Chapter 336 - My CO Stash #36 - The Night Unfurls: Re-Imagined by StaffSergeant (BloodborneXKuroinu)

-I'm pretty sad that the author decided to do a rewrite of his Kuroinu fic but atleast it's back, and this version seems to be a lot more brutal/

Synopsis: The Waking World was not as peaceful as he thought it was, but the Good Hunter was always followed by misfortune. As war continues in the lands of Eostia, the Goddess seeks out skilled agents to champion her cause. Would she still have sought out the blade of the Good Hunter had she known the bloodshed he would leave in his wake?

Rated: M

Words: 40K

Posted on: fanfiction.net/s/13607401/1/The-Night-Unfurls-Re-Imagined (StaffSergeant)

PS: If you're not able to copy/paste the link, you have everything in here to find it, by simply searching the author and the story title. It sucks that you can't copy links on mobile (´ー｀)

-I'll be putting the chapter ones of all the fanfics mentioned, to give you guys a sample if you wan't more please do go to the website and support the author! (And maybe even convince them to start uploading chapters in here as well!)

Chapter 1-2 (exceptional)

"We are born of the blood, made men by the blood. Undone by the blood."

Kyril Sutherland had lived by those words for an eternity. He was certain that he would die by them as well, as he stood to his full height. Swinging his weapon, the Saw Cleaver to rid its blade of unworthy blood the Hunter felt nothing as he looked at the remaining greenskins. Dark crimson eyes coldly calculated the strength of his adversaries and found them wanting. They were nothing more than wild beasts. Three of them were left out of twenty strong.

The Hunter darted forward, pistol barking and taking an orc's face off. His other arm, holding the Saw Cleaver tight, sliced off his target's head with a wide sweeping slash. The Hunter kicked the body out of his way with a brutal shot of his boot then turned his murderous attention on the last remaining orc as it turned to flee. The Hunter was impressed, perhaps this orc had learned that discretion was often the better part of valor.

Unfortunate that the orc was running so damned slow...

The great cleaver swung through the air, cutting a greenskin down in a swift brutal arc. Orcs were tough, Kyril respected that strength for orcs were usually very strong, with some even able to overcome a squad of ten soldiers if they were old enough. But for a Hunter, adept in his purpose, merciless and half-cut with blood? It would be like comparing a rusty table knife to a greatsword.

Kyril let out an exhale as he swung his Saw Cleaver down, folding it into a more compact form as he holstered his worn flintlock pistol. The Hunter stared up at the dark gray skies and he resigned himself to looking for the war chief that he had slain; a big bastard called the Arch-Arsonist...or something like that. He had slain three others with ostentatious names, like the Defiler or Gruzbad the Warlord. All of them died like the unlucky bastards that they were: butchered like pigs.

Irritating that it had started raining just as he finished hunting down the final war band itself.

The Hunter found his target's corpse and picked up one of the crude blades the orcs liked to use. He chopped off the war chief's head with a practiced motion, not even bothered by the still bleeding neck, or the stench of offal and waste that permeated the battlefield. Kyril looked into the orc's rolled up eyes, acknowledging his dead foe with a brief nod, before he put it in the rucksack with the others tossing aside the orc blade with disinterest.

A year had passed since he had been in this kingdom. Eostia, ruled by the Seven Shield Alliance, once the home of the goddess gentle Laurendau. Her descendants held her power for generations, the current holder of the title 'Goddess Reborn' was Celestine Lucross the Fair, High Elf Queen of Eostia, the reincarnation of the gentle Laurendau.

To the north, where the orcs came from, was Garan the land of the Dark Elves so named after its cruel and haughty goddess. The inheritor of the power of Garan wore her Jagged Crown and it was the current inheritor that had made war against Eostia. Olga Discordia, the Dark Queen of the Jagged Crown was the second belligerent in this centuries old war.

Kyril had done his studies on both sides, and hadn't really bothered with joining up with the army. Mercenary work was booming, however, and it was a steady source of income despite the dangers of being slaughtered by orcs. Kyril had gotten good at hunting greenskins down by himself. The Night of the Hunt had taught him a lot of skills. Skills that made him a nightmarish foe for those that stood against him.

Skills that sometimes made him hate himself.

/

The rain had begun to intensify but he had made it back to the village he was staying at. Idoun was situated at the borders of Feoh, one of the seven kingdoms that made up the Alliance. Its twin, Ur, was the home of many nobles and was very close to its sister Feoh. Kyril waved an idle hand at the guards at the gate, both men staring at him with awe and suspicion. Indeed, the folk of Eostia were distrusting of strangers and foreigners. Perhaps that was why many of them stayed in Thorn. Even then, Kyril was a stranger there too and he wanted to cause no trouble so he kept to himself, wandering from place to place selling his blade-work to those that needed it. Patrons for bloodshed was plenty, and business was booming indeed.

He headed towards the bounty board, where a man was sitting behind a booth. There was a large sheet of cloth and leather above his head to ward off the rain. The man was balding, a representative of the adventurer's guild that was usually responsible for paying off bounties like this one. He gaped at the baleful figure that was approaching. Kyril was tall, lean and sinister. Garbed in nondescript clothing underneath a gray coat, the Hunter's features were hidden under a tattered tricorne hat and his bandanna covered the bottom part of his face. His youthful looks, if one could catch a glimpse underneath his hat, said that he was in his twenties. His terrifying crimson gaze told of a man who had seen far, far too much to be so young.

"U-Um..."

Kyril blinked then turned his terrifying gaze on the bald man behind the booth. "I have a bounty to turn in." He said, his voice muffled by his cloth bandanna. The Hunter then presented the bloody haversack containing the head of the Arch-Arsonist. The bald man took out a monocle and examined the head, keeping it a fair distance away from him. He then checked the bounty poster to see if the greenskin actually was the same one that had died at Kyril's hands.

"Bloody, hell. You did it!" The receptionist said in astonishment. "You killed the Arch-Arsonist!"

"Huh." Kyril's reply was nonchalant, as if he hadn't killed off an infamous orc warlord who had the penchant for burning captive Knights of Iris alive. There wasn't much he could do for those poor men and women, just burying them in a marked grave somewhere was the best that he could manage.

"What do you mean 'huh'?" The receptionist was surprised at the tone. "Few men and women are able to kill such strong foes, let alone doing so alone!"

"I suppose I should show you the other two I have killed." Kyril said nonchalantly, although not unkindly. "I've been out there for three whole nights hunting down these greenskins."

"Y-You mean there's more!?" The old man gaped at the Hunter who offloaded the cargo in the rucksack. Two more heads of Orc Chieftains rolled out, one of them ended up on the wet grass. Kyril quietly picked that up and let the old man inspect the bounties.

People were starting to gather. Kyril waited patiently for the man to finish his confirmation of the bounty, and for the gold to finally make it into his gloved hands. The Hunter ignored the whispers, the gossip...it was all meaningless to a Hunter like him. Kyril counted out the gold, a not so insignificant amount from the guild and put it away before he attracted even more unwanted attention.

He needed to return.

Kyril took his leave of the receptionist even as he praised the Hunter for his bloody work. The thought that slaughtering these greenskins was something he was given praise for was amusing for some reason, he was thankful that the cloth bandanna he wore over the bottom half of his face hid the grim smile that threatened to form on his gaunt features.

/

The Dream…

"Welcome home, Good Hunter. What is it do you desire?"

Kyril bowed to Her. His closest and dearest companion. The Plain Doll was the caretaker of this Dream, the very same that Gehrman once held sway over. With his death at Kyril's hands, the Dream was now his to control, with all of the mystery that entailed.

A dreary old workshop surrounded by a field of white asphodels and a small graveyard. It was a lonely but ultimately calm soothing place that Kyril used as a place to gather his thoughts and to rest. Someday, he thought to himself, there would come a time that he would finally bring this place to life and live the rest of his life here in peace.

"Rest." Kyril said, wearily now as he dropped his guard. "I wish to rest for a little while, my hunt was long but successful."

Both ended up kneeling at the grave of Gehrman, the First Hunter. Kyril had slain his master in single combat, freeing the old man from the Dream. Gehrman had sought to free his pupil from the Night of the Hunt but Kyril had elected to stay. Not for the Blood, but because those secrets he had uncovered during that fateful night deserved to die with him.

Now...Now, he was the master of the Dream. And the Hunt was over. Kyril Sutherland had decided to make his way to the Waking World, ending up in the Kingdom of Eostia as a result of his wandering. Misfortune followed the Good Hunter it seemed, for of all of the places he could have ended up he walked into a place where there was a war going on.

The Good Hunter sighed through his nose. At least he had employment, dangerous but one suited to his set of skills. A Hunter must Hunt after all, and the greenskins he cut down in their numbers were his current prey.

"Are you troubled, Good Hunter?"

Kyril's musings were interrupted by the Plain Doll's question. He shook his head in reply as they continued their stroll through the gardens. He remained silent, before he reassured his companion that he would be alright. He would be leaving after this to get another bounty.

No rest for the wicked.

The townsfolk were in a state that the Hunter could describe as excited. Kyril finished the rest of his breakfast before pushing the empty plate away from him. Pulling his hat off and setting it next to his left hand, revealing unkempt black hair, the Hunter was in an isolated corner of the tavern that served as his temporary place of rest.

It was not the Dream but he was not about to reveal that part of his life to anyone was he? It was not a smart move to do so with a war going on. Kyril was not looking forward to an extended stay and interrogation with Eostia's finest thank you very much. The Good Hunter listened in on the gossip, apparently someone very important was coming here. Two someones if he was hearing correctly.

The Seven Shields were the preeminent leaders of Eostia's alliance between the kingdoms that Celestine the Fair ruled. Two of them were here in Feoh for some reason that he could not ascertain. Kyril grumbled and leaned back, the back of his head on the wall as he realized that maybe killing off three high profile targets was more trouble than it was worth, but then again he really couldn't complain about the pay and the opportunity to make more.

Oh well...Perhaps, there might be an opportunity for contracts in another town with another guild. Kyril picked up his hat and placed it back onto his head. He then picked up his Saw Cleaver, strapping the weapon to his back on its usual harness. His pistol was already in its holster.

A bandolier of freshly sharpened throwing knives, poisoned and not poisoned, hung over his left shoulder. Useful in a pinch, and during occasions where stealth won out over head on assaults. Kyril counted out the coin, dropping it at the bar for the tavern owner to peruse. The old man didn't complain but he shot the Hunter a wary glance all the same.

Kyril just kept walking, making his way towards the market to find merchants. He had to buy provisions for his next trip out. The greenskins weren't going away, and staying here was proving to be too static for someone like him.

/

He had just finished wrapping up his rations of both hard bread and dried meats when he heard the voice.

"You there! The one in the hat!"

Kyril briefly paused before finishing his organization of his supplies. All he had taken from the Dream was in a worn bag. The Messengers were certainly the most helpful, if grotesque, servants he had in regards to keeping him stocked with ammunition and blood vials but everything else he had to handle by himself. The Good Hunter exhaled then stood to his full height before turning around to regard some new acquaintances.

His dark crimson gaze caught the eyes of the Princess Knight of Feoh, the celebrated Alicia Arcturus. The blonde princess rode atop a proud warhorse, barded for battle. Dressed in a set of light blued plate and mail, she looked every bit the noble she presented herself to be. Unfortunate that Kyril didn't see much of the glory.

Grimly, he realized that it wouldn't take much to knock her off of her horse.

Kyril watched as she dismounted, followed by two of her subordinate knights. One with brown hair who gave him a wink that he did not return, and the one with the red hair scowling at him. It was an expression he ignored, just like the woman who owned it.

He did not reply to the call. He merely waited for Alicia Arcturus to get within speaking range. She was quite a beauty but the Hunter only saw a potential opponent. He did not know what he did to offend this woman.

Still, work was work. Maybe she wanted him to clear out a den or something.

This was the man who hunted down greenskins in her land?

Alicia would have scoffed at the sight of the man in the strange tattered hat. His garb, consisting of nondescript clothing underneath a great gray longcoat, boots, bracers and gloves spoke of a foreigner. And yet she did not ignore the bandolier of throwing knives hanging over his shoulder or the strange weapon she caught sight of on his back.

She had expected a grimy mercenary...or the noble demeanor of a knight errant, not some scrounging, sinister stranger.

The Knight of Iris saw the blank stare she was given. Was this man an oaf of some sort? She looked into his eyes, noting with growing concern that he was a head taller than she was.

"Yes?" The man's voice was muffled by the cloth mask he wore. There was no mistaking the lack of respect in his tone. No...he sounded tired, apathetic even.

"You will show respect, cur!" Kendra, the knight on Alicia's left, snapped. "You address the Lady of Feoh! Alicia Arcturus herself!"

The stranger was not impressed in the slightest. But he straightened. "My apologies." He replied neutrally. "I was busy with securing provisions. I aim to hunt more Greenskins when the night has come."

"All by yourself?" Vera, the brunette, asked looking concerned.

"A foolish action." Alicia's tone brokered no argument. "But there have been stories of a strange man in your garb cutting down orc war bands by himself. What I see in front of me is not impressive in the slightest."

She expected a reaction. Not the complete apathy displayed by the stranger in front of her.

"I don't do this for your accolades." The stranger replied, his apathy clear to all that witnessed it. "If I have offended you, I do apologize, but I must get going." He gave a short, curt bow. "Have a wonderful afternoon."

The man moved on without another word.

All three knights looked at him. Alicia was flabbergasted at being put aside while Kendra had the same expression. Vera rubbed her forehead.

"Milady...I think it would have been prudent to be more polite." She deadpanned. "Especially to someone who hunts down orcs by himself."

"A lowborn mercenary who can't even be bothered to show proper respect to Lady Alicia is not someone worth bothering with." Kendra said scowling. "I should teach that boor a lesson."

Alicia raised her hand. "Enough, we shall go with him." She said. "He hunts the orcs and so do we. I still have to fulfill the task the Goddess has given me."

"Is this wise milady? Surely this man is not who the Goddess requires?" Kendra asked.

"We shall see what he is capable of." Alicia replied. "Come. Let us see where he takes us."

The Hunter moved at a sedate pace, even as he heard the sound of hoof beats behind him. He knew the three knights were following him, he just didn't know what Alicia Arcturus wanted with a mercenary like him, considering her attitude he did not know why he didn't give them the slip. Kyril kept his eyes on the road until he stopped at the edge of Fierarch Forest, the possible location of an orc den according to the bounty. Kyril adjusted the strap on his bag as he looked around. The sun was beginning to lower in the sky, and it would take a good march to get near the den.

Kyril looked down at the forest path, saw tracks and exhaled. This was where the orc den had to be. He knelt, unsheathing one of his throwing knives. He picked up something with the small blade, a lock of hair.

The hoofbeats stopped. Kyril dropped the hair and sheathed the throwing knife. He turned to face the women following him.

"We're coming with you." Alicia Arcturus spoke curtly. "I hope that you won't refuse."

Kyril shrugged. So be it, he wasn't about to say anything to a noble and her loyal knights. "There's an orc den here." He said and pointed into the forest. "It seems to be recent, judging from these tracks, but they may have villagers in there." He didn't have to tell these knights that if these villagers were women their fates were sealed the moment the orcs got their hands on them.

"Accursed bastards…" The redhead snarled.

"We can't just charge in there all hotheaded, Kendra." Her brown haired counterpart chided. "Lady Arcturus, your orders?"

The Knight of Iris stared at Kyril. "These two are my knights, Vera and Kendra. May I have the honor of knowing your name?" Alicia asked.

"Kyril Sutherland." The Hunter replied as he reached for the harness on his back. He brought out the Saw Cleaver in its more compact form. He did not miss the disturbed looks all three knights gave him when he pulled out the weapon.

They can mock it all they want, but it was the most reliable weapon he owned. It felt...right in his hands.

"The Hunt has begun." He said to himself.

Despite her reservations, Alicia saw that Kyril was an exemplary and capable scout. More than once, the unlikely companions would have stumbled onto traps that Alicia would have completely missed on a good day.

On one occasion, Kyril had shoved Kendra back. The redhead was about to make an angry shout when Kyril pointed at a crudely placed tripwire and indicated the log hanging from the trees, waiting to swing right into her had she triggered it.

It was large enough that Kendra's sternum would have broken instantly had it collided with her body. Vera gulped as Kyril carefully dismantled the trap and waved them all to follow him. They did so more carefully this time. That was the thing about orcs, they were dumb brutes but sometimes they showed a simple cunning that caught even the most seasoned knight off guard, a talent that deserved its own respect.

Kyril, it seemed, knew that already. That meant he was doing this for a long, long time.

"How did you know?" Alicia had asked him.

"I would have done the same thing." Was the quiet answer as the unlikely party moved into the woods. He didn't even show concern for his companions.

The Princess Knight did not like that answer as she shared a glance between her subordinates. Kendra looked like she was considering putting her sword into the man's back. Vera was looking quite thoughtful but focused on the task at hand.

/

Kyril raised a fist and stopped. He moved up first, at a crouch, to a tree before he beckoned Alicia forward. The Princess Knight kept quiet but she looked at her two knights and told them to stay back.

"Ten orcs in total. One of the bastards seems to be bigger than the others." Kyril reported as he pushed some brush away. Alicia took stock of the situation. She saw people tied to upright poles. The Princess Knight shivered as she saw the still forms, mutilated and exposed to the elements. There was no doubt that the two village girls were dead, such was often the result of the orc's abuse that their minds quickly followed their bodies.

Alicia hoped their deaths had been quick. That would have been a small mercy. She looked at the cave, wondering if there were others inside. No, there had to be and it was her job to rescue them from danger.

"There must be some of them alive in the cave." Alicia said. "I will rescue them, even without your help."

Kyril nodded in agreement, much to Alicia's surprise. She had expected him to leave the captives to their fates. "We should hit them from four sides, milady." He suggested. Exhaling through his nose, Kyril grabbed two of his throwing knives. "I'll go for the front."

/

Before Alicia could even try to convince him out of doing something so suicidal, the mercenary stood up and walked into the clearing. The first things he did was to send both throwing knives into the foreheads of a pair of orcs that turned to face the approaching man. As both greenskin bodies hit the floor, the Hunter Kyril readied his Saw Cleaver and pointed it at the bigger orc in charge of the whole mess, a brazen challenge to any orc that saw it.

The big orc bellowed at the challenge and grabbed a large hacking blade. With eight orcs left, Alicia directed Vera and Kendra to take the right flank, she would have to take the left. The clash of blades alerted her to the fight between Kyril and the big orc bastard he had chosen to fight. As Alicia saw Kyril slam his madman's weapon into the orc's shoulder, she shivered at the gristly sound of steel cleaving through bone and muscle. Orcs were unreasonably tough for even the most seasoned knight to take head on.

For someone like Kyril to just cut a big orc's arm off in one swing…

Alicia shook her head. Now was not the time to dawdle. She saw Vera and Kendra engaging, their swords flashing and cutting chunks out of the greenskins they charged into. Alicia had done the same, her blade hacking deep into the gut of a greenskin. The orc bellowed in rage as Alicia tried to pull back.

Her blade was stuck. Alicia pulled again but the blade was stuck. How could she-

Alicia ducked the orc's mad swing as it tried to get at her. It gave off another bellow before a gunshot rang out and the orc's head slammed forward. Alicia felt blood spray onto her face and she let go of her blade, sidestepping the falling corpse of the orc.

Off to the side, Kyril holstered a worn flintlock pistol and yanked his Saw Cleaver out of the corpse of the orc leader he had just killed. The thing's head had been cracked open. Alicia didn't vomit, but the blood drained from her face as she saw the gruesome wound the stranger inflicted on his enemy.

And the corpses of the other dead orcs Kyril had most likely killed by himself.

"Lady Alicia are you hurt!?" Kendra approached Alicia already reaching for the healing supplies on her belt. Vera watched their rear, head on a swivel as she held her bloody sword. They had made a good accounting of themselves having slain two orcs each. Kyril had slain the rest, while Alicia only got one.

"I-I'm fine." Alicia said hoarsely. "The mercenary saved me…"

Kyril had walked into the cave, intent on finishing off whatever was inside, but he instead found several other villagers. As always when it concerned orcs, they were female, some barely ten years old. Their empty eyes tore at Alicia, knowing that she had been responsible for protecting her people and had failed to do so.

/

"The man is a brutal killer, Vera!"

"I know, Kendra, but how else were we gonna rescue those people on our own!? There were ten orcs with that big burly bastard in the lead we would have been crushed. I'm not saying we should be friends but…"

Kyril could hear the arguments and deigned to ignore them. He instead concentrated on sharpening his weapon. All they had to do was wait for a wagon from the village and that was it...the job was done and they rescued most of the village women. The two dead ones were laid out on a bed of leaves, surrounded by weeping women and children. Kyril let their grief wash over him, his detached manner leaving a distance between him and the others.

He was enraged at the outcome, yes, but he had seen that there was a limit to the imagination of atrocity. Kyril was not surprised about it at all. Yharnam had taught him the meaning of horror, and whatever fear he had felt that night was already long since gone. The Good Hunter continued running the whetstone over the gigantic blade in his hand. The Saw Cleaver had made a good tally today, and a good warrior respected the tools that he ended lives with.

"You there, mercenary!"

Kyril blinked as he heard the call from Alicia Arcturus. He quietly folded the Saw Cleaver into its more compact form and clipped it to the harness on his back. He then stood up to his full height and walked towards the princess knight.

Alicia looked up at him, her blue eyes narrowed. Kyril in return looked down at her, not in the disrespectful sense no, but because he was a head taller than she was.

"You did good work out there, sir." Alicia's tone was curt although the Good Hunter could hear the tremor in her voice. Perhaps her near death at the hands of an orc still affected her. "But our work is not yet done. Once we enter the village, we will discuss your payment...and an opportunity to do more in our Goddess' name."

Kyril didn't reply for a while. "She is not my goddess." He said quietly.

Alicia prickled at the casual blasphemy. "Our Goddess." She reiterated. "Has been looking for capable agents, it is her gift of foresight that has kept our lands safe for centuries."

The Hunter idly glanced at the people they just rescued. It was a pointed gesture that caused Alicia's scowl to deepen.

"Your lack of respect is only tolerated because of the nature of your skills." She warned him.

Kyril shrugged apologetically.

/

"Are you certain that this is the man you have to bring to the Goddess milady?" Kendra asked as they escorted the wagon full of refugees back to town. "He's...dangerous. Far too dangerous to even be in the Goddess' company."

On any other day, concerning any other person, Alicia would have agreed with Kendra and she would have apprehended the mercenary Kyril Sutherland for questioning. Now that she had witnessed his skill with the massive blade he carried on his person she thought otherwise. The knight of Iris made a glance behind her at the mercenary sitting in the front of the cart with the driver. In the back were the refugees and the dead. Kyril Sutherland kept his head on a swivel, his facemask and tattered tricorne making it hard to get a read on him. His pistol was in hand, freshly reloaded.

Alicia turned her attention back on the road, unsure of the decision to bring this man to Feoh. But the Goddess decreed her intentions to find the most trustworthy agents to help her in an upcoming task.

She trusted Her Holiness.

Ken, the Capitol of the Kingdom of Eostia

Part chapel, part keep the Grand Cathedral was the seat of the Seven Shields Alliance and the home of the Reincarnated Goddess herself.

Celestine Lucross walked away from the meeting with a tired yawn. The High Elf Queen shivered as flashes of the last vision she had went through her mind…

He stood in a field of white asphodels, unbowed and unbroken. Garbed in a gray coat and tattered tricorne, he held a madman's weapon in one hand a saw fused with a cleaver. He looked away to the distant horizon, as if knowing his fate lay elsewhere other than these lonely fields of white flowers.

His dark eyes were tired, so so tired that Celestine wished that she could reach out to help shoulder whatever burden he bore.

Celestine let out a gasp.

The vision changed. This time, the gray garbed stranger stood in a field of corpses. Men, bearing swords and leather armor, lay at his feet broken and torn asunder. The great cleaver that he carried was stained with blood. Much like its wielder, the weapon had fed well.

The stranger turned to look at her. Celestine screamed as he reached out with a bloody hand-

The High Elf stumbled, knocking over a vase which caused it to shatter.

"Your Holiness!"

Celestine turned suddenly to the voice that called to her. Claudia Levantine was the leader of the Dawn Templars, the stalwart paladins who swore to defend her life and honor with their very lives. Garbed in harsh steel plate, Claudia was tall and uncompromising. Celestine's eyes widened as she saw what had happened.

"O-Oh…" She started as she saw the vase, shattered all over the floor. Claudia walked to her side, steering clear of the field of debris. "M-My apologies I should clean this up."

"You are troubled, your Holiness." Claudia said in concern. She waved over a couple of servants, maids who were under Celestine's employ. "Please, take care of this."

As the maids obeyed the command, Claudia helped Celestine to her quarters. Claudia had never seen the High Queen look so troubled and tired. Celestine's lovely green eyes were dilated and she seemed to regard every shadow with fear.

"I'm sorry, Claudia." Celestine whispered. "The last vision was...well, it was bad." The High Elf shivered as they reached her private quarters. The two Templars bowed their heads and opened the doors.

Claudia let Celestine sit on her sofa while she took a chair to her left. Celestine removed her shawl and closed her eyes. Claudia frowned. While Archbishop Grishom was the physical representation of the church, Celestine was its spiritual leader for even longer than he was. Claudia could see the effect of the burden of a thousand years on Celestine Lucross.

"Is it...about that stranger you spoke to me about?" Claudia asked.

"...Yes…" Celestine whispered. "I do not know whether he has a part to play in this war, for good or ill, but the vision was real enough for me to seek him out."

"A bloodstained stranger, surely this could be an omen of sorts." Claudia said looking at her liege with much concern.

"But I saw a different version as well." Celestine told her.

"What did you see?" Claudia asked.

At that question, Celestine gave a sad shake of her head. "He stood in a field of white flowers, looking ahead...as if he knew his fate lies elsewhere." She said. A ghost of a smile formed on her fair face. "He was just as tired as I was."

Claudia was wise enough to know that Celestine's visions were often correct, but this seemed to have an awful premonition about it.

"Milady, I do not think this person is a savior at all." Claudia said. "If he shows up, permit me to have him detained."

Celestine shook her head gravely. "No Claudia, do not act so rashly." She said. "I do not wish to lose any of my dearest friends."

Claudia frowned again, but she relented.

For now at least.

Idoun, Feoh

"You have my sincerest thanks, Lady Alicia."

The village leader, an old man, bowed in respect to Alicia. To her left, Kyril Sutherland had already walked off to report to the guild representative. Alicia had Vera keep an eye on him while she and Kendra spoke to the leader of Idoun.

"I still failed to rescue two others." Alicia said, returning the gesture. "It was my fault for not doing enough."

The village leader sighed. "The Goddess protects all, but we must be careful when we venture out into the wild." He saw the figure of the Hunter and shivered.

Alicia noticed. "What do you know of that man?"

"The stranger?" The old man glanced at the Hunter briefly. "Aye, he came in a few weeks ago. Said he was traveling the land, looking for work. He's...terrifying but he hasn't given us any trouble. He leaves us alone and we do the same. Cordial, but real quiet."

"I hear he's good at killing orcs." Kendra remarked. "I wonder if it's all fanciful stories."

"No, milady." The old man replied. "Albert Finnegan, one of our farmers, had been chased back here by a marauding band. The stranger went out to find poor Albert; The orcs...he-he killed them all in the span of a single night!" The old man's voice became a whisper.

"The guild's also seen what he brings to the bounty board, he's done in some war chiefs as well. Big names too like the Arsonist, the Defiler…"

Alicia had heard of those names. High value targets that she had wanted put down for weeks, each one responsible for the deaths of not just the common folk but for a few knights as well...

And this...this stranger had put them down by himself?

"My lady…?" Kendra asked.

"We must return to Feoh." Alicia said to Kendra. "And after that, we will bring this stranger before the Goddess to receive her judgment."

Alicia just hoped that she didn't make a mistake by doing this.

Chapter 2

Feoh.

The twin to the Fortress City of Ur and the home of the King Eos, whose daughter Alicia was a shining example of the Iris Knights. Kyril looked up briefly at the gate before he passed under it and turned his attention forward. A new horse was not what he was expecting, but the villagers of Idoun had thanked him for returning the bodies of the two women who died thanks to the orcs. Kyril himself had offered to clean and bury the bodies; a magnanimous gesture that no one had expected from someone like him.

The Hunter did it because he was long accustomed to burying the dead. He was better at ending lives than preserving them. A sad truth to his existence as a Hunter but he had long since given up on complaining about his circ.u.mstances. That way lay only madness and pain.

Kyril followed Alicia and her knights into the city of Feoh. Like Ur, many of Eostian nobility had estates here even if most of the politicking was done within the walls of Ken which was the capitol and the seat of power of the Seven Shields Alliance. Kyril kept his eyes straight ahead until they slowed to a stop before the Arcturus Estate.

The Hunter dismounted, Alicia and her knights doing the same. Waiting for Alicia to return was her cousin. Prim Fiorire, princess and heiress to Ur royalty, considered Alicia her older sibling and indeed both had been raised together since they were children. She was a gentle young girl, already growing into womanhood. Where Alicia was lean and hardened by training as a knighthood, Prim looked every bit the princess she was born to be. Pink, wavy hair rained down her back. Bright blue eyes stared curiously into his own. Prim's white and pink dress was finely made, the work of the finest tailors of Feoh and of Ur.

She was soft. Too delicate and soft, Prim Fiorire was the very definition of delicate. Kyril shook his head clear of irritation.

As Kyril adjusted his horse's saddle, shabby if serviceable, he heard someone clear their throat.

/

"Hunter, I present to you Princess Prim Fiorire."

Prim shrunk as Alicia brought forward the young mercenary she had worked with. The man was tall, sinister and strong. Dark crimson eyes observed her with detachment, as if she was nothing more than an object. Garbed in nondescript clothing and a long gray coat, his features were hard to discern due to the tattered tricorne hat and the cloth mask he wore. It was only his eyes that were truly visible. They were a cruel, claret red like the color of spilled blood.

Prim resisted the urge to shudder.

"Greetings, stranger." Prim curtsied nervously as she regarded the Hunter with politeness. "I greet you and thank you for the services you have done for our people. It is a shame that we met during such sad circ.u.mstances."

The stranger bowed his head. Hard crimson eyes met gentle blue briefly.

"I do what I have to." The Hunter said softly. "I am undeserving of such compliments, fair lady."

To the side, Alicia scowled and wondered why this man was so polite to Prim but not to her…She supposed she should be a bit more lenient, Prim had a way of dissolving situations even if she was quite shy and never really made much public appearances. Despite this, Prim Fiorire had a sharp mind that belied her delicate appearance.

Prim felt a smile forming on her face. Surely this stranger wasn't such a brute after all? Sure...he had killed many orcs by himself but he didn't seem to mean any harm to her or Alicia. "You are humble, good sir." She complimented him. "And a good man."

"No." The Hunter's reply was chilling. "I'm not."

The silence was awkward. Alicia went to draw her sword but Prim shook her head. She looked at Alicia worriedly. The Knight of Iris sighed.

"Let's just head back inside." Alicia said, rubbing her forehead. "Mercenary, regardless of your reluctance to serve our Goddess, she has asked for skilled agents. You will be seeing her."

The Hunter didn't reply at once. "And what about payment?"

Alicia scowled at him. "That remains to be seen, if it were up to me I would have brought you here in chains." She said directly.

"So rest up. This is the Arcturus Estate, you should feel honored that you are allowed to be here. Few are."

/

Kyril found that he truly disliked Alicia Arcturus. Of course, he wouldn't say that to her face but he honestly did not appreciate the barbs she was sending. A lesser man would have snapped, but as time passed Kyril found it easy to disregard the barbed words of the Knight of Iris. He had dealt with worse. In comparison, Alicia Arcturus was a minor irritation that he was already beginning to push aside.

The Hunter's quarters were simple, but far above the usual peasant fare he was used to. Still, it was kept spartan. It was quiet. Tomorrow, they would make for the capitol of Eostia to meet with Laurendau Incarnate, Celestine the Fair herself. Kyril...was honestly not pleased that his exploits had made it as far as Ken but he was resigned to whatever task Celestine asked of him.

The other princess, Prim, was a lot more bearable than her cousin. She seemed to understand how to handle Alicia Arcturus however. She never left the knight's side which was understandable. Prim was raised to be a sheltered child but nonetheless that did not spoil her, in fact it did quite the opposite. Prim showed the Hunter kindness, kindness that he thought was long gone from the world he left behind.

It was...pleasant, but uncomfortable. For who was he to deserve such kindness? After an afternoon of negotiating a contract which ended with Alicia scoffing at the thought of Kyril deserving an honest pay, considering his reputation, Kyril was more than ready to just leave Feoh and not bothering with meeting with the Goddess.

Again, it was Prim who soothed the choler between them. And negotiated with Kyril not just on being paid for the services he provided to the people of Feoh, but to at least see what the Goddess wants.

He just had to wait until morning…Kyril let his thoughts turn to the Dream once more…

The Hunter's Dream…

They walked the gardens, as was the tradition they set way before his arrival in the waking world. Kyril had wanted to take Evetta out of the Dream, but seeing as how there was a war going on he wasn't so sure about that idea anymore. He would have to carve out a place for them here, but whether by gold or by bloodshed he did not know. Thus, while he was more active in the waking world than in the Dream he always made a point to spend time with his long time companion.

Time was...different here, and it suited them both perfectly. The tranquility may have been lonely but it was enough for Kyril. The Dream was his home, and nothing would ever take that away from him. One day, when everything was calm, he would bring this place to life.

Kyril offered his arm and Evetta took it, the unlikely pair making their way through the gardens by walking down the set path they made. They passed through the flowers that Evetta took care of when he was away, the gravestones that bore the names of all those Kyril had witnessed dying in Yharnam. They finally stopped at the grave of Kyril's greatest mentor, Gehrman the First Hunter.

"I wonder what he would think of me now," Kyril remarked as he reached down to brush some dust off of the grave of the First Hunter. It wasn't a fitting tribute but Kyril had done the best he could to honor the man he had killed in one last duel. "Would he have accepted whatever this Goddess wanted? Or would he have told me to leave and never look back."

Evetta didn't answer, but her presence was more than enough for Kyril. She didn't need to say anything. "Would you abandon these people to stand alone?" She asked instead.

"...No." Kyril answered. "But taking his mantle...that would change a lot of things." He felt a terrible burden on his shoulders. He did not have foresight but whatever was going on in this war between Garan and Eostia, he felt a certain foreboding that it would not end in the way everyone thought it would.

"I suppose I will have to, if the conflict takes a turn for the worst." Kyril said finally. His eyes were still locked onto the gravestone of Gehrman. Was he worthy of taking up such a mantle? Kyril didn't know, but he would see where this road ends.

He made a mind to restock on certain supplies, and to visit the Messengers to see if they had anything new.

Evetta and Kyril made their way back to the Workshop. Kyril opened the door as he walked over to the wall of weapons he had managed to scavenge from Yharnam during the Night of the Hunt. The Holy Moonlight Sword gleamed on the wall, hanging next to the Hunter's Axe. There were other blades there as well, just waiting to be unleashed. There, the Kirkhammer secure with its blade as a handle for the great metal hammer. The Holy Blade, an approximation of the sword Ludwig once wielded.

Kyril reached for the Holy Moonlight Sword.

"A fine weapon." Evetta observed.

Kyril knew that. The Holy Moonlight Sword once belonged to the Hunter, Ludwig the Accursed, who had succ.u.mbed to the beast plague much like any great Hunter. Kyril had put the mad thing to rest. He had told a lie to do so, but in the end it was worth it. As a final wish, Ludwig bequeathed the blade to him of all people.

The Good Hunter took the weapon up in both hands. He could feel it whispering, asking if there was once again a purpose in him wielding it in battle. He allowed Evetta to help him bandage the blade up to hide its otherworldly sheen from view.

It was about time the weapon knew battle once more.

/

It was dawn by the time Kyril woke up, he had returned from the Hunter's Dream. Leaning against the door was the Holy Moonlight Sword. In his hand was the Hunter's Blunderbuss, a devastating weapon that fired quicksilver shot, making it difficult for opponents to dodge the wide spread. He was fully stocked and heavily armed.

All of it was thanks to the Messengers, which had phased into existence on the table next to him. Kyril was at first disturbed by their grotesque appearances but the 'Little Ones' as Evetta called them only wished to worship and serve the Good Hunter, and his predecessors.

He was used to them now.

The Messengers gave their signature groans, one of them clapping. Kyril smiled as he stood up and got ready for the day. He tipped his hat to the Messengers and soon enough the little grotesque inhabitants of the Dream returned to where they belonged. Kyril looked at the rising sun, rays poking in through the curtains. The Hunter heard the knocking.

"Enter." His voice was solemn, neutral.

"Master Hunter, Lady Arcturus awaits you in the entry hall."

Kyril sent his assent to the servant and made his way out. It was time to head to Ken.

/

Alicia humphed as Kyril Sutherland finally made his appearance. He had gone out and found some new weaponry it seemed, although she was suspicious as to how he had managed it without anyone noticing. She put that out of her mind.

"Nice sword." Vera complimented the mercenary.

Kyril said nothing which caused Vera to frown slightly at being put off. The man simply strapped the great blade to his horse's saddle to transport. He still carried his pistol, holstered at his side but slung alongside his great cleaver weapon was another firearm, this one much like a musket save for its barrel. If anything, Vera thought it looked more like a cannon than anything else.

The Hunter finished with his preparations and soon enough the party was on their way. Kyril rode at the back, behind Kendra and Vera. Alicia, as her station demanded, led from the front. In addition to that was a carriage escorted by six more knights.

Prim had asked Alicia to accompany her to Ken, and Alicia did not refuse although she did make it known that she was concerned for Prim's safety. Orc war bands were all over Eostia and the open roads were often the most dangerous for those who weren't armed.

The ride to Ken would take an approximate of three to five days, anything could have happened but Alicia was confident that their squad of knights was more than capable. She did not count Kyril as she did not trust him. Kyril was more than happy to concede that the feeling was mutual, not because that she was a danger to him but more likely that she would not survive a single moment during the Hunt…

The Hunter chided himself on that train of thought, however. Of course she would not last in the mad city of Yharnam, and Alicia Arcturus had a good reason for distrusting him. A foreign mercenary who could cut down greenskins with ease? He would have held the same distrust for such a stranger if he were in her shoes.

Kyril took a distant spot when the caravan stopped to camp. He saw the campfire and the Knights of Iris already getting ready to settle in, with the watchmen already picked. The carriage was reserved for both Alicia and Prim, as befitting their station as royalty.

The Hunter turned his head back to his horse, tied up to the lone tree of their campsite already munching on grass. It stared at him, blinked once and snorted. Clever thing, it seemed to not fear him as most animals did.

Kyril tended to his own small fire, his Blunderbuss settled in his lap loaded with a cartridge of Quicksilver shot. His Saw Cleaver was also near him. He took a sip of water from the skin he purchased back in Idoun before settling in for a night…

"Um...Hello."

The Hunter opened his eyes, blinking as he saw Prim Fiorire standing next to his fire.

"Lady Prim." He said, as he sat straighter.

"Don't get up! I apologize, I didn't wish to disturb you I just came by to wish you goodnight." Prim said, shaking her head when she saw Kyril about to stand.

Kyril didn't say anything for a bit. But he nodded in thanks. Prim beamed. She then looked uncertainly at his small fire and the meager camp he made for himself.

"Do you wish to sit down?" Kyril asked her at last.

"Um...I don't want to be a bother." Prim looked down. She had chosen to wear something practical for the journey to Ken, a simple white dress much like a priestess' habit but a bit more fine. "You look...tired."

Kyril would have laughed had he been able. He shook his head, slightly amused at Prim's understatement of how he felt. "I am tired, lady Prim." He said softly. "Sleep does not come easily."

"I see…" Prim whispered. She did take the offer to sit down however. Kyril gave her a respectable distance as she sat down next to him. He offered her the blanket and she took it gratefully. The night was a bit cold this day. Kyril was used to it. Prim was not.

"You should perhaps make your way back to the carriage, lady Prim." Kyril told her. "I would not wish to worry your cousin. She seems to despise me."

Prim frowned. "Dear Alicia does not despise you." She scolded him. "She's just...hotheaded is all, but she is a gallant knight and she has a good heart. Please do not take her barbed words to heart."

Kyril exhaled through his nose. "I'll take that under advis.e.m.e.nt." He muttered to himself. He said nothing to Prim, merely keeping her company as the night went on. A sudden weight nearly caused the Hunter to react accordingly but he stopped when he saw that Prim had leaned towards him. She had nearly fallen asleep.

He sighed.

"Lady Prim." Kyril said firmly. "You were about to fall asleep."

Prim gasped and shook her head to keep awake. "I-I am so sorry!" She stammered. "I never meant to offend you!"

Kyril scratched his temple. "I shall escort you back to your carriage." He said, noting Prim's upset expression. She knew she had crossed a line with him. He did not fault her for this. It was a long ride to Ken after all and Prim did not go out too much.

That and it was healthy for someone like her to have a proper and good amount of sleep.

/

"Knave!" Alicia hissed as Kyril walked towards the carriage with a sleepy Prim in tow. "You unhand my cousin at once!" Kendra had followed her leader, hand on the hilt of her own blade. Several knights watched cautiously but they were angry that Prim had ended up alone with the Hunter.

Now shaken out of her fatigue Prim tried to speak up but Alicia had shoved her behind him. To Alicia's left, Kendra had approached with her hand on the hilt of her sword. Kyril looked around idly at the other knights who were either glaring at him or watching in morbid curiosity. Kyril let his gaze go back to Alicia's.

"Calm yourself." Kyril's voice seethed with menace. Something that Alicia either ignored or she did not hear it. "Lady Prim was about to fall asleep. I merely escorted her back to the carriage."

"Yes, dear cousin!" Prim spoke up in Kyril's defense. "That is all that has happened!"

Alicia wasn't hearing it however. "You do not approach her at all, mercenary." She told Kyril. "In fact, I should have had you cut down the moment you laid a hand on her."

"You will die trying." Kyril's voice was tinged with menace and the taint of bloodl.u.s.t filled the air. Vera and Kendra approached their liege ladies as if to shield them but to no avail. It was as if the Hunter's shadow had deepened, a great shadowy abyss that swallowed all.

And its baleful eye had turned its attention on the bleating of a sheep. Prim trembled hugely while Alicia was pinned by the Hunter's thousand yard stare, which combined with the visage of a predator looking at its next kill. The moment passed after a while. Kyril did not even bother giving Alicia obeisance. He instead made his way back to his own campsite.

"Master Kyril?" Prim piped up after a moment.

"Enough." The Hunter said wearily. "I'm sure we all have an early start tomorrow. Have a good night."

He left them all standing there, staring at his back.

/

"A monster. No other way around it." Kendra spoke. "Your Highness-"

"Enough!" Prim snapped, surprising the red haired knight with her outburst at what had just happened. "Just...stop it…"

"Prim, that man could have hurt you!" Alicia said, trying to calm her cousin down but the younger pink haired woman shook her head.

"He did not, Alicia. All you did was antagonize him when he made it clear that he has done nothing untoward to me." Prim scolded her cousin. "He has been nothing but polite and you have done him wrong. Your treatment of him is not just craven, it is dishonorable. You are a knight!"

Prim never lost her temper but tonight's near confrontation had drained some of her patience. "Act like it!"

That stung. Alicia frowned at Prim, looking hurt as she realized that she was not the only target. Kendra flushed ashamedly while Vera stared at her and sighed dejectedly wishing that she had spoken up before things had escalated. "I am trying to protect you, cousin."

"Protecting me does not mean that you put me in a gilded cage for the rest of my life, Alicia." Prim looked disappointed in her. "He saved not just your life but others' as well, that was what we talked about didn't we? And instead you repay him with false accusations instead of gratitude."

"Prim…" Alicia started again.

"I...I am going to sleep." Prim said shaking her head. "I love you dear cousin, but sometimes your temper gets the best of you...much to your detriment and those closest."

/

The next morning was awkward.

Where Alicia had only deigned to speak to him in a derogatory tone, he was now met with silence. Her knights still gave him sullen glares but they said nothing. The Hunter was fine with that as he rode a fair distance away from Alicia and her knights but close enough to serve as a flanking element should the situation demand it. Whatever happened last night, it didn't matter to him.

The carriage was in the middle of their loose formation, but Kyril saw Prim at the window giving him glances. The Hunter ignored her curiosity or whatever it was. They still had to reach Ken, the capitol of Eostia and the seat of power of the Seven Shields to meet with the Goddess herself.

Hours passed and morning reached noontime. Kyril tightened the grip on the reins of his horse. He looked at the carriage, the man driving it looking ahead while the knights around him surveyed the area for threats.

Kyril saw it before anyone did. An arrow, crudely made but lethal nonetheless, punched into the head of the lead knight's horse. The knight screamed as her mount fell onto its side taking her with it. The sudden close range volley was accompanied by the war cry of orcs. Knights toppled off of their horses while their comrades shook off their shock and counter attacked.

He heard Alicia bark orders as a war band launched their sudden attack, having hidden in burrows along the road, a clever ambush that few expected. Kyril certainly was surprised but he did not shrink from the sudden assault.

He drove his spurs into his horse's flanks, swinging his Saw Cleaver out sideways to unfold it into its extended form. No time to draw anything else. The Hunter surged forward in a lone counter charge even as the Knights of Iris defended themselves and their carriage from orcs.

Kyril crashed into a large cl.u.s.ter of greenskins, his cleaver sending blood, bone and brains into the air as he swung left and right. Each swing of his Cleaver cut down a greenskin. The Hunter's dead eyes were narrowed as he slew orc after orc with vicious strikes that severed limbs and heads from bodies.

/

Alicia's sword thrust crunched through an orc's throat as she rallied her knights to stay together lest they become overwhelmed. Kendra's horse reared up and its hooves slammed down onto a prone orc's head, crushing it with ease. Alicia heard the sound of howling, confused she turned to the large concentration of greenskins where Kyril Sutherland had charged in on his own like a lunatic.

It was a terrifying sight. The horse he rode had already been downed but it didn't matter as the Hunter was on his feet swinging his madman's weapon in great arcs that crunched through orc bodies. The man was surrounded, a certain death for ordinary men who faced greenskins.

Not so for Kyril Sutherland, who slew orc after orc with a madman's strength swinging the massive cleaver he used as a weapon, the blade howling through the air. Goddess...he wasn't just strong, he was fast. Inhumanly fast. His weapon was a dull blur that cut through the air with little difficulty, even as it mangled and maimed the bodies of the orcs that got in its way.

The Cleaver crunched into the skull of an approaching greenskin. Kyril caught another attacker's wrist. He swung the orc around, right into the path of an axe that cleaved into its body. The Hunter kicked the corpse of his other victim away, freeing his blade from its crushed skull. The blade was shaped like a giant cleaver. Alicia watched as the Hunter circled it over his head, cutting another greenskin down with a barbarous swing.

His red eyes, the color of coagulating blood, were hauntingly dead. Had she seen his face, she would have despaired at the thought of such a man turning against them. His expressionless mien was at odds with the savage butchery he wrought. Such was the viciousness the Hunter showed that the orcs soon lost their nerve and fled. Alicia held her vengeful knights back from giving chase.

Panting the Knight of Iris looked around, swearing under her breath. Of the twenty she had left, only a handful remained. Eight, including her and her two seconds. The carriage driver was dead, having taken an arrow to the throat. The carriage was stuck full of arrows, but thankfully none of them seemed to have punched into the interior. The door opened and Prim looked out, a low keening cry ripping out of her terrified throat as she saw the bloodshed.

The bodies of both humans and orcs littered the field. The dying screamed out and the knights dispatched with the surviving orcs, mourning their lost comrades. Only one person was unaffected, his cruel gaze looking around. The Hunter had recovered the greatsword which now hung from the harness on his back.

/

Kyril approached the remainder of Alicia's convoy. He saw the grief and hate in her eyes as she considered what was going to happen now.

"How close are we to Ken?" He asked her.

Alicia blinked and focused on the mercenary. She scowled briefly before closing her eyes in frustration. "A few miles down this road." She said. "I've...taken this route before. I was not prepared to be ambushed. Ken...Ken is a few hours away."

Kyril did not admonish her for what happened this day, the losses here were bad enough. He looked at his bloodstained weapon. Kyril swung the Saw Cleaver down, folding it into its more compact form and clipping it to the harness on his back before he approached Prim's carriage. The carriage looked...terrible but at least the horses were still alive. Scared to be sure but fear had frozen them.

"You...killed so many." Prim said blankly as she noticed him approaching. "I…"

Kyril shoved the corpse of the driver off of the carriage. No time for burials. "We need to get to a safer area." He spoke, loud enough to be heard. He checked the carriage. At least the horse's were kept mostly unharmed but they were close to bolting. Kyril's presence took care of that.

"What of our dead?" Kendra asked him. "And who gave you the authority to make orders?"

Kyril's dead eyed stare caught Kendra off-guard. The redhead scowled and looked away. Kyril did concede that she had a point though. "Lady Alicia, if those orcs come back they will bring friends." He said to her neutrally. "The dead are dead. Your concerns must stay with the living."

Alicia didn't seem to hear; she seemed in shock at what happened to the women under her command.

"You are a heartless bastard!" Vera screamed, ripping her arm out of the grip of her fellow knight who had been bandaging it. "Let us grieve our dead, for pity's sake!"

The Hunter blinked only once as his stony gaze returned to hers. "The orcs will come back. If we're still here we all die." He said quietly. "Who will grieve then?"

"He's...He's right." Alicia's voice was hollow. "Let's...let's get going. If we stay here, we're all dead."

Kyril climbed up to the driver's seat of the carriage and took the reigns.

Ken, The Grand Cathedral…Three days later...

Celestine rubbed her temple in pain as she stopped for a bit. Beside her, Archbishop Grishom looked over in concern. They had just finished the morning sermon and were on their way to court "Your Holiness?" The old priest asked. "Are you unwell?"

"I...I am fine, Archbishop." Celestine spoke, massaging her temples as she stood back up. "Just...I believe I had another...vision." Her voice was distant. "Could you send for Claudia, Lord Archbishop I fear I may have need of her services again."

Grishom bowed his head and ushered one of his attendants forward to find the leader of the Dawn Templars.

Celestine exhaled as she leaned against the stone wall. Her eyes closed. "Oh...Alicia...I hope you're alright…" She said to herself, already preparing what she was going to say to Claudia. Alicia was Claudia's protege and she was certainly not someone to leave such a talented student and dear friend in danger.

The problem was who Alicia was with.

Celestine covered her mouth with a gasp as she felt a chill go down her spine.

Alicia had found him.

The man with the cruel red eyes.

"We made it!"

Vera looked positively relieved as the small caravan caught sight of the walls of Ken. The seat of power for the Seven Shields Alliance and the home of the Goddess herself. Kyril looked at the splendor of it but said nothing. His eyes were scanning the area for more orcs. Since the attack on the road, Alicia and her knights were more careful of ambushes but nothing else had happened.

Alicia was still shaken but she seemed to have regained some of her imperiousness. "Hunter." She spoke. "We have arrived. I am sure the Goddess will speak with you the moment we set foot in her abode."

Kyril just hummed in disinterest. Again, Alicia scowled but her tirade was tempered by the fact that she had witnessed him fight off an entire orc band by himself. He was a fearsome fighter, likely far above her and all of her knights combined.

Alicia rode to the head of the column, prompting the others to follow her into Ken.

/

"...Does the Goddess make you uncomfortable, Master Kyril?"

Prim's small voice caught Kyril's attention. He had forgotten that she had deigned to sit next to him as he steered the carriage through the streets of Ken. The crowds all cheered and waved at Prim and Alicia, although it was somewhat muted with some folk whispering and pointing at him.

"No." Kyril replied. "I bear her no ill will. But I have learned that blind faith is lethal."

Prim frowned at this. "So...you do not believe in divinities?" She asked.

The Hunter's gaze turned distant. "A curious question." He told her. "Why ask this of me?"

Prim looked at him, making the slow realization that he was genuinely curious as to why she was asking the question.

"Well! Um, you do not seem to hold the Goddess in high esteem." She said, slowly gaining more confidence. "You either don't believe in her or she has done you wrong somehow, which I highly doubt. Have...Have you met her?"

Kyril kept looking ahead. "No." He said. "As you know...I am a foreigner to this land. I come from very far away, so far away I cannot even remember the land where I was born."

Prim shrank. Now she had definitely upset him.

"I suppose I could consider that a mercy." Kyril continued. "After what I have seen. You ask me if I believed in gods?" He looked at her, his gaze dead. "The gods I have seen are so far above mortal, they would scar your memories for an eternity."

Prim shivered. There was a warning in his tone. She did not press him again.

Kyril continued steering until they at last reached the Grand Cathedral. The Hunter got off the carriage first, and then helped Prim down onto the ground. Around them, Alicia and her knights dismounted.

The stairs leading up to the cathedral were lined with guards. Waiting at the top was a woman garbed in steel plate. She was older than Alicia by a decade, her brown hair tied into a bun. She held her helmet by her side as she approached, accompanied by two knights in full plate.

Her blue eyes narrowed when she caught sight of Kyril who did not say anything as Alicia bowed to the woman.

"Lady Claudia. It is good to see you again." She said.

The woman, now known as Claudia, frowned at the sight of Alicia, her armor scuffed from the ambush on the road. "Alicia...what happened?" She asked. "The Goddess told me that you were in trouble."

"Yes...my company and I were ambushed." Alicia looked over at the knights she had left, all eight of them. "I lost the majority to an ambush."

There was sorrow in Claudia's eyes as she saw how miserable the knights were. She then looked over at the Hunter. Kyril met her stare with disinterest. Claudia turned back to Alicia. "And this one?" She asked.

"Ah...right. Lady Claudia, I introduce to you Kyril Sutherland. A Hunter."

Kyril stepped forward with a predator's grace. Claudia extended her hand. "We are well met." She said although she really did not mean it. Kyril did not take her hand, causing Claudia to frown.

"I hear someone has business with me." Kyril's voice was muffled by the cloth mask he wore.

Claudia had the realization that this was the man Her Holiness was searching for. And indeed she was right.

Kyril Sutherland had cruel red eyes.

Celestine leaned her head back against her throne as she tried to relax. She couldn't, because of the approaching malice that caused her heart to beat faster within her chest. She dreaded the meeting and yet she could not deny that there was a change in the air.

The High Elf exhaled shakily, fidgeting.

"Are you troubled, milady?"

Celestine looked to her left. Jamal was the thirtieth in the line of butlers that had served her for over a century. His years were coming fast upon him, and soon enough he was going to have to choose a successor. It made her sad that she would outlive him. Jamal was a good man who lived his life dedicated to serving her.

"I am fine Jamal." She said, giving him a tired but still dazzling smile. "Just...tired."

Jamal frowned. His brown eyes were filled with worry. "I understand that there is much work to do, Your Holiness. But if you are unwell maybe you should hold off this meeting…"

"No." Celestine shook her head. "As you are aware, Jamal, this has to do with my visions. That is a duty I will shoulder myself." Inwardly, she pleaded that Jamal would not press this issue. Her visions were often times painful, was this the price she payed to receive Laurendau's favor?

Please...I cannot bear this burden any longer...She pleaded to anyone that would hear that plea.

No answer. The Goddess helped those who called for her. Celestine focused on the hallway leading to her throne room. That was when she saw them. Celestine smiled when she saw Claudia Levantine, the stalwart leader of the Dawn Templars. Alicia Arcturus, celebrated knight of Iris, her dear cousin little Prim and…

And…

Celestine paled as she began to breathe harder.

The throne room seemed to sink a chill into her bones. Her heart pounded in her ears and her eyes dilated as she caught sight of the man that haunted her vision.

The same tattered hat, the same gray coat.

The same cruel, dead eyes that were the color of spilled blood.

"Your Holiness…?" Jamal's voice was a distant thing. Celestine stared as Claudia, Alicia and Prim knelt giving her obeisance. The man in the tattered hat did no such thing. He stood straight, cruel eyes locked onto her, observing her like prey.

The worst part was what she heard. The roar of the ocean, waves crashing against the shore. An angry rumbling sound that shook her to the very core. Her eyes darted to Jamal, then to Claudia, Prim, and Alicia.

Did they not hear it? This maddening thunder that threatened her very core?

"Hunter!" Claudia hissed. "Kneel!"

That snapped her out of it. Calming herself, Celestine stood up as she walked down from her throne, resisting every urge in her body to flee from the castle, from Ken. To get away as far as she could from the man with the cruel red eyes.

/

"Kneel, you disrespectful cur!"

Kyril chose to ignore Claudia's words, causing the knight to glare at him for disrespecting her liege. The Hunter looked at the Goddess Reborn for the first time. Celestine the Fair, High Elf Queen of Eostia.

She certainly was beautiful. Fair skin, long soft blond hair. Green eyes. She wore a modest white robe that clung to her body. Green eyes, wide with terror, shone in the light of the throne room. Long ears twitched.

Kyril knew, with certainty, that no one could have stopped him. The Hunter could have cut the head from her shoulders before she could even call for help from the knights kneeling before her and staring at him. He could in fact draw the pistol at his side and shoot her dead right there.

Why? He saw the light of Insight in her eyes and knew that the insidious madness that took Yharnam would kill her if he did nothing. She knew him, the Goddess was said to be a prophet after all., for how could she look at him with fear in her eyes when they had never met face to face? So he asked her.

"You have seen me, haven't you?"

His question caused a stunned silence. How dare this wandering killer address their Goddess in such a way?

"Yes," The Goddess whispered. "I have seen you in my nightmares. A stranger in gray, responsible for unimaginable bloodshed." Her voice was tremulous. "But despite this, I knew I had need of whatever power you hold to save my kingdom."

"Your Holiness…" Claudia spoke up as she stood. "Surely you do not mean to say that we need this man?"

She scowled at Kyril who pointedly ignored her.

"I have need of skilled agents." Celestine spoke over Claudia's concerns. "You were not the only one in my vision, Master Hunter. I also sense that my rival's strength will wane in the coming days. I believe this to be a sign; the war can end in one swift strike."

The room was silent once more.

The Hunter spoke after a long pause. "So you wish for me to bring you Olga Discordia's head."

Claudia, Prim and Alicia gaped at him.

"N-No!" Celestine said, far too quickly for anyone to notice. Kyril did but he did not speak of it. "I wish for you to bring her here. To face justice."

Kyril nodded. "A difficult task." He said, softly. "And yet you believe me to be capable of this."

"Yes." Celestine looked far more determined now. "And if you choose to accept this task, know that I will reward you with whatever you wish. This war has caused untold suffering to my people. Help me end this war, and I will be forever indebted to you."

Kyril looked her in the eye this time. She looked like she wanted to say more.

"As you wish."

Celestine felt the pressure in the room ease off. She could breathe again. "I...thank you, master Hunter. Truly." She said. Clearing her throat, Celestine made sure her tone was serious. "Much will have to be prepared before the time comes for you to act, Master Hunter. Please, rest here in the palace for the time being. I am sure all of you are tired."

"Friends, walk with me."

Celestine summoned her three Princess Knights to walk with her to her chambers. The Hunter had stalked off, saying he needed to stock up on supplies.

"Milady, I must speak." Claudia said. "I am unsure as to why you consider this man a capable agent. He is dangerous."

"I agree with Lady Claudia, Your Holiness." Alicia agreed. "The man is a capable killer."

"He is," Prim said to Alicia. "But you did not mention that he saved your life, cousin."

Claudia turned his head to the more diminutive Prim. "He what?"

Prim looked at Claudia. "Yes, we were ambushed, as you know, by orcs. Master Kyril cut through most of them to help us."

Alicia looked away shamefaced. That she really did not want to admit.

Claudia still looked unconvinced. "His conduct here is also concerning." She spoke finally. "I find his demeanor suspicious."

"I forbid you from acting against him, Claudia." Celestine said as they finally reached her quarters. "You have not seen what I have seen." Her voice was grave.

"And if he presents a danger to you?" Claudia returned. "I will strive to do what I have to in order to protect you, Lady Celestine."

"He bears us no ill will." Celestine smiled sadly. "Unless we give him a reason to act, my friend. Please endure this. For me. I know he is a capable agent, if anyone could bring Olga here it is him."

"Yes...him. And maybe the Black Dogs." Prim spoke looking down.

Celestine nodded in agreement.

Yes.

They would have their part to play as well. But for good or ill, she could not truly say.

Things have changed. And all she could feel was uncertainty.