Bloody War

One of my favorite quotes is a quote from Ulysses Grant. "I have never advocated war except as means of peace, so seek peace, but prepare for war. Because war... War never changes."

I don't know why this quote stuck with me. Especially after the years I spent in a terrifying video game world of all things. I was in BloodBorne for... for such a long time that I hardly remember my own name. Max... I don't remember much else to be honest. I wrote in a note book everything I felt I would need to remember, and few things to keep me partially sane. The note book says my last name was Hardy and that I had two sisters and happy parents that loved me... I don't remember them.

It's a scary thought to realize that you wouldn't recognize your own family even if they were right in front of you. Think about it, think about the people that love you and the people you once loved. Now think about how you'd feel if you couldn't remember their faces... their voices.

Over the years I've stopped feeling anything. Sometimes I feel angry over the fact that I can't change anything. Or the fact that I have no idea what I'm doing this all for. Then I open my skill screen.

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Skills:

Hand-To-Hand Combat: High Tier Peak

Trick Weapons Combat: High Tier Peak

Marksmanship: High Tier High

Acrobatics: High Tier Mid

Strategizing: High Tier Low

Mental Strength: High Tier Mid

Arcane Arts: High Tier Peak

Crafting: Mid Tier High

Traits:

Amazing Combatant

Unstable

Holder of Many Eyes

Deep Arcane Understanding

Mechanically Inclined

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EARN YOUR FREEDOM... DEFEAT THE MOON PRESENCE

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I've become quite skilled over the years. I'm close to beating him... it? I don't know anymore. After being killed by it so many times and this world resetting every single time I just can't remember. I wish it was like the game described in my note book... if so I would've been freed long ago.

My strength this go is at an unholy peak. Just the other day I didn't control it and I destroyed the Cleric Beasts bridge when I stomped out of anger... maybe that was another time? Time is so confusing. I know this time I will beat it though, even if my skill screen never gave me any awards and only showed me my progress it's still what makes me so sure.

Gehrman is a push over at this point. Even if I was this physically strong, his fighting style is borish and easy to predict. Killing him was something that used to scare me though... Back before I was so skilled at combat and strategizing. But this time there was no strategy, as soon as he swung his scythe I grabbed it out of his hands. With a swift swing of my sword I removed his head.

The world shuddered, the very dimension vibrated with arcane power dense with bloodlust. A blinding red light pulsed above me as a being with blood red skin slowly revealed itself. Its head looked like a squid with far to many tenticals and the ribs on its body ripped through its skin. The being radiated power, its every movement causing arcane storms to shake the hunters dream.

I knew though, this time was the last. I charged in with my sword ready and swung just as one of its legs touched the ground. The leg was lopped off with a resounding *swingg*. I was coated in blood, I rejoiced as I listened to its hallowed cries of pain.

This was my moment, I jumped back to avoid its wild flailing before taking anothing swing at its arm. I was once again met with a loud thump as its arm, much heavier then how it looked, slammed into the ground next to me. The beast roared before a wave of bloody arcane erupted from it. I knew it was coming, I had seen this before. Before I had thought there was no way to block this but after years of studying the arcane I developed my own way, throwing my arm out a bluish shield formed in front of me. It acted as a snow plow as I pushed my way through the dense bloody arcane around me, I knew that if I let it's one moment of weakness after this fit go the beast would no longer let me fight. It would fly away and destroy this dimension, it was the reason I had always lost to it. The beast was in no way stronger than me, but its outrage would always either push me into the void and kill me or keep me to far away for the finishing strike to be given before the beast ran.

Standing next to its head as it huffed in exhaustion I muttered,

"We are finally finished monster. Maybe I can finally be free from this horrible place."

With that I swiftly removed its head. If only the arcane wasn't such a convoluted and confusing shit show, I would have been done a long time ago.

With that my view faded to darkness and my favorite quote came to mind. "I have never advocated war except as means of peace, so seek peace, but prepare for war. Because war... War never changes."

Whatever was coming for me next may not be as bloody or as terrifying as the elderich horrors I've had to live in, but I know that war never changes.

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Short chapter I know, but honestly don't expect much. I tried my best with this intro and I will try my best on any future chapters but know that I'm not an active author. I prefer reading to be honest.