"This is a stupid idea Jaune." The aforementioned hunter whispered to himself as he paced nervously back and forth at the steps of the great bridge of Yharnam. Casting nervous looks too the other side of the bridge as he felt his throat dry up.
Nervously drumming his fingers over the handle of Crocea Mors as he felt a familiar eagerness to test his new strength and skill against the Cleric Beast. Having waltzed trough three mobs of varying size with such ease that he fully understood what Gehrman meant with 'Nuisances at best, inconveniences at worst.'
He didn't dare deign himself a second coming of Argus Ironclaw, the huntsman his hometown was named after. A mad man who had held the line against grimm and foe alike for three entire days and nights during the great war. Living to tell the tale after everything was over. Neither would he dare call himself an equal to his partner, knowing full well the disparity between their skills. A gap he could quickly, hopefully, shorten thanks to the doll.
But that didn't mean Jaune didn't want to prove himself. To Gehrman to show he wasn't a child looking for death, to his team so they could trust him when things got rough, wanting to prove his father wrong for all the dismissals he received when growing up.
But before everything. Jaune wanted to prove himself, to himself. To prove that he had grown stronger, that he had gotten better, that this twisted dream of his wasn't a wasted nightmare. He wanted to prove that he could be a hero.
And the key to that laid in wait on the other side of the bridge. Ready to tear him apart should he show his face. Yet even when he stepped towards what should be certain death.
Jaune only felt calm.
A serene calmness that stemmed from confidence and a staunch belief that it was just a beast.
No matter how large, how terrifying, or how bloodthirsty. It was just a beast at the end of the day. And like every beast, he only needed to keep a calm head, be active instead of reactive, keep a solid tempo and just hit the beast more than it hit him.
It had to go down eventually, right?
The Cleric Beast announced its presence with a gut-wrenching scream as it came jumping out of it's hiding place. Crashing down before him, raising itself its full height. Towering over him and exuding never-ending hunger and bloodlust as it looked down at him.
Crocea Mors flew from its sheath and into his hand as he quickly closed the distanced between them and hacked into the arm it used for support. It bit true but far shallower than Jaune would have liked. Almost bouncing back as the beast flexed its twisted muscles.
Hair standing on the back of his neck, Jaune twisted and sidestepped just in time as the beast's smaller, more agile arm came tearing towards him. Giving a quick slash in retaliation as he dodged out of the way. Dashing back to its legs as he began delivering quick slashes as he managed to get a few extra hits in before the beast roared in rage and started retaliating.
Arms flailed wildly around as Jaune hastily stepped under a kick before throwing himself to the side as the massive arm came hammering down onto the bridge. Pulverising the abandoned horse wagon and turning the dead horse carcases into disgusting half rotten meat paste.
Jaune cast one lingering look at the disquieting meat paste as a shiver raced down his spine. Throwing himself back into the fray with renewed vigour as he wouldn't, couldn't, let the same thing happen to him again. Sidestepping another lightning-fast punch as he smashed Crocea Mors into its knee.
"EEEEEEE!" Getting a haunting roar of pain and anger for his troubles. As the Beast came barrelling towards him. Bloody gaping maw racing towards him.
'This was a bad idea.' Raced through Jaune's mind as he dove under the beast. Hacking and slashing wildly. Burgeoning fighting style throw to the side for pure violence and ferocity as he dove at the beast, like a beast. Wildly throwing himself under a crushing smash before doubling back and piercing into the arm.
Jaune's expression of glee quickly fell as the beast smiled. Finding Crocea Mors completely stuck on bone. 'Well. Drat.' Was all that went through his mind before he was forced to let go of the blade as another punch smashed into the cobbled stone of the great bridge. Clumsily stepping backwards as mind kept racing as he thought of a way to come out of this alive. Stomach sinking as he found no solution.
"Oh, come on! For fucks sake!" Jaune cursed as the Cleric beast pulled out Crocea Mors from its massive arm before holding it in its hand. Holding on to the blade with such familiarity that made his mind boggle.
Hastily pulling out his threaded cane and switching it to whip mode. He had no idea how to use it and was more a liability to himself than the beast. Not finding comfort in the grip as he did in Crocea Mors, but he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. The lacerating knives on the whip were sharp. And if they were sharp, they could easily draw blood and rend flesh.
Just what he needed. Now, if only he wouldn't kill himself in the process.
The beast didn't give him time to think, coming charging at him with Crocea Mors held high. Ancestral blade tearing trough the air as it raced towards his neck. Tumbling to the side at the last second, Jaune threw out his whip. Letting out a short sigh of relief as he saw the line of lacerations coating its chest.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Something the beast must have felt as well if its roar was anything to go by. Wildly swinging the whip around blue eyes widened in panic when Crocea Mors came flying towards him. Catching him by surprise at the sheer speed and ungodly ferocity the beast wielded the blade with.
Hacking, slashing, and raining blows at him that made his aura struggle under the onslaught. Hastily dodging to the right and eating a super large punch right to the gut that sent him flying down the bridge as his aura shattered as he felt his insides turn to mush.
Crashing down on the cobbled stone he heaved for breath as blood escaped his lungs instead. Weak arms came up and flew towards his bandoleer of blood vials as everything became faint. A gentle silence lulling him to sleep as he felt life escape him.
Shakingly, he popped of the cork on a vial before managing to bring the vial to his mouth. Greedily drinking as he felt his senses bombard him with pain, as the gentle warmth of blood kickstarted his body. Mending bone, sewing flesh, and turning mushed lunges healthy and hale. "I really need to get something for Iosefka." Jaune mumbled as he forced himself of. Leaning heavily on his cane as aftershocks still racked his body as destroyed nerves were healed.
Looking at the bridge he saw the cleric beast looking at him with nothing but cruelty and twisted sadism as it threw Crocea Mors to the side, clattering against the stone bridge. As the beast shook its head and got into a weird sprinters stance. Before barrelling down the bridge, fully intent to run him over or through.
"This is a bad idea." Jaune whispered to himself as he spotted some destroyed statues that looked like a ramp. "But wouldn't it be cool?" With a crazy, but somewhat workable idea, Jaune started running. Heaving for air as he felt the blood, he had drank earlier pushing him forward as a second and third wind of energy seemed to bubble from inside.
Spurring him on as he ran up the ramp made of rubble as he charged his aura with what little was left. Feeling a slight power boost surge trough him as he tried leaping of, only to stumble at the last moment. Throwing his whip widely around as the rubble gave way as he lost balance and tumbled harmlessly under its charge.
Mind working on pure instinct he thew the whip around the charging leg of the beast and tripped it up. Tearing deep into flesh as he pulled with all his might, having noticed how the whip was coiled like a noose around its foot. Not wanting to let this golden chance go to waste he quickly made his way over to Crocea Mors and picked it up. Making sure the blades of the whips serrated form continued to gnaw and stumble the beast when it tried getting loose.
Eyes widening in surprise when the beast grabbed the serrated whip and pulled. Jaune winced as he felt his arm nearly be pulled out of its sockets as he almost flew towards the beast. Dodging under a retaliatory blow as he pierced Crocea Mors upward with all his might.
Crocea Mors striking true as it dug deep into the beasts ribcage. Almost drowning him under a fountain of blood as he barely managed to step away from a weak punch as he slipped on the blood. Crashing and rolling away as the towering beast came crashing down. Pommel of Crocea Mors landing on the hard stone and forcing the blade all the way trough
An ugly black heart beating as blood almost coloured black drenched the blade.
Jaune looked at the hearth, then back to the dead beast that was seemingly dissolving into a puddle of blood and bone. "Heh, hehe, hehehehheahahahaha!" Jaune laughed as he fell down on his knees. Tears running down his eyes as he freely laughed until his stomach cramped up and even more. Even as his rune burned as large chunk blood echoes was pulled in.
Madly laughing as fleeting shadows and ethereal wisps danced in his vison. As faint whispers echo in his ears, drowned under distant chants singing in languages he couldn't understand nor should be spoken from of by mortal tongues. All the while looming dread and unease churned and bubbled inside him that was ruthlessly crushed by joy and jubilation.
Not even minding the weirdness as the blood pool remains bubbled away until what remained of the beast was gone. Leaving only a pitch-black heart impaled by Crocea Mors and a beautiful badge that clinked against the stone as it was carried by an invisible wind towards him.
Eventually his laughter died down as he managed to get it under control. Pocketing the sword hunter badge, with an idea to pin it to his top hat. A magical hat that seemed to never fall of no matter how sporadic he dodged around. Grabbing his sword he turned to the heart, not having the slightest clue what to do with it. "Maybe I can use this for blood rituals?"
Blood rituals were blood rites older and meaner brother. Having permanent effects, but with a high chance of something called 'blood madness'. All the while having chants, mantras, and precise staps that needed to be followed. Should the ritual result in failure, then the ritualist would suffer grave consequences.
Permanent loss of sanity, attraction of malevolent entities from beyond the veil, loss of control, descending into never ending bloodlust, erratic healing, other unpredictable side effects, a corrupted body, deformities, loss of humanity. The list went on, as if trying to outdo another in a twisted rat race.
"Don't perform rituals unsupervised unless you are either proficient in the art, or mad." Was written as a warning for the entire chapter. A warning Jaune had decided to head. Not wanting to test his luck more than necessary.
Bringing out his becoming bell he rang it and smiled gently as Isolde materialised out of a mist formed from glistering dust. "Master have called for Isolde?"
"Yes, please take that heart to my cache." Jaune asked kindly as he felt a bone deep exhaustion set in. As Isolde gave him a deep bow before disappearing.
Looking around the bridge, Jaune spotted an unlit lantern. Sighing he stumbled froward. Feeling fit to faint as all adrenaline left his system. Tired, sleepy, grumpy, hurt, hungry. Jaune felt like he had been pulled trough the wringer, chewed and spit out before being bent being pulled back for seconds. Each step felt like walking through a deep marsh. Almost stumbling on loose stone bricks when he kicked into them.
Bending down and lighting the lantern, Jaune felt the familiar call of the true waking world. And before he knew it his eyes opened to the lightly coloured ceiling of their dorm. Smiling in excitement as all weariness was magically gone. Only to freeze mid-stretch. Mouth open in a wordless scream as pain and muscle soreness assaulted him in a never-ending tide.
####
"Yo! Vomit-boy, how's it going?" Yang chuckled as team RWBY wandered into the cafeteria at Sunday morning. Not that 11.00 am could be called morning, it was early noon at best.
"My everything hurts." Jaune groaned. All peppiness from his victory over the Cleric Beast gone as he struggled to lift his spoon of porridge. Doing an exquisite imitation of someone with Parkinson's as his spoon shook violently in his hand. Before slipping out of his fingers and clanging down into his half-eaten bowl of porridge that was long since cold.
Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren having needed to be shooed away, so he could struggle alone. Not that it helped in the slightest regarding the weird and downright creepy things that were happening around him. Shaking his head he did his best to rationalise it, 'I'm just suffering from visual and auditory hallucinations. Nothing world ending, must have come as a result of my tiredness.'
"Didn't you start a new regime yesterday?" Yang asked as he nodded. "Yup, spent most of yesterday in one of the gyms. So much regret."
"So that's why I couldn't find you yesterday!" Ruby exclaimed as Yang laughed. Remembering all the times she upped her own training regime or began a new one. It wasn't a pretty sight. Ignoring her sisters quiet mussing, Ruby pouted as she looked at Jaune. "I wanted to begin on making your revolver, but since I couldn't find you, I had to postpone."
"Couldn't you do it without me?" Jaune winced as he saw a shadowy figure walking and sitting down at the same spot as Yang. Talking animatedly with the air around it. Blinking the shadow was gone as Yang raised her eyebrow at him. Before he could say sorry or anything of that nature to Yang, Ruby wilted by his side. Looking crestfallen and betrayed.
"No. No I can't do it without you. You need to make the entire gun yourself. Or at least that's what we did back at Signal." Ruby pouted as she did her best to glare at him. Looking more adorable than scary. "How about tomorrow? Or the day after? I need to work through my everything hurting, not to mention I have to continue on my research assignment." Jaune pouted, looking like a kicked puppy as his assignment hung around him like shackles. He couldn't wait to be done.
"How is the assignment treating you?" Weiss asked good naturally as Jaune sent her a glare that quickly wilted as he sighed. "It's going."
If it was going backwards or forwards, that was entirely up for debate, but it was going somewhere at least. Even if Weiss didn't look content with his answer. Frowning slightly before quickly shrugging and dismissing him entirely as she went back to her breakfast.
"What is it about?" Ruby asked curiously as she happily munched on her breakfast. Making sure to drink everything from her extra-large glass of milk. Jaune shrugged, winced slightly as his muscles ached in protest before answering. "A comparison about legendary huntsmen or huntresses. Thought I could use the assignment to learn from those who came before."
"That's so cool!" Ruby exclaimed with glee as her silver eyes sparkled like diamonds. "Do you think you can write about mom? She was this super strong and amazing huntress!"
"Just give me a name and I'll see if I find anything about her." Jaune chuckled as Ruby gave a blinding smile. Doing his best to ignore the visions or sounds he knew wasn't real. Or hoped wasn't real. First thing he did tonight was asking both the Doll and Gehrman about what the cause could be for his hallucinations. He did have an idea, but he didn't like it in the slightest.
Idle eyes wandering over gloved hands where bloody red letters appeared in the air.
Insight: 4
What it meant, he didn't know, even if he could take some guesses. He hoped he was wrong. Even if he knew differently, knowing deep down that he was only deluding himself. Yet he found peace in his little delusions. Not at all brave enough to face reality head on.
"Her name was Summer Rose, and she was the leader of team STRQ. She was super strong and awesome. She also had silver eyes just as me." Ruby smiled gently as she fell back in memories she had never dared forgot. Black hair with red tips, kind silver eyes as she tucked her into bed for the last time.
"I'll tell you if I find anything about her." Jaune said with a soft smile as he reached out and rustled her hair. With that he winced as he got up and returned in his plate before stumbling his way out of the cafeteria. Wincing with each and every step as his aching muscles screamed out in protest.
Yet the pain was a nice reminder, at least the pain was real. Something he couldn't say about the sporadic black forms that suddenly appeared, took a few steps before disappearing. It was like he walked through a bizarre shadow puppet theatre. Not to mention how snippets of conversation rang in his ears for a second or two before diapering.
It was maddening. And the worst part was how none but him could see them.
"No don't think about it Jaune." He whispered to himself as he stepped past Cardin and team CRDL. Stepping past the team and ignoring how Cardin tried to walk into him. Far to occupied in his own mind to notice, let alone care.
He had died again and again. Been eaten alive, burned alive, ripped into pieces, crushed into paste. Cardin might take his inaction as compliance or weakness, yet Jaune couldn't care less about their attempts to bully him. He had better things than that to set his mind to.
Such as how to make sure he died less. Working on his fighting style, making sure his assignment was at least passable. Not to mention he had physical training tomorrow; he didn't look forward to it, but it was necessary to forge himself a better body. If he had been faster, more agile, sturdier and stronger. Then the fight with the beast would have been easier and he wouldn't be pushed as hard as he was.
Compared to everything that lurked in Yharnam, Cardin was a cute chihuahua. Barking and barking while trying to strut his stuff. And after his experiences in Yharnam, Jaune had learned to see who was dangerous and who was harmless.
Cardin landing squarely in the later. He was good with his mace and Jaune could admit that he was better than him. But Cardin lacked that spark that made him dangerous. Like many students he had met in Beacon.
Cardin didn't want to kill him, he didn't want to burn him alive, he didn't want to rip him apart and feast on his corpse. He only wanted to feel big and strong, and he got his fix by pushing down others he saw as weaker.
Comparing a brutal and hurtful death with your classic school yard bully wasn't even funny. 'Not to mention I can always trash Cardin in sparring when I get better.' Jaune hummed to himself as he sat down in the library. Stack of books ready as Jaune sighed before breaking open the first one. Preparing himself for spending the rest of his Sunday reading.
*Pling~!*
Groaning Jaune fished up his scroll and saw the message Nora had sent him.
"We are having a Wario Cart tournament later? Wanna join :) ?"
A soft smiles pred on his lips as he quickly typed back "Yes." Laying down his scroll and settling into a comfortable position as he started reading.
####
"Welcome back, Kind Hunter. Has something happened? You seem to be in a good mood." The doll asked as Jaune came to in the Dream.
"Yes, you could say that." Jaune said with a carefree laughter, glad for having Nora as his friend. She might be a bit energetic and be a bit much at times. But she was surprisingly empathic and knew how to cheer people up.
Gently shaking his shoulders and stretching as he felt ten kilos lighter. Choosing the fully embrace his carefreeness as he knew would be gone the second he stepped back into Yharnam. "But, I actually came looking for advice. Do you think you can answer some questions?" He asked lightly.
"Of course kind hunter. Ask and I will do my best to answer." The doll said as she bowed gently. Scratching his neck Jaune felt like an idiot for asking, but he needed answers. He had to know what those shadows he saw were.
"Well… it's… it's hard to say. And I'm just going to sound stupid…" Jaune stammered out as the doll only smiled gently. Giving him ample time to choose his words. "Here goes, please don't think less of me, but I'm think I'm hallucinating. I see black shadows walking down hallways, I hear whispers and conversations when no one is around. And I don't know what or why that is."
"Congratulations Kind Hunter. For beginning on your journey into seeing the unseen, knowing the unknowable and witnessing the inexplainable." The doll said gently as Jaune felt his mood rapidly fall as he chuckled at the insanity of it all. He shouldn't have gotten his hope up.
"Can you channel some echoes for me? I got some from slaying the Cleric Beast and I would like to shore up on some failings of mine." Jaune asked with a defeated sigh, having hoped that what he had seen had just been his tired mind playing tricks on him. "Certainly, kind hunter. And congratulations on your hunt. Close your eyes please." The doll replied in her normal gentle voice.
Jaune didn't enter his soul space this time, instead just closing his eye as he directed the echoes into his Skill and Arcane stat. Needing to catch up with his team and friends as quickly as possible.
The world stood still as he dumped most of his echoes into Skill, bringing it up to a respectable 14. The rest of his echoes was spent on Arcane, as he didn't have anything else he could spend it on. Needing more that what few echoes he had to increase a stat by a single level. Bringing Arcane up to 6 as distant, haunting echoes rang out in his ears.
In the blink of an eye the echoes were gone, and the world started turning as normal. "Is there anything else you require, Kind Hunter?" She asked as Jaune gathered his composure, not sure how he should feel. Feeling a bit queasy as if invisible tentacles had poked and prodded him. Shaking those ridiculous thought away he gave a slight smile to the doll. "No thank you. But if you could point me in Gehrman's direction that would be much appreciated."
"You called?" The dry and flat voice of Gehrman rang out as the man himself sat on his wheelchair by the workshop entrance. Jaune was way past caring about the German's weirdness. Having gotten used to it after being spooked multiple times. "Yes, I'm going to fortify Crocea Mors, and I would like to at least have a pair of experienced hands in case I fuck up."
Jaune didn't notice the cane smashing into his knee before it was too late. Blistering pain shooting trough him as he turned to glare at Gehrman with tears in his eyes. "What was that for!?"
"You cursed in front of a lady." Gehrman stated plainly as he looked at Jaune. "Your lack of skill can be forgiven, but that is no reason to ignore proper manners. Clearly your mother didn't teach you properly."
"And what? You are going to beat them into me?" Jaune asked as he looked at Gehrman. Wondering what went on inside his head. His manners were none of his business. "Yes, yes, I will. The most important skill in a hunters arsenal is to keep his composure at all times. You might inwardly panic, scream and curse. But never show it. Monsters will capitalize on each and every mistake you make, don't give them openings to take advantage of."
"That's nice and all, but do you really have to beat me?" Jaune asked as they made their way into Worksop. Fishing out three Blood Stone Shards from his cache and laid them about the table.
"Pain is an efficient motivator, no?" Gehrman said nonchalantly as he let his young apprentice set up the blood strengthening ritual. Drawing a small bloody triangle on the bench before placing the shards in the three corners. Laying his sheathed blade horizonal over the ritual before biting his thumb and pressing it onto his blade.
Nodding to himself as the stench of blood made itself known as the shards shattered. Flying towards the weapon and fusing into Crocea Mors. Making Crocea Mors truly Jaune's and not his Great-Great-Grandfathers blade. After all, it would be bound to his blood.
Carefully Jaune grabbed his weapon, pulling the sword out of his sheathe. "It… it feels heavier." He mumbled to himself as he felt the weight and heft of the weapon in his hands. It wasn't anything world ending, but enough to notice.
"What did you think would happen when you fortified your weapon? That it would stay the same?" Gehrman stated plainly as he looked at Jaune like he was an idiot. "There will be no extreme changes, but you might feel the aura or 'soul' of the weapon change as it's fortified. Maybe some slight cosmetic changes, changing the colour of the hilt and handle. Maybe it will gain a menacing aura. It is your blade and will grow alongside you as you fortify it."
"Phew." Jaune breathed a sight of relief, having been scared that Crocea Mors would come out unrecognisable. Grabbing an oily washcloth before gently polishing Crocea Mors, marvelling at how the edge of the blade felt even sharper than before.
With his sword clean and polished he took of his top hat, grabbing a needle and a bit of string from his first aid kit. It luckily hadn't seen use due to the miracles that were Blood Vials, but that didn't mean he hadn't gotten use out of the bandages within. He couldn't solve small cut's and bruises with a Vial, now could he.
A soft and proud smile on his face as he sewed the Sword Hunter Badge onto his hat.
"A trophy I take it?" Gehrman asked as he looked at his protégé. Jaune looked at him and ignored him as he continued his sewing, "Yes, I found it, or it found me. Hard to keep track when everything is pain, and exhaustion is kicking in. But it's proof. Proof that I'm getting better. That… that I'm just not another sheep to the slaughter. That I have a chance to come out of this nightmare on top."
"Good… that's good. Continue to nurture that spark. It will do you good." Gehrman said in a whisper as his eyes grew clouded. "I guess congratulations are in order for slaying your first proper beast. Well done lad, knew you had it in you."
"Thank you." Jaune whispered softly as tears welled in his eyes. Quickly wiping them away as he finished sewing his new badge to his top hat. Quickly setting it on his head as he fastened Crocea Mors to his hip and power walked out. Before quickly making his way over to the gravestones and waking up in the waking world.
As Jaune disappeared the doll gently walked up the steps of the workshop and looked gently at Gehrman. "It's unlike you to lie." She whispered softly as she looked at her long-time companion.
Gehrman sent the doll a scowling look as his eyes clouded over, as a slight smile appeared on his lips. Having seen Ludwig in Jaune for a briefest second. "He reminds me of an old friend." A hollow chuckle leaving his lips as he remembered his old friend. "Yet, he has a kindness to him that Ludwig never had."
"Maybe that will be what makes him raise about the others?" The doll said gently as she looked out over the horizon. Gehrman sighed wistfully and looked towards where Jaune had left. "Maybe, or it will be his downfall. Only time will tell."
####
Jaune woke up on the lantern he had lit after slaying the Cleric Beast. Still damp around the eyes. Letting out a bitter little chuckle he looked around to see if anything was prowling the bridge. "Way to go Jaune. Crying when someone compliments you."
Even if it felt good to have someone believing in him who fully knew what he was going through. His team was good, fantastic even. But they didn't understand. They might think they did, but they didn't. For how could they understand the sheer terror of facing the Cleric Beast? Did they know how it felt, how terrifying it was to be eaten alive? How could someone understand the toll of dying only to come back to life again?
Shaking himself from his downward spiralling thoughts he turned and walked towards the large gate. Looking around for any way of opening it. Knowing fully well that he couldn't make it over. He could try, using the threaded cane as a grappling hock. But that sounded painful and only a single slip would see him falling of the bridge.
"Better find a way around. Maybe Gilbert will know." He whispered as he tried knocking and banging on the door to no avail. "Not to mention, I have to properly thank Iosefka for her Blood Vial." Shivering at how close to death he had come.
He might have gotten used to it, but that didn't mean he liked it. Dying in itself didn't hurt, it was what led to dying that hurt. As his death's seems to only have become more and more violent recently.
Quickly but cautiously Jaune made his way trough the familiar streets of Central Yharnam. Freeing some deranged mad men he stumbled upon from their madness. He didn't like killing, hating it even more than when he started.
"Yharnam is the patient, madness is the sickness, and I'm the doctor." Jaune whispered to himself like a mantra as he cleaned the bloodied blade of Crocea Mors. A scattering of blood, limbs, organs, and dead mad men around him. "Why does it always have to come to this?" He sighed as he sheathed Crocea Mors and took the rest of the shortcut up to Gilbert.
Gingerly knocking on the window as he waited patiently.
"Who's there?! I have a flamesprayer! And I'm not afraid to use it!" Gilbert's voice was a hoarse scream before he broke out into a coughing fit. "It's me Gilbert. It's Jaune. I'm not here to hurt you."
"Ah! Lad! Good to know you still got your wits about." Gilbert rasped a laugh before breaking out in another coughing fit. "What can I do for you on this night of the hunt?"
"Well, I defeated this beast on the great bridge, but the bridge is locked. Do you know of any way's around? I really don't want to try my luck climbing." Jaune explained as he threw cautious glances around. Feeling paranoia eating at him as he stood out in the open. Fidgeting slightly as he drummed his fingers over the hilt of Crocea Mors.
"Yes, I see… But the Great Bridge is the only way to the Cathedral Ward. That it is closed should tell you a great deal of the Healing Church's character. But… but maybe you could try the aqueduct? It's a rather… colourful and unforgettable area… but I have heard whispers of some smugglers using it, not that they lived to tell the tale when the Church got their hands on them. Not a place you want to visit… but… but if you don't have any other choice. It's the only path I can offer in good faith. Unless you would dare gander down into Lower Yharnam and search for another passage to the Ward."
"The 'aqueduct' is a pretty word for the sewers, right?" Jaune groaned out as Gilbert let out a throaty laugh. "Sounds about right lad, but those are the only way's I can think of if you need to reach the Ward. The sewers being the fastest, and I don't even know if you will find what you are looking for in Lower Yharnam. Yharnam is old… really old, but secret path's and passages may have been blocked off. I'm afraid I can't be of more help."
"You have already done more than enough. You are sick, don't push yourself." Jaune said gratefully as he got a semblance of direction. Not wanting to aimlessly roam about. Central Yharnam was as big as it was old. With crocks and cranny's, winding paths, a beautiful if confusing design, and full of more mad men than he would dare hope or should be possible. "I know of a clinic, maybe you can get treatment there."
"Ha! No thank you lad. These old bones won't survive the journey." Gilbert said kindly. "You got a kind heart lad, best leave Yharnam as soon as you are able. Please… a kind soul such as you will only be eaten up and snuffed out. Leave when you still have a chance." Gilbert pleaded.
"Thank you, Gilbert." Jaune replied hoarsely, wondering slightly if he could run away before shaking such silly concepts out of his mind. Others might have had such luxury, but not him. He shouldn't even be here in the first place. Not to mention, where would he go?
With a quick farewell, Jaune made his way down the ladder and towards Iosefka's clinic. Letting out a sigh of relief when he saw no signs that anyone else had been here. Making his way trough the halls and up the long staircase he knocked on the door somewhat nervously as he heard shuffling inside the clinic.
"Hello, is there anyone there?" Iosefka called out as her silhouette appeared on the door. "It's me. I have come to say thank you. Had it not been for you I wouldn't have been successful in my hunt." Jaune said, hearing the sigh of relief from Iosefka.
"Oh my. Thank you. But I'm sure you could have made do without my help." Iosefka said good naturally.
"That may have been the case. But either way, I still wanted to thank you. Your advice and the first aid kit you gave have helped me time and time again." Jaune said as he leaned on the wall. Glad to be able to have a respite, brief as it is, from the bloody streets of Yharnam.
Blue eye's widening in surprise as he smacked his head. "I completely forgot to introduce myself. Jaune Arc, at your service." A melodious giggle rang out from behind the door. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance Jaune." Before the fleeting moment of joy was swept away in an ominous one as she began to whisper softly. "Jaune was it? I… I have received a letter for you. I didn't know if it was for you as I'm not on the best terms with the sender."
"Really? A letter? Who would send me a letter?" Jaune asked surprised. Wondering what curveball Yharnam was sending his way. Iosefka's silhouette disappeared briefly before she returned. Sliding an old and worn letter under the door. Picking it up Jaune read his name on the envelope.
Opening he letter as he felt terror course trough him.
"Esteemed hunter.
By the power vested In us by Queen Annalise of the Vilebloods, the noble order of Cainhurst extend to you and invitation of utmost importance. You are granted access to our esteemed halls as we extend to you an invitation to join our ranks.
The Queen awaits your arrival, should you choose to accept.
Enter our domain with humility and respect, for our customs and rituals have endured trough centuries.
Should you wish to embark on this journey, make your way to Hemwick Charnel lane where a carriage shall be awaiting. Look for the silver crest of Cainhurst to mark your passage unto our realm.
May the moon guide your path and may the Vileblood Queen's favour shine upon you.
Signed."
The signature was unreadable, the paper yellow and old, the ink flaking of multiple places. As Jaune read the letter his eyes widened. Pocketing the letter and deciding to store it in his cache util later.
"Do you know anything about the Vileblood Queen and the Order of Cainhurst?" Jaune asked carefully. Iosefka's silhouette flickered in the door as she sighed.
"I can't tell much, as I have done my best to stay clear from the Church and the Order as their bloodied history is almost as old as both institutions. I don't even know if someone remember the original reason for the conflict. I would advise you to stay away, but if you must travel to Cainhurst… then I advise you to be extremely careful. The Queen is said to be immortal. If those claims are true or not, I don't know."
"That's reassuring." Jaune chuckled darkly, just what he needed. An immortal Queen summoning him to her realm. The knight in him was giddy at the aspect of being legitimately knighted. But the implications sat him on edge. Especially if what Iosefka said about the conflict between the Church and Oder was true.
"Do you know where Hemwick Lane is? I don't want to go, but I also know that you don't reject a royal summon." Jaune asked a bit worriedly. Not wanting to make any enemies. He already had enough on his plate with Yharnam and it's beast's, not to mention he had a research assignment and school in the waking world. It felt like he never had a proper moment of rest.
"You must make to the Ward first, and you will find your way there by taking a left before the grand cathedral." Iosefka answered gently. "And I do not envy you. The Order still hold major sway inside Yharnam even if they are secluded away from the city."
"Just my luck." Jaune cursed under his breath. Not looking forward to wander trough the sewer in the slightest. "Thank you for the advice. I will start making my way over to the Ward now."
"Good luck on your hunt." Jaune heard Iosefka call out behind him. A soft smile on his lips as he looked up at the moon.
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Note:
Thanks for all kind reviews. I'm doing my best to not slap Jaune with stat upgrades and going 'You are OP now'. Wanting instead to build his strength and character more dynamically.
Note: Lowe Yharnam is a bit of Worldbuilding, I haven't really decided if I want to implement it or not. But if one were to boot up the game, step onto the great bridge, then Lower Yharnam is everything down there. I have planned it out to be a slum area or an area for the less fortunate, but I'm not sure if I should add it in or not.
