Gehrman's communicator was quite unique. It was not outfitted with search functions, maps, or any applications. The only thing it did was set alarms and send and receive messages. And only those who he specifically allowed to could contact him through this.
The list of such people was very short.
Cor, was an obvious addition as he was Gehrman's contact with the Government and the one who gave him the device.
Caster, as the second in command of the New Workshop could contact him at any time.
Oskar and the other District Bosses also were on the list for the simple matter that he requested they reach out to him on any pressing questions regarding the running of the New Workshop.
Seishan was his fiance so it would be odd if he didn't have her contact.
But he also included everyone else who was at that meeting two weeks ago: Morgan, Madoc, Aether, Knossos…and Eubin.
It was still weird to say her actual name.
And finally there was Sunny.
He had lived in his house and was rather close with the young man, after all.
And it was through this communicator that the young man told him of his return. All he wrote was: "I'm back. We all survived."
Though it was curt, it did much to alleviate the stress that Gehrman had been under.
Gehrman looked up from the communicator. His features reverted to his true form, showing none of the ugliness of The Red Judge.
No one was around to see it of course, but those closest to him–Oskar and Caster–started to notice something was off with him.
And indeed something was wrong.
He mulled it over as he sat beside Milo in the Aspirant Encampment below the New Workshop.
Looking at the boy's soft features he wondered what he was experiencing in his trial…and also why he was so affected by it.
For all intents and purposes their relationship had been a short one. Barely a year and a half. And even then it wasn't like he had lived with him or shared many experiences.
And yet, he had adopted him, feeling a strong sense of protectiveness over the boy.
What was odd was despite Gehrman's age, the adoption still felt a bit awkward, he felt that Milo was more of a younger brother to him than a son.
And it was this feeling that led him to the conclusion that (like many unexplainable things) it was Dorian's past that was influencing him.
Though Gehrman loathed to think about those days, he couldn't deny that those horrors had indeed happened to him…and they had happened to Milo too.
In the end, it was really that simple.
Gehrman took a long sigh and moved to stand, he was still unreasonably busy, and he couldn't spare much time to sit besides Milo like this.
But just as he moved, the boy twitched.
Gehrman froze in his tracks and shut his eyes tight as he could feel the boy's soul undergoing a change…
Then he let out a shaky breath as the change shifted into one of light and fire.
Somehow, at age 12, Milo had survived the First Nightmare.
Gehrman dismissed his hat and coat so he was wearing only the simplest clothes. His arms covered with fresh scars from the constant Gate Crises were laid bare and he walked over beside Milo, unsure of what to do.
As the boy's eyes flitted open, Gehrman did his best to keep his composure at the stark new change.
It appeared his body underwent a change after unlocking his Dormant Ability, much like Seishan's turned her skin into an odd grey. But this transformation was both much more subtle and remarkable.
Instead of his skin changing, it appeared his eyes had.
But instead of a mere ring around his pupils like Gehrman had, it appeared his entire iris had transformed.
What used to be a warm brown was now a swirl of colors. Reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and purples mixed and swirled continuously.
Even as his pupils focused on Gehrman's form and he greeted him with a warm smile, the colors did not stop circulating.
With a shaking hand, Gehrman reached out and gently patted Milo on the shoulder. The boy's apathetic expression cracked for the first time that Gehrman had ever seen. Wordlessly, he started to cry.
His tears fell like drops of colored water, murky and mixed.
"It's okay, its…"
'It's over' was what he wanted to say. But that would be a lie. Soon, Milo would be thrust into the Dream Realm and left to fend for himself.
Gehrman's jaw tightened.
Now that Milo was safe, he knew he had to work fast to keep things that way.
…
For whatever reason, despite multiple pleading moments Gehrman was unable to pry out information about Milo's Aspect out of him. It wasn't a matter of breach in trust. It really did seem like he wanted to tell him, even acting out certain things that made no sense to Gehrman.
But in the end he did not write nor say a single word.
At a loss, Gehrman decided he might as well go through with what he had planned in the first place: inviting his old friends over for dinner.
It had been a long time since he had seen them, and he also wanted to show off his progress.
…Not to mention that Cassie would be able to read most of Milo's Runes.
He sent out a message, and soon received a response from Sunny. It seemed that they had already met up a bit, but there was still much more to discuss.
Though the shadow seemed a bit hesitant on returning to the Outskirts, he must gleaned that this was a matter of importance.
And so, in a matter of days they met.
…
The New Workshop had several restaurants. As it turned out, it was the dream of many "Outskirt Rats" to own and run a restaurant. To cook food for others and make them happy. Perhaps this was because they were so used to synthetic paste that provided the bare minimum of nutrients, the idea of flavor delighted them.
And for Gehrman (whose pallet had mostly consisted of bland Yharnam foods) this was something he was more than willing to let spread.
Though his skills as a chef were admittedly minimal, he had no problem finding professionals who were willing to teach…but this was probably because of the exorbitant funds he offered them.
This was Gehrman and Milo came to be sitting at an completely empty, oddly styled restaurant that was a fusion between Gehrman's own style and the more rustic aesthetic of the Outskirts.
Though Gehrman provided the outline of each building, quickly constructing and fortifying each of them while also adding them to the network of sewers, each "owner" would have the freedom to do as they pleased with the place.
Apparently, many businesses did their best to replicate the style that was prevalent throughout the main center of the New Workshop. The prevailing look was inspired by something in this world's history called: Gothic Revival architecture.
Gehrman wasn't too invested in this, but it was interesting to see the results.
The lighting of this place was filled with hanging lamps and the walls that were decorated with simple but beautiful designs. The color palette was filled with familiar greys and browns, and even the furniture had some similar embellishments.
However, if one looked closer they would see that everything here was cheap and synthetic, it was simply disguised as something one might find inside NSCQ.
All such businesses relied largely on investments from District Bosses. Though Gehrman kept making shells of buildings, providing clean water, and livable homes all for free, it was still way out of reach for the vast majority of people to create such a place.
Food was free for a month, during which time they would be able to save up an emergency sum. But this wasn't a charity.
It was with some regret that Gehrman realized the most powerful tool for the people of the Outskirts was desperation. If he did not keep it alive then he was weakening his future Hunters.
It was cruel and macabre.
But such was the world they lived in.
…At the very least, that was how Gehrman rationalized it in his head.
And seeing places like this made it much easier to live with himself. Each person working here was beyond themselves with gratitude and reverence, though they still greeted him with a bit of apprehension. Especially when they saw his rather grotesque features.
Gehrman glanced at the boy to his right, noting that his neutral expression had returned. Indeed even the return of the "Red Judge" mask failed to make him emote at all.
At that moment, a dull bell echoed signaling the arrival of some more guests.
They had come as a group.
Kai was the first to enter, somehow, the angelic man had grown even more stunning. Of course becoming a Master meant another increase in beauty, but it still felt unfair for this man to be granted the same boon.
Cassie followed, walking mildly but confidently. There was no indication of her blindness, and in fact her every step was made with more confidence than the average person. Despite her Flaw, she appeared to have become more aware of the world than even most Awakened.
Effie towered over both of them. The formerly wheel-chair bound lady now had the same build and abilities as her Dream Realm counterpart did. It appeared she was still giddy about it, as her smirk was tinged with a child-like excitement.
And finally there was Sunny.
Gehrman blinked at the four Shadow Cores he now possessed. It appeared he had gotten up to some stuff in his Second Nightmare. For all intents and purposes Gehrman's own 7 cores being formed was not exactly fair. The stunt at the end of his own 2nd Nightmare held an impossible uniqueness. And even then he had slaughtered thousands upon thousands of Nightmare Creatures to reach this point.
For Sunny to have reached the point he was at, he must have truly slaughtered a great number of fiends.
What was even more impressive than this new power was his presence. Though still mute, Gehrman swore he could feel the shadows in the room react to his entrance. It appeared in Ascending, he was now more in tune with natural shadows.
You know, it's been a while since I've seen them fight. I wonder how strong they've truly gotten.
This contemplation was interrupted by Effie's loud voice.
"Dude, what the hell happened to your face?"
"It's my business attire," Gehrman replied mildly. It was nice to know that despite experiencing whatever traumas their 2nd Nightmare had for them, they appeared to still be their old selves.
"Please, make yourselves at home."
They all did so, but Sunny's steps felt more hesitant. He was looking around with knitted brows. If he had something on his mind though, he didn't share it.
"Congratulations on returning," Gehrman said. "Before we go further I believe introductions are in order," as he said this, his gaze shifted to the side.
Indeed it would have been very odd for this random child to be ignored.
Kai was the first to greet Milo, speaking warmly. Effie followed, then Sunny, and finally, and oddly hesitant Cassie.
Of course, there was a reason for this. And that reason was why he had been so urgent with this meeting. Not only could Cassie read Fate and receive visions, her ability to read the Runes of others appeared to also be enhanced.
The others glanced at her inquisitively, only Sunny seemed to have an inkling of what was going on.
After waiting for a bit, Milo made no move to respond to them. Gehrman produced a pen and paper from his coat and laid it out before the boy.
Milo shivered, but he still remained otherwise motionless.
The air became decidedly awkward.
"This is Milo, he's something of a protegee. As long as I've met him he's been mute. But before his 1st Nightmare he would write out messages to communicate…" Gehrman paused. "This is no longer the case."
"Hold up, this kid got infected? And he survived the First Nightmare?" Effie asked incredulously. "That's seriously impressive stuff, little guy," she turned and praised Milo with an earnest smile.
Gehrman gave the kid a side eye. It appeared his eyes had been closed ever since they entered, keeping his newly colorful eyes hidden.
"So you think it has something to do with his Flaw," Sunny asked. Though his voice was impassive, there was an unknown emotion lacing his words.
Instead of responding, Gehrman simply turned to Cassie.
"If it's unrelated, I'd appreciate it if you kept silent," Gehrman said solemnly.
Uncharacteristically, the composed seer appeared a bit shaken. His heart sank as a feeling of unease built within him.
Cassie looked around the empty restaurant. She was clearly fearful that anyone might be listening. But with a shake of his head, Gehrman confirmed that even the employees were unable to see or hear their conversation.
With a low voice she spoke.
"It's…he is not able to communicate," she said with a grim voice. "Based on the runes used, it means no speaking, writing, or organized movement patterns such as sign language."
Gehrman returned his gaze to Milo. The young boy who had been hidden away from society, from the world itself. He was subjected to the most abhorrent things imaginable, had his voice taken from him…and now it was truly gone forever.
A well of unbridled rage swept through Gehrman like a beast's claw. The rings in his eyes multiplied for only a second, but in that moment everyone at the table felt the painful screeches of Frenzy assault them.
For the first time, Milo moved. But he, like the others, cringed in discomfort and surprise.
Gehrman immediately collected himself and let out a shaky breath.
He had imagined this outcome, prepared for it.
But it wasn't enough.
"I'm sorry about that," Gehrman said with a pained voice. But despite speaking to everyone, his eyes were locked onto Milo.
The young boy's eyes had been opened by the shock of Frenzy, and he now turned to face his benefactor.
The corners of his eyes became moist and Gehrman's head pounded in return.
If the others were surprised by the strength of the reaction they made no comment about it. They knew enough from this interaction to realize that Milo was not a mere protegee, and they shared something deeper than such a surface-level relationship.
After a beat of silence, a communication occurred between them that could not be restrained or recognized by the boy's brutal Flaw.
It was a recognition.
With a slight pat, Gehrman managed to pull himself back to the others.
"Sorry," he said again.
Each of their eyes held understanding…but Cassie's still held more.
Gehrman's eyebrows knitted.
"What is it?"
With a bit of disbelief in her voice she responded.
"His Aspect…its of the Sacred Rank