"Djura?" His voice was soft, uncertain.

The old Hunter didn't respond for a few moments; Phoenix wasn't sure that he had even heard him and was about to open his mouth when he slowly turned to face him, his craggy, lined face breaking into a smile at seeing him there and acknowledged his presence with a slight inclination of his head.

Phoenix returned the gesture respectfully, smiling softly. While they might not have agreed on certain principles, he respected and loved the old man as if he were his own father; he knew that Djura also looked upon him as a son although this knowledge did nothing to assuage the pain in his heart at the coming confrontation.

"Phoenix. How good of you to come." His softly accented voice was quiet, with an underlying note of steel.

Phoenix acknowledged the compliment with a slight bow of his head. "It's good to see you."

"Likewise, my boy, although I could wish that the circumstances under which we've met again were different."

"You know why I'm here, don't you?"

Djura nodded slowly, a half smile on his face.

"Yes." He looked off into the distance for a few moments before turning back toward him, his short black hair fluttering in the breeze. "I knew that you would probably come by sooner or later."

"I...don't want to do this, but..." He stopped, his face flushing.

"But we both know that our Superiors want me back in Yharnam." Djura's voice hardened, his eyes narrowing. "Although for what reason I can't fathom."

"I don't know, Djura; they either couldn't, or wouldn't, tell me."

He chuckled mirthlessly. "I can well imagine the reason, my boy." He turned away from him then, his eyes flickering over the burning crucifixes scattered around the city plaza, Phoenix following his gaze with sadness. "They can't leave an old man in peace, to stay where he feels he's needed. The Healing Church is at the bottom of all this somehow and we're nothing more than it's obedient dogs." His voice was bitter and Phoenix wondered again the reason for it.

Djura's mouth twisted into a ghastly parody of a smile as he turned once again to look at Phoenix. "I'll not leave here unless death itself takes me." He lowered his eyes to look at the ground. "Kill me, if you can."

Djura, what are you saying?!

Phoenix was horrified. "I... I CAN'T!" he shouted, his voice raw and unhappy, taking a step back, his cerulean blue eyes reflecting his inner turmoil. "Please, don't ask me to do this! I love you like you were my own father and the last thing I want is to have your death on my conscience!"

He closed his eyes, taking deep breaths to calm his racing heart. "Please... be reasonable and come back with me! I..."-he paused a moment before he continued, his voice soft -"I...don't want to be forced to... kill you..."

Djura's eyes reflected his own pain though his mouth was a thin, angry slash.

"I'm not going back with you." Phoenix winced at the cold irrevocability in his former mentor's voice. "If you want me, then you'll have to kill me. You have no other choice."

"There is always another choice, Djura! Please." Phoenix held out his hands entreatingly; Djura stared at him, his eyes narrowed but he stayed where he was, not a muscle moving. "Come back with me. I don't want to have to kill you..."

"That's what you'll have to do, boy. I'm not leaving here and the only way I will is by death." His hand strayed to his weapon, his fingers wrapping around it and holding it tightly. The implication was unmistakable.

Phoenix's hands dropped limply to his sides, heartsick. "Djura..."

The old Hunter shook his head as he stared levelly at him; though his posture was one of angry determination and fiery defiance, Phoenix could see the pain reflected in his slate-grey eyes.

"I can't be untrue to what I believe than you can, Phoenix." He looked off into the distance. "I care not for what goes on above..."

Phoenix sighed in defeat. He doesn't want to have to do this, either, but...he feels its the only choice he has to make. His eyes filled with tears as he reached behind him, undoing the leather straps that bound his Saw Cleaver to his back, bringing it rest at his side. I don't understand...what has this burnt out, ruined city have to offer him? Why is he so willing to give up his life for it?

Djura's voice was soft, reflective. "You will come to understand someday, Phoenix, that it isn't beasts you're hunting..." Phoenix could hear the soft "click" of the hammer on his blunderbuss being pulled back and he swallowed hard, holding the Saw Cleaver at the ready in front of him. "They're people..."