ours that lived underground. These people were called the Pthumerians, a society that worshipped sentient beings called the Great Ones who bestowed the Pthumerians with this special blood. Master Lawrence, the founder of the Church Order, was part of the excavation group that discovered the long faded Pthumerian city, underground our beloved haven of Yharnam. There, Master Lawrence was able to find a supply of the Pthumerians, Old Blood and immediately saw it's healing capabilities…from this new discovery, it was where Master Lawrence built his foundation and created the Church Order…but it was also when everything went to hell…
"Califax." My mind was brought back to the events of the present by my master's voice. I was sitting on the dead body of a were-wolf monster, my Rapier stabbed right into the beast's cranium and through its brain. I looked up to see my master, donning the black robes of us Church Hunters with the white sash hanging from around his neck and an end dangling from behind, exactly what I was wearing too. My master also had on a worn out bucket hat that created a shadow over the majority of his face and his long, white hair gleamed against the moon's twilight. "Yes Master Gascoigne?..." Gascoigne, a pastor of the Church Order and a powerful Hunter as well. His great faith in the church and his want to protect humanity was what drew me to follow him. He didn't really mind how I chased him like a little puppy. I followed him around enough and survived long enough for him to allow me to call him Master. He pulled his massive axe blade out of another one of the were-wolves that we killed together as he looked over towards me with his cerulean, blue eyes gazing into my leafy green ones. "Let's get going Califax. We promised Viola that we'd be back by dusk." Master chuckled. I lightly jumped up to my feet, pulling my own weapon out of the creature's head and sheathing it. As it rumbled, I held one hand over my stomach, sighing out, "Whew, it's about time we head back. I've wanted some of Ms. Viola's cooking lately." Just the thought of Viola's hot meals was enough to make me drool slightly, but also make me even hungrier, "Ah! Master, shall we head on back?!" I asked rather persistently, making master laugh out loud. He placed an arm around my neck and began to drag me along down the blood-soaked road of slain were-wolves and feral beasts, "Alright then! When we get back, we'll have a nice feast for a successful hunt tonight!"
We were finally able to arrive at Master's place with the sun just coming out over the horizon. He threw open the door and let out a hearty yell, "Viola! Amelia! We're back!"
"Daddy!" Running out from one of the rooms in the house was a little tart who had long, golden hair, much like her mother. It was Master Gascoigne's daughter, Amelia. I lightly smiled, seeing the father and daughter embrace each other in a tight hug before Amelia's sights turned to me. "And Uncle Califax is here too!" She released her father to quickly run over and give me a hug too nuzzling her head into my stomach. Rubbing her head, I chuckled out, "Hey there Amelia. Good to see you again."
"Is that Califax I hear?" Another womanly voice came out from the kitchen as walking out was a blonde beauty, wearing a purple colored dress and had a necklace on that had a bright, red ruby encased on it. This was Master Gascoigne's wife, Viola. "Hehe, hey Ms. Viola, I'm sorry to intrude." I apologized.
"Oh no, not at all! Please Califax, you're family. Stay as long as you like, especially stay for your first meal of the day after a long night of defending our precious city." Viola giggled slightly.
"Haha now now dear, no need to innocently guilt trip him into staying." Gascoigne hugged his beloved wife from behind and kissed her cheek. It always makes my heart warm up to see Master so happy. This is indeed a family that can be able to stand the tests of time. "Heh, alright, I guess I'll stay." I responded along with my stomach moaning very loudly. This made Amelia giggle out loud, "Uncle Cali's stomach made a rumbly~! Hehehe~!"
"Hah, make fun of me now huh?" I picked up Amelia and held her over my shoulder, making her laugh, "Uncle Cali, haha, put me down~!"
"Alright you two, come on in and let's eat." Viola called over with me bringing Amelia in, still over my shoulder.
The table was rather quiet as we were all enjoying the delicious meal that Ms. Viola prepared. Master Gascoigne and I definitely showed that we were hungry as we were gobbling up our food rather quickly, making Ms. Viola roll her eyes before laughing lightly from our behaviors, "I'm at least glad that Amelia here isn't picking up on your mannerisms you two."
"Haha, please forgive us dear, but we are pretty exhausted from what we took on last night." Gascoigne explained.
"Oh? What was that exactly?" Viola titled her head in curiosity. Master Gascoigne looked over at me and nodded, wanting me to explain. I quickly gulped down the bite of food I had in my mouth and replied, "It was a massive horde of were-wolves."
"Oh my. I should be grateful you two weren't injured." Viola gasped out.
"Aaaah no need to be afraid my dear. With Califax here watching my back, not even the Great Ones will be able to make me shake in fear." Master Gascoigne praised. It really made me feel important, hearing him say such things to me. I couldn't help but smile brightly with my eyes closed, finishing up the last bites of my plate. "Ok then, I guess I should head on back to the Grand Cathedral." I stated while standing up from my seat.
"Wha? Oh we don't have to worry about that right now Califax. Sit. Relax." Master Gascoigne insisted.
"Heh, sorry Master, but Alfred will have both of our hides if we don't report in on time this time. I'll go and report in. Stay here with your family."
"Oh Califax, you really are a saint in disguise." Viola smiled, making me rub my head in embarrassment, "Heh, now now it's the least I can do." Then I began to turn and walked over to head out the door. Before I could make it off of the front steps, Master Gascoigne called back from within the doorway, "Califax…"
"Yes Master?" I turned around in response.
"You know. For five years now, you have been a most valuable ally to the Church…and to me." He lightly smiled, but the smile soon faded away, "Tell me…how exactly have you been feeling over these five years of Hunting?"
"Heh, in all honesty Master, I feel great. Nothing makes me feel anymore happier than a chance to serve the Church and defend humanity from these creatures."
"Hmmm…" Gascoigne looked down as if he was in deep thought, but soon returned a smile back to me, "Ok then. You can go on ahead now."
"Hehe ok, see ya later master!" I ran on up the stone paths of Yharnam, making my way to the Great Bridge that led to the Grand Cathedral, the headquarters of the Church Order.