A day after the strange meeting at the restaurant, he found a rather nice surprise waiting for him downstairs.
Sunny had returned to the Waking World, and he looked like death. Despite the fact he had merely been asleep the entire time, his body appeared uncooperative and his stature was uncomfortable.
"So what happened to the short trip to the Black Temple?" Gehrman asked. His words were said with nonchalance, but his features were anything but.
Flinching, Sunny looked apologetic to his roommate before remembering that Gehrman was technically a squatter, and therefore had no grounds to be upset with him.
"Well I accidentally broke a terrifying monster that had been trapped for years out of its prison. It proceeded to slaughter everyone on the Citadel while Cassie and I hid. Eventually we met up with some survivors, and almost got in a fight with them…multiple times. And then the fiend showed up again. We made a temporary alliance before turning on each other. Neither of us could kill each other so we both ran. A Saint showed up to kill us, but another Saint showed up to save us. Fortunately, the one on our side killed the other guy. So now Clan Valor hates us and will probably try to blackmail and torture us."
Gehrman blinked slowly.
"...I guess that's a pretty good reason. Why did you set such a thing free though?"
Sunny's face contorted in irritation. Usually, when a person was met with such an insane story they would simply treat it as a sarcastic dismissal. Only someone insane like Gehrman would take it seriously. This was something Sunny made a note of before keeping his words brief.
"I didn't mean to, I just so happened to be carrying something that allowed him to escape. In truth, I think I was played for a fool," he said. The last lines were tinged with venom. And it surprised Gehrman how much malice he had for this 'terrifying monster'.
Since Sunny was a rather tricky fellow, it probably didn't sit well with him that someone had pulled one over on him.
"So Clan Valor hates you, and I presume Cassie and the rest of her followers as well, are they going to send assassins? Should I be concerned?"
Surprisingly, Sunny's face became a mix of regret and worry.
"No assassins. But they will probably try something if they ever find us alone in the Dream Realm. Since we are Awakened, it wouldn't take too many resources to do the job."
From there, it didn't take much to figure out their next course of action. If it was easy to assassinate them as Awakened, all they had to do was become Masters.
"Do you have a Nightmare Seed that you can challenge soon?" Gehrman asked.
To his relief, Sunny nodded.
"We are going to one right now actually. In two weeks we will be there. I just wanted to let you and Rain know about it, since I will be gone for a long time, maybe a year."
"That's a good idea," Gehrman chuckled. "Your sister has been at the door every day waiting for you to come home."
"She…don't call her my sister. I'm not her sibling anymore," he paused. "She doesn't need me."
Gehrman frowned as he analyzed the discomfort on his face.
It was obvious with just a glance why he said that. He imagined that Sunny thought himself unworthy to call himself brother. Though they were of the same blood, Rain had been adopted from a very young age and grew up with a very loving family. She didn't even know she had a brother. And since he wasn't there for her growing up, it made him feel unfit to be her older sibling.
Still, that bond was not something so easily lost.
"She doesn't know it, but I think she can feel it. The way she talks about you and acts around you is the same as a younger sister laments her weird older brother. You don't need to bring it up, but you also don't need to feel shame for something completely outside our control."
Sunny's eyebrows knitted as he considered Gehrman's words.
"...You really are a grandpa."
"I suppose so," he offered a gentle grin. "The wise elder offers counsel whenever you need it."
"The crazy old guy on the corner begging for credits and occasionally saying some interesting things," Sunny corrected. "That was probably the first sane thing I've ever heard you say."
"I'm sure I've offered my timeless wisdom before," Gehrman tilted his head in confusion. "Perhpas you only just now realize my genius."
Sunny let out a long and defeated sigh.
"Just…look after Rain. If you can. Check in on her every once and a while. Maybe berate her if she stops training."
Gehrman opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Tell her about the training yourself," Gehrman nodded. "I'll be pretty busy making a new Workshop in a week or so, and I need to respond to a royal summons at the moment, but I'll pop by while I can."
Gehrman opened the door to let in the young girl, and promptly became invisible as she started chastising her "teacher" for leaving for so long without any notice. Sunny too seemed to lose sight of everything else as he described his terrifying adventure.
Gehrman smiled wistfully.
He wondered if such a thing would ever happen between him and Milo, the young boy who suffered the same fate as Dorian had.
Though it seemed unlikely, he couldn't help but desire to visit the kid at that moment.
…Unfortunately, he wasn't lying about the royal summons.
He had to meet up with Seishan to continue their talk from the other day.
…
Gehrman had to be transported to the Dream Realm via a Transcendent. He had not returned to that place since the Forgotten Shore, and since he had no Anchor there, he would be thrust into a random place once again if entered by himself, the Spell would surely send him to another hell hole.
Fortunately, there was a very easy solution, and that was being sent to the Dream Realm by a Saint.
Once a human reached Transcendence, their connection to the Dream Realm was increased. This allowed them to not only travel to an Anchor of their own creation (like an Ascended could) but also take someone with them.
With this method, the Song Sisters were raised in the Dream Realm despite not yet being Awakened. Their mother had been one of the first Transcendents, after all.
And she laid claim to one of the Great Citadels, the city named Ravenheart.
This was where Gehrman found himself after having Beastmaster transport him there. An electric feeling ran through him as she gently touched his arm to establish a connection. He had to do his damndest not to let Madness well up to counteract the subsequent feeling.
But he was being brought for peaceful negotiations, so he had to restrain his discomfort. Fortunately, Beastmaster made no other movements toward him after he arrived.
It was truly a stellar sight. The imposing city was protected from the volcano and its constant ash by the Great Citadel's uniqueness. It stood as a monolith amidst a wasteland, an extraordinarily beautiful one at that.
Though there was a distinct lack of nature, the intricate stonework of the ancient humans and the current citizens made the place seem ethereal.
But it was nothing compared to the place Gehrman was now visiting.
When he first heard of the Jade Palace, he expected it to be green, so he was rather surprised to see a sprawling white castle.
I suppose Jade can also be white…but isn't that still a misleading name? Gehrman thought.
The Jade Palace seemed to have very few renovations done to it by its current owner. The Palace appeared to be made for a god due to how grand it was, Gehrman figured it would be foolhardy to try to meddle with the place.
It was truly beautiful, and Seishan warmly explained the history of the palace. Describing it as the old home of an individual known as the Jade Queen, a monarch favored by a certain Divinity.
In fact, that Divinity had built this palace for her, making it mystical and unbreakable.
It was strange to see the composed Seishan speak so openly. Though he considered it might be in an effort to ease his worries at being brought to a new place, he also felt that she was simply more comfortable here.
It was her home, after all.
Beastmaster also seemed to let her guard down slightly, walking these halls, her stride became less seductive and more…gentle. It was hard for Gehrman to describe, but Gehrman did admit he found the Jade Palace to be most enchanting.
Eventually, they arrived before what appeared to be a waiting room. After entering, Gehrman found a warmly lit and wide room with exceedingly fancy furnishing. All things considered, it was quite cozy, as soft floors and cushioned seats created an environment similar to a living room.
Waiting for them were four other people.
A pale lady that reminded Gehrman of Sunny. She had a cold demeanor and mystic about her that was quite intimidating.
A young woman who appeared very innocent. With shorter hair and large eyes she could only be described as cute. However, she also carried a strange aura that was quite uneasy.
A huntress with tanned skin and a toned body leaned back with practiced arrogance. Despite this though, she still radiated a fierce energy that made Gehrman feel she was ready for a fight at any time.
And finally was an older lady in a conservative dress. She was slightly plump and her hairs appeared to be starting to grey.
Gherman blinked at the last woman, as something about her made him terribly uneasy.
He focused his Aspect to peer into her being. All the others were Transcendents, he had no doubt about that, but this lady had a presence unlike any he had felt before.
It felt like she was a fragment of a much greater being.
Gehrman eyes widened as he peered into her Soul Core, what he found chilled him to his core.
His intuition was right, instead of a fully formed Core there was only the tiniest of slivers. It appeared to be a fraction of a fraction of a Soul Core.
And yet that single piece filled him with dread.
The light burning from this tiny fragment was unlike any he had seen. This was not a uniqueness, but pure power.
Gehrman felt himself stiffen and grow pale before her.
"Is something the matter?" the lady asked. Her face was gentle, but her voice carried a hint of a threat. It was clear that anything except the honest truth would be met with something dreadful.
And Gehrman did feel dreadful.
His pride shattered into pieces and he felt true fear.
The disparity between Ranks grew with each level, but it seemed especially large between the 4th and 5th Ranks.
Unlike all the other Transcendents he had seen, he felt there was no chance to even escape if he angered this being.
And the reason was due to one simple fact.
"You are of the Supreme Rank."
Immediately, a profound tension filled the room. The only one who remained relaxed was the older woman. This woman before him was not her true body, but it was obvious who was speaking to him.
Ki Song, the Supreme Ruler of the Song Clan.
I…might be in over my head here.
A thousand questions rose in his mind. The most important being why she kept this hidden. But he knew that Ki Song was experienced, perhaps more experienced than anyone else in the world. And if she wanted this to be a secret then that's what it would be.
"Indeed, were you unaware? I suppose Cor didn't see fit to inform you about the ones who are truly in charge."
Gehrman showed no visible change, but he noted the use of plural. In other words, there were others who were in charge of the world. Other Supremes.
Shiiiiiiiit, Gehrman cursed in his head.
But on the outside he responded with a shrug.
"Thats his prerogative. It didn't really matter until now anyway," Gehrman said.
Internally, he put the pieces together. Though he recognized that he had given a lot up for his place in the Government, he now realized why they were so desperate for more power. That was because they were hopelessly helpless before a Supreme. Even all the Transcendents in the world couldn't stop one judging by the sheer magnitude he could sense from Ki Song. They likely hoped that Gehrman would be able to grow into someone who could at least act as a deterrent.
After all, if she so desired, she could likely wipe out all of humanity by herself, with the exception of other Supremes.
"May I sit?" Gehrman asked pleasantly.
In response, Ki Song gave a satisfied smile and gestured to a chair across from her.
The way the room was set up meant that there was no clear "head of the table". But the spot Gehrman sat was one located near the middle, and multiple seats circled around him with Ki Song facing directly in front of him.
Shiiiiit, Gehrman thought again. I shouldn't have come here.
"So, you are the one called Gehrman, the alien with a Divine Aspect," Ki Song leaned forward slightly. "Might I ask you a question?"
Gehrman was a bit surprised to see her be so polite, but he was under no illusions that they were anywhere near equals. This was not a conversation between two interested parties, it was the ruler of the world entertaining a promising, but ultimately inconsequential, menial worker.
"Sure," was all Gehrman could say.
"You're world, and the city called Yharnam faced an apocalypse. It fell into ruin and succumbed to insanity and despair. In all sense of the word, your world is lost," she let the words hang in the air.
"Thanks for the reminder," Gehrman gritted his teeth.
"My question is: why do you want to go back?"
This caught Gehrman off guard. He had never written about his desire to return. And he thought he left nothing to imply such a thing. And yet, there was no use denying the absurd wish.
"It's a silly reason I'm afraid," Gehrman smiled. "I just want to slaughter everything left in that stain of a reality. All the beasts, all the lost creatures, and all the Great Ones who toy with the Dreams that make up who we are."
This was the truth. But it wasn't the full truth. There was also an inexplicable, deep seated, need to return to the Hunter's Dream and enter the Workshop there. Before he was flung into the Void, he felt a malicious and unknowable presence emanating from behind those doors. And he felt the unnatural desire to return there and open those doors.
It was such an unnatural feeling that he worried that it trumped all of his other thoughts and feelings. He was almost certain it came from Paleblood, but he admitted that he himself was curious as well.
"Quite an ambitious goal," Ki Song said. "How do you plan to achieve it?"
Gehrman once again shrugged his shoulders. "Keep climbing the ladder of Divinity. Spend some time as a Supreme and figure out how to suppress the entity inside me before taking the final steps and becoming Sacred, and then Divine. Hopefully by then I'll be able to traverse the Void and return to that god forsaken place."
The Song Sisters were all (understandably) shocked by this proclamation, but Ki Song only smiled.
"You appear to be forgetting something. It is not so easy to become a god. And the consequences of achieving apotheosis are even more dire than you could possibly know."
The foreboding tone in her voice was laced with a barely described malice. It was as if she resented the very idea of apotheosis.
Unfortunately, this put her directly at odds with Gehrman's plan.
"...I suppose. There are likely other ways to achieve my goal. Such as leveraging the power of the entity. Perhaps Supremacy will offer insights into this."
Despite saying this though, Gehrman was under no illusions that the only way to brave the Void was through becoming a god. It was simply that tyrannical of a place. However, all of that would take years, or more likely decades to come into fruition. He could play nice with Ki Song for now, and he would be a fool not to.
"Anyway, I believe we came here to talk about some dealings. Perhaps we could exchange some trades. I am more than willing to offer training in the development of Yharnam technology. Given its unique nature, it is viable in the Dream Realm while also offering versatility that can't be matched by more medieval weaponry."
Ki Song tilted her head.
"Indeed, this is interesting…but it is not part of the contract I am offering."
Gehrman's eyes narrowed.
"And what is it that you are offering, exactly?"
"There are three choices," she said. "I am told you value your autonomy, and I wouldn't want you to feel like I am forcing you into anything."
Gherman's gaze shifted to Seishan, who held her composure. She showed no signs of regret or shame for having clearly given a profile of his character to her family.
It didn't really matter though, Gehrman didn't consider it much of a slight either. As long as he was given a fair deal, he didn't care if he was gossiped about.
"Let's hear it then."
Instead of responding, Ki Song also shifted her gaze to Seishan, who revealed three papers.
"The first choice is the one that allows for the most autonomy, though it provides fewer benefits. You would not become a vassal of Clan Song, but instead an ally. It would be secret, but in return for lending you a Citadel, you would have to abide by mother's laws and notify us about any major changes to your land. However, you would not receive any assistance from us. Running the Citadel would be entirely on you and whoever you bring in. All the Awakened anchored there will be from your own, and none will be provided by Clan Song."
Gehrman was surprised to hear such a reasonable offer. It did indeed respect his autonomy, though a lot of pressure would be on him, he was confident that he could make it work.
"The second choice is to become a Vassal. You would receive the land, but you would also receive help running it. Additionally, you would be granted a title and the public protection of Clan Song. Our own Awakened would be stationed there to help cultivate the Citadel and your own power. You would also be given the opportunity to create your own Legacy Clan, and though you yourself can not receive Memories or Echoes, those of your Clan can receive them for service to Song. Additionally, they can also apply to borrow a Memory so long as it is used in a way that could provide benefits for the Clan."
Once again Gehrman thought this offer was quite reasonable. Though being a Legacy did not appeal to him due to the attention it would draw, the resources both in the Waking World and in the Dream Realm would be near endless so long as he did his job well enough. However, there was an issue with this.
"...I am technically a Government employee. I don't think I can break neutrality and publicly sign with Song."
"This is not an issue," Ki Song interjected. "I will personally ensure that the transition happens peacefully and smoothly. Besides, since your existence is a secret, you would not be tarnishing the Government's neutrality."
This was sound logic. Gehrman couldn't imagine the Government saying "no" to Ki Song. It was obvious the top brass knew of her true Rank, and there was no chance they could outright deny her will.
"The third option…" Seishan paused. A strange look came over her face, and Gehrman took time to analyze it. To his surprise it seemed to be…embaressment? "The third option is to undergo an engagement. Officially making you a part of the Song family, and raising your station to that of royalty. You would receive full support of not only the clan, but Ki Song herself. The corpses of Great Nightmare Creatures will be offered to you, enhancing your strength many times over. Of course, you would also receive all previously listed benefits. You would have your own territory, if you wish, but you would also be mainly stationed in the Jade Palace. In return, you would be the first Prince of Song, and inherent an Attribute that would also drastically increase your powers. All of the Clan's resources will be at your disposal, and direct aid in conquering the 3rd Nightmare will be provided."
That was a lot. Gehrman was well and truly shocked. Throughout the entire meeting he had kept his composure. He had refrained from Blood for two days in anticipation for this meeting in order to be as unshakable as possible…but it was impossible for such an offer to not get a rise out of him. Especially because of the one thing Seishan glossed over.
"I would undergo an engagement?" Gehrman asked slowly. "As in…marriage?" He was incredulous at the prospect. Even more so because if he would become a Prince through this marriage, then that meant that he would be marrying a Princess.
No fucking way. They wouldn't go that far.
Seishan's grey face and inhumanly enchanting features portrayed more embarrassment. And then she blushed. She fucking blushed. The perfectly poised Princess blushed.
"It has been agreed upon by all parties that Seishan is the most fitting candidate," Ki Song said with a voice that was entirely too nonchalant for this matter. "Marriage into Clans is common practice. Of course, since it's my daughter I got her approval first. Though it is unprecedented, we hope this gesture helps you understand how serious we are in forming a connection with you."
Gehrman was gobsmacked. It was the most absurd feeling he ever felt. A mix of incredulity and supreme embarrassment.
It didn't help that after he realized what was happening his heart beat accelerated several times over. This was terribly unfortunate since he was almost certain that everyone in the room heard it with their impossibly enhanced senses.
"I…you know I am a hundred years old, right? And even if you don't believe that, this body is not even 16. It's rather…unorthdox for an engagement between a young lady and a teenager or senior to occur. In fact it's…"
Gehrman wanted to say simply 'this is a crime' but Ki Song raised an eyebrow and he fell silent.
He looked at Seishan out of the corner of his eye. She did not meet his gaze, and was instead hunched over slightly.
The rest of the sisters had a mix of discomfort, amusement, and excitement. They were obviously not keen on the idea of this outsider marrying their sister, but it almost seemed like the very idea of a marriage made them excited. Or perhaps they were simply enjoying the sight of their composed sister breaking down over something like a marriage.
The real problem was that it didn't appear to be a melt down over disgust and abhorrent dismissal.
"Producing an heir can wait until your body is 18. I understand your concerns but it is a simple matter to manipulate your age to be the same as Seisahn's. No concerns will be raised in that regard."
Producing an heir!?
Gehrman was certain that his heart was pounding so loudly that even someone without superhuman hearing would be deafened by it.
He put his face in his hands, trying to hide the excitement that coursed through his accursed teenage body.
Are they trying to manipulate me because my body is still that of an excitable teenager? That's a terribly insidious plan…that is working pretty damn well.
Ultimately Gehrman reminded himself that this was not only a foolish plan for him, but also almost certainly an act by Seishan.
There was no possible way that she was attracted, or in any way favored him. The only reason she ever talked to him was because of his skill. She was likely covering up her disgust with practicing acting.
His face was scrunched, and he couldn't help but leak a tiny bit of Anguish to try and calm himself. The horrific pain was sobering, but he limited it as much as possible in order to not affect anyone else in the room.
However, it still appeared that they felt a jolt of the Madness. Fortunately, it was short enough that they seemed to dismiss it.
Though he still was entirely unsettled, he realized that he was in no position to make a decision.
"If it's alright with you, I'd like some time to deliberate on this," Gehrman said slowly and steadily.
Ki Song did not seem pleased by this decision, but she ultimately allowed it.
"Of course, Seishan will show you to a room you can stay in."