Blood-Archive

by mgman

Kivotos is ravaged, the student council stripped of its power and unable to intervene, Students left without any kind of guidance or direction, truly it is hopeless. But soon everything will change, a hunter, somebody who knows only bloodshed and carnage will be tasked with leading those who lack direction.

11. The Hunter's Dream

Hello everyone.

As promised, here is chapter 10 of blood archive, and for those who are more interested in the hunter and his antics this chapter is going to be right up your alley.

Also, I will give a quick warning, while reading up on bloodborne lore is not essential to enjoy or understand this story. I will say for this chapter, it might be best to do a little bit of bloodborne lore skimming, to understand a lot of the things that the hunter references in this chapter.

Anyway, that's all I have to say, so without any further ado I present you chapter 10 of Blood archive.

---

"Luna, do you believe that my appearance is unsightly and hideous"

Luna quickly looked up from her duties, her face remaining neutral and calm, much like it always did. Yet the look in her eyes conveyed confusion and concern at the question, as she quickly put aside the broomstick that she had been using, and made her way over to the individual who asked the question.

Coming up and standing behind her companion and friend, Luna could now see that he was standing in front of the mirror that was kept within the main study, although due to his much larger and inhuman stature he dwarfed both her and the mirror.

Nevertheless, where most people would be intimidated or even outright terrified of his inhuman nature and appearance, Luna had no such feelings of fear when she stood in his presence.

After all, even though his appearance had changed, he was still the good Hunter, somebody who she cherish with all of her non-existent heart.

"Your appearance is not unsightly good Hunter, and even if it was, your appearance is not what defines you" Luna paused for a moment as the towering inhuman figure turned to her.

Craning her head upwards, Lunar looked to wear his face would be, and even though there were no humanoid facial features of any kind to be seen, she could feel the expression he gave her, which was one of mild sadness and almost longing.

Bringing up her arm, Luna quickly put her hand against the cheek of the towering unnatural figure, even though most would be repulsed by the wetness and coldness of his flesh, Luna did not care in the slightest.

Because, despite the fact that she lived, she was also cold to the touch like a porcelain doll.

"My good Hunter, what matters is not how you look... But it's about how you act, you are a kind and tender soul, one who was able to break the endless cycle of torture for all Hunters and give them the rest they deserved" Luna paused her words, her gaze along with the towering figure's in front of her turning to a small cabinet that resided in the corner of the study.

The cabinet's contents were seemingly random and assorted, but to The Hunter they held a deeper meaning than anyone could have ever imagined.

Some of the most poignant items were a tattered and worn hat that had once adorned the head of the first Hunter, who had also served as the good Hunter's mentor.

Another item was a small ornamental dagger that had once resided in the hilt of the rakuyo, a weapon wielded by Maria, the apprentice of Gehrman the first Hunter, somebody who had tried up until her very last breath to bury the deepest, darkest sin that the hunters had ever committed.

Another object with a much more personal history for the good Hunter, was a cracked and broken plague doctor like mask, its beak was broken with remnants of what had once been dried blood clinging to its ivory surface.

And finally, an item at the centre of the Menagerie was one that was incredibly unassuming, to the point where it looks completely out of place compared to all the other items that it was surrounded by.

Yet this item despite its seemingly insignificant appearance and ordinary nature held a meaning for the hunter that transcended its ordinary nature.

It was a small light red bow, it's a fabric forever stained a rusty red bown by the lifeblood of its owner who had lost her Innocent Life, because of the hunter's own blunder.

Luna could feel his gaze lingering on the bow, as she turned her eyes to look back at him, even despite his transformation to something beyond human.

He's loving and caring nature had remained intact, which was the reason why he still even to this day blame himself for the death of that young girl who nobody else remembered but him.

"Ohhh my good Hunter, you may have made mistakes in the past, but you should not let them define you" Luna accompanied her words by quickly bringing up her other hand and clasping it around the non-existent face of the good Hunter.

Redirecting his inhuman gaze to look directly at her as she put herself on her tippy toes so she could bring her face closer to his.

"I believe... no, I know that you are a kind soul and gentle sort. Your appearance and nature may have changed, but your soul has remained the same and that is what makes you who you are" Luna finished her words by quickly bringing her forehead to rest it against the Hunters, the feel of his cold and slightly wet skin making her skin tingle for a moment before the sensation vanished.

"Now then my good Hunter, I believe it is time for you to depart on your next journey" Luna quickly broke the physical contact between her and the Hunter, and even though he had no face to convey his emotions, she could feel from his gaze that he felt much better and appreciated her efforts.

"I see... Thank you, Luna, I can always count on you to be by my side" The hunter accompanied his words by quickly turning away from her, as he began to prepare for his next journey into the new waking world that waited for him.

However, as he did so he heard Luna say one last thing to him, that would have made him smile if his true physical form have the ability to do so.

"There is no need to thank me good Hunter... after all, I am a doll, here in the dream to look after you and embolden your sickly spirit"

…...

"̶W̷e̶l̸c̵o̸m̵e̸ ̴A̵r̸o̸n̷a̸.̶ ̷W̶e̸l̵c̴o̶m̶e̸ ̶t̸o̷ ̷m̸y̴ ̶H̸u̸n̶t̷e̵r̷'̴s̵ ̶d̶r̴e̵a̴m̵"̶ ̴ ̷

Arona felt the hunter's words roll over her, as she got to her feet, yet as she did so, she couldn't stop herself from wobbling slightly, her centre of balance having been off for some inexplicable reason.

And before she could ultimately catch herself, Arona found her sense of balance failing her as she began to fall, much to her shock and surprise.

Yet, before she could impact the flower adorned field beneath her, she felt a set of strong arms quickly capture and stop her fall.

"You should be more careful Arona, this is the first time you've ever stood on physical legs so it will take a moment for you to adjust" Arona looked up at the hunter in amazement, finding his gentle smiling face looking right back at her.

However, as she thankfully smiled back at him, the hunter suddenly took her into his arms, completely picking her up effortlessly and making her squeal in surprise as she found herself lifted off the ground.

"We should head to the workshop, I don't want you to catch a cold staying out here" The hunter said in an almost humorous manner, as he began to walk through the field of beautiful white flowers, all the while holding Arona bridal style in his arms.

And despite the embarrassment on her face, Arona couldn't help but feel grateful that the hunter was so concerned for her to the point where he would actually carry her like a child.

However, as the hunter and her quickly made their way through a wrought iron gate that seemed like it had seen better days. Arona abruptly found her attention taken up by the alien and bizarre yet incredibly beautiful view that was off to the side of the cobblestone path that the hunter was currently walking down.

"Sensei... where are we?" Arona asked with awe and confusion in her voice as the Hunter looked down at her with surprised as he came to a stop.

But, after a short period of looking at his small female companion, the hunter turned his face outwards, looking into the endless white expanse that surrounded the little island that was his domain.

He honestly wasn't sure exactly what to tell his companion, because even though he had transcended his own humanity and become something that existed beyond the physical plane, even he to this very day still wasn't entirely sure exactly what the area outside the hunter's dream actually was.

Yet despite his lack of knowledge, the hunter knew that it would be unwise to answer Arona's curiosity with a statement of him not knowing, as such after a few moments of silence the hunter finally offered his response.

"This is the hunter's dream Arona… it's a place that exists beyond the physical world, a place that I have complete control over and can mould to my wish" The hunter paused his words for a few seconds, watching as Arona turned her face up to look at him confusion, but also amazement in her big child like eyes.

"And out there beyond my realm that we stand up on now... Is the wild unkempt world of the dreams, a place that even I with all of my power cannot truly master" The hunter couldn't help but grin when he saw the absolutely amazed expression on Arona's, which also made him chuckle slightly as he resumed their journey.

While his words were exaggerated to a degree, what he had told Arona about what lay beyond the Hunter's dream wasn't entirely a lie, considering that it was his current best guess as to what truly lay beyond his domain.

However, as the hunter continue to walk, the familiar site of the hunter's workshop finally coming into view, yet as the Hunter continued to walk in silence, the only sound being that of his shoes against the cobblestone path below. Arona suddenly spoke up, asking a question that had been on her mind.

"Sensei when you say the Dream World... what do you mean by that exactly" Arona looked up at the hunter who, despite not stopping his forward advanced, did look back down at her for a moment before he eventually replied.

"It may be hard for you to understand at first, Arona, but the dream world, as I call it, is exactly what it sounds like. It is a world that exists beyond the mortal realm, one that is made from the collective subconscious of all living creatures, and is where things beyond humanity's comprehension... like myself truly reside" The hunter despite keeping his eyes forward, as he began to make his way up the curling staircase, that led to the main entrance of the hunter's workshop.

He could feel Arona staring at him with confusion, particularly at the last part of his sentence.

After all, despite him already telling her that he possessed abilities that will be on any human beings' imagination, he had still not told her the full truth about him being an entity that existed beyond the Mortal realm.

Because, while he could have easily shown her back his true form back in the waking world, it simply wouldn't have felt right to him, and he wasn't entirely sure if revealing his true form would have unforeseen consequences.

As such, he decided that bringing her to the hunter's dream and revealing it to her here was the best option. Because after all, here was his safe space, a place that he had complete and total control over and was his own domain.

Finally reaching the top of the curling staircase, the hunter paused for a moment in front of the large double doors, the familiar upside down dangling rune of the hunter's carved into it.

And even though he wasn't sure exactly how much time had passed in the dream, compared to the waking world, to him, it felt like a lifetime since he had last been here, to the point where the sense of nostalgia was almost overpowering to him.

"Arona, do you think you can stand?" The hunter asked cautiously as he glared down at his small companion.

He wasn't sure why, exactly, but seeing her here in the dream with him compared to her digital domain, made him realise just how small and fragile his new companion truly was.

Arona gazed up at the hunter before quickly nodded her head, which caused the hunter to smile slightly as he gently put her down, making sure to hold on to her as her feet came in contact with the cold cobblestone.

And after letting her regain her balance on her feet, the hunter finally released his hold on her shoulders, allowing Arona to stand next to him as she looked up at him with a grateful smile.

Satisfied that Arona could now stand on her own, the hunter lay his hands on the large wooden doors and after a moment, gently but forcefully push the doors open, revealing the comfortable interior of the hunters' workshop.

As well as a familiar face who paused her diligent cleaning duties to look at the hunter and Arona entering the abode.

"Ahhh welcome home good Hunter, I hope you found your worth in the waking world" The plain doll dressed in her usual gothic dress quickly bowed her head, pausing her cleaning as she welcomed back the entity that was her companion and her master.

However, lifting her head up, she noticed that the good Hunter was not alone as she made a surprise face while, putting down the elaborate feather duster she had been using moments ago.

"Oh, it looks like you've brought a guest to the hunter's dream" The doll followed up her words by quickly but elegantly making her way over to the hunter and Arona.

"Indeed Luna, she's my newest companion, and is from the waiting world" Hunter put his hand on Arona's shoulder, causing her to look up at him in utter surprise and joy when he referred to her as his companion.

Yet as the doll finally came to stand in front of her and the Hunter, Arona couldn't help but feel surprised and blown away when she saw just how tall Luna actually was. In fact, she made the hunter, who was already a very tall individual, look incredibly short by comparison.

Luna took her eyes off the Hunter, instead focusing her gaze onto Arona who couldn't help but feel slightly creeped out, gazing into the much larger woman's eyes.

Arona couldn't quite place exactly what it was but to her, something about Lunar felt... unnatural, especially her eyes which despite holding and life somehow felt incredibly uncanny, to the point where it was almost like staring Into the dead soulless eyes of a porcelain doll.

However, after a moment of staring into each other's eyes, Luna slowly bent down, bringing herself down to Arona's level. Yet nevertheless the height difference between the two was still almost comical as Luna finally spoke, her voice calm and elegant yet holding an unnatural and uncanny quality to it, that made an ice-cold shiver rundown Arona's spine.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Arona, I am a doll that exists in this dream to look after the good Hunter. And it is most excellent that somebody exists in the waking world to fulfil my place, as I cannot leave the hunter's dream" Luna accompanied her words by quickly bowing her head.

Appreciating the fact that this newcomer was somebody who could care for the hunter in her stead because she could not leave the hunter's dream herself.

Despite feeling somewhat off put by Luna and her overall appearance, Arona tried to push those thoughts aside as she bowed her head and responded.

"It's no worry at all really, after all, I exist only to look after sensei and help him achieve his goals" Arona followed up her words by putting on a bright smile and extending a hand out to Luna, who after looking somewhat surprised by the gesture smiled kindly and reciprocated taking the smaller girls hand to her much larger one and gently shaking.

However, as she did this something suddenly occurred to Luna, that made her stop her handshake with her Arona and look at the hunter in a confused state, her head tilting to the side slightly as she spoke.

"Good Hunter... what does Arona mean by... sensei?"

The hunter was initially taken aback by the question, his mouth opening and closing several times trying to think of a response. Finally, he let out a quiet chuckle and found his words.

"My dear Luna, sensei is what I am called in the waking world, it is a title, very much like that of the good Hunter" The hunter paused for a moment watching as realisation crossed Luna's face and as Arona also looked at him.

"In the oriental tongue it means teacher, because I am now a teacher in the waking world" The hunter said with a small amount of pride, which didn't go unnoticed by Arona who giggled at him expressing himself like this and Luna who after a moment smiled, closing her eyes as she let out a quiet and delicate laugh off her own.

"I am happy for you good Hunter, now if you will excuse me I will prepare some refreshments for our dear little Arona" Luna finished her words by giving Arona a gentle smile before rising back up to her full height and turning away, heading to some other parts of the hunter's workshop that was out of sight from both the hunter and Arona.

Watching her depart, the hunter turned his gaze down to Arona who was now looking around at the Hunter's workshop with both fascination and concern, which the hunter wasn't surprised about too much.

Considering that, hanging from a ceiling in one corner of the workshop, were various large and wicked blades, many of which had spilt the blood of vicious beasts in the past.

"Arona, I want you to follow me" The hunter spoke quietly as he began to walk, motioning to Arona to follow him, which she eventually did after a small amount of hesitation.

Content that his companion was following him, the hunter lead Arona through the hunter's workshop, although as he did, he couldn't help but notice Arona looking around in more surprised and what looked to be a small amount of awe.

Which he suspected must because of the architecture, which to her looked completely alien and old-fashioned yet to him was incredibly familiar and homely.

However, eventually the hunter and Arona reach their destination, which was none other than a small altar at the very back of the workshop, with a statue of a woman standing behind the large stone table that had old rags stained red scattered across it.

Coming to a stop in front of the altar, the hunter gently ran his hand along the stone that made up its surface, a smile appearing on his face for just a moment as he remembered the almost nostalgic feeling of when he first engraved a Hunter's rune into his mind.

But quickly the smile disappeared as he turned to Arona, because he wasn't here to reminisce about those times. He was here instead to finally show Arona the truth and reveal his true Nature.

Yet as Arona looked up at him with confusion, the hunter couldn't help but feel slightly nervous and perhaps even slightly hesitant. Because, after all, his true nature was so incomprehensible that many would be driven mad simply by looking upon him.

And even though he didn't think Arona could fall victim to this because of her consciousness being originally a digital construct, that still didn't change the fact that he was worried that his full appearance would scare her or possibly even make her afraid of him.

"Arona..."

The hunter calling her name, made Arona look up at him, a strange sensation washing over her as his voice had an almost unnatural and otherworldly quality to it, despite the fact that it sounded the exact same as it always did.

"I have something I want to show you... something that... I fear… may change are you see me going forward" The hunter expressed with a noticeable amount of hesitation in his voice which was very much unlike him.

Arona for her part simply looked at the hunter with confusion, not quite understanding how, exactly, him showing her anything would change how she saw him. In fact, it didn't really make any sense to her because after all, sensei was sensei, somebody who she would always trust no matter what.

However before she could voice what she wanted to say, the hunter suddenly spoke again, his words followed by a deep breath as he seemingly soothed his shaky nerves.

"Arona, could you please close your eyes for a moment?" the hunter asked.

Arona was completely caught off guard by this, her eyes filling with confusion, but ultimately she complied with his order, hesitantly closing her eyes as she shook her head in confirmation that she acknowledged his request.

With her entire world now surrounded in pitch black darkness, Arona couldn't stop herself from shaking slightly and yet before her slightly fearful shaking could get any worse. She felt a reassuring hand suddenly be placed on her shoulder, instantly making her feel better, as the hunter spoke to her, his voice somehow sounding even more alien and strange yet paradoxically the same.

"There is nothing to fear, Arona... No matter what happens you do not need to be fearful of me, for I would never dream of laying a hand on my faithful companion" Despite his voice sounding incredibly uncanny, Arona couldn't help but feel relieved by his words, her fear quickly being purged from existence as she let out a calming breath.

"Now Arona please keep your eyes closed for just a moment, while I... change" The hunter spoke to her, his voice sounding calm and even yet maintaining its otherworldly quality.

Yet as she continued to stand there in darkness, Arona couldn't help but blushed furiously, mistaking his words to mean that he was changing his clothes right in front of her.

However, that notion and her embarrassment were quickly banished, when she suddenly felt an almost oppressive feeling overcome her, the likes of which she couldn't even begin to imagine.

Yet that was not all that happened as the strange oppressive feeling, was quickly accompanied by a sound that was both eerie but also somehow beautiful. In fact, as the oppressing feeling and the sound continued to wash over, Arona couldn't help but compare the sound to that of small glittering bells.

Nonetheless, the sound and the feeling did not last very long, as quickly as it came it vanished, leaving her again in complete darkness and silence.

And just when she found her nervousness beginning to creep in once again, Arona heard the hunter speak one more time, his voice now sounding completely... different yet somehow the same.

"Arona... open your eyes and gaze upon me"

Arona did as she was asked, hesitantly opening her eyes only to close them quickly as the light assaulted them, yet after blinking a few times and rubbing the corners of her eyes, eventually her sight adjusted.

However, the thought of how much her eyes hurt after having them closed for so long was completely forgotten when she finally laid her eyes upon... him.

By pure visceral Instinct Arona took a step back, her eyes widening in shock and confusion as the figure before her was completely and utterly incomprehensible, yet despite that she somehow knew in her heart that this figure this... Otherworldly entity that towered over her was none other than her very own sensei.

Nevertheless, before Arona could say anything, sensei suddenly turned his head away from her, and even though she could no longer see a face of any kind for him to express emotions, she could feel in the very air itself that he felt disappointed and even fearful.

"I apologise, Arona... I suppose my true appearance is too unsightly..." The hunter's words were filled with sadness and perhaps fear.

And even though he no longer had a mouth to speak with, Arona couldn't help but shiver slightly, as the words washed over her both because of the eeriness of his voice and because the words struck a chord with her.

"S-sensei no! You don't look strange or disgusting, it's just that I'm a bit surprised by it" Arona followed up her words, by quickly closing the gap between her and sensei, and tilting her head backwards as far as it would go, so she could try and look up to where his face would have been.

She also accompanied these Words by quickly reaching out and grabbing a hold of his much larger and now unnatural hand. The coldness and slight wetness of his skin making her shiver slightly before she pushed the sensation away.

The Hunter being somewhat stunned by her words and actions looked down at his little companion, if he could, he would have smiled at her, and even though she could not see any facial features to tell his emotions, Arona still smiled back at him somehow feeling his emotions in the very air itself.

Quickly getting down on one knee, to try and bring himself closer to Arona's height but still dwarfing her in stature, the hunter hesitantly opened his arms gently attempting to wrap the small girl in an embrace.

Yet before he could do so, Arona quickly realised that he was doing and instead quickly wrapped her arms around his torso.

The wetness and coldness of his skin making her giggle, as the hunter eventually, after a few seconds of hesitation, wrapped his massive and inhumanly long arms around his companion.

Hugging her tightly and feeling a genuine sense of humanity and happiness, at the fact that she had welcomed him in his true form instead of shunning him like he had suspected.

As the two continued to embrace each other, Arona eventually chose that moment to speak, not separating from the embrace but lifting her head up so she could look at where the hunter's face would have been if he was human.

"It doesn't matter how you look to me sensei, after all it's not what's on the outside that matters, but who you are deep down inside" Arona finished her words by giving the hunter a broad and cheeky smile, the likes of which filled his inhuman and cosmic heart with absolute joy of which he had not felt for some time.

Having somebody else other than Luna that accepted him fully and did not judge him for his quite frankly cosmic and inhuman appearance was refreshing.

And as The Hunter continued to hug his smaller companion, he felt a strange sensation that he had not felt for a long time beginning to well up inside him.

Hope

Hope that maybe... just maybe he could make a home for himself in the waking world.

However, that's when the hunter realized that, even though he had been quite hesitant to fully commit to staying in the waking world, he had already made a home for himself there and had made bonds.

His mind filling with images of the abydos students, their smiling and young faces triggering a deep-rooted maternal Instinct inside him, to protect them and their happiness no matter the costs.

After all, a great one always loses its child and forever yearns for a surrogate, and it would seem that he was no different, even if he had not lost a child of his own.

No…

The hunter mentally kicked himself, as he unconsciously tightened his grip around Arona, making her squirm because of how uncomfortable the pressure was becoming.

Both Gascoigne's daughter and Tomo, may have not been his children in the traditional sense, but they were still children that he threw his own actions had failed to protect and ultimately lost.

And even though the pain from both of those incidents would forever remain within him, it could also serve as the driving force to do better and protect those who he considered his children.

"S-Sensei. Y-You're squeezing me too T-tight!"

The hunter was suddenly pulled from his thoughts as he abruptly looked down, only just now realising that he was squeezing Arona so tight that she looked like she was about to pop.

Quickly releasing her from his grasp, the hunter watched with concern and fear as Arona began to cough and splatter, clearly trying to get some air into her oxygen deprived lungs.

"I'm sorry Arona I didn't realise-"

The hunter began to speak, but quickly found himself silenced by Arona holding up a hand as she continued to splatter for a moment before finding her voice yet again.

"I'm fine honestly sensei, you don't need to apologise… You just need to be a bit careful with how strong you are" Arona managed to say between a few more coughs.

She wasn't mad or scared of sensei in the slightest because of what just happened, after all, he had apparently been so deep in thought, that he didn't realise he was holding her a bit too tight.

"I see… still I apologise, I have been in my human form for so long, that I forgot how strong my true form could be" The hunter brought his hand up to his non-existent face. Staring intently at his inhumanly large and beastly hand, opening and closing his finger several times as he recalled just how strong he could truly be in this form.

In fact, remembering back to when he had first regained his consciousness after transcending, the hunter could distinctly recall Lunar teaching him about his strength and how to control himself.

He couldn't help but chuckle when he remembered one particular memory, where he had accidentally destroyed the messenger fountain, with one of his large inhuman appendages that sprouted for from the back of his head.

The messengers were not pleased that day, and neither was Luna, despite his profuse apologies.

"Good Hunter, I have prepared refreshments, would you prefer to have them here or in the garden?"

Both Arona and the hunter turned to the source of the voice, seeing none other than Luna walking up to them with a tray of delicious looking confectionaries that made Arona's mouth water at the sheer sight of them, and was complete with two cups of tea.

The hunter thought for a moment, bringing his large hand up to his chin and stroking it deep thought, yet before he could answer he noticed Arona and Luna looking at him. Both of them smiling and eventually chuckling when they noticed his posture and position.

After all, despite him now being inhuman in appearance, something's about the good old Hunter never changed, particularly his mannerisms.

However, pushing aside their laughter at his expense, the hunter finally found his voice.

"Could you take them to the garden Luna, I wish to be outside for the moment" Luna responded to the hunter's words by quickly bowing her head and ushering for Arona to follow her, who after a small amount of hesitation eventually did, both the living doll and digital AI given physical form quickly exiting the hunter's abode, through one of the many side exits.

The hunter after a moment wanted to follow them, but stopped for just the singular moment, his inhuman gaze turning up to look at one of the many windows that lined the roof of the hunter's workshop.

Streaming through this window was the pale and pristine Moonlight, and even though his body no longer needed nourishment of any kind. He would be lying if he said that he didn't miss the feel of the cold moonlight on his damp and cold skin.

However, the hunter quickly shook away the nostalgic feeling of the Moonlight washing over him. He could do plenty of that once he reunited with his companions, as he quickly put his arms behind his back and exited the Hunter's workshop, swiftly reuniting with both Arona and Luna.

Both of them standing calmly by one of the many headstones that littered the hunter's dream, and as he approached he heard Luna's voice, as she spoke quietly to her Arona, the tray of confectionaries and tea still in her hands as she looked down a particular headstone.

"Over time, countless hunters have visited this dream. These graves here stand in their memory... And even though the world has long since forgotten all of them, the hunter and I still tend to their final resting places, making sure that they are never truly forgotten" Luna spoke delicately, her voice barely above a whisper as Arona turned her gaze from the much larger woman to the grave they were currently standing in front of.

Its rough stone surface was weathered and cracked to the point where Arona could barely make out what was written on the front, however as she leaned in slightly not noticing the hunter approach from behind she could finally read a singular name.

'Eileen'

Feeling the harsh yet cold cobblestone path beneath Her as she got down onto her knees, Arona couldn't help but stare intently at the gravestone.

Even though she had never met the individual that this headstone was now standing in memorial, she couldn't help but feel sad for them, after all passing away with no one to remember their passing was a fate she wouldn't have wished on anyone.

She also couldn't help but find the idea that there were once more Hunters like sensei an interesting idea, yet before Arona could think of that any further, she suddenly heard a voice that made her jump like a surprised cat.

"Luna is most correct, Arona. These gravestones that surround us are the only remnants of the hunters that came before me... And even though I did not meet them personally, it is my duty as the caretaker of the dream to make sure that the few remnants of their memories are never forgotten" The hunter spoke with an almost fondness in his voice as he quickly grabbed Arona.

And, much to her surprise, lifted her effortlessly into his arms, his faceless head gazing at her with a look that she somehow understood as a happy and jovial one.

After recovering from her sudden shock and embarrassment Arona couldn't help but smile at sensei, she had to admit that despite being initially quite surprised by his true physical appearance, she was gradually getting used to it.

Although Arona had to silently admit to herself, but she would be lying if she didn't prefer how he looked in his human form, considering that well...

He was incredibly handsome.

Arona couldn't help but blushed furiously at that thought as it entered our mind, the hunter however didn't seem to notice her embarrassment as he turned his attention to Luna who was simply standing next to him and Arona, a blank and expressionless look on her face.

"Luna could you possibly join me and Arona, I will not be needing any refreshments myself, but I don't want Arona to eat all of it by herself or have it go to waste" The hunter asked with an expecting tone in his inhuman voice.

Luna, despite her face remaining unchanged, couldn't help but be surprised by the request, turning her lifeless and cold eyes up to the hunter before a small smile made its way onto her face.

"If that is what you wish could Hunter, then I will oblige your request" Luna tilted her head slightly, much to the annoyance of the hunter who couldn't help but find her continued use of the overly formal attitude as a bit unnecessary.

After all, during his time getting used to his new great one nature, he had instructed and told Lunar that she could speak more freely and didn't need to be formal around him.

However, as he let out the sound of a sigh from his non-existent mouth, he supposed that her acting overly formal even after all this time, wasn't entirely her fault.

Because she was, at the end of the day, a doll granted life through the very cosmic power that he now possessed, so her acting formal around what was essentially her creator was something that she felt deeply compelled to do.

"Well in that case why don't we head to the base of the Great Tree, I think it would be a perfect place for this impromptu picnic" The hunter began to walk, motioning for Lunar to follow him, which she did without a word.

The three of them quickly made their way through the garden of the hunter's dream and back through the wrought iron gate, that the hunter and Arona had entered through when they first awoke in the dream.

All the while the hunter continued to hold Arona close to him, much to the embarrassment and slight protest of the little AI, yet the hunter did not loosen his hold of her, continuing to keep her close as they finally arrive at their destination which was the base of the great tree.

Nonetheless, as the hunter finally put Arona down with her own two feet once again, she immediately noticed something that looked out of place compared to the flowers and gravestones that lifted the base of the tree.

"Sensei... what is that doing here" Arona spoke quietly as she pointed at the out-of-place object, drawing the attention of both Luna and the hunter, as they looked to where she was pointing, both of them make surprise expressions when they realised exactly what Arona was referring to.

The hunter didn't say a word as he quietly stared at the object with an almost fondness before quickly getting down to one knee, and wiping away some of the vines, revealing that it was none other than a very antique looking and rusty old wheelchair, most of its frame completely covered in vines and white flowers.

Arona looked at the hunter, somehow managing to sense of the fondness he held for the wheelchair. Which only served to confuse her, considering that the hunter never looked like he needed a wheelchair both in this form and his human form.

Nevertheless, after a moment of him gently wiping away some of the vines from the wheelchair with his inhumanly long fingers. The hunter finally responded, rising back up to his full height as his otherworldly voice washed over Arona.

"Arona, this old wheelchair is a reminder... in fact it would be more appropriate to say that it's a gravestone for somebody who was important to me" The hunter's words were soft and calm as he looked down at Arona.

Who, after a moment of looking at the wheelchair, looked back at him with confusion. And after staring into her eyes for a moment, the hunter continued speaking.

"This wheelchair belongs to Somebody by the name of Gehrman... He was a hunter, much like myself. But unlike me, he was the very first, somebody who is teachings and methods all hunters would descend from, including myself" The hunter turned his gaze back to the wheelchair.

Remembering when he first awoke in the hunter's dream. Alone, scared and Afraid, and how the seemingly kindly old man in the wheelchair had been there for him, and help him along his journey into becoming a true Hunter.

Nonetheless, as the thoughts of memories of Gehrman entered the hunter's mind. He couldn't help but feel somewhat dejected and slightly sad remembering how him and Gehrman eventually came to fight each other, in the very same place that this wheelchair now stood as a reminder.

They had both clashed with everything they had. The unmatched skill and power of the first Hunter vs the unholy cosmic power of a moon scented Hunter empowered with arcane and cosmic knowledge that was never meant to be wielded by human hands.

And yet, there was no malice in the fight, and even though their blows shook the very dream to it's core, that fight was not for the sake of killing. Nor it was it for the sake of bloodshed.

The fight between the moon scented Hunter and the first Hunter was one of Mercy.

Both of them trying to free each other from their ghastly fates. Yet despite the ferocity and the skill of Gehrman, the old tired Hunter was the one to finally be freed from his fate, allowing his tortured soul to finally rest in eternal peace.

"He was trying to save me, save me from a fate that was worse than death… But he also needed to be saved from his own fate, after all he was the one most deserving of rest" The hunter spoke softly as his words were followed by a slightly sad sounding sigh.

However, his words were just loud enough for Arona to hear as she suddenly looked up at the hunter, a confused expression on her face as she spoke.

"What do you mean by that sensei, what was he trying to save you from, and he needed to be saved from" Arona's caught the Hunter by surprise as he turned his focus away from the wheelchair and looked downwards at her.

Yet after looking at her for a moment with what she could assume was a confused expression on his featureless face, he finally responded.

"He was trying to save me from the very fate that I now occupy Arona, he was trying to save me from becoming the caretaker of the hunter's dream" As he spoke, the hunter turned his gaze upwards. Looking at the sprawling branches of the tree above him, and the bright full moon that was partially obscured behind them.

It was ironic in a way, Gehrman had fought so hard to save every Hunter who entered the dream from sharing his and the other old Hunters fate. Yet he had never expected somebody to show tender mercy on him, and save him from enduring his horrific fate as master of the hunter's dream.

"Wait sensei, if he was the caretaker of the Hunter's dream like you said... Does that mean he was just like you?" The hunter abruptly looked down at Arona, feeling incredibly puzzled by what she had just said.

However after a moment, the hunter began to chuckle much to the surprise of Arona and the continued passiveness of Luna who had simply watched the interaction quietly.

"No of course not Arona, he may have been the caretaker of the dream, but he was not like me... and I wasn't always like this either" The hunter gestured to himself with his inhumanly long arm.

Which made a surprise expression form on Arona's as she looked the hunter up and down for a moment before speaking.

"Wait! So you won't always like... this?" Arona emphasised her words by gesturing to the hunter's body, which made the hunter laugh quietly as he responded to her question.

"Indeed Arona, I was not always like this, in fact, a long time ago I was once an ordinary human" the hunter held an arm out in front of him, observing his clawed and inhuman hand for a moment before bringing it back down to his side.

"It seems so long ago now, but when I was a hunter. I was nothing more than an ordinary man, although I suspect that calling myself such wouldn't have been entirely correct" Arona continued to look at the hunter as he spoke, curiosity clearly visible in her eyes as after a moment of collecting his thoughts, the hunter continued expressing himself.

"Arona, I told you that I was a hunter and that was the truth, but I was not an ordinary Hunter like those who came before me, I was... different" The Hunter pause for a moment.

His gaze momentarily coming to rest on the full moon partially obscured by the tree canopy, yet before he could speak again, Arona chose that moment to speak instead.

"What you said before about the lamps, and that certain Hunters could use it differently from others..." Arona did not finish her words as the hunter turned his focus back to her, feeling surprised by her words, but ultimately chuckling quietly as he responded to her wordless question.

"You are correct Arona, I along with a very select few that came before me were the hunters that could utilise the lamps, but amongst all of them I was still different. For I was selected by something powerful than I could even imagine, becoming a Hunter unlike the rest... a moon scented Hunter" The Hunter fell silent as he once again looked up at the moon.

The coldness of its light washing over him and making him feel almost rejuvenated. While his days as the moon scented Hunter were long behind him, that did not change the fact that he was still connected to the moon, arguably even more so after he absorbed her power and became a full-fledged great one.

"Moon scented... Hunter? What does that mean exactly?" Arona asked with curiosity and confusion written across her face.

Yet instead of responding to her, the hunter simply kept his gaze on the moon, and after a moment of eerie silence.

Luna was the one that responded, making Arona jump slightly because she had quite frankly forgotten that the large woman was even there due to how quiet and still she had been this entire time.

"A moon scented Hunter, was a special kind of hunter chosen by Flora of the moon, the original creator of the Hunter's dream" Luna spoke with a quiet and reserved voice.

Arona managed to recover from her shock, turning her eyes to look up at the much larger woman, who continued speaking after the momentary pause.

"Hunters chosen by flora to inhabit this dream were more powerful than most Hunters, with abilities that could be considered supernatural... However, a moon scented Hunter, was a hunter that was chosen to be something more than just a powerful Hunter. They were made into instruments of change that could affect the waking world in its entirety" Luna finished her words by turning her dead cold gaze to the hunter, who was still continuing to stare up at the moon, his arms behind his back.

Arona from her position beside the hunter turn her eyes upwards to look up at his large and inhuman form.

And continuing to look at him, Arona couldn't help but feel amazed by what she had just learnt, when she had initially been told by the hunter that he possessed abilities that most people didn't, in other words he had superpowers. She was genuinely flawed and amazed.

But now, learning that he was something beyond human, with power that she couldn't even begin to comprehend. And before that, he was a powerful hunter the likes of which had never been seen before, was almost too much for her little mind to comprehend.

After all, what was the likelihood that the sensei she waited for all this time would be someone like this, somebody so... incomprehensible and with power that was most likely terrifying, but was also so loving and caring.

However, as Arona looked up at the hunter with awe, a thought suddenly occurred to her. One that made her do a mental double take as she quickly asked a question that caught both Luna and the hunter off guard, making both of them look at her in surprise.

"Wait a minute, who exactly is flora" Arona said loudly casting her eyes up to the hunter who had turned his featureless face to look at her, the surprise clearly evident even though he had no face to express with.

Yet eventually, after several moments of awkward silence, the hunter finally answered his companion's question, letting out the sound of a sigh as he did so.

"Flora was the original creator of the dream Arona, she was the one responsible for creating this place alongside Garnham... She was also the one responsible for making me a moon scented Hunter" The hunter finished his words, watching as a look of realisation and understanding cross Arona's face.

Nevertheless, the confused expression returned as she asked another question, one that the hunter wasn't quite sure how to respond to it first.

"If she created the hunter dream, and gave you your power, then where is she now?" Arona asked innocently, intently curious about this flora and why she was seemingly no longer present, if she was the one who created this place along with bestowed the hunter his power.

The hunter didn't respond for a moment, not because he didn't want to, but because he couldn't find the right words to say. After all, how could he articulate exactly what happened to that night to Arona who possibly wouldn't even understand his reasoning for his actions.

Yet eventually the hunter let out a sigh, he decided to tell his companion the truth, after all it would only be right to tell her the full truth and not leave anything ambiguous any more.

"Flora is no longer with us, Arona, because... I killed her" the hunter said matter-of-factly, his words making Arona's face turn into one of pure horror and shock.

However before she could say anything, the hunter continued speaking, dredging up the memories of what happened that moonlight as he recounted them to his companion.

"It was the night of the hunt, I have been selected to be a moon scented Hunter, and at the very end of it all when my duty was complete, my mentor... The first Hunter became my final adversary" the hunter stopped for a moment.

Looking down at Arona to make sure she was following along, which thankfully she was, and despite the horrified expression on her face after what he had told her before, she couldn't help but be insanely curious as the Hunter continued.

"Garnham offered me an escape... He offered me a chance to forget this dream and leave it all behind and awake in the waking world... But I couldn't do that!" The hunter turned his gaze to the wheelchair that had started all of this, remembering when he had rejected Garnham's offer for release from the nightmare.

"During my short time as a hunter, I have come to learn just what exactly had become of the hunters, the sins they committed as well as the atrocities they endured... I also uncovered the mysteries of the waking world, revealing things and secrets that no mere mortal was ever meant to know" The hunter pause for a brief moment clenching his fists tight before continuing.

"When he offered me mercy… To forget all of this and awaken a new and leave him to suffer for all eternity in this nightmare... I couldn't accept it! He had long since served his punishment for the sins he and the old Hunters committed on that stormy night so long ago... And I was determined to free him from his continued imprisonment and finally let him rest like the rest of the Hunters" Arona looked up at the Hunter's featureless face with concern in her eyes.

However, she suddenly heard a dripping noise, causing her to look down at the Hunter's hands, only to have her eyes widen when she saw something that was concerning but also bizarre.

A strange viscous white fluid was shipping from between his clenched fingers, and despite it not looking like anything she was familiar with. Arona somehow instantly understood exactly what it was, when she remembered that the hunter's hands had long, sharp claws tipping his fingers.

Her sensei had been clenching his fists so hard that, that his nails had torn his damp and cold skin, causing him to...

Bleed.

"S-sensei!"

The hunter was suddenly pulled from his thoughts by the sound of Arona's voice, making him turn his attention from the wheelchair and down to her. Yet as he did so, it was only then he noticed the slight pain in his palm, making him open his hand to reveal the white viscous fluid flowing from his new wounds.

"How careless of me" The hunter noted quietly as he observed the wound on his hand, watching as the viscous white fluid that was his lifeblood continued to flow from his wound.

Nonetheless, before he could focus on healing his wound, two small hands suddenly grabbed his much larger one, forcefully bringing it down to their owner's level as he turned his surprise gaze to see Arona. A deeply concerned look etched into her features as she began to look over his wounded hand.

"Sensei... you need to be more careful" Arona followed up her words by quickly doing something completely unexpected, which was removing the hairband from her head which resembled a set of bunny eyes.

And in one smooth and careful motion, wrapping it around his much larger hand, covering up his wound as well as stopping the minimum amount of bleeding.

The hunter's surprised expression quickly melted away into a grateful and pleasant one, as he watched Arona tighten the improvised bandage a bit more. Before finally releasing his hand from her grip, allowing him to bring it up to his face and look over her white hairband, which was now beginning to soak white cosmic blood.

However, despite having the ability to heal his injuries within a moment of them occurring, as was one of the many abilities given to him by his great one nature. Seeing how much Arona truly cared for him, made him to reconsider, to protect her feelings and to make it look like her efforts were not in vain.

Yet as he brought his hand back down to his side, the hunter suddenly became aware of quiet laughter from behind him and turning his head slightly. He saw that it was none other than Luna, chuckling quietly to herself as she watched the scene unfold in front of her

The hunter can already imagine why she found the scene so humorous, considering that a similar one had unfolded long ago between him and her when he was still learning to grapple with his great one nature.

But turning his attention back to Arona, the hunter thought for a moment, his non-visual expression conveying confusion at where exactly he had left off with his recount of how he became the way he was before it suddenly occurred to him where he was as he quickly resumed his tale.

"Oh yes, I think I should continue... me and Garnham came to blows, both of us trying to release each other from the terrible fate that was the dream, yet despite his superior skill as a hunter, ultimately I was victorious finally releasing the old Hunter from his gruesome fate" The hunter looked down at the wheelchair one final time before turning his attention to Arona who was looking back up at him intently waiting for him to continue.

"When I finally freed him from this nightmare, that was when she descended from her perch on the moon..." The hunter traced his gaze upwards once again, which made Arona do the same as they both looked up at the moon that hung high above in the sky.

"Flora... She came before me that night... Even to this very day Arona I am still not entirely sure what she wanted from me, but I believe that maybe just maybe she wanted me to become the next caretaker of the dream to replace the one that I had freed" The hunter paused for a moment.

If he had eyes they would have been narrowed at this very moment, yet before he could continue Arona suddenly asked something, turning her eyes to look at him as she spoke.

"Sensei, was Flora like you... something that wasn't human?" Arona asked tentatively, not wanting to seem like she was praying too deep into something that she didn't know about.

However instead of the hunter scalding her like she expected, he instead let out a quiet chuckle as he brought one of his massive hands up and gently rubbed the girl's head, much to her slight annoyance because it messed up her blue hair but also pleasure because sensei was giving her a head rub.

"You are quite sharp, aren't you, Arona. But yes she was not human, she was a great one, a cosmic entity that existed beyond the physical plane. Her Motives and reasoning for her actions were beyond mortal comprehension." The hunter took his hand away from Arona much to her slight annoyance, as he continued.

"Even with me now being elevated to the status of a great one just like her, I can't even begin to imagine what she wanted to accomplish and what her true motives were"

Turning his gaze upwards, the hunter would have narrowed his eyes considerably if his great one body had the capacity to do so.

So much of that night, especially the events surrounding his ascension to become a great one, were still a mystery to him, much to his continued aggravation.

"I still remember the way she took me into her arms, it was almost as if she was embracing a new loved one... But when she tried to make me into the caretaker of the hunter's dream, something happened, something that I'm still not entirely sure to this day" The hunter looked down at Arona who looked back at him with puzzlement on her face as she waited for him to respond, which he did after a moment.

"She tried to take me, yet I somehow resisted whether it be because of the arcane and eldridge knowledge I had accumulated or simply because of my own force of will, I rejected her, which I suspect made her view me as a potential threat" Arona continue to look up at the hunter, a concerned look appearing in her eyes which simply made the hunter nob his head answering her unspoken question.

"We fought... both me and Flora... even with all the skills I was taught as a Hunter and the arcane and cosmic knowledge I had accumulated on my journey, it was the most ferocious battle I had ever fought..." The hunter paused for a second remembering the vicious battle that took place that night, even to this day he could still feel the blows that the great one had inflicted upon him.

"Flora fought with ferocity and power that I couldn't have even imagined... which I suppose was to be expected, considering that she was a great one and the master of the dream... Yet even despite all that power, she ultimately fell to my hands" Holding his inhuman hands up in front of him, one of which still had Arona's white bow tied around it, the hunter clenched his fists remembering the blood of the great one that once soaked them.

"I'm still not sure exactly how it happened, Arona, but me ending her existence and slaying her with my own hands was seemingly a trigger that caused me to evolve... To shed my human form and become the very thing you see before you now" The hunter emphasised his words by stepping in front of Arona and opening his arms wide.

Showing off his entire inhuman and unnatural form to her. Yet instead of looking afraid or scared of him like he had suspected, the small girl looked more like she was in a state of awe as she stared up at him.

"Arona..."

The hunter quickly knelt down in front of the small girl, his structure and height still dwarfing her despite now being on his knees in front of her.

"Now that you know the truth of who and what I am... do you still wish to stand by my side?" tThe hunter extended a hand to Arona, which was the very same one that her hairband was wrapped around, acting as an improvised bandage.

Arona didn't immediately respond, looking at the hunter's hand and the bandage wrapped around it, before turning her gaze up to look at where his face would have been if he was human.

And after several moments of uneasy silence she did something completely, which took both the hunter and Luna off guard unexpected.

"Of course I will! Just because you're not human doesn't change the fact that you are my sensei, the one that I am supposed to help no matter what!" Arona threw herself at The Hunter, trying and somewhat failing to wrap her arms around his unnaturally broad chest. And peaking up at him with a bright, goofy grin, which was enough to make the hunter's cosmic and supernatural heart almost melt.

After being surprised by her sudden embrace, the hunter gently wrapped his large arms around her, being sure this time not to squeeze her too hard as both of them shared the embrace.

"Good Hunter... the tea and refreshments are getting cold, I believe it's time for us to eat" Despite keeping Arona tight in his embrace, the hunter turned his inhuman gaze to look at Luna who simply stood there passively while staring back at him with a blank expressionless gaze.

"I suppose you're right, Luna... Give me one moment and I will prepare everything" The hunter turned his focus back to Arona, who looked up at him as both of them separated from the embrace that they had been in moments ago.

Quickly rising back to his full height, the hunter did something unexpected that caught Arona off guard, as he suddenly held an arm out at full length. His fingers classed in a familiar pattern as after a second of holding them there, he clicked his inhuman and unnaturally long fingers.

The sound that was produced by the click made Arona shudder immensely, it sounded like an ordinary click of the fingers… Yet something about it held a power that, even though she couldn't understand, still made her feel strange.

However, that thought was completely forgotten, when she turned around, only to see something that had not been there previously which causes a look of complete and utter shock appear on her face.

"Sensei... W-where did all of this come from?" Despite her shock, Arona carefully walked towards the objects that had caught her by surprise.

Finding that it was a large picnic style table with three sets of chairs, two which were identical and were very elaborate and ornate looking, and the final one looking more like a large armchair crossed with a throne rather than a regular chair.

The hunter turned to his small companion, his expressionless and featureless face remaining the same, Yet Arona could feel the slight amusement emanating from him as he spoke.

"I made them with a simple click of my fingers, Arona... When I said I was the master of this dream, I wasn't lying or exaggerating... I can manipulate and change this domain anyway I see fit" The hunter ended his words by quickly and casually sitting down in his own custom chair that was built for his stature. His pose making Arona giggle incessantly because she had to admit that he appeared incredibly comfy in it.

Yet after staring at him for a moment, the hunter quickly signaled for her to come sit as well, using a snap of his fingers to quickly reposition her chair so it was next to his, much to Arona's utter amazement.

Luna carefully placed the tray of confectionaries and tea on the picnic table and promptly seated herself in her own share, remaining so still and quietly that Arona could have mistaken her for an actual doll instead of something that had life.

Arona sat down next to the hunter, gazing up at him with a bright smile as he motioned for her to take the confectionaries that were on the tray in front of her, after all, despite not needing any kind of nourishment himself, that did not mean his companion was in the same position.

Eventually, after looking at him for a moment with clear hesitation in her eyes. Arona smiled warmly at him, as she quickly grabbed one of the confectioneries from the tray and began to eat with a fierce passion, that the hunter found incredibly amusing as he watched her enjoy herself.

"The dream is usually cold and empty, the echoes of the hunters that came before still audible to me... yet on this night... I cannot hear them and the dream feels very warm, I... prefer it this way"

…...

"God dammit! When you actually need that useless adult, he's never around!?"

A voice cursed as its owner quickly reloaded her shotgun, inserting a series of slug rounds before pulling the charging handle and chambering the first round.

Hoshino angled her head around the corner of the old outhouse building, that she was using as cover. Watching as the delinquents and problem solver 68 continued to reign fire down on not only her, but her friends positions as they tried their hardest to defend their school from these new enemies.

Sweeping her gaze across the Courtyard, Hoshino immediately spotted where everyone currently was.

Shiroko had taken cover behind a pile of old sandbags, that had been used in their previous Defence of the school and had luckily not been cleared away just yet.

Serika and Ayane had both decided that a pile of old rubble, from one of the many old and decrepit buildings that surrounded the school yard, would be their cover of choice.

As Serika fired back at any delinquent, she could see, ferocity and anger written across her face while Ayane typed away at her tablet while occasionally taking shots with her pistol, utilising her smart tablet to try and give them the edge that they were currently lacking.

And finally Nonomi true to her nature as the proverbial tank of the group, was standing atop a pile of rubble, bullets whizzing past and occasionally hitting her as she laid down a continuous hail of automatic Mini gunfire, catching out any delinquents that failed to get out of the line of fire before it was trained on them.

"Why don't you guys try this on for size!" All the abydos students suddenly heard Mutsuki exclaim loud.

As she excitedly threw a very strange looking grenade towards their position. And as it sailed through the air Hoshino realised exactly what it was, a high explosive armour piercing grenade which was usually reserved for use against armoured vehicles rather than anti-personnel use.

"Everyone get down!" Hoshino shouted at the top of her lungs as everyone did as instructed without a moment of hesitation.

And they couldn't have done so a moment too soon, as the grenade landed just shy of the school's front gate, in a brilliant and massive fireball. Sending metal fragments flying in all directions, most of which further damage the abydos school building's already disfigured and weathered exterior.

Shiroko recovered from the explosion, first using the temporary lull in the delinquent fire to quickly reposition and regroup with Serika and Ayane. Who much to her relief didn't seem to be physically hurt by the grenade explosion, but did look a little bit dazed from the explosion simply because of their proximity to it.

"Nn the longer this drags on the more of disadvantage we are at" Shiroko followed up her words by quickly jumping out from behind the piece of cover, and with one well-placed shot taking out a delinquent who happens to be passing through her field of view, and ducking back down again before the other delinquents could retaliate.

"Wow! Thanks for stating the obvious Shiroko" Serika said with an almost lethal amount of sarcasm in her voice.

She also quickly followed the grey haired wolf girl's example, although instead of using precise shots to take out the delinquents that were foolishly out in the open. The angry cat girl decided to simply empty the entirety of her rifle's magazine in the general direction of the delinquents.

And even though her bullets lacked accuracy, that was made up for by the sheer volume of them, as the delinquents quickly fell to the automatic fire.

"Take that! You dirty, good for nothing troublemakers!" Serika barked at the top of her lungs at the delinquents, as she quickly ducked behind cover once again reloading her assault rifle, intent on doing the exact same thing to any more delinquent she could see.

However before she could do that, Serika along with Shiroko and Ayane all heard footsteps approaching from behind, making them by pure Instinct draw their weapons and aim at the approaching individuals, only to see that it was none other than Hoshino and Nonomi.

Both girls running as a group and and providing covering fire for each other as they quickly ducked behind the piece of rubble that their friends were using as cover.

"At the rate things are going... were going to be out of ammo soon and be sitting ducks" Hoshino spoke loudly, making sure her voice was audible over the gunfire, as she illustrated her words by checking the amount of shotgun shell she had on her, which after finishing the count revealed that she had very little left in terms of ammo.

"Tell us something we don't know Hoshino" Serika stated aggressively as she quickly jumped up and took a shot at a delinquent that was crossing between cover.

Although subconsciously she made sure to count her shots more carefully considering what Hoshino had just said about the ammo supply shortage.

"She's right though Serika... if we don't think of something then we will..." Ayane found herself trailing off, not wanting to finish her sentence because just the idea of that was enough to put a chill down her spine.

After taking out another delinquent with a well-placed headshot, Serika turned her vicious and angry gaze towards the glasses wearing elf girl, not appreciating in the slightest what she was implying.

After all, Serika was many things, but one of those things was not a quitter. She would fight for this school to the very last bullet... And even to her very last waking breath, if it came to it.

"Maybe we could try some kind of pincer attack. It would force them to split their focus and allow us more breathing room" Nonomi suggested. All of her friends turning look at her in surprised as she used the momentary pause in the combat, to reload a minigun which would normally be a time-consuming procedure, but thankfully she had learnt how to do it quick.

"That's not a bad idea Nonomi... but getting into position for an attack like that would be too risky, they have us cornered right now" Shiroko responded to her minigun welding friend.

While the idea itself was a sound one, that could have a decent chance of succeeding, actually getting into a position to orchestrate some kind of pincer attack would be too risky given their low ammo supply and the fact that they were still outnumbered to a large degree.

"I'm going to have to agree with Shiroko on this one... trying to get into position for an attack like that would be too much risk for not enough reward... But still we need to think of something before we run out of time and ammo" Hoshino said with a slightly worried expression on her face, she began to rack her brain trying to think of any potential ideas to get her and her friends out of this situation.

Serika, Shiroko, Nonomi and Ayane all looked between each other, concerned expressions written across their faces as they tried formulating some kind of plan. Because they couldn't just sit here all day, especially considering that problem solver 68 and their hired goons were beginning to get more bold and slowly advanced towards the entrance to the school grounds.

"If it comes to it, we could always just rush them head on" Serika spoke abruptly, tightening the grip on her rifle. As everyone including Hoshino turned to look at her as if she had just spoken the most ridiculous thing imaginable.

However despite the ridiculousness of the suggestion, everyone couldn't help but actually ponder the idea. After all, problem solver 68 and their hired delinquents wouldn't be expecting a full-on near suicidal frontal attack.

Yet even though there was a potential that such a braze and attack could work, it didn't change the fact that it would be incredibly risky, and almost near suicidal given their current position and circumstances.

As the abydos students continue to try and formulate some kind of idea, Aru from her position at the head of her delinquent hoard couldn't help but smile victoriously, and let out a boasting laugh as she did so.

Because to her, the battle seemed like it was nearing its end, especially considering that the abydos students for the last couple of minutes had simply been held up behind a piece of cover instead of actively shooting back.

"If I knew it was going to be this easy, I wouldn't have hired extra muscle" Aru followed up her words by letting out another boasting laugh as she took a pot shot at the piece of cover that the abydos students were hiding behind.

Kayoko turned her gaze to Aru, a slightly displeased expression appearing on her face because while she did respect Aru a great deal, that didn't change the fact that the pink headed girl wasn't exactly the best when it came to making sound financial decisions.

However, using the momentary lapse in the combat to check her equipment and ammunition, Kayoko then quickly pulled out her phone, turning it on to check the time only to have her usual sharp eyes widen in shock when she realised exactly what the time was.

Putting her phone away, the black and white girl quickly made her way over to Aru, who was laughing while taking pot shots at the bunkered down abydos students.

"Aru, you need to see what the-" Kayoko didn't get a chance to finish as Aru quickly interrupted her, a slightly frustrated expression on her face.

"Kayoko now it's not the time, we have those brats on the knees. Just a little bit more pushing and they'll give in!" Aru ended her words by quickly chuckling and firing several more shots in the general direction of the abydos students.

Kayoko despite her frustrated expression tried to but in once again, opening her mouth to speak yet quickly finding herself silence to by Aru holding up a hand.

"Kayoko not now, it can wait until later" Aru's frustration was clearly evident in her voice as she turned to address her subordinate and friend, failing to notice a figure approaching from behind.

"Seriously Kayoko! Why do you always have to ruin the mood when it's just getting good? Honestly! Sometimes I think-"

"Excuse me, young lady... But I do not believe that is not the way you address a close friend"

Aru, Kayoko along with Mutsuki and Haruka all immediately stopped what they were doing and turn to the source of the mysterious voice, their eyes widening in shock and horror when they saw exactly who it was.

Standing before them was none other than the mysterious adults that they had met back at the Ramen restaurant the other night, and after a moment of staring at him in his full attire, it dawned on them exactly who it was as they all instinctively took a step back.

The Hunter stood there in all of his glory, his usual gothic style attire looking as neat as ever and his overcoat blowing in the wind in an almost majestic manner as he smiled politely at the delinquents.

However, despite his polite looking smile, the look in his eyes was anything but friendly and happy, in fact it was a look of almost pure anger and disappointment.

Despite her initial shock Kayoko was the first to recover, instinctively bringing up pistol up and aiming it at the mysterious adult. Yet much to her increasing discomfort, he didn't look intimidated by it in the slightest, simply regarding her with his fake polite smile and vicious eyes before turning his gaze and squaring it directly at Aru, much to her growing fear.

"Now... Aru was it? Would you mind explaining to me why you are harassing my students? Especially after they and I showed you an extraordinary amount of hospitality and kindness" The hunter took several steps forward, his voice as cold as ice as the gap between him and Aru was noticeably shortened.

Aru couldn't bring herself to say anything for a moment, she did remember seeing him briefly at the Ramen restaurant the other day, but considering his friendly attitude, she had simply written him off as a kind passer-by.

But now seeing him here standing in front of her, his eyes holding nothing but anger and frustration made her very briefly consider turning on her heels and running in the opposite direction.

However before she could consider doing that or better yet trying to get a grip and stand her ground. Somebody, much to her surprise quickly stepped in front of Aru as they noticeably raised their voice.

"Stay away from Aru! I'm warning you" Haruka said with a noticeably scared rattle in her voice, her shotgun which was now aimed at the mysterious adult's chest shaking noticeably as she held her ground despite her fear.

The hunter looked at the purple haired girl, and internally he couldn't help but silently apologise and feel sorry for her.

Because after all he was deliberately putting on a much more fierce than persona, than he usually did when it came to interacting with students, but despite not being a teacher for very long. One of the skills he had quickly learnt, was that sometimes a hard and firm approach was necessary for dealing with troublesome students like these.

Looking into Haruka's purple fear filled eyes, the hunter took a step forward, this action making the already terrified girl even more scared as she quickly pulled the trigger on her shotgun.

However instead of the adult to drop into the floor after having his chest cavity blown open by buckshot, something completely unexpected happened. Something that Haruka and everyone else that was watching couldn't quite peace together.

One moment, the mysterious adult was there, the barrel of the shotgun that was aimed at him almost touching his chest. The next he was in the exact same spot yet instead of his hands being empty like they were before, now they were filled with none other than Haruka's custom shotgun, the barrel smoking and noticeably from the shot that it had just let out.

The hunter looked down at the purple shotgun in his hands, he had to admit that despite the weapon not exactly being to his tastes when it came to the decoration and decor. It was still a well-made piece of workmanship, that seemingly matched its owner perfectly. Much like the weapons that he had seen other students using, which appeared to be personally tailor-made to them.

Yet, nevertheless, admiring the weapon in his hand could wait for later as he turned his eyes back to Haruka, who despite looking down at her now empty hands in abject terror still did not move from in front of Aru. Somehow finding the strength to continue to protect her friend. Which the hunter had to admit was incredibly admirable of her.

However before the hunter could open his mouth to speak, he suddenly heard gunfire erupt all around him, and promptly turning his gaze. He saw that it was none other than the abydos students he had come to save, utilising the opportunity that was presented before them to take back the advantage.

And despite being out of earshot and unable to verbally communicate with them the hunter could see none other than Shiroko, smiling brightly at him happy that he finally came, as she quickly turned her attention back to gunning down several delinquents who were caught off guard by the sudden counter-attack.

The hunter couldn't help but chuckled himself, as he turned his critical gaze back to the problem solver 68 students in front of him. Yet, when he did so he noticed that Haruka's hands were no longer empty, for in her left hand was a strange little device that even though the hunter didn't know its exact purpose was, he could assume that it most likely wasn't a good one.

As such the hunter decided he would relieve the girl of the device much like he had done of her weapon, but before he could do that he suddenly felt something be poked into his side only to look down and see that it was none other than the barrel of a machine gun.

And the owner of said machine gun being none other than Mutsuki, a mischievous and smug smile on her face that for some inexplicable reason made the hunter feel incredibly agitated and that she needed some kind of correction.

"I wouldn't move if I was you, Mister... I don't want to fill you full of holes Kufufu~ " Mutsuki finished her words finished her work by giggling, poking the barrel of the Machine Gun further into the Hunter's side to try and caused him discomfort.

But he did not react to the silent intimidation, his eyes noticeably narrowing as the smile left his face, which in turn made Mutsuki's smile disappear as he turned his entire body to face her. The action causing the white haired girl who was usually so mischievous and smug to instinctively step backwards and fear despite her weapon still being pointed at him.

"D-didn't you hear? If you make another M-Move I'll fill you full of holes you old geezer!" Mutsuki's trademark smug expression was now completely gone, as it was replaced by a look of absolute intimidation as the hunter continued to stare at her, his eyes holding nothing but disapproval and frustration.

Yet just as Mutsuki began to pull the trigger of her machine gun, intent on filling the scary adult full of lead, something odd happened that completely surprised her.

The hunter quickly grabbed the barrel of the machine gun, his superior strength allowing him to force the weapon to be pointed upwards, yet he did not take the weapon from Mutsuki, instead choosing to do something that would strike fear into the smug girl's heart.

Mutsuki struggled against the adult trying to wrestle her weapon back under control as he forced it upwards with one hand, yet her struggles were completely forgotten when she heard a strange noise.

Forcing her to look up, only to have her eyes widen in absolute petrified horror, when she saw the barrel of her beloved light machine gun beginning to bend. And she can only watch in pure abject horror as the mysterious adult effortlessly bent the barrel of a machine gun, making the muzzle at the end of the barrel almost point directly at her.

Releasing his hold of the machine gun's barrel, the hunter gave the now petrified white-haired girl one last intimidating look, before turning his attention back to the rest of problem solver 68 who, after watching what just happened, were now just as horrified and scared of the adult as Mutsuki was.

"I believe I will be taking this" The hunter didn't even have to use his superior reflexes as he calmly took the device from Haruka's trembling hands, looking the device over for a moment before he heard a voice in his ear speak to him.

"Sensei be careful, that's an explosive detonator"

The hunter heard Arona's voice, and even though he did not verbally respond, he quietly nodded his head, being extremely careful with the now revealed to be an explosive detonator as he opened his overcoat and gently put it inside.

And once he had done so, he momentarily turned his attention to the now winding down battle around him, seeing that the delinquents were now on the run, as the abydos students showed No Mercy to the delinquents as they retreated. Cheering amongst themselves as the delinquents continue to run scared and defeated.

Turning his attention back to problem solver 68 The Hunter looked at the shotgun in his hands one more time before gently placing it down on the ground in front of him.

The motion of this making all the girls in front of him momentarily step back thinking he was about to attack them, yet once the weapon was on the ground the hunter rose back up to his full height and spoke.

"Now usually I would punish disobedient and misbehaving students like yourselves severely... however I'm feeling somewhat generous today so I will allow you to leave" The hunter's voice was calm and even.

But the commanding tone it held made all the members of problem solver 68 not even consider disobeying him, yet as the hunter turned away from them, he spoke one last time, his voice being so cold and icy that it could almost have frozen them solid.

"However if you ever think of returning here and harming my students... Your punishment will be more than… severe" the hunter turned his head, so only one of his eyes was visible.

Even so, the pure disapproval and frustration that was held in his gaze was enough to compel the members of problem solver 68 into action as they quickly began to run. Not even bothering to help the delinquents that they had hired as they retreated into the distance, their encounter with sensei forever etched into their minds.

Yet just before problem solver 68 disappeared into the distance, Aru turned around, terror still written across her face, yet somehow managing to work up enough courage to shout.

"T-this isn't the last you've seen of Us!"

The hunter paid the words no mind, letting out a sigh as he watched the group leave, he didn't like treating students like this. After all, despite their actions, problem solver 68 and and the delinquents they had hired were at the end of the day just students like his beloved abydos students.

And he had made a personal valve to himself that he would help all students, regardless of their background or actions.

Nevertheless, as the hunter began to think of a way to try and help problem solver 68 and better their miss guided ways, he heard footsteps approaching him making him break out of his thoughts, and turn to the source only to see that it was none other than Shiroko. A pleasant and happy smile on her usually blank face, as she wiped away some dirt and grime that had accumulated on her cheeks from today's battle.

"It's good to see you sensei" Shiroko exclaimed happily as she trotted over to The Hunter, and after a moment of staring at each other. She quickly threw herself at him, the hunter was momentarily surprised but returned the favour as she wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace.

The hunter quietly chuckled as he gently stroked Shiroko's head, being sure to scratch behind her wolf-like ears, much to her approval as she looked up at him. Her eyes filled with absolute joy at the fact that he actually came to help them in their time of need.

"It is good to see you too Shiroko... although I must apologise for being late... I needed to attend to some personal matters of mine, which was why I couldn't come sooner" The hunter spoke with an apologetic tone, as he continued to gently rub Shiroko's head.

However instead of being unhappy in him like the hunter had expected, Shiroko simply smiled at him as she quickly separated from the tight embrace. The smile never leaving her face, as she quickly grabbed the hunter's hand and began to pull him along, intent on reuniting him with the rest of her friends.

"It's OK sensei, you can't be everywhere at once... But I'm glad that you still came to help anyway" Shiroko added to her words by making her smile even brighter and more vibrant than it had been a moment ago.

The hunter couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart as he saw the expression on Shiroko's face. He was not one for wanting rewards for his deeds, yet seeing be youthful and happy expression on the grey haired wolf girl's face was something that he would gladly take the reward for his efforts.

After all, he was a teacher… He was their sensei, and their happiness was his responsibility.

---

Well that was certainly an interesting chapter wasn't it.

While it wasn't as action packed as previous chapters, I personally think that it was probably one of my favourite ones to write, considering if allowed me to really dive into the lore and story of bloodborne.

Plus now that Arona knows the hunter's secret and his true Nature it will certainly make their interactions a bit more interesting.

Also when it comes to the plain doll, I don't know if I managed to capture her passivity as well as I could have, but I tried my best. Additionally, calling her Luna was the last minute decision that thinking about it, I could have been a bit more creative with her name, but at the same time I suppose the name Luna is somewhat fitting considering she was brought to life buy the moon presence.

Also when it comes to writing the next chapter I'm probably going to take at least a couple of days break mostly to recharge my creative batteries.

But that's enough rambling from me for now, so until next time have a good day / night everyone and I will see you next time.