Another Dreary Hunt: Forbidden Studies

11 O'Clock: Unspoken Truths

There it was, the huge spire just beyond the hills seemingly reaching right into the clouds. It was beautifully decorated, if broken and rotted in a few places. A giant clock face adorned the top, amazing bronze craftsmanship which seemed to glow in the moonlight like a beacon for us weary pilgrims. "What is this place?" I asked Amelia whose white hair seemed to dance in the breeze. "This is the Astral Clocktower. I have never been myself, only the Choir has ever set foot in here."
"Who built it?"
"I'm unsure, it was before even my mother's time. Some say a time before Yharnam became the hollow bastion it is now." I looked at the building, standing stalwart above the trees almost as if it was watching the sliver of ocean that was visible to the east. Laurence shouted, "A few miles left, keep moving." before taking off down the hill and towards the tower.

Rom was still out cold, her bleeding had stopped so I could rest easy. I took care carrying her down the steep slope, not wanting to jostle her too much lest she woke up. At that point I did not know whether I would be dealing with her confusion or her rage, thus I decided not to take the chance either way. A gentle growl of thunder alerted us to the rain, a mist of rain began to fall on us and litter the forest floor with a layer of glistening dew like jewels hiding in the brush. I swept my coat over the sleeping girl in my arms, last thing I wanted was for her to catch a cold. At least the rain helped to wash away the blood and dirt from her face.

I took a moment to inspect her. I never actually realised how...Well...Cute she was. The long frizzy blonde hair which tumbled over her shoulders, during long essays she would tie it behind her head with a luscious blue, velvet ribbon which seemed to have been pulled directly from her crystal eyes. Though I could not see them then, I pictured those pools of excellence, the intellect which shone behind those glass spheres. And the wit! Oh, her wit was a force to be reckoned with. She had silver tongue so tapered her utterances could cut through stone. I moved some strands of gold out of her face before smiling, why was I only realising this now? After all this time this amazing friend has been sitting right behind me, tormenting me yet caring for me. What a fool I was for not offering her coffee, or perhaps a day out to that small café down Tellbrook Street...It was probably destroyed by now.

If we were to die that day, walking towards the looming black monolith before us, then would I have wasted my life? The memories me and Rom could have made together, the smiles we could have cherished. If only we could live past this night, see the morning sun and begin the rest of our lives anew. Forget the Church, forget the Hunt! I would take her somewhere safe where beasts do not prowl and blood is not spilled. "Hey, Rom," I began, not knowing whether she could even hear me. "I just wanted to say-"
"Get those doors open." the Vicar ordered. I shook my head and looked up, the stone creatures standing next to he huge wooden door glared down at us. Their heads were bulbous and covered with eyes, spears at their sides which were hooked like harpoons. The rune sat below them, the Great Lake - the augur of the eldritch Truth. I was nervous, I felt the fear rising in my stomach as two strong hunters stepped forward and pushed open the doors.

Rom's POV

I was lost, afraid. All I could see before me was an endless, inky black. It was not solid, no, it moved like water only thicker. I tried to move forward, only to feel the resistance all around me. I was swimming through an endless ocean, catching glimpses of creatures drift past me, their forms invisible but their presence cripplingly horrifying.

I called out for Chester, only for the ink to fill my lungs and choke me before releasing its oppressive hold. It was like a warning, that no help would come. I was so confused, my mind span as it tried fruitlessly to figure out where I was. Was I upside-down, right-way-up? North, South, East, West? Drowning, screaming, dying!?

Going mad.

My mind felt at ease as the realisation kicked in. This was me.

My crumbling mind.

I was struggling in my subconscious, the current of the dark sea churning and twisting as I felt the creatures reach out to me. On their palms were eyes, glaring at their prey as those boney fingers tried to catch me. Just looking at them hurt my head, My eyes felt as though they were trying to writhe out of my head. I screamed and screamed until I could not remember what screaming was. With every sound came a wave of red veins in the dying ocean, the creatures recoiled into obscurity with a hiss as the ink faded. I was left with calm blue waters, surrounded by pale fish. I drifted there, waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting.

"Only a glimpse, dear Rom." She whispered. "Your eyes are inside now."