My guiding moonlight

After many of hours spent clearing up the blood and debris, the street was finally clean. You would not even be able to tell an 8 meter tall chimeric monster rampaged through. However, that does not change the situation regarding the security breach. City is practically under lockdown, and guards are patrolling and performing examinations of all citizens to flush out the changelings. Thankfully, no more blood was stolen during the cleanup, so things should be alright as long as the blood is disposed of properly.

As the guards slowly start preparing to allow civilians back into the area, I remember the young changeling that had been apprehended, and I can’t help but feel pity for the poor creature. A mere child, caught in the crossfires of a war. Much like many in yharnam. Much like I was once. At this thought, the memories come flooding back. Of the night where it all changed. The night where my innocence died, and the holy blade was born.

It had been like any normal day in Yharnam. After returning home from school, I greeted my mother and began to do my homework, before I got started upon my chores. Just as I sat down to begin my assignment, the door once more opened, and father entered. Father was a former scholar of byrgenwyrth, and became a cleric of the healing church shortly after it was formed. That day, he looked particularly unseemly. Once I joined the church myself, I learned why. That was the night of the first hunt.

Mother greeted him at the door, smiling and asking how his day went. To this day, I have no idea what he said, but it caused mother’s smile to gradually drop. She nodded, before returning to the kitchen. Shortly after I finished my homework, and began to start on my chores, before mother called out that dinner was ready. I rushed into the dining room, eager to eat, as mother put a roast pheasant on the table. That dinner was one of the best meals I ever had, and the last time I had the chance to speak to my father.

As we ate, we converted about our days. Father explained how he discovered a new strain of blood, which while less potent, had better longevity, and was able to be stored for longer periods. I excitedly listened, before telling my father about my day at school. He and I always enjoyed talking about academics, as I had inherited his curiosity and natural intellect. His smile as I told him about my possible early advancement to the next grade was warm, yet hollow at the same time. It was as if he knew what would happened later that same night. Sometimes, I wonder if he really did.

After dinner, I began to clean the kitchen, and turned on the gramaphone, And began to listen to one of my favorite organ waltzes. as I cleaned, I dance to the music, and engrossed myself in the task. Shortly after I finished, mother told me that tonight she and I were going to stay up a bit later, and play some games. I didn’t question it, as I was just exited to stay up past bedtime, but deep in my mind, I wondered why father wasn’t going to be joining us.

As the sun set, and father left for some “adult business”, mother and I began to set up a chess board in the basement.. Shortly after I had made the first move, did the noises begin. The screams still haunt me to this day. The sound of flesh being sliced, and the blasts of gunfire filled the air. For about an hour, we played that game of chess, doing our best to ignore the sounds of the hunt going on outside. That was, until the sound of glass shattering filled my ears.

The sound shook me out of the trance I had put myself in, and fear began to take over. Mother did her best to comfort me, all while I could hear the sound of claws on our hardwood floor. Then, she said something I will never forget.
“ My darling, baby Ludwig. I love you. Stay down here, and be quiet. Mama will keep you safe.”
I tried to protest, but she just put a finger to my lips, before hugging me for the last time. She snuck upstairs, before locking the door from the outside. Moments later, I hear the sound of flesh tearing, and my mother’s pained screams.

Tears began to flow down my face, as painful sobs rack through my body. My mother was gone, and I knew it. I did my best to keep quiet, but it was not enough. Soon, the sound of splintering wood filled my ears, and I scrambled to hide in the wardrobe we kept down there. I managed to shut the doors just in time, as the beast had just made its way downstairs. I can hear its breaths, and can smell the viscera that stained its fur, as It began to search for its next meal. I held my breath, trying to keep calm, as the noises began to draw closer and closer to the wardrobe. But before I could be found, the whine of metal slashing through the air and the thud of a body hitting the ground echoed throughout the basement.

Shortly after, the doors of the wardrobe open, and standing there is a tall man, wielding a large scythe. There, standing in front of me, was one of the greatest men I ever knew. One who inspired me to do for others what he did for me. The one who saved me, trained me how to hunt, and would congratulate me whenI founded the church hunters. The first hunter, Gehrman.
“Hello there young man. It’s alright, you’re safe now.”
He reached his arms towards me, and I instinctively go towards him, and embrace him.

He carries me out of my old house, past the body of the beast, and the body of my mother. He brings me to a hunter, a beautiful young lady who I would later learn to be Maria. He instructed her to take me to the cathedral ward, before going back to the hunt. As she carried me, my mind was racing faster than I could comprehend. But one thing stood out to me the most in my mind. The beast had been wearing my father’s wedding ring.

Suddenly, I am thrust back into reality, as Laurence grabs my shoulder, a look of concern on his face.
“Are you alright Ludwig?”
I feel a tear run down my cheek, before nodding.
“Yes, old friend, I am. Just painful memories.”
He gives me a sorrowful look, before walking away to converse with the sun princess. As I stand alone, I make myself a promise. I see myself in that child. And I will not let that child suffer as I had. I will protect that child, and train them how to protect themself. I would be to that child as gehrman was to me.