Shining Nikki - Designer's Reflection Memory- Elias: Torn by Moon
We both know what I bring is not salvation. It is an end.
with ♡ to: @eggsnatcheskneecaps for the screenshots
ellipsus link + full transcript
1. The Hunt
Night hags heavy over the forest. Rain pours down, and the darkness between the trees feels thick enough to touch. Clouds cover the sky, blocking out every trace of moonlight. Heavy mist sinks into the night, and the rain washes away every voice and every footprint.
Even so, I catch the faint smell of blood in the air. Something sinful is still hiding in the dark, waiting to be cleansed.
I raise my right arm slightly, and the silver dagger flashes at the edge of my vision. Rain keeps falling, cold drops sliding from my hair down my face.
Blood falls with them, pouring from my prey's neck into the mud.
The pale Bloodborne woman lies on the ground, gasping. She presses a hand to her neck and drags herself toward the bushes, still trying to escape from me. She looks back in panic, her blood-red eyes narrowing in fear. My reflection fills her gaze as I step closer, like a shadow of death.
We both know what I bring is not salvation. It is an end.
Female Bloodborne: No, no… What did I do? Why do you have to kill me? Aren't you Bloodborne too? We're the same!
Elias: We are not the same. She gave me a new life.
I place my hand over my chest and feel the heartbeat that still seems unfamiliar. It is her final blessing to me. Estelle, my only star…
I come back to myself, and my eyes turn cold again as I look at the Bloodborne woman.
Elias: Even when I was Bloodborne, I was never a slave to blood or killing.
The woman laughs like I've told the funniest joke she has ever heard. Blood bubbles from her torn throat, mixed with a rough, wheezing sound.
Female Bloodborne: Right, right… you're not a slave to blood. You're Estelle's dog. You master died, so now you're biting everything in sight!
Rage erupts in my chest and surges through my veins, flooding every part of me.
Elias: You don't deserve to say Estelle's name. You're a sin she left behind, dirt that should have covered her grave long ago. Once you're gone, she can finally rest.
I step forward and pin her tangled hair under my boot. Her breathing weakens, and she lies helpless in the cold, bloody mud, waiting for my final judgement.
Female Bloodborne: Sin? I'm a sin…? But I… I was human once too…
She struggles to life her head and reaches a pale arm toward me.
Female Bloodborne: If you're here to judge sin, then where were you when I was tricked? When I was turned into this thing that can't even live in the light?
I stop. For a moment, the rain blends with the cold rain from a thousand years ago. Back then, I was covered in mud too, reaching for Estelle with my last hope.
Estelle had also been deceived by the god she once trusted. She was falling into darkness, and there was no saving her from it…
I don't know how long I stand there. Something in me changes. I put away the dagger, kneel down, and reach for her wound.
Swish…
Blood sprays out. Her fangs sink deep into my arm. My fresh blood revives her failing body, giving her a sudden burst of inhuman strength and speed.
This human body can't withstand a Bloodborne attack. I'm knocked to the ground. By the time I get back up, clutching my arm, she's already fleeing like a ghost.
2. Old Dwelling
Hoooonk—
A long ship whistle sounds. Green-blue waves roll past the ship, the mist has cleared, and the wide lake opens before me. The familiar dock comes into view. I stand on the deck with my eyes half-closed, feeling bits of sunlight warm on my skin. A damp breeze passes by, carrying the faint scent of roses.
Stylist: Isn't this Estelle Town? Elias, why are you back so suddenly? Aren't you hunting the Bloodborne anymore?
Elias: Of course I'll keep hunting them. But… I missed Estelle.
The truth is, I miss her every moment. Estelle is gone, yet somehow I feel closer to her than ever.
She is always with me, in memories that never fade, in every breath I take, and deep inside this beating heart.
Last night, one moment of hesitation cost me my prey. It also stirred up everything I had buried, and the balance I'd been holding together finally broke. I'll catch the one who tricked me. But until then, I couldn't stop myself from coming back to Estelle town, to the home where I spent a thousand years with her.
Estelle town has changed since I left. The mist that once covered it all year is gone, and the great field of roses are blooming in the sun. In the sunlight, the town feels a bit unfamiliar. The streets are crowded, vendors sell rose goods everywhere, and tourists smile as they breathe in the scent.
I blend in with the tourists and draw no attention as I quietly return to the old mansion where Estelle and I once lived.
The moment I step inside, I frown. I left this house in perfect order, but now it's a mess. Drawers have been ripped open, and books and papers are everywhere.
Stylist: Who did this?
Elias: I catch the lingering scent of Bloodborne.
I draw my silver dagger, hold my breath, and move silently deeper into mansion, searching for the Bloodborne bold enough to break in.
But I find nothing. They're already gone. I check the house room by room and finally realize the rose oil painting I brought back is missing.
A little blood remains on the wall where the painting used to hang. I wipe it with my fingers, bring them to my nose, and breathe in.
Elias: You dared defile Estelle's home. I'll make you regret it. Deeply.
I look up. In the silver mirror, my face is cold and vicious, more like a demon from hell than any true Bloodborne.
3. Reverie
Estelle: Elias, wake up.
My mind is still clouded, and my eyelids feel heavy as lead. I'm sinking back into the dark dream, but that voice pierces through it and wakes me instantly.
My eyes snap open. Estelle stands beneath the stained-glass window, smiling at me. Rose petals fall over her golden curls, and they seem to pale beside her. I'm not too surprised. I simply go to her, as I have a thousand times before, kneel at her feet, and look up into her eyes with devotion.
Elias: You've come to my dream again.
Stylist: Wait, something's wrong. Weren't you looking for the thieves who stole the rose painting? Where are you now? Are you sure this is a dream?
Elias: If it isn't a dream, how could she be here? I've seen this moment countless times since she left…
I take her hand and press a kiss to the back of it. Her skin is cool, yet alive with a soft resilience and the touch sends a sudden surge through my chest.
Estelle: What's wrong, Elias?
She smiles and places a rose in my hand. I close my fingers around it, and the thorns sting sharply. It feels far too real to be like my old dream.
Doubt, hope, disbelief… Then joy crashes in and washes everything else away.
Elias: Estelle… it's you. You came back. You finally came back.
Reason has told me again and again that Estelle is gone, and that I must live on with her hopes and blessings. But deep down, I've always waited for a miracle.
Now that secret wish has come true. I push away the last trace of doubt and let myself fall into it.
Estelle: Elias, plant more roses by the windows. Put up velvet curtains to block that awful sunlight so I can sit by the window, drink tea, and enjoy the flowers.
Elias: Yes, Estelle. My master. I'll give you anything you want.
Without hesitation, I carry out every request, exactly as she asks. It feels as if those beautiful days have returned. I tend to the mansion and arrange everything to her liking. When she smiles at me, pleased, I paint her beautiful face.
I hang her portrait in the center of the wall. Blood-red moonlight falls through the stained glass. Estelle sits in the crimson glow, gently stroking my hair.
Estelle: You must be tired, Elias.
Elias: No. Not when it's for you. If it means granting your wish, I'd do anything gladly.
I rest against her, feeling her fingers glide softly through my hair. If this is a dream, I never want to wake up.
Elias: I helped rebuild Estelle Town. It is thriving now, famous for its roses. I made sure it would never bring shame to your name.
I'm still doing my best to hunt the Bloodborne. As you wished, I'll wipe them out and end the evil the false god spread through you. But lately, I've had one small doubt. If some Bloodborne were deceived, as you once were, and fell into darkness that way, what should I do with them?
Estelle, will you guide me? What should I do to truly erase those sins?
I look up at Estelle, full of hope. She always saw through my doubts and gave me the guidance and strength I needed.
But this time, her eyes are cold enough to cut.
Estelle: Did I ask you to do any of that?
Elias: Estelle, I…
Estelle: Everything you've done is nothing but foolish, one-sided devotion! Useless! It only deepens my sins!
Estelle shoves me away without mercy. she looks down at me once, cold and distant, then turns and walks away.
I can't stop shaking. My worst fear has come true. Everything I did was useless. Worse than that, it became a burden to her!
Elias: No… no. I never wanted to hurt you. Estelle… Estelle…
I stumble after her, trying to apologize, trying to beg for forgiveness. But the hallways keeps stretching under my feet, and I can never catch up with her.
Under the blood-red moonlight, Estelle walks farther and farther away down the endless hall. Then her body suddenly stiffens, and she collapses!
I rush forward to catch her, only to find there is no Estelle in my arms. There is only a cold wooden puppet, stiff and wrapped in red thread.
I look up and see another Estelle far down the hall. She turns back to me, her eyes fall of mockery. I run toward her again. The red threads snap, and another empty puppet drops limply in front of me.
Again. Someone is using the person I treasure most to toy with me!
Rage burns through my reason. I lunge at the next puppet that appears and clamp my hand around its throat.
The puppet goes still in my grip, but it isn't afraid. Its eyes are bright with excitement, as if my anger only makes the joke funnier. Before it goes completely limp, I stare into its eyes, trying to see the person controlling it from behind the scenes.
Elias: I knew you weren't Estelle. How dare you desecrate her name…!
No matter where you hide, I'll find you. You will pay for this!
4. Afterdream
After that, I reunite with Nikki and the others. Finally, we meet Chi Wan, the one behind it all, the one manipulating everyone's dreams and fears.
She tries the same trick again, attempting to control us and play with us. But she underestimates my anger. I break free and press my dagger to her throat.
I almost kill her right there. Then I realize death wouldn't punish Chi Wan at all.
With the blade to her throat, Chi Wan shows no fear. Instead, she giggles.
Chi Wan: Interesting. You're much more fun than before… Are you going to kill me?
She almost looks eager for it, as if she wants me to strike. Her eyes shine with the same excitement I saw in the puppet.
Elias: Is that what you want? Well… I'm not giving it to you.
If death is a reward to her, then she should stay alive and suffer until she finally has a taste of regret and fear.
In the end, I fail to catch her in the Devotion Tower. But Nikki, that unusual girl, seems to notice something in Chi Wan's twisted behavior.
Good. Even the cleverest prey has a weak point. As a former Bloodborne who has lived for a thousand years, I have plenty of patience and time.
When the farce is over, I say goodbye to Nikki and the others, then return to the journey that was interrupted.
Stylist: Where are you going?
Elias: First, I'm going after that wounded prey still running loose.
The same dense forest is still covered in gloomy mist. Deep inside, trees and fog hide a small, lonely house that seems to be keeping a secret.
Behind the house, a hooded woman in a long robe is still working in a small vegetable patch, hoeing the soil with her head down.
I approach without a sound and grab the handle of her hoe.
The Bloodborne woman shudders. Then she realizes who I am and turns back to me in despair.
Female Bloodborne: I was never going to get away, was I?
Elias: Start with what happened after you escaped that night. Why did you steal the painting?
Female Bloodborne: I was only trying to survive. I ran to Cloud, stumbled into Devotion Tower, and that demon caught me. She forced me to steal the painting! I meant no offense! She's terrifying. Really terrifying… One look from her, and she sees every secret you have. She knows everything. Everything.
The woman looks even paler than before. At the mention of Chi Wan, fear and pain flood her eyes, and her whole body starts trembling.
Female Bloodborne: After escaping her, I was ready to accept whatever came next. I'd rather die by your hand than live every day wondering when she'll find me again.
I let go and look down at the soil and the fresh seeds scattered in the furrows. They really are just ordinary plants.
By the fence, tender sprouts have already broken through the soil, reaching toward the thin sunlight.
For a moment, I remember the first time the rose saplings at the manor bloomed.
Morning dew trembled on the deep red petals. When I carefully offered the flower to Estelle, she smiled.
Elias: You better behave. I'll be back for you.
I leave her with those words and turn away.
Stylist: You're letting her go?
Elias: Maybe I need to rethink what "sin" really means. Besides, Chi Wan and I still aren't finished.
I step out of the misty forest and lift my head into the warm dawn, looking toward distant Cloud.
Did I lose track of time and accidentally grind for gems for 5 hours? Yes. Did I get 10 pulls and actually get lucky? Yes. Am I one piece away from finishing the White Night’s Ballet set at only 110 pulls? Also yes.
ICMYI: You can purchase 【Itzaland Volume 4】 furniture collection from Posy. Definitely recommend buying this before exploring Heaven's Reach. So you can unlock furnitures along the way. 😊
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