Yharnam was silent. The beasts were silent, no howls echoed trough the towering cityscape. What remained of prowling madmen had sought cower in whatever hidey holes that could escape to.
A desolate silence hung over the great bridge, broken only by the soft pitter patter of droplets. With a weary sigh Jaune looked over the carnage, bodies lying broken under his feet. Blood coating the bridge, bits of stomachs, hearts and livers blanketing the cobbled stone. Corpses hung by their intestines swaying drearily in the wind. Waiting for the inevitable moment when the intestines snaped and they would fall into the deep gnawing maw that was Yharnam.
"Violet, stop playing around." Jaune called out with a chiding voice. Throwing a look over at Violet. His apprentice drawing circled in vibrant puddles of red. Humming a jaunty tune as she gleefully bounced from foot to foot. With a smile she threw the stick over the railing, bouncing up with a smile. Taking a wide arc around the brick troll, a grimace on her face as she looked at the hulking corpse. Blood with strands of black spilling from it. Before bouncing over to him.
The softest of smiles cracking his stoic mask, grabbing a bloody cloth, he leaned against a railing and began cleaning Crocea Mors. Smile growing as Violet did the same. Even if her saw cleaver hadn't seen any use, she still heartfeltly mimicked him.
Smiling down at his apprentice, Jaune took a second to enjoy the silence. While karaoke had been fun, and Violet had loved the noodles they ate at a street kitchen. He found himself more drawn to soft quiet moments like these more and more. Where they could just enjoy each other's company. The world passing them by.
'I wonder what will happen when this dream 'ends'. Will I experience Yharnam in the day, will I find myself in a new 'dream', or will I wake up thinking it a horrible nightmare?' Jaune thought to himself, his shoulders feeling more relaxed than in a long time. Even having a good night's sleep hadn't been as helpful as just having fun, forgetting his responsibilities and duty for some short hours. 'You need to begin taking better care of yourself Arc.' He chided himself, knowing the dream had brought out the worst of his self-destructive tendencies.
Letting his eyes wander over his trusty partner, he nodded to himself satisfied before sheathing her. Violet doing the same, blue eyes scouring over her saw cleaver before she sheathed it onto her back.
"Now, we are still going to be making our way towards the Eastern Quadrant. But there is someone who wants to meet you, and there is something you should know." Jaune said gently, holding his tongue as he wondered how to break the news to her.
"What do you mean, master?" Violet whispered softly; voice filled with confusion. Not something he could fault her for, he hadn't been exactly straightforward.
"Let's us walk." Jaune whispered softly, walking forward without warning. His boots splashing crimson blood all over. Not that it mattered much when he was coated from top to bottom in it.
Violet quickly hurried to catch up to him, a nervousness radiating of her as her eyes twitched around. Searching everywhere for clues of what he meant. Her confusion only rising as they stepped into the Tomb of Odeon. Falling when they walked to the side instead of towards the stairs. Hesitantly reaching towards his hand as they walked familiar steps towards, what once had been a graver marker for one, now served as two.
"W-Who?" Violet asked, her words barely a whisper.
"Henryk." Jaune answered plainly.
Violet's shoulders slumped, a sigh of relief escaping her. Squeezing his hand with all her might as she looked down at the two lumps of dirt. Sprouts shooting through the dirt where the two Gascoigne and the random boy were buried. Shots of wolfsbane pushing through the dirt together with sprouts of nightshade encircled by dark calla lilies.
A stray tear travelled down her cheeks, a happy tear. "He… he looked weirdly at me." Violet murmured, letting go of his hand and wrapping her arms around herself. As if she felt dirty just remembering. "He did the same to mother and sister… but… but he was also kind. It is-was weird. He could laugh with… father… one moment and look at me and my sister like we were food. Delicacies. Then he would go back to talking with father, cracking jokes, planning their hunts. As if it had never happened."
'Is everyone in Yharnam a monster, or is it the blood that changes people?' Jaune wondered. Knowing for certain that Henryk once upon a time had been a good and loving uncle. There was no way Aurora's shout would have had any effect on him otherwise. Yet, that love had been twisted. If Henryk had lusted after his nieces, or if he wanted to fill his stomach. Jaune would never know, nor did he ever want to know.
Jaune searched his mind for something to say, something to reassure her, a way for her to hold onto what good memories she had of the man. But when he went to say them, the words died on his tongue. Leaving a taste of ash and rot. Jaune not being able to bring himself to lie.
Instead he laid a gentle hand on her shoulders, Violet leaning into his touch. "Is… does it make me a bad person that I'm glad he is dead?"
"No." Jaune replied with a whisper. "It makes you human."
"I don't think I want to remember him like mom or… my birth father." Violet whispered.
Jaune raised a brow at her particular choice of words but didn't pay it any mind. Everyone handled grief differently, he wouldn't look to deeply into how Violet handled hers unless he saw her emulate his own self-destructive tendencies.
"Do you want some minutes on your own, or shall we continue?" Jaune asked softly, Violet squeezing his hand and shaking her head.
Together they made their way around the stone gazebo, and up the stairs. Climbing the ladder into the chapel, Jaune felt the familiar pit in his stomach. He didn't want another apprentice, taking care of Violet was already almost a full-time job. It was enjoyable, but it was still many balls he needed to juggle. While he could feasibly take her in, their dorm already felt comfortably cramped with Violet. Throwing another tweenager into the mix would make them six people in a dorm meant for four. And he wouldn't expose his friends to that if he could help it.
'But I don't want her death on my consciousness either.' Jaune hummed. Aurora looking scarily like a mini-me. He had faked his way into Beacon, even if he hadn't wanted to die, he had made his peace with it. If chasing his dreams would cost him his life, he would go to his death with a smile. For once in his life following his dream instead of a path others wanted for him.
He could see himself in Aurora. She was a lot like him. Willing to do anything if it meant her family was safe.
Knowing in his bones that she would go into the night if he said no.
"Who are we meeting?" Violet asked, breaking the silence. Shooting a nervous look up at him. Pleading for him to not bring her any more negative news.
"You will know soon. You have missed her." Jaune said softly, Violet perking up. Taking off and sprinting up the winding staircase.
"Violet!"
"Sister!"
"You are alive. You are safe-You are safe. Thank the blood, you are safe."
Making his way up the rest of the stairs, Jaune leaned against the doorway with a smile. Aurora's arms wrapping her sister in a crushing hug. Tears in her eyes as she whispered softly. Overwhelmed by happiness to have her sister safely in her arms. Violet returned her sisters hug with just as much enthusiasm. Leaning her head into the crock of Auroa's shoulder. Smiling sweetly, happy to be reunited with her last living relative.
"That was kind of you." Arianna whispered softly, after he made his way to her side. Not wanting to interrupt the sisters reunion.
"I only hope Aurora can find it in her heart to forgive me." Jaune sighed, sitting down on a bench. Throwing a look over to the sisters. Aurora drowning her sister under a barrage of questions. Running her hands over her sister, making sure she wasn't hurt, or touched.
"Her sister is your apprentice, is she not." Arianna said without any heat. Only a soft resignation in her eyes. Knowing she coulndt do anything to change his mind.
"She is." Jaune replied softly. "The safest place, for now, at least."
"I don't know if you are arrogant, or just that confident in your skills." Ariana hummed. Throwing him a long look. "I saw you fighting against Henryk. What you did… what magicks you cast… the speed and ferocity behind your strikes. It was… inhuman. I have never seen anything like it. There have been rumours, of old hunters that could move quicker than the eye could see. I didn't believe it before now."
"Heh." The old crone called out, cracking an eye open and looking at Airanna with an air of scorn. "You should be proud. Every hunter might boisterously say they are the inheritors of the first Workshop. Clamouring for a legacy they will find impossible to live up to. Yet, fewer are those who can shoulder that burden. Fewer are those who still remember how their badge looks."
"I fail to see how that is relevant." Arianna frowned, laying a hand on her knees and leaned slightly towards him.
"It isn't." Jaune said plainly, shooting the old crone a warning look. Her sneer falling as she scoffed. Having he audacity to roll her eyes at him. Laying her hands on her lap, she closed her eyes. Rocking back and forth in her chair.
Thankfully the old crone didn't try pushing his patience further. Jaune didn't care much if his legacy suddenly became known. What he didn't like was how she used every chance to try and get under his skin. If it was because she just hated hunters or if she was just an abrasive old bitch, he didn't know. Her vitality was waning, even if she survived tonight, she only had a handful of months left. Yet, while her body had some months left. Her spirit was wanning. She would die soon.
Not that Jaune cared much. Maybe's were running trough his mind, maybe if she hadn't been such an abrasive bitch, he would mourn her. But even if she was dying, even if she was an utter bitch. Jaune didn't regret saving her. She didn't deserve being eaten alive by savage dogs.
Taking of his hat, Jaune idly ran a finger along the brim. Golden hair matt with blood falling as he ran a finger over the saw hunter badge. He hadn't given much weight to Gehrman's legacy. To Jaune, he was just a cranky old man, a bit creepy, but no legend. But just because he thought that didn't that take away from the legacy Gehrman left in his wake. A legacy he was unknowingly shouldering.
A weary sigh leaving him as he spun the top hat between his fingers before placing it on his head.
Looking over to Aurora and Violet, only to find them both shooting nervous glances between him and the old crone. Aurora standing protectively before Violet, her eyes jumping from him to the crone, before finally landing on Arianna. Finding what she searched for in her mentors eyes.
Taking a step forward, she looked him straight in the eyes. The words dying on her tongue, his face smeared with blood not doing her any favours. But a soft, encouraging, smile from Arianna gave her the courage she needed.
"Will you take me as your apprentice now?" Aurora asked, almost demanding that he did. A front of bravery put on by a terrified girl, who's legs shook with fright. But as her leg's shock, her eyes didn't show any fear. Not allowing herself to show any fear. Wanting, needing, to keep up the image of the strong elder sister for Violet. Stepping into boots to large for her that was left with her mother, fathers, and uncle's passing.
Aurora stared him down, lips quivering as she stared into his eyes. Tears wetting her eyes. Bracing for the answer, either good or bad.
"Master! Don't abandon me!" Violet shouted, pushing past her sister and throwing herself at him. Catching her before she could hurt herself, Jaune gently sat her down beside him. Gently wiping away tears that poured freely. Fear and panic shining in her eyes, cold sweat racing down her back as she thought he would abandon her. Her sisters words making her fears of abandonment come to full fore.
"I won't. I never will." Jaune whispered softly as Violet hugged him with all her might. Ignoring how his coat was coated with blood. He didn't mind the tears that fell, he didn't mind the snot, or how her body seemingly lost all strength. Only wrapping an arm gently around her as she cried.
"What?" Aurora whispered confused, mind refusing to comprehend what she saw.
"I already have an apprentice." Jaune said gently. Awaiting the coming meltdown. Horrified realisation washing over Aurora as she took a step back. Rising an accusatory finger at him. Words failing her as she stammered out a broken gargle of words. Violet looking terrified at her sister, scared she would steal away what little happiness she had found.
"While not rare, it is a bit uncommon for a hunter to take two. If you are still adamant in wanting to become a hunter, I will give you a test, or a trial, before taking you in. Your sister having to do the same." Jaune said softly, ignoring the indigent glare Violet sent him. Not keen on taking another apprentice. He would if it came to it, if only to save her from herself, knowing how headstrong she could be. "But before you say anything more. I want you to one thing for me, can you do that?" Jaune asked as gently as possible.
Aurora glared at him. Righteous indignation burning in her eyes. Anger in her chest. Fear in her heart. Crushing failure on her shoulders.
"Look at me. This, this will be your future. It will be everything you will know." Jaune whispered solemnly. Giving the teenager a harsh glare.
Blood coagulated at the tips of some strands of hair. His face was covered in red; his greatcoat was deep dark brown; the marble bench was stained red where he sat. The only thing clean about him was his breath. Everything else was absolutely coated with blood. He stunk more of blood than of sweat.
He wasn't a pretty sight. Far from it. He smelled of death. The reflection of what Aurora would grow up to become if she were to follow his path.
His order taking the wind out from her sails. His eyes noting the second her anger froze in her chest. Replaced by a chilly blue that slithered trough her body, sending shivers racing up her spine, and goosebumps everywhere it travelled. Filling her with pure dread before settling in her stomach.
A terrified gulp echoing trough the cathedral. All colour drained from her face as Aurora took him in. Blood dripping from his hair, splashing against the white marble floor. A tickle of yellow trailing down her legs as she shook.
"I… still want, need, to become a hunter." Aurora whispered. Pale faced, biting her lip hard enough to draw blood. Nervously fiddling with her fingers as she sent a begging look to Arianna. Getting a soft, encouraging, nod in return. Allowing her to find her voice. "I still want you to take me as an apprentice. Please. I beg of you. I don't want to be a whore. I-I want my sister to be safe. I don't want to go hungry. I don't want people to look at me with pity or disgust in their eyes. I don't want to live off spreading my legs to men who haven't washed in months. I… I want to live with some sort of dignity."
"I am afraid you will find that there is no honour in what I do." Jaune said softly, a self-deprecating smile on his face. "No honour. No dignity. No valour. Only blood, rot, death. And an accursed duty that won't even end with death. Are you still sure you want to become a hunter?"
"Yes. Even then, I want to be a hunter." Aurora nodded with determination. The quivering in her legs stopping, yet the fear remained.
"Then so be it." Jaune sighed defeated. He saw himself too much in Aurora, wishing from the bottom of his hearth that she didn't want to become like him. Yet, also knowing intimately well that she would try and brave the night. Searching either for him or Violet, if he were to say no. "If only to save yourself from yourself, I will take you on as an apprentice."
Aurora collapsing to her knees as strength left her.
"No." Violet said petulantly. Puffing her chest as she glared at her sister. "No! NO!"
"I knew this was coming." Jaune murmured under his breath, quickly lifting Violet up in his arms. His apprentice wrapping her arms around his neck. Shaking like a leaf as she sobbed "No. No. No. Don't leave me. Don't leave me. Please don't leave me. I'll be good. Please."
"I won't, I won't." Jaune whispered, gently rocking Violet as her body shock with fright. Carefully standing up he felt how her breathing evened. Gently trying to pry his apprentice of him. Finding her arms completely locked around his neck. "Can you please follow me; I think I will need your help." Jaune whispered to Arianna. The woman giving him a soft smile. Moving to stand, only to lay a hand over her stomach and wince.
Catching her before she could fall, Jaune allowed the woman to lean against him. Earning himself a thankful smile. Arianna seemingly not bothered with how bloodied he was.
"There are some things I will need to get before I officially take you as my apprentice." Jaune said, gesturing for Aurora to follow them. The poor girl looking completely heartbroken at her sisters outburst. Not able to understand why her sister, the girl she had sacrificed so much for, wasn't sharing her joy. "And… I will also give you a task. Nothing insurmountable, but something to give you some ability to protect yourself with. You will not be coming with me when I leave."
"What?" Aurora asked confusedly, looking bewilderedly between him and Violet. "How come she gets to hunt?" Aurora wined, a look he was all too familiar with on her face. Frustration bubbling, finding fuel from her heartbreak. It was the same petulant look he wore whenever his sisters got to do something he wasn't allowed to. Be it joining a club, signing up to practice a sport, even being allowed to train as a huntress in Bloom's case.
"Because right now you are more a liability than Violet." Jaune stated plainly. Ignoring the indignant tears in Aurora's eyes as he helped Arianna down the staircase and into the study. Helping the woman into a chair. He didn't know why she had trouble walking, she was perfectly fine in all of his visions. Gently rocking Violet, he let her go. His apprentice glaring petulantly at him as she slid down. Clinging to his side.
"Do forgive your sister." Jaune started, shooting Violet a little glare. His apprentice huffing and crossing her arms. "Your mother… ran out on her, forgetting the music box. I buried them and returned Violet her mother's broch. Giving her strict orders not to leave."
"She didn't." Arianna whispered horrified, already having put together two and two. Staring at the furiously blushing Violet.
"She did." Jaune said plainly. A gasp escaping Aurora as she looked at her sister. Connecting the dots. "I barely made it in time. However she has been unhealthy attached to me ever since."
It wasn't an apology as much as it was an explanation. But while he would try and help both, Violet's reliance on him wasn't something that could be solved in a day. Neither a week. It would take months to begin weaning her of him, and it would take years until she could properly stand on her own two feet. And no matter what he said or did, it wouldn't take from how Violet felt like she was being abandoned. Not wanting him to split his attention between the two of them, when before she monopolised it.
"But, to get back on track. While it hurts, you are a liability. While admirable, giving your sister most of, if not all, of your own food have left you heavily malnourished. I won't take you with me when you are running the risk of fainting from exhaustion. Neither can I trust you to fire a pistol without snapping your wrist, nor can you bring enough force behind a weapon to properly wound someone." Not mincing his words, Jaune calmly and methodologically dug into her flaws. "However, your malnutrition ca be fixed. While I won't say cured, my workshop has means to quickly allow you to put on some muscle."
Aurora glared at him, Violet glared at her, and Jaune felt himself age in real time.
"He is right, dear." Arianna said, getting her apprentice's attention. "I know you want to jump into it headfirst, headstrong as you are. But do listen to Mr Arc, while his words might be hurtful, they are nonetheless true. I-Yharnam isn't a kind place. Not for the old, not for the young, not even for the fit. And truly not for young girls. As you trusted me, I ask you to trust Mr Arc to know what is best for you. Please. I don't want too burry you."
Her words taking the fight from Aurora, her shoulders falling as she looked chastised.
Aurora could hide her blackeye and gaunt cheeks all she wanted trough makeup. But she coulndt hide how thin her arms where. And, from what he remembered from when he saw her naked, his wrist was almost as thick as her thighs. If not thicker the further down her tight he measured.
He wasn't helping her commit assisted suicide by taking her with him on a hunt. Even if she were to succeed the task he sat before her. He wouldn't take both sisters with him on a hunt.
Fishing out a set of sharp knifes, he spread them out on the table. Instantly drawing both sister's attention. Aurora reflexively slapping Violet's hand away as she reached for one of the knifes.
"If you look at the wall-" Jaune started, nodding towards where Violet had practiced her shooting. Pockmarks scarring the wall. A completely tattered book lying by its feet. "- you will find the result of your sisters task. Which she completed, just like I know you will complete this task. However, since snapping your wrist is counterproductive, you won't get the exact same task as her. You will need to hit ten consecutive throws against this book, while standing in the far edge of the room."
Eager to prove herself Aurora instantly reached for the blades. Jaune quickly, but gently, grabbing her wrist with a sigh. "You really are just like your sister." He sighed.
"Am not." The sisters chorused as one, shooting each other a glare as Violet huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. A pearl of laughter escaping from Arianna as she smiled at the two sisters antics. Glad they weren't at each other's throats. A sentiment he shared.
"Do you know how to hold a throwing knife?" Jaune asked, raising a pointed eyebrow. Aurora faltering slightly, a faint blush on her cheeks. "Do you know knife throwing safety?"
"Isn't that… reductant?" Aurora asked, shooting a quick look over to Arianna. The woman in question only humming, eyes fondly on Jaune as a gentle smile graced her lips.
"You would think so huh?" Jaune hummed, fishing out another throwing knife from his vest. Twirling the knife around in his fingers, Violet let out an audible gasp of awe. Reaching towards the set of twenty knives on the table to try and mimic him. Jaune quickly stopping her by laying his free hand on her shoulders. "What… do you think will happened if I were to throw this knife at the wall?" Jaune hummed absentmindedly. Shotting Arianna a quick look, promising that no one would get hurt.
"It would fall? Break apart?" Aurora answered, voice thick with doubt.
"You want to bet on that?" Jaune asked, raising an eyebrow. Violet quickly scouring to stand behind him. Hiding a giggle behind her hand. Flicking her by the ear, Jaune sent her a hard look. It was one thing to be mischievous and playful, but Violet's antics could be seen as malicious, something he didn't want.
"Yes?" Aurora replied unsurely. Quickly nodding her head and standing somewhat taller. "Yes. The knife will either break or fall down against the floor when you throw it at the wall." She replied surely.
Turning on his feet, the blade snapped trough the air. Pinging of the wall and ricocheting straight back at them. Body working on autopilot he snapped the knife out of the air. Pocketing it and looking over to Aurora who was pale as a ghost. "And that is why we learn safety. Now, do any of you girls think how we could have prevented this?"
The question hung in the air, the two sisters sharing a look before Aurora tried.
"You could have thrown it weaker?" Aurora cringed as the words left her lips, uncertainty rolling of her. Her sister not being any better. Violet glaring at him, trying to see if she could magically find the answer if she glared hard enough. Humming and trying the first thing to came to mind. "You should have held the knife differently!" Violet eventually boisterously called out.
"A backboard. You should have installed a backboard." Arianna chimed in when none of the girls gave him the answer he was looking for.
"Exactly." Jaune instantly smiled. Ignoring his pouting apprentice. "However, even with a backboard throwing knives can sometimes bounce back when they hit with the hilt first. So while it isn't bound to happen every time, just be aware that it can happen. Now grip."
Grabbing one of Aurora's throwing knives, he gestured for the girls to come closer. "Now, this is a hammer grip, it is a common grip if you are starting to learn how to throw knives." He explained, making sure both girls saw how he gripped the knife. "You hold it exactly like you would hold a hammer, wrap your four fingers around the handle. And place your thumb over the top."
Handing the knife over to Aurora hilt first, he watched as she did her best to do as he taught. A nervous smile on her lips as she held the knife.
"There is another grip, called pinch grip." Jaune lectured, twirling the knife around so the blade was in his hand instead of the grip. Pinching the blade between his fingers. "This grip won't add any power to your throw, and it all comes down to preference. The blade is serrated, so while I can understand that you want to experiment, I won't recommend it until you get comfortable with throwing knives."
"But that wasn't how you throw?" Violet asked curiously, reaching to grab a knife only to be stopped by Jaune. Huffing and crossing her arms.
"You are correct." Jaune answered simply. "The conventional half-spin is the most common, accurate, and easy to learn throwing technique for someone who is just beginning. However that doesn't mean this is weak, nor is it something to be taken lightly."
Twirling the knife around in his hand, he slowly brough his throwing arm back. Taking aim and letting her fly. The knife spun trough the air, hitting just where he had aimed. Hilting herself between two stones.
Making a little gesture with his hand, Aurora nervously gave him her knife. Throwing the wall a scared look. Placing the knife by the others, Jaune went over to the wall and pried the throwing knife out, before proceeding to 'walk' a bookshelf over and leaning it against the wall. It wasn't some supernatural feat of strength. But it was almost effortless. Giving the bookshelf a show, he nodded to himself. Fishing out a random book about the virtues of poetry and philosophy, placing it at the edge of the table as he made his way back.
"This book will serve as your target." Jaune said, moving to stand behind Aurora. Placing his hands on Violet's shoulders. His apprentice melting into his touch, leaning back against him with a content smile. "See if you can replicate the throw I did. Raise your hand back to your ear and throw. Make sure to let go mid swing, don't be afraid of missing."
Nervousness still radiated off Aurora. Shakily she grabbed a knife, making sure to grip it correctly. Bringing her arm back, the blade shock with nerves as she did her best to aim.
"Stop." Jaune called out with a frown. Aurora going even paler, shooting him a begging look. "Mimic me." He ordered, slowly taking a slow, loud and deep breath. Confused and nervous Aurora mimicked him. Holding the breath a good five seconds before he slowly breathed out. Doing the same breathing exercise two more times until Aurora had her nerves under control. "Now, go ahead."
"That was kind of you." Arianna said gently, a soft smile on her lips as she watched Aurora bring the knife back before throwing it in one smooth motion. With a soft shout, the knife sailed trough the air. Having just a bit too much spin, making a throw that should have hit the top instead spin over it. Burying itself between two books.
"Believe it or not, I wasn't born skilled." Jaune smiled, giving Aurora an encouraging smile as she turned around. Eyes aglow with amazement. Looking down at her hands as if she coulndt believe she had almost succeeded first try.
"Be it as it may, not many hunters I know of would spend time teaching safety. Fewer still would stick around and teach her proper form. You are a kind man, Mr Arc." Arianna smiled sweetly.
"I try to be." Jaune whispered softly, giving Aurora an encouraging smile as she hesitantly reached for another knife. Spurred on by newfound courage, she went trough the motions again. The knife spinning trough the air, edge biting into the table right before the target. Not to let it get to her, Aurora grabbed a third knife, sending it flying trough the air. A whoop of joy echoing out from Aurora as she skipped in joy. The third knife having hit the edge of the target.
"It looks like you will be taking another apprentice soon, Mr Arc." Arianna said with a soft, almost teasing, smile. Her eyes beaming with pride.
"If it is talent, or just beginners luck, I guess only time will tell. However for her sake I do wish it's the later." Jaune replied nonchalantly, unable to help the coldness that seeped into his tone. All to aware with how callous Yharnam was. Talent, potential, prodigy, empty words that meant nothing if you never could realise it. How many hunters more talented than him had walked the streets of Yharnam? How many had died to a well-placed ambush, not paying attention for a split second, or had lost themselves to their baser instincts?
Jaune hadn't counted all the graves in the dream, but from what he had managed to get from the doll. Each grave symbolised a hunter that had been 'freed' or had completed their contract. He hadn't been told what was needed, and he hadn't been able to deduce what was needed as well. The only thing he found was that he needed to keep hunting, and he would eventually be freed.
'But. What does it mean when there are over hundred gravestones doting the dream's garden, yet I haven't found a single hunter who recognise my badge.' Jaune thought to himself. Knowing all the advantages the dream offered. He intimately knew how large Yharnam was. Yet not a single soul expect a frail old crone knew where he was from. Where there should have been a hundred others, he was alone.
And that he was alone, it spoke volumes of what fates had befallen them. Older, better, more experienced, hunters who all had the same advantages as him. Yet they were gone.
"Talent and potential don't mean anything until it is realised." Jaune hummed, ignoring how cold the atmosphere had grown. "I will give her time; I will give her a safe place to train and to grow. When she falls, and she will fall, I will be there to pick her up, help her forward. And when she dies, I will be there to dig her grave with tears in my eyes."
Aurora sent him a scared look, fear and worry thick in her eyes. Violet stood stiff as a board, looking up at him with unwilling eyes. Arianna sighed softly, wiping away a stray tear as she. "You really are kind." She whispered softly.
"No, it is Yharnam that is cruel." Jaune replied softly. "But I think it is high time we continued with our hunt. I will also bring with me an apprenticeship contract and what is needed to perform a blood ministration next time I return. I will close the trapdoor after we leave but do try to keep her on track. I don't need another child running out into the night."
"I wouldn't!" Aurora called out indignantly, the blush on her cheeks not visible under layers of makeup.
"I will." Arianna thrilled, wearing an elegant soft smile filled with adoration. Eager to spend these last moments with her apprentice. Knowing just as well as him she would absolutely go into the night without hesitation, if she thought it would keep her sister safe. Completely ignoring how she would throw herself into the gapping maws of death, to do so.
Patting Violet on the shoulder, his apprentice quickly hurried to give her sister a goodbye hug. Reluctantly, Aurora dropped her arms as Violet scrambled down the ladder. Only a cough from Arianna stopping her from following her down. However, with her sister gone, Aurora turned to him with a half glare, confusion in her eyes.
"Why is her hair white?" She asked.
"Workshop secret." Jaune replied, giving Aurora a cheeky wink as he closed the heavy trapdoor. Knowing that Aurora would try to lift it. Sighing when he sensed how the trapdoor chain jingled.
Dropping from the ladder, water splashed as he stood up. Violet automatically falling into step behind him as he made his way to the lamp. Taking her hand in his, he snapped his fingers. The dream's gentle moonlight washing over them. The doll, standing and alive, curtsying before them.
"I welcome you home Kindest Hunter, how did the reunion between The Hope of Tomorrow and The Child of Today go?" The Doll asked gently, a little smile at her lips as Violet stared at her dumbfounded.
Placing a gentle hand on his apprentice's shoulder, he walked towards the Doll. Wanting to increase her Vitality.
"I will say it went well. What do you think Violet?" Jaune said, Violet breaking out from her stupor with a violet nod. A soft smile on her face. "I got to meet my sister again." She whispered, completely skimping over the almost mental breakdowns she had had. Instead it was almost as if she had repressed the idea of Aurora maybe becoming an apprentice.
"It warms me to know it went well." The Doll smiled. "However, I take that it is time for the young one to have her first echo infusion?"
"It is." Jaune nodded, a supportive hand on Violets shoulder.
"Then allow me." The Doll said, going down on her knees and resting a hand softly on Violet's core. "Will it be you who donates the echoes?"
"Yes." Jaune nodded, his rune lighting up, crimson letters only he could see appearing in the air. Cringing as he looked over her attributes, twos dotting all her attributes, with her Arcane attribute tagging behind at one. Knowing that the only reason there was so many twos being because of her training and new diet. But he honestly didn't know which of the two played the biggest role.
"Brace yourself." Jaune ordered gently, Violet closing her eyes and giving a hesitant nod. A gasp escaping her as he willed all the echoes to increase her Vitality. Instantly her cheeks filled out more, washing away all former traces of malnutrition. Healthy fat and muscles appearing on her arms and legs. Her ribs disappearing from view as a layer of fat and muscles spontaneously grew. In a second, Violet went from an underaged girl recovering from anorexia to a healthy young girl you could see in the playground.
Focusing, he tried to sense how the echoes infused her. Sensing how the echoes served as fuel but getting only bits and pieces of what they fuelled. Content, he caught Violet as she let out a gasp and a yawn. Her body suddenly kickstarting all processes that had been slowed and weakened due to her malnourishment.
Expressing his thanks before gently lifting his apprentice up into his arms. He could try and figure out how to perform blood echo infusions himself at a later date, now he needed to tuck in his apprentice. Carrying her into the workshop with a soft smile. Ignoring Gehrman's empty stare. Knowing fully that it was better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission when he inevitably took Aurora on as an apprentice. Not that he burned to do so.
Tucking Violet up on a chair before the fire, he slipped her coat of her, and placed it over her as a blanket. "no… don't leave me… dad…" She mumbled in her sleep, reaching for him. Kissing her on the forehead, he gently pried her fingers from his arms. Standing up and readied himself for his coming hunt.
"You have grown soft." Gehrman called out callously. Cloudy eyes staring at him as he softly walked from Violet.
"I have grown strong." Jaune replied, shooting him a look over his shoulder as he walked down the steps.
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The Tomb greeted him with its eerie stillness. The blood he stood in still warm from the last time he was here. A groan echoing from a madman torn in two, still bleeding and crying out for his mother. Just as he had been when he had woken up.
It was almost as if he had just blinked. Guiding Arianna and Aurora to the chapel a dream. Violet's first hunt. The 'intervention' his friends held for him. Violet's ritual. The witches, him anchoring his rituals and casting his first proper spells.
Everything felt as if it had been a dream. A delusion he had made up in his mind, trapped in this twisted labyrinth as he was. Shaking his head, Jaune snapped his fingers, casting a quick cleansing ritual he had stored. Instantly feeling the weird jetlag lose it's hold of him. A shudder of relief escaping him.
'No wonder it felt like time melded together last time I was here.' He thought grimly, quickly putting the last madman out of his misery before descending down the hallway. Quick to note the Labyrinth's mystical aspects down as another thing to watch out for. He could already imagine all the other insidious effects he would stumble upon. It certainly didn't help that he was just at the topmost layer. Technically still at the entrance.
It was a disturbing realisation, but Yharnam was filled with nightmarish secrets hiding behind every nock and cranny. The only thing he could do was be prepared, absently taking inventory, hand stopping at the ritual candles. Something he had recently chosen to begin carrying with him, for the times where he used all his 'simple' rituals. He had multiple casts of them, but there would always be 'what if' scenarios. Scenarios he prepared for. Scenarios he would no doubt find himself in.
Walking down the hallway, he felt himself ascend. Then the hallway turned, and he felt himself descending deeper underground. Yet the vines grew spares, the walls and floors grew more pristine. If he hadn't known where he was, he would have thought he was walking inside a church. Yet, before he could begin questioning the tombs oddities, a pack of hungry mongrels came rushing at him. Lead by a pack of transformed beast men. Malformed werewolves in rags with teeth glistering with salvia. Rabid eyes overcome with hunger focusing on him.
Without hesitation he pulled out he flamesprayer, pulling the triggers. Drowning the hallway under a roar of fire. Painful yelps echoing out as he pushed forwards. Tendrils of fire licked at his feet, Crocea Mors flying into the fire and putting were-men that came charging out from their misery. Not letting go of the trigger until the was sure everything was dead.
"I need to begin teaching Violet that a straight confrontation isn't always the smartest." Jaune hummed. Stepping over the carnage he had caused. Just because he could fight through the mongrel-were pack with only Crocea Mors, not even needing to throw spells. It would have been a waste of precious energy. The hallways thinner structure working to better funnel the fire down the hallway.
Crocea Mors may be his primary weapon, never leaving his side. But the flamesprayer had earned it's place as a mainstay in his arsenal. While cruel, it effectively cleared corridors and it excelled at crowd control. Where Mortem Ignis excelled at power. Both having their place in his arsenal.
Walking further down the corridor, Jaune didn't notice how the mongrels turned to ash. Disappearing down the opposite hallway on an invisible wind. Instead he was preoccupied with taking in the grand room before him. Suspiciously empty, yet he saw a stray ghost fire orb over a chest.
Jaune knew a trap when he saw one, but he coulndt help but admit to being curious. Throwing a pebble into the centre of the room, creating a loud echo, but not triggering anything. There wasn't a stairway down, neither was there any vine or anything that he could use down. There was a stairway up on the other side of the room, with a little upper plateau. Some statues decorated the room, but no matter how much he looked from his vantage point he didn't see any thing coming to investigate the sound.
Sighing, he stepped over the ledge, prepared for something to come charging out of the shadows.
His stomach knotted as gravity grabbed him, quickly bringing him down onto the floor with a loud splash. Blue eyes shooting wide opened as the world twisted as he fell trough the ground. Blinking as he was spat up from the floor, finding himself in complete mirror of the room. Everything was mirrored. The hallway he dropped down from was on the right, now an entrance on the left. The chest he saw was now on the roof.
What had been an empty room, was filled with were-beasts.
On instinct he chucked an oil urn to the side, rolling to the right and cutting through a were-beast's ankles. Hurriedly scampering to get his feet under himself. Taking a quickstep to the right, pirouetting, and bringing his blade down with ferocious force. Cursing himself that Blood Rituals didn't have any 'proper' martial magicks. Being able to cast curses and plagues was all fine and dandy, but as Jaune severed a clawed hand that tried grabbing him. He deeply wished he could chuck fireballs.
But that didn't mean he wasn't without means to bolster himself. Snapping his free hand, the blood on the ground came racing towards him. Racing up his boots, quickly coating him in a pure red knightly armour. Claws bouncing off the armour harmlessly, not taking a single bit from his aura.
Frenzied roars rang out as the other were-men quickly charged at him. Stomach falling as he did a quick headcount. Over thirty were-beasts. All whipped into mad frenzy from his blood armour.
Quickly snapping his finger two times, Jaune brought forth two other spells. A liberating feeling of unbound freedom flowing trough him as he removed all bodily limitations.
His quickstep to the right turning into a dash, sending him barrelling into a were-beast. Bones cracking around his shoulder, yet he felt no harm as the were-beast collapsed towards him. Claws and teeth scratching at his armour as Crocea Mors snapped through the air. Cleaving the beast in two.
Letting out a shaky breath, Jaune threw himself into the fray. Neurons firing faster than ever before, hormones racing trough his body, joints and bones magically not shattering as he brough out all his unbound strength. A molotov flying through the air, caught in a were-beast's jaw. An unforgiving uppercut shattering bone and glass, fire traveling down the beasts throat and around it's fur. Flakes of fire flying trough the air, landing in the oil and exploding to life.
Jaune paid the fire no mind, not feeling it trough his aura reinforced blood armour. Instead counting down the seconds as he dashed around. Knowing he only had a bit more than nine minutes before the armour dissipated. Needing to make the most of them.
A loud roar rang trough the room, Jaune feeling his stomach drop as he looked down the hallway. The scent of ash, followed by brimstone tickling his nose. Grabbing hold of his rising panic, he braced himself as the sound of heavy stomps echoed closer. Fire exploding from the entrance, a giant dog on fire heralding a pack of burning mongrels into the room. Fire coated all were-beast's as they howled. Pained roars of fury joining it as the burning beasts twisted and turned. Curved horns sprouting as they grew in size.
Making a split-second decision, Jaune barrel up the closest staircase. Cutting down the closest were-beasts as he barrelled trough them. Quickly pirouetting around a ball of fire a were-beast spat at him. Panic spiking when Crocea Mors was caught on bone in it's neck. Tearing his blade out, he saw the chip. Rage burning inside but pushed to the side as he raced up.
Fire licking at his heels. Thunderous footsteps echoing out right behind me. If he hadn't been surrounded by over thirty amped up beast he would have charged the burning hound. But as it stood, numbers were a quality of its own. And so was quality. Thirty madmen weren't insurmountable, hundred was. Thirty were-beasts weren't an insurmountable threat. Thirty burning, frenzied, flame spiting, beast-possessed souls were.
Reaching the top, Jaune quickly squatted. Launching himself upwards. Crashing into the mirror roof with a soundless splash and spat out into the earlier room.
Quickly looking around, seeing the fiery beasts nowhere. Even the roof, which he now knew was a reflection the mirror room didn't show any beasts. But he saw shadows, figures of smoke. The largest pawing around before barrelling down a hallway. A sigh of relief escaping him when it didn't immediately jump out from a corridor.
Dismissing his blood armour, Jaune cancelled all active spells. Feeling metaphorical chains bind him, followed by his muscles tearing themselves apart, bones cracking, blood vessels popping, neurons overheating and some organs rupturing. Letting out a raspy breath, he snapped his fingers again. Shoulders falling as the regeneration ritual's effect took hold of him.
"Note to self, always have at least one healing spell on the ready if I want to combo Unbound Self and Harm Delay." Jaune hissed, quickly scouring the room for any more beasts or traps before opening the chest. Taking out a set of three radial gems. Running a gloved finger over the first gem, feeling how it radiated more power that the one he already had slotted in Crocea Mors. It hadn't been the extreme power jump he had wanted, but it was an improvement.
Pocketing the gems, Jaune quickly looked around as he took inventory. Disappering down where the burning dog had appeared from in the mirror room. A trail of blood splatters from Crocea Mors trailing behind him. Grim determination in his eyes, ready for a round two.
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Note: The name of one of Jaune's younger sisters is Bloom. If her name is blood, that is a typo. I don't exactly remember the chapter where her name came up so I can't edit it, but I will if I get the chapter number. But just know it have led to much confusion when I have read comments. Because I had no idea what you were referring to. I do have mild dyslexia, so it can be because of that, or I was just tired, and the typo slipped through. I do apologise.
Note: While some will disagree, both the Gascoigne daughters were meant to become Jaune's apprentices. The sisters are meant to serve as exaggerated mirrors into his psyche, while also being their own persons.
Note: If it isn't obvious, Aurora's two main motivations for becoming a hunter is to keep her sister safe and to live a better life.
Note: To make it more fun, the Watchdog of the Old Lords is a wandering boss, and it buffs every 'beast folk' type enemy into a burning Beast-possessed soul. And every mongrel/dog into a mini version of itself.