While none of the students were paying much attention to the lecture, Emmett thought he had a good reason to be preoccupied. Today, he was busy mulling over what he was going to ask the professor once class was over. Typically, he would take more care to listen; he enjoyed most of Professor Hughes’ lectures. Unlike the other professors at Byrgenwerth, he didn’t drone on about his own accomplishments … though Emmett did have to admit his teacher had a tendency to spend an awful long time building up to his point. Unfortunately, it typically had the effect of leaving the students so numb to the discussion they never processed the point Hughes was even trying to make.
Class was running ten minutes over, and the students not caught up in daydreams or doodles were glancing anxiously between the clock on the wall and Professor Hughes on the lecture stage below. Hughes, oblivious to the plight of his students, continued droning on. “Disillusioned with the limits of human intellect, Master Willem continued his research into higher beings and how one could gain the ability to see the world as they do. He ascertained that by doing so, we may learn the hidden truths of this world.”
At the telltale sign of a break in the speech, and a possible out, the students began to shuffle expectantly. Thankfully, this time, Professor Hughes seemed to take notice, and spared a glance at the clock on the wall. He cleared his throat, eyes scanning across the faces of his students. Finally, he waved a hand dismissively.
“Very well, that’ll be all for today. We’ll have to leave off there.”
Whatever else he said was drowned out by the commotion of chattering students gathering their belongings. Some rushed out of the room to make their typical late entrance to their next class, while others strolled into the halls discussing evening plans with one another. Emmett, however, was fighting his way against the crowd, making his way to the stage at the bottom of the lecture hall.
By the time Emmett finally reached the stage, Hughes was nearly done packing his papers into his briefcase. The professor scooped up his cane and turned just as Emmett stopped in front of him.
“Ah … pardon me, Professor? Do you have a moment?”
The professor eyed him up and down before settling into a thin smile.
“Hello, Emmett. Yes, I suppose. What’s caught your attention this time?”
Emmett gave a small, humorless laugh. He clasped his notebook in both hands, glancing down at the page with the notes he had taken in preparation.
“Hah. Well, I’ve been considering … see, I know some of the most well-regarded scholars have left to continue their research in private. As you know, I’m quite fascinated in particular with– ”
“The nature of the beast plague, yes,” the professor interrupted, nodding along. Emmett could see his patience was wearing thin, and hurried on.
“Yes, and … well, I was wondering, perhaps, if I could speak to one of them about what they’ve learned. I’ve read up on everything I can, but, well, the books and journals I’ve had access to sort of … there’s just not much new being published about the plague, I’m afraid, and I’d really like to be more up-to-date on the whole matter.”
As soon as Emmett peeked up from the notes on his page, he knew this wasn’t going in his favor. The professor’s brow was furrowed, his tight-lipped smile replaced by a stony look.
“Emmett, truly, it’s best not to concern yourself with such things. The Healing Church and hunters have the plague under control. It’s in our best interest to focus on learning about more important things. Research into the higher beings, and understanding the world as they do.”
Even knowing he had already lost, Emmett couldn’t help but scramble for any possible thread to grasp. He never got the response he hoped for, and yet he always pushed.
“Yes, but … well, I know we haven’t found a cure for it, I thought perhaps … if some of the scholars were to focus their studies on it –”
“They already know as much as they need to.”
“But perhaps we could find the cause, and a cure!”
Professor Hughes tapped his cane sharply against the lecture hall’s wood floor. “We know its cause. Foreigners brought it to the city.”
Emmett shook his head, stumbling on. “But we don’t know the nature of it, how it spreads so quickly, or who is most at risk, we should–”
“Emmett.”
The student stopped himself. He clutched his notebook tightly against his chest, staring down at the professor’s shoes. There was no warmth in the professor’s voice, only cold, cutting sterility.
“I understand. I know you must have doubts about yourself with your current studies, coming from a … less educated background. Especially compared to your peers.”
Emmett couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath. He began chewing the inside of his cheek, eyes narrowed at the floor. The professor leaned forward, placing a hand on his shoulder, pressing into his space.
“But stay on task. Stay focused on what’s important. The plague is such a frivolous matter to concern yourself with.”
Emmett opened his mouth, but before he could even think of how to respond, the professor was holding up a hand, leveling him with a sharp look.
“If you doubt your capabilities to learn here, I suggest you study more diligently. I have another class to teach. I must be off.”
Professor Hughes gave Emmett a hard pat on the shoulder before stepping around him. His cane tapped sharply against the floor, punctuating each pace he took. Hughes called back to Emmett as he left, words echoing in the barren lecture hall.
“Focus on what matters, Emmett. Let the church handle the plague.”
✧✦✧✦✧
When walking through the halls of Byrgenwerth during the day, Emmett felt akin to a mouse exposed while running through a cat’s territory. Hunched over, clasping his books close to his chest, scurrying to and fro as he dodged clusters of students and teachers. He didn’t linger in the halls making small talk like his classmates, heading straight for the library. He could do more research before sundown.
Emmett hadn’t come to Byrgenwerth to learn about the gods, and it had left him frustrated with his courses. But nowhere else in Yharnam was there such a trove of knowledge as Byrgenwerth. If he had any chance of uncovering the nature of the beast plague, it would be here. Other than going to the Healing Church, of course. But working with the Church was out of the question for Emmett.
Most of the students here were from the nicer parts of Central Yharnam, a sprawling metropolis of dark streets and towering spires; likely here out of obligation to uphold the family tradition of attending Byrgenwerth rather than any personal endeavor. Emmett, though, was from Old Yharnam. He’d been one of the few lucky residents outside the district when it went up in flames. It was pure chance that he’d found himself in the Cathedral Ward collecting medicine for his aunt that day. Throughout all of Yharnam, ash fell like snow, and an orange glow lit the horizon long after the sun set. He’d finally gotten confirmation the next day from passersby. Nothing more than cinders and ruin, they’d said. There was speculation, of course, that it had just been some terrible accident. But everyone knew.
The Healing Church had fought the plague ravaging the streets of Old Yharnam for years. And, confronted with a problem they could not control, they took cruel, but necessary, measures. That’s what the rest of Yharnam had said, anyway.
Cruel, certainly, Emmett could agree with that. Cruelty, but nothing more. On nights Emmett found himself lying awake, he’d close his eyes and walk the streets of Old Yharnam. Still able to trace the path home, from the market, from the bakery, from the church. In his mind, those very same streets of his early childhood erupt in flames. His neighbors are left to die. His family– left to die. Crying out for deliverance, desperately clawing at the city gates, locked in to burn with everything else by the Healing Church. Slaughter framed as cleansing justice.
Emmett was at Byrgenwerth because Old Yharnam still burned in his mind.
✧✦✧✦✧
His research pulled him late into the night, long after the moon had ushered away the sun. Emmett could no longer focus, exhaustion taking over. He gathered his books, snuffed out the candles, and left the empty library.
The halls of Byrgenwerth at night were eerie, but Emmett had grown almost fond of their emptiness. It was one of the few times he felt peaceful. He took a circuitous route to pass by the windows overlooking the lake. A long, stone walkway extended from the main building out over the water, almost reaching where the moon’s reflection lay on the lake. Emmett squinted, peering through the window at the lone figure on the walkway.
The head of the school, Master Willem, was staring out at the moon. He sat out there nearly every night now. Always alone, and always facing the lake, so Emmett could never get a good look at him. The two had never met, of course, so he couldn’t make any strong assumptions about him. But Emmett always had the impression Willem seemed to be waiting for … something. The older, most well-studied scholars always seemed so disconnected from the world around them. As though they were floating in deep waters, peaceful and content. It was hard not to be envious, picturing that numbing comfort.
But Emmett felt the heat of Old Yharnam’s flames licking at his heels. He turned his gaze away from Master Willem, driven on to his room.
✧✦✧✦✧
Professor Hughes was tapping on the blackboard to punctuate his point when he mercifully glanced over at the clock. Students shuffled in anticipation, and bolted into action as the professor waved a hand, dismissing them. Emmett once again parted through the steady stream of students to reach the front of the lecture hall.
When the professor turned to look at him, his face contorted before settling on a resigned expression. “Ah. Emmett.”
He’d given it a week, as long as he could bear, before returning to Professor Hughes. In the end, it had to be Hughes. Emmett had exhausted all other options. The other professors he’d spoken to had been quite interested in acquiring assistance for their own research, but were quick to laugh off the idea of Emmett conducting his own. Professor Hughes seemed the only one who actively encouraged his students to pursue their own studies. Even if the scope of study Hughes considered worthwhile enough to delve into was quite narrow.
It was time to try a different approach. Emmett clung to his notebook, pressing it against his chest, steadying himself. He forced himself to speak slowly, calmly.
“Good afternoon, Professor.” Emmett looked at the scrawlings on the board, rather than holding Professor Hughes’ gaze. “I’ve done some thinking, and … you were right. I’ve been picking up some extra reading over the past few days, and came across the work of a scholar named Micolash. I’m fascinated by his work, and I’ve found his explorations into the nature of the Great Ones quite compelling.”
Emmett could see at the edge of his vision Professor Hughes standing up straighter, actually taking an interest. When the professor responded, Emmett found himself reassured enough to meet his eye.
“As a matter of fact, Micolash taught at Byrgenwerth for a short while, and I studied under him.”
Emmett nodded along, offering a placid smile. “He seems to have delved into many different fields of study, but in particular, I was interested in his work with a device to contact the Great Ones.”
There was a sly glint in the professor’s eye, and he leaned in conspiratorially.
“Ah, I see. You read about the Mensis Cage?”
Emmett gave another nod. “Oh yes, quite remarkable.”
The professor leaned back, regarding Emmett with, possibly, a smidgen of respect. “Those were not easy papers to find. You must be quite serious about this.”
In reality, for Emmett, it hadn’t been all that difficult. He’d gone to older professors and asked what Hughes’ dissertation topic had been on, and followed the trail. From there, it led to a stack of papers, written by Hughes, about the absolute genius that was Micolash. Emmett couldn’t help but smile. He was grateful his intuition had been correct that Hughes had been a tad bit overenthusiastic in his praise for Micolash’s work.
Emmett gave a dramatic sigh, shaking his head. “I feel foolish having wasted so much time. What could be greater than finding a way to lead humanity to its next stage of evolution?”
The professor was smiling. It was a small, but genuine, smile. It was enough to spark and burn away any hesitation Emmett had about pressing on. He mustered a sheepish look, tilting his head to the side. “If you’re still in contact with Micolash, I would really like a chance to speak with him. I’d love nothing more than to learn about his current research.”
The professor held Emmett’s gaze, regarding him. Then his smile broke out into a wide grin. He tapped his cane against the floor in thought, as though he hadn’t already made up his mind. “Ahh … how could I keep you from such a fascinating area of study? Very well, Emmett. I’ll see what I can do. I’ll admit, I’m envious of Micolash’s research and findings.”
Emmett smiled in return, genuine now.
✧✦✧✦✧
For the next several days, Emmett and Hughes talked at length about Micolash’s research and accomplishments. The professor seemed to spring to life in a way Emmett hadn’t seen before, even during his lectures. Emmett was surprised to find Hughes had done little research of his own, instead preferring to connect the threads of others’ work. But it was always refreshing to hear his teacher highlighting the work of fellow academics. Emmett had to admit, it was fascinating to learn about how Micolash and his scholars accomplished all they had. The two pored over old diagrams, research notes, and correspondence between the scholars.
One day after class, Hughes approached Emmett and told him that they would leave the following morning to meet Micolash. As it turned out, Micolash had left Byrgenwerth to found his own school of study. Knowledge of the school was kept restricted within tightly knit circles of scholars, but Professor Hughes had been encouraged by Emmett’s shared interest, and had managed to find out the school’s location. It would be a full day’s journey, but Hughes insisted there was no need to bring their belongings. The news of their upcoming journey was sudden, but Emmett was relieved to finally see tangible progress made for his efforts. He could hardly sleep that night.
✧✦✧✦✧
“The world is vast… And to capture even the smallest flicker of understanding, you must always and forever pursue the truths it holds …,” the professor chattered on eagerly.
As they walked through Yharnam, Emmett was shocked to see how quiet the city had become, even during the day. It seemed the Yharnam Emmett remembered, a city of constant noise and bustling streets, was long gone, reduced to straggling wanderers rushing to their next destination. Byrgenwerth was so isolated, he hadn’t realized how rampant the beast plague must have become. Emmett feared what this would mean for the rest of the city, knowing all too well the Church’s solution to problems they couldn’t control.
“Micolash sought to find a way to continue his research uninterrupted …”
Emmett was distracted by the emptiness of the city, and tried to stay calm as he looked towards the western sky. The sun hung low, engulfing the horizon in a blazing orange glow.
“… unburdened by the constraints of our world.”
At last, it seemed they had arrived at their destination, a cluster of dark, towering buildings looming high into the sky. Hughes led them through a great stone archway into a courtyard set in the center of the buildings. The city was fully deserted now, all knowing the dangers that would soon follow the encroaching night. Soon, only beasts and hunters would roam the streets. Emmett wished for nothing more than to dart into the closest building and take cover, but the flames of Old Yharnam licked at his heels, and he continued following Professor Hughes.
They crossed the courtyard, climbing the steps to the tallest of the buildings on the far side. Stone statues paralleled the steps. Strange, inhuman figures. Some crouched, hunched over, while others locked their hands in prayer and looked up towards the sky.
Emmett was gazing at one of the statues when he caught movement on the roof behind it. He froze on the steps, cold fear gripping his heart, as he locked eyes with the beast. It was huge, but still far away enough that they could run into the building. It prowled slowly on the roof, covered in shaggy black fur. Even in the sun’s final rays of dim light, Emmett could make out the white flash of teeth.
But when he turned back to warn Professor Hughes, he realized his teacher had continued to climb the steps, unperturbed by the dangers, still giving his speech with fervor. Emmett hurried to catch up, glancing at the beast on the far rooftop. It seemed content to wait, watching from afar as the scholars entered the building.
The professor’s eyes gleamed brightly as he grabbed the handles to the front door.
“That is why he and the brightest amongst his scholars …”
Professor Hughes opened the door with a flourish, arms high and outstretched as he marvelled at the scene before them.
“… have taken to the dream.”
Emmett stepped around the professor, peering at the dozens of crowded figures before them. Flanking the sides of the small room were rows and rows of sleeping figures, all sitting in chairs facing the center of the room. Each had a tall, metal contraption encasing their head, which Emmett immediately recognized from the diagrams they had reviewed days earlier. The metal bars of the device crossed into a grid pattern; to Emmett, it resembled a massive birdcage housing each of their heads. Many of the figures were slumped over from the sheer weight of it.
All were dressed in the robes of academics and students. In the center of the room, a man was seated with a matching cage atop his head.
Emmett stepped forward, cautiously approaching the figure. A gaunt face hid in the shadows behind the bars of the cage. The figure was emaciated, so much so that it resembled something closer to a corpse than the body of a living man.
Emmett backed away quickly, drawing his hands towards his chest. The withered figures of sleeping, half-dead scholars peered down from the shadows at Micolash, who sat on his throne.
The tap of the professor’s cane echoed as he began walking again, calling out from behind Emmett. “Marvelous, is it not? The Mensis Cage allows for the connection to a dream realm.” Professor Hughes stepped around Emmett, closer to Micolash. He was gesturing his hands in wide circles, taking quick breaths with a frenzied, feverish smile as he struggled to hold back his enthusiasm. “In a realm with all the books they could desire, all the time they need to conduct their research. All possible by tapping into the realms of dreams and nightmares! To focus on what truly matters.”
Emmett echoed the words, short of breath. “… what truly matters.”
“Yes, of course! Pursuing the truth, uncovering the secrets kept from us! This is the next step in evolution!”
“… when will they wake?”
The professor stumbled in his step, stopping abruptly. He spun to look at Emmett from over the shoulder of Micolash. “What?”
Emmett nodded slowly down at Micolash. “When … when will they leave their dream?”
Professor Hughes shook his head, laughing. “Why would they wake?”
Emmett took a step away from the sleeping figure and Hughes. His eyes narrowed at the professor. “You … you say they have all the knowledge they could want. So … when are they going to wake? When are they going to tell us what they’ve learned?”
The professor barked out a laugh again, and suddenly darted forward, quick strides that made Emmett flinch back. But the professor stopped just as abruptly, hands hovering in the air on either side of Emmett. Hughes was back to that wide, frenzied grin. “No, no, no, my boy you don’t understand! We can become enlightened with them! Go into the dream to conduct our own research.” He waved his hands towards the sleeping figures around them. “We can join them!”
For several moments, Emmett just stared at Professor Hughes. He felt more aware now of just how many of the sleeping scholars surrounded them. Rows and rows of them, faded away into a dream to indulge in their research. And they weren’t going to return.
Engulfed in silence, Professor Hughes’ smile began to fade. His hands slowly sank. Emmett’s gaze darted around them, shaking his head again, but now his eyes betrayed the fear rising in him. “No … no! I don’t want to join them. I don’t want to find answers if I’m just to be trapped in a dream forever. What would be the point?”
Anger rose suddenly in the professor. He took another step towards Emmett, cane cracking against the floor, causing Emmett to back away again and nearly slip on the steps to the entryway.
“The point? Emmett, how can you not see? You and I can finally be part of something greater than ourselves. How could you turn your back on that?” The professor threw a hand out towards the scholars surrounding them. “You can make something meaningful out of your life. You won’t care about whether or not you’re sleeping; your body doesn’t matter! Your mind will live on forever! You’ll have limitless resources, limitless time to research! Help them with their research, or do your own, learn about whatever you wish, the Great Ones, the plague, whatever it is! Knowledge is the point of all of this!”
Emmett caught his footing firmly now, fists dropping from his chest, clenched at his sides. He shook his head firmly, voice raised to match the professor’s. “Knowledge was never the point!”
The professor leaned away, wide-eyed, staring down at him. Emmett let out a shaky breath before continuing. “I don’t want this. Not if this is the cost.” He took another step back down the stairs, eyes narrowed. “There’s no point to finding a cure that will never reach the ones who need it.”
The frenzy that had engulfed Hughes now dissipated into cold emptiness. He glared down at Emmett, holding his gaze. “I was wrong. To bring you here, to offer you this.” The professor turned slowly to look at Micolash. The moonlight harshly lit the metal cage atop his head, glinting brightly in the dark room. “You refuse to understand or value the significance of their work.” The professor’s gaze rose to the moon. “I will be joining them. I only regret I hadn’t done this sooner. This is the chance to be part of something truly important. You helped me realize that, investigating their work again these past days. But I should have seen you’re too selfish. Unable to let go, to make something meaningful out of your life. But do as you like.”
Emmett took a step back, then another, retreating down the steps that had brought him here. The professor turned, haloed by the moonlight, fixing one piercingly cold eye on Emmett.
“Good luck facing the hunt tonight. You foolish, stupid boy.”
Emmett turned towards the entryway, hurrying down the final steps. He could hear the sound of the cane growing fainter as Professor Hughes walked away, ready to take his place at Micolash’s side.
✧✦✧✦✧
Emmett sank onto the cold, stone steps of the building. He listened to the distant howls of beasts rising to meet the moon. To try his luck on the streets now that the hunt had begun … the thought alone was enough to set Emmett shaking. He almost laughed at himself, for all the times he’d felt so safe during those nights in the halls of Byrgenwerth. The thought of indulging in the comfort and safety of losing himself in a dream … it tugged at him in a way it hadn’t before.
The clacking of claws somewhere up high above snapped him out of his thoughts. A roof tile shattered against the cobblestones a few meters away. Emmett scrambled to his feet, eyes locking with the shaggy beast on the rooftop. It had waited very patiently after watching the two scholars enter the building.
Now, the scholar’s time was up. The sun had been chased away. Night belonged to the beasts.
And the hunt had begun.
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