Message from the Compiler: So, this is something that SpaceBattles member Solracdragon started last February. It didn't make it into Keluvax's compilation, and when I took over I decided I wanted to keep Fused Loop multi-snip series together in their own chapters; that's what Keluvax said she would do with Masterweaver's "Flesh and Blood" DDLC/Azumanga Daioh series, so I decided to compile it that way, and it seemed to me to be a reasonable precedent. So, as y'all can see, that's what I did, both with Masterweaver's "Doki Doki Huntress Team" DDLC/RWBY series (still on-going) and my "Killer Glitches" DDLC/Mirai Nikki series. And Solracdragon went so long without updating this (since March, specifically) that I kind of…forgot about it. Solracdragon also hasn't been seen in the Infinite Loops neighborhood for a while, and I'd hate for all you Compilation Readers to miss out, so…
Here's the first, and hopefully not ultimately the only, installment of Solracdragon's DDLC/Bloodborne Fused Loop series, "Seeking Paleblood". Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have ^_^
Chapter 21 - Seeking Paleblood
(Doki Doki Literature Club)/(Bloodborne)
(By Solracdragon)
Part 1
The sound of coughing echoed in the currently empty room. It continued for a few minutes before settling down to merely heavy breathing. The source of the cough lay on a table, feminine in form, clad in dirty travelers clothing, and with a hand clutching her chest as she tried to push past the pain of her most recent fit. She was no stranger to pain, but there was definitely a difference in the pain of having a disease run rampant through your body and that of a blade cutting through your flesh. Soon enough the pain passed and she lay down on the table, both reminiscing on how she had gotten to this point and waiting for the man to finally arrive.
The loop started out as a fairly unique one, all things considered. Seemingly set in the Victorian Era, she grew up on the alone. Whether her parents had died before she was old enough to comprehend, or abandoned her for some unforeseen reason, she never knew. Still, the small village that she grew up in was in was nice enough. And while she never was adopted from the orphanage, she did still make herself useful enough to the caretakers of it that she was offered work there. All in all, the loop was pleasant enough and she was happy for the time of relaxation, even if doing without the technology she was used to took a while. Of course, things didn't stay relaxing for too long.
Even now she wasn't sure how exactly it started. It could have been a traveler passing through town, an animal having been caught and not properly cooked before eating, or any number of other reasons. But a plague struck the little town she had lived in, hard. For months she watched as people she knew died as the plague consumed them, unable to help even when others started to listen to her strange advice on how to stop the spread of it. Sure, the advice was born from looping into much more advanced times, but enough of it was applicable to the current time that it should help. It didn't for some reason, and soon enough she to caught the strange plague, though for some reason it didn't progress in her as fast as it had others.
"It must have been for this," she mutters to herself, still waiting on the Minister to arrive. This being her impending treatment, something that would cure her disease. Paleblood, is what it was called by the strangely cloaked man who had passed through what was left of her town. She thought it was a medicine at first until he explained further. A city, Yharnam, which was built around the use of blood to heal their ailments. Anything and everything could be cured through the use of the fantastical blood treatment, all under the purview of the Healing Church. Of course, certain blood was more effective at healing then others. And with how far along the plague would be in her by the time she arrived, only Paleblood would be enough to cure her.
With that in mind, she gathered her meager belongings and left the dying village she had grown up in. The journey was long, boring, and painful as the plague progressed, but she eventually made it to the city. Of course, as she arrived she found that getting the Paleblood wasn't going to be as easy as she hoped. All around, people were retreating into their houses, lighting incense as they went. It took some time to finally get a solid answer as to what was going on, and it filled her with despair. A Hunt, they said, was going to be happening tonight, and near everyone was retreating to their houses to stay safe for the night. The Healing Church wouldn't be able to help her until Dawn broke, and nobody would take in an outsider on the night of a Hunt. What a Hunt was, she didn't get a solid answer to, other then that it would take place in the very streets of Yharnam.
Not wanting to be caught up in it all, as she still had yet to find a combat style to suit her after that Zombie Apocalypse loop, she tried to seek some sort of shelter for the evening. Then, whether by chance or the fate of the loop pushing her in the direction, she came across a strange old man. He approached her in a wheelchair while she was in the midst of a coughing fit. Telling her that he had something to help her, he gestured for her to follow. With no other real options, she followed the best she could while coughing, not really getting a good look of her surroundings as she did so. She soon enough found herself in a darkened room that could only be a treatment room, and was told to wait. Before he left fully she did manage to get out one word, a word which caused him to chuckle as he left.
The sound of the door opening caused her to open her eyes and watch as the figure wheeled himself in. A plastic bag was in his hand, which he soon hooked to one of those metallic stands that hospitals used to hold blood and other medicines for transfusion. After hooking it up, he turned to her fully, though still keeping his distance.
"Oh, yes... Paleblood... Well, you've come to the right place. Yharnam is the home of blood ministration. You need only unravel its mystery. But, where's an outsider like yourself to begin? Easy, with a bit of Yharnam blood of your own... But first, you'll need a contract."
As he finished speaking, approaching her prone form while doing so, he set a piece of paper and charcoal on her stomach. Reaching down to look it over, she found it written in some language that she couldn't truly understand. The only part that she truly recognized was where she should write her name. Sighing heavily, and resigning herself to whatever this loop had in store for her, she scrawled her name on the blank line. Yuri.
As her name was signed, a sharp feeling made itself known in her arm. As she looked to see that the man in the wheelchair had stuck a tube into her arm, one connected to the bag of blood that was on the stand next to her.
"Good. All signed and sealed. Now let's begin the transfusion. Oh, don't you worry. Whatever happens... You may think it all a mere bad dream..."
As the blood began to flow from the bag into her form, Yuri's vision began to darken, and her body grow heavy. Time passed, that much she was sure of, though how much she couldn't say. Some form of consciousness began to return to her as the sound of something stepping onto the wooden floor echoed in the room. Turning to her left, Yuri's eyes widened at the sight of a large wolf like creature rising from a pool of blood. Unable to move her body, her fear grew as she watched the creature approach her. Bracing herself for being cut to ribbons as the claw started to approach her face, her ears suddenly hurt as the sound of screaming echoed through the room. She watched with amazement as the creature somehow caught fire and fled from the room. Heart hammering in her chest heavier than just before she would stab herself in her home loop, Yuri felt herself calm down.
The calm however, was quickly shattered as she felt something else on her body. Looking down, she watched with wide eyes as pale white fingers began to appear from underneath the table, and hoist something onto her body. Many small pale, white creatures began to hoist themselves up and cover her over. As she felt her vision began to darken, the sweet embrace of unconsciousness beginning to overtake her, Yuri did hear one more thing. A soft feminine voice washing over her.
"Ah...You've found yourself a hunter."
Part 2
Eyes fluttered open gently as Yuri awoke from her slumber. Her sleepy mind took a moment to catch up with everything before her eyes widened and began to look around her surroundings. Everything seemed, normal, for lack of a better word. Granted, she was waking up on a medical table in what she was now realizing was likely not the most sanitary of locations, but nothing seemed out of place. There was no large werewolf looking thing rising out of a pool of blood, though were those floorboards broken when she first got here? And there weren't numerous small white, things, reaching out from beneath the table and crawling all over her. Taking a moment to look herself over, a stark realization made itself known.
The pain in her chest, a result from the plague she had contracted, was gone. Taking an experimental deep breath, and smiling when she didn't have a coughing fit, soft laughter began to leave her throat. "I suppose I must have just been dreaming, or hallucinating I suppose." It made sense to, given that there wasn't really any pain when that man, the Blood Minister, hooked her up for the transfusion process. Looking around, a slight frown makes its way onto her features at not seeing him around anymore. The door out of the room was open, so it was entirely possible that he was waiting outside of the room for her. Not wishing to waste any more time than normal, she begins to make her way out, only for a rather fresh looking piece of parchment to catch her eye.
Looking it over brought a frown to her face, though it wasn't from the message entirely. It was more from the fact that it looked to be written by her, the font being the same that she normally used. "Seek Paleblood to transcend the hunt. Why on earth would I write this. No, when did I write this?" Speaking in little more than a whisper, her mind races at what it could mean. She knew that she needed Paleblood to cure her disease, that wandering man had said as much. But she was already feeling better, and didn't that Minister say that she would need to seek it as well? And then there was the mention of the Hunt. From what she understood something of the sort would be happening here in Yharnam tonight, something she had no intentions of participating in. So why would she want to transcend it?
Questions filling her mind, and many things not adding up, she decided to speak with that Blood Minister. Surely, he would have some more answers for her. Heading towards the open door to the room, a sense of unease fills her at the sight beyond. It didn't lead to another room, but to stairs that went downwards. Stairs, that someone in a wheelchair really had no way of getting up. Taking a deep breath to steel her resolve she descends the stairs, the sense of unease growing as she begins to hear a very familiar sound. Sure, she had only really heard it once before, but it was an easy sound to place. The sound of bones crunching and flesh being torn apart slowly was something one got very familiar with when one was being eaten by zombies. Slowly and carefully so as to not make a sound, Yuri enters the next room. Eyes scanning about for any sign of the living dead, they widened and her face paled at what she saw instead.
Just like from what she had assumed to be her nightmare, there was a large werewolf like creature in the room. Given the very visible burn marks all over it, it was probably that same one that had tried to eviscerate her in it. Back turned to her, and crouched over devouring some poor soul, it hadn't noticed her yet. Slowly, even more so then she did on her approach, she begins to make her way back up to the room she had awoke in. There was another door in there after all, so hopefully she could escape this place through this. As she moved, her mind couldn't help but grasp the situation she was in. That, could only be what this so called Hunt was trying to kill. And the fact that so many people were gathering for it likely mean that there were more of those beasts around.
Reaching the room she had woke in, she moves to the door on the opposite end. Trying it, a soft groan of anger escapes past her lips. "Locked, of course it would be locked." Taking another deep breath, Yuri places her back to the locked door and thinks about her situation. The plague not killing her as fast as it had others, the mysterious man telling her of a miracle cure in a far away city, said city practically going into isolation for the night for some sort of Hunt, managing to find someone who could treat her with the miracle cure, having what she assumed to be a nightmare that probably wasn't, and finding a strange note written in her own hand. Really, only one conclusion could be reached when one put it all together. "I'm being railroaded. This loop is actually forcing me to participate in this Hunt."
Maybe it was doing it for a reason, Yggdrassil itself trying to help her find a way to fight. Or maybe it was just poor luck, after all she wasn't exactly a stranger to railroading in the loops. An Unawake Monika certainly did a lot of it. But this, was a bit much in her opinion. The loop hadn't dropped her into the care of someone with experience to teach her, or even give her a weapon to use. Even a knife of some sort would be appreciated at this point, something that this supposed clinic seemed to lack based on a quick search. "I suppose I could wait here for someone to find me. But the odds are more likely that the beast down there will come up here looking for more food." And she did not want to be eaten, not again at least, the first experience of it was more than enough for her.
Steeling her resolve, a simple conclusion came to her mind. Either she waited up here for the beast to either come and search her out, or she took the fight to it and went down fighting. And, at the very least, if she were to die fighting it then she could tell everyone in her next loop that she at least didn't die a coward. The only question now, was how was she going to fight it? Using her bare hands would be more suicidal then she acted in her baseline. Trying to pry off a blank of wood or break some glass was better, but could cause enough noise to bring the beast to her early. A book, as much as she might like them, was out as well. Which, really, only left the stand that was used to hold the blood for the transfusion. It was a bit larger than the mostly decorative weapons she had in her pocket, but hopefully the added length would help.
Lifting it up, and finding it was surprisingly light, she takes a few practice swings with it before nodding in satisfaction. "Well, this is it." Taking another breath to steel her nerves, she begins to make her way down to the room the beast was eating it's meal in. Given that the sounds she was hearing were more along the lines of crunching rather than that of flesh tearing, it was nearly done with it's meal. Slowly approaching it, taking steps mainly when it crunched through a bone so her steps went unheard, she was soon within striking range. Taking a moment to gather her strength and deliver a powerful blow, her eyes widen when the creature's head perks up and one of its eyes locks with her own. A cry of fear and desperation leaves Yuri's lips as she plunges her improvised weapon forwards, piercing the beasts flesh and causing a spray of blood to soak her.
A howl escapes the things lips and it falls somewhat prone. Somewhat stunned that her desperate attack worked, but quickly shaking it off, Yuri pulls the stand from the beast and readies herself to deliver another blow. The beast however, is fast to recover, and turns towards her and lashes out while she is mid swing. Both attacks make contact, hers with its head and causing it to fall back. It's attack however, is more devastating. The top of her weapon hits the ground as one hand flies to her chest, which now sports three deep gashes from where the creature's claws tore into her. Pain, filled her being, far more than even that of being eaten alive. But with the pain came something else, something familiar. As blood escapes her lips, a soft gasp of pleasure leaves as well.
It was definitely less then she normally got from cutting herself, but it was there. It was something that she worked with everyone else to stop, and indeed progress had been made. But was it really so wrong, especially in a situation like this? It wasn't like she went out of her way to cut herself as much as she did before after all. What was so bad with having a little pleasure to dull the pain of dying. Smiling despite the blood pouring out of her mouth and wounds, she watches as the beast begins to rise up, looking ready to pounce. Her grip on her improvised weapon tightens, both hands moving to it. She was going to die here, that much was certain, but hopefully she could at least kill this thing in the process. As it leaps at her, maw wide and claws bared, she rises her weapon up like a spear right at its approaching form.
The sound of metal sinking into flesh, a dying howl, and something heavy hitting the floor echoed through the room. Pinned beneath the dead beast's body, Yuri can't help but smile. She had done it, she had killed the beast. Sure, it had killed her as well, but that was beside the point. As her vision begins to darken, and the familiar embrace of death comes over her, she can't help but wonder what would have happened had this loop been different. What kind of training could she have received here if she had the chance? Would it be enough to participate in the Hunt that was going on, or even to be useful in later Loops? So many unanswered questions filled her mind as her vision darkened, and unknown to her, her body faded away.
Part 3
A strange, yet pleasant, scent filled her nostrils as she felt herself come to consciousness. The strange scent was comforting, something she could almost compare to that of a mother's tender embrace. Though it had an unusual, almost supernatural feel to it. Still, regardless of what the scent was, it was definitely a welcome one. As she lay on what could only be described as cobblestone, Yuri began to review what had most recently happened while she awaited her new Loop memories to hit her. After all, having her chest torn out by what could only be described as a werewolf tended to bring an end to one's life, and Loop.
Seconds turned to minutes as Yuri lay there, awaiting her new memories. And while she was very much able to be patient compared to some of her fellow Literature Club Loopers, the sensation of laying on cobblestone combined with the pressure being applied to her chest from being flat on her back was most definitely testing it. Opening her eyes to at the very least get an idea of where she was, a two things quickly became apparent to her. The almost cloud filled sky with a full moon, brighter and closer then any she had seen before, gave wherever she was an almost mystical quality to it. While it was a very calming sight, and one Yuri felt she could simply bask in forever, another fact soon made itself apparent.
While it lacked the gashes and blood in it from having her chest ripped out, she was very much able to tell that she was wearing the same clothing that she had literally just died in. Sitting up quickly, she began to check herself over. Making a habit of getting to know her body whenever she actually had one, it only took a short time for her to come to a conclusion. "I don't know how it's possible, but I'm alive. Given the lack of scaring, I'd go so far as to say I never even fought that beast. Just what is going on?" More curious then anything now, Yuri began to examine her surroundings, trying to find a clue as to where she had ended up.
A fog filled the area, though it did not obscure her vision in the slightest. What looked to be a small house stood atop a hill nearby, two set's of stairs leading up to it. Various tombstones lined the stairs leading up to it, one of which had candles lit in front of it. A life-sized doll, dressed in somewhat regal looking clothing, sat on a small landing nearby the stairs directly in front of her. And what could only be described as a birdbath stood in an alcove between the two stairs. From what she could see, the rest of the area was fairly unremarkable, a looping path that brought her right back to where she was. The fact that she could see large pillars in the distance, rising up from only fog, assured her that she was not in any place natural.
While there was no immediate threat, Yuri still moved cautiously as she began to approach the building. While the stairs directly in front of her did seem to lead to the main entrance of the building, the strange white pools that didn't seem to conform to the stairs itself did give her pause. Not wanting to risk a trap of some sort, she chose to instead travel up the side stairs towards the building. The graves she passed didn't seem to have anything written on them to identify who or what they were meant to represent, so she only spared them a passing glance.
Reaching the top of the stairs, she took note of the small area to the side before a voice made itself known. "Coming in from the side door when the front is open, is it caution you exercise? Or do you simply endeavor to catch an old man off his guard? No matter, come in no harm will be done to you here." Having frozen at the sound of the voice, a very faint blush worked it's way onto her features as she processed the words. Was she really that paranoid that she ignored common courtesy? Entering in slowly, and readying an apology, Yuri took a moment to look over the source of the voice.
What was obviously a wheelchair was the first thing she could see, followed shortly by the old man's gaze as he looked over his shoulder at her. Something in his eyes made her uncomfortable to lock gazes with him, though she couldn't be sure exactly what it was. The small, gentle smile on his face didn't really do much to ease her discomfort either. "So, you are the new hunter eh? I'm sure that you have plenty of questions, but allow me to introduce myself first. I am Gehrman, a friend to Hunter's like yourself. And this is the Hunter's Dream, a place that you can consider a home or place of respite for the time being."
"A-Ah, it is a pleasure to meet you Gehrman. My name is Yuri, and I do apologize for coming in through the side. Things have been strange for me lately, and I suppose I used caution over common courtesy. I promise that it will not happen again."
Chuckling slightly, Gherman waved a hand dismissively. "Worry not, I am not angry at your actions. In fact, your caution speaks a great deal about your character. A cautious hunter is a living one after all. Nervous as well given that you aren't meeting my eyes. Don't worry though, I am not offended. We did just meet after all. So how about you just ask your questions and I shall do my best to answer them. Though time is short, you do have a Hunt to get on with after all."
Questions raced through Yuri's mind with each sentence this Gehrman said. Was she really so obvious in her demeanor, was he really not offended with her, what did he mean she had a Hunt to get on with, how much time did she have, and what exactly was this Hunter's Dream? So many questions, and apparently a very limited time frame to gain answers. If she really could only ask a few questions, then the most important one's were quite obvious to her.
"I, do not mean to offend you but could you tell me why you keep calling me a Hunter? I have no true experience in combat, so I doubt I will be able to do much in this Hunt. Speaking of which, what exactly is this Hunt? I heard the citizens of Yharnam speaking of such a thing before, but this is clearly not there. And lastly, where is here exactly? I have never seen a place like this, it almost doesn't even seem real." The words left her mouth at a fast pace, only a slight amount of thought going into them. While it wasn't something she would normally do, time was apparently of the essence. Still, the quick and blunt nature of her questions did bring her a bit of embarrassment, something she tried to hide by examining her surroundings.
Surroundings which, didn't really have all to much to it. There were empty cabinets that looked like they were mean to hold vials of varying sizes. A large chest sat towards the main entrance, as well as various pegs on the wall that looked like they were used to hold items. A table rested against the wall next to her, various tools and the like resting on or around it. What could only be described as an alter was nearby her, though whatever was meant to be on it was clearly absent. And various piles of books lay scattered about, something that irritated her more then she would express. Any further observations were cut off as Gehrman spoke up once more.
"My my, curious as well. That is a dangerous thing to have for one such as yourself, though I do not blame you for it. As to your questions, all of them have fairly easy answers. As I said before, this place is the Hunter's Dream. It is quite literally a dream, somewhere that you can find respite when the waking world gets to be to much for you. Try not to think more of it then that however, the answer is not something you need to worry about. As for the Hunt, it is what those people were speaking of. Terrible beasts are roaming the streets of Yharnam tonight, and it will be up to you to slay them. As for why you are a Hunter, that is something that again you do not need to think about. Just know that you were chosen for this role, an honor truly."
Wheeling himself forwards towards the main doors, and gesturing for Yuri to follow, which she did with some slight reluctance, he gestures to the staircase. "As for combat experience, that is something that will come with time. Simply take the tools of the hunt in this workshop that you feel would be best suited to you, and go out and do some beasts. Trust me when I say that it will do you some good. And when you feel weary from your hunt, simply return here for respite. And feel free to use the Doll as well if it should please you." Giving Yuri a slight smile, Gherman gestures towards the strange white pools on the stairs.
While she had quite a bit more questions, Yuri knew a dismissal when she received one. Feeling Gherman's gaze follow her, she slowly approached the closest pool, only the slightest of gasps escaping her lips at the figures that emerged from it. They were easy enough to identify, she got a close look at them when they were crawling all over her body back at the clinic after all. She should have expected to run into them sooner or later, though at least this time they didn't seem hostile. In fact, they almost seemed to be trying to appease her, if the objects in their hands were anything to judge by. Guns, were not something she was particularly familiar with. Preferring a blade over a firearm, she still had yet to learn how to really use one. Still, the strange expression on the creature's, as well as Gherman's gaze on her back, gave her enough indication that she should probably take one of them.
A small one, much like a handgun, or a large one that had a large opening on the end that reminded her of a trumpet were her two choices. Another of the creature's was holding what looked to be a pouch that seemed to be filled with glimmering silver looking bullets, which were probably the ammunition for the weapons. With the choice between something large and something small, the pick was obvious. Taking the smaller gun from the creatures, as well as the pouch that went with it, she watched with some fascination as they sunk into the ground and disappeared. Fastening the pouch to her waist, she took the gun in hand and got a feel of it. Strangely enough, it felt more comfortable in her left hand then her right, something even she knew was unusual when it came to guns.
Holstering it on her side, she approached the second strange puddle, her eyes examining the Doll as well as she got close. Even from a distance, it was apparent that the Doll was well cared for. The lack of any form of filth, the near life-like appearance, and the quite nice looking clothing were all giveaways that it was taken care of. Though, given the comment that Gherman had made, it was entirely possible that there was another reason it was so well kept, one she was not willing to explore. And given the slight shiver that ran down her spine as she thought of it, one that she didn't want to even think about either. Approaching the second puddle, her eyes widened slightly in glee at what the strange creatures offered her this time.
They were definitely weapons, that much she could tell, though only two of them seemed to have any form of blades to them. The cane was the oddest member of the bunch, given that it really didn't have much use as a weapon. Sure, she could bash things about with it, but that definitely seemed more like Natsuki's thing then her own. Which left her to the other weapons, one of which she guessed she would have to take if she wanted to leave here. The axe definitely caught her attention, the edge of the blade looking quite sharp and easy to use to cut things. It's handle was strangely bulky however, possibly to bulky for her hands to wrap around fully. That, and an axe was quite a heavy item to carry around. If she was being forced to fight things, then tiring herself out quickly would not be a wise idea.
Which left her with the last weapon, something very odd to be honest. It's blade, or what she could see of it, was much like that of a saw, serrated down the full length of it. The what could only be bandages wrapped around it did raise some questions in her mind, though the strange mechanism that connected it to the handle raised more. The handle as well was odd, being long enough to run a little more then the length of the blade and curving with it. Still, despite the strangeness of the weapon, it was small enough that it likely wasn't heavy, which meant she could fight with it longer. And, the serrated edge of the blade would definitely help if she had to fight anything like that werewolf again. Mind made up, she took the weapon from the strange creature, watching as it sunk into the ground with it's fellows.
Swinging the weapon around in the air a few times to get comfortable with it, she looked back up the stairs towards Gherman, who was still smiling at her. "Now that you have your weapons, you can truly begin your hunt. Go to the gravestone with the candles lit, and focus on the last place you awoke, from there things will become more clear." Again, the dismissal in his voice was clear, the gentle tone of it not really hiding it. With questions still burning in her mind, Yuri made her way to the mentioned grave and began to focus, thinking of the strange clinic she had woke up in that started this whole journey. With how intense her focusing normally was, it would be no surprise that she didn't even realize her own body was fading away into a white smoke.
Part 4
Realization that she was no longer in that strange place overcame Yuri rather quickly. Of course, it was rather easy to tell the difference between the locations. One of them was in front of a gravestone in a strange place, and the other was with a hand on what looked to be a lamp post on the floor of a fairly familiar place. Standing up fully, Yuri took a moment to look around and confirm her suspicions. Outside of the addition of the strange lamp post, this place seemed to be the first floor of the clinic she had awoke in. Taking a precautionary look into the room in front of her to confirm that there was not another werewolf waiting for her, a soft sigh of relief escaped her lips at it's lack of presence.
While she could go forwards and see what lay beyond there, and probably get on with this Hunt, there was another change to this place that drew her attention. The door at the top of the staircase, that led to where she first awoke, was closed. The likely hood of someone having stumbled into this place with the werewolf dead and barracaiding themselves in there was high, as was the chance that whoever had locked the door that led deeper into this place secured it further now that it was no longer being used. Either way, Yuri's curiosity was peaked as she began to climb the stairs.
Checking and making sure the door was locked, which to her slight relief it was, she lightly knocked on the door in hopes of a response. To her immense relief, the sound of footsteps coming from the other side of the door soon were heard. Shortly after, a feminine face appeared in one of the gaps of the door. Looking Yuri over, a slight frown made it's way onto her face before she spoke. "Are you ... out on the hunt? If so then I am very sorry, but I cannot open this door. I am Iosefka, the owner of this clinic. My patient's must not be put at risk for infection. I know that you are on this Hunt for us, and our town, but I am sorry. Farewell, and good hunting."
Not exactly expecting promptly being shut down, Yuri remained stunned for a moment. Idly noting that this Iosefka had yet to leave the door, she gathered herself before speaking up. "I understand that you must keep your patient's in mind, so I will not impose on coming inside. If you could answer some questions however, I would be quite grateful. My name is Yuri, and while I am indeed on this Hunt, I have been dropped into it rather unprepared. If you cannot offer any assistance, then I understand." Yuri watched Iosefka's face, or what she could see of it, consider her words.
"I can not sense any deceit in your words, so I suppose that I can help you in a small way. Ask your questions and I will respond as best I can."
Smiling slightly in relief, Yuri ponders only briefly before starting with her questioning. "I suppose my first question is, what exactly is this Hunt? If I am to participate in it, then knowing what it is would probably be wise."
"You truly do not know do you? I suppose this one is easy enough to answer. The Hunt is a means to cleanse the streets of Yharnam of the beasts that infest it. While Blood Healing is capable of curing wounds and delaying disease, it is sadly not a complete remedy. Some people succumb to a sickness, one which fills them with bloodlust and that slowly transforms them. Before to long, only beasts remain, and they must be put down to ensure that no one else succumbs to the disease."
Frowning heavily at the information, Yuri supposed it made sense. She had been looping long enough to know that Lycanthropy was something very real, and very dangerous. It sounded like it was especially prevalent in this loop, and that no one could control it when transformed. While it did unsettle her greatly to know that she was going to essentially be killing people, it was at least easy to rationalize. If they were such a threat, and no cure was available, then killing them really was the only option. It would be just like that Zombie Apocalypse loop, only from the sounds of it she would have some help in this one. "Okay that makes things a bit more clear. I guess my next question is who is in charge of this Hunt? And where do I go to find out where I can best help?"
"Ah, that is a bit more tricky of a question to answer. Technically the Healing Church is in charge of the Hunt, though they are also closed on the nights of one. From what I have heard, the Church does have specific Hunters out there that you could probably identify by their garb. Other then that though, the masses generally gather in large groups to Hunt down any beasts they find. You might be able to join a group. Though, and do forgive me if I incorrectly assume, you are a foreigner yes? If so, then they are not likely to let you join their hunts, my fellow Yharnamites can be quite unwelcoming to those not from here."
Well, there went her plans to hunt in a group, at least initially. Maybe if she could find one of those Church Hunters, or prove that she was capable, she could have some help. For now though, it sounded like she was alone. At least she had a general destination, which was really her original destination in this all. "The Healing Church then, I suppose I have a location to go to in mind now. Thank you for the information, it has been most helpful. I think I will take my leave now though, so that you can return to your patients. I ... hope you don't mind if I return here should I have any further questions?"
"Of course not, it is one of the least things I can do to help. Though, I do have this as well. I hope you do not become injured enough to need it, but hopefully it will help." A small hand slipped through one of the openings in the door, a vial held in it. Carefully taking it in hand, Yuri looked it over, noting the strange yellowish mixture inside. "It is my special formula, highly refined to help cure more grievous injuries. It takes some time to make, but I can supply you with it every so often. Once again, I wish you luck on your Hunt, Yuri." Hand retracting behind the door once again, the sound of soft footsteps echoes once more, leaving Yuri alone with her thoughts.
Looking the vial over, she gingerly placed it in her pocket. If this small vial could help her if she became injured, then it was welcome indeed. Softly thanking the now gone Iosefka, Yuri descends the stairs once more, and moves onwards. Passing through the room that she fought that werewolf in, a curious frown at the lack of a body left behind by it. The blood on the ground still looked quite fresh, a small pool of it even bubbling slightly. Doing her best to avoid the blood, she continues forwards through the halls of the clinic, before finding herself at a door once more. Finding it unlocked, she opens it to the fresh air of outside. The small courtyard had definitely seen better days given it's worn down appearance. Seeing what looked to be a person by one of the statues, she rushes over to check on them.
The smell as she approaches is enough of an indicator as to the person's fate, and the sign of a large gun in hand indicated he was likely a member of the Hunt. While a part of her wanted to go inside and tell Iosefka of the man's fate, she knew that nothing could be done for him. The silver glinting coming from his hands revealed themselves to be bullets on closer inspection, the same kind that the strange creature had given her. A grim determination in mind, she bends down and slowly opens the dead man's hand. "I am sorry for this, but if I am to survive and help others do so as well, then I have to take these. I will let someone know that you are here so that you can be put to rest properly." Placing the retrieved bullets into her own pouch, she gently closes the man's eyes and proceeds to the gates.
One of the two seemed to lead into a small graveyard, likely for those who perished in the clinic, while the other lead to the streets itself. Pushing the gates open, and cringing at the loud sound they made while doing so, Yuri enters the streets of Yharnam proper. Looking around, the sight of crashed carriages, coffins of various kinds, and a dead horse were the immediate sites. Thankful that she had not eaten anytime recently, as she would likely be seeing said meal. At the very least, the path forwards seemed obvious, though the light of a torch did seem to indicate the presence of someone ahead. Quietly approaching the area, Yuri's eyes looked over the large gate. Far to large for her to climb, and the lever visible on the other side of it seemed to indicate that she wouldn't be heading that way.
A man was wandering up and down the street to her left, a torch in one hand and an axe in the other. He seemed to be muttering to himself, though Yuri couldn't tell what he was saying. There looked to be another lever on the street, and glancing around showed a ladder that would lead to an area above. With nowhere else to really go, she had no choice other then to confront the man. After all, the gate was incredibly loud from opening, so a ladder dropping down would probably be worse. Stepping out from behind the cover of the carriage, she clears her throat to get his attention. "I'm sorry, but would it bother you if..." Any other words she was about to say were cut off as the man let off a roar at the sight of her.
Charging towards her with axe hefted high, he was thankfully far enough away that Yuri was able to evade the attack. Another attempt to speak was cut off even quicker as he tried to close the distance, swinging his axe at her wildly. What was worse was that his howling seemed to have awoken two other men that were sleeping at the far end of the road. And given that they were going for their weapons as well, it wasn't likely that they were friendly. Things were spiraling out of control fairly quickly, and she doubted she would be able to evade three people attacking at once. ~I only have one option, well two but I'd rather not take the second,~ she thinks.
Grabbing her weapon from her waist, she waits for the man to finish a swing from his axe before lashing out herself. Slashing quickly at the man's extended arm, Yuri bites her lips as the attack strikes true. Watching the axe fall to the ground from the man's now heavily damaged arm, and ignoring the howl of pain that he gave off, her attention soon turned towards the two now on the approach. The shift in attention cost her as the man she believed disabled stuck his lit torch into her side, bringing a cry of pain from her lips. Being burnt, was most certainly not as pleasant to her as cutting herself. Lashing out instinctively with her weapon, another howl of pain echoed through the streets. Looking to her side, Yuri's face paled at the sight of the man who attacked her.
He had dropped the torch from his uninjured hand to grasp his throat. Given the blood that was flowing between his fingers, and the blood on her weapon, it was clear what she had hit when she lashed out. While her attention soon had to shift to the other two men approaching her, she did overhear his last words. "Damn beasts..." Not having time to contemplate that with her new assailants, she brought her pistol up quickly. Her other side was hurting, so evasion was less likely, but she didn't think she could stand here and fight, not without killing another one of these men. Hastily aiming for the legs, she pulls the trigger and winces at the loud crack and cry of pain that followed. One of them was on the ground, weapons beside him as he grasped his leg, while the other was closing fast.
Not enough time to load another shot, Yuri brings her weapon to bear, ignoring the blood that coated the blade. The man had what looked to be a cleaver in hand, and was swinging it more swiftly and wildly then the axe wielding man. Doing her best to evade, and taking a few cuts in the process, she backs away and waits for a moment to attack. When he stops to take a breath she moves quickly, swinging rapidly towards his limbs in an effort to avoid causing fatal damage. Her plan, as rough as it is manages to work, and his cries of pain soon echo through the street as well as he falls to the ground, defeated.
Breathing heavily as the adrenaline courses through her veins, Yuri quickly turns the struggling men over, making sure the injuries aren't fatal. While her own injuries strangely weren't bothering her anymore, the ones she inflicted on the men seemed to be enough to take them out of the fight for the time being. After making sure that they wouldn't attack her, her eyes trailed to the dead man's body. Swallowing heavily, she speaks up. "I-I am sorry that I had to do this, b-but you attacked me first. I am a Hunter like you all and only wished to pass. There is a clinic just up ahead, that I am sure you can go to to be healed. A-And I am sure you can put your friend to rest as well, or at least put him somewhere safe until this Hunt is over. I... I am sorry." Turning from them quickly, and doing her best to hold herself together, she pulls the nearby lever and watches the ladder drop down.
Climbing the ladder easily, which shouldn't be really possible with her injuries, she reaches the top with no issues. Deciding to check her injuries to distract herself, a frown appears at the lack of them. Sure, her clothing was damaged where she had been attacked, but the flesh beneath was smooth and unmarred. With the realization that she healed from such injuries so quickly, came the realization that the other man didn't. He didn't heal from what she did, from her reckless attack that split his throat. Her weapon and some of her clothing was still dyed red from his blood. Slowly Yuri collapses to the ground, leaning heavily up against the fence as her face pales. He was dead, dead, dead, dead, dead, dead. He wasn't coming back. She had killed someone, someone who wanted to protect others. She was a killer, a murderer. It didn't matter that he wasn't significant in the grand scheme of things, of the Loops. She had still killed someone, dyed her hands red with blood that wasn't her own or that of some monster.
As Yuri slowly curled in on herself; face pale, tears streaming down her cheeks, and her own downwards spiraling thoughts consuming her, she didn't realize she was being overheard. The man inside of the house nearby listened to the soft sound of crying just outside of his house. Based on the sounds of combat he had heard just minutes before, it wasn't hard to guess what had happened and what kind of person was outside. He would wait until the girl had cried herself out before speaking up, hopefully offering words of comfort to her that could help her.
Another figure watched from a top of a nearby building. An always shifting form cloaked in shadows, it glanced briefly down on the crying girl before slowly fading away. It was impressed at how quickly she responded to the threat, but disappointed in her reaction afterwards. She was new to it, all of it, that much was obvious. While there was a slight bit of recognition in her form, it decided to think on it further later. It had plenty of time to think after all, and time to plan as well. It would keep an eye or few on her, watch her grow or wilt. If she grew well enough, then maybe it could make use of her. It always thought that they could use a new member after all...