Coming from my quick nap I open my eyes, only to witness a change in scenery. As I steadily walk up the stone pathway a smile steadily creeps on my face. The two story stone building of Gothic architecture, acting as a haven and place of respite for all hunters, looks as majestic as it did in-game. Yet there were a few changes: The line of tombstone warps on the right of the main cobblestone pathway were separated into three colors. Looking left, the main messenger bath was also remodeled with a gold basin and obsidian stand. Yet the most concerning change would be the absence of the doll.

The Doll, a non playable character from Bloodborne, would act as the sole avenue of leveling up the character’s stats. The absence of her could be troublesome for me in the long run. As I reach for the door while ruminating  I notice the door opening inwards and a slender figure stepping out. Jumping back and unsheathing the greatsword, I rest the flat of the blade on my shoulder and get in a hunchback-crouch preparing myself for battle.

The figure did not miss the sudden action and got into their own defensive stance of their own with arms spread out as they levitate majestically up in the air with what seems like invisible wings if the sound of beating air is an indication. Sadly it was not aware that they were

still in the doorway. So instead of staying majestic and somewhat threatening, the figure just rapidly launched itself into the top-frame, temporarily dazing it and causing me to laugh uproariously.

After calming down my fit of hues I analyse the clearly feminine figure. A midnight blue sleeveless blouse and skirt, with thin chainmail acting as the leggings and arm sleeves. No wings apparent, but I can spot some sapphire blue ethereal-like hair peeking from the onyx hood.

Noticing her slowly regaining herself I quickly repurpose the Crow-hunter jacket into a half decent straight jacket. After the final sleeve tie, she is wide awake and struggling to get out. Walking to her front I try to start conversation before she interrupts.

“Release mine person, cretin! How dare thee trespass upon our holy domain!” The bellowing and clearly royal voice shot directly to my face. Such ferocity behind it that I was partially blown back an inch off balance. Regaining myself, I give her an equally hard gaze.

“And how dare thee trespass upon my divine sanctuary, Thief! I come here to visit the caretaker Maria and come to find a stranger here while she missing? Surely you art aware of her, but pray that your intentions aren’t foul,” I transform my greatsword into it’s majestic turquoise hue and rest it on her right shoulder, the buzzing energies making her flinch.

“Thief?! We are the proud Princess of the Night, Luna Essentia! How Dare Thee accuse us of...” She drops both her anger and retort. The blank expression shows nothing but her azure eyes cycle through her feelings: Widening in recognition. Thinning with doubt. Finally locking with mine, letting me know that my next choice will somehow determine my fate. Lowering my blade and crouching so we are equal height I motion my free for her to carry on. Looking down to her knees, then back she carefully words her question.

“Didst thou… personally know of the automaton Lady Maria?”

“Yes, you could say we interacted in a past life,” I say, nodding at the partial fib.

“Then if t’is the case, what is thine title?” Thinking back to my many characters, I remember the more recent one that I carried thru to new game cycle 4.

“Jhurdan the Kosm Priest,” As soon as she heard that her body sagged and I heard a deep sigh of relief...as well as what seemed like a whinny from a horse.

“It seems that We have prejudged the other of the same intentions. We would kindly forgive thine hostility if thou would kindly release us?” Shrugging to myself, I release her of the binds and re-dawn my jacket. Standing up and stretching she looks to me as I warily stand exactly six paces in front of her. Just enough for flight or fight as my master always said.

“She spoke highly of thou,” Luna started, taking me out of my inner thoughts. ”At first she was wary when We happened to come across this elusive part of the dream realm. You see, We governeth the minds of our subjects, lest they fall to dark temptations.” Noticing the slight distaste in my eyes she stutters.”We can never reside more than a few passing moments and only interfere when necessary of us. So when We came upon this realm unawares we were verily startled. Yet she greeted us with kind words and understanding very reminiscent of our sister...” A pause, Luna’s eyes drifting to the flower bed to her left as she stands in remembrance upon the top steps.

“You speak as if she has been absent for some time,” I question, uncertain of the doll’s fate. Based on the lore shouldn’t she be stuck within the dream even without a hunter? “What exactly happened to her?”

“Maria was never very clear with us,” Luna frowned. “T’was a couple of moon cycles ago after my...long departure that We were able to visit here that she entrusted me with supervising the Hunter’s Dream as she calls it, until your specific arrival.” Reaching into a pouch on her side, Luna pulls out a broken sword hilt with blood gems within the hilt and moves to hand it to me, but pauses. “She mentioned that this will aide you in your quest, allowing for what she described as some type of spirit...mending? The exact words were lost to us but we guessed your magic is based off of Haemo-mancy?” She asks with a judging glare. Raising an eyebrow, I nod carefully and wait for her response. Several moments pass as she searches my eyes for something I can’t help but feel is malcontent. A step closer. “We do wish to keep our promise to our friend, but We art Princess of Equestria first and foremost. So We must ask for the sake of our Kingdom. Art thou for or against us?”

So it is fear that stills her hand? Understandable, a figure matching the description comes along but is using magic that seems “Dark” could, in fact, become an enemy if left unchecked. So should I say yes? From the way she describes the hilt, it will allow for me to “Level up” in a sense by allocating my blood echoes. And even still I'm not even sure if I am 100% character. What if I’m just a human version of my character with a brand new form of magic? I’m damn sure that hunter’s didn’t have aura’s in the game!  Sighing to myself, I calm down and think. Since I am here I might as well follow for now. IF something comes up against my beliefs I’ll deal with that then. But I have to cement what I can for now.

“I will not say I am for you,” the hand drops somewhat as she waits. “But I am also not against you. We are both strangers, would you blindly follow my whim if you in my stead?” A quizzical tilt of the head and negative shake is my response. “But I can confirm that I will abide by a truce and if anything does happen, that it will be peaceful talk before a ragefull blade.”

A smile graces her lips as she is pleased with my answer. Floating down to my step at the middle, she grasp my right palm and places the stone there with her hand on top. “Then We can entrust this to yee, as well as put in a good word for mine sister of thine existence”