The Purple Lake in the Sky

"Ah, sweet child of Kos, returned to the ocean. A bottomless curse, a bottomless sea. Accepting of all that there is, and can be." - Fishing Hamlet Priest, Bloodborne

"Live." These words echoed throughout Cane's limp, lifeless body. He opened his eyes, but he was incapable of moving his blood-soaked limbs. "LIVE!" That same ethereal voice screamed throughout his body, commanding it to move like it was the will of a god. His arms jolted up, and he finally lifted himself up off the ground. 

He looked around and saw nothing but the corpses of men who he could not remember killing. He was knocked out cold in a mausoleum, and his thoughts were unclear. Most of his ammo was dried up too. He looted the corpses, and scavenged three dog tags. 

"They're Venators." Cane thought. "Where do I know them from?"

He picked up another dog tag from the third, and final corpse because he could sell them for a small fortune. Cane often chased bounties, and to him it appeared as if three lucky lottery tickets marched right onto his doorstep.

The scent of gunpowder still lingered in the air, and slash marks were still visible on the walls. Cane made his way to the mausoleum's exit before stepping on the broken hilt of a crimson katana. 

Upon exiting Cane was nearly blinded by the ethereal beauty of the purple lake in the sky. The waves swirled and crashed into each other as crystal whales breach the surface. Patterns like that of a galaxy could be seen swirling under the water. Cane inhaled as the air of the calming atmosphere soothed him. 

It smells like the beach, he thought.

Cane whispered under his breath, "The lake's stars are shining brighter than ever this morning." The lake was usually obscured by fog.

He looked around and spotted a hunchbacked hermit treading along a beaten path, and whispering some mad ravings to himself. Cane approached him via a gravel trail, and noticed a sign that was unreadable. Cane scoffed, and approached the hermit. 

"Oh Duke, almighty Duke, why have you forsaken your kingdom." The hermit whispered.

Cane raised a brow, and tapped on the hermit's shoulder. However, he received no response. He angrily pushed the hermit aside, and caught a glimpse of his face. There was nothing there. Nothing but a contour. The hermit's purple cloak fell to the ground, and suddenly Cane felt piercing glares of a thousand eyes stab him like daggers from all directions. It lasted for a fraction of a second, but Cane fell on his knees breathless. Maggots suddenly littered the ground around him.

"What the hell was that?" Cane thought. He grabbed his chest to breathe easier. 

He turned around, and that same sign from earlier was now easily readable. 

El Dorado

3 miles ahead

Cane grinned. He remembered that town. It was the largest town in Crookham, but you had to be vigilant at all times. Bandits ravaged the outposts like feral dogs looking for an easy snack. But in this case, the snack was you, and all the money you possessed. However, an even worse fate met those with bounties stuck to their names. 

As Cane marched forward, closing the distance between him and the town, he noticed a caravan rapidly approaching him. It was wooden, and looked like one small tap would make it fall over and crumble into pieces. He could hear the howling of bandit's, and he knew it was trouble. The bandits approached him, and came to a screeching halt. Cane could hear them rummaging, and sure enough, four bandits popped out, one by one.

Cane put his hand on his holster, making sure to click the hammer of his carbon fiber revolver. Suddenly, a wave of clarity hit him, and he started recalling why he fought those Venators.

"So I was successful in finding it?" Cane murmured to himself.

The bandits were confused, but confident. They approached him slowly, and the leader, who wore a black bandana shouted at him. 

"Cane Hurst, that's quite the name." he said, "You do realize there's ten thousand dollars on your head right?" 

The bandits started cackling. 

Cane didn't respond. A slight smile graced his face.

He grabbed the brim of his hat, and whispered to himself, "They don't even stand a chance."

Immediately, the leader screamed, and all four bandits drew their pistols.

Before they could even react, Cane cleanly shot three of them in the head, killing them instantly. He didn't even flinch. The fourth one barely survived being shot in the neck. He fell backwards, and blood gushed out of his wound.

The bandit cried out in pain, "How? That was too fast. You're inhuman."

Cane slowly ushered towards him. Each step felt like he was shaking the ground.

"Don't be foolish enough to think you can win against those who are blessed by god." Cane replied.

The bandit choked on his blood, and Cane aimed straight at his head, quickly finishing him off. Despite only using one, smoke exited the barrels of both of his guns. With no bullets remaining, Cane holstered the gun in his hand, and then marched on towards El Dorado.