#not incapable but probably so used to being ignored or smthin that she just fuckin. is shocked if you asked her opinion

[glacierbash]

Hello i Will Not Be Tagging This but i wrote like 5000 words and. this is deadass just me kinda feeling the waters, trying to get Adella’s personality down (girl PLEASE speak to me more there is Not Enough For Me To Go Off Of oh my gOD) anyways it’s gay because i am gay. dkfkgjfaksdfds

The hunter had slaughtered many beasts, dismembered many humans, and killed whatever might lay in between. To her, they were just one of many. The beasts came endlessly, so she hunted endlessly. 

Such monotony was bound to grate on her nerves eventually, so when she encountered the strange being with the sack, she was more than excited.

Having felled the Bloodstarved Beast that she had been tasked with hunting before trying her hand at Vicar Amelia once more, Eva found the grand cathedral and the area around it… Different. Perhaps the biggest difference was how she was loathe to be greeted by any of those damned church servants.

Upon wishing Arianna farewell, blood vial in hand, Eva had strode out of the cathedral with confidence, eager to let blood taste the serrated edge of her saw. Such plans were quickly set into play when she saw the new creature, sack in hand. It had large hands with long, thin fingers and a pale, gaunt face. It sent shivers down her spine, but not of apprehension.

No, she felt excited. With a flick of her wrist, her saw flipped open, and she began her approach. The creature, just as Eva began to stalk it, had turned its head away. It should have been an easy kill, once no more challenging than the fools she has already encountered.

And so when the being whipped around and grabbed onto her blade just before it could connect with its back, Eva could find no words to describe her horror.

Instantly, she went to jump back, but the grip was strong on her weapon and she refused to risk dropping it. What should’ve been a tense game of strength ended quickly when the being shoved her and the cleaver back, sending her sliding several feet away.

As she took the time to close the cleaver back into its short form, she barely had time to look up and see the being lunge at her. There was no time for a dodge, or to use her gun, and all she could do was brace herself for what would be a painful blow.

And painful it was, as she was ripped open by what felt like claws. Eva let out a cry, trying to charge forward in some sort of pitiful counterattack. Such was expected by the being, who managed to step to the side. 

Her back exposed meant there was little more she could do. Claws raked her back, her own blood began to soak through her jacket, and she barely had time to look back in horror at the new terror she would have to face before it curled the long fingers into a fist and brought it down upon her.

The last thing she saw were terrible, empty eyes.

She had awoken, but not within the dream, or next to Andrew at a lamp. There was no comfort here, no soothing words or teasing lessons. There was only a dull ache as her head thudded from dull pain, one eye swollen almost completely shut. Her back felt as if her muscles were completely ripped, and standing felt more laborious than taking on any of the beasts she had fought already. 

But a hunter does not give up.

Slowly, painfully, she forced herself to her knees, first. That already felt like hell, but on the plus side that meant everything was at least working (hopefully).

Then, she inched forward and grabbed onto the bars of the cage where she was, pulling herself to her feet.

From there, she could finally take in her surroundings as well as evaluate her own state. She decided to examine first, as her own body could wait. She would hear anything coming in time, and perhaps then death would be genuine.

From what Eva could tell, she most certainly was in a cage. Dank walls, dripping with moisture, and chains galore made for a certainly unique atmosphere. There were footsteps in the distance, as well as whispers, but none approaching. If anything, they all sounded to be moving away from her. Nearby, there was a staircase, and many more potentially opened doors to walk through.

Satisfied with what she saw, she then turned her attentioned to herself. The gashes in her body had healed, but only a tiny bit. She could only imagine what her back looked like. With a shaky hand, she began to fumble around in her pockets, wincing as shattered glass threatened to cut open her hand. However, she found an unharmed blood vial, a sight that made her beam.

She quickly jammed it into her leg, giving a relieved sigh as the pain instantly began to dull, and then come to an end. She knew they were still there, the grievous injuries, but they stopped hurting, and that was what mattered. 

Finally able to move without pain, Eva looked around for her cleaver. Thankfully, it was right next to her. She grabbed it up, and then pushed on the cage door keeping her contained.

She had fully prepared for some sort of jailbreak, but it simply… Opened. Without a worry, just a loud screech.

Freed from her prison, she first turned her attention to the staircase leading down at her right. She hesitated, before she tightened her grip on the axe and then began to creep downwards.

Upon reaching the bottom and with a quick scour around, she found nothing of harm. She was tempted to simply climb back up and continue trying to find a place to escape, when she then noticed something… Interesting.

A voice. 

A human voice.

Clear as day, completely sane. A complete and utter blessing considering what she had endured during the last time she had been on the hunt.

Turning towards the voice, she began to walk towards it, no longer concerned with any stealth. She just needed to find this figure, talk to them…

"Please, leave me be... Don't take me... Please... Oh, please, dear gods."

The voice was clear as day, just as Eva was about to smash a pot in frustration. Rather than attack, she gently moved the pot in the way to the side, taking a step forward towards the figure she saw.

A young woman, wearing some sort of church garb. Eva gave a quick glance down at herself, giving a tiny smile when she realized she wore the robes of the black church. Then, she slowly bent down, reaching a hand out. “Hey there.”

The woman instantly jumped, about to whimper before she turned and took a long look at Eva. Fear faded to ecstatic joy as she gave a tense smile. “B-By your garb, you’re--”

“Yes, I am.” Eva kept smiling, though deep down she hoped the woman wouldn’t start questioning her; truth be told, her knowledge of the churches in yharnam was… negligible at best.

However, the woman did not dare question her savior. Instead, she continued to beam at her. “You’ve come to save me, haven’t you?”

“One could say. Are you alright?” Eva continued to offer her hand, and after a moment of hesitation, the woman took it.

“Better now that I've been f-found.” She laughed nervously, letting Eva pull her up. “Oh, thank you. T-There isn’t much I could offer you, but--”

“No need.” Eva pulled down the covering she wore over her face, just to make her own smile clear. This made the woman seem to relax, just a bit. “Have you got a name?”

“Oh! I should have said, my apologies… I am Adella.”

“And I am Eva.” She took a step back before giving a low bow, the same Hunter’s Salutation that Andrew had taught her. She never expected it to come in handy…

“I… I must say thank you, once more. I didn’t expect to come out of here alive, actually..!” A quiet laugh. “I was seized off the streets of the Cathedral Ward by this big, hulking brute. There were others, too. Many others. But…”

“There seems to be a large lack of ‘others,’ hmm?”

“Correct.” Adella glanced down, before back up. “And with the hunt, the doors shall be locked tight. Perhaps… Perhaps this isn’t my place to ask, good hunter, but… Do you know of any place one could stay..? A place that may take me in?”

“Actually, I do. Oedon Chapel. How, though, do you plan to get there?”

Adella’s face fell. “Oh.”

“If you were taken off the streets by just one, how would you face whatever horrors lay here?”

“Ah…”

“Or what about the beasts, or those other hunters with the torches and the guns and the dogs?”

Nothing from her this time. 

Eva instantly felt a pang of guilt upon seeing the way Adella’s face fell. She reached out a hand, gently touching her shoulder. “...My friend, how about I escort you out?”

“Would you..?”

“Why else would I offer? I can hunt, and therefore I can protect us. You just need to be prepared to run. Leave me if things get tough.”

Adella hesitated, before she began to smile again. “Oh, I’m so happy..! But I do not want to be a burden on you.”

“Nonsense. Truly, Adella, it shall be no worry. So long as you stick close and do as I say, you shall escape safely.”

After a second longer, the nun gave a nod. “I trust you, good hunter.”

“I shall not let you down.”

Eva nodded back before she turned around and began to climb up the stairs. She walked slowly, until she heard Adella close behind. From then on, she refused to slow down. Perhaps, going ahead and slaughtering the beasts ahead would’ve been smarter, but…

If the being with the sack had captured them both with ease, and nearly slaughtered Eva with just two hits, she didn’t exactly wish to be the one fighting it head on. Simply bolting would be the best option, as embarrassing as it was. Perhaps she could simply excuse it as living to fight another day..!

Reaching the cell where Eva had awoken in, she found a small spiral staircase. That had to be the way out, as there was nothing else in sight. Eva took one more look at Adella, who gave a small nod.

Eva then began to climb up stairs, constantly glancing back to make sure Adella was close. Luckily for her, the nun moved with the same amount of agency, and even when Eva began to run Adella kept close behind.

Soon, she made it to the second floor, where intuition tugged at her. Sure, she could awaken in the hunter’s dream and then proceed to wake up wherever, but she didn’t know what might happen to Adella if she did so. Therefore, Eva prepared for what may appear in the best way possible: Sheathing her blade and picking up Adella. She gasped as Eva did so, almost wiggling out of her grasp. “What are you--”

“Shh! I refuse to get into any fight here. Hold onto me. I think I have an idea where the exit is. We just have to, uh… Survive.”

“This is suicidal!”

Eva just tightened her grasp on Adella, and finally the nun wrapped her arms around Eva’s neck. 

With a quiet sigh, Eva took two long strides and then broke out into a run, jumping as incoming hands tried to swipe at her. She then turned backwards and jumped once more, sliding on her back end over a table. Hitting the ground, she continued to sprint forward.

Two of those strange “snatchers” with the bags soon came into view, standing by a table. Adella clung to Eva even tighter at the sight of them, looking away. Eva steeled herself, taking a quick look around and what might be there to help her.

Before she could formulate a plan, however, one of the Snatchers was already about to swipe at her. At the last second, Eva jumped up, both feet planting on the face of the Snatcher. The other one swiped too, but she had already jumped high into the air, sailing over a ledge and beginning to plummet down low.

Adella screamed, but before it was too loud, they both hit the ground. Eva absorbed all the impact, a sick crack sounding as her legs felt almost broken from the impact. Slowly she began to stagger up, taking a look around as she set Adella down. “That… could’ve gone worse.”

“You almost got us both killed!” Adella gave her a concerned look. “Are you mad?”

“No. I just needed us out of there. Now come on, I think I see a door.”

What Eva didn’t mention was that she also saw a gigantic sleeping beast, electricity crackling off of its body. No doubt, Adella saw it too, but she didn’t say anything. Good for both their hearts, Eva supposed.

From there, they crossed oh so quietly what could’ve been the arena of a tense fight, one bound to end with both of them dead. Reaching the door on the opposite side, Eva slowly pushed it open. Once more, the beast didn’t move.

When it finally did open, Eva ushered in Adella before she shut it behind her. Only then did the beast even begin to stir, but by the time it did Adella was already beginning to make her way up with Eva close behind.

“Do you know where we are?” Adella asked after several moments of tense silence, causing Eva to shrug.

“If I had to guess..? Old Yharnam.”

“W-We are?”

“Probably. I don’t know many other low places, and we seemed to be pretty deep, from the looks of that beast’s den. We make it through here, and then we can reach the Cathedral Ward, and Oedon Chapel!”

Adella looked back in front of her, shivering a bit. “What might we… encounter here?”

“Oh, shouldn’t be much. I have already slain most of the beasts here. Just… Keep an eye out for the gun.”

“The what?”

“The gun.”

Adella was about to say something else when Eva instinctively reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her back a bit. “I’ll lead from here.”

“A-Alright. You know best, after all…”

Eva looked back with a small frown, before it faded. “Just trying to keep you alive, friend.”

Adella didn’t reply to that, looking more than a bit stressed out.

The hunter scoured the area in front of them, as they had just reached an exit into the streets. Nothing, though, seemed to be moving. Giving Adella a nod, she began to run to the opposite street, with Adella yelping and following after.

Reaching it felt like a hollow victory, as Eva knew just how persistent the gun hunter could be if they got spotted. Sure, they had the element of surprise now, but what about later on, when they have to cross his vision? Of course, the hunter did not wish to worry the nun, but she felt like it would be impossible to make it across without drawing at least some attention.

Oh, well.

It would appear Eva had been right about the beasts not being there, as where there should’ve been many enemies, it was quite empty. Only the corpses littered the streets, the familiar serrated edge in many of the bodies. Adella shuddered as they both stepped over one. “Have I said thank you yet?”

“Several times. But, you’re welcome.” Eva glanced back and gave a smile. Adella tapped one of the corpses with her shoe, before backing away.

“How… Could I repay you?”

“Too early to think about that. Besides, I do not need much.” Eva began to run down the streets again, with Adella close behind.

“Perhaps it is too soon to offer, but--”

“It is too soon. Just focus on arriving alive, okay? You seem far too nice to just let die. One of the only nice people I’ve met so far..!”

Adella gave a weak smile, coming to a stop next to Eva when they crossed the street. “Well, you did save me. It was… kind of you to do so.”

“I may be a hunter, but… That does not stop me from wanting to help people.” Eva once more placed a hand on Adella’s shoulder, before she pointed ahead. “Look, that room there… Once we’re in it, we begin climbing up. From there, it should only take about five or so minutes to mad-dash to the chapel. Be wary for any potential flames, and then simply keep close. We’ll need to be quick and speedy, and if you happen to see any other hunters… Well, simply put, we aren’t exactly friendly towards each other.”

“What did you do..?”

Eva let out an involuntary snort. “Exist.” 

Adella didn’t laugh at that.

“Well, genuinely..? I’m a hunter. I hunt. The hunters here don’t. Suppose they aren’t exactly hunters then, eh? Well, the point being, they don’t wish for the beasts here to die, and I might have… Killed many of them. Granted, they were trying to kill me first…”

“O-Oh.” Adella purses her lips a bit, before looking around. “Shall we… head in?”

“Thought you’d never ask.” Eva sighed and then walked into the large building. 

As expected, many beast corpses lined the floor. Oils, as well as charred and singed wood indicated the path where Eva had slaughtered many before. Adella walked close behind, stepping over the corpses that Eva didn’t kick away. “T-There are so many... “

“Exactly, I was shocked. They just kept coming, honestly. You could never stop them all--Or, that’s how it felt like.” Eva paused and knelt down, picking up a small bullet from the corpse. She examined it, before tossing it to the side. “But they stopped coming eventually. They always do. They cannot fight forever, after all.”

Adella looked at the blood-stained floor, before she slowly looked back up. “You’re clearly quite skilled at this, aren’t you?”

“One could say.”

“...Does it ever scare you?”

“Does what?”

“The fact that you are so… skilled at killing the beasts, I suppose.” 

Eva turned to stare at her, before she gave a silent nod. “It does.”

She then continued forward without another word, and Adella followed after.

Upon ascending the stairs, Adella was about to cross forward, when Eva placed a hand on her shoulder. “Halt. This is where we come into the view of the hunter. He has a very large gun and has a tendency to… shoot first, ask questions later. As they all do, eh? Stick very close to me, and when I say run, you run. Even if I end up riddled with bullets, you keep running. Worst-case scenario and I end up down? I’ll return as quickly as I can. Do you understand?”

Adella nodded silently, creeping up close behind to Eva. Together, they passed the ladder leading to the top of the tower where the gun-hunter sat, and soon they stood in front of a long stretch of land. Dead trees planted in gardens lined the path, but they would do little to protect against the coming barrage of bullets. Eva gave Adella’s hand a gentle squeeze, before looking up, nodding, and pushing her forward.

The second Adella began to run, Eva followed after, and a beat later the gunfire began. Adella sped up, and soon she was inside the building and hiding behind a wall, out of the way of the gun. Eva began to cheer for her, when she felt herself falter.

Instantly, she could feel bullets begin ripping into her, leaving her wracked with awful pain. She pushed forward, but the moment she reached inside the house and out of range of the gun, she collapsed to her knees and began to cough. There were hands on her quickly.

“Are you--”

“I’m f--cough--fine.” Eva slowly staggered up, looking down at the one hole in her abdomen where the bullet actually passed through. “I’m just glad it was me and not you. Are you hurt?”

“I fell when I made it inside, but other than that…” Adella gently touched her back, pulling her hand away when Eva winced.

“I’ll be fine, I’ve had worse. It is my duty, after all. Come on, let’s keep moving.”

Eva continued along, stepping over even more beast patient corpses, before they reached a decrepit wooden plank acting as a bridge. Eva grabbed Adella’s hand, giving a small nod. “He’s going to be shooting again.”

“Will he ever quit?”

“When we’re out of Old Yharnam, he will. Ready?”

“I am prepared.”

Eva took a deep, pained breath, and then began to sprint forward, tugging Adella along behind her. Crossing the bridge was easy, though the planks broke just a moment after Adella crossed over them. Making a sharp right turn, Eva ran forward, and then when she reached the door, she used all her might to launch Adella into the room, before she ran in after.

This ended up much better than before, with the gun only starting after they were both safely inside. Eva slowly slid to the floor against a wall, giving a small smile. “Do you know what would be awful?”

“...What?” Adella took a seat next to her, giving a concerned look.

“If I accidentally got us trapped.” Eva smiled softly, before shaking her head. “I usually just kind of… jump to get here. But sadly, I lack superhuman legs. So we need to go up stairs. Stairs that’ll probably get us shot at.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Heh. Not gonna be too bad though, compared to the shit we’ve already crossed. Imagine doing this with all the beasts alive. Now that would be damn near impossible.” Eva slowly stood up, before she helped Adella stand. “You’ll be fine, I promise you. We’re getting to the end, I swear.”

Eva then led her up the stairs, waiting until the last possible moment to break out into a mad dash towards the top. There was only a little ways to go before they could reach the end of the gun’s range, and soon they would be safe.

By this time, at least for Eva, she felt no more adrenaline rush. No more excitement. She hardly even felt any fear. Even if she got shot to death, she would just come back a few moments later.

Luckily for her and her moping, there was no getting shot. They reached the large, steady bridge with ease, and the gun finally stopped firing. They both shared a look, before at the same time they began to laugh. It was quiet, perhaps more out of fear in Adella’s case, but it was the first sign Eva found that she had actually succeeded.

They were alive.

Eva fumbled in her pockets for another unbroken blood vial, slowing to a walk as she crossed the bridge with the nun next to her. “We are almost to our destination. That was exciting, wasn’t it?”

“Exciting isn’t exactly the word I would use for that, good hunter. But… You did save me.” Adella gave a soft smile at Eva. “Thank you for that.”

Eva dipped her head. “Of course. A hunter is no different than the beasts they hunt if you do not show care for others. My mentor has drilled that into me over and over again. Now… Not hurt?”

“My feet are sore and my heart feels like it’s about to burst, but-- H-Hey!”

Upon hearing Adella begin to complain, Eva had instantly scooped her up, holding her close to her chest. “I can handle that.”

“I didn’t mean for you to c-carry me!” Adella grimaced. “Last time you did, you gave me a heart attack.”

“This is easy. Just walking up a few flights of stairs.” Eva continued on, soon reaching the doors out of Old Yharnam. “Just a little further.”

Adella sighed, before she leaned into Eva’s chest.

Carrying the nun up the last stretch of the journey was much easier than the rest of it, and without anything of note, they soon stood together at the entrance to Odeon Chapel.

“Huh… You weren’t lying..!” Adella looked inside of it, before she gave a quiet laugh. “I’m… a bit surprised, honestly.”

“Well, I am an honest woman. Here.” Eva set her down, before taking her hand and slowly guiding her inside. “You needn’t make much discussion with anybody, I am simply going to tell the owner of this place that you’re here. I’ll be back.”

Eva then let go of her, before she jogged to where the Chapel Dweller… Sat? Lay? She didn’t ever put much thought into it. He slowly glanced up at hearing Eva approach, but when she spoke a small smile spread across his face.

“Hello sir, I have brought another one.”

“O-Oh, did ya?” He smiled at her. “Well… Well, thank ya! And I’m sure they thank ya too! You’re… You’re doin’ a great service to us all, ya know that?”

Eva smiled softly down at him. “Of course. I’m happy to help. Her name is Adella. Nun, part of the church. Got kidnapped, but here she should be safe.”

“I’ll do everything in my power to keep her protected, good hunter. Are you alright?”

“Oh, yeah. Just had a bit of trouble escorting her here. She’s safe, though. So we don’t have to worry. I’ll stop by in a few, once I’ve cleaned up a few more… Lose ends.”

“W-Well alright then! I look forward to it!” The chapel dweller smiled at her once more, bringing a small smile to Eva’s own face. He was an honestly good man, and Eva found herself to quite enjoy his company.

She then turned and walked back down the few stairs, giving a small wave to Arianna as she did. Arianna gave a small smile and waved back.

Adella had situated herself in a small corner behind some old pillar, hands clasped together and head bent down. She had taken off her hat/hood mix, leaving her with just a messy braid. Eva gently tapped her, which made her jump once more.

“Oh..! Oh! It’s just you.” She gave a warm smile, already much more at ease. “I have already thanked you before, but I must thank you again. Truly. The town may be in disarray, but there are still people here. I suppose all we can do now is wait for the healing church.” A pause, before a small sigh. “I cannot even begin to truly express my gratitude towards you. The only thing I could offer is my own lowly blood… If such a thing would suffice.”

This made Eva perk up, more so out of concern than interest. And then she remembered that she was currently in Yharnam, where blood seemed to be passed around lightly. The concern only slightly ebbed away. “I… suppose if it would make you happy, then I shall… Accept.”

Adella’s face lit up, and she began to feel around herself. “Yes, alright. Come closer now.”

Eva did so, standing as close as she could. Accepting blood felt… More than a bit awkward. She still wasn’t used to it. One moment she was standing there as the nun seemed excited at the thought of giving up blood, and the next Adella was gently closing Eva’s fingers around a vial of, sure enough, her own blood. “I hope it shall serve you well, brave hunter.”

“I’m… Sure it shall.” Eva took a step back and then bowed to her. “Rest up. I shall return soon, just to check up on you. Farewell.” She then turned, but she could see Adella watching her until she completely turned the corner.

Finally she took the moment to take a true breather, to lift her head up and take in the cool air, to relax and--

“Well, well, well, you’ve finally returned from your little… Foray into Yahar’gul, eh?” Appearing next to her, arms crossed and axe bloodied, was indeed her mentor. A man named Andrew, a skilled hunter who sought to pass his skills on to Eva. Who also had a habit of appearing at random during the worst times.

“That’s where I was?” Eva looked down at him, frowning.

“You don’t even know what I mean by that, do you?”

“Not in the slightest.”

“Expected.” Andrew yawned slightly. “The nun you rescued… She makes you happy, doesn’t she?”

“I’ve known her for maybe an hour, Andrew.”

“I was young once too. I know how your brain works.”

“Are you saying--” “Am I wrong?”

Eva hesitated, before she slowly shook her head. “But feelings are frivolous during the hunt, that’s just what you’re gonna say.”

“On the contrary, I find it important to remain in touch with human things such as emotions. You feeling for her..? While a weakness in some cases, it could very well be the difference between you continuing as you are, or ending up no better than the slobbering, awful beasts you clobber currently.”

“Huh. That… makes sense.”

Andrew gave a fake, exaggerated gasp. “It is almost like the teacher has some things to teach you!”

“Yeah, yeah.” Eva sighed, looking at the blood vial in her hand. “I… yeah.”

“I get it.” Andrew gently rubbed her back. “Take a moment to rest and recover. There is hunting to be done still, but I’ll leave you to get to know your new… friend.” His eyes crinkled like he was smiling, which soon made Eva smile as well.

“Right.” She looked at the vial once more. “I’ll see you--”

He had already disappeared.

Eva’s smile slowly faded, and she pocketed the vial of blood without another word. The hunt felt more… alive, now. She felt more alive.

It was a strange feeling.

Eva didn’t quite know whether she liked it or not.