"Say what now?" Applejack asks: "Where are you going again?"
"Yharnam, for the pale blood," Sunset replies as she packs: "Apparently pony Twilight broke something important and needed to fix it before Princess Luna finds out."
"I don't get it," Rainblowdash says while playing a video game with Fluttershy: "Why can't she just do it herself?"
"Because she has other things to do while I don't. Hi Twi, did I forget anything?"
Twilight takes out a notebook: "Ummm, no, you are all set. Now we just have to get you to the train station and...oh, my."
"Yeah, I know," Sunset replies: "It's quite an old station and..."
"You have 40 minutes left," Twilight says, trying not to scream: "No one panics, NO ONE PANICS! WE ARE LATE!!!"
"Jeez, Twilight, claim down!" Rainbow says: "You've really got to work on your anxiety issue. We have 40 minutes!"
"Still, sure you want to do this sugar cube? It seems like a long trip." Applejack asks.
"Don't worry," Sunset replies as she zips up her backpack: "How bad could it? I should be able to find it in time and still have enough time to buy souvenirs for you girls".
"I don't know, " Applejack says: "I just get a bad feeling about it."
"Do I...Have to do this?" Sunset asks as an old man administers blood transfusion.
"Of course, but whatever happens, you may think of it as a bad dream."
"I...okay..." Sunset says as her eyelids get heavier: "Wow, what time is it?"
"Well, it's done." The old man says before leaving the room: "whatever happens, you may think of it as a bad dream..."
"What! What time is it!" Sunset sits up from her bed: "Hello? Anyone here?" No one replies.
She takes out her phone; it's 7;55 pm.
"Ah, for the love of...there goes my first day in Yharnam! So much for the souvenirs." Sunset says as she gets out of bed. She's in a clinic, one that looks abandoned and filled with equipment from the 19th century.
"Hello?" Sunset calls out as she descends down the stairs: "Anyone?"
Soon, she reached a room filled with empty beds. On the other side of the room sits a wolf-like creature. As she gets closer, Sunset receives a more accurate view of it: it looks like a wolf, but its' limbs are stretched grossly out of proportion. Moreover, it way too large to be just an ordinary wolf. Thanks to years of experience of dealing with dangerous creatures in Equestria, Sunset is able to stay claim. Indeed, growing up in Equestria hasn't been easy. With hazardous creatures lurking around the corner, all residences of Equestria must keep alert at all times. However, she hasn't dealt with savages beasts ever since she came to the human world. Perhaps due years of comfort away from the danger of beasts, Sunset can feel her legs shaking. She moves, slowly like a turtle, back to the clinic. She can't fight a beast like this without a weapon. She must find something inside of the clinic, an improvised weapon, before fighting the inhuman monster. Unfortunately, she fell. She can't feel her legs due to a reason unknown. The creature heard the noise and turned around.
It is at this moment; the two exchanged eyesight.
I am down for, Sunset thought, as the beast dashes towards her. She closes her eye as its' claw drew nearer to her throat. Her mind is flooded with memories of the good and bad times. Is this the end of me? She thought: all the spells I learned, everything, nothing would help? I dedicated so much time learning from Princess Celestia, and in the end, it's pointless? All the friends I've made, all that I've done, would all fade to nothing, just like that? No, please, someone, help me...
Tears start to drip down her face. Tears? She opens her eyes; nothing happened.
"Is this?" Sunset mumbles as she looks around: "the afterlife?"
She's no longer in danger. In fact, she's no longer in the clinic. She takes out the phone, it's still 7:55 pm, but here, it's broad daylight. Upon the realization that she's safe, Sunset takes out a plate of chocolate from her backpack, unwrap it, and devours it as tears uncontrollably drip down her chin.
"Hmmm, hmm, hmmm..."
Sunset freezes as she hears a woman humming.
"H-hello?" She puts away the chocolate and slowly turns around. There it is, a woman, dressed in 18th-century style, kneeling in front of a gravestone.
"Oh, pardon, " the woman says as she stands up: "You must be the new hunter."
"Yes, yes, I am." Sunset stands up.
"Then welcome, to the hunter's dream." the woman bows: "and I am here to assist you."
"Oh, " Sunset wipes the chocolate off her mouth: "Sorry, I am still a little frazzled."
"No need to rash," the woman slowly approaches Sunset: "It's your home, and you are safe now."
As she gets closer, Sunset noticed something different: the woman is tall, perhaps the tallest she ever came across, and her face seems so rigid, like a robot.
"Fear not, " the strange woman put a hand on Sunset's cheek and starts to wipe her face with a handkerchief using the other hand: "you're safe."
Her hand feels so hard, so cold. Sunset thinks.
"You are sent here by the werewolf, is that right?"
"Oh, yes, it..." just as they speak, Sunset catches a glimpse of the woman's hands. Instead of joints, her fingers are connected by gadgets: "are you...a messenger of the afterworld?"
"Beg your pardon?"
"You don't seem...how do I put this...alive."
"Oh, I am not, not in human terms." the woman replies as she cleans Sunset's face: "I am a doll, here to assist you."
"A doll?" Sunset asks with a confused look: "So...am I alive now?"
"Of course," the doll says as she let go of Sunset's face: "Whatever happened out there, you may think of it as a bad dream."
"So, that monster didn't take my life?"
"No, not really," the doll answers: "But to combat beasts efficiently, a hunter must choose proper equipment. Look, the little ones are here to deliver a present." She points towards the stairs, which lead to a house.
"Oh, my," Sunset approaches the tiny beings on the stairs: "Are those weapons?"
"Of course," the doll says as she stands next to Sunset: "choose wisely."
"Do you, um, have any recommendation?" Sunset asks: "Afterall, I am still new here."
"What about this?" The doll crouches down: "the saw cleaver."
"Oh, okay, thank you!" Sunset says as she picks up the strangely shaped blade: "but how do you use it?"
"I can teach you, " the doll answers: "Afterall, I am here to help."
"One, two, three," Sunset mumbles as she swings around her new weapon: "four, five, retreat, and again."
"You've made progress," the doll says: "now go, and hunt a few beasts, it's for your own good."
"Couldn't have done it without you," Sunset says: "It's amazing how those small messengers would just bring weapons to you, I thought I'd have to make it myself or find it somewhere."
"The little ones would assist you as I do." the doll replies.
"I am glad I have you all at my side. The first time I run into that beast, I was going to go back upstairs to find a stick or something."
"It's how others would react," the doll says calmly: "No human can take on a beast without proper equipment, and no one can outrun it."
"Yeah, about that, "Sunset says: "I have some questions."
"Yes?"
"Ok, first, I grew up in a place where dangerous creatures would swallow you whole if you aren't careful enough. It has been a while since I last encountered a dangerous beast, but I shouldn't get so scared that my legs just give up." Sunset says: "I know, sounds like I am blaming my problem on something else, but my legs still feel numb, like from some sort of medication."
"Ah, could it be?" the doll asks: "Good hunter, have you ever witnessed a great one before?"
"A what?"
"A great one is a creature of immense strength; it may possess power beyond our imagination."
"My teacher can raise that Sun, and her sister can raise the Moon, do they count?" Sunset answers as she stretches her limbs.
"That must be it! I have seen a few hunters with similar conditions, and they have all witnessed a great one."
"Ok?"
"A normal person would be consumed by madness upon witnessing a great one, but if they stay sane, such an experience may leave a mark." the doll continues: "and such a mark may react with the blood you received from the transfusion."
"I not so sure about that," Sunset says: "There might be something wrong with the blood sure, but I don't see how my teacher can play a part. Moreover, how long is this going to last?"
"It could be permanent if untreated."
"Well, how do you fix it?"
"Seek the echoes of blood, and I will channel them into your strength."
"Right, what are echoes of blood?" Sunset covers her face with her palm.
"Hunt beasts, and they would come to you."
"Whatever, one last question, what in that house?" Sunset points towards a small house.
"Oh, that, the door would only open once the werewolf is slaughtered." the doll answers.
"Right, I should be able to take it on now," Sunset says as opens the notebook, which she used to communicate with Princess Twilight. She opens up to the page where Twilight asked for her. However, there's nothing. She flips the page, and there's nothing. The last message in the book is Twilight's theory about the Memory stone.
"Are you alright?" the doll asks: "you look pale."
"I..." Sunset doesn't answer. Instead, she flips through the pages fanatically. Twilight's request for help, her own reply, are gone, all gone. As a matter of fact, her communication with Twilight never occurred. The pages are so clean as if they were never touched by ink.
"Dear Princess Twilight..." Sunset mumbles as she writes in the notebook: "I might be crazy, but did you ever asked for me help to fix the relic that belongs to Princess Luna?"
Moments later, Twilight replied: "Dear Sunset, hello! No need to be so formal, we are friends. It has been a while since you wrote in this notebook. The last time we communicate in this form was when the Memory Stone was messing things up for you! And no, I did not request any help and did not receive any information from you until now (I would never break a relic that belongs to Princess Celestia or Luna!).
"Good hunter?"
"I..." Sunset sits down: "but how? What kind of..." Just as Sunset gets ready to ask Twilight another question, the notebook starts burning on its' own.
"No, NO!" Sunset shouts as she desperately tries to put out the fire. In a matter of seconds, her notebook turns into a pile of ash.
"Oh my," the doll covers her month: "I am so sorry for what happened."
"Don't feel bad about it," Sunset replies as she stares at the pile of ash: "Oh Celestia...Well, guess I'd better go out and hunt since it's the only thing I can do now."
Again, Sunset is back at the clinic. Her body feels heavy, but this time, she is determined to succeed. Once again, she is back at the room filled with empty beds. In the end, sits the beast, chewing at something. Slowly, Sunset approaches the creature. Finally, she stands right behind it. The monster turns around, only to be greeted by the heavy blade of a new hunter.
"One, two, three..." Sunset murmurs as she strikes mercilessly: "four, five..."
Perhaps out of desperation, the beast raises a claw in an endeavor to strike back.
"SIX!" Instead of dodging, Sunset strikes back. The beast fell. Finally, she may open the gate that the beast guards.
"Oh...my..." Sunset breathes heavily as she opens the door. She takes out her phone and checks the time; it's still 7:55 pm. Time flows differently in this place for sure.
"Hello?" Sunset calls out as she explores the empty streets of Yharnman: "Anyone here?" Soon, she sees the shadow of a man with a torch and an ax.
"Hello?" She says: "I am a bit lost, can you help me?"
As the man gets closer, Sunset receives a more accurate view of this 'man': it walks like man, but it's no man at all. With a deformed head, hairy face, and body stretched out of proportion; this thing is nothing but a beast in disguise. It is a beast with a man's cloth and tools. It ignored Sunset's question and charged directly at her while swinging its' ax. With pure malevolence, the beast sought to destroy the new hunter. Sunset was forced to strike it down in self-defense. She wandered aimlessly, confronting all the monsters she runs into. Finally, a leveler on the side of the street caught her attention. A ladder drops down after Sunset pulls on it. After ascending the ladder, a purple lantern appears in front of her.
"Finally," Sunset says as she dashes towards and before lighting it. A small house in front of the lantern caught her attention. Light, emitting from its' window, reminds Sunset of her home.
"Hello?" Sunset knocks on the window: "Anyone here?"
She rechecks her phone, its' 7:55 pm. Good, she thought: at least I am not interrupting anyone.
"Hello?" a man replies: "Oh, you must be a hunter, and not from around here either. My name is Gilbert, a fellow outsider."
"It's a pleasure to meet Gilbert; my name is Sunset Shimmer." Sunset replies: "I am a bit lost out here, um, do you happen to know anything about the pale blood?"
"Paleblood? Never heard of it." the man says: "If it is blood you desire, seek the Healing Church. They control all knowledge on blood ministration, and all variety of blood."
"Splendid!" Sunset replies: "So where is the Healing Church?"
"Across the valley to the East of Yharnam lies the town of the Healing Church, known as the Cathedral Ward. And deep within the Cathedral Ward is the grand old cathedral." Gilbert says.
"Thank you very much!" Sunset says: "If there's anything I can do, just tell me and I'll try my best!"
"Yarnham has a special way of treating guests." the man says: "But I am willing to help."
After saying goodbye, Sunset decides to pay a visit to the doll. As her hand looms over the lantern, the world around her starts to dim. Moments later, Sunset is back to the Hunter's Dream. Again, she sees the doll kneeling in front of a grave while mumbling something.
"Um, hello?" Sunset says as she approaches the doll.
"Welcome home, good hunter." the doll says as she stands up: "What is it you desire?"
"Well, I defeated a few beasts." Sunset replies: "As I do so, I can sense some kind energy coming towards me. Is that the echoes of blood you talk about?"
"Yes," the doll says, sitting down: "Very well, let the echoes of blood become your strength."
"Ok, now what?" Sunset asks.
"Now shut your eyes." the doll answers as she grabs Sunset's right hand.
"Alright..." What do I need? Sunset thinks as she closes her eyes. Life, yes! I need the energy of life! I need to survive blows after blow from dangerous creatures. I need Life energy! I need to last.
"All done, you can open your eyes now." the doll says.
"Right," Sunset opens eyes, still trying to understand how the 'echoes of blood' is her strength.
"The door to the workshop is now open, and you should visit it before going on to the next hunt." the doll says, turning towards the grave: "Gehrman is waiting for you."
"Of course, thank you. If I may, who is it you are...you know." Sunset says: "Paying your respect to? An old friend, perhaps?"
"This grave stands in memory of a hunter I once knew." the doll answers: "Through enchanted by the dream, she remained strong and eventually saw the light of dawn."
"Oh, I see," Sunset says: "Well, um, I should go, see you!"
So I am not the first one, Sunset thinks as she proceeds towards the little house: At least I know there is a way out of this mess.
"For Celestia's sake!" As she goes up the stairs, her legs again start to numb. She then sits down and starts to massage her legs.
It's not too bad this time. Well, she can't go out on a hunt like this, but it's getting better. Maybe the doll really did channel the echoes of blood into her strength. Moments later, the numbness is gone, and Sunset can finally pay a proper visit to the workshop.
"Ah-hah, you must be the new hunter. Welcome to the Hunter's Dream." As she enters the house, Sunset is greeted by an old man in a wheelchair: "This will be your home, for now. I am... Gehrman, friend to you hunters."
"I am Sunset Shimmer, a new hunter." Sunset replies politely: "It's an honor to meet you! Thank you for sheltering me from the dangers of outside."
"You're sure to be in a fine haze about now, but don't think too hard about all of this. Just go out and kill a few beasts. It's for your own good." the old man says.
"Of course," Sunset replies: "I would do my best. But before that, I have a question."
"Yes?"
"You see, I received a blood transfusion, here in Yharnam." Sunset explains: "Ever since then,, I got this numbness in legs."
"Oh, my," Gehrman says: "Have you ever seen or contacted a great one?"
"Well, my teacher can raise the sun..." Sunset answers.
"Ah, that is it." Gehrman says: "You have survived multiple encounters with a great one without going insane, that must have left a mark on you."
"And it can react with the blood I received and can only be cured by echoes of blood?" Sunset says.
"Indeed," Gehrman continues: "I know it sounds counterintuitive, but that's all we know now. While we are at it, would you mind telling me about your teacher? How is it that she can raise the sun?"
"It's a long story," Sunset says: "and I should probably go on now so..."
"Alright," Gehrman replies: "Remember to tell me about your teacher next time."
After navigating her way through, Sunset arrived at a street where inhuman roam. They come in groups while Sunset stands alone. Outnumbered and exhausted, she died many deaths before reaching a seemingly empty plaza. However, she is greeted by more beasts. After another battle, Sunset collapsed on the ground. Just when she thought things are coming to an end, the shadow of a troll caught her attention. She quickly stands up, ready for another challenge. Her vision blurred, arms heavy and legs numb. However, fighting is her only option. The creature is slow. When it finally strikes, Sunset sees a chance and decides to dodge its' attack. Unfortunately, the numbness hindered her ability to move. She feels a dull pain shooting up from her chain as the troll smashes her face with a piece of brick, which sends her flying before landing, several feet away, next to a dozen crows. As the giant creature menacingly approaches her, Sunset used every bit of her strength to drag her body upstanding. Blood flows down her forehead, slowly creeping its way to her eyes. Bearly was holding her weapon, Sunset charges towards the troll. What happened next is all a blur. Next thing she knows, the troll is defeated, and her cloth is soaked in blood. She tries to stand up but failed. Her body has reached its' limit. Everything hurts. From the corner of her eyes, Sunset catches a glimpse of the crows. They are large, mutated, and craves nothing but her blood. She can't stand up, and her hands are too tired to even hold on to a weapon. It's never a good thing, be it in Equestria or Yharnam, to have crows approaching you as your life fades away.
How ironic, Sunset thought: I've come so far, and now a few crows are going to take me down? With no strength left and no means of healing herself, Sunset had to craw towards a house, hoping that the residence would be kind enough to lend her a hand.
"Are you an outsider? Stuck outside?" a voice asks as Sunset knocks on the door: "Well sucks to be you! Enjoy it out there! Haha, ha!"
"How cruel..." Sunset whispers as she sits upright against the door: "Sucks to be me, ha?" her sys sight blurs, and finally, she loses consciousness as the mutated creeps ever closer.
"Hi, hi!"
"Five more minutes..." Sunset mumbles: "just five minutes..."
"Stay with me here! Are you a hunter?" she hears a man's voice asking questions: "Do you still dream?"
Sunset nods semi-consciously.
"And you are new here, aren't you? Quite impressive of your to clear off the street all by yourself. Now," the man put a piece of parchment, with a hunter's mark on it, on Sunset's hand: "cover your forehead with the parchment, and you shall return to your dream."
Sunset follows his instruction, not knowing entirely what's going on.
"You are in bad shape, so take a break," the man says: "you have done well, and now leave the rest to me."
"Welcome home, good hunter." the doll greets Sunset as she returns to the hunter's dream.
"Oh, doll," Sunset says: "I am back?"
"Of course," the doll replies: " what is it you desire?"
"I..." Her injuries are gone: "want blood echoes to become as my strength."
"Very well then," the doll says: "close your eyes..."
As the ceremony completes, Sunset feels nothing, again. Is it normal? With so much blood echoes channeled into herself, why does she feel nothing about it?
"Doll..."
"Yes?"
"Do you have a mirror?"
"Yes, why?"
"I just want to take a look at my face," Sunset explains: "a troll just smacked me on the face with a brick today, I know there shouldn't be nothing by now, but I just want to check."
"Of course," the doll replies with a smile while handing Sunset a small mirror: "You look wonderful."
"Thank you," Sunset replies as she looks into the mirror: "Wow."
"All your injuries would heal once you come back," the doll says gently: "This is your home; you are safe here."
"I still believe that strike disappeared without a trace," Sunset returns the mirror: "Maybe I just need some time to comprehend all of these. Just one more question, have you ever heard of the Paleblood?"
"I have only heard of it from the hunters who sought after it." the doll says: "but I know not of anything else of it."
"Do you think Gehrman would know anything about it?" Sunset asks: "He was a hunter before, right?"
"Indeed, he was a hunter, and we have discussed this topic before." the doll answers: "the truth is, he too, learned it from the hunters who sought after it."
"Let me get this straight," Sunset sits down and puts a hand over her eyes in defeat: "so Gehrman, an experienced hunter, never heard of the Paleblood and hunters from outside all know about it?"
"Unfortunately, yes," the doll sits down nest to Sunset: "It seems Gehrman learned of the Paleblood from outside hunters."
"Oh, Celestia," Sunset sighs: "I don't even know what's going on now."
"It's quite alright," the doll put a hand over Sunset's shoulder in an endeavor to comfort her: "you are not alone."
