My guiding moonlight

When you hear mention of the church hunters, most yharnamites think of their brutality, and their lack of mercy. If they even suspected you of beast-hood, you would find yourself dead.However, it was not always like that. At one point, church hunters were seen as saviors to the people, and were beloved. That was long ago though, during the time of the first church hunter, Ludwig.

Ludwig was the most trusted associate of Laurence, the vicar and founder of the healing church. Ludwig was entrusted with complete control over the hunters, and he shaped them into an honorable fighting force, with the sole purpose of saving lives. Ludwig even recruited the people of Yharnam to become hunters, and quickly became a trusted and beloved figure. Though one day, he would disappear, along with his most elite hunters, on the night of the blood moon. With the loss of Ludwig, the hunters devolved into what they are today. But what happened to him?

Deep within the hunters nightmare, at the end of a river of blood, lies a cave. Within that cave, a mountain of corpses rot, as they are slowly consumed by an unsightly beast. As if a horse and a headless man had fused, this accursed beast never leaves its cave, and never partakes in the endless hunt going on outside, for it wishes only for solitude. This beast is what remains of Ludwig, the once honorable hunter.

One day, a hunter with their sanity intact manages to find their way into the nightmare. As they traverse the nightmare, they find the blood river, and they come across that dank cave. Of course, they enter, and face the beast within. Skillfully dodging every swipe, kick and bite, they knock down the massive horse beast. As it lies on the ground, a strange glow Emirates from its back. All eyes are drawn to it, and when the beast lays its eyes upon the source, its pupils fill with life. Upon its back was the holy moonlight greatsword.

Seeing the blade has awoken something long thought dead within the beast. As it stands up, it begins to speak, as if the blade was alive. Filled with a new strength, and regaining his sanity,For the first time in years, Ludwig joins the hunt. He quickly attacks, swinging his massive blade towards the hunter, who barely had the time to dodge. The fight continues on for hours more, as Ludwig sends out everything he can at the hunter. Finally, the hunter strikes one final time, and decapitates Ludwig.

As his head lies in the blood, slowly dying, he asks the hunter a question.
“Tell me, good hunter of the church. Have you seen the light? Are my church hunters, the honorable Spartans I hoped they would be?”
The hunter, feeling pity for their dying comrade, nods. Lying to Ludwig, and thus, keeping his honor and spirit intact.
“Ah, good… that is a relief. To know I did not suffer such denigration for nothing. Thank you kindly. Now, I may sleep in peace. Even in this darkest of nights. I see… the moonlight.”
And as the life fades out of Ludwig’s eyes, the hunter bows, respecting his formidable foe.

However, Ludwig’s story is not at its end. For something was watching him. A great one, powerful yet formless. Odeon. He watches as the hunter dies, and feels pity for him. After all, he only sought to save lives. So, Odeon decides to give another soul a second chance. Just as he did Laurence before.