Chapter 52: Episode 49

Disclaimer: I don't own Nasuverse or any other franchise that can be found in this fanfiction.

Words Count: 5614

A/N: … I blame the delay entirely on Legacies and the character Hope Mikaelson, who has now become my newest crush.

Here's my usual spiel:

You can read about 20 Episodes in advanced:

p a tr e on . com (/) LiamThePoor

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The Owl flapped her wings, keeping to the sky as she watched Novigrad burnt and froze.

She hadn’t expected this, she hadn’t expected this at all.

Someone had summoned the Wild Hunt here, she could feel the Mana in the air still.

It was thick with a distortion effect affecting even Space and Time.

Space and Time…

A Child of the Elder Blood must have been in the city, hidden until he or she slipped, allowing the Riders to locate their position!

The Owl dove near the port, that’s where her enemy, the same who blinded her eyes was last seen.

‘Radovid, I’m coming for you.’ The Owl thought vehemently, her animalistic features twisted wrathfully and uncharacteristically human.

With another flap of her wings, she swooped down, her destination? Novigrad’s ports.

—— [Fate: DML] ——

I exited the Castle under the fearful and confused gazes of the Elven Guards, a few Riders had returned as well, but without orders from their General– Imlerith, or their King– Eredin, they did not dare to attack me.

“Your King’s been killed by me in a fair duel! The Red Riders broken and scattered… Let this be both a warning and an example for those who wish to hunt down the Children of the Elder Blood. You’ll die, I’ll kill every last one of you if I must!” I shouted, Invictus’ [Phantom Edge] trembling and dancing with anticipation, almost as though it couldn’t wait to taste the blood of Elves.

“The White Frost will be stopped, but if you continue to pursue Ciri and I, I’ll be more than willing to let your entire planet be consumed by it!” I looked at the Elves, fixing an indifferent look on my face. It was as if I was talking about the weather, and not letting an entire species be wiped from existence. “Alright, that’s all. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must return. I’ve not defiled or disturbed your King’s corpse… Take it and give him the funeral he deserves.”

I stepped just outside the Ward’s boundary, before disappearing in a burst of cyan particles and light.

It felt nice to feel the connection between myself and the Elder Blood again. It was like a reassuring friend, always there, always protective of me, and I couldn’t be more thankful for it, despite knowing very well that its real aim laid solely with the survival, propagate and reproduction of itself, just like every other animal and species.

If I were to hazard a guess, the Elder Blood was a sort of symbiotic virus that attached itself to a host and rewrote his/her DNA Sequence. That’s how I and even Lara Dorren– Ciri’s, and I supposed my Ancestor(?), was able to bond to it so well. It started out as a non-infectious parasite, yet as time went on, it gradually integrated itself into her DNA, becoming a hereditary Trait capable of being passed on to her descendants.

Of course, as with all genetic traits, it could become dormant, preserved in the DNA, only to resurface generations later through a process called ‘atavism’ by scientists.

It’s how many half-bloods of Phantasm Species, such as the Oni of Tsukihime and Demigods similar to the Fraga were able to exist past the aptly named ‘Age Of Recession’, wherein Gaia, and by extension, Magecraft began to weaken further and further until it reached its current miserable state. But, enough technical speak, there’s a burning city to attend to, and remaining Riders and Redanian Soldiers to mop up.

‘Or maybe…’ I could simply leave and never turn back? Nah, I should clean those guys up. The more casualties they took, the less likely they would be to investigate the matter or/and go after me. I wasn’t afraid of the Riders, I was even less afraid of the Redanians, but having them constantly on my tail did not sound pleasant. With that in mind, I shot towards the Hierarch Square.

Imlerith should be there…

While Eredin’s death might deter others from having bad intentions, Imlerith was one stubborn sonuvabitch. He would not rest if he knew I had assassinated Eredin while he was away. Thus, with a jump, the building beneath me crumbled as I flew upwards. From there, I caught sight of the Square and Imlerith, who was still leisurely sharpening his blade. Idiot didn’t even know the King he served had died.

Oh-well, I guessed I should send him to Eredin as a parting-gift. I maneuvered, palm slapping the air as [Mana Burst] erupted from my hands and feet, sending me plummeting towards the group. “DYNAMIC–”

Imlerith looked up just as my fist neared his head, [Reinforcement] coursing through my skin and muscles. “– ENTRY!”

None was able to react as I smashed Imlerith to chunky bits and pieces, while the shockwave from the impact when I collided with the ground sent sharp fragments flying everywhere. Those who were close died instantly, crushed by the explosion. Those who were far enough to survive perished soon after as fragments shot straight at them. The unlucky few who didn’t die were miserably attempting to crawl to safety, but let’s be honest, with how severe their wounds were, and how profusely they were bleeding…

They definitely weren’t going homes to their families today.

I slowly got up, patting dust from my outfit when I noticed something, or rather, someone.

“Oh? What’s that? A little Owl…”

I grinned, noticing the white Owl scouring and circling above. It seemed to be looking, searching and as our gazes met, the Owl tensed, attempting to turn back where it came.

But, it was too late. I wasn’t willing to let her escape, she was a powerful Sorceress, one on pair with the likes of Yennefer and Triss, her magical knowledge would be… Indisputably useful. Beside, she would make for a good pet, maybe I could pretend she was a normal owl if– When I visited the Wand-Wielders’ Earth. “Where do you think you’re going, Sorceress? Or do you prefer Philippa Eilhart…?”

The Sorceress, startled, nearly strayed from her path and head-butted a burning building. Then, she immediately made to flee, but stuck in the avian form as she was, Philippa was helpless as I blinked next to her, gently catching her by the neck. What? I said I was gentle! “Stop struggling, I wish to propose a transaction. I’ll help you get those nasty-looking Dimeritium cuffs off your legs, and in return, I want you to teach me a Spell or two.”

I smiled as she stared at me… Owlishly! “Simple, right? Blink thrice if you agree, and twice if you do not.”

Philippa blinked once…

Then twice…

Then thrice…

“Perfect.” I paused just as the cuffs were close to being unlatched. Philippa Eilhart was, for a lack of a better term, a conceited bitch. She was nothing like Triss, more like Yennefer but worse in every conceivable way. She created the Lodge of Sorceresses, and it was under her orders that Kings were killed, which spurred Radovid on a murderous path of vengeance. “Just so you understand, if you try to run, I’m going to pluck you clean, feather by feather.”

I spoke casually, my face betrayed no emotion other than detached amusement. “I’ve slain two Kings and a metric ton of people today, I do not mind putting a Sorceress in the mix, so don’t try my patient or you will regret it.”

With that said, I wasted no time ripping the cuffs from her legs, throwing the Sorceress away as her form morphed and transformed from a white owl to a busty older woman, dressed in regal clothes, and whose eyes were covered beneath a thin strip of expensive cloth. Despite her blindness, Philippa landed with a sort of grace I wouldn’t expect her to be capable of. She hadn’t exactly seemed athletic in the Wild Hunt and Assassination of Kings. “Who might you be, young Mage?”

Philippa’s voice was different, it contained a trace amount of pride, arrogance, yet it was silky and smooth, like how one would describe the Devil’s. Unlike Triss, who was relatively young compared to the rest of the Lodge, Philippa was an ancient hag. She might not look like it, but as the fiery Sorceress had said, ‘Appearance can often be deceiving.’

“Leonis Magnum. Artificial Child of the Elder Blood, Slayer of Radovid and Eredin. At your service, Milady.” I bowed flamboyantly, even putting in a little spring to my knees. “That’s not possible, the Elder Blood can not be–”

There was the barest hint of a frown on her face as she protested, only to be hushed as I pressed a finger to her lips. “Don’t be so sure, Ms. Eilhart. Powerful as it is, the Elder Blood is still magic, and as with all Spells and Rituals, it can be replicated. Beside, as long as you have a tried-and-true method, the line between the possible and the impossible can blur very, very quickly.”

“Alright, you have my attention, young Magnum.” I cringed slightly. Magnum just didn’t sound right… “Please, call me Leonis.”

Philippa smirked. “Oh, I don’t think I will. Mr. Magnum sounds perfectly fine to my ears.”

My eyes narrowed as I clicked my tongue and whispered just loud enough for her to hear. “Old witch.”

“It’s not polite to comment on a woman’s age, young Magnum.” I replied back testily. I wasn’t really irritated or angry, but displaying a visible dislike of what she might misconstrue as a potential weakness would throw her off. Philippa had played the role of a manipulator for centuries, and while that gave her plenty of experience in the field, it made her conceited, too self-assured.

It’s why her plans went so horribly in the second installment of the franchise, she had grown complacent, much like the men she claimed to detest.

Yes, Philippa Eilhart was what was best described as, ‘a power-hungry feminazi’.

A bit like the character Carmilla in Netflix Castlevania, both were unrepentant for their actions.

Though, I supposed Philippa’s better in the sense that she was far less unreasonable and diabolical, yet the fact remained that her ambitions had caused the deaths of countless Mages and herbalists, all set on pyres to burn for her crimes. “Politeness is overrated anyway. Beside, it’s also not polite to insist on calling someone something they clearly dislike, but you don’t see me complaining.”

“You’re always very quick, aren’t you Mr. Magnum? Quick on your feet, quick to respond…” Her amusement was swiftly melting by the seconds, I could tell. “In some things, yes. In other things, I like to– Uhmm– Take my time, if you know what I mean.”

The silence was deafening as she stared, and stared, and stared. I didn’t even know it was possible to give someone death-glare without your eyes, but Philippa Eilhart managed to make it work somehow. The Sorceress crossed her arms, her expression showing the slightest hint of a frown. “I’ve got absolutely no idea what you mean.”

I smirked, screaming in excitement internally. ‘This is it, this is my motherfucking moment! Hook, line and sinker, bitch!’

“With an attitude like that–” I shrugged, uncharacteristically polite. “Can’t say I’m surprised.”

Philippa’s lips twitched, blood vessels throbbing angrily on her forehead, yet her face remained expressionless and stoic still. “Enough of this… Bantering, I’m a busy woman, tell me which Spells you wish to learn so I can fulfill my part of the transaction.”

“For starter, let’s start with the Witcher Signs?” I mused. “They integrate well with my fighting style, then we can get start on that handy Ani-Morphing Spell.”

I couldn’t see her eyes through the strip of blindfold, but I could tell she was squinting at me. “The Ani-Morphing Spell, as you called it, is an extremely delicate and precise magic. It requires patient and the sort of time I simply do not have to spare. I can’t teach you, choose another.”

“Can’t, or won’t?” I raised my eyebrows challengingly. I wanted that Spell, I wanted it so badly. Imagine being able to turn into animals! It sounded handy as fuck, especially in situations that required me to flee. Now, I was strong and with the Elder Blood currently coursing in my veins, diluted as it was, but I wasn’t the strongest. Nasuverse full of dangers and creatures that could give me a run for my money…

Beings that regularly took on people like Lorelei, Gil and Gods-fucking-forbid, the True Magicians.

If I could get the Ani-Morph Spell, that’s another card I’d have in my growing arsenal. Even if I lost a fight, I could just turn into an animal to flee, a bird perhaps? “I won’t, choose another.”

Well, that sucked. Should I beat her up until she coughed out the Spell formulae? Was that a viable option? “It’s just a small Spell, it’s not like you’re losing anything teaching it to me. I did help you kill Radovid, did I not?”

Surprisingly, Philippa did not look relieved, if anything, she seemed… Annoyed? Her expression twisting in a grimace. Was it my imagination, or did she seem rather upset at Radovid’s demise? “Should I thank you for robbing me of my chance to take revenge on the bastard who blinded my eyes? Radovid was my enemy, his life was mine to take!”

Philippa looked positively evil as flashes of wrath and indignation marred her features. She didn’t quite shout, but judging from how high-pitched she sounded, it was only her force of habit, her attention to proper decorum and control over her emotions that kept Philippa from literally exploding in rage. Obviously, I wasn’t about to take shits from her of all people. I fixed her fucking mess, and the bitch had the nerves to be upset about it?!

“Does it matter who killed the Mad King? The important thing is he’s gone, and with his death, it won’t be long until the Eternal Flame and the Witch Hunters inevitably collapse, and you, alongside the other Mages can walk free.”

I was genuinely angry, and deeply confused.

Sure, I might have quote-unquote robbed her the satisfaction of being able to plunge knife in her former apprentice’s back– Yes, Philippa was the Court Sorceress responsible for educating Radovid on political and courtly matters– But, as long as he’s dealt with, who the fuck cared?! You might say she felt betrayed, yet that also didn’t make any sense! She was the one to turn on Radovid.

The Redanian King might have been batshit insane, but even I must admit his reason for blinding Philippa was warranted. She betrayed him for power, it’s no wonder he felt like all Sorcerers and Sorceresses were traitorous, untrustworthy bastards.

“Enough! I’m not here to argue with you!” She said sharply, her voice so rigid I could practically feel the coldness seeping into my bones. “Just pick a different Spell so we can get this over with.”

What. A. Total. Bitch! She wasn’t like this when she was begging Ciri to join her little Lodge. ‘Is it because of my gender? It is, isn’t it? I feel so discriminated against.’

“I told you, I want to learn the Ani-Morph Spell, just tell me how to do it and I’ll learn the fucking thing on my own!” She glared and I, not one to be so easily intimidated, glared right back. I had faced the Eredin, Gil and creatures whose existences should never be made known to the common populace, she’s just another Mage at best, albeit a powerful one. “Fine, keep your damned Spell–”

On second thought, “I need a Spell capable of destroying or banishing a Spiritual Entity spanning multiple Vessels. He’s a child-rapist and an unrepentant murderer who’s sacrificing his descendants for eternal youth. I need the Spell to kill him and save a seven years old girl, you’re not gonna disagree, are you?”

I doubted she would have something effective against Zouken, but I might as well. The sooner that worm died, the less I’d have to tolerate Shinji… And I supposed Sakura wouldn’t have to suffer for as long as she did in canon. I was going to kill Kotomine once I got home, so canon was bound to be skewed anyway, no point trying to preserve that shit at the expense of both my and Sakura’s waning sanity.

Seriously, if I had to put up with Shinji for a even minute– No, a second longer, I couldn’t guarantee I wouldn’t risk the Moonlit World’s version of the Statute of Secrecy in order to melt his brain in class. “What are you on about, explain!”

“I have a friend, her name’s Rin Tohsaka, and she has a sister. She’s a Heiress of a prominent Mage House, but due to certain circumstances, her parents couldn’t raise both of them, they decided to give the younger girl in hope she will have a better life. What they didn’t– Couldn’t have known was that the person they entrusted their young daughter to was an abomination of magic.”

You are reading story Fate: Dead Man’s Lament at novel35.com

I paused, mind whirling with thoughts. “His real body has long since perished. He currently exists as a bunch of worm-familiars all clumped together and transformed into the shape of a human. He does so by implanting those very same worms into their bodies, mostly their sexual parts to perform a sort of pseudo tantric ritual and–”

Philippa interrupted coldly, her voice calm yet hiding endless fury. “– And sustaining himself by draining them dry of their magic…”

“That’s correct.” I nodded, face slightly sullen. I wasn’t friend with Sakura, I hadn’t even met her the entire time I was in Fuyuki, and since I didn’t have a reliable method to ensure his death, I had put the matter aside and totally forgot about Sakura due to all the excitement in recent days. I should have asked Triss at least. Better late than never, I supposed.

If I successfully helped Sakura, Rin was sure to owe me one– No! I couldn’t think like that. The tsundere was my friend! She was there for me, I shouldn’t think of taking advantages of her, I knew I shouldn’t and yet… ‘But why?’

A slimy, traitorous thought whispered, ridicule clear in its– My voice. ‘Give and take is the basis of all relationships. It’s only natural that she repays your kindness…’

“Shut. Up!” I growled, gritting my teeth. I did not dare to claim I was a good person, I was better than that, I was! … Right? “Did you say something?”

Philippa questioned and I could only shrug in response. “No, it’s nothing. I’m just upset I haven’t been able to do something for her…”

“Have you got any idea how to kill this monster? You’ve thought of it, surely?” I pressed on my temples. “I have, yes. The first option is to directly destroy his Spirit. It’s the easiest, but also the riskiest. Without the bastard to reign in his worm-familiars, I’m afraid those things will wreck havoc on the city where we live. The second is a Spell that will kill all of his familiars, which will end him as well…”

Philippa looked thoughtful for a moment, then snapped her fingers and opened a portal to what appeared to be a cave. Her cave. No, not like that you dirty-minded bastards. It’s the cave, or rather the ruin she was keeping her stuffs in the Witcher 3. “Very well then. I suppose the Lodge’s revival will have to wait. Follow me, I believe I have something that can deal with the bastard.”

Philippa couldn’t be trusted, yet in spite of my best judgement, I decided it was still worth the dangers, jumping in the portal after her. It’s not like she could keep me anyway, the human Mages, unlike their Elven-counterparts, did not possess many Wards or Bounded Fields capable of trapping a Child of the Elder Blood, artificial or not. I exited the portal to find a dark ruin, Philippa’s Mana flashed and with it, all the torches and candles collectively lit up.

“Make yourself at home, I’ll search through the books to find the Spells you’re looking for.”

—— [Fate: DML] ——

Ciri sat, sullen as her mind kept returning to the young Sorcerer who had accompanied her for months.

The Witcheress wasn’t unfamiliar with having to leave people behind, she had done so to both her surrogate father Geralt and her friend– The Elven Sage Avallac’h after all, yet it had never gotten any easier, and even as she tried to remind herself of Leonis’ capability, she couldn’t help but wondered if she had made the right call, or if she should have stayed and fought alongside him.

“Do you want to go back?” Triss– Her ever loving sister asked. “It’s okay, the Mages are safe now. You and I can go back for him.”

“We can?” Ciri repeated as Triss smiled meaningfully. “Of course, I owe him, and regardless of what the general populace think of Sorceresses, not all of us are ungrateful wretches. C’mon, let us go look for our young friend, shall we?”

The smile tugging on Ciri’s lips was brilliant.

With a wave of her hand, Triss opened a portal back to Novigrad.

The ships had left Novigrad’s dock for over an hour, close to two now, but the cost for transporting two people shouldn’t prove too problematic for her. Thus, the two– One Sorceress, one Witcheress set out to look for the young Sorcerer… Only to find Novigrad in complete and utter ruin. “What happened here? Did Leonis do all this?”

Their questions were soon answered as a Redanian Soldier came barreling through the street with a Rider of the Wild Hunt hot on his heels. Ciri snarled, blinking next to the Rider and with an effortless swing of her Black Key, bisected the armored Elf from the waist. “The Wild Hunt?! Leonis must have used the Elder Blood to fight off the Hunters and they tracked him to Novigrad. We must hurry!”

The Witcheress turned to her surrogate sister, the Sorceress’ palms blazing with raging flame, and before long, all the wildfire nearby had been snuffed out by her magic. “Ciri, look over there.”

The Witcheress squinted, finally seeing the traces of Elder Blood Energy lingering in the environment. It was obvious Leonis had been here, and now that she looked closer, she could even see… People. Some were Elves, some humans, but one thing was clear, they had all been transformed into tiny versions of themselves. “… It’s Leonis’ Spell, he named it [Spatial Shrink].”

She touched the blood. “It’s still fresh, they died recently, half an hour ago at most.”

Ciri stood up, blade still gripped tightly in her hand. “He should be near, can you–?”

“I know a Spell, it will show us what happen.” Her surrogate sister mumbled a Aria beneath her breaths, her palm lighting up with an odd orange light.

“P̶̛͈̪̘̬a̗̝ͫ͡͏͜ş̶̨̅̈́ṭ̨̠̼͜ ̬̹͕̽ͨ̚É͓̞̫̂͟͟v̴̧̟̤͈͆́e̥̯͔n͚͛͑̇ţ̵̷̼̘ͅs̙̝͈̃̌͊̕,̢̪ ́͏R̡͇̀͘ë̘́v̛̞̦͠͞e̴͉͎̭ͯ̆͌͢͏a̱l̨̖ͮͯͧ ̧̩̓ͦͩT͂̾h̯̰͏͘͠y͕͎̲̓̂͡ş̰͚̑̏͞e̳͡l̺̬̥ͬ̋ͅf ̛ͬ̀ͅT̳̝̭͂̄̕͝͞o̷̩̤ͥ͒ͅ ̛̫̝͇̝͊ͫM̵̰̔̀ͮ͝ế̴̡.̢̎”

Orange phantoms appeared, showing Leonis dismantling several Riders, before closing his palm, turning them small. The tiny Riders all looked confused and afraid, even through their armors, the fear in their demeanors and body language was visible to the Witcheress’ eyes. She had seen Leonis in battle plenty of times, but this wasn’t a battle. It was a massacre. He used the Elder Blood with such proficiency and ease she wasn’t even aware was possible.

Once done with the Riders, the young Sorcerer leaped on top of a burning building, using the roofs to traverse the chaotic battlefield the famed Free City had become. “I didn’t know he could do that…”

She muttered, in awe at the displays of mastery over the same Power she had struggled for years with. In fact, even Triss– A renowned Sorceress seemed stumped. “He compressed Space itself to shrink his foes… What a fascinating use of the Elder Blood.”

“Do- Do you think he’ll teach me?” Triss chuckled, shaking her head. “I’m certain he will, I think he’s just waiting for you to ask, but–”

“But?” They began to run after the phantoms. “– I thought you weren’t interested in Magic?”

The Witcheress blushed, smiling awkwardly. “I’m not, I’m interested in the Elder Blood. I’ve always thought of it as a Curse, but since I can’t discard it anyway…”

“Why not use it?” The fiery Sorceress finished her sentence with a laugh. On the road, they saw scene after scene of Leonis fighting, tricking or simply blasting entire groups of enemies away. Be them Red Riders, Witch Hunters or Redanian Guards, he slaughtered them with the same ease as catching a chicken. His physical capabilities alone were enough to bring them to their knees, coupled with his Magecraft… “He’s like–”

“An unstoppable Force of Nature.” They continued until they finally found his phantom surrounded by Riders, one of whom quickly turning against his own squadron when he realized there was no way to win. Then, he and the young Sorcerer they were looking for soon disappeared in a portal. “… He has gone to Aen Elle?! We must save him, he can’t fight their entire World on his own, it’s impossible! What was he thinking?!”

Ciri raged, and acting in response, her Elder Blood pulsed, sending waves upon waves of Mana spreading outwards. “Ciri, relax! You know how he is, he won’t go if he doesn’t think he can win, you must remain clear-headed or you will walk right into their trap!”

“But, Triss! Leonis, he’s–” Triss Merigold hissed, face knitted with worry. “He will be fine, he can fight off both Riders and Witch Hunters, he won’t be captured so easily! Focus on your powers, his Elder Blood was created from yours, perhaps you can find him using the link between you two.”

The Witcheress clenched her teeth, letting out shaky breath. “You’re right… I’ll try to find him.”

The sky shone bright with a swirling mass of tortoise-green Mana, her eyes rolling back to reveal only a milky white as focused, grabbing the manifestation of the Elder Blood inside her. Her Soul whirled through Space and Time, if she had a body, Ciri might have puked her guts out by now, but then the mess of colorful lights abruptly stopped. The Witcheress felt drawn to a thread connecting her with something, Leonis most likely.

Hence, she followed it to find herself anchored to a Space– A Ruin to be precise. “He’s here?”

In that Spirit-like form, her voice was ethereal. She floated through the Ruin like a ghost, before seeing lights in a hidden corridor. It would appear the thread led there too. “LEONIS! Are you there?!”

Intangible as she was, the Witcheress easily passed the obstructing stone-doors, seeing the young Sorcerer sitting calmly, reading through some books as always. He didn’t seem hurt, if anything, he looked no different than when they had left. Though his brows were furrowed, it clearly wasn’t out of fear or a sense of uncertainty, he should be safe. “Leonis!”

His head snapped up, looking straight at her. “Ciri? What are you doing here? Why are you like that?!”

“I’m looking for you, Triss and I returned to get you, but the Riders were there. We couldn’t find you, so I- We thought the worst has happened and–” The teenager(?) got to his feet, his frown tightening. “You can’t be here, not in that form. The Soul shouldn’t leave the Body, ever! What were you thinking doing something so reckless?!”

Ciri bit back. “I was worried! I knew you were strong, but- but you’re family now!”

“You know what I’m like, your worry is appreciated, but–”

“But what?! Do you know how lonely it is to know you’re the only one left of your kind?! What were you thinking going to Aen Elle? I thought, I thought Eredin had taken you and I just, I lost it… I finally find someone who understands, and he went off-world to planet housing my greatest enemy, what was I supposed to do?!”

Leonis sighed, swiping a hand down his face. “Look, I didn’t mean to upset you, but you must return to your body. It’s not safe for you to wander about as a Spirit, focus in the link to your body, return quickly. I’ll meet you at… I’ll meet you at the Crones’, I was planning on making a trip there for any potential magical tome anyway…”

“I- I– Fine. See you there, and don’t be late.” Ciri turned to leave, then stopped, realizing she had not a clue how to return to her body. “Let me guess, you can’t return?”

The Witcheress’ lips twitched as she nodded awkwardly. “Haaaaaa… You’re not dead, so there should be a link leading back to your body. Feel for it, and once you find the link, grab on, it should take you home. Don’t think, don’t let in unnecessary thoughts, have a clear goal and allow your instincts to take over. The Elder Blood is a natural part of you, it wants to live as much as you do, it will help you, but you can’t fight it. Understood?”

Ciri huffed. She wasn’t even sure how she did it, seeing as her physical-self wasn’t there, but she had long ignored all the utter bullshits Magic was capable of. “Like this?”

“You’re doing good, but stop talking. It messes with your focus, try to relay to the Blood what you want–” Her Spirit flickered brightly as she tried to make the accursed Blood do her bidding. “Stop, stop, stop! Guide it, nudge, coax it gently! Think of it as an over-excited child, the more you try to force it to obey, the less likely it is to follow your orders. Relax, go with the floWOo–“

His voice drawled as Space-Time were twisted and the magical Blood in her thrummed with the kind of Might she wasn’t even aware it was capable of. In an instance, it wad like all events in the timestream; past, present and future were made known to her and her alone. Of course, the knowledge and feelings did not last, it’s like her mind refused to comprehend what it was shown in order to preserve her sanity, and with a snap, she was back.

Ciri shot from the bed, gasping for air. “Ciri, you’re awake!”

Triss’ voice sounded.

“I told you she would be fine.” Another, male, quipped in. Leonis’. “How are you here, I was just talking to you?”

Ciri looked at the Sorcerer, tilting her head in confusion. “Yeah… About that, that happened over a three days ago. I don’t know where you were, but you were gone for quite some time.”

“But, it was just an instance?” He shrugged, his toothy grin widening slightly. “Time’s weird like that, you’ll make to make peace with it. How are you feeling?”

How was she feeling exactly? “Like shit. I can’t believe I’ve been out for three days.”

Her head ached with unfathomable knowledge, her body felt like it hadn’t eaten or drunk anything in days, which she supposed was true, and her heartbeats were erratically jumping around. “Wait… Vesemir, I saw him die! The Hunt killed him!”

“Ciri, that hasn’t happened yet, and I doubt it ever will.”

Ciri scowled at him. “I watched it happen Leonis!”

Triss rolled her eyes, tapping the Sorcerer’s head laughingly. “Stop messing with her, will you?”

Leonis snorted. “Like to spoil my funs, don’t you? I couldn’t tell you three days ago since you were having a very dangerous and reckless out-of-body experience, but it’s over. Eredin and Imlerith are dead, gone, deceased. I killed Eredin when I visited Aen Elle, real impressive architecture by the way, and Imlerith’s brain likely still decorates the Hierarch Square.”

… “You killed them?” She asked, unwilling to believe his words.

“Uh-huh.” He replied, so she asked again.

“Like, really killed them.”

“… Is there another meaning to the word that I’m not aware of? Yes, Princess. The Wild Hunt’s done for.”

This time, Ciri did not repeat her question. Instead, she gently, carefully laid back down on the bed. “It’s kind of anti-climatic, isn’t it? Those two have chased across dozens of planets now.”

“Quite, but the real enemy isn’t them, it’s the White Frost. We’ll have to deal with that sooner or later, lest it consumes this planet too.”

“I see…” The ashen-haired Witcheress closed her eyes, suddenly feeling the weight of exhaustion hitting her all at once. “Can you guys–?”

She did not finish her words before being interrupted by her surrogate sister. “We’ll leave you to rest. Sleep, Ciri. You need it–” The Sorceress’ hand on her forehead felt warm, caring. “When you wake, there will be foods waiting for you on the table.”

The Witcheress forcefully swallowed her words. She couldn’t afford to speak, she knew she would burst into tears if she did. A decade of pursuit had ended at last, she was free. “Thank you…”

Her voice trembled. “Thank you so much.”

A laugh sounded near her ear. “Don’t mention it, Princess.”

Sleep did not come easy for Ciri, what with all the thoughts and fears that this, all of this was simply a figment of her over-active imagination, and she would wake up to find nothing had changed, and the Wild Hunt still hot on her heels. Alas, powerful magical child or not, she could not fight her biological reactions, and soon sank into peaceful slumber.

As opposed to every other night, Cirilla of Cintra did not have nightmares that day. She slept and had the best sleep of her life.

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