Last time Clare was dragged into a lake only to wake up in the City of Yharnam. There she was swiftly attacked by the inhabitants of the town where she ended up cornered and at the mercy of the deranged inhabitants. However she was swiftly saved by a lone Hunter by the name of Klaus. Now she is accompanying him until she can figure a out a way to return home. Warning this story contains bloody violence, gore, and horror themes.

Klaus and Clare both walked through the streets of Yharnam as they walked past the corpses of more of the citizens and their hunting dogs. "What happened here in Yharnam? What caused so much of the populous to be driven mad?" Clare asked in her usual monotone voice as she stared at Klaus's back who focused on the path straight ahead of him. Klaus remained silent for a moment, as he for the briefest of moments tightened his grip on his mace and Hunter Pistol. Klaus then relaxed as his grip loosened as he let out a tiger sigh. "The Scourge of the Beast, no one knows the exact details as to what unleashed it upon Yharnam and her people. What we do know is it corrupts the mind, making the afflicted bloodthirsty and violent." Klaus explained as he led Clare through a narrow alleyway.

             Clare contemplated this information for a moment. "It's a disease? Meaning anyone could succumb to it under the right conditions." Clare thought to herself as she realized that this city was potentially even more dangerous then her home, Yoma included. Clare however remembered a detail about the citizens that had cornered her. "Those people you slayed, they had patches of hair all over their bodies. Their limbs were abnormally long as well. Is that another symptom of The Scourge of the Beast?" Clare asked as she picked up her pace so she was walking next to Klaus instead of behind him. Much to her confusion, Klaus let out a chuckle as if he found her question amusing.

           "Clare, if one is afflicted with the scourge long enough, well you stop being human after a point." Klaus explained somewhat cryptically as he gave her a sideways glance. Once again Clare found herself baffled by this predicament she found herself in. "Stop being human? This disease can strip individuals of their humanity? Has it spread to lands outside of Yharnam?" Clare thought to herself as she was now wondering if her returning home was wise at all if this disease was capable of such a thing. Clare was about to step outside of the alleyway only for Klaus to grab her by the shoulder before pressing her against the wall. Clare opened her mouth to say something only for the gloves hand of Klaus's right arm to claps over her mouth.

               Clare glared at Klaus, thinking he was finslly making his true nature known to her. However this thought was quickly dashed when Klaus pressed the index finger of his left hand against his lips, indicating he wanted her to remain silent. Clare was skeptical, but nodded her head in understanding as Klaus removed his hand from her mouth. Klaus then crept up to the corner of the building before crouching down. Klaus gestured for Clare to come closer as the woman crept up next to him before stopping. "Why don't you take a gander at what's lurking just down the street there Clare? It should be a good visualization as to the full effects of the scourge." Klaus whispered to her as Clare raised an eyebrow at the Hunter's statement.

Clare peeked around the corner as she looked down the street. Clare's eyes widened at what she was greeted with. Two large lycanthrope creatures stalked the street. Their limbs were long and gangly, their bodies were emaciated and covered in thick, mangy black fur. The claws on their front paws were incredibly long and their eyes were a disturbing beady white.

"What in the world are those creatures?" Clare whispered to Klaus as she dipped her head back behind the building. Klaus let out a breathy chuckle as he looked Clare dead in the eye. "Scourge Beasts, that's the final stage of the scourge. Once an afflicted gives into their bloodlust and violent tendencies completely, they transform into those damnable lycanthropes." Klaus explained as Clare's eyes went wide at his explanation. "Humans, turned into violent beasts by a disease. To think there was a place that was suffering more then my homeland." Clare thought to herself as she couldn't further deny that Yharnam had suffered far worse then even her own home.

"Well we best slay these two mutts, they are unfortunately blocking the path we need to travel down to reach safety." Klaus said as he brandished his mace and Hunter Pistol before he looked over at Clare. The Hunter and Claymore locked eyes with one another a silent understanding forming between them as they both nodded at each other. Klaus and Clare lunged out from behind the corner, Klaus readying his mace and Hunter Pistol while Clare drew her claymore and held it out in front of her. "Oi, you decaying mutts! Why don't ye play with us for a spell?" Klaus shouted at the two Scourge Beasts as both turned their attention towards the Hunter and Claymore. The Scourge Beasts snarl before both start blinding towards the duo.

            The first Scourge Beast pounced at Clare, it's claws outstretched, ready to slice her to ribbons. Clare sidestepped the attack before delivering a swift rising slash with her claymore, cleaving the right front leg off the Scourge Beast. Blood sprayed from the beast's stump as it rolled across the ground, howling in agony. Clare turned to face the downed beast, as it shakily stood back up with only three legs remaining. Clare readied her claymore before swiftly lunging at the Scourge Beast, her muscles bulging slightly as she did. The Scourge Beast howled in rage before standing back on its hind legs. This however was a poor decision as Clare drove the blade of her claymore straight through the beast's torso, the blade bursting out of its back.

         The Scourge Beast threw back its head and howled in agony as Clare in one swift motion slashed her claymore to the right, cutting the beast in half as its blood spilled everywhere. Red mist flowed out of the Scourge Beast's body as it flowed into Klaus's body. The remaining Scourge Beast lunged at Klaus before pouncing at him. Klaus fired a bullet into the beast's torso, knocking it to the ground before he lunged forward. Klaus leaped into the air before bringing his mace down on the Scourge Beast's head. Klaus quickly followed it up with a rising swing that with a audible crack, broke the beast's lower jaw. The Scourge Beast stumbled backwards before it snarled at Klaus, it's eyes glaring at him in hatred.

"Come on then you mangy mongrel, come at me if ya think ya can kill me!" Klaus taunted as the Scourge Beast lunged at Klaus as it once again pounced. Klaus took aim before shooting a bullet straight through the beast's chest, staggering it. Klaus plugged his mace into the saw, converting it into the Whirligig Saw. The saw blades began to spin as Klaus dragged it along the ground, sending sparks flying everywhere. Klaus then delivered a rising swing, the saw blade slicing up the Scourge Beast's head in the process.

The Scourge Beast yowled in pain, but it was quickly silenced by Klaus slamming the Whirligig Saw down on top of its head. The saw blades sliced into the Scourge Beast's head, completely mulching it as blood sprayed everywhere and more of the red mist flowing into Klaus's body. Klaus grabbed the saw blade and pulled it off the mace before strapping it back on the back of his waist. "That was a bloody good show Clare! Handled yourself like a professional!" Klaus said as he let out a good natured chuckle.

           Clare sheathed her claymore back on her back before turning to face Klaus. Clare looked the Hunter over, noticing how he was practically covered head to toe in blood at this point. "Is wherever your taking me have extra clothes? It looks like yours are completely ruined." Clare said as she gestured to Klaus's body, causing the man to look himself over. Klaus then threw back his head and let out a booming laugh as he realized what she meant. "I think you'd be hard pressed to find a set of my clothes not drenched in blood at this point!" Klaus said as he let out another chuckle. Clare however closely looked Klaus over, realizing just how well he handled himself in combat. "How long has he been hunting beasts like this?" Clare thought to herself as she walked up to Klaus.

"Come on now, we best get moving. I don't care how bricky you think ya are lass, if we idle in these parts to long we're bound to get torn to shreds!" Klaus said in a jovial tone as once again Clare was confused by his joy at the idea of being ripped apart by these beasts. Clare nodded her head as she quickly followed after Klaus who had once again started moving through the destroyed streets of the afflicted city. Clare continued to scan her surroundings as she noticed corpses were plentiful, many littering the street. "Did you kill any beasts or those deranged townspeople before you intervened with my battle earlier?" Clare asked cautiously as she was beginning to suspect that Klaus had been on the hunt for quite some time before she had arrived in this strange city.

Klaus let out another booming laugh at her question before nodding his head in confirmation. "Aye, I'd wager that I was on the hunt for a good three hours before I bumped into ye. Took care of this lot when I first arrived actually." Klaus said as he gestured the corpses littering the street around them. Klaus then led Clare up a staircase as they were now on a bridge, with its own noticeable amount of corpses littering it. "This entire city is teeming." Clare paused for a moment, not knowing what would be the correct words to use to describe a place such as this. "Death? Aye Yharnam has death in spades, the same could be said for madness unfortunately. Not a day goes by where at least on sod doesn't lose their sense of reason." Klaus said casually as if he were describing a painting or song rather then a city and it's people.

           The duo walked under an archway that had two large gate doors that were pushed open. As they walked into the area, Clare noticed something rather strange. Sitting there in the middle of the pathway was a lamp, surrounding it were tiny, pale, and disfigured little humanoids.

"What are those tiny creatures?" Clare asked as she gripped the handle of her claymore, considering everything in this city was hostile so far, she wasn't ready to trust. Klaus however simply raised his hand to stop the Silver Eyed Witch could draw her weapon. "Easy now, the Messengers are harmless despite not being the prettiest little sods in the world." Klaus said as he approached the lamp before crouching down next to it as the Messengers turned to face him. "Good to see ye lads again, I know I'm back early. I found someone wondering the streets." Klaus said as he gestured to Clare who was standing a few feet away.

The Messengers turned to look at Clare before slowly waving at her in what she assumed was a friendly manner. Klaus then stands back up before turning to face Clare. "Alright, now I'm gonna bring ye to the Hunter's Dream. It's not exactly paradise, but it's a helluva lot nicer then this damnable place." Klaus explained as he gestured for Clare to come closer. Clare cocked her head to the side in confusion, but walked up to Klaus regardless. "How exactly do we get to this Hunter's Dream exactly?" Clare asked as she was still heavily in the dark on the workings of this deadly city. Klaus remained silent for a moment before he gestured to the lamp they stood in front of. "I thought it'd be pretty obvious, why else would I have us walk all the way to this lamp?" Klaus asked as he gave Clare a baffled look at why she even bothered asking him such a question.

Clare blinked twice in complete disbelief, he couldn't be serious could he? "Perhaps he is just as mad as the rest of the inhabitants of this city." Clare thought to herself as she was once again questioning if she was at all safe with the Hunter she travelled here with. "Look I know I sound like a loon. Just grab hold of my shoulder, I'll do the rest." Klaus instructed as Clare once again remained silent. Clare hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to place her hand on Klaus's shoulder. "He may indeed be mad, but he is the most reasonable person I have contact with at the moment." Clare thought to herself as Klaus held his right hand out to the lamp. A haunting light surrounded the duo as Clare felt her eyes getting heavy as her vision began the blur.

Hunter's Dream
Clare's eyes fluttered open as she found herself laying on a cobblestone pathway. Clare shakily pushed herself back onto her feet as she looked around at her new surroundings. She found herself in front of a gothic house with a stone staircase leading up to it. Lining the side of the staircase was a row of tombstones, the moon hung overhead looking rather large in the sky.

"What is this place?" Clare mumbled to herself as she looked around the strange new area with caution present in her gaze. Clare felt a hand rest on her shoulder as she quickly whipped around and reeled back her fist before throwing a punch at the figure. Klaus cocked his head to the side as Clare's fist flew past it, missing him by mere inches. "Calm down now, it's like I said earlier, we're in the Hunter's Dream. The closest thing to a safe haven is Hunters have." Klaus explained as Clare's muscles relaxed, if only slightly. Clare once again looked around the Hunter's Dream, there was something so haunting about it despite its status as a safe haven.

"Come on now, we best introduce ye to Doll, she can help ye get acquainted with all the facilities of the Hunter's Dream." Klaus said calmly as he started walking up the cobblestone path, not bothering to wait for Clare to follow him. "Doll?" Clare thought to herself as that was a rather strange name for someone. Clare quickly followed after Klaus as they both walked towards the staircase. Klaus stopped at the bottom of the staircase as Clare noticed he seemed to stop to look at something. "Welcome back Good Hunter, you have returned earlier then expected. Did things go awry in Yharnam?" A female voice asked as Clare realized that Klaus must be talking to this Doll person he mentioned moments ago.

"No, everything was right as rain, that is until I crossed paths with this Lass here." Klaus said as he stepped to the side so Clare could finally meet this mysterious person. Clare found herself face to face with a woman, she had incredibly pale skin, soft facial features and a rather blank stare. The dress she wore was rather elaborate and beautiful. However the most noticeable thing was her hands, the joints and points of articulation were completely visible, as if she were truly a doll.

"Righto then, Doll this here is Clare, Clare this here is Doll. She assists Hunters here in the Hunter's Dream." Klaus explained as he gestured to the strange woman. Clare was still dumbfounded, standing in front of her right now was potentially an actual living doll. Doll bowed to Clare respectfully before standing up straight once again and locking eyes with the Claymore. "Welcome Lady Clare, I am a Doll. My purpose is to assist the Hunter's who pass through the Hunter's Dream." Doll explained before she once again respectfully bowed to Clare, who was still processing everything she just learned.

        Clare looked the Doll over, skeptical of this entire situation she found herself in, just like at the lakebed, she has been transported to another world entirely. "Oi, Doll, help the lass repair her clothes. I'll try and find her something that'll cover her up a bit more." Klaus said calmly as the Doll quickly nodded her head in understanding. The Doll took Clare by the hand and started walking up the stairs, however they were once again stopped by Klaus. "Clare, let me take yer sword. I have to perform maintenance on me Whirligig Saw anyhow. Might as well fix up her sword while I'm at it." Klaus said as he held his hand out towards the woman. Clare looked at the Hunter for a moment, skeptical about his intentions.

            "Despite his seemingly unwell mind, he has done nothing but help me since I found myself lost in this strange place." Clare thought to herself as even in her homeland, humans would sooner leave her for dead rather then help her like he had. Clare drew her claymore before offering it to Klaus. "I promise to take good care of it for ye. Doll, give her me room in the workshop. I'll hunker down in one of the chair for the time being." Klaus instructed before he walked past both of them up the stairs before entering the workshop to begin his maintenance on his and Clare's weapons. Clare watched him go before Doll gently pulled her by the hand and led her towards the house. Clare was led into the workshop before being taken up a flight of stairs to the second floor.

          "What exactly has happened here?" Clare asked bluntly as she stared at the back of the Doll's head. The Doll did not stop moving for a moment as she responded to the woman's question. "The Old Blood, the Church utilized it as a miracle cure to heal any injury or aliment. However the use of such a powerful substance eventually drove the people of Yharnam mad. Thus the Beast Scourge swept through the city, bringing ruin to the once proud city and her people." Doll explained calmly before she stopped in front of a door before opening it and leading Clare inside. The room was in fact a bedroom like Klaus had mentioned as the Doll led Clare over to the bed before sitting her down on it.

              The Doll began helping Clare undress from her armor before offering her a white night gown to wear while her clothes were being repaired. The Doll walked over to a chair before grabbing a sewing kit for the clothes. "It appears you have been shot Lady Clare." The Doll said as she noticed a piece of lead lodged in the woman's torso. Clare looked down and noticed the piece of lead before she grabbed it and pulled it out. The Doll quickly pulled out some medical supplies before she set to patching up Clare's wound. "What exactly is this?" Clare said as she looked the tiny piece of metal over in confusion. "A bullet Lady Clare, it was most likely fired from one of the deranged rifles." The Doll explained as Clare cocked her head to the side in confusion, she had never heard of a bullet or rifle before, but she assumed it was similar to that handheld cannon Klaus used.

           "How long has Klaus been hunting in Yharnam?" Clare asked bluntly as she watched the Doll patch her up. The Doll remained silent for a moment before answering the question. "I do not know, time moves differently in the dream. I do know the Good Hunter has been at it for quite some time now however. I sometimes fear his sanity will break and he will become another one of the beasts that plague Yharnam's streets." The Doll said frankly as she finished patching up Clare's injury before stepping back and returning to the chair where she left Clare's uniform and the sewing kit. Clare remained silent, she remembered Klaus saying if exposed long enough anyone would stop being human after a certain point. Clare put the night gown on before laying down on the bed and staring up at the ceiling while Doll repaired her uniform. Clare still wondered what exactly she had gotten herself into.

So Klaus has brought Clare to the Hunter's Dream where she has met the Doll! However Clare only seems to gather more and more questions in regards to her strange predicament and has earned very few answers so far. As always leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments as always! What awaits Clare within the Hunter's Dream? Who else will she meet during her stay there? What will Klaus's next move be? Will they be able to find a way for Clare to return to the island? Find out in the next chapter of Claymore: Fear the Old Blood!