Sitting atop the balcony of a solemn abandoned cathedral, Gehrman watched as the sword of the Black Knight shattered. The True Darkness that was its real form flared, before being obliterated and ingested by Sunless's Echo.
This was an odd development. Even Sunless didn't seem to anticipate the independent action of his Echo. Such a thing was curious, but ultimately not worthy of Gehrman's attention at the moment. Since he didn't possess any Echos himself, the usefulness of researching them was slim to none.
The young man fell backwards, falling into a roll and standing gracefully in one swift motion. As he did so, he retreated out through the secret entrance that Sunless had used all those months he had lived in the Dark City. He didn't make contact with the cohort. He didn't see the need to congratulate them on the impressive feat.
The slaying of a Fallen Devil was something that not even the First Lord–or the Second Lord for that matter–had claimed to accomplish. These young men and women were well on their way to being legends. In fact, they already solidified their positions as historical figures by returning at all.
Gehrman retreated throughout the city, taking notes of any creatures he came across, he decided to take this time to become familiar with the stronger Fallen creatures he had avoided before.
The process was easy with his photographic memory. Gehrman was able to observe their movements and identify limbs, tendons, and weak points. Their speed and true power could not be revealed in anything but a true fight, but through this study Gehrman could anticipate some of their attack patterns beforehand.
The creatures of the Dark City were varied, much more so than the Beasts of Yharnam. There were plenty of bipedal creatures which Gehrman was very wary of. They tended to wander, enacting a perversion of Gehrman's own hunt. Larger creatures like the Spire Messengers lived alone, their size and power were great even among Fallen Monsters. Their ability to fly and multiple limbs also made Gehrman avoid them at all costs. There were also armored or stone-like creatures. Their forms could encompass anything from a bug to a giant. The Black Knight and Stone Saint were especially dangerous as they had traits of both armored and humanoid creatures.
There were, however, creatures that Gehrman was willing to take a crack at. The Flayed Mourners which he had cut down before were easy prey as they tended to wander, but lacked the vigilance of most humanoids. However, these weren't ideal prey. Despite their speed and power, they lacked much in terms of blood. Though their bones were a helpful crafting tool, he did not need any more at the moment. There were a couple Fallen Monsters who followed similar tendencies to the Flayed Mourners, but they each had certain abilities that compensated for their vulnerability. Poison or some type of projectile were the most common surprises. Both of which Gehrman could learn about and come up with countermeasures.
The creatures that offered the most benefits were unsurprisingly the bestial ones. There were a couple of Fallen Nightmare Creatures that vaguely resemble the beasts of Yharnam. Their size was great, their blood was plentiful, and they were familiar opponents. The only problem was they were not always alone. Some hunted in pairs or sometimes even packs. Gehrman would have a tough time picking them off…but at the same time, he didn't really need to anymore.
His [Blood Control] ability had reached a level of mastery that would allow him to hold off a Fallen creature for a couple seconds (as long as the Blood was of the same Rank). During that time, he would have to swiftly defeat the other creature before completing the kill.
Fortunately, Gehrman's ability to make a single terrible blow had damaged even a Corrupted creature (though it was a mere scratch). He could have obliterated the Spire Messenger back at the Hollow Mountains as well since the Cohort had given him the opportunity.
He had gained even more strength since then, to the point where he was confident he could kill a Fallen Demon in the right circumstances. For those abominations, he decided he would call on Seishan and her Handmaidens for aid. He could allow them to have the Shards and even some of the corpses as long as he got the creatures' blood.
All of this would have to wait though. For in a couple of days, Changing Star would make her move.
…
Things happened quickly.
From the rooftop of a nearby cabin Gehrman hummed a tune as he drew out plans for a new Trick Weapon. Given the type of Fallen creatures he anticipated facing, he decided to start planning to create a version of Ludwig's Holy Blade. It was not a weapon Old Gerhman had been terribly fond of, its weight an antithesis to his own style. But this was a weapon Johann was extremely adept at, and he had used it to fell the larger beasts of Yharnam. The raw power of the great sword and the swiftness of its slim counterpart made it perfect for larger creatures.
As he was doing this, the cohort, composed of Nephis, Caster, Cassie, Effie, Kai, and Sunless all approached the outer settlement. They made a big show of giving out blades made out of modified Spire Messenger feathers. The craftsmanship was shoddy, even though Gehrman helped out a bit when he recognized what they were doing. But at the end of the day it was made out of the corpse of a Fallen Monster. It would kill just as well as even the strongest Awakened Memory.
Nephis also poured out a thousand or so Soul Shards and dumped them in front of her followers. She gave this rousing speech about how they deserved it, and how grateful she was for their loyalty.
Gehrman dimly recognized it as a solid performance, and her followers seemed to turn even more fanatical.
Should I have donated my stash of Shards as well? Gehrman thought. It would be a waste to continue hoarding them since he couldn't take them into the Second Nightmare. Besides, the days of easy trade would probably disappear after this rebellion, one way or another.
Eventually, he came to the conclusion that he would just throw them at whoever won the battle. It would be helpful in the eventual confrontation with the Fallen Terror, the gatekeeper of their freedom.
At that moment, a strong presence emerged from the castle gates. The hulking figure of Tessai, Lieutenant of Gunlaug and leader of the Guard and "Hunters" of the Bright Castle. Gehrman observed his strength on a superficial level to be superior to that of Caster's and Sunless. In fact, in terms of raw strength he might have even been better than Harus. Though Gehrman would need more data to be sure.
Of course, actual fights were not decided by raw strength. Gehrman would be able to kill him with moderate difficulty as long as he thought about it for more than an hour.
A conversation occurred between Tessai and Changing Star. Whatever they said seemed to rile up both the outer settlement folk and the Guards following Tessai. In the end, everyone was allowed into the Bright Castle, and Tessai boldly and loudly proclaimed they would face justice.
Raising an eyebrow at the whole show, Gehrman secretly hoped that the killing would start soon.
He discretely scaled the Castle walls in mere seconds, slipping past the notice of the otherwise occupied Guards. He could have just gone through the front door like the rest, but Gehrman was having fun staying out of sight.
He followed the mob as they all coalesced into one big group at the large open area where Gunluag held his executions. Sure enough, the Lord, as well as each of his Lieutenants appeared at the head of the crowd.
The passive enchantment of disorientation emitted by Gunlaug's armor seemed to affect everyone who gazed at the Bright Lord, but a select few managed to stand stoically, ignoring the effects. Gehrman was probably the least affected besides Cassie (who was immune due to being blind, and thus not witnessing the armor).
From his lofty vantage point, Gehrman went back to sketching out his designs as the two sides completed their "civil" acting.
The Bright Lord stood.
Changing Star moved to face him.
Gehrman felt a smile grow as he eagerly anticipated the bout. This is going to be a great show.
And indeed it was. Both Sleepers seemed to move with a power that reached the Awakened level. Gunalug's impenetrable golden armor seemed to turn liquid, and a part of it split off to form various weapons.
Changing Star enhanced her power and weapon with her flames. Moving with a skill that surpassed even the most seasoned warriors. Gunalug was more powerful, but Changing Star was without a doubt a better fighter.
Before this, Gunluag had managed to take out any challengers in a single blow. His Transcendent Echo simply outclassed everything the Dark City had to offer. However, Changing Star's enhancement was absurd as well. Her weapon was enhanced by the Dawn Shard as well, pushing her to the limit, and putting her in the realm of the Bright Lord's tyrannical strength.
Many flashy moves occurred that would have made Gehrman audibly gasp and applaud if he was a bit more insane.
In the end though, a single move ended the incredible battle. It was not from a sword, but from a red misty substance Changing Star blew into the First Lord's face after creating the smallest hole in his armor.
Gehrman leaned forward, analyzing the results. This mist was in fact a Nightmare Creature, or perhaps the remains of one. The Blood Flower was a unique Awakened Monster. It was the parasite that had infected those monstrous primates that climbed up the giant statue back when the Flesh Reavers attacked from the sky.
Besides being a horrifying parasite though, it had one other quality that made it a true Monster. It was also an especially deadly poison.
And at that moment, the very same poison was breathed in by Gunlaug.
The Bright Lord slowly but inevitably collapsed to the ground, crawling back to his throne. Sitting there, his Echo disappeared, revealing the face of a man not even 30 years old. They may have technically been adults in the eyes of the law, but they hadn't been a part of civilization since they were teenagers stranded in this hell by the Spell.
They were all children.
Gehrman's face grew bitter. This death was necessary. This death still hurt. Gehrman couldn't escape Dorian's morality. The naive wish of a united humanity against the sole threat of Corruption. The belief that no human should take the life of one of their own.
Then, that thought was crushed. The morbid reality of life became vividly real before his very eyes.
"...What are you waiting for? Kill them all," the deep and calm voice of Tessai resounded among the hall.
It was a solemn proclamation of death. Fear induced, primal, and wild death.
A slaughter began to take place. Gehrman felt each drop of blood fall out of its warm home. He saw the light leave the eyes of the feral Sleepers. He smelt the stench of blood mixed with odious organs. He heard the deafening cries of the Dark City's citizens, as the Bright Castle's constant safety shattered under the weight of the piling corpses.
All the while, the gray eyes of a young man watched with dilated pupils. His gaze not picking out any specific battle, but instead taking the whole of it in. He did not stop watching until the call for retreat came.
The bloody battle ended with Bright Lord dead, and no clear replacement.
Nephis had brought change to the Sleepers of the Forgotten Shore, but she also brought their ruin.
This was evil.
But it was not madness.
Not yet.