The Hunter of Chaldea

Chapter 1

The twang of metal and the splashing of blood filled the darkness of Yharnam, finishing off their brutal dance with a single slash to its chest

With a roar that pierced the clouded sky, something shook. The beast took its last anguished breath before him, and collapsed unto the broken pavement. A tremendous impact rang out as its weight hit the ground

Blood and excrement flew out from it's corpse like body, staining the Hunter's leather garb in a filthy ordor typical of Yharnam as he was submerged in a rain of gore, followed by an eerie silence shortly after

There is only the moon to shine upon the scene of carnage below

He took a deep breath. The black clad figure did not react to the filth, having grown used to it after several Hunts in here. He wiped the Saw Cleaver off the dirty blood and retrieved a Blood Vial to heal himself. 

His hand stopped, however. Looking at the encaged crimson liquid, the Hunter realized one thing

"Nightmarish Rituals craves a newborn. Find one, and silence its harrowing cry"

His emotionless gaze moved onto the rest of the courtyard, littered with corpses of beasts far beyond human comprehension, so distorted by their appearance that it is hard to believe they were once human

What's harder to believe is the fact that the hunt is approaching its end. All he have to do now is to find the source of this dream and liberate the people of Yharnam from its haunting clutches

One final prey. One final target to kill. After that he can escape this nightmare, once and for all. 

With a determined gait, Fujimaru Ritsuka moved toward his final destination, where an infant is lost in its anguished slumber

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[N i g h t m a r e  S l a i n]

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The glow of the lantern faded into nothingness. As he opened his eyes, what greeted the Hunter is the scenery of the peaceful dream. 

White lilies swaying the wind, surrounded by a garden of wilted willows and ancient tombstones dedicated to the hunters of old. Those that have been brought here like him, those that have hunted like him, have had their body buried here like a nightmare long gone

Of course, tonight will be like that too

The hunter walked forward. He once again peered into the great fog beyond the Dream, into the unseen mystery that surround them - mystery that is better left unveiled. 

How many times he have wondered in curiosity, and how many times he have paid for it...

The weary hunter reached the final step, where a lone doll patiently waited for him

"Oh good Hunter..."

She has porcelain skin, as white as the snow of Cainhurst and just as delicate. The Doll's dull silver eyes peered down at him with a calm tranquility tinged with sadness 

"You have come. Dawn will soon break, this night and this dream will end" She bowed "Gehrman awaits you, at the foot of the great tree"

"....Thank you"

A gloved hand settled down her head, rubbing it in an almost affectionate way. It lowered down, and wiped away the silver tears brimming at her eyes

Grasping her hand, he pulled her into an embrace, feeling tears trailing down the fabric of bloodstained coat 

"Good Hunter, no,  Ritsuka, I hope you find your worth in the waking world"

He is the only one from whom she'd ever truly received kindness. She is the only companion he'd had during his hunt

Regardless, no matter the time they stay here, it is time to say their final goodbye 

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"Ritsuka Fujimaru"

It was a long time ago that he was called by his full name

Looking at the disabled old man before him, the Hunter politely bowed

"Gehrman. I take it that my hunt has ended"

"The night has come to an end" The old hunter closed his eyes "I will show you mercy. You will die, forget the dream, and awake under the morning sun. You will be freed from this hunter's dream"

And oh so generous is the reward for such bloodshed and horror, the Hunter unintentionally chuckle

One will only find themselves on the deep end of insanity should they find death the better alternative in any scenarios

Perhaps that is it. Perhaps he has gone mad just like the other Hunters before him, and Gehrman is offering him the mercy of dying like a human

"You were one of the few, no, the very best Hunter there is. If nothing else, I'd rather you to accept this offer with all my heart"

"No. I'm sorry"

That is why...that is why...he refuse to accept it. The Hunter would not accept such a conclusion

"Dear oh dear, is it the dream, or the blood, that entice you so?"

Gehrman's voice held a tinge of disappointment as it reached his ear, but also understanding and sadness

"No, it is because of you"

Gehrman has always been here for him. The old hunter, like others, has his own sins. Ritsuka felt it that he has had enough of suffer for the mistakes in the past 

He have to at least save one of them, even if he were to suffer a fate worse than death in the process

Perhaps seeing the resolve in his eyes, Gehrman's mouth quirked up into ahumorless smile

"It always come to the Hunter's helper to clean up the mess" Chuckling, he pulled the curved blade on his side to an upward arc that glistened in the moonlight

With a snap of his blade, the scythe clicked into place in the old man's hand, lethal and deadly as their bloodiest days

'Trace. On'

Ritsuka recalled one of the few magecraft he'd ever been efficient at. One that has been taught to him by a kind Archer in the past

A weapon materialize in his hand amidst the particles of mana. It's crimson wickedness glowing in the silence of the night as the Hunter held the spear forward

It was a weapon he had seen so long ago, back when he was still the "last Master of humanity" and not someone forced into this nightmare

Once a Noble Phantasm to the most bravest of heroes, now only a killing tool for a hunter who has gotten tired of it all

Regardless, he will us any means to win this fight

"Tonight, Gehrman joins the hunt" 

"Tonight, Ritsuka ends the hunt" 

Twin bursts of wind exploded forward. Gae bolg meets the Burial blade head on in the final clash of the night