BETA-READ BY: ekaterina016
It was almost daybreak. Hestia and Bell were still sleeping as Abram sat near the door, watching and guarding them. His gun was propped against the wall next to him, preloaded and ready to fire.
So he waited, either for one of his comrades to wake or for someone to break down the door. Although his eyes were shut, his ears were wide open. When he heard the stomping of feet make their way down the stairs, he readied himself. Then, the knocking came. He cracked open the door, expecting some sort of prank, but found Eina instead.
The girl was in her nightwear, half-awake, at his Familia's home at close to six o'clock in the morning. "Whenever I see you like this, I feel I should have lied."
"About what?"
"My origins," Abram answered. "You wouldn't be overusing your energy, and you would still be asleep."
"The truth would have come out eventually."
"I can assume there is a reason why you're here at this hour of the morning?"
"Yes!" Eina quietly exclaimed. "I think I may have found this 'Yharnam' place!"
Abram froze. He shuffled around for his weapon, before only lazily managing to drag a belt of knives over his shoulder. The hunter squirmed himself out of the door to meet Eina face-to-face. "Where?"
"The far northern end of the continent. I think that might be it."
"Don't you have to worry about losing employment if you took on such a venture?"
"Well-" Eina sighed while tensing her shoulders.
"You quit?" Abram assumed, interrupting the girl.
"Not exactly, but yes." Some of the tension was released from her shoulders, but she remained anxious. "It's not that I quit recently; it's just that… I was planning on doing so this morning."
"That doesn't sound like the brightest idea," Abram said, eliciting an understanding glare from the half-elf. "You would be leaving your former coworkers to pick up all that left behind work-"
"I'm aware-" she began, before being cut off again.
"- then there's Bell." Eina's body tightened when Abram continued. "He would be left hanging while someone familiarized themselves with his file, not to mention he would be assigned an advisor he's unfamiliar with."
Abram's words laid heavily on Eina. 'He's not wrong…'. Transfers between advisors rarely ever happened, and the few times it did happen, everything was a nightmare for days. Files would get lost or misplaced, information would need to be refilled, documents would be out of order. Eina knew her leaving was quite different, between adding one new Adventurer and splitting up everyone under her name to her coworkers.
"Y-You're right," Eina admitted. "I remember when it happened to me after one of my colleagues left to go back to his home village; we couldn't get our heads on straight for the rest of the week."
"So you'll stay?"
"Yeah, but... what about your home?" Eina asked. She could tell Abram was eager to investigate the city. It was his home, after all, and she was curious if anyone would be there to greet any outsiders.
"The city was abandoned in a mass exodus and left in ruin due to a beastly plague."
She suddenly remembered Abram's words from the first time they met. It's unlikely anyone was still living there – and this plague he mentioned could still be airborne. Abram was twenty-six years old, and if he left the city recently – something she could only assume – then the infected dead bodies could still be carriers. "Are you sure you want to go back home?" Eina asked. "That disease you said took the city out could still be there."
"It's a blood-borne disease. As long as no one goes around sticking syringes in their arms or drinking the old cocktails there, everything will be fine."
She remembered something else this time, sparked by the new information gifted by Abram. "A few nights ago, you said you would tell me what happened to your city. Do remember that?"
"I do," Abram said. "Do you wish to listen to the tale?" Eina, although reluctant, nodded her head. She had a feeling the story would send chills down her spine, but her curiosity gripped her mind. "Let's go upstairs and I'll tell you the story."
Before Yharnam was the ancient civilization known as Pthumeru – or Pthumer to some. Much like Yharnam, they discovered ancient beings deep below their civilization and worshipped them as gods. These gods laid asleep in their tombs, undisturbed until awoken by the people who found them.
The gods had no quarrel with these men and women, so they let them do as they please, within reason. However, they would still find themselves involved with Pthumerian society, as all gods want one thing. And that one thing... is a child. Because of the unique shape of every god, they cannot have a child of their own-
"Can you get to the point?" Eina pushed impatiently. "Don't get me wrong, this is a bit interesting, but I feel like you're dancing around the cause."
"I was about to get to that," Abram answered, leaving Eina to slump over in annoyance.
Because of the unique form of every god, they cannot have a child on their own. They require a surrogate. Fast forward hundreds – or thousands – of years, and Yharnam would be built atop these ruins.
During the events of the cities collapse, their blood would drive men mad as a blood-red moon hung above the sky. This alone is normal, but due to the birth of an infant great one, Mergo, this process was... accelerated, one could say. The infant's cries could be heard all throughout the drove the city to its knees, causing men and women to violently mutate into bloodthirsty beasts.
In one long night, all of that was brought to an end. Mergo was smothered in his cradle, and Yharnam was able to see another day – though its people had vanished and remained unfound.
Eina stared at the floor with her eyes stretched wide. She took a deep breath in, collecting herself before looking back up to Abram. "That's a lot a take in."
"Not really," Abram said. "I oversimplified a bit of it and didn't give you the full story. A lot of details were left out for the sake of someone rushing me. Also, I don't think you need the full story to understand what happened."
"Fair enough," Eina agreed.
It was quiet for a bit. Eina sat down, staring out of a nearby window, and Abram filled his time by pulling out and watching a small pocket watch's hand tick around the glass. Owls hooted in the background, bringing some life to what remained of the night around them. Squirrels made their routine visit to the doorway of the chapel, squeaking like mice as they ran around the place.
"S-So, you're going to go to Yharnam? Alone?" Eina asked, breaking the short-lived silence.
"Of course not. Surely you've noticed that woman over there?" Abram pointed towards the Doll.
"She's going too? How'd you convince a stranger to go along with you – in fact, who even is she?"
The Amazonian-looking woman approached the two, who sat on one of the pews in the middle row. Eina could tell from the way she carried herself around Abram they had some sort of familiarity with one another. She wore a thin, red-and-white Victorian-styled dress. On the side of her face and neck was a long black path stretching out like branches from a tree. It looked almost necrotic, though prevented from expanding further. If Eina caught her on the street, it could pass good enough as a tattoo, but in this close distance, it was obvious it was real tissue.
Finally, she stopped at their isle. Abram and Eina stood, noting the girl's height to be in between the two of them. "This is Doll," Abram introduced the two. "She was with me when working with Flora. She was also working with my master."
"My name is Eina; it's nice to meet you!" She greeted with an anxious smile. Eina could tell there was something wrong with her. She was told about the strange creature which almost drove her mad, and she didn't want to ask any more questions which would result in a similar fate.
"It has been a pleasure introducing myself to you, Miss." Her voice was monotone and cold, though relaxed and delighted. There was a smooth sound to it, one which sent a relaxing chill down Eina's spine.
"So you're also from Yharnam?"
"Technically," Doll answered. Eina could only assume that meant she was from a village near Yharnam.
They could hear the owls and squirrels again when another round of silence descended on them. The moment wouldn't last long, as they heard footsteps march up the stairs from where Bell and Hestia slept.
The door opened, introducing the young teen to the conversation. "Hey, everyone," he said with a heavy yawn. "What's going on here?"
"We're discussing an adventure out of the city," Abram answered.
"Really?" Bell queried in surprise. "Wouldn't that mean leaving me and Hestia behind? And Miss Eina… are you going too?"
"I'm staying, Bell. Don't worry," Eina assured the boy.
"How long will you guys be gone?"
Abram hummed in thought. "Not sure," he admitted. "Could be at least a month."
"Where are you going?"
"A place I once called home." Abram's words left Bell curious, but he held his tongue. "Of course I'll have to talk to Hestia about this, but I'm sure she'll be fine with it."
"Probably," Bell agreed.
Morning had come and gone. The afternoon sun beat heavily on everyone below. Abram and the Doll walked the streets, headed towards the plaza below the Babel Tower. Much to Abram's surprise, no one paid the girl any mind.
Hestia approved of Abram's venture, though only on the condition he'd be back within two months. The journey itself should be only a few weeks, and how long he intended to be in Yharnam could be narrowed down to less than a week.
Knowing how long the trip would be, Abram only sought it to be reasonable to hire extras to accompany him and the Doll. Just the two of them going would be a death sentence, and testing his immortality wasn't something he would want to risk. The problem itself would be convincing people to leave the city. He thought about grabbing one of Loki's Familia's, but knowing the relationship with his current goddess and Loki, that would only end in a heavy 'no'.
"Excuse me!" A voice said behind him, taking the Hunter and his companion by surprise. "Are you two looking for a supporter?"
Abram turned to the voice, which happened to be a small girl. He couldn't tell if she was a pallum or an actual child. "I'm sorry if I'm being rude, but I'm still having trouble telling apart the difference between a child and a pallum-"
"I'm a chienthrope," she said with a small laugh, taking off her hood. The cat ears sent a slight shiver down Abram's spine, but he held back the urge to pull out a blade.
"Well, if you're willing to join me on my way out of the city, then yes."
The girl was caught off guard slightly. "Why are you leaving the city?" She asked, curious of the Hunter's reason.
"I'm visiting an old city. The journey should be for a few weeks, and I'm hoping to hire at least three other people."
"Well... I'm not sure," the chienthrope responded. "How much are you paying?"
"How does one hundred-thousand valis sound?" Abram asked. From inside his trench coat, he pulled out three leather bags which looked to be at least a quarter of what he offered.
"Bump it up a bit," the young girl requested.
"Two hundred," Abram returned.
The girl stood in place, interested at his offer, but still partially unimpressed. It was enough to buy a house, but not a nice one. She remembered him saying they were going to a city, one which was probably in ruins if he's hiring Adventurers. If she made it back alive, then the riches she could obtain would let her rise above the rest of her Familia.
"Deal," she said, extending a gleeful hand towards the man. They shook hands, both happy with the outcome of their deal.
"My name is Abram, by the way. May I have yours?"
"Liliruca. But call me Lili."
The three waited outside the dungeon, trying to wave down other Adventurers to join them. Those who did stop by politely declined, and understandably so. Few Adventurers have left the city to go on proper adventures – not to mention crawling around in those caves was a much 'safer' investment to make.
Abram was almost ready to take the group he had and leave.
"If we don't go in ten minutes, I'm out," Lili said.
"Fine," Abram conceded. "Let's go." He turned around to leave, only to be met chest-to-face with Ais. He remembered the girl to be short, but not this short. Maybe she was wearing some sort of high boots last time? Or was he just tall?
"Miss Wallenstein," he greeted. "What did I do to have you grace my presence?" His tone was clearly sarcastic, but not insulting or malicious. It came across as humorous, if anything else.
"I was just wanting to see what you were up to," she answered vaguely.
"So do you just see what everyone you've only met thrice is up to?" Abram questioned. "That's a bit unusual."
Ais looked at the Doll with a still face, then towards Liliruca who stood straighter than a pole. "Do you two know each other?" She asked, pointing at the man and the chienthrope.
"We just met, so technically we do."
"What floor do you guys plan on going down to?"
"Actually," Abram said, looking at the blue sky beyond the wall, "we plan on leaving the city for a bit. The small one is a hire," he added, pointing to Lili. "And this is someone I've worked with in the past." He then pointed towards the Doll.
"Where to?" Ais inquired, with some notion as to where she would be headed.
"Yharnam," Abram replied, confirming the girl's suspicions.
Ais placed an inquisitive finger on her cheek, looking back towards the group she was with. "Could I tag along?" She asked, taking Abram by a slight bit of surprise.
"I wouldn't imagine Loki would be happy," Abram commented.
Ais hummed in agreement. "I might be able to work something out. Maybe."
"Whaaat?!" Loki shouted in surprise. "You want to go on an expedition outside Orario, with a member of Hestia's Familia?"
"Yes," Ais said back with a nod.
Loki began to laugh. If she didn't know better, she would think Ais was joking.
Ais's eyes wandered a bit, particularly moving to where they could see a small bottle of alcohol. There was still quite a bit left, so she could tell Loki was still sober.
"So, I assume that's a no?" Ais assumed.
Loki eventually calmed down, giving Ais a sympathetic glimpse. "Well, I have been meaning to ask you – or anyone for the matter – to watch the guy for a while."
"Is something wrong?" Ais asked, her finger curiously placed on her cheek.
"I think the guy is suspicious," Loki simply stated. "You don't automatically become a Level Six Adventurer like that. It's impossible."
"Do you think he's up to no good?"
Loki waved the suggestion off. "Unlikely, but I have a strange feeling about the guy. I'll let you tag along with them if you tell me everything that happens when you get back."
"Thank you, goddess," Ais said with a humble bow.
She began to walk to the door, before Loki grabbed ahold of her arm. "Don't think for a second I'm letting you go alone."
"Abram already has a hire on, and he's also bringing someone else with us."
"Nope, you're bringing Bete and Riveria with you," Loki stated. "I don't trust him to not pull a move on you."
Ais blushed slightly, before speaking back, "I don't think he's the type of person who would do such a thing, and wouldn't Bete be enough to stop him if he was?"
"Well, of course Bete would be enough," Loki answered. "I just thought I'd throw Riveria in there because you'd probably need a healer – and she can pull Bete's head out of his ass when he gets wily."
"Thank you, goddess."
"Remember to tell me everything that happens!" Loki shouted as Ais walked out of the door. The girl waved back in agreement and closed the door behind her as she left.
It was afternoon, and everyone was set. Abram and Doll were at the front of the group. Ais stood behind them both with Liliruca behind her, and in front of Bete and Reveria.
They had just left through the front gate. For most in the group, it had likely been ages since they left the city, but for Abram it was his first. The meadow in front of them left a clear path to follow, with a dirt road leading them away from the walls.
"So, where the hell are we even going?" Bete groaned with a subtle yawn.
"An old city named Yharnam," the Doll answered. "It is very isolated with little contact with the outside world… though it should be long abandoned."
"What's so important about this place exactly?"
"The confirmation of its existence," Abram replied. "As well as recovery of anything useful."
"I don't think some ancient city with outdated tech is of much use," Bete said back.
"On the contrary," Abram countered. He pulled out his blunderbuss and aimed it off to the side where none stood. He fired a single shot, before turning to Bete. "Guns," he simply said.
"So this place has magic items?" Reveria queried, showing a slight bit of interest.
"No. It's purely technology. No magic." Abram hung his gun back where he had it, attached to his hip. "There are many different types of guns, from muskets to flintlocks. There was even a prototype gun which was being worked on by a group called the Powder Kegs, firing six bullets in succession."
"What's a 'bullet'?" Ais asked, immediately regretting asking that when she saw Abram stab his arm with a small syringe.
The blood coalesced with an odd silver substance which also resided within the syringe, before finally forging into a cylindrical shape with a pointed tip. Abram undid the back end and pulled the bullet out, placing it in the hands of a bewildered Ais. "This is what is called a Quicksilver Bullet. Very different from normal bullets, but it's still a model as to how bullets tend to look." Abram watched Ais stroke the cold bullet before handing it back to him. He stuffed it in a small pouch before going on, "Bullets are a metal shrapnel propelled by an explosion out of the barrel of a gun. This explosion is caused by two flints knocking against each other and igniting an explosive substance known as 'gunpowder'."
"Doesn't sound too impressive," Bete commented with a somewhat condescending tone.
"A normal bullet would pierce through your body and get stuck in the person behind you," Abram returned. "A quicksilver bullet would get stuck in you and explode, releasing chemicals and blood which would damage you from the inside."
"Never mind," Bete changed his mind.
The rest of the walk was quiet. Most of the group would stare at Abram's blunderbuss, curious of what the other guns would function like. If Yharnam had technology like what Abram displayed, both in weaponry and city development, then why did it fall? Maybe the ruins contained answers for them to discover.
It was a hot day already, and the heat of the forge only made it worse. Hephaestus stood at the edge of the pool of molten iron, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
She placed her hands on her hips, her mind left wondering. 'Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something?' She thought, unsure of what it was. Ignoring her thoughts, she jumped right back into work, grinding and hammering away at the different projects she had before her.