Crowfeather

Author's Note: I've gotten back into Bloodborne and I decided to rewrite this fic. It's going to be the same in the beginning, but I'm planning on making it longer with a few added moments. There will be slight differences from the game, but not too much.

"We could mate. In a year our nestlings would be large enough to mob anyone we like...Should I begin to court you? Do you like grubs or ants better?...I will be here. In case you change your mind about mating."

- Tamora Pierce, Trickster's Choice

"Every flight begins with a fall."

- George R.R. Martin

By: VampireQueenAkasha

~O~

I

The sounds of coughing filled the air from the little home.

Eileen hadn't made a point to communicate with the man behind the window any further. She never saw his face, but he often told of stories regarding the way of his illness and the spread of the unknown plague.

She was not interested in such things. All that mattered were their targets. Hers and Henryk's. Journeying through the ruined village was a perilous one. But most of the citizens seemed to avoid them. It was something of a familiar sight. Some people chose to distrust the Hunters. Others revered them. Such was not the case here.

They were mad wretches. But they were wholly disinterested in the wandering Hunters. Perhaps that was for the best. They did not need to contend with the citizens any more than they had to.

"Do you hear the murmurs?" the figure behind the window asked.

Eileen didn't speak.

Henryk had chosen to search the village for signs of life, but the people had boarded themselves inside. No one dared speak to the Hunters. There was a certain lack of trust and fear of contamination from them.

"They do not speak," Henryk told her, "I don't think who we find is here."

"Yes." Eileen replied. "If he had been here, they would most likely be dead."

Henryk bent down, rubbing his hand across scratched earth near his boots. They looked like claw scratches left behind from a Beast.

"This village isn't empty of Beasts." he said, straightening. "He's losing his touch."

Eileen shook her head calmly, taking a deep breath. "We can't blame him for this. He's been contending with his illness for some time."

"It was only a matter of time..."

"Yes."

A thick, watery snarl filled the air and the two Hunters looked up, spotting a cloaked, hunched Beast crawling out of an abandoned house. Its red eyes glittered brightly, jaws sticky with saliva and blood.

Eileen drew out her pistol and Henryk retracted his ax. The creature's visage was hidden by the scrap of cloth that covered its face, but the bright glint of sharp teeth could still be seen.

"Stay close," Eileen said.

"Understood." Henryk acknowledged.

The creature tossed its head, letting out a terrible, unholy screech. Nearby, several cloaked Beasts - hidden or asleep in corners, barrels and walls - reacted to the call. The Beasts gathered around and they were considerably smaller than the one who had called for them.

Eileen and Henryk moved forward, weapons firing and blades cutting through flesh. The larger cloaked Beast screeched and called for more, but each one was cut down by their weapons.

Flawless, simple.

The Hunters had danced to this song time and time again; to the melody of blood spraying, Beasts screaming and blades cutting into flesh. It was a constant symphony, a melody of death and blood.

Once the Beasts were cut down, Eileen wiped her weapon clean and sheathed it. Henryk did the same.

"It's a pity, you know." he said. "How they cannot hope to be human again."

Eileen said nothing.

It was true. What a fate; a pitiful, sorry fate.

O

The little town was a familiar sight. It was once a place where Henryk, Eileen and their former comrade had passed during nights of the Hunt. But he was not here and all that remained were the two Hunters.

That and the Hags.

There was a faint giggle, oozing with madness and hunger.

Eileen turned, noticing a woman crouched in the puddle of water. She had bloody bandages wrapped around her face, over her eyes and crossing across her filthy cheeks. She grinned, showing rows of missing teeth.

"Are you there?" she said in a thickly accented voice; the horrid giggling that escaped her was mixed with various hiccups and grunts.

Eileen continued on.

"Where's my baby?" the woman begged, still laughing madly.

Henryk exhaled. "Poor fools. What sort of fate were they left to?"

Eileen stared in the distance, toward a mansion on the hillside that overlooked the graveyards and small huts of the inhabitants of this place. In the distance was Hemwick Charnel Lane. A witch was rumored to be chief of the town, the Old Witch. One who was believed to perform gruesome rituals at night.

Eileen and Henryk saw no threat to the witch as she never posed a problem for them. They kept to their mission and she kept to herself. There would come a time when the Old Witch was sure to meet her fate, but that time was not now.

"My baby." the woman moaned, despairing. But her sorrowful sounds continued to transform into hideous cackles of madness.

Eileen wasn't unfamiliar with the insanity and the Blood Sickness of what people endured at the fault of the Healing Church. Others received their afflictions by other means. More invasive...

There was a nest of crows nearby, huddled together. When Eileen approached, they turned to her, uttering loud chirps. Eileen's stare through her mask seemed to make the animals hush to silence.

When she walked passed them, the birds huddled away from her. She thought nothing of it, really. Such was the way of animals and Beasts when she drew too near. Perhaps they sensed her cruel fate.

Henryk could see Yharnam in the distance. The city's lights casting an eerie glow through the foggy wood.

The city was silent when the Hunters arrived, save for the soft, distant moans and the snarls of dogs. Eileen and Henryk had their weapons drawn, at the ready if need be.

"Hm, perhaps there's someone who can offer us help." Eileen said.

She stopped at a window, noticing the incense.

There was someone on the other side, coughing violently. A man.

"Oh..." he said, coughing a few more times, "you must be a Hunter, and not one from around here either." Another violent, wet cough. "I'm Gilbert, a fellow outsider. You must have had a fine time of it. Yarnham has a special way of treating guests. I don't think I can stand if I wanted to, but I'm willing to help, if there's anything that can be done."

"We're looking for someone." Eileen said. "A man. He will be wearing the robes of the Church."

Gilbert coughed. "Walk closer to the window then."

Eileen leaned forward and she could see an eye looking back at her. But the window was terribly fogged.

"Mm, yes. I've seen someone pass through here. But they wore the robes you wear." he told her. "Not much for words, but he passed quickly."

Eileen and Henryk looked at each other briefly.

The feathered garb...

The window opened and a bandaged arm reached out, clutching a Flamesprayer. It was a particularly useful tool made by the church. "Here. Take this. I made no use of it, but perhaps you…" A terrible cough followed. "...can find some better use for it than me."

Henryk took the offering when Eileen passed it to him. It was a tool of the Healing Church. Gilbert must have been a Hunter himself. Given his terrible cough, he was of no use to them as far as fighting was concerned. Maybe the affliction had begun to work itself through him. He was no doubt going to succumb to the Beastly Scourge and end up as the rest.

"This town is cursed. Whatever your reasons might be you should plan a swift exit." Gilbert advised. "Whatever can be gained from this place, it will do more harm than good."

"We can carry on with little difficulty," Eileen told him. "Now then, have you seen a man in Church Robes pass through recently?"

Gilbert was silent for a moment as he contemplated the question. "You must be speaking of Father Gascoigne. Yes. He's on the Hunt as we speak. He made his way toward Oedon Chapel. I do not know what became of him between."

"Thank you." Eileen said.

The two Hunters departed and Henryk looked at Eileen after a moment. Something else seemed to bother him. "Should we speak to Viola and the children?" he asked her. "They would surely want to know what we're going to do."

Eileen was silent. Her mask made it difficult to determine what expression she had on her face. "If it comes to what we believe it always would, we do what we must. They will understand in time."

"...Yes, of course." Henryk's voice was laced with sadness.

They wandered further into the quiet city, approaching the familiar window of the family they would soon break the terrible news to. Eileen looked at Henryk and gestured with a flick of her head.

Henryk tapped on the glass of the window and a small, frightened voice piped up. One of Viola's daughters.

"Who... are you?" she asked, terrified.

"It's us." Henryk told her, soothingly. "We're looking for your father."

The girl's voice filled with delight at the mention of her father. "Ah! Yes, I knew I remembered your smell. But it's been so long since you've visited. Mum and daddy missed you too..."

Henryk looked at Eileen, but the other Hunter flicked her masked head away.

"Daddy never came back from the hunt, and she went to find him, but now she's gone, too... I'm all alone... and scared..."

Henryk nodded. "We'll find them for you."

The girl behind the window made a sound of relief. "Really? Oh, thank you!" she said. "Do you remember? My m-mum wears a red jeweled brooch. It's so big and...and beautiful. You won't miss it."

Henryk chuckled and straightened. "I don't imagine we would miss such a thing."

They turned to go, but the girl's voice halted them.

"Oh, I mustn't forget. If you find my mum, give her this music box."

The window opened and a small hand holding a tiny music box appeared. Henryk took the offering and placed it into a satchel by his side.

"It plays one of daddy's favorite songs. And when daddy forgets us we play it for him so he remembers." the girl replied. She gave a weak laugh. "Mum's so silly, running off without it!"

"I'll be sure that she gets it." Henryk assured her.

Then, they departed, and the sounds of Beasts in the distance chilled their bones.

This was going to be quite the Hunt.

O

There was a strange sense that something watched them.

Eileen cast her stare toward the spires, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Henryk had been making his way up the steps.

"Eileen?" he said.

"Do you hear that?" Eileen asked.

Henryk tilted his head to hear, but there was nothing that he caught. Nothing but the distant winds, the howls of dogs and the chatter of people inside. Nothing that could be considered a true threat to them.

But Eileen always had good instincts, and he was a fool if he chose not to listen.

"What do you hear?" Henryk asked her.

"Someone's crying."

Eileen made her way toward a building and slowly pried the door open with one hand - she was surprised that it was unlocked, but that usually meant nothing good would come afterwards. Clutching her pistol tightly, she crept her way inside. The room was dark, poorly lit by the moonlight through the cracks in the boarded up windows. The former occupants must have tried to keep the Beasts out in a hurry.

Eileen moved the door open and knocked heel of her foot into the floor. The sound would surely alert anything lurking inside.

But nothing came, so she flicked her head at Henryk and the other Hunter followed her into the building.

"Oh, merciful gods, help me..." a frightened woman's voice filled the air from another room. She was human, that much was certain. "In the name of the Healing Church, cleanse us of this horrible dream..."

Eileen and Henryk entered the room, finding a woman kneeling in the corner, wearing the black robes of the Healing Church, as well as the black hat shielding her face. It was custom attire. She was holding her head in both hands, shuddering with a frightened moan. It was difficult to tell if she was caught in the throes of madness or just utterly terrified.

When she sensed the presence of the Hunters, she gave a startled gasp and looked up. But seeing that they were no enemy, a relieved smile broke out across her face. She had black, braided hair and amber eyes.

She was sane.

"Ah! You've come to save me!" she exclaimed.

Henryk helped her stand by taking her hand. "Who are you?"

"I'm...Sister Adella." she said. She bowed her head once in respect to the two Hunters. "Thank you, dear saints! I have no words to express my relief..."

"You are alone, I assume." Eileen said.

Adella nodded once. She looked around and her features fell with sadness. Clearly she had lost someone dear to her, given her reaction. Eileen was well familiar with such a look. "Oh yes. There were others, but they've been taken away."

"We should go." Henryk told the two. "The nun could accompany us for now."

"She will slow us down." Eileen replied, with a gruff sound.

Adella withered a little at Eileen's words, but shook her head and clasped her hands together. "I assure you, I will attempt to keep myself out of the way, kind Hunters. But...if you will be of need of it, my blood will suffice on your Hunt."

"You're a Blood Saint." Henryk said, matter-of-factly.

"I am. I was groomed as such before I arrived here." Adella explained. She seemed rather timid, but proud of her status all the same. "I could be of use, though my blood is lowly."

"Very well." Eileen replied, "Come along, then. Keep up with us."

Adella smiled, quite honored. She followed the two Hunters from the building.

O

The wood-carved mask of Eileen the Crow fascinated Adella as she had no experience with such a thing. Upon explaining it to her - with far more patience than she had previously displayed - Eileen had informed the nun that the beak contained incense to mask scents of blood and Beast. It was particularly useful for her in her Hunt, as she made it seem.

Eileen the Crow. Adella had never heard of her, but she was clearly a Hunter of immense skill. So was Henryk given how easily they dispatched those in their way. Both had clearly come from a distant land, given their accents and their peculiar ways. They were both here to help her and she would be foolish not to offer any aid. Her lowly blood was all that she could give, but the treatment of blood was useful in this Hunt.

She was curious by Eileen's sword; it split into two when activated. According to her, the weapons blades had been forged with siderite, a rare mineral of the heavens. Such a fascinating thing it was.

Henryk himself was older as well; he had wrinkles around his eyes, darker skin, thin beard and receding hair. She only took notice to it when he removed his hat to dab the top of his head with a cloth.

"Hunters, if you don't mind my asking..." Adella began, hesitantly; she had hoped to strike up conversation along their journey. "Who do you look for?"

Eileen glanced down at her briefly. "We seek an old Hunter. Gascoigne. You heard of him?"

Adella's features lit up with realization at the mention of the name. "Yes. I have seen him on his Hunt, but..." She hesitated and spoke her next words carefully. "He frightened me."

Eileen and Henryk paused in their steps. They had almost made it toward the Tomb of Oedon, but Adella's words halted them.

"What do you mean?" Eileen asked.

"Well, the streets were obviously rather perilous for me, so I sought refuge in that building where you found me. The man you called Gascoigne passed by, and I heard him snarling like one of the Beasts. I feared the worst." Adella explained, "I did not make a single sound. I'm sorry. I was fearful for my life. I thought...he would come for me. He smelled...like one of them."

Eileen and Henryk looked at each other.

"He's been living with his sickness for some time," Eileen explained, her voice even as she turned to go, "We were searching for him."

Adella nodded. "I understand..."

The three made their way toward the Tomb of Oedon. The air suddenly seemed colder here; there was an unsettling feeling that crossed the trio, as if something lurked for them. Adella looked around, shocked to see several crazed citizens of Yharnam littered about like broken dolls, their blood sprayed across the tombstones. The smell was absolutely foul; it was the strong scent of Beast and blood.

Eileen looked around before she spotted Viola lying on the rooftops in a pool of her own blood. She quickly rushed over.

"Viola!"

Dropping her blades, she knelt down, scooping up the woman into her arms.

Adella walked over slowly, worried by the sight and of the one who had harmed her being possibly nearby. Her eyes wandered cautiously around them. Henryk was talking to Eileen and it seemed like Viola was barely alive.

She had been viciously sliced through the abdomen by an ax. But somehow, Viola was still alive, her body shuddering in pain. Her eyes wandered about before she focused on Eileen.

"I...I'm sorry. I tried to..." Viola sputtered, blood gushing from her mouth in rivers.

"Hush." Eileen said, gently. "Don't talk. You'll make it worse."

Viola hissed through her teeth. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she shut her eyes tightly, shuddering in pain before she managed to find the strength to talk again. "I tried... I really tried, Eileen..."

Eileen was oddly quiet, her hold on the other woman tightening. Henryk looked at her and shook his head, a silent gesture that she could not be saved. Eileen sighed and looked down at Viola.

"I'm sorry I could be here sooner..." she told the woman.

Viola smiled, the faint light in her eyes dimming. "It's okay. I don't blame you for this."

"Where is he? Where is your husband?" Eileen asked.

Viola looked beyond her and raised one blood-soaked finger. The others turned, finding Father Gascoigne leaning against the wall; dressed in the garb of the Church, soaked in the blood of his wife and that of Beast's. His hair was sticking to his bandaged eyes, and his mouth opened, revealing elongated canine teeth. He looked absolutely frightening, swaying a little back and forth.

"Beasts... I knew it..." he snarled, his voice thickly labored.

"Gascoigne." Henryk said, standing and drawing his ax. He approached the other man, taking his head in one hand. His voice was filled with rage and grief. "Don't hurt your family! Don't ever hurt your family!"

It was hard to tell if Father Gascoigne even looked at him.

Then, a wicked chuckle escaped his lips, dry and rasping. It was like the sound of bone. "What's that smell?" he hissed, with a mad laugh. His nostrils flared as he took a long, deep inhale. "The sweet blood, oh, it sings to me!"

Henryk backed away from him and Eileen properly folded Viola's hands over her chest before she stood up, retrieving her blades. There was nothing left of the man they once knew. His humanity was barely tethered by a thread.

"I can't...I can't..." Father Gascoigne doubled over, giving a howl of fury and rage.

Adella backed away, eyes wide in horror as his body violently shook violently. His bones made sick, wet popping sounds and his arms bulged, hands forming into terrible claws. The boots he wore burst into tatters as his feet elongated.

Eileen and Henryk stood at the ready, just as he charged with a primal howl.

O

Father Gascoigne, Eileen and Henryk were locked in combat, all the while Adella said a prayer for the fallen woman, Viola. The sounds of fighting behind her were terrible, but she did her best to ignore them as she bid the deceased a final farewell to the next life. She spotted the music box lying on the floor. It looked like it was engraved with her name and the name of her husband.

Adella looked up now with a gasp, finding Eileen on Father Gascoigne's back with her sword held at his throat. He jerked and snarled, spitting with wrath in an effort to dislodge her. He was wild, blood-drunk and fierce in his movements.

"We're not your enemies, Gascoigne!" Eileen shouted.

He gave a thunderous roar, tossing her from him. Adella watched in horror as the Hunter was sent flying into a tombstone. The stone cracked from the force and fell to pieces, Eileen letting out a groan before going still. Henryk charged, but Father Gascoigne swung his claws into him, sending him flying back like a rag doll.

Adella quickly wound up the music box.

Father Gascoigne moved, raised his fists high over his head; he intended to smash the Hunter to mushy pulp. But he stopped then at the sound of the music that began to play; a Lullaby that he had once played for his children. The transformed man snorted, turning toward the direction of the nun.

"Daddy! Daddy, listen! It's your favorite."

"I know, my darling. I remember now..."

Gascoigne's feral scowl relaxed somewhat and he tilted his head with a snarl. Adella held the music box close to her chest, watching the transformed man with fright. But it seemed to work because he no longer focused attention on Eileen, but instead to the music that was playing.

Eileen regained her senses, awakening to the sounds of the music box lullaby she had come to familiarize herself with. She looked over, spotting the nun holding the box, backing away slowly as Father Gascoigne advanced.

"Adella!" she shouted. "What are you doing, you fool?"

Then, the creature suddenly stopped, clutching his head with a scream that seemed horridly mixed with Beast and human.

Henryk moved into the scene moments before Adella would be attacked; he jumped onto the creature's back, and then brought his ax down with a mighty swing, burying it deep into Father Gascoigne's head. The screams were abruptly silenced; followed by the wet, sticky sound of flesh being broken.

A dying gurgle escaped the creature's jaws and he pitched forward, collapsing to the ground in a pile of blood and sticky fur.

Adella eventually approached the corpse. She still held the music box close in her hands.

"Good work," Henryk told the nun.

"Good work?" Eileen sounded dumbfounded. "The silly girl could have been killed."

Henryk looked at her now. "The music worked for the moment. It distracted him long enough for me to bring him down. She should be congratulated, not condemned." he reminded her.

Eileen sighed, but nodded once. She seemed to agree with that and Adella managed a weak smile in response. When Eileen held out her hand for the music box, the nun placed it into her palm.

"I'm sorry about your friend," Adella told them, looking toward Viola. "And for Father Gascoigne. It seems that we have all lost those we love dearly to this Hunt."

Eileen did not reply. She simply stared down at Viola in silence.

"The children..." Henryk said.

"We tell them the truth." Eileen replied, her voice quieter. "They will be safe in the Chapel. We take them there."

She retrieved the red brooch that Viola had been wearing and held it close. Adella caught the gesture, but spoke no words. There was more to it than she knew was being said, but it wasn't appropriate to ask.

O

The two daughters were led into the Chapel; they had taken Eileen's hands. The youngest daughter was holding the brooch tightly to her chest. Tears were pouring down her eyes. Eileen noticed this and bent down.

"Now, now, no more tears," she told her, "You need to be strong."

The child simply put her arms around Eileen, and the Hunter gave a startled sound, but sighed and patted her back.

"Alright then," she said.

It was rather touching to see the Hunter behaving in a maternal sense to the children, and Adella smiled at the sight.

"You're going to watch over your sister, yes?" Eileen told the elder daughter.

A nod answered her.

"Alright. Both of you will be safe here." Eileen continued. "Now, Henryk and I must go. We still have business to take care of."

"Will you be back?" the younger daughter asked.

Eileen hesitated. "I may."

Nothing was ever certain in the Hunt. But she had to give the little ones some hope. They had just lost their parents today. Perhaps after her work was done, she could return to them.

Adella seemed to be thinking about what she witnessed. But she spoke no words. It was not proper to do so.

Upon departing, the two Hunters left Adella at the Chapel, thinking she would remain as well as she sought safe haven all the same. They walked along the path of the forest and Henryk eventually leaned down to the woman, whispering quietly.

"She's been following us." he told her.

"I know. I've known for a while." Eileen replied.

They eventually stopped and Eileen looked toward a tree.

"Come out of there," she ordered, "I know you're following us."

It took a few moments before Adella appeared from behind the tree. She looked embarrassed and fidgeted with her hands.

"Forgive me," she said, "I...didn't mean to be such a bother."

"What are you still doing here?" Eileen asked, her voice edged with annoyance, "I told you to stay in the Chapel. Enough lingering about, turn and go back."

Adella toyed with her hands a little more. "I'm sorry. I just...feel I could be of better use to you Hunters if I were to accompany you." she said, "I understand that I would not serve a better purpose behind closed doors. But...I also seek a friend of mine. She was lost some time ago."

Henryk looked at Eileen. "Having a Blood Saint accompany us could be of use." he pointed out.

"We have no time to tend to a young nun," Eileen argued, just as quietly. "She will simply get in our way."

"Perhaps you're right..." Henryk agreed.

Adella lowered her eyes. "F-Forgive me. I should return to the Chapel if that is your wish. I don't want to be a bother."

She turned to go, but Eileen's voice halted her. "Wait."

Adella paused.

"You may accompany us, but know this," Eileen warned, "We do not stop for you. We do not wait for you. What you choose to do is of your own volition. But do not waste my time and Henryk's. Understood?"

Adella smiled and nodded. "Y-Yes, of course!" she said, delighted with the decision. "I won't trouble you at all!"

Eileen stared at her for a moment before nodding once.

"A Blood Saint would serve a purpose, perhaps." she finally replied.

Adella brightened and followed the two Hunters.

She felt positively honored to be accompanying them. And now hopefully, with their help, she could find her friend.

O

Eileen was toying with the music box.

Adella watched her quietly from the corner of her eye. They were sitting in an old library while Henryk hunted for something to eat outside. It was too quiet and Adella thought to add something to the conversation, if only to ease the odd air just a little.

"Forgive me, Hunter," she said, "But did you know the woman?"

Eileen looked up at her. "You mean Viola?"

"Yes. You seemed...familiar with the family." Adella said.

When Eileen continued to stare, Adella averted her eyes rather uncomfortably. She hadn't intended to be rude.

"Forgive me, Hunter. I did not mean to presume upon our companionship." she continued, "I thought that conversing a little would be helpful given our current situation."

Eileen was silent and her fingers caressed the music box in a strangely intimate gesture. "Perhaps. Yes...I was familiar with them," she replied, evenly, "I swore to care for the family should something happen to Gascoigne. And now? Now something did. I gave Viola my word that I would care for her and her children. But I've failed. She's dead because I did not carry out my duty."

Adella watched her for a moment. "You loved her."

"What?" Eileen's voice took on a strange note - it was reminiscent of a child who'd been caught doing something they weren't supposed to. Such an odd thing for such an old Hunter.

"It's...worth noticing." Adella said, nervously; she surely insulted the Hunter. "The way you looked at her when she was dying. It was...intimate."

Eileen looked up sharply now at the sound of Henryk approaching. Quite fortunate too as she did not have interest in talking of such matters with the nun.

Because of her mask, Adella could not read Eileen's expressions. She didn't know if she had offended the Hunter, but Eileen did not speak a word to her while they ate a fresh meal of fowl. And she'd chosen to eat her meal alone, away from her.

"I did not intent to offend her," Adella told Henryk, leaning toward him a little to whisper.

The other Hunter shook his head and made a face. "Eileen isn't one to discuss her personal affairs with others." he said. "Think little of her actions. She usually eats alone anyway."

Well, perhaps that was true, but Adella could sense that she had been bothered by her questions.

Once Eileen seemed finished with her meal, she approached them and sat down. They had made a little fire in a metal bucket to keep themselves warm. Adella glanced up at the masked Hunter, apprehensive. She had thought that perhaps apologizing would be good either way, regardless of whether or not Eileen was actually offended. After all, she didn't want to be intrusive on their companionship.

"I hope I did not offend you with my ignorance, Hunter." she said. "I should have known better than to presume."

Eileen didn't look up at her. She seemed intent on staring at the fire.

"Viola should have stayed home," she said, quietly, "But the woman never listened. She thought she could reason with him. I warned her it would come to this eventually. But she still wanted to try."

Henryk lowered his gaze to the fire as well. "He was a good man. Let's remember him as he once was."

"Yes." Eileen agreed.

Adella closed her hands together and began to pray for the fallen Father Gascoigne. The two Hunters near her did not argue the action. It took a few moments before Eileen stared at the music box in her hands. Then, she tossed it into the fire.

Adella reacted only the slightest with surprise, but did not speak on the act.

It was for the best, really.

O

Adella had a nightmare.

She slept alone in the little makeshift bed she had formed out of straw and cloth. The nightmare that came to her was of Beasts wrapping her up in their horrid, filthy bodies; slavering, snarling, teeth snapping. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't even scream.

"Lost little bird!" the Beasts sang, in horrifying, dulcet tones. "Lost little bird who never learned to fly!"

Adella awoke from her horrid dream with a frightened cry. She looked around, but did not see the Hunters she had accompanied. A little worried they had left without her, the nun quickly hurried outside, but found Eileen sitting near a flock of crows.

Curious, the nun approached, spotting the Hunter kneeling down and feeding the animals scraps of bread. How unusual, but it was certainly a charming sight. A smile lit her lips.

"Now, now, don't fight." Eileen chided the birds when one of them snapped its beak at the other. "Share. Or you get nothing, you hear me?"

Adella cleared her throat and Eileen looked up at her. "Oh, you're awake."

"May I?" Adella asked.

Eileen shrugged. "If you wish."

Adella took a seat beside her. She stared at the crows as they pecked the offerings from Eileen's open palm.

"Um...where is Hunter Henryk?" Adella asked.

Eileen gestured with a tip of her head and Adella followed her gesture toward a bush where the other Hunter was in the middle of relieving himself. Adella raised her eyebrows and quickly averted her stare.

"Oh..." she said, suddenly shy.

Eileen chuckled a little at the flighty gesture. "You're a shy one. Is the Healing Church losing its nerve?"

Adella flushed a bit at the joke. Henryk approached them and the crows scattered away at a wave of Eileen's hand.

"Alright. Shall we be off?" he asked.

Adella nodded and rose. Eileen followed suit. The trio continued down the road and entered an abandoned chapel. Eileen informed Adella that they had been tracking a rogue Hunter here who had strayed from his path.

"What do you do with the Hunter?" Adella asked.

Henryk and Eileen looked at her.

"We kill them," Henryk explain to her; it was the truth and they would not lie about that, "This is our purpose. Our sole purpose. A Hunter that defects or loses touch with their mission will die by our blades."

"Like Father Gascoigne?" Adella asked.

"Yes. Like him." Eileen replied.

Adella thought about this, unable to fathom the idea that Hunters would kill one another. It just seemed unheard of to her. As she spent her time in silence thinking about it, the two Hunters made their way down into the dark tunnel.

Henryk rubbed two pieces of paper together and sparked a flame. Carrying it to a piece of wood, he lit it into a torch.

"You Hunters are certainly prepared," Adella said, smiling.

Henryk looked at her. "So, your friend..."

"Yes..." Adella sighed, lowering her eyes. "We were separated at the Cathedral Ward some time ago. I was searching for her. That was when you found me hiding away. I thought we would meet up there, but she never showed."

"Do you believe her to still be alive?" Henryk asked.

Adella hesitated now, thinking about that. Truthfully, she could not be sure. But what would she be if she didn't feel some sort of hope? She had to try and believe someone of her group was still alive. Surely the Hunt couldn't have taken them all.

"Prepare yourself for the worst," Eileen advised the nun. "Most humans are no longer alive in our travels."

Adella didn't reply to that. Eileen wasn't being rude about it. She was simply stating truth. Adella was beginning to notice how blunt the woman was.

They stopped before a set of double-doors. Wooden, singed with evidence of burning. This was the door to Old Yharnam. The smell of dead air and burning Beast flesh filled Adella's nostrils. She recoiled with a sick sound.

Henryk stepped toward a sign and read it aloud. "'Hunters not welcome here'."

He looked back at Eileen. "We've found him."

"Who?" Adella asked.

"Djura. An old Hunter." Eileen explained.

Adella looked at them worriedly. "The warning seems clear. I don't believe he will be eager to meet us."

"You particularly." Eileen told her. "The Healing Church? He clearly shows disdain for you and your ilk. Look."

She pointed at another line that clearly read, "The Healing Church abandoned us" carved on the door. Adella looked frightened by the grim message. Well, that was as clear as ever.

"Perhaps you should wait here," Eileen suggested, "We need the element of surprise on our side should he flee."

"Will he?" Adella asked.

"I don't assume he would. A Hunter - mad or otherwise - will never run from a Hunt." Eileen said. "But you understand my position."

Adella nodded her head. "Very well."

Eileen returned the nod. The two Hunters pushed the doors open and they roared loudly, sure to draw the attention of the Hunter they sought. Henryk closed his eyes with a groan of dismay and Eileen sighed.

Old Yharnam was nothing more than a ghostly city; remnants of the burned buildings nothing more than unsettling, rotting spires in the backdrop of the setting sun. Not a whisper could be heard, save for the faint chatter of what could only be Beasts in the distance.

Henryk and Eileen stepped through the doors, but a loud, male voice halted them.

"You there, Hunters! Didn't you see the warning? Turn back at once."

Henryk pointed to the tower in the distance...and the mounted Gatling Gun near the Hunter who had spoken. Djura was posted at the tower, still wearing the robes he had donned when he pledged his service to the Church.

"Old Yharnam, burned and abandoned by men, is now home only to Beasts." he called, in a bellowing voice that echoed richly through the forsaken town. "They are of no harm to those above. Turn back...or the hunter will face the hunt."

Eileen stared up at him before she took several steps forward.

Djura gave a chuckle and stepped behind the massive Gatling Gun. "You are a skilled hunter; adept, merciless, half-cut with blood as only the best hunters are. Which is why I must stop you!"

Henryk and Eileen took cover behind a pile of rubble as a hell shower of bullets rained down on them. The Hunters looked over at the sight of Adella taking cover with them. Eileen hissed fiercely.

"Adella!" she spat. "Why are you here? I told you to wait by the doors!"

"I would have, but..." Adella said, pointing.

The two looked up at the sight of a Scourge Beast stalking toward them from the doors, jaws dripping of blood and saliva. Eileen took aim and fired a round from her pistol, but the Beast jumped to the left, avoiding the shot.

"Dammit!" Eileen cursed.

Henryk looked down at a cell door. Then, he nodded to Eileen and Adella. "Stay low, quickly!" he said.

The Scourge Beast raised its haunches, a snarl ripped from its throat and it jumped; just as the Hunters dove through the cell door. Eileen reached up, seized Adella by the collar and yanked her down, moments before the Beast could bite her head clean off.

O

"It's so dark!"

"One moment." Henryk said.

Adella's frightened exclamation pierced the dark terrain of the underground city. Old Yharnam was far more vast than any of them remembered it being and a thick, unpleasant-tasting mist filled the air. Then, the faint glow of a torch lit the area they were standing in.

"What do we do now?" Adella asked.

"We go back up," Eileen said, "I'm certain there is a way to that tower."

The group wandered through the darkness, dispatching Beasts who attacked them. But as they made their way into a graveyard, they spotted a man kneeling down in prayer. He was wearing the garb of the Healing Church.

The Executioners.

The man had scruffy sandy-colored hair and long side-burns. His eyes seemed distant and he looked rather exhausted.

He noticed the Hunters and the nun, smiled and stood up.

"Ah, Hunters!" he said, in a friendly voice, "I knew it. That's precisely how I started out!"

Eileen looked down when she felt Adella suddenly move behind her. She was a little surprised by the gesture. Adella was afraid of him?

He smiled and gave a slight bow. "Oh, beg pardon, you may call me Alfred. Protege of Master Logarius, hunter of Vilebloods."

"Alfred." Henryk said. "Pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine as well." His eyes fell onto Adella and the look that crossed his face was rather...concerning. "Ah! A Blood Saint is in your company then? I'm a simple hunter, quite unfamiliar with the ins and outs of the institution. But I have heard that the holy medium of blood healing is venerated in the main cathedral. And that councilors of the old church reside in the high stratum of the Cathedral Ward."

Eileen wasn't sure what it was, but she didn't like the way Alfred looked at Adella. His pupils seemed to show evidence of collapse too, now that she got a good look at him. It was just the smallest show of succumbing to the Blood Sickness.

Alfred continued to smile. "As you know, the Healing Church is the fountainhead of blood healing. If this little nun is among you by choice, then consider her presence a great honor."

Adella tried to smile, but she still looked uneasy by his presence. Eileen was curious by this, but she wouldn't ask right now. She felt her hand close around her pistol, just in case.

"Maybe we could assist one another?" Alfred suggested. "Our prey might differ, but we are hunters, the three of us. Why not cooperate, and discuss the things we've learned?"

"It's a tempting offer, but we work alone," Eileen told him. "Excuse us."

"Very well." Alfred said. "I bid you farewell. May the good blood guide your way."

Adella looked over her shoulder as they walked away. Alfred resumed prayer, but he seemed to scratch away at his scalp in a frantic manner, hissing out a curse. A small laugh escaped him and he showed his teeth, vowing to slaughter the Vilebloods.

A part of her hoped that they would not see him again.

Meanwhile, Djura had been watching the sights below, waiting for the new arrivals to appear should they be foolish enough to do so. He would give them no chance to hurt the Beasts in his care.

He remembered their voices. How they spoke like the people.

"A woman was raped."

Djura was standing there, eye widening when he heard her talk. He saw the Beast Patient sitting there across from him on the stone bridge. Her bandaged face, those sharp teeth and that sad pair of blue eyes watched him.

His vision dimmed somewhat.

He had a headache.

"Did you know?" the Beast asked, studying him. "Before the Hunt, a man of the Cloth raped a woman. I saw it while I hid in the alley. He killed her then and said we did it. Who do you think they believed?"

Djura panted, rubbing his eyes. "A-Are you really talking?" he gasped.

The Beast laughed quietly. "You hear me? Well, how unexpected. None of the other Hunters can. You see now that we are people, even still."

Djura shook his head rapidly. He fell to his knees before the Beast Patient, who watched him with a toothy smile.

"The woman was raped. But he killed her, even when she swore silence." the Beast continued. "He killed her. Chopped her to pieces and then blamed it on Beasts. That's how it works, yes? We get blamed for everything. When my sister was cursed by the Affliction, she tried to hide it from the Church, but they burned her alive. I stayed hidden until my teeth fell out. Then my fingernails. Finally, I couldn't speak. The only sounds were my howls and roars. So I ran and hid away when they burned Old Yharnam to the ground. And still, the Hunters come."

"What... What must I do?" Djura asked, desperately reaching for the Beast.

"Don't let them kill people anymore, Djura." the Beast told him.

O

A crucified creature was strung up in the chapel. Flies buzzed around its corpse and chunks of tattered flesh hung from yellowed bones. Adella stared at the dead thing; its face had been preternaturally morphed between human and Beast. The onyx claws were enormous, nearly the size of her head. Adella could imagine how well they could tear through the flesh of a poor, innocent soul. But what could have killed this creature? Was it the Executioner?

Henryk looked around at the chapel; the windows were cracked, vines ensnared the walls. It was far too quiet here.

"We must move on, we can't linger." he whispered to Eileen.

The nun raised a hand and touched the skin of the creature's arm. The two Hunters walked ahead of her. Just as she started to go, the flimsy rope that had strung up the corpse snapped and the body collapsed loudly in a pile of broken rope, wood and stone.

The sound echoed continuously through the chapel and the two Hunters stared back at Adella. Henryk's eyes were wide and Adella was sure that Eileen was probably just as furious. What followed was eerie silence before a scuttling sound filled the air.

Henryk ducked, just as a Beast Patient lunged at him with a roar. Several more began to pour from cracks in the walls, floors and ceiling.

"Adella, stay back," Eileen ordered.

The Beast Patients stalked toward them and lunged with a chorus of blood-thirsty howls. Eileen and Henryk went to work, dispatching every Beast in their path.

Henryk ducked from a swipe of claws and buried his ax into a Beast skull. Eileen's swords split into two and she carved through bellies, spilling hot blood and innards onto the floor. But with each one they killed, two more took their place. They were swarming toward the humans, snarling and drooling hungrily.

"Dear Gods...there's too many of them!" Eileen gasped.

A Beast Patient dove at her, catching her off balance. Adella picked up a bronze tealight holder and smacked the creature in the head with it, knocking it from the Hunter. It rolled across the floor with a very loud yelp.

Eileen stood up and stared at Adella, who clutched the holder close with a frightened, awkward smile.

"That wasn't necessary, but thank you." the Hunter said.

Henryk noticed a ladder nearby and gesture frantically to them. "Quickly, this way!" he shouted.

They rushed to the ladder and began to climb. Adella was the last behind them; they climbed fast to the top, the Beasts in hot pursuit. Once Eileen was at the top, she reached down to help the nun.

Adella suddenly gave a shriek and Eileen was nearly pulled down as a Beast grabbed the nun's leg, claws clutching the leather of her boots tightly. The added weight made Eileen grunt sharply.

"He's got my foot!" Adella cried.

She kicked out with her other leg, smashing the Beast in the nose several times, but it still held on to her. The wet, sticky sounds from her foot contacting its flesh were sickening. Eileen struggled to hold onto the nun's arm before she reached onto her belt and seized her pistol.

"Adella, lower your head!" she ordered.

When the nun saw her draw her weapon, she did as the Hunter asked. Eileen rested her arm across her back and shoved the pistol into the Beast's mouth. She pulled the trigger and the blast shattered the creature's head into gooey sprays of skull fragments, flesh and blood.

The grip on Adella's boot loosened and the corpse fell to the ground below, where several Beasts jumped to avoid it.

Eileen helped Adella up and they studied her boot to be certain there was no damage to her flesh. The nun removed her boot and sighed with relief when she noticed that the leather was only scratched; the Beast had not grabbed her tight enough to damage her skin and bone.

The nun wasn't really expecting Eileen to fuss over her the way she was; she seemed intent on being sure that she wasn't hurt by studying her leg in every single detail. How interesting seeing as she had been adamant about not having her slow them down.

"Well, you look fine." Eileen said. "Come on then, let's go."

Adella nodded, fitting her boot back on.

The trio came face-to-face with a metal gate and Henryk pushed it open, kicking vines aside in his path. The tower was nearby and there was a ladder. Eileen looked at Adella and spoke sternly.

"Stay here." she said.

Adella nodded.

"I mean it, Adella."

"I will."

Once satisfied with the response, the two Hunters scaled the ladder to the top of the tower. Djura was sitting not too far away, watching the city below in silence. He turned halfway toward the two Hunters.

"Is it the blood, or are you just raving mad?" he said, with a small chuckle.

"There is no honor in this, but it must be done," Eileen told him.

Djura sighed heavily. "There's nothing more horrific than a hunt. In case you've failed to realize..." he told them. "But I see that you cannot be reasoned with." At his side, he drew out his weapon; a stake driver.

"When the frail of heart join the fray...the hunter becomes the hunted!"

O

Djura held his own well against the two Hunters. Despite his old age, he still moved swiftly; dodging swings from Henryk's ax, swipes from Eileen's swords. He didn't seem particularly content with the fight.

Just sad.

"Must we always do this?" he said, kicking Eileen in the ribs. "This senseless fighting? Slaughtering of our own?"

He gave Henryk a swift smack across the face with the end of his blunderbuss, sending the other Hunter to the floor.

"Our own?" Eileen hissed.

"The things you hunt are not Beasts!" Djura spat, as if it should have been obvious, "They are people. They can be saved. Yet you fools slaughter innocent people without pause. And you dare say I have strayed from my path? Hunters protect PEOPLE."

"You're the fool." Eileen told him. "You've gone mad. And the end of my blade is the only cure for you now."

Djura chuckled. "Then come and cure me. For Hunters are the only true Beasts here."

Henryk and Eileen charged for him again.

Adella could hear the sounds of their fight below. She barely made out the sound of Eileen's shout, followed by a grunt of pain. Worried, Adella looked up, wanting to climb the ladder. She started to, hesitated and began to pace on the small wooden bridge.

"No, no, no," she stammered. "What should I do?"

She hesitated only for a few more moments before making her decision. She started climbing the ladder.

Eileen was lying on her side, holding her arm while Henryk began to undo one of her manchette's. Djura was lying in a pool of his own blood, hand draped over a terrible wound in his chest.

"I'm not as swift as I used to be..." Eileen muttered, annoyed and breathless.

"And I am?" Henryk said, laughing.

The two looked over and spotted Adella at the top of the ladder. The nun panted, collapsing onto her side once she reached the tower with them. The couldn't fathom her insanity.

"That's quite...a ladder..." she panted. "I..." Another pant. "Never wish to look at another ladder for as long as I draw breath..."

Eileen sighed, shaking her head. "Don't you ever listen to your elders?" she snapped.

Adella noticed Eileen's terrible wound and she made her way over. Henryk had removed her manchette, revealing the darker skin of her forearm and a terrible slice where Djura's stake had cut her.

"Oh, never mind. The mark is dead." Eileen sighed, with a wave of her good hand in the air She gestured with a flick of her head. "Come here, nun. Let's put your expertise to use."

Adella nodded and made her way over to her. She took Eileen's arm, studying the slice before reaching into her robes.

"It's...nothing too serious," she told the older woman. "Just a Blood treatment and I could stitch it."

Eileen stared down at the hands that touched her, then looked up at Adella.

"Good. Thank you." she said.

Adella smiled shyly. "Of course."

The three looked over when Djura suddenly coughed out a sickening stream of blood. The old Hunter groaned, breathless and weak before he focused his good eye on them. Now that she was closer, Adella could see that his face had been horribly scarred from burns.

"It's you... You're the beast..." he whispered, barely able to move his head, "Can't you see what you're doing? It's madness..."

He let out a thick, sticky chuckle before his body seized and he was still.

"Poor fool." Eileen said, with a sigh and a shake of her head. "He couldn't see things as they really were."

Adella looked at Henryk. "May I have some fire, please?" she asked.

He nodded and struck the paper in his possession, lightning another torch. Adella unraveled a rolled-up medical kit and retrieved a needle. She threaded it and brought the tip to the flame, sterilizing it properly.

Eileen watched her as she worked, but noticed the hesitation in Adella's hand. The nun glanced up at her with concern.

Eileen chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. Just do what you need to do."

Adella nodded hesitantly. "Very well."

She slipped the needle into a slice of skin and the only sounds to be heard afterwards were the squishing of flesh and Adella's breathing. Eileen didn't utter a single noise of pain and just waited for her wound to be properly stitched.

"There." Adella said, gently snipping a spare thread from Eileen's arm. "That should do."

Eileen flexed her arm a few times. "Mm, you've done well. You're not bad at all."

Adella smiled, unable to resist a flush at the compliment. "Thank you, Hunter." she replied.

The three stared down at the decrepit city of Old Yharnam.

It was once a bustling city, but now stood as a reminder of the sins of the Healing Church.

One of many.