Note: This chapter contains guts and gore. As this work is marked M for mature. I won't leave any more warnings. Read at your own discretion.
Ps. This is Yharnam. There is no hope here, only blood, suffering and madness. And all three are in excess.
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Deep blue eyes snaped open. Tears quickly welling as Jaune took in the hauntingly familiar sky of the Hunters Dream. Lying in the wet mud before the closed gate. Jaune freely let his tears fall as he let himself go.
"Why? Why couldn't I be lucky for one time in my life? Why couldn't it have been a twisted lucid dream? Why must it be real?" Jaune whispered hoarsely to himself as dread and despair settle over him like a long-lost lover. Gently and firmly gripping him tight as Jaune freely let his tears fall.
He had powered trough the entire day. Pushing his incoming panic attack further and further back. He would rather believe that he had gone insane or was suffering from visual hallucinations instead.
Yet the truth was that it had been real.
He had died. He had come back to life.
And it was only the beginning.
Jaune didn't believe for the second that the Dream was kind and would let him go. No, the Dream would wring him dry of everything he was, everything he ever would be. It would chew him up until nothing was left but a hollow shell of what had been.
He almost collapsed and puked all over his bed after classes, but he was able to keep it down. He didn't think anyone noticed. But Ren was a perceptive bastard, so he might have figured out if something was wrong. Pyrrha was also some sort of tournament fighter, right? So she might also have figured it out.
Hopefully they just settled for nerves and leave it at that. After all, he had given himself a hefty about of extra work or a serving of public humiliation. Up to him to decide what he feared less. How was he supposed to write a proper research paper? He was a C student; he couldn't write for shit!
"Silver linings Jaune, you beat a Boarbatusk in single combat." He rasped out to himself as he shivered at the memory. He didn't know what was more terrifying. Staring down that charging monster or having to brave the streets of Yharnam. He had only faced a single Scourge Beast, and he had already died once. Winning only by sheer fluke.
That stab of his could just as easily have been caught in bone. Something which would have resulted in another death for him. At least he woke up after exploring the sickroom. There weren't any more enemies in the nearest area, so he was 'somewhat' safe.
Even if calling nearly shitting himself and peeking his head out of the door 'exploring' was stretching the term more than a little. He hadn't even dared walk up that old staircase in the room he slayed the Scourge beast. Something he should do, if only to make sure he wasn't snuck upon by other monsters.
Feeling the familiar rise of bile, Jaune turned to his side and got up. The bile burned, but Jaune paid it no mind as he emptied his entire stomach and ever more behind some headstones. Breathing heavily and looking down he doubled over again as he puked up burning bile while wheezing as tears burnt in his eyes.
He didn't want anything to do with this twisted dream. He just wanted to be a hunter, hunt grim, and be a hero while living up to his family's legacy. Was that so wrong? Jaune didn't know, but his tears fell like mighty waterfalls as he collapsed as he leaned on the headstone.
"A single beast, yet you cry?" The dry and cold voice of Gehrman came as a mighty slap in the face. "Pathetic."
"Fuck you Gehrman. Just… sincerely… fuck of." Jaune whispered hoarsely as he looked at Gehrman. Not able to muster the strength, nor emotion to do anything. Not really feeling up to do anything really. "Leave me alone."
"Then I will leave you to your turmoil alone. Should you need me, you need only to call." Gehrman rasped hoarsely as Jaune heard the familiar sound of wheelchair on gravel travel further away. "Oh, one last thing should you muster up the courage to hunt again. The workshop is open, and you will find more… suited attire for hunting within."
Alone, Jaune sat catatonic as he leaned on the headstone. Just completely numb as he sat as stared at the moon. It was whole here, and shone with a beautiful, almost serene and tranquil light.
"It's beautiful." Jaune whispered softly as he just sat and enjoyed the gentle light of the moon's presence. It felt, cleansing, in a way. Just sitting there and doing nothing. Even if he knew that he had to hunt, this little moment in the moonlight felt purifying and uplifting. Like the loving caress of a mother who just wanted their child to be safe, while knowing deep down that this was something that their child needed to do.
With a long-exasperated sigh, Jaune got up on shaking legs. Before stumbling his way towards the workshop. Gait slowly gaining more confidence as he stepped up the cobbled stone walkway. Pushing open the heavy wooden doors and stepping into another world.
It was warmly lit and a brasier helped chase away any lingering coldness. Living candles that seemed to have gently burned since the start of time. Lanterns dangling over the workshop and an altar. A large wooden chest that would have been sold for at least twenty-five thousand Lien. Enough to live comfortably on for a long, long time.
A letter laid gently on the workshop, as Jaune just took it all in. Snapping the letter up, he started to read. Frowning as he read more and more.
"When you are out hunting, you might and will stumble upon something called Blood Stone's. They come in four distinctly different forms from Single Shard, Twin Shards, Stone Chunk and Blood Rocks. With the last one being exceptionally rare, however it is also the mark of a great hunter to fortify their weapon of choice with a Blood Rock due to their rareity. Doing so will serve to push the weapons to its physical and spiritual peak."
"You can use these Blood Stones to fortify your weapon, or weapons, of choice. Each fortification will take your weapon and make it better, sharper, and sturdier. All good things for a hunter. However this isn't without cost as the weapon will become more and more 'in tune' with you. So should you ever freely give your weapon away, all its fortifications will disappear."
"In the same vein, you can only fortify your weapon a total of ten times. Null to three with Single Shard's, four to six with Twin Shards, seven to nine with Stone Chunks. And finally, a Blood Rock to bring it all together at ten. Should you be greedy and try more, your weapon will turn to ash and dust in your hands. You will find books about the fortification process scattered around the workshop together with simple blood rites to inscribe elemental papers. Or recipes for the simplest of hunter tools, should that be more to your style."
Turning the letter around, Jaune saw even more text. With a sigh, he began reading.
"Just as you can find Blood Stones, so can you find Blood Gems. Gems that can be slotted into your weapon after their first fortification. Do note that some gems can bear curses. However the Dream currently lacks the tool for slotting gems, it can be somewhere in Central Yharnam. Should you wish to learn more, just whisper my name and I will appear."
Signed Gehrman, First Hunter and Keeper of the Dream.
Jaune stared long and hard at the letter. Mind ripe with confusion, curiosity, but most of all, numbness. The moon could bleed red right this instant and Jaune wouldn't be able to muster more emotion that "Huh, neat."
Opening the wardrobe, Jaune couldn't help but feel his eyes bulge out of his head. Numbness completely washed away as he took in a magical sight. It was like a gate way to another world, just like the 'Narnia' book he read as young. Only if Narnia had been a dark thriller with gothic elements.
Soft green moonlight shone through a tinted roof glass and coated the dressing room in a mysterious ambiance. Bare mannequins decorated the entire room.
"At least they don't move, nor breathe." Jaune whispered to himself as he stepped in. Looking around in clear fascination, having seen one too many horror movies where mannequins came to life. Suppressing a shiver, Jaune walked towards the two dressed mannequins. They stood side by side, and while similar, they were also different.
The one to the right was a mix of rugged leather and fabric with a foreboding aura. It seemed to emanate resilience and readiness, almost like it was made for stalking trough the streets of Yharnam. The one to the left was a refined and elegant attire with a sleek and sophisticated look to it.
"Clothes make the man. Or so dad always said." Jaune whispered to himself as he took in the two mannequins. One looked ready to take on all matter of monsters, coming of as a looming monster of the dark. An attire that monsters would flee from.
The other, the other just radiated an aura of style and sophistication. Looking fully in control of any situation they found themselves in. And deep down, Jaune wanted that to be him.
To no longer a fraud, but a strong and sophisticated hunter who was always in control. The top hat only being an added bonus. For while Roman Torchwick was a thief and a criminal, he always looked in control. Something Jaune desperately wanted, no, needed to feel.
With shaking hands, Jaune gently laid his hand on the mannequin with a top hat. Flinching back and hastily tearing his hand back when the mannequin glowed in silver moonlight. Jaw hitting the floor when his huntsman attire donned the mannequin instead.
"What the fuck?" Jaune whispered in amassment as he took in his new look in the conveniently placed mirror. Dressed in a form fitting, long-sleeved coat with intricate embroidery and fine details. It felt and looked luxurious. Not to mention how snuggly his new trousers seemed to sit. Walking around he marvelled at how someone could mix style and sophistication together and still get something so comfortable and easy to move in.
He had tried on form fitted suits before, and they were in no way or shape or form as comfortable and as easy to move in as this. Polished leather boots clacked on the wooden floor and Jaune again found it marvellous how comfortable and stable they felt. He just knew that his socks would be dry, and snug should he ever have to march through a marsh. Not to mention how well made his gloves were. A perfect blend of style and practically.
Gently taking of his top hat and resting it in his hands. Jaune couldn't help but marvel at how he looked, not to mention how he felt. Looking at the mirror, he gently rested his hand on the hilt of Crocea Mors, who somehow just made him look even more stylish. And for the first time in a while, Jaune Arc felt that he had a fleeting semblance of control.
Pistol securely holstered under his right armpit for quick and easy access. Dark leather cartridge bag filled with paper cartridges sitting safety on his belt right before Crocea Mors. And the Threaded Cane sat on the opposite side should he ever need it.
Placing his stylish top hat on, Jaune took one last long look in the mirror before nodding to himself. The dread and fear were still there. And would never go away. But while he didn't feel ready to go hunt, he looked the part.
And that was all he needed. Jaune didn't know a lot, but he knew everything would be answered out in Yharnam. Why he was here, what the dream was, were beasts came from. It would all become clear.
"You got this Jaune, its only beasts." Jaune whispered to himself in a vain attempt to encourage himself. Sighing out Jaune stepped out of the wardrobe, doors magically closing behind him. Casting some longing looks on the books, Jaune sighed again as he stepped outside. Knowing that should he be absorbed in a book; he would never be able to leave again.
"Well, would you look at that. While you are far from a proper hunter, you do look the part." Gehrman chuckled darkly as he looked at Jaune.
Jaune tsked and walked away, not wanting to spend a second more than needed in Gehrman's presence. Marching down the cobbled stones and standing before the magical headstone that would take him back to the medical clinic Jaune felt indecision furiously grab him. He didn't want to die, he didn't like pain, he didn't like suffering.
Yet he knew he would only find that should he venture out.
But he also knew he couldn't stay in the Dream forever. What would become of him then? Nothing more of a hollow shell of a man who had been given the tools to succeed but been too afraid to act.
Jaune wanted a life of adventure, a life of heroics and to become a great huntsman. Someone who could live up to his family's legacy. What would his friends and team think about him should he falter now?
Taking a deep, shaking breath. Jaune laid a hand on the headstone as he turned to Gehrman. Softly whispering.
"Do you have any tips? Any titbits of counsel before I go and die?"
"Don't think. Act. Killing them is a mercy." Gehrman answered sharply as he turned to look at Jaune with something akin to approval. "Use your firearm when necessary, patience is key. A well-placed hit is more effective than a hundred scattered. But above all else, always be prepared. Stock up on blood vials, quicksilver bullets, and what other supplies you deem essential. The rest you will learn trough experience. Hunt, kill, die, learn, repeat."
"Hunt, kill, die, learn, repeat."
The words echoed in his mind, but he pushed down his bubbling fear. Nodding in thanks for the advice, Jaune activated the teleportation. Before his eyes shot up in realisation as his neck whipped towards Gehrman. Leaving only a single sentence before he 'awakened' in Yharnam.
"What is Blood Vails?"
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"What is Blood Vails?"
Jaune asked the empty sickroom as he unsheathed Crocea Mors. Feeling safer with it in his hand. Forging the shield form and instead drawing his pistol. While he couldn't aim for shit, the threat of a loaded gun could, hopefully, serve as reason not to attack him. Hopefully.
The clinic was almost how he left it. It was dark, damp with blood and dust. Blood hung in the air like a twisted perfume. Almost being the key word, however. For what should have been bloodstains and splatters, destroyed sick beds and crushed vials, were instead good as new. It was almost like his fight with the beast never had happened.
Yet he didn't hear the beast, nor did he see any lasting blood splatter. No, the sickroom looked entirely undisturbed. No stomach curling fight had taken place here.
Looking around, leading with his gun and a strict shoot first ask questions later mindset, Jaune sat out to explore the weird hospital he now found himself in. Carefully he inched towards a door. Sheeting Crocea Mors with great reluctance he grabbed the handle and twisted. Cursing slightly as he found the door completely stock.
Walking down twisting turning corridors Jaune found no door that wanted to open. Until he found a letter that seemed to be penned to him. "Seek Paleblood to transcend the hunt." Written in a hasty scrawl of calligraphy that he could only read because his mother and sisters had hammered pretty writing into his skull.
Pocketing the letter in one of the many leather pockets, or small satchels, that lined his new hunter garb. He had pockets for days.
"Now, if only I could find a way out of this accursed clinic." Jaune whispered sharply as something fell of on a shelf behind him. In a wild panicky burst of energy, Jaune rested the barrel of his gun against nothing.
For there was nothing behind him but vials upon vials that decorated the room. Letting out a silent whimper, Jaune hated himself for being such a scaredy cat. But as he walked down the corridor for what felt like the nth time. Jaune noticed a large staircase. Wondering if he really needed glasses, or his mind was playing tricks on him.
Gently kicking the staircase to check if it was real. Letting out a sigh of relief, Jaune started to slowly and carefully staircase. Head on a swivel as he felt like a rat dancing to a twisted tune. It felt as if a beast would explode out of the top door at any moment, or if a back of rabid wolves would chase him up the stairs.
Eventually making it all the way up without any of his fears coming true. Knocking on the door to be polite, Jaune tried to see into the clinic. Seeing flickering cancelling inside.
"Are you… out on the hunt?" A soft and gentle voice rang out as the sound of soft, almost muffled footsteps rang out as the shape of someone approached the door. "Then I am very sorry, but… I cannot open this door. I am Iosefka. The patients here in my clinic must not be exposed to the infection. I know that you hunt for us, for our town, but I'm sorry. Please. This is all that I can do. Please be patient, I will return as soon as possible."
Then the blurred outline of the woman disappeared, her soft footsteps trailing away. Leaving Jaune once again alone on this dark night of the hunt. Not shortly after Iosefka went away, she returned. Sliding something into small metal cute on the door.
"Here you go, hunter. A vial of blood. May it help in time of need."
Flabbergasted and more than a little disturbed Jaune bent down and took the blood vial and pocketing it. Before turning to leave, Jaune instead decided to do the smartest thing he could think of. Ask for advice.
"Thank you Iosefka, but I am new to the town of Yharnam. This might come off as a bit embarrassing, especially in my line of work. But how do I use, this?" Jaune cringed. He had no idea what he was doing. His face burned with embarrassment. Already bracing for outrage or a tongue lashing that was far to common at home.
Instead of that, he got melodious laughter. "Oh brave hunter, if only more would dare speak up when they know themselves to be lacking. So many unneeded sacrifices piled into bloody mountains. But fear not, I will teach. As you hunt beast and keep us safe, I will do my best to make sure no more lives are sniffed out by sickness nor plague."
"Wait a bit brave hunter, I have something else you might find necessary." With that Iosefka disappeared again before retuning and placing something else in the chute. "While not needed anymore, thanks to the blood. A first aid kit can come in handy should it be needed. And a basic first aid book. Do keep in mind that the blood will cure most wounds."
"Now, should you be in need to quickly heal yourself. All you need to do is drink from my blood vial, or other blood vials that you will find scattered around Yharnam. They will mend even the most severe of wounds instantly, so you can quickly get into the back of things. However use them sparingly. I don't know how many you will find. And they are rarely given freely."
Grabbing the medical kit, Jaune gave it a quick once over. It didn't include much, just two paper packets with ten pills ladled Antidotes. Then there were ten rolls of blood-soaked bandages, and while dirty and maybe infected, they would work in a pinch. The last items were bundled together neatly in a little leather satchel.
Opening it up, Jaune found a set of needles, sutures and a spool of thread. And while not the most glamorous, it would do in emergencies. Going over and familiarising himself with the needles, Jaune couldn't help but gulp. For with his rotten luck, he was going to end up with a patchwork of string resembling modern art before he knew it. Unless he just died and woke up in the dream instead.
"Thank you Iosefka. Truly, thank you." Jaune said as he quickly organised the items, he had been so kindly gifted. Having spent a less than an hour in Yharnam, Jaune had already learnt that kindness was a luxury.
"No, thank you kind hunter. You who brave the streets and make sure we are safe. If you struggle on the way out, go down the stairs, down to the entrance hall and you should find your way out." Iosefka chuckled sweetly from behind door before leaving. Most likely to continue to continue to care for her patients.
Following the kind doctors description Jaune walked down the stairs and stepped into the entrance hall. Pistol and Crocea Mors in hand, as he fearfully scoured the entrance hall for any hidden surprises.
"I'm not seeing things, right?" Jaune whispered to himself, as he stared dumbly at the corpse that laid smashed into the wall. Bile rose together with fear as Jaune cautiously stepped towards the corpse. Eyes locked onto the glowing ball of ethereal ghostly fire that burned over it.
Bending down before the corpse, Jaune sheeted Crocea Mors as he nervously stretched his hand to check for any pulse. Jaune knew for a certainty that this man was dead. It scared the ever-living shit out of him, but above all, he was curious.
What was that light? Why was it there? And why did he see it? It cast neither shadow nor light. Yet he saw a glowing ball of light dancing over the corpse.
Curiosity winning over disgust and fear, Jaune started to pat the corpse down. Gulping as he felt the warm blood patter onto his gloves. Shivering and gagging Jaune powered trough. Driven forward by reckless curiosity, he eventually fished out two vials of blood from the corpses breast pocket.
Quickly guessing what they were. Blood vials, what Gehrman told him to stock up on and what Iosefka taught him how to use. Bringing one of the vials up to his eyes he looked it over. It was crimson blood, just in a bit larger vial. Otherwise it locked completely the same.
Looking back to the corpse Jaune supressed his rising bile. Pushing forward he gave a little bow before gently taking the corpse hands and crossing them in its lap. It might have been a little mercy, but it was all he could offer.
"Thank you." Jaune whispered hoarsely as red coated his gloves. Before he could get up however, the head of the corpse fell off. Tumbling down, and lending in Jaune's hands. Staring into his eyes with such terror that not even death could wash it away.
"AH!~~~~~~~~"
Iosefka snaped towards to the door, hurriedly marching to her weapons locker as her hearth beat in her ears. Prepared to dish out violence should any beast or monster in human skin dare set foot there. Pulling out an elegant rapier and a dagger created from blood red crystals. She was ready.
Bracing herself for the moment a beast would charge through her door.
"Any moment now." She whispered to herself as she fell into a stance, she thought she had long forgotten.
Yet nothing happed. No beast nor crazed lunatic tore into her door. Instead the voice of the young hunter echoed up the stairs and into her clinic.
"Nothing happened. Nothing! And I will fight anyone who says otherwise!" The young hunter cried out as Iosefka's shoulders fell. Breaking out in soft giggles as the hunters whisper echoed up the staircase. "Almost shat my pants. Damn jump scares."
"Ok Jaune. Corpses are to be left well and truly alone." Jaune whispered to himself. Heart thundering in his ears. "Gehrman would never let me hear the end of it should I ever die of fright."
Gathering his wits again, for what felt like the nth time in the last twenty minutes. Jaune was as ready as he ever could be. Fresh faced and ready to face the world with nothing more than hopes and dreams.
Walking up the little staircase, Jaune squashed the nervousness that rose within him. 'Remember Jaune, courage is not the absence of fear. It is facing your fears head-on when your knees tremble and your hearth races. Don't let fear hold you back, let it guide you towards growth and bravery instead.' His grandfathers kind voice rang out in his mind.
Making him feel braver than he was as he climbed up the little staircase. It was little, no more than ten steps up. Yet I felt like a thousand steps instead. For out here awaited the hunt.
Resting his hands on the heavy wooden door handles, Jaune pushed. Feeling the brisk and gentle wind gently cares his face as he stepped out of the clinic. Smiling up at the moonlit sky as he stepped into what had once been an opulent garden.
Instead it now served as a home for gravestone upon gravestone, tombstone upon tombstone. Caskets laid under the open sky and served as grimm décor. Squashing what little joy Jaune felt upon seeing the whole moon.
Off in the distance, over towering stone walls lined with spiked metal fences. Jaune saw the towering city of Yharnam.
It was grand.
It was majestic.
It was like stepping backwards in time.
Back to Victorian era Vale. With tall gothic towers looming over the horizon. Each challenging the other in grandeur, style, and sheer magnificence. It was as beautiful as it was foreboding.
Stepping fully into the gated garden, Jaune took everything in. Crocea Mors and Pistol in hand should anything dark and scary show itself.
On careful feet, Jaune explored the entire garden. It must have been a beautiful sight once. With tall and mighty trees. Now it was only a sad sigh of what had been. What beauty had once been here just a long distant memory as statues of weeping women looked to the sky in desperation for salvation that would never come. The caskets adding to the heavy feeling of looming dread on the horizon.
Jaune sighed as he stepped towards the other glowing ball over another corpse. As he reached towards the corpse, he froze as he spotted his 'birthmark' rune glow in a silvery moonlight outside his glove.
Hastily he tore of the leather glove. Seeing the same silvery moonlight glow on his skin. 'Had that always happened? Why did that happen? Why?' Mind racing Jaune slapped himself. "No, bad Jaune. Hunt now, think about why your birthmark glows when you wake up."
Whispering a soft "I'm Sorry." Jaune started to pat the corpse down, looking for what made his birthmark rune glow. In the breast pocket, Jaune found ten paper cartridges. 'Quicksilver bullets.' His mind whispered to him as he stored six bullets in his cartridge bag. Bringing his total up to twenty as he stored the other cartridge on his person.
While not as easily accessible as his cartridge bag, it still worked.
"Now, let get going." Jaune whispered with less confidence that he would have liked. Turning to the garden gate that went deeper in garden. He checked it. Grabbing the cold steel gate and started to shake.
It was stuck. And Jaune spotted a large lever on the other side. It looked old and weather worn, but Jaune didn't trust himself to safely scale the wall.
Especially with the sharp and pointy steel fence at the top. "I'm not giving myself a surprise vasectomy nor an unwilling prostate cancer examination. Aura or not, that just sound like a painful way to go."
That only left the front gate. Making his way up and opening the door. Jaune looked over to the giant bridge with awe. Taking in the raw majesty of the city. Giant church spires rose up from the mist.
Jaune absentmindedly crossed the street and stepped down on the fenced balcony. Looking at everything in marvel and awe. The city seemed to rise from the depths of the earth and stretch all the way to the sky. Moonlight piercing trough the thick clouds and basking the city in ethereal glow.
Reluctantly stepping back from the beauty and majesty of Yharnam, Jaune took in his surroundings. Terrified that something might have snuck up on him. Looking around, Jaune spotted another glowing orb of light hovering over a corpse.
Hunched, feet half eaten by rats, and guts dragged out from a long gash.
"Uhghh."
"Ummmp."
Was all Jaune managed to mutter out before his stomach got the better of him. Bending over the railing, Jaune emptied his stomach. Making vomit rain down on roofs and anyone unfortunate enough to be under him.
"I'm so so glad that I didn't pick the other outfit." Jaune whispered to himself as another bout of nausea overcame him as he heaved. Horrified at what could have happened should he be to slow to pull down his mask, something which the other hunter outfit had. Just the though of it made him gag and buckle over for a third time.
Stomach completely empty, and nausea and disgust at familiar 'motion sickness' levels. Jaune turned towards the desecrated and gnawed corpse beside him. Dry heaving as he bent down and searched trough it.
Finding a sealed and bloody blood vial forcefully showed into the poor man's guts. Stepping away and holding up the blood vial. Jaune quickly wiped of the blood on the corpse. Shivering and dry heaving the entire time.
Putting the slightly cleaned vial beside the others. Jaune now sat at a total of three blood vials, four if he counted Iosefka's vial as well. Leaving him only room for one more vial of that size.
Grabbing his weapons, Jaune walked back up to the street. Only dry heaving once when he spotted the half-rotted horse carcass. Looking like a group of rats had been on a feast.
Stepping wide passed the carcass and crashed carriage, Jaune instead focused on other things. Like if that large gate was open, or if some crazed monster would hide behind the other carriage. Having learned to spot obvious 'tells' from all the times his sisters had forced him to watch horror movies with them.
"Have at ye Outsider! Death take you!" A guttural roar. A heavy axe. And a large man dressed in large swinging black overcoat and a once stylish suit under. Large and tall leather boots and brow trousers a torch was pushed towards Jaune to keep him away.
Making Jaune glad he had taken the wide path. Skittery jumping back and raising his pistol. "Get back! I got a gun, and I'm not afraid to use it!"
"Monster of teeth and claw! Trying to shake the staunch resolve of a hunter? Death take ye!" The crazed man shouted at Jaune. Lashing at him with a torch. Jaune threw himself to the left as he felt the heat waft over his shoulder, rolling on the cobbled stone as he leapt to his feet. Pointing a shaking Crocea Mors towards his crazed attacker.
"Why are you doing this? Can't you see I'm a hunter like you!" Jaune shouted. Trying to reason with the mad man to no avail.
"Killing them is a mercy." The taunting voice of Gehrman echoed in his mind. Swallowing what felt like a mouthful of ash, Jaune's eyes flashed around. Looking for any other alternative than killing the mad man before him. He wanted to protect. Not kill.
"Where did you come from cur! Are there more of your twisted kind?!" The mad man shouted at him. Causing Jaune to tighten the grip on his as resolve overcame him.
"I won't allow that." Jaune whispered as he planted himself between the clinic and the mad man. Crocea Mors singing as Jaune quickly holstered his pistol and folded out his shield.
"Foul cur! Knights are no more! You dare defile their memory?!" The mad man shrieked as he charged at Jaune. Looking no more than a beast as he lifted his axe high and charged forward.
Looking no different from the Boarbatusk Jaune had been forced to fight in class. Just dressed in human skin. Looking into the clouded eyes, Jaune found only mad bloodlust and crazed emotion.
As the mad hunter brough his axe down for another swing. Jaune let the blow fall on his shield, stopping it in its tracks before stepping forward and bashing the man's face in. Making the mad hunter spit out teeth as the sharp edge of the shield crashed into his chin. Knocking him back and making him drop his torch.
Not missing his chance, Jaune let Crocea Mors sing. Painting his weapon red. Easily cleaving past what little defence his clothes offered and continued into tender flesh.
The mad man stepped back in supervise and horror as hands flew from bloodied mouth towards his intestines who slid out from the large gash.
"My blood! Mine. Mine. Mine!" The deranged man shouted as he fell to his knees and began scoping at the ever-growing blood pool under him. In a desperate attempt to get his blood back into his body. Paying no heed to how his intestines spilled out like pulsating and twitching hotdogs.
Growing more and more frantic as more and more spilled out. Even going as far fishing out a bloodied pocked knife and cutting of his intestines. As they were in the way.
"Blood! My blood! Only my blood! You can't have it!" The deranged man's shouts had grown hoarse and desperate as he buckled over. Landing face first in his blood pool. And desperately began to slurp his blood, just as one would slurp up soup or ramen broth.
Jaune stood completely catatonic as he looked at the deranged mad man's attempts became weaker and weaker. Bloodstained skin becoming pale as more and more blood left him. Until even his mad and desperate slurping stopped.
Jaune stood still, completely in shock and just stared at the corpse for what felt like forever. Until he felt a gentle heat on his right hand and a soft melodious whisper on the wind. Working completely on autopilot Jaune looked at his gloved right hand. Where something had changed.
Blood echoes: 633
Falling to his knees, desperately dry heaving as his stomach did its best to empty itself. Tears welled in his eyes as his body shock. Pushing himself up from the damp cobbled road. Shaking hand's grabbed his top hat. And while shaking as a leaf. Jaune bowed to what had once been a fellow man.
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Note: The glowing balls over some corpses are reminiscent from the item pickups from Bloodborne. But Season 1 Jaune (And all seasons after), isn't a person to go search corpses. So this little mechanic is, while lazy, a way for me to force Jaune out of his comfort zone and into really becoming a hunter.
It will only lead him towards items of interests, and to help him with obscure lore and principles a player otherwise would know thanks to the 'tutorial' or messages left by the notebook. While also giving me somewhat lore friendly ways to implement answers as to why Jaune finds random bits of knowledge in his head.
Even if it does have some other applications. Applications Jaune won't learn about unless he swears an oath or get the Caryll rune set. Depending on what happens first, really.
For those not it the know. Jaune is currently dressed in Hunter Set(B), and was given the choice between set A and B. Because I couldn't have him running around in a hoodie, denim jeans and sneakers. As that would completely destroy the atmosphere, while also making him as an 'Outsider' just that more hated and feared.
Another Note: Swords kill people. And people die if they are killed.