What happens when a Magus ends up in the Dream? What if it could get worse? What if it could get better? Lyra Burke is in for a challenge, but the Dream is just the start of her second life.
[Cross-Post SB] A Certain Dreaming Magus [Nasu/Bloodborne/Toaru/Jump]
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1.1 Shattered Truth Arc
New
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
So, yeah... I've cycled through a couple of projects. Tried a Xianxia story... I kind of liked and might go back to at some point. But I've found this idea and fic taking form even before I started writing. I hope you all like it as much as I do.
Some knowledge of Bloodborne may help with the first arc.
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The room was dimly lit, shadows pooling in the corners and stretching across the walls like they had minds of their own. It was strange—no, stupid. Who did delicate work in such poor lighting?
At the center of the room stood a plain wooden workbench, its surface scarred with faint grooves and scratches—a quiet testament to its history. Next to it loomed Father, his figure tall and imposing, a dark silhouette cast against the faint light. I tried to see his face—tried to focus—but the harder I looked, the more his features seemed to smear and dissolve, leaving only a vague impression of his presence.
"Come, Lyra," Father said. His voice was steady but weighted, like a scale tipped with pride and reluctance in equal measure. "This is a very important day for you."
Important. Sure. That was one way to put it.
"Today, I pass our family's Crest to you."
The words sank into me, heavy and hollow. I understood what they meant, but the gravity of them hadn't settled yet. Not really.
My legs felt like lead as I moved toward the workbench, each step dragging me closer to something I didn't fully comprehend. When I reached it, Father's hands were there, steady and sure as they lifted me up. His touch was warm, grounding in a way that didn't match the tension thrumming beneath his skin.
The rough wood pressed against my forearms as I lay on my stomach, the surface worn smooth in some places, splintered in others. I reached back with automatic precision, sweeping my hair to one side to bare the nape of my neck.
The fabric of my sundress slipped down from my shoulders, cool air brushing against my back, followed by the weight of the moment pressing down on me. And then—
Something sharp. Stabbing. Breaking skin.
Pain.
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Pain surged like liquid fire, racing through my spine, burning into every nerve with each shallow breath. I cracked open my eyes, revealing a blurry, poorly lit chamber. Shapes sharpened as the haze receded—a wrecked room. A splintered bookcase, tomes scattered across the floor. Destroyed cabinets, broken beds, an overturned wheelchair. Beside the bed I lay on sat a strange apparatus: an intravenous drip system of some kind, its tubes dangling limply.
My gaze swept over my body—and stopped.
Planted squarely between my budding breasts was a knife. No, not a knife—a crystal blade. Its hilt was smooth and elegant, carved entirely from a clear, luminous crystal, faintly shimmering in the dim light. Ornate etchings ran along its handle, forming designs that seemed to shift if stared at too long. But it didn't matter now. What mattered was the pain.
Throbbing pain became a jagged lake of suffering. My lungs hitched, refusing air. I couldn't breathe! I couldn't— waves of pain flaring through me like a brand pressed against my chest. My hand moved instinctively, fingers closing around the hilt of the knife embedded there.
With a sharp tug, I pulled it free—was it lodged in my heart? The blade shimmered and dissolved into motes of light, leaving nothing behind but an unsettling presence sitting in my mind. A wait in my Armiger, even as the name of the weapon remained veiled by some unknown force. Simply appearing in my mind as 'Crystal Knife'.
Confusion mounted. The wound wasn't gushing blood, and when my trembling fingers brushed over the area, there was no longer a hole—just the sticky remnants of blood staining my vest and the shredded fabric beneath.
Rolling onto my side, I let gravity carry me off the bed. My legs wobbled beneath me as I struggled upright, nearly collapsing before finding balance. The unwelcome sensation of a short skirt brushing against my thighs was a surreal distraction. "What… the hell?" I muttered, glancing down at myself.
This… this wasn't my body. This wasn't me! I-I-I was Lyra... Lyra Burke. Heiress of my family. "Fuck!" The expletive escaped in a breathless gasp.
The agony wasn't just physical—it sank deep, gnawing at my Second Origin. My soul. Disjointed fragments began to align like jagged puzzle pieces. I was Lyra Burke. I— My thoughts snapped like a taut wire. I was dead.
My gaze darted wildly around the room until it caught on a polished silver disc mounted on the wall. A mirror. Staggering toward it, I braced myself on its edge and stared at the reflection.
"That's not me." I breathed out, shock and fear gnawing at me. This wasn't me! I… I didn't want to die, but soul corrosion? That would be so much worse.
"Fuck." Pain flared again, this time splitting behind my eyes. A memory surfaced like a jagged shard piercing through the haze:
A pale figure loomed above me, red eyes like twin voids of malice. The air twisted, unseen forces slamming into my side. My ribs cracked like brittle twigs, and I wheezed, blood bubbling from my lips.
"Tsk." The white-haired demon spat, his voice as cold as his gaze. He turned away, leaving me to the encroaching darkness.
The memory ended, leaving me gasping and sick to my stomach. "Who… was that?" I whispered to no one. The reflection in the mirror offered no answers, only a stark realization.
This wasn't my body, yet it was mine now. I wouldn't suffer soul corrosion, but would that be any better? I was dead, and… and what? In the afterlife? Had those christens been right? The thought galled me.
The reflection though, revealed a young girl, no older than fourteen. Slender and lithe, with faintly toned limbs that suggested agility rather than strength. My wild brown hair tumbled past my shoulders, unkempt and untamed, framing almond-shaped eyes—metallic silver, almost luminous. My skin was too pale, and when I opened my mouth, my teeth were slightly sharper than human.
Frowning, I leaned closer. A mark stood out just above my left brow: a dormant Rune, branded into my skin. Its presence felt ancient, heavy with unspoken purpose.
"A Hunter must Hunt," I murmured. The words fell unbidden from my lips, their meaning veiled in mystery.
Turning from the mirror, I clenched my fists. I was a Magus. Yet, here I was, in the body of a school girl, the outfit did little to help my unraveling composure.
"Okay. Take stock," I muttered, grounding myself.
A crystal knife, useless in combat, lingered in my mind. My Magecraft—specialized in Runes —offered some utility, but my reserves were limited. Experimentally, I cycled Od through my circuits, and sighed in relief as I found I had all thirteen of them, and my family Crest. The latter I had already known, of course, if I didn't have it my Armiger would have been non-existent.
Taking stock of the room again, I found the room offered little, but the intravenous stand by the bed caught my eye. Stripping it down to a simple metal rod required me to use reinforcement to break parts of it off, pumping too much Prana into that section of the object. This gave me a crude weapon, a seventy-five centimeters long iron pipe. It felt awkward in my smaller hands but was better than nothing.
"Now," I muttered, tracing my finger across the pipe, "Gebo(ᚷ), Jera(ᛃ)"
Od churned, and Prana flowed out, and into the pipe. My mystery, alteration, reshaping the length of pipe into a crude sword. Sure, it wasn't pretty, it wasn't even good. But it was better than nothing.
Steam billowed out of my mouth as I continued refining the makeshift blade until it wouldn't shatter the first time it hit something. Then, letting my circuits flick off and my body to start cooling, I steeled myself, and approached the door.
Beyond lay a short, decrepit hallway that opened into a collapsed chapel. Moonlight streamed through broken walls, casting stark shadows over the ruined pews. The altar, improbably intact, held a cluster of burning candles. Above, the brilliant moon loomed impossibly large, its gaze palpable.
An oppressive silence hung over the space, broken only by my hesitant footsteps. My nerves screamed that this was a dangerous place, and every instinct urged me to move. Reaching the massive doors at the far end, I braced myself and tried opening them. When that failed, I used Self-Reinforcement, my circuits activating. The Prana that filled my limbs made pushing open the heavy doors possible, if not easy.
A Beast waited on the other side, its back turned. Emaciated, canine yet grotesquely humanoid, hunched over it stood nearly twice my height. Tattered robes clung to its frame, black fur matted with filth. It turned, asymmetrical horns framing a face that dripped with malevolence.
My heart slammed against my ribs as the creature lunged. I dove aside, barely evading its claws as they gouged into the stone. Terror propelled me down the stairs, past the ruins and into the labyrinthine streets of the city beyond.
Cramped alleys stretched endlessly, cobblestones slick beneath my frantic steps. Ramshackle buildings loomed, walkways bridging the haphazard structures. The air stank of decay, and the gibbering of unseen figures echoed in the dark. Above it all, the moon's baleful light illuminated the chaos.
The sound of pursuit grew closer. A bell tolled endlessly, each chime a harbinger of doom. My sharpened senses caught the crash of something small and fast tearing through the rubble behind me. I burst into a courtyard, my breath ragged, only to be confronted by a figure.
Dressed in dark leathers, a hat shadowing their face, they wielded a weapon that unfolded with a menacing snap. A jagged saw on one side, a cruel blade on the other. Their eyes burned with manic intensity as they charged.
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I gasped, my breath burning in my lungs as I lunged forward from where I had been lying on my back. I- I... I had died? But how—? The mark on my brow drew my attention, pulsing with power, the sensation seeping into me like tendrils of smoke. Alongside it came knowledge, or perhaps more importantly, understanding.
That which marks one of the oldest things: a Hunter. A concept, a reminder, a bane. A Hunter must Hunt. The Rune branded on my flesh was carved into my very soul. Did it replace my Origin?!
The mark granted abilities and partial understanding. I was in the Hunter's Dream now— a sanctuary. I was bound to it, a tether between death and the Hunt. With it, I could will myself to die and wake here, safe and sound.
But there was more. My Magecraft let me see its depths. This was no ordinary Rune; it was a Primordial Rune. Different from the Runes Odin had created, but still primordial. With it, I could strengthen myself—boost my speed, strength, and durability.
"Consuming?" I muttered as I stood and stretched. "No, absorbing, perhaps?"
Looking around, I couldn't help but gawk. White flowers blanketed the ground, their petals shimmering with a faint white luminescence as though touched by moonlight. The air felt unnaturally still, cool yet comforting, carrying a faint metallic tang. Wrought iron fences enclosed the area in a strange, circular rhythm, and beyond them... nothing. Just an endless void shrouded in mist.
"It's like trying to describe a dream," I murmured.
"Of course, young Seeker," Came a serene voice.
I turned sharply, my eyes widening at the sight of the speaker. A figure stood there, tall and slender, with a pale face too smooth to be human. Her alabaster skin gleamed faintly in the moonlight, and her fingers, ending in delicate ball joints, betrayed her artificial nature. She wore a conservative dress of muted colors, her posture demure yet oddly commanding. A homunculus of some fashion?
"Welcome to the Hunter's Dream," She said with a bow of her head. "This is a safe place where you can rest and recover from what ails you. I am but a simple Doll, yet I shall assist you as I assist all Hunters who find their way here."
She was wrong— something about her felt off, as if unseen eyes watched through her. Despite her calm demeanor, unease prickled at the back of my mind.
"Come," The Doll said, motioning up a cobblestone path toward the only structure here: a small, church-like building with steep eaves and weathered stone walls.
We passed a birdbath, its basin crawling with strange, childlike creatures. Pale, wrinkled things with bulbous heads and twisted limbs splashed playfully, their gibbering voices oddly endearing. They didn't feel phantasmal… which worried me.
"Ah, the little ones," the Doll said, noticing my stare. "They are darlings, aren't they?"
I forced a smile. "Y-yeah."
At the top of the path, the Doll stopped. "I will remain outside. Seek me if you need guidance."
"Thank you," I said, the words slipping out before I could second-guess them.
The Doll hesitated, her porcelain features softening with a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Of course, Seeker."
Inside, the workshop felt timeless. Dust motes swirled in the pale light from flickering lanterns. The scent of old leather and metal hung thick in the air. Tools, tomes, and weapons lay scattered across workbenches, their arrangement both chaotic and precise. The floor creaked underfoot, its wooden planks polished smooth by countless steps.
Two figures occupied the room.
"Gehrman, I don't kno—" One of them, a woman, said before snapping her sharp brown eyes toward me. Her black leather outfit gleamed faintly in the light, and a cloak of feathers draped her shoulders. On a nearby altar lay a plague mask, its cold visage watching silently.
The other figure, an elderly man, sat slumped in a wheelchair. White hair spilled from beneath a tophat, and deep wrinkles carved his sagging face. Yet despite his feebleness, his posture radiated quiet danger.
"This is rare," The old man said, his voice gravelly. "But not unheard of. Perhaps we should introduce ourselves, yes?"
The woman nodded stiffly. "I am Eileen the Crow."
"And I am Gehrman," the man said with a weary sigh. "The First Hunter, I suppose."
With a cautious breath, I replied. "I am Lyra Burke, a Magus." There was no reason to hide it, I was dead.
"Magus, you say?" Gehrman asked, leaning forward in his wheelchair, his pale, bony fingers steepling together. His tone was polite, but there was a sharpness in his gaze, like a blade barely sheathed.
In contrast, Eileen bore a doubtful frown. "A Magus? Truly, you expect us to believe you to be some form of mystic?"
Well… I— I wasn't even from the same world as this Dream. Perhaps some form of demonstration? The thought of using a rune flicked through my mind… but instead I reached out, channeling a bit of Prana to cause my shitty sword to slip from my Armiger.
Gehrman chuckled—a dry, brittle sound that was almost a cough. "That might've been more impressive if your weapon weren't such a crude blade, child."
Eileen muttered something under her breath in Japanese, too quiet to make out, though her tone was unimpressed.
I let my shoulders sag for effect, playing up the youthful image my current body projected. "Yeah. Probably."
Shaking her head, Eileen sighed. "Gehrman, there are spare weapons here, aren't there?"
The old man hummed, considering. "Indeed. But I must admit, I'm surprised to see you taking such an interest."
Eileen's body language remained sharp, her arms crossed defensively as her gaze lingered on me. "By no means do I like this. A child drawn into the Hunt? Into the Dream? Even the most seasoned Hunters are barely equipped to face these horrors." Her voice softened, though her tone remained stern. "But if she is here, she must be involved. Doing nothing would be worse than any sin."
"Well said," Gehrman agreed, his tone carrying a weight of finality. Then his eyes shifted back to me, his expression growing solemn. "Still, I must ask, how did you come to be here, Lyra? Few recall the exact circumstances of their arrival in the Dream, but perhaps you...?"
I hesitated. My memories were clear but fragmented, like broken crystals reflecting light at odd angles. "I died," I admitted. "And hail from a world called Gaia. I woke up here. In some slums outside a massive walled city."
Eileen's sharp eyes flicked over me, and for a moment, her expression softened. But then her pragmatic nature reasserted itself. She turned her focus to a pile of equipment and began sorting through it with precise, practiced motions.
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Gehrman watched the girl—no, the child—with an intensity he didn't bother to hide. She was young, even if she carried herself with maturity and confidence. There was no mistaking the Hunter's Mark burned into her flesh, partially obscured by her bangs. He, the First Hunter, could recognize it anywhere.
The sight twisted something deep inside him. A Great One had pulled her into the Hunt. A child. His fingers curled tightly around the arms of his wheelchair as he wrestled with his thoughts.
And yet, the mark had saved her life, after a fashion. She was alive in the Dream, where she might have stayed dead otherwise. Her wide, curious silver eyes shifted between them, carrying the sharpness of a Hunter and the wonder of a child.
Secrets surrounded her, he could tell. Her hesitation with the… sword and what she wasn't saying. But secrets were a Hunter's currency, and Gehrman wasn't the type to pry—at least, not yet.
Teaching her, however bitter the memories it dredged up, was comforting in its way. He explained the nature of the Hunt and the Dream as succinctly as he could, answering her questions with patience. Her lack of fear toward the Old Blood worried him. He couldn't decide if it was admirable or reckless.
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Eileen glanced over her shoulder, watching the girl absorb Gehrman's words. Something about Lyra reminded her of the stories she'd heard as a child—ghosts of warriors wandering the edges of dreams, tethered to their battles even in death. This place, Yharnam, was far from normal, and the Dream even more so.
Shaking the thought aside, she laid out a set of Hunter's garb that looked like it might fit Lyra's smaller frame. Alongside it, she placed several weapons, each one carefully inspected before being added to the pile.
"This should suffice," Eileen said, her voice curt. She paused, hesitating briefly before adding, "I won't be staying long. I have my own Hunt to return to. But while I am here, I will help train you. As much as I can."
Gehrman nodded in approval, though his gaze remained fixed on Lyra. "A wise choice. She'll need every advantage she can get."
Lyra looked between them, her silver eyes gleaming with determination. "Thank you," she said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
Eileen didn't reply, but a faint smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth.
************************************************************
"So… let me get this straight." My gaze shifted to the altar where Gehrman had laid out the runes. "These Caryll Runes… they're the embodiments of the Great Ones' language?"
"Hmm. Yes," Gehrman replied with a slow nod. "Each rune encapsulates the essence of their thought, their will. As you can see, Eileen has uncovered a fair few, but one's mind and body can only handle so many at a time."
The runes were fascinating, etched in cryptic strokes that seemed to pulse faintly with their own energy. I couldn't help but compare them to the Primordial Runes I'd grown up using pale imitations of. These were eerily similar in principle, but they were here. Tangible.
"Oh?" Eileen's voice cut in, startling me. I hadn't even heard her move behind me. "Those? Use any you wish. My set is already fixed, so you won't be taking from me. It might make your Hunt... bearable." She stepped closer, holding up a pair of slacks to eye level. "Now hold still. I need to compare sizes."
I raised an eyebrow at the sudden shift in topic. Pants? Finally, something practical. "I'm guessing the skirt's not exactly ideal for this line of work?"
Eileen didn't dignify that with a response, just sighed and shot a glance at Gehrman. "Maybe you should spend some time in the garden."
Gehrman raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. They seemed to share a silent conversation before he wheeled himself toward the back door with a resigned sigh. "Fresh air might do me good, at that."
As the door clicked shut, Eileen turned to me with a critical look. "Alright, out of that skirt. It's hardly going to protect you."
I pursed my lips but complied, peeling off the skirt and even my shirt. As I stood there, I caught a glimpse of myself in a warped mirror propped against the wall. My heart sank. Where were my abs? My boobs! I was practically a washboard!
"That'll do," Eileen muttered, tossing the slacks my way. "Put these on, so we can size them better. I don't have all day."
It took hours, but by the end of it, I had an entirely new outfit. The slacks fit surprisingly well, paired with sturdy leather shoes that felt durable enough to handle anything the Hunt could throw at me. I'd insisted on a dress shirt instead of a blouse, layered with a red vest that felt oddly dashing.
Eileen, of course, had her opinions. She'd been adamant about suspenders and to let them hang loose at my sides—and a long, thick leather coat I'd begrudgingly accepted. The mantle she suggested originally had been discarded immediately, to her visible annoyance.
She stepped back, giving me a once-over before motioning to the pile of weapons she'd laid out earlier. "Well? See anything you like?"
I crouched next to the pile, frowning. The weapons were massive—clearly sized for adults. I lingered on the cane, a 'threaded-cane' I somehow knew. It was a stabbing weapon, or a whip… depending on how you used it. My eyes drifted to the corner, where a straight blade rested, half-buried under scraps of leather. "What about that one?"
Eileen followed my gaze and sighed. "That? Some Hunter left it behind. It's nothing special. Just a sword."
I picked it up and tested the weight. It was heavier than I'd like, but manageable—a single-handed sword. I drew the blade from its sheath, and my breath caught.
It was beautiful. The seventy-centimeter blade rippled with wave-like patterns along its edges, each crest forming a sharp point. My fingers tightened around the hilt, and a small smile tugged at my lips. "This will do wonderfully."
Eileen crossed her arms, unimpressed. "I'm not convinced it'll do much against a Beast. Are you sure about that?"
She had a point. I didn't exactly have the strength to wield a gun properly- Not these ridiculous ones anyway- let alone swing a blade with precision. My arms were noodles, and that was a problem. But problems could be solved. "We still have thread, right? And do you have any stone?"
Eileen blinked, tilting her head. "For what?"
"Rune stones. Projectiles. I could carve some runes into them and use them to supplement my arsenal."
Her expression shifted between skepticism and curiosity. "Getting some stone should be easy enough. How many?"
I thought back to the crumbling bricks I'd seen near the chapel. "One of the bricks they use for building should work fine."
Eileen wrinkled her nose but nodded. "I'll bring one back. In the meantime, get a feel for that sword. You'll need it."
I looked down at the blade in my hands, its weight grounding me in the moment. On impulse, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around Eileen in a quick hug. It… it felt good.
"What—" She started, her body tensing in surprise. Then she relaxed, letting out a soft breath. A faint smile entered her voice. "Ah… um… thank you?"
I looked up, meeting her fragile smile with one of my own. "Stay safe out there, Eileen."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Thank you, Lyra. I will." Her voice wavered slightly, but her steps were lighter as she turned and left.
I waited a moment longer before sighing. It felt strange, playing up the happy child act. But if I could ease her burden, even a little? It was worth it. Eileen was good people.
Some knowledge of Bloodborne may help with the first arc.
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The room was dimly lit, shadows pooling in the corners and stretching across the walls like they had minds of their own. It was strange—no, stupid. Who did delicate work in such poor lighting?
At the center of the room stood a plain wooden workbench, its surface scarred with faint grooves and scratches—a quiet testament to its history. Next to it loomed Father, his figure tall and imposing, a dark silhouette cast against the faint light. I tried to see his face—tried to focus—but the harder I looked, the more his features seemed to smear and dissolve, leaving only a vague impression of his presence.
"Come, Lyra," Father said. His voice was steady but weighted, like a scale tipped with pride and reluctance in equal measure. "This is a very important day for you."
Important. Sure. That was one way to put it.
"Today, I pass our family's Crest to you."
The words sank into me, heavy and hollow. I understood what they meant, but the gravity of them hadn't settled yet. Not really.
My legs felt like lead as I moved toward the workbench, each step dragging me closer to something I didn't fully comprehend. When I reached it, Father's hands were there, steady and sure as they lifted me up. His touch was warm, grounding in a way that didn't match the tension thrumming beneath his skin.
The rough wood pressed against my forearms as I lay on my stomach, the surface worn smooth in some places, splintered in others. I reached back with automatic precision, sweeping my hair to one side to bare the nape of my neck.
The fabric of my sundress slipped down from my shoulders, cool air brushing against my back, followed by the weight of the moment pressing down on me. And then—
Something sharp. Stabbing. Breaking skin.
Pain.
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Pain surged like liquid fire, racing through my spine, burning into every nerve with each shallow breath. I cracked open my eyes, revealing a blurry, poorly lit chamber. Shapes sharpened as the haze receded—a wrecked room. A splintered bookcase, tomes scattered across the floor. Destroyed cabinets, broken beds, an overturned wheelchair. Beside the bed I lay on sat a strange apparatus: an intravenous drip system of some kind, its tubes dangling limply.
My gaze swept over my body—and stopped.
Planted squarely between my budding breasts was a knife. No, not a knife—a crystal blade. Its hilt was smooth and elegant, carved entirely from a clear, luminous crystal, faintly shimmering in the dim light. Ornate etchings ran along its handle, forming designs that seemed to shift if stared at too long. But it didn't matter now. What mattered was the pain.
Throbbing pain became a jagged lake of suffering. My lungs hitched, refusing air. I couldn't breathe! I couldn't— waves of pain flaring through me like a brand pressed against my chest. My hand moved instinctively, fingers closing around the hilt of the knife embedded there.
With a sharp tug, I pulled it free—was it lodged in my heart? The blade shimmered and dissolved into motes of light, leaving nothing behind but an unsettling presence sitting in my mind. A wait in my Armiger, even as the name of the weapon remained veiled by some unknown force. Simply appearing in my mind as 'Crystal Knife'.
Confusion mounted. The wound wasn't gushing blood, and when my trembling fingers brushed over the area, there was no longer a hole—just the sticky remnants of blood staining my vest and the shredded fabric beneath.
Rolling onto my side, I let gravity carry me off the bed. My legs wobbled beneath me as I struggled upright, nearly collapsing before finding balance. The unwelcome sensation of a short skirt brushing against my thighs was a surreal distraction. "What… the hell?" I muttered, glancing down at myself.
This… this wasn't my body. This wasn't me! I-I-I was Lyra... Lyra Burke. Heiress of my family. "Fuck!" The expletive escaped in a breathless gasp.
The agony wasn't just physical—it sank deep, gnawing at my Second Origin. My soul. Disjointed fragments began to align like jagged puzzle pieces. I was Lyra Burke. I— My thoughts snapped like a taut wire. I was dead.
My gaze darted wildly around the room until it caught on a polished silver disc mounted on the wall. A mirror. Staggering toward it, I braced myself on its edge and stared at the reflection.
"That's not me." I breathed out, shock and fear gnawing at me. This wasn't me! I… I didn't want to die, but soul corrosion? That would be so much worse.
"Fuck." Pain flared again, this time splitting behind my eyes. A memory surfaced like a jagged shard piercing through the haze:
A pale figure loomed above me, red eyes like twin voids of malice. The air twisted, unseen forces slamming into my side. My ribs cracked like brittle twigs, and I wheezed, blood bubbling from my lips.
"Tsk." The white-haired demon spat, his voice as cold as his gaze. He turned away, leaving me to the encroaching darkness.
The memory ended, leaving me gasping and sick to my stomach. "Who… was that?" I whispered to no one. The reflection in the mirror offered no answers, only a stark realization.
This wasn't my body, yet it was mine now. I wouldn't suffer soul corrosion, but would that be any better? I was dead, and… and what? In the afterlife? Had those christens been right? The thought galled me.
The reflection though, revealed a young girl, no older than fourteen. Slender and lithe, with faintly toned limbs that suggested agility rather than strength. My wild brown hair tumbled past my shoulders, unkempt and untamed, framing almond-shaped eyes—metallic silver, almost luminous. My skin was too pale, and when I opened my mouth, my teeth were slightly sharper than human.
Frowning, I leaned closer. A mark stood out just above my left brow: a dormant Rune, branded into my skin. Its presence felt ancient, heavy with unspoken purpose.
"A Hunter must Hunt," I murmured. The words fell unbidden from my lips, their meaning veiled in mystery.
Turning from the mirror, I clenched my fists. I was a Magus. Yet, here I was, in the body of a school girl, the outfit did little to help my unraveling composure.
"Okay. Take stock," I muttered, grounding myself.
A crystal knife, useless in combat, lingered in my mind. My Magecraft—specialized in Runes —offered some utility, but my reserves were limited. Experimentally, I cycled Od through my circuits, and sighed in relief as I found I had all thirteen of them, and my family Crest. The latter I had already known, of course, if I didn't have it my Armiger would have been non-existent.
Taking stock of the room again, I found the room offered little, but the intravenous stand by the bed caught my eye. Stripping it down to a simple metal rod required me to use reinforcement to break parts of it off, pumping too much Prana into that section of the object. This gave me a crude weapon, a seventy-five centimeters long iron pipe. It felt awkward in my smaller hands but was better than nothing.
"Now," I muttered, tracing my finger across the pipe, "Gebo(ᚷ), Jera(ᛃ)"
Od churned, and Prana flowed out, and into the pipe. My mystery, alteration, reshaping the length of pipe into a crude sword. Sure, it wasn't pretty, it wasn't even good. But it was better than nothing.
Steam billowed out of my mouth as I continued refining the makeshift blade until it wouldn't shatter the first time it hit something. Then, letting my circuits flick off and my body to start cooling, I steeled myself, and approached the door.
Beyond lay a short, decrepit hallway that opened into a collapsed chapel. Moonlight streamed through broken walls, casting stark shadows over the ruined pews. The altar, improbably intact, held a cluster of burning candles. Above, the brilliant moon loomed impossibly large, its gaze palpable.
An oppressive silence hung over the space, broken only by my hesitant footsteps. My nerves screamed that this was a dangerous place, and every instinct urged me to move. Reaching the massive doors at the far end, I braced myself and tried opening them. When that failed, I used Self-Reinforcement, my circuits activating. The Prana that filled my limbs made pushing open the heavy doors possible, if not easy.
A Beast waited on the other side, its back turned. Emaciated, canine yet grotesquely humanoid, hunched over it stood nearly twice my height. Tattered robes clung to its frame, black fur matted with filth. It turned, asymmetrical horns framing a face that dripped with malevolence.
My heart slammed against my ribs as the creature lunged. I dove aside, barely evading its claws as they gouged into the stone. Terror propelled me down the stairs, past the ruins and into the labyrinthine streets of the city beyond.
Cramped alleys stretched endlessly, cobblestones slick beneath my frantic steps. Ramshackle buildings loomed, walkways bridging the haphazard structures. The air stank of decay, and the gibbering of unseen figures echoed in the dark. Above it all, the moon's baleful light illuminated the chaos.
The sound of pursuit grew closer. A bell tolled endlessly, each chime a harbinger of doom. My sharpened senses caught the crash of something small and fast tearing through the rubble behind me. I burst into a courtyard, my breath ragged, only to be confronted by a figure.
Dressed in dark leathers, a hat shadowing their face, they wielded a weapon that unfolded with a menacing snap. A jagged saw on one side, a cruel blade on the other. Their eyes burned with manic intensity as they charged.
********************************************************
I gasped, my breath burning in my lungs as I lunged forward from where I had been lying on my back. I- I... I had died? But how—? The mark on my brow drew my attention, pulsing with power, the sensation seeping into me like tendrils of smoke. Alongside it came knowledge, or perhaps more importantly, understanding.
That which marks one of the oldest things: a Hunter. A concept, a reminder, a bane. A Hunter must Hunt. The Rune branded on my flesh was carved into my very soul. Did it replace my Origin?!
The mark granted abilities and partial understanding. I was in the Hunter's Dream now— a sanctuary. I was bound to it, a tether between death and the Hunt. With it, I could will myself to die and wake here, safe and sound.
But there was more. My Magecraft let me see its depths. This was no ordinary Rune; it was a Primordial Rune. Different from the Runes Odin had created, but still primordial. With it, I could strengthen myself—boost my speed, strength, and durability.
"Consuming?" I muttered as I stood and stretched. "No, absorbing, perhaps?"
Looking around, I couldn't help but gawk. White flowers blanketed the ground, their petals shimmering with a faint white luminescence as though touched by moonlight. The air felt unnaturally still, cool yet comforting, carrying a faint metallic tang. Wrought iron fences enclosed the area in a strange, circular rhythm, and beyond them... nothing. Just an endless void shrouded in mist.
"It's like trying to describe a dream," I murmured.
"Of course, young Seeker," Came a serene voice.
I turned sharply, my eyes widening at the sight of the speaker. A figure stood there, tall and slender, with a pale face too smooth to be human. Her alabaster skin gleamed faintly in the moonlight, and her fingers, ending in delicate ball joints, betrayed her artificial nature. She wore a conservative dress of muted colors, her posture demure yet oddly commanding. A homunculus of some fashion?
"Welcome to the Hunter's Dream," She said with a bow of her head. "This is a safe place where you can rest and recover from what ails you. I am but a simple Doll, yet I shall assist you as I assist all Hunters who find their way here."
She was wrong— something about her felt off, as if unseen eyes watched through her. Despite her calm demeanor, unease prickled at the back of my mind.
"Come," The Doll said, motioning up a cobblestone path toward the only structure here: a small, church-like building with steep eaves and weathered stone walls.
We passed a birdbath, its basin crawling with strange, childlike creatures. Pale, wrinkled things with bulbous heads and twisted limbs splashed playfully, their gibbering voices oddly endearing. They didn't feel phantasmal… which worried me.
"Ah, the little ones," the Doll said, noticing my stare. "They are darlings, aren't they?"
I forced a smile. "Y-yeah."
At the top of the path, the Doll stopped. "I will remain outside. Seek me if you need guidance."
"Thank you," I said, the words slipping out before I could second-guess them.
The Doll hesitated, her porcelain features softening with a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Of course, Seeker."
Inside, the workshop felt timeless. Dust motes swirled in the pale light from flickering lanterns. The scent of old leather and metal hung thick in the air. Tools, tomes, and weapons lay scattered across workbenches, their arrangement both chaotic and precise. The floor creaked underfoot, its wooden planks polished smooth by countless steps.
Two figures occupied the room.
"Gehrman, I don't kno—" One of them, a woman, said before snapping her sharp brown eyes toward me. Her black leather outfit gleamed faintly in the light, and a cloak of feathers draped her shoulders. On a nearby altar lay a plague mask, its cold visage watching silently.
The other figure, an elderly man, sat slumped in a wheelchair. White hair spilled from beneath a tophat, and deep wrinkles carved his sagging face. Yet despite his feebleness, his posture radiated quiet danger.
"This is rare," The old man said, his voice gravelly. "But not unheard of. Perhaps we should introduce ourselves, yes?"
The woman nodded stiffly. "I am Eileen the Crow."
"And I am Gehrman," the man said with a weary sigh. "The First Hunter, I suppose."
With a cautious breath, I replied. "I am Lyra Burke, a Magus." There was no reason to hide it, I was dead.
"Magus, you say?" Gehrman asked, leaning forward in his wheelchair, his pale, bony fingers steepling together. His tone was polite, but there was a sharpness in his gaze, like a blade barely sheathed.
In contrast, Eileen bore a doubtful frown. "A Magus? Truly, you expect us to believe you to be some form of mystic?"
Well… I— I wasn't even from the same world as this Dream. Perhaps some form of demonstration? The thought of using a rune flicked through my mind… but instead I reached out, channeling a bit of Prana to cause my shitty sword to slip from my Armiger.
Gehrman chuckled—a dry, brittle sound that was almost a cough. "That might've been more impressive if your weapon weren't such a crude blade, child."
Eileen muttered something under her breath in Japanese, too quiet to make out, though her tone was unimpressed.
I let my shoulders sag for effect, playing up the youthful image my current body projected. "Yeah. Probably."
Shaking her head, Eileen sighed. "Gehrman, there are spare weapons here, aren't there?"
The old man hummed, considering. "Indeed. But I must admit, I'm surprised to see you taking such an interest."
Eileen's body language remained sharp, her arms crossed defensively as her gaze lingered on me. "By no means do I like this. A child drawn into the Hunt? Into the Dream? Even the most seasoned Hunters are barely equipped to face these horrors." Her voice softened, though her tone remained stern. "But if she is here, she must be involved. Doing nothing would be worse than any sin."
"Well said," Gehrman agreed, his tone carrying a weight of finality. Then his eyes shifted back to me, his expression growing solemn. "Still, I must ask, how did you come to be here, Lyra? Few recall the exact circumstances of their arrival in the Dream, but perhaps you...?"
I hesitated. My memories were clear but fragmented, like broken crystals reflecting light at odd angles. "I died," I admitted. "And hail from a world called Gaia. I woke up here. In some slums outside a massive walled city."
Eileen's sharp eyes flicked over me, and for a moment, her expression softened. But then her pragmatic nature reasserted itself. She turned her focus to a pile of equipment and began sorting through it with precise, practiced motions.
**************************************************************
Gehrman watched the girl—no, the child—with an intensity he didn't bother to hide. She was young, even if she carried herself with maturity and confidence. There was no mistaking the Hunter's Mark burned into her flesh, partially obscured by her bangs. He, the First Hunter, could recognize it anywhere.
The sight twisted something deep inside him. A Great One had pulled her into the Hunt. A child. His fingers curled tightly around the arms of his wheelchair as he wrestled with his thoughts.
And yet, the mark had saved her life, after a fashion. She was alive in the Dream, where she might have stayed dead otherwise. Her wide, curious silver eyes shifted between them, carrying the sharpness of a Hunter and the wonder of a child.
Secrets surrounded her, he could tell. Her hesitation with the… sword and what she wasn't saying. But secrets were a Hunter's currency, and Gehrman wasn't the type to pry—at least, not yet.
Teaching her, however bitter the memories it dredged up, was comforting in its way. He explained the nature of the Hunt and the Dream as succinctly as he could, answering her questions with patience. Her lack of fear toward the Old Blood worried him. He couldn't decide if it was admirable or reckless.
****************************************************************
Eileen glanced over her shoulder, watching the girl absorb Gehrman's words. Something about Lyra reminded her of the stories she'd heard as a child—ghosts of warriors wandering the edges of dreams, tethered to their battles even in death. This place, Yharnam, was far from normal, and the Dream even more so.
Shaking the thought aside, she laid out a set of Hunter's garb that looked like it might fit Lyra's smaller frame. Alongside it, she placed several weapons, each one carefully inspected before being added to the pile.
"This should suffice," Eileen said, her voice curt. She paused, hesitating briefly before adding, "I won't be staying long. I have my own Hunt to return to. But while I am here, I will help train you. As much as I can."
Gehrman nodded in approval, though his gaze remained fixed on Lyra. "A wise choice. She'll need every advantage she can get."
Lyra looked between them, her silver eyes gleaming with determination. "Thank you," she said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
Eileen didn't reply, but a faint smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth.
************************************************************
"So… let me get this straight." My gaze shifted to the altar where Gehrman had laid out the runes. "These Caryll Runes… they're the embodiments of the Great Ones' language?"
"Hmm. Yes," Gehrman replied with a slow nod. "Each rune encapsulates the essence of their thought, their will. As you can see, Eileen has uncovered a fair few, but one's mind and body can only handle so many at a time."
The runes were fascinating, etched in cryptic strokes that seemed to pulse faintly with their own energy. I couldn't help but compare them to the Primordial Runes I'd grown up using pale imitations of. These were eerily similar in principle, but they were here. Tangible.
"Oh?" Eileen's voice cut in, startling me. I hadn't even heard her move behind me. "Those? Use any you wish. My set is already fixed, so you won't be taking from me. It might make your Hunt... bearable." She stepped closer, holding up a pair of slacks to eye level. "Now hold still. I need to compare sizes."
I raised an eyebrow at the sudden shift in topic. Pants? Finally, something practical. "I'm guessing the skirt's not exactly ideal for this line of work?"
Eileen didn't dignify that with a response, just sighed and shot a glance at Gehrman. "Maybe you should spend some time in the garden."
Gehrman raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. They seemed to share a silent conversation before he wheeled himself toward the back door with a resigned sigh. "Fresh air might do me good, at that."
As the door clicked shut, Eileen turned to me with a critical look. "Alright, out of that skirt. It's hardly going to protect you."
I pursed my lips but complied, peeling off the skirt and even my shirt. As I stood there, I caught a glimpse of myself in a warped mirror propped against the wall. My heart sank. Where were my abs? My boobs! I was practically a washboard!
"That'll do," Eileen muttered, tossing the slacks my way. "Put these on, so we can size them better. I don't have all day."
It took hours, but by the end of it, I had an entirely new outfit. The slacks fit surprisingly well, paired with sturdy leather shoes that felt durable enough to handle anything the Hunt could throw at me. I'd insisted on a dress shirt instead of a blouse, layered with a red vest that felt oddly dashing.
Eileen, of course, had her opinions. She'd been adamant about suspenders and to let them hang loose at my sides—and a long, thick leather coat I'd begrudgingly accepted. The mantle she suggested originally had been discarded immediately, to her visible annoyance.
She stepped back, giving me a once-over before motioning to the pile of weapons she'd laid out earlier. "Well? See anything you like?"
I crouched next to the pile, frowning. The weapons were massive—clearly sized for adults. I lingered on the cane, a 'threaded-cane' I somehow knew. It was a stabbing weapon, or a whip… depending on how you used it. My eyes drifted to the corner, where a straight blade rested, half-buried under scraps of leather. "What about that one?"
Eileen followed my gaze and sighed. "That? Some Hunter left it behind. It's nothing special. Just a sword."
I picked it up and tested the weight. It was heavier than I'd like, but manageable—a single-handed sword. I drew the blade from its sheath, and my breath caught.
It was beautiful. The seventy-centimeter blade rippled with wave-like patterns along its edges, each crest forming a sharp point. My fingers tightened around the hilt, and a small smile tugged at my lips. "This will do wonderfully."
Eileen crossed her arms, unimpressed. "I'm not convinced it'll do much against a Beast. Are you sure about that?"
She had a point. I didn't exactly have the strength to wield a gun properly- Not these ridiculous ones anyway- let alone swing a blade with precision. My arms were noodles, and that was a problem. But problems could be solved. "We still have thread, right? And do you have any stone?"
Eileen blinked, tilting her head. "For what?"
"Rune stones. Projectiles. I could carve some runes into them and use them to supplement my arsenal."
Her expression shifted between skepticism and curiosity. "Getting some stone should be easy enough. How many?"
I thought back to the crumbling bricks I'd seen near the chapel. "One of the bricks they use for building should work fine."
Eileen wrinkled her nose but nodded. "I'll bring one back. In the meantime, get a feel for that sword. You'll need it."
I looked down at the blade in my hands, its weight grounding me in the moment. On impulse, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around Eileen in a quick hug. It… it felt good.
"What—" She started, her body tensing in surprise. Then she relaxed, letting out a soft breath. A faint smile entered her voice. "Ah… um… thank you?"
I looked up, meeting her fragile smile with one of my own. "Stay safe out there, Eileen."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Thank you, Lyra. I will." Her voice wavered slightly, but her steps were lighter as she turned and left.
I waited a moment longer before sighing. It felt strange, playing up the happy child act. But if I could ease her burden, even a little? It was worth it. Eileen was good people.
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1.2 Shattered Truth Arc
New
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
Instead of immediately practicing like Eileen wanted me to, I grabbed the needle and thread, pricking myself and running the thread through my blood as I set about making a tight embroidery of Runes. It wasn't an overly impressive array; I knew there were better… but this was the best my family had devised so far.
Eventually, I was done and able to head outside to try swinging my new sword. The array activated once I ran a small bit of Prana into it- much more efficient than reinforcement- but wielding the sword was still awkward, made a little more so by my audience: the Doll and several of the emaciated baby things. But as I worked through drills, I found myself smiling. This would do fine.
The sword, once I stowed it in my Armiger, and it was just small enough to fit with the Crystal Knife, I found to be called the 'Rippled Edge Tsurugi'.
"This is going to take so much work." I couldn't help but lament as I rolled my shoulders. First I would have to build muscle memory, then I would need to… well, work on building strength.
The little ones and the Doll were, however, clapping. "A wonderful display. I am sure you will be a capable Hunter in no time, Seeker."
That had me pausing... what? I hadn't done anything impressive… had I? No, no I hadn't… was the Doll just being unreasonably positive? Yes, that made sense... right, didn't Eileen say I could use the Caryll Rune brands? I should do that... but, how did they work?
I glanced at the garden before turning back to the Doll. "Do you know how the Caryll Runes are supposed to work?"
"Of course, Seeker," She replied placidly.
Nodding, I motioned to the workshop and asked, "Then would you be willing to help me— I guess apply some?"
"Oh..." She breathed out, head cocking in a way that seemed indecisive. "Well, I suppose there is no harm in it."
I ran through a quick set of cooldown stretches before heading back to the workshop, and the Doll followed behind me, seeming hesitant. Then she stopped at the threshold of the workshop, visibly working up her courage before stepping inside. She looked around with mild interest and… maybe wonder?
Had she never been in here? That seemed... strange.
She wandered around for a moment, looking at everything and running a hand over a shelf. Somehow, I got the feeling she was sneering?
Then she reached the Altar. "Come, come, good Seeker, which Runes did you wish to imbue into your mind?"
That was a good question, but... "I can bear four of them?"
The Doll gently shook her head. "No, you already bear one Rune within your mind. For some reason, your Covenant Rune is already set."
I reached up to my face, running my fingers over the Hunter's Mark. "I see... Then... Maybe— No, I don't know enough about these Runes... Do you have any suggestions?"
The Doll seemed taken aback by my question, but stood stock still for a long moment as she seemed to weigh things. Then she spoke in her soft and gentle voice. "Communion, the Moon, and the Eye. They should aid you the most."
Huh... "Could you elaborate?"
The Doll inclined her head slightly, her voice remaining serene as she explained. "Communion represents the power of blood, enhancing your capacity related to healing blood. The Moon is tied to providence and fortune; it will bolster your efforts to gather what you need from the beasts you slay. Finally, the Eye sharpens your perception of the eldritch, aiding in your understanding and attunement to the unseen. Together, they should offer balance and strength to a Seeker such as yourself."
Hmm... "Alright, sure," I agreed, watching as she lit a small burner and placed the three brands over it.
"We must wait until the brands are hot, but once they are, we may begin," The Doll explained, like she was just making tea— and it didn't take more than a minute for the brands to turn cherry red with heat... something I knew wasn't natural.
The Doll picked up the first brand, Communion, and gave me her normal smile. But there was something very not Doll-like behind her eyes. Was it anticipation? Amusement maybe? Was she finding joy at whatever was about to befall me?
"Now, focus on the brand. Let the image sear itself into your mind," She whispered, and her words washed me away as she moved the brand closer and closer to my face-
All I knew was pain. Pain and the void of space, the stars dancing in the distance. Great beings turned to examine me, but I was of little interest, little consequence.
Yet one of them spoke, the words burning through my mind like fire and lightning. "Seek. Forgotten. Grave."
**************************************************************
I snapped out of the... the communion, my brain burning and my back feeling as if liquid iron had been poured onto it.
But... what? What happened? I- Blinking owlishly, I found I was laying face down, my head on Eileen's lap. How? Why? When?
"Are you ok?" Eileen asked, voice soft. "I returned to find you laying on the floor… and the Doll… well." She motioned at the Doll, who was slowly moving around the Workshop, wiping away dust, and organizing the tomes. She seemed oddly happy to be doing that. "She claims you collapsed once you took on the Caryll Runes. But I've never seen them be physically branded on a person. And… where did you get this tattoo? It wasn't on your back earlier."
What? On the other hand… despite the pain, this was kind of comfortable.
A shiver ran over my body as Eileen's fingers lightly traced the lines on my back. Her touch was clinical, yet my brain screamed that it was too intimate. "That's my family's Magic Crest," I muttered, voice low. "It holds generations of knowledge and fragments of power from its past bearers. The cumulation of our achievements. But… you're saying the Caryll Runes are part of it now?"
"Yes," Eileen replied, her tone steady but laced with curiosity. "They're branded into three of the nine circles. The others remain blank."
My heart skipped a beat. My family's Crest—my connection to them—had changed? Frantically, I reached out mentally, probing the Crest's core. Relief flooded me as I found the knowledge intact, untouched. But the Runes' presence loomed, foreign… wealth of lore.
"Ok." I muttered, then tried to get up only for the pain to have me giving up. It was bad, but not quite as bad as when I was adjusting to the family's Crest. I just needed to wait and… yes, that would be a-
"Would you like me to use a Blood Vial?" Eileen offered, "It should be able to heal this up, and then you can show me these rune stones you mentioned?"
Blood Vials? What were those supposed to- wait, Gehrman said something about those… Blood Ministration? No, but something close to it. Some way to heal wounds. "Um, sure."
The feeling of a needle punching through my flesh was less than welcome, but it was quickly washed away by the truly euphoric sensation of… something pouring into my body. As the liquid coursed through me, a warm rush surged from my back to my fingertips and down to the tips of my toes. It was euphoric, like stepping into a sunbeam after a lifetime in shadow, leaving me energized and whole. My back stopped hurting and in moments I felt better than I could remember feeling except when I was- Er…
Sitting up, I found I was shirtless, and quickly pulled back on my sports bra, then my shirt and finally the vest… Yeah, ok. Let's do this. "Ok, I need… oh, there's the brick."
I pushed myself upright, my muscles still aching but functional. My eyes fell on the workbench nearby, its clutter offering a strange sense of comfort.
It was a massive slab of dark wood, pitted and scarred from years of use. It was cluttered with files, hammers, and an array of alchemical instruments, their brass fittings gleaming faintly in the light of a flickering lantern mounted on the wall above.
Drawers built into the bench held countless oddities, and as I rummaged through them, I found a delicate chisel meant for detail work… but not one good enough to split this stone. But did that matter? I could just…
I reached out, dragging my finger over the brick, Gebo(ᚷ) followed by Jera(ᛃ) and… well, the brick was intersected by a grid of silver energy and fell apart into little slats of stone. Each one with smooth surfaces and rounded edges and corners.
"I- huh, that was surprisingly impressive." Eileen muttered, "I honestly wasn't expecting much from this… magic you practice."
"Magecraft." I corrected absently, "It's the reproduction of mysteries. The recreation of miracles, I guess. Magic is… well, there are only five true magic left."
To my surprise, it wasn't Eileen who voiced interest, but the Doll. She had stopped her cleaning, her head tilted slightly, and her soft, melodic voice asked, "What are these True Magics?"
I hesitated, carving the first rune into a stone to buy time. "The First True Magic is the Denial of Nothing. It's the ability to create something from nothing. The Second is the Operation of Parallel Worlds, connecting or even traveling between them. The Third is Heaven's Feel, materializing a soul into the physical world." I paused, etching another rune. "The Fourth is unknown—we call it the Blue. And the Fifth is the Manipulation of Time."
The Doll's eyes seemed to gleam faintly in the dim light, and as though committing every word to memory. "Fascinating," She murmured.
In spite of my lack of muscle memory, I was quickly working my way through the stones, of which there were really a lot. Even as I continued to talk with Eileen and the Doll.
"So then, can anyone learn Magecraft?" Eileen asked, humming as she examined one of the completed stones.
Huh, that was a hard one. "Kind of?" I reluctantly replied, "Anyone could use Formalcraft, it's mostly just drawing exact shapes and using blood to power the mystery. But it's too time consuming for most uses. Otherwise you'd need Magic Circuits, which of course are metaphysical things. A part of your soul. Not everyone has them. Then again, maybe there's a different way here? This world is new to me."
"And these rune stones?" She pressed, placing it down.
Frowning for a moment, I picked up a stone and started etching Kenaz, Dagaz- and realized only after I had finished I didn't use the normal third rune for this but instead used the Caryll Rune, Radiance. How did I know that Rune… Why Radiance? The Caryll Rune had chosen itself without my intent, as though responding to something deeper within me. Was this part of my Crest's change—or something else entirely? That was… huh. Well… "Here, try pushing energy into it? If that doesn't work, a drop of blood might."
Taking the rune stone, Eileen held it up for a moment. "A Caryll Rune? Hmm…"
Then she sighed and pulled off a glove before biting her finger. Blood fell onto the rune stone and it burst into light- but her thumb was what caught my attention. It healed over the course of a few seconds… fascinating!
"Very interesting." She muttered, dropping the runestone onto the workbench, still glowing, "And these other stones?"
"Oh, they burst into flames after a few seconds… if you want some, feel free to take them. I honestly hope I don't need the hundred and twenty I have here." I offered, even as I continued my work.
And twenty of them just disappeared under her feather cloak. "Thank you."
**************************************************************
Eileen trailed behind Lyra, her boots brushing through the field of pale, luminous flowers. The Dream was quiet, but her thoughts weren't. She didn't doubt the reality of the girl's magic—only its usefulness. Hunters needed tools, and tools that didn't fail. But something about this felt… different. Uncertain.
Shaking the thought away, she followed Lyra further into the field. A lone gnarled tree stood at its center, its bark dark and twisted, as if the Dream had sculpted it from nightmares.
The Blade of Mercy rested comfortably in her hand. A weapon built around finesse, it was really designed to kill humans. But in her hands, it was a powerful tool. Breaking the blade into two, she squared off against Lyra.
She felt the familiar pull of the Hunt as her body shifted, weight balanced on the balls of her feet. Ready, always ready.
And she felt apprehension about it. Not fighting the girl—she was still a child, after all. But that a child had been dragged into the Dream, and that this child's survival—in some part—would hinge on how well Eileen could teach her.
"Ready?" Eileen asked, even as that sword appeared in Lyra's hands, as if forming from motes of moonlight. Such light often heralded danger, but here, it was a mere echo of power. Still, it set her nerves on edge—anything could become a threat in the Dream.
The child smiled at her, and points of her Hunter's garb lit up. Groupings of symbols.
"Ready." The child agreed, then lunged forward, blade trailing behind her- Only for Lyra to heave it forward, in a telegraphed slash that… It was fast, very fast, and strong. Just blocking it pushed Eileen back, her blades braced.
With a grunt, Eileen dropped to a knee, pivoting the sword above her with one blade while striking out with- A floating symbol, a rune appeared in the air, drawn by Lyra, and it exploded into light, blinding her.
Still, instincts directed her movement, and she rolled aside, bringing her blades up to block and… there it was, even as her eyes cleared. Rolling forward again, she twisted around and went back on the offensive. Somehow Lyra was keeping up with her. Somehow Lyra was blocking or parrying her every strike! Her eyes widened at the fluidity of the moves—Oh, they were stilted, hesitant, but in a way that showed lack of muscle memory, not a lack of skill. And even then, every strike was smoother than the last.
Grinning, Eileen started moving faster, parrying with one hand, riposting with the other. Twirl under a sweeping strike, counter with a cross cut—Lyra was gone?
Quickly looking around, Eileen found her a meter away, somehow- was this child capable of the Art of Quickening!?
Lyra sprang forward, and put an answer to that question. No, but whatever she was doing seemed close. Eileen would need to ask Gehrman—if she ever found the time- To teach her.
Smile filling with teeth, Eileen the Crow called out. "Very good," she said, her voice carrying a sharp edge. "Again. Don't hold back!"
*************************************************************
Hour's passed, and while we had to take breaks to rest… I found I wasn't hungry… and that made sense now. I was in a Dream after all, wasn't I? But the hours passed, and soon enough, I realized more than a few days worth had passed! It was disorientating in its way.
Eileen sighed, looking up at the moon above. "I think you're ready enough… anything else, you'll have to learn the hard way. Just remember, to over commit is a sin."
Hehe, she wasn't wrong I guess.
"You should probably go and learn what you can from old Gehrman." She continued, "I have my own questions for him. But he is the best to teach you the basics of being a Hunter."
I- Smiling softly, I replied, "Thank you, Eileen… and good luck in your Hunt."
"Hmm." The Doll said as she slowly walked up. "The Merciful Hunter is making commendable progress in her Hunt." Somehow I couldn't help but hear an unsaid 'Better than expected.'
The longer I stayed here, the more the Doll worried me. Sadly, Eileen was right… I needed to talk with Gehrman and see what he could teach me.
"Ah… my Hunt." Eileen sighed. "I suppose you are here to remind me that I must return to it?"
"Hmm." The Doll hummed placidly. "It is not my place to make demands on the Hunters who find their way here…"
"But you are correct." Gehrman called for the cobbled path, sitting in his wheelchair. "Still, you have sharpened yourself nicely, Eileen."
His face turned thoughtful, then a smile took form on his lips. "Lyra, be a dear and head into the Workshop. I've left a few books out for you to read. I think I will speak with Eileen before she returns to the Hunt."
Shrugging, I stood and made my way into the Workshop. The cool air transitioned to the stillness of the workshop. The dust was gone now, thanks to Doll's work, just leaving the two scents tome, oil and metal. The place was also better lit, flickering lanterns hanging from sockets on the walls instead of by moonlight and a couple of candles.
I paused in the doorway, blinking owlishly. No, I had to be reading that wrong… Walking over to the bookcase, ignoring the small pile on the altar, I pulled out a book and sighed. I hadn't. How To Pick Up Fair Maidens.
With a sigh, I put the tome back. Someone had to have given him that as a joke… right? Right?
Instead of dwelling on that, I walked over to the altar and picked up the first book- The Hunter's Bestiary- and I started reading. The text was dense but fascinating, filled with sketches and terse descriptions of creatures I could scarcely imagine. The first of the threats I needed to know about was the Scourge of Beasts...
**************************************************************
Gehrman had been surprised in the first bout between the Crow and the Magus. No child should move like that, and her 'magecraft'? The flash of light she used would be a great tool, and whatever effect she was using to make her clothes light up seemed to raise her up to equal footing with a veteran of Eileen's caliber. At least in speed and strength. Eileen's only fault through all of that was how slow she was to adapt to a straight blade! Ha!
And it wasn't even used like the trick weapons that had similar! It had been enough to push Eileen to new heights, at least.
The gnarled trees of the Hunter's Dream stood silent, their skeletal branches etched against a perpetually twilight sky. Gehrman's weathered chair creaked as he shifted, the scent of old wood and damp earth mingling with the faint metallic tang of blood. Now, he hobbled out to where the woman stood, waiting for him. "I will show you this once. Watch, and maybe you will learn something."
Eileen's head tilted slightly, her sharp eyes narrowing. There was no wasted motion in the demonstration, only the ghost of long-forgotten mastery.
He took a breath in, the faint scent of the Dream's flowers filling his lungs, and let his mind slip into the familiar cadence of the Hunt. Then… as slow as he could, he Quickened. The pull on this soul made him wonder if there wasn't something to what Lyra has claimed about magic.
When he came out of it, his body sagged as he returned to his chair, every step a testament to battles long past.
**************************************************************
I stood before a tombstone. It was weathered and ancient, its surface pitted with cracks and scars of time. Moss clung to its edges like shadows, and whatever words it once bore were worn to nothingness. Still, I kneeled before the tombstone and prayed to it.
What was the prayer? Not even I know; it was a blankness in my mind and I fell into darkness. Darkness? Yes, and in that darkness I could feel points waiting to be awoken, and a single star-like lantern.
I walked through the darkness, finding my way to the light, and I was suddenly standing in a small courtyard. The black metal lantern at the center flickered with an unnatural, blueish fire, casting distorted shadows on the cobblestones. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and decay. I could hear the stumbling steps of people moving unseen. Maddened murmurs whispered from lips, filling the night air.
With a sigh, I walked over to the only way out of this small… yard? Courtyard seemed too grand for this place. I mean, all it had was cobbled ground and the black metal lantern at its center, glowing with an unearthly fire. The paths leading into it were collapsed, rubble blocking the way, but there was an open door leading into a house.
"Why am I even here?" I asked myself in a low murmur. But with a sigh, I stepped through the door and made my way forward.
The house seemed alive, every groan of wood and creak of the floorboards a reminder of its age. The shadows felt heavier here, the air cloying as if pressing me toward the inevitable. The house had two floors, and the second floor had a walkway leading across a street… and so, I spent a few hours just wandering. I killed many crazed rabble, and looking at that first one was… Well, the person was… odd, their fingernails were too thick, almost claws even. Their limbs too long, and their eyes… the pupils were burst spilling out into the iris. It was disturbing to even think about. What could do that to people?
Honestly though, this place really was a slum. It was a twisted warren of rooms and bridges. The fact it seemed even here that the world was shrouded in a perpetual night was… frustrating. It didn't help the churning in my gut either. The people here were… they were maddened monsters. I wasn't sure if any humanity remained. But that same uncertainty had me fighting back guilt.
Then I came across another lantern, and was surprised when it burst to life, its pale, otherworldly glow revealing something etched into the grime-covered wall. The words seemed to pulse with their own light: 'We Seek The Shattered Truth.' They sent a shiver down my spine, their meaning elusive yet hauntingly familiar.
For a long moment, I considered continuing my exploration, but instead I returned to the Dream.
*****************************************************************
As I stepped back into the Dream, the weight of those words lingered in my mind. 'The Shattered Truth'—what could it mean? Was this what that Great One had meant? Seek, Forgotten, Grave… What, seek the forgotten grave? Which forgotten grave? I was sure there was more than one, Yharnam seemed the place for it.
Taking a deep breath of the moonlight scented air, I smiled a bit, and headed for the Workshop. It was surprisingly relaxing.
Inside, I found Gehrman paging through a book, his weathered hands turning each page with a slow deliberation. Near the altar, the Doll sat motionless, her porcelain features serene. Though I was unsure where the wooden chair she sat upon had come from.
"Welcome back, Seeker," she said, her voice carrying an uncanny blend of warmth and detachment. "You have gathered many Blood Echoes within yourself. Perhaps you wish to weave them into strength?"
Blood Echoes. That strange sensation—something latching onto me with every kill? Was that what she meant? And strength? I couldn't deny I needed more of that.
"Yes," I said, curiosity mingling with hesitation. "I think I would like that."
"Come, then." The Doll extended a hand, motioning for me to kneel before her.
As I did, energy surged around me—a torrent of warmth and vitality flowing into my very core. It was overwhelming, almost intoxicating. My muscles tightened and grew stronger; my mind sharpened. I could feel it, even in my magic circuits—a subtle shift, as if they, too, had grown more efficient.
"That was…" I murmured, struggling to find the right words.
"It is always a jarring experience the first time," Gehrman said, glancing up from his book. "But the Doll excels at refining the Blood Echoes into strength."
"I see," I replied, though I didn't truly understand. What else was there to say? My gaze shifted to Gehrman. "Do you know anything about a Shattered Truth?"
The Doll tilted her head, her expression one of serene curiosity, while Gehrman's brows furrowed. "I do not," he answered after a pause, his tone heavy with unspoken thoughts.
"The Seeker seeks the unknown," The Doll observed, her words carrying an odd certainty that struck deeper than I cared to admit.
With a sigh, I turned toward the bookcase and pulled one of the heavier tomes from its shelf. The weight of it in my hands was grounding, but the questions swirling in my mind remained untethered.
Eventually, I was done and able to head outside to try swinging my new sword. The array activated once I ran a small bit of Prana into it- much more efficient than reinforcement- but wielding the sword was still awkward, made a little more so by my audience: the Doll and several of the emaciated baby things. But as I worked through drills, I found myself smiling. This would do fine.
The sword, once I stowed it in my Armiger, and it was just small enough to fit with the Crystal Knife, I found to be called the 'Rippled Edge Tsurugi'.
"This is going to take so much work." I couldn't help but lament as I rolled my shoulders. First I would have to build muscle memory, then I would need to… well, work on building strength.
The little ones and the Doll were, however, clapping. "A wonderful display. I am sure you will be a capable Hunter in no time, Seeker."
That had me pausing... what? I hadn't done anything impressive… had I? No, no I hadn't… was the Doll just being unreasonably positive? Yes, that made sense... right, didn't Eileen say I could use the Caryll Rune brands? I should do that... but, how did they work?
I glanced at the garden before turning back to the Doll. "Do you know how the Caryll Runes are supposed to work?"
"Of course, Seeker," She replied placidly.
Nodding, I motioned to the workshop and asked, "Then would you be willing to help me— I guess apply some?"
"Oh..." She breathed out, head cocking in a way that seemed indecisive. "Well, I suppose there is no harm in it."
I ran through a quick set of cooldown stretches before heading back to the workshop, and the Doll followed behind me, seeming hesitant. Then she stopped at the threshold of the workshop, visibly working up her courage before stepping inside. She looked around with mild interest and… maybe wonder?
Had she never been in here? That seemed... strange.
She wandered around for a moment, looking at everything and running a hand over a shelf. Somehow, I got the feeling she was sneering?
Then she reached the Altar. "Come, come, good Seeker, which Runes did you wish to imbue into your mind?"
That was a good question, but... "I can bear four of them?"
The Doll gently shook her head. "No, you already bear one Rune within your mind. For some reason, your Covenant Rune is already set."
I reached up to my face, running my fingers over the Hunter's Mark. "I see... Then... Maybe— No, I don't know enough about these Runes... Do you have any suggestions?"
The Doll seemed taken aback by my question, but stood stock still for a long moment as she seemed to weigh things. Then she spoke in her soft and gentle voice. "Communion, the Moon, and the Eye. They should aid you the most."
Huh... "Could you elaborate?"
The Doll inclined her head slightly, her voice remaining serene as she explained. "Communion represents the power of blood, enhancing your capacity related to healing blood. The Moon is tied to providence and fortune; it will bolster your efforts to gather what you need from the beasts you slay. Finally, the Eye sharpens your perception of the eldritch, aiding in your understanding and attunement to the unseen. Together, they should offer balance and strength to a Seeker such as yourself."
Hmm... "Alright, sure," I agreed, watching as she lit a small burner and placed the three brands over it.
"We must wait until the brands are hot, but once they are, we may begin," The Doll explained, like she was just making tea— and it didn't take more than a minute for the brands to turn cherry red with heat... something I knew wasn't natural.
The Doll picked up the first brand, Communion, and gave me her normal smile. But there was something very not Doll-like behind her eyes. Was it anticipation? Amusement maybe? Was she finding joy at whatever was about to befall me?
"Now, focus on the brand. Let the image sear itself into your mind," She whispered, and her words washed me away as she moved the brand closer and closer to my face-
All I knew was pain. Pain and the void of space, the stars dancing in the distance. Great beings turned to examine me, but I was of little interest, little consequence.
Yet one of them spoke, the words burning through my mind like fire and lightning. "Seek. Forgotten. Grave."
**************************************************************
I snapped out of the... the communion, my brain burning and my back feeling as if liquid iron had been poured onto it.
But... what? What happened? I- Blinking owlishly, I found I was laying face down, my head on Eileen's lap. How? Why? When?
"Are you ok?" Eileen asked, voice soft. "I returned to find you laying on the floor… and the Doll… well." She motioned at the Doll, who was slowly moving around the Workshop, wiping away dust, and organizing the tomes. She seemed oddly happy to be doing that. "She claims you collapsed once you took on the Caryll Runes. But I've never seen them be physically branded on a person. And… where did you get this tattoo? It wasn't on your back earlier."
What? On the other hand… despite the pain, this was kind of comfortable.
A shiver ran over my body as Eileen's fingers lightly traced the lines on my back. Her touch was clinical, yet my brain screamed that it was too intimate. "That's my family's Magic Crest," I muttered, voice low. "It holds generations of knowledge and fragments of power from its past bearers. The cumulation of our achievements. But… you're saying the Caryll Runes are part of it now?"
"Yes," Eileen replied, her tone steady but laced with curiosity. "They're branded into three of the nine circles. The others remain blank."
My heart skipped a beat. My family's Crest—my connection to them—had changed? Frantically, I reached out mentally, probing the Crest's core. Relief flooded me as I found the knowledge intact, untouched. But the Runes' presence loomed, foreign… wealth of lore.
"Ok." I muttered, then tried to get up only for the pain to have me giving up. It was bad, but not quite as bad as when I was adjusting to the family's Crest. I just needed to wait and… yes, that would be a-
"Would you like me to use a Blood Vial?" Eileen offered, "It should be able to heal this up, and then you can show me these rune stones you mentioned?"
Blood Vials? What were those supposed to- wait, Gehrman said something about those… Blood Ministration? No, but something close to it. Some way to heal wounds. "Um, sure."
The feeling of a needle punching through my flesh was less than welcome, but it was quickly washed away by the truly euphoric sensation of… something pouring into my body. As the liquid coursed through me, a warm rush surged from my back to my fingertips and down to the tips of my toes. It was euphoric, like stepping into a sunbeam after a lifetime in shadow, leaving me energized and whole. My back stopped hurting and in moments I felt better than I could remember feeling except when I was- Er…
Sitting up, I found I was shirtless, and quickly pulled back on my sports bra, then my shirt and finally the vest… Yeah, ok. Let's do this. "Ok, I need… oh, there's the brick."
I pushed myself upright, my muscles still aching but functional. My eyes fell on the workbench nearby, its clutter offering a strange sense of comfort.
It was a massive slab of dark wood, pitted and scarred from years of use. It was cluttered with files, hammers, and an array of alchemical instruments, their brass fittings gleaming faintly in the light of a flickering lantern mounted on the wall above.
Drawers built into the bench held countless oddities, and as I rummaged through them, I found a delicate chisel meant for detail work… but not one good enough to split this stone. But did that matter? I could just…
I reached out, dragging my finger over the brick, Gebo(ᚷ) followed by Jera(ᛃ) and… well, the brick was intersected by a grid of silver energy and fell apart into little slats of stone. Each one with smooth surfaces and rounded edges and corners.
"I- huh, that was surprisingly impressive." Eileen muttered, "I honestly wasn't expecting much from this… magic you practice."
"Magecraft." I corrected absently, "It's the reproduction of mysteries. The recreation of miracles, I guess. Magic is… well, there are only five true magic left."
To my surprise, it wasn't Eileen who voiced interest, but the Doll. She had stopped her cleaning, her head tilted slightly, and her soft, melodic voice asked, "What are these True Magics?"
I hesitated, carving the first rune into a stone to buy time. "The First True Magic is the Denial of Nothing. It's the ability to create something from nothing. The Second is the Operation of Parallel Worlds, connecting or even traveling between them. The Third is Heaven's Feel, materializing a soul into the physical world." I paused, etching another rune. "The Fourth is unknown—we call it the Blue. And the Fifth is the Manipulation of Time."
The Doll's eyes seemed to gleam faintly in the dim light, and as though committing every word to memory. "Fascinating," She murmured.
In spite of my lack of muscle memory, I was quickly working my way through the stones, of which there were really a lot. Even as I continued to talk with Eileen and the Doll.
"So then, can anyone learn Magecraft?" Eileen asked, humming as she examined one of the completed stones.
Huh, that was a hard one. "Kind of?" I reluctantly replied, "Anyone could use Formalcraft, it's mostly just drawing exact shapes and using blood to power the mystery. But it's too time consuming for most uses. Otherwise you'd need Magic Circuits, which of course are metaphysical things. A part of your soul. Not everyone has them. Then again, maybe there's a different way here? This world is new to me."
"And these rune stones?" She pressed, placing it down.
Frowning for a moment, I picked up a stone and started etching Kenaz, Dagaz- and realized only after I had finished I didn't use the normal third rune for this but instead used the Caryll Rune, Radiance. How did I know that Rune… Why Radiance? The Caryll Rune had chosen itself without my intent, as though responding to something deeper within me. Was this part of my Crest's change—or something else entirely? That was… huh. Well… "Here, try pushing energy into it? If that doesn't work, a drop of blood might."
Taking the rune stone, Eileen held it up for a moment. "A Caryll Rune? Hmm…"
Then she sighed and pulled off a glove before biting her finger. Blood fell onto the rune stone and it burst into light- but her thumb was what caught my attention. It healed over the course of a few seconds… fascinating!
"Very interesting." She muttered, dropping the runestone onto the workbench, still glowing, "And these other stones?"
"Oh, they burst into flames after a few seconds… if you want some, feel free to take them. I honestly hope I don't need the hundred and twenty I have here." I offered, even as I continued my work.
And twenty of them just disappeared under her feather cloak. "Thank you."
**************************************************************
Eileen trailed behind Lyra, her boots brushing through the field of pale, luminous flowers. The Dream was quiet, but her thoughts weren't. She didn't doubt the reality of the girl's magic—only its usefulness. Hunters needed tools, and tools that didn't fail. But something about this felt… different. Uncertain.
Shaking the thought away, she followed Lyra further into the field. A lone gnarled tree stood at its center, its bark dark and twisted, as if the Dream had sculpted it from nightmares.
The Blade of Mercy rested comfortably in her hand. A weapon built around finesse, it was really designed to kill humans. But in her hands, it was a powerful tool. Breaking the blade into two, she squared off against Lyra.
She felt the familiar pull of the Hunt as her body shifted, weight balanced on the balls of her feet. Ready, always ready.
And she felt apprehension about it. Not fighting the girl—she was still a child, after all. But that a child had been dragged into the Dream, and that this child's survival—in some part—would hinge on how well Eileen could teach her.
"Ready?" Eileen asked, even as that sword appeared in Lyra's hands, as if forming from motes of moonlight. Such light often heralded danger, but here, it was a mere echo of power. Still, it set her nerves on edge—anything could become a threat in the Dream.
The child smiled at her, and points of her Hunter's garb lit up. Groupings of symbols.
"Ready." The child agreed, then lunged forward, blade trailing behind her- Only for Lyra to heave it forward, in a telegraphed slash that… It was fast, very fast, and strong. Just blocking it pushed Eileen back, her blades braced.
With a grunt, Eileen dropped to a knee, pivoting the sword above her with one blade while striking out with- A floating symbol, a rune appeared in the air, drawn by Lyra, and it exploded into light, blinding her.
Still, instincts directed her movement, and she rolled aside, bringing her blades up to block and… there it was, even as her eyes cleared. Rolling forward again, she twisted around and went back on the offensive. Somehow Lyra was keeping up with her. Somehow Lyra was blocking or parrying her every strike! Her eyes widened at the fluidity of the moves—Oh, they were stilted, hesitant, but in a way that showed lack of muscle memory, not a lack of skill. And even then, every strike was smoother than the last.
Grinning, Eileen started moving faster, parrying with one hand, riposting with the other. Twirl under a sweeping strike, counter with a cross cut—Lyra was gone?
Quickly looking around, Eileen found her a meter away, somehow- was this child capable of the Art of Quickening!?
Lyra sprang forward, and put an answer to that question. No, but whatever she was doing seemed close. Eileen would need to ask Gehrman—if she ever found the time- To teach her.
Smile filling with teeth, Eileen the Crow called out. "Very good," she said, her voice carrying a sharp edge. "Again. Don't hold back!"
*************************************************************
Hour's passed, and while we had to take breaks to rest… I found I wasn't hungry… and that made sense now. I was in a Dream after all, wasn't I? But the hours passed, and soon enough, I realized more than a few days worth had passed! It was disorientating in its way.
Eileen sighed, looking up at the moon above. "I think you're ready enough… anything else, you'll have to learn the hard way. Just remember, to over commit is a sin."
Hehe, she wasn't wrong I guess.
"You should probably go and learn what you can from old Gehrman." She continued, "I have my own questions for him. But he is the best to teach you the basics of being a Hunter."
I- Smiling softly, I replied, "Thank you, Eileen… and good luck in your Hunt."
"Hmm." The Doll said as she slowly walked up. "The Merciful Hunter is making commendable progress in her Hunt." Somehow I couldn't help but hear an unsaid 'Better than expected.'
The longer I stayed here, the more the Doll worried me. Sadly, Eileen was right… I needed to talk with Gehrman and see what he could teach me.
"Ah… my Hunt." Eileen sighed. "I suppose you are here to remind me that I must return to it?"
"Hmm." The Doll hummed placidly. "It is not my place to make demands on the Hunters who find their way here…"
"But you are correct." Gehrman called for the cobbled path, sitting in his wheelchair. "Still, you have sharpened yourself nicely, Eileen."
His face turned thoughtful, then a smile took form on his lips. "Lyra, be a dear and head into the Workshop. I've left a few books out for you to read. I think I will speak with Eileen before she returns to the Hunt."
Shrugging, I stood and made my way into the Workshop. The cool air transitioned to the stillness of the workshop. The dust was gone now, thanks to Doll's work, just leaving the two scents tome, oil and metal. The place was also better lit, flickering lanterns hanging from sockets on the walls instead of by moonlight and a couple of candles.
I paused in the doorway, blinking owlishly. No, I had to be reading that wrong… Walking over to the bookcase, ignoring the small pile on the altar, I pulled out a book and sighed. I hadn't. How To Pick Up Fair Maidens.
With a sigh, I put the tome back. Someone had to have given him that as a joke… right? Right?
Instead of dwelling on that, I walked over to the altar and picked up the first book- The Hunter's Bestiary- and I started reading. The text was dense but fascinating, filled with sketches and terse descriptions of creatures I could scarcely imagine. The first of the threats I needed to know about was the Scourge of Beasts...
**************************************************************
Gehrman had been surprised in the first bout between the Crow and the Magus. No child should move like that, and her 'magecraft'? The flash of light she used would be a great tool, and whatever effect she was using to make her clothes light up seemed to raise her up to equal footing with a veteran of Eileen's caliber. At least in speed and strength. Eileen's only fault through all of that was how slow she was to adapt to a straight blade! Ha!
And it wasn't even used like the trick weapons that had similar! It had been enough to push Eileen to new heights, at least.
The gnarled trees of the Hunter's Dream stood silent, their skeletal branches etched against a perpetually twilight sky. Gehrman's weathered chair creaked as he shifted, the scent of old wood and damp earth mingling with the faint metallic tang of blood. Now, he hobbled out to where the woman stood, waiting for him. "I will show you this once. Watch, and maybe you will learn something."
Eileen's head tilted slightly, her sharp eyes narrowing. There was no wasted motion in the demonstration, only the ghost of long-forgotten mastery.
He took a breath in, the faint scent of the Dream's flowers filling his lungs, and let his mind slip into the familiar cadence of the Hunt. Then… as slow as he could, he Quickened. The pull on this soul made him wonder if there wasn't something to what Lyra has claimed about magic.
When he came out of it, his body sagged as he returned to his chair, every step a testament to battles long past.
**************************************************************
I stood before a tombstone. It was weathered and ancient, its surface pitted with cracks and scars of time. Moss clung to its edges like shadows, and whatever words it once bore were worn to nothingness. Still, I kneeled before the tombstone and prayed to it.
What was the prayer? Not even I know; it was a blankness in my mind and I fell into darkness. Darkness? Yes, and in that darkness I could feel points waiting to be awoken, and a single star-like lantern.
I walked through the darkness, finding my way to the light, and I was suddenly standing in a small courtyard. The black metal lantern at the center flickered with an unnatural, blueish fire, casting distorted shadows on the cobblestones. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and decay. I could hear the stumbling steps of people moving unseen. Maddened murmurs whispered from lips, filling the night air.
With a sigh, I walked over to the only way out of this small… yard? Courtyard seemed too grand for this place. I mean, all it had was cobbled ground and the black metal lantern at its center, glowing with an unearthly fire. The paths leading into it were collapsed, rubble blocking the way, but there was an open door leading into a house.
"Why am I even here?" I asked myself in a low murmur. But with a sigh, I stepped through the door and made my way forward.
The house seemed alive, every groan of wood and creak of the floorboards a reminder of its age. The shadows felt heavier here, the air cloying as if pressing me toward the inevitable. The house had two floors, and the second floor had a walkway leading across a street… and so, I spent a few hours just wandering. I killed many crazed rabble, and looking at that first one was… Well, the person was… odd, their fingernails were too thick, almost claws even. Their limbs too long, and their eyes… the pupils were burst spilling out into the iris. It was disturbing to even think about. What could do that to people?
Honestly though, this place really was a slum. It was a twisted warren of rooms and bridges. The fact it seemed even here that the world was shrouded in a perpetual night was… frustrating. It didn't help the churning in my gut either. The people here were… they were maddened monsters. I wasn't sure if any humanity remained. But that same uncertainty had me fighting back guilt.
Then I came across another lantern, and was surprised when it burst to life, its pale, otherworldly glow revealing something etched into the grime-covered wall. The words seemed to pulse with their own light: 'We Seek The Shattered Truth.' They sent a shiver down my spine, their meaning elusive yet hauntingly familiar.
For a long moment, I considered continuing my exploration, but instead I returned to the Dream.
*****************************************************************
As I stepped back into the Dream, the weight of those words lingered in my mind. 'The Shattered Truth'—what could it mean? Was this what that Great One had meant? Seek, Forgotten, Grave… What, seek the forgotten grave? Which forgotten grave? I was sure there was more than one, Yharnam seemed the place for it.
Taking a deep breath of the moonlight scented air, I smiled a bit, and headed for the Workshop. It was surprisingly relaxing.
Inside, I found Gehrman paging through a book, his weathered hands turning each page with a slow deliberation. Near the altar, the Doll sat motionless, her porcelain features serene. Though I was unsure where the wooden chair she sat upon had come from.
"Welcome back, Seeker," she said, her voice carrying an uncanny blend of warmth and detachment. "You have gathered many Blood Echoes within yourself. Perhaps you wish to weave them into strength?"
Blood Echoes. That strange sensation—something latching onto me with every kill? Was that what she meant? And strength? I couldn't deny I needed more of that.
"Yes," I said, curiosity mingling with hesitation. "I think I would like that."
"Come, then." The Doll extended a hand, motioning for me to kneel before her.
As I did, energy surged around me—a torrent of warmth and vitality flowing into my very core. It was overwhelming, almost intoxicating. My muscles tightened and grew stronger; my mind sharpened. I could feel it, even in my magic circuits—a subtle shift, as if they, too, had grown more efficient.
"That was…" I murmured, struggling to find the right words.
"It is always a jarring experience the first time," Gehrman said, glancing up from his book. "But the Doll excels at refining the Blood Echoes into strength."
"I see," I replied, though I didn't truly understand. What else was there to say? My gaze shifted to Gehrman. "Do you know anything about a Shattered Truth?"
The Doll tilted her head, her expression one of serene curiosity, while Gehrman's brows furrowed. "I do not," he answered after a pause, his tone heavy with unspoken thoughts.
"The Seeker seeks the unknown," The Doll observed, her words carrying an odd certainty that struck deeper than I cared to admit.
With a sigh, I turned toward the bookcase and pulled one of the heavier tomes from its shelf. The weight of it in my hands was grounding, but the questions swirling in my mind remained untethered.
1.3 Shattered Truth Arc
New
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
The rooftops were a precarious maze, their crumbling tiles slick with moss and grime. Leaping from one building to the next, I stayed above the seething streets below, where danger lurked in every shadow. Up here, amidst the creaks of aged wood and the faint, acrid tang of smoke rising from the alleys, was the fastest—and safest—way to navigate the Slums. You could just hop down, from bridge to bridge, once you reached where you were going.
So here I was, making my way back to yet another area between the slums, this one a small park. Overgrown and forgotten, its rusted iron fences bent under the weight of creeping vines. The few skeletal trees that remained clawed at the sky, their twisted branches casting haunting shadows in the pale light. And crouch in it, sniffing around? Was a Hunter. It was the same Hunter who had killed me so long ago… and the Hunter who had been killing me for the last… however long.
He would hunt me down, or I would hunt him down. It was a dance of death, sprawled out across all the slums. This was only one place that he would pause at, wait at. But soon, he would be moving again.
I took a deep breath, and readed the many rune stones I had prepared for this. Then I quickly made my way down and rushed forward, my Runic enhancements springing to life. My sword clashed with his Cleaver, and I could feel his greater strength pushing me back, but I took that chance to drop rune stones at his feet before springing back.
A powerful burst of ice formed, rooting the Hunter in place as I rushed back in, scoring a slash to an arm, but taking one in turn even as I rolled away. The rune stone I tossed worked nicely, despite the Hunter breaking free from the Ice binding his feet. You see, Lightning? Lightning is a wonderful weapon.
Our dance continued,
The Hunter was quick, using many swiping slashes with his jagged toothed blade, his Saw Cleaver, while I used stronger slashes and some stabs with my Ripple Edge. It left us both in constant motion the sound of our blades clashing and scraping across each other echoing in the night. Even as I used more runes, such as Sowilo (ᛋ) to create a blinding flash like I used against Eileen. But I would take hits, cuts to limbs, nicks to arteries, forcing me to use blood vials every once in a while. And frustratingly, he would do the same when I landed telling blows.
The fight dragged, as it always did, with the crazed rabble being drawn in, and slaughtered by the both of us. It was a dance I had learned well, having died during it- far too many times.
The horror's of the Dream should not be forced upon a child, and even with my more mature knowledge base, and the mental fortitude that came with it… Well, my deaths had started to wear on me, driving me closer and closer to a kind of madness.
But not this time!
I punched the Hunter, causing a brief moment of incredulous disorientation, in which I stabbed my blade deep into the Hunter's chest, into his heart. Finally landing a telling blow, as I rode the thrashing corpse down to the cobble.
After a moment, I started harvesting blood from the Hunter, along with collecting anything else that might be useful. A bottle of half empty Pungent Blood Cocktail, a small pouch filled with red gems, blood stone shards, a notebook, a frayed ribbon… and a glowing shard of crystal. Seemingly filled with starlight.
The crystal, while I held it in my hand, pulsed with starlight, each pulse a gentle tug in a single direction. Each pulse, trying to guide me towards the center of the slums, and somehow I knew… answers lay where it led.
Tucking it in a pocket, I opened the notebook. It had some crude maps, and the design for some weapon… and a section that read like a journal.
***************************************
Entry 1:
There's something wrong in the Slums. Not just the usual sickness, not the plague. It's deeper. The whispers at night, the way the air feels heavy, like it's soaked in old blood. I thought it was the incense failing, but no… something else stirs. I'll find it. Someone has to.
Entry 7:
They laughed when I said the shadows move without light. They called me mad. I'm not mad. I saw it, felt it. Something watches from the alleys. I'll go deeper tomorrow. Maybe I'll find answers. Or death.
Entry 12:
The crystal... it hums. When I hold it, I feel pulled, like it wants to lead me somewhere. It's the only thing that makes sense in this nightmare. But where does it lead? I'll follow. I have to know.
Entry 25:
Food is scarce. Sleep eludes me. The nights are filled with screams, not all of them mine. I fight, I kill, I bleed. The crystal hums louder when I near the well. Is that where the Shattered Truth lies? Is it a grave? A door? A god? I will tear it open if I must.
Entry 30:
The Shattered One whispers to me now. I can't understand the words, but the crystal glows brighter each night. It burns in my hand. It's close. So close. What if the truth isn't for us to see? What if it breaks me too? No... no turning back. Not now.
*****************************************************
That was worrying, but the ribbon- just holding it filled me with melancholy, and regret.
With a sigh, I turned and made my way to the nearest lantern… After collecting the Hunters weapon. It was too bulky for me, too… Well, it wasn't my kind of weapon anyway, but I'm sure the workshop could find a use for it.
********************************************************************
Returning to the Dream, I staggered toward the workshop, the fatigue I felt not from the physical, but more emotional. I had done it… I had succeeded… and yet.
The gravestones loomed silently, their surfaces slick with mist and time-worn inscriptions. The ever-present moon bathed the Dream in an ethereal glow, casting soft light on the Doll as she tended to the Little Ones. They splashed and chirped in the birdbath, their delicate forms illuminated by the gentle light. It was serene, almost tranquil, and yet it weighed heavily, reminding me of the strange solace this place offered.
Stopping near the gravestones, I pulled out the ribbon and tied it to the wrought iron fence, then continued on my way, past the Doll, who smiled softly as she watched over her charges. Inside the workshop, Gehrman was at the workbench, seeming to be fiddling around with a scythe, grinding the detached edge. That seemed like a ridiculous weapon.
Walking over, I set down the Saw Cleaver. "I took this from the Hunter… I figured the least I could do was bring it here, so he could leave something for those to come."
Gehrman looked up, then glanced at the blade, and sighed. "Ah, the Saw Cleaver… brutish, inelegant. Yet, it has its place in this accursed Hunt. Well, it will be useful, so I commend your forethought. Find any answers?"
"H-ha!" I bitterly let out, "More questions, but take a look through this."
Handing the notebook over, I watched as he flipped through the pages, pausing on the weapon diagram for a long time before moving onto the journal entries. "Well, this sure isn't the kind of Hunt I established the Workshops for… but A Hunt, is still a Hunt. And I doubt this one will be any less filled with blood and madness."
Making a face, I sighed, "You are probably correct… and I wonder if I should even continue? What lies at the end of this hunt? A return to the Waking world?" I continued with a dejected sorry, " Am I not dead?"
Gehrman held still for a long moment, before letting out a dejected sigh. "Perhaps, but maybe not."
My eyebrows rose at that, "Oh?"
He motioned to me. "You say that is not your body, correct? Then perhaps, you will wake in this new body, with a new lease on life? It is not an unreasonable possibility. The Great Ones are said to be sympathetic after all."
Ah… that was interesting, and… I suppose he had a point, didn't he?
"Alright," I acknowledged as I pulled out my own notebook and flipped to a page. "I'm not sure how these Blood Stone Shards are supposed to be used, but my family's Magecraft is centered around the creation of tools, and that got me thinking. How would they work if blended? This is a diagram I've worked out for my sword. To turn it into what's called a Mystic Code. I call it Tidebreaker."
"Hmm," He hummed as he looked over my annotated sketch. "These materials… I've never heard of them."
Of course… I didn't say, but with a sigh I explained, "They come from phantasmal creatures… though I guess those don't exist in this world. What's important is the metaphysical weight of the material. I figured Blood Stone Shards could be used as a substitute?"
"Well, perhaps," He muttered, seeming to give what I said much consideration. "Or if you could find some Siderite? Maybe collect some blood from a powerful beast? For now, let us see how well Blood Stone works with your enchantments, shall we?"
As we worked, a sad truth came to us. If we were to make something great, it would require the creation of a new blade, wholesale. But Blood Stone was a good substitute, allowing me to lay the enchantment deeply into the blade and honing its edge to a ridiculous degree… and Gehrman said this was the minimum the stone would enhance it!
It was amazing to have a Mystic Code, again, I mean, sure I had had some, but nothing impressive. This? This was impressive. Maybe my dream of crafting a Noble Phantasm wasn't so impossible.
Gehrman even spent the time to teach me how to recognize the rare metal Siderite. And let me tell you! It was not some mundane material. There was a metaphysical weight to it, my Structural Analysis mystery showing me that clearly. I think the best way to describe it would be as a phantasmal metal.
Upon leaving the Dream, I held the crystal in my hand, it glimmered faintly, its light flickering like a dying star. It tugged at my palm, pulling toward the unseen. Whatever lay ahead, it would demand more than strength.
But so armed, now with Tidebreaker, I headed back out. I had a crystal to follow.
****************************************************************
Returning to the rooftops I had to admit I found it frustrating there were no lanterns up there. But with the crystal as my compass, I quickly found my way to where I needed to go.
Looking down, I could see… an arena? A vast depression sprawled before me, its edges rimmed with jagged remnants of buildings. The rubble-strewn basin bore the scars of devastation, with the gaping hole at its center like a festering wound in the earth.
I just breathed in through my mouth for a long moment, just in and out, in and out. Then I tucked the crystal away and headed down into what I was sure would be my death.
I found a few things on my way down: a blood vial, a pouch of quicksilver bullets, and a couple of papers with the Hunter mark on them. The weight of the ink suggested a purpose I couldn't yet decipher, but it felt... significant.
As I drew closer to the hole, I started to feel something… something… heavy? A presence. Then the ground shuddered for a moment, a large clawed hand reached out of the hole. Then another, and a head… and a wolf-like skeletal beast pulled itself out of the hole. It was—The beast was all old bones and crystal fragments that glowed with dying starlight, its eye sockets being the base for a crown of crystal horns that encompassed its lupine head. Oh, and it was big, massive; at least as large as the Beast I had run from so long ago, when I first left the collapsed chapel.
Then it roared, the sound an impression of the death of eternity.
I had a moment of instinctive horror and knee-jerk fear before it was charging me, and I had to throw myself into a roll to evade. I… I was going to need to look into other options for dodging, but I pulled my sword to me from my Armiger, Tidebreaker. Channeling Prana into my Runic Arrays and into the blade, I lashed out with a two-handed slash at the Beast's side. My sword slammed into the beast, its bones, and only leaving cracks. Then the effect of Tidebreaker followed through. I suppose the best way to describe it would be an echo of the blade made of water.
Its roar reverberated through the air, shaking loose dust and rubble. The clash of my blade against its bones rang out, sharp and rattling.
Even as I threw myself to the side, avoiding a return attack, the crystals growing out of the beast started to glow.
Even as I ran for cover… the crystals pulsed faster. The needle-thin shards of crystal exploded out from the Beast… and I died.
**************************************************************
I rolled away from the Beast, ducking under another swipe and invoked Thurisaz (ᚦ), Ansuz (ᚨ), Kenaz (ᚲ), Ehwaz (ᛖ). Just barely raising a barrier in time to save myself from the crystal splinters. Then I activated the rune stones I had left around the Beast, and in a burst of fire, the beast howled the force of it staggering me, and-
**************************************************************
I landed, rolling under another strike, and slashed up at the arm.
**************************************************************
My blade bit into the beast's leg, and took it to the ground.
**************************************************************
With a final, desperate swing, my blade cleaved through the beast's skull. The sound of shattering crystal and breaking bone music to my ears. The dying starlight coming from the crystals slowly dimmed and died at last. Only silence remained in the wake of its Death… and with the flood of 'Blood Echoes' what Doll called this metaphysical weight, came an echoing sense of accomplishment.
[Deceit Revealed]
Breathing hard, I swayed for a moment as the Beast slowly turned to shining crystal dust… and faded away. And what was left was a large femur with crystal veins running through it.
Reaching down, I picked it up and felt it. Power, weight. This was something that could be compared to even the rarest of Phantasmal components and not be found wanting. I could feel the potential in it.
The echoes of the battle faded, leaving only the faint whisper of the wind through the rubble. My gaze drifted to the center of the crater, where the darkness beckoned, faintly illuminated by the crystal glow below.
With my breath finally caught, I tied the bode to my belt and walked over to the hole. Looking down into the depths. The interior was rough stone that soon gave way to softly glowing crystal. I mean… not bits of crystal, but that everything was crystal.
I hemmed and hawed for a moment, debating my options before with a sigh, jumping down into the hole. Down into what something was telling me was a Deception.
*****************************************************************
I still struggle to describe the place before me. The Deception, the Fragmented Spheres—what it is, what it looks like. The tunnel didn't- I didn't go more than a couple of feet in that tunnel before I was whisked away. It was like when the Little Ones would carry me to the Dream but so much worse.
Then I arrived, and the world seemed to have gone mad. A crazed mash of city scape and caverns, all made of moving pieces of crystal, the world changing around itself. Words fail to properly explain it. It was both far more than that, and less too. I stood on a single large and smooth piece of crystal, a lantern crudely stabbed into it, but the flames that lit within it was an unnatural orange, the color of dying stars.
For a moment, I thought about returning to the Dream and- forced myself to do so. Something was messing with me. Pulling me deeper.
So I appeared in the Dream, from a tombstone made of Crystal, and staggered, coughing blood and feeling like I had just stepped through a blender. Pain radiating from a thousand tiny cuts.
I tipped over, nearly hitting the ground, only to be caught by a black clad figure- Eileen. Her expression looked worried? "Lyra, are you ok?"
Oh.
"I… yeah, I think so." I replied, forcing back the fading pain. "I was just… I don't know where I was, but it was-"
"Another's Dream?" The Doll spoke up, her tone more forceful than I've ever heard it. "Something cloying, hungry. Careful Seeker, if you continue on this path, you may not be able to return."
That… was worrying, but nothing as worrying as what I knew deep down. "Yet, I must continue on, or whatever this is will become… more? Whole? I-"
"Speak with Gerhman." She advised, "And Merciful Hunter, please help the young Seeker to the Workshop."
"Alright." Eileen muttered in agreement, scooping me up in a bridle carry. I mean… I guess I didn't weigh that much, especially for a Hunter, but… well, it made me a little indigent, I could totally walk on my-
Finally getting a good look at myself I went wide eyed. The wounds were closed now, and I watched as the rips in my clothes slowly pulled back together, the blood fading away… but if I used the speed it was happening as a base… something had shredded my body when I returned to the Dream! I didn't think that was possible.
Eileen placed me down in a chair, and Gerhman looked up from the workbench. "Ah… Well, that is new indeed. Whatever this 'Shattered Truth' you seek is, it looks like it is dangerous indeed."
Swallowing, I nodded. "So it would seem… and I think whatever force is behind all of this is attempting to force its way into the Dream of Yharnam out there."
"What… Do you mean by dream of Yharnam?" Eileen whispered, worry coloring her voice. And I could see a worried spark in Gerhman's eyes as well.
"You haven't noticed?" I asked softly, as gently as I could, "At least what I experienced was a half dream… kind of like the collected nightmares of all the people in Yharnam. It's half real, half dream. Like the weight of something is slowly pulling the real world into a Dream."
Eileen's face paled, her lips parting slightly as if to speak, but no words came. Her hands twitched, instinctively curling into fists before she forced them still. Gerhman, standing at the workbench, gripped its edge tightly, his knuckles white as his jaw clenched in a visible battle to suppress the tremor of dread and rage rising within him.
"It… might just be my own experiences coloring my viewpoint," I continued cautiously, "But it feels like Yharnam is pulling closer and closer to the reverse side of the world." And I continued explaining as soon as I saw the incomprehension. "That would be the Dream-like refuge of all mythical creatures back home. Like the planet's own Dream."
I struggled for a long moment, trying to find the words. I mean, this knowledge would do jack and shit. But at the sametime, the Magus in me was slavering at it. "It's why- how- the beasts we kill come back… and the reason the greater beast we kill, stay dead. They have a weight and agency of their own. A Will."
"That is worrying." Gehrman's fingers paused over his tools, trembling faintly. "If the Wa- if Yharnam is becoming a Dream-" He swallowed. "That is not your problem, and something I will need to think upon. For now, rest."
Rest indeed… Sleep, it was nice, I hadn't slept in… well, since I woke up in this Dream World. I just wasn't tired, but something about sleeping made a huge difference. When I woke, I felt refreshed and I knew what I had to do. Where I had to go.
Eileen was already gone, back to her Hunt, so I said my goodbyes to Doll and Gerhman, before heading out. The Fragmented Sphere awaited.
*************************************************************
I stepped down onto the crystalline street, the dead-end cliff of it fading away as innumerable crystal chunks rushed in from nowhere to build the street. More crystals, these of other colors, whirled around, forming facsimiles of the mad rabble I had faced. Then slowly melded together, bringing those rabble to life.
With a chuff of annoyance, I rushed forward, striking down the first, the second, and on, and on. It was sad really, the rabble were just… slow, awkward. Too mundane to be a threat to me.
But it was interesting, instead of blood echoes, from these things came something… very similar, and the name that hung in my mind for it was 'Fragments.'
With that in mind, I slaughtered my way through the crystalline city, a block forming at a time, and to a cave carved into dark crystal. That was when I found new threats. Gehrman had told me about the Pthumerians. Covering just the barest brief of their history, they were a civilization that predated the City of Yharnam and were wiped out. But some still remained, in the Tomb of the Gods and in Chalice Dungeons. The city was even named for the last queen of the Pthumerians. He even had sketches of them… and that was how I was able to recognize the husk-like bodies. Pthumerians. They were, as I said, husks, tall, so fucking tall, and moved with a smooth but erratic grace that made fighting them difficult.
The crystal caves I had to navigate were large but still seemed too small for fighting them. Still, as I progressed, their movements became less erratic, they started having scraps of cloth, and eventually, I entered into tunnels that were well-worked, if still of the dark crystal, lit with torches and candles, an atmosphere that was undeniably spooky. More so, when the Pthumerians started wearing clothes and coming at me with real weapons. Some were even capable of some form of Magecraft, forming balls of fire from blood to launch at me. I would hardly call it an easy time, but it was still easier than my fight with the Hunter had been.
Basking in the rich blood echoes I had been harvesting from these Pthumerians, I paused when I came across a lantern. It had been a long time since I had seen one in this… place. The problem was? It was beaten, the pole bent slightly, the housing dented, and it held that same dying star like fire. It also appeared in an antechamber, right before a large set of doors.
I debated things for a moment, then, gritting my teeth, I kneeled down to the lantern and bade it take me to the Dream.
I appeared in pain, my flesh feeling—no, my flesh flayed, my clothes in tatters. Yet, this was the Hunter's Dream. A sanctuary, so the wounds were already closing and my clothes were mending. Still… that didn't bode well.
Staggering to my feet, I shook the suffering off as best I could and walked over to the Doll.
"Please, help me with my Blood Echoes," I greeted, and she gave me a gentle smile.
"Of course, Seeker, it is good to see you still live. It has been some time since you last visited the Dream." Her words worried me, worried me a lot.
It was the task of moments for the Doll to help me direct my Blood Echoes, and I felt something new open up within me, even as my Circuits reached a whole new quality. The pain… it was immense, not from how much of it there was, but from the location. It was like a ripping—no, an exacting cut into my Second Origin, my soul, as a new Circuit came into existence. I had achieved the impossible. I now had fourteen natural circuits.
"H-ha?" I let out, with a smile. This was amazing! Then I asked, "How is Eileen doing?"
The Doll looked down for a moment, staring at her hands, then she replied, "The Merciful Hunter has been freed from the Hunter's Dream."
Somehow? That left me worried. How did you get free from the Dream? And why did it feel like Doll was telling me Eileen was dead?
I didn't stagger, but I wasn't steady on my feet as I made my way over to the low stone wall and sat. At a guess… the only way to be freed from the Dream would be to be severed from it… and that would mean—she was killed. Some kind of ritual murder to release her? It- it was… I…
My heart ached, like a knife had been stabbed into it- Oh, Eileen… When had you become so important to me?
I didn't cry, really, I didn't. I'm serious, I didn't cry. But it was a while before I moved again, and the Doll was sitting next to me.
It was then that I felt the crystal knife in my Armiger resonates with… something. And those Fragments I had collected fell into it, and from that knife came knowledge. A sweeping blade. The relief of freedom. A twist of regret. And a bitter longing.
I didn't like it. Not one bit… I didn't like what I had just learned, or what it implied. I didn't want to think about it.
So instead of facing what I knew was the truth, I returned to the Fragmented Sphere. To that cave… and I opened those massive doors. Bitter regret clawing at my insides.
The chamber inside was like a throne room, but with no throne. Instead, there was a larger-than-normal Pthumerian in rich clothes. He—it, I guess. It carried a broken scythe-like blade with a crude handle. A siderite blade.
And a powerful Pthumerian.
Smiling widely, I charged in, almost disregarding the jagged crown made of glowing crystals upon the thing's brow. No, digging into its skull.
Fire burned along its blade, and it charged me in reply. And the deaths began.
**************************************************************
Gehrman sat in the back garden, head bowed into his hands. He had done it again. Another Hunter, another severed thread. He had set her free. Freed her with his blade. The memory gnawed at him, sharper than it had any right to be.
Eileen.
He didn't begrudge her the freedom; she had earned it. But the act of granting it had carved something out of him. How much more could he give before there was nothing left? And what of Lyra?
No Hunter before had been a child, and Gehrman wasn't sure he had the resolve to face that eventuality. His hands trembled at the thought, though they rested limply on his lap. Flora had taken notice—of course, it had. The Moon Presence loomed like a shadow at the edge of the Dream, a silent observer. It hadn't acted yet, but Gehrman could feel its attention fixed on the child.
What could he do to protect her from it? What could anyone do? He, who was supposed to anchor this accursed Dream, was powerless. He could guide, teach, even sever—but save? No. Never. The best he could offer was an escape from this endless cycle, and even that came at a cost.
And Yharnam? What was left of that city, now being drawn into the fold of Dreams? It made a twisted kind of sense. Prolonged exposure to the Great Ones could only erode the line between what was real and what was not. But this—this nightmare bleeding into waking life—was not natural. It bore the stink of the Healing Church and their meddling.
Gehrman's shoulders sagged under the weight of it all. He had carried so much for so long. He had weathered the Hunt, the Dream, the bargains, the deaths. But now, even his bones felt hollow.
"Master Willem, Laurence… What's taking so long?"
His voice was little more than a rasp, swallowed by the Dream's stillness. Laurence was gone—dead, lost, or worse—and Willem… Who could say what fate had claimed the old man? Hunters rarely made it as far as Byrgenwerth.
A tremor rippled through the Dream, faint but unmistakable. Gehrman didn't need to look to know what it meant. Another Hunter was coming. Another soul ensnared by Flora's trap.
He exhaled, long and weary, staring down at his calloused hands. What was Flora even seeking with all this? What had he sought, all those years ago, when he had agreed to this cursed pact?
Ah, yes. To contain the worst of the Hunt, to seal it away in a prison of Dreams.
It had seemed noble then. Now it only felt cruel.
*************************[Chapter 3 End]*********************************
I stopped before the wall of fog, and breathed for a long moment, readying myself for what came next. The Pthumerian, the Lord of Rabble. Or, I guess… that's just what I had come to call him. I had tried so many times, so many deaths. Too many. I had started to feel hollowed out.
Pulling Tidebreaker into my hand, I stepped through the fog and faced the Bea- The monster before me.
My circuits flared, slowly warming up as Od churned within me, all fifteen of them now, along with the thirteen in my Crest. Prana flowed, into my enhancement array, into my blade, and into a second array I have sewn into my legs. I would learn how to do it without the aids… eventually.
Then I blurred forward, my speed approaching what I was sure were the abilities of a low grade Heroic Spirit. My blade slammed into the Lord of Rabble's own burning one. Then the water echo caught up, slamming into the Pthumerian like a clap of thunder.
For a moment, the blade lost its fire, the Pthumerian wide open, and I used that moment to palm a stone spike and drive it into the Lord of Rabble's chest. Then I was gliding back on a cushion of air, before landing a meter away. My new, better method for dodging.
The Lord of Rabble charged me, and in reply, I triggered the runs carved into the spike, causing a pulse of kinetic force to travel down the spike and into the Pthumerian, causing it to stagger with a grunt.
I counter charged, slamming another spike into Pthumerian's leg, and cutting the back of his other knee before floating away again.
I was too slow. The Lord of rabble spun around, ignoring his damaged leg and struck out with his flaming blade. It didn't bisect me, but it sent me flying back, guts torn wide open… You couldn't imagine how painful that was. Half burned, and open to the world…
It was an effort the world closing in, darkness coming to claim me, but I injected a blood vial and rolled away, barely making it. Then I injected another… and stumbled-ran some more. The third vial had me back in the fight, and the Lord of Rabble had started sending out sweeping arcs of flame.
"Fuck." I didn't quite say, and I hopped over one such arc, making a full rotational spin and sending off my blade's water echo in an arcing slash of my own. Then I touched down, and charged back in, triggering the spike in the Pthumerian's knee, making the leg collapse.
For a split second I entertained the thought I might be able to end this here… but then the crown began to blaze with light, and he fired off a beam of burning starlight from his brow.
I barely managed to throw myself into a gliding dodge to the side, and out of the way, but I never stopped my forward momentum, even as the wounds in the Lord of Rabble 'healed'. Sealed with crystal.
But I was upon him, and my blade bit deep into his side, the water echo hammering the blade in deeper before I ripped it free. A gout of crystalline blood spraying out and covering me.
I didn't flinch or back down, instead I floated around the Lord of Rabble avoiding a swipe, and hacked at a knee, leaving rune stones behind me. Then I floated back one, twice… three times… and I activated the Rune Stones. These were also new, but while they were new, they were also an iteration on an old classic. A pillar of flames burst up from under and around the Lord of Rabble, and for a moment I feared it wouldn't be enough. I was running out of Od to fuel my circuits…
But when the flames lapsed, the Lord of Rabble staggered forward before falling on his face with a weighty thud.
[Deceit Revealed]
I rushed forward, trying my best to call out to the Little Ones, and they actually answered, appearing with a surprisingly large glass jar. Filling it with blood was a chore, but something about the process kept the body from just disappearing, and I was able to retrieve the Lord of Rabble's broken blade.
The jar of blood disappeared, and I hefted the blade as the Lord of Rabble faded into crystalline dust. This blade wouldn't do… But I had gain a great weight from killing this Lord.
"I should return to the Dream…" I muttered, taking notice of a normal lantern now at the center of this chamber, a small field of Moon Lilies surrounding it.
*****************************************************************
Returning to the Dream, I sighed in relief as I wasn't ripped to shreds. It was refreshing… and who was that? I watched as someone new stumbled up the path, eyes wide, head swiveling, but somehow not noticing me… and why was the Doll just sitting there, unmoving?
I watched as the Little Ones gave him a choice of weapons. They took an Axe and a blunderbuss… huh. He wasn't bad looking, and when he turned around and saw me standing by the grave he flinched back. "Wha- Who are you! Where am I!"
Snoring, I walked forward, taking a seat on the low wall Doll was sitting against. "Welcome, welcome to the Hunter's Dream. I don't know what had drawn you to the Hunt, or what you Hunt. But I am the Seeker, and I am on my own Hunt. My advice? Take your time, sharpen your skills."
"I-Ah… I was… I was killed! I was killed by some wolf thing in a clinic?" He… what? Asked?
"Hmm," I agreed, nodding. "Sounds like a Beast. Don't let it corner you, and don't get knocked down… I'll be here for a little while. Why don't you go kill it. If you can, I suppose I could help you a bit. Give you some pointers."
He seemed to come to some absurd realization and stammered out, "A-aren't you just a child?"
Reaching over, I placed my hand on Doll's head and started rubbing it, like a head pat. And I replied, "Child? Adult? Doesn't matter. We're both part of the Hunt now. Walk Tall, Hunter. The only way out is through."
Probably. I didn't add.
"Oh, and you need to pray at the tombstone to leave this pleasant dream." I added.
He looked kind of shell shocked, but after a moment nodded decisively, and headed for the Tombstone. "Then I will see you soon, I guess."
It was a little after he had left that the Doll moved, not getting up, or stopping me interestingly enough, but she tilted her head just a bit. "Welcome back, Seeker."
"Hmm." I acknowledged. "I just met the new Hunter… I can't say I'm impressed."
"Hunters rarely start impressively. The likes of the Merciful Hunter are rare." She replied placidly, "It is good to see you again… many Hunters have come and gone since you last returned."
Ooph… "I would guess differing time flows between the Dreams." I muttered, "Or I really did die innumerable times. Help me with my Echoes?"
"Of course," She agreed, and a rare frown marred her face. "I would advise you to take time to recover before leaving once again, or something horrible might just happen."
Then I was immersed in the flow of power… and I forced it primarily into my circuits. The feeling of new circuits opening, just as jarring as the first time. But I was up to twenty circuits. All of which were of a superlative quality, maybe even Blue Blood?
With the last of my echoes, the dregs I couldn;'t use, I tried directing them into my Crest, just to see if it would work… fire. Fire and pain, and suffering…
When it finally stopped, I was panting raggedly, but the breath of my Crest had been improved. A nice twenty circuits. This brought me up to forty circuits… respectable. But the thing that really mattered? It was the Crests ability to take in more knowledge, and room in the Armiger. Not enough for another sword, sadly, but a little more room all the same.
Letting out a sigh, I opened my eyes and looked Doll in the face, "So… is there a forge here? Or do I have to cobble together something crude?"
"There is, when it is needed." She replied cryptically. Or not, because I was smart enough to understand we were in a Dream. Which meant it was mutable. To a point.
"Then I guess I should get everything ready before I get started." I replied, standing and heading for the field of Dream Lilies. I was going to need a fair few.
***************************************************************
The Doll watched as the Seeker went about her preparations. It was fascinating, the child had collected many, many of the Dream's flowers, and now she worked at the alchemical set up. It hadn't been truly used for… a long time. Maybe Hunters had come and gone. But what the Seeker was doing caused the flowers to be distilled into a silver liquid. Into the essence of Moonlight.
She could feel Flora above watching keenly, fascination and longing swirling in circles.
The Doll did her best to memorize the process, but she doubted she would be able to replicate it. This Magecraft was proving more and more interesting, and she couldn't help but wish she could study it more.
It was an odd feeling, wanting something of her own will. Well, other than to help the Hunters, to comfort them.
Finally, the Seeker asked for the Forge, and a door opened within the workshop.
The Seeker looked around, frowning for a bit before nodding and taking time to alter some of the tools. And when she was done, she started her great work.
The broken blade of Siderite was taken, and shattered into smaller pieces, then placed in a crucible to melt. Meanwhile, the Seeker pulled out a large bone, and thrust it into a bed of coals. Doll was sure this was a mistake, that would ruin it, wouldn't it? But instead, it was pulled out after a few minutes, and the Seeker began to bring the largest of the hammers slamming down upon it, replacing it in the bed of coals every so often.
The Doll was impressed to see the bone deform, to slowly reshape into a crude sword. Or a shape like a sword. Then the Seeker started to etch runes into it. Caryll Runes and more of whatever those other runes were called. With each rune, she would shove it into a quench of blood, then into the coals again, then etch another, and repeat. Both sides.
Finally, she left the bone blade to sit in the coals and focused on the siderite, pouring it into a bar mold, and forming a billet out of it. This was followed by much hammering as she flattened and lengthened the metal. Then at some arcane point, she poured a mix of blood and Moonlight essence on one side before pulling out the bode sword and placing it on the metal and almost entombing the bone.
At this point, it started taking on the shape of a sword. The blood quench was replaced with a trough of Moonlight essence, shimmering with potential, and power.
The blade was shaped, crafted, quenched, heated and repeated, until finally, it was done… a deep black-grey sword.
But the seeker didn't seem finished yet. As she started etching lines and more runes into the blade, moving through a cycling heat, etch quench process with the diminishing Moonlight essence… and the blade started to change in color. Silver-blue, with a black hilt, the inlays turning gold.
The blade began to take on a weight, eldritch power throbbing along it, but then the Seeker did something, crying out in agony, even as her body refused to stop moving, stop crafting… and the inlay began to glow, before slowly going dark once more.
"H-ha!" The Seeker breathed out, "Liminal Starlight."
Then she passed out, the blade falling from her grip.
The Doll was thankful it hadn't been edged yet… perhaps Gerhman would be willing to finish it?
So here I was, making my way back to yet another area between the slums, this one a small park. Overgrown and forgotten, its rusted iron fences bent under the weight of creeping vines. The few skeletal trees that remained clawed at the sky, their twisted branches casting haunting shadows in the pale light. And crouch in it, sniffing around? Was a Hunter. It was the same Hunter who had killed me so long ago… and the Hunter who had been killing me for the last… however long.
He would hunt me down, or I would hunt him down. It was a dance of death, sprawled out across all the slums. This was only one place that he would pause at, wait at. But soon, he would be moving again.
I took a deep breath, and readed the many rune stones I had prepared for this. Then I quickly made my way down and rushed forward, my Runic enhancements springing to life. My sword clashed with his Cleaver, and I could feel his greater strength pushing me back, but I took that chance to drop rune stones at his feet before springing back.
A powerful burst of ice formed, rooting the Hunter in place as I rushed back in, scoring a slash to an arm, but taking one in turn even as I rolled away. The rune stone I tossed worked nicely, despite the Hunter breaking free from the Ice binding his feet. You see, Lightning? Lightning is a wonderful weapon.
Our dance continued,
The Hunter was quick, using many swiping slashes with his jagged toothed blade, his Saw Cleaver, while I used stronger slashes and some stabs with my Ripple Edge. It left us both in constant motion the sound of our blades clashing and scraping across each other echoing in the night. Even as I used more runes, such as Sowilo (ᛋ) to create a blinding flash like I used against Eileen. But I would take hits, cuts to limbs, nicks to arteries, forcing me to use blood vials every once in a while. And frustratingly, he would do the same when I landed telling blows.
The fight dragged, as it always did, with the crazed rabble being drawn in, and slaughtered by the both of us. It was a dance I had learned well, having died during it- far too many times.
The horror's of the Dream should not be forced upon a child, and even with my more mature knowledge base, and the mental fortitude that came with it… Well, my deaths had started to wear on me, driving me closer and closer to a kind of madness.
But not this time!
I punched the Hunter, causing a brief moment of incredulous disorientation, in which I stabbed my blade deep into the Hunter's chest, into his heart. Finally landing a telling blow, as I rode the thrashing corpse down to the cobble.
After a moment, I started harvesting blood from the Hunter, along with collecting anything else that might be useful. A bottle of half empty Pungent Blood Cocktail, a small pouch filled with red gems, blood stone shards, a notebook, a frayed ribbon… and a glowing shard of crystal. Seemingly filled with starlight.
The crystal, while I held it in my hand, pulsed with starlight, each pulse a gentle tug in a single direction. Each pulse, trying to guide me towards the center of the slums, and somehow I knew… answers lay where it led.
Tucking it in a pocket, I opened the notebook. It had some crude maps, and the design for some weapon… and a section that read like a journal.
***************************************
Entry 1:
There's something wrong in the Slums. Not just the usual sickness, not the plague. It's deeper. The whispers at night, the way the air feels heavy, like it's soaked in old blood. I thought it was the incense failing, but no… something else stirs. I'll find it. Someone has to.
Entry 7:
They laughed when I said the shadows move without light. They called me mad. I'm not mad. I saw it, felt it. Something watches from the alleys. I'll go deeper tomorrow. Maybe I'll find answers. Or death.
Entry 12:
The crystal... it hums. When I hold it, I feel pulled, like it wants to lead me somewhere. It's the only thing that makes sense in this nightmare. But where does it lead? I'll follow. I have to know.
Entry 25:
Food is scarce. Sleep eludes me. The nights are filled with screams, not all of them mine. I fight, I kill, I bleed. The crystal hums louder when I near the well. Is that where the Shattered Truth lies? Is it a grave? A door? A god? I will tear it open if I must.
Entry 30:
The Shattered One whispers to me now. I can't understand the words, but the crystal glows brighter each night. It burns in my hand. It's close. So close. What if the truth isn't for us to see? What if it breaks me too? No... no turning back. Not now.
*****************************************************
That was worrying, but the ribbon- just holding it filled me with melancholy, and regret.
With a sigh, I turned and made my way to the nearest lantern… After collecting the Hunters weapon. It was too bulky for me, too… Well, it wasn't my kind of weapon anyway, but I'm sure the workshop could find a use for it.
********************************************************************
Returning to the Dream, I staggered toward the workshop, the fatigue I felt not from the physical, but more emotional. I had done it… I had succeeded… and yet.
The gravestones loomed silently, their surfaces slick with mist and time-worn inscriptions. The ever-present moon bathed the Dream in an ethereal glow, casting soft light on the Doll as she tended to the Little Ones. They splashed and chirped in the birdbath, their delicate forms illuminated by the gentle light. It was serene, almost tranquil, and yet it weighed heavily, reminding me of the strange solace this place offered.
Stopping near the gravestones, I pulled out the ribbon and tied it to the wrought iron fence, then continued on my way, past the Doll, who smiled softly as she watched over her charges. Inside the workshop, Gehrman was at the workbench, seeming to be fiddling around with a scythe, grinding the detached edge. That seemed like a ridiculous weapon.
Walking over, I set down the Saw Cleaver. "I took this from the Hunter… I figured the least I could do was bring it here, so he could leave something for those to come."
Gehrman looked up, then glanced at the blade, and sighed. "Ah, the Saw Cleaver… brutish, inelegant. Yet, it has its place in this accursed Hunt. Well, it will be useful, so I commend your forethought. Find any answers?"
"H-ha!" I bitterly let out, "More questions, but take a look through this."
Handing the notebook over, I watched as he flipped through the pages, pausing on the weapon diagram for a long time before moving onto the journal entries. "Well, this sure isn't the kind of Hunt I established the Workshops for… but A Hunt, is still a Hunt. And I doubt this one will be any less filled with blood and madness."
Making a face, I sighed, "You are probably correct… and I wonder if I should even continue? What lies at the end of this hunt? A return to the Waking world?" I continued with a dejected sorry, " Am I not dead?"
Gehrman held still for a long moment, before letting out a dejected sigh. "Perhaps, but maybe not."
My eyebrows rose at that, "Oh?"
He motioned to me. "You say that is not your body, correct? Then perhaps, you will wake in this new body, with a new lease on life? It is not an unreasonable possibility. The Great Ones are said to be sympathetic after all."
Ah… that was interesting, and… I suppose he had a point, didn't he?
"Alright," I acknowledged as I pulled out my own notebook and flipped to a page. "I'm not sure how these Blood Stone Shards are supposed to be used, but my family's Magecraft is centered around the creation of tools, and that got me thinking. How would they work if blended? This is a diagram I've worked out for my sword. To turn it into what's called a Mystic Code. I call it Tidebreaker."
"Hmm," He hummed as he looked over my annotated sketch. "These materials… I've never heard of them."
Of course… I didn't say, but with a sigh I explained, "They come from phantasmal creatures… though I guess those don't exist in this world. What's important is the metaphysical weight of the material. I figured Blood Stone Shards could be used as a substitute?"
"Well, perhaps," He muttered, seeming to give what I said much consideration. "Or if you could find some Siderite? Maybe collect some blood from a powerful beast? For now, let us see how well Blood Stone works with your enchantments, shall we?"
As we worked, a sad truth came to us. If we were to make something great, it would require the creation of a new blade, wholesale. But Blood Stone was a good substitute, allowing me to lay the enchantment deeply into the blade and honing its edge to a ridiculous degree… and Gehrman said this was the minimum the stone would enhance it!
It was amazing to have a Mystic Code, again, I mean, sure I had had some, but nothing impressive. This? This was impressive. Maybe my dream of crafting a Noble Phantasm wasn't so impossible.
Gehrman even spent the time to teach me how to recognize the rare metal Siderite. And let me tell you! It was not some mundane material. There was a metaphysical weight to it, my Structural Analysis mystery showing me that clearly. I think the best way to describe it would be as a phantasmal metal.
Upon leaving the Dream, I held the crystal in my hand, it glimmered faintly, its light flickering like a dying star. It tugged at my palm, pulling toward the unseen. Whatever lay ahead, it would demand more than strength.
But so armed, now with Tidebreaker, I headed back out. I had a crystal to follow.
****************************************************************
Returning to the rooftops I had to admit I found it frustrating there were no lanterns up there. But with the crystal as my compass, I quickly found my way to where I needed to go.
Looking down, I could see… an arena? A vast depression sprawled before me, its edges rimmed with jagged remnants of buildings. The rubble-strewn basin bore the scars of devastation, with the gaping hole at its center like a festering wound in the earth.
I just breathed in through my mouth for a long moment, just in and out, in and out. Then I tucked the crystal away and headed down into what I was sure would be my death.
I found a few things on my way down: a blood vial, a pouch of quicksilver bullets, and a couple of papers with the Hunter mark on them. The weight of the ink suggested a purpose I couldn't yet decipher, but it felt... significant.
As I drew closer to the hole, I started to feel something… something… heavy? A presence. Then the ground shuddered for a moment, a large clawed hand reached out of the hole. Then another, and a head… and a wolf-like skeletal beast pulled itself out of the hole. It was—The beast was all old bones and crystal fragments that glowed with dying starlight, its eye sockets being the base for a crown of crystal horns that encompassed its lupine head. Oh, and it was big, massive; at least as large as the Beast I had run from so long ago, when I first left the collapsed chapel.
Then it roared, the sound an impression of the death of eternity.
I had a moment of instinctive horror and knee-jerk fear before it was charging me, and I had to throw myself into a roll to evade. I… I was going to need to look into other options for dodging, but I pulled my sword to me from my Armiger, Tidebreaker. Channeling Prana into my Runic Arrays and into the blade, I lashed out with a two-handed slash at the Beast's side. My sword slammed into the beast, its bones, and only leaving cracks. Then the effect of Tidebreaker followed through. I suppose the best way to describe it would be an echo of the blade made of water.
Its roar reverberated through the air, shaking loose dust and rubble. The clash of my blade against its bones rang out, sharp and rattling.
Even as I threw myself to the side, avoiding a return attack, the crystals growing out of the beast started to glow.
Even as I ran for cover… the crystals pulsed faster. The needle-thin shards of crystal exploded out from the Beast… and I died.
**************************************************************
I rolled away from the Beast, ducking under another swipe and invoked Thurisaz (ᚦ), Ansuz (ᚨ), Kenaz (ᚲ), Ehwaz (ᛖ). Just barely raising a barrier in time to save myself from the crystal splinters. Then I activated the rune stones I had left around the Beast, and in a burst of fire, the beast howled the force of it staggering me, and-
**************************************************************
I landed, rolling under another strike, and slashed up at the arm.
**************************************************************
My blade bit into the beast's leg, and took it to the ground.
**************************************************************
With a final, desperate swing, my blade cleaved through the beast's skull. The sound of shattering crystal and breaking bone music to my ears. The dying starlight coming from the crystals slowly dimmed and died at last. Only silence remained in the wake of its Death… and with the flood of 'Blood Echoes' what Doll called this metaphysical weight, came an echoing sense of accomplishment.
[Deceit Revealed]
Breathing hard, I swayed for a moment as the Beast slowly turned to shining crystal dust… and faded away. And what was left was a large femur with crystal veins running through it.
Reaching down, I picked it up and felt it. Power, weight. This was something that could be compared to even the rarest of Phantasmal components and not be found wanting. I could feel the potential in it.
The echoes of the battle faded, leaving only the faint whisper of the wind through the rubble. My gaze drifted to the center of the crater, where the darkness beckoned, faintly illuminated by the crystal glow below.
With my breath finally caught, I tied the bode to my belt and walked over to the hole. Looking down into the depths. The interior was rough stone that soon gave way to softly glowing crystal. I mean… not bits of crystal, but that everything was crystal.
I hemmed and hawed for a moment, debating my options before with a sigh, jumping down into the hole. Down into what something was telling me was a Deception.
*****************************************************************
I still struggle to describe the place before me. The Deception, the Fragmented Spheres—what it is, what it looks like. The tunnel didn't- I didn't go more than a couple of feet in that tunnel before I was whisked away. It was like when the Little Ones would carry me to the Dream but so much worse.
Then I arrived, and the world seemed to have gone mad. A crazed mash of city scape and caverns, all made of moving pieces of crystal, the world changing around itself. Words fail to properly explain it. It was both far more than that, and less too. I stood on a single large and smooth piece of crystal, a lantern crudely stabbed into it, but the flames that lit within it was an unnatural orange, the color of dying stars.
For a moment, I thought about returning to the Dream and- forced myself to do so. Something was messing with me. Pulling me deeper.
So I appeared in the Dream, from a tombstone made of Crystal, and staggered, coughing blood and feeling like I had just stepped through a blender. Pain radiating from a thousand tiny cuts.
I tipped over, nearly hitting the ground, only to be caught by a black clad figure- Eileen. Her expression looked worried? "Lyra, are you ok?"
Oh.
"I… yeah, I think so." I replied, forcing back the fading pain. "I was just… I don't know where I was, but it was-"
"Another's Dream?" The Doll spoke up, her tone more forceful than I've ever heard it. "Something cloying, hungry. Careful Seeker, if you continue on this path, you may not be able to return."
That… was worrying, but nothing as worrying as what I knew deep down. "Yet, I must continue on, or whatever this is will become… more? Whole? I-"
"Speak with Gerhman." She advised, "And Merciful Hunter, please help the young Seeker to the Workshop."
"Alright." Eileen muttered in agreement, scooping me up in a bridle carry. I mean… I guess I didn't weigh that much, especially for a Hunter, but… well, it made me a little indigent, I could totally walk on my-
Finally getting a good look at myself I went wide eyed. The wounds were closed now, and I watched as the rips in my clothes slowly pulled back together, the blood fading away… but if I used the speed it was happening as a base… something had shredded my body when I returned to the Dream! I didn't think that was possible.
Eileen placed me down in a chair, and Gerhman looked up from the workbench. "Ah… Well, that is new indeed. Whatever this 'Shattered Truth' you seek is, it looks like it is dangerous indeed."
Swallowing, I nodded. "So it would seem… and I think whatever force is behind all of this is attempting to force its way into the Dream of Yharnam out there."
"What… Do you mean by dream of Yharnam?" Eileen whispered, worry coloring her voice. And I could see a worried spark in Gerhman's eyes as well.
"You haven't noticed?" I asked softly, as gently as I could, "At least what I experienced was a half dream… kind of like the collected nightmares of all the people in Yharnam. It's half real, half dream. Like the weight of something is slowly pulling the real world into a Dream."
Eileen's face paled, her lips parting slightly as if to speak, but no words came. Her hands twitched, instinctively curling into fists before she forced them still. Gerhman, standing at the workbench, gripped its edge tightly, his knuckles white as his jaw clenched in a visible battle to suppress the tremor of dread and rage rising within him.
"It… might just be my own experiences coloring my viewpoint," I continued cautiously, "But it feels like Yharnam is pulling closer and closer to the reverse side of the world." And I continued explaining as soon as I saw the incomprehension. "That would be the Dream-like refuge of all mythical creatures back home. Like the planet's own Dream."
I struggled for a long moment, trying to find the words. I mean, this knowledge would do jack and shit. But at the sametime, the Magus in me was slavering at it. "It's why- how- the beasts we kill come back… and the reason the greater beast we kill, stay dead. They have a weight and agency of their own. A Will."
"That is worrying." Gehrman's fingers paused over his tools, trembling faintly. "If the Wa- if Yharnam is becoming a Dream-" He swallowed. "That is not your problem, and something I will need to think upon. For now, rest."
Rest indeed… Sleep, it was nice, I hadn't slept in… well, since I woke up in this Dream World. I just wasn't tired, but something about sleeping made a huge difference. When I woke, I felt refreshed and I knew what I had to do. Where I had to go.
Eileen was already gone, back to her Hunt, so I said my goodbyes to Doll and Gerhman, before heading out. The Fragmented Sphere awaited.
*************************************************************
I stepped down onto the crystalline street, the dead-end cliff of it fading away as innumerable crystal chunks rushed in from nowhere to build the street. More crystals, these of other colors, whirled around, forming facsimiles of the mad rabble I had faced. Then slowly melded together, bringing those rabble to life.
With a chuff of annoyance, I rushed forward, striking down the first, the second, and on, and on. It was sad really, the rabble were just… slow, awkward. Too mundane to be a threat to me.
But it was interesting, instead of blood echoes, from these things came something… very similar, and the name that hung in my mind for it was 'Fragments.'
With that in mind, I slaughtered my way through the crystalline city, a block forming at a time, and to a cave carved into dark crystal. That was when I found new threats. Gehrman had told me about the Pthumerians. Covering just the barest brief of their history, they were a civilization that predated the City of Yharnam and were wiped out. But some still remained, in the Tomb of the Gods and in Chalice Dungeons. The city was even named for the last queen of the Pthumerians. He even had sketches of them… and that was how I was able to recognize the husk-like bodies. Pthumerians. They were, as I said, husks, tall, so fucking tall, and moved with a smooth but erratic grace that made fighting them difficult.
The crystal caves I had to navigate were large but still seemed too small for fighting them. Still, as I progressed, their movements became less erratic, they started having scraps of cloth, and eventually, I entered into tunnels that were well-worked, if still of the dark crystal, lit with torches and candles, an atmosphere that was undeniably spooky. More so, when the Pthumerians started wearing clothes and coming at me with real weapons. Some were even capable of some form of Magecraft, forming balls of fire from blood to launch at me. I would hardly call it an easy time, but it was still easier than my fight with the Hunter had been.
Basking in the rich blood echoes I had been harvesting from these Pthumerians, I paused when I came across a lantern. It had been a long time since I had seen one in this… place. The problem was? It was beaten, the pole bent slightly, the housing dented, and it held that same dying star like fire. It also appeared in an antechamber, right before a large set of doors.
I debated things for a moment, then, gritting my teeth, I kneeled down to the lantern and bade it take me to the Dream.
I appeared in pain, my flesh feeling—no, my flesh flayed, my clothes in tatters. Yet, this was the Hunter's Dream. A sanctuary, so the wounds were already closing and my clothes were mending. Still… that didn't bode well.
Staggering to my feet, I shook the suffering off as best I could and walked over to the Doll.
"Please, help me with my Blood Echoes," I greeted, and she gave me a gentle smile.
"Of course, Seeker, it is good to see you still live. It has been some time since you last visited the Dream." Her words worried me, worried me a lot.
It was the task of moments for the Doll to help me direct my Blood Echoes, and I felt something new open up within me, even as my Circuits reached a whole new quality. The pain… it was immense, not from how much of it there was, but from the location. It was like a ripping—no, an exacting cut into my Second Origin, my soul, as a new Circuit came into existence. I had achieved the impossible. I now had fourteen natural circuits.
"H-ha?" I let out, with a smile. This was amazing! Then I asked, "How is Eileen doing?"
The Doll looked down for a moment, staring at her hands, then she replied, "The Merciful Hunter has been freed from the Hunter's Dream."
Somehow? That left me worried. How did you get free from the Dream? And why did it feel like Doll was telling me Eileen was dead?
I didn't stagger, but I wasn't steady on my feet as I made my way over to the low stone wall and sat. At a guess… the only way to be freed from the Dream would be to be severed from it… and that would mean—she was killed. Some kind of ritual murder to release her? It- it was… I…
My heart ached, like a knife had been stabbed into it- Oh, Eileen… When had you become so important to me?
I didn't cry, really, I didn't. I'm serious, I didn't cry. But it was a while before I moved again, and the Doll was sitting next to me.
It was then that I felt the crystal knife in my Armiger resonates with… something. And those Fragments I had collected fell into it, and from that knife came knowledge. A sweeping blade. The relief of freedom. A twist of regret. And a bitter longing.
I didn't like it. Not one bit… I didn't like what I had just learned, or what it implied. I didn't want to think about it.
So instead of facing what I knew was the truth, I returned to the Fragmented Sphere. To that cave… and I opened those massive doors. Bitter regret clawing at my insides.
The chamber inside was like a throne room, but with no throne. Instead, there was a larger-than-normal Pthumerian in rich clothes. He—it, I guess. It carried a broken scythe-like blade with a crude handle. A siderite blade.
And a powerful Pthumerian.
Smiling widely, I charged in, almost disregarding the jagged crown made of glowing crystals upon the thing's brow. No, digging into its skull.
Fire burned along its blade, and it charged me in reply. And the deaths began.
**************************************************************
Gehrman sat in the back garden, head bowed into his hands. He had done it again. Another Hunter, another severed thread. He had set her free. Freed her with his blade. The memory gnawed at him, sharper than it had any right to be.
Eileen.
He didn't begrudge her the freedom; she had earned it. But the act of granting it had carved something out of him. How much more could he give before there was nothing left? And what of Lyra?
No Hunter before had been a child, and Gehrman wasn't sure he had the resolve to face that eventuality. His hands trembled at the thought, though they rested limply on his lap. Flora had taken notice—of course, it had. The Moon Presence loomed like a shadow at the edge of the Dream, a silent observer. It hadn't acted yet, but Gehrman could feel its attention fixed on the child.
What could he do to protect her from it? What could anyone do? He, who was supposed to anchor this accursed Dream, was powerless. He could guide, teach, even sever—but save? No. Never. The best he could offer was an escape from this endless cycle, and even that came at a cost.
And Yharnam? What was left of that city, now being drawn into the fold of Dreams? It made a twisted kind of sense. Prolonged exposure to the Great Ones could only erode the line between what was real and what was not. But this—this nightmare bleeding into waking life—was not natural. It bore the stink of the Healing Church and their meddling.
Gehrman's shoulders sagged under the weight of it all. He had carried so much for so long. He had weathered the Hunt, the Dream, the bargains, the deaths. But now, even his bones felt hollow.
"Master Willem, Laurence… What's taking so long?"
His voice was little more than a rasp, swallowed by the Dream's stillness. Laurence was gone—dead, lost, or worse—and Willem… Who could say what fate had claimed the old man? Hunters rarely made it as far as Byrgenwerth.
A tremor rippled through the Dream, faint but unmistakable. Gehrman didn't need to look to know what it meant. Another Hunter was coming. Another soul ensnared by Flora's trap.
He exhaled, long and weary, staring down at his calloused hands. What was Flora even seeking with all this? What had he sought, all those years ago, when he had agreed to this cursed pact?
Ah, yes. To contain the worst of the Hunt, to seal it away in a prison of Dreams.
It had seemed noble then. Now it only felt cruel.
*************************[Chapter 3 End]*********************************
I stopped before the wall of fog, and breathed for a long moment, readying myself for what came next. The Pthumerian, the Lord of Rabble. Or, I guess… that's just what I had come to call him. I had tried so many times, so many deaths. Too many. I had started to feel hollowed out.
Pulling Tidebreaker into my hand, I stepped through the fog and faced the Bea- The monster before me.
My circuits flared, slowly warming up as Od churned within me, all fifteen of them now, along with the thirteen in my Crest. Prana flowed, into my enhancement array, into my blade, and into a second array I have sewn into my legs. I would learn how to do it without the aids… eventually.
Then I blurred forward, my speed approaching what I was sure were the abilities of a low grade Heroic Spirit. My blade slammed into the Lord of Rabble's own burning one. Then the water echo caught up, slamming into the Pthumerian like a clap of thunder.
For a moment, the blade lost its fire, the Pthumerian wide open, and I used that moment to palm a stone spike and drive it into the Lord of Rabble's chest. Then I was gliding back on a cushion of air, before landing a meter away. My new, better method for dodging.
The Lord of Rabble charged me, and in reply, I triggered the runs carved into the spike, causing a pulse of kinetic force to travel down the spike and into the Pthumerian, causing it to stagger with a grunt.
I counter charged, slamming another spike into Pthumerian's leg, and cutting the back of his other knee before floating away again.
I was too slow. The Lord of rabble spun around, ignoring his damaged leg and struck out with his flaming blade. It didn't bisect me, but it sent me flying back, guts torn wide open… You couldn't imagine how painful that was. Half burned, and open to the world…
It was an effort the world closing in, darkness coming to claim me, but I injected a blood vial and rolled away, barely making it. Then I injected another… and stumbled-ran some more. The third vial had me back in the fight, and the Lord of Rabble had started sending out sweeping arcs of flame.
"Fuck." I didn't quite say, and I hopped over one such arc, making a full rotational spin and sending off my blade's water echo in an arcing slash of my own. Then I touched down, and charged back in, triggering the spike in the Pthumerian's knee, making the leg collapse.
For a split second I entertained the thought I might be able to end this here… but then the crown began to blaze with light, and he fired off a beam of burning starlight from his brow.
I barely managed to throw myself into a gliding dodge to the side, and out of the way, but I never stopped my forward momentum, even as the wounds in the Lord of Rabble 'healed'. Sealed with crystal.
But I was upon him, and my blade bit deep into his side, the water echo hammering the blade in deeper before I ripped it free. A gout of crystalline blood spraying out and covering me.
I didn't flinch or back down, instead I floated around the Lord of Rabble avoiding a swipe, and hacked at a knee, leaving rune stones behind me. Then I floated back one, twice… three times… and I activated the Rune Stones. These were also new, but while they were new, they were also an iteration on an old classic. A pillar of flames burst up from under and around the Lord of Rabble, and for a moment I feared it wouldn't be enough. I was running out of Od to fuel my circuits…
But when the flames lapsed, the Lord of Rabble staggered forward before falling on his face with a weighty thud.
[Deceit Revealed]
I rushed forward, trying my best to call out to the Little Ones, and they actually answered, appearing with a surprisingly large glass jar. Filling it with blood was a chore, but something about the process kept the body from just disappearing, and I was able to retrieve the Lord of Rabble's broken blade.
The jar of blood disappeared, and I hefted the blade as the Lord of Rabble faded into crystalline dust. This blade wouldn't do… But I had gain a great weight from killing this Lord.
"I should return to the Dream…" I muttered, taking notice of a normal lantern now at the center of this chamber, a small field of Moon Lilies surrounding it.
*****************************************************************
Returning to the Dream, I sighed in relief as I wasn't ripped to shreds. It was refreshing… and who was that? I watched as someone new stumbled up the path, eyes wide, head swiveling, but somehow not noticing me… and why was the Doll just sitting there, unmoving?
I watched as the Little Ones gave him a choice of weapons. They took an Axe and a blunderbuss… huh. He wasn't bad looking, and when he turned around and saw me standing by the grave he flinched back. "Wha- Who are you! Where am I!"
Snoring, I walked forward, taking a seat on the low wall Doll was sitting against. "Welcome, welcome to the Hunter's Dream. I don't know what had drawn you to the Hunt, or what you Hunt. But I am the Seeker, and I am on my own Hunt. My advice? Take your time, sharpen your skills."
"I-Ah… I was… I was killed! I was killed by some wolf thing in a clinic?" He… what? Asked?
"Hmm," I agreed, nodding. "Sounds like a Beast. Don't let it corner you, and don't get knocked down… I'll be here for a little while. Why don't you go kill it. If you can, I suppose I could help you a bit. Give you some pointers."
He seemed to come to some absurd realization and stammered out, "A-aren't you just a child?"
Reaching over, I placed my hand on Doll's head and started rubbing it, like a head pat. And I replied, "Child? Adult? Doesn't matter. We're both part of the Hunt now. Walk Tall, Hunter. The only way out is through."
Probably. I didn't add.
"Oh, and you need to pray at the tombstone to leave this pleasant dream." I added.
He looked kind of shell shocked, but after a moment nodded decisively, and headed for the Tombstone. "Then I will see you soon, I guess."
It was a little after he had left that the Doll moved, not getting up, or stopping me interestingly enough, but she tilted her head just a bit. "Welcome back, Seeker."
"Hmm." I acknowledged. "I just met the new Hunter… I can't say I'm impressed."
"Hunters rarely start impressively. The likes of the Merciful Hunter are rare." She replied placidly, "It is good to see you again… many Hunters have come and gone since you last returned."
Ooph… "I would guess differing time flows between the Dreams." I muttered, "Or I really did die innumerable times. Help me with my Echoes?"
"Of course," She agreed, and a rare frown marred her face. "I would advise you to take time to recover before leaving once again, or something horrible might just happen."
Then I was immersed in the flow of power… and I forced it primarily into my circuits. The feeling of new circuits opening, just as jarring as the first time. But I was up to twenty circuits. All of which were of a superlative quality, maybe even Blue Blood?
With the last of my echoes, the dregs I couldn;'t use, I tried directing them into my Crest, just to see if it would work… fire. Fire and pain, and suffering…
When it finally stopped, I was panting raggedly, but the breath of my Crest had been improved. A nice twenty circuits. This brought me up to forty circuits… respectable. But the thing that really mattered? It was the Crests ability to take in more knowledge, and room in the Armiger. Not enough for another sword, sadly, but a little more room all the same.
Letting out a sigh, I opened my eyes and looked Doll in the face, "So… is there a forge here? Or do I have to cobble together something crude?"
"There is, when it is needed." She replied cryptically. Or not, because I was smart enough to understand we were in a Dream. Which meant it was mutable. To a point.
"Then I guess I should get everything ready before I get started." I replied, standing and heading for the field of Dream Lilies. I was going to need a fair few.
***************************************************************
The Doll watched as the Seeker went about her preparations. It was fascinating, the child had collected many, many of the Dream's flowers, and now she worked at the alchemical set up. It hadn't been truly used for… a long time. Maybe Hunters had come and gone. But what the Seeker was doing caused the flowers to be distilled into a silver liquid. Into the essence of Moonlight.
She could feel Flora above watching keenly, fascination and longing swirling in circles.
The Doll did her best to memorize the process, but she doubted she would be able to replicate it. This Magecraft was proving more and more interesting, and she couldn't help but wish she could study it more.
It was an odd feeling, wanting something of her own will. Well, other than to help the Hunters, to comfort them.
Finally, the Seeker asked for the Forge, and a door opened within the workshop.
The Seeker looked around, frowning for a bit before nodding and taking time to alter some of the tools. And when she was done, she started her great work.
The broken blade of Siderite was taken, and shattered into smaller pieces, then placed in a crucible to melt. Meanwhile, the Seeker pulled out a large bone, and thrust it into a bed of coals. Doll was sure this was a mistake, that would ruin it, wouldn't it? But instead, it was pulled out after a few minutes, and the Seeker began to bring the largest of the hammers slamming down upon it, replacing it in the bed of coals every so often.
The Doll was impressed to see the bone deform, to slowly reshape into a crude sword. Or a shape like a sword. Then the Seeker started to etch runes into it. Caryll Runes and more of whatever those other runes were called. With each rune, she would shove it into a quench of blood, then into the coals again, then etch another, and repeat. Both sides.
Finally, she left the bone blade to sit in the coals and focused on the siderite, pouring it into a bar mold, and forming a billet out of it. This was followed by much hammering as she flattened and lengthened the metal. Then at some arcane point, she poured a mix of blood and Moonlight essence on one side before pulling out the bode sword and placing it on the metal and almost entombing the bone.
At this point, it started taking on the shape of a sword. The blood quench was replaced with a trough of Moonlight essence, shimmering with potential, and power.
The blade was shaped, crafted, quenched, heated and repeated, until finally, it was done… a deep black-grey sword.
But the seeker didn't seem finished yet. As she started etching lines and more runes into the blade, moving through a cycling heat, etch quench process with the diminishing Moonlight essence… and the blade started to change in color. Silver-blue, with a black hilt, the inlays turning gold.
The blade began to take on a weight, eldritch power throbbing along it, but then the Seeker did something, crying out in agony, even as her body refused to stop moving, stop crafting… and the inlay began to glow, before slowly going dark once more.
"H-ha!" The Seeker breathed out, "Liminal Starlight."
Then she passed out, the blade falling from her grip.
The Doll was thankful it hadn't been edged yet… perhaps Gerhman would be willing to finish it?
1.4 Shattered Truth Arc
New
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
Trigger Warning: Suicide. It's not as bad as it could be, but it's a thing.
**********************************************************************
Holding the blade in his hands, Gerhman frowned at it. Doll had called it Liminal Starlight, and it certainly had power within it, even half finished… The closest comparison he could think of was the Holy Moonlight Greatsword Ludwig had wielded.
Yet this one was different, more Magecraft, he was sure of that, but what, how? The niggling in the back of his mind, his connection to the Moon Presence told him it was a physical concept, somehow. Rarely did he and the Great One communicate in any fashion… rarer still that Gerhman could understand things.
With a sigh, he took the blade and started sharpening it. Using the remains of the silver liquid the Doll had called Essence of Moonlight. The notion unsettled him, yet the results spoke for themselves as it lubricated the grinding wheel nicely. Working the edge was comforting… even if it had his hands itching to work a forge again.
It wasn't long before the edge was honed, keen… then he started on the Blood Stones Lyra had left in yet more of the silver essence.
By the time he was done, the blade echoed with an ephemeral weight even he could recognize. Liminal Starlight, Dreams Border.
He snorted, rolling out of the forge, his work complete. He regarded the blade one last time. Its edge gleamed like a fragment of a dream, promising glory—or perhaps ruin. With a sigh, Gehrman placed it on the dormant memory altar and settled into his wheelchair.
Taking a moment to find the right angle, and started to brood. It wouldn't do, to make a poor first impression. He didn't have much hope for this Hunter though… it had been about a week, and he hadn't returned?
*****************************************************************
I woke up, groggy and feeling scraped on the inside… What had I done?
Sitting up, the memories slowly trickled back in, I had implanted some of my Circuits into the sword! What kind of madness was that! But it had done the job nicely, Liminal Starlight was a Noble Phantasm. No, a Dream Phantasm… What was the difference? Something I would have to look into, that was for sure.
Looking over to Gerhman, I saw his head twitch ever so slightly in a shake of his head… so I took the time to just… sit there, slowly letting the pain my act had caused, the damage to my Second Origin, to fade.
It wasn't long before the Hunter strode into the Workshop, a cocky smile on his face. "I have returned, victorious and more!"
Then he stopped, looking from me to Gerhman and frowning, "Um?"
The old man let out a disgusted chuff. "Welcome to the Hunter's Dream. Use what tools remain, though much has been lost. Perhaps you'll recover them on your Hunt."
"O…oh. Thank you?" He replied, seeming to deflate.
Rolling my eyes, I asked, "So, did it truly take this long to kill a single beast?"
"What? No." He immediately denied, "I've actually been spending more of the time exploring what I can of Yharnam."
Huh… ok. "Well, then, I guess you don't need pointers on combat. Just do your best."
He straightened up, "Of course!"
He just stood there, his eyes eventually falling on my new sword, a flame of greed starting to form in his eyes… No. Just no.
I pulled out Tidebreaker, and picked up Liminal Starlight, letting it fall into my Armiger. "Well, I guess I'm off to go hunt some more."
I could hear the wry smile Gerhman wasn't showing in her voice. "Of course, Seeker."
Sword in hand, I walked out of the Workshop and headed for the tombstones. This cocky new Hunter, following me. "Hey, why don't we-"
He was cut off as I touched the crystal tombstone and dropped into darkness. Stepping out in the slums, sighing in annoyance… Fucking… Well, I guess not everyone who ends up a Hunter can be worth anything. And with the level of greed he had… Well, I wasn't giving him anything of mine.
At least I actually needed the blood echoes I was here to collect… Maybe I would try my hand at the Chapel guardian? After I soothed this pain in my soul.
*******************************************************************
My return to the Dream was preceded by a weight holding me down in the darkness between dreams. And when I finally appeared, I found bits of Hunter scattered across the Dream, the cobbled path leading to the workshop.
And the Doll was covered in slowly fading blood… I thought about it for a long moment, before shrugging and ignoring it. I had a guess, but honestly? I didn't want to know. Better if I didn't really.
"Doll," I greeted with a soft smile, suppressing the unease I still felt around her. "I have blood echoes… but could you use them to heal my soul? Instead of imbuing me with power?"
She looked at me placidly, like nothing had happened, then smiled, and reached out to take my hand… and the pain in my Second Origin faded. The three circuits were still missing, but I could replace them, more than can be said by most Magi… all Magi?
"Thank you." I breathed out in relief, pulling her into a hug.
"Of course, Seeker." She replied softly, and I know. Why was I so ok with… What I assume was her killing a Hunter? In the Dream? This sanctuary?
No matter what you say about the Doll… Whatever she did, I couldn't doubt it was right. Not mind control—just a certainty that came from somewhere deeper. I was uneasy around the Doll. But I also trusted her. Maybe more because I was uneasy around her. She was selfless, but there was also something about her that was distressing.
If I make it out of this alive… I think I'll miss her.
Letting go, I reached down and grabbed Tidebreaker from where I had let it stick into the ground. "Take care of this for me. I might need it again… But I doubt it. If you find someone you think is worthy… Well, what you do then is your choice."
She accepted the blade Tsurugi with reverence, holding it in her arms like a delicate child, the Doll's radiant smile seeming to illuminate the Dream, a fleeting moment of warmth. "I will treasure this blade, Seeker."
I stumbled back a step, eyes wide… this was the most expressive I had ever seen Doll, and there was something behind her eyes. Something so- both human and impossibly inhuman at the same time.
It somehow buoyed me against despair and burnout, I hadn't even realized I was suffering from… She was too good for this place. She was dangerous. I… I would kill for her.
Shaking that thought aside, I smiled in return, and headed back out. As I left, the sound of her footsteps faded behind me, yet the weight of her gaze lingered. The Dream was no sanctuary—it was a reminder of what I still had to do.
*************************************************************
Returning to the Lord of Rabble's chamber, I was surprised to find the crystal had- what? Disappeared? Faded? Well, the chamber was much the same, but now it was made of stone, as it should me… did this mean I was pushing back whatever this influence was? The Shattered Truth?
Smiling, I searched the chamber, frowning as I found nothing. No way forward- ok, nothing is a bit of an over statement. I found a journal. It rambled on, about many things, and parts were destroyed. But the last page spoke about the Shattered Truth.
************
Whoever you are who has found this journal. Beware of the Shattered Truth, for whether it is true or false matters not. It can not be allowed to free itself from its forgotten grave. There are, it would seem, things even the Great Ones fear. Things they have put effort into making disappear. It is far more distressing that they did not succeed.
It will get into your mind, into your thoughts and twist you. Don't pay attention, don't learn, just kill. I learned this lesson far too late. Some secrets are better off dead and forgotten.
************
"Fuck…" I breathed out, a cognitohazard- and that realization caused a flood of Fragments I hadn't even realized I had built up to be sucked into the- into the Shard of Borders. The Crystal Knife. A tool, a path, and a way to kill this- this Great One? No, that wasn't right, but the term blurred, as if it was something I wasn't supposed to know about. Or something the Great Ones wanted to hide? Or something that wanted to hide from them?
And I now knew the way forward…
My palms were sweaty, and I gave much thought to turning back and harvesting more Blood Echoes… instead, I pulled the Shard of Borders into my hand and stabbed it into thin air, wrenching it down, carving a rift into the fabric of this Deception turned Dream and into the next.
Stepping through, I found myself in a dirt cave. The air was cool and heavy, carrying the faint, metallic tang of decayed soil. Water dripped somewhere in the shadows, a soft, hollow sound that echoed faintly. The walls felt close, their rough, uneven surface seeming to pulse with the weight of the earth above. It smelled of grave soil—damp, earthy, and tinged with something sour and ancient. I didn't want to continue, something warning me doom lay ahead… but I pushed forward. The rift closing behind me. I worried, there was no lantern here… would I find one?
It wasn't long until I came across something, and it wasn't a lantern, it was a massive mausoleum-like complex, and finally I found a lantern on the steps leading inside… There was just one problem. The lantern was beaten to hell, to the point all that remained was the iron pole and a flickering flame upon it.
Something told me… there was no going back. Maybe no second attempts…
Slowly forcing myself through breathing exercises, I strode forward, Liminal Starlight falling into my hand.
I made it only a few feet before a half crystalized Hunter attacked me. It was also the first time I was shot, the bullet punching through me.
Staggering back, I injected a blood vial while activating my enhancement Runes. Just in time to bring Liminal Starlight up to block the broken and partially crystalized Ludwig's Holy Blade he swung at me.
I staggered back under the weight of the weapon, but threw a rune stone at the Hunter, catching him in a burst of fire. Giving me a moment to pump some Prana into Liminal Starlight, and slash out with my new blade, sending out an arcing slash of starlight to cut into the Hunter as he tried to backstep.
Liminal Starlight turned out to eat more Prana than Tidebreaker, but it was also easier to modulate. So I guess it balanced out. It was a good blade, one I didn't need to constantly feed it Prana as it was more than sharp enough to put nicks in the Hunter's weapon. Better, it was a thinner lighter blade, allowing me to better wield it. And for once, my size helped against the adult hunters.
Because while I killed this Hunter? There were more, many more. I was forced to fight through many, many Hunters… and that worried me. But with each Hunter killed, more Fragments were sucked into Shard of the Border, and more knowledge fell upon me.
This was the Forgotten Grave, and to die here was to be forgotten. On the bright side, all these Hunter's had many blood echoes, and my knife let me spend time weaving them into myself. The Doll was better. More efficient, more capable… and gentler. But this would work for now.
At the center of the grave was a monstrosity—a Great One. Its form defied understanding, a cacophony of grotesque shapes and crystalline lattices that shimmered like broken glass caught in dying light. The thing pulsed with an unnatural rhythm, each wave of energy pressing into my thoughts, its presence scraping against my very soul.
And I knew the truth.
The terrible truth I dare not utter.
It hollowed me out the moment I understood it, a pit of despair yawning wide within. My body trembled as if trying to flee from itself, my breath turning shallow and ragged. My heart pounded not with fight, but with the weight of inevitability, every beat a question of how much longer I could endure. Even the Shard of Borders in my Armiger felt heavier, as though it, too, was buckling under the enormity of what lay before me.
The silence in the grave was deafening. No whispers, no wind, just the sound of my own pulse roaring in my ears. The air pressed cold and damp against my skin, chilling the sweat that now soaked me. It reeked of forgotten earth and bitter decay, and I couldn't shake the taste of ashes that clung to the back of my throat.
I was on a timer—one I couldn't see, but could feel ticking down, each second dragging me closer to ruin.
I faced the partially bound Great One and felt fear.
[Elgorath, the Truth of Dust]
I wanted to back away, to take time to recover my full pool of Od… instead, I charged in, Starlight swinging at the building sized Great One. Horrific and cursed knowledge being whispered into my ears.
My first strike was an arc of starlight, my second a strike of lightning, my third, a burst of fire, and Elgorath cared not. Tanking the damage and reaching for me with a grotesque hand pincher thing.
I lunged forward under it, momentarily becoming starlight! Performing the Art of Quickening! If only I had time to exalt in my achievement. Instead, I swung up, sheathing my blade in starlight and nearly severing the pincher hand.
It was just the start, the whispers intensifying for a second, then a beam that was both a solid crystal, and a pressure blast of dust, at the same time, lashed out toward me.
I quickened, again, dodging the strike and finally reached the Great One's body, allowing me to hack into it. Ripping a rent in the crystal carapace to reveal it was just more bindings. It was bindings all the way down!
I nearly froze in place as I realized what I was truly fighting. Elgorath was information. It didn't have a true physical body… How do you hurt information? How do you kill knowledge?
Liminal Starlight fell from my numb grip, slipping back into my Armiger… What could I even do?
Yet one more hidden truth stabbed into my mind.
There was one blade that could do it. One blade, crafted to cross borders, to ignore simple inconveniences like physical.
The Shard of Borders slipped into my grasp, and I sprung into the air, grabbing onto the prison of blackest knowledge, and rammed my knife into it.
There was a moment of perfect stillness, then the crystal prison started to collapse down into itself as the shard started to glow, brighter and brighter… Until I was hanging in the air by the knife and it inexorably pulled Elgorath onto the edge, killing the unkillable. Erasing a truth from existence. Fulfilling it's one, true purpose. It would never be able to do so again. But once was enough, right?
I dropped, slamming into the ground, the Shard of Borders shining in my grip, and another truth bandied about. Shown to me after the fact. Mocking laughter in the face of my hard work.
I wasn't supposed to come out of this… there wasn't a way out. I had just killed the only thing capable of pushing beyond the border of the Forgotten Grave.
Doom.
Looking at the knife in my grasp, I felt it try to fade into nothing for a bare moment, then something that shouldn't happen happened. It remained. The Great Ones who had set this up had not realized, perhaps could not realize, my family's Armiger was the remnants of a failed attempt to realize a Reality Marble. But even in failure, we gained something bordering on True magic.
The knife remained… for a moment, I stared at it. The knife was able to cut pathways between worlds, dreams… between. But it couldn't open a way out… could it?
Smiling wanly, terror, despair, and hope warring within me, I turned the knife, taking it in both of my trembling hands. This would either free me… or free me.
The Shard of Borders pierced into my heart, and I knew death.
**********************************************************************
Holding the blade in his hands, Gerhman frowned at it. Doll had called it Liminal Starlight, and it certainly had power within it, even half finished… The closest comparison he could think of was the Holy Moonlight Greatsword Ludwig had wielded.
Yet this one was different, more Magecraft, he was sure of that, but what, how? The niggling in the back of his mind, his connection to the Moon Presence told him it was a physical concept, somehow. Rarely did he and the Great One communicate in any fashion… rarer still that Gerhman could understand things.
With a sigh, he took the blade and started sharpening it. Using the remains of the silver liquid the Doll had called Essence of Moonlight. The notion unsettled him, yet the results spoke for themselves as it lubricated the grinding wheel nicely. Working the edge was comforting… even if it had his hands itching to work a forge again.
It wasn't long before the edge was honed, keen… then he started on the Blood Stones Lyra had left in yet more of the silver essence.
By the time he was done, the blade echoed with an ephemeral weight even he could recognize. Liminal Starlight, Dreams Border.
He snorted, rolling out of the forge, his work complete. He regarded the blade one last time. Its edge gleamed like a fragment of a dream, promising glory—or perhaps ruin. With a sigh, Gehrman placed it on the dormant memory altar and settled into his wheelchair.
Taking a moment to find the right angle, and started to brood. It wouldn't do, to make a poor first impression. He didn't have much hope for this Hunter though… it had been about a week, and he hadn't returned?
*****************************************************************
I woke up, groggy and feeling scraped on the inside… What had I done?
Sitting up, the memories slowly trickled back in, I had implanted some of my Circuits into the sword! What kind of madness was that! But it had done the job nicely, Liminal Starlight was a Noble Phantasm. No, a Dream Phantasm… What was the difference? Something I would have to look into, that was for sure.
Looking over to Gerhman, I saw his head twitch ever so slightly in a shake of his head… so I took the time to just… sit there, slowly letting the pain my act had caused, the damage to my Second Origin, to fade.
It wasn't long before the Hunter strode into the Workshop, a cocky smile on his face. "I have returned, victorious and more!"
Then he stopped, looking from me to Gerhman and frowning, "Um?"
The old man let out a disgusted chuff. "Welcome to the Hunter's Dream. Use what tools remain, though much has been lost. Perhaps you'll recover them on your Hunt."
"O…oh. Thank you?" He replied, seeming to deflate.
Rolling my eyes, I asked, "So, did it truly take this long to kill a single beast?"
"What? No." He immediately denied, "I've actually been spending more of the time exploring what I can of Yharnam."
Huh… ok. "Well, then, I guess you don't need pointers on combat. Just do your best."
He straightened up, "Of course!"
He just stood there, his eyes eventually falling on my new sword, a flame of greed starting to form in his eyes… No. Just no.
I pulled out Tidebreaker, and picked up Liminal Starlight, letting it fall into my Armiger. "Well, I guess I'm off to go hunt some more."
I could hear the wry smile Gerhman wasn't showing in her voice. "Of course, Seeker."
Sword in hand, I walked out of the Workshop and headed for the tombstones. This cocky new Hunter, following me. "Hey, why don't we-"
He was cut off as I touched the crystal tombstone and dropped into darkness. Stepping out in the slums, sighing in annoyance… Fucking… Well, I guess not everyone who ends up a Hunter can be worth anything. And with the level of greed he had… Well, I wasn't giving him anything of mine.
At least I actually needed the blood echoes I was here to collect… Maybe I would try my hand at the Chapel guardian? After I soothed this pain in my soul.
*******************************************************************
My return to the Dream was preceded by a weight holding me down in the darkness between dreams. And when I finally appeared, I found bits of Hunter scattered across the Dream, the cobbled path leading to the workshop.
And the Doll was covered in slowly fading blood… I thought about it for a long moment, before shrugging and ignoring it. I had a guess, but honestly? I didn't want to know. Better if I didn't really.
"Doll," I greeted with a soft smile, suppressing the unease I still felt around her. "I have blood echoes… but could you use them to heal my soul? Instead of imbuing me with power?"
She looked at me placidly, like nothing had happened, then smiled, and reached out to take my hand… and the pain in my Second Origin faded. The three circuits were still missing, but I could replace them, more than can be said by most Magi… all Magi?
"Thank you." I breathed out in relief, pulling her into a hug.
"Of course, Seeker." She replied softly, and I know. Why was I so ok with… What I assume was her killing a Hunter? In the Dream? This sanctuary?
No matter what you say about the Doll… Whatever she did, I couldn't doubt it was right. Not mind control—just a certainty that came from somewhere deeper. I was uneasy around the Doll. But I also trusted her. Maybe more because I was uneasy around her. She was selfless, but there was also something about her that was distressing.
If I make it out of this alive… I think I'll miss her.
Letting go, I reached down and grabbed Tidebreaker from where I had let it stick into the ground. "Take care of this for me. I might need it again… But I doubt it. If you find someone you think is worthy… Well, what you do then is your choice."
She accepted the blade Tsurugi with reverence, holding it in her arms like a delicate child, the Doll's radiant smile seeming to illuminate the Dream, a fleeting moment of warmth. "I will treasure this blade, Seeker."
I stumbled back a step, eyes wide… this was the most expressive I had ever seen Doll, and there was something behind her eyes. Something so- both human and impossibly inhuman at the same time.
It somehow buoyed me against despair and burnout, I hadn't even realized I was suffering from… She was too good for this place. She was dangerous. I… I would kill for her.
Shaking that thought aside, I smiled in return, and headed back out. As I left, the sound of her footsteps faded behind me, yet the weight of her gaze lingered. The Dream was no sanctuary—it was a reminder of what I still had to do.
*************************************************************
Returning to the Lord of Rabble's chamber, I was surprised to find the crystal had- what? Disappeared? Faded? Well, the chamber was much the same, but now it was made of stone, as it should me… did this mean I was pushing back whatever this influence was? The Shattered Truth?
Smiling, I searched the chamber, frowning as I found nothing. No way forward- ok, nothing is a bit of an over statement. I found a journal. It rambled on, about many things, and parts were destroyed. But the last page spoke about the Shattered Truth.
************
Whoever you are who has found this journal. Beware of the Shattered Truth, for whether it is true or false matters not. It can not be allowed to free itself from its forgotten grave. There are, it would seem, things even the Great Ones fear. Things they have put effort into making disappear. It is far more distressing that they did not succeed.
It will get into your mind, into your thoughts and twist you. Don't pay attention, don't learn, just kill. I learned this lesson far too late. Some secrets are better off dead and forgotten.
************
"Fuck…" I breathed out, a cognitohazard- and that realization caused a flood of Fragments I hadn't even realized I had built up to be sucked into the- into the Shard of Borders. The Crystal Knife. A tool, a path, and a way to kill this- this Great One? No, that wasn't right, but the term blurred, as if it was something I wasn't supposed to know about. Or something the Great Ones wanted to hide? Or something that wanted to hide from them?
And I now knew the way forward…
My palms were sweaty, and I gave much thought to turning back and harvesting more Blood Echoes… instead, I pulled the Shard of Borders into my hand and stabbed it into thin air, wrenching it down, carving a rift into the fabric of this Deception turned Dream and into the next.
Stepping through, I found myself in a dirt cave. The air was cool and heavy, carrying the faint, metallic tang of decayed soil. Water dripped somewhere in the shadows, a soft, hollow sound that echoed faintly. The walls felt close, their rough, uneven surface seeming to pulse with the weight of the earth above. It smelled of grave soil—damp, earthy, and tinged with something sour and ancient. I didn't want to continue, something warning me doom lay ahead… but I pushed forward. The rift closing behind me. I worried, there was no lantern here… would I find one?
It wasn't long until I came across something, and it wasn't a lantern, it was a massive mausoleum-like complex, and finally I found a lantern on the steps leading inside… There was just one problem. The lantern was beaten to hell, to the point all that remained was the iron pole and a flickering flame upon it.
Something told me… there was no going back. Maybe no second attempts…
Slowly forcing myself through breathing exercises, I strode forward, Liminal Starlight falling into my hand.
I made it only a few feet before a half crystalized Hunter attacked me. It was also the first time I was shot, the bullet punching through me.
Staggering back, I injected a blood vial while activating my enhancement Runes. Just in time to bring Liminal Starlight up to block the broken and partially crystalized Ludwig's Holy Blade he swung at me.
I staggered back under the weight of the weapon, but threw a rune stone at the Hunter, catching him in a burst of fire. Giving me a moment to pump some Prana into Liminal Starlight, and slash out with my new blade, sending out an arcing slash of starlight to cut into the Hunter as he tried to backstep.
Liminal Starlight turned out to eat more Prana than Tidebreaker, but it was also easier to modulate. So I guess it balanced out. It was a good blade, one I didn't need to constantly feed it Prana as it was more than sharp enough to put nicks in the Hunter's weapon. Better, it was a thinner lighter blade, allowing me to better wield it. And for once, my size helped against the adult hunters.
Because while I killed this Hunter? There were more, many more. I was forced to fight through many, many Hunters… and that worried me. But with each Hunter killed, more Fragments were sucked into Shard of the Border, and more knowledge fell upon me.
This was the Forgotten Grave, and to die here was to be forgotten. On the bright side, all these Hunter's had many blood echoes, and my knife let me spend time weaving them into myself. The Doll was better. More efficient, more capable… and gentler. But this would work for now.
At the center of the grave was a monstrosity—a Great One. Its form defied understanding, a cacophony of grotesque shapes and crystalline lattices that shimmered like broken glass caught in dying light. The thing pulsed with an unnatural rhythm, each wave of energy pressing into my thoughts, its presence scraping against my very soul.
And I knew the truth.
The terrible truth I dare not utter.
It hollowed me out the moment I understood it, a pit of despair yawning wide within. My body trembled as if trying to flee from itself, my breath turning shallow and ragged. My heart pounded not with fight, but with the weight of inevitability, every beat a question of how much longer I could endure. Even the Shard of Borders in my Armiger felt heavier, as though it, too, was buckling under the enormity of what lay before me.
The silence in the grave was deafening. No whispers, no wind, just the sound of my own pulse roaring in my ears. The air pressed cold and damp against my skin, chilling the sweat that now soaked me. It reeked of forgotten earth and bitter decay, and I couldn't shake the taste of ashes that clung to the back of my throat.
I was on a timer—one I couldn't see, but could feel ticking down, each second dragging me closer to ruin.
I faced the partially bound Great One and felt fear.
[Elgorath, the Truth of Dust]
I wanted to back away, to take time to recover my full pool of Od… instead, I charged in, Starlight swinging at the building sized Great One. Horrific and cursed knowledge being whispered into my ears.
My first strike was an arc of starlight, my second a strike of lightning, my third, a burst of fire, and Elgorath cared not. Tanking the damage and reaching for me with a grotesque hand pincher thing.
I lunged forward under it, momentarily becoming starlight! Performing the Art of Quickening! If only I had time to exalt in my achievement. Instead, I swung up, sheathing my blade in starlight and nearly severing the pincher hand.
It was just the start, the whispers intensifying for a second, then a beam that was both a solid crystal, and a pressure blast of dust, at the same time, lashed out toward me.
I quickened, again, dodging the strike and finally reached the Great One's body, allowing me to hack into it. Ripping a rent in the crystal carapace to reveal it was just more bindings. It was bindings all the way down!
I nearly froze in place as I realized what I was truly fighting. Elgorath was information. It didn't have a true physical body… How do you hurt information? How do you kill knowledge?
Liminal Starlight fell from my numb grip, slipping back into my Armiger… What could I even do?
Yet one more hidden truth stabbed into my mind.
There was one blade that could do it. One blade, crafted to cross borders, to ignore simple inconveniences like physical.
The Shard of Borders slipped into my grasp, and I sprung into the air, grabbing onto the prison of blackest knowledge, and rammed my knife into it.
There was a moment of perfect stillness, then the crystal prison started to collapse down into itself as the shard started to glow, brighter and brighter… Until I was hanging in the air by the knife and it inexorably pulled Elgorath onto the edge, killing the unkillable. Erasing a truth from existence. Fulfilling it's one, true purpose. It would never be able to do so again. But once was enough, right?
I dropped, slamming into the ground, the Shard of Borders shining in my grip, and another truth bandied about. Shown to me after the fact. Mocking laughter in the face of my hard work.
I wasn't supposed to come out of this… there wasn't a way out. I had just killed the only thing capable of pushing beyond the border of the Forgotten Grave.
Doom.
Looking at the knife in my grasp, I felt it try to fade into nothing for a bare moment, then something that shouldn't happen happened. It remained. The Great Ones who had set this up had not realized, perhaps could not realize, my family's Armiger was the remnants of a failed attempt to realize a Reality Marble. But even in failure, we gained something bordering on True magic.
The knife remained… for a moment, I stared at it. The knife was able to cut pathways between worlds, dreams… between. But it couldn't open a way out… could it?
Smiling wanly, terror, despair, and hope warring within me, I turned the knife, taking it in both of my trembling hands. This would either free me… or free me.
The Shard of Borders pierced into my heart, and I knew death.
2.1 Awakening Arc
New
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
A/N: Ok, the rest I have in backlog will slowly be rolled out. maybe one a week? That sounds probably. But I have the rest of this arc done.
************************************************************************
I gasped for breath, rolling over and hitting the floor. Cold linoleum… grey-white. The room was dark and smelled of cleaning agents... with a faint undertone of decay, and in my chest was a- a knife? I- I- I remembered. It was still jumbled, but I remembered enough.
Pulling the Shard of Borders from my chest, the knife no longer glowing but heavier, I let it drop from my hand and slip into my Armiger. The weight it gave off within just as ponente, a reminder of the trap it originally had been, and the freedom it gave me.
Standing, shaky and exhausted beyond what I could ever dream of… I looked around the room devoid of light save from a few flicking points. There shouldn't have been enough light to see by, but I could see and were… I stepped closer, my chest tightening as a tremor ran through me. All the bodies were, aside from injuries, the same. Each face was like looking into a mirror, reflecting what I would look like without my more... otherworldly features.
I swallowed hard, my breath hitching, as a deep, hollow emptiness settled in my stomach. Because they were all the same girl, and she was so- we were so young.
Looking down, I found myself naked, and further inspection of the room- the morgue, didn't reveal any clothes… just shitty white blankets used to cover the dead… still in the packages.
Ripping one open, I pulled it around me like a- a chiton? Toga? Fuck it I knew.
I had to get away from here though… if someone found me… it would be bad.
I reached out with my thoughts, trying to call the Little Ones to me… nothing. I-
"Fuck." I bit out, before stepping over to the door and listening as best I could… I could hear footsteps, but somehow knew they were on the floor above me.
Quickly slipping out, I headed for the stairs, ignoring the elevator, and carefully made my way to the ground floor before listening at the door again. There was a lot more noise here, but… yeah, I could do this.
Leaving the stairway, I scanned the hallway every sound amplified—the distant hum of an elevator, muffled voices echoing from unseen rooms. I froze at the corner, pressing my back against the cold wall, straining to hear if anyone was approaching.
There, an emergency exit, I cautiously made my way to it and slipped out into a back alley. I needed to get away from here, and figure out where I was… and get some clothes. That was important too.
**************************************************************
Kazari Uiharu sighed as she made her way home. It was late, and she was starting to catch another cold… But the day was over, so perhaps she could relax a bit when she got home! Maybe have some ice cream?
That happy thought was cut short as she watched a girl dart across the street and into an alley in nothing but a white sheet. It was terribly improper! More worrying was for what reason she could be wearing nothing but a sheet.
Hurrying her steps, Kazari reached the mouth of the alley, hesitating at the long shadows cast over it, but hurried down it, stopping at a corner so she could peek around it.
Her heartbeat quickened, suppressed worry not helping, but she found the girl curled up against the cracked wall. Holding her head, as if she was in pain. The sight tugging at her conscience. Steeling herself, she stepped forward, grabbing her Judgment armband, and taking the stance that had been drilled into her during training. Then she asked, "J-judgement, are you ok, miss?"
The girl looked up, and Kazari held back a gasp. She was beautiful, almost ethereal, but what caught my attention more was the exhaustion in her posture. Who was she, and how had she ended up here like this? beyond her beauty or posture, what stood out were her eyes stood out, glowing a blue-silver, but that was just the first thing to catch attention. Her face looked familiar, but Kazari couldn't place it, and she had long brown hair that didn't quite hide the tattoo on her forehead.
It was hard to tell through the sheet, but she looked slender, athletic, but with far more muscle than someone their age usually had… and her skin was so smooth and pale! Who was she, and how had she ended up here like this?
Then the girl spoke, her mouth opening and Kazari couldn't help but feel something was off, but again she couldn't place it. Of course, the words were another thing altogether. The girl was speaking English, with an American accent. "What? Is that Japanese? Tsk."
Kazari smiled and went to speak, to repeat herself in her limited English, when the girl poked out a hand, the tip of her index finger lighting up. Before she could try and move, to dodge whatever that was, or react at all, the finger had moved through the air. And she froze, her breath catching as foreign symbols etched themselves in the air, glowing faintly before dissolving. It was unlike anything she'd seen, and yet… something about it felt strange, not quite like an Esper ability. She found she was suddenly torn between caution and curiosity. What was that? Surely it was just a weird Esper ability, right?
When the last one appeared, they faded, a flash of light haloing the girls head for a moment. Then she spoke again, her words now in Japanese… Was that... an Esper ability? She'd never heard of anything like it before, but Esper powers could be weird... and yet, something felt off about it. Some part of her was drawn to it, and some part of her denied it being an ability.
The girl's voice was a bit rough, but aside from that... rather pleasant. "Could you repeat that?"
Kazari hesitated for a moment, then repeated herself. "Are you ok, miss?"
The girl looked her in the eyes for a long time, before breaking into a bitter bout of laughter. "No, oh no I am not… I- I died." Kazari took an involuntary step back, eyes wide. She died? How? She looked alive to her.
"I had to fight through a nightmare..." The girl continued, her voice cracking, the words hanging in the cold night air, causing Kazari to swallow in discomfort, unsure whether to press for more or simply offer comfort.
And then it got worse, so much worse. "And at the end of it... my only hope for survival- for freedom was to kill myself." She could feel how wide her eyes were, because she was sure that level of broken, desperate pain couldn't be faked.
"Now I'm here… wherever 'here' is." The girl finished, "I'm sure it's not my Earth… and- and I don't know what I'm going to do. I only just woke up, in a morgue. I… I- sorry, I'm shaken up… I don't think I'm ok." Then the girl gave a heartbreaking smile, "I'm usually better than this."
She was horrified, and… and heartbroken. If even one part of that was true? It would be horrifying! If all of it was?
Kazari bit her lip, glancing down at her armband. She could call Anti-Skill—this was far beyond her jurisdiction—but something in Lyra's trembling hands and hollow eyes stopped her. The girl didn't feel dangerous. Just... lost.
Instead, she asked, "If… if you don't have anywhere else to go, you could come to my apartment? At least for tonight… then we can figure things out tomorrow."
What else could she do! This girl didn't feel dangerous, just broken and afraid. Well, maybe not broken, but fragile. Maybe she should call… Koroko? Saten? Konori?
"I-" The girl started, then sighed, thinking maybe? "If it isn't too much trouble. And… um, I'm Lyra Burke."
Kazari smiled brightly, and thanked her diligence in English class! Westerners used reverse name conventions right? "It is nice to meet you Burke-San! I'm Uiharu Kazaki."
She only realized how difficult it would be to get Burke-San to her apartment once they set out.
**************************************************************
The… well, the flower girl before me was something else. Words are hard for it, but we'll get to that. She was kind of short, wearing a school uniform, with black hair and a flower headband. Live flowers.
She had surprised me by inviting me to go home with her. I was sure she would try and get me to the authorities… and maybe she still would. Yet, the thing that interested me the most was the faint, near imperceptible glow that wreathed her. Green and pink, held back by a grey-red film.
Something was wrong with her, and I wanted to know what. Was it a curse? The glow was more than just colors, it was a kind of fragmented idea. I wasn't sure why I was seeing it-
The Eye Caryll rune throbbed in my mind, a reminder? Or just an answer? Both perhaps? But it was obvious now, it allowed me to see eldritch influences, but also other kinds as well. I would have to learn to control it, because I feared what would happen if I ran into someone with a powerful enough field.
I followed this girl, mostly because I was still distraught, unbalanced. Unsure what to do… but also because she genuinely wanted to help. It was a nice feeling… and I would have to see how I could repay the kindness. The only other being I could think of who was this kind to me was Doll, and well, it's Doll.
Her apartment was on the third floor of the building, and a small thing. A studio apartment… one so small my American sensibilities rebelled at calling it an apartment.
"Welcome to my home?" Kazari welcomed in a hesitant voice as we entered. As far as things went, it was relatively sparse in decorations. Though a computer sat on one side of the room, and a bunk bed on the other. The bottom bunk filled with things, the mattress up on its side.
I held back a grimace, and gave her a thankful smile. "Thank you… It's- I don't know why you're being so trusting, so kind, but thank you."
"Nano?" She breathed quietly, then shook her head. "It's um… it's fine. And, er… gi-give me a moment!" With that she rushed over to a dresser and started digging through for a moment. Coming out with a pair of pink pajamas. "This… this might fit?"
I took the offered clothes, looked at them, then asked, "Are you sure?"
"Y-yes. It's got to be better than a sheet, right?" And I guess she had a point, so I hurried over to the bathroom, which had a toilet and a tiny shower stall.
Undoing the sheet, I struggled into the pajama bottoms, they were tight around the hips… but at least I was able to get them on. The top was better, if a bit short, leaving a strip of my stomach peeking through. Did it have to be pink though?
************************************
Once Burke-San was in the bathroom, Kazari pulled out her phone and dialed Konori-san. She really needed to talk to the older girl…
"Uiharu? Is something wrong?" Konori-san's voice asked from the cellphone.
"U-um… Konori-san… I ran across someone on my way home," Kazari started, her words tumbling over each other. "I… I don't have much time to talk, but it was bad. They're with me now—at my apartment. Um, can you come over tomorrow?" Kazari asked with a mix of hesitation and rush. "I know I should have called Anti-Skill…" She couldn't stop thinking about how fragile Burke-san had looked. Calling Anti-Skill just felt... wrong, somehow. "But… she's so broken right now. And I didn't want to- to… to leave her without support."
There was a beat of silence, then Konori-San replied, "You're sure you're safe?"
"Yes." Kazari replied, no hesitation coloring her words.
"You've got a good heart, Uiharu. I'll be there at eight, and we'll figure this out together." Konori-San informed her, "And I'll get you excused from class on Judgement business."
"Thank you." Kazari agreed with a sigh of relief, she hadn't even thought of that. Not with everything else going on right now.
"You're sure you're safe?" Konori's voice softened, though an edge of worry lingered. "If anything seems off, you call me, okay?"
"Okay."
************************************
Stepping out of the bathroom I looked around, the sheet balled up in my hands. "Er… where do you want this?"
"Oh… um," Kazari replied, looking around. "Just leave it by the bathroom for now."
Letting out a huff, I dropped it to the side of the door, and walked over to Kazari, who sat at her computer, frowning. What I saw on the screen looked like registries… was she trying to find me? Ha… good luck with that.
"I ordered some takeout… it should arrive in a few minutes." She continued, "I hope you like Ramen?"
I mean… I haven't had ramen in forever, and never anything more than a packet of instant ramen. I kind of couldn't wait now.
"You want my address?" I asked playfully, I mean I doubt it was a place here. Though maybe it was, that would be kind of neat.
"O-oh, um…" Kazari muttered, blushing, "That is… um… please?"
With an amused snort, I replied, "No. 13, Wraith Hollow Lane, Kingsport, MA 01982."
Moments later, an aerial view of Kingsport appeared, then my neighborhood. No Wraith Hollow Lane. Reaching past the girl, I traced a line over the monitor. "It would have been right there. A nice old manor."
"I'm sorry… um… how does that work? You being from another world?" Kazari asked, only to pause as there was a bell went off. Oh, doorbell. She hurried up, going to answer and came back with a bowl. "Chopsticks? Or… um fork?"
I smiled at that, she spoke as if the very idea of using a fork was heretical. "It's been a while, but I think I still remember how to use chopsticks."
Nodding, she placed the bowl and a set of disposable chopsticks on a low table near the center of the room… Ah! Right, the memories of anime I had watched so long ago coming blurrily to the fore.
Sitting on an offered cushion, I took the lid off the ceramic bowl and looked at the glorious ramen. What was it they said in Japan… I assumed I was in Japan. "Ikadakumas?"
Then I took a bite… it was good. The warm broth lingered on my tongue as I mulled over her question. How could I explain something so vast in a way that made sense here?
After a few more bites, I finally replied to her earlier question, drawing Kazari from her computer. "The first thing you have to understand is that the multiversal theory is right, all of them. The one I'm most familiar with is the Parallel World Theory."
I took a moment to eat some more Ramen, then continued, "It goes like this. For every possible choice or event, an alternate reality exists where that possibility plays out, branching endlessly. These worlds coexist, each as real as the next, but separated by barriers that are almost impossible to cross."
"O-oh? That's… a lot to take in. I mean, it sounds incredible, but... " Kazari asked but let the question trail off, giving me an out, mostly. Then she turned back to facing her computer, fingers tapping away on the keyboard. "And you're sure this is real? Not just some Sci-Fi movie thing?"
"Well, I'm here." I agreed with a shrug, amused... actually, did they have a Sci-Fi channel here? "But explaining how it works… How's your Higher Dimensional Math?"
"Maybe another time then?" Kazari demurred, just as planned. I mean, I did know the core proofs for it, but I didn't want to challenge my knowledge in that area. It also looked like the flower girl agreed.
She glanced at her screen, her fingers twitching nervously. "So… Academy City? You probably need a crash course, right?"
The desperation in her voice told of the deflection it was… but it was something I needed to know.
"Well, it would help, yes." I agreed, "Let's hear it."
For the next few hours, Kazari explained thighs to me… and wow. Academy City sure sounded nice and all, at least how she put everything… and maybe it was just my Magi nature poking through… But it left me wondering what atrocities they got up to in the metaphorical basement. The Board of Directors? Far too much power.
The Esper development program? Basically artificial Magi, with more limitations… Though the Personal Reality part of Espers made sense… and what could I do with that? It was like always being self hypnotised! Sure, that wasn't as much of a problem with Runes… but well, ya know. I wondered though… Could I pass my Magecraft off as an Ability? I mean, the student stipend would make my life easier. Even if I had to go to school. Something to think about.
I helped Kazari clear off the bottom bunk, and make the bed… Then I was laying in it, looking up at the bottom of the top bunk... The pain and fear slowly flowing back in, Kazari's warmth and hospitality my only refuge from the storm that was my time in the Forgotten Grave. Maybe things would be better in the morning? "Night, Kazari, may you have sweet dreams."
************************************************************
Kazari Uiharu fell asleep feeling warm and fuzzy inside. But it felt so strange for anyone to call her by her given name! Yes, Lyra was a westerner, and an American at that… but her given name! With no honorifics!
Kazari frowned, wiggling around for a moment before opening her eyes… that was the sky… this wasn't her bed. Comfortable, but not her bed…
Sitting up, she looked around taking in the softly glowing lilies, the gnarled old tree, and even the wrought iron fence… Where was this?
Looking back down at herself, she was a little embarrassed to see she was in her pajamas… reaching up, she didn't find her flower headband. With a frown, she started making a crown of flowers out of the lilies around her.
They smelled lovely, a delicate moonlight.
"Oh, I'm dreaming." She muttered, finishing the crown before placing it upon her head.
Then she got up and set off to explore, only to make it a single step before she found herself looking at, wide eyed, the tombstones. So many of them… a wall of them! And was that a cottage?
Her curiosity was cut short by the sounds of crying.
Warily, Kazari moved closer, until she found the source… Was that Lyra? And who was that other woman? She was so tall! And that dress was so pretty.
The woman looked up, meeting her eyes, even as she rubbed Lyra's back affectionately, "Welcome to the Hunter's Dream, Sweet Dreamer."
"S-sw-eet Dreamer?" Lyra mumbled, turning to look, her eyes going huge. "A-ah… um… Kazari? No… how did you…?"
She couldn't help but cock her head at that question, "Isn't this my dream?"
"H-h-haha." Lyra giggled manically, "No, heavens no! I… H-ha… This is a dream for Hunters, a place of rest… but- no, it doesn't matter. I… Ha… what do I even say to this? Will you even remember any of this when you wake?"
"F-fuck…" Kazari's eyes went wide at the curse. "Fuck… This… this changes things. I need to think. And maybe-"
She didn't hear what Lyra said at the end, but she stood, tottering for a moment before wandering towards the cottage. For a moment, Kazari wanted to follow, but…
Walking over, she stopped in front of the woman, and bowed, "I am Uiharu Kazari, it is nice to meet you."
The woman cocked her head, reaching out and stroking her cheek with- with ball jointed hands! And she spoke, "It is nice to meet someone not bound to the Hunt, I am simply a Doll. Here to care for Hunters. But you have a question, I can see it… please, ask."
Kazari stood very, very still. Fear, curiosity and an odd disquiet warring within her for a long time, then she asked, "Is it true? Did Lyra die?"
"Ah." The Doll breathed out gently, her hand returning to its position in front of her, with its twin. "Many, many times. It is part of the Burden that Hunters must come to terms with. The Seeker had an easier time than many, and a harder time than many others."
The Doll looked up at the red moon hanging in the sky for a long moment before continuing, "But if you mean before she came to the Dream? Yes."
Kazari's stomach dropped out, leaving her queasy, with no need to throw up.
"Hmm… come, Sweet Dreamer, your morning rushes to greet you." The Doll spoke softly, but somehow it felt like a command to Kazari, but she followed as the Doll led her back out into the field of flowers. Sitting, and patting her lap. "The Moon Lilies suit you, but let me make you a better crown."
Kazari woke, oddly content, the smell of moonlight thick around her. That… had been a dream, right? The crown of glowing flowers falling into her lap argued that question.
****************************************************************
I woke; it was sudden, and without drowsiness… it was to the terror of what I had seen. Kazari had been pulled into the Hunter's Dream. I- I…
Pulling the blankets around me, I backed into the corner of the bed and started rocking back and forth. I had doomed her! I- how could I make this up to her! She would be dragged in, forced to be a Hunter! She would… she would suffer so many deaths.
The smell of moonlight filled the apartment, heady, comforting, terrifying. It had been real, that was the only explanation… I had to fight to not start hyperventilating, and part of me wondered why I was bothering.
But I listened, hearing Kazari move around on her bed, before climbing down… Moon Lilies threaded through her hair… It was pretty. They made her eyes more golden than brown.
"Are… are you ok?" She asked in her gentle voice, and that was all I could take, I snapped forward, arms reaching out, and pulled her back into my corner, wrapping her in a tight hug.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." I mumbled, still rocking.
She squirmed awkwardly for a long moment before coming to a rest. Then she reached up, bringing my face up so she could look me in the eyes. "It's ok. Burke-sa- Lyra-chan… It's ok."
Shaking my head, I muttered, "You don't understand… not yet… but they know about you now. You'll be drawn in… they'll turn you into a Hunter."
I could hear the manic, near incoherent tone my voice was taking on, don't doubt that. I just couldn't stop.
"Who? The Doll?" She asked gently, the disbelief obvious in her voice.
"N-no." I replied, forcing myself to calm down, forcing autohypnosis. "No, the- Ha… I can't even tell you without drawing you in more. No, the Doll and Gerhman are good people."
I slowly let go of Kazari, but she didn't move away, just adjusted herself until she was sitting next to me… both of us under the same blanket.
Silence stretched once she stopped moving, until she finally spoke. "Doll told me you really died… do you want to talk about it?"
H-ha! No. "I… yeah, I died. My Earth… we call it Gaia."
"But you're not dead." She prodded, pushing up against my side… in what support? "How does that work?"
"Luck." I answered, "And a heavy dose of magic."
"Magic." She whispered, tasting the word, and sounding unsure if she liked it. "Is… is that what the… the Dream is?"
If only. I didn't say… trying to find the right words. "Maybe? A little? Dreams, and Nightmares, are Eldritch domains… it's all Eldritch power, not magic. But from a scientific view, and if you aren't trying to get specific… yeah. Magic."
Kazari went still, and I could hear a temple in her words, feel it from where she was leaning against me. "Like Lovecraft's works? Cthulhu?"
"Yeah." I agreed, "Kind of like that."
"Ok…" She breathed out, one hand reaching up to play with one of the lilies in her hair. "It's hard to argue with physical proof… but Magic… it's hard to imagine something so whimsical is real."
Whimsical? Ah… I suppose.
"Well, technically, as a Magus, I use Magecraft." I offered, "It's basically science. It's about understanding phenomena, mysteries, and replicating them. True Magic is… well, it doesn't matter. Not right now."
"Ok." Kazari muttered, then nodded. "Ok, so magecraft. Not Esper? Are you sure? I thought magic would be all wands and silly rhymes?"
"No... well, for some Magi, maybe? But it's an outlier, unless magic is different in this world. Though there seems to be a lot of overlap between Magecraft and who you described Esper." I offered up, "A Magus uses self hypnosis to give themself a near absolute certainty in what they're doing."
"Which is like an Esper's personal reality." She agreed, nodding. "Ok, that makes some sense. Are you-" She was interrupted by a knock on the front door.
"It's already…" She asked, sighing. Then got up and headed for the door.
************************************************************************
I gasped for breath, rolling over and hitting the floor. Cold linoleum… grey-white. The room was dark and smelled of cleaning agents... with a faint undertone of decay, and in my chest was a- a knife? I- I- I remembered. It was still jumbled, but I remembered enough.
Pulling the Shard of Borders from my chest, the knife no longer glowing but heavier, I let it drop from my hand and slip into my Armiger. The weight it gave off within just as ponente, a reminder of the trap it originally had been, and the freedom it gave me.
Standing, shaky and exhausted beyond what I could ever dream of… I looked around the room devoid of light save from a few flicking points. There shouldn't have been enough light to see by, but I could see and were… I stepped closer, my chest tightening as a tremor ran through me. All the bodies were, aside from injuries, the same. Each face was like looking into a mirror, reflecting what I would look like without my more... otherworldly features.
I swallowed hard, my breath hitching, as a deep, hollow emptiness settled in my stomach. Because they were all the same girl, and she was so- we were so young.
Looking down, I found myself naked, and further inspection of the room- the morgue, didn't reveal any clothes… just shitty white blankets used to cover the dead… still in the packages.
Ripping one open, I pulled it around me like a- a chiton? Toga? Fuck it I knew.
I had to get away from here though… if someone found me… it would be bad.
I reached out with my thoughts, trying to call the Little Ones to me… nothing. I-
"Fuck." I bit out, before stepping over to the door and listening as best I could… I could hear footsteps, but somehow knew they were on the floor above me.
Quickly slipping out, I headed for the stairs, ignoring the elevator, and carefully made my way to the ground floor before listening at the door again. There was a lot more noise here, but… yeah, I could do this.
Leaving the stairway, I scanned the hallway every sound amplified—the distant hum of an elevator, muffled voices echoing from unseen rooms. I froze at the corner, pressing my back against the cold wall, straining to hear if anyone was approaching.
There, an emergency exit, I cautiously made my way to it and slipped out into a back alley. I needed to get away from here, and figure out where I was… and get some clothes. That was important too.
**************************************************************
Kazari Uiharu sighed as she made her way home. It was late, and she was starting to catch another cold… But the day was over, so perhaps she could relax a bit when she got home! Maybe have some ice cream?
That happy thought was cut short as she watched a girl dart across the street and into an alley in nothing but a white sheet. It was terribly improper! More worrying was for what reason she could be wearing nothing but a sheet.
Hurrying her steps, Kazari reached the mouth of the alley, hesitating at the long shadows cast over it, but hurried down it, stopping at a corner so she could peek around it.
Her heartbeat quickened, suppressed worry not helping, but she found the girl curled up against the cracked wall. Holding her head, as if she was in pain. The sight tugging at her conscience. Steeling herself, she stepped forward, grabbing her Judgment armband, and taking the stance that had been drilled into her during training. Then she asked, "J-judgement, are you ok, miss?"
The girl looked up, and Kazari held back a gasp. She was beautiful, almost ethereal, but what caught my attention more was the exhaustion in her posture. Who was she, and how had she ended up here like this? beyond her beauty or posture, what stood out were her eyes stood out, glowing a blue-silver, but that was just the first thing to catch attention. Her face looked familiar, but Kazari couldn't place it, and she had long brown hair that didn't quite hide the tattoo on her forehead.
It was hard to tell through the sheet, but she looked slender, athletic, but with far more muscle than someone their age usually had… and her skin was so smooth and pale! Who was she, and how had she ended up here like this?
Then the girl spoke, her mouth opening and Kazari couldn't help but feel something was off, but again she couldn't place it. Of course, the words were another thing altogether. The girl was speaking English, with an American accent. "What? Is that Japanese? Tsk."
Kazari smiled and went to speak, to repeat herself in her limited English, when the girl poked out a hand, the tip of her index finger lighting up. Before she could try and move, to dodge whatever that was, or react at all, the finger had moved through the air. And she froze, her breath catching as foreign symbols etched themselves in the air, glowing faintly before dissolving. It was unlike anything she'd seen, and yet… something about it felt strange, not quite like an Esper ability. She found she was suddenly torn between caution and curiosity. What was that? Surely it was just a weird Esper ability, right?
When the last one appeared, they faded, a flash of light haloing the girls head for a moment. Then she spoke again, her words now in Japanese… Was that... an Esper ability? She'd never heard of anything like it before, but Esper powers could be weird... and yet, something felt off about it. Some part of her was drawn to it, and some part of her denied it being an ability.
The girl's voice was a bit rough, but aside from that... rather pleasant. "Could you repeat that?"
Kazari hesitated for a moment, then repeated herself. "Are you ok, miss?"
The girl looked her in the eyes for a long time, before breaking into a bitter bout of laughter. "No, oh no I am not… I- I died." Kazari took an involuntary step back, eyes wide. She died? How? She looked alive to her.
"I had to fight through a nightmare..." The girl continued, her voice cracking, the words hanging in the cold night air, causing Kazari to swallow in discomfort, unsure whether to press for more or simply offer comfort.
And then it got worse, so much worse. "And at the end of it... my only hope for survival- for freedom was to kill myself." She could feel how wide her eyes were, because she was sure that level of broken, desperate pain couldn't be faked.
"Now I'm here… wherever 'here' is." The girl finished, "I'm sure it's not my Earth… and- and I don't know what I'm going to do. I only just woke up, in a morgue. I… I- sorry, I'm shaken up… I don't think I'm ok." Then the girl gave a heartbreaking smile, "I'm usually better than this."
She was horrified, and… and heartbroken. If even one part of that was true? It would be horrifying! If all of it was?
Kazari bit her lip, glancing down at her armband. She could call Anti-Skill—this was far beyond her jurisdiction—but something in Lyra's trembling hands and hollow eyes stopped her. The girl didn't feel dangerous. Just... lost.
Instead, she asked, "If… if you don't have anywhere else to go, you could come to my apartment? At least for tonight… then we can figure things out tomorrow."
What else could she do! This girl didn't feel dangerous, just broken and afraid. Well, maybe not broken, but fragile. Maybe she should call… Koroko? Saten? Konori?
"I-" The girl started, then sighed, thinking maybe? "If it isn't too much trouble. And… um, I'm Lyra Burke."
Kazari smiled brightly, and thanked her diligence in English class! Westerners used reverse name conventions right? "It is nice to meet you Burke-San! I'm Uiharu Kazaki."
She only realized how difficult it would be to get Burke-San to her apartment once they set out.
**************************************************************
The… well, the flower girl before me was something else. Words are hard for it, but we'll get to that. She was kind of short, wearing a school uniform, with black hair and a flower headband. Live flowers.
She had surprised me by inviting me to go home with her. I was sure she would try and get me to the authorities… and maybe she still would. Yet, the thing that interested me the most was the faint, near imperceptible glow that wreathed her. Green and pink, held back by a grey-red film.
Something was wrong with her, and I wanted to know what. Was it a curse? The glow was more than just colors, it was a kind of fragmented idea. I wasn't sure why I was seeing it-
The Eye Caryll rune throbbed in my mind, a reminder? Or just an answer? Both perhaps? But it was obvious now, it allowed me to see eldritch influences, but also other kinds as well. I would have to learn to control it, because I feared what would happen if I ran into someone with a powerful enough field.
I followed this girl, mostly because I was still distraught, unbalanced. Unsure what to do… but also because she genuinely wanted to help. It was a nice feeling… and I would have to see how I could repay the kindness. The only other being I could think of who was this kind to me was Doll, and well, it's Doll.
Her apartment was on the third floor of the building, and a small thing. A studio apartment… one so small my American sensibilities rebelled at calling it an apartment.
"Welcome to my home?" Kazari welcomed in a hesitant voice as we entered. As far as things went, it was relatively sparse in decorations. Though a computer sat on one side of the room, and a bunk bed on the other. The bottom bunk filled with things, the mattress up on its side.
I held back a grimace, and gave her a thankful smile. "Thank you… It's- I don't know why you're being so trusting, so kind, but thank you."
"Nano?" She breathed quietly, then shook her head. "It's um… it's fine. And, er… gi-give me a moment!" With that she rushed over to a dresser and started digging through for a moment. Coming out with a pair of pink pajamas. "This… this might fit?"
I took the offered clothes, looked at them, then asked, "Are you sure?"
"Y-yes. It's got to be better than a sheet, right?" And I guess she had a point, so I hurried over to the bathroom, which had a toilet and a tiny shower stall.
Undoing the sheet, I struggled into the pajama bottoms, they were tight around the hips… but at least I was able to get them on. The top was better, if a bit short, leaving a strip of my stomach peeking through. Did it have to be pink though?
************************************
Once Burke-San was in the bathroom, Kazari pulled out her phone and dialed Konori-san. She really needed to talk to the older girl…
"Uiharu? Is something wrong?" Konori-san's voice asked from the cellphone.
"U-um… Konori-san… I ran across someone on my way home," Kazari started, her words tumbling over each other. "I… I don't have much time to talk, but it was bad. They're with me now—at my apartment. Um, can you come over tomorrow?" Kazari asked with a mix of hesitation and rush. "I know I should have called Anti-Skill…" She couldn't stop thinking about how fragile Burke-san had looked. Calling Anti-Skill just felt... wrong, somehow. "But… she's so broken right now. And I didn't want to- to… to leave her without support."
There was a beat of silence, then Konori-San replied, "You're sure you're safe?"
"Yes." Kazari replied, no hesitation coloring her words.
"You've got a good heart, Uiharu. I'll be there at eight, and we'll figure this out together." Konori-San informed her, "And I'll get you excused from class on Judgement business."
"Thank you." Kazari agreed with a sigh of relief, she hadn't even thought of that. Not with everything else going on right now.
"You're sure you're safe?" Konori's voice softened, though an edge of worry lingered. "If anything seems off, you call me, okay?"
"Okay."
************************************
Stepping out of the bathroom I looked around, the sheet balled up in my hands. "Er… where do you want this?"
"Oh… um," Kazari replied, looking around. "Just leave it by the bathroom for now."
Letting out a huff, I dropped it to the side of the door, and walked over to Kazari, who sat at her computer, frowning. What I saw on the screen looked like registries… was she trying to find me? Ha… good luck with that.
"I ordered some takeout… it should arrive in a few minutes." She continued, "I hope you like Ramen?"
I mean… I haven't had ramen in forever, and never anything more than a packet of instant ramen. I kind of couldn't wait now.
"You want my address?" I asked playfully, I mean I doubt it was a place here. Though maybe it was, that would be kind of neat.
"O-oh, um…" Kazari muttered, blushing, "That is… um… please?"
With an amused snort, I replied, "No. 13, Wraith Hollow Lane, Kingsport, MA 01982."
Moments later, an aerial view of Kingsport appeared, then my neighborhood. No Wraith Hollow Lane. Reaching past the girl, I traced a line over the monitor. "It would have been right there. A nice old manor."
"I'm sorry… um… how does that work? You being from another world?" Kazari asked, only to pause as there was a bell went off. Oh, doorbell. She hurried up, going to answer and came back with a bowl. "Chopsticks? Or… um fork?"
I smiled at that, she spoke as if the very idea of using a fork was heretical. "It's been a while, but I think I still remember how to use chopsticks."
Nodding, she placed the bowl and a set of disposable chopsticks on a low table near the center of the room… Ah! Right, the memories of anime I had watched so long ago coming blurrily to the fore.
Sitting on an offered cushion, I took the lid off the ceramic bowl and looked at the glorious ramen. What was it they said in Japan… I assumed I was in Japan. "Ikadakumas?"
Then I took a bite… it was good. The warm broth lingered on my tongue as I mulled over her question. How could I explain something so vast in a way that made sense here?
After a few more bites, I finally replied to her earlier question, drawing Kazari from her computer. "The first thing you have to understand is that the multiversal theory is right, all of them. The one I'm most familiar with is the Parallel World Theory."
I took a moment to eat some more Ramen, then continued, "It goes like this. For every possible choice or event, an alternate reality exists where that possibility plays out, branching endlessly. These worlds coexist, each as real as the next, but separated by barriers that are almost impossible to cross."
"O-oh? That's… a lot to take in. I mean, it sounds incredible, but... " Kazari asked but let the question trail off, giving me an out, mostly. Then she turned back to facing her computer, fingers tapping away on the keyboard. "And you're sure this is real? Not just some Sci-Fi movie thing?"
"Well, I'm here." I agreed with a shrug, amused... actually, did they have a Sci-Fi channel here? "But explaining how it works… How's your Higher Dimensional Math?"
"Maybe another time then?" Kazari demurred, just as planned. I mean, I did know the core proofs for it, but I didn't want to challenge my knowledge in that area. It also looked like the flower girl agreed.
She glanced at her screen, her fingers twitching nervously. "So… Academy City? You probably need a crash course, right?"
The desperation in her voice told of the deflection it was… but it was something I needed to know.
"Well, it would help, yes." I agreed, "Let's hear it."
For the next few hours, Kazari explained thighs to me… and wow. Academy City sure sounded nice and all, at least how she put everything… and maybe it was just my Magi nature poking through… But it left me wondering what atrocities they got up to in the metaphorical basement. The Board of Directors? Far too much power.
The Esper development program? Basically artificial Magi, with more limitations… Though the Personal Reality part of Espers made sense… and what could I do with that? It was like always being self hypnotised! Sure, that wasn't as much of a problem with Runes… but well, ya know. I wondered though… Could I pass my Magecraft off as an Ability? I mean, the student stipend would make my life easier. Even if I had to go to school. Something to think about.
I helped Kazari clear off the bottom bunk, and make the bed… Then I was laying in it, looking up at the bottom of the top bunk... The pain and fear slowly flowing back in, Kazari's warmth and hospitality my only refuge from the storm that was my time in the Forgotten Grave. Maybe things would be better in the morning? "Night, Kazari, may you have sweet dreams."
************************************************************
Kazari Uiharu fell asleep feeling warm and fuzzy inside. But it felt so strange for anyone to call her by her given name! Yes, Lyra was a westerner, and an American at that… but her given name! With no honorifics!
Kazari frowned, wiggling around for a moment before opening her eyes… that was the sky… this wasn't her bed. Comfortable, but not her bed…
Sitting up, she looked around taking in the softly glowing lilies, the gnarled old tree, and even the wrought iron fence… Where was this?
Looking back down at herself, she was a little embarrassed to see she was in her pajamas… reaching up, she didn't find her flower headband. With a frown, she started making a crown of flowers out of the lilies around her.
They smelled lovely, a delicate moonlight.
"Oh, I'm dreaming." She muttered, finishing the crown before placing it upon her head.
Then she got up and set off to explore, only to make it a single step before she found herself looking at, wide eyed, the tombstones. So many of them… a wall of them! And was that a cottage?
Her curiosity was cut short by the sounds of crying.
Warily, Kazari moved closer, until she found the source… Was that Lyra? And who was that other woman? She was so tall! And that dress was so pretty.
The woman looked up, meeting her eyes, even as she rubbed Lyra's back affectionately, "Welcome to the Hunter's Dream, Sweet Dreamer."
"S-sw-eet Dreamer?" Lyra mumbled, turning to look, her eyes going huge. "A-ah… um… Kazari? No… how did you…?"
She couldn't help but cock her head at that question, "Isn't this my dream?"
"H-h-haha." Lyra giggled manically, "No, heavens no! I… H-ha… This is a dream for Hunters, a place of rest… but- no, it doesn't matter. I… Ha… what do I even say to this? Will you even remember any of this when you wake?"
"F-fuck…" Kazari's eyes went wide at the curse. "Fuck… This… this changes things. I need to think. And maybe-"
She didn't hear what Lyra said at the end, but she stood, tottering for a moment before wandering towards the cottage. For a moment, Kazari wanted to follow, but…
Walking over, she stopped in front of the woman, and bowed, "I am Uiharu Kazari, it is nice to meet you."
The woman cocked her head, reaching out and stroking her cheek with- with ball jointed hands! And she spoke, "It is nice to meet someone not bound to the Hunt, I am simply a Doll. Here to care for Hunters. But you have a question, I can see it… please, ask."
Kazari stood very, very still. Fear, curiosity and an odd disquiet warring within her for a long time, then she asked, "Is it true? Did Lyra die?"
"Ah." The Doll breathed out gently, her hand returning to its position in front of her, with its twin. "Many, many times. It is part of the Burden that Hunters must come to terms with. The Seeker had an easier time than many, and a harder time than many others."
The Doll looked up at the red moon hanging in the sky for a long moment before continuing, "But if you mean before she came to the Dream? Yes."
Kazari's stomach dropped out, leaving her queasy, with no need to throw up.
"Hmm… come, Sweet Dreamer, your morning rushes to greet you." The Doll spoke softly, but somehow it felt like a command to Kazari, but she followed as the Doll led her back out into the field of flowers. Sitting, and patting her lap. "The Moon Lilies suit you, but let me make you a better crown."
Kazari woke, oddly content, the smell of moonlight thick around her. That… had been a dream, right? The crown of glowing flowers falling into her lap argued that question.
****************************************************************
I woke; it was sudden, and without drowsiness… it was to the terror of what I had seen. Kazari had been pulled into the Hunter's Dream. I- I…
Pulling the blankets around me, I backed into the corner of the bed and started rocking back and forth. I had doomed her! I- how could I make this up to her! She would be dragged in, forced to be a Hunter! She would… she would suffer so many deaths.
The smell of moonlight filled the apartment, heady, comforting, terrifying. It had been real, that was the only explanation… I had to fight to not start hyperventilating, and part of me wondered why I was bothering.
But I listened, hearing Kazari move around on her bed, before climbing down… Moon Lilies threaded through her hair… It was pretty. They made her eyes more golden than brown.
"Are… are you ok?" She asked in her gentle voice, and that was all I could take, I snapped forward, arms reaching out, and pulled her back into my corner, wrapping her in a tight hug.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." I mumbled, still rocking.
She squirmed awkwardly for a long moment before coming to a rest. Then she reached up, bringing my face up so she could look me in the eyes. "It's ok. Burke-sa- Lyra-chan… It's ok."
Shaking my head, I muttered, "You don't understand… not yet… but they know about you now. You'll be drawn in… they'll turn you into a Hunter."
I could hear the manic, near incoherent tone my voice was taking on, don't doubt that. I just couldn't stop.
"Who? The Doll?" She asked gently, the disbelief obvious in her voice.
"N-no." I replied, forcing myself to calm down, forcing autohypnosis. "No, the- Ha… I can't even tell you without drawing you in more. No, the Doll and Gerhman are good people."
I slowly let go of Kazari, but she didn't move away, just adjusted herself until she was sitting next to me… both of us under the same blanket.
Silence stretched once she stopped moving, until she finally spoke. "Doll told me you really died… do you want to talk about it?"
H-ha! No. "I… yeah, I died. My Earth… we call it Gaia."
"But you're not dead." She prodded, pushing up against my side… in what support? "How does that work?"
"Luck." I answered, "And a heavy dose of magic."
"Magic." She whispered, tasting the word, and sounding unsure if she liked it. "Is… is that what the… the Dream is?"
If only. I didn't say… trying to find the right words. "Maybe? A little? Dreams, and Nightmares, are Eldritch domains… it's all Eldritch power, not magic. But from a scientific view, and if you aren't trying to get specific… yeah. Magic."
Kazari went still, and I could hear a temple in her words, feel it from where she was leaning against me. "Like Lovecraft's works? Cthulhu?"
"Yeah." I agreed, "Kind of like that."
"Ok…" She breathed out, one hand reaching up to play with one of the lilies in her hair. "It's hard to argue with physical proof… but Magic… it's hard to imagine something so whimsical is real."
Whimsical? Ah… I suppose.
"Well, technically, as a Magus, I use Magecraft." I offered, "It's basically science. It's about understanding phenomena, mysteries, and replicating them. True Magic is… well, it doesn't matter. Not right now."
"Ok." Kazari muttered, then nodded. "Ok, so magecraft. Not Esper? Are you sure? I thought magic would be all wands and silly rhymes?"
"No... well, for some Magi, maybe? But it's an outlier, unless magic is different in this world. Though there seems to be a lot of overlap between Magecraft and who you described Esper." I offered up, "A Magus uses self hypnosis to give themself a near absolute certainty in what they're doing."
"Which is like an Esper's personal reality." She agreed, nodding. "Ok, that makes some sense. Are you-" She was interrupted by a knock on the front door.
"It's already…" She asked, sighing. Then got up and headed for the door.
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Wow, that's so promising! I really look forward to how you describe your understanding of local magic tricks through the prism of NasuVerse magical art.
By the way, you shouldn't have wished "sweet Dreams" to your new friend. Especially when you're so saturated with "Insight".
I'm waiting for the interaction between the characters of To Aru and what circles will go through the surface of the canon because of the mc. Speaking of which, did she move into one of the Misaka Mikoto clones? Or is it just that in Academy City, ordinary mad scientists are doing the usual inhumane experiments on children?
By the way, you shouldn't have wished "sweet Dreams" to your new friend. Especially when you're so saturated with "Insight".
I'm waiting for the interaction between the characters of To Aru and what circles will go through the surface of the canon because of the mc. Speaking of which, did she move into one of the Misaka Mikoto clones? Or is it just that in Academy City, ordinary mad scientists are doing the usual inhumane experiments on children?
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
Yes. I suppose it's fine to say it now. If you go back to the first chapter, you'll find two quick lines hidden in there of a memory of Accelerator killing her. What number she is will come up eventually too. Also, strange interactions with Mikoto.
Jordisk
<Unverified N00B>
- Location
- Blind Eternities
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
What the F? 13 circuits is D rank, if not E. 20 is C, aka average for established families. Sure, there is also Circuit Quality to consider, but if they are old enough to have a crest she should have at least 20 circuits, and the crest itself IS MADE OF additional circuits.
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
thirteen, and thirteen in the crest. Yes, it is a problem, or was. But this is partly a purposeful choice to explain away why she's not mentioned in nasu canon. as someone who's family specializes in mystic codes. It was also because it was amusing for her to start with thirteen. luckily, blood can fix many things.
Dead Apostles all across the timelines agree with you.
Glad to see you still writing Kerashana. Great story so far, it's a darker story with the inclusion of Bloodborne than I am used to from you. Story watched.
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
Let me tell you, this story has been going interesting places. I'm trying to drag out some of the arcs and events... but it's always hard to create comfortable, believable spacing between events.
P.S. For anyone reading this. Next chapter, Monday. And I plan on (trying) to post every Monday. But if you're used to my works, you'll know I am a bit erratic in my posting. Sorry in advance. Still, I have enough this should be smooth for at least a month. Probably more.
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Tis fine, as always, we love your work no matter the schedule<3
- Location
- America
For some reason, it feels like a lot of events and actions lack 'weight', like the characters aren't reacting as they should or are just going through the motions of it.
Like, Eileen leaving the dream, Eileen didn't feel significant and I didn't understand why Lyra mourned her, even said mourning didn't feel like much.
Heck, when she acknowledges that she isn't in her own body she only really mentions what's there and not what was lost, except way later when bemoaning her lack of abs and chest...and that's all we know of the original Lyra Burke, as far as her family goes, the most we know is that they were a magus family and they specialized in mystic codes...which feels very general for a magus family specialization given most family's will make mystic codes eventually that interact with their specific magecraft. Did she even like her family?
She mentions having her second origin messed with, but she doesn't mention what it was before or what her first origin is, like, is she an Average One or what? I can't imagine having it overwritten to Hunter has made her better at the family crafting magecraft. And in spite of how valueable and irreplaceable her Crest is...She messes with it with at most a thought of caution and only panics at the thought of having messed with it after.
I also found the whole interaction with Uiharu a bit strange, like, if she's panic dumping everything that happened to her, then she comes across as too composed, like she should be saying all this shit that happened to her in one paniced breath then a composed 3 sentence summary across 3 paragraphs...and then Uiharu believes her? Like sure, I Uiharu would believe something 'Fucked Up' happened but Uiharu lives is a world of Espers that can do impossible thing and Lyra would look like a escaped science experiment, some of what she's saying may be true but that doesn't mean she was thinking clearly, and if she's composed and telling her this...why? Why would she tell her any of this shit when it's so goddamn fantastical? Did she just want it off her chest and planned to pull the ol' Magus mindwipe?
Also, why does she think Uiharu is Kind for taking her in? It is nice, don't get me wrong, but it's not an unbelievable kindness, if she straight went out of her way to get her set up in a house, clothes, and stipend and helped her sort out all required paperwork to exist, that would be hella kind, but taking her in is 'just' worthy of gratitude.
Also jumping straight to "parallel worlds" as the explanation as to why she can't find her house is a leap when a few other less fantastical explanations haven't even been brought up, such as simply getting the address wrong, the satelite picture being out of date, the manor been bought out and demolished...none of these occured but they are still viable explanations from uiharu's perspective that need to be addressed before something like "Another world" can even start to be considered
Overall, it feels like you have a scene in the future you are looking forward and just need these events 'to have happened in the past' like a person would like 'to have skydived'.
Sorry if this comes across as harsh.
Like, Eileen leaving the dream, Eileen didn't feel significant and I didn't understand why Lyra mourned her, even said mourning didn't feel like much.
Heck, when she acknowledges that she isn't in her own body she only really mentions what's there and not what was lost, except way later when bemoaning her lack of abs and chest...and that's all we know of the original Lyra Burke, as far as her family goes, the most we know is that they were a magus family and they specialized in mystic codes...which feels very general for a magus family specialization given most family's will make mystic codes eventually that interact with their specific magecraft. Did she even like her family?
She mentions having her second origin messed with, but she doesn't mention what it was before or what her first origin is, like, is she an Average One or what? I can't imagine having it overwritten to Hunter has made her better at the family crafting magecraft. And in spite of how valueable and irreplaceable her Crest is...She messes with it with at most a thought of caution and only panics at the thought of having messed with it after.
I also found the whole interaction with Uiharu a bit strange, like, if she's panic dumping everything that happened to her, then she comes across as too composed, like she should be saying all this shit that happened to her in one paniced breath then a composed 3 sentence summary across 3 paragraphs...and then Uiharu believes her? Like sure, I Uiharu would believe something 'Fucked Up' happened but Uiharu lives is a world of Espers that can do impossible thing and Lyra would look like a escaped science experiment, some of what she's saying may be true but that doesn't mean she was thinking clearly, and if she's composed and telling her this...why? Why would she tell her any of this shit when it's so goddamn fantastical? Did she just want it off her chest and planned to pull the ol' Magus mindwipe?
Also, why does she think Uiharu is Kind for taking her in? It is nice, don't get me wrong, but it's not an unbelievable kindness, if she straight went out of her way to get her set up in a house, clothes, and stipend and helped her sort out all required paperwork to exist, that would be hella kind, but taking her in is 'just' worthy of gratitude.
Also jumping straight to "parallel worlds" as the explanation as to why she can't find her house is a leap when a few other less fantastical explanations haven't even been brought up, such as simply getting the address wrong, the satelite picture being out of date, the manor been bought out and demolished...none of these occured but they are still viable explanations from uiharu's perspective that need to be addressed before something like "Another world" can even start to be considered
Overall, it feels like you have a scene in the future you are looking forward and just need these events 'to have happened in the past' like a person would like 'to have skydived'.
Sorry if this comes across as harsh.
So this is fantastic, but it could do with a warning that you need some Bloodborne knowledge to understand what's going on. I've never played the games but I enjoy their fanfics, and I'm positive this would have read like a fever dream if I didn't have at least that much familiarity.
Fitting for Bloodborne, yes, but not exactly conductive for grasping the story. It's almost like you took an idea for a whole fanfic and condensed it into a single arc.
Anyway. Looking forward for more!
Fitting for Bloodborne, yes, but not exactly conductive for grasping the story. It's almost like you took an idea for a whole fanfic and condensed it into a single arc.
Anyway. Looking forward for more!
2.2 Awakening Arc
New
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
Mii Konori smiled as she approached the apartment complex, a box of donuts in one arm, and drinks in the other. Hopefully, Uiharu was right about this stranger… If they hurt her… Well, Mii would bring the full force of Judgement down.
Her steps paused as she neared the stairs, stopping to look at a flower bed. An odd softly glowing flower, growing in it, next to all the others…
Shrugging to herself, she headed up, somehow not realizing it was weird for flowers to glow. Something she would berate herself about weeks later.
Stopping in front of Uiharu's door, Mii shuffled around her things, before knocking. It was… admittedly earlier than she intended, but the line at the donut shop had been short today, and she admittedly was worried for the girl.
A few moments later, Uiharu answered the door, still in her pajamas and blushing slightly. "Konori-San! Um… please come in."
What really caught her eye regarding her Kohai though, were the flowers in her hair. The looked like the one she had passed down stairs. They were pretty, and it was a nice look for Uiharu.
And that train of thought was forgotten the moment she stepped into the apartment. The smell of moonlight washing over her. It was soothing, relaxing. A balm to her slight worries. But not the only thing she noticed.
There was a girl, about Uiharu's age, sitting on her the bottom bunk, looking disheveled… with that special glint in her eyes of someone dealing with trauma… and her eyes. Mii didn't realize that kind of silver-blue was a natural color.
"O-ho!" She let out, putting as much amusement in her tone as she could. It looked like they had been talking about something heavy, she would just lighten the mood a bit, and maybe poke some fun at Uiharu. "Has our dear Uiharu found romance?"
As expected they both- Huh? Well, as expected Uiharu sputtered, then started spouting a denial. The girl on the other hand, she just smiled an amused smile, and asked, "But Kazari, don't you like me? Am- is it because I'm broken?"
Mii was shocked, taken about! What was this! Uiharu was taking it even worse, her composure breaking as she sputtered in confusion, embarrassment… but notably not denial?
Ara Ara?
Then the girl transformed before Mii. What she only now realized had been a mask of dejection fell away as the biggest grin of amusement Mii had ever seen formed on her face- Human teeth aren't meant to be that pointed and sharp- And she let out a kind laugh, not gentle, but also not mocking.
"I'm just messing with you," The girl spoke between laughter, "Mostly."
"I- um, have breakfast?" Mii offered, a little shell shocked, but she couldn't suppress her amusement even as Uiharu slowly regained her composure.
"That was mean." Her Kohai muttered, even as she got Mii situated in her computer chair, and grabbed some clothes. "I'm going to get dressed… um… Do I need to do introductions?"
Still grinning, the girl shrugged, "It's fine."
Then she waited for a moment, then leaned forward and looked into the donut box. "Yes, Apple fritter! It's been far too long my friend."
The girl hesitated, her fingers tightening on the offered napkin. A conflicted storm of emotions flickering around in her eyes. Finally, she leaned back and spoke. "Well, huh… I guess, good morning, I'm Ly- er… right. That is Burke Lyra. And I kind of… hmm… I don't exist in this world?"
Mii frowned, her mind spinning through the possibilities. Academy City wasn't a stranger to strange occurrences, but this felt… different. Her instincts told her the girl was sincere, yet the rational part of her screamed for caution. Strange experiments, cover-ups, and lies—how much of the truth could she really afford to believe? So she considered her options. Reporting Burke-Chan to Anti-Skill would mean exposing her to Academy City's darker elements. But keeping quiet meant bending the rules—something she wasn't sure she could justify.
Yet, the girl's eyes, Mii felt like if she didn't do something, she would be failing. "What do you mean by you don't exist? You're here, eating donuts, so…"
The gi- Burke-Chan seemed to pick up on the leading tone, and after a bite of her donut, tried to explain, not that it helped much."It's complicated, but basically- um… hmmm… ah. An experiment saved my life. I was d- dying in my world, but something happened to cause me to wake up in this one? And well… Kazari looked me up last night, and even tried to find my home. I'm a non-entity."
Mii just stared, wide eyed. Because what? What was this! It just sounded like the set up for some movie. And yet… The city had its secrets—layers of them, each more twisted than the last. And Burke-Chan wasn't lying to her. She wasn't sure how she could tell, some sixth sense?
She was sure it wasn't the whole truth, but it was enough to make Mii start weighing the need to bend the rules a little. To hide the truth of this. If for no other reason than to prevent a tragedy.
Violently shaking those thoughts away, Mii refocused with a smile. "Ah, sorry. I'm Konori Mii, is it a pleasure to meet you Burke-Chan. And don't worry, Judgement will handle things."
"Alright," Burke-Chan muttered with a shrug. "I assume I'm going to have some paperwork to fill out?"
Mii held her breath for a long moment, trying not to think about Paperwork, and how much this would generate… "Yes… um, you do have a change of clothes?"
"Nope." Burke-Chan replied casually, and that was frustrating. Getting her something to wear would be important.
But Mii asked another question, one that was eating at her. "Um… where are you from? If you don't mind me asking?"
"America, Kingsport." She replied immediately, definitely not a rehearsed answer. But America? That would explain the idiosyncrasies in her reactions and demeanor… Did she even realize what calling someone by their Given name implied?
***************************************************************
I was less than happy to be in a school uniform, especially this… this skirted thing! Give me pants, or give me… well, pants. But at least everything fit, and I had underclothes! It was amazing! You know what isn't amazing? Paperwork! I won't exaggerate, it wasn't a mountain. But damn was my hand cramping.
"Burke-Chan?" Kazari asked, sitting down next to me, "Um… I wanted to ask. You're using self hypnosis, aren't you?"
Sighing, I put down my pen and stretched. I was so glad I could do all of this in english. My translation mystery didn't actually help with writing. Reading? Sure. but not writing… yeah, I know. Seems silly.
Breathing out, I glanced around, but it seemed that we were the only ones if the office right now… and that office? Take any corporate office and you have a good idea what this place looked like. "Yeah… yeah. It's not healthy, I'm well aware of that. It's why I'm only suppressing most of the… trauma, I guess. My great Grandfather spent time studying trauma and how to overcome it. Since then, my family has had strict views on how we handle it."
Kazari gave me the cutest little pout, "I don't like it. But right now isn't the best time for you to break down." She sounded so bitter, saying that.
Reaching over, I pulled her into a half hug. "Thank you for caring. Only Doll has even cared enough to be worth mentioning."
"A-ah?" She 'eeped' out, eyes wide. "I-thank you?"
Letting go, I got back to my paperwork… and sighed, "I'm going to need a place to stay."
"W-well, you can stay with me?" She offered, "I mean, student housing is subsidised by the city."
Looking down at the current form, I frowned at it. I didn't have transcripts so… checking a box, I debated the merits of trying to test out, and pushed the thought away. If I did too well, I would be forced to leave the city, right?
Why did I even want to stay? I mean, I guess I latched onto Kazari a bit. But I could leave and… sighing, I shrugged internally. It was whatever, but this city had colleges too… Oh? A research form? Did I have any areas of research I wanted to pitch/explore?
First thing, and improved cell phone. I'd seen what people around here were using… flip phones? Really? And um, how to phrase it? Molecular pattern encoding; Investigating the effects of encoded molecular patterns on energy transfer and elemental reactivity. And how about, Biometric energy synchronization; Exploring the synchronization of biological energy pathways for enhanced metabolic and neurological efficiency.
Bleh. Well, that was a mouthful.
Looking up from the form, Kazari frowned, and asked, "Those can't actually be real things."
Smiling, I shrugged. "Yeah, they are."
Silence stretched for a moment, then the door all but slammed open. "Uiharu-Chan! You're here!"
The girl who was making such a commotion also had black hair, with a white flower on either side of her head. Her dark blue eyes swept over me, assessing, even as she all but pranced around. "O-ho! You have a new headband! And the flowers are so pretty! How are they glowing!"
She was also very energetic, and shoved her face right up to Kazari's head. "They smell?" Then she stumbled back, seemingly stunned by something. "How do they smell like Moonlight! Moonlight doesn't smell!"
Oh… that. Ha!
Clearing my throat lightly, I answered, "Synthesia. The smell makes your brain think of moonlight." It wasn't. It was Eldritch fuckery, but it was better if I didn't bring that up.
"That… ok, that makes more sense… um. Hi? I'm Saten Ruiko. " She mumbled, introducing herself, then paused, squinting at me for a moment. "Why are your eyes glowing?"
Smiling wider, I replied, "Burke Lyra, and are you sure they glow? Maybe you're seeing things?"
Pursing her lips, she took three steps and was suddenly in my face. "Yup, they're glowing! Oh, and you have a tat-" She gasped, "Is that a brand?"
Pitching my voice in a husky tone, I replied, "Well, if we're already this close, I'm just going to call you Ruiko."
Springing back, face going bright red, she laughed out, "Ahaha- um, that is…"
It was amazing how nice it was to just... cut loose and have fun. This was the best way to deal with Trauma. Maybe I would be ok again... one day. Still, I could see the moment in her eyes when her brain went 'oh, look! A distraction!' "Konori Senpai told me about you! Are you done with those forms?"
Looking down, I thought about pushing… but let it slide as I looked over the last one… and pushed it to the side. "Yup. I don't have transcripts, or guardians."
"S-saten-san!" Kazari implored, beet red, and not looking either of us in the eyes. "Saten-san, this isn't the time for teasing! Burke-san has been through a lot..."
"Um… right. It's time for work, not play." Saten muttered out, seeming to be rallying her dignity, then in a louder voice, "I'll file your paperwork, but let me get you set up with the placement tests first!"
And that? That was how I met Ruiko. The placement tests, though? A joke. I'd have done them blindfolded if they'd let me, just to make it interesting.
***************************************************************
Mii sighed as she walked back to Judgement branch 177, another day of school blending into the routine. Even if she got to skip some of her classes today. But now it was time for work! Someone was being sent over with Burke-san's temp ID, so she had to hurry and meet them. Hopefully it was someone she knew. "Konori-san?"
Turning, she faced an adult—a rare sight in Academy City, she supposed. The woman was of an average build, with pale brown eyes and dark purple hair… and she was wearing a labcoat.
"Yes, can I help you…" Mii asked leadingly.
"Yoshikawa Kikyou." She replied placidly, "I have Burke-san's temporary ID. But I was also chosen for my experience. Her research topics caught some eyes, you see, and that coupled with the results from her placement tests have garnered some attention."
Mii carefully kept herself from reacting, because the whole idea had been not to garner attention! "Then, I guess we should head inside, Burke-Chan should be in the main office."
"Lead on." Yoshikawa-san prompted, and Mii led her through the familiar corridors of the Judgement branch. It wasn't long before they reached the main office, where Burke and Uiharu were already deep in conversation.
"Where's Saten?" Mii asked, not seeing the little gremlin.
"Oh, she went to go get lunch." Uiharu replied, looking up.
"Well, then." Mii nodded, "This is Yoshikawa-San, she's here to speak with Burke-chan about her topics of research?"
Burke smiled, her toothy grin unnervingly sharp, stalling Yoshikawa-san and giving Mii pause. She never realized teeth could be that sharp.
"Wonderful!" Burke all but purred, "Which topic?"
"Molecular pattern encoding." Yoshikawa-san replied, "I was asked to seek clarity? And to bring you these of course." She finally moved forward, closing the distance and placed a few papers on the desk. "Your temporary ID, placement test scores, and the first wave of offers from schools showing interest."
Mii was surprised, how well did Burke do? Usually it took a week or two, especially during the school year.
Burke, rudely in Mii's opinion, ignored Yoshikawa-san's question, looking over the papers. "What?!"
Mii walked over to the desks, wondering what was wrong.
"What kind of placement test was that?" Burke complained.
"Well," Uiharu replied, "The placement tests use an AI to assess and raise the difficulty as needed. What magnitude was your test?"
"Twelve." Burke replied, and while Yoshikawa-san didn't react in surprise, Mii certainly was surprised, much as her Kohai was.
"How are you so smart?" Uiharu asked, her surprise shining through her usually shy demeanor… which was something of note in itself for Mii. Her Kohai was usually very reserved… Maybe being around Burke's less than reverent personality was tempering her?
On the other hand, Mii had never heard of someone pushing the placement test over magnitude eight… To get to twelve… you'd either have to be a prodigy among prodigies… or maybe have such a wide breadth of knowledge and understanding that you might as well count.
So, which was Burke? She was only fourteen, right? When could she have learned so much? But finally, Burke sighed, and spoke, changing topics. "Molecular pattern encoding?" Then she moved over and took a seat before continuing.
"It's the study of how molecular structures influence energy dynamics and reactivity," Burke began, gesturing for emphasis. "Think of it like programming for physical matter. Arrange molecules precisely, and you can guide how they interact with heat, light, or pressure." She paused, glancing at Yoshikawa for a reaction. "It's not just about new compounds; it's about control at a fundamental level."
Mii sucked on her lips, thinking that over for a second… It sounded fanciful… but at the same time, it sounded like how some Level 4s explained their power… No, that couldn't be, right? "Burke-Chan… Are you an Esper?"
Yoshikawa-san shifted, seeming interested if incredulous, but it was her Kohai's reaction that had her eyes narrowing. Uiharu looked like she was caught eating parfaits when she should be patrolling. Again.
But Burke hasn't been to any Power Development classes… right?
"Yeah?" Burke agreed, voice uncaring.
Yoshikawa-san frowned asking, "You're suggesting a kind of programmable chemistry? Encoding behavior into molecules to produce specific outcomes? You're aware things don't work the same outside your personal reality?"
"Sure." Burke agreed, "But are you saying something couldn't be learned from it anyways?"
"That… is true." Yoshikawa-san agreed slowly, "Could you give us an example?"
Burke leaned forward to grab a post-it note, and replied with a simple, "Sure."
After a moment she finished and held up the post-it, then it burst into light, causing Mii to blink rapidly, the flash leaving ghostly spots in her vision. She fought the urge to snap, instead drawing a calming breath.
"Ah, sorry, I didn't think that would be too bright.?" Burke apologized.
***********************************************************
Walking into this underground mall, Seventh Mist, I have to admit, I was kind of overwhelmed. There were more people here than I think I've ever seen in one place, most of them kids at that! And they all had some level of thin aura coating their skins… some- most I only knew were there because of some unnameable sense. But the age of the mall had died long ago back on Gaia, but it seemed to be alive and well here- hmm… I would need to come up with a name for this Earth. If only to keep things straight in my own mind.
Maybe Logos? Eh, I guess I'd keep workshopping it.
But really, it was amazing to see so many people wandering around and having fun. The bright lights weren't much of a problem, but the noise was getting to me. I mean, my hearing was pretty good these days.
"Where should we start?" Kazari asked, looking around happily, "Maybe some dresses?"
Smiling softly, I replied, "Where else, the very basics. I need toiletries and underwear."
"O-oh, right." She agreed, face going red. "Um, t-this way?"
She led me to a nice little shop, and I noticed a few I would be dropping by soon. But the shop was filled with soaps, shampoos, conditioners… and make up. Going through soaps was… eh. There were a lot of scents.
Kazari for instance was looking at a white peach, Sakura scented set of shampoos, conditioner, and body soap. And when she caught me looking gave me a smile, "You know, Burkec-chan, this scent always reminds me of home. My mom used to buy sakura-scented everything." She hesitated, then added, "It's calming, don't you think?"
"Hmm?" I hummed, leaning over hand smelling it. "I suppose it is.
"What are you going to get?" She asked, looking at the small trial set I had. it was spearmint and green tea.
"Well, I figured I'd try my hand at making my own." I replied, "I used to know this girl who made her soap from scratch. All natural and hand crafted... Not sure I'm that good. But adding scents should be easy enough." Thus spoken, I grabbed a set of scentless soaps meant for DIY, along with some essence of sandalwood and essence of sage.
"That's kind of amazing... think I should make my own too?" She asked, looking at the DIY sets hesitantly.
"How about you let me try this out." I offered, "If it works out, we can always come back. No sense in spending more money on an uncertainty."
With a nod, she asked, "You're right, are you going to get any makeup?" Curiosity and what I could have sworn was hope in her tone. But why would she want me to get makeup?
I grabbed a pack of hairbands as well as a hairbrush, and stopped, looking at the makeup…
"Come on, every girl needs some makeup." Kazari prodded, that same tone in her voice. But I suppose I should get the basics. So I walked over, looking through the offerings, a grin spread across my face. They had my brand! Ha! Well, no mine, per se, but the brand I used to use. I use? Hm… eh.
Running my finger along the color codes, I found my Plum Wine. And they even had my chapstick too, raspberry. You know? I'm starting to like it here.
Turning back, I grinned. "This is all I need."
Check out was fast enough, and we moved on to the next shop, a standard retail shop, where I got me some underwear. And no, I'm not telling you about it, just use your imagination. While there though, I let Kazari pull me over towards some blouses. Stopping to grab a few shorts, pants, and sweats in my size, along with a few cami's, shirts, and a pair of pajamas.
"What do you think Burke-ch-chan?" She asked, holding up a blouse with some ruffled… hmm.
"The design suits you, but I think this color would be better." I held out a soft pink version.
"I-I guess." She agreed, looking at it. "What about you? Aren't you going to get something cute?"
Looking down at my basket, I shrugged, "It's not really my style?"
"I- you would look cute in it though." She replied, maybe even tried to argue, but her shy hesitance undermined the attempt. Still.
"For now, I'm just getting the basics. Maybe we can come back, maybe with Ruiko." I replied, "I'll let you pick out some outfits for me to try then."
"Alright," Kazari nodded, a smile on her face, confidence returning. "We'll totally make you a cute Ojou-Sama!"
"Sure, come on, I still have to get my clothes and a laptop… and phone." I prodded and we got moving, but she did get the blouse.
Then we were standing before my destination, Elegante Radiance. It was a boutique for dress cloths with an on staff tailor. They had a number of dresses… a lot of dresses, up in the windows with a few nice suits. It was also empty. No customers.
Walking in, I could feel Kazari hesitate behind me, before trailing along.
"A customer? Or are you just here to peruse our dresses perhaps?" Asked a woman in a navy skirt suit.
"Well, um." Kazari started, and I just smiled, before speaking up.
"I'm looking for day-wear business casual," I began, catching the saleswoman's attention and watching as her eyes shifted, assessing me. "Black slacks, a dress shirt—not a blouse—a tie, and a vest. I'll also need a raincoat. If you have them, treaded dress shoes, preferably steel-toed. And again, day-wear—durable and dependable."
"Well, we can certainly do that," She agreed, smiling, "Right this way."
She led me- us around a corner in the shop and to a more department store-like section. There were racks of uniforms, and associated accessories. With signs denoting them as Tokiwadai, or St. Liliana Academy. Schools I guess. But I was led past that and to a set of mirrors and a changing room.
"Please step into the changing room, I will need to get your measurements." The Saleswoman finally spoke, before hesitating for a moment, "And your method of payment. I'm sorry, but we have to check to make sure you can pay for our services."
Balls… Well, at least I had a charge card with an obscene stipend on it. And that was just from my placement test. Well, no. The stipend wasn't that great just for grades. Good, sure, but not great. Still, they gave me half a year's worth as funds to get settled into the city. That? That was nice.
Still, I winced a bit as I handed over the card, and waited for the saleswoman to return.
"Steel-toed dress shoes?" Kazari spoke up, well, asked with a giggle. "You're not planning on kicking anyone, right?" She paused, looking at me with narrowed eyes. "Right?"
My lack of reply might have been too damning. But she continued with a nervous chuckle, "Um. You know, they do have really cute boots over there…"
Cute... I guess? the flower motif was nice enough. But the heel... maybe I've been wearing Edwardian clothes too long, but anything more than an inch seems stupid. A quarter of less is better. Hmm... Maybe I would be able to enhance these new clothes? It was an interesting idea. But getting Blood Echoes… maybe I could return to the slums? I haven't tried yet.
"Well, everything looks good." The saleswoman said as she returned, giving my back my card. "Shall we?"
I could drone on-and-on about getting fitted for good clothes. It comes with being the heir of a Magus family. Even if we were better about keeping up with the rest of the world. Dresses are nice and all… but they take so long to get into.
And getting custom fitted clothes… well, it took hours to get one set. But with all the measurements, I was promised the rest would be ready by noon tomorrow.
I even had these nice black gloves to go with the set I was given.
In comparison, getting a laptop and a phone was nothing.
**************************************************************
During the walk home, Kazari mulled over everything she had learned about Burke. Well, more specifically about magic. Did her apparent Esper invalidate any of it?
Reaching up and touching her new headband, she couldn't shake the certainty that it didn't. Was that a good thing? Or a bad one? The way she described magic… if it had consistent rules… Well, it wasn't mumbo-jumbo. It was another branch of science.
So, what did she want to know? Everything. But that wouldn't work, she needed to start with some basics. Maybe double check her understanding of- of this Magecraft? No, she should start by asking about how it works. Yes!
Smiling, and walking with more confidence, Kazari looked down at the bag she was carrying. A pink blouse… she had always wanted to get it. But Saten always said things like pink, making it look childish. It was nice to have a- a friend who didn't disparage her preferences, even jokingly as Saten did.
As they approached the stairs to her apartment, Kazari looked up as the streetlights started flickered to life, her steps slowing when something in the corner of her vision caught her attention.
Burke seemed to notice the moment she stopped moving, and looked back, asking. "Is something wrong?"
"Um…" She muttered, eyes locked on the small patch of flower growing in the shadowed flowerbed. "Those are Moon Lilies."
There was a frown on her face, a look of incomprehension. "Yeah, so?"
Kazari almost frowned at that, didn't she understand how… "How long were you in the Dream?"
Her reply was a shrug and, "A long time. Hmm, never really thought of it… but a century? Yeah, that lines up."
"A century?" She asked, staggering back, eyes wide, the words felt too big, too impossible, as if they didn't belong in the same world she knew. How could someone live through that? How could someone stay… sane? But it explained a lot. Her maturity, her grac- uh.
"Bur- L-l-lyra." She clutched the strap of her bag tightly, as though grounding herself. "Those are Moon Lilies. We aren't Dreaming."
There was a moment more of incomprehension, then Lyra's eyes finally went large with recognition. "That… would be bad."
"Y-yeah…" Kazari agreed, before shooing Lyra up stairs. "I um- If you don't mind, I have questions?"
The door clicked shut, muffling the faint hum of the city. With a humm, Lyra started moving around, dropping a bag of groceries at the kitchen nook, placing her new clothes down… then she looked around for a moment. "Sure, just let me get changed. Then you can ask whatever you want while I make us something."
"You can cook?" Kazari asked, surprised and impressed.
"Sure, let's call it that." Lyra replied, digging around in a bag for a minute. When she came out, it was with a pair of sweats and a camisole. "Back in a moment."
Kazari took a moment before replying. "Uh, take your time, is there anything I can do to get started?"
She paused, and backtracked to her back, pulling out some of the soap she got, then Lyra replied, "Sure, wash out that pot, then fill it half with water. Start it boiling."
Admittedly, she was kind of curious now. But she did as asked, looking through the bag and wondering what someone could make with so much cheese? Oh! Was Lyra going to make fondue?
She took the chance to change as well, once she heard the shower running. It might be a bit early for pajamas, but they didn't plan to go anywhere… So why not?
Kazari took some time to organize her question, setting up a word document on her computer. And finally, Lyra came out of the bathroom… so looked… "Ha?" She looked good. Her skin was smooth and pale, blemish free. Except it wasn't. She was covered in thin, faded scales. More of white lines struggling to stand out from her pale skin. Lyra needed more sunlight.
"Oh, good it's boiling." Lyra cheered, walking over to the kitchen nook. She was wearing black sweats with a pink Sakura pattern on the side of the legs. And- Kazari's brain stuttered at the camisole. It was a light pink with MomoNeko on it! The cute little bowler hat tilted rakish, and a line of english text under it. 'Why are we here? To eat peaches.'
Kazari hadn't expected Lyra of all people to like MomoNeko, and she watched as the other girl bustled around the nook, making… something? A pasta? The smell of bacon was making her hungrier. "Um… ok, so how does magic work? I mean, how do you perform it? And what are the differences from Esper?"
"Hrrnn." Lyra vocalized, "I guess the core difference is the application. Espers use personal realities, yeah? Well, a Magus- and it's Magecraft not magic- uses a metaphysical organ called Magic Circuits. They're a kind of mutation, and not everyone has them."
She moved about, checking the noodles and putting more bacon on the stove. "A magic circuit is a medium to transform Od, basically life force, into Prana. Prana is then used to enact mysteries."
With that, she swiped a finger through the air, a symbol appearing, then all the cooked bacon was cut into small pieces. "No, Runes are not the only way to enact mysteries. Just the way I have the most practice in."
Kazari hummed thoughtfully, making sure to keep notes of this. "Part of the process of enacting a mystery is self hypnosis to cause the Magus to believe what they are doing is possible with an unshakable certainty."
She started nodding slowly, after all, that sounded familiar. So she asked, "Then Espers… our personal realities allow us to… what enact mysteries because we fully believe it?"
"I don't think so." Lyra replied, straining the noodles before running hot water over them. "There's some overlap, yeah. But I'm not sure if it's a mystery or not. I need to find someone willing to help me in my studies."
"I- I wouldn't mind." Kazari replied timidly, but she was smiling. "But um… is there a way to see if someone had Magic Circuits?"
There was another 'hn' sound from the kitchen nook before she replied, "Yeah, but I wouldn't hold your breath, it's not super common. But I can check after dinner."
By the time Lyra walked over with dinner, there was a whole host of things in the trash can. An empty jar of alfredo sauce, an empty bag of shredded cheese, even the container for some fresh cut white onions.
The bowl set down before her dashed Kazari's hopes. It wasn't some refined, high class food. It was mac&cheese.
Taking up her spoon, she hesitantly took her first bite, and her eyes went big. "Good?"
"Yeah," Lyra agreed, this is my comfort food. "Not very healthy, but so good."
Her steps paused as she neared the stairs, stopping to look at a flower bed. An odd softly glowing flower, growing in it, next to all the others…
Shrugging to herself, she headed up, somehow not realizing it was weird for flowers to glow. Something she would berate herself about weeks later.
Stopping in front of Uiharu's door, Mii shuffled around her things, before knocking. It was… admittedly earlier than she intended, but the line at the donut shop had been short today, and she admittedly was worried for the girl.
A few moments later, Uiharu answered the door, still in her pajamas and blushing slightly. "Konori-San! Um… please come in."
What really caught her eye regarding her Kohai though, were the flowers in her hair. The looked like the one she had passed down stairs. They were pretty, and it was a nice look for Uiharu.
And that train of thought was forgotten the moment she stepped into the apartment. The smell of moonlight washing over her. It was soothing, relaxing. A balm to her slight worries. But not the only thing she noticed.
There was a girl, about Uiharu's age, sitting on her the bottom bunk, looking disheveled… with that special glint in her eyes of someone dealing with trauma… and her eyes. Mii didn't realize that kind of silver-blue was a natural color.
"O-ho!" She let out, putting as much amusement in her tone as she could. It looked like they had been talking about something heavy, she would just lighten the mood a bit, and maybe poke some fun at Uiharu. "Has our dear Uiharu found romance?"
As expected they both- Huh? Well, as expected Uiharu sputtered, then started spouting a denial. The girl on the other hand, she just smiled an amused smile, and asked, "But Kazari, don't you like me? Am- is it because I'm broken?"
Mii was shocked, taken about! What was this! Uiharu was taking it even worse, her composure breaking as she sputtered in confusion, embarrassment… but notably not denial?
Ara Ara?
Then the girl transformed before Mii. What she only now realized had been a mask of dejection fell away as the biggest grin of amusement Mii had ever seen formed on her face- Human teeth aren't meant to be that pointed and sharp- And she let out a kind laugh, not gentle, but also not mocking.
"I'm just messing with you," The girl spoke between laughter, "Mostly."
"I- um, have breakfast?" Mii offered, a little shell shocked, but she couldn't suppress her amusement even as Uiharu slowly regained her composure.
"That was mean." Her Kohai muttered, even as she got Mii situated in her computer chair, and grabbed some clothes. "I'm going to get dressed… um… Do I need to do introductions?"
Still grinning, the girl shrugged, "It's fine."
Then she waited for a moment, then leaned forward and looked into the donut box. "Yes, Apple fritter! It's been far too long my friend."
The girl hesitated, her fingers tightening on the offered napkin. A conflicted storm of emotions flickering around in her eyes. Finally, she leaned back and spoke. "Well, huh… I guess, good morning, I'm Ly- er… right. That is Burke Lyra. And I kind of… hmm… I don't exist in this world?"
Mii frowned, her mind spinning through the possibilities. Academy City wasn't a stranger to strange occurrences, but this felt… different. Her instincts told her the girl was sincere, yet the rational part of her screamed for caution. Strange experiments, cover-ups, and lies—how much of the truth could she really afford to believe? So she considered her options. Reporting Burke-Chan to Anti-Skill would mean exposing her to Academy City's darker elements. But keeping quiet meant bending the rules—something she wasn't sure she could justify.
Yet, the girl's eyes, Mii felt like if she didn't do something, she would be failing. "What do you mean by you don't exist? You're here, eating donuts, so…"
The gi- Burke-Chan seemed to pick up on the leading tone, and after a bite of her donut, tried to explain, not that it helped much."It's complicated, but basically- um… hmmm… ah. An experiment saved my life. I was d- dying in my world, but something happened to cause me to wake up in this one? And well… Kazari looked me up last night, and even tried to find my home. I'm a non-entity."
Mii just stared, wide eyed. Because what? What was this! It just sounded like the set up for some movie. And yet… The city had its secrets—layers of them, each more twisted than the last. And Burke-Chan wasn't lying to her. She wasn't sure how she could tell, some sixth sense?
She was sure it wasn't the whole truth, but it was enough to make Mii start weighing the need to bend the rules a little. To hide the truth of this. If for no other reason than to prevent a tragedy.
Violently shaking those thoughts away, Mii refocused with a smile. "Ah, sorry. I'm Konori Mii, is it a pleasure to meet you Burke-Chan. And don't worry, Judgement will handle things."
"Alright," Burke-Chan muttered with a shrug. "I assume I'm going to have some paperwork to fill out?"
Mii held her breath for a long moment, trying not to think about Paperwork, and how much this would generate… "Yes… um, you do have a change of clothes?"
"Nope." Burke-Chan replied casually, and that was frustrating. Getting her something to wear would be important.
But Mii asked another question, one that was eating at her. "Um… where are you from? If you don't mind me asking?"
"America, Kingsport." She replied immediately, definitely not a rehearsed answer. But America? That would explain the idiosyncrasies in her reactions and demeanor… Did she even realize what calling someone by their Given name implied?
***************************************************************
I was less than happy to be in a school uniform, especially this… this skirted thing! Give me pants, or give me… well, pants. But at least everything fit, and I had underclothes! It was amazing! You know what isn't amazing? Paperwork! I won't exaggerate, it wasn't a mountain. But damn was my hand cramping.
"Burke-Chan?" Kazari asked, sitting down next to me, "Um… I wanted to ask. You're using self hypnosis, aren't you?"
Sighing, I put down my pen and stretched. I was so glad I could do all of this in english. My translation mystery didn't actually help with writing. Reading? Sure. but not writing… yeah, I know. Seems silly.
Breathing out, I glanced around, but it seemed that we were the only ones if the office right now… and that office? Take any corporate office and you have a good idea what this place looked like. "Yeah… yeah. It's not healthy, I'm well aware of that. It's why I'm only suppressing most of the… trauma, I guess. My great Grandfather spent time studying trauma and how to overcome it. Since then, my family has had strict views on how we handle it."
Kazari gave me the cutest little pout, "I don't like it. But right now isn't the best time for you to break down." She sounded so bitter, saying that.
Reaching over, I pulled her into a half hug. "Thank you for caring. Only Doll has even cared enough to be worth mentioning."
"A-ah?" She 'eeped' out, eyes wide. "I-thank you?"
Letting go, I got back to my paperwork… and sighed, "I'm going to need a place to stay."
"W-well, you can stay with me?" She offered, "I mean, student housing is subsidised by the city."
Looking down at the current form, I frowned at it. I didn't have transcripts so… checking a box, I debated the merits of trying to test out, and pushed the thought away. If I did too well, I would be forced to leave the city, right?
Why did I even want to stay? I mean, I guess I latched onto Kazari a bit. But I could leave and… sighing, I shrugged internally. It was whatever, but this city had colleges too… Oh? A research form? Did I have any areas of research I wanted to pitch/explore?
First thing, and improved cell phone. I'd seen what people around here were using… flip phones? Really? And um, how to phrase it? Molecular pattern encoding; Investigating the effects of encoded molecular patterns on energy transfer and elemental reactivity. And how about, Biometric energy synchronization; Exploring the synchronization of biological energy pathways for enhanced metabolic and neurological efficiency.
Bleh. Well, that was a mouthful.
Looking up from the form, Kazari frowned, and asked, "Those can't actually be real things."
Smiling, I shrugged. "Yeah, they are."
Silence stretched for a moment, then the door all but slammed open. "Uiharu-Chan! You're here!"
The girl who was making such a commotion also had black hair, with a white flower on either side of her head. Her dark blue eyes swept over me, assessing, even as she all but pranced around. "O-ho! You have a new headband! And the flowers are so pretty! How are they glowing!"
She was also very energetic, and shoved her face right up to Kazari's head. "They smell?" Then she stumbled back, seemingly stunned by something. "How do they smell like Moonlight! Moonlight doesn't smell!"
Oh… that. Ha!
Clearing my throat lightly, I answered, "Synthesia. The smell makes your brain think of moonlight." It wasn't. It was Eldritch fuckery, but it was better if I didn't bring that up.
"That… ok, that makes more sense… um. Hi? I'm Saten Ruiko. " She mumbled, introducing herself, then paused, squinting at me for a moment. "Why are your eyes glowing?"
Smiling wider, I replied, "Burke Lyra, and are you sure they glow? Maybe you're seeing things?"
Pursing her lips, she took three steps and was suddenly in my face. "Yup, they're glowing! Oh, and you have a tat-" She gasped, "Is that a brand?"
Pitching my voice in a husky tone, I replied, "Well, if we're already this close, I'm just going to call you Ruiko."
Springing back, face going bright red, she laughed out, "Ahaha- um, that is…"
It was amazing how nice it was to just... cut loose and have fun. This was the best way to deal with Trauma. Maybe I would be ok again... one day. Still, I could see the moment in her eyes when her brain went 'oh, look! A distraction!' "Konori Senpai told me about you! Are you done with those forms?"
Looking down, I thought about pushing… but let it slide as I looked over the last one… and pushed it to the side. "Yup. I don't have transcripts, or guardians."
"S-saten-san!" Kazari implored, beet red, and not looking either of us in the eyes. "Saten-san, this isn't the time for teasing! Burke-san has been through a lot..."
"Um… right. It's time for work, not play." Saten muttered out, seeming to be rallying her dignity, then in a louder voice, "I'll file your paperwork, but let me get you set up with the placement tests first!"
And that? That was how I met Ruiko. The placement tests, though? A joke. I'd have done them blindfolded if they'd let me, just to make it interesting.
***************************************************************
Mii sighed as she walked back to Judgement branch 177, another day of school blending into the routine. Even if she got to skip some of her classes today. But now it was time for work! Someone was being sent over with Burke-san's temp ID, so she had to hurry and meet them. Hopefully it was someone she knew. "Konori-san?"
Turning, she faced an adult—a rare sight in Academy City, she supposed. The woman was of an average build, with pale brown eyes and dark purple hair… and she was wearing a labcoat.
"Yes, can I help you…" Mii asked leadingly.
"Yoshikawa Kikyou." She replied placidly, "I have Burke-san's temporary ID. But I was also chosen for my experience. Her research topics caught some eyes, you see, and that coupled with the results from her placement tests have garnered some attention."
Mii carefully kept herself from reacting, because the whole idea had been not to garner attention! "Then, I guess we should head inside, Burke-Chan should be in the main office."
"Lead on." Yoshikawa-san prompted, and Mii led her through the familiar corridors of the Judgement branch. It wasn't long before they reached the main office, where Burke and Uiharu were already deep in conversation.
"Where's Saten?" Mii asked, not seeing the little gremlin.
"Oh, she went to go get lunch." Uiharu replied, looking up.
"Well, then." Mii nodded, "This is Yoshikawa-San, she's here to speak with Burke-chan about her topics of research?"
Burke smiled, her toothy grin unnervingly sharp, stalling Yoshikawa-san and giving Mii pause. She never realized teeth could be that sharp.
"Wonderful!" Burke all but purred, "Which topic?"
"Molecular pattern encoding." Yoshikawa-san replied, "I was asked to seek clarity? And to bring you these of course." She finally moved forward, closing the distance and placed a few papers on the desk. "Your temporary ID, placement test scores, and the first wave of offers from schools showing interest."
Mii was surprised, how well did Burke do? Usually it took a week or two, especially during the school year.
Burke, rudely in Mii's opinion, ignored Yoshikawa-san's question, looking over the papers. "What?!"
Mii walked over to the desks, wondering what was wrong.
"What kind of placement test was that?" Burke complained.
"Well," Uiharu replied, "The placement tests use an AI to assess and raise the difficulty as needed. What magnitude was your test?"
"Twelve." Burke replied, and while Yoshikawa-san didn't react in surprise, Mii certainly was surprised, much as her Kohai was.
"How are you so smart?" Uiharu asked, her surprise shining through her usually shy demeanor… which was something of note in itself for Mii. Her Kohai was usually very reserved… Maybe being around Burke's less than reverent personality was tempering her?
On the other hand, Mii had never heard of someone pushing the placement test over magnitude eight… To get to twelve… you'd either have to be a prodigy among prodigies… or maybe have such a wide breadth of knowledge and understanding that you might as well count.
So, which was Burke? She was only fourteen, right? When could she have learned so much? But finally, Burke sighed, and spoke, changing topics. "Molecular pattern encoding?" Then she moved over and took a seat before continuing.
"It's the study of how molecular structures influence energy dynamics and reactivity," Burke began, gesturing for emphasis. "Think of it like programming for physical matter. Arrange molecules precisely, and you can guide how they interact with heat, light, or pressure." She paused, glancing at Yoshikawa for a reaction. "It's not just about new compounds; it's about control at a fundamental level."
Mii sucked on her lips, thinking that over for a second… It sounded fanciful… but at the same time, it sounded like how some Level 4s explained their power… No, that couldn't be, right? "Burke-Chan… Are you an Esper?"
Yoshikawa-san shifted, seeming interested if incredulous, but it was her Kohai's reaction that had her eyes narrowing. Uiharu looked like she was caught eating parfaits when she should be patrolling. Again.
But Burke hasn't been to any Power Development classes… right?
"Yeah?" Burke agreed, voice uncaring.
Yoshikawa-san frowned asking, "You're suggesting a kind of programmable chemistry? Encoding behavior into molecules to produce specific outcomes? You're aware things don't work the same outside your personal reality?"
"Sure." Burke agreed, "But are you saying something couldn't be learned from it anyways?"
"That… is true." Yoshikawa-san agreed slowly, "Could you give us an example?"
Burke leaned forward to grab a post-it note, and replied with a simple, "Sure."
After a moment she finished and held up the post-it, then it burst into light, causing Mii to blink rapidly, the flash leaving ghostly spots in her vision. She fought the urge to snap, instead drawing a calming breath.
"Ah, sorry, I didn't think that would be too bright.?" Burke apologized.
***********************************************************
Walking into this underground mall, Seventh Mist, I have to admit, I was kind of overwhelmed. There were more people here than I think I've ever seen in one place, most of them kids at that! And they all had some level of thin aura coating their skins… some- most I only knew were there because of some unnameable sense. But the age of the mall had died long ago back on Gaia, but it seemed to be alive and well here- hmm… I would need to come up with a name for this Earth. If only to keep things straight in my own mind.
Maybe Logos? Eh, I guess I'd keep workshopping it.
But really, it was amazing to see so many people wandering around and having fun. The bright lights weren't much of a problem, but the noise was getting to me. I mean, my hearing was pretty good these days.
"Where should we start?" Kazari asked, looking around happily, "Maybe some dresses?"
Smiling softly, I replied, "Where else, the very basics. I need toiletries and underwear."
"O-oh, right." She agreed, face going red. "Um, t-this way?"
She led me to a nice little shop, and I noticed a few I would be dropping by soon. But the shop was filled with soaps, shampoos, conditioners… and make up. Going through soaps was… eh. There were a lot of scents.
Kazari for instance was looking at a white peach, Sakura scented set of shampoos, conditioner, and body soap. And when she caught me looking gave me a smile, "You know, Burkec-chan, this scent always reminds me of home. My mom used to buy sakura-scented everything." She hesitated, then added, "It's calming, don't you think?"
"Hmm?" I hummed, leaning over hand smelling it. "I suppose it is.
"What are you going to get?" She asked, looking at the small trial set I had. it was spearmint and green tea.
"Well, I figured I'd try my hand at making my own." I replied, "I used to know this girl who made her soap from scratch. All natural and hand crafted... Not sure I'm that good. But adding scents should be easy enough." Thus spoken, I grabbed a set of scentless soaps meant for DIY, along with some essence of sandalwood and essence of sage.
"That's kind of amazing... think I should make my own too?" She asked, looking at the DIY sets hesitantly.
"How about you let me try this out." I offered, "If it works out, we can always come back. No sense in spending more money on an uncertainty."
With a nod, she asked, "You're right, are you going to get any makeup?" Curiosity and what I could have sworn was hope in her tone. But why would she want me to get makeup?
I grabbed a pack of hairbands as well as a hairbrush, and stopped, looking at the makeup…
"Come on, every girl needs some makeup." Kazari prodded, that same tone in her voice. But I suppose I should get the basics. So I walked over, looking through the offerings, a grin spread across my face. They had my brand! Ha! Well, no mine, per se, but the brand I used to use. I use? Hm… eh.
Running my finger along the color codes, I found my Plum Wine. And they even had my chapstick too, raspberry. You know? I'm starting to like it here.
Turning back, I grinned. "This is all I need."
Check out was fast enough, and we moved on to the next shop, a standard retail shop, where I got me some underwear. And no, I'm not telling you about it, just use your imagination. While there though, I let Kazari pull me over towards some blouses. Stopping to grab a few shorts, pants, and sweats in my size, along with a few cami's, shirts, and a pair of pajamas.
"What do you think Burke-ch-chan?" She asked, holding up a blouse with some ruffled… hmm.
"The design suits you, but I think this color would be better." I held out a soft pink version.
"I-I guess." She agreed, looking at it. "What about you? Aren't you going to get something cute?"
Looking down at my basket, I shrugged, "It's not really my style?"
"I- you would look cute in it though." She replied, maybe even tried to argue, but her shy hesitance undermined the attempt. Still.
"For now, I'm just getting the basics. Maybe we can come back, maybe with Ruiko." I replied, "I'll let you pick out some outfits for me to try then."
"Alright," Kazari nodded, a smile on her face, confidence returning. "We'll totally make you a cute Ojou-Sama!"
"Sure, come on, I still have to get my clothes and a laptop… and phone." I prodded and we got moving, but she did get the blouse.
Then we were standing before my destination, Elegante Radiance. It was a boutique for dress cloths with an on staff tailor. They had a number of dresses… a lot of dresses, up in the windows with a few nice suits. It was also empty. No customers.
Walking in, I could feel Kazari hesitate behind me, before trailing along.
"A customer? Or are you just here to peruse our dresses perhaps?" Asked a woman in a navy skirt suit.
"Well, um." Kazari started, and I just smiled, before speaking up.
"I'm looking for day-wear business casual," I began, catching the saleswoman's attention and watching as her eyes shifted, assessing me. "Black slacks, a dress shirt—not a blouse—a tie, and a vest. I'll also need a raincoat. If you have them, treaded dress shoes, preferably steel-toed. And again, day-wear—durable and dependable."
"Well, we can certainly do that," She agreed, smiling, "Right this way."
She led me- us around a corner in the shop and to a more department store-like section. There were racks of uniforms, and associated accessories. With signs denoting them as Tokiwadai, or St. Liliana Academy. Schools I guess. But I was led past that and to a set of mirrors and a changing room.
"Please step into the changing room, I will need to get your measurements." The Saleswoman finally spoke, before hesitating for a moment, "And your method of payment. I'm sorry, but we have to check to make sure you can pay for our services."
Balls… Well, at least I had a charge card with an obscene stipend on it. And that was just from my placement test. Well, no. The stipend wasn't that great just for grades. Good, sure, but not great. Still, they gave me half a year's worth as funds to get settled into the city. That? That was nice.
Still, I winced a bit as I handed over the card, and waited for the saleswoman to return.
"Steel-toed dress shoes?" Kazari spoke up, well, asked with a giggle. "You're not planning on kicking anyone, right?" She paused, looking at me with narrowed eyes. "Right?"
My lack of reply might have been too damning. But she continued with a nervous chuckle, "Um. You know, they do have really cute boots over there…"
Cute... I guess? the flower motif was nice enough. But the heel... maybe I've been wearing Edwardian clothes too long, but anything more than an inch seems stupid. A quarter of less is better. Hmm... Maybe I would be able to enhance these new clothes? It was an interesting idea. But getting Blood Echoes… maybe I could return to the slums? I haven't tried yet.
"Well, everything looks good." The saleswoman said as she returned, giving my back my card. "Shall we?"
I could drone on-and-on about getting fitted for good clothes. It comes with being the heir of a Magus family. Even if we were better about keeping up with the rest of the world. Dresses are nice and all… but they take so long to get into.
And getting custom fitted clothes… well, it took hours to get one set. But with all the measurements, I was promised the rest would be ready by noon tomorrow.
I even had these nice black gloves to go with the set I was given.
In comparison, getting a laptop and a phone was nothing.
**************************************************************
During the walk home, Kazari mulled over everything she had learned about Burke. Well, more specifically about magic. Did her apparent Esper invalidate any of it?
Reaching up and touching her new headband, she couldn't shake the certainty that it didn't. Was that a good thing? Or a bad one? The way she described magic… if it had consistent rules… Well, it wasn't mumbo-jumbo. It was another branch of science.
So, what did she want to know? Everything. But that wouldn't work, she needed to start with some basics. Maybe double check her understanding of- of this Magecraft? No, she should start by asking about how it works. Yes!
Smiling, and walking with more confidence, Kazari looked down at the bag she was carrying. A pink blouse… she had always wanted to get it. But Saten always said things like pink, making it look childish. It was nice to have a- a friend who didn't disparage her preferences, even jokingly as Saten did.
As they approached the stairs to her apartment, Kazari looked up as the streetlights started flickered to life, her steps slowing when something in the corner of her vision caught her attention.
Burke seemed to notice the moment she stopped moving, and looked back, asking. "Is something wrong?"
"Um…" She muttered, eyes locked on the small patch of flower growing in the shadowed flowerbed. "Those are Moon Lilies."
There was a frown on her face, a look of incomprehension. "Yeah, so?"
Kazari almost frowned at that, didn't she understand how… "How long were you in the Dream?"
Her reply was a shrug and, "A long time. Hmm, never really thought of it… but a century? Yeah, that lines up."
"A century?" She asked, staggering back, eyes wide, the words felt too big, too impossible, as if they didn't belong in the same world she knew. How could someone live through that? How could someone stay… sane? But it explained a lot. Her maturity, her grac- uh.
"Bur- L-l-lyra." She clutched the strap of her bag tightly, as though grounding herself. "Those are Moon Lilies. We aren't Dreaming."
There was a moment more of incomprehension, then Lyra's eyes finally went large with recognition. "That… would be bad."
"Y-yeah…" Kazari agreed, before shooing Lyra up stairs. "I um- If you don't mind, I have questions?"
The door clicked shut, muffling the faint hum of the city. With a humm, Lyra started moving around, dropping a bag of groceries at the kitchen nook, placing her new clothes down… then she looked around for a moment. "Sure, just let me get changed. Then you can ask whatever you want while I make us something."
"You can cook?" Kazari asked, surprised and impressed.
"Sure, let's call it that." Lyra replied, digging around in a bag for a minute. When she came out, it was with a pair of sweats and a camisole. "Back in a moment."
Kazari took a moment before replying. "Uh, take your time, is there anything I can do to get started?"
She paused, and backtracked to her back, pulling out some of the soap she got, then Lyra replied, "Sure, wash out that pot, then fill it half with water. Start it boiling."
Admittedly, she was kind of curious now. But she did as asked, looking through the bag and wondering what someone could make with so much cheese? Oh! Was Lyra going to make fondue?
She took the chance to change as well, once she heard the shower running. It might be a bit early for pajamas, but they didn't plan to go anywhere… So why not?
Kazari took some time to organize her question, setting up a word document on her computer. And finally, Lyra came out of the bathroom… so looked… "Ha?" She looked good. Her skin was smooth and pale, blemish free. Except it wasn't. She was covered in thin, faded scales. More of white lines struggling to stand out from her pale skin. Lyra needed more sunlight.
"Oh, good it's boiling." Lyra cheered, walking over to the kitchen nook. She was wearing black sweats with a pink Sakura pattern on the side of the legs. And- Kazari's brain stuttered at the camisole. It was a light pink with MomoNeko on it! The cute little bowler hat tilted rakish, and a line of english text under it. 'Why are we here? To eat peaches.'
Kazari hadn't expected Lyra of all people to like MomoNeko, and she watched as the other girl bustled around the nook, making… something? A pasta? The smell of bacon was making her hungrier. "Um… ok, so how does magic work? I mean, how do you perform it? And what are the differences from Esper?"
"Hrrnn." Lyra vocalized, "I guess the core difference is the application. Espers use personal realities, yeah? Well, a Magus- and it's Magecraft not magic- uses a metaphysical organ called Magic Circuits. They're a kind of mutation, and not everyone has them."
She moved about, checking the noodles and putting more bacon on the stove. "A magic circuit is a medium to transform Od, basically life force, into Prana. Prana is then used to enact mysteries."
With that, she swiped a finger through the air, a symbol appearing, then all the cooked bacon was cut into small pieces. "No, Runes are not the only way to enact mysteries. Just the way I have the most practice in."
Kazari hummed thoughtfully, making sure to keep notes of this. "Part of the process of enacting a mystery is self hypnosis to cause the Magus to believe what they are doing is possible with an unshakable certainty."
She started nodding slowly, after all, that sounded familiar. So she asked, "Then Espers… our personal realities allow us to… what enact mysteries because we fully believe it?"
"I don't think so." Lyra replied, straining the noodles before running hot water over them. "There's some overlap, yeah. But I'm not sure if it's a mystery or not. I need to find someone willing to help me in my studies."
"I- I wouldn't mind." Kazari replied timidly, but she was smiling. "But um… is there a way to see if someone had Magic Circuits?"
There was another 'hn' sound from the kitchen nook before she replied, "Yeah, but I wouldn't hold your breath, it's not super common. But I can check after dinner."
By the time Lyra walked over with dinner, there was a whole host of things in the trash can. An empty jar of alfredo sauce, an empty bag of shredded cheese, even the container for some fresh cut white onions.
The bowl set down before her dashed Kazari's hopes. It wasn't some refined, high class food. It was mac&cheese.
Taking up her spoon, she hesitantly took her first bite, and her eyes went big. "Good?"
"Yeah," Lyra agreed, this is my comfort food. "Not very healthy, but so good."
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Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
Do you really want chapters and chapters of the same fights rehashed over, and over again?
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Yeah, please don't.
I wouldn't have guessed centuries but also like, I wouldn't say it doesn't make sense seeing how far she went?
No, but there are plenty of steps between those extremes. Like an offhand comment, maybe to the Doll or as an internal monolog, that it's just so easy for the years to slip away on the hunt, spending a decade or two on a given mystery, or bashing her head against a wall until the wall breaks, or refining her Magecraft to the heights she's managed thus far. Or even the difficulties of re-navigating all the places she needed to pass through to get to those mysteries and walls after each death.
We don't need to see every detail, but something to indicate the passage of time far beyond the confines of the game. The way the first arc actually reads right now, it could easily have taken only a few weeks or a couple months as it would in an actual playthrough of the game. So this "Oops I'm centuries old now" comes completely unexpected and un-foreshadowed.
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- Location
- America
If she was reading through a massive library in her off time and occasionally noted learning a language, running out of good books til finally having to re-read books because she ran out of books to read, I might believe the 5 centuries thing, but I'd at most buy a decade currently given she just got into a bunch of fights with no notation of how many and seemingly making consistent progress towards the shattered truth without any indication that such a task was massive in anyway, beyond being some sort of subset of a chalice dungeon
Like, the minimum amount of time I'd have expected for her to spend in the dream to be a year with what was written, if she noted painstakingly going block by block through the city to scrub through every nook and cranny for hints towards the shattered truth, noting how the dreamlike the city is meaning she has to re-check places, then I'd buy it being longer, but otherwise a year to a decade...or a single long night. Or hell, don't even mention how long was spent in there, it's a dream, you could have spent a an eternity in there but not know it, her saying 5 centuries is somehow less acceptable then saying 'an eternally long night' or something else that implies time fuckery and forever. She certainly doesn't feel that old.
If she spent 5 centuries in the dream, the dream would be her reality, she wouldn't remember much of her old life unless she used a spell to make her memory inviolable, she certainly wouldn't remember her old address exactly. She wouldn't see herself as traumatised as all the wounds would be faded scars by that time,
She doesn't read as 5 centuries old.
Also
Welp, I think that's everything, also, I liked the Synthesia explanation for the flowers smelling like moonlight, even if it's eldritch bs in the end
Like, the minimum amount of time I'd have expected for her to spend in the dream to be a year with what was written, if she noted painstakingly going block by block through the city to scrub through every nook and cranny for hints towards the shattered truth, noting how the dreamlike the city is meaning she has to re-check places, then I'd buy it being longer, but otherwise a year to a decade...or a single long night. Or hell, don't even mention how long was spent in there, it's a dream, you could have spent a an eternity in there but not know it, her saying 5 centuries is somehow less acceptable then saying 'an eternally long night' or something else that implies time fuckery and forever. She certainly doesn't feel that old.
If she spent 5 centuries in the dream, the dream would be her reality, she wouldn't remember much of her old life unless she used a spell to make her memory inviolable, she certainly wouldn't remember her old address exactly. She wouldn't see herself as traumatised as all the wounds would be faded scars by that time,
This entire sequence would be different because why would her first death even still be on her mind after 5 centuries, being out of the 'nightmare' would be more traumatic to her then the nightmare itself by then. And how much meaning would death even have to her when she's sure to have died many times in the dream?
She doesn't read as 5 centuries old.
Also
Did you mean Kohai?
Wearing
I don't know what you mean here
It took me rereading this for the third time to understand it was Kazari refering to Lyra's area of research rather then lyra refering to subsidized student housing, that may just be my reading comprehension failing though, so do or not do with that as you will.
Not sure if is suppossed to end like that and it's a reference to eldritch insight somehow or if you meant to put something at the end there.
Bowl
Welp, I think that's everything, also, I liked the Synthesia explanation for the flowers smelling like moonlight, even if it's eldritch bs in the end
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2.3 Awakening Arc
New
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
A/N: Wooo!!! I just finished the Arc after this one, and it's about twice as big! So, have a celebratory chapter!! Name of the next Arc, to tease your brains, is Argent Maw.
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Kazari sighed as she relaxed into the hot water, her shower had never been this hot before… Pausing, she got up on her tippy toes, she looked at the shower head and smiled at what she found. There were little characters etched into it. It was just amazing what magic could apparently do. Or was it Magecraft?
Well, Lyra seemed to make a distinction, and thinking about the description of the 'True Magics' she had given while they cleaned up the dinner mess kind of made sense. Time Travel? It would be pretty cool to go back and meet someone famous… Jean d'Arc perhaps?
With a sigh, she got out of the shower and dried off before dressing. This was kind of nice… it would be so cool if she could do this magecraft thing. Sadly, she doubted it. She wasn't even a good esper. All she was good at were computers.
Leaving the bathroom in a billowing cloud of steam, Kazari found Lyra sitting at the low table working on her laptop. What was Lyra good with computers too? If so, that was so unfair. "Do you need help?"
Looking up, Lyra smiled at her. "I should be fine. It's not the OS I'm used to, but it's close enough for now. What's important is that it has a word processor. Actually, I probably need a good security suite for it. But that can wait for later."
Kazari nodded. "Alright… So how do we do this? Some kind of ritual circle?"
"That would help." Lyra agreed with a shrug, "But you don't have the room. Besides, we can do something better."
"Oh?" She asked, sitting near Lyra.
Characters, norse ones, started appearing in the air, along with geometric shapes and even a large circle. "Yes, I think I figured out what my Ability is. While you were showering I spent some time examining my circuits, and their structure has changed a bit."
Kazari perked up, this sounded interesting. "I don't know if I'm producing an AIM field, but at a guess I would say yes."
She held out her hand and a handgun appeared in it, startling Kazari. "W-what? You can't- guns are illegal! This isn't like America."
Lyra cocked her head, and shrugged, taking it apart as if it was nothing. "Sure, but I'm using this as an example. My Ability is a… Well, Magecraft is stupid easy for me now. No auto hypnosis, the limitations are blurred some. I- Look, what I just did."
She motioned at the gun, in pieces on the table. "It's basically an impossibility for Projection. The mystery only allows you to create fragile, temporary items you know well. Guns are too complex. Yet-"
Lyra snapped the slide of the gun in half and it dissolved into motes of dust. Then the rest of the gun did too, except… was this really dust? It didn't leave a pile or anything. "For most people, this would seem like nothing. But for a Magus, this is really the best ability you could get."
By now, all the symbols and characters had shifted around to form a three dimensional magic… sphere? Above them.
"That's… ok, that sounds useful." Kazari muttered suppressing a pang of twisted envy. Lyra had just gotten her ability and it was already that strong? It wasn't fair.
"Now unless you've changed your mind, I'll need access to your bare back…" Lyra informed her. "And this might hurt a bit. I've heard of people screaming in pain. And others who felt nothing."
She wasn't sure how she felt about that. But reluctantly… Yet excitedly, she pulled her pajama top up and over her head, just covering her chest. "H-how does this work?"
"Well, I'll run Prana through the Formalcraft circle above us… and this is my first time using a three dimensional representation so sorry." Lyra replied, "Then I'll guide the energy into you, through you and back into the circle. If you don't have any circuits, you might pass out. If you do, they'll be awoken, and the circle will give me your stats. That is to say, number of circuits, quality of circuits, Origin, and Element. Also any Sorcerous Traits you might have."
Head cocking, Kazari asked, "What's an Origin?"
"Huh…" Lyra asked, "Have I not covered that? Oops? Well, it's like the blueprint of your soul. Your Origin is what defines the core of who you are and how magic—or, in your case, reality—flows through you. The ritual is ready when you are."
"I'm ready." She said, steeling herself. The air felt heavy, charged, as if holding its breath. The warmth of Lyra's hand pressed against her back, grounding her amidst the strange, swirling energy above. Then Lyra started reciting a poem.
***********************************************************
Everything had gone fine, until after the ritual was finished. I watched as the grey border holding back her pink and green aura shattered, falling away. But that was when Kazari started screaming, and I had to scramble to get a sound nullifying bounded field up, while holding her, and making sure she didn't bite her tongue.
She struggled and thrashed for a bit, her eyes rolled back in her head, and I watched with interest as her pink and green area slowly changed. I'm not sure how to express what the change was, but her areas…. Texture? Purpose? Well, it changed, and somewhere along the way Kazari passed out.
Now, it may sound kind of callus of me, and it was. But I watched, not trying to stop it. Yeah. That kind of detachment and uncaring was definitely a trait from my Magus upbringing poking through. But it gave me a good opportunity to study the AIM diffusion field, and gave me some base information about it.
Besides, it wasn't like I wasn't caring for Kazari. Because I was. I was, after all, holding her down and keeping her from biting her tongue. Generally ensuring she didn't hurt herself.
By the time she passed out and calmed down… I felt horrible about myself. I always thought I was better than other Magi. I understood empathy. I wasn't needlessly callus.
Looking down at Kazari… I realized that only put me at the starting line for being a good person. It was… it was a heavy realization. I let out a sigh, and hoped Kazari wouldn't hold it against me. Looking up at her bunk though…
With a shrug, I carried her over to my bed before climbing in with her.
************************************************************
Stretching, I smiled. The Dream was awfully convenient—while my body slept, I stayed awake, able to work on things. But right now, there was only one thing on my mind: checking on Kazari. I walked the path and found her near the Doll, chatting while playing with a few of the Little Ones.
Something about her was different. Atop her head, in line with her flower headband, was a set of horns. Not demon horns or anything sinister—really, they looked like parts of a plant. With pink and silver rings. Later, I'd learn they were myoga ginger. Cute didn't even begin to describe it.
Without meaning to, I let out an explosive sigh of relief. She was okay.
Of course, that drew her attention, and… I died inside just a bit when she flinched. That flinch—it felt like a punch to the gut. Had I done that to her?
Then she was there, arms wrapping around me and… "I'm sorry, I just- I saw… you're so big."
What? I froze, because… what? "Kazari… What do you mean big?"
She looked up at me, revealing her eyes. Eyes that were now pink. "I can kind of see it? There's so much of you? It's all in new directions I've never considered before."
Ok. "Ok… that's new to me…" I muttered, before changing the subject. "How about I tell you what the ritual revealed? And… and I'm sorry about what happened after."
She squeezed tighter, whispering, "What happened? I- things are different. I can feel it, my Ability has changed… but I'm afraid."
Guiding her over to a convenient bench- that I knew hadn't been there- I replied. "Well, it turns out you had circuits. Eighteen of them, all high-quality. If we were back on Gaia… that would be respectable, if on the low end of average. More than I had, but I also had a crest to make up for my shortcoming."
Kazari shifted around, listening intently- if showing a bit of frustration at my avoidance of the topic she wanted to hear about. "That's… good? But?"
Leaning back, I looked up, and stared at the stars in the sky. I wonder, did each of those represent a Great One? "Additionally, your Origin is Information, and your element is a non-standard one, Flowers… but to answer your question."
I dragged my gaze from the heavens and down to meet Kazari's beautiful sakura eyes. "The awakening of your circuits shattered a false personal reality that had been forced on you. It was holding in your potential, your truth… and now… that truth is free."
"S-so my ability was- was wrong? Bad?" She asked, voice cracking, afraid? Angry? I wasn't sure. "But how? Why- They took it from me," She whispered, her voice trembling. Then louder, sharper: "They took me from me!" The glow in her eyes sharpened, burning like a rising sun against the night of her past. "Who would do that!"
"I wouldn't know." I replied with a shrug, "But if you find out who… we'll make a Hunt out of teaching them a lesson."
There was a moment of incomprehension. Of confusion. As she pressessed my words, then she asked, with a smile that was some unholy combination of shyness and bloodthirst. "You mean it?"
I could feel a weight settle upon me, voyeurs looking down upon us. Metaphorical breath bated for the answer. "Of course." I replied, my smile spreading large, "We may have just met recently, but we're friends. Hells, I'm your roommate… and whoever it was wronged you."
A content expression took form on her face, as she smiled at me. "Ok."
I only realized how bad of an idea this was after it was said and done. The toll of an inaudible bell rippled out, deep, heavy with pressure. In the wake of the ripples, the Dream itself changed, an imperceptible thing... Kazari's presence thickened, anchoring her in a way that felt irreversible.
What have I done…
***************************************************************
Kazari groaned as she woke, oddly comfortable wrapped in her blanke- Those weren't blankets… this wasn't her bed.
Cracking her eyes open, she suppressed a groan at the pounding in her head, and the profound sense of wrongness… like she had lost the ability to see, except she certainly could see. And that was Lyra's face… these were Lyra's arms…
Kazari felt her face go beet red, but she couldn't suppress the treacherous thought that drifted through her mind. 'This is comfortable… I wonder if it would be okay to sleep like this every night?'
But why did everything look so flat? It was like she was only seeing half of the world! And it was all so silent! It hurt- how did silence hurt!
Kazari's internal struggle was cut short as Lyra pulled her close, kissing her forehead and mumbling something… was she actually dreaming? Or was she still Dreaming? What was going on? This was so embarrassing… and comfortable.
Stretching her legs, and wiggling her toes, she thought over the night. It had been… interesting- infuriating! Someone had sabotaged her from the start! But that was a problem for later… when she found them. For now, she had lessons to think over. Magecraft really was scientific. Lyra had started teaching her theory from memory, lamenting at her lack of related books. She had said it would limit what she could teach. But Kazari didn't mind! She could discover the missing bits herself! She would be the best Wiza- Magus. The best Magus ever… probably not. The way Lyra had spoken of Magi, and their cultural views? It was repulsive.
Wiggling around, she got free and checked the time… and sighed in frustration. She didn't have much time to get ready. If only she could ditc- Er… be busy with Judgement work again today.
Grabbing a uniform, she headed for the bathroom, taking the time to wash her face and- and- "Ano? Why are my eyes pink?"
It was a question… an important one… but for now, she had to get ready for class. If only the world would make sense again. Her phone, sitting on the counter, seemed impossibly deep, as if its layers stretched into infinity. Staring at it too long made her head pound, but looking away was worse—the table, solid and real, felt like it might collapse into two dimensions if she touched it. Everything was wrong, and she didn't know how to fix it. The table which wasn't put up last night.
Moving over to the kitchen nook, Kazari looked through the offerings, and frowned at the containers of the mac from last night. It had been good… if a little heavy, but good. And they had a lot of it.
With a sigh, she dished some of it into a bento box and assed some finger carrots.
Then she pulled out some eggs and started cooking those while heating up some premade Miso soup. Making breakfast for two was… surprisingly enjoyable. Maybe having a roommate was a good idea.
Now all she had to do was get a handle of her new ability. What even was it? Things had more depth… she glanced around. Her cell phone, her computer though it was muted… because it wasn't on? Lyra's cell phone, her laptop… Was it electronics? But then what Lyra?
Taking a moment, she set a text off to her school's Power Development Program instructor asking of a power evaluation. That done she-
With a yawn, Lyra stood, and Kazari only just realized, Lyra was tall for a girl their age.
"Morning Zari." Lyra muttered, shambling over to the bathroom.
Zari? Zari? Kazari went red all over again. Zari? She wasn't sure how she felt about that! It wasn't normal! Sure nicknames… but, but! Her heart was hammering, Doki Doki.
Then Lyra came out of the bathroom, rooting around in her bags before coming out with her clothes, and looked up at her, "You ok Kazari? You look a little red there." Then with a mischievous smile, she returned to the bathroom before Kazari could reply.
"What is my life?" She whispered, wondering how things had turned out like this. Was it a good thing? A bad thing? Should she thank the Kami? Curse them?
Lyra stepped out of the bathroom, her messy long hair brushed, and up in a high ponytail, leaving her brown hair to cascade down. Her lips were a light red, and the brand on her forehead was on prominent display. Her starlight eyes made it a- doki doki- an impressive display.
But it was more than that! She was dressed in her fancy clothes. Slacks, white button up shirt, and a red vest with pockets. She looked dashing. And she still wasn't done. Pulling out her shoes, some gloves, a black tie, and a silver chain.
The chain was connected to her phone, which was placed in a pocket, then she did her tie, and moved the shores to the small entryway.
Grinning cockily, She finally asked, "Think I'm fancy enough for Tokiwadai?"
"Wow." The word spilled out, followed by Kazari blushing more. "Ah, um… yes."
"Good." Lyra replied with a smile, "So, when will… Kokoru? Show up?"
"Kuroko." Kazari gently corrected, "And I'm not sure… but let's eat breakfast."
************************************************************
"Kuroko-" Her Onee-Sama complained, "Aren't you going to be late if you don't hurry?"
Late? She wondered- Wait! Right! "Oh, no!"
Teleporting about the room, she changed, did her makeup, and readied herself for the day at emergency speeds! "T-thank you, Onee-Sama!"
And she was away, up in the sky, falling fast… and then she was touching down in front of Uiharu's apartment complex. Pausing for a moment to crouch down and admit the pretty flowers she'd never seen before. Softly glowing silver lilies, and also softly glowing yellow blossoms.
They smelled nice. "I wonder where these came from… maybe someone's experiment?"
Well, it didn't matter right now, and she could always make some inquiries after school today.
Standing back up, she teleported up the stairs, then the next set, and the last set, before looking down the balcony, and was suddenly where she was needed.
With a rap of her hand, she knocked on the door and waited.
The door opened to reveal Uiharu… what? "What?" Kuroko asked, genuine confusion strolling through her mind. Why were Uiharu's eyes pink? "You know, as Judgement, we can't use colored contacts, right?"
Uiharu blinked at her in confusion for a moment before realization dawned. "Oh, these aren't contacts… I think my Abilities changed somehow."
Kuroko frowned… that wasn't possible. Abilities didn't work like that. Right?
Ready to question the strange pink eyes. Kuroko was interrupted, "Ah, sorry Kuroko! I have to go or I'm going to be late!" Uiharu darted out the door, leaving her with more questions than answers.
Kuroko opened her mouth to call after her but stopped. Pink eyes? An 'Ability Change'? Impossible. Shaking her head, she resolved to interrogate Uiharu later. For now, she had another mystery to solve. And then… Onee-Sama?
Kuroko was in the apartment, arms wrapped around- "Onee-Sama! No! You'll be late! How are you here! Oh no! You're not in the uniform!"
There was a beat of stillness, then Kuroko found herself being held by her head, feet dangling off the floor. "Koko, I've never met you before. Respect my personal space."
Then Onee-Sama let go of her?
Catching herself with a teleport, she looked at this… this… uh… Ah!Onee-Sama… but not. This Onee-Sith! Yes, that would work!
Her jawline, while the same seemed sharper, her stance more confident—this wasn't the radiant Onee-Sama she adored, but something darker. Something dangerous. With starlight eyes that seemed to see right through her, and a mark blemished her forehead! A strange symbol.
She was quite dashing through- No, bad Kuroko. Onee-Sama is the only one for you! Don't get pulled in by this… this… pretender? Did that even fit?
"Ah, um…" Kuroko stammered for a moment before clearing her through and trying again. "Greetings, I am Kuroko Shirai with Judgement. Konori-San told me to come here and guide you through Tokiwadai- Er, you are Burke-San, current?"
The girl eyed her for a long moment before nodding. "Better, and yes, I am Lyra Burke. Transfer student from America. Let me just lock up before we go."
Dark Onee-Sama was from America? Wow! That was so- no, bad Kuroko!
She watched as Darth-Onee-Sama locked the front door, and collected a couple of things, including a key, and returned. "Shall we, Transport-Tan? Hmm… no, I think Koko does suit you better."
Ah! What was this! This! This American! Gaiji! Gaiji!!! She was… was… dangerous!
"Of course," She replied, delving deep into her well of professionalism. "Hand please."
"Asking to hold my hand." Darth-Sama replied, taking Kuroko's hand. "So Lewd."
"Ah! Uh- Grrr!" Kuroko worked through before muttering, "Onee-Sama is better."
Then she twisted the world and- and- the fabric of reality got stuck. Everything lurched. She felt eyes fall upon her. Innumerable eyes assessing her- then it was over, and they were in front of Tokiwadai middle school.
Letting go of Darth-Sama's hand like it was a burning coal, she staggered for a moment, before looking around. "Right! This way please!"
*****************************************************************
Rika Hoshino sighed, she supposed she should be happy with something to do other than bandage knees or other inane things the students needed. But did the administration really have to stick her with this?
Shrugging to herself, she readied her tablet and checked all the equipment. Then there was a knock on the infirmaries door.
"Here we go." She muttered, then loud enough to be heard, she called out, "Come in."
Young Kuroko walked in guiding- Rika blinked, and studied the girl carefully for a moment. She still looked uncannily like Mikoto Misaka, but she could see differences now. A sharpness to her and maybe taller? "Kuroko-San, This must be Burke-San?"
"Yes, this is Darth-Sam- Burke-San!" Rika suppressed a grin as Kuroko covered her out, looking horrified at her slip. "I- I'm going to go… to class."
"Alright, I'll call you back when we're done here." Rika agreed, and didn't fail to notice Burke-San had a small smirk on her face.
Once the gremlin was gone, Rika asked, "Is there anything I should be aware of?"
Burke-san shrugged, and replied, "My blood will be weird. Um… eh, we'll find out together."
That was… so promacing. Still, she started running Burke through the exam. Blood pressure… a little high, weight… high, at fifty-five kg. She had strangely dense muscles. She was also tall for her age, at a hundred and sixty-five cm. There was certainly more of her than Misaka, though they both shared a similar chest.
Reflex tests were a little frightening however. Her leg twitched before the hammer even touched her knee. Rika leaned closer, trying again, but the reaction was the same—instant, unnerving. And when she handed Lyra the drop test stick, the girl caught it before it moved more than a centimeter. That level of reflex… it wasn't quite human, an expression of her Ability? And she was surprisingly flexible too.
Pausing for a moment, Rika scribbled down her notes, frowning at the growing list of anomalies. Each test only raised more questions, and none of them had easy answers.
But the blood draw… The blood came out slow and thick, clinging to the syringe like syrup. Its deep red hue seemed almost black, and in the vial, it moved strangely, as if it were alive—roiling, shifting, almost boiling. Rika stared, her mind catching on a thought she didn't want to have: What would it taste like? A shudder ran through her, and she quickly looked away, unsettled. She swallowed hard, suddenly thirsty, and shook it off with a chill running down her spine.
She added another note, her frown deepening with each anomaly, her fingers tightening on the pen. Reflexes that bordered on inhuman, blood that seemed to defy explanation… What else was she going to find? Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to focus as she prepared the AIM grading device.
With a sigh, she pushed that aside and focused on the task at had. Getting Burke through the last test. The AIM grading device.
"Usually, we only use these during Ability scans," She explained, motioning to a bed with a raised back. "It will scan your AIM and your Personal Reality, before giving us a tentative grading. Depending on what it is, you will need to undergo a proper Ability Scan, to see the full breadth of your ability."
"Alright." Burke agreed, climbing onto the bed. "So, what do I need to do?"
Rika blinked for a moment before remembering the note that said Burke had never taken a PDP class. "Well, you just need to concentrate on your calculations. Run them through your head. You do have calculations… right?"
"Something like that." Burke agreed cryptically, but she closed her eyes and…
Several minutes later, Rika stared at the screen, her breath catching. She double-checked the readings, certain there had to be an error. But no—the data was clear. The AIM field she was seeing was the largest on record. The Personal Reality wasn't just active; it was practically alive, radiating power. Academy City had just gained a Level Five Gemstone, and she was sitting in her infirmary.
**************************************************************
Leaving the infirmary, guided by a maid of all things, I couldn't help but feel bad for Miss Hoshino. She had been some mixture of ecstatic, manic, horrified, and frazzled. Hopefully she would be alright.
And let me tell you, Tokiwadai? Oh boi… this place was only a little less pretentious than the Clocktower. The opulence was understated just right, and over all? I liked this better. Maybe that was why I fell into those old habits? Memories of my time in those halls surfacing?
The cafeteria was… well, it was worthy of nobles. More a cafe or restaurant, with indoors seating in a building with floor to ceiling windows, and more seating on a patio and scattered around a courtyard.
I could see several Maids moving between tables, cleaning things up or generally prepping for the coming storm. It was a familiar sight, in its own way.
"Do you have a preference for seating?" The maid asked, in a soft voice… and did I? Hmm…
"Not overly much. But I would like to be able to put my back to a wall if you don't mind." I replied, the instincts I had learned as a Hunter pushing me to not leave myself open. "Maybe with some sunlight. I do seem to need a bit more of that."
"As the Miss says." The Maid demurred, "Right this way please."
Following along, I was led to a nice table, then she asked, "What would you like for lunch, miss? We are capable of making you anything."
I doubted that, but I wouldn't test them, it wouldn't fit my current image. "I suppose a pot of strong black tea, with sugar. Two blue steaks, a light salad and… Mushroom Risotto."
There was a solitary blink from the maid, then she pulled out a notepad and wrote down my order. "Certainly, it will be a few minutes."
"Of course," I dismissed, taking a seat and relaxing, looking up at the sky. It was nice to see something other than the night sky. The blue really was relaxing, and the puffs of white the clouds gave you something to contemplate.
The maid returned and left, tea placed on the table. And I wondered what I would do. I mean, so far, it had been a scramble to 'exist' at least enough to have money and a place to live. Now?
Now, I wasn't sure. Academy City wasn't so bad. But on the other hand, I had a Mystic Code, or maybe it would count as a Noble Phantasm? Well, I had a tool to travel the worlds. A Kaleidoscope, of sorts, and I couldn't help but wonder what the Wizard Marshal would make of the Shard of Borders?
But I had it, so I should use it, shouldn't-
"There you are Burke-san." Kuroko's voice cut through my thoughts. "I wanted to introduce you to On- To Misaka Mikoto, The Railgun of Tokiwadai."
Looking down, I found myself looking at- "Onee-Sama?"
What? Who was this- This was Onee-Sama. And knowledge, fragmented and piecemeal came to the fore. I was Misaka 9,756, one of Onee-Sama's clones. I was- No. The thought slammed into my mind, forceful, my will taking control and organizing and assessing things. I was Lyra Burke, and this body might have been Misaka 9,756, but it was mine now. She was dead, what remained of her… a part of me.
Wha—Who—Who are you!" She demanded, her voice rising above the faint crackle of electricity snapping through her hair. Her fists clenched, and for a moment, she looked ready to strike. But behind the anger, there was something deeper—confusion, disbelief, and an unease I couldn't place.
It was so surreal… it was my face… but not my voice. And the power over electricity? And that look in her eyes… She was so young.
O-Onee-Sama, please calm down!" Kuroko all but threw herself between us, her hands fluttering nervously as if warding off sparks. "Let's not jump to conclusions! Maybe she's… a fan. A very devoted fan, right? It's not as strange as it sounds!" Her forced laugh did little to disguise the pleading in her eyes as she glanced back at me.
I felt sorry for what I was going to do. With a sad smile, I replied, "Oh, no. I am definitely related to her. But Onee-Chan, is this really the place for this conversation? Do you truly want to make such a scene?"
Kuroko looked shocked and confused, while Misaka's expression shifted to a mix of shock and frustration. Just as Onee-chan opened her mouth to demand answers, a maid coughed politely, stepping forward with a tray of food. "Will you be eating at this table today, Miss Kuroko, Miss Misaka?"
"Yes," Misaka grumbled petulantly, sinking into her seat.
The tension hung in the air as the maid laid out their dishes, the smell of seared meat and herbs wafted up like a cooling breeze after a storm. Mikoto's glare softened—just slightly—but the sparks still lingered in her hair, like a storm refusing to die. Kuroko's posture relaxed visibly as she reached for her fork, clearly relieved for the interruption.
Cutting into my steak, I spoke calmly. "You know, this school's reputation for elegance extends even to the food. Blue steak. Perfectly cooked. Do they do this every day?"
Kuroko blinked, momentarily distracted. "It's standard, of course," she replied, her tone shifting to one of practiced pride. "Only the finest for Tokiwadai students."
Misaka gave her a pointed look, but I caught the faintest quirk of her lips as she picked up her fork. "It's not that special," she muttered, though she poked at her food with slightly more interest.
"Well," I said lightly, leaning back with a small smirk, "It's a pity I'm already on the college track. But ce-la-vi."
Putting down my fork, I wiped my lips, and stood. "I think it's time I was on my way." I motioned Kuroko back down, "It's fine, I have things in the city to handle, and I shouldn't have trouble finding the gate."
"Ah, Miss." Said a maid who seemed to appear out of nowhere, only my enhanced senses and time in the Dream allowed me to sense her coming… barely. Terrifying. "Let me guide you out."
"If you insist." I agreed, it was what the maids were her for.
The walk out was pleasant enough, though I could still feel the weight of their eyes on my back. Mikoto sat stiffly at the table, her fork frozen halfway to her mouth. Kuroko leaned in close, whispering something I couldn't hear, though the faint hum of electricity suggested Mikoto wasn't ready to let the moment go.
**************************************************************
Kazari sighed as she relaxed into the hot water, her shower had never been this hot before… Pausing, she got up on her tippy toes, she looked at the shower head and smiled at what she found. There were little characters etched into it. It was just amazing what magic could apparently do. Or was it Magecraft?
Well, Lyra seemed to make a distinction, and thinking about the description of the 'True Magics' she had given while they cleaned up the dinner mess kind of made sense. Time Travel? It would be pretty cool to go back and meet someone famous… Jean d'Arc perhaps?
With a sigh, she got out of the shower and dried off before dressing. This was kind of nice… it would be so cool if she could do this magecraft thing. Sadly, she doubted it. She wasn't even a good esper. All she was good at were computers.
Leaving the bathroom in a billowing cloud of steam, Kazari found Lyra sitting at the low table working on her laptop. What was Lyra good with computers too? If so, that was so unfair. "Do you need help?"
Looking up, Lyra smiled at her. "I should be fine. It's not the OS I'm used to, but it's close enough for now. What's important is that it has a word processor. Actually, I probably need a good security suite for it. But that can wait for later."
Kazari nodded. "Alright… So how do we do this? Some kind of ritual circle?"
"That would help." Lyra agreed with a shrug, "But you don't have the room. Besides, we can do something better."
"Oh?" She asked, sitting near Lyra.
Characters, norse ones, started appearing in the air, along with geometric shapes and even a large circle. "Yes, I think I figured out what my Ability is. While you were showering I spent some time examining my circuits, and their structure has changed a bit."
Kazari perked up, this sounded interesting. "I don't know if I'm producing an AIM field, but at a guess I would say yes."
She held out her hand and a handgun appeared in it, startling Kazari. "W-what? You can't- guns are illegal! This isn't like America."
Lyra cocked her head, and shrugged, taking it apart as if it was nothing. "Sure, but I'm using this as an example. My Ability is a… Well, Magecraft is stupid easy for me now. No auto hypnosis, the limitations are blurred some. I- Look, what I just did."
She motioned at the gun, in pieces on the table. "It's basically an impossibility for Projection. The mystery only allows you to create fragile, temporary items you know well. Guns are too complex. Yet-"
Lyra snapped the slide of the gun in half and it dissolved into motes of dust. Then the rest of the gun did too, except… was this really dust? It didn't leave a pile or anything. "For most people, this would seem like nothing. But for a Magus, this is really the best ability you could get."
By now, all the symbols and characters had shifted around to form a three dimensional magic… sphere? Above them.
"That's… ok, that sounds useful." Kazari muttered suppressing a pang of twisted envy. Lyra had just gotten her ability and it was already that strong? It wasn't fair.
"Now unless you've changed your mind, I'll need access to your bare back…" Lyra informed her. "And this might hurt a bit. I've heard of people screaming in pain. And others who felt nothing."
She wasn't sure how she felt about that. But reluctantly… Yet excitedly, she pulled her pajama top up and over her head, just covering her chest. "H-how does this work?"
"Well, I'll run Prana through the Formalcraft circle above us… and this is my first time using a three dimensional representation so sorry." Lyra replied, "Then I'll guide the energy into you, through you and back into the circle. If you don't have any circuits, you might pass out. If you do, they'll be awoken, and the circle will give me your stats. That is to say, number of circuits, quality of circuits, Origin, and Element. Also any Sorcerous Traits you might have."
Head cocking, Kazari asked, "What's an Origin?"
"Huh…" Lyra asked, "Have I not covered that? Oops? Well, it's like the blueprint of your soul. Your Origin is what defines the core of who you are and how magic—or, in your case, reality—flows through you. The ritual is ready when you are."
"I'm ready." She said, steeling herself. The air felt heavy, charged, as if holding its breath. The warmth of Lyra's hand pressed against her back, grounding her amidst the strange, swirling energy above. Then Lyra started reciting a poem.
"Through shadows cast, I light your way,
A spark ignites where doubts once lay.
Step forth, and find your truth."
Kazari felt… felt… a heat, a pressure building, then with the triumphant sound of a wall shattering, energy flowed through her. It was so gentle and reassuring. Then it was over… and she could feel something, something indescribable. Then the pain came, as her Personal Reality spasmed and changed.A spark ignites where doubts once lay.
Step forth, and find your truth."
***********************************************************
Everything had gone fine, until after the ritual was finished. I watched as the grey border holding back her pink and green aura shattered, falling away. But that was when Kazari started screaming, and I had to scramble to get a sound nullifying bounded field up, while holding her, and making sure she didn't bite her tongue.
She struggled and thrashed for a bit, her eyes rolled back in her head, and I watched with interest as her pink and green area slowly changed. I'm not sure how to express what the change was, but her areas…. Texture? Purpose? Well, it changed, and somewhere along the way Kazari passed out.
Now, it may sound kind of callus of me, and it was. But I watched, not trying to stop it. Yeah. That kind of detachment and uncaring was definitely a trait from my Magus upbringing poking through. But it gave me a good opportunity to study the AIM diffusion field, and gave me some base information about it.
Besides, it wasn't like I wasn't caring for Kazari. Because I was. I was, after all, holding her down and keeping her from biting her tongue. Generally ensuring she didn't hurt herself.
By the time she passed out and calmed down… I felt horrible about myself. I always thought I was better than other Magi. I understood empathy. I wasn't needlessly callus.
Looking down at Kazari… I realized that only put me at the starting line for being a good person. It was… it was a heavy realization. I let out a sigh, and hoped Kazari wouldn't hold it against me. Looking up at her bunk though…
With a shrug, I carried her over to my bed before climbing in with her.
************************************************************
Stretching, I smiled. The Dream was awfully convenient—while my body slept, I stayed awake, able to work on things. But right now, there was only one thing on my mind: checking on Kazari. I walked the path and found her near the Doll, chatting while playing with a few of the Little Ones.
Something about her was different. Atop her head, in line with her flower headband, was a set of horns. Not demon horns or anything sinister—really, they looked like parts of a plant. With pink and silver rings. Later, I'd learn they were myoga ginger. Cute didn't even begin to describe it.
Without meaning to, I let out an explosive sigh of relief. She was okay.
Of course, that drew her attention, and… I died inside just a bit when she flinched. That flinch—it felt like a punch to the gut. Had I done that to her?
Then she was there, arms wrapping around me and… "I'm sorry, I just- I saw… you're so big."
What? I froze, because… what? "Kazari… What do you mean big?"
She looked up at me, revealing her eyes. Eyes that were now pink. "I can kind of see it? There's so much of you? It's all in new directions I've never considered before."
Ok. "Ok… that's new to me…" I muttered, before changing the subject. "How about I tell you what the ritual revealed? And… and I'm sorry about what happened after."
She squeezed tighter, whispering, "What happened? I- things are different. I can feel it, my Ability has changed… but I'm afraid."
Guiding her over to a convenient bench- that I knew hadn't been there- I replied. "Well, it turns out you had circuits. Eighteen of them, all high-quality. If we were back on Gaia… that would be respectable, if on the low end of average. More than I had, but I also had a crest to make up for my shortcoming."
Kazari shifted around, listening intently- if showing a bit of frustration at my avoidance of the topic she wanted to hear about. "That's… good? But?"
Leaning back, I looked up, and stared at the stars in the sky. I wonder, did each of those represent a Great One? "Additionally, your Origin is Information, and your element is a non-standard one, Flowers… but to answer your question."
I dragged my gaze from the heavens and down to meet Kazari's beautiful sakura eyes. "The awakening of your circuits shattered a false personal reality that had been forced on you. It was holding in your potential, your truth… and now… that truth is free."
"S-so my ability was- was wrong? Bad?" She asked, voice cracking, afraid? Angry? I wasn't sure. "But how? Why- They took it from me," She whispered, her voice trembling. Then louder, sharper: "They took me from me!" The glow in her eyes sharpened, burning like a rising sun against the night of her past. "Who would do that!"
"I wouldn't know." I replied with a shrug, "But if you find out who… we'll make a Hunt out of teaching them a lesson."
There was a moment of incomprehension. Of confusion. As she pressessed my words, then she asked, with a smile that was some unholy combination of shyness and bloodthirst. "You mean it?"
I could feel a weight settle upon me, voyeurs looking down upon us. Metaphorical breath bated for the answer. "Of course." I replied, my smile spreading large, "We may have just met recently, but we're friends. Hells, I'm your roommate… and whoever it was wronged you."
A content expression took form on her face, as she smiled at me. "Ok."
I only realized how bad of an idea this was after it was said and done. The toll of an inaudible bell rippled out, deep, heavy with pressure. In the wake of the ripples, the Dream itself changed, an imperceptible thing... Kazari's presence thickened, anchoring her in a way that felt irreversible.
What have I done…
***************************************************************
Kazari groaned as she woke, oddly comfortable wrapped in her blanke- Those weren't blankets… this wasn't her bed.
Cracking her eyes open, she suppressed a groan at the pounding in her head, and the profound sense of wrongness… like she had lost the ability to see, except she certainly could see. And that was Lyra's face… these were Lyra's arms…
Kazari felt her face go beet red, but she couldn't suppress the treacherous thought that drifted through her mind. 'This is comfortable… I wonder if it would be okay to sleep like this every night?'
But why did everything look so flat? It was like she was only seeing half of the world! And it was all so silent! It hurt- how did silence hurt!
Kazari's internal struggle was cut short as Lyra pulled her close, kissing her forehead and mumbling something… was she actually dreaming? Or was she still Dreaming? What was going on? This was so embarrassing… and comfortable.
Stretching her legs, and wiggling her toes, she thought over the night. It had been… interesting- infuriating! Someone had sabotaged her from the start! But that was a problem for later… when she found them. For now, she had lessons to think over. Magecraft really was scientific. Lyra had started teaching her theory from memory, lamenting at her lack of related books. She had said it would limit what she could teach. But Kazari didn't mind! She could discover the missing bits herself! She would be the best Wiza- Magus. The best Magus ever… probably not. The way Lyra had spoken of Magi, and their cultural views? It was repulsive.
Wiggling around, she got free and checked the time… and sighed in frustration. She didn't have much time to get ready. If only she could ditc- Er… be busy with Judgement work again today.
Grabbing a uniform, she headed for the bathroom, taking the time to wash her face and- and- "Ano? Why are my eyes pink?"
It was a question… an important one… but for now, she had to get ready for class. If only the world would make sense again. Her phone, sitting on the counter, seemed impossibly deep, as if its layers stretched into infinity. Staring at it too long made her head pound, but looking away was worse—the table, solid and real, felt like it might collapse into two dimensions if she touched it. Everything was wrong, and she didn't know how to fix it. The table which wasn't put up last night.
Moving over to the kitchen nook, Kazari looked through the offerings, and frowned at the containers of the mac from last night. It had been good… if a little heavy, but good. And they had a lot of it.
With a sigh, she dished some of it into a bento box and assed some finger carrots.
Then she pulled out some eggs and started cooking those while heating up some premade Miso soup. Making breakfast for two was… surprisingly enjoyable. Maybe having a roommate was a good idea.
Now all she had to do was get a handle of her new ability. What even was it? Things had more depth… she glanced around. Her cell phone, her computer though it was muted… because it wasn't on? Lyra's cell phone, her laptop… Was it electronics? But then what Lyra?
Taking a moment, she set a text off to her school's Power Development Program instructor asking of a power evaluation. That done she-
With a yawn, Lyra stood, and Kazari only just realized, Lyra was tall for a girl their age.
"Morning Zari." Lyra muttered, shambling over to the bathroom.
Zari? Zari? Kazari went red all over again. Zari? She wasn't sure how she felt about that! It wasn't normal! Sure nicknames… but, but! Her heart was hammering, Doki Doki.
Then Lyra came out of the bathroom, rooting around in her bags before coming out with her clothes, and looked up at her, "You ok Kazari? You look a little red there." Then with a mischievous smile, she returned to the bathroom before Kazari could reply.
"What is my life?" She whispered, wondering how things had turned out like this. Was it a good thing? A bad thing? Should she thank the Kami? Curse them?
Lyra stepped out of the bathroom, her messy long hair brushed, and up in a high ponytail, leaving her brown hair to cascade down. Her lips were a light red, and the brand on her forehead was on prominent display. Her starlight eyes made it a- doki doki- an impressive display.
But it was more than that! She was dressed in her fancy clothes. Slacks, white button up shirt, and a red vest with pockets. She looked dashing. And she still wasn't done. Pulling out her shoes, some gloves, a black tie, and a silver chain.
The chain was connected to her phone, which was placed in a pocket, then she did her tie, and moved the shores to the small entryway.
Grinning cockily, She finally asked, "Think I'm fancy enough for Tokiwadai?"
"Wow." The word spilled out, followed by Kazari blushing more. "Ah, um… yes."
"Good." Lyra replied with a smile, "So, when will… Kokoru? Show up?"
"Kuroko." Kazari gently corrected, "And I'm not sure… but let's eat breakfast."
************************************************************
"Kuroko-" Her Onee-Sama complained, "Aren't you going to be late if you don't hurry?"
Late? She wondered- Wait! Right! "Oh, no!"
Teleporting about the room, she changed, did her makeup, and readied herself for the day at emergency speeds! "T-thank you, Onee-Sama!"
And she was away, up in the sky, falling fast… and then she was touching down in front of Uiharu's apartment complex. Pausing for a moment to crouch down and admit the pretty flowers she'd never seen before. Softly glowing silver lilies, and also softly glowing yellow blossoms.
They smelled nice. "I wonder where these came from… maybe someone's experiment?"
Well, it didn't matter right now, and she could always make some inquiries after school today.
Standing back up, she teleported up the stairs, then the next set, and the last set, before looking down the balcony, and was suddenly where she was needed.
With a rap of her hand, she knocked on the door and waited.
The door opened to reveal Uiharu… what? "What?" Kuroko asked, genuine confusion strolling through her mind. Why were Uiharu's eyes pink? "You know, as Judgement, we can't use colored contacts, right?"
Uiharu blinked at her in confusion for a moment before realization dawned. "Oh, these aren't contacts… I think my Abilities changed somehow."
Kuroko frowned… that wasn't possible. Abilities didn't work like that. Right?
Ready to question the strange pink eyes. Kuroko was interrupted, "Ah, sorry Kuroko! I have to go or I'm going to be late!" Uiharu darted out the door, leaving her with more questions than answers.
Kuroko opened her mouth to call after her but stopped. Pink eyes? An 'Ability Change'? Impossible. Shaking her head, she resolved to interrogate Uiharu later. For now, she had another mystery to solve. And then… Onee-Sama?
Kuroko was in the apartment, arms wrapped around- "Onee-Sama! No! You'll be late! How are you here! Oh no! You're not in the uniform!"
There was a beat of stillness, then Kuroko found herself being held by her head, feet dangling off the floor. "Koko, I've never met you before. Respect my personal space."
Then Onee-Sama let go of her?
Catching herself with a teleport, she looked at this… this… uh… Ah!Onee-Sama… but not. This Onee-Sith! Yes, that would work!
Her jawline, while the same seemed sharper, her stance more confident—this wasn't the radiant Onee-Sama she adored, but something darker. Something dangerous. With starlight eyes that seemed to see right through her, and a mark blemished her forehead! A strange symbol.
She was quite dashing through- No, bad Kuroko. Onee-Sama is the only one for you! Don't get pulled in by this… this… pretender? Did that even fit?
"Ah, um…" Kuroko stammered for a moment before clearing her through and trying again. "Greetings, I am Kuroko Shirai with Judgement. Konori-San told me to come here and guide you through Tokiwadai- Er, you are Burke-San, current?"
The girl eyed her for a long moment before nodding. "Better, and yes, I am Lyra Burke. Transfer student from America. Let me just lock up before we go."
Dark Onee-Sama was from America? Wow! That was so- no, bad Kuroko!
She watched as Darth-Onee-Sama locked the front door, and collected a couple of things, including a key, and returned. "Shall we, Transport-Tan? Hmm… no, I think Koko does suit you better."
Ah! What was this! This! This American! Gaiji! Gaiji!!! She was… was… dangerous!
"Of course," She replied, delving deep into her well of professionalism. "Hand please."
"Asking to hold my hand." Darth-Sama replied, taking Kuroko's hand. "So Lewd."
"Ah! Uh- Grrr!" Kuroko worked through before muttering, "Onee-Sama is better."
Then she twisted the world and- and- the fabric of reality got stuck. Everything lurched. She felt eyes fall upon her. Innumerable eyes assessing her- then it was over, and they were in front of Tokiwadai middle school.
Letting go of Darth-Sama's hand like it was a burning coal, she staggered for a moment, before looking around. "Right! This way please!"
*****************************************************************
Rika Hoshino sighed, she supposed she should be happy with something to do other than bandage knees or other inane things the students needed. But did the administration really have to stick her with this?
Shrugging to herself, she readied her tablet and checked all the equipment. Then there was a knock on the infirmaries door.
"Here we go." She muttered, then loud enough to be heard, she called out, "Come in."
Young Kuroko walked in guiding- Rika blinked, and studied the girl carefully for a moment. She still looked uncannily like Mikoto Misaka, but she could see differences now. A sharpness to her and maybe taller? "Kuroko-San, This must be Burke-San?"
"Yes, this is Darth-Sam- Burke-San!" Rika suppressed a grin as Kuroko covered her out, looking horrified at her slip. "I- I'm going to go… to class."
"Alright, I'll call you back when we're done here." Rika agreed, and didn't fail to notice Burke-San had a small smirk on her face.
Once the gremlin was gone, Rika asked, "Is there anything I should be aware of?"
Burke-san shrugged, and replied, "My blood will be weird. Um… eh, we'll find out together."
That was… so promacing. Still, she started running Burke through the exam. Blood pressure… a little high, weight… high, at fifty-five kg. She had strangely dense muscles. She was also tall for her age, at a hundred and sixty-five cm. There was certainly more of her than Misaka, though they both shared a similar chest.
Reflex tests were a little frightening however. Her leg twitched before the hammer even touched her knee. Rika leaned closer, trying again, but the reaction was the same—instant, unnerving. And when she handed Lyra the drop test stick, the girl caught it before it moved more than a centimeter. That level of reflex… it wasn't quite human, an expression of her Ability? And she was surprisingly flexible too.
Pausing for a moment, Rika scribbled down her notes, frowning at the growing list of anomalies. Each test only raised more questions, and none of them had easy answers.
But the blood draw… The blood came out slow and thick, clinging to the syringe like syrup. Its deep red hue seemed almost black, and in the vial, it moved strangely, as if it were alive—roiling, shifting, almost boiling. Rika stared, her mind catching on a thought she didn't want to have: What would it taste like? A shudder ran through her, and she quickly looked away, unsettled. She swallowed hard, suddenly thirsty, and shook it off with a chill running down her spine.
She added another note, her frown deepening with each anomaly, her fingers tightening on the pen. Reflexes that bordered on inhuman, blood that seemed to defy explanation… What else was she going to find? Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to focus as she prepared the AIM grading device.
With a sigh, she pushed that aside and focused on the task at had. Getting Burke through the last test. The AIM grading device.
"Usually, we only use these during Ability scans," She explained, motioning to a bed with a raised back. "It will scan your AIM and your Personal Reality, before giving us a tentative grading. Depending on what it is, you will need to undergo a proper Ability Scan, to see the full breadth of your ability."
"Alright." Burke agreed, climbing onto the bed. "So, what do I need to do?"
Rika blinked for a moment before remembering the note that said Burke had never taken a PDP class. "Well, you just need to concentrate on your calculations. Run them through your head. You do have calculations… right?"
"Something like that." Burke agreed cryptically, but she closed her eyes and…
Several minutes later, Rika stared at the screen, her breath catching. She double-checked the readings, certain there had to be an error. But no—the data was clear. The AIM field she was seeing was the largest on record. The Personal Reality wasn't just active; it was practically alive, radiating power. Academy City had just gained a Level Five Gemstone, and she was sitting in her infirmary.
**************************************************************
Leaving the infirmary, guided by a maid of all things, I couldn't help but feel bad for Miss Hoshino. She had been some mixture of ecstatic, manic, horrified, and frazzled. Hopefully she would be alright.
And let me tell you, Tokiwadai? Oh boi… this place was only a little less pretentious than the Clocktower. The opulence was understated just right, and over all? I liked this better. Maybe that was why I fell into those old habits? Memories of my time in those halls surfacing?
The cafeteria was… well, it was worthy of nobles. More a cafe or restaurant, with indoors seating in a building with floor to ceiling windows, and more seating on a patio and scattered around a courtyard.
I could see several Maids moving between tables, cleaning things up or generally prepping for the coming storm. It was a familiar sight, in its own way.
"Do you have a preference for seating?" The maid asked, in a soft voice… and did I? Hmm…
"Not overly much. But I would like to be able to put my back to a wall if you don't mind." I replied, the instincts I had learned as a Hunter pushing me to not leave myself open. "Maybe with some sunlight. I do seem to need a bit more of that."
"As the Miss says." The Maid demurred, "Right this way please."
Following along, I was led to a nice table, then she asked, "What would you like for lunch, miss? We are capable of making you anything."
I doubted that, but I wouldn't test them, it wouldn't fit my current image. "I suppose a pot of strong black tea, with sugar. Two blue steaks, a light salad and… Mushroom Risotto."
There was a solitary blink from the maid, then she pulled out a notepad and wrote down my order. "Certainly, it will be a few minutes."
"Of course," I dismissed, taking a seat and relaxing, looking up at the sky. It was nice to see something other than the night sky. The blue really was relaxing, and the puffs of white the clouds gave you something to contemplate.
The maid returned and left, tea placed on the table. And I wondered what I would do. I mean, so far, it had been a scramble to 'exist' at least enough to have money and a place to live. Now?
Now, I wasn't sure. Academy City wasn't so bad. But on the other hand, I had a Mystic Code, or maybe it would count as a Noble Phantasm? Well, I had a tool to travel the worlds. A Kaleidoscope, of sorts, and I couldn't help but wonder what the Wizard Marshal would make of the Shard of Borders?
But I had it, so I should use it, shouldn't-
"There you are Burke-san." Kuroko's voice cut through my thoughts. "I wanted to introduce you to On- To Misaka Mikoto, The Railgun of Tokiwadai."
Looking down, I found myself looking at- "Onee-Sama?"
What? Who was this- This was Onee-Sama. And knowledge, fragmented and piecemeal came to the fore. I was Misaka 9,756, one of Onee-Sama's clones. I was- No. The thought slammed into my mind, forceful, my will taking control and organizing and assessing things. I was Lyra Burke, and this body might have been Misaka 9,756, but it was mine now. She was dead, what remained of her… a part of me.
Wha—Who—Who are you!" She demanded, her voice rising above the faint crackle of electricity snapping through her hair. Her fists clenched, and for a moment, she looked ready to strike. But behind the anger, there was something deeper—confusion, disbelief, and an unease I couldn't place.
It was so surreal… it was my face… but not my voice. And the power over electricity? And that look in her eyes… She was so young.
O-Onee-Sama, please calm down!" Kuroko all but threw herself between us, her hands fluttering nervously as if warding off sparks. "Let's not jump to conclusions! Maybe she's… a fan. A very devoted fan, right? It's not as strange as it sounds!" Her forced laugh did little to disguise the pleading in her eyes as she glanced back at me.
I felt sorry for what I was going to do. With a sad smile, I replied, "Oh, no. I am definitely related to her. But Onee-Chan, is this really the place for this conversation? Do you truly want to make such a scene?"
Kuroko looked shocked and confused, while Misaka's expression shifted to a mix of shock and frustration. Just as Onee-chan opened her mouth to demand answers, a maid coughed politely, stepping forward with a tray of food. "Will you be eating at this table today, Miss Kuroko, Miss Misaka?"
"Yes," Misaka grumbled petulantly, sinking into her seat.
The tension hung in the air as the maid laid out their dishes, the smell of seared meat and herbs wafted up like a cooling breeze after a storm. Mikoto's glare softened—just slightly—but the sparks still lingered in her hair, like a storm refusing to die. Kuroko's posture relaxed visibly as she reached for her fork, clearly relieved for the interruption.
Cutting into my steak, I spoke calmly. "You know, this school's reputation for elegance extends even to the food. Blue steak. Perfectly cooked. Do they do this every day?"
Kuroko blinked, momentarily distracted. "It's standard, of course," she replied, her tone shifting to one of practiced pride. "Only the finest for Tokiwadai students."
Misaka gave her a pointed look, but I caught the faintest quirk of her lips as she picked up her fork. "It's not that special," she muttered, though she poked at her food with slightly more interest.
"Well," I said lightly, leaning back with a small smirk, "It's a pity I'm already on the college track. But ce-la-vi."
Putting down my fork, I wiped my lips, and stood. "I think it's time I was on my way." I motioned Kuroko back down, "It's fine, I have things in the city to handle, and I shouldn't have trouble finding the gate."
"Ah, Miss." Said a maid who seemed to appear out of nowhere, only my enhanced senses and time in the Dream allowed me to sense her coming… barely. Terrifying. "Let me guide you out."
"If you insist." I agreed, it was what the maids were her for.
The walk out was pleasant enough, though I could still feel the weight of their eyes on my back. Mikoto sat stiffly at the table, her fork frozen halfway to her mouth. Kuroko leaned in close, whispering something I couldn't hear, though the faint hum of electricity suggested Mikoto wasn't ready to let the moment go.
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I admit I'm… not really sure what any of this means in relation to the plot, but I never watched this either so that's no surprise.
And yes, she's definitely absorbed or ascended to outsider/great one status, given all the little hints we've seen. Should be fun!
I do hope her blade keeps growing as she feeds it blood echoes? Noble phantasms are some of my favorite relics.
Are you planning on having her talk to the wizard marshal at some point? It could be interesting.
And yes, she's definitely absorbed or ascended to outsider/great one status, given all the little hints we've seen. Should be fun!
I do hope her blade keeps growing as she feeds it blood echoes? Noble phantasms are some of my favorite relics.
Are you planning on having her talk to the wizard marshal at some point? It could be interesting.